When inspirational gifts leader Peter Dunn says that he understands the challenges facing Christian retailers, he's not just making sympathetic small talk--he's talking from experience.

In addition to the long-standing factory store at his manufacturing headquarters in Dalton, Ohio, Dunn--a former gift market representative on the CBA board--oversees two successful outlets in Gatlinburg, Tenn., and others in Branson, Mo., and Walnut Creek, Ohio.

The partnership--featuring a campaign in the Christian retail channel and the general market, consisting of P.O.S. (point of sale) displays, advertising, publicity and marketing efforts in several grocery store chains--will highlight the "Veggies Are Good For You" DVD series and Dr. Colbert's Siloam/Strang Book Group children's book, Eat This and Live! for Kids.

Although its fans are legion and its characters are more frequently appearing on the big screen--including this summer's Iron Man 2--the $320-million-a-year comic book industry has yet to make much impact at Christian retail. But creators and publishers are hoping to change that.

One Christian producer in the genre exhibited at the mainstream MegaCon convention in Orlando, Fla., in March, which drew a crowd of more than 37,000. Art Ayris, Kingstone Media CEO, introduced visitors to the Leesburg, Fla. company's faith-based offerings, which include science fiction, action adventure, historical fiction, biographies and biblical epics.

"We've operated the Northwestern Book Stores in this area since 1949, and we're happy to be passing the ministry baton to LifeWay Christian Stores, who has the same heart and desire to serve these communities that we've had these many years," said Brian Cutshall, president and CEO of Northwestern.

On behalf of a coalition of member publishers, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) had asked the court to hold Andrew Amue in contempt of court for his repeated refusal to comply with the March 2008 court order.

As the makers of Fireproof shoot the follow-up to their 2008 hit movie, their publisher has revealed plans for related books that hope to replicate the success of the marriage drama's tie-in titles.

Currently shooting in Albany, Ga., and due to be released next year, Courageous will be twinned with a new title from B&H Books/B&H Publishing Group that will center on the film's theme of fatherhood. It will be accompanied by a book on the same topic by Michael Catt, senior pastor of film-making brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick's home church, Sherwood Baptist Church.