Archive for the 'Comics' Category

Comic Books 08.27.2008 - What I Expect to Get

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nick
on August 27, 2008
in Comics
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Here’s a little experiment I want to try. Every week I go to my local comic shop, and beforehand I prepare a list of what I plan to get. This list is, of course, never what I end up going home with. I want to try and track how accurate my list is in relation to my actual purchases.

I’ve gone through Diamond’s direct market shipping list for this week and made my choices. The top section reflects my actual pull list at my comic shop. The second section represents books that I might like to pick up, but I haven’t put them on hold and therefore I will check them out once I get to the store to make my decision.

The top line of the bottom section represents the grand total if I purchased all of the items in the first two sections (which never happens). The bottom line represents the estimated total I think I will spend based upon an educated guess of my actual tastes (this line is new to my list and I’m not sure how accurate it will be).

AVENGERS INITIATIVE #16 $2.99
BLACK PANTHER #40       $2.99
MVL ADV AVENGERS #27    $2.99
MVL ADV SUPER HEROES #2 $2.99
X-MEN LEGACY #215       $2.99
*** Pull List ***      $14.95

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #569 $2.99
WOLVERINE #68           $2.99
MVL ADV FANTASTIC 4 #39 $2.99
SHE-HULK 2 #32          $2.99
NEW AVENGERS #44        $2.99
FC SUPERMAN BEYOND #1   $4.50
*** Extras ***         $19.45

*** Everything ***     $34.40
*** Estimated $$$ ***  $23.92

Tomorrow or Friday I will post what I actually purchased.

Great, You Took a Comic Book and Adapted it Panel by Panel into a Film. Who Gives a Shit?!

Published
by
nick
on August 21, 2008
in Comics and Movies
. 2 Comments

The blogosphere is buzzing about Zack Snyder’s “faithful” adaptation of the Watchmen mini series into a film. When I say mini series, I mean it. Watchmen is, in fact, a collection of single issues as opposed to an original novel-length work. But “The Most Celebrated Comic Book Mini Series of All Time” isn’t as impressive, so I understand why it’s universally referred to as a graphic novel. Watching this movie is supposed to be like the comic moving before your eyes (though they already did that with Warner Premiere’s Motion Comics and it looks like poop).

Truthfully, it all leaves me feeling cold. If the movie is just a direct adaptation of the comic, then who gives a shit? I already read Watchmen. It was great. I don’t need to read it again, let alone sit as a captive audience member for some ungodly length of time in a movie theater. By the way, three fucking hours??! Snyder, are you out of your gourd? I sat thru 2.5 hours of The Dark Poop and I almost screamed in pain after 1.5 hours. If Watchmen is going to be 180 minutes, then split it in half ala Kill Bill so I can go home for a couple months in the middle.

Continue reading ‘Great, You Took a Comic Book and Adapted it Panel by Panel into a Film. Who Gives a Shit?!’

Impromptu Letter Writing Campaign: Make Mini Marvels Monthly

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by
nick
on August 18, 2008
in Comics
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Elephant SteveYou know those cartoon strips by Chris Giarrusso that sit in the back of Marvel Adventures comics? They’re awesome. And it’s not fair that we only get one strip a month.

Mini Marvels should be a monthly comic book! Email mondomarvel@marvel.com and tell them. I already wrote the letter for you (see below). Just copy it into your email client and hit send! And if you don’t want to send the email for me, at least do it for Elephant Steve.

——————————————–

Make Mini Marvels Monthly!!!!

The Mini Marvels Anthology was great and all, but I’ve already read all of those strips before! The Mini Marvels cartoons by Chris G are far too great to be relegated to the back of Marvel Adventures comics (which, by the way, are some of the best comic books on the market right now - don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!!!) with only one new strip a month. That’s just not enough! That’s why I need you to make Mini Marvels a monthly series!!!! Or at least a quarterly collection of new material!!!!! How many exclamation points do I have to use to let you know how serious I am???!!!!!! MAKE MINI MARVELS MONTHLY!!!

Check Out the New Phantom of the Attic Comics in Pittsburgh

Published
by
nick
on August 14, 2008
in Comics
. 3 Comments

From the White Hen Pantry in Geneva, Illinois where I bought Age of Apocalypse: Omega to San Francisco’s Isotope “the comic book lounge” where owner James Sime ran down the bus so I could get back to my hotel, I’ve bought comic books all across the United States.

Without a doubt, the best of the best is the Phantom of the Attic (PotA) comics division on S Craig St in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Save for a few missing summers and a few months spent in Brooklyn, I’ve been shopping at PotA for going on eight years now and the experience only gets better with time.

Phantom of the Attic's new front door

PotA used to sit in a cramped second-floor space where they had it all… but it was small. Now they’ve moved across the street into a gorgeous loft with tons of room and even more comics. If PotA’s previous space was a like a delicious Dagwood sandwich of comic book merchandise, then the new PotA is a bountiful smorgasbord of comics, graphic novels, manga, toys, and more.

Wayne Wise at the Phantom counter

Wayne Wise (seen above) is a longtime PotA employee and my comic book mentor. He let me in on a few interesting facts about the relocated shop. I was surprised to learn that all the racks are custom made. The design allows for individual clear plastic shelves to be interchanged every Wednesday as the new books hit:

Phantom's comic book racks

Back issues are now stored inside large custom drawers that have been balanced to accommodate the cumbersome weight of two long boxes:

Phantom's back issue drawers

Continue reading ‘Check Out the New Phantom of the Attic Comics in Pittsburgh’

ComicShocker - Racist Imagery in Comics

Published
by
nick
on August 6, 2008
in Comics
. 1 Comment

[Note: If you've come here looking for the Comic Book Shipping List feature, it's been discontinued. In its place, we'll debut a new ongoing feature next Wednesday called Slang of the Week. In the meantime, enjoy this preachy ComicShocker.]

Late last week, I was bothered by this blog post featuring the art of Winsor McCay that included one of his “jungle imps.” Mostly, I was disturbed that the positive post casually included such a painfully offensive cartoon without acknowledging its more bigoted content.

Am I overreacting (see my comment on the post for details)? Personally, I still find racist imagery in comics ugly and ignorant even if the comics were created during a time when racism was more socially acceptable in America.

In the case of Winsor McCay, the guy was a talented artist but one hell of a practitioner in racist caricatures. This message board post I found tries to explain away the notion that McCay was a racist (or at least a practitioner of racist imagery) by presenting the concept of “presentism.” To me, presentism is a fancy way of saying, “oh, well, it was okay to publish these racist Winsor McCay images everywhere back when they were created so it’s okay to wave them around now.” I find the notion to be more apologetic than objectively critical.

The whole Memin Penguin thing is a more recent (and possibly relevant) example of racist imagery in comics. Those Mexican comics were not received well in a Texas Wal-Mart, where American shoppers found the Memin character and his cartoon to be deplorably racist. Even though many Mexican-Americans tried to explain Memin’s status in Mexico as a beloved character, it didn’t lessen his visually offensive impact.

With all that said, I’m of the mind that: 1) the racist imagery of Winsor McCay shouldn’t be excused on the grounds that it was created a century ago, and 2) there’s nothing wrong with celebrating what McCay did well, but applauding his work while displaying his racist caricatures is simply tasteless. If you do insist on showing his art that features racist imagery, at least note that the guy drew some bigoted images (whether they were socially acceptable at the time or not).

ComicShocker - Quantity and Motion in Comics

Published
by
nick
on August 1, 2008
in Comics
. 0 Comments

Just some random thoughts to throw at you today. First off, I’ve been holding onto this idea for awhile now: in my opinion, there is a huge misconception about what constitutes for quantity when reading comic books. Simply put, page count does not equal quantity.

I say this in reference to this post from Comics Should Be Good! from a few weeks ago. My example? Sitting down to read a recent trade paperback from Ed Brubaker’s Captain America can take as long as reading two of the more wordy issues of Chris Claremont’s Uncanny X-Men. I’m not making a value judgment, just simply an observation.

The work of some comics creators reads abnormally fast while others pack their pages with so many ideas that a single issue can take 30 minutes to read if you’re really following everything. I think a lot of the Essential collections from Marvel Comics therefore do count as a ton of comics, while I think that some of today’s five to six issue collections should be sold for much less money due to the fact that the bang for the buck just isn’t the same.

I know it doesn’t cost more to see a movie that lasts 3 hours instead of 1.5. But comics are different. You control the time of the reading experience. And of course, you can prolong that time of the experience as long as you desire. But there’s only so long you can comfortably prolong the reading experience if the material is simply not there.

Speaking of the passage of time in relation to comics, I wanted to throw out a few ideas on Warner Premiere’s Motion Comics. When the Watchmen motion comic debuted and I watched it, it got me thinking: what’s the difference between reading a comic and watching a cartoon?

At first, I thought, “obviously, there’s a huge difference — one moves and the other is static.” But that’s not completely true. A lot of animation will hold on a single frame and provide voiceover and music. That’s still animation. So is it the combination of sound and image? No, that’s still not it. You can read a comic and listen to music at the same time but that doesn‘t make it animated.

In my opinion, the primary difference between reading a comic and watching a cartoon is: when you read a comic, YOU control the passage of real time. You can linger on one panel for an entire minute and then resume a faster reading pace without interrupting the story. However, when you pause a cartoon, the story is just that — paused. The viewing experience is interrupted because a cartoon takes place over a specific amount of time. That controlled duration of time is part of the essential definition of animation.

And visa versa. Part of the essential definition of a comic is that passage of time in relation to experience is something left open by the creators. Basically, what I’m trying to say is that is that Warner Premiere’s Watchmen motion comic is a neat idea, but it’s still just a shitty cartoon with weak animation and some word balloons tossed in.

Comic Book Shipping List July 30 2008: Cougar-MILFs, DEA Agents, Zombie Unicorns

Published
by
nick
on July 30, 2008
in Comics
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Shipping This Week: JULY 30, 2008

DARK HORSE COMICS

DOMO SCULPTED MAGNET

Nick: Alright! We’re getting started early this week. What a goofy title, even for a statue / magnet (if that’s what this thing even is). Excellent.

FRAZETTA EGYPTIAN QUEEN STATUE
JOURNAL TOKIDOKI KAITEN SUSHI
JUDGE DREDD DREDD VS DEATH STATUE
JUDGE DREDD DREDD VS DEATH STATUE

Nick: Hmmmm… you got me on this one. They cost the same. They have the same name. What’s the difference?

Neal: I seriously hope Judge Death is in this issue [Editors Note- I think Neal means statue, not issue. - Nick]. That dude is brutal.

PIGEONS FROM HELL #4 (OF 4)

Neal: More Hellfoul!

ROBOTS & DONUTS TP

Nick: I hope there’s a second volume of this title with the name “A.F. - ARTIFICIAL FLAVORING”

STAR WARS REBELLION #15 VECTOR PART 7 (OF 12)
STYLE SCHOOL TP VOL 02

Neal: Christian Siriano got a comic book?

UNCLE CREEPY STATUE

Nick: The eternal creepy uncle, now in statue form. Keep this around the house if you have trouble remembering to wear clothes (or if you just like the security of knowing that somehow, somewhere somebody’s creepy uncle is creeping them out right NOW).

Neal: This is great.

Continue reading ‘Comic Book Shipping List July 30 2008: Cougar-MILFs, DEA Agents, Zombie Unicorns’

The Top 9 Least Intimidating Supervillains (Just in Time for SDCC 2008)

Published
by
nick
on July 26, 2008
in Comics and The Top 9
. 0 Comments

Let’s get right to it:

9. Circus of Crime - It’s not that that clowns aren’t scary because they are. But a whole crew of baddies based on the entertainment you’d find under a big top? It just seems so innocent and goofy. They’re not making me shake in my boots. They may very well be both hilarious AND dangerous, but not intimidating.

8. Vulture - Anyone that can drop me from up high and snap my neck gets a few automatic intimidation points. But the ruffled green suit takes a few of those points away. Then you find out that this guy is a crotchety, frail, and elderly kook. That’s when you can say goodbye to all intimidation points.

7. Penguin - Okay, seriously, he is creepy as hell in Batman Returns. But in the comic books, Oswald Cobblepot is a bit jollier and a lot less grimy. He’s like a rotund dwarf straight out of some Willy Wonka wonderland. Plus, he has a fantastic umbrella collection. I repeat… an umbrella collection.

6. Baron Zemo - Back when he was bad, Zemo didn’t have much in terms of intimidation except for a laser gun and the occasional mind control device. What he did have plenty of, however, was the color fuchsia, watermelon stripes, and snow leopard fur trim. Talk about a costume that really steals away some thunder…

5. Mister Sinister - I think it’s the weird arching tassels that function as a cape bridge and a collar at the same time. They make the guy look like a total moron. The “pasty pale with glowing red diamond” look takes his edge away too. This week saw the introduction of Miss Sinister. Will she be more intimidating? Only time will tell.

4. Paste-Pot-Pete - Hahahahahaha! Oh Paste Pot Pete, you’re such an unfortunate victim of corny 1960s Marvel Comics humor. Partway through your career, you changed your name to Trapster. But it was too late. The damage was already done. You will forever be remembered as Paste-Pot-Pete, no matter how many tricky or ensnaring traps you set.

3. Black Manta - It’s the helmet, really. Otherwise, I could go either way. He’s not the most impressive bad guy out there, but he’s not the weakest wimp on the scene. Still, that bulbous headgear makes me chortle every time. I actually think it looks sweet… for a Halloween costume making fun of a failed sci-fi movie from the 1950s.

2. Goblin Queen - For Maddie Pryor, it really comes down to the whole package. Her weird S&M meets leather straps fetish costume is pretty goofy. The fact that her name is “Goblin Queen” is worth a giggle. And knowing that she’s a clone with magic powers? Well, that just makes the entirety of this villain seem rather silly.

1. Blacklash / Whiplash - Unfortunately, having a neon green ponytail coming out of his head kind of negates any intimidation factor present… that, and the flowing fuchsia cape. The costume really makes Mark Scarlotti look silly. I mean, getting hit hard with a whip will always inspire a bit of fear. But that fear is easily erased by laughter as soon as you get a look at this guy.

It’s really all about the costume and the look. The powers here are a mix of magic, enhanced strength, super smarts, and expert weaponry. But all of these supervillains have one thing in common: they look lame!

Next: The Top 9 Best Moments from Avatar: The Last Airbender!

EDIT: Nick is otherwise occupied, so Neal will be giving you The Top 9 Reasons Why The My Sassy Girl Remake Will Suck!

Why the Top 9? Because 10 is too many and 9 is a better number. 3 X 3 = Awesome. Now that’s what I call math.

Last Night I Dreamed I Became an Image Comics Partner and a Marvel Comics Assistant Editor

Published
by
nick
on July 24, 2008
in Comics
. 0 Comments

[Note: It must have been Tuesday's news story about Robert Kirkman that inspired this dream. I was reading through the piece in the New York Times when I came upon the fact that Kirkman is 29 years old. Having just turned 26 myself, I saw my life flash before my eyes!]

My dream began in New York City. I was at some sort of art gallery show. I was there with a large portfolio (full of what, I don’t know). It was obviously a comic book themed show or I don’t think I would have been there. I met a few professionals and then I left early.

Soon after, I’m back at some country house where I’m staying for one more night until I head back to work the next day in Pittsburgh. I get a phone call. It’s a higher-up from Image Comics. They’re currently interviewing candidates to become the next Image Comics partner.

We went through a long list of questions detailing the fact that I have never published any comics (nor finished any self-produced ones). The interviewer was fascinated. He loved the notion of a raw, untested amateur becoming an Image partner. He found it compelling that I held down a day job and simply wished I were making comic books on the side.

The phone call was great. He basically left it open-ended, but essentially he told me that I had the job. Little did I know that even if that opportunity didn’t pan out, another was about to rear its awesome head…

I’m in the dank country house and I spy someone sleeping on a sofa at the other end of the first floor. I recognize him as an assistant editor from Marvel Comics (right, because I know what a lot of them look like). I bide my time, not bothering him until he comes my way. We say hi, but not too much beyond that.

Now I don’t know how I managed to be staying at the same dumpy friend’s house as this Marvel editor, but that’s irrelevant. This is a dream. And thus, as in a dream, it wasn’t long before things got more intense.

Soon a couple of hot female Marvel assistant editors were over too, drinking beers with the editor from the sofa. One of the ladies announced herself as Molly Lazer (the only female Marvel editor I know off the top of my head) and she was quite outgoing. The party saw more and more young Marvel staffers arrive until it was like a college house party. And of course, I partied too.

We all became fast friends. I told them about the Image Comics thing and they congratulated me. Then they told me about how awesome their jobs are. Still, Molly and a few others were leaving Marvel Comics for other ventures (which is actually true here in the real world). Suffice to say that they thought I would be great as a replacement.

The party got so wild that I blacked out at one point (which has also been an unfortunate truth here in the real world from time to time). When I awoke the next morning, I was in full morning-after-the-party mode. I had seemingly hooked up with someone the night before, and I had partied hard into the early morning hours. They told me stories about pouring shaving cream onto my own head and telling a joke about my nipples.

Ahhh, only in dreams could a mid-20s slacker with no comics work under his belt become an Image Comics partner and a Marvel Comics assistant editor all within the same day. It was a ridiculous dream, but it was a great dream.

Comic Book Shipping List July 23 2008: Octopi, Silent Farts, Energy Drinks & Pirates

Published
by
nick
on July 23, 2008
in Comics
. 0 Comments

Shipping This Week: JULY 23, 2008

DARK HORSE COMICS

BERSERK TP VOL 24
LANKHMAR BOOK 06 SWORDS & ICE MAGIC

Nick: This would be a far more exciting title if it was “LANKHMAR BOOK 06 SWORDS & MAGIC ON ICE” — don’t you agree that a comic book about an ice show is far more interesting than a comic about ice magic?

SCRAMBLED INK HC

Nick: I’ve never tried anything made with octopus ink (I know they make black pasta with it), but this title definitely made me imagine scrambled eggs all grayish-yellow with the ink of octopi mixed in. Mmm mmm… tastes gooooood.

STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF OLD REPUBLIC #31 TURNABOUT
STAR WARS LEGACY #26

Nick: This month in Dark Horse’s non-fiction Star Wars series: Fans cringe as George Lucas continues to milk the prequel concept as he releases Star Wars episode 2.5 as an animated film. When will the madness stop?!

USAGI YOJIMBO #113

DC COMICS

AMBUSH BUG YEAR NONE #1 (OF 6)
ARMY @ LOVE TP VOL 02 GENERATION PWNED
AUTHORITY PRIME TP
BATMAN #676 RIP 3RD PTG
BATMAN GOTHAM AFTER MIDNITE #3 (OF 12)

Nick: Detective Comics Comics’ epic miniseries about Batman’s plunge into the Gotham City disco scene of the 1970s continues.

BRAVE AND THE BOLD #15
COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE TP

Nick: You know what this title says to me? “The adventure isn’t here yet… we’re almost there… just wait until we finish the countdown.”

Continue reading ‘Comic Book Shipping List July 23 2008: Octopi, Silent Farts, Energy Drinks & Pirates’