New Comic Book Celebrates Olivia Newton John

Olivia Newton-John rides in the 85th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, California, US November 27, 2016. REUTERS/Phil McCarten/Files
Olivia Newton-John rides in the 85th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, California, US November 27, 2016. REUTERS/Phil McCarten/Files
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New Comic Book Celebrates Olivia Newton John

Olivia Newton-John rides in the 85th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, California, US November 27, 2016. REUTERS/Phil McCarten/Files
Olivia Newton-John rides in the 85th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, California, US November 27, 2016. REUTERS/Phil McCarten/Files

The life of Olivia Newton-John, best known for her starring role in the high-school musical movie "Grease," is being celebrated in a new tribute comic book by TidalWave Comics.

The 36-page glossy will be released on Sept. 21, five days before what would have been the British-Australian actor-singer's 74th birthday.

Newton-John was born in Cambridge, England in 1948, and went on to win four Grammy awards and numerous American Music Awards as well as star in the film adaptation of the stage musical "Grease."

She reunited with "Grease" leading man John Travolta in 2018 for a special 40th anniversary screening of the romantic comedy, the highest-grossing musical film at the time of its release.

In 2018 Newton-John revealed she was diagnosed with cancer for a third time, and became an ardent advocate of medical cannabis.

According to Reuters, Publisher Darren Davis said it was an honor to work with Newton-John on the comic before her passing on Aug. 8, and gain "her insight and exclusive info which we have used in this issue."

The comic includes a resource guide about breast cancer.

Part of the proceeds will go to the ONJ Foundation, a charity Newton-John formed in 2020 to sponsor research into plant medicine treatments for cancer.



UAE's Sheikha Bodour Inaugurates 1st Sharjah Literature Festival

The event brings together literary icons from across the UAE, united by stories of human creativity - WAM
The event brings together literary icons from across the UAE, united by stories of human creativity - WAM
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UAE's Sheikha Bodour Inaugurates 1st Sharjah Literature Festival

The event brings together literary icons from across the UAE, united by stories of human creativity - WAM
The event brings together literary icons from across the UAE, united by stories of human creativity - WAM

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority and Honorary President of the Emirates Publishers Association, officially inaugurated the first edition of the Sharjah Literature Festival.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, under the slogan ‘Emirati Tales Inspire the Future,’ the festival aims to showcase Emirati literary creativity while reinforcing the UAE’s position as a vibrant hub for literature and culture, WAM reported.

With nine core themes encompassing various aspects of literature, culture, and various engaging events, the festival offers a dynamic platform for exchanging visions and ideas among local literary and cultural leaders. It also provides a key opportunity to support Emirati publishers and further strengthen the UAE’s publishing sector.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi expressed pride in launching this new cultural event in Sharjah, the incubator of culture, literature and creativity.

She said: ‘The Sharjah Literature Festival is a celebration of our shared stories and a platform to nurture Emirati creativity. By connecting the past with the present, this festival elevates the transformative power of literature to inspire progress and cultural dialogue. These stories will resonate not only within the UAE but also across the world, building bridges of understanding and imagination.’