WEBVTT 00:00.031 --> 00:03.260 [SPEAKER_00]: O'Neigh Press to publish openly graphic novels. 00:03.361 --> 00:05.627 [SPEAKER_00]: Sweetshop app launches in beta. 00:05.647 --> 00:09.519 [SPEAKER_00]: Indian publisher loses 600,000 comics in fire. 00:09.539 --> 00:13.129 [SPEAKER_00]: This is Comic Book Club News from November 11, 2025. 00:29.427 --> 00:38.837 [SPEAKER_00]: This upcoming February, O'Neigh Press will publish first freedom, the story of Opel Lee and Juneteenth as part of the year-long celebration of Opel Lee's hundredth birthday. 00:38.937 --> 00:49.949 [SPEAKER_00]: Written by Angelique Roche with Art by Alvin Eps, Millicent Monroe and Bex Gellending, the book was created with the, quote, support and involvement of Dr. Lee and her granddaughter, Dion Sims. 00:50.209 --> 00:59.299 [SPEAKER_00]: In addition to telling life story of Lee, it also includes back matter with insights 00:59.279 --> 01:01.382 [SPEAKER_00]: And a mere five is a national holiday. 01:01.543 --> 01:03.846 [SPEAKER_00]: They had Dr. Opa Lee via press release quote. 01:03.886 --> 01:06.510 [SPEAKER_00]: This book tells our history and a way young people love. 01:06.590 --> 01:07.993 [SPEAKER_00]: And it's rooted in the truth. 01:08.073 --> 01:10.617 [SPEAKER_00]: It's a powerful tool to get them reading and learning. 01:10.677 --> 01:20.933 [SPEAKER_00]: First, freedom, the story of Opa Lee and Jude Teeth will hit stores on February 2nd, 2026. 01:24.507 --> 01:36.180 [SPEAKER_00]: In the immortal words of DJ Collin, another one, or to be more specific yet another digital comic shop has launched with sweet shop and during an invite only beta pending approval on app stores. 01:36.320 --> 01:46.532 [SPEAKER_00]: So that's part beyond 24 publishers already in the app or the press release quote, as part of their commitment to the hard work of creators and publishers sweet shop does not accept AI comics. 01:46.512 --> 01:53.043 [SPEAKER_00]: That last part isn't necessarily news as sweet announced that AI need not apply back in July of 2024. 01:53.744 --> 01:59.453 [SPEAKER_00]: However, it's nice to hear them reaffirm the commitment nearly a year and a half later, now that they're ready to launch. 01:59.473 --> 02:06.805 [SPEAKER_00]: In fact, back last year, they noted that they've, quote, enabled cloud flares, new AI firewall, which will help us block bad actors. 02:06.946 --> 02:10.832 [SPEAKER_00]: We've boosted our botstock text to block all AI scrapers we know. 02:10.812 --> 02:16.339 [SPEAKER_00]: And not only that, despite admitting that some functions using AI might be cool, it's not worth the cost. 02:16.359 --> 02:19.583 [SPEAKER_00]: So quote, we're not going to do some shady opt-out surprise. 02:19.663 --> 02:22.107 [SPEAKER_00]: We will not host generative AI comic work. 02:22.127 --> 02:24.450 [SPEAKER_00]: We're going to be so human, it's gross. 02:24.610 --> 02:32.700 [SPEAKER_00]: Polisher's on the app currently include image comics, codon chef, fan-to-graphics, dark horse, IDW, manga, mavericks, ignition press, and panic. 02:32.720 --> 02:38.828 [SPEAKER_00]: Well, Marvel and DC have yet to join Sweet Shop, given the respective stances against AI, maybe they could find common ground? 02:38.988 --> 02:40.330 [SPEAKER_00]: I don't know, I just work here. 02:40.310 --> 02:49.662 [SPEAKER_00]: You can check out Sweet Shop yourself or at least join the wait list at sweetshop.app. 02:53.219 --> 03:01.369 [SPEAKER_00]: Indian comic book publisher Amar Chitra Kathra has lost more than 600,000 books in a massive fire in its Mumbai warehouse. 03:01.389 --> 03:06.675 [SPEAKER_00]: For the BBC, the comic publisher has been known for releasing stories on quote, religion, mythology, and history. 03:06.716 --> 03:14.485 [SPEAKER_00]: Since 1967, mostly aimed at kids, the outlet describes the books as playing quote, a vital role in cultivating a love for reading among children. 03:14.465 --> 03:28.090 [SPEAKER_00]: However, an electrical fire broke out on October 1st and reached for over 4 days, and 600,000 copies of a Mar-Cheacher Kathra and Sister publication, Tinkle, as well as special edition box sets and merchandise were irrevocably lost. 03:28.111 --> 03:35.865 [SPEAKER_00]: Perhaps even worse, 200 hand drawings from the 1960s and 70s and other original printing materials were also consumed to the fire. 03:35.845 --> 03:41.613 [SPEAKER_00]: Well, they do have digital copies, the head of marketing for the publisher described the lost materials as priceless. 03:41.813 --> 03:51.487 [SPEAKER_00]: A Mar-Cheacher Conthera usually sells about 4.5 million copies of books a year, these 600,000 copies were earmarked for events like book festivals and comic cons. 03:51.627 --> 03:59.178 [SPEAKER_00]: However, the company does note they also have over 1500 books available digitally through their app, just not the irreplaceable lost art. 03:59.278 --> 04:05.447 [SPEAKER_00]: For comic book club news, I'm Alex Alvin, and we also don't accept AI comics, but we also don't publish comics. 04:05.427 --> 04:11.540 [SPEAKER_00]: Just say, got tips or stories you'd like us to cover, email us at comic bookclublive at gmail.com. 04:11.721 --> 04:16.531 [SPEAKER_00]: For more comic book news, reviews and interviews, check out comic bookclublive.com. 04:16.712 --> 04:21.462 [SPEAKER_00]: Listen early and add free on patreon.com slash comic book club.