Comic Book Resources

Pop culture website

CBR

Screenshot of CBR homepage in August 2023

Formerly| Comic Book Resources (1995–2016)

Type of site

| Pop culture
Available in| English
Headquarters| Saint-Laurent, Quebec
Owner| Valnet
Created by| Jonah Weiland
URL| www.cbr.com
Launched| 1995; 30 years ago (1995)
Current status| Online

CBR, formerly Comic Book Resources, is a news website primarily covering comic book news, comic book reviews, and comic book–related topics involving movies, television, anime, and video games. It is owned by Valnet, parent of publications including Screen Rant, Collider, MovieWeb and XDA Developers.

## History

[edit]

Comic Book Resources (CBR) was founded by Jonah Weiland in 1995 as a development of the Kingdom Come Message Board, a message forum that Weiland created to discuss DC Comics' then-new mini-series of the same name.[1][2]

CBR has featured columns by industry professionals such as Robert Kirkman, Gail Simone, and Mark Millar.[1] Other columns were published by comic book historians and critics such as George Khoury and Timothy Callahan.[3][4]

### Acquisition by Valnet

[edit]

Relaunched logo used between 2016 and 2023

By April 4, 2016, CBR was sold to Valnet Inc., a Montreal, Canada–based company that owns other media properties including Screen Rant.[5][6] The site was relaunched as CBR.com on August 23, 2016, with the blogs integrated into the site.[7][8] Popverse reported that following the acquisition by Valnet "comics were increasingly sidelined for coverage [...], as were both reviews and columns as focuses for publishing; instead, the site refocused on shorter news pieces and reactions to news stories".[8] Valnet Inc. is a subsidiary of Valsef Group, which is also headquartered in Montreal.[9]

### Firings and staff turmoil

[edit]

Adam Swiderski, CBR's editor-in-chief since July 2022,[10] along with "senior news editor Stephen Gerding after 18 years with CBR and senior features editor Christopher Baggett after eight years" were laid off by Valnet in May 2023.[11] Heidi MacDonald, for The Beat, reported that Swiderski, Gerding and Baggett were removed for "standing up for writers" and "pushing back against" changes Valnet instituted.[12] MacDonald wrote that "writers were being asked to do more work while shrinking the pay-per-view rates. The situation was described to me by one person as 'working writers to the bone', saying "The situation is so dire that in addition to the three editors, I'm told two HR people were laid off, who also objected to the demands that management was making on writers, who, as a reminder, are contractors, not employees".[12] Graeme McMillan, for Popverse, commented that Valnet's culture does not permit "its contributors and employees to question corporate decree" which has led to layoffs of people who have spoken out "about potential issues over Valnet's management and business practices" at CBR and other Valnet-owned sites.[8]

In June 2023, McMillan of Popverse reported that there was a continuing "editorial exodus" at CBR.[13] In August 2023, Rich Johnston of Bleeding Cool commented that there appears to be "serious internal tensions" at CBR and highlighted that former CBR Comics News Editor Sean Gribbin stated between May and August ten News Editors have either left CBR or been laid off.[14] Johnston reported that CBR Managing Editor Jon Arvden pushed back on speculation that CBR was eliminating its news section.[14]

## Comic Book Idol

[edit]

Comic Book Idol, also known as CBI, is an amateur comic-book art competition created and hosted by comics writer J. Torres, and sponsored by CBR and its participating advertisers.[15] Inspired by the singing contest American Idol, CBI is a five-week and five-round competition in which each contestant is given one week to draw a script provided by guest judges. These invited comic-book professionals comment on the artists' work in each round. The contestants to move on to subsequent rounds are selected by fans who vote in a weekly poll.[15]

* Patrick Scherberger won CBI1 and has since worked on a number of Marvel Comics titles like Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man, Marvel Adventures: Hulk and GeNext.[16][17]
* Jonathan Hickman was the runner-up in CBI1 and went on to work for Virgin Comics (Guy Ritchie's Gamekeeper and Seven Brothers), Image Comics (Pax Romana, A Red Mass for Mars and Transhuman) and Marvel Comics (Fantastic Four, Astonishing Tales).[18][19]
* Carlos Rodríguez won CBI2 and went on to work on Shadowhawk for Image and Batman and the Outsiders for DC Comics.[20][21]
* Billy Penn also competed in CBI2 and went on to work on Savage Dragon.[21][22]
* Joe Infurnari, another CBI2 contestant, went on a couple of titles from Oni Press, including Wasteland and Borrowed Time, as well as on the back-up feature of Jersey Gods with Mark Waid.[21][23]
* Dan McDaid, writer and artist on various Doctor Who comics for Panini and IDW and Jersey Gods for Image Comics, as well as strips for DC Comics, competed in CBI3.[24]
* Nick Pitarra competed in CBI3 and went on to do work for Marvel Comics on books such as Astonishing Tales.[25]
* Charles Paul Wilson III, artist on The Stuff of Legend, competed in CBI3.[26]

## Reception

[edit]

In 2008, the University at Buffalo's research library described CBR as "the premiere comics-related site on the Web."[27]

In April 2013, comics writer Mark Millar said he read the site every morning after reading the Financial Times.[28]

In 2014, an article by guest author Janelle Asselin criticized the cover of DC Comics's Teen Titans,[29] leading to harassment of and personal threats against Asselin in the website's community forums. Weiland issued a statement apologizing for the incident, condemning the way some community members had reacted, and rebooted the forums in order to establish new ground rules.[30][31]

Heidi MacDonald, for The Beat in June 2023, commented that after CBR was purchased by Valnet in 2016 it "gradually became a more generic 'content farm' turning out less and less comics content and more and more listicles and inane click-baity articles".[12]

## Awards

[edit]

* 1999, 2000, 2001: Won the "Favourite Comics-Related Website (professional)" Eagle Award.[1][32]
* 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008: Nominated for the "Favourite Comics-Related Website" Eagle Award.[1][33]
* 2009: Won the "Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism" Eisner Award.[34]
* 2010, 2011: Won the "Favourite Comics-Related Website" Eagle Award.[35][36]
* 2011: Won the "Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism" Eisner Award.[37]
* 2013: Won the "Best Biographical, Historical or Journalistic Presentation" Harvey Award for its Robot 6 blog.[38]
* 2014: Won the "Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism" Eisner Award.[39]
* 2021: Nominated for "Best Comics-Related Website/Publication Tripwire Awards.[40]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "Press Kit". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019 - via The Wayback Machine.
2. ^ Arrant, Chris (August 6, 2019). "DC Hires Jonah Wiland as VP of Marketing & Creative Services". Newsarama. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019 - via The Wayback Machine.
3. ^ "Jorge Khoury". Comic Book Resources. 9 December 2011. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019 - via The Wayback Machine.
4. ^ "Timothy Callahan". Comic Book Resources. 21 November 2014. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019 - via The Wayback Machine.
5. ^ Rich Johnston (April 4, 2016). "How Comic Book Resources Employees Learned Their Site Had Been Sold To Valnet". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on 2016-06-11. Retrieved June 14, 2016 - via The Wayback Machine.
6. ^ "Comic Book Resources Acquired". ICv2. April 4, 2016. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
7. ^ MacDonald, Heidi (2016-08-25). "CBR.com has new design, rebrand, no blogs". The Beat. Archived from the original on 2016-11-11. Retrieved 2017-01-12 - via The Wayback Machine.
8. ^ a b c McMillan, Graeme (June 12, 2023). "CBR layoffs: What led to the firing of three-quarters of their editors (and what happens next)". Popverse. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
9. ^ "Home - Valsef Group". Valsel Group. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
10. ^ McMillan, Graeme (May 30, 2023). "The comic & pop culture journalism website CBR just laid off its editor-in-chief". Popverse. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
11. ^ Johnston, Rich (June 4, 2023). "Firings, Quittings and Valnet Fallout at Comic Book Resources". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
12. ^ a b c MacDonald, Heidi (June 2, 2023). "Inside the CBR layoffs and bad week". The Beat. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
13. ^ McMillan, Graeme (June 28, 2023). "Three more editors leave CBR, continuing exodus pattern". Popverse. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
14. ^ a b Johnston, Rich (August 22, 2023). "A Deleted CBR Post Indicates Serious Internal Tensions". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
15. ^ a b Torres, J (September 5, 2007). "Just the FAQs, m'am". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on April 28, 2008. Retrieved February 27, 2016 - via The Wayback Machine.
16. ^ Patrick Scherberger at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
17. ^ Cronin, Brian (September 26, 2007). "Idol Thoughts 9/26". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2016 - via The Wayback Machine.
18. ^ Jonathan Hickman at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
19. ^ Cronin, Brian (September 4, 2007). "Jonathan Hickman on "Comic Book Idolâ€¦ what!?!"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved January 9, 2017. [dead link]
20. ^ Carlos Rodríguez at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
21. ^ a b c Cronin, Brian (27 May 2009). "Idol Thoughts 10/4". Comic Book Resources. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
22. ^ Billy Penn at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
23. ^ Joe Infurnari at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
24. ^ Cardwell, Mark (April 3, 2018). "Talking Doctor Who with CBI Finalist Dan McDaid". Comic Book Resources. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
25. ^ Tarbys, Jason (January 22, 2013). "Nick Pitarra Talks Conspiring with Hickman On 'Manhattan Projects'". Comic Book Resources. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
26. ^ "Comic Book Idol Finalists Announced; Winner to Draw "Popgun" Story for Image". Comic Book Resources. Wayback Machine. October 12, 2017. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
27. ^ "Comic Books: Internet Resources". University of Buffalo Libraries. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
28. ^ "The Third Degree: Mark Millar" Jupiter's Legacy, vol. 1, no. 1, p. 27 (April 2013). Image Comics.
29. ^ Asselin, Janelle (April 11, 2014). "Anatomy of a Bad Cover: DC's New 'Teen Titans' #1". Comic Book Resources. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
30. ^ "Out With the Old: Introducing the New CBR Community". Comic Book Resources. Wayback Machine. April 30, 2014. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
31. ^ Polo, Susana (2014-05-01). "CBR Overhauls Forums In Wake of Widespread Discussion of Treatment of Women in Comics". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on 2016-02-21. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
32. ^ "2001". Eagle Awards. Wayback Machine. February 6, 2011. Archived from the original on February 6, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
33. ^ "2008". Eagle Awards. Wayback Machine. November 30, 2011. Archived from the original on November 30, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
34. ^ "2000s". San Diego Comic-Con. Wayback Machine. December 2, 2012. Archived from the original on April 11, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
35. ^ "2010". Eagle Awards. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
36. ^ "2011". Eagle Awards. Wayback Machine. November 30, 2011. Archived from the original on November 30, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
37. ^ "2010-Present". San Diego Comic-Con. Wayback Machine. December 2, 2012. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
38. ^ "Your 2013 Harvey Awards Winners". The Comics Reporter. Wayback Machine. September 8, 2013. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
39. ^ "2014 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Winners". San Diego Comic-Con. Wayback Machine. July 26, 2014. Archived from the original on April 1, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
40. ^ "Tripwire Awards 2021 Results In Full". TRIPWIRE MAGAZINE. 2021-08-27. Retrieved 2024-03-23.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Comics information sources

Print|

* Alter Ego
* Back Issue!
* Comic Shop News
* Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide

Print/online|

* Bleeding Cool
* The Comics Journal
* Fantasy Advertiser

Online|

* Comic Book Resources
* Comics Beat
* The Comics Chronicles
* IGN
* Newsarama
* io9
* Universo HQ
* Fumettologica

Databases|

* Lambiek Comiclopedia
* Grand Comics Database
* Guia dos Quadrinhos
* Inducks
* Don Markstein's Toonopedia

Defunct|

* Amazing Heroes
* BEM
* Borderline
* CAPA-alpha
* The Comic Reader
* Comics & Cola
* Comics Buyer's Guide
* Comics Feature
* Comics International
* Comics Reporter
* Comics Scene
* ComicsAlliance
* ComicsVerse
* Comics Bulletin
* Hero Illustrated
* Rocket's Blast Comicollector
* Speakeasy
* Wizard

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