Author: R.J. Bowman

The Walking Dead #115 Sells 350,000 – Image Deflates DC Comics

Oct. 10 Comics, News no comments

So Image sets the pedal to the metal straight out of the gate this month with The Walking Dead #115 selling 350,000 copies (according to a USA Today). We talked about how DC Comics, Marvel, IDW Publishing, and other publishers would fight in the September War. DC Comics took September but Image is making the biggest impact in October.

the-walking-dead-115-gWhy the September War?

When the first season of The Walking Dead was coming out, that was all anyone was talking about. Comic book publishers knew they were going to have a heck of a time getting any air time with Image’s The Walking Dead hitting the small screen. Thus, we had the birth of the September War with DC Comics launching the New 52 a few years ago. Every year, publishers have tried to pull out the stops to make sure Image did not simply have a “walk-on” during October.

This Year is Different

Not only do we have The Walking Dead Season 4 premiere this weekend, we had The Walking Dead #115 crush the competition this year with the highest-selling book of the year. Of course, the multiple covers added to the hype, but that does not matter when talking about the top selling book of the year.

Two in a Row?

DC Comics is on a huge high coming out of September. Even though the month was darkened and asterisked due to the Villain Month allocation, the DC Comics numbers were huge. Image easily deflated the DC Comics balloon heading into New York Comic Con this weekend. Sure, DC Comics had the big month last month, but Image is having it this month and will be able to brag that it had the highest selling comic of the year two years in a row (remember The Walking Dead #100 last year?).

WWC at New York Comic Con!

Oct. 09 Conventions, News no comments

Hey everyone! Many of you have asked if I will be at New York Comic Con this year. Sadly, I will not be. My nephew and the love of his life are getting married this weekend and my wife and my sister have told me that they would rather I be at the wedding than out gallivanting in the Big Apple with tens of thousands of people who share many of my interests. You know I am not one to back away from a fight – but I back away from fights with my wife and sister as much as possible.

new-york-comic-con1Don’t Worry – There is Still a Presence at New York Comic Con!

As I am writing this, Dennis is in transit to New York. Just as with San Diego Comic-Con International, Dennis will send cosplay pictures for the Cosplay Photo Gallery and a few extras if he is able to. We will also discuss his trip when he gets back.

The Walking Dead Season 4 Premiere – Low Expectations

Oct. 09 News, TV & Movies no comments

We are just days away from The Walking Dead Season 4 premiere, and I am already getting myself mentally ready for the episode. There are certain statements I am making to myself to make sure I am not impacted by certain issues we have seen in the past with season premieres of The Walking Dead.

Don’t Expect the Episode of the Year Out the Gate

For the past two seasons on The Walking Dead, we have seen season-openers which were pretty flat. Many of us took to the Internet asking if this was going to be a horrible season based on the first episode. So far, we have not been let down by the rest of the season. I am already figuring that The Walking Dead Season 4 premiere will be one of the low episodes of the season.

The Walking Dead

Based on past year’s examples, I have low expectations of The Walking Dead Season 4 premiere

Don’t Expect Much Action in The Walking Dead Season 4 Premiere

Season 2 and Season 3 both started off with slower episodes. We have the opportunity to see how life has improved for Rick and the survivors, and we should not expect anything different with The Walking Dead Season 4 premiere.

Don’t Expect Much of The Governor Just Yet

I would be surprised if we saw The Governor in The Walking Dead Season 4 premiere. I would also not be surprised if we only say him briefly. I have a strong feeling we will just see more of him as the season goes on. We can be reminded of him out of the gate, but not much else.

Don’t Rely Fully on Preconceived Notions

Of course, I also know that the show’s creators could toss my previous ideas from this article out the window. The crazy thing with the show is that we could start out The Walking Dead Season 4 premiere with a huge zombie attack. I doubt it, but it would make for an interesting start to the season.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Episode 3 Thoughts

Oct. 09 News, TV & Movies no comments

So many thoughts after watching Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Episode 3. There were ups and downs, and changes which I liked and others which I am slightly leery of. I do not like giving spoilers on this site, but the show aired last night. If you have not had the chance to watch it yet, what are you doing reading this article?

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Episode 3 was pretty darn good

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Episode 3 was pretty darn good

The Birth of Graviton?

I don’t want to bust anyone’s bubble, but I knew we were going to see the birth of Graviton very early on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Episode 3. Due to a little project I am working on, I was reminded of Dr. Franklin Hall being the real name of Graviton. It was fresh in my mind last night, and I knew that somehow, we would see how Graviton came into being.

On the flip, though, I am very happy to see the “birth” of a character on the show. I want to see characters we know from the comics on the TV series. I want to see how these characters are developed on the small scree as compared to how they were developed in the comics. The final scene of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Episode 3 has me waiting to see what happens next.

Not sure who Graviton is?

Some Aspects Too Early?

Is it too early in the series to make Skye into a fighter on the team? Is it too early to make Melinda May want to enter the field? After two previous episodes, it feels rushed to have these changes happen in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Episode 3. Maybe it would be something better left for later episodes. Of course, it has happened now, but I can still have the feeling it was rushed. Maybe, they could have had the team get into more trouble here and there because of one character having no experience. Not sure.

Stick Around

I was happy to hear Clark Gregg’s voice after the traditional end of the show telling people to stick around for more of the show. This was a nice touch which reinforces how the true ending of each episode is supposed to knock your socks off.

The Jump

I would be remised if I did not comment on a piece of editing done during Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Episode 3. In the previews, we see Skye jump from the ledge and her skirt fly up exposing her underwear. This was edited from the show. Let’s put aside the sexuality of the shot and discuss the editing aspect for a moment.

When people tuned in for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Episode 3, they already had some preconceived notions about the show based on the preview for the episode. Of course, changes are made for various reasons, but it is not something which I have ever approved of. If you are going to show something in a preview, or have a quote in a preview, make damn sure it is in the episode. People lose faith if It is not. This is something which is done regularly on shows such as Castle, and it irritates me beyond belief. I don’t want Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to give me a turn-off.

Overall, though, I have to say that Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Episode 3 was the best one so far even if it did not have Nick Fury in it.

Afterlife with Archie #1 is My Pick of the Week!

Oct. 09 Comics, News no comments

This is an odd week for my Pick of the Week, because I have to give the weekly mention to Afterlife with Archie #1. There was one title which I read this week which I had to disqualify, some titles which I was disappointed with, and another which appears to be ramping up, but it was not strong enough this week to give the win to. When all was said and done, Afterlife with Archie #1 was the qualified title I enjoyed reading the most this week.

Afterlife with Archie #1 is my Pick of the Week!

Afterlife with Archie #1 is my Pick of the Week!

The Oddities of the Week

I would have loved to give my Pick of the Week to Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger #12, but many stores received the title last week. It was part of the shipping issue which also impacted the second printing of Catwoman #23 and the new issue of Stormwatch. Since the issue was a week old for many stores, I had to disqualify it from this week even though it has a solid story and was enjoyable to read.

Constantine appears to be on the verge of a great arc. He has lost all of the trinkets he has collected and is about to go toe-to-toe with an group of magi which would be deadly on their own, but are even more powerful with the items they stole from him. The first issue of the arc, though, appeared to be lacking. Of course, the character is crushed, but his redemption is sure to bring him back into the Pick of the Week contention – as long as the creators get it right.

Afterlife with Archie #1

I will be honest with you. It has been decades since I have read Archie on a regular basis. I have been awaiting this title, though, for months. I was able to make connections with the characters, since I remember them pretty well, and was able to be taken back to a simpler time through reminiscence.

Afterlife with Archie #1 allowed me to think back to how my Dad would always buy me a stack of comics before we went on a road trip. The stack would have copies of The X-Men, Batman, The New Mutants, and Archie. Of course, there was an occasional time when another title was tossed in, but these were the comics I read as a child on a regular basis. While reading Afterlife with Archie #1, I thought back to some of those trips and reading and rereading these comics in the back seat.

The first issue of the tale had a slow build, which is good for a horror story. The storytelling used much of the campy humor you remember from Archie as a kid, but the horror aspects were present and pushed through the camp into a surprisingly entertaining story. I am looking forward to checking out the next issue of Afterlife with Archie to see if the momentum can be kept.

Buying Comics Online and the Comic Book Stigma

Oct. 07 Comics, News no comments

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Do Graphic Novels Avoid Comic Book Stigma?

Oct. 07 Comics, News no comments

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Detroit Fanfare Comic Con Coverage on WWC

Oct. 07 Conventions, News no comments

Detroit Fanfare Comic Con is quickly approaching, and WonderWorldComics.com will be there in full force. I have already told you about how we are sponsoring free autographs by Brian O’Halloran all weekend, but there is more to our presence than just that.

detroit-fanfareKelly’s First Comic Book Convention

Detroit Fanfare Comic Con 2013 will be Kelly’s first comic book convention. We are excited to introduce her to a form of pleasant madness she has never come in contact with before. As you well know, she will be deluged with information and action she has never come in contact with before. She is sure to write all about it in the weeks following.

Interviews

We have already begun lining up interviews for WonderWorldComics.com. Some interviews will be performed by Kelly, I will perform some, and a few will be performed by special guests. I would tell you more, but I don’t want to give away some of the interesting ideas we have.

In the Coming Days

In the coming days, I will start talking more about Detroit Fanfare Comic Con 2013. Expect tips for this year’s convention along with information everyone is going to want to know. I will discuss some of the events you are not going to want to miss out on, and expand on some of the information you will find on the Detroit Fanfare Comic Con website.

Your Central Location

WonderWorldComics.com will be at the center of everything going on during the Detroit Fanfare Comic Con weekend. Make sure you stop here beforehand for all of your DFF news and information – stop by here for all of the news coming out of the event – and stop by here afterwards to find out what you missed. This is going to be a great year for Detroit Fanfare Comic Con, and WWC is proud to tell you everything you need to know.

If you have not gotten your advance tickets yet, get them today!

Larry’s Lessons on Collecting: Mighty Max

Oct. 03 News, Toy Collecting no comments

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Brian O’Halloran Signing FREE at Detroit Fanfare by WonderWorldComics.com

Oct. 02 Conventions, Detroit Area Comic Book Store, News no comments

Brian O’Halloran, the Master of Ceremonies Emeritus for Detroit Fanfare Comic Con 2013, will be signing free autographs all weekend during Detroit’s Coolest Comic Con through a sponsorship by WonderWorldComics.com! I will let that sink in for a moment.

1379298_727763910574487_2047958377_nWhat’s Going On?

For months, people have been asking Dennis and I about what WonderWorldComics.com would do for Detroit Fanfare Comic Con this year. We debated back and forth about different options, but we both agreed that it would be a great gift to everyone to give a guest who could sign free all weekend long.

Why Brian O’Halloran?

Why would we choose to have Brian O’Halloran sign free autographs all weekend long during Detroit Fanfare Comic Con? I used to have a dog named Dante who was named after Brian’s most famous character from Clerks. It just fits.

The Signing

Brian O’Halloran will autograph one item per person during Detroit Fanfare Comic Con weekend. People spend hours in line at some conventions and spend through the teeth to get one or two autographs. Through this sponsorship by WonderWorldComics.com, you can be guaranteed at least one autograph, no matter how much money you have in your pocket. Detroit’s Coolest Comic Con just got a little cooler.

Spread the Word!

Make sure your friends and family know about the free autographs from Brian O’Halloran the weekend of Detroit Fanfare Comic Con. I would hate to hear about someone who did not know about the opportunity until after the convention closed for the year.

Find out more about Detroit Fanfare Comic Con 2013 and get your advance tickets today!

The Occultist #1 is My Pick of the Week!

Oct. 02 Comics, News no comments

During a good week of comics, The Occultist #1 has been chosen as my Pick of the Week! This is the type of week that keeps me going in the comic book industry. After some lackluster weeks in the past few months, it was nice to have a week where I had to think long and hard about which title should come out on top.

The Occultist #1 is my Pick of the Week!

The Occultist #1 is my Pick of the Week!

The Others

Fantomex MAX #1 was a great start to the mini which looks at an under-appreciated, and Lazarus #4 continued to remind me why the series is one of my favorites. All New X-Men #17 gave some great new twists on the Battle of the Atom series and has me looking forward to the next chapter. Detective Comics #24 and Batman Black & White were both strong. So many more I could mention (almost a dozen), but let’s get on with The Occultist #1.

Who is on The Occultist #1?

The series is the brainchild of Mike Richardson. Mike worked with Tim Seeley to write the series with art by Mike Norton. You know that something good is going to come of a series when the creators of Revival are involved. Don’t forget that you will have the chance to meet Tim Seeley in the opcoming weeks at Detroit Fanfare Comic Con!

The Story

One of the aspects that I really liked about The Occultist #1 was that the story started in the middle. We do not have a premiere issue with an origin story. We are thrown into the action in the opening scene and we are forced to figure things out as we go along. It is nice to see a premiere issue veer from the norm. I could tell you what happens in the story, but that would give away spoilers (which you know I am against).

The Main Character

Rob Bailey is the main character of the story. All we know for sure is that he can wield the power of an occult book called The Sword. This awkward college student was chosen by the book to control it. We don’t know exactly how he found the book, the limits of his powers, or what his powers actually are. These are mysteries to be left for other issues in the five-part series. I have been looking forward to The Occultist #1 for a few months and am happy I only have to wait a short time for The Occultist #2 to hit to have some of these questions answered.

In All Honesty

I have always had a soft spot for horror comics and comics dealing with sorcery. The Phantom Stranger, Doctor Strange, and Constantine are among my favorite characters. The Occultist could be likened to one of these characters if they had gained their powers in college before the occult realm tainted them and made them into darker characters. The twist automatically moved this title up the ladder before I even read it. Of course, the story and art moved it up the rest of the way.

Hooray for Dark Horse!

I have spoken for a long time about how Dark Horse has to make sure it can crawl out of the shadow of the Star Wars series and deal with the concern that the potential loss of the series to Marvel could hurt the #5 comics publisher. If Dark Horse can get strong series, it will not have a problem if it loses Star Wars. The Occultist #1 is another step in the right direction.

Larry’s Lessons on Collection: Toy Collection Inventory

Sep. 30 Toy Collecting no comments

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Importance of Non-Traditional Comic Book Readers

Sep. 30 Comic Book Collecting, News no comments

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How a Calendar Can Help Your Comic Book Collection

Sep. 30 Comic Book Collecting no comments

I know this might surprise you, but a calendar can help with your comic book collecting. Keeping a calendar for a particular purpose can also help to make your comic book shopping experience more pleasant.

Comic Book StorageWhat to Use the Calendar For

Every time I get the new issue of Diamond Previews and the new issue of Marvel Previews, I mark the comics I am interested in picking up outside of my regular pull. I then take the dates those comics are being released and place them on the calendar. That way I know when the comics are coming out.

Avoid Missing a New Comic

Many (if not most) of us have missed the release of a new comic we want to read. Maybe that premiere issue was the start of a great new series. Maybe it was one which skyrocketed in price because of the demand being higher than the supply. Either way, we missed out and have to hope for a second printing. Of course, this does not help with the price of the issue we missed. Keeping a collection calendar can help to avoid this situation. With new trades coming out each week, a collection calendar also helps with remembering when those trades are coming out.

Remember All Your Pulls

I have helped get pulls together for reserve customers, and I will be the first to tell you that mistakes can be made. The workers at Wonderworld Comics are great at getting all of the needed reserves together, but they are only human (at least that is what I have been led to believe). By keeping a calendar of releases, you can double check to make sure your pulls are correct each week.

Prepare Thy Pocketbook

As someone who reads a ton of comics, I know that the register receipt can add up quickly. My calendar reminds me when my cost-heavy and cost-light weeks are going to be during a month. I can plan ahead to make sure that I will not be short on a Wednesday when I really want the money.

Yet Another Push

I have spoken in the past about the importance of Diamond Previews and Marvel Previews. They open your eyes up to new series which you might not have considered otherwise. At the same time, they help you to prepare for your shopping months in advance. How can you go wrong for $4.50 for the two of them combined?

Being prepared for a new week of comics is important. The more prepared you are, the more pleasant your shopping experience will be.

Someone Give Us a Repairman Jack Comic Book Series!

Sep. 30 Comics no comments

If I had a handful of wishes, one of them would likely be to give Repairman Jack a comic book series. The series by F. Scott Wilson would translate well to comic book form and would fit into many of the current trends in the industry.

Someone give us a Repairman Jack comic book series

Someone give us a Repairman Jack comic book series

What is Repairman Jack?

Repairman Jack is a secretive character at the center of a long-running book series by F. Paul Wilson. The character is “off the grid” since he does not have an SSN and has been able to live a life without putting himself in the public eye. He is a brutal man with a huge heart who will “fix problems” like local drug lords, mafia bosses, or other types of thugs. He is not afraid to kill, but appears to enjoy torturing his victims.

The Paranormal

In the Repairman Jack stories, the main character is thrust into situations which reveal some of what is “behind the veil” of reality. He realizes that there are other forces in the universe and that some types of monsters do exist. He fights to keep these elements at bay to protect those he cares about.

True Anti-Hero

Repairman Jack fits with the other types of anti-heroes we have in comics. Think about a cross between Deadpool (brutality not humor) and Constantine (without the magic) and you have Repairman Jack. To truly tell his story, though, he probably could not be published with the Marvel or DC Comics headers. His stories are often brutal and graphic, so he might be best for one of the smaller publishers or from a line such as Marvel MAX or Vertigo.

Paranormal

The success of the Dark Universe stories from DC Comics, and the increasing success of many paranormal or horror-based comics, proves the market is ripe for a Repairman Jack series. He could easily cross paths with other characters who hunt down the paranormal, and stay true to his characterization in book form.

Film or TV Talk

There has been talk about a Repairman Jack movie or TV series for a long time. Those of us who are fans of the book series are tired of waiting. Maybe creating a comic book series on the character will finally get the wheels moving. At the very least, it will help to satiate our hunger for the character.

Lovecraft Comics: Lovecraftian Style Does Not Translate Well

Sep. 30 Comics no comments

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Importance of Maps in Gaming Books

Sep. 29 Gaming Collecting no comments

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Thoughts on Constantine TV Series

Sep. 28 News, TV & Movies no comments

NBC and DC Comics are teaming up to work on a Constantine TV series. This comes during a string of announcements about upcoming TV series based on DC Comics properties. Yesterday, I told you about my mixed feelings about Gotham, so what do I think about a Constantine TV series?

Interested in the idea of a Constantine TV series

Interested in the idea of a Constantine TV series

Constantine

Simply put, Constantine is one of my favorite New 52 characters. I love the character in Justice League Dark, and in his own series. I have even found myself picking up issues of the Swamp Thing whenever John Constantine crosses over into that title.

Justice League Dark Movie

I am disturbed by the potential that a Constantine TV series could kill the idea of a Justice League Dark movie. At the same time, though, it could improve the chances of the movie being made if the character becomes popular enough on TV.

Crossovers and Appearances on Constantine TV Series

Could we see the Swamp Thing on a Constantine TV series? How about Deadman? How about the Phantom Stranger or The Question? Heck, we might even get the formation of the Justice League Dark on TV.

Could Constantine TV Series Work?

With the dark tales being told on TV these days (Grimm, Once Upon a Time, The Walking Dead, American Horror Story), there is a huge market for a horrifying comic book character. Mix in the fact that comic book-based TV shows are so hot right now, and a Constantine TV series looks like a given.

Why NBC?

Nobody watches The CW. DC Comics and Warner Bros. are going to want to make money on a show.

Will I Watch?

As long as the Constantine TV series follows the best version of Constantine (the British one), I will find myself looking forward to the show. The Flash and Constantine are two proposed DC Comics shows which I will have to make time for each week.

My Early Thoughts on Gotham TV Series

Sep. 27 News, TV & Movies no comments

Word has come out that Fox and DC Comics have launched Gotham, which will follow Commissioner Gordon in his days on the force before meeting up with Batman. I have mixed feelings about the series.

No Batman…But Villains

Gotham will not have Batman, but it will have the villains which have made the superhero famous for generations. This aspect, for me, makes the series interesting. The villains are part of what makes the comics strong, and hopefully will translate well to the small screen.

Birds of Prey

A story which takes place in Gotham without Batman? Why is it that I can’t stop thinking of Birds of Prey when I think of Gotham? I am sure Gotham will not be as bad as its predecessor, but the stigma still exists in my mind.

Which Versions of Villains?

We have seen many versions of the DC Comics villains over the years. Let’s take a look at Joker, for example. He has been a prankster, a slapstick clown, a rapid killer, and (most recently) a dark character who could not care less about anything other than causing fear and tormenting those he does not like. Which version will we see in Gotham? Fans of either of the versions are sure to have some bit of disappointment.

We will have to wait and see how Gotham plays out. Hopefully, my concerns will come to pass. Check back in the next few days to see my ideas about Constantine.

Coming Comics: Why I Am Looking Forward to November

Sep. 27 Comics no comments

Everyone is talking about the September War, but I am finding myself looking forward to November the most. For me, November is shaping up to be the best month of the year. Christmas is coming a month early for me.

Harley Quinn will have her own New 52 title.

Harley Quinn will have her own New 52 title.

Harley Quinn #0

Harley Quinn #0 will finally be hitting store shelves in November and one of my favorite characters will finally have the chance to shine on her own. At the same time, Diamond is offering three new Harley t-shirts and is rereleasing four more. I am already adding some of these to my Christmas list.

Shahrazad #1 From BDI

Big Dog Ink is offering up the first issue of Shahrazad during November. I am looking forward to reading the title by Kim Hutchison as I love when women write about strong female characters. Shahrazad follows the famous female character from 1001 Arabian Nights. I am hoping it lives up to my expectations.

Ghost Launches from Dark Horse

I have been awaiting the launch of Ghost from Dark Horse for a long time now. I want to see how the company does with the title and am hoping it will be successful to distract fans from simply talking about how the company may or may not lose the Star Wars rights. Hopefully, the company can gain some successes away from the Star Wars genre. I have been a fan of the past iterations of Ghost. Hopefully, this iteration will live up to the past.

Nightcrawler

How can I complain about a month in which Nightcrawler comes back to the Marvel Universe? I can see myself counting down the days until I can read new stories invoving my favorite blue mutant.

Cataclysm

We have not seen a universe-ending crossover in a long time. Yes, I fully believe the Ultimate Universe is done for. I am looking forward to seeing how everyone gets knocked off. Yes, we have seen the Ultimate Universe destroyed before, but I could take seeing another run at it.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Granted, this has nothing to do with comics – but I love Thanksgiving dinner.

X-Men Gold #1

Join some of the top X-Men writers of all time with some of the greatest artists? Yes. Dennis – take my money.

Justice League Dark

The formation of the new team begins. While I will be sad to see some of my favorites go, I like the new additions we have heard about to this point.

Batman and Carrie Kelly

This was the teamup many of us have been waiting for. I wish they would stop beating around the bush and either make Carrie Kelly the new Robin or bring Damian back from the dead. Yes, the teamups have been good, but it is time to end the cycle and bring some permanance. This was the last teamup I was waiting for. Seeing that they are pushing Batman and Two-Face for December, I guess my hope will continue to be ignored.

Manifest Destiny #1

An interesting offering comes out in November from Image. Manifest Destiny follows Louis and Clark as they discover the horrors of North America. I love mixing horror with history and will at least be picking up the first issue.

Strangeways #1

Image has another interesting premiere with Strangeways #1. A detective who specializes in the paranormal stumbles over weird creatures. With The X-Files and Kolchak: The Night Stalker being among my favorite shows of all time, I am popping with the idea of a new dark offering along those lines.

Two Trades To Pick Up

There are two trades which I will be picking up in November. Miss Fury and Mark Waid’s Green Hornet are comics which I have wanted to start reading but have not been able to fit into my stack. The first trades from each will be the perfect starting point for me.

Thor: The Dark World

I can forget about the BIG premiere of the month. How could I? My wife has been reminding me everyday for months. She loves her some Hemsworth.

Shel Dorf Awards Nominees 2013

Sep. 26 Conventions no comments

To vote for this years Shel Dorf Awards 2013 nominees, please follow this link.


 Brian K. Vaughn
 Dan Slott
 Mark Waid
 Robert Kirkman
 Scott Snyder

 David Aja
 Fiona Staples
 Greg Capullo
 Jim Lee
 Ryan Stegman

 Bill Sienkiewicz
 Jonathan Glapion
 Mark Morales
 Scott Williams

 Brandon Graham
 Dave Stewart
 Fiona Staples
 Laura Allred
 Nei Ruffino

 Chad Lambert
 Craig Yoe
 Raven Gregory
 Scott Allie
 Steve Wacker

 Alex Ross
 David Aja
 Francesco Francavilla
 J.H. Williams III
 Scottie Young

 Chris Eliopoulos
 Chris Ware
 Jaymes Reed
 Joe Caramagna
 Todd Klein

 47 Ronin
 Age of Ultron
 Five Ghosts
 Godzilla
 Star Trek The Next Generation: Hive

 Arsenic Lullaby – The Big Stall
 Building Stories
 District Comics: An Unconventional History of Washington DC
 Parker: The Score
 God Hates Astronauts

 Battlepug by Nike Norton
 Girl Genius by Phil & Kaja Foglio
 Penny Arcade
 Questionable Content
 Adventures of Dr McNinja

 Beardo by Dan Dougherty
 Dilbert
 Funky Winkerbean
 Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis
 Pickles

 Arrow CW
 Injustice: Gods Among Us
 Iron Man 3
 Man of Steel
 The Walking Dead

 Decapitated Dan
 Heidi MacDonald The Beat
 Rich Johnston Bleeding Cool News
 Robot 6 (various contributors)
 Tom Spurgeon The Comics Reporter

 Batman
 Daredevil
 Hawkeye
 Saga
 Superior Spider-Man
 The Walking Dead

 Aw Yeah Comics
 Demeter by Becky Cloonan 
 Rachel Rising by Terry Moore
 Rainbow In The Dark by Comfort Love & Adam Withers
 Touching Evil by Dan Dougherty

 Adventure Time
 Bodie Troll
 My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic
 Princeless
 Sonic The Hedgehog

Thank You Letter from Dennis Barger to DC Entertainment

Sep. 25 Comics, News, September War no comments

A letter to DC Entertainment from Dennis Barger comics retailer,

Please read, THANK YOU FROM THE CO-PUBLISHERS

Dear Jim and Dan:

The real villains of Villain Month?

Oh, DC Entertainment – Bleeding Cool and some other sites used this artwork with permission by us – the creators. If you are going to use it in the future, please credit Wonderworld Comics, WonderWorldComics, or Robert Bowman.

I’d like to take a moment between calls number 15 and 16 first thing in the morning asking if we have 3D Joker’s Daughter comics to thank you for all your support for DC’s Villains Month. You know, like when you skipped the middle 2,800 miles of the US to have a Road Show Stops and let us know what was going on. Or when you had your sales reps call me and tell me to up my order wasting my time because apparently you knew these would be allocated. Oh, and at the SDCC Diamond Retailers Lunch when you had Bob say he had placed the orders ahead of time and we should increase our orders and that there might be slight allocations. Especially for the time my managers and I sat around for 2 hours strategizing about how many we should order. The best part was when you Dan announced at Boston that there would be allocations before FOC was due. But my favorite time you helped me out was by announcing “The Allocation” totals 5 minutes before you closed on a Friday and that we had to put a strategy in place by Monday to place 2D orders to make up for your failures in production or ordering.

From the time you started to talk about this initiative with us, we knew it would be a half-assed and thrown together venture, but we gave you the benefit of the doubt. We also had very little concerns over ordering and allocations because you kept using the word slight. I fully appreciate you dictating to us what we have to do and how we were incorrect in our frustrations and through every stage of this process pretending like this was a good thing. And while you had bumps along the way, I hope, in the end, after you post record September profits, counting your piles of money from getting retailers to order 133% more of your product then we wanted to. Your assertion “that when it is all done the outcome was positive for all involved” has missed the point entirely.

We, the retailers, are your customers. You have inconvenienced us, you have forced us to do more work to get what we actually wanted from you, you have forced us to give you more money than we wanted to and you have forced me to make decisions that I did not want to make as to who gets them. Funny, your choices to treat us like this have forced us to treat our customers similar to this and they feel the same way I do right now. They wanted the books, they expected us to order them and have them in stock, they didn’t expect to have to go through the extra time of going from shop to shop looking for them, they didn’t expect to have to pay $10 or more from comic shops to get them and unlike you I am sure as hell not going to write them a letter like you just wrote to me, gloating about how much money I made this month off of my customers misery. “We listened to you”, did you? “and have learned from the experience” like you’ve said for the past 2 years?

As we continue to look at ways to excite our customers with comics from publishers that know what they are doing in terms of supplying their distribution chain and invigorate the market of the other 70% of the comic book industry I will try to remember that I actually like both of your skills as creators, but just really think you are piss poor managers of 3/10th of my stores product line.

Villains Month has been one of the most infuriating, disrespectful and unprofessional months I have ever had the misfortune of enduring in the 8 1/2 years I have been a comic retailers and I owe so much of those feelings to our “partnership” with you.

Again, thank you!

Your customer and apparent Partner,

Dennis Barger
Wonderworld Comics

Larry’s Lessons on Collecting: When to Sell a Collection

Sep. 25 Collector's Corner, News no comments

Knowing when to sell a collection is as important as knowing what to put in a collection. Yesterday, I told you about a collection which Wonderworld Comics purchased which gives us lessons about collecting. Larry’s Lesson on Collecting today will focus on knowing when to sell a collection.

IMG_4270The Collection in Question

Most of the collection was purchased in the early to mid-1990s and was comprised of almost every toy which could be collectible you could think of. He had Star Wars, Star Trek, X-Files, superhero toys, and more. While he might have sold much of what he purchased initially, I have found many receipts which are for the same number of bulk items we are currently processing. If he had a listing of seven of something on the receipt, chances are almost perfect we have seven to process.

The Timeline

Most of these toys had apparently been sitting in his basement for 15 years or more waiting for the market to go up. As I stated before, he might have sold off some of his collection in the past, but that does not fully jive with the paperwork we have. He apparently did not know when to sell a collection.

When to Sell a Collection?

When should you sell a collection? When the market is at a peak. Now, this could be the market for collecting as a whole or for a particular collectible.

What Could Have Made Him Money?

Knowing when to sell a collection is one thing. Selling it can sometimes be another. You have to do your research. Going over the boxes in the collection, most appear to be in boxes which were sealed and never opened again. While he had an inventory on each box, I don’t think he checked each toy on a regular basis. Sure, he might have checked a few here and there, but that was not using your knowledge of when to sell a collection effectively.

What he should have done was check his entire collection on a regular basis. Instead of checking a few items (which might have all decreased in value), he should have checked the entire collection. The X-Files toys, for example, were selling at a higher premium just before the last movie. He could have made money on those sales. He could have sold off some of the Marvel toys just before The Avengers and made a few extra dollars. Instead, the entire collection sat. Keep your eye on every market you can and you will know when to sell a collection.

Rat Queens #1 is My Pick of the Week!

Sep. 25 Comics, News no comments

Rat Queens #1 is my Pick of the Week due to the connections I made with the premiere issue. One of the most important aspects of the comic which becomes my Pick of the Week is connection. Rat Queens #1 connected with me on so many levels that it was easily the best issue this week for me.

What is Rat Queens #1?

The new title by Image is written by Kurtis J. Wiebe and illustrated by Roc Upchurch. It follows a band of four females in a fantasy world of monsters and magic. All four are crass and are ready to fight at a moment’s notice. Not only is this a fantasy story, it is a female strength story, and a comedy title.

Rat Queens #1 is my Pick of the Week!

Rat Queens #1 is my Pick of the Week!

Connections

Most of the regular readers here know that I have been in the gaming community for over 25 years. I grew up gaming, and took to collecting the old gaming books about 15 years ago. When a new fantasy title comes out in comic book form, I have to pick it up just to see if it takes me back to those old gaming sessions or reminds me of reading the fantasy stories I grew up with by writers like Tolkien, Lieber, and others.

The Old Reading

All I was thinking about while reading Rat Queens #1 was that the team could be compared to Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser. The dark and often sexual humor reminded me of when I would sit on my bed and read the stories of the duo (back in my early and middle teens). This is the type of connections creator what to make. Of course, this won’t give the same results to everyone, but  this is my Pick of the Week and my emotional connections.

Strong Female Characters

This site has not been shy about our support of strong female characters and strong female character teams. I am happy to see another title enter the fray. If a creator wants to get my attention, create a story with a strong female character which is not over-sexualized. Rat Queens #1 displayed four female characters who were not over-sexualized and displayed strength.

Comedy in Comics

There are few writers in comics who can make me laugh out loud anymore. Sure, I might give a smile, a short “Hmph,” but that is about it. I found myself letting go of a few audible laughs while reading Rat Queens #1. Hopefully, the sharp and witty humor continues in future issues.

The Whole Package

For me, Rat Queens #1 gave the whole package this week. Great artwork and great writing are important, but not as important as making an emotional connection with characters and/or stories. This issue gave me everything I was looking for this week and even some loud laughs.

Potentials of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Random Thoughts

Sep. 24 News, September War, TV & Movies no comments

I just got done watching the Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. premiere and am left with some interesting ideas of potentials for the series. There are areas which Marvel can use to increase market share, bring in more readers, and make a mark in the comic book industry which no other company can compare with.

Is Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. a good enough representation?

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Extremis on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Did you happen to notice that Extremis was mentioned on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? I am sure many viewers who had not heard the term and are looking it up on Google or Yahoo! right now. They are trying to figure out what the term means in the Marvel Universe. Current comic book readers who know what Extremis is are sure to go through the series to see how it might attach to the show. Readers who have considered reading it might pick it up. People who don’t read comics might head to a store to pick up a copy. [Shameless plug – check it out in our Amazon store]

More Storylines

Who knows what major storylines from the Marvel Universe might come up in conversation during Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or be explored on the show? maybe we can see something along the lines of Civil War, Contest of Champions, or Nick Fury’s War. Each of these storylines (and more) could be referenced and bring new readers to comic book stores around the country. Note, referencing comics and reflecting comics is something which has drawn new readers into comic book stores due to The Walking Dead. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. could push comic book stores to the next new height.

Could it Be?

Tell me that you weren’t hoping that the “Hooded Hero” was Miles Morales. Marvel can keep viewers and comic book readers on the edges of their seats by making them hope for comic book references. I noticed Twitter began to trend #MilesMorales for a few minutes. This can help Marvel and comic book stores and fans try to figure out who this Miles guy is.

Centipede and the Doctor

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has set the stage for a reoccurring issue and villain on the show through Centipede and the Doctor. This is strong for the show as fans look forward to what these villains will do next.

Villains

I have spoken in the past about how dragging forgotten villains from the past could be something great for Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Let’s see the Sons of the Serpent, Porcupine, or the Leaper. Drag up some of the character few have heard of to draw new readers into the Marvel Essentials and Marvel Masterpieces. Let the readers look into the older comics.

I am looking forward to seeing what will happen next on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I have only listed a handful of potentials here. At this point, though, the potentials are endless.

What If Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Premiere Flops?

Sep. 23 News, TV & Movies no comments

Do we have overly-zealous expectations of the Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. premiere? What happens if the Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. premiere is a flop? What is the worst case scenario?

Is Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. a good enough representation?

Is Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. a good enough representation?

Marvel is Weakened if Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Premiere Flops

First off, Marvel, as a brand, would be weakened. Instead of looking at Marvel as the overall leader in the industry (due to typical market share numbers, box office returns, marketing dollars, etc.), the markets involved will have to reevaluate the company. Questions would be asked about the strength of the company and the feasibility of it being able to drag itself up from a defeat.

Comic Book-Based TV Market

The strength of the comic book-based TV market would also come into question. While I do not see an failure during the Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. premiere as directly impacting established shows such as The Walking Dead and Arrow, it would have an impact on shows which might come out in the future as network execs assume the market has dried up or their time has passed.

Weaken Next Marvel Movies Phases

If the Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. premiere is a flop, I can see it weakening the next few phases of Marvel movies. Every upcoming movie coverage would hint at how the TV series did not go as planned and be pointed to as a sign of weakness in the market. Signs of weakness will push off investors and potential advertisers.

As of this writing (Monday before Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. premiere), I do not foresee the premiere being a flop, but anything can happen. I know some people in the media have seen the premiere already and not commented about anything but how good it is. You never know, though, how the viewing public will accept something until it is accepted. We will have to wait until tomorrow night to see.

Advertising Opportunities on WonderWorldComics.com

Sep. 23 Detroit Area Comic Book Store, News no comments

Interested in opening up your business to more customers in the Metro Detroit area? Are you interested in placing your company in the global marketplace? Advertise on WonderWorldComics.com and get noticed by thousands of customers around the world every day.

We relaunched WonderWorldComics.com on February 10, 2013 as a comic book news and information site. Within a very short amount of time, we broke into the Top 10 comic book news and information sites in the world. We continue to grow every week and look forward to making a run for the Top 5 within the upcoming months. Simply put, we are the fastest-growing comic book news and information site around.

Currently, we are averaging over 3,500 unique readers a day (up from the few hundred a month prior to relaunch). These numbers continue to go up every month. This is a prime time to check out our reasonable advertising rates. About 12 percent of our readers are in the Metro Detroit area, but the other 88 percent represent over 48 different countries and every other state in our country. Roughly 93 percent of our traffic is in the U.S., and about 7 percent comes from outside the country.

Earlier this year, we ran the WWC March Madness Contest which set comic book titles in a bracket tournament. It made us the talk of the industry and increased our traffic by hundreds of percentage points. We are running a similar contest within the next few months and will have the return of the WWC March Madness Content in the Spring. Sign up now for advertising before it begins selling at a premium.

If you are interested in advertising on WonderWorldComics.com, send a message to Larry@WonderWorldComics.com and title it “Advertising Options.” We can cater our advertising packages to fit most needs. Let “Your Collection Connection” become your connection to thousands of potential customers a day.

Larry’s Lessons on Collecting: Dangers of Collectible Speculation Market

Sep. 23 Collector's Corner, News no comments

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Don’t Toss Detached Covers off Coverless Comics

Sep. 23 Comic Book Collecting no comments

Coverless comics are something every collector will come across at some point. Never toss loose or detached comic book covers in the garbage. There are still uses for their top-folders you might not have thought about before. Remember, a comic with a detached cover is at least better than a truly coverless comic.

Retain at Least Some Value

For the most part, a coverless comic is scrap to be handed over to children for art projects or to be used as reader copies. Even if the cover is detached, though, some value is kept on the comic if the cover is available. I would not suggest attempting to reattach the cover, but you can still get some money for the issue as compared to next-to-nothing without the cover.

Comic Book StorageStill Protects the Comic

If you are keeping the issue with the detached cover as a reader copy, you can still protect the comic by placing the cover on it before putting it in a bag and board. Yes, I still say bag coverless comics or ones with detached covers. Something may change in the market in the future and coverless comics or ones with detached covers might gain value for some reason. You never know.

Display

There are many comic book collectors who will frame comic book covers they like which have gotten detached from their issues. I have a close friend whose office is decorated from floor to ceiling in comic book covers people were going to toss out. He will typically pay a quarter for a detached cover from the modern day and has paid as much as $30 for a Golden Age detached cover.

If your comic is losing its cover, don’t toss the comic or the cover. See how you can use the coverless comic or the detached cover.

Thane – Son of Thanos Info Release Strong for Marvel

Sep. 23 Characters, News no comments

Over the weekend, Marvel Avengers Alliance unlocked Thane as a playable character players can attain. He was listed as the Son of Thanos. Today, word is getting around that Marvel AR is announcing Thane as the Son of Thanos as well. This is an interesting marketing move by the company.

MarvelLogo.svgSpike Interest in Supplemental Products

First off, Marvel is giving average readers a reason to play Marvel Avengers Alliance and look into Marvel AR. This is a strong move. Readers are going to see the Thane / Son of Thanos information as information being released first in areas other than comics or comic book news and information sites.

Increase Numbers

By increasing the number of people playing Marvel Avengers Alliance or using Marvel AR, Marvel sets a stronger foothold in the comic book community. This is good for Marvel and for any partners they have on the game and the augmented reality software.

Cause DC Comics Slip?

Marvel has sent a message to DC Comics and all other publishers that they are releasing important comic book information outside of the printed pages and outside of general press releases. This puts publishers in a bind as they have to figure out a way to compete with Marvel Avengers Alliance, Marvel AR, and any other supplemental medium Marvel has for releasing information. When companies are rushed into decisions, mistakes are made.

I think releasing the Son of Thanos information through these variant methods was a strong move by Marvel. Who knows – we might see releases such as this in future games, or even on a show like Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Marvel is changing the game in a slight way, but it is a game changer none the less. I am intrigued by the idea of the other companies on the block trying to figure out how to battle this move.

Kelly Explores: The Focus of Female Superhero Teams

Sep. 20 Comics no comments

(This is part one of a three-part series of articles regarding current runs of all-female superhero teams.)

When I started reading Marvel’s all-female X-Men team, I was completely unaware that DC had been doing this with Birds of Prey for at least a dozen issues. Part of that is due to my own bias (I’m a Marvel girl and I’m not afraid to admit that), and part of it is due to my still-present comic industry naivete. But I was also entirely clueless when Marvel put out Fearless Defenders, another all-female team, so I don’t feel too guilty about my brand preference.

But I digress.

Larry suggested I read a couple issues of Birds of Prey and Fearless Defenders, and then compare them to X-Men with the end goal of declaring a winning all-female team. Of these three teams, which one is the best? For me, of course, this question actually means, “Which one of these teams do you find least annoying, and which one do you think actually does a good job in presenting an all-female team without a massive boatload of stereotypes?”

Let’s start with the current focus of the storylines, shall we? X-Men‘s main plot is revolving around how two of the women are completely unable to concentrate on the problems at hand because they’re too busy trying to claim the role of alpha female while Jubilee’s adopted baby keeps being a cute baby. Birds of Prey is about two blonde women, one “good” and one “evil,” fighting over an attractive, sensitive man while a male villain in charge of a bunch of female villains is subtly threatening rape and murder of the “good” blonde. Fearless Defenders is about a mysterious, evil group that’s trying to genetically engineer creepy alien beings in order to presumably take over Earth and kill the superheroes.

So in these three series’, what we have is the focus on a baby, the focus on a man/romantic interlude, and the focus on an actual plot that superheroes should maybe be focused on because they’re superheroes and superheroes focus on issues that threaten THEIR PLANET AND THEN FIGHT THAT EVIL AND EVENTUALLY WIN BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT SUPERHEROES DO, DAMN IT. Thank you, Fearless Defenders, for ACTUALLY BEING SUPERHEROES.

I have no problem with stories involving a love triangle or a baby or catty insults and fights. These things happen. It’s fine. But why is it the main focus? And how come when I read Battle of the Atom or Lazarus or even Red Sonja, the main focus is actually on something … I don’t know … important? Even in Love Stories to Die For, which is ABOUT LOVE STORIES, the focus isn’t on the romance, but on much larger issues (like how the people who think are good can actually be very, very bad).

I’m taking a very deep breath right now.

In the next two parts of this series, I’ll go more in-depth about the strengths of all three series’ and then the weaknesses of them. But I thought it was important to give you a glimpse of how I’ve read these stories and my initial thoughts coming out of them. And if you think this article was rage-filled, just wait until I actually start to pick things apart.

Detroit Fanfare Comic Con Aspects I Am Looking Forward To

Sep. 19 Conventions, News no comments

Detroit Fanfare Comic Con (check it out here) is quickly approaching, and there are a handful of reasons why this year’s Detroit Fanfare Comic Con will stand above the previous three in my mind. These are more personal than public reasons, but some of them might meld with your convention experience as well.

Other Side of the Curtain

Many of you know that I covered the first three Detroit Fanfare Comic Cons for Yahoo! This year, I have taken a few behind-the-scenes positions on staff (Media Contact, Website Director, and a few others smaller roles). Instead of simply experiencing the show, I will know this year’s show is something I helped to build. It is an interesting switch.

Not Covering Detroit Fanfare Comic Con

Don’t worry about this section. I will not be covering Detroit Fanfare Comic Con, but this site still will be. Kelly will be covering her first convention and she will be reporting it as someone who is seeing something new for the first time. I am looking forward to her perspectives this year.

Derek Mears

While there are a ton of great guests this year, there is something interesting which Derek Mears symbolizes for me personally. After meeting Derek, I will have met every person ever to portray Jason Voorhees in a movie. An interesting accomplishment for a huge fan of the series to have met all twelve men. This year’s convention symbolizes a milestone in my fandom of the Friday the 13th series.

Fanimation Celebration

The Fanimation Celebration is one of the events at Detroit Fanfare Comic Con I am really looking forward to. I am hoping I will have enough time to hear the voice actors speak in the voices of the characters which have made them famous.

My Daughter’s First Convention

My five-year-old daughter, Maia, will be attending Detroit Fanfare Comic Con this year, and it will be her first convention. She is looking forward to it, and is as excited about going as I am to see her face when she sees superheroes walking around endless tables of comics.

The Friends

I have many friends in the industry and/or are collectors, who I only get to see at certain times of the year. I always look forward to conventions to catch up with those I am unable to during the rest of the year.

The Size and New Hotel in Same Location

I love the idea that Detroit Fanfare Comic Con is taking over more of the venue. I know there are tons of new events and activities planned this year to compensate for more room. I can’t wait to see what changes the Adoba has in store for this year over previous years.

The Parties

The parties will be a welcome end to long days of working on the convention. They have always been a blast, but the parties at this year’s Detroit Fanfare Comic Con will be a welcome respite.

Even More?

There are also some other changes and event I am looking forward to this year, but I don’t want to ruin any surprises we have planned.

Why I Am Not Reading Infinity

Sep. 19 Comics, News no comments

Someone asked me recently why I have not been covering Infinity. As I have stated in the past, I am not a fan of cosmic storytelling in comics. I tried reading Infinity, and just did not have a connection to it. It is not that I found anything wrong with the writing or the art, it was just that I could not connect with it.

marvelinfinityI try not to force myself to read anything. If I know I am not going to have a connection with a comic, why should I spend my money on it?

For years, people have tried to get me into reading cosmic comics. I have tried, but it is a subgenre of comics I cannot get attached to emotionally. As a horror movie fan, it is easy for me to attach to “Dark Universe” titles from the Big 2, The Walking Dead, The X-Files, and Kolchak: The Night Stalker. These types of titles are easy for me to transition to. At the same time, I have strong connections to Batman, the X-Men, and many other superhero characters and teams so I find reading these comics fun.

Yes, I preach trying something new – but for me, cosmic comics just don’t work. I have been trying them for three decades, and the furthest I can get is the Fantastic Four. Oddly, I have no problem reading comics which take place in Hell, the Astral Plane, or in some other strange dimension. Maybe I can sit down with Kelly so she can psychoanalyze me to see why I just don’t care for cosmic storytelling in comics. Until then, enjoy reading Infinity, and other cosmic stories.

Villain Month Allocation Cuts Deeper Than Expected

Sep. 18 Comics, Detroit Area Comic Book Store, News no comments

An alarming discovery was made at Wonderworld Comics today when next week’s shipping invoice came across and it was found that the Villain Month allocation for week four will be deeper than previously stated for three of the titles. As of this writing, there has been no notification on the issue from DC Comics as to why the Villain Month allocation cuts are deeper than retailers had planned for.

Lower Invoice

Before Villain Month began, retailers knew how many issues of each of the 3D covers they would be allocated. Most retailers attempted to fill in the gaps through orders of the 2D covers. The first three weeks of allocations matched up with the totals our store had been previously been warned about. The fourth week is not.

The real villains of Villain Month?

The real villains of Villain Month?

What is Getting Allocated?

Bane, Parasite, and Doomsday are all getting cut deeper than previously reported to retailers. According to a message which is going out to retailers, they will receive 93 percent of what was promised on Bane #1, 90 percent of what was promised on Parasite #1, and 84 percent of what was promised on Doomsday #1.

Discouraging Timing

The message from DC Comics about the further Villain Month allocation is being received after the shipping invoice for next week. Retailers were forced to ask questions before the needed information was passed along by DC Comics. This is simply wrong for business. Instead of sending out something which will flag retailers, DC Comics should have sent out the information about the further Villain Month allocation first.

This Month Hurts

This month has already hurt comic book retailers enough. Hopefully, DC Comics (and the other comic book publishers) learn valuable lessons this month on making sure that they have enough product to cover the hype and to focus on communication with retailers. Constant communication brings strength, dissipates fears, and helps retailers do the job they are supposed to do effectively and effeciantly.

Uncanny X-Men #12 is My Pick of the Week!

Sep. 18 Comics, News no comments

The Battle of the Atom continues with Chapter 4 in Uncanny X-Men #12, and I was leery about where the story would be going. Typically, the third or fourth chapter is when you start telling the true strength of a crossover event. Marvel did surprise me enough to make Uncanny X-Men #12 my Pick of the Week!

The Middle of a Crossover Event

The middle of a crossover event is typically the most difficult to write (in my opinion). Granted, I have never written one myself, but the middle is when the most challenges present themselves. Creators go into the vent knowing how it starts, and knowing how it is going to end. Typically, the events start out with something huge, have something huge at the end, and lul through a good portion of the middle. That is why I was worried about the middle of Battle of the Atom.

STK618850The Challenges of the Middle

In the middle of the crossover event, such as Battle of the Atom, you not only have to progress the main story, you have to introduce new subplots and address subplots which will running through the title before the crossover began. At the same time, you typically have to get away from some of the action and focus on the relationships between characters and discuss how the characters are feeling about what is going on. There is where many readers are lost because they want the action.

Uncanny X-Men #12

Battle of the Atom has been a fantastic crossover so well. I would go as far as to say that it is one of the top crossovers Marvel has had in years. Uncanny X-Men #12 did take a step back from the non-stop inundation of new ideas to focus on the emotions of the characters – but did not disappoint. The ending of the issue (remember that I hate spoilers), will have many X-Men fans talking today about what type of showdown will happen in the next installment. This is a fight which has been on many of our wishlists for a long time.

The Walking Dead Spin-off – The Formula is Wrong

Sep. 16 News, TV & Movies no comments

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New Comics Bracket Tournament Coming!

Sep. 16 Detroit Area Comic Book Store, News no comments

“Hey Larry, I can’t wait until the next WWC March Madness.”

“Can we have a March Madness every month?”

“When are you going to run another comic book tournament?”

I hear statements like this almost every week. I have received countless messages requesting another comic book tournament like we had back in March. While I can’t see having a WWC March Madness Tournament in another month that March, I am interested in having another comics bracket tournament.

We are going to work out the rules this week and should have the brackets formulated within the next few weeks along with the official start date. We will have some new rules and some new “contestants” in the tournament. Don’t worry, there will also be prizes involved as well. This will not replace the larger WWC March Madness Tournament, but should give you enough of a rush to hold you over to the next one.

Adding More Correspondents, Writers, and Investigators…Soon

Sep. 16 Detroit Area Comic Book Store, News no comments

Very soon, WonderWorldComics.com will be announcing new correspondents, writers, and investigators. The response to WonderWorldComics.com has been huge, and it is time for us to go through another expansion. Our traffic rankings have exceeded our expectations, and it is time for us to reach in more directions than before.

The goal of this site is to give a voice to the comic book community, while helping people improve their collections. Those collections are getting stronger and your voice in the industry is getting louder!

Postponing HUGE Article Due to New Developments

Sep. 16 News no comments

I had full intentions of releasing an article today that would have everyone in the comic book industry talking. As someone who wants to give the best to my readers, I have to hold off on it for the time being as certain particular have to be addressed first.

After going over this story backwards and forwards this weekend, new developments and different perspectives came to light. As a service to you, I would rather explore those new possibilities and developments before “going to print.”

Larry’s Lessons on Collecting: Always Keep a Collectible’s Box

Sep. 12 News, Toy Collecting no comments

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Future Pricing/Collectiblity of Oversized Trades

Sep. 12 Comic Book Collecting no comments

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Why #FireDiDio Won’t Work [Censored]

Sep. 11 Comics, News no comments

#FireDiDio is one of the hot items on Twitter these days. The ever-growing outrage at DC Comics Co-Publisher Dan DiDio continues to rage online after the [Censored] hit the fan over the Batwoman marriage not happening in the pages of her title. Will #FireDiDio work? I really don’t think so.

This content is censored.

This content is censored.

What’s Going On?

The bowl of [Censored] we were handed with Trinity War, the Villain Month allocation, the lacking storyline strength of the Villain Month titles, the exodus of creators from DC Comics, the loss of the marriage in Batwoman, and the asinine reasoning for DC Comics superheroes not getting married has opened the floodgates of fans who would love to see Dan DiDio lose his job (or at the very least theat he [Censored] [Censored]). I can tell you right now that #FireDiDio ain’t gonna work.

This Ain’t New

The “Fire DiDio” movement has been growing since about 2008. Whenever he commits some form of jackassery, the old fires are stoked again. Sure, #FireDiDio might be something from the last few days, but the flames are from a fire which started long ago and has been stoked many times over.

Why Won’t #FireDiDio Work?

For #FireDiDio to work, someone at the DC Comics offices would have to be listening to the masses. When the crowds got up in arms about the Villain Month allocation, DC Comics didn’t do [Censored]. Sure, you can say that they released the 2D covers, but I am 100% sure those were planned before. On top of that, they did not give retailers much time (only a handful of days) to prepare their corrected orders. #FireDiDio is just going to fall on deaf [Censored] ears.

When people complained to DC Comics about the Batwoman marriage changes, what did DC Comics do? They came up with a lame excuse about superheroes not being able to be married because of sacrifices. I guess Marvel superheroes are more rounded since many of them have been married over the years and still saved the [Censored] day. The cream came when Dan DiDio delivered the hacked-up message about marriage and then declared he would not change the storyline HE wanted no matter what WE wanted. Let us all take a moment to bow in [Censored] homage.

DC Comics Doesn’t Care

DC Comics could not care less about what the readers and collectors want. They just want to tell the story they want to tell. Instead of typing #FireDiDio, maybe we should be typing #FireDCComics. If they are going to give a flying [Censored] about what retailers, readers, and collectors want, maybe it is time for us to stop giving a flying [Censored] about them. #FireDiDio is not going to work because DC Comics is blind to the mistakes it is making. DC Comics is blind and it is deaf. We just need to hit them in the pocketbook to make them finally wake the [Censored] up.

Noisy Neighbors: Tony Miello has New Strip in Real Detroit Weekly!

Sep. 11 Comics, Detroit Area Comic Book Store, News no comments

On behalf of the staff at Wonderworld Comics and those of us at WonderWorldComics.com, I would like to congratulate our friend Tony Miello on his new weekly strip inside Real Detroit Weekly! Noisy Neighbors appears on pages 54 of the current issue.

As of this writing, we have issues of Real Detroit Weekly at the store. I hope you pick one up to show your support for one of the best friends our store has. Congrats, Tony!

Captain America #11 is My Pick of the Week!

Sep. 11 Comics, News no comments

Captain America #11 is my Pick of the Week for the second week of the September War! Sorry this Pick of the Week is a little late (about 11 hours late), but there were technical difficulties holding me off.

comics-captain-america-11-artworkA Person Out of Time

One of the major key aspects of Captain America is that he is a man out of time and that he cannot feel at home anywhere. This aspect stems from that fact that when he “woke up” in the modern day, he left behind almost everyone he ever knew or cared about.  This key aspect plays heavily in Captain America #11, and the issue delves deeper into his sense of long-loss than almost any other issue of Captain America I have ever read (and I have read hundreds of them).

The Beast of Burden

Captain America #11 also takes a look at how the character carries the memories with him, and is in constant struggle with trying to live in the present while holding onto the past. This is another key issue in the character and his burden separates him from most other characters on the market. Again, Captain America #11 displays this aspect of his character better than most stories Marvel has ever produced.

The Closing

I do not want to give the story away, but I have to make a comment about the last frames we see in the issue. While Captain America #11 might not ever be considered a key issue in the story of Captain America, there is something that happens in the last frames which shows the end of a long chapter in the character’s life. This might be one of those frames we look at down the road and consider it a watershed moment.

As a fan of Captain America, I would be remised if I did not make Captain America #11 my Pick of the Week since it is one of the best Ol’ Cap issues I have ever read.

DC Comics Stance on Marriage: Archaic or Rushed?

Sep. 09 Comics, News no comments

The current stance of DC Comics is that superheroes should not be married “as they have to sacrifice their personal lives and personal happiness.” Dan DiDio made the point of the stance clear this weekend when discussing the reasons why the creators behind Batwoman are leaving the company and why Batwoman is not marrying her love. I never knew DC Comics was so archaic.

batwoman pubCatholicism and Marriage

As someone who was raised in the Catholic Church, I have to think that this marriage stance by DC Comics is something which has caused for countless hours of debate in the Catholic Church. Priests and nuns are not allowed to marry because the Church believes they would not be able to balance a successful marriage with the responsibilities of the cloth. The Church has turned a blind eye to the fact that other religions around the world have clergy which are able to marry.

My Personal Calling?

In my personal life, I spent many years believing I would grow up to be a Catholic priest. It was the draw to have a family which finally caused me to leave my aspirations of a life of the cloth. I know of many other Catholics which turned down a potential “calling” in order to start a family and I know a handful of priest which left their callings to learn the love of a family. This point was not meant to spread any religious turn, but to point out how the Catholic Church has been called “archaic” for the same type of stance that DC Comics and Dan DiDio are currently showing towards marriage.

The Marriage Stance

If Dan DiDio truly gave the DC Comics marriage stance, why is the company sitting in the Middle Ages? Maybe they should read some titles by Marvel Comics where characters (such as the Reeds) have been able to have successful marriages and still be able to save the world, universe, or dimension for decades.

A Rushed Decision?

The DC Comics stance on marriage appears rushed to me. I have to wonder if this stance was created as a way to battle the outcry over the Batwoman marriage. If it were true that the company did not think superheroes should be married, why was Batwoman allowed to discuss marriage previously? I think this stance was rushed to deal with a backlash DC Comics didn’t expect due to tunnel vision. It appears DC Comics is trying to defeat itself in the September War.

Personal Happiness

One last point, anyone who is married will tell you that marriage is a sacrifice of personal happiness.

All-New Marvel NOW – I Like the Idea

Sep. 09 Comics, News no comments

Marvel is launching Marvel NOW 2 under the title of All-New Marvel NOW. If you want to read more into it, you can check out the story in USA Today. One aspect you should note in the article where it states “That “Marvel NOW” initiative was such a success that they’re doing it again.” This is key to what you are about to read.

MarvelLogo.svgWhat is the All-New Marvel NOW

Yes, Marvel NOW was very successful for the publisher. It gave new readers a great place to start reading about their favorite superheroes without completely rebooting titles or characters. Instead of going through a reboot, Marvel NOW gave us a reorganization. We should expect nothing less than the same with All-New Marvel NOW. I could go through a listing of what titles will be changing, but that is not the point of the article.

Been Done Before

Marvel was able to calm the naysayers with Marvel NOW. I have already heard various naysayers come out against the newly-named All-New Marvel NOW. These naysayers believe the company should not follow track in something which has worked. Instead, they should try something different. To them, I ask why?

Seen Them Try Over Without Success

We have seen Marvel try something multiple times which did work either time such as giving Gambit his own series. In this case, though, Marvel NOW was one of the best ideas in recent years with comics. Why not work it again with more titles? Anyways, who ever said that Marvel NOW was simply a one-shot deal? I simply see All-New Marvel NOW as the next step in a successful move by the publisher. Even at worst, All-New Marvel NOW will still be better than anything DC Comics is currently trying 9cover shortages, driving creators away in droves, insensitivity towards those touched by suicide etc.).

Thoughts on Naked Suicide Art Competition for Harley Quinn #0

Sep. 09 Comics, News no comments

One of the big issues burning up the Internet right now is the call by Dan DiDio of DC Comics for someone to win the Naked Suicide Art Competition for the upcoming Harley Quinn #0. I have gotten many messages this weekend about the issue and about my thoughts on it.

Harley Quinn will have her own New 52 title.

Harley Quinn will have her own New 52 title.

What is the Naked Suicide Art Competition?

Somewhere within Harley Quinn #0, we are supposed to see four panels in which the Clown Princess of Crime is either attempting suicide or contemplating suicide. One of the frames, for examples, will show her naked in the bathtub with various small appliance ready to be thrust inside.

Dan DiDio made a call last week for artists to try their hand at this page for possible publication in the issue. Outcry went out because of trying to cover suicide in a humorous format. Add on the fact that this is National Suicide Prevention Week and everything hits the fan.

My Thoughts

I think the Naked Suicide Art Competition is in very poor taste. If the original artist could not do the page, the script should have been rewritten. They could have had the scene take place in a later issue if need be. We have heard countless stories in the last few months about how DC Comics changed something with a script at the last minute, so why couldn’t that have happened here?

On one hand, I know that you cannot truly understand Harley Quinn without understanding her draw towards suicide. It is an aspect which can draw fans towards compassion for her. On the opposing hand, it is something which should be discussed without a tongue implanted in a cheek. The fact that she is able to overcome her suicidal thoughts is something which should be handled seriously so that the message can get out to avoid the draw towards suicide in the first place.

DC Comics wanted to make news during the September War, but the Naked Suicide Art Competition is just another poor reason to make news. Not having enough supply for the demand for 3D covers is also a newsworthy event, but not something DC Comics should be proud of.

As a Harley Quinn fan, I am upset that a smudge would draw down the release of Harley Quinn #0. I am hoping that the backlash over the Naked Suicide Art Competition will finally open some eyes at DC Comics and make those with the ultimate power in the company realize that the publisher is quickly becoming noted for failures instead of successes.

Dirk Manning Coming to Wonderworld Comics on Sept. 14!

Sep. 06 Detroit Area Comic Book Store, News no comments

Dirk Manning, writer of Love Stories (to Die For), Nightmare World, and Write or Wrong, will be at Wonderworld Comics for a special signing on September 14, 2013!

1013443_10151893853650955_1662471541_nThe Vitals

Who: Dirk Manning

Date: September 14, 2013

Time: 12:00 am – 4:00 pm

In honor of our guest, Dirk Manning, his favorite drink – Shirley Temples – will be served all day!

Come on out, meet the man, get your copy of Love Stories (to Die For) autographed!

We look forward to seeing many of you there!

Register on Facebook to let us know you are coming!

More Talent Leaving: DC Comics Falling Apart?

Sep. 05 Comics, News no comments

 

The exodus from DC Comics continues. Both W. Haden Blackman and J.H. Williams III are walking away from Batwoman as of issue #26. They say it is due to last minute changes which come down the pipes which have caused them to alter stories at the last minute. These changes, according to their posting today (see it here), cause them to not be able to tell the best story they possibly can within the pages of Batwoman.

 

Ibatwoman pubn their post, Blackman and Williams stated that they had plans to tell the origin of Killer Croc – but this was scrapped. Also, the changes would cause for the marriage between Kate and Maggie to not be seen within the pages of the comic. All of these changes apparently happened at the last possible moment and have caused for a negation of their ability to deliver the best story to fans.

 

This is not the first time we have heard about issues between the brass, editorial staff, and creators at DC Comics. We have seen an exodus from DC Comic this year for irreconcilable differences between creators, editors, and brass. How many problems do we have to go over right now (Villain Month allocation anyone)) to prove that DC Comics is falling apart from the inside.

 

Yes, DC Comics has been making major strides in market share. Taking over market share for a month is a short-term goal. Why isn’t the company dealing with long-term goals? Keeping staff, and keeping staff happy is an important aspect if you want to achieve long-term success. Granted, they have had long-term success (the company did not just show up on the scene), but they need to worry about long-term success from here on out.

 

Comic book readers, collectors, and comic book store owners are mad at DC Comics right now because of all of the problems. Obviously, many of the creators who have worked with the company recently have been angry as well. All of this anger and madness points to a larger issue at DC Comics –  control.

 

It appears that the root problem at DC Comics right now is control. They fight their own creators for control of the characters while not being able to control the launch of their biggest event of the year. Mind the fact that the company can’t even control the media leaks which happen. Every few days, something new appears to leak out of the DC Comics offices and into the press.

 

Someone needs to take control of the company before it completely falls apart. Maybe that person is someone on the staff. Maybe someone from outside the company should be brought in to reevlauate all of the processes and those who make the processes. They need to learn when control should be taken, and when it should be delegated. These are not mistakes a seasoned company like DC Comics should be making, but it is something that needs to end.

 

Wonderworld Comics, Wounded Warriors Hockey, and You

Sep. 05 Detroit Area Comic Book Store no comments

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Wonderworld Comics has made a donation to the Wounded Warriors Charity Hockey Game which will be held on September 14, 2013. Not only do we invite you to purchase tickets, we challenge you to make a donation to the event.

The Vitals

Wounded Warriors Charity Hockey Game

Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 7:30 pm

Kennedy Ice Arena

3101 West Rd.

Trenton, MI 48183

Box Office (734) 676-7172

Tickets are $5 each and are available now through the box office. All proceeds will help Michigan veterans. Auctions, raffles, and special appearances are all being planned for this event. We look forward to seeing many of you there!

Support the Wounded Warriors Project