Do they really need a reason? Marvel Now & the 'new' New 52

As if keeping the continuity in mainstream comics wasn't difficult enough, given the number of 'events' that occur on a semi-annual basis in the Big Two, both have decided that a total reboot of their "universes" are necessary.  To be honest, we all know it comes down to orders from Disney & Time/Warner that sales need a boost even when the licensed film franchises are raking in millions for each company.  The monthly titles are just not generating enough to hold up their end, so something needs to be done to get the suckers...er, fans/readers interested again.

Last year DC's "FLASHPOINT" event led into the New 52, where all the company's books were cancelled and fifty-two titles were put in their place.  A third of them seemed almost half-hearted jokes to appeal to a small segment of fans, while the rest were basically Batman/Superman/Justice League tie-ins that had a built in audience that was likely to continue or even grow.  Well, it seems not so much.  So, of course, we get all the books getting a new first issue (or #0) or something like that, with some books spinning off from those and others ending.  I've given up caring on all but a few titles and may let this be a great time to drop all my DC buys.  I have "Court of Owls" and whatever the Teen Titan/Legion Lost cross-over was called to thank for helping me cut just about everything from my pull-list. As much as I was enjoying the two LoS-H books and Synder's BATMAN, I didn't appreciate feeling like my arm was being twisted to pick up related titles I didn't care for to begin with.

I know next to nothing about the current Marvel universe, having dropped all those books about six issues into the 'Heroic Age' era/event.  I had hoped that it really was going to be a positive push after the heavy stuff at Marvel from CIVIL WAR onward.  Sadly, it was pretty much more of the same, with most titles seeming to be little more than hand-wringing over what had happened the previous couple of years and waiting for the next event to get things going.  Wasn't the Sentry supposed to come back or something like that?

Apparently somebody, mostly likely not even directly involved in actually creating comics, decided that another short-term sales boost was necessary and since a reboot had gotten press and sales for DC, why not try it at the "House of Limited Ideas".  All I know is what places like Bleeding Cool, and a few other sites have had leaked to them and nothing I've read makes me care a whole lot.

Right now I'm down to Veritgo's AMERICAN VAMPIRE (with assorted tie-ins) and the occasional Marvel Zombie mini-series when it comes to titles from what were once my favorite publishers.  Dark Horse, IDW and Image (believe it or not) are the companies that are getting the majority of my comics cash nowadays.  From what I am reading and hearing I don't see that changing any time soon.

San Diego Comic Con 2012 - The Way I Saw It!

I’m a week late and everyone else in the world has already posted, but I thought I would throw in my own comments about my experience. This year, as some of you already know, I was only able to get a one-day pass for the event and that was for the Sunday. Most of the big events and stars had come and gone, but it didn’t stop the place from being packed. I seem to recall previous Sundays as being relatively light, but this year the aisles seemed to be filled.

I decided to take the train this year, rather than the hassle of driving and searching for parking. Remind me next year not to be that dumb! The trip south was just fine, with plenty of room and a nice view of the coast. Lots of surfers and paddle-boarders, along with some dolphins and I believe a shark fin sighting but I’m going to chalk it up to another single dolphin and my imagination. However, there had been some actual sightings of Great Whites in the area the past week, so you never know. Got a coffee and snack from the club car and couldn’t have been more relaxed. I’ll tell you about the very, different trip home later.

The train got in on time and I was at the Convention Center by 10:30, with hardly any line at all for badge pick-up. As bad as it is to actually order one online, the staff at the Center couldn’t have been nicer and more professional when you are there. This has been my experience the last few times I’ve attended the convention and don’t think the staff there gets enough credit for moving things along. This year the con gave out those giant bags that some companies were giving out previous years. Not sure about the previous days, but mine was promoting THE HOBBIT. I have to admit that the freebies table continues to be a disappointment for anyone looking for memorable stuff. I recall in the ‘90s the thing seemed to constantly being stocked with actual comics (full-size and ashcans) and trips back every few hours could earn you new material each time. Now you’re lucky to get some one-sheets for movies that will probably never see theatrical release, postcards and flyers for local stores and smaller retailers & publishers promoting their booths and events.

My only ‘must’ was to try and pick up a limited-edition Admiral Motti mini-bust from Gentle Giant for Kristina. You never know with those things, but I was in luck and hope she likes it when she finally comes to pick it up. It took me longer to find the booth, even though I had the number, than it did to actually get the item. I don’t know what it was like earlier but on Sunday there were only a few people in line ahead of me and the sales staff quickly got the bust and rang up the sale. I took it over to the Cons ‘coat check room’ and was able to wander the aisles with only the con bag over my shoulder.

There were only a few folks I wanted to see and actually did. I try to make it a must to stop off to see Randy Reynaldo, the creator/writer & artist for ROB HANES. If you are a fan of the old style comic strips like Terry & The Pirates, Secret Agent Corrigan, etc. then you should seek out Randy’s work. His site is http://www.wcgcomics.com/, where you can see samples of the Rob Hanes books and order copies of just about all the issues. I first met Randy at one of the San Diego cons in the late ‘90s and instantly became a fan of the character and series. Most of the issues are self-contained stories with Rob and his fellow agents of “Justice International” (notice there is no League in there nor super-heroes) solving crimes and stopping various felons. He is really a terrific guy, deserving of greater sales and more recognition. Independent publishers could do a lot worse than to put Randy, as either writer or artist, on one of their titles.

The other person I sought out was Marc Hempel, whose work on solo projects and with oft-times partner Mark Wheatley, I’ve been a fan of for years. Their two series MARS and BLOOD OF THE INNOCENT were two great titles from First Comics and WaRP respectively back in the mid-80s. They have worked together since and Hempel worked with Neil Gaiman on “The Kindly Ones” arc for the SANDMAN series at DC. Marc has really been nice to me on Facebook, acknowledging and responding to my questions and posts. Just wanted to drop by his table to thank him and he could not have been nicer.

Between those visits, wandering the aisles and picking up a few other things it was time for lunch. As usual I decided to head up to Dick’s Last Resort in the Gaslamp District. Dick’s is one of the more popular places for Con attendees and you can’t blame them. The waitresses and some waiters in cos-play, a nice selection of beer (on tap and bottles) and decent food, as well as its location make it all but perfect if you have an hour or so. The place is always crowded and noisy, but that is part of the attraction as well. If you have never been there keep in mind that wait staff is supposed to be slightly rude and pushy, so don’t take it personally. I know folks who hate the place, but they are not the kind of folks you want to hang with anyway.

Didn’t do much besides check out the larger displays and take some photos the last couple of hours I was there. Marvel had what is becoming an annual standard, namely a display of various Iron Man suits, including some from the up-coming third film. Good luck getting close to that most times of the day. DC is giving away fewer books, unless you want to stand in a very, long line to get a handful of logo buttons. I do like that they have placed Artist Alley down at the end of the exhibition hall and put the video game companies in the back. At least you can get through to that area and skip the always blocked aisles where the gamers are. AMC had a nice display this year featuring Michonne and her zombie duo. If you wanted (and were again willing to stand in line) you could have a collar placed on your neck and pose as the second zombie. As always it seemed a third of the costumers and many of the model & toy companies were promoting various Star Wars related products.

I finally decided a little after 4:00pm that I had done and seen just about everything, plus (also a regular thing) my left ankle seemed to have gone out on me and I was limping. I took one of the shuttle buses (Bless the convention for those!) and ended up gimping a couple of blocks to the train station. There I made the bad mistake of sitting in the station, and not going out to the platform until almost 5:30, figuring the train wasn’t due until 5:50. It turns out there was a waiting line for the 6:10 already around the building. It was interesting standing in line with a woman dressed as Jeannie, various manga/anime characters I didn’t know and at least one Doctor. Long story short I actually had to stand on my bad ankle from San Diego to Lake Forest (more than the ninety minutes it took in the morning), jamming myself and my two large bags into a corner with two folded wheelchairs. By the time I got home I could barely limp up the steps and the next morning I was using the bureau and walls to get to the bathroom.

Needless to say, when SDCC sends the e-mail in a month or so for pre-registration I’m going to try once again to get that four-day pass for 2013. The convention is just so amazing and despite the aggravation it is a lot of fun and I’d hate to miss it. Hey, at sixty-one I don’t know how many more cons I have in me!

DC Comics adding titles and a new gay character

Killer Shrews Official Trailer HD

The original "Killer Shrews (also known as "Attack of the Killer Shrews") is one of my all-time favorite guilty pleasure movies. So bad that you either had to love it, or turn it off after the first ten minutes. I really have no idea how many times I saw this as a kid, and sadly the initial revelation of the shrew handpuppet used to scare the crap out of me. There are few films as bad as the original that are as much fun watching minus commentary as they are watching with the MST-3K crew tearing it apart. Never forget seeing it on a large screen at NYC's Film Forum with a very, appreciative audience.

Happily, the folks involved in this new film know how bad (in an amazing way) the original was and don't shy away from making this one with more intentional humor.

Best of luck to these filmmakers!

My John Carter Review

Just in case your wondering why this is even more rambling than usual, I really shouldn't blog, tweet, social network or, especially, vlog while drinking. Just seemed such a waste to have all that Coke and rum around going stale. Let this be a lesson to you kids!

On the other hand, it's the perfect condition for checking out the various Horror Hosts broadcasting on the Interwebs on Friday & Saturday night. I sometimes think I missed my calling.

Where's the video?

Sorry to disappoint those who'd rather see me in living color fidgeting about before the camera. I'm going to hold off today and actually write something.

By now, if you're a comics fan, you've made your decision on the DCnU(DC's New Universe or the DC/New 52, as the relaunch has been called). As I said in one of my videos at the time, I actually picked up all the #1 issues when they were published and close to half of the second issues the following month. Since then I've dropped more than half of those and may be whittling those down even more.

In my videos I've already talked about some of this, but wanted to clarify things for those of you wondering.

For a couple of years, pretty much all of 2004 - 2006, I all but gave up on comics. I'd just about gotten fed up with everything from the Big Two and I wasn't finding much that held my interest in the smaller companies. Also, it had just gotten to expensive to be spending a few hundred dollars a month, knowing that I'd never get a percentage of that back if I decided to sell my collection. When we moved here to California I only took along about a quarter of my collection, bringing along only those titles that meant something or might actually be worth a few bucks down the line. At the moment I have about a dozen short-boxes (holding about 150 or so books each), a long-box (300+) and a five-shelf bookcase with several shelves of TPBs & graphic novels. These get more use as Babie's perch for birdwatching, than they do from me browsing or re-reading.

I currently am cataloging my comics on both Comic Collector Live and Comicbook DB although there is a gap where neither database includes some of the books I have in my collection. Hard to believe, considering the thousands of collectors using one or the other, but I have picked up some weird things over the decades. I have actually gotten some titles added to both catalogs, but have been too lazy to scan covers and enter data for some of the others.

Hmmm, I seem to have gotten way off track from what I had wanted to talk about. Nothing out of the ordinary for any of you who have read this blog before, or seen my videos. But I digress, as some comic book writer has said on occasion. :-)

Where were we? Oh, right! The New 52.

To be honest, I don't know that even at my most fanatic point back in That Other Life, was I actually collecting more than a couple dozen titles. Not counting assorted one-shots, or mini-series, there may have been only 20+ comics that I was collecting at any one time. Right now I'm trying to get it down to maybe a dozen titles, published on a monthly basis, leaving me extra cash to be able to grab some new book or mini that catches my eye.

At the moment, I'm buying a single Marvel title, now that they have finally gotten around to finishing off THE TWELVE. Despite the announcement a couple of months ago, actually seeing issue #9 on the shelf at Nuclear Comics & Skateboards came as quite a surprise. In fact, owner Kenny had actually removed the title from every 'pull list' since he wasn't sure how many of his customers would still be interested. I actually had to go back and pull the earlier issues from the box to refresh my memory. There were so many plot lines and secondary characters that even someone used to comics continuity was having a problem keeping track.

Part of the problem with the DC relaunch, IMHO, was that they felt it necessary to replace almost every existing title with a new or revamped book. The editorial decision (or rather the marketing one) was that they not only wanted new readers, but you had to lure back those readers who might use the relaunch as an exit ramp from the DCU. You not only had to re-introduce the best known characters (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash & Aquaman) but throw in titles featuring lesser-known (to the non-fan) characters in hopes that some of them might be popular enough to interest a producer or merchandiser. Let's be honest, a company the size of Time-Warner really isn't interested in comic books per se.

This means that you not only have Superman (in two books), but Supergirl & Superboy. You get Batman (in three-four books) plus Robin, Nightwing, Batwoman, Batgirl and the new Batwing. Throw in four Green Lantern related books and hope a couple work out. It seems that Flash, Aquaman & Wonder Woman are only worthy of a single title each, but you can still toss them together into the Justice League along with former Teen Titan, Cyborg. Lesser former-Leaguers Green Arrow and Hawkman are still around in solo books, but both are there just in case Marketing finds something for them to do. You see where I'm coming from at this point, right?

Bottom line is that I just found the majority of the new books either too different from what I had expected or not different enough to make me care. Some had good writing and many had decent art, but in both cases they can only go so far when I have so many other choices and a limited budget. From what I have been reading and hearing, plus from the creative staff shuffling that has been apparent even before the first issues shipped, I'm not the only one who feels this way. DC claims to be happy with the sales figures, but when you announce that a half dozen of the books will be cancelled and replaced within six-issues, it does seem that things are not as rosey as the folks in Manhattan would have us believe.

I've gone on way too long, but it was fun actually writing for more than 140 characters.
I'll try to make this a more regular habit.

Take care!

Rambling about zombies & other things

Godzilla Ornament Review: Part 1

Man, I would absolutely love these! Check out Twisted Kaiju Theatre, if you aren't already.

Have a Godzilla like holiday season!

I just wanted to go over some of the books I had picked up the previous week. Some of the DC 52 have come out with second issues and I bought enough to know that I'm GREEN LANTERN as of now, but giving GL Corps another issue. You can hear what I have to say about some of the other books, if you're interested.

My comic buys for 9/30/11

I can't believe how much I'm spending and how little I'm enjoying most of these.

My Comicbook grabs: 9/16/11 - pt. 1

You should be able to get Pt. 2 right after this one or go to my YouTube channel and find it there. Sorry to be getting these posted so late here.

DC 52 Week 2

Cataloging Comics and Calling B.S. on Robin

DC B*tching and moaning, why I have been missing.

If you are a fan of DC you might want to skip this, since I don't have much positive to say. I also do give away some of the plot of JONAH HEX #70, the final issue in this run.

Not mentioned in the video, but I want to give thumbs up to the creative team on Marvel's SECRET WARRIORS, which just ended. Started as part of "Dark Reign" the book actually continued and justified its existence by wrapping up decades of Nick Fury & S.H.I.E.L.D. continuity. This was the last continuing Marvel book that I have been reading since the "Heroic Age" started. I was picking up the various AVENGER titles, but dropped most within 3-4 issues, if that. This means that, if you don't count a couple of Vertigo titles (AMERICAN VAMPIRES & AMERICAN VAMPIRES: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST), I am no longer getting a single book from either Marvel or DC. What kind of fanboy does that make me?

At this point I think most of the books I'm getting are from Dark Horse or,believe it or not, Image. With a scattering of things from IDW, BOOM! and a few other companies. Not going to list them, but if you have seen my past videos on my 'pull list' you know the ones I currently follow.

I'm not sure who, if anyone, still reads this blog, but if you do let me know if you think my picking up the complete DC 52 is a good idea or not.

Four-Color Fiend Rambling

The GRIM GHOST was created by Michael Fleisher for the short-lived Atas/Seaboard Comics back in the mid-'70s. That incarnation only lasted three issues before it, like most of the rest of the line, ceased publication. All three issues featured art by Ernie Colon, itself a reason to seek out the books and helped them stand out among the rest of the Atlas line, since most didn't seem able to keep an artist or writer for their entire run. The third and final issue of GG was written by Marvel & DC scribe Tony Isabella.

Jump ahead to 2011 and we find Atlas and the Ghost once again back in shops. The company is slowly, this time, bringing back many of the characters that starred in those earlier titles. With no reference to earlier continuity (as far as I can tell), the new GG starts fresh with his origin slightly changed and the stories taking place in a strange shadow world neither Heaven nor Hell. Not fighting criminals, whom he dispatched to Hell for their deeds as he did in the old stories, here he rescues those who arrive in the City saving them from creatures who would take their souls. Tony Isabella returns to this character, remaking him, along with the aid of artist Kelley Jones into much more than a costumed crime-fighter with ulterior motives.

GG is not a light book, and Isabella is obviously keeping some things underwraps. Each of the first two issues end with a nice splash page revealing not so much a cliff-hanger but just a hint of something to keep the reader interested enough to come back for the next issue. The first ended with a creepy hint of things to come and the second with a 'OMG!' moment that completely surprised me. I've got my fingers crossed that this new incarnation of Atlas and the GRIM GHOST will be around for a much longer time. Recommended!

If you haven't been a long time reader of Mike Mignola's HELLBOY and B.P.R.D. WHY THE HELL NOT?!?!? Seriously, Mignola's creations, which include the above and other similar books loosely tied into one 'universe', provide good creepy fun and some spectacular art. Along with Mignola's own art you can also find books done by the likes of John Severin, Richard Corben, Guy Davis and others. Things are not looking good in the world as depicted by Mignola & company. Supernatural forces are at war, humans may be on the way out and a new world of darkness may be very close. Having left the B.P.R.D. years before to find out more about himself and his legacy, Hellboy may be about to find his way home. Changes have taken place in the Bureau since he left and it's pretty likely he won't be too happy to discover many of them. Check out the Hellboy Zone on the Dark Horse website and see what you have been missing.

If you have watched my last video I mention that I probably won't be picking up many of the 52 "new" titles that DC will be publishing in September. First off, I think starting all those books again probably isn't the wisest thing to do to begin with, but dumping them (and that seems to be what they are doing) at once on shops and fans just seems a bad mood. Are fans expected to pick up all these books because they are all Number Ones? How are shops supposed to order these if there is little or no track record for some of them? I know a few of the people who work in comics, so I hate to diss the hard work that they put in, but on the other hand...I really would like to see this blow up in DCs face and they find themselves facing an angry fandom that just isn't going to sit around through this.

I am hoping to get to San Diego, at least one day this year, if I can pick up one of the resale passes when they become available. It will be interesting to see what the word on the floor is like about all this.

Response to Schmoes Know review of SUPER 8

I really enjoyed the new film from Spielberg & Abrahms. This is a scary ET for a new generation.

I can't think of a single thing in this film that I did not like, from the soundtrack to the casting and the surprise you get during the credits. Trust me and don't jump up after the film ends.

DC renumbers and goes digital - Do you care?

Not sure how I feel about the DCU comics being rebooted and started over. This has been happening way too much the past five years, with 52, Infinite Crisis, Blackest Night/Brightest Day and now Flashpoint. Why should I care about characters that may be completely different in a few years.

I'm curious if folks agree with me about the effect of digital comics on shops. Also, how many digital comics will be downloaded. You can't resell these and you certainly can't get them graded. I'll stick with comics on paper for now and just not bother with DC. Not that I'm their target audience.

Just a bunch of Trade paperbacks

I think I called Jeff Nicholson, Jack at one point. My bad!

I really should do one of these on my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle books. I have enough of the Mirage books and spin-offs to do an easy fifteen minutes or more.

Anaheim Comic Con 2011: Episode II

Don't pay attention to the old guy being interviewed. A notorious stalker of celebraties, even of the YouTube variety. Closer attention to be paid to any cos-players.

RE: Schmoes review THOR

This was my response to the review of THOR by the Schmoes Know duo. I really enjoyed the film, but felt they covered most of what I had to say.

I didn't understand the need for the Darcy (Kat Dennings) character at all. I don't remember her from the comic when I was reading it, but possible she was added recently. She adds nothing to the story and does little but make some jokes which could have been made by another character or just dropped. It's all Facebook references, etc.

I actually thought Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Natalie Portman (Jane Foster) had chemistry in the film, which they needed if you wanted to feel anything in later parts of the film. Don't want to give much away, but the scene where Thor first finds the hammer and can not lift it was so good and a moment that also shows why Clark Gregg (as Agent Coulson) is so great in all the films in which he appears. Hope he will be in CAPTAIN AMERICA, at least in the contemporary scenes and he is obviously going to be in the AVENGERS film as he ties so many of these characters together.

Hints have been dropped about the plot of the AVENGERS film, but the surprise at the end of the credits (Please stay through them!) makes it clear. It also helps to be a fan of various Marvel titles, but those who only see the movie will get a nice kick out of it as well.

As most of you know, I love getting in early to catch the previews. IMMORTALS looks pretty good for fans of CLASH OF THE TITANS & THE 300, as does Spielberg & J.J. Abram's SUPER 8. Animation & SHREK fans will love PUSS IN BOOTS, apparently a prequel to the first meeting of Puss, Shrek & Donkey. Finally, I'm going back and forth on COWBOYS vs. ALIENS. It looks pretty decent, but I'm not crazy for those movies that are almost totally filmed at night or in semi-darkened rooms, which this film (at least from the trailers) seems to be.

While there wasn't a trailer for it at this showing I'm getting more and more interested in GREEN LANTERN. I did not like the initial trailer at all, but love what I am seeing of OA, the Green Lantern Corps and other things.

Let me know what you think of THOR, if you see it.