Author: R.J. Bowman

Digital Death Part I: Illegally Downloading Comic Books

Mar. 06 Comic Book Collecting, News Comments Off

As a comic book fan and as a fan of the comic book industry, nothing scares me more about the future of the industry than hearing about people downloading digital comics. This post begins a series which will continue over the coming weeks about why you should be nervous about digital comics as well. This first article covers the how illegally downloading comic books really hurts the comic book industry.

The death of the comic book industry will be caused by digitally downloading comic books.

Marvel and DC Comics and Illegally Downloading Comic Books

The Big 2 will be the first to cry about illegally downloading comic books. They argue about how their bottom line is harmed by people plugging into torrent and other file sharing sites. One day, they might join with music and movie companies and try to stamp out all illegal downloads. In the end, even with people illegally downloading comics, both Marvel and DC have huge companies behind them in Disney and Warner Bros. They will have the money to pull out of this pit.

The 5%ers and Illegally Downloading Comic Books

The companies such as Image, Dark Horse, and IDW will have a much harder time battling people who are illegally downloading comic books. They do not have the money holding them up that the Big 2 do. I can easily see a day in which these companies, and their titles, could become a thing of the past because of people who would rather steel a digital copy of a comic than spend $2.99 on it. Their bottom lines are hurt more than those at Marvel or DC.

The Independents and Illegally Downloading Comic Books

The first companies which would succumb to the digital death of the comic book industry would be the smaller independent publishers. While the argument might be made that a downloader might be more willing to download a Marvel title than one by Big Dog Ink might work in some circumstances, it would not work in end. Again, Marvel and DC have more money holding them up and a company which holds 1% of the market or less needs every sale to make the company work. In the grand scheme of the market, illegally downloading one or two comics from an independent company could have the same impact as downloading tens of thousands of comics from Marvel or DC.

The Creators and Illegally Downloading Comic Books

WHEN the smaller companies succumb to the digital death of comics, what will happen to all of the creators? Artists, inkers, colorists, writers, and editors will all have to look for work. With less smaller companies out there, there will be more creators looking for work. More of a supply or workers and less of a demand for creators will eventually equal out to creators making less money and finding it hard to support their families. See what type of hell “just a few downloads” could equal?

The Distributors and Illegally Downloading Comic Books

As the market shifts more towards digital comics, there becomes less of a need for distributors. By illegally downloading comic books, you are putting the jobs of workers at Diamond and other distributors at risk. You are taking a few links out of the supply chain when visiting a torrent site. Is someone downloading a few comics really setting someone up for losing a job?

The Comic Book Stores and Illegally Downloading Comic Books

The next time you are in a comic book store, look at the workers for a moment. As you are looking around the room, think about the conversations you have started up with them in the past. Did one of them suggest a comic you ended up loving? Did one ever help you find a rare comic or point out a sale you might have missed? Illegally downloading comic books will put these people out of a job. They will ultimately be the first people to succumb to the digital death of the industry.

The cute girl who everyone thinks they might have a chance with

The guy who could tell you everything you need to know about a particular character

The girl who can tell you about all of the hot new comics coming out next week

The guy who always reminds you about how much you love comic books

They would all be out of a job due to illegally downloading comic books.

What You Can Do About People Illegally Downloading Comic Books

First off, don’t illegally download comic books. Every copy you put on your computer gives a chance of someone ultimately losing a job. What you might think is a few dollars here and there adds up with the few dollars other people are stealing.

If you have a friend who is illegally downloading comic books, point out how OUR favorite industry will shrink and eventually die by their actions. If you can help to discourage the downloading of comics, these scenarios could be overcome and become alternative histories which could have happened instead of marks in history which did happen.

Batman & Robin Name Changes and My Mixed Feelings

Mar. 06 Comics, News no comments

So Bleeding Cool is reporting that upcoming issues of Batman & Robin will go under different names as other members of the family are rotated into team-ups with Batman in the wake of Robin’s death. I have mixed feelings about this.

Batman Incorporated

Schedule

Batman & Red Robin #19

Batman & Red Hood #20

Batman & Batgirl #21

Batman & Catwoman #22

Batman & Nightwing #23

The Positives

On the positive side, readers of Batman & Robin will be exposed to more members of the Bat Family and there is a potential to increase sales slightly among the other titles. Maybe someone will read #21 and gain a better understanding of Batgirl and decide to start reading her title.

The Speculation

We have to agree that speculation is one of the fun aspects of comic book reading. The change each month will help to keep the title fresh as DC Comics transitions with the title. Over the next few months, we are sure to speculate about how the title will change. Will Damian somehow come back to the Bat’s side? Will the title become a team-up title with Batman taking different allies in each issue?

The Negatives

First off, I feel sorry for anyone on the store level who is going to have to figure out how this is going to work in a database which keeps track of pulls. Remembering that the team-ups are the same as Batman & Robin might be easy for a reader to remember, but this is another hurdle which someone who has to keep tabs on hundreds of titles has to keep in mind.

How many fans who do not read online stories about comic books are going to become confused by the Batman & Robin name changes? Someone might simply walk by the Batman & Red Hood issue and think it is a title they had not heard of. While many fans keep up with the machinations of the comic book industry, we cannot assume everyone does.

Variables of WWC March Madness Contest

Mar. 05 Detroit Area Comic Book Store no comments

Many people have been talking about the WonderWorldComics March Madness Contest and have asked for tips on picking a strong bracket. Instead of telling you who you should pick to win, I can open your eyes to some of the factors and variables you might not have considered. In actuality, I don’t have any more clue than you on which comics will win in the end.

Official Bracket. Click to enlarge.

Style of Selection

Are you going to pick winners based on your favorite comics or are you going to choose winners based on which comics would logically win each matchup in the WonderWorldComics.com March Madness Contest? These factors should influence your decisions.

Voting

Remember, anyone can vote in the WonderWorldComics March Madness Contest. It does not matter if they entered the contest themselves. Many creators and publishers know about this contest and I am expecting that at least some of them will tell their fans to vote for specific titles. A smaller publication could make a major upset.

Number of Votes

Remember that you can vote in either the store or online. Voting online is unlimited whereas voting in the store is on a once-per-day basis. Will one of the creators encourage his or her fans to overwhelm the voting? Only time will tell.

Ties

Remember that if there is a tie during a matchup, the winner will be determined by the most recent sales totals. Should you select your winners by sales just in case there is a tie?

The Winner

Are you going to hold out for your favorite title in the finals to make sure your favorite title gains the 25% discount for a week? Are you going to try to vote for an unpopular title in the matchup to make the sales appear odd?

What other variables in the WonderWorldComics.com March Madness Contest can you think of?

Follow this link for the official announcement and rules

Pre-New 52 Reversion a Possibility for DC Comics?

Mar. 05 Comics, News no comments

Ever since DC Comics brought their characters in the New 52, fans have worried about a reversion back to the pre-New 52 days. Any little “disturbance” which comes along gets fans wondering. Fans need some kind of guarantee from DC Comics that the company will not revert back to the pre-New 52 storylines.

DC’s WTF

One of the rumors I have seen floating around is that somehow DC’s WTF will hint at a possible reversion back to the pre-New 52 days. Maybe the reintroduction of Booster Gold will place some type of break in the new reality. We know that a team will disappear, but where will they disappear to? Could this simply something pointing to how Justice League Dark is trapped in another reality, or something more?

The War of the Trinity of Sin

War is brewing between the three members of the Trinity of Sin. The Question, Pandora, and the Phantom Strange could destroy reality in their upcoming battle. Could that send the comics back into the pre-New 52 era?

What DC Needs to Do

I would love DC to make some type of symbolic move to state once and for all that the New 52 is here to stay. They can state their intentions to keep the New 52 as the status quo, but there will still be rumors. Fans need a definitive action from the company to ensure the rumors or a pre-New 52 reversion finally die once and for all.

Why DC Need to Do It

I spoke with a customer recently who is leery about continuing with titles in the New 52 because of his worry about a reversion. He worries his collection might become worthless if the publishing company reverts back to where the storylines were a few years ago. For every one fan like this I talk to, I can almost guarantee there are hundreds more out there with the same concern. The concern will continue to grow until the pre-New 52 DC Universe is gone.

How DC Could Do It

May, during the war among the Trinity of Sin, the Trinity could open up a portal to the pre-New 52 era. Somehow, they would need to destroy it or completely lock it off. Either way, fans need to know that “door” is closed for good.

Superman and Batman: Views on Humanity

Mar. 05 Characters no comments

Superman and Batman are as opposite as two crime fighters could possibly be. This series has explored some of the various ways in which the two characters differ in their perspectives on life. This article continues the series by exploring Superman’s view of humanity and comparing it to Batman’s view.

Superman and Batman

Superman’s View of Humanity

Kal-El believes humanity is a state of purity in the universe. He fights crime in order to preserve the innocence and ideal of humanity. His love for humanity has progressed to the point in which he has wished himself to be human. There have been a few instances in which he has obtained humanity for a short time only to realize his place in the universe is to preserve and to save humanity and not to every fully become part of it.

Batman’s View of Humanity

Batman tries to hide his own humanity under the caul of his batsuit. Humanness is a sign of weakness since humans feel pain and other emotions which get in the way of any goal. A bat does not feel love or sadness, it survives. Bruce Wayne pushes others aside because he does not want to intertwine with someone else’s humanity. It has been said that the night is not the place for a person. He strives in an environment which average people would shun. The darkness symbolizes a lack of humanity so it is the perfect place for the Dark Knight.

Superman sees humanity and humanness as a strength and as something which should be preserved for as long as possible. Batman sees humanity and humanness as something which should be shunned and avoided as much as possible. Complete opposites for sure. We should all expect this difference to be exploited in Batman/Superman when it comes out later this year.

Batman/Superman: Differences in Fighting Crime

Batman and Superman: DC’s Yin and Yang

MODOK: Symbolism of Pure Evil of Science

Mar. 05 Characters Comments Off

MODOK is an interesting character as he is overflowing in symbolism. Have you ever taken a moment to think about the deeper meanings behind the character? Did you realize MODOK is more than just a giant head floating around?

MODOK

MODOK Symbolizes Dangers of Science

When MODOK first hit the scene in 1967, science fiction writers were returning to the sub-genre of sci-fi which warned about what could happen if technology went unchecked. With MODOK, we see a program which went unchecked and ran amok to the point in which it overwhelmed its creators and turned towards evil. Could our “thinking” appliances emerging on the market right now become sentient and attempt to control us?

MODOK Symbolizes Dangers of Mixing Man with Machine

MODOK is a classic example about what might go wrong if we were to intermingle man directly with a machine. Cyborg technology was a long way off in the late 1960s (and it still is today), but could the technology do more harm than good? Good the direct intermingling of man and machine cause the human side to lose the connections with humanity?

The Perfect Weapon

Over the centuries, counties have attempted to dehumanize the enemy. Adolf Hitler tried to portray non-Aryans as sub-quality humans. The Japanese portrayed Americans as people that would overwhelm the country with the sole purpose of raping the women, torturing the men, and enslaving the children. On the flip-side, the American government portrayed all Germans, Italians, and Japanese (not just their leaders) as soulless people who only cared about world domination.

Be separating humanity from a villain, the character becomes a symbol of pure evil. Without a grasp on humanity, a character appears as an agent of unwavering evil and infallible to any discussion. Essentially, our governments revert to the medieval technique of comparing anything evil to Satan or the demonic. Since MODOK is devoid of any emotion other than hate, he does not have a hold on humanity and would be a perfect representation of the demonic – which makes him even scarier.

Marvel.com Listing

When Should Marvel Phase 4 Movies Be Announced?

Mar. 05 TV & Movies no comments

Marvel Phase 2 movies will kick-off with “Iron Man 3” and we already know Phase 3 will at least be populated with movies about Doctor Strange and Ant-Man. With the success of the Marvel Phase 1 movies, it makes sense to plan as far ahead as possible. When, though, should be begin talking about Phase 4?

Phase 3 Timing

Note, the first official announcement about the Phase 3 movies began in the months leading up to the beginning of Phase 2. Within the last handful of weeks, we finally received the confirmation about “Ant-Man” and “Doctor Strange.” While rumors have circulated about these projects for years, the official word was held closer to the beginning of Phase 2.

Phase 4 Announcement

I do not believe we should hear anything official about Phase 4 until we are about to begin Phase 3. Marvel should hold with the tradition and keep people guessing for as long as possible. The timing was perfect with the Marvel Phase 3 announcements, and should carry over.

The One Kicker

If Marvel makes an official announcement on any movie, and cannot deliver on time, they are going to have to rethink their announcement schedule. So far they are spot-on, but they have to make sure all of their ducks are in a row. Fans (especially comic book fans) rarely forget mistakes and can hold them against a company for a very long time.

Penguin: Differences With Rest of Batman’s Rogues Gallery

Mar. 03 Characters no comments

There were many changes made to characters in the transition to DC’s New 52, but certain basic points about the Penguin remained the same. While all of the members of Batman’s Rogue’s Gallery are original, there are certain aspects of the Penguin’s character which completely separate him from the other members of the group.

Penguin

Funding

Have you ever wondered how members of Batman’s Rogues Gallery make money? Of course, they all have budding schemes, but how do they afford their henchmen? For the most part, DC avoids the issue by saying Joker has a cult-like following or different baddies have “secret investors.” Usually, the question is completely avoided and we just jump right into the story.

The original Penguin, Burgess Meridith’s portrayal on the 1960’s TV show, and the New 52 version are all businessmen. He is one of the few members of Batman’s Rogues Gallery which makes his own money through a network of nefarious businesses. He might make money from an umbrella company in Gotham or he might make money off of the stock market. Either way, he does not need to commit crime to be rich. Only to become unbelievably rich.

Penguin’s Drive Towards Crime

Two-Face’s ambition to commit crimes is typically driven by revenge for what happened to him in the past. The Joker’s crimes usually revolve around getting at Batman or making money so that he can bring the Big Black Bat down. Harley Quinn was usually driven towards committing crimes to profess her love for Joker while Catwoman pretty much only knew a life of crime.

Penquin is different from the other members of Batman’s Rogues Gallery in the fact that he is driven towards crime out of greed. Sure, he finds he sometimes has to gain revenge against the other members of the gallery (as we see in Arkham Asylum) but the majority of his crimes are performed in the hope of gaining more territory in Gotham or for making him as rich as possible. We could say that his drive is one of the cleanest of all in the gallery.

Penguin’s Sanity

Try to name a member of Batman’s Rogues Gallery which is sane other than Penguin? Joker and Harley are completely insane and could not even be considered as remotely sane. The argument could be made that Bane and Killer Croc can’t be considered as insane or sane since they both simply refer to animal-like instincts. Two-Face, Riddler, and the Mad Hatter are well out of the realm of sanity as are Scarecrow and Poison Ivy. Penguin is the only sane one of the bunch.

The next time you read a story about Penguin, think about how he differs from the other members of Batman’s Rogues Gallery. Instead of being a criminal driven by insane goals, he just wants to make as much money as possible. Batman is not always a target, but is always in the way of Penguin’s next score.

Pulp Collecting: How Ebay Killed the Market

Mar. 03 Comic Book Collecting no comments

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Fan Fiction vs. Property-Based Comic Books

Mar. 03 Comics no comments

I found myself in a conversation yesterday in the store about comics which are based on TV shows or movies and fan fiction. The customer believed comics such as Dr. Who, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Star Wars were nothing more than glorified fan fiction. I explained how this could not be further from the truth.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

What is Fan Fiction?

Fan fiction is comprised of stories which the fans of a show or movie have written in the hope of bringing themselves and readers closer to the characters. Typically, fan fiction does not have the approval of the original creators of the characters and typically do not make money. A simple search of Google will turn up thousands of fan sites for everything from “Firefly” to “Dr. Who” to “Bladerunner.” I do not wish to talk down about fan fiction, but most of it is pretty bad. You can find a diamond here and there, but most of the fanboys and fangirls who write fan fiction have no experience whatsoever.

Difference of Comics Based on Established Products

The comic books on the market based on established properties from outside of the typical realm of comics, such as Star Wars and Buffy have the blessings of the original creators. While the content might not be considered as complete canon law when it comes to the characters being portrayed, don’t you think Disney would speak up if Dark Horse took an established character from the Star Wars Universe down the wrong path? If Yoda became an alcoholic or Ben Kenobi was portrayed as a pedophile, there would be major disruptions in the force and potentially in court.

Sometimes, the original creator of a property gets directly involved in the comic book based off of his or her property. Just think about how the Firefly comic might be different if Joss Whedon had not taken the lead on the title.

The storylines in these comics are developed over months and have the input of many different creators. Fan fiction is usually the work of one person who does not have the blessings of anyone involved in the original project. If you ever hear someone making an analogy between fan fiction and comics, make sure you set him or her on the right path.

WWC March Madness Contest

Mar. 01 Comics, Detroit Area Comic Book Store Comments Off

WonderWorldComics.com March Madness Contest

In a Nutshell

The WonderWorldComics.com March Madness Contest is officially underway! We are pitting 64 comics in the store in a tournament fight to the death! Well, maybe not to the death – but you get the picture. Read on for an explanation, rules and the brackets!

Between now and March 10, 2013, you can stop by the store and fill out a tournament bracket. You can also edit the bracket pictures here and email them to me at Larry@WonderWorldComics.com to be eligible. Points will be awarded for each winning selection with the player with the most points at the end of the contest winning a $50 Wonderworld Comics gift card! If anyone has a perfect bracket (all winners on all sides chosen), he or she will win a $100 Wonderworld Comics gift card! See the rules below about what would happen if there are ties or multiple winners.

During the days of the contest, matchups will be listed in the store and on the website. Visitors to the store or to the website can vote for who they think should win each matchup. Any comic winning a matchup will go on sale the next day in the store! Even if you did not fill out a bracket form, you can still vote and you can still receive the discount as long as you make the purchase on the appropriate day!

• Winning comics making it to the second round will receive a 10% discount in the store the day after the winning matchup.

• Winning comics making it to the Sweet Sixteen round will receive a 10% discount in the store the day after the winning matchup.

• Winning comics making it to the Elite Eight round will receive a 15% discount in the store the day after the winning matchup.

• Winning comics making it to the Final Four will receive a 15% discount in the store the day after the winning matchup.

• Winning comics making it to the WWC Championship round will receive a 20% discount in the store the day after the winning matchup.

• The WWC Champion comic will receive a 25% discount in the store for the seven days following the contest.

In other words, one of the matchups will be Batman vs. Earth 2. If Batman wins, Batman comics in the store will go on sale the next day (and only the next day) for 10% off. Let’s say Batman wins against Nightwing a few rounds later, Batman comics will then receive a 15% discount the following day! The WWC Champion will go on sale for the seven days following the tournament at a $25 discount.

Note, the discount only applies to comics. If Star Wars wins a round do not expect a discount on the classic ships we have in stock. Merchandise outside of comics does not apply. Of course, if you win a Wonderworld Comics gift card, you can spend it on anything in the store.

If you have any questions, ask the workers in the store or leave a comment for me below. Have fun! Matchups begin on March 11 so get your bracket filled out already!

Official Rules and Stuff

How to Play

Anyone can play the WonderWorldComics.com March Madness Contest by filling out an official bracket sheet in the Detroit location, or by emailing a completed form to Larry@WonderWorldComics.com. All bracket forms must be complete for consideration and must be received in the store or online by midnight on March 10, 2013. Only one form may be filled out per player.

Official Bracket. Click to enlarge.

The Matchups

The winner of each matchup will be determined by voters in the store or through WonderWorldComics.com. A listing of the day’s matchups will be listed in the store for voting. Matchups will also be listed in the right sidebar of the website for convenient voting. You can vote once per visit per visit in the store. You may vote once per visit to the website. You can visit both the store and the website multiple times during a day. Even if you did not complete a WonderWorldComics.com March Madness Contest form, you may still vote on the matchups.

Marvel Bracket. Click to enlarge.

Points

Those who have filled out WonderWorldComics.com March Madness Contest forms will receive one point for each winning selection made for the first round. Three points will be awarded for each correct selection in the second round. Five points will be given for each correct selection in Sweet Sixteen round. 8 points will be awarded for each correct selection in the Elite 8 round. Each selection you have correct for the Final Four will grant 11 points. Correct selections making it into the Championship round will equal 15 points. Twenty-five points will be awarded for correctly selecting the champion.

DC Comics Bracket. Click to enlarge.

Prizes

The player with the highest number of accumulated points at the end of the tournament will win a $50 Wonderworld Comics gift certificate. In the case of a tie, the winner will be randomly selected.

If a player picks the winners of all of the matchups in the tournament, (s)he will win a $100 Wonderworld Comics gift certificate.

Any comic which wins a matchup will be approved for a discount the following business day. The WWC Champion comic will be approved for a discount for the following week of business.

5% Bracket. Click to enlarge.

Discounts

Winning comics making it to the second round will receive a 10% discount in the store the day after the winning matchup.
Winning comics making it to the Sweet Sixteen round will receive a 10% discount in the store the day after the winning matchup.
Winning comics making it to the Elite Eight round will receive a 15% discount in the store the day after the winning matchup.
Winning comics making it to the Final Four will receive a 15% discount in the store the day after the winning matchup.
Winning comics making it to the WWC Championship round will receive a 20% discount in the store the day after the winning matchup.
The WWC Champion comic will receive a 25% discount in the store for the seven days following the contest.

Announcement of Matchup Winners

A list will be in the store by noon each day of the previous day’s matchup winners. A listing will also be provided on the WonderWorldComics.com website. There will also be a small blurb about what happened during the matchup.

Independent Bracket. Click to enlarge.

The Quickies

Employees of Wonderworld Comics or WonderWorldComics.com and their immediate families may play in the Contest and/or vote, but are not eligible for prizes.

In the case of a voting tie during a matchup, the comic with higher unit sales in the previous month will win.

There is no purchase necessary for participating in the Contest or voting in the WonderWorldComics.com March Madness Contest.

Anyone filling out a WonderWorldComics.com March Madness Contest form is required to provide a valid phone number for contact upon potential winning. The phone number will be destroyed after prizes are claimed and will not be used for any other purpose.

Winners of prizes will be determined by Wonderworld Comics and no alternative prizes will be awarded than those listed.

Wonderworld Comics and WonderWorldComics.com reserves the right to change the rules to include any wording or qualifiers overlooked during initial planning.

Andrea on The Walking Dead: Hate Her More Than Lori

Feb. 28 TV & Movies Comments Off

Talking about the character of Andrea on The Walking Dead is sure to bring many snide remarks from the show’s fans. While Laurie Holden has done a great job portraying the character of Andrea on The Walking Dead, fans still hate her (Andrea, not Holden). I would venture to say that many fans now hate Andrea more than they hated Lori.

Andrea on The Walking Dead

Comic Book Fans

Many of the fans of The Walking Dead in comic book form are still trying to wrap their heads around the changes in one of their favorite characters from the printed pages. They might like Andrea in The Walking Dead but not Andrea on The Walking Dead. I have heard many say that her character is their least favorite difference between the comic and the show.

Strength vs. Weakness

Instead of being a strong woman who can stand on her own, Andrea on The Walking Dead is a follower who desperately wishes to follow a visionary. Note how Rick simply wants to keep the group alive but both Shane and The Governor dream of something more and the TV version of Andrea is drawn to that factor in both men. While at the farm, we rooted for Andrea when she stood up to Lori and pointed out how women can fight and do not have to be forced into doing laundry and washing dishes. Too bad the strength and clarity fleeted from the character.

Andrea on The Walking Dead Needs to Die

We all knew Lori was going to die eventually on the show. We knew Shane was going to die at some point and we know that The Governor is going to end up having to give a final bow. We know that the version of Andrea on The Walking Dead needs to die, but we don’t know if it will truly happen. We do not have a clear-cut picture in our heads of how it might happen. The uncertainty makes us hate her even more.

Her Stupidity

I know you should not hate a person because they are stupid, but Andrea on The Walking Dead is a character so I will hate her for any reason I want. The Governor’s fatal flaw is he refuses to give up on either his vision or his power. Rick’s fatal flaw is the doubt that comes along with leadership. Andrea’s fatal flaw is her own stupidity in following the wrong person. We hate her because she refuses to give up on the wrong person even though she knows The Governor is the bad guy.

I can’t wait to see Andrea die miserably. I will not be fully content unless she has one of the most graphic deaths in the show’s history. Simply being bitten by a walker or shot would not be a fitting way for her to go. We got chinced with Lori’s death and some might say that Shane’s death was not as climactic as it should have been. The version of Andrea on The Walking Dead needs to die painfully to give the fans what they deserve.

Free Comic Book Day – Not Just a Day For Free Comic Books

Feb. 28 Comic Book Collecting no comments

As of this writing, Free Comic Book Day is still about nine weeks away, but comic book stores across the country are eagerly awaiting the day in which free comic books take center stage. I wanted to take a moment to discuss the importance of Free Comic Book Day and remind you that it is not simply a day in which you just get free comic books. There is much more importance of the day than you might have thought of.

Free Comic Book Day

The Reasons Behind Free Comic Book Day

Telling fans that there is a day in which they can get free comic books will bring them out in droves. The goal behind Free Comic Book Day is to reward long-term readers, bring former readers back into the fold, and to encourage new readers. A strong focus is placed on children because if comic book collecting is going to survive past our lives, we need to encourage another generation to put down the game controllers and pick up the printed pages.

Spotlighting on Free Comic Book Day

You can take a look at the listing of free comic books being offered on May 4, 2013, by following this link. The comics being offered are often ones which the different publishing companies wish to spotlight. This could be to increase the masses already reading the title or (in the case of smaller companies) to wake the fans up to what else is being offered outside of the Marvel and DC banners.

Benefit to Retailers

The push for free comic books helps the retailers by getting bodies in the store. In many cases, a person might walk into a particular comic book store for the first time and be amazed by the variety of titles or other merchandise being sold. It is a time for the retailer to spotlight his or her store and to show the masses what they are missing. In many cases, comic book store owners will also add other products to their Free Comic Book Day offerings. They might use the day to clear out some of the reduced comics they have in stock or other items which need to be cleared out to make room for new stock.

Encourage You to Read

About a week ago, I spoke with two customers in the store who explained that they look forward to Free Comic Book Day each year. Both admitted they do not read most of the free comic books they take home on the special day of the year. I encourage you to read the free comic books you take home. Your eyes might be opened to something new. The worst that can happen is that you might spend twenty minutes reading something you don’t like. Twenty minutes is a small enough period to give just about anything a chance.

I look forward to seeing many of you on Free Comic Book Day. Even though the day is still a ways off, plans are being put into motion all over the country as retailers prepare for the day they share with their customers.

Comic Book Torrents: What Happens Now?

Feb. 27 Comics, News no comments

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Marvel NOW 52 #1 Poster Inside Out

Feb. 27 Comics no comments

One of the biggest points of speculation right now in the comic book world would have to be about the Marvel NOW posters being released which are being referred to as Marvel NOW 52. Let’s take a quick look at the Marvel Now 52 #1 poster and go over what is known and take a look at what is missing.

Marvel NOW 52

Marvel NOW 52 #1 Poster

The Marvel NOW 52 poster shows the names of superheroes with varying sizes shaped into the number “1” next to the pound sign. It would appear that this is a signifier that there might be more rounds of #1 issues coming out involving these characters. It could also mean that these characters are going to be part of the first major crossover of the Marvel NOW Universe.

The Names on Marvel NOW #1 Poster

When the word “52” came into play due to the Wolverine scratch poster, many fans and sites began to speculate about 52 names being in the #1 poster. That is incorrect. I took the time and counted (multiple times to make sure), and there are only 50 names present.

Marvel NOW 52?

Marvel NOW #1 Poster Sizing

Note that the names are of different sizes on the poster. Since most of the popular characters are larger than lesser-followed characters (Such as the difference in size between Thor and Iron Fist), the easy assumption could be made that the larger names will have a larger place in the Marvel Universe than the smaller ones.

Disturbing Differences

Ant-Man has a movie coming out during Phase 3 of the Marvel movies. Note his name is small on the poster. I would hope he would play a large role in the Marvel Universe in the next few years to get more people ready for his movie. Cable’s name is fairly small. Should we expect that the X-Force team he is leading will not have a large impact? Why doesn’t anyone love Namor?

Some Interesting Characters Missing from Marvel NOW 52 #1 Poster

Guardians of the Galaxy is launching and Rocket Raccoon is the only member of the team featured on the poster. Where are members of the Uncanny X-Force such as Spiral and Puck? Most of the original X-Men portrayed in All New X-Men and team members from the other major X-titles are not named. Red Hulk, She-Hulk, and Red She-Hulk are also missing along with Black Bolt and most of the Fearless Defenders. Magik and Scarlett Witch are major players right now but not named. I could spend all day going through names not on the poster, but you get the point.

What We Know NOW?

Pretty much nothing. All we can make is assumptions off of what we see and what we don’t see. As long as Marvel does not drop the ball (as they have in the past), we should be in for an interesting ride. Then again, this could be a perfect setup for an elaborate Marvel NOW 52 April Fool’s joke or the countdown to the anniversary of the first issue of the Fantastic Four.

DC Comics Leaks Need to Stop Now!

Feb. 26 Comics no comments

Here we are in the last week of February and somehow another major DC storyline has been destroyed by information hitting the news before the new comics are distributed. By now, you know that Damian is killed in Batman Incorporated #8. Last week you knew about Batwoman proposing to her girlfriend at least a day before purchasing the issue. Let’s not even talk about how we all knew the ending of Batman #17 before the comic book stores received their distribution shipment. DC – WTF? This needs to [Censored] stop.

This content is censored.

Excuses are Like [Censored]

We have heard about leaks at DC Comics over the last month and they need to stop. Someone speculated in the store the other day about these leaks being intentional by the big wheels at DC in order to drum up sales. I am not saying this right now as someone with connections to a store, or to a comics website. As a reader, I do not want to find out about the story hooks through Yahoo! on a Monday [Censored] morning that I was eagerly anticipating to read on Wednesday.

Destroying Anticipation

Part of the fun of comics is the anticipation and occasional anxiety we experience when we have to wait until the next issue to find out what will happen to our heroes. In the smallest increment, we have to wait two weeks for certain titles, but our anticipation runs rampant for most titles since we might have to wait four to five [Censored] weeks to know what happens next. The leaks at DC Comics (no matter the reason) are robbing us of the last few days of anticipation when they would be peaking.

Hurting the Community

We spend time speculating about what could happen next and it brings us closer together as a community with a common interest. It does not matter if you are a fan of DC Comics, Marvel, Image, IDW, Dark Horse, or one of the smaller companies. We are a community that typically likes to find other members in the community to talk about storylines, characters, the market, and what is going to happen next in whichever comics universe we follow. If we are robbed of the peak of anticipation by DC Comics – we hurt as a community.

DC Comics and Market Share

It is not a secret that DC Comics desperately wants to regain the top spot in market share. If the DC Comics leaks continue, readers are going to become bored with the product. Why would I want to spend $2.99 or $3.99 on a title when I already know what is going to happen? Why didn’t DC Comics learn a [Censored] lesson when everyone knew what was happening before new comic day because of their allowing of digital downloads before the titles were in the store?

DC Comics is really getting under my skin right now. It does not matter if they want the leaks to happen or if they are having issues finding out who is leaking them. This [Censored] needs to stop now because their company (through blind idiocy or the inability to patrol their own) is ruining my experience. I might talk about comics through this site and I might spend time working in a store – but I am foremost a comic book fan, reader, and collector. DC needs to take OUR needs and wants into consideration first or they can just [Censored] with a [Censored] in the [Censored]!!!

WWC Challenge: Read Something New

Feb. 26 Comic Book Collecting no comments

From time to time I am going to give you a WWC Challenge – and this my friends is the first. I challenge you to buy a new title you have never read over the next month. I am sure you think this is a simple WWC Challenge to start out with, but I am not making this challenge as easy as you think. There are certain qualifiers for participation in the inaugural WWC Challenge.

WWC Challenge!

Which Companies?

The new comic you read cannot be from Marvel or DC. With the market statistics it is easy to tell that Marvel and DC dominate the market and most comic book readers try to stay true to the Big 2. This WWC Challenge is secretly (ok not secretly) to get you more involved with the smaller companies and to give them a better chance in the market.

Genre

Think about the genres of comics you usually read. Are most of your titles superhero titles? Are most of your titles horror? I want the comic you choose to be outside of your typical comfort zone.

What Do You Get?

Sorry that there is not a solid prize for this WWC Challenge. There are prized competitions we are coming up with right now – but not for this one. The goal is to make you a more satisfied comic book reader. It will help you to become more engaged in the market and might open your eyes to a whole new world (I feel a song coming on).

Resources

There are limitless resources out there for deciding what comic you should read for your WWC Challenge. You can check out Previews, or take a look at one of the smaller publishing company’s websites. You can also ask one of us in the store. Remember, there are benefits to asking our opinions in the store. You just have to stop in to find out what those are.

Batman/Superman: Differences in Fighting Crime

Feb. 26 Characters Comments Off

The release of Batman/Superman gets closer every day, and it makes sense to explore the characters differences before the launch of the new title. Superman and Batman are very different characters as one draws power from the sun while the other draws power from the darkness in his own heart. This series explores some of the ways that Bruce Wayne is the anti-Kal-El. This addition will explore why each character fights crime.

Superman and Batman

Superman

Superman wishes to preserve the sanctity of humanity, and his goal should be expected to carry over in Batman/Superman. Since he cannot become fully human himself, he attempts to preserve what he visualizes as the innocence of humanity. He is driven to make the world a better place for others and the easiest way to do so is to eliminate crime. Of course, he has gone off the deep end such as when he wanted to rid the world of nuclear devices – but we will not discuss that at length here since I don’t want to go off on a tangent about the stupidest movie in the original series or about how sad it was that the story carried over into the printed pages.

Batman

Batman is different from Superman in that he does not simply want to preserve the sanctity and innocence of humanity. Wayne’s alter ego wants to make criminals pay for the sins which they committed. Where Superman cares more for the victim, the victim of a crime is often insignificant to the Dark Knight when compared to the inner need to make a criminal pay. Fans should hope this difference becomes a cause for friction in Batman/Superman.

Which Side Drives You?

I remember reading an essay years ago in college in which a professor believed certain aspects about a student’s personality could be discerned by finding out if he or she related more to Batman or Superman. The explanation went through the idea of people who wanted to push for peace would identify more with Superman while people who believed criminals should pay their dues the hard way would identify with Batman. If I can ever dig up the essay, I will be sure to link it here. Then you could read the upcoming issues of Batman/Superman and see where you fall.

Batman/Superman

While Batman/Superman will not be the first mixing of Superman and Batman, it will be the first in the New 52. Read about my ideas on the title by following this link.

Comic Book Stores are Like Casinos

Feb. 26 Comic Book Collecting no comments

I love walking into comic book stores and casinos. As a comic book reader and collector, there are very few places that give me the charge that I get when walking into a store and seeing shelves lined with comic books. Ok, walking into a casino can come close – but not close enough. A comic book store is a lot like a casino and I doubt there have ever been many people who have made the association between the two. For those who know me, you should have expected me to compare two of my favorite types of locations.

Comic book stores are like casions

Bright Colors

One of the first things you will notice when walking into a casino or a comic book store is the bright colors all around. The casino owners use the bright colors to bring your attention to the slots, the table games and to the entertainment. Comic book companies use bright colors and visually-enticing covers to draw you in in much the same way. If a slot machine looked bland and devoid of flashing lights, would you stop and play? If a comic had a bland cover, would it catch your eye?

Location of Shared Interest

Walk into a casino and listen to the conversations patrons are having. With all of my trips to Las Vegas, I have heard the full gambit of possible conversations over the years, but the majority of people are talking about gambling, particular games, or winning money. If you walk into any of the comic book stores in the world, chances are good that most of the conversations will be about reading comics, particular comics, or the shared experiences of comic book readers. Casinos and comic book stores are hubs for people who share common interests.

The Big Gambles of Comic Book Stores

Chances are good that you might not actively think about gambling when you are in a comic book store, but you are – and others are as well. When you pick up an issue, you are taking a gamble that you are going to like it. When you purchase a variant cover for the collectability factor, you are betting on the issue increasing in value over time. In fact, I have heard more about comic book speculators in the last few months than I have about sports betting speculators.

Don’t forget that comic book companies are speculating with every title and storyline. They are betting on you buying each title they have. Sometimes they win and sometimes they lose. Owners of comic book stores are speculating when they place their orders. Sometimes they order the correct amount of a title, sometimes they get burned, and sometimes they wish they ordered more.

Leaving with Anticipation

Every time I have entered a plane leaving Las Vegas, I have anticipated my next trip to Sin City. Leaving comic book stores gives me the same feeling. I wonder about what types comics or merchandise they will have the next time I arrive and what types of conversations I will have while there. Now if I could only get free drinks in comic book stores…

Bad Kids Go To Hell 2 #1 Review

Feb. 25 Comics no comments

My plan is not to use this site as a review site, but when I got my review copy in the mail of Bad Kids Go to Hell 2 #1, I could not resist. I am going to do everything I can to keep myself from giving any spoilers from the first book in the new series, the original series, or from the movie which is topping most On Demand lists right now.

The Basics

Bad Kids Go to Hell 2 #1 has a cover price of $5.99 for 38 pages written by Matt Spradlin and Barry Wernick, the same guys who brought you the original Bad Kids Go to Hell comic and movie. Cover art was done by David Beauchene and Wes Harman with internal art being done by Alex Williamson. Coloring provided by Robby Bevard and Wes Hartman. Bad Kids Go to Hell 2 is published by Antarctic Press.

The Story

Bad Kids Go to Hell 2 takes place four years after the events in Bad Kids Go to Hell. Once again, we find a handful of students being forced into detention. As with the first series, the students are rich, preppy, and douchey with their personalities ranging from lustrous to arrogant, and every type of evil in between. One of the dententioned characters happens to be the brother of one of the victims in the first series. The only other direct links with the initial series is the presence of Headmaster Nash, the janitor, and the placement inside Crestview Academy.

The Story and Writing

Bad Kids Go to Hell 2 is for mature readers, but Spradlin and Wernick did not go to an excess with the adult material. While there is sexuality, drug use, and murder present in the story, it does not overwhelm each page as some adult-only comic creators would pride themselves on. There was more than enough room for a good story between the deviant moments in the printed pages.

The story is easy to follow even if you are not familiar with the rest of the franchise. It moves quickly with few slowing points. It is easy to relate to the characters as most people have dealt with types of high school students introduced in the story and you are going to wait on the edge of your seat to see how each one dies in the series.

The Art

The “art department” on Bad Kids Go to Hell 2 did a great job of not attempting to overwhelm the writing with graphics which jump off the page. Some readers might believe the artwork is subdued in areas, but that is actually a strength for the book. While a comic puts focus on both the writing and the art, certain frames should be used to put the focus on the words of the story while other times the focus should be on the art. The melding of the two needs was done well in Bad Kids Go to Hell 2.

Interesting Note

Marvel and DC have been making waves over the last few years for introducing more LGBT superheroes. The presence of positive homosexual role models has brought media attention to the Big 2, but it has also caused them to paint themselves into a corner. Note how there are not any homosexual supervillains in Marvel or DC because they are scared about a possible backlash from the LGBT community about an evil gay character and the belief that some might associate homosexuality and deviant behavior. In all honesty, if gay characters can be superheroes, it would make sense that there would be gay villains as well.

How does this fit in with Bad Kids Go to Hell 2? One of the characters in detention in Bad Kids Go to Hell 2 is a rich gay student who deals drugs and parties way too hard. I have to commend Spradlin and Wernick for taking the bold step towards true inclusion in comics. If a gay character can be good, he or she should also have the capacity to be evil. Only allowing LGBT characters to be good characters is actually a step away from true inclusion since it denies the reality that anyone can be evil.

Bad Kids Go to Hell 2 will be hitting store shelves very soon and you should consider picking it up. It is would be a great time to jump on just to see what all of the fuss and buzz is over the Bad Kids Go to Hell franchise. If nothing else, consider picking up the book as a monument moment issue and step towards true inclusion in comics.

WTF Certified Events a Return to Pre-New 52?

Feb. 23 Comics no comments

An interesting conversation popped up the other day in the store about the possibility of DC’s WTF Certified events being a precursor to the publisher returning to the pre-New 52 continuity. In the discussion, the suggestion came up about DC’s WTF Certified events actually being caused by rips in the fabric of space and time in the reality of the New 52, or that the events will cause rips in the reality of the superheroes. If this assumption is true, we would have to assume that publisher is using WTF Certified moments to prepare us to return to the pre-New 52 continuity.

DC’s WTF

Goals of the New 52

Do you know what the goals of the New 52 were? The stated goal was to bring the characters into an environment which gave a better reflection of the modern day in our world. The characters were given particular changes to fit into the modern world. At the same time, the secret goals of the New 52 and the WTF Certified events would be to take market share away from competitors and to make the company money.

The New 52 Feeling

When you picked up the first issue of one of the New 52 titles, I am sure you felt a little nervous that you might be wasting you money on a temporary title – but I would wager (with someone else’s money) that you had the feeling of being there when it all began. In your hands was the first part of a story which people might talk about for years. This is important for comic book publishers since they know we like to be the first ones in the know or the ones which have been around since the start.

Why Does This Matter?

You might wonder how the goals of the New 52 and the feelings tie in with WTF Certified events. I don’t see DC wanting to get away from the New 52. To steal a statement from DC’s opposition – the New 52 is DC’s NOW. DC does not want readers to thing the New 52 was just a passing fancy or be disappointed with the feelings they got in late 2011. They know we hold grudges for a long time and would never forgive them if the WTF Certified events led back to the pre-New 52 continuity for the DC Universe. How would you feel if you had thought you were there at the beginning and the feeling was nothing more than a 16 month tease?

How It Might Play Out

I would not be surprised if we came to a point in which the old continuity and the New 52 continuity crossed. The characters would have to make a decision about which path to continue on. In this case, the fans would need to have the final say because if the storylines went back to where they were in the pre-New 52 days, many readers would be lost. I always considered myself a Marvelite, but jumped on with reading certain New 52 titles and am happy with how they are developing. The New 52 has been strong enough to convert someone whose only cares about DC were Batman, the Phantom Stranger, and some of the horror titles. I am sure there are more fans out there like me.

WFT Certified Events Might Lead…But

If the WTF Certified events are leading to a pre-New 52 continuity, DC might have a slight jump in sales as everything is refigured. In the end, though, DC would be the ultimate loser as disappointed fans looked elsewhere for entertainment. Sometimes the fans aren’t always the ultimate loser since there is enough out on the market for us to read other than DC.

Iron Man 3 Box Office Will Appear Dismal

Feb. 22 TV & Movies Comments Off

The clock is ticking until we have the release of “Iron Man 3,” and fans are foaming at the mouth as they wait. There is a concern which sticks out in my mind which I will not be able to shake until about a week after the initial box office results come back for the movie. I keep thinking the mass media is going to make the movie appear as an underachiever.

Iron Man 3

Trusted Friends

I have worked in the mass media before and can tell you from experience that most people who report the news have no clue about what they are reporting on or about an industry such as the comic book industry. Sure, they report facts and figures eloquently, but it is typically not the job of a reporter to interpret data. There is nothing wrong with reporters as they do their job of reporting and they will report the numbers from “Iron Man 3” when they come out. It is just when they attempt to comment on what they report that the issue will present itself.

Here Comes the Issue

The issue will come in the lines they state after reporting the “Iron Man 3” numbers. I would be willing to wager (with someone else’s money) that after reading the opening totals from “Iron Man 3” that reporters or anchors will point out how “The Avengers” made over $1 billion worldwide. In many cases, someone will offer a color comment about how “Iron Man 3” did not perform nearly as well as “The Avengers” and that the comic book movie market might be sliding down.

Not My Job

Remember, it is not the reporter’s job to interpret the news, just report it. The problem will be with the sheep who watch the news and believe everything they hear coming out of a reporter’s mouthes without thinking. Marvel is not expecting “Iron Man 3” to bring in “The Avengers” numbers because “The Avengers” was a conglomeration movie which teamed up some of Marvel’s biggest names. The average reporter does not realize comparing “Iron Man 3” to “The Avengers” will be like apples and oranges. Prepare yourself for stupidity.

Superman and Batman Title: Been There Before Batman/Superman

Feb. 22 Comics no comments

The mass media is picking up on DC’s announcement of a new pairing of Superman and Batman. The new series will focus on how the two iconic characters met in the New 52. I am sorry, but I cannot get excited about Batman/Superman.

Superman and Batman

Exclude This Reason

Some people who know me might automatically exclude my ideas about a Superman and Batman pairing in Batman/Superman because of the fact that I just don’t like Superman. Exclude this reasoning now because there are other reasons why I will not be reading.

Been There Done That

Granted, this will be the first title for Superman and Batman in the New 52, but so what? In the three decades I have been reading comics, I have lost track of the number of times the two characters have teamed up. I have lost track of the number of issues I have read in which the two disagree on the way to handle criminals. Even though some of the variables have changed in the New 52, the basis of how the two characters differ remains the same and will be nothing more than a regurgitation of the arguments we have read in the past.

WTF?

We are a matter of weeks away from DC’s WTF?. The goal of this new marker in the DC Universe is to shakeup the market in the hopes of bringing more of a market share to the publishing company which slipped into second place behind Marvel. DC will do anything to regain the lead and the plotlines in WTF should prove the point. This is change for the sake of change and it is not what the fans want. Fans want strong storylines and characters they can relate to and give a damn about. I see Batman/Superman as a twist on WTF?, and another attempt to snatch a little market share instead of giving the fans what they want.

How Many Titles Do Superman and Batman Need?

A large portion of my monthly pull list revolves around Batman and the Family but I do not see myself wanting to add another Bat-title to the list. DC needs to take a step back and look at the titles in the New 52 and how they are dominated by Batman, Superman, and the Green Lantern. Adding another title to any of these lines, especially to Superman and Batman, could easily cause a character’s bubble to pop. Now I am not saying that fans will give up on Superman or Batman when Batman/Superman comes out – but there will be ones that find they have to take a step back from some of the titles because of character inundation.

Why Now?

Oddly, this is the week in which Batwoman proposed to her girlfriend but few major media outlets picked up the story. DC was figuring on a media push so there is good reason to believe this announcement was pushed up to keep investors and the big wheels happy. Too bad I can’t get the Barenaked Ladies line out of my head, “It’s all been done before.” I guess it is time to dust off that CD.

Special Note:

Just because I will not be reading the new Superman and Batman title should not lead anyone to believe we will not carry Batman/Superman in the store. I don’t do the ordering – I just spread the word.

What Type of Comic Book Collector Are You?

Feb. 21 Comic Book Collecting Comments Off

Are you a general comic book collector, a mixed collector, or a specialized comic book collector? Do you know the differences between each type of collector? After reading this article – you will.

Comic Book Storage

General Comic Book Collector

An easy way to remember what a general collector is would be to think of this type of person as a diversified collector. His or her collection will have comics from various comics from various time periods. Many comic book collectors fall into this category as the collector either collects any comics she can come across or any comics she likes.

Specialized Comics Book Collector

A specialized comic book collector will only collect certain types of comics, the comics of a particular character or team, or the comics from a particular company. If you have been collecting for a long time, chances are good that you have met someone who only collects comics focused on the X-Men or Batman or a comic book collector who would never allow comics from the Big 2 in their independent comics collection. You might have met someone who is only interested in horror comics or comics from a particular company.

Mixed Comic Book Collector

Most comic book collectors would fall into this category since they might have some specialized lines in their collections, but will still be diversified. My collection has a strong focus on the 1970s, and on particular characters such as Doctor Strange, The Phantom Stranger, and Batman – but I still have comics from many other publications and titles for various reasons ranging from liking a particular line to simply liking a particular cover to a certain issue being a key issue in a title.

Advantages and Disadvantages

A general or mixed collector will never have a “complete” collection, but a specialized collector might. It gives the specialized collector something to work towards and a goal to focus on. Essentially, this gives a specialized collector a defined maximum number of comics he or she might have. A general or mixed collector can, over time, become overwhelmed by a huge collection which needs to be liquidated to make room.

At the same time, though, a specialized collector might have to pass on particular issues outside of her collection and kick themselves later. I friend of mine only collects horror comics and once passed on purchasing Avengers #7 at a resale shop because it did not fit into his collection. He became so consumed by the idea of only buying horror comics that he did not think about purchasing the early issue of the Avengers and simply trading it in at his local comic book store or selling it for money.

A general or mixed collector is typically going to have a wider view on the comic book industry since he or she will have various types of titles in the collection. Diversification is something which drives a comic book industry which is filled with hundreds of titles to choose from. Specialized collectors, though, can also have a major impact on the market since they can help to entitle a sub-genre (such as horror, science fiction, etc.) to more attention from the publishing companies.

In the End

It comes down to what type of comic book collector you want to be. There is nothing inherently wrong with any type of comic book collector, but each type has advantages and disadvantages over the others.

What type of comic book collector are you? Why is this type of collecting right for you?

Also Read:

Bagging and Boarding Comic Books: Yes You Have To

Daryl Dixon in The Walking Dead Comic: Bad Idea

Feb. 21 Characters Comments Off

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Who Deadpool Should Kill Next

Feb. 19 Characters no comments

Currently, Deadpool fans are watching the Merc with a Mouth finish up his battle with zombified former presidents in Deadpool and literary characters in Deadpool Killustrated. In the past, we have seen the mercenary destroy everyone in Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe and even kill a regenerated version of himself about a year ago. Who should he kill next?

Deadpool

Disclaimer

These are my own thoughts and do not reflect any rumors I have heard circulating. These are my own opinions – but after reading you might hope the powers-that-be at Marvel will pick them up as well.

Dracula

Deadpool Killustrated 2

In the first iteration of Deadpool Killustrated, he is going after characters in the public domain. Marvel did not have to worry about copyright problems since the characters are fair game for foul play. Wade Wilson should be sent after the greatest horrors in literature. He should kill Dracula, Frankenstein, and Dr. Jekyl. In the final issue of the series, we should see Deadpool vs. Cthulhu! Just think about the hijinks when he crosses paths with H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos.

Wuthering Heights

Deadpool Killustrated 3

The Merc with a Mouth is currently killing some of our favored characters from literature in Sherlock Holmes and Scrooge. Marvel should send him after characters we were forced to pretend we cared about in high school literature class. I would love to see him give “what for” to Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights. Maybe he should beat Romeo and Juliet to the punch and knock them off the balcony. When he is through with them, Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice needs to die. In the background, Willie Wonka (even though we did not hate him) could pull the strings until Wilson realizes what is going on and destroys the Chocolate Factory.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3

Deadpool Kills Capcom

Out of all of the suggestions on the list, this is the one Marvel could make work through their agreement with Capcom. Who says I should only be able to see one of my favorite characters shoot Mega Man through a gaming system? A battle with Strider in the printed pages could be epic. How would he catch Viewtiful Joe? An entire run could be built around killing the characters from Street Fighter. Oh the possibilities.

Hanna-Barbera

Deadpool Kills Hanna-Barbera

My mouth waters (and foams from madness) just thinking about a Red and Black attack on the old Saturday morning cartoons. The Jetsons, the Flintstones, the Scooby-Doo gang, Yogi Bear’s crew, and the Smurfs are only a small portion of the characters HB owned before folding into Warner Bros. Magilla Gorilla, Top Cat, Huckleberry Hound, and Quick Draw McGraw should all die miserably! With their newer licenses, Deadpool could also kill the Powerpuff Girls and blow up Dexter’s Laboratory. I could just see the frame when Deadpool hears the words “I am Weasel” and replies “You are dead!” Too bad DC would never allow it.

Who would you want to see Deadpool kill in the future? Please refrain from mentioning living people especially those which could cause for a federal investigation.

Concerns About the Ant-Man Movie

Feb. 19 TV & Movies Comments Off

There are certain issues I find myself having about the upcoming Ant-Man movie which I hope Marvel addresses at some point. While I am not expecting the movie to do as well as the Marvel Phase 1 movies, I hope Marvel is able to address these particular concerns to ensure the movie’s success.

Are you awaiting the Ant-Man movie?

Popularity

Marvel did a good job in including Hank Pym as Ant-Man in “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” but they have not done a bang-up job of keeping him as important in the Marvel Universe as possible. As of this writing, we are a few months into Marvel NOW, and Ant-Man has yet to make an impact. If Marvel wants current readers to get excited about “Ant-Man” the movie, the company needs to give at least morsels to get the reader’s mouths to water.

The Average Person

While comic book reader would love to admit that “we” did it, the Marvel movies did not become the blockbusters they are without the help of the people who would not be caught dead in a comic book store. Those people want movies created about characters they have at least heard of. We will have to wait for the premiere of “Guardians of the Galaxy” to know how much of an impact a non-headlining character can make at the box office. Of course, you might make the argument that the Green Lantern was not a top headliner, but at least he was a known name.

Wasp

Whatever Marvel decides to do with Janet van Dyne, there will be fans which will be angry. Some Ant-Man fans will argue that they would want to see the version of Hank who is in love with Wasp and argue that the two deserve to be together onscreen. Other fans are going to hope Janet’s death will be in the past in the movie and Hank has to struggle with getting by without her. Janet will be a touchy issue with many fans, and we will have to wait until Marvel makes an official announcement about the character.

Various Names

What is going to happen if Hank grows to a larger size in the movie? Is he going to change his name to Goliath or Giant-Man? Pym has had more character names over the years than Lady Gaga has oddly-shaped bras. Will this be addressed in the movie? Couldn’t changing names confuse viewers who were not familiar with the character before entering the theater? This is an important aspect in Pym’s overall personality and Marvel needs to figure out what to do soon.

“Ant-Man” is a long way off and Marvel has time to make adjustments here and there to the movie and the comic book market. As a Pyn fan, I hope the movie does him justice.

Comics-Forward Comic Book Convention: Differences from Other Cons

Feb. 19 Conventions Comments Off

What is a comics-forward comic book convention? The fact that we even have to have this type of designation clearly shows how the shift in comic book conventions has changed over the years. The designation shows the difference between an actual comic book convention and a media convention which happens to have some comic book vendors and guests.

2010 Detroit Fanfare comic book convention

What a Comics-Forward Convention is Not

I would venture to say that most comic book conventions in the U.S. and Canada right now are not comics-forward comic book conventions. The evidence of this comes in how the shows are marketed and floor-planned. Instead of showing top comic book creators in their ads, actors from movies and shows which have nothing to do with comic books are headlined. While comic book creators might be at the convention, they are forced to take a back seat to soft-core porn stars or former Playboy centerfolds. Instead of every booth seat being filled by someone with a connection to comic books, autograph tables are sold to former pro-wrestlers. The creators are forced to fill tables in the back of the convention hall or in some out-of-the-way wing.

Moment of Digression

Let’s pick on pro-wrestlers for a moment since a wrestling guest can show the difference between a comics-forward comic book convention and an average “comic book convention.” Even though they wear tights, they are not superheroes nor do they have some type of connection to superheroes. Don’t get me wrong as there are some wrestlers which have direct connections to the comic book world. I would not scoff at CM Punk being a guest at a comic book convention since he is a collector. I would also not turn my nose to Sgt. Slaughter or Hulk Hogan since they were both characters in comics in the 1980s. When it comes to [Insert name of pro-wrestler], though, he/she has no connection to comics so he/she is only there to take space away from someone you will actually give a damn about.

A Comics-Forward Comic Book Convention

Instead of booking non-comics-related media guests, a comics-forward comic book convention might schedule stars which have either worked on comics or starred in movies or TV shows which were based on comic book properties. Instead of pushing the media guests first, the comic creators and comic book vendors have primary seating around a convention hall at a comics-forward comic book convention. Some comics-forward comic book conventions don’t schedule any media guests at all.

The Focus

Simply put, most comic book conventions place the focus on washed-up media stars which have nothing to do with the industry which the convention states it is attempting to appeal to instead of putting the focus on comic book fans. I want to walk in to a convention and believe the show was built around me and not around someone else. I don’t want to get an autograph from [Insert name of pro-wrestler or floozy], I want an autograph from someone who was part of the entertainment medium I grew up with and continue to enjoy to this day.

My Favorite Example

I stared covering Detroit Fanfare for a major website when the convention began in 2010. I loved the idea of a convention which had comics for sale and comic book creators signing autographs in the front of the hall. Instead of having to search a map for where the creators could be seen, I could trip over them if I was not paying attention. There are media guests, but they are guests which have some type of connection to comics. There are panels to attend, but most have to do with comics and not with non-comics-related TV shows or movies which I am not even interested in watching. Now, I am happy to be a part of a comics-forward comic book convention where the masses are welcomed, but the show is molded for the true comic book fan.

Detroit Exclusive Guardians of the Galaxy #1 Variant by Marcos Martin

Feb. 18 Comics Comments Off

Our friends at DetroitComicBookStores.com are announcing an exclusive Guardians of the Galaxy #1 variant cover by Marcos Martin. The variant will launch on March 27, 2013, the same day as the title. The variant can be picked up at any of the participating locations, or can be ordered through DetroitComicBookStores.com. The Martin variant will be priced at $12.00 through the website with prices potentially varying at each participating store. Visit the group’s website to locate participating stores or to place your order for this beautiful variant.

Guardians of the Galaxy #1 Variant

The Launch of Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy #1 launches the team into Marvel NOW on March 27, 2013. The script was written by Brian Michael Bendis with interior art by Steve Mcniven. The Guardians of the Galaxy will protect the Earth because the balance of the galaxy rests on our planet’s future. A new generation of fans will be introduced to Star Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket Racoon, and Groot. Of course, Iron Man will be there to help them out. This launch will prepare comic book fans for the highly-anticipated opening day of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movie on August 1, 2014 and will become a cornerstone in Marvel’s return to galactic storytelling.

Marcos Martin

Marcos Martin has had an impressive comic book career which spans 15 years. He is best known for his work on The Amazing Spider-Man and his cover artistry. He has been making major waves recently with his variant covers for AvX: Vs, Spider-Men, Morbius: The Living Vampire, and Nova.

DetroitComicBookStores.com

DetroitComicBookStores.com is an alliance of comic book stores in the Metro Detroit area that have found common ground outside of pure competition. The group helped in the founding of Detroit Fanfare, a comics-forward comic book convention held each October in Dearborn, MI. The convention, along with the retailers associated with DetroitComicBookStores.com, believe comic book fans should be the main concern of their businesses.

To order your copy, please follow this link to DetroitComicBookStores.com

Why Hoax Hunters is One of My Favorite Titles

Feb. 18 Comics no comments

Hoax Hunters is only on issue #7, but has quickly become one of my favorite titles on the market right now. If you have not checked Hoax Hunters out yet, you really should as it has a great mix of interesting characters, strong writing and artwork, and puts a unique spin on a current genre from TV.

Hoax Hunters

The Story of Hoax Hunters

In the comic, the Hoax Hunters are the cast of a popular reality TV show which outwardly debunks popular myths and monsters each week. Behind the scenes, though, the characters attempt to either protect the creatures they are hunting after or they attempt to destroy them.

The Fit

“Ghost Hunters,” “Destination Truth,” “Ghost Adventures,” and the myriad of other paranormal/reality shows which explore the “What if?” questions of the world’s mythos have countless fans who wait to see the “evidence” presented each week. There have been rumors for years about these shows being fabricated. The creators of Hoax Hunters put a spin on this type of reality TV show by having the stars fabricate their lack of evidence of the existence of cryptids and paranormal creatures or entities.

The Hoax Hunters

Jack is the leader of the group and a former government agent. He is a strong African-American character who is not born of stereotypes or clichés found in many African-American characters. He is a no-nonsense kinda guy who can think his way, or fight his way, out of a situation.

Reagan is the pretty girl on the show, but can wield mystical power. She is a quick thinker who (so far) knows when to expose her powers and when to keep her tricks up her sleeve. She is a character which almost any comic book title could be built around

There is a member of the Hoax Hunters for zombie fans. Ken is an intelligent undead creature. He is in constant battle with his past but tries to do what he could to help the group whenever possible. Two of the few comforts in his unlife are the comfort of the group and the protection it provides.

I could write an article on Murder, but I will keep my statements to a few lines in order to tease you into reading Hoax Hunters. He is a floating space suit filled with crows. The crows are sentient and will help the crew. He is the most original character in the title and one of the more original characters in years.

Hoax Hunters is on my weekly pull list and I have found myself reading it first when I get home. Give it a change – you will be happy you did.

Visit the Hoax Hunter’s Facebook Page

Comic Book Dividers: Start Using Them Already

Feb. 18 Comic Book Collecting no comments

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Diamond Industry Statistics: Should You Read Them?

Feb. 17 Comic Book Collecting no comments

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Marvel in the 1970s and Marvel NOW

Feb. 17 Comics no comments

Thinking about Marvel in the 1970s brings up memories of the company beginning to push the envelope with stronger female characters and mixing in characters that non-Caucasians could relate to. It was also a time in which Marvel resurrected the horror comics genre and had a strong expansion into the universe at-large with the inclusion of galactic storytelling. Has anyone else noticed how Marvel in the 1970s is being revisited through Marvel NOW?

Nova

Galactic Storytelling

Guardians of the Galaxy and Nova both bring Marvel back to one of their featured storytelling styles from the 1970s. Galactic storytelling was one of the major cornerstones for Marvel in the 1970s and is going to make a major impact in the Marvel NOW version of the Marvel Universe. Both Nova and the Guardians of the Galaxy first saw the light of the Marvel cosmos in the 1970s and are back now. Marvel in the 1970s would have been quite different without cosmic stories, and Marvel NOW will be quite different with it.

Defenders and Valkyrie

Valkyrie is back on a Defenders team with Fearless Defenders. Both the character and the team were original to Marvel in the 1970s. Valkyrie is one of the strongest female characters in any Marvel Universe and has been overlooked for too long. Hopefully she can grow with her new title and gain the renown which she should have gained in her initial run. Hopefully this Defenders title will not be held back with kitschy storytelling and an overly-rotated cast of characters.

Marvel Horror

Another cornerstone of Marvel in the 1970s was the resurrection of horror when the Comics Code was loosened to allow scary creatures in the printed pages once again. Morbius: The Living Vampire might be the best example you could think of today, but Man-Thing will begin to play a role in Savage Wolverine in issue #4. Both of these horror characters were created in the 1970s and are making an impact early into the Marvel Now run. Marvel in the 1970s is being reflected by Marvel NOW and there are few things which would make fans of my generation happier.

The Riddler and OCD: Not as Crazy as You Think

Feb. 17 Characters no comments

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Essential Marvel Crossover Events Leading to Marvel NOW

Feb. 15 Comics Comments Off

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Doctor Strange Needs His Own Title NOW

Feb. 15 Characters no comments

The market is ripe for a stand-alone Doctor Strange title. It is time for fans of the Sorcerer Supreme to speak up so the powers at Marvel can hear our pleas. We need more of the Master of the Mystic Arts and it is time for Marvel to comply. Where is Doctor Strange for the Dark Market? Comics are taking a darker turn right now with DC pushing its Dark line with titles such as Justice League Dark, Phantom Stranger, Swamp Thing, and the soon-to-launch Constantine. The Walking Dead is one of the essential comics on the market today with Hoax Hunters and other dark and horror titles gaining stronger followings each month. Doctor Strange would fit right in with this reemerging market and I am sure Marvel is not going to want to miss this boat.

Doctor Strange

TV Appearances

Doctor Strange has been important enough in the Marvel Universe to make multiple appearances on recent animated shows so the company should launch a new title with him to reinforce his importance. Episodes of “The Super Hero Squad Show” and “Ultimate Spider-Man” have both guest starred the Sorcerer Supreme, so it would make sense that if he was written into the shows, he could be written into his own title.

The 1970s

In recent history, characters that gained popularity in the 1970s but waned in the 1980s have gained popularity again. Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and Valkyrie are just three examples of characters which have been “resurrected” or dusted off for the modern audiences. Why can’t Doctor Strange fit into this category?

Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange Movie

Marvel is having the script worked on for a Doctor Strange movie. It would make sense for the publishing company to reacquaint fans with the character as much as possible before the opening of the movie is scheduled. While his presence in New Avengers is good, it is not strong enough. Marvel needs to allow new fans to learn about the Sanctum Sanctorum and all of Doctor Strange’s allies and enemies. Hey Marvel – Get on that NOW!

Batman and Superman: DC’s Yin and Yang

Feb. 14 Characters no comments

Batman is often considered a polar opposite of Superman. Even though both fight for good, they go about doing so in opposite ways. Some even consider Dark Knight is the anti-Kal-El. The differences between the two can sometimes be as apparent as night and day. You could easily explain Batman and Superman as the Yin and the Yang of the DC Universe.

Superman and Batman

Superman’s Power

While the residents of Krypton are smarter than humans, the benefits of the now-dead civilization end at technology. Once Kal-El arrived on Earth, he was granted superpowers by the rays of our yellow sun. During instances in which he has left our plane of existence, he has lost the majority of his strength and superpowers.

This symbolizes how Superman is a hero of the light and has led to analogies between the character and messiah-like characters throughout human mythology. The sun is a life-giver to the Earth and it would make sense that a messiah character from the comics would gain “new life” through the power of the sun’s light.

Batman’s Power

Batman cannot fly on his own will and he cannot create tornadoes while running. He does not have super strength and does not have laser-shooting eyes. He is a man who can create interesting tools to help him avenge victims of crime. Instead of being a child of the sun, he is the son or darkness.

The shadows of Gotham match the darkness in Bruce Wayne’s heart. Just like his costume, Batman wears the darkness like a cloak. The darkness reminds criminals that the Dark Knight might be hiding around the next corner.

The Yin and the Yang

Superman is mostly good, but has displayed a dark side when Lois Lane or any other character he cares about is in trouble. Bruce Wayne is mostly a dark character but has a bit of light in his heart. It would be an easy analogy to state that the two characters are the Yin and the Yang of DC Comics. The two comics constantly balance the other with one being a positive story about bringing criminals to justice and the other being a darker story about giving criminals the beatings they deserve. At times, the two characters find themselves working together, but know it should never be a permanent endeavor.

DC’s WTF: Concerns About a Dismal Tomorrow

Feb. 13 Comics Comments Off

DC’s WTF is sure to be one of the major talking points over the next few months in comic book stores across the country and is sure to bring the company at least a slight uptick in market share. There are aspects of DC’s WTF which concern me and fear for negative potentials for the comic book industry over the next year.

DC’s WTF

Importance of Change

The New 52 and Marvel NOW have proven how a massive revamp of a comic book universe can cause a major shift in the industry. We could argue, though, about how crossover events such as Civil War and Death of the Family can also cause for a major shift in the market without having to change or reboot nearly every title at a company. Occasionally, the comic book companies need to shake things up a little bit in order to keep the product fresh and reassert themselves into the market. How much, though, is too much?

Macro vs. Micro Crossovers

I am not personally a fan of having a major crossover event every single year. I am of the belief that if Marvel continues to have one “universe changing” event after another, fans will eventually become burned out by having to purchase massive amount of titles ever six months. Just as we were winding down from the Chaos War, we were hit with Fear Itself. When we were winding down from Fear Itself, we were hit with AvX which turned into Marvel NOW. Too much action within a short amount of time.

DC, on the other hand, had been playing the cards correctly by having smaller crossover events since the dawn of the New 52. While Death of the Family has major impacts on the members of The Family, the event is leaving Superman and Green Lantern titles alone for their own definitive crossover stories. Don’t worry, I have not forgotten about DC’sWTF.

Change for the Sake of Change

On the surface, DC’s WTF appears as change for the sake of change. Soon after Gail Simone was ousted from DC, word made rounds about DC execs making statements about more major changes coming soon and about shakeups on the surface of DC and in the background. The goal is apparently to take as much market share back from Marvel as possible. I see the idea of having major shakeups a way to infuse a company stronger into the market as flawed as they are only temporary fixes to companies which pay closer attention to market share than what fans actually ask for (more on this in a moment).

The Near Future

If DC’s WTF does well, Marvel will have to respond with another shakeup as soon as possible (Marvel NOWer?). The two will be stuck in an odd chess match of back-and-forthing which could alienate fans who had been away from comics for even a short time as they try to figure out what in the hell is going on with their favorite characters.

Worst Case Scenario

The worst case I could foresee is that DC’s WTF starts a chain reaction where Marvel and DC can’t even keep up with their own “universe changing” events and begin having crossovers within crossovers. How many issues of Chaos Infinity Secret Initiative War would you want to buy? In the worst case – fans will burn out.

Best Case Scenario

In the best case, DC’s WTF will make both DC and Marvel open their eyes to how the smaller publishing companies are upticking their own market shares. Many of the smaller companies know comic book fans want solid stories with characters they can relate to in some way. A little changeup here and there to keep things fresh is one thing. When you leave the fans who have missed one or two issues out to dry, we should all ask WTF?

Comic Book Collection Inventory: Why?

Feb. 13 Comic Book Collecting Comments Off

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Comic Book Convention Attendee Tips

Feb. 13 Conventions Comments Off

These tips for attending comic book conventions are for people attending their first convention in the near future and for seasoned attendees as well. These tips are based on mistakes I made in the past or mistakes I have seen people make over and over again.

2010 Detroit Fanfare comic book convention

Create an Itinerary

Even small comic book conventions have dozens of activities happening during a weekend. Larger conventions might have hundreds when you consider panels, special screenings, parties, and other convention-only events. Comic book convention websites often have all of the events and activities listed well before the doors are officially opened.

Sit down a day or two before the convention and write down the information about each event you want to attend. Make sure you include the name of the event, the time, and location. Once you have all of these written down, make sure you do not have any times overlapping or events which might force you to run from one end of a convention hall to another. People carrying stacks of comics do not like people running by them. This planning might save you from fretting or missing an event.

Check the Fundage Before Leaving the House

Don’t go to a comic book convention with $25 in your pocket. You are going to have to eat, you are going to see things you want to buy, you might have to pay for tickets, and you are probably going to want a drink later on (if you are over 21 of course). Make sure you have enough money on you or readily available. You just look silly if you run out of money two hours after arriving at the show.

Pace Yourself

If a comic book convention is a few days long, do not try to do everything and see everything in the first few hours you are there. At the 2012 Detroit Fanfare, I noticed a couple which tried to see everything at the convention in the first hour the show was open. I watched them rush from booth to booth and from room to room as if they were in a race to see everything first. They were blown out a few hours into the show and dragged for the rest of the weekend and wished they had not tried to rush.

Bring Snacks

I usually attend comic book conventions with a backpack or some other type of bag full of snacks. I would much rather spend a few dollars on a box of granola bars before a convention than $2.50 for a chocolate bar at the show. Snack prices at conventions are inflated and take away from the money to be spent on comics (or drinks at the parties…oh the parties). Also, by keeping snacks handy, you can keep your energy levels high for the long-term.

Know Who Will NOT be There

Check the comic book convention’s website before you head out the door. Many conventions will post messages about guests which have cancelled. I have seen comic book convention attendees upset because their favorite writer or artist cancelled. In most cases, their disappointment at the show would have been averted by simply checking out the website.

General Walk

I take a general walk around a convention before purchasing anything. Of course, there are vendors who have specials for the first so many people to come to their booths, I plan accordingly. General walks will help give an idea of the layout of the show and help me gain an idea of what I am going to want to purchase over the next few hours or days. How many times have you purchased something from one vendor and seen the same item for less on the other end of the hall? This trick helps to prevent that experience.

Make Sure You Eat

I cannot count the number of times I have attended comic book conventions and seen people dragging their feet because they had not eaten. If you are going to try to pull a full day at one of the comic book conventions, make sure you eat. This is a basic necessity which people often forget about when there is excess excitement in the air.

My year revolves around comic book conventions. I have learned over the years how to make each convention better than the last for myself. Learn from my mistakes if you want to have the best convention experience possible.

Arrow on The CW: Greatest Mistakes So Far

Feb. 13 TV & Movies Comments Off

Recently, I was discussing “Arrow” on The CW with a fan in the store when he stated his belief that the creators of the show had yet to make a mistake. I rebutted him with a diatribe which I have edited and placed here for your reading pleasure.

“Arrow” Mistake #1: DC Marketing

Arrow on The CW

Speaking frankly – the marketing DC flew with before “Arrow” came out on The CW sucked. Up until a few weeks before the show premiered, the only mention of the upcoming show on the DC website appeared in the News section. This series should have been marketed on the front page of the company’s site for all visitors to see and get excited about. How can I get excited by a show DC can’t get excited about? Remember, DC is one of the creators of “Arrow,” so they should have been pushing it from the start.

“Arrow” Mistake #2: Talking about Jumping the Shark

Before the show even premiered, the heads of “Arrow” on The CW were talking about how the show would jump the shark. They explained that they were not interested in having super powers on the show. Great, so if fans want superpowers on the show, you are going to ignore them? In the years that I have been following the TV industry, this was one of the stupidest statements I ever read. Why would a creator of a show tell potential fans they will not be listened to?

“Arrow” Mistake #3: Placing the Show on The CW

DC should have separated from the rest of the Warner Bros. company and marketed the show to another network other than The CW. Who in the hell watches The CW anyways? Many cable networks put up more numbers than the free network most people forget even exists. With the success of “The Walking Dead,” dozens of cable networks would have lined up for a chance to have their own comic book-based show. DC really dropped the ball.

Cosplayers at Comic Book Convention: Don’t Discourage

Feb. 13 Conventions no comments

At conventions, I have heard some comic book fans discourage attendees who were simply there to cosplay. Some comic book fans believe comic-cons should only be attended by those who read and/or collect comics. Whenever I hear cosplayers being discouraged, I make sure I speak up.

Cosplayers at 2011 Detroit Fanfare

Inclusive

One of the major lessons learned in the pages of comic book is inclusion. Readers should learn that characters like those found in the X-Men should teach us to respect each other despite our differences. Comic book conventions should be the same way. While the majority of guests are going to attend to see what types of deals they can find or which of their idols will be in attendance, but there are those who will attend simply to cosplay or see the celebrities in attendance. All should be allowed.

Cosplayers at 2011 Detroit Fanfare

Growth

Cosplayers have helped conventions grow over the years. Online slideshows of pretty women in superhero or other costumes can entice fans into going to particular conventions. The more people a convention can draw the more money it can make. This leads to bigger guests being invited and grander events taking place. If you want your local convention to have the chance of competing with a larger con one day, encourage the cosplayers when you see them.

Enjoyment

Even though I do not cosplay myself, I look forward to seeing cosplayers whenever I head to a convention. Many other attendees will look forward to seeing cosplayers as well. Pay attention to someone with a tremendous costume as see how many people attempt to take a picture of the costume, or with the cosplayer. You might be surprised by how much enjoyment costumed-attendees give. The more enjoyable a con, the more people will return in the future to ensure the long-term stability of the convention.

What Cosplay Can Lead To For Cosplayers

I know many cosplayers who have ended up becoming interested in comics by attending conventions. Every new fan the industry can interest makes the industry slightly stronger. Why wouldn’t you want the industry you love to grow stronger?

The Phantom Stranger: The Enigma Then and Now

Feb. 13 Characters Comments Off

The Phantom Stranger has gained extra attention in the second half of 2012 due to the relaunch of his title in the New 52. The Gray Walker is one of my favorite characters of all time due to the many questions surrounding the original version of the character. The original Stranger is filled with symbolism and importance.

The Phantom Stranger

Origin of the Phantom Stranger

The original Phantom Stranger is one of a few characters in comics without a set origin. Up until the New 52, it had been speculated that the character was the Wandering Jew, Judas Iscariot, a fallen angel, or the last being from a dimension which was destroyed countless ages ago. A character’s origin is important as it tells up how a superhero gained his or her powers and what caused the character to help out humanity or to wish to destroy society. By not having an origin, the original Brotherless One became a character shrouded in mystery since his very inception.

Power

I do not see an instance in the original DC Universe in which the writers ever explored the full depth of the Phantom Stranger’s power. Sure, there were times in which The Phantom Stranger was taxed by an attack or a volley of offense, but parameters were never set on how powerful he was. We know that he automatically knows everything about every character he encounters and knows about every situation going on, but we do not know if this is of his own power or a power granted to him from a higher source. We also know he can travel through time and cast powerful magic spells but we never found out what his breaking point was. We also know that he has lived for countless years, but do not know if he can actually die.

Use of His Power

The truest area of symbolism for the Phantom Stranger comes in the form of having ultimate power but typically not being able to get directly involved. He can retaliate if he is attacked, or he can lend a hand if the powers of chaos have the chance of overtaking the powers of order – but that is about it. Instead, he is forced to give advice or to simply lead other characters in the right direction. Think about the emotional struggles you would have if you had all the power in the universe, but could not use it unless certain rare circumstances were met?

The Phantom Stranger

The New 52

I cannot write about the symbolism and significance of the Phantom Stranger without addressing the changes made in the New 52. The revelation that the Gray Walker is Judas Iscariot completely takes one of the most important aspects of the enigmatic character away. Since the Phantom Stranger has a clear origin, readers are not left with the questions they have had for decades. Years ago, I would pick up every issue the Stranger was in with the hope of having some type of clue to his origin. Sadly, DC did not remember the importance of this aspect when they created the new version of the character.

In the present day, the Phantom Stranger is set out on missions which he must complete to gain redemption. I actually like this as it melds with the old form of the character which had to weed out the powers of chaos in order to keep order. I don’t like the idea of these missions being set by a mystical group of “gods” which we have seen. DC decided to go against the idea of keeping enigmas surrounding the character and made him a jobber for “the mystical elite.”

I have mixed feelings about the idea of the Phantom Stranger leading a double life with a family. The old stranger was a constant wanderer. Obviously, he has been in the same place for a long time. Of course, some rebellious DC fans might think that I am wrong by holding onto the old and not accepting the new. Obviously, these critics would not realize the importance of a character which is different from all others. These comic book pundits would not realize how having a character surrounded in mystery can keep fans interested for years.

Oddly, with all that I dislike about the New 52 version of the Phantom Stranger, I like the storylines so far. We will see in the upcoming months if DC can keep my attention or force me to wander from the title.

What do you think about the New 52 Phantom Stranger in comparison to the original Phantom Stranger?

Captain America’s Shield: Metaphors and Symbolism

Feb. 12 Characters Comments Off

Captain America’s shield is one of the most recognizable weapons in the history of comics. Not only does the vibranium shield keep Ol’ Cap safe, it is an important symbol of the character. There are many metaphors hidden behind the red, white and blue of Steve Roger’s shield.

Symbol of American Resilience

Captain America’s shield is a symbol of America’s resilience. No matter what is thrown at this country, we are able to survive and fight back. I remember back to a few months after 9/11 when I saw a t-shirt of Captain America’s shield with the words “9/11: We will Continue to Stand.” The shield is able to absorb the attacks Rogers has to face and our resilience is able to absorb the damage we take.

Captain America’s Shield

Character-Specific Weapon

Many characters from other heroes to Hydra agents have attempted to throw Captain America’s shield with his accuracy and ability to make it return to his hand. Only those he has taught have been able to wield the shield the correct way. Just like Thor’s Mjolnir, Captain America’s shield is a perfect weapon which cannot normally be used by others. Characters sometimes fall victim to their own abilities and powers, but Cap’s shield cannot be used against the master wielder. The shield ads depth to the character and gives him another ace in the hole.

Captain America’s Shield is America

My favorite metaphor to be found behind Captain America’s shield comes in the form of the shield being America. Not only does the Cap stand for America, but America stands for the Cap. America is Captain America’s truest shield. When Marvel “killed” Captain America during Civil War, countless fans backlashed against the company. In the comics, Steve is now on his way to the presidency since people believe he is the best person to lead the country. Too bad we don’t have leaders like him in government.

There are at least a dozen other minor metaphors to be found in Captain America’s shield. Which are your favorites?

Most Important Comic Book Couples of All Time

Feb. 12 Characters, Comics no comments

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The Walking Dead Mid-Season 3 Premiere: Impressions and Assumptions

Feb. 11 TV & Movies Comments Off

The mid-Season 3 premiere of “The Walking Dead” introduced many changes to the characters we have watched develop since the show began. Fans are sure to be left wondering about what will happen next, but there is a glimmer of hope for every character. We can use what has happened on the “The Walking Dead” so far, events in the comics, and what we have seen in previews to gain a better understanding of where the creators are going from here.

The Walking Dead

Rick and The Governor

We saw kinks in the armor worn by both Rick and The Governor. Both could be considered as unfit to lead because of the losses they recently faced. For The Governor, Woodbury was attacked and his “traitorous” prisoners got away. Salt was added to the wounds when one of the residents of his town was attacked by a biter. Residents wonder if he can lead them or if they would be safer on their own. I would venture to say, though, that he will be back on his saddle soon to lead an attack on the prison since Andrea is helping calm the masses.

As for Rick, notice how his vision of Lori came after being told he was making the wrong decision about Tyreese and the other “guests.” Traditionally, Grimes breaks down when he believes he has made the wrong choices for the group. If you have read the comic, you know how some of the survivors step up and pull power from Rick in the form of a voting council. I see that happening on “The Walking Dead” in the short term until the former officer comes back to his senses. Both The Governor and Rick will gain focus when at war.

Merle and Daryl

When Merle and Daryl went off of their own, many fans probably found themselves on the verge of a breakdown. In the previews for next week, we see the two brothers fending for themselves. Daryl is too much of a moneymaker for the franchise to be eliminated right now. I expect the two to be off on their own for a few episodes and then rejoining Rick’s group. Or, at least one of them will rejoin the group.

Carol

Carol is reverting back to her loss of hope. With Daryl out of the picture, Carol does not have anything to live for outside of surviving. It could be time for her to snap.

Maggie and Glen

These two kids are at an important impasse in their relationship. Hershel is making his acceptance of Glen clear, and it is time for the young man to step up. Maggie is still in shock, but should turn around soon. I would be very surprised if we did not see the marriage between the two that we saw in the comic. It is one of the glimpses of normalcy the survivors are allowed in the printed pages of “The Walking Dead,” and it should remain.

Hershel

The greatest evolution during the new episode of “The Walking Dead,” came in Hershel. It is time for him to step up into more of a leadership position and become the conscious of the group. It will be interesting to see where the idea leads since his days are numbered if he is going to be killed at the same time he is in the comic book version of “The Walking Dead.”

I can see how many fans might have been turned off by the recent episode due to the lack of action outside of the initial few minutes of the episode. This was a transitional episode gearing up for the second half of the season. Traditionally, I creator would want to use this type of episode to plant seeds which will grow over the next few weeks. The creators of “The Walking Dead,” did a great job of planting many seeds while keeping an atmosphere of dread and doom.

Why The Defenders Comics Failed

Feb. 10 Comics Comments Off

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Bagging and Boarding Comic Books: Yes You Have To

Feb. 10 Comic Book Collecting no comments

As someone who has collected comics for over 30 years, I am often asked about bagging and boarding comic books. Yes, it can be expensive and time-consuming, but bagging and boarding your comics will give you the best chance of preserving your collection outside of having each comic slabbed.

Bagging and boarding comic books

I bag and board ever comic I purchase even if it is a freebie I picked up at an event like Free Comic Book Day. While it is a stretch, there is always a chance a new comic given out on FCBD might end up being a smash hit sometime down the road. Even through thousands of copies might have been given out for free, there is only a small percentage of collectors which will show the same concern and care for freebie comics as is shown for $50 issues.

Bags alone will help to keep moisture and insects away from your comic. Over time, though, stacking the comics or standing them up will take a toll on your collection. Stacking them will cause for pressure damage on the lowest issues in the stack and standing comics up will place pressure on the spines and cause them to buckle or separate from the binding. Bags and boards together give the best support for your collection.

People will often tell me that they do not bag or board their comics because of the price involved in keeping a collection secure. I never thought this argument made sense. A 10o pack of bags or boards can sometimes run $10 each. This is $0.02 a comic. If you are going to spend $4 on a new comic in the first place, spending an extra $0.02 to keep it secure is not a stretch. The difference can really come down the road if you go to sell you comic.

The New Mutants was one of my favorite titles when I was a teenager as the characters dealt with some of the same types of angst I was at the time. In the early part of 1991, the series was winding down and everyone knew there would only be a handful of issues left when issue #98 came out. Nobody knew that Deadpool, who was introduced in the issue, would turn out to be one of Marvel’s prime characters over the next twenty years. Anyone who spent the extra money to keep the comic they purchased for $1 back then is happy when they see copies selling at conventions for over $100.

If a comic is selling for $100 at near mint, it is not unreasonable to say one rated at 8.0 would sell for $15-$17 less. At a 7.0, the total value of the issue can drop by almost half. Isn’t the $0.02 worth keeping the value of a comic as high as possible?

Missing

Feb. 10 Comics, TV & Movies Comments Off

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Horror Comics: Why We Need Them

Feb. 10 Comics no comments

Horror comics made a huge impact on the comic book culture in the 1950s until Congress and religious shop owners began to believe these mags were contributing to the delinquency of minors. Horror went out of the limelight for many years until Marvel and DC began to explore the subgenre once again. There are benefits to having horror in comics outside of simple sales.

Tales From the Crypt

When discussing horror comics, the first area we need to look at is the benefit for the reader. The essence of horror is to take a common fear and exploit it. Death, the most common fear, has been exploited in horror comics since their inception. We worry about what will happen to us when we die and we worry about painful deaths. These issues are explored en masse in the printed pages of scary comic books.

By reading stories which exploit our fears, we are able to collectively face them. If you pick up an old copy of EC, chances are going to be good that you will come across a fear you either deal with on a daily basis or one stuck in your subconscious. The brain is able to bring these fears up to the surface and deal with them which can help you overcome at least some of your fears eventually.

Say you are afraid of rats, for example, but you try to keep this fear surprised as much as possible. A short story horror comic on the H.P. Lovecraft tale “The Rats in the Walls” might bring these fears to light in your mind. When you realize the horrors facing the Last de La Poer in the story are simply made for the story, you might realize how silly your fear of rats has become over the years.

Horror comics are often black and white so comic book publishers do not have to hire an inker for the title and can save a little money on ink when printing each copy. Of course, the publishers still charge the same cover price as the full-color titles in their lineups, so a few cents might be saved per issue. If a publisher is able to keep decent profits coming in, it stays strong and is able to stay around for many years to come.

Comic book publishers can push the envelope further in horror comics than in superhero titles. When Michonne attacked The Governor in The Walking Dead, most readers saw graphic displays of violence they had never seen in comics. Since TWD is a horror comic by nature, it is more fitting to see a stressed woman torture the man who raped her than it would be to see Peter Parker torture one of his adversaries.

By pushing the envelope in horror comics, publishers can gauge what level of violence they can place in other titles. In the early to mid-1970s when Marvel began to produce titles such as Tomb of Dracula and Werewolf By Night, the publisher filled the pages with more graphic content than seen in The Incredible Hulk or Daredevil. The other superhero titles began to tilt slightly up in violent content as readers became accustomed to seeing death in the horror titles. I am a firm believer that we would have never seen Electra graphically killed in Daredevil had the envelope not been pushed by the horror comics.

Horror comics benefit the reader, the publishers, and the market as well. They have helped us to deal with our fears, helped publishers keep some costs down, and allowed publishers to make their titles more realistic over the years. Celebrate horror comics as they are an important part of the base which the comic book industry was built upon.

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Your Comic Collection Connection

Author: R.J. Bowman

Marvel and DC Comics and Illegally Downloading Comic Books

The 5%ers and Illegally Downloading Comic Books

The Independents and Illegally Downloading Comic Books

The Creators and Illegally Downloading Comic Books

The Distributors and Illegally Downloading Comic Books

The Comic Book Stores and Illegally Downloading Comic Books

The cute girl who everyone thinks they might have a chance with

The guy who could tell you everything you need to know about a particular character

The girl who can tell you about all of the hot new comics coming out next week

The guy who always reminds you about how much you love comic books

They would all be out of a job due to illegally downloading comic books.

What You Can Do About People Illegally Downloading Comic Books

Schedule

The Positives

The Speculation

The Negatives

Style of Selection

Voting

Number of Votes

Ties

The Winner

DC’s WTF

The War of the Trinity of Sin

What DC Needs to Do

Why DC Need to Do It

How DC Could Do It

Superman’s View of Humanity

Batman’s View of Humanity

MODOK Symbolizes Dangers of Science

MODOK Symbolizes Dangers of Mixing Man with Machine

The Perfect Weapon

Phase 3 Timing

Phase 4 Announcement

The One Kicker

Funding

Penguin’s Drive Towards Crime

Penguin’s Sanity

What is Fan Fiction?

Difference of Comics Based on Established Products

WonderWorldComics.com March Madness Contest

In a Nutshell

Official Rules and Stuff

How to Play

The Matchups

Points

Prizes

Discounts

Announcement of Matchup Winners

The Quickies

Comic Book Fans

Strength vs. Weakness

Andrea on The Walking Dead Needs to Die

Her Stupidity

The Reasons Behind Free Comic Book Day

Spotlighting on Free Comic Book Day

Benefit to Retailers

Encourage You to Read

Marvel NOW 52 #1 Poster

The Names on Marvel NOW #1 Poster

Marvel NOW #1 Poster Sizing

Disturbing Differences

Some Interesting Characters Missing from Marvel NOW 52 #1 Poster

What We Know NOW?

Excuses are Like [Censored]

Destroying Anticipation

Hurting the Community

DC Comics and Market Share

Which Companies?

Genre

Leave a Comment About the Comic Your Read for the WWC Challenge

What Do You Get?

Resources

Superman

Batman

Which Side Drives You?

Batman/Superman

Bright Colors

Location of Shared Interest