Here are some of the latest, greatest playthings

University of Cincinnati professor Ernie Hall has discovered the joys of using comic books in the classroom - for learning - although the professor of robotics and computer science isn't opposed to having fun either.

Thousands of passionate GiN readers have cast their ballots to choose the nominees for the Game Of the Year Awards

As digital technologies stretch the boundaries of the publishing industry, a software package is making it easy for mere mortals to go to their computers and — Ka-Pow! — create their own comic books.

Budding comics artists and comics lovers of any age will flip for Comic Book Creator, a simple layout program that makes it a snap to turn your digital photos or video-game screenshots into attractive comic-style layouts.

A year ago, relatively few people had heard of Photobucket.com. While the upstart Web site is still far from a household name, it has emerged as the most popular online photo destination in recent months, drawing more visitors than established sites from companies like Eastman Kodak Co. and Yahoo Inc.

Jack Black often seems to be channeling his inner comic book character, so it feels appropriate that Planetwide Games has signed a deal with Paramount Pictures that will allow fans to create their own comics using assets from the upcoming film "Nacho Libre".

You don't have to have a pet to know that animals are funny. Just look at the comics in the newspaper — Peanuts, Garfield, Get Fuzzy, Rhymes With Orange, to name a few.

Unless you've been trapped in a villain's lair, you know "Spider-Man 3" opens Friday. Not surprisingly, the promotional spin has gripped my house. Spidey adorns my 3-year-old's shoes, his underwear, his pajamas and now his juice box.

Universal Pictures and Planetwide Media are launching a digital comic book based on the upcoming action feature Smokin’ Aces from writer/director Joe Carnahan (Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane).

Planet Wide Media has put comic book creation in YOUR hands! That's right, no matter how skilled (or unskilled) you may be at being an artist, Planet Wide has put together a wonderful series of PC based software that allows you to control the destiny of the universe! :)

What self-respecting video-game player can honestly say they have never read a comic book? But let’s take it a step further – how many of you have wished you could create your own comic book?

This is by far the coolest software I've seen in a while. I've been playing with it all weekend and turned my original manga into a colorful work of art. If you've had any notions about creating your own manga, this is the software for you! :)

MAKE A COMIC BOOK. PRINT A COMIC BOOK.
BE A COMIC BOOK. This is no laughing matter. What we have here is a program for making comic books.

X-Men for Xmas? You bet! And for anyone who wants to create their own personalized Marvel comics, Comic Book Creator is a thought-balloon come true. Drag and drop your favorite Marvel characters, backgrounds, and clipart to create your own Marvel-inspired action.