Year award. A fund to support journalists, writers, cartoonists and artists is launched. The fund is intended to help those who become persecuted for their work in the Middle East or North Africa. The fund was developed at the International Conference on Freedom of Expression in the Arab World, held in Amman, Jordan, in December 2005. Comic book writer J. Torres is to write a series of graphic novels based on the popular television drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation. German manga Yonen Buzzs first volume is released in English by Tokyopop. January 11, 2006: Hal Foster fan Sid Weiskirch is to curate an exhibition of his work at the Noyes Cultural Center in Evanston, Illinois, where Foster was resident for 17 years. Seth is interviewed by Daniel Robert Epstein for UnderGround Online. AdHouse Books founder Chris Pitzer is interviewed at Newsarama. Pitzer discusses his opinion of the state of the industry at present and also the future. January 12, 2006: Marvel Comics unveil a new costume for Spider-Man. The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists place a report from the Business Journal of Phoenix, which comments on the future of editorial cartooning in the United States, upon their website.The Comics Reporter The Springfield News-Sun offer up their top ten Stan Lee moments. Tim Marchman reviews Chris Ware's Acme Novelty Library for the New York Press.Marksman, Tim. New York Press Spike TV is to show a two-hour drama based on the comic book and media franchise character Blade. Simon & Schuster, Inc. announce that as of January 2006 they are to handle distribution within the United States for VIZ Media's book division. January 15, 2006: The Guardian review Hergé's Adventures of Tintin the musical at the Young Vic based on Tintin in Tibet. January 16, 2006: ICv2 reports on 2005 sales figures for works distributed to comics stores, noting that sales of graphic novels were up by a third. Paul Gravett reviews the Young Vic's production of Hergé's Adventures of Tintin. January 17, 2006: Drawn & Quarterly announce plans to collect Tove Jansson's Moomin comic strips. It is planned to collect the works in five volumes. DC Comics announce that Dan Jurgens has signed an exclusive contract with them. The Harvey Awards announce that they have added a "Best Online Comics Work" category to this year's awards. January 18, 2006: ICv2 report that Strangers in Paradise by Terry Moore is to