Tag: diamond

Diamond Getting into Tchochke and Worse (Updated)

Diamond (along with its sister company Diamond Select) held the Diamond Retailers Summit before C2E2 which was was attended by retailers, their workers, and some of the top minds in the comic book industry from every publishing company. I was disturbed by some of the new product which will be hitting the Diamond Previews catalogue in the upcoming months. Here comes the tchotchke.

Happy Man Bottle Opener and Happy Man Bottle Topper from Diamond Select?

Happy Man Bottle Opener and Happy Man Bottle Topper in Diamond Previews?

Diamond Kitchenware: Really?

Diamond is expanding their kitchenware line so get ready for more forks, knives, pizza cutters, and salt shakers emblazoned with the face of your favorite superhero or sci-fi character. The sheer number of characters which could be placed on these items puts a retailer (i.e. comic book store owner) at a disadvantage. You might hear one fret about only having room for one pack of ice trays and not knowing if the space should go towards trays with the likeness of the Tardis or a Stormtrooper or maybe Superman…no, no…Batman…or?

Comic Book Stores the Next Party City?

Diamond Previews will begin carrying party favors just like you would find in the big party stores. You can get Spider-Man paper plates and napkins. I am sure Avengers piñatas will be on the market soon along with Aquaman balloons and Green Lantern whistles. Large chains like Party City are able to purchase these types of products for less due to the number of stores involved and the number of sales. Comic book stores cannot compete with that and would be pushed out of this particular market due to the cost and selection differential.

“Great Kid, Don’t Get Penisy”

The most disturbing point about the possible tchotchke-fication of comic book stores by Diamond comes in the form of the “Happy Man Bottle Opener” and the “Happy Man Bottle Topper.” These little guys have an extra member standing erect between the legs and apparently will be displayed in upcoming issues of Diamond Previews.

New in Diamond Previews from Diamond Select?

New in Diamond Previews?

I, in good conscience, cannot suggest we carry these phallic items in our Detroit area comic book store. I, in good conscience, cannot hand a previews to a child to look at if these phallic items are displayed inside. Should retailers now place an “18 and Over” sign next to Previews so readers know when Diamond is displaying items we don’t agree with? All I can think of are the immortal works of Peter Griffin, “Great Kid, Don’t Get Penisy.”

Please stand with us and send a message to Diamond Previews to drop the “Happy Man” line.

Diamond

UPDATE

The current issue of Diamond Previews (#299) has Happy Man in it. Now, retailers have to make the decision to make the issues available to children or not. We should all be discouraged by the thought that there are some who would wish to turn the all ages comic book stores into Spencer Gifts stores. It is a sad day to think that the publishing companies are trying to be more inviting to children while Diamond is going to try to get stores to sell phallic symbols.

Diamond Previews #298 is My Pick of the Week!

I am veering a little bit with my comic pick of the week this week by naming Diamond Previews as the comic book (as in book about comics) you need to pick up this week. Diamond Previews #298 (and the free issue of Marvel Previews which will come with it) covers September and the comics which will comprise the September War! This is the more important issue of Diamond Previews this year.

Forever Evil

Forever Evil

Automatic Add-On

It should be understood that Marvel Previews is automatically part of this Pick of the Week article since you get a copy of Marvel Previews free when you purchase Diamond Previews.

The Two Covers

As you probably know, there are two covers for Diamond Previews #298. One highlights The Star Wars #1 which will be the first issue in a miniseries using George Lucus’ original plans for the movie series. The other cover highlights DC Comics Forever Evil and Villain Month.

Why You Should Read Diamond Previews #298?

I have always been a supporter of reading Diamond Previews, but especially this particular issue since it covers the events of the September War.

  • From DC Comics, you will see all of the covers for the special .1 issues. You will also get a quick blurb about each issue to help you decide which ones you will be reading in September. The variant covers for Forever Evil have not been finalized as of printing, but at least you can gain an understanding of the universe-changing miniseries.
  • Marvel uses its Previews to officially introduce the world to X-Men Battle of the Atom. Three generations of X-Men will battle in an attempt to set the team’s storyline and history straight. It is being labeled as the biggest X-Men crossover of all time. This is a huge hit against DC Comics Villain Month and should excite many of the team’s fans.
  • Dark Horse uses Diamond Previews #298 to officially introduce The Star Wars. This series will revolve around ol’ George’s original vision for the movie series. I have a feeling that this comic series is going to have the world talking during the September War.
  • IDW Publishing highlights the release of the Powerpuff Girls which it hopes will make an impact on the market like My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Danger Girl fans will also be interested to read about Danger Girl: The Chase #1.
  • Image Comics uses part of its space to discuss Sex Criminals #1 by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky. Rat Queens #1 is also on its way, but I am going to discuss a little more about that in the upcoming weeks.
  • Afterlife with Archie? I have not read an Archie comic in probably 25 years, but I might find that I have to pick up the new “Archie with Zombies” style comic coming our from Archie Comics. Even though the first issue is not coming out until October, Diamond Previews #298 gives a shout to it and an interesting splash.
  • Boom! Studios makes sure you know that Sons of Anarchy is being added to its portfolio. Any comic which can draw in fans from outside the comic book community has the support of this website.
  • Kings Watch is a crossover using some of the top characters from Dynamite and might bring some more interest to the company’s major titles. The crossover miniseries is discussed in Diamond Previews #298.
  • There are other premiere issues coming out from various companies which were not discussed here. There are also offerings from companies which are not mentioned here as well.

The September War is so important to the comic book publishers because they know if they do not do something big, the comic book community will only be talking about two things in October – The Walking Dead and Detroit Fanfare Comic Con!

Diamond Retailers Summet News So Far

The Diamond Retailers Summit before C2E2 has been a whirlwind so far. There have been many announcements, but these are my personal favorites so far.

Chicago - Diamond Retailers Summit

Chicago – Diamond Retailers Summit

DC Entertainment Essential Graphic Novels & Chronology

For years, DC Comics fans have asked for a reading order for the top graphic novels to come out from the company. Many websites have tried to list their own chronologies, but we should accept DC’s addition as the “official” listing.

The DC Entertainment Essential Graphic Novels & Chronology will be a 128 pages listing the top 25 graphic novels of all time form the publisher and a reading order for those novels. Word on the street is that this publication will be free. This will become an essential publication for everyone’s collection.

Locke & Key: Alpha 1&2

The story of Locke & Key will not end with Locke & Key: Omega. After the finalization of Omega, IDW will give us two special double issues entitled Locke & Key: Alpha #1&#2.

New and Old at IDW at Diamond Retailers Summit

A new Powerpuff Girls comic will be hitting stores in September. In October, IDW will be launching Samurai Jack. November will see the introduction of a new Ben 10 line.

I received confirmation on X-Files: Season 10 which will clear up some questions going around about the upcoming June title from IDW. Season 10 will take place after the last movie, not right after Season 9. As a huge “X-Files” fan, this was one of the important issues I wanted cleared up during the Diamond Retailers Summit.

“R.I.P.D.” at Diamond Retailers Summit

I was a little concerned about the “R.I.P.D.” movie. Dark Horse showed the trailer, and it was pretty damn awesome. I can see the trailer alone bumping the comic up at least a few notches on the Diamond industry statistics ratings.

Worst Experience at Diamond Retailers Summit

The ladies and gentlemen from Diamond have been awesome, but I found an area where the company can improve the Diamond Retailers Summit next year. Please, don’t serve powdered eggs for breakfast again.