I should have mentioned this earlier in the week, but I Forgot.

The gents at Comic Book Geek Speak have be back yet again, and I get all pontificatey in episode #777, which you can listen to here: http://www.comicgeekspeak.com/episodes/comic_geek_speak-999.php

Enjoy!

-B

Labels: Brian, Comic Book Geek Speak

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I'm pretty good about doing my own research, most of the time, but as I wander through my BookScan Analysis this year (Sheesh, I'm at 12,000 words, and I still haven't touched 2 of the 4 categories!) I'm hoping I can depend on YOU to help me a bit.

What movies based on comics were released in 2009?

Watchmen, obviously. And Wolverine. Astro Boy. But then I start to blank. Name me some titles, would you?

Thanks in advance!!

-B

Labels: Brian

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I'm drowning in work, so I'll keep this super-double short this week...

JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE #6: You know something's gone wrong with scheduling when a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ARTIST THAN SOLICITED (Scott Clark, rather than Mauro Cascioli) does the interiors. Clark's work has enough surface similarities that it isn't jarring (and, in fact, if you didn't check the credits, it is possible you didn't notice), but man that's some tacky shit.

There's not much to this issue, other than "Prometheus kicks roundly everyone's ass, except for the one guy he doesn't have a file on" (well, and a sucker punch) -- which is pretty much exactly the plot of the LAST "canon" Prometheus appearance. I don't think there's a lot that you can really DO with a "reverse Batman" like this, but at least Prommie has read his copy of WATCHMEN (Which that issue of "The Question" shows was published on Earth-DC), because he pulls an Ozymandius, and POOF! goes a fictional DC city.

I guess I just felt all the way through this "Been there, read that", and it all seems... well, I don't know if "Cynical" is too strong, but poofing away cities and mutilating heroes -- both possible because no one cares all that much about that city or character -- well, it's all so 1990s, y'know? "Maybe people will care about this character again if we put unspeakable tragedy upon them" or whatever. Feh. By which I mean: AWFUL

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #41: In a certain way, this is even worse, because it totally spoils CFJ #7, AND BLACKEST NIGHT (though, in the latter case, I don't think anyone expected the Big Guns to stay Zombies or whatever), which is such a... well, it is a Marvel-move, and we all expect much more from DC. It also shows why having Big Events with Lots of Moving Parts can be a really awful idea, since if they don't ship in the correct order everything breaks down and your Willing Suspension of Disbelief fails... and what is a superhero universe except a REALLY BIG W.S.D.?

Having said that, I enjoyed the "tone" of this issue pretty well - much like the STARMAN comic from last week, it feels like Robinson has found his sea legs again, and is getting refocused on character development, as well as crazily obscure DC minutiae (Darwin Jones, indeed!)

I'm not really all that enthused by a JL that's largely characters from TITANS "graduating", anchored by not-quite versions of the Big Three (Donna, Dick and Mon-El), but one nearly imagines that's just a stop-gap problem. I was also deeply underwhelmed by the GL/GA sequence which takes place seemingly nowhere, AND manages to totally undersell the tragedy of a major city going "poof", but there seems to be enough groundwork being laid here that, yeah, maybe this will end up being a good run, eventually.

BUt, for what is probably too many Meta reasons, I'll go with OK here.


As always, what did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian

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Whoops, the new order form is due tomorrow. Guess I better start it?

Also? Publishers: We can't make money if you don't ship us comics....

28 DAYS LATER #6
ALADDIN LEGACY OF THE LOST #1 (OF 3) A CVR DJURDJEVIC
ANGEL HOLE IN THE WORLD #3
AUTHORITY #19
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #41
BETTY #184
BLACKEST NIGHT WONDER WOMAN #3 (OF 3)
BOYS #39
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #32 TWILIGHT PT 1 (OF 5) JO CHEN CV
CABLE #23
CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #46
CINDERELLA FROM FABLETOWN WITH LOVE #4 (OF 6)
CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #18
CRIMINAL SINNERS #4
DAFFODIL #2 (OF 3)
DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #896
DEMO VOL 2 #1 (OF 6)
DISNEYS HERO SQUAD #1
DOCTOR WHO ONGOING #8
DOOM PATROL #7
EXISTENCE 3.0 #2 (OF 4)
FALL OUT TOY WORKS #3 (OF 5)
GHOST RIDERS HEAVENS ON FIRE #6 (OF 6)
GI JOE ORIGINS #12
GOD COMPLEX #3
GREAT TEN #4 (OF 10)
GREEK STREET #8
HOUSE OF MYSTERY #22
INDOMITABLE IRON MAN B&W
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #23
JONAH HEX #52
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA ANNUAL #2
KILL AUDIO #5 (OF 6)
LONE RANGER #20
LOONEY TUNES #183
MARVEL HEARTBREAKERS #1
MILESTONE FOREVER #1 (OF 2)
NOVA #34
QUESTION #37 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
REALM OF KINGS SON OF HULK #1 (OF 4)
RED ROBIN #9
RED SONJA WRATH OF THE GODS #1 (OF 5)
RED TORNADO #6 (OF 6)
SAVAGE DRAGON #157
SCALPED #34
SIEGE #2 (OF 4)
SIEGE EMBEDDED #2 (OF 4)
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #209
SPIDER-MAN NOIR EYES WITHOUT A FACE #3 (OF 4)
STREET FIGHTER II TURBO #11 A CVR CRUZ
SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #12 (OF 12)
SWEET TOOTH #6
TANK GIRL SKIDMARKS #3 (OF 4)
TORCH #5 (OF 8)
TOY STORY #1
ULTIMATE COMICS X #1
WARLORD #11
WIZARDS OF MICKEY #1
WOLVERINE SAVAGE
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #10
X-MEN NOIR MARK OF CAIN #3 (OF 4)
ZORRO #19
ZORRO MATANZAS #1 (OF 4)

Books / Mags / Stuff
ALAZARS FETISH FANTASIES TP
BEAST MASTER GN VOL 02 (OF 2)
BERSERK TP VOL 33
COMPLETE DRACULA HC
CROGANS MARCH HC
DARK TOWER FALL OF GILEAD PREM HC
DOMINIC FORTUNE IT CAN HAPPEN HERE AND NOW TP
FABLES TP VOL 13 THE GREAT FABLES CROSSOVER
GREEN LANTERN SECRET ORIGIN TP
I HATE GALLANT GIRL TP
LITTLE LULU TP VOL 22 BIG DIPPER CLUB
NARUTO TP VOL 47 (RES)
RECIDIVIST HC (O/A)
SHOWCASE PRESENTS SECRETS OF SINISTER HOUSE TP
SMILE SC
STAR WARS ADV TP VOL 03 LUKE SKYWALKER TREASURE DRAGONSNAKES
TINY TITANS SIDEKICKIN IT TP
VIETNAM JOURNAL TP VOL 02 IRON TRIANGLE

What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

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I really REALLY should be working on the new TILTING (I finally got the BookScan numbers, and it's like a 20+ hour job to write that column each year), but promises are promises....

BRAVE AND THE BOLD #31: Comics like this really make me say "Double-you-tee-eff" out loud, and get my six year old asking me "What does that mean, daddy?". I decline to state for Ben, but for you? Look, the problem with this comic is it literally could have been any character in the Atom role. Oh, sure, he's the only one who naturally shrinks, but there wasn't anything besides his power that he added to the story. Couple that with a Joker origin that doesn't match any other Joker origin anywhere, and I'm wondering what's going through DC's head. I'm of the mind that the Joker works (or, maybe "works") because he's transcendentally insane, not because he's a garden variety crazy person who kicks puppies, or whatever -- I mean, if you're going to contradict Alan Moore, then you really need to be much better than him. And this isn't that. JMS said in some interview somewhere or another that these B&B stories are going to add up to something down the line -- but I can't see anyone but the most extreme DC completest staying the course until he gets where ever he thinks he's going. So far he's had issue after issue of showing he doesn't really "get" most of the characters he is writing about, and they're just puppets acting out ill-fitting roles. Puppet show or Spinal Tap? I'll take Spinal Tap, please -- this was purely AWFUL.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #602: I kind of like the conceit of having the follow-up to the Cap/Bucky thing being called "Two Americas", and not having Steve Rogers have anything to do with it whatsoever, but I think I would have liked this a lot better if we hadn't had to have that 8 month (or whatever) gap. I trust Brubaker to go somewhere with this, but it FEELS like Time-marking here, and CAP really didn't need to have been interrupted to have told this story. I might have gone with a "Good", but, damn, that "Nomad" story is totally out of place here in tone and craft, and it raised the price by a buck, and even DC seemed to quickly figure out that the concept of "extra content" doesn't go far for the extra price. Downgraded to OK because of "Nomad".

DARK AVENGERS #13 SIEGE: Another serious "double-you-tee-eff" moment here as Bendis rewrites Sentry's origin YET AGAIN to not only suggest he's a junkie thief, but also is, apparently, God, with a Capital G. Either that, or Capital G God isn't actually God, but it, dunno, an Alien or something maybe? Who knows what Bendis is thinking here, really? The big problem with Sentry is he's become like a Silly Putty transfer from a comics page -- all stretched out and weird and not looking very much at all like the original any longer. The big problem with this comic is it really isn't a "Siege" tie-in, except in some sort of nominal and distant way -- anyone picking this up BECAUSE of the branding is, I think, likely to be extremely disappointed, unless something bugfuck happens in SIEGE #2 or later. At least it was pretty to look at. EH.

DARK WOLVERINE #82 SIEGE: There's something wonderfully creepy about Dakan and his sexually charged powers. Not something that I would read for pleasure, no, but at least it is sufficiently different than anything else I read this week. The cliffhanger was entertaining, too, though one can't imagine that's going to stand, and, if it does, this is a pretty major spoiler... OK

JOE THE BARBARIAN #1: I liked this quite a bit. Not quite loved, because I thought the writing of some of the transitions were a bit awkward, but I just loved the art to death, and the premise seems like it has solid potential. I was also pretty thunderstruck by how well it sold -- we were out by Friday, and I placed a reorder of 50% of my initials, which basically never happens, unless you're talking about initials under 5 copies. My initials here were my third highest order of the week. VERY GOOD.

OUTSIDERS #26: Really, the Eradicator? Eh.

PHANTOM STRANGER #42 (BLACKEST NIGHT): I don't understand how the Black Lantern rings can control the Spectre, which is an aspect of Capital G God, but I guess it makes sense to someone, somewhere. I also don't like the Phantom Stranger being much other than DC's The Watcher -- he actually DOES stuff here which seems wildly out of character, but then what do I know? Merely OK

RASL #6: This, on the other hand, was really superb -- it's taken a while for RASL to get up to speed, but now it is cooking on all burners, and I'd really quite like to read the next issue now now, right now. EXCELLENT.

STARMAN #81 (BLACKEST NIGHT): You may not be able to go home again, but you can at least do a drive by. I'm not certain I agree with all of Robinson's choices here, but who cares what I think -- these are clearly his characters and his Proper Voice, and I think I'm glad that he's been writing some not very good comics this last year because I went into this with low expectations, and had them greatly surpassed. I thought it was VERY GOOD.

SUPERMAN / BATMAN #68: The Hat Trick in my "Double-you-tee-eff" week as I wonder why anyone thinks that anyone is interested in post-game "Our Worlds at War" crossovers. Plus, it kinda wasn't anyway. This is now official a comic book series Without A Point. AWFUL.

As always, what did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian

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Finally, a normal sized week... right at the end of the month *sigh*

2000 AD PACK DEC 2009
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #619 GNTLT
ARCHIE #605
ASTRO CITY THE DARK AGE BOOK FOUR #1 (OF 4)
ATOM AND HAWKMAN #46 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #32 SIEGE
BATMAN AND ROBIN #7
BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #201
BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #12
BLACK TERROR #7
BLACKEST NIGHT JSA #2 (OF 3)
BUCK ROGERS #8
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #6 (OF 6)
CHEW #8
COMPLETE ALICE IN WONDERLAND #2 (OF 4)
DAREDEVIL #504
DARK REIGN HAWKEYE #5 (OF 5) DKR
DETECTIVE COMICS #861
DIE HARD YEAR ONE #5
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #8 (OF 24)
DONALD DUCK AND FRIENDS #350
FALL OF HULKS RED HULK #1 (OF 4) FOH
FANTASTIC FOUR #575
FRANK FRAZETTAS DARK KINGDOM #4 (OF 4) FRAZETTA CVR A
FUTURAMA COMICS #47
GFT PRESENTS NEVERLAND #0 (OF 6)
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #8
GREEN LANTERN #50 (BLACKEST NIGHT) (NOTE PRICE)
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #22
HALO BLOOD LINE #2 (OF 5)
IRON MAN I AM IRON MAN #1 (OF 2)
IRON MAN VS WHIPLASH #3 (OF 4)
IRREDEEMABLE #10
JACK OF FABLES #42
JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #157
JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #6 (OF 7)
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #41 CVR A
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #35
KICK ASS #8
KIDS OF WIDNEY HIGH ONE-SHOT
KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #158
MADAME XANADU #19
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #59
MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ #3 (OF 8)
MS MARVEL #49
NEW AVENGERS #61 SIEGE
NORTHLANDERS #24
OFFICIAL INDEX TO MARVEL UNIVERSE #13
PILOT SEASON DEMONIC #1
PREDATOR #4 (OF 4)
PRESIDENT EVIL #4 YES WE CANNIBAL
PUNISHER #13
RESURRECTION VOL 2 #7
ROBOCOP #1
SARAH WINCHESTER #1
SECRET WARRIORS #12
SIEGE STORMING ASGARD HEROES AND VILLAINS
SPIDER-MAN CLONE SAGA #5 (OF 6)
STAR TREK TNG GHOSTS #3
STAR WARS LEGACY #44 MONSTER PT 2 (OF 4)
SUPERGIRL #49
SUPERMAN #696
SUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN #4 (OF 6)
SWORD #21
TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #60
TEEN TITANS #79
TERRY MOORES ECHO #19
THOR #606
ULTIMATE COMICS ENEMY #1 (OF 4)
UNKNOWN DEVIL MADE FLESH #4
UNKNOWN SOLDIER #16
VICTORIAN UNDEAD #3 (OF 6)
WALKING DEAD #69
WALL-E #2
WEB #5
WILDCATS #19
WITCHBLADE #134 SEJIC CVR A
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #44
WOLVERINE WENDIGO #1
WONDER WOMAN #40
WORLDS FINEST #4 (OF 4) CVR B
X-BABIES #4 (OF 4)
X-FACTOR #201
X-FORCE #23 XN
X-MEN FOREVER #16
X-MEN LEGACY #232 XN

Books / Mags / Stuff
AFRODISIAC HC
ALIAS ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP BOOK 02
ART OF GREG HORN HC VOL 02 COVER STORIES
AVENGERS WORLD TRUST PREM HC
BARBARIAN CHICKS & DEMONS TP VOL 02 (A)
BATMAN UNDER THE COWL TP
CARS TP VOL 02 RADIATOR SPRINGS
COMPLETE WORLD WAR ROBOT HC
DEADMAN WONDERLAND GN VOL 01
GEAR LEFT OF CENTER O/T UNIVERSE AUDIO CD
HOUSE OF MYSTERY TP VOL 03 THE SPACE BETWEEN
INCREDIBLES TP VOL 01 CITY OF INCREDIBLES
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA STRANGE ADVENTURES TP
LOSERS VOLUME 1 AND 2 TP
MAN WITH NO NAME TP VOL 02 HOLLIDAY IN THE SUN
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN AND AVENGERS TP DIGEST
PREVIEWS #257 FEBRUARY 2010 (NET)
REMEMBER GN
ROCK N ROLL COMICS TP VOL 01 BEATLES EXPERIENCE
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ARCHIVES TP VOL 12
TALES OF THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS VOL 02
TANK GIRL REMASTERED ED TP VOL 05 APOCALYPSE
WIZARD MAGAZINE #222 MARVEL SIEGE CVR
WIZARDS TALE HC VOL 01


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

The one problem about promising to do this weekly for the quarter (well, or perhaps more properly promising to TRY) is sometimes I feel stupid and tired and without anything meaningful to say. So this one will be short!

ADVENTURE COMICS #6: I sort of wonder if Geoff Johns had really intended to be on this book for more than the 6 issues or not, but it all ends this issue. The "what would Superman/Luthor done?" thing gets buried here, too -- and none too fast to my tastes. That whole thread really didn't work, given the possible end-games, and it is hammered in all of the wrong directions here as Luthor does something stupidly evil here. Mostly stupid. I've got to go with... well, I started typing "eh", but actually I think I'll mark that as AWFUL. There are no LSH bits this issue, and I sort of wonder if everything that was meant to be building up for... geez, it feels like 3 years, can that be right? with all of the LSHers in the present time is just going to peter out and come to nothing in the end as well?

BUFFY #31: I dunno if it just lagged out on the main plot that doesn't happen the same way when it is a TV show coming into your house for free, but I've been itchy with BTVS for the last few issues -- I'm especially not liking this whole "everyone loses their powers/Buffy is superpowered" thing that just doesn't really work in the time spans comics are released. My bigger problem with the book, and especially the expanding cast is how weak some of the likenesses have gotten recently. Is that Oz at the top of the issue? Is the wounded soldier supposed to be Riley? Is that Andrew that Twilight has there in the middle? I can't fucking tell! While it isn't "natural", having characters say one another's names to make these things clear would be a swell idea. The Xander/Buffy conversation was very nice, but, overall, we're getting into merely OK territory for this reader.

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #22: Part 3 of 5, and it really felt like a time marker to me. Not much HAPPENS so far in this story, and this is the least-happening of them. If you're jumping on IM because critics like me like it... don't start here. OK

POWER OF SHAZAM #48: Are there ANY rules to these BN crossovers? I'd thought we were told quite explicitly that the zombies WERE NOT the actual dead people, that the rings were simply accessing memories. WTF is going on here then? Without rules Science Fiction is just Fantasy, and most fantasy is just AWFUL.

SECRET SIX #17: Editing 101: if you're doing a three part story, and part one was not in the same series you're currently reading then you NEED to put some sort of "continued from SUICIDE SQUAD #xxx" note in the comic SOMEwhere. Anyone getting Sec6, and who didn't pick up the SuiSq lead in to this would be COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY LOST. Even having read both I was kind of meh on the endless rolling fight scene. EH.

That's all I got for this week... what did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian

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Comics are still on Wednesday this week, despite the Monday holiday.

AIR #17
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #618 GNTLT
ANNA MERCURY 2 #3 (OF 5)
AUTHORITY THE LOST YEAR #5 (OF 12)
AVENGERS VS AGENTS OF ATLAS #1
AZRAEL #4
BARACK THE BARBARIAN FALL OF RED SARAH ONESHOT
BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #8
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #13
BEYOND THE WALL #3
BLACK WIDOW AND MARVEL GIRLS #3 (OF 4)
BLACKEST NIGHT THE FLASH #2 (OF 3)
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #31
CAPTAIN AMERICA #602
COWBOY NINJA VIKING #3 (OF 4)
DARK AVENGERS #13 SIEGE
DARK WOLVERINE #82 SIEGE
DARKNESS SHADOWS & FLAME (ONE SHOT)
DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #7
DEATHLOK #3 (OF 7)
DOCTOR VOODOO AVENGER OF SUPERNATURAL #4
FABLES #92
FARSCAPE ONGOING #3
GARTH ENNIS BATTLEFIELDS HAPPY VALLEY #2 (OF 9)
GEARS OF WAR #11
GFT PINOCCHIO COLLECTION A CVR SEIDMAN
GI JOE #14
GLAMOURPUSS #11
G-MAN CAPE CRISIS #5 (OF 5)
GRAVEL #16
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #44 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #44 VAR ED (BLACKEST NIGHT)
HELLBLAZER #263
HULK #19 FOH
INCORRUPTIBLE #2
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #140
INCREDIBLE HULK #606 FOH
JERSEY GODS #10
JOE THE BARBARIAN #1 (OF 8)
JUGHEAD #199
MICE TEMPLAR DESTINY #6
MIGHTY AVENGERS #33
MUPPET PETER PAN #4
NOLA #3
NOVA #33
OUTSIDERS #26
PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #138
PHANTOM STRANGER #42 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
POWER GIRL #8
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS CHAPTER TWO #6
PVP #43
RAPTURE #6 (OF 6)
RASL #6
REALM OF KINGS INHUMANS #3 (OF 5)
SIMPSONS COMICS #162
SOLOMON KANE DEATHS BLACK RIDERS #1 (OF 4)
SONIC UNIVERSE #12
SPIDER-WOMAN #5
STAR TREK DS9 FOOLS GOLD #2
STAR WARS DARK TIMES #15 BLUE HARVEST PT 3 (OF 5)
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OLD REPUBLIC #49 DEMON PT 3 (OF 4)
STARMAN #81 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
SUPERMAN BATMAN #68
SUPERNATURAL BEGINNINGS END #1 (OF 6)
THUNDERBOLTS #140
TINY TITANS #24
UNCANNY X-MEN #520
UNCLE SCROOGE #387
WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #4 GNTLT
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #9
ZOMBIES THAT ATE THE WORLD #8 (OF 8) (NOTE PRICE)

Books / Mags / Stuff
ATOMIC ROBO TP VOL 01
BAD KIDS GO TO HELL TP
BAREFOOT GEN TP VOL 09
BAREFOOT GEN TP VOL 10
BARRY WINDSOR SMITH CONAN ARCHIVES HC VOL 01
CAPTAIN AMERICA ROAD TO REBORN TP
CARTOON INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS TP VOL 01 MICROECONOMICS (
HOTWIRE GN VOL 03
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA SANCTUARY TP
JUXTAPOZ VOL 17 #2 FEB 2010
LEES TOY REVIEW #206 JAN 2010
LOST OFFICIAL MAGAZINE #27 SPECIAL PX ED
LOVERBOY IRWIN HASEN STORY TP
NOT SIMPLE GN
OISHINBO VOL 07 IZAKAYA PUB FOOD
PLUTO URASAWA X TEZUKA GN VOL 07
PRISM COMICS LGBT GUIDE TO COMICS MAG 2009-2010
REBELS TP VOL 01 THE COMING OF STARRO
STREET FIGHTER IV TP VOL 01
SUPERBOY THE GREATEST TEAM UPS EVER TOLD TP
TEZUKAS BLACK JACK TP VOL 09
THOR BY J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI PREM HC VOL 03
VEIL TP VOL 01
WOLVERINE BLACK CAT CLAWS TP
X-MEN ASGARDIAN WARS HC
YOUNG LIARS TP VOL 03 ROCK LIFE


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

Oh, I forgot to link this earlier -- here's the latest Tilting at Windmills on CBR.

Their message boards seem to be down, so feel free to comment upon it here!

-B

Labels: Brian, Tilting

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I, as I think you've noticed, am a fairly frequent and vocal critic of Marvel Comics (though I sort of find it interesting that the tenor on the HaloScan threads here seems to be leaning with me being more "against" DC. C'est la guerre!), largely because I think that a company that is that big and powerful has certain responsabilities that go with those powers.

This, of course, is something Marvel itself taught me!

So since I'm always ragging on them I should, I think, also take the time and space to thank them when they do something nice.

As you saw from my last post, my "Marvel" section got wiped out. (This is not, in fact, EVERY Marvel comic in the store. I keep, for example, the X-books racked separately from the rest of the Marvel U, as well as the licensed titles or adaptations or kids comics or the Soliel books, and so on)

David Gabriel, VP of Sales at Marvel contacted me and asked me for a list of what I lost.

I gave them a list of stuff that I thought I should actually replace, in "appropriate" quantities (ie, I didn't mention completed mini-series that I still had on the rack, I didn't list anything b-list or under, and I only specified what I thought I might sell in the next 6 or so weeks, rather than what I actually lost -- which was a truly larger number of books), and I've been told that I'll have my whole list sent to me, for free, with free and expedited shipping so I'll have it by Friday.

Marvel did not have to do that, they were under no obligation, and, frankly, since we joust so much I am not entirely sure that I'd've done the same thing in their position. But they did, and that's awesome, and they deserve some public props for that, so here they are!

Thank you Marvel comics!

Tomorrow, however, I go back to writing mean things about you! (insert: smiley emoticon)

-B

Labels: Brian, I am getting tired of leaks, Marvel can in fact do the right thing sometimes, retailing

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It is the time of the year for Looking Back at total sales and all of that, and John Jackson Miller does some excellent heavy lifting on that score.

But there's something that I don't see any commenter making a point of, and I think it is a REALLY significant impact that people-who-aren't-retailers seem to be forgetting: In February, Diamond began a major warehouse move. More or less the entire month of February there "weren't" reorders on any product shipping from Diamond.

Even once they "fixed" that issue (which memory tells me stretched into early April on many titles), there were HORRIBLE cockups in fill rates, accuracy, damages, etc all through the summer and fall. It wasn't really until 4th quarter that things went ANYwhere close back to normal.

I mean, I can think of a few books from different publishers where Diamond COMPLETELY LOST *all* of the inventory they were SUPPOSED to have on hand.

So while JJ and others are reporting on the Reported Figures, I think it is very important that 2009's figures get an asterisk put next to it because it is a certainty that reported sales DO NOT MATCH to the actual demand on a large number of titles for, probably, half of the year.

I believe that, had that warehouse move not happened, DM sales would probably have been UP overall, by a couple of points.

-B

Labels: Brian, retailing, Sales Charts

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Well, not intentionally, or anything.

But I came in this morning to a "drip drip drip" sound.

Hm, that's not good, I thought, and, hey, why are there puddles on the floor?

Some moron staying at the hotel above apparently decided that if the toilet doesn't flush, they should simply flush it again and again and again until it finally flushed (which it never did). Gravity is a bitch, and it has nowhere to go but down, and down it did go, into my store.

The entire Marvel periodicals rack, completely wiped out.

Half a month's rent in product damage, not counting rack damage or my labor. YAY!!!!

I'm just glad my landlord (the hotel) has good insurance, and is usually fine working with me on this kind of thing.

*sigh*

On the other hand, I'm glad I keep the new comics separated from the Not New ones, so New Comics Day can proceed as normal... but I've now got hours of database work in front of me to adjust all of the inventory levels and whatever.

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!!!

-B

Labels: Brian, I am getting tired of leaks, retailing

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I'm going to try REALLY HARD to do an old-school review each and every week throughout all of the first quarter. Not sure if I'll make it, but I'm going to TRY. Probably on Monday mornings.

AUTHORITY #18: Well, at least it has a nice looking cover, but, honestly, this latest semi-reboot of the WS properties doesn't work any better than the last five; and it is stuffed and packed with so many characters that I really don't care about any of them. Sad Panda says AWFUL.

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #40: Sam Kieth is such an interesting creator -- I don't know that I much LIKE most of what he does, but I'm always fascinated by it. Sam gets back to the bat, with a 75-foot long cape, and lots of mood, and it's not for me, but there's a big squad of people who wander in once or twice a year asking if he's got anything new. If you're not up for Lobo, then here you go. OK

BLACKEST NIGHT WONDER WOMAN #2: Comics have a shaky enough entertainment/cost ratio these days that I think it is pretty much the cardinal sin of all cardinal sins to have an "and the last 21 pages you just read? Just a dream!" ending, like you get here. On the other hand, this exactly follows BN #6, and makes the sudden Black/Pink switch a smidge more palatable, so I'll add a few points for that. But, no, "Just a dream!" keeps this at AWFUL for me.

BPRD KING OF FEAR #1: If you're in the "I want Superheroes, but I've lost interest in Marvel & DC" camp, this really is pretty much THE book for you -- it hits all of the powered soap opera notes one wants, and does it self-contained, and with extreme wit and verve. VERY GOOD.

CABLE #22: I just look at that issue number and shake my head in wonder that this storyline with Hope and all that has gone on this long. It isn't badly executed or anything (in fact, this issue is at least OK), but that's a long time for this particular thread to be running on and on, isn't it? And what can CABLE even be about once it finally gets played out?

DOOM PATROL #6: Giffen tries to knot together the various (and contradictory) versions of the DP (and Negative Man, in particular), and does an at least decent job at it. I'll be honest: I'd have been just as happy with "it was a bad case of indigestion", but at least he gave it the old college try. Shame that this version has very little chance of even having as many issues as the Rachel Pollack run (which ran what looks to be 23 issues). I've grown bored with the Metal Men backup, too, sadly. EH.

JENNIFER LOVE HEWITTS MUSIC BOX #2: The trick, I think, to doing a good "Twilight Zone" style story is to have it flow inevitably from the premise, but not to foreshadow the twist at the same time. But the second they showed that staircase (page 2 or 3 was it?) I knew everything that was going to happen from then. Yikes, go back into the box! EH

JSA ALL STARS #2: Two issues in, and I have no idea why this book exists. Like every other "proactive superheroing" book (with the possible exception of portions of the original THE AUTHORITY), it looks exactly like every other superhero book out there. The JSA-CLASSIFIED-level backup feature and the extra $1 price isn't helping matters, either. Preorder/subscription numbers on this title are about 1/10th of the parent book for me, and, looking at first week sales on this issue, I sort of don't imagine I'll be racking more than 1-2 copies by issue #4. It's pretty EH, sadly, and the market is losing all room for Eh-level material.

SIEGE #1: Douglas had a lot of this right (as did Rich Johnston's piece on much the same topic), though, ironically, I liked the "assembled army" picture that Douglas ragged on -- I thought they were trying to channel "300".

But, art problems, and stupid sloppy embarrassing production errors aside, the story just don't WORK: while I understand the call-back to CIVIL WAR, why would Citizens of Marvel U think of Tubby as any different than a million other superhero characters, and, thus how could this lead to resetting the status quo? Even if the Civvies are dumb enough to buy the Dark Avengers thing, how does that explain the U-Foes showing up at the end, and wouldn't THEY be blamed? And the whole sequence with the President simply doesn't parse at all. Also: did I dream the whole Asgardians-are-living-in-Latveria bit? I don't get how those storylines work together. Bottom line: this isn't very good comics, at all. AWFUL, sadly.

SIEGE EMBEDDED #1: though this one is sort of worse: Tubby is just wandering around aimlessly, and no one notices, except when reporter guy just happens along? Muh? Then it starts with the "can we ask you a few questions?" thing, but it doesn't look like they DO ask any questions at all? Plus you know that any comic with superheroes covered in blood spatter (scene does not appear in comic) is a winner. Pretty much CRAP.

STUMPTOWN #2: Even better than the first one. I love that subdued color palette, as well. Issue #1 looks like it has fallen out of print already (c'mon, Oni, you need to fix that!), and we've sold more copies of #2 in the first week than we did of #1 at the same time. That's a CHEW or WALKING DEAD pattern. VERY GOOD.

SUICIDE SQUAD #67 (BLACKEST NIGHT): Solicitation-wise, it's really stupid to me to have a differently titled one-shot leading back into an ongoing book (SECRET SIX) as part 1 of 3. Why not just have it be an extra issue of SECRET SIX without the numbering game, that is sure to confuse and befuddle consumers? It isn't as if this really hit the SUICIDE SQUAD notes to fill me full of goodwill and love -- it's more or less Just Another BLACKEST NIGHT crossover. Strongly OK, but I despair of the marketing here.

SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #11: Speaking of Confusing Storytelling Choices, this book (as well as POWERS!) HAS to learn that if you're suddenly going to switch from single page layouts over to double-page reading flow, there needs to be much much more visual clues to do that, and, further, there really should be story reasons (other than, "I'm getting bored drawing 3x3, or whatever") to do so. This is going to be ass in a bound format when the gutters swallow whatever small visual hints there are here. What? This issue's story? Oh, it's perfectly fine, but storytelling choices make me say EH.

WEIRD WESTERN TALES #71 (BLACKEST NIGHT): Adding nothing to nothing, Dan Didio tries to personally get some of the sweet BN money. Smells like Teen Cash Grab, and reads like it was written between stops on the subway on his way home at night. AWFUL.


What did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian

Click Here to Read More...

Y'know what might be awesome? If publishers would grok that the amount of money we make in the first quarter is a direct correlation to what they actually ship. But, no, here's the second mini-week of comics in a row, sigh.

ABSOLUTION #6 (OF 6)
ACTION COMICS #885
ADVENTURE COMICS #6
AGE OF REPTILES JOURNEY #2 (OF 4)
ALAN MOORE NEONOMICON HORNBOOK
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #617 GNTLT
ANCHOR #4
ANGEL #29
ANITA BLAKE LC EXECUTIONER #3 (OF 5)
ARCHIE & FRIENDS #139
ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #205
ARMY OF TWO #1
AVP THREE WORLD WAR #1 (OF 6)
BARACK THE BARBARIAN #4 (OF 4) (NOTE PRICE)
BATGIRL #6
BATMAN #695
BATMAN WIDENING GYRE #4 (OF 6)
BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #177
BLACK PANTHER 2 #12
BLACK WIDOW DEADLY ORIGIN #3 (OF 4)
BOOSTER GOLD #28
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #31 JO CHEN CVR
CARS #0
CATWOMAN #83 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
CAVEWOMAN PANGAEAN SEA #11
CONAN THE CIMMERIAN WEIGHT OF CROWN ONE SHOT (OSW)
CYBERFORCE HUNTER KILLER #4 (OF 5) ROCAFORT CVR A
DARK X-MEN #3 (OF 5)
DAYTRIPPER #2 (OF 10)
DIE HARD YEAR ONE #4
DMZ #49
DOCTOR WHO ONGOING #7
ED HANNIGAN COVERED
GHOUL #2
GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #28
INCREDIBLES #4
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #22
JERICHO SEASON 3 #2 (OF 6) A CVR WEST
LOVE AND CAPES #12
MAGOG #5
MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #19
MARVELS PROJECT #5 (OF 8)
MUPPET SHOW #1
NATION X #2 (OF 4)
PHANTOM GENERATIONS #7
PHANTOM GHOST WHO WALKS #7
POWER OF SHAZAM #48 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
PSYLOCKE #3 (OF 4)
PUNISHERMAX #3
REALM OF KINGS IMPERIAL GUARD #3 (OF 5)
REBELS #12
RED HERRING #6 (OF 6)
SCOOBY DOO #152
SECRET SIX (BLACKEST NIGHT) #17
SHIELD #5
SKY DOLL DOLL FACTORY #2 (OF 2)
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #208
SPIDER-MAN AND SECRET WARS #2 (OF 4)
STAR TREK CAPTAINS LOG SULU #1
STRANGE #3 (OF 4)
SUPER FRIENDS #23
SUPER HERO SQUAD #1
SWORD (MARVEL) #3
TALISMAN ROAD OF TRIALS #3
THE GOOD THE BAD & THE UGLY #7
TITANS #21
TRANSFORMERS ONGOING #3
UNCANNY X-MEN FIRST CLASS #7 (OF 8)
UNWRITTEN #9
WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #702
WEEKLY WORLD NEWS #1
X-MEN FOREVER #15
X-MEN ORIGINS CYCLOPS

Books / Mags / Stuff
ALTER EGO #91
BACK ISSUE #38
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD TP
BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL TP VOL 22 FOOTSTEPS
CLEANERS TP VOL 01 ABSENT BODIES
COMPLETE CHESTER GOULDS DICK TRACY HC VOL 09
CREEPY ARCHIVES HC VOL 05
DOC SAVAGE THE SILVER PYRAMID TP
ELEPHANTMEN TP VOL 02 FATAL DISEASES
G FAN #90
GOON TP VOL 00 ROUGH STUFF REVISED ED
GRAYLIGHT GN
HUMAN TARGET CHANCE MEETINGS TP
LOLA HC
NO HERO TP
ODYSSEY TP GN
REX MUNDI TP VOL 06 GATE OF GOD
SPIDER-MAN ELECTION DAY TP
STAR WARS KNIGHTS O/T OLD REPUBLIC TP VOL 08 DESTROYER
STAR WARS OMNIBUS SHADOWS OF EMPIRE TP VOL 01
TORPEDO HC VOL 01
TOYFARE #151 JAKKS UFC CVR
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 22 ULTIMATUM
ULTIMATUM TP
VIDEO WATCHDOG #154


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

It is a Savage Critic Four-fer (is that a word?) as Tom Spurgeon interviews Jog on Death Note, Douglas on Invincible Iron Man, Tucker on Ganges, and Sean on Blankets!

All of them (as well as all of the non-Savage Critic interviews as well!) are definitely must-read pieces!

Spurge initially asked me to do an interview, as well, but then he suddenly decided to do this one-critic-one-book series, and he asked if we could do our general survey of the business of comics later in 2010. I'm certainly looking forward to the chances of doing that sometime in the next month or two, I hope!

-B

Labels: Brian, Savage Critics are Awesome-Sauce

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I wonder how many weeks it will take me to get used to typing "2010"?

We start the new year off with a pretty reasonably solid batch of stuff...!

2000 AD PROG 2010
28 DAYS LATER #5
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN PRESENTS JACKPOT #1 (OF 3)
ANGEL HOLE IN THE WORLD #2
AUTHORITY #18
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #40
BIG QUESTIONS #13
BLACKEST NIGHT WONDER WOMAN #2 (OF 3)
BOYS #38
BPRD KING OF FEAR #1 (OF 5)
BUCK ROGERS #7
CABLE #22
CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #45
CAVEWOMAN MERIEMS GALLERY #5
CINDERELLA FROM FABLETOWN WITH LOVE #3 (OF 6)
CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #17
DAFFODIL #1 (OF 3)
DARKNESS #82
DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #897
DINGO #2
DONALD DUCK AND FRIENDS #349
DOOM PATROL #6
FEMALE FORCE #10 J K ROWLING
FORGETLESS #2 (OF 5)
FVZA #2 (OF 3) A CVR LANGLEY
GIGANTIC #5 (OF 5)
GOD COMPLEX #2
GREAT TEN #3 (OF 10)
GREEK STREET #7
GRIMJACK MANX CAT #6
HAUNT #4
HERCULES KNIVES OF KUSH #5 (OF 5) A CVR WRAPAROUND
HOUSE OF MYSTERY #21
JENNIFER LOVE HEWITTS MUSIC BOX #2
JOHN SABLE FREELANCE ASHES OF EDEN #4
JONAH HEX #51
JSA ALL STARS #2
KILL AUDIO #4 (OF 6)
KING CITY #4
LOONEY TUNES #182
MARVEL BOY URANIAN #1 (OF 3)
MICKEY MOUSE & FRIENDS #299
MIGHTY #12
MORELLA PRESENTS VEROTIKA RETURNS SPECIAL
NATION X X-FACTOR
NEW MUTANTS #9 XN
ORC STAIN #1
PHANTOM DOUBLE SHOT #1 (OF 6) KGB NOIR
POLITICAL POWER #4 RONALD REAGAN
PUNISHER MAX GET CASTLE #1
RED ROBIN #8
RED TORNADO #5 (OF 6)
RESURRECTION VOL 2 #6
ROTTEN #6
SAVAGE DRAGON #156
SIEGE #1 (OF 4)
SIEGE EMBEDDED #1 (OF 4)
SIMPSONS SUPER SPECTACULAR #10
STAR WARS CLONE WARS #12 HERO CONFEDERACY PT 3
STARSTRUCK #5
STUMPTOWN #2
SUICIDE SQUAD #67 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #11 (OF 12)
SWEET TOOTH #5
TANK GIRL SKIDMARKS #2 (OF 4)
TERRY MOORES ECHO #18
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #6
VERONICA #198
WARLORD #10
WASTELAND #27
WEIRD WESTERN TALES #71 (BLACKEST NIGHT)

Books / Mags / Stuff
ARCHIE & FRIENDS TP VOL 02 BETTYS DIARY
BRINGING UP FATHER HC VOL 01 FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA
CHILL HC
CINEFEX #120 JAN 2010
CLASSIC DAN DARE HC VOL 12 SAFARI IN SPACE
DAREDEVIL TP BORN AGAIN
ESSENTIAL AVENGERS TP VOL 07
HI FRUCTOSE MAGAZINE QUARTERLY #14
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN PREM HC VOL 03 MOST WANTED BK 02
JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #292
LIFE & TIMES OF SCROOGE MCDUCK HC VOL 01 (BOOM)
LITTLE ADVENTURES IN OZ BOOK 01
MAD ABOUT SUPER HEROES TP VOL 02
MARVEL DIVAS TP
MAXIMUM BLACK SC VOL 01 ART TIM BRADSTREET
MISSILE MOUSE GN VOL 01 STAR CRUSHER
MTG PATH OF THE PLANESWALKER GN
MUPPET SHOW TREASURE OF PEG LEG WILSON TP
PREVIEWS #256 JANUARY 2010
SGT FROG GN VOL 18
SHUTTER ISLAND GRAPHIC NOVEL
SIEGE PRELUDE TP
SPECTRUM TP VOL 05 NEW PTG
STAR TREK SPOCK REFLECTIONS TP
TITANS OLD FRIENDS TP
TROUBLEMAKERS HC
UNCLOTHED MAN IN 35TH CENTURY AD HC
UNWRITTEN TP VOL 01 TOMMY TAYLOR BOGUS IDENTITY TP
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 11 FEAR THE HUNTERS
WIZARD MAGAZINE #221 IRON MAN 2 CVR
X-MEN MUTANT MASSACRE HC


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

And here, below the jump, is the "Comics" portion of our show



Again, like before, let's show first the number of UNITS sold (note that I've scrubbed out things like Quarter Books)

(Also note that, again, because of the way Diamond works, and MOBY interacts with it, some things might say something like "4th printing" when, in fact, that's any and all printings added together)(doing the cleanup would really take too much time)

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
BATMAN AND ROBIN #2 4TH PTG
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #21 CHEN CVR
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #22 CHEN CVR
BLACKEST NIGHT #1 (OF 8)
BATMAN AND ROBIN #3
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #23 CHEN CVR
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #24 CHEN CVR
BATMAN #686 (NOTE PRICE)
BATMAN AND ROBIN #4
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #26 CHEN CVR
WEDNESDAY COMICS #1 (OF 12)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #25 CHEN CVR
BATMAN AND ROBIN #5
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #27 CHEN CVR
FINAL CRISIS #6 (OF 7)
BLACKEST NIGHT #2 (OF 8)
REBORN #1 (OF 5)
DETECTIVE COMICS #854 2ND PTG
ASTONISHING X-MEN #28
FINAL CRISIS #7 (OF 7)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #600
BATMAN AND ROBIN #6
DETECTIVE COMICS #853 (NOTE PRICE)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #28 CHEN CVR
FLASH REBIRTH #1 (OF 6)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #2 (OF 12)
BLACKEST NIGHT #3 (OF 8)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #29 CARNEVALE CVR
UNWRITTEN #1 2ND PTG
BLACKEST NIGHT #5 (OF 8)
BATMAN #687
DETECTIVE COMICS #855
DARK AVENGERS UNCANNY X-MEN UTOPIA #1 DAX
FINAL CRISIS LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #3 (OF 5)
ASTONISHING X-MEN #29
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #30 ADAM HUGHES CVR
GREEN LANTERN #43
STRANGE TALES #1 (OF 3)
ASTONISHING X-MEN #30
DARK AVENGERS #1
FLASH REBIRTH #2 (OF 5)
UNCANNY X-MEN #506
WEDNESDAY COMICS #3 (OF 12)
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #2 (OF 5)
SANDMAN DREAM HUNTERS #3 (OF 4) (MR)
BLACKEST NIGHT #4 (OF 8)
KICK ASS #5 (MR)
DETECTIVE COMICS #856
HELLBOY WILD HUNT #2 (OF 8)
IGNITION CITY #1 (OF 5) (MR)
UNCANNY X-MEN #513 DAX
WEDNESDAY COMICS #4 (OF 12)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #5 (OF 12)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #6 (OF 12)
WOLVERINE #70
UNCANNY X-MEN #507
UNCANNY X-MEN #509
UNCANNY X-MEN #510
WEDNESDAY COMICS #9 (OF 12)
HELLBOY WILD HUNT #4 (OF 8)
SANDMAN DREAM HUNTERS #4 (OF 4) (MR)
ASTONISHING X-MEN #31
GREEN LANTERN #44
PREACHER # 1 SPECIAL EDITION
UNCANNY X-MEN #514 DAX
WEDNESDAY COMICS #8 (OF 12)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #20 CHEN CVR
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #3 (OF 5)
DARK AVENGERS #2
DARK AVENGERS #3
INCOGNITO #2 (MR)
NEW AVENGERS #49
PLANETARY #27
SEAGUY THE SLAVES OF MICKEY EYE #1 (OF 3) (MR)
UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL #2
WEDNESDAY COMICS #10 (OF 12)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #11 (OF 12)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #7 (OF 12)
WOLVERINE #71
DETECTIVE COMICS #857
HELLBOY WILD HUNT #3 (OF 8)
INCOGNITO #1 (MR) (C: 1-0-0)
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #22
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #1
UNCANNY X-MEN #508
CAPTAIN AMERICA #50
FABLES #83 (MR)
GREEN LANTERN #46
UNCANNY X-MEN #511
UNCANNY X-MEN #512
UNWRITTEN #2 (MR)
WOLVERINE #72
ASTONISHING X-MEN #32
IGNITION CITY #2 (OF 5) (MR)
MIGHTY AVENGERS #21
NEW AVENGERS #53 DKR
BATMAN #688
DARK AVENGERS #8 DAX
LITERALS #1 (OF 3) (MR)


(Man, 100 places really isn't enough, is it?)

#1 is, no surprise, the Obama issue of Spider-Man. Nor should it be any real surprise that no other issue of Spidey charted besides that one -- that was not a comic that got people coming back to read more.

And now the same thing, flipped for DOLLARS sold.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
BLACKEST NIGHT #1 (OF 8)
BATMAN AND ROBIN #2 4TH PTG
BATMAN #686 (NOTE PRICE)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #600
WEDNESDAY COMICS #1 (OF 12)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #21 CHEN CVR
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #22 CHEN CVR
BATMAN AND ROBIN #3
BLACKEST NIGHT #2 (OF 8)
REBORN #1 (OF 5)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #23 CHEN CVR
FINAL CRISIS #6 (OF 7)
DETECTIVE COMICS #854 2ND PTG
STRANGE TALES #1 (OF 3)
DETECTIVE COMICS #853 (NOTE PRICE)
FINAL CRISIS #7 (OF 7)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #24 CHEN CVR
BATMAN AND ROBIN #4
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #26 CHEN CVR
BLACKEST NIGHT #3 (OF 8)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #2 (OF 12)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #25 CHEN CVR
BLACKEST NIGHT #5 (OF 8)
FLASH REBIRTH #1 (OF 6)
DETECTIVE COMICS #855
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #27 CHEN CVR
BATMAN AND ROBIN #5
DARK AVENGERS #1
DARK AVENGERS UNCANNY X-MEN UTOPIA #1 DAX
NEW AVENGERS #50
WOLVERINE GIANT-SIZE OLD MAN LOGAN #1
WEDNESDAY COMICS #3 (OF 12)
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #2 (OF 5)
THOR #600
IGNITION CITY #1 (OF 5) (MR)
BLACKEST NIGHT #4 (OF 8)
UNCANNY X-MEN #513 DAX
BATMAN #687
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #28 CHEN CVR
BATMAN AND ROBIN #6
DETECTIVE COMICS #856
WEDNESDAY COMICS #4 (OF 12)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #6 (OF 12)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #29 CARNEVALE CVR
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #600
WEDNESDAY COMICS #5 (OF 12)
PLANETARY #27
DARK AVENGERS #2
UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL #2
DETECTIVE COMICS #857
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #3 (OF 5)
STRANGE TALES #2 (OF 3)
ASTONISHING X-MEN #28
WEDNESDAY COMICS #9 (OF 12)
IGNITION CITY #2 (OF 5) (MR)
SEAGUY THE SLAVES OF MICKEY EYE #1 (OF 3) (MR)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #8 (OF 12)
UNCANNY X-MEN #512
WEDNESDAY COMICS #7 (OF 12)
DAREDEVIL #500
FINAL CRISIS SUPERMAN BEYOND #2 (OF 2)
SUPERGOD #1 (OF 5)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #30 ADAM HUGHES CVR
UNCANNY X-MEN #514 DAX
NEW AVENGERS #49
WEDNESDAY COMICS #10 (OF 12)
DETECTIVE COMICS #858
DARK AVENGERS #7 DAX
ULTIMATUM #3 (OF 5)
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #4 (OF 5)
NEW AVENGERS #53 DKR
NEW AVENGERS #54 DKR
WEDNESDAY COMICS #11 (OF 12)
DARK AVENGERS #4
ASTONISHING X-MEN #30
INCOGNITO #2 (MR)
ASTONISHING X-MEN #29
WEDNESDAY COMICS #12 (OF 12)
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #1
NEW AVENGERS #52
KICK ASS #5 (MR)
NEW AVENGERS #51
INCOGNITO #1 (MR) (C: 1-0-0)
DARK AVENGERS #3
CAPTAIN AMERICA #50
HELLBOY WILD HUNT #2 (OF 8)
NO HERO #3 (OF 7) (MR)
ANGEL AFTER THE FALL #16
FINAL CRISIS LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #3 (OF 5)
FINAL CRISIS LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #4 (OF 5)
ULTIMATUM #4 (OF 5)
SEAGUY THE SLAVES OF MICKEY EYE #2 (OF 3) (MR)
SANDMAN DREAM HUNTERS #3 (OF 4) (MR)
GREEN LANTERN #43
DETECTIVE COMICS #859
UNCANNY X-MEN #509
INCOGNITO #3 (MR)
INCOGNITO #4
NEW AVENGERS #56 DKR
DARK AVENGERS/UNCANNY X-MEN EXODUS DAX


Doesn't change it a TON, but some more expensive books get up the placements in a few places.

Anyway, always interested in your commentary!


-B

Labels: Brian, retailing, Sales Charts

Click Here to Read More...

Alright, here's a look at the Top Selling Books at Comix Experience in 2009, under the cut.



First off, here is the list sorted by PIECES SOLD (quantity). I'm not going to bother noting where the ties are, or, for that matter, adding the placing numbers, or cleaning up the listings (eg: the "new ptg" that got appended to LOEG -- that's just what we've sold, total, over the year, but when a new printing came in to Diamond, that changed their data listing, which, once merged into MOBY, changed MY data listing. Such is life)

This is the Top 100 (well, 107 thanks to ties)


LOEG III CENTURY #1 1910 NEW PTG
BATMAN WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CAPED CRUSADER HC
WATCHMEN TP (FEB058406)
SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 05 SP VS THE UNIVERSE (DEC084184)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 09 HERE WE REMAIN
ASTERIOS POLYP GN
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 01 DAYS GONE BYE
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 02 CYCLES (OCT058281) (MR)
FABLES TP VOL 12 THE DARK AGES
LOVE & ROCKETS NEW STORIES TP
WHO KILLED AMANDA PALMER HC
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 10 WHAT WE BECOME
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 01 UNMANNED (OCT058020)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 10 WHYS AND WHEREFORES (MAR080241) (MR
CRIMINAL TP VOL 04 BAD NIGHT (NOV082430) (MR)
UMBRELLA ACADEMY TP VOL 1 APOCALYPSE SUITE
DMZ TP VOL 06 BLOOD IN THE GAME (MR)
FABLES TP VOL 11 WAR AND PIECES (AUG080229) (MR)
LOEG VOL ONE TP (JUL068290)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 03 ONE SMALL STEP (MAR068027) (MR)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 05 RING OF TRUTH (MAY050306) (MR)
100 BULLETS TP VOL 13 WILT (MR)
FABLES TP VOL 01 LEGENDS IN EXILE (APR058372)
SANDMAN TP VOL 02 THE DOLLS HOUSE (APR058268)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 04 SAFEWORD (APR058056) (MR)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 06 GIRL ON GIRL (SEP050317) (MR)
ALL STAR SUPERMAN HC VOL 02
BATMAN DARK KNIGHT RETURNS TP (DEC058055)
BOOK OF GENESIS ILLUS BY ROBERT CRUMB HC
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 01 LONG WAY HOME
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 03 WOLVES AT THE GATE
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 09 MOTHERLAND (FEB070362) (MR)
ALL STAR SUPERMAN TP VOL 01
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 04 TIME OF YOUR LIFE
POWERS TP VOL 12 COOLEST DEAD SUPERHEROES
RICHARD STARKS PARKER THE HUNTER HC
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 08 MADE TO SUFFER
BLACK HOLE COLLECTED SC
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 05 PREDATOR & PREY
DMZ TP VOL 07 WAR POWERS
SANDMAN TP VOL 01 PRELUDES & NOCTURNES (DEC058090)
BONE COLOR ED SC VOL 01 OUT FROM BONEVILLE
FREAKANGELS TP VOL 02 (MR)
LOEG BLACK DOSSIER TP (JUL080193)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 02 MILES BEHIND US
WARREN ELLIS FRANKENSTEINS WOMB GN
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 07 PAPER DOLLS (FEB060341) (MR)
BATMAN THE KILLING JOKE SPECIAL ED HC
FREAKANGELS TP VOL 01 (SEP083753) (MR)
LOEG VOL TWO TP (FEB058407)
THE FART PARTY TP
WARREN ELLIS CROOKED LITTLE VEIN MMPB
BOYS TP VOL 04 WE GOTTA GO NOW
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 02 NO FUTURE FOR YOU
PLANETARY TP VOL 01 ALL OVER THE WORLD AND OTHER STORIES
PREACHER TP VOL 01 GONE TO TEXAS NEW EDITION (MAR050489) (MR
TRANSMETROPOLITAN TP VOL 01 BACK ON THE STREET
BOYS TP VOL 03 GOOD FOR THE SOUL
DMZ TP VOL 01 ON THE GROUND (MAR060383) (MR)
PLANETARY TP VOL 03 LEAVING TP THE 20 TH CENTURY
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 05 BEST DEFENSE
WALTZ WITH BASHIR SC (C: 0-1-2)
CRIMINAL TP VOL 01 COWARD (MR)
DMZ TP VOL 02 BODY OF A JOURNALIST (NOV060292) (MR)
EX MACHINA TP VOL 08 DIRTY TRICKS
SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 01 SP PRECIOUS LITTLE LIFE
SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 02 VS THE WORLD (DEC042750)
SURROGATES TP VOL 01 CURR PTG
SWAMP THING TP VOL 02 LOVE AND DEATH (JUL058053)
V FOR VENDETTA NEW EDITION TP (MR)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 04 HEARTS DESIRE
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 07 THE CALM BEFORE
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 08 KIMONO DRAGONS (AUG060299) (MR)
CRIMINAL TP VOL 02 LAWLESS (OCT072158) (MR)
EX MACHINA TP VOL 07 EX CATHEDRA (JUL080199) (MR)
FABLES TP VOL 07 ARABIAN NIGHTS AND DAYS (MAR060384) (MR)
FINAL CRISIS HC
JUSTICE TP VOL 01 (FEB080252)
PREACHER TP VOL 07 SALVATION NEW EDITION (MAY050300) (MR)
SWAMP THING TP VOL 01 SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING (APR058269)
FROM HELL TP NEW PTG
HELLBOY VOL 01 SEED OF DESTRUCTION TP
JOKER HC (JUL080124)
PLANETARY TP VOL 02 THE FOURTH MAN
PREACHER TP VOL 04 ANCIENT HISTORY NEW EDITION (MAY050299) (
PREACHER TP VOL 06 WAR IN THE SUN NEW EDITION (MAY050301) (M
SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 03 INFINITE SADNESS (OCT053132)
SECRET INVASION TP (NOV082460)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 06 SORROWFUL LIFE
100 BULLETS TP VOL 12 DIRTY (JUN080292) (MR)
ALAN MOORE LIGHT OF THY COUNTENANCE GN (O/A) (NOV083804) (MR
ARKHAM ASYLUM ANNIVERSARY ED SC (AUG050185) (MR)
BATMAN RIP DELUXE EDITION HC
BOYS TP VOL 01 NAME OF THE GAME
BOYS TP VOL 02 GET SOME
CRIMINAL TP VOL 03 DEAD AND DYING (MR)
DMZ TP VOL 03 PUBLIC WORKS (JUN070267) (MR)
FABLES TP VOL 04 MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS (OCT058021) (M
FABLES TP VOL 08 WOLVES (SEP060313) (MR)
FREAKANGELS TP VOL 03
FUNNY MISSHAPEN BODY GN (MR) (C: 0-1-2)
PREACHER TP VOL 03 PROUD AMERICANS NEW EDITION (JUL068334) (
STAR WARS CLONE WARS ADVENTURES TP VOL 01
TOP 10 TP BOOK 01 (OCT058279)
USAGI YOJIMBO HC YOKAI
ZOMBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE RECORDED ATTACKS GN

Everything on the Top 100 sold, on average, more than "1 copy a month".

As noted in the "overview" post, the Batman HC is a fluke because of the Gaiman signing. Therefore, so, too, is WHO KILLED AMANDA PALMER. In the latter's case, however, had I actually had ENOUGH of those for the signing it could have been in the Top 5. Such is the power of Neil Gaiman!

"Not having enough" is actually a fairly common theme this year -- there's several books here (Crumb's GENESIS, ASTERIOS POLYP, Darwyn Cooke's THE HUNTER, etc.) where I would have sold a LOT more copies if the publishers hadn't sold out of those books. Crumb, in particular, probably would have been in the Top Ten were there any reorders available from ANY of the multiple distributors I use. I ended up even buying copies from Barnes & Noble (dot com) just to have copies for sale during the actual Christmas shopping season.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the diversity of material on this list.

Now, let's flip this around and sort this list by DOLLARS sold:

BATMAN WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CAPED CRUSADER HC
WATCHMEN TP (FEB058406)
WHO KILLED AMANDA PALMER HC
LOEG III CENTURY #1 1910 NEW PTG
ASTERIOS POLYP GN
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 09 HERE WE REMAIN
SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 05 SP VS THE UNIVERSE (DEC084184)
WALKING DEAD COMPENDIUM TP VOL 01
BOOK OF GENESIS ILLUS BY ROBERT CRUMB HC
FABLES TP VOL 12 THE DARK AGES
RICHARD STARKS PARKER THE HUNTER HC
POWERS TP VOL 12 COOLEST DEAD SUPERHEROES
FROM HELL TP NEW PTG
UMBRELLA ACADEMY TP VOL 1 APOCALYPSE SUITE
SANDMAN TP VOL 02 THE DOLLS HOUSE (APR058268)
LOST GIRLS HC
FABLES TP VOL 11 WAR AND PIECES (AUG080229) (MR)
LOVE & ROCKETS NEW STORIES TP
100 BULLETS TP VOL 13 WILT (MR)
ALL STAR SUPERMAN HC VOL 02
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 02 CYCLES (OCT058281) (MR)
SECRET INVASION TP (NOV082460)
SANDMAN TP VOL 01 PRELUDES & NOCTURNES (DEC058090)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 10 WHAT WE BECOME
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 10 WHYS AND WHEREFORES (MAR080241) (MR
FINAL CRISIS HC
LOEG BLACK DOSSIER TP (JUL080193)
BLACK HOLE COLLECTED SC
FREAKANGELS TP VOL 02 (MR)
FREAKANGELS TP VOL 01 (SEP083753) (MR)
CRIMINAL TP VOL 04 BAD NIGHT (NOV082430) (MR)
LOEG VOL ONE TP (JUL068290)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 05 RING OF TRUTH (MAY050306) (MR)
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 01 LONG WAY HOME
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 03 WOLVES AT THE GATE
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 01 UNMANNED (OCT058020)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 09 MOTHERLAND (FEB070362) (MR)
BOYS TP VOL 03 GOOD FOR THE SOUL
BOYS TP VOL 04 WE GOTTA GO NOW
BATMAN THE KILLING JOKE SPECIAL ED HC
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 01 DAYS GONE BYE
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 04 TIME OF YOUR LIFE
DMZ TP VOL 06 BLOOD IN THE GAME (MR)
BATMAN DARK KNIGHT RETURNS TP (DEC058055)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 03 ONE SMALL STEP (MAR068027) (MR)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 08 MADE TO SUFFER
SWAMP THING TP VOL 02 LOVE AND DEATH (JUL058053)
V FOR VENDETTA NEW EDITION TP (MR)
SURROGATES TP VOL 01 CURR PTG
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 05 PREDATOR & PREY
BATMAN RIP DELUXE EDITION HC
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 06 GIRL ON GIRL (SEP050317) (MR)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 04 SAFEWORD (APR058056) (MR)
DMZ TP VOL 07 WAR POWERS
LOST GIRLS DLX SLIPCASED ED CURR PTG
SWAMP THING TP VOL 01 SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING (APR058269)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 07 PAPER DOLLS (FEB060341) (MR)
COMPLETE PERSEPOLIS TP
WALTZ WITH BASHIR SC (C: 0-1-2)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 02 MILES BEHIND US
A DRIFTING LIFE TP
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 02 NO FUTURE FOR YOU
LOEG VOL TWO TP (FEB058407)
ALL STAR SUPERMAN TP VOL 01
JOKER HC (JUL080124)
WALKING DEAD HC VOL 01
PREACHER TP VOL 07 SALVATION NEW EDITION (MAY050300) (MR)
PREACHER TP VOL 01 GONE TO TEXAS NEW EDITION (MAR050489) (MR
TRANSMETROPOLITAN TP VOL 01 BACK ON THE STREET
PLANETARY TP VOL 01 ALL OVER THE WORLD AND OTHER STORIES
WARREN ELLIS CROOKED LITTLE VEIN MMPB
BOYS TP VOL 02 GET SOME
ABSOLUTE DEATH HC
PETER & MAX A FABLES NOVEL HC
FREAKANGELS TP VOL 03
PREACHER TP VOL 06 WAR IN THE SUN NEW EDITION (MAY050301) (M
HELLBOY VOL 01 SEED OF DESTRUCTION TP
THE FART PARTY TP
FLIGHT GN VOL 06 (C: 0-1-2)
BLACK SUMMER TP
PLANETARY TP VOL 03 LEAVING TP THE 20 TH CENTURY
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 05 BEST DEFENSE
Y THE LAST MAN DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 01
CRIMINAL TP VOL 01 COWARD (MR)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 08 KIMONO DRAGONS (AUG060299) (MR)
FABLES TP VOL 01 LEGENDS IN EXILE (APR058372)
BONE ONE VOL ED SC (MAR058205)
BERLIN TP BOOK 02 CITY OF SMOKE (JUN083900) (MR)
R CRUMBS HEROES OF BLUES JAZZ & COUNTRY WITH CD HC
ARKHAM ASYLUM ANNIVERSARY ED SC (AUG050185) (MR)
FABLES TP VOL 04 MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS (OCT058021) (M
FABLES TP VOL 08 WOLVES (SEP060313) (MR)
TOP 10 TP BOOK 01 (OCT058279)
SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING HC BOOK 01
RUNAWAYS HC VOL 01 (JUN052053)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 04 HEARTS DESIRE
WALKING DEAD HC VOL 02
STARMAN OMNIBUS HC VOL 02
IMMORTAL IRON FIST BY FRACTION & BRUBAKER OMNIBUS HC
FABLES TP VOL 07 ARABIAN NIGHTS AND DAYS (MAR060384) (MR)
CRIMINAL TP VOL 02 LAWLESS (OCT072158) (MR)
JUSTICE TP VOL 01 (FEB080252)

Yeah, that changes things a bit -- Hardcovers shoot up quite a lot in almost every situation.

-B

Labels: Brian, retailing, Sales Charts

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Here's the first in a series of posts detailing Comix Experience's performance in 2009. I'll hide these below the jump for people who Just Don't Care.



Overall, CE was down by 4% for the year. The amount we're down is almost exactly the amount of business we lost during the nearly 2 month period of construction on Divisadero St., so I don't feel so bad about that, really -- without the construction we appear to have been flat, and in this economy, that seems pretty alright to me.

Overall, "books" accounted for 53% of our sales, while "comics" were 42%. I believe this is the widest spread that we've shown yet -- still BOTH categories are absolutely critical to my business.

I'm going to go into greater detail in the next two posts, about Books and Comics sales, but I thought it might be fun to look at our Top 20 (ish) items overall by quantity, mixing the two lists, and including everything we sell.

1. Quarter Book - Single
2. Borg - Bag & Board Combo
3. Dollar Book
4. Sale Book
5. Back Issue
6. Quarter Book - 10 for a Buck
7. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583
8. LOEG III CENTURY #1 1910
9. BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
10. BATMAN AND ROBIN #2
11. BATMAN WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CAPED CRUSADER HC
12. WATCHMEN TP
13. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #21
14. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #22
15. BLACKEST NIGHT #1 (OF 8)
16. BATMAN AND ROBIN #3
17. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #23
18. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #24
19. BATMAN #686 (NOTE PRICE)
20. BATMAN AND ROBIN #4
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #26
Starter Set

Seeing it listed like this, I really wish I could go back in time to Hibbs'89 and tell him to start charging for bags back then -- we used to give bags away with every comic sold, and only stopped doing so in the last 5-6 years (I think?)

We also cut the "10 for a buck" option on the quarter books back in... May, I think? -- we had actually started to sell QBs "too fast" where I was in dire danger of "running out"

"Sale Book" is stuff put on sale -- like the roughly 300 graphic novel titles that we've purchased in 2009 that DIDN'T SELL EVEN A SINGLE COPY. "Midlist" "mainstream" GNs are pretty much a joke in 2009 -- despite "I'm waiting for the trade", it's clear to me that most people actually AREN'T.

The Batman HC is a fluke, because that was the item tied to the Neil Gaiman reading and signing. It did, in fact, sell well, but not nearly what this list would seem to suggest.

Finally, in that 3-way tie for position #20, a "starter set" is a prepackaged set of comics (ie: "20 issues of JUSTICE LEAGUE") for a cheapish price (typically less than a buck a piece)

Clearly the lesson here seems to be "cheap stuff sells well", but it really isn't like it looks -- while QBs sold something like 4x the single best-selling new periodical listed here, that's the sum over 12 entire months. Even that Obama Spider-Man wasn't really on the shelf for more than about 1/3 of that time; or if we summed together all of the BUFFY comics, they'd easily surpass QBs as a line item.

Even for the Borgs -- that's a tiny, tiny, tiny fraction of the total number of periodicals we sold.

Don't ask me what happened with BUFFY #25, I don't know either.

Still, I'm entertained by looking at things this way.

Labels: Brian, retailing, Sales Charts

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BLACKEST NIGHT #6

That is all.

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

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Here it is: your last batch of comics shipping for 2009!


2000 AD PACK NOV 2009
A G SUPER EROTIC ANTHOLOGY #109 (A)
ABSOLUTION #5 (OF 6)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #616 GNTLT
ANGEL ANNUAL #1
ANGELUS #1 (OF 6)
ARCHIE #604
ARKHAM REBORN #3 (OF 3)
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #31 SIEGE
BART SIMPSON COMICS #51
BEASTS OF BURDEN #4 (OF 4)
BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #200
BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #11
BLACK TERROR #6
BLACK WIDOW AND MARVEL GIRLS #2 (OF 4)
BLACKEST NIGHT JSA #1 (OF 3)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER WILLOW ONE SHOT (OSW) JO CHEN CVR
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN WHO WILL WIELD THE SHIELD
CHEW #7
COMPLETE DRACULA #5 (OF 5)
CRIMINAL SINNERS #3
CROSSED #8 (OF 9)
DARK AVENGERS ARES #3 (OF 3)
DARK TOWER BATTLE OF JERICHO HILL #2 (OF 5)
DETECTIVE COMICS #860
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #7 (OF 24)
DOCTOR VOODOO ORIGIN OF JERICHO DRUMM
ENDERS GAME COMMAND SCHOOL #4 (OF 5)
ENDERS SHADOW COMMAND SCHOOL #4 (OF 5)
FALL OF HULKS GAMMA FOH
FANTASTIC FOUR #574
FRANK FRAZETTAS DARK KINGDOM #3 (OF 4) FRAZETTA CVR
FREDDY JASON ASH NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #6 (OF 6)
GARTH ENNIS BATTLEFIELDS HAPPY VALLEY #1 (OF 9)
GI JOE ORIGINS #10
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #7
GREEN LANTERN #49 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
GRIMM FAIRY TALES #43 A CVR AMORIM
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #21
HALO BLOOD LINE #1 (OF 5)
HELLBOY BRIDE OF HELL ONE SHOT (OSW)
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #139
INVINCIBLE #69
IRON MAN VS WHIPLASH #2 (OF 4)
IRREDEEMABLE #9
JACK OF FABLES #41
JUDGE ANDERSON PSI FILES TP
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #34
KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #157
LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME #1 (OF 3) A CVR MALEEV
MADAME XANADU #18
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #58
MONSTERS INC LAUGH FACTORY #4
NEW AVENGERS #60
NEW MUTANTS #8 XN
NORTHLANDERS #23
OKKO CYCLE OF EARTH #4 (OF 4)
POWERS #2
PUNISHER #12
SECRET WARRIORS #11
SONIC UNIVERSE #11
SPARTACUS BLOOD AND SAND #3 (OF 4)
SPIDER-WOMAN #4
STAND SOUL SURVIVORS #3 (OF 5)
STAR TREK TNG GHOSTS #2
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OLD REPUBLIC #48 DEMON PT 2 (OF 4)
STAR WARS LEGACY #43 MONSTER PT 1 (OF 4)
SUPERMAN #695
TEEN TITANS #78 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
THOR #605
UNCANNY X-MEN #519
UNKNOWN SOLDIER #15
USAGI YOJIMBO #125
VICTORIAN UNDEAD #2 (OF 6)
WALL-E #1
WEB #4
WHAT IF ASTONISHING X-MEN
WHAT IF SPIDER-MAN HOUSE OF M
WILDCATS #18
WITCHBLADE #133 SEJIC CVR A
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #43
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #8
WONDER WOMAN #39
WORLDS FINEST #3 (OF 4) CVR A
X-MEN FOREVER #14
X-MEN LEGACY #231 XN
ZORRO #18

Books / Mags / Stuff
AGENTS OF ATLAS TP DARK REIGN
ALEC SC YEARS HAVE PANTS LIFE SIZE OMNIBUS
ANITA BLAKE PREM HC BOOK 02 LC NECROMANCER
ATOMIC ROBO TP VOL 01 NEW PTG
ATOMIC ROBO TP VOL 03
BATMAN THE WRATH TP
CHARLEYS WAR HC VOL 06 UNDERGROUND & OVER THE TOP
CLASSIC TRANSFORMERS TP VOL 05
CONCEPTUAL REALISM IN SERVICE OF HYPOTHETICAL SC
CRIMINAL MACABRE CELL BLOCK 666 TP
DARK REIGN HOOD TP
DARK REIGN YOUNG AVENGERS TP
DEFINITIVE PRINCE VALIANT COMPANION SC
FANTASTIC FOUR TP MASTERS OF DOOM
FARSCAPE HC VOL 03 GONE AND BACK
FOOTNOTES IN GAZA HC
GANTZ TP VOL 08
GREAT ANTI WAR CARTOONS
GREEN LANTERN CHRONICLES TP VOL 02
INCREDIBLE HERCULES TP DARK REIGN
IRREDEEMABLE TP VOL 02
JUXTAPOZ VOL 17 #1 JAN 2010
MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN HC
MARVELS TP NEW PTG
MIGHTY TP VOL 01
MINI MARVELS TP ULTIMATE COLLECTION GN
MORE THAN COMPLETE ACTION PHILOSOPHERS TP
NEXUS ARCHIVES HC VOL 10
ORIGINAL JOHNSON GN VOL 01
READ ME TP (A)
SCARLETT TAKES MANHATTAN GN (A)
SCOURGE OF GODS PREM HC FALL
SIZZLE #44 (A)
STAR WARS CLONE WARS TP VOL 04 COLOSSUS OF DESTINY
SUBLIFE GN VOL 02
SUB-MARINER TP DEPTHS
SUPERGIRL COSMIC ADVENTURES IN THE EIGHTH GRADE TP
WINTERWORLD HC
X-FORCE CABLE MESSIAH WAR TP


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

You can find it over on Comic Book Resources.

Give it a read, let us know what you think, either in their (finally! Properly linked!) message board, or here in comments.

-B

Labels: Brian, retailing, Tilting

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The next to last shipping week of the year... and it's still not all that large. I guess this means that next week will be sheer brutality...

AIR #16
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #615 GNTLT
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN PRESENTS ANTI VENOM #3 (OF 3)
ANGEL #27
ANGEL #28
ANGEL HOLE IN THE WORLD #1
ASTONISHING X-MEN #33
AUTHORITY THE LOST YEAR #4 (OF 12)
AZRAEL #3
BATMAN #694
BATMAN 80 PAGE GIANT #1
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #39
BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #7
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #12
BETTY & VERONICA #245
BEYOND THE WALL #2
BLACK PANTHER 2 #11
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #30
CABLE #21
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #5 (OF 6)
CHIMICHANGA #1
COMPLETE ALICE IN WONDERLAND #1 (OF 4)
DAREDEVIL #503
DARK AVENGERS #12
DARK WOLVERINE #81
DARKNESS PITT #3 (OF 3) KEOWN CVR A
DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #6
DOCTOR VOODOO AVENGER OF SUPERNATURAL #3
DOCTOR WHO ONGOING #6
ELEPHANTMEN #23
ESCAPE FROM WONDERLAND #3 (OF 6)
EX MACHINA #47
FABLES #91
FARSCAPE ONGOING #2
FORGETLESS #1 (OF 5)
GHOSTBUSTERS DISPLACED AGGRESSION #4
GHOSTBUSTERS PAST PRESENT FUTURE (ONE SHOT)
GI JOE #13
GIANT-SIZE GFT 2009 HOLIDAY ED A CVR FRANCHESCO
GODLAND #30
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #43 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
HELLBLAZER #262
HULK #18
INCORRUPTIBLE #1
JON SABLE FREELANCE ASHES OF EDEN #3
JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #156
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #40 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
KOOKABURRA K #2 (OF 3)
LADY ACTION SPECIAL ONE SHOT
LAST RESORT #5
LOCKE & KEY CROWN OF SHADOWS #2
LOVE AND CAPES #12
MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ #2 (OF 8)
MIGHTY AVENGERS #32
MS MARVEL #48
NEXT ISSUE PROJECT #2 (SILVER STREAK COMICS #24)
NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #175
NOLA #2
NOMAD GIRL WITHOUT A WORLD #4 (OF 4)
OFFICIAL INDEX TO MARVEL UNIVERSE #12
OKKO CYCLE OF EARTH #3 (OF 4)
OUTSIDERS #25 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
POWER GIRL #7
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS CHAPTER TWO #5
PS238 #42
REALM OF KINGS INHUMANS #2 (OF 5)
SIMPSONS COMICS #161
SPIDER-MAN CLONE SAGA #4 (OF 6)
STAR TREK ALIEN SPOTLIGHT CARDASSIANS
STAR TREK DS9 FOOLS GOLD #1
STREET FIGHTER II TURBO #10
SUPERGIRL #48
SUPERMAN BATMAN #67 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #36
THUNDERBOLTS #139
TINY TITANS #23
TRANSFORMERS ONGOING #2
ULTIMATE COMICS ARMOR WARS #3 (OF 4)
UNCLE SCROOGE #386
UNDERGROUND #4 (OF 5)
UNKNOWN DEVIL MADE FLESH #3
VENGEANCE OF MOON KNIGHT #4
WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #701
WHAT IF DAREDEVIL VS ELEKTRA
WORLD OF WARCRAFT SPECIAL #1
X-FACTOR #200
X-FORCE #22 XN
X-MEN LEGACY #230
ZOMBIES THAT ATE THE WORLD #7 (OF 8)

Books / Mags / Stuff
AMORY WARS TP VOL 02 SECOND STAGE TURBINE BLADE
ART OF STEVE DITKO HC
ASTERIX HC ASTERIX & OBELIX BIRTHDAY
BATMAN DARK KNIGHT ARCHIVES HC VOL 06
CARTOONIST DVD
CHILDREN OF THE SEA TP VOL 02
CLASSIC GI JOE TP VOL 06
CLASSICS ILLUS HC VOL 07 DR JEKHLL & MR HYDE
COMPLETE CRUMB COMICS SC CURR PTG VOL 07
COMPLETE CRUMB COMICS SC VOL 12 CURR PTG
DEAD AT 17 AFTERBIRTH TP VOL 01
DEAD RUN TP VOL 01
DEADPOOL TP VOL 02 DARK REIGN
DRAWING DOWN THE MOON ART OF CHARLES VESS HC (RES)
FINDING NEMO REEF RESCUE TP
GAHAN WILSON 50 YEARS OF PLAYBOY CARTOONS HC
GOON TP VOL 06 CHINATOWN & MYSTERY MR WICKER
GRAVEL TP VOL 02 THE MAJOR SEVEN
JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #291
LEES TOY REVIEW #205 DEC 2009
MARVEL ILLUSTRATED TP GN KIDNAPPED
NAOKI URASAWA 20TH CENTURY BOYS GN VOL 06
PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX TP WELCOME TO BAYOU
ROCKETEER COMPLETE COLLECTION DLX ED HC VOL 01
ROCKETEER COMPLETE COLLECTION HC VOL 01
SECRET WARRIORS TP VOL 01 NICK FURY AGENT OF NOTHING
SHOWCASE PRESENTS WONDER WOMAN TP VOL 03
SIMON DARK TP VOL 03 THE GAME OF LIFE
STAR WARS THRAWN TRILOGY HC VOL 01
SULLENGREY SACRIFICE TP
THOR TP AGES OF THUNDER
TOMARTS ACTION FIGURE DIGEST #183
VIXEN RETURN OF THE LION TP
X-INFERNUS TP


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

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Heidi has a good write up on DC's newest initiative -- basically, it sounds like DC's version of the "Ultimate" line, but they're skipping out on the serialization, and going straight to OGNs.

There's not a ton of details in terms of exact format, pagination, or release schedule, so let's make some assumptions. Let's assume they're going to try for two releases of each character a year. Let's also assume that they'll be handled somewhat like THE JOKER HC from Azarello and Bermejo from late last year -- roughly 128 pages, in HC, for $24.95.

A monthly comic, of 22 pages each, would yield approximately 264 pages at the end of a year -- in this assumed OGN format, we're talking about 256 pages at the end of a year.

Using SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN as a comparable metric, if these books were serialized as comics first, Comix Experience would sell something on the order of 50 copies of #1, 40 of #2, and an average of 30 copies each of #3-12, during our theoretical year. With a $2.99 cover price, on these 390 copies during a year would work out to $1166 (and ten cents).

In order to generate the same revenue from two OGNs, at a $25 price point, I'd need to sell almost 47 copies (46.73, says the calculator)

Here's the thing, though, in my experience OGNs are really only likely to sell 2/3rds or less of a similar periodical release (cf: 1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL vs FABLES, LOEG: CENTURY vs LOEG: BLACK DOSSIER or SANDMAN: ENDLESS NIGHTS vs SANDMAN) -- and it can be closer to 1/3.

Working from the "mature" sales of #3 and beyond (which is really where you calculate these things, not from the top end of a #1), assuming 2/3 of those sales, that'd give me an order of 20 copies of v1. Even if we assume NO drop-off of v2 (hahaha, unlikely!), that'd yield a total of 40 copies sold. 40x$25 = $1000... or about 10% less revenue than a serialization would give us.

Of course, that's just "initial" sales -- one would presume this would continue to sell on and on, forever, if they're any good... but then you'd have the same from the TP collection of the serialized issues, so that's pretty much a wash.

(Also, you have to figure that somewhere between 10 and 25% of the people who bought a serialization will ALSO buy the collection... that goes away entirely with OGNs...)

[SANDMAN: PRELUDES AND NOCTURNES sells, for me, about 6 copies for every copy of ENDLESS NIGHTS I sell, today, years after initial release]

And, of course, I'm calculating using a $25 price point, if it is $19.95, or even less, that skews the math in a much uglier direction.

The bottom line is that customers are much less likely to plunk down for a Big Ticket item than they are for a periodical, which is one of the reasons that the OGN doesn't, to my mind, make a ton of sense.

And while it is possible that the "bookstore reader" will flock to superhero-OGN work... well, I kind of don't think that will happen... and, even if it does, I have a hardish time picturing them wanting it again and again -- because this theoretical 2x a year strategy IS a periodical, just much slower than usual.

Here's the thing: the "civilian" audience, the one in bookstores that we're assuming DC is going after on this? Well, they don't know, understand or WANT to understand the difference between a "TP" and an "OGN". TPs *are* "original" to them, if it is the first time they've ever seen it. When SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN comes out in its eventual collection, it may as well BE an "OGN" to the bookstore customer. And when they ask "what's the difference between this and 'Earth One'?" is the answer going to make a lick of sense to them?

(My guess? No, not even a little bit)

This will be an interesting experiment, but one that I don't think is going to work all that successfully -- whatever the OGN might sell, I'm fairly certain that I would sell 1.x times as many as a periodical. Therefore the bookstores are going to have to make up the difference all by themselves... and I don't really see that happening.

-B

Labels: Brian, retailing

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A really painfully small shipment this close to the holidays. Between this, and no New Comics the week after Christmas, I'm afraid of severe ball-breakers the next two weeks. It would be nice if our publishing partners could come up with at least slightly sensible schedules...

ACTION COMICS #884
ADVENTURE COMICS #5 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #614 GNTLT
ANCHOR #3
ANYWHERE #1 (OF 6)
AOD ASH SAVES OBAMA #4 (OF 4)
ARCHIE & FRIENDS #138
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #20
BATGIRL #5
BLACK WIDOW DEADLY ORIGIN #2 (OF 4)
BOOSTER GOLD #27 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
BPRD WAR ON FROGS #4 (OF 4)
CARS RADIATOR SPRINGS #4
CITIZEN REX #6 (OF 6)
COMPLETE DRACULA #4 (OF 5)
DARK X-MEN #2 (OF 5)
DAYTRIPPER #1 (OF 10)
DC HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2009 #1
DEADPOOL #18
DEATHLOK #2 (OF 7)
DMZ #48
DOOM PATROL #5 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
ENDERS GAME WAR OF GIFTS ONE-SHOT
GEN 13 #33
GHOST RIDERS HEAVENS ON FIRE #5 (OF 6)
GOD COMPLEX #1
GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #27
GROO HOGS OF HORDER #2 (OF 4)
INCARNATE #3 (OF 3)
INCREDIBLE HULK #605
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #21
MAGOG #4
MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #18
MICKEY MOUSE & FRIENDS #298
MODERN WARFARE 2 GHOST #2 (OF 6)
MUPPET SHOW #0
NATION X #1 (OF 4)
NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL #3
PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #137
PHONOGRAM 2 #6 (OF 7) SINGLES CLUB
PILOT SEASON MURDERER #1
PUNISHER NOIR #4 (OF 4)
PUNISHERMAX #2
REALM OF KINGS IMPERIAL GUARD #2 (OF 5)
REBELS #11 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
RED HERRING #5 (OF 6)
RED ROBIN #7
SCOOBY DOO #151
SECRET SIX #16
SHIELD #4
SPIDER-MAN AND SECRET WARS #1 (OF 4)
STAR WARS CLONE WARS #11 HERO CONFEDERACY PT 2
SUPER FRIENDS #22
SWORD (MARVEL) #2
TANK GIRL NUGGETS (ONE SHOT)
TITANS #20
TOY STORY #0
UNCANNY X-MEN FIRST CLASS #6 (OF 8)
UNWRITTEN #8
VAMPIRELLA SECOND COMING #4 SUYDAM CVR
WALKING DEAD #68
WAR MACHINE #12
WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #3 GNTLT
WHAT IF WORLD WAR HULK
WOLVERINE UNDER BOARDWALK ONE-SHOT
X NECROSHA GATHERING XN
X-MEN FOREVER #13
X-MEN NOIR MARK OF CAIN #1 (OF 4)

Books / Mags / Stuff
ALTER EGO #90
BATMAN THE CULT TP NEW PTG
BOYS DEFINITIVE ED HC VOL 02 W/ SLIPCOVER
CROSSING EMPTY QUARTER & OTHER STORIES HC
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #21 RAVEN
DETROIT METAL CITY GN VOL 03
EX MACHINA TP VOL 08 DIRTY TRICKS
HEAVY METAL JANUARY 2010
JLA YEAR ONE TP NEW PTG
LOST OFFICIAL MAGAZINE #26 PX ED
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 14 THWIP DIGEST
MS MARVEL TP VOL 07 DARK REIGN
RETURN OF KING DOUG HC
SKY DOLL TP VOL 01
SUPERMAN SUPERGIRL MAELSTROM TP
TERRA TP
TOYFARE #150 MATTEL WWE CVR
ULTIMATUM TP MARCH ON ULTIMATUM
ULTIMATUM X-MEN FANTASTIC FOUR TP
VIDEO WATCHDOG #153
VIETNAM JOURNAL TP VOL 01 INDIAN COUNTRY
WHAT IF CLASSIC TP VOL 06
WIZARD MAGAZINE #220 PLATINUM ROSS CAPT AMERICA CVR
X-MEN SPIDER-MAN TP
YOTSUBA & ! GN VOL 07


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

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Getting down to the last few shipping weeks of the year, but don't forget this week's books arrive on THURSDAY.

1001 ARABIAN NIGHTS ADVENTURES OF SINBAD #10
28 DAYS LATER #4
A VERY ZOMBIE CHRISTMAS
ABSOLUTION #4 (OF 6)
ALIENS #4 (OF 4)
ANITA BLAKE LC EXECUTIONER #2 (OF 5)
ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #204
ATHENA #3
AUTHORITY #17
BARACK THE BARBARIAN #3 (OF 4)
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #38
BATMAN THE UNSEEN #5 (OF 5)
BETTY #183
BLACK WIDOW AND MARVEL GIRLS #1 (OF 4)
BLACKEST NIGHT THE FLASH #1 (OF 3)
BLACKEST NIGHT WONDER WOMAN #1 (OF 3)
BOYS #37
CAPTAIN AMERICA THEATER OF WAR PRISONERS OF DUTY
CAPTAIN BLOOD ODYSSEY #2 (OF 5) (NOTE PRICE)
CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #44
CINDERELLA FROM FABLETOWN WITH LOVE #2 (OF 6)
DARK AVENGERS ANNUAL #1
DARK TOWER BATTLE OF JERICHO HILL #1 (OF 5)
DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #898
DINGO #1
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #6 (OF 24)
DONALD DUCK AND FRIENDS #348
EMPOWERED ONE SHOT
EXISTENCE 3.0 #1 (OF 4)
FALL OF HULKS ALPHA FOH
GI JOE #12
GLAMOURPUSS #10
GREAT TEN #2 (OF 10)
GREEK STREET #6
GRIMJACK MANX CAT #5
HAUNT #3
HOUSE OF MYSTERY #20
HULK WINTER GUARD ONE-SHOT
INCREDIBLES #3
INVINCIBLE PRESENTS ATOM EVE & REX SPLODE #2 (OF 3)
IRON MAN REQUIEM
IRON MAN VS WHIPLASH #1 (OF 4)
JACK OF FABLES #40
JONAH HEX #50 (NOTE PRICE)
JSA ALL STARS #1
KILL AUDIO #3 (OF 6)
KING CITY #3
KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #156
LOBO HIGHWAY TO HELL #2 (OF 2)
LOONEY TUNES #181
MARVELS PROJECT #4 (OF 8)
MICE TEMPLAR DESTINY #5 OEMING CVR
MIGHTY #11
NORTH 40 #6 (OF 6)
NOVA #32
PHANTOM GENERATIONS #6
PSYLOCKE #2 (OF 4)
RED TORNADO #4 (OF 6)
SAVAGE DRAGON #155
SCALPED #33
SECRET HISTORY BOOK 07 (OF 7) (RES)
SIEGE CABAL
SIMPSONS WINTER WINGDING #4
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #207
SPIN ANGELS #4 (OF 4)
STARR THE SLAYER #4 (OF 4)
STARSTRUCK #4
STRANGE #2 (OF 4)
SUPERGOD #2 (OF 5)
SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #10 (OF 12)
SWEET TOOTH #4
SWORD #20
TALISMAN ROAD OF TRIALS #2 CVR A MASSIMO CARNEVALE
TERRY MOORES ECHO #17
THE GOOD THE BAD & THE UGLY #6
THOR #604
TORCH #4 (OF 8)
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #5
UNCANNY X-MEN #518
WARLORD #9
WHAT IF SECRET INVASION
X-BABIES #3 (OF 4)
X-FORCE ANNUAL #1

Books / Mags / Stuff
365 SAMURAI & FEW BOWLS OF RICE SC
ANNE STEELYARD GARDEN OF EMPTINESS GN VOL 02 (OF 3)
BATMAN THE CAT AND THE BAT TP
BEANWORLD HC VOL 03 REMEMBER HERE
BIONICLE GN VOL 07 REALM OF FEAR
BLACK PANTHER TP DEADLIEST OF SPECIES
BLEACH TP VOL 29
CHRONICLES OF KULL TP VOL 01 KING COMES RIDING
CHRONICLES OF SOLOMON KANE TP VOL 01
COMICS JOURNAL #300
DEAD SHE SAID TP
DEMONS OF SHERWOOD GN
DOCTOR GRORDBORT PRESENTS VICTORY HC
DOCTOR WHO THROUGH TIME AND SPACE TP
DRAWING BETWEEN LINES SHORT DOCUMENTARY JEFFREY BROWN DVD
ESSENTIAL X-FACTOR TP VOL 03
EX MACHINA DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 02
GOATS TP VOL 02 CORNDOG IMPERATIVE
GOOD NEIGHBORS HC VOL 02 KITH
HEAVY METAL JANUARY 2010
ILLUSTRATION MAGAZINE #28
JOJOS BIZARRE ADVENTURE TP VOL 13
KODT BUNDLE OF TROUBLE TP VOL 29
LITTLE LULU TP VOL 21 MISS FEENYS FOLLY & STORIES
MYSPACE DARK HORSE PRESENTS TP VOL 04
NORTH WORLD GN VOL 03
ONE MODEL NATION GN
POPEYE HC VOL 04 PLUNDER ISLAND
RANN THANAGAR HOLY WAR TP VOL 02
SPAWN ORIGINS TP VOL 03
STAR WARS CLONE WARS TP VOL 01 SLAVES OF REPUBLIC
STAR WARS LEGACY TP VOL 07 STORMS
TALES FROM WONDERLAND TP VOL 02
TRANSMETROPOLITAN TP VOL 05 LONELY CITY NEW ED
UNTHINKABLE TP
WOLVERINE WEAPON X 100 PROJECT TP


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

I spent almost all of last week sick and in bed -- damn the plague bearing children!

But I owe you some reviews, I think, let's see what I can do, in that Old School format...


BLACKEST NIGHT #5: Really all that one wants out of a big Comics Event (well, or any comic for that matter) is to be surprised a little, to have that "Neat, I didn't see THAT coming!" moment. And this issue of BN certainly gave me that pretty substantially. I also liked that the Rainbow Squad did exactly nothing. I'm going to go with VERY GOOD here, especially given that this is the issue a lot more people are likely to buy because of the GL ring attached to it.

Parenthetically, there's a great deal of talk about "Superhero Decadence", which made me think a lot about some of the issues raised in this article about Soap Operas. It really sounds incredibly similar to me....

CHEW #6: Second arc, and it starts promisingly. I thought the end of arc #1 was a bit telegraphed (I've probably consumed too much fiction over the years to be surprised), but I liked the dynamic set up here, and thought the funny was funny. GOOD.

CREEPY COMICS #2: A much better effort than the first issue (which I thought was, frankly, terrible) -- I didn't exactly LIKE any story in here, but I, at least, didn't HATE them, which is a huge step up. Writing this kind of "Ironic Horror" story is really really difficult, it seems. A solid OK,and let's hope it keeps scaling up.

DETECTIVE COMICS #859: It is almost tiresome how good this is -- how can one keep heaping superlatives on a book month after month? I rather do think this is the best thing DC publishes each month, and it is a stupendous and ballsy project to have in DC's "flagship" title. I even thought Rucka's Lesbian Fascination has extraordinarily well done this issue, comparing it against the dictates (both legal, and moral) of her Army career. I simply can not wait for the Absolute edition of this book, because it is just that good. EXCELLENT.

Sales-wise, for us at least, we're now selling nearly twice as many copies of 'TEC as we are of generic-BATMAN at this point post-relaunch. And something approaching 80% of BATMAN & ROBIN (though that's a function of Tan's art on the latter more than anything else, I think -- there's been a pretty steep drop off between the first arc and #4-6).

GREEN LANTERN #48: Johns is doing a good job "fleshing out" scenes from BN to be full-sized stories in GL, without seeming like padding. That's a neat trick. Now that the Rainbow Squad are all together, I find myself really really enjoying the Orange Lantern characterization. Solidly GOOD.

IMAGE UNITED #1: Jinkies. While I approve, certainly, of "getting the band back together", and I think they're doing a good job with the logistics of having everyone draw their own characters, hrf I think that was pretty sucktastic of a story. It felt more like a circa 1993 Image comic than anything they've published in the last ten years... and that's not really a complement. Robert Kirkman's main contribution, it seems? Pariah. Got to go with AWFUL.

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #20: Here's where I don't get Marvel's marketing -- this book has two covers. One is exciting and futuristic looking and encapsulates the story, and might even sell some comic books just on its own virtues; while the other one is a too-blown-up version of a (IIRC) house ad, that looks craptastic from being blown up, and blows the "punchline" by having it on the back cover of the book. When retailers say "Really, we'd like to be able to order covers as we want them in our store, please", I think I might point to this as exhibit A -- this decision will almost certainly have me selling FEWER copies of IRON MAN, than more.

Total shame, too -- Fraction is doing astonishing work on this book, writing a futurist with a plan; I can't even imagine how hard it is to write someone who is clearly that much smarter than the rest of us -- and he's doing it completely convincingly. Without a doubt this is my absolute favorite Marvel comic released each month right now, and, hopefully, this arc will keep the quality as high. VERY GOOD.

JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #5: Its getting better. OK

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #39: This, on the other hand, is as generic of a BN-crossover as one can be. Wow, Vibe AND Steel? I'm scared! AWFUL.

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #33: Since the start of this arc, we've lost over half of our readership for it. And when they split this into two titles next week ("JSA ALL STARS"), I think we're going to lose half of it again. This is a classic case of "What the hell are you thinking?!?!" While I guess I like a DC management who wants to publish many JSA comics more than I liked the DC management who once famously said "No one whatsoever wants to read about these characters" when canceling the Mike Parobeck run, one needs a plan a bit more substantial than "publish a lot of books, maybe someone will want them". This story arc couldn't even be arsed to hint at why all of these characters were attacking, or why they weren't attacking the SSK, all the while rubbing the "Heh, see the A-storyline has NOTHING to do with the B-storyline WHATSOEVER" in the audience's face. Completely AWFUL.

NEW AVENGERS #59: Pretty preposterous that everyone acts that stupid because the plot dictates that they do, and, god, will I be glad when "Dark Reign" is over (and, based on my sales, my customers are even more eager for that then I am), but if one were to ignore all of that, this was a solid enough action-packed issue. OK.

NEW MUTANTS #7: With better art this could have been great. Heck, with backgrounds (instead of just swaths of color) this could have been great. Instead, it's just kind of EH.

POWERS #1: Two years later? Lost a lot of momentum. Not really feeling it anymore, but maybe that will change again if issues come out regularly. OK

SECRET WARRIORS #10: What happened to the premise of the book? You'd especially think that in the run-up to the end game of "Dark Reign" this would actually be about the "Secret Warriors" rather than just one character, but maybe that's me. OK.

SUPERMAN #694: While this felt more like a "Superman" comic than any other recent issue, it's still just a Mon-El comic in somewhat different clothes. Which is fine, I guess, but not what people want from "Superman". Our sales have been really atrocious on this whole line lately. OK.

SUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN #3: This is closer to what I was hoping for from this project than what we got from the first two issues -- actually adding facts and information and perspective to the legend of the character. I'll go solidly GOOD on this one.

THOR GIANT SIZE FINALE (BY JMS) #1: Dismissing the story he'd been writing up to this point in about 5 pages, the rest putting the Don Blake/Thor status quo back to where it was in 1968... "There's no heart to this" drips from every page. Too bad, this was one of the most exciting Marvel projects in a bit, and now it's been folded awkwardly back into the general Marvel U -- I'm expecting the sales to drop back pretty Darn Quick. EH.

ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #4: Sometimes I wish Millar wasn't as enamored with being as clever as he thinks that he is, and that he was just clever once again. OK.


What did YOU think?


-B

Labels: Brian

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Ugh, I'm very very sick... shouldn't even be ehre, but someone had to do the invoicing and reordering and all of that...

2000 AD PACK OCT 2009
A G SUPER EROTIC ANTHOLOGY #108 (A)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #613 GNTLT
ANGEL #27
ARCHIE #603
ARKHAM REBORN #2 (OF 3)
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #30
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #11
BEASTS OF BURDEN #3 (OF 4)
BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #176
BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #10
BLACKEST NIGHT #5 (OF 8)
BUCK ROGERS #6
CHEW #6
CREEPY COMICS #2
CRIMINAL SINNERS #2
DARK AVENGERS ARES #2 (OF 3)
DARK TOWER FALL OF GILEAD #6 (OF 6)
DARK WOLVERINE #80
DARKNESS #81
DAYS MISSING #4 (OF 5)
DETECTIVE COMICS #859
DEVILS HANDSHAKE
DIE HARD YEAR ONE #3
DOMINO LADY #3
ENDERS SHADOW COMMAND SCHOOL #3 (OF 5)
FANTASTIC FOUR #573
FUTURAMA COMICS #46
GANGES #3
GI JOE ORIGINS #9
GOON (OSW) #33
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #6
GREEN LANTERN #48 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #20
HALO HELLJUMPER #5 (OF 5)
HERCULES KNIVES OF KUSH #4 (OF 5) A CVR LANGLEY
HERE COME THE LOVEJOYS #3 FATHER FIXATION (A)
HOT MOMS #13 (A)
HULK #17
I AM LEGION #6 (OF 6)
IMAGE UNITED #1 (OF 6)
IMMORTAL WEAPONS #5 (OF 5)
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #138
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #20
JERICHO SEASON 3 #1 (OF 6) A CVR WEST
JUGHEAD #198
JUGHEAD AND FRIENDS DIGEST #35
JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #5 (OF 7)
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #39 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #33
LAST RESORT #4
LONE RANGER #19
MADAME XANADU #17
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #57
MODELS INC #4 (OF 4)
MONSTERS INC LAUGH FACTORY #3
MS MARVEL #47
MUPPET PETER PAN #3
NEW AVENGERS #59
NEW MUTANTS #7 XN
NORTHLANDERS #22
POLITICAL POWER #5 TED KENNEDY
POWERS #1
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS MEET THE BAD GUYS #4 (OF 4)
SECRET WARRIORS #10
SON OF HULK #17
SPARTACUS BLOOD AND SAND #2 (OF 4)
SPIDER-MAN CLONE SAGA #3 (OF 6)
STAR TREK NERO #4
STAR WARS LEGACY #42 DIVIDED LOYALTIES
STARCRAFT #6
SUPERMAN #694
SUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN #3 (OF 6)
TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #59
TEEN TITANS #77 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
THOR GIANT SIZE FINALE (BY JMS) #1
TICK NEW SERIES #1
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #4
UNCANNY X-MEN #517
UNCLE SCROOGE #385
UNKNOWN SOLDIER #14
UPTIGHT #3 (O/A)
USAGI YOJIMBO #124
WEB #3
WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #2 GNTLT
WILDCATS #17
WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #21
WONDER WOMAN #38
WORLDS FINEST #2 (OF 4) CVR B
X-MEN FOREVER #12

Books / Mags / Stuff
ARCHIE NEW LOOK SERIES TP VOL 03 BREAKUP BLUES
ASTONISHING X-MEN TP VOL 05 GHOST BOX
AVENGERS INITIATIVE TP VOL 04 DISASSEMBLED
BERSERK TP VOL 32
BOYS TP VOL 05 HEROGASM
CAPTAIN AMERICA DEATH OF OMNIBUS HC
CHEW TP VOL 01
DARK REIGN ELEKTRA TP
DEAD KINGDOM OF FLIES TP
DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 03
FLASH VS THE ROGUES TP
HARPE AMERICAS FIRST SERIAL KILLERS GN
HOW TO DRAW & FIGHT ZOMBIES PKT MANGA TP VOL 01
IMMORTAL IRON FIST TP VOL 05 ESCAPE FROM EIGHTH CITY
INCOGNITO TP
JUXTAPOZ VOL 16 #12 DEC 2009
MISS DONT TOUCH ME GN (O/A)
PREVIEWS #255 DECEMBER 2009
PROPER GO WELL HIGH GN
SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING HC BOOK 02
SGT ROCK THE LOST BATTALION HC
SHADE THE CHANGING MAN TP VOL 01 AMERICAN SCREAM NEW PTG (MR
SHADE THE CHANGING MAN TP VOL 02 EDGE OF VISION TP
SPARKY O HARE MASTER ELECTRICIAN GN
TOMARTS ACTION FIGURE DIGEST #182
TRE TARINO GN
TREASURY 20TH CENTURY MURDER SC VOL 02 FAMOUS PLAYERS
WARCRAFT DEATH KNIGHT A WOW ADVENTURE GN
WINTER MEN TP
WIZARD MAGAZINE #219 GOLD CASSADAY X-MEN CVR
X-MEN WORLDS APART TP


What looks good you you?

_b

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

A fairly low key week.

ADVENTURE COMICS #4 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
AIR #15
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #612
ANGEL ONLY HUMAN #4 (OF 4)
ARCHIE DIGEST #259
AUTHORITY THE LOST YEAR #3 (OF 12)
AZRAEL #2
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #37
BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #6
BATMAN THE UNSEEN #4 (OF 5)
BLACK KNIGHT #1
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #29
CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #16
COWBOY NINJA VIKING #2
CYBERFORCE HUNTER KILLER #3 (OF 5) ROCAFORT CVR A
DARK AVENGERS #11
DARK REIGN LIST AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ONE-SHOT
DEADLOCKE ONE SHOT
DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #5
DOMINIC FORTUNE #4 (OF 4)
DR HORRIBLE ONE SHOT (OSW)
FALL OUT TOY WORKS #2 (OF 5)
FAR WEST BADDER MOJO #1 ONE SHOT
FARSCAPE ONGOING #1
FLASH REBIRTH #5 (OF 6)
G-MAN CAPE CRISIS #4 (OF 5)
HELLBLAZER #261
INCREDIBLE HULK #604
INVINCIBLE #68
IRREDEEMABLE #8
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA 80 PAGE GIANT #1
KOOKABURRA K #1
MICKEY MOUSE & FRIENDS #297
MIGHTY AVENGERS #31
NOLA #1
NOMAD GIRL WITHOUT A WORLD #3 (OF 4)
OUTSIDERS #24 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
PHONOGRAM 2 #5 (OF 7) SINGLES CLUB
PRESIDENT EVIL #3 EAT PRESS
PUNISHER #11
REALM OF KINGS
REALM OF KINGS INHUMANS #1 (OF 5)
SIMPSONS COMICS #160
SONIC UNIVERSE #10
SPIDER-WOMAN #3
STAND SOUL SURVIVORS #2 (OF 5)
STAR TREK TNG GHOSTS #1
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OLD REPUBLIC #47 DEMON PT 1 (OF 4 )
SUPER FRIENDS #21
SUPERGIRL #47
SUPERMAN BATMAN #66 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
SWORDSMITH ASSASSIN #4
TALISMAN ROAD OF TRIALS #1 CVR A MASSIMO CARNEVALE
TERRY MOORES ECHO #16
THUNDERBOLTS #138
TINY TITANS #22
TMNT #1 FULL COLOR ONE SHOT
TRANSFORMERS ONGOING #1
UNDERGROUND #3 (OF 5)
VICTORIAN UNDEAD #1 (OF 6)
VIGILANTE #12
VIKING #4
WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #700
WAR MACHINE #11
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #42
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #7
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #25 (NOTE PRICE)
X-MEN LEGACY #229
ZORRO #17

Books / Mags / Stuff
ALIEN LEGION OMNIBUS TP VOL 01
BACK ISSUE #37
BATMAN BATTLE FOR THE COWL HC
BATTLE ROYALE NOVEL 2ND ED
BLACK LIGHTNING YEAR ONE TP
BORGIA HC VOL 03 FLAMES
BUFFY & ANGEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #1 BUFFY
CASPER FRIENDLY GHOST 60TH ANNIV HC
DARK AVENGERS TP VOL 01 ASSEMBLE
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #40 MARY MARVEL
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #41 GA GREEN LANTERN
DRIVEN BY LEMONS HC
FALL OF CTHULHU TP VOL 06 NEMESIS
GRAPHIC CLASSICS VOL 18 LOUISA MAY ALCOTT
GREEN LANTERN CORPS EMERALD ECLIPSE HC
JSA TP VOL 03 THY KINGDOM COME PART 2
LEES TOY REVIEW #204 NOV 2009
MAD MAGAZINE #502
MIGHTY AVENGERS TP EARTHS MIGHTIEST
NAKED COSMOS DVD & MINI COMIC
NEW AVENGERS TP VOL 11 SEARCH FOR SORCERER SUPREME
OISHINBO VOL 06 JOY OF RICE
PICTURES THAT TICK TP
PLUTO URASAWA X TEZUKA GN VOL 06
PUNISHER DARK REIGN TP
ROBERT BLOCHS LORI GN
SHOWCASE PRESENTS DC COMICS PRESENTS TP VOL 01
TEZUKAS BLACK JACK TP VOL 08
THE NAM TP VOL 01
UNKNOWN HC VOL 01
WAR OF KINGS HC
WASTELAND TP VOL 05 TALES O/T UNINVITED
WOLVERINE ORIGINS TP DARK REIGN
WRITE ENVIRONMENT JOSS WHEDON DVD


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

Despite the Wednesday holiday, there's still a regular Wednesday shipment this week (well, unless you're in Canada, I think?)

It *looks* like the major work on Divisadero St. is done -- at least we have all of our lanes back open, and most of the neighborhood parking again -- so if you've been avoiding us because of the hassle, come on in!

Here's this week's shipping list...

ACTION COMICS #883
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #611
ANCHOR #2
ARCHIE & FRIENDS #137
AUTHORITY THE LOST YEAR READER
BATGIRL #4
BATMAN #693
BATMAN AND ROBIN #6
BATMAN DOC SAVAGE SPECIAL #1
BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #199
BLACK PANTHER 2 #10
BLACK TERROR #5
BLACKBEARD LEGEND OF THE PYRATE KING #2
BOOSTER GOLD #26 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
BPRD 1947 #5 (OF 5)
CABLE #20
CARS RADIATOR SPRINGS #3
CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #43
CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD LAST BATTLE #2 (OF 6)
CITIZEN REX #5 (OF 6)
COMIC BOOK COMICS #4 (RES)
DAREDEVIL #502
DARK X-MEN #1 (OF 5)
DEADPOOL #17
DMZ #47
DOCTOR WHO ONGOING #5
ENDERS GAME COMMAND SCHOOL #3 (OF 5)
FABLES #90
FEMALE FORCE #9 STEPHENIE MEYER
FRANK FRAZETTAS DARK KINGDOM #2 (OF 4) FRAZETTA CVR A
GHOUL #1
GI JOE MOVIE SNAKE EYES #2
GRAVEL #15
GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #26
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #42 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
HELLBOY WILD HUNT #8 (OF 8)
INCREDIBLES #2
JERSEY GODS #9
JON SABLE FREELANCE ASHES OF EDEN #2
JSA VS KOBRA #6 (OF 6)
JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #155
LOCKE & KEY CROWN OF SHADOWS #1
LUKE CAGE NOIR #4 (OF 4)
MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #17
MODERN WARFARE 2 GHOST 2 COVER A #1 (OF 6)
MUPPET SHOW TREASURE OF PEG LEG WILSON #4 (OF 4)
PUNISHERMAX #1
RAPTURE #5 (OF 6) OEMING CVR
REALM OF KINGS IMPERIAL GUARD #1 (OF 5)
REBELS #10 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
RED HERRING #4 (OF 6)
RED ROBIN #6
RESURRECTION VOL 2 #5
ROBERT E HOWARD THULSA DOOM #3
ROTTEN #5
SCOOBY DOO #150
SHIELD #3
SKY DOLL DOLL FACTORY #1 (OF 2)
STAR WARS CLONE WARS #10 HERO CONFEDERACY PT 1
STAR WARS PURGE SECONDS TO DIE ONE SHOT (OSW)
STORMWATCH PHD #24
STRANGE #1 (OF 4)
STRANGE ADVENTURES OF HP LOVECRAFT #4 (OF 4)
STREET FIGHTER IV #4 (OF 4) A CVR TSANG
SUPERGOD #1 (OF 5)
SWORD #1 (MARVEL)
TANK GIRL SKIDMARKS #1 (OF 4)
THE GOOD THE BAD & THE UGLY #5
TITANS #19
TRACKER #1 (OF 5) ROBERTSON CVR B
TRANSFORMERS CONTINUUM (ONE-SHOT)
UNCANNY X-MEN FIRST CLASS #5 (OF 8)
UNWRITTEN #7
VENGEANCE OF MOON KNIGHT #3
WALKING DEAD #67
WALL-E #0
WITCHBLADE #132 SEJIC CVR A
X-BABIES #2 (OF 4)
X-FORCE #21
X-MEN FOREVER #11

Books / Mags / Stuff
ABSOLUTE JUSTICE HC
ALDANA GN (A)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN BY JMS ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP BOOK 02
ANGEL AFTER THE FALL TP VOL 02 FIRST NIGHT
AVENGERS X-MEN UTOPIA HC
BATMAN PRIVATE CASEBOOK TP
BORIS VALLEJO & JULIE BELL ULTIMATE COLLECTION SC
DRAW #18
ESSENTIAL MOON KNIGHT TP VOL 03
FARSCAPE UNCHARTED TALES HC VOL 01 DARGOS LAMENT
GIRL GENIUS TP VOL 05 CLOCKWORK PRINCESS (NEW PTG)
GIRL GENIUS TP VOL 06 GOLDEN TRILOBITE 2ND ED
GREEN LANTERN AGENT ORANGE HC
HOT POTATOE HC
INSOMNIA CAFE HC
KODT BUNDLE OF TROUBLE TP VOL 28
LUNA PARK HC
PIM & FRANCIE IN GOLDEN DAYS HC
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS BLACK TERROR TP VOL 01
STAND AMERICAN NIGHTMARES PREM HC
STRANGE SUSPENSE STEVE DITKO ARCHIVES HC VOL 01
SUPERGIRL WHO IS SUPERWOMAN TP
SUPERMAN RED SON DELUXE EDITION HC
SUPERMEN FIRST WAVE OF HEROES (1939-41) GN CURR PTG
TOYFARE #149 HASBRO IRON MAN 2 FIGURE CVR
WASTELAND TP VOL 02 SHADES OF GOD (OCT073719)
X-FACTOR TP VOL 07 TIME AND A HALF
X-FILES TP
X-MEN LEGACY TP SALVAGE
X-MEN MANIFEST DESTINY TP
X-MEN WOLVERINE GAMBIT PREM HC
YEAR OF LOVING DANGEROUSLY HC


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

BEHOLD: Comics!

ABSOLUTION #3 (OF 6)
AGE OF BRONZE #29
AGE OF REPTILES JOURNEY #1
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #610
AOD ASH SAVES OBAMA #3 (OF 4)
ASSAULT ON NEW OLYMPUS
ASTONISHING X-MEN #32
ATHENA #2
ATOMIKA #11 (OF 12)
AUTHORITY #16
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #36
BATMAN THE UNSEEN #3 (OF 5)
BATMAN WIDENING GYRE #3 (OF 6)
BLACK WIDOW DEADLY ORIGIN #1 (OF 4)
BOYS #36
BOYS HEROGASM #6 (OF 6)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #30 ADAM HUGHES CVR
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #4 (OF 6)
CINDERELLA FROM FABLETOWN WITH LOVE #1 (OF 6)
CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #15
DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #899
DEATHLOK #1 (OF 7)
DOCTOR VOODOO AVENGER OF SUPERNATURAL #2
DONALD DUCK AND FRIENDS #347
DOOM PATROL #4 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
END LEAGUE #9 (OF 9)
FINDING NEMO REEF RESCUE #4 (OF 4)
FROM THE ASHES #6
GEARS OF WAR #10
GHOST RIDERS HEAVENS ON FIRE #4 (OF 6)
GHOSTBUSTERS DISPLACED AGGRESSION #3
GI JOE #11
GREAT TEN #1 (OF 10)
GREEK STREET #5
GRIMJACK MANX CAT #4
HAUNT #2
HOUSE OF M MASTERS OF EVIL #4 (OF 4)
HOUSE OF MYSTERY #19
IMMORTAL WEAPONS #4 (OF 5)
IRON MAN ARMOR WARS #4 (OF 4)
JONAH HEX #49
KILL AUDIO #2 (OF 6)
KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #155
LOBO HIGHWAY TO HELL #1 (OF 2)
LOONEY TUNES #180
MAGOG #3
MARVEL ZOMBIES EVIL EVOLUTION
MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ #1 (OF 8)
MIGHTY #10
NORTH 40 #5 (OF 6)
NOVA #31
OFFICIAL INDEX TO MARVEL UNIVERSE #11
PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #136
PHANTOM GHOST WHO WALKS #6
POPE HATS #1
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS MEET THE BAD GUYS #3 (OF 4)
PSYLOCKE #1 (OF 4)
RED TORNADO #3 (OF 6)
SAVAGE DRAGON #154
SECRET HISTORY BOOK 06 (OF 7) (RES)
SECRET SIX #15
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #206
STAR TREK ROMULANS SCHISM #3
STAR WARS INVASION #5 (OF 5)
STARR THE SLAYER #3 (OF 4)
STARSTRUCK #3
STRANGE TALES #3 (OF 3)
STREET FIGHTER II TURBO #9
STUMPTOWN #1
SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #9 (OF 12)
SWEET TOOTH #3
TORCH #3 (OF 8)
TYRESE GIBSONS MAYHEM #3 (OF 3)
ULTIMATE COMICS ARMOR WARS #2 (OF 4)
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #4
UNKNOWN DEVIL MADE FLESH #2
VAMPIRELLA SECOND COMING #3 SUYDAM CVR
VERONICA #197
WARLORD #8
WITCHFINDER IN THE SERVICE OF ANGELS #5 (OF 5)
X-MEN ORIGINS ICEMAN
X-MEN VS AGENTS OF ATLAS #2 (OF 2)
ZOMBIES THAT ATE THE WORLD #6 (OF 8)

Books / Mags / Stuff
BATMAN BATTLE FOR THE COWL COMPANION TP
BEAST MASTER GN VOL 01
BLOOD SONG SILENT BALLAD GN DHC ED
CRIMINAL DELUXE ED
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #39 BROTHER BLOOD
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG SPEC KILLER CROC
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP HC VOL 01 (OF 6)
ELECTROPOLIS TP
ESCAPISTS TP
FANTASTIC FOUR VISIONARIES WALTER SIMONSON TP VOL 03
GHOST RIDER DANNY KETCH TP VOL 01
HELLBLAZER SCAB TP
JAMES BOND OMNIBUS
JUDGE DREDD COMPLETE CASE FILES TP VOL 14
JUDGE DREDD MECHANISMO TP
JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #290
JUXTAPOZ VOL 16 #13 NOV 2009
LIKE A DOG HC
MARVEL ZOMBIES 3 TP
MONSTERS GN (A)
NOVA TP VOL 05 WAR OF KINGS
SHERLOCK HOLMES HC VOL 01
SHERLOCK HOLMES HC VOL 01 TRIAL OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
SUPERMAN BATMAN SEARCH FOR KRYPTONITE TP
USAGI YOJIMBO HC YOKAI
WONDER WOMAN RISE OF THE OLYMPIAN TP


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

It is like waiting for a bus around here, no one posts for a while, then BAM! three at once.

Let's look at a few books from this week, under the jump, shall we?



DETECTIVE COMICS #858: David's excellent post on Rucka's writing not withstanding, I was pretty blown away by the art on this issue. I mean, William's "painterly" work is excellent, but I couldn't believe just how well he channeled David Mazuchelli's "Batman: Year One" style for this not-so-named, but-clearly-Batwoman-Year-One-esque story. What a smart choice, and what an amazing job in working against his "natural" style. My only real criticism is the cover -- that's pretty ugly, and one of the very few times that i think the Variant cover simply looks better in every significant way. Either way, this is purely EXCELLENT work, and I'm looking forward to, say, 2015 when I get to buy the "Absolute Edition" of this wondrous comic.



X-NECROSHA & NEW MUTANTS #6: No, DC's not the only one running a "dead heroes come back from the dead, all evil and shit" storyline. I have to say that this feels jarringly out-of-tone to what I expect from X-Men stories, and it also seems needlessly complicated at this point in the "Utopia" storyline, but it worked adequately well. The big problem in "Necrosha" is just how many characters are running around, and how you need a scorecard to keep track of them. In the lead story they start off alright in identifying who is who, but about the middle of the issue a bunch of characters appear with no identification, almost as if they forgot. I had sort of the same problem with the Dark Avengers/X-Men crossover -- Fraction was awesome with those little twitter-esque summaries of the characters at the start (I felt like I could read a book that was really nothing but those), but as the story progressed that got dropped (or maybe written out with the idea of the eventual collection in mind.. which is maybe less than ideal with a company that has such a hard time keeping collections in print - and, anyway, in two years will anyone even remember the "Dark Avengers" at all?)

(Sidebar on that: I had a returning, lapsed reader come in the other day, asking me for Venom comics. I showed him classic collections [McFarlane, the Bendis USM bits, etc.], but they wanted something modern. Well, here's the current incarnation of Venom here in "Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man". "Uh, why is he called 'Spider-Man'?" I tried to explain the whole Norman Osbourne thing and the Dark Avengers, but he looked at me as if I was speaking Martian. There's also this one starring Eddie Brock... it is called "Anti-Venom". More blank stares. "So, you don't have any current Venom comics?" Well, these are Venom, they're just not called that exactly. "Maybe I'll come back later when I have more money" Sale lost, yay!)

Anyway, I do have to say that I pretty much love Zeb Wells take on Doug "Cypher" Ramsey in NM #6, and the notion that EVERYTHING is "language", and that Doug is actually pretty much 32 flavors of bad-ass. I specifically thought the "what they're REALLY saying" sequence was absolutely brilliant, and probably the best single piece of writing I've read this month. However, the art was pretty shit-tacular, especially with its lack of backgrounds, and primary-coloring. Yikes. Took what otherwise have been a VERY GOOD book down to, say, an OK, about the same I'd rate the NECROSHA one-shot itself.



DARK REIGN - THE LIST: PUNISHER: I discussed this a little already, that too often spin-off things from a main plot are way too often Red Skies-y -- Norman Osbourne says "I will kill this character", and at the end they're still alive with no verifiable difference in their status quo. In part this is also a problem with Marvel's marketing machine: they say that everything is an "11", but they're usually (say) a "6", and when you DO get that "11", no one hears the signal through all of the noise. The "Dark Reign- The List" branding has been a real flop for me, because there are 27 other books that all say "Dark Reign" on the cover -- but this one, this one was a real game-changer.

I have to say that I've thought that most of the "Dark Avengers" thing has been pretty floppish -- while it is a good high concept, they really haven't been doing too much that IS "dark", and 9 out of 10 times they just let the "good guys" get away, often in pretty contrived ways. Osborne doesn't seem to have a plan any more than the Cylons did, and so much of the past year in Marvel editorial has felt to me like wheel spinning.

So, you can color me shocked when (dark) Wolverine cuts Frank Castle into little tiny bite-sized bits and chucks them down a sewer. That's... different.

JRJR's art is impressively brutal -- I mean if you WANT to see Frank Castle butchered like a cow, that is the way to do it. I'm not really sure if I DO want that, all in all -- I've never really liked the Punisher except for maybe the Ennis years -- but this was the first time in a year (yeesh!) that the "Dark" part of the "Dark Avengers" has felt even a little bit right to me.

I also can't really say that I'm much interested in "FrankenCastle" as a concept, and, even more so, I have my severe doubts that this is what the audience for THE PUNISHER (especially in a "set in the Marvel U" title) is going to be interested in this new direction, even a little bit, but you have to give them points for trying out something completely new.

Despite my trepidations on the direction, I have to admit, I thought this was pretty GOOD in execution.

("Execution", heh)



HULK #16: Here's one that's absolutely going in the wrong direction completely. I mean, really, the only point that I could see in this book was in the mystery of "who is the Red Hulk", and that's not a strong enough premise to stretch out over like a year and a half, with apparently no end in sight. And now it's not enough that they still haven't resolved that mystery, but now they're piling MORE mysteries on top of that with the new Red SHE-Hulk, and the bits with Doc Sampson.

At Comix Experience, at least, this is turning into a commercial disaster -- I'm pretty certain we'll be into single digit sales on my next FOC order, which, considering how well "Hulk" Launched is really really bad -- we've lost something like 67% of the audience for Hulk, and if we compare it to, say, WORLD WAR HULK, we're rapidly approaching a 90% attrition.

The writing on this issue is gruesomely bad, pulling all of the lazy tricks of quoting from other things that I thought Loeb had abandoned after the "Our Worlds at War" Superman stories (that was the title, wasn't it? Too lazy to Google) -- Sun Tzu, the Parable of the Elephant, "my father got me to stop smoking by making me smoke an entire pack in an hour" blah blah blah it just really bugged me.

It also really bugs me that there's all of these characters running through the issue, and none of them -- NONE -- are identified or given plausible motivations, and other characters who had been in the story (Elektra or Domino) seem to have been written out between issues. That and the off-hand bullshit of "Oh, I killed Jen Walters", ugh.

Ian Churchill's art is weird here. In interviews, Loeb says that this is how Churchill has always wanted to draw, but that, for marketing reasons he changed his style to fit what the market said it wanted -- and now he's a big-foot cartoonist. It is... well, it is alright, but it isn't, I don't think, what anyone really wants from a Overly-Muscled-People-Punching-Things comic. The thing about "cartoony" art is that it needs to... hm, well move, I guess. Squash and stretch, having some independent energy of some kind, and this doesn't -- it is all pretty "dull" on the page, and blocky.

All in all this is a pretty AWFUL comic book, and it is leading into what might be the first "event" storyline ("Fall of the Hulks") in CE history where I'm ordering less than 10 copies for the racks. Yikes.


That's what I have for this week: What did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian

Click Here to Read More...

Gawrsh, this is a big week for comics! I have to get back to ONOMATOPOEIA and the new order form though, back soon!!

2000 AD PACK SEP 2009
ABE SAPIEN ONE SHOT (OSW)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN PRESENTS ANTI VENOM #2 (OF 3)
AMBUSH BUG YEAR NONE #7 (OF 6)
ANITA BLAKE LC EXECUTIONER #1 (OF 5)
ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #203
ARKHAM REBORN #1 (OF 3)
ASTRO CITY ASTRA SPECIAL #2 (OF 2)
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #29
BART SIMPSON COMICS #50
BATMAN #692
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #10
BETTY & VERONICA #244
BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #9
BLACKEST NIGHT #4 (OF 8)
BLACKEST NIGHT TITANS #3 (OF 3)
BOYS #1 DYNAMITE ED
BP COMICS REVIVAL PX 3 PAK #1
BUCK ROGERS #5
CASPER & THE SPECTRALS #1
DARK AVENGERS ARES #1 (OF 3)
DARK REIGN LIST PUNISHER ONE SHOT
DARK REIGN LIST WOLVERINE ONE SHOT
DARK REIGN YOUNG AVENGERS #5 (OF 5)
DAYS MISSING #3 (OF 5)
DETECTIVE COMICS #858
DIE HARD YEAR ONE #2
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #5 (OF 24)
DYNAMO 5 #25 (NOTE PRICE)
ENDERS SHADOW COMMAND SCHOOL #2 (OF 5)
ETERNAL CONFLICTS OF THE COSMIC WARRIOR (ONE SHOT)
FANTASTIC FOUR #572
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH INK #6 (OF 6)
FREDDY JASON ASH NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #5 (OF 6)
FVZA #1 (OF 3) A CVR BOLTON
GEN 13 #32
GFT HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 2009 A CVR NAVARRO
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #5
GREEN LANTERN #47 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
GROO HOGS OF HORDER #1 (OF 4)
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #19
HALO HELLJUMPER #4 (OF 5)
HULK #16
IGNITION CITY #5 (OF 5)
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #137
INVINCIBLE PRESENTS ATOM EVE & REX SPLODE #1 (OF 3)
JACK OF FABLES #39
JENNIFER LOVE HEWITTS MUSIC BOX #1
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #32
KILLAPALOOZA #6 (OF 6)
LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #6 (OF 6)
MADAME XANADU #16
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #56
MARVEL DIVAS #4 (OF 4)
MARVEL HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR
MODELS INC #3 (OF 4)
MS MARVEL #46
MUPPET PETER PAN #2
NEW AVENGERS #58
NEW MUTANTS #6
NO HERO #0-7 COMPLETE SET
NORTHLANDERS #21
NOVA #30
PILOT SEASON DECLASSIFIED
PREDATOR #3 (OF 4)
PUNISHER #10
SECRET WARRIORS #9
SON OF HULK #16
SPARTACUS BLOOD AND SAND #1 (OF 4)
SPIDER-MAN CLONE SAGA #2 (OF 6)
SPIN ANGELS #3 (OF 4)
STAR WARS LEGACY #41 ROGUES END
STARCRAFT #5
SUPER HUMAN RESOURCES #2 (OF 4)
SUPERMAN #693
SUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN #2 (OF 6)
TALES FROM WONDERLAND MAD HATTER #2 (OF 2) CVR A EBAS
TEEN TITANS #76
TRIBUTE MICHAEL JACKSON KING OF POP
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #3
UNKNOWN SOLDIER #13
WAR MACHINE #10
WEB #2
WILDCATS #16
WOLVERINE ART APPRECIATION ONE-SHOT
WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #20
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #6
WONDER WOMAN #37
WORLDS FINEST #1 (OF 4) CVR A
X NECROSHA
X-FACTOR #50
X-FORCE #20
X-MEN FOREVER #10

Books / Mags / Stuff
1000 COMIC BOOKS YOU MUST READ HC
ANITA BLAKE VH LC TP BOOK 01 ANIMATOR
BARACK OBAMA COMIC BOOK BIOGRAPHY HC
BATMAN MONSTERS TP
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #38 GUY GARDNER
FAT FREDDYS CAT OMNIBUS
FREAKANGELS TP VOL 03
HACK SLASH TP VOL 06 IN REVENGE & IN LOVE
HI FRUCTOSE MAGAZINE QUARTERLY #13
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN TP VOL 02 WORLDS MOST WANTED
KABUKI TP ALCHEMY
KEY MOMENTS FROM THE HISTORY OF COMICS SC
LEGION OF SUPER HEROES ENEMY RISING TP
MAP OF MY HEART GN
NEW AVENGERS TP VOL 10 POWER
PINOCCHIO VAMPIRE SLAYER GN
PREVIEWS #254 NOVEMBER 2009 (NET)
PS238 TP VOL 07 DAUGHTERS SONS & SHRINK-RAY GUNS
SANDMAN THE DREAM HUNTERS HC
SPIDER-MAN AMERICAN SON PREM HC
SPIDER-MAN HC NEWSPAPER STRIPS
TRANSMETROPOLITAN TP VOL 04 THE NEW SCUM NEW PTG
VATICAN HUSTLE GN
VIDEO WATCHDOG #152
VLAD THE IMPALER MAN WHO WAS DRACULA GN
WIZARD MAGAZINE #218 AVENGERS MARTIN CVR
WOLVERINE HC OLD MAN LOGAN


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

Tilting at Windmills v3 #19 is up now at Comic Book Resources.

If you can't talk on CBR, feel free to do so here.

-B

Labels: Brian, Tilting

Click Here to Read More...

I was standing around Ben's schoolyard the other morning talking with the first graders while waiting for the morning bell to ring, and one of them announced to me that they were afraid of squirrels (first graders are really cute with what will just pop out of their mouths) (She had been bitten by a squirrel a few weeks before apparently, so I can get behind that)

So I started asking the kids what they were all scared of -- I have a very mild fear of heights (more like I get dizzy), and Ben said "Ghost Galaxy!" (I think we'll come back to that), one little boy said people dressed as zombies, and another said spiders, but the one that tugged at my heart was the precious little girl who declared it was "Jesus"

I blinked rapidly.

"Um, honey, why are you scared of Jesus, he's supposed to be very nice and said everyone should be friendly to everyone else."

"Yes, but he's part of God, and God is very very very big, and we're like ants to him."


***

ZOMBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE: RECORDED ATTACKS: Another thing that scares me is the notion that book publishers are going to come into comics not having the slightest idea of what they're doing. This was proven to me with this volume from Three Rivers Press, a division of Random House.

I really really really liked Max Brook's WORLD WAR Z -- more for its scope of history and world building and just plain thinking about the impact of the upcoming Zombie Apocalypse on the whole of the world than about the zombies themselves; heck, I like it so much I even bought the audiobook version (truncated as it is, it has some excellent performances -- Alan Alda FTW!), so I'm pretty hip to the idea of a GN extension of that world. The premise is to show various Zombie attacks, all before modern times, and how other cultures and historical periods would have dealt with them (I'm iffy on the Caveman one, just from a Reasoning POV, but the rest are clever)

However, take a look at that cover. Here's a copy of it.

Notice anything odd about that?

Think about it a moment.

For the slow among you: Max Brooks is "just" a writer (at least as far as I know) -- and he certainly didn't draw the book. YET THE ARTIST'S NAME IS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND ON THE FRONT COVER (or spine, for that matter)

There's a little small line on the BACK cover about how the book is "illustrated by" Ibraim Roberson, but it's all just an afterthought in the marketing copy. Even in the indicia page (or whatever they call that page in proper books) Roberson's name is in a smaller type size than the ISBN number.

The weird thing to me is that this was apparently changed at some point in the production process -- here's the Random House website with the cover as it was solicited -- and Roberson's name is right there on the front cover where it should be. Some Marketing (probably) person made a conscious decision to remove Roberson's name from the book.

Here's the thing: in comics, there's no such thing as "illustrated by" -- the artist (or artistS, since penciller, inker, and colorist are all common components) is either an equal, or, in some cases, greater-than participant in the creative process as the writer. Especially in a book like this which has lots and lots and lots of silent sequences.

For all I know Max Brook's script is very very detailed, dictating "camera position" and exact details and everything so that "any" artist could have done exactly the same work... but from what I know about comics production, that seems pretty darn unlikely to me. In fact, in a lot of ways, the text seems a bit divorced from the sequential story-telling, almost as if Brooks just wrote some (very) short prose chapters and left it at that. I don't know.

But I do know that "comics" is "Words AND Pictures working together", and to not credit the artist on the front cover or spine is, in my opinion, horrifically disrespectful, and utterly screwed up.

The book itself is a low GOOD, being mostly vignettes that don't add together, and being, let's be charitible, outrageously expensive at $17 for a black & white paperback, which should be selling 10s of thousands of units based on the Author's cachet.

***

So far for three years running, Ben and I take an annual "father and son" trip; and, so far, each year we head down to Disneyland. Ben's an October baby, so we're always there for the Halloween decorations at Disneyland, especially the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay on The Haunted Mansion (which is 99 flavors of awesome, I got to tell you).

This year Ben was (finally!) tall enough to ride the Indiana Jones ride, and he DUG IT -- we went on it three times before the lines got too long to make it "worth it"

We go midweek on a week with no holidays or anything, hoping for the least lines possible, but this year it was absolutely packed. I'm thinking the "get in free on your birthday" promotion is REALLY working, because I saw a TON of people wearing "It's my birthday" pins. Also, there's a marked rush at about 3 PM, making me think a lot of locals have annual passes, and come by after school for a ride or three.

We did little this year that we didn't do other years -- I still can't get Ben to consent to the Twilight Zone ride, though we did get on Soaring Over California as our last ride of the day. Very impressive, but way not worth the hour in line that it ended up being (it was 25 minutes we we got in line, but I guess they had an army of "Fast Pass" people show up, because it took 65 minutes total)

Other than that was a new overlay on Space Mountain, called "Ghost Galaxy".

I had the vague thought that maybe they'd just replace the streaking lights with ghost shaped lights or something. Maybe change the sound track a bit.

You couldn't tell what it might be from the outside of the ride, since they couldn't be bothered to change the entry whatsoever -- and, seriously, walking through that 1970s edifice to futurism is about as unghostly as one might get. There WAS a sign or two that said "small children might find this frightening", but hell, Indy says THAT, and Ben was grinning and cackling through Indy.

Not on Ghost Galaxy. He was as white as a sheet at the end, and said, in a very quiet voice, "I never want to go on that again as long as I live, Daddy"

Dig that he LOVED Space Mountain last year, AND as a four year old too.

Ghost Galaxy basically just projects "gory" spirits up on the walls -- there's no blood, per se, but they're colored blood red. As an adult, it's utterly laughable, but it freaked the fuck out of Ben. It also sort of ruined the ride. Space Mountain is awesome because the ... well, I don't know what to call the moving lights... the hyperspeed effect, maybe?... really helped with the smoothness and the movement of the roller coaster part. Randomly projecting big square "ghost" portraits completely screwed up the effect. That's a ride I'll never ride again myself. AWFUL.

***

BLACKEST NIGHT BATMAN 1-3, and SUPERMAN #1-3: To me, the biggest sin of a crossover tie-in is to be "red skies". That is, where basically nothing really happens, except to take money from your pocket. And I kind of feel that BN crossovers are doing pretty much that -- zombies show up, get fended off, the end.

BATMAN was especially that -- there's nothing in there that "moved the needle" much, while SUPERMAN at least put up an "anti Zombie field" around "New Krypton" (that will also repel anyone else), which, I'm thinking, is going to explain why SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON is only a 12 issue mini-series. Of course, that will make WoNK a less satisfying read, perhaps, with "See something else!" as it's big conclusion.

Overall, neither was any better than OK.

***

The pounding in my head is starting again from all the drilling outside. Maybe THAT's what I really fear: street construction (And the loss of business from it)

What did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian, Fears

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[Don't forget that we've got Scott Allie and Kevin McGovern on Wednesday from 5-7 -- please try to come!]

In about 20-25 years, when my son is a famous artist, you're going to want to have in your collection a copy of SCOOBY DOO #149, out this week. Why? Because Ben's first published piece of artwork is in there on the letter's page!

I'm actually a little shocked how long it took to run -- I think it was nearly eight months ago that we sent it in, and they run 4-6 pieces from kids every month (can you tell I've been religiously checking every issue as they get released?) -- I'd actually given up hope it was going to run... so that's a lot of art they must be getting sent by kids.

Also, below the jump, if you care about pictures of what Divisadero St. looks like during the construction, you can find some there. I'm told the major drilling/smashing/whatever will be done on Saturday. I pray to God that is so...



Right, this first picture (if I'm linking correctly) is what Divisadero St., in front of the store, looked like at 8 AM this morning, just before the workers started working in earnest. Note that to get onto our block you have to dodge that funky corner thing. Also? The two western lanes (ie, my side of the block) are closed to through traffic while the guys work...



This second one is looking directly out our door this afternoon, as they decided they needed to rip into the sidewalk to fix another sewer line. Joy for me!



This is why I've barely got any writing done the last bit of time -- hard to concentrate with all that noise going on outside!!

-B

Labels: Ben, Brian

Click Here to Read More...

Another crazy busy Monday morning -- back soon with more...

AIR #14
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #609
ANGEL VS FRANKENSTEIN
ARCHIE #602
ARSENIC LULLABY PULP EDITION OMEGA
AZRAEL #1
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #35
BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #5
BATMAN THE UNSEEN #2 (OF 5)
BEASTS OF BURDEN #2 (OF 4)
BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #175
BLACKEST NIGHT SUPERMAN #3 (OF 3)
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #28
CHEW #5
CITIZEN REX #4 (OF 6)
COMIC DIORAMA ONE SHOT
COWBOY NINJA VIKING #1
DARK AVENGERS #10
DARK REIGN LIST HULK ONE SHOT
DARK WOLVERINE #79
DCU HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 2009 #1
DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #4
DOMINIC FORTUNE #3 (OF 4)
ELEPHANTMEN #22
ESCAPE FROM WONDERLAND #2 (OF 6) CVR MELO
EX MACHINA #46
FARSCAPE GONE & BACK #4
FEMALE FORCE #7 OPRAH WINFREY
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH DANCE #6 (OF 6)
GI JOE #10
GI JOE MOVIE SNAKE EYES #1
GRIMM FAIRY TALES #42
HELLBLAZER #260
INCREDIBLE HULK #603
INVINCIBLE #67
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #19
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #38
LAST RESORT #3
LONE RANGER & TONTO #3
MICE TEMPLAR DESTINY #4
MIGHTY AVENGERS #30
OUTSIDERS #23
POE (BOOM) #4
POWER GIRL #6
PUNISHER NOIR #3 (OF 4)
RESURRECTION VOL 2 #4
SCOOBY DOO #149
SIMPSONS COMICS #159
SKRULL KILL KREW #5 (OF 5) DKR
SONIC UNIVERSE #9
SPAWN #195
SPIDER-WOMAN #2 (RES)
STAND SOUL SURVIVORS #1 (OF 5)
STAR TREK NERO #3
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OLD REPUBLIC #46 DESTROYER PT 2 (OF 2)
STUFF OF LEGEND #2 (OF 2)
SUGARSHOCK ONE SHOT (OSW)
SUPERGIRL #46
SUPERMAN BATMAN #65
SWORDSMITH ASSASSIN #3
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #35
TALISMAN ROAD OF TRIALS #0
THOR TALES OF ASGARD BY LEE & KIRBY #6 (OF 6)
THUNDERBOLTS #137
TINY TITANS #21
UNDERGROUND #2 (OF 5)
VIGILANTE #11
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #41
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #24
X-MEN LEGACY #228
ZERO KILLER #6 (OF 6)

Books / Mags / Stuff
BLACKEST NIGHT SER 1 BALANCED INNER ASST (NET)
BPRD TP VOL 11 BLACK GODDESS
CAPTAIN AMERICA ROAD TO REBORN PREM HC
DREAD & SUPERFICIALITY WOODY ALLEN AS COMIC STRIP HC VOL 01
FINAL CRISIS LEGION OF THREE WORLDS HC
FRANKENSTEIN MOBSTER TP VOL 01
GARTH ENNIS BATTLEFIELDS HC VOL 01
HEAVY METAL FALL 2009
JONAH HEX LEAD POISONING TP
LENORE NOOGIES PX HC COLOR ED
LOOKING FOR GROUP TP VOL 02
MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS TP VOL 10 DIGEST
NAOKI URASAWA 20TH CENTURY BOYS GN VOL 05
NEMI HC VOL 03
NEXUS SPACE OPERA TP
NOIR TP VOL 01
QUESTION TP VOL 05 RIDDLES
RUNAWAYS ROCK ZOMBIES TP
RUNAWAYS TP VOL 09 DEAD WRONG DIGEST
SAVAGE TALES OF RED SONJA TP
SCALPED TP VOL 05 HIGH LONESOME
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY AND SEA MONSTERS SC
SHOWCASE PRESENTS HOUSE OF SECRETS TP VOL 02
SIRENS ART OF CHRIS ACHILLEOS SC
SPIDER-MAN DEATH & DATING TP
SPIKE OMNIBUS TP
STAR TREK MISSIONS END TP
STAR WARS KNIGHTS O/T OLD REPUBLIC TP VOL 07
STORMING PARADISE TP
STORY OF O HC (A)
SUPERMAN ADVENTURES OF FLAMEBIRD & NIGHTWING TP
SWORD TP VOL 03 EARTH
TANK GIRL REMASTERED ED TP VOL 04 ODYSSEY
TERRY MOORES ECHO TP VOL 03 DESERT RUN
THUNDERBOLTS TP BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE
TOMARTS ACTION FIGURE DIGEST #181
UNCLE SAM DELUXE HC
VINLAND SAGA OF LEIF ERIKKSON GN
WAITING PLACE GN
WOLFSKIN TP VOL 01
WRITE ENVIRONMENT COMIC BK SER SPEC ED DVD (NET)


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

I'm in hell.

We're coming up on the... fourth? week of the "Divisadero Streetscape Improvements", where they're completely gutting the street to replace sewer lines, and then, eventually, to give us a wider media with trees and stuff, and while I'm sure that, in the end, it will be very pleasant and wonderful, it's horrific right now -- deafening destruction (I can barely hear the phone ring during most of our business hours), an utter lack of parking in about a three block radius, and shutting off at least half of the four lanes on Divis most of the time.

Business STINKS because of it -- we're down by nearly a third. Yay for "stimulus"!

It's funny, if PG&E shuts loses power for even a few hours, there's forms one can fill out to get reimbursed for your business losses. As near as I can tell there's nothing remotely the same for when the Government catastrophically annihilates your business...

(If there is something that I don't know about, please feel free to let me know, because I'm bleeding thousands of dollars a month, yay!!)

Anyway, that's one of the reasons I'm barely writing the last few weeks -- I can barely hear myself think, let alone string two sentences together.

Plus, we've got buckets of rain falling now, which is always welcome in a paper-based economy -- and getting the new comics to the store is going to be funfunfun in this weather and street closures world.

Anyway, I'm in a lousy mood, so what a perfect time to try and write something about something...

RED TORNADO #2: It seems to me this comic was based on a throw-away line in, I think, 52, by, I think, Grant Morrison. Morrison is an awesome idea machine, tossing off little that-sounds-cool continuity gifts left and right. Thing is: they're not always really worthy of having entire stories based around them.

The tossed off idea here is that Professor T.O. Morrow didn't only build Reddy, but he also made other androids like The Red Torpedo, and The Red Inferno. This could be a somewhat interesting b- or c-story plot in a group book like JLA, but it is, in no way, an a-level plot capable of carrying its own mini-series.

This is not a terrible comic or anything -- but it's not something that anyone without money falling out of their butts is going to be willing to spend $3 a throw on. It's not quite EH, so the Savage Critic scale insists that it must be AWFUL.

DOCTOR VOODOO AVENGER OF THE SUPERNATURAL #1: My, that's a long title! It sounds like one cooked up by marketing, to me -- to try and work "Avenger" into the title, since that's now Marvel's strongest franchise. Can you imagine trying to convince some one in 1997 that The Avengers would be Marvel's tentpole in the early days of c21? Nah, me neither. 'course they kind of screw the pooch by having "avenger" being in teensey tiny letters, and covered up (on the first issue, no less!) by the figure on the cover.

Here's the thing I don't get, however. "Brother" Voodoo could never ever sustain an ongoing title. And Dr. Strange has largely proven over the decades that he can't either. So why does anyone think that this one can possibly work as an ongoing? It might be one thing as a mini-series, but this is clearly an unsustainable project that will be lucky to make it to issue #13. Especially with a $4 launch.

Here's the thing, though: this isn't shitty. Far from it, in fact -- up until hitting the non-ending of the ending, I was basically enjoying it just fine. This is perfectly OK comics -- but you need to be WAY better than "OK" to 1) be a monthly ongoing in this climate, and 2) To charge $4 for a story that just suddenly stops in a pretty ambiguous place.


GRANDVILLE HC: Yeah, very tasty material -- I really like all of the nice worldbuilding going on here, and I'd like to see more of these characters. VERY GOOD.

PLANETARY #27: Great ending. Telegraphed a lot, but great nonetheless. Would been even better if it had come out four years ago, but I was very happy with this: VERY GOOD.

BATMAN & ROBIN #5: The art continues to annoy me, but the story and the characterization is top notch. I'd be perfectly fine if Jason Todd did die, however. GOOD.

OK, my head hurts too much from the concrete saws outside to keep going on... but I'm going to try to do an "old style" SC column by Friday, if I can (though me and the boy are in Disneyland on Thursday [father & Son trip for his Birthday, FTW!], so we'll see...)

What did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian

Click Here to Read More...

Bisy bakson.

28 DAYS LATER #3
ACTION COMICS #882
ADVENTURE COMICS #3
ANCHOR #1
ANGEL ONLY HUMAN #3 (OF 4)
ANNA MERCURY 2 #2 (OF 5)
ARCHIE & FRIENDS #136
ARCHIE DIGEST #258
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #19
AURORA SNOW #1 TRUE STORIES ADULT FILM STARS (A)
BATGIRL #3
BATMAN #691
BEYOND THE WALL #1
BLACKBEARD LEGEND OF THE PYRATE KING #1
BLACKEST NIGHT BATMAN #3 (OF 3)
BOOSTER GOLD #25
BPRD 1947 #4 (OF 5)
CLIVE BARKERS SEDUTH 3-D #1
DEADPOOL #900
DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #11
DMZ #46
DOCTOR WHO ONGOING #4
ENDERS GAME COMMAND SCHOOL #2 (OF 5)
FABLES #89
FARSCAPE DARGOS TRIAL #3
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH ESCAPE #6 (OF 6)
GENEXT UNITED #5 (OF 5)
GI JOE ORIGINS #8
G-MAN CAPE CRISIS #3 (OF 5)
GODLAND #29
GRAVEL #14
GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #25
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #41 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
HELLBOY WILD HUNT #7 (OF 8)
HOUSE OF MYSTERY HALLOWEEN ANNUAL #1
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #136
IRON MAN IRON PROTOCOLS ONE-SHOT
JON SABLE FREELANCE ASHES OF EDEN #1
JSA VS KOBRA #5 (OF 6)
KABUKI REFLECTIONS #15
LIBERTY COMICS A CBLDF BENEFIT BOOK #2
LIFE UNDEAD
MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #16
MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD #2 (OF 4)
MARVELS PROJECT #3 (OF 8)
NOMAD GIRL WITHOUT A WORLD #2 (OF 4)
PERHAPANAUTS HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR (ONE SHOT)
PS238 #41
PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX #75
REBELS #9
RED HERRING #3 (OF 6)
RED ROBIN #5
RED SONJA #49
SCALPED #32
SECRET SIX #14
SHIELD #2
STAR TREK SPOCK REFLECTIONS #4
STAR WARS INVASION #0 ONE SHOT (OSW)
SUPER FRIENDS #20
TITANS #18
UNCANNY X-MEN #516
UNCANNY X-MEN FIRST CLASS #4 (OF 8)
UNCLE SCROOGE #384
UNWRITTEN #6
VAMPIRELLA SECOND COMING #2 SUYDAM CVR
VEIL #4
WALKING DEAD #66
WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #1
X-MEN FOREVER #9

Books / Mags / Stuff
ABSOLUTE DEATH HC
ACT I VATE PRIMER HC
AIR TP VOL 02 FLYING MACHINE
AKIRA KODANSHA ED GN VOL 01
ANITA BLAKE VH GUILTY PLEASURES COMPLETE ED HC
BATMAN CHRONICLES TP VOL 08
BATTLE ANGEL ALITA LAST ORDER TP VOL 12
BLOOD AND WATER TP
DAREDEVIL RETURN OF KING TP
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID HC VOL 04
FEMALE FORCE TP VOL 01
GHOST IN SHELL KODANSHA ED GN VOL 01
GROOM LAKE TP
HAMMER O/T GODS TP VOL 01 MORTAL ENEMY (IDW ED)
HEAVY LIQUID TP NEW PTG
JOE & AZAT GN
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE HC
KODT BUNDLE OF TROUBLE TP VOL 27
LEES TOY REVIEW #203 OCT 2009
LOST OFFICIAL MAGAZINE #25 PX ED
MARVEL ZOMBIES 04 HC
MISTER X CONDEMNED TP
MOON KNIGHT TP VOL 05 DOWN SOUTH
ODYSSEUS THE REBEL GN
PRIDE & PREJUDICE PREM HC
RED SONJA HC VOL 07 BORN AGAIN
STAR TREK CREW TP
TOYFARE #148 TONNER TWILIGHT FIGURES CVR
TRINITY TP VOL 03
ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS HULK PREM HC
UNCANNY X-MEN MANIFEST DESTINY TP
WONDER WOMAN 1/6 SCALE FIGURE


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

On Wednesday, October 21st, from 5-7 PM, Comix Experience is pleased as punch to bring you an in-store appearance with EXURBIA co-creators Scott Allie and Kevin McGovern!

Most of you probably know Scott Allie as the Editor Extraordinaire on such (awesome) books as BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, CONAN, and HELLBOY, but he's also an accomplished writer (THE DEVIL'S FOOTPRINTS, SOLOMON KANE: THE CASTLE OF THE DEVIL, and THE FOG, among others) EXURBIA is his newest book and it’s received great response from folks like Gilbert Hernandez, who wrote, “Exurbia boldly continues and transmogrifies the type of lunatic stories that only comics can do with any justice. Try as films and TV might, here is the real stuff. Bravo and yikes at the same time.” Now THERE'S a pull quote!

EXURBIA is artist Kevin McGovern's debut comic, and he's got a very appealing bigfoot cartooning style. While I'm generally loath to send people off to other retailer's websites, you can read a 13 page preview of EXURBIA over here.

Scott is a genuinely nice guy who has an infectious love of comics, so I really want to urge you to come on down and meet him and help support his writing.

(Please note: while Scott is a Big League Editor at a Major Publisher, and while he'll be happy to talk to you about BUFFY or HELLBOY, we're asking that people DON'T try to hit him up for portfolio reviews or listen to your pitch during the signing-- that's why God invented the Post Office!)

Wednesday, October 21st, 5-7 PM, Comix Experience -- 305 Divisadero St., at Page, in San Francisco -- be there!!

-B

Labels: Brian, Scott Allie, signing

Click Here to Read More...

Don't forget to scroll down for the special Saturday Savage Critic crossover event celebrating Read Comics All Day Day (and 24 Hour Comics Day)

Otherwise, this is a pretty nice looking week, ain't it?

ABSOLUTION #2 (OF 6)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #608
ANGEL #26
ASTONISHING X-MEN #31
AUTHORITY #15
BATMAN AND ROBIN #5
BATMAN ANNUAL #27
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #34
BATMAN THE UNSEEN #1 (OF 5)
BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #198
BLACK PANTHER 2 #9
BOYS #35
BUCKAROO BANZAI HARDEST O/T HARD #1 (OF 2)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #29 CARNEVALE CVR
CABLE #19
CAPTAIN AMERICA THEATER WAR GHOSTS OF MY COUNTRY
CARS RADIATOR SPRINGS #2
CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #42
CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD LAST BATTLE #1 (OF 6)
CRIMINAL SINNERS #1
CROSSED #7 (OF 9)
DAREDEVIL #501
DARK REIGN LIST SECRET WARRIORS ONE SHOT
DARK REIGN ZODIAC #3 (OF 3) DKR
DAYS MISSING #2 (OF 5) DALE KEOWN CVR
DEADPOOL #16
DOCTOR VOODOO AVENGER OF SUPERNATURAL #1
DOOM PATROL #3
FALLEN ANGEL REBORN #4
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH RUN #6 (OF 6)
FROM THE ASHES #5
GHOST RIDERS HEAVENS ON FIRE #3 (OF 6)
GHOSTBUSTERS DISPLACED AGGRESSION #2
GREEK STREET #4
GRIMJACK MANX CAT #3
HAUNT #1
HOUSE OF M MASTERS OF EVIL #3 (OF 4)
HOUSE OF MYSTERY #18
I SELL THE DEAD (ONE SHOT)
INCARNATE #2 (OF 3)
INCREDIBLES #1
IRON MAN ARMOR WARS #3 (OF 4)
IRREDEEMABLE #7
JERSEY GODS #8
JONAH HEX #48
JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #154
JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #4 (OF 7)
KILL AUDIO #1 (OF 6)
KING CITY #2
LOONEY TUNES #179
LUKE CAGE NOIR #3 (OF 4)
MAGOG #2
MARVEL SPOTLIGHT DEADPOOL
MIGHTY #9
MODELS INC #2 (OF 4) (RES)
NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #174
NORTH 40 #4 (OF 6)
OFFICIAL INDEX TO MARVEL UNIVERSE #10
PLANETARY #27
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS MEET THE BAD GUYS #2 (OF 4)
REBELS ANNUAL STARRO THE CONQUEROR #1
RED TORNADO #2 (OF 6)
SAVAGE DRAGON #153
SHERLOCK HOLMES #5 (OF 5)
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #205
SPIDER-MAN 1602 #1 (OF 5)
STAR TREK ROMULANS SCHISM #2
STAR WARS INVASION #4
STARR THE SLAYER #2 (OF 4)
STARSTRUCK #2
STRANGE ADVENTURES #8 (OF 8)
STRANGE TALES #2 (OF 3)
SULLENGREY SACRIFICE #2 (OF 2) DOUBLE-SIZED
SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #8 (OF 12)
SWEET TOOTH #2
THE GOOD THE BAD & THE UGLY #4
TORCH #2 (OF 8)
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #3
VENGEANCE OF MOON KNIGHT #2
WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #699
WAR HEROES #3 (OF 6) (RES)
WARLORD #7
WITCHBLADE #131 SEJIC CVR A
WITCHFINDER IN THE SERVICE OF ANGELS #4 (OF 5)
X-BABIES #1 (OF 4)
X-MEN VS AGENTS OF ATLAS #1 (OF 2)

Books / Mags / Stuff
ANGEL NOT FADE AWAY TP
BETA RAY BILL GODHUNTER TP
BLOOM COUNTY COMPLETE LIBRARY HC VOL 01
COLLECTED VOYAGES OF SHEBUCCANEER TP
DARK REIGN FANTASTIC FOUR TP
EC ARCHIVES FRONTLINE COMBAT HC VOL 01
ESSENTIAL GHOST RIDER TP VOL 03
EXURBIA TP
FARSCAPE HC VOL 02 STRANGE DETRACTORS
G FAN #89
GRANDVILLE HC
JACK OF FABLES TP VOL 06 THE BIG BOOK OF WAR
JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #289
KULL TP VOL 01 SHADOW KINGDOM
MASQUERADE TP VOL 01
MOME GN VOL 16 SUMMER 09
MUPPET ROBIN HOOD TP
MYTH OF 8 OPUS LABYRINTH GN
NARUTO TP VOL 46
PETER & MAX A FABLES NOVEL HC
SIZZLE #43 (A)
SUPREME POWER PREM HC NIGHTHAWK
WEIRD FISHES GN
X-MEN FOREVER TP VOL 01
X-MEN NOIR GN TP
YOU ARE THERE HC


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

See, for me, EVERY day is "read comics all day" day!

I actually have two modes of reading comics, however, and this is kind of the "working in a candy store" problem -- most of the times I read comics, it is sadly "professionally" reading them. It's part of my job and function to have a general handle on what's going on in comics, so I like HAVE to read them. I order to properly ORDER and SELL comics, I feel like I have to read a lot of stuff that, really, I'd rather not read. I need to read, say, every other issue at least of virtually every "mainstream" comic so I know what they are and where they're going.

(More after the jump!)



Every week there are comics that I WANT to read, of course, but because of the way they arrive in the store (that is: all at once), I usually either intersperse or leave for last the comics I WANT to read (say, DETECTIVE or BATMAN & ROBIN or KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE) inbetween all of the stuff I'm much less enthusiastic about (Say, most DARK REIGN: COLON or FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: COLON titles) because otherwise I can't bring myself to read the less-desirable stuff.

And this means that I probably don't get as much out of the stuff I DO like, y'see?

It's all "professional" at that point.

The second mode of reading is when I'm at home, and I'm just reading for pleasure. Nine times out of ten that therefore becomes REreading for pleasure, if you follow?

Because of having a small son (Six Years Old tomorrow, YAY!), my "me time" is more and more limited -- I've just come downstairs after reading to him, and it's like 9 PM, yeesh, and I've got maybe 3 hours to "me" tonight before I have to fall asleep again. So a lot of my "pleasure" reading is in the "inbetween moments" -- in the bathroom, maybe, or taking a comic with me when I go out to sneak a smoke -- little 10 and 15 minute breaks and that's all I've got.

Which brings us to the topic of this column -- this week, in taking my breaks, and sneaking my sneaks, I've been rereading Sergio Aragones' GROO THE WANDERER.

These are PERFECT "break" comics -- they usually are fast reads, but they absolutely encourage you to linger in particular panels. Can you spot the hidden message? What has The Minstrel's top-of-his-lute characters metamorphosised into this time? What's the funniest background gag Aragones has snuck in? And so on.

This week I've been reading through the Dark Horse collections, most specifically from THE GROO HOUNDBOOK to THE GROO NURSERY, or that is to say from v8 to v14, if my fingers are counting correctly. Which further makes between issues #32 and 56.

This is a great period for the book: Groo is given a permanent partner in Ruferto, his faithful dog, which added a ton of storytelling possibilities; and a huge chunk of the recurring humor is established in these issues (most notably the "I Am The Prince of Chichester" gag) -- you can tell that Aragones' (and Evanier and Luth and Sakai) are all having a ball, and are really hitting their stride as a finely oiled team.

What I like the most about GROO in this incarnation is that most of the stories are completely self-contained in terms of introduction and execution of plot -- everything you need to know is always explicitly laid out for you, naturally, in the course of the story, and they all come to a nice moral point at the end. Even if they're multi-part stories -- each chapter comes to its own, separate conclusion. In short, in reading each issue, you really feel like you got an issue's worth.

That's a great feeling, especially compared to today's comics.

Seriously, these guys are master of both compacting the content so that you really feel like you got a full experience, as well as streamlining it so there's seldom anything extraneous or wasted. These are absolutely dead-on perfect 22 page entertainment packages, and there's not a creator alive who probably couldn't benefit from reading a few issues of GROO and paying attention to the Lean Density on display. This is really masterclass stuff, even if it is just silly comics about a stupid barbarian.

(As a further aside, I read these in BACKWARDS publication order -- from N to H -- and they read perfectly well that way.)

Ben is really starting to read now, so I have to keep a certain amount of prudence in what I leave lying where now -- not so much with GROO. Those I left right out where he'd spot them too, and he's been happily immersed in them. This is what makes it an even better comic -- it is absolutely entertaining for both kids AND adults. (While it is a crazy-over-the-top violent comic, it is of a level of LOONEY TUNES violence, which I think personally is just fine for kidlets)

I'm less enthralled with the last 3-4 mini-series of GROO because they, it seemed to me, were more about the message of the story, being structured as 4-part stories, then about here's-an-awesome-22-pages-kiddo. Most of the GROO THE WANDERER collections are out-of-print (and either way, I think they only ran to just a hair past the halfway point) but Evanier has said on his great blog there will be omnibuses coming from Dark Horse later this year. Hopefully the color ones that DH does, but maybe not in that smaller trim size because GROO is not a book that will be served by shrinking it. I'd be just as happy with B&W "ESSENTIAL-style" newsprint ones, really -- more issues at a time that way, too. It would be about 11 volumes in the color format, and something more like 7 in the ESSENTIAL format...

Anyway, I hope this period comes back into print soon, as it really is EXCELLENT.


As always, what did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian

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Just a couple of quick thoughts, to keep my hand in the game...

ASTRO CITY ASTRA SPECIAL #1: I've kind of disliked the whole "Dark Ages" storyline -- just feels like it's been going on and on and on with no end in sight, with characters I don't care about all that much. AC has always been best (IMO) with "done in one" stories. Well, this one is "done in two", but it worked a lot better for this reader than anything else lately. It might also because I like Astra a lot. Either way, this felt very much like a "return to form" for me, and I thought it was VERY GOOD.

I also really liked the cover stock -- it is shiny and slick, like (say) SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGINS, or how the "Ultimate" books used to be, but it isn't "slippery". You can pick up a stack of them by the middle and not have them go flying everywhere in all kinds of directions. I dunno if this was an accident, or something that they did on purpose (Kurt? Want to chime in in the comments?), but it's a very nice stock, giving both nice "hand" as well as signifying the book is "special" without the slippery problem. As fans you're probably not handling big stacks of slippery books, but as a retailer I very much appreciate it.

As long as I'm talking about cover stocks, let me mention that last week's BOOM! titles also had a new stock that I liked very much -- one of the things that has REALLY hurt BOOM! sales, in my opinion, is that they've had lousy "hand" (that is to say, holding it in your hand, if you think "This feels flimsy, and not worth the cover price!", that's "hand"). Last week's books FINALLY saw an upgrade of that, and it made a huge psychological difference (Now all we have to get them to do is to FUCKING ELIMINATE THE FORCED 50/50 variants -- esp. on the "kids" books. Kids could give one rat's fart about multiple covers, and kids also totally paw and devastate their racks [the only rack that's worse at Comix Experience is the porno rack], and having two cover for each comic only makes things massively epically worse); on the other hand, this week's BOOM! book, THE UNKNOWN: THE DEVIL MADE FLESH #1 was back to the shitty thin stock, which I'm desperately hoping is an accident, and that last week was A PLAN. Anyway, stop digressing Hibbs!!

BATMAN WIDENING GYRE #2: Can I just say it is very very very VERY strange to see "Fun Land" -- from SANDMAN #14, is it? The Serial Killers Convention issue anyway -- presented here as a BATMAN VILLAIN? Especially so without any kind of nod to Gaiman whatsoever? There's something just... wrong about that. I mean, it's a little better than talking about merkins or Poison Ivy's sexual preferences, but still, "one of these things is not the other" and all that. The rest of the issue? EH.

BOMB QUEEN VI #1: I have one "Obama Grandmother" who really likes collecting all of the various Obama comic appearances -- she wants me to pull them all aside for her. I'm generally happy to do so because she seems to genuinely enjoy it (and money is money), but this here is one I just dunno about. I really feel like saying to her "whatever you do, don't READ this one" because I can't see how an "Obama Grandmother" is going to relate to all of the swearing and borderline pornography on display here. I sort of think that, generally, "Bomb Queen" has run its course, but I had at least one or two actual genuine laughs, like I would with "The Boys" as well, so it is reasonably OK.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA 80 PAGE GIANT #1: Pretty old school. The team breaks into small two man teams throughout history, which is a fun enough premise. The EXECUTION varies pretty dramatically depending on the individual creative team (There's a few pieces in here not much better than, say "New Talent Showcase"), but it was the rare modern DC comic that I could actually read with my 5 year old standing over my shoulder, so I'm inclined to give it a GOOD just for that. Dunno when Snapper Carr started hanging out with the League again, though?

NEW MUTANTS #5: I didn't care (either way) about the story, but I thought the art on this issue, by Zachary Baldus (and, I am thinking, colorist James Campbell as well -- hard to tell from the outside where one starts and the other ends) was really terrific -- distinct, totally unlike anything else Marvel is publishing today, and full of personality. I especially like how Cannonball resembles (Fantagraphics') Eric Reynolds from the late 90s (I don't know what his haircut looks like today). I very much want to see more from this artist(s?). VERY GOOD on the art alone (though your mileage may vary -- it sure isn't Marvel "House Style")

SPIDER-MAN CLONE SAGA #1: I honestly don't get the point of this book. Why would ANYone want a RETELLING of the awful 90s Clone Saga? My customers seem to agree as well, sold a total of one copy so far. This is exactly the kind of book that makes me joyous that we have FOC (Final Order Cutoff, or the chance to CUT orders before the next issue ships). I guess the execution was adequate enough, but after like 4 pages I put the book down saying "Why why why?!?!", which pretty much is the essence of CRAP.

THOR #603: When did Loki become a dude again? I mean, it isn't like Asgardian Gods really should have fixed corporeal essences -- you'd think Loki could change A/S/L as often as It liked -- but did I miss a plot point somewhere? Still a she in MIGHTY AVENGERS, and in recent "Cabal" stuff, and anyway I sort of liked that change.

Anyway, I'm still liking this book a lot, but it totally feels like JMS is deeply in the MIDDLE of a lot of stuff happening here, and I have a fairly hard time to see how this will be satisfactorily wrapped up in a single special.

The thing is, I mostly think that people were buying this BECAUSE of JMS, because, generally, I think Thor is such an noncommercial character, and, even with the desire for a big crossover (or whatever) to get ready for the movie, they should have just let JMS have his little corner of the Marvel U to do what he's doing here.

Anyway, I thought this issue was fairly GOOD.


That's all I have time for today -- as always, what did YOU think?


-B

Labels: Brian

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Diamond isn't the only distributor I buy from, and, most weeks we only get a few minor titles from B&T et al. But this week, there was a pretty large pile of quality stuff we got in outside of Diamond, enough that I thought worth typing it up...

AYA THE SECRETS COME OUT HC
BALL PEEN HAMMER GN
BEST AMERICAN COMICS 2009 HC
BOILERPLATE HISTORYS MECHANICAL MARVEL HC
LOGICOMIX GN
MARVEL COMICS IN THE 1960S TP
REFRESH REFRESH GN
TALKING LINES HC
TINY TYRANT V2 LUCKY WINNER GN
TROTSKY HC (Rick Geary!)

That's a number of awesome books!!!

(OK, back to copying and folding ONOMATOPOEIA!)

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

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I always hate this week of the month -- have to finish the new order form AND get ONOMATOPOEIA out the door... back as soon as my dance card empties out...

ALIENS #3 (OF 4)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #607
ASTRO CITY ASTRA SPECIAL #1 (OF 2)
BAD DOG #3
BAD KIDS GO TO HELL #4 (OF 4)
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #9
BATMAN WIDENING GYRE #2 (OF 6)
BETTY #182
BLACKEST NIGHT TITANS #2 (OF 3)
BOMB QUEEN VI #1 (OF 4)
BOYS HEROGASM #5 (OF 6)
CYBERFORCE HUNTER KILLER #2 (OF 5) ROCAFORT CVR A
DARK REIGN HOOD #5 (OF 5)
DARK REIGN LETHAL LEGION #3 (OF 3) DKR
DARK REIGN SINISTER SPIDER-MAN #4 (OF 4)
DARK TOWER THE FALL OF GILEAD #5 (OF 6)
DARKNESS #80 HESTER CVR A
DIE HARD YEAR ONE #1
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #4 (OF 24)
EXISTENCE 2.0 #3 (OF 3)
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH INK #5 (OF 6)
FREDDY JASON ASH NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #4 (OF 6)
FUTURAMA COMICS #45
GI JOE COBRA SPECIAL #1
GLAMOURPUSS #9
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #4
GREEN LANTERN #46 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
HERCULES KNIVES OF KUSH #3 (OF 5) A CVR LANGLEY
HULK #15
JACK OF FABLES #38
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA 80 PAGE GIANT #1
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #31
KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #154
LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #5 (OF 6)
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #55
MARVEL DIVAS #3 (OF 4)
MARVEL MYSTERY HANDBOOK 70TH ANNIV SPECIAL
MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN #5
MICKEY MOUSE & FRIENDS #296
NEW MUTANTS #5
PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #135
PHANTOM GENERATIONS #5
PHANTOM GHOST WHO WALKS #5
PRESIDENT EVIL #2 100 DAYS LATER
PUNISHER ANNUAL #1
RAPTURE #4 (OF 6) OEMING CVR
RICHARD MOORE THE POUND
ROBERT E HOWARD THULSA DOOM #2
ROTTEN #4
RUNAWAYS 3 #14
SECRET WARRIORS #8
SHANG-CHI MASTER OF KUNG-FU BLACK & WHITE ONE-SHOT
SON OF HULK #15
SPIDER-MAN CLONE SAGA #1 (OF 6)
SPIN ANGELS #2 (OF 4)
STAR WARS LEGACY #40 TATOOINE PT 4 (OF 4)
SUPERMAN #692
TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #58
TEEN TITANS #75 (NOTE PRICE)
THOR #603
THUNDERBOLTS #136
UNKNOWN DEVIL MADE FLESH #1
UNKNOWN SOLDIER #12
USAGI YOJIMBO #123
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #5
WONDER WOMAN #36
X-FACTOR #49
X-FORCE #19
X-MEN FOREVER #8

Books / Mags / Stuff
25000 YEARS OF EROTIC FREEDOM HC (A)
ABSOLUTE PROMETHEA HC VOL 01
ALTER EGO #89
AVENGERS INVADERS HC
BATMAN BRAVE & BOLD V1 DVD (NET)
BATMAN DOUBLE FEATURE DVD (NET)
BATMAN THE BLACK GLOVE TP
BERSERK VOL 31
BLACK PANTHER PREM HC DEADLIEST OF THE SPECIES
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 05 PREDATOR & PREY
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #36 HITMAN
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #37 BATGIRL
DEADPOOL SUICIDE KINGS HC
DEFORMITORY GN
DISCWORLD TP VOL 01 COLOUR OF MAGIC & LIGHT FANTASTIC
DUNGEON EARLY YEARS GN VOL 01 NIGHT SHIRT NEW PTG
FABLES DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 01
GARTH ENNIS BATTLEFIELDS TP VOL 03 TANKIES
GHOST COMICS GN
HARLEQUIN VALENTINE HC (NEW PTG)
HELLBOY LIBRARY ED HC VOL 03 CONQUEROR WORM & STRANGE PLACES
HIGH MOON TP VOL 01
HOWARD CHAYKIN POWER & GLORY TP
ICON A HEROS WELCOME TP NEW PTG
INDIANA JONES FURTHER ADV OMNIBUS TP VOL 02
JLI SER 2 BALANCED ONE THIRD CASE ASST (NET)
JOHNNY CASH I SEE A DARKNESS GN
KNOW THYSELF HC
PREVIEWS #253 OCTOBER 2009 (NET)
SLEEPER SEASON 2 TP
SUPERMAN BATMAN TP VOL 01 PUBLIC ENEMIES NEW PTG
SUPERMAN KRYPTONITE TP
TEZUKAS BLACK JACK TP VOL 06
ULTIMATUM PREM HC
UMBRELLA ACADEMY TP VOL 02 DALLAS
WIZARD MAGAZINE #217 J SCOTT CAMPBELL BUFFY CVR
X-MEN MAGNETO TESTAMENT TP


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

It's not a large week of comics, but I'm going to hide it under the jump so as to prevent Jog's excellent post from scrolling down too far...

Also, everyone who gets here without reading Spurgeon on a regular basis should check out his excellent essay on how comics have changed over the last half decade.

The list is after the jump...





AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #606
ANITA BLAKE LC NECROMANCER #5 (OF 5)
ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #202
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #28
BART SIMPSONS TREEHOUSE OF HORROR #15
BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #8
BLACKEST NIGHT SUPERMAN #2 (OF 3)
BUCK ROGERS #4
CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #14
DARK REIGN LIST X-MEN ONE SHOT
DARK REIGN MADE MEN
DARK X-MEN CONFESSION ONE-SHOT DAX
DARKNESS PITT #2 (OF 3) KEOWN CVR A
DETECTIVE COMICS #857
DOCTOR WHO BLACK DEATH WHITE LIFE
ENDERS SHADOW COMMAND SCHOOL #1 (OF 5)
FANTASTIC FORCE #4 (OF 4)
FANTASTIC FOUR #571
FARSCAPE GONE & BACK #3
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH DANCE #5 (OF 6)
GI JOE #9
GRIMM FAIRY TALES PRESENTS LITTLE MERMAID COLL
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #18
HALO HELLJUMPER #3 (OF 5)
HELLBLAZER #259
HERE COME THE LOVEJOYS #2 FATHER FIXATION (A)
IMMORTAL WEAPONS #3 (OF 5)
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #135
INCREDIBLE HULK #602
INVINCIBLE #66
JUGHEAD #197
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #37
KILLAPALOOZA #5 (OF 6)
MADAME XANADU #15
MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #17
MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN #4
MONSTERS INC LAUGH FACTORY #2
MS MARVEL #45
MUPPET PETER PAN #1
MUPPET SHOW TREASURE OF PEG LEG WILSON #3 (OF 4)
NEW AVENGERS #57
NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #173
NO HERO #7 (OF 7)
NOVA #29
POWER GIRL #5
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS CHAPTER TWO #3
RIFTWAR #4 (OF 5)
SONIC UNIVERSE #8
SPIDER-WOMAN #1 (RES)
STAR TREK SPOCK REFLECTIONS #3
SUPER FRIENDS #19
SUPERGIRL #45
SUPERMAN BATMAN #64
SUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN #1 (OF 6)
TERRY MOORES ECHO #15
UNCANNY X-MEN #515
UNDERGROUND #1 (OF 4)
VIGILANTE #10
WASTELAND #26
WEB #1
WEDNESDAY COMICS #12 (OF 12)
WILDCATS #15
WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #19
WOLVERINE GIANT-SIZE OLD MAN LOGAN #1
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #40
ZERO KILLER #5 (OF 6)
ZORRO #16

Books / Mags / Stuff
ARCHIE & FRIENDS ALL STARS TP VOL 01 VERONICA PASSPORT (RES)
BACK ISSUE #36
CHRONICLES OF CONAN TP VOL 18
DARKNESS ACCURSED TP VOL 02
DC LIBRARY BATMAN A DEATH IN THE FAMILY HC
DEAD MOON BY LUIS ROYO 2010 WALL CALENDAR
DETROIT METAL CITY GN VOL 02
DUNGEON THE EARLY YEARS GN VOL 02
EDEN TP VOL 12
FANTASTIC FOUR PREM HC MASTERS OF DOOM
FLASH CHRONICLES TP VOL 01
GOON TP VOL 09 CALAMITY OF CONSCIENCE
ILLUSTRATION MAGAZINE #27
LABOR DAYS GN VOL 02 JUST ANOTHER DAMN DAY
MARVEL ADVENTURES THOR AND AVENGERS TP DIGEST
NIGHT SONG SC
PET AVENGERS CLASSIC TP
PRISON PIT SC BOOK 01
SPIRIT TP VOL 02
STREET FIGHTER TP VOL 01 NEW ED
SULK GN VOL 03 KIND OF STRENGTH COMES FROM MADNESS
TEZUKAS BLACK JACK TP VOL 07
THINGS UNDONE GN
THOR BY JURGENS AND ROMITA JR TP VOL 01
VIDEO WATCHDOG #151
WONDER WOMAN THE CIRCLE TP
X-MEN ORIGINS HC

What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

Yeah, it hasn't been a full month, I know, but I wanted to get some thoughts Entered Into The Permanent Record on the Paul Levitz thing.

You can read them here.

Interested in your thoughts, as always...

-B

Labels: Brian, Tilting

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Just a quick in and out to hit a few books from this week... after the jump!



ARCHIE #601: Wow, that's seriously weird for an Archie comic -- there's a shout-out reference to Kurtzman/Elder "Starchie" story (!); there's a titty joke ("Oh, you must be Juggie!") (!!); and there's even a hint of pre-marital sex (!!!). Don't get me wrong, it is all extremely mild, and a 8 year old girl isn't going to read it the same way I did, but still, none of that's what I would have expected in an Archie comic.

Other than that, I enjoyed this just fine -- but I thought the resolution of the Betty story was a bit... mm, shoehorned, maybe? It's extremely sweet that Archie "proposed" "Best Friendship" to Ms. Cooper, but it really should have sent her off crying even harder, IMO. All in all, though: GOOD.

ACTION COMICS #881: Man, that's one busy ass-cover "World against [superman symbol]" anchoring the top. "Second Feature: Captain Action" anchoring the bottom (which is as useful as tits on a bull, I have to say -- the bottom is "dead space" from a display perspective). And "The Hunt For Reactron: part one" also basically on the bottom. PLUS you've got the normal trade dress AND the "triangle numbering" Yeesh!

I'm generally bored with the superman books right now -- this New Krypton storyline isn't especially compelling, I'm missing the lead characters, and turning the super-characters into the X-Men ("Sworn to protect a world that hates and fears them") just doesn't work at all, even a little bit. EH.

BATMAN & ROBIN #4: While I liked the story better than #3, on each and every page I was thinking "Man, I wish Quitely was drawing this!" OK

M.O.D.O.K. DARK REIGN: Is this not the Marvel Age of M.O.D.O.K.? This book had me laughing really really hard. Funny stuff! VERY GOOD

ULTIMATE ARMOR WARS: Marvel has got to work out the color effects behind the "Ultimate" logo -- it's nearly invisible on this one. It's also probably a mistake to publish this at the same time as the kids-oriented "IRON MAN ARMOR WARS", but hey I'm not a publisher, so what do I know? If you want drunken playboy superheroes, this is probably exactly the book for you. I thought it was a pretty high OK.



What did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian

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Wouldn't it have been awesome if that Pop-up Dracula book was a pop-up version of Abhay Kholsa's Bram Stoker's Dracula? I'd pay good money for that, yes.

28 DAYS LATER #2
ACTION COMICS #881
AGENTS OF ATLAS #11
AIR #13
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #605
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN PRESENTS ANTI VENOM #1 (OF 3)
ANGEL #25
AOD ASH SAVES OBAMA #2 (OF 4)
ARCHIE #601
ATHENA #1 W/ OBAMA FLIP CVR
ATOMIC ROBO SHADOW FROM BEYOND TIME #5 (OF 5)
BATGIRL #2
BATMAN AND ROBIN #4
BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #4
BEASTS OF BURDEN #1 (OF 4)
BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #174
BLACKEST NIGHT #3 (OF 8)
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #27
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #3 (OF 5)
CAVEWOMAN RED MENACE ONE-SHOT
CITIZEN REX #3 (OF 6)
DARK AVENGERS #9
DARK REIGN LIST DAREDEVIL ONE SHOT
DARK WOLVERINE #78
DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #3
DOMINIC FORTUNE #2 (OF 4)
EX MACHINA #45
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS #3 BENITEZ CVR
FABLES #88
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH ESCAPE #5 (OF 6)
GHOSTBUSTERS DISPLACED AGGRESSION #1
GI JOE ORIGINS #7
GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #24
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #18
JSA VS KOBRA #4 (OF 6)
JUGHEAD AND FRIENDS DIGEST #34
LONE RANGER #18
MARVEL SPOTLIGHT MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN
MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN #3
MIGHTY AVENGERS #29
MODOK REIGN DELAY
OUTSIDERS #22
POE (BOOM) #3
PUNISHER #9
PUNISHER NOIR #2 (OF 4)
REBELS #8
SCOOBY DOO #148
SIMPSONS COMICS #158
STAR TREK ROMULANS SCHISM #1
STAR WARS CLONE WARS #9
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OLD REPUBLIC #45 DESTROYER PT 1 (OF 2)
STARCRAFT #4
SULLENGREY SACRIFICE #1 (OF 2) DOUBLE-SIZED
SWORD #19
SWORDSMITH ASSASSIN #2
THOR ANNUAL #1
TINY TITANS #20
ULTIMATE COMICS ARMOR WARS #1 (OF 4)
UNCANNY X-MEN FIRST CLASS #3 (OF 8)
UNTHINKABLE #5 (OF 5)
VEIL #3
VENGEANCE OF MOON KNIGHT #1
WALKING DEAD #65
WAR MACHINE #9
WE KILL MONSTERS #3 (OF 6)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #11 (OF 12)
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #23
X-FACTOR #48
X-MEN LEGACY ANNUAL #1
ZOMBIES THAT ATE THE WORLD #5 (OF 8)

Books / Mags / Stuff
3 STORY SECRET HISTORY OT GIANT MAN
ALCOHOLIC SC
BAD GIRLS TP
BATMAN CACOPHONY HC
BIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL CHE GUEVARA GN
CAPED TP
CAPTAIN AMERICA TP MAN WITH NO FACE
DRACULA CLASSIC POP UP GN
HAUNT OF HORROR TP
HEAVY METAL NOV 2009
HULK PLANET SKAAR HC
HULK SKAAR SON OF HULK TP
INDIANA JONES ADVENTURES TP VOL 02
JOHN STANLEY LIBRARY NANCY HC VOL 01
JOHNNY BOO HC VOL 03 HAPPY APPLES
LEES TOY REVIEW #202 SEP 2009
LOCKE & KEY HEAD GAMES HC VOL 01
NEIL GAIMAN ODD AND FROST GIANTS HC ED
OISHINBO GN VOL 05 VEGETABLES
PLUTO URASAWA X TEZUKA GN VOL 05
SECRET WAR TP NEW PTG
SECRET WARRIORS PREM HC VOL 01 NICK FURY AGENT OF NOTHING
SHOWCASE PRESENTS WARLORD TP VOL 01
SIZZLE #43 (A)
SPAWN BOOK O/T DEAD TP
SPIDER-MAN NOIR GN TP
THOR BALDER BRAVE PREM HC
WASTELAND APOCALYPTIC ED HC VOL 01
WILL EISNERS SPIRIT ARCHIVES HC VOL 01 NEW ADV
WITCHBLADE ORIGINS TP VOL 03
YOTSUBA & ! GN VOL 06

What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

[ONE EDIT: 9/9/09 9:54 PM, scroll to the next brackets]

As you may have now heard, Paul Levitz is now out at DC, and DC Comics will now become "DC Entertainment", headed by Diane Nelson.

This is, I think, much bigger news than the Disney/Marvel thing from last week. Paul certainly has his shares of detractors, but I've always thought of him as the Smartest Man in Comics, and absolutely one of the key Architects and Protectors of the DM.

Rich Johnston (of all people) has probably the best "eulogy" for Paul over on Bleeding Cool.

[HERE'S THE EDIT: Kurt Busiek nails it even better than Rich]

I think Paul is a Class Act, and there's nothing more that I fear than Warners completely ruining the DM. I'm absolutely shattered by this news -- I was hoping we'd have AT LEAST another decade with Paul at the helm, and now everything -- everything -- is up in the air.

Chances are that, by 2012, nothing in comics will even remotely resemble what it does today.

You can read Paul's farewell statement over here. I appreciate the fact that Paul specifically mentions retailers. He also uses the words "comics" as a noun five times.

You can read an introduction from Diane Nelson over here. This is probably the most relevant paragraph:

DC Entertainment’s mission is to deeply integrate the DC brand and characters into all of Warner Bros.’ creative production and distribution businesses, while maintaining the integrity of the properties and DC’s longstanding commitment to and respect for writers, creators and artists. The founding of DC Entertainment is about Warner Bros. taking DC to the next level and giving DC an even greater degree of focus and prioritization in all the businesses in which we operate—films, television, home entertainment, digital, consumer products and videogames.

She doesn't use the noun "comics" even one time.

That terrifies me.

I'll probably have more later, but right about now I have to start checking in my comics shipment...

-B

Labels: Brian

Click Here to Read More...

Wow, I really loved Marvel's STRANGE TALES #1.

If this was an attempt to "counter-program" DC's WEDNESDAY COMICS, it's a pretty solid drubbing -- there's a tremendous amount of energy and passion on display on most of the strips here that I'm finding lacking from WC (which is beautiful, and all, but I found myself suddenly stopping reading WC at around week 3, saying I'll read again when the whole thing is complete, which I guess will get me there around 9/23)

Like with most anthologies, there's not a lot here of real lasting and permanent value, but even the slightest pieces are inventive and fun -- for example, Paul Pope's "Inhumans" story is nearly an episode of Seinfeld on the nothing-happens scale; it is eight pages about trying to open a can of dog food... but what a glorius eight pages it is!

There's some seriously mental work on here: who would have ever (EVER!) thought you'd see a Junko Mizuno or Jason "Spider-Man" story? Or Dash Shaw doing "Dr. Strange"? Man, pure beauty!

There were a few bits that didn't work for me: I thought the Johnny Ryan pages weren't "Johnny Ryan enough" -- I wanted to see more feces and blood and cursing! And I was oddly cold from the Peter Bagge "Hulk" story, especially for something that was so famously "drawered" for being... too something or another. While his "Megalomaniacal Spider-Man" was pretty on-the-nose, this first third of "Hulk" almost felt too sit-com-y for my taste.

The real winner for me, however, was Nick Berrtozi's "M.O.D.O.K." story, which got me dangerously close to a tear. It was a real winner. IN fact, between that and the Pope story, it seems to me that these cartoonists are probably better off to not do the "big" Marvel characters, as there is more to be mined from the c-listers.

I don't know really how to rack this book -- it doesn't belong in the Marvel section of the store at all. Marvel's standard readership isn't going to know how to react to this book, whatsoever, and I don't think it will be all that great to "lead" Marvel readers to a wider set of styles.

Its also a book that seems to REQUIRE hand-selling -- at least three quarters of the people I pointed to it had no idea it was out (even staring them in the face), but each of them was "Holy Shit! I want!!"

Am I the only person who finds it deeply ironic that this came out the same week as the announcement of the Disney deal? I wouldn't count a lot on projects like this coming too much in the New World Order, but maybe I'll be surprised?

Overall, I thought this was an EXCELLENT comic book. What did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian

Click Here to Read More...

Please do not forget that, thanks to Labor Day, New Comics Day in the US is not until THURSDAY this week!

2000 AD PACK AUG 2009
2000 AD PACK JUL 2009
ADVENTURE COMICS #2
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #604
ANGEL ONLY HUMAN #2 (OF 4)
ARCHIE & FRIENDS #135
ARCHIE DIGEST #257
BLACKEST NIGHT BATMAN #2 (OF 3)
BOOSTER GOLD #24
BPRD 1947 #3 (OF 5)
CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #41
COMPLETE DRACULA #3 (OF 5)
DARK AVENGERS/UNCANNY X-MEN EXODUS DAX
DARK REIGN LIST AVENGERS ONE SHOT
DARK REIGN YOUNG AVENGERS #4 (OF 5) DKR
DEAD #4 KINGDOM OF FLIES
DEAD AT 17 AFTERBIRTH #4 (OF 4)
DEAD SPACE EXTRACTION (ONE SHOT)
DESCENDANT #3 (OF 3)
DMZ #45
DOCTOR WHO ONGOING #3
DOOM PATROL #2
ELEPHANTMEN #21 (RES)
ENDERS GAME COMMAND SCHOOL #1 (OF 5)
FALLEN ANGEL REBORN #3
FARSCAPE DARGOS TRIAL #2
FINDING NEMO REEF RESCUE #3 (OF 4)
FREDDY JASON ASH NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #3 (OF 6)
G-MAN CAPE CRISIS #2 (OF 5)
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #40 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
HELLBOY WILD HUNT #6 (OF 8)
HOUSE OF MYSTERY #17
HULK TEAM-UP ONE SHOT
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #134
KICK ASS #7
LIFE AND TIMES OF SAVIOR 28 #5
LILLIM #5 (OF 5)
MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #15
MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD #1 (OF 4)
MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN #2
MARVELS PROJECT #2 (OF 8)
MAURA #2
MODELS INC #1 (OF 4) (RES)
MUPPET ROBIN HOOD #4 (OF 4)
NOMAD GIRL WITHOUT A WORLD #1 (OF 4)
POLITICAL POWER #2 BARACK OBAMA BK MKT ED
PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX #74
RED HERRING #2 (OF 6)
RED ROBIN #4
RED SONJA #48
ROTTEN #3
SECRET SIX #13
SHIELD #1
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #204
STAR TREK NERO #2
STORMWATCH PHD #23
SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #7 (OF 12)
THICKER THAN BLOOD #3 (OF 3) (RES)
THOR TALES OF ASGARD BY LEE & KIRBY #5 (OF 6)
THUNDERBOLTS #135 DKR
TITANS #17
TYRESE GIBSONS MAYHEM #2 (OF 3)
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #2
UNWRITTEN #5
VAMPIRELLA SECOND COMING #1 SUYDAM CVR
WAR OF KINGS WHO WILL RULE ONE-SHOT
WARLORD #6
WEDNESDAY COMICS #10 (OF 12)
WITCHBLADE #130 SEJIC CVR A
X-MEN FOREVER #7

Books / Mags / Stuff
ACHEWOOD HC VOL 02 WORST SONG PLAYED
ALL & SUNDRY UNCOLLECTED WORK HC 2004-2009
ANGEL AFTER THE FALL HC VOL 05 AFTERMATH
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 TP VOL 03 VAMPIRE STATE
CINEFEX #119 OCT 2009
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #100 BANSHEE
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #17 STARFIRE
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #20 BOOSTER GOLD
EMILY THE STRANGE TP VOL 02
FANTASTIC FOUR LOST ADVENTURES BY STAN LEE TP
FULL FRONTAL NERDITY TP VOL 02 YOUVE GOT THE TOUCH
GIRAFFES IN MY HAIR A ROCK N ROLL LIFE HC
GOTHAM CENTRAL HC VOL 02 JOKERS AND MADMEN
GRIMWOODS DAUGHTER HC
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY TP VOL 02 WAR OF KINGS BOOK 01
JAMES ROBINSONS COMPLETE WILDCATS TP (RES)
JUDGE DREDD COMPLETE CASE FILES TP VOL 13
JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #288
LIFE & TIMES MARTHA WASHINGTON IN 21ST CENTURY HC
LITTLE LULU TP VOL 20 BAWLPLAYERS & OTHER STORIES
LOVE & ROCKETS NEW STORIES TP VOL 02
MARVEL 1602 PREM HC
MARVEL SUPERHERO TEAM UP TP
PAUL THE SAMURAI COMPLETE WORKS TP
RED MONKEY DOUBLE HAPPINESS BOOK HC
RUNAWAYS GOOD DIE YOUNG PREM HC
SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN TP VOL 06
SQUIRREL MACHINE HC
STRONTIUM DOG TRAITOR TO HIS KIND TP
SUPER HUMAN RESOURCES TP SEASON 01
TANGENT SUPERMANS REIGN TP VOL 02
TOYFARE #147 DC DIRECT BATMAN CVR
ULTIMATUM SPIDER-MAN PREM HC
WEST COAST BLUES HC
X-MEN MISFITS GN VOL 01
YOTSUBA & ! GN VOL 01
YTHAQ PREM HC NO ESCAPE

What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

The newest column is up at Comic Book Resources. Go give it a read!

Always happy for opinions, whether there, or in a comments thread here.

-B

Labels: Brian, Marvel, Tilting

Click Here to Read More...

So, Disney buying Marvel, eh? Yeah, that's likely to be a game-changer.

No real commentary from me today on that, however -- Ben broke his arm yesterday, so I lost most of the day to the Emergency Room (and, let me tell you, if you have an injured kid in San Francisco, you'd be REALLY smart to take them to the new Pediatric Emergency Room at California Pacific Medical Center on California St., because those people were AWESOME, 100% kid-oriented [They have a staffer JUST to explain procedures to kids in kid-language!], astonishingly professional, and we didn't have that wait-to-entry that I normally associate with ERs -- we had a doctor to see in like 15 minutes. I'd never call going to an ER "pleasant", but that was pretty darn close!), and I've got to finish the order form to boot (plus, huh, first of the month tomorrow, got to pay some bills before I go today...) -- I'll think more about that tomorrow and Wednesday...

Anyway, sold looking week o' comical goodness...


AGENTS OF ATLAS #10
AUTHORITY #14
BATMAN #690
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #33
BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #197
BLACK PANTHER 2 #8
BOYS #34
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #28 CHEN CVR
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #28 JEANTY CVR
CABLE #18
CARS RADIATOR SPRINGS #1
CHEW #4
CURSED PIRATE GIRL #2 (OF 3)
DARING MYSTERY COMICS #1 70TH ANNIV SPECIAL
DEAD RUN #4
DEADPOOL #15
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #3 (OF 24)
EXILES #6
FALL OUT TOY WORKS #1 (OF 5)
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH RUN #5 (OF 6)
FROM THE ASHES #4
GHOST RIDERS HEAVENS ON FIRE #2 (OF 6)
GREEK STREET #3
GRIMJACK MANX CAT #2
HERCULES KNIVES OF KUSH #2 (OF 5) A CVR MARKO
HOTWIRE #4 (OF 4) A CVR PUGH
HOUSE OF M MASTERS OF EVIL #2 (OF 4)
IMMORTAL WEAPONS #2 (OF 5)
INCOGNITO #6
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #17
IRON MAN ARMOR WARS #2 (OF 4)
IRREDEEMABLE #6
JERSEY GODS #7
JONAH HEX #47
JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #3 (OF 7)
LAST RESORT #2
LOONEY TUNES #178
LUKE CAGE NOIR #2 (OF 4)
MAGOG #1
MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN #1
MICE TEMPLAR DESTINY #3
MIGHTY #8
MYSTIC COMICS #1 70TH ANNIV SPECIAL
NORTH 40 #3 (OF 6)
NORTHLANDERS #20
OFFICIAL INDEX TO MARVEL UNIVERSE #9
RAWBONE #4 (OF 4)
RED TORNADO #1 (OF 6)
RESURRECTION VOL 2 #3
ROBERT E HOWARD THULSA DOOM #1
SAVAGE DRAGON #152
SCOURGE OF GODS FALL #3 (OF 3)
SOLOMON GRUNDY #7 (OF 7) (BLACKEST NIGHT)
STAR WARS INVASION #3 (OF 5)
STARR THE SLAYER #1 (OF 4)
STRANGE ADVENTURES #7 (OF 8)
STRANGE TALES #1 (OF 3)
SUPERGIRL ANNUAL #1
SWEET TOOTH #1
THE GOOD THE BAD & THE UGLY #3
TORCH #1 (OF 8)
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #2
VERONICA #196
WEDNESDAY COMICS #9 (OF 12)
WITCHFINDER IN THE SERVICE OF ANGELS #3 (OF 5)
YOUNG LIARS #18

Books / Mags / Stuff
ABSOLUTE V FOR VENDETTA HC
AMULET SC VOL 02 STONEKEEPERS CURSE
ANGEL BLOOD AND TRENCHES TP VOL 01
BATMAN GOTHAM AFTER MIDNIGHT TP
BLEACH TP VOL 28
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #101 WAR MACHINE
CSI INTERNS GN VOL 01 (OF 2)
DC LIBRARY JLA BY GEORGE PEREZ HC VOL 01
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #18 M MANHUNTER
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #19 NIGHTWING
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #34 BLUE BEETLE
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #35 BIZARRO
DEAD IRONS HC
DMZ TP VOL 07 WAR POWERS
ESSENTIAL SUB-MARINER TP VOL 01
FOODBOY GN (OCT032442)
GI JOE ORIGINS TP VOL 01
GROWN UPS ARE DUMB NO OFFENSE SC
HONEY LICKERS SORORITY GN VOL 02 (A)
HULK GRAY PREM HC
INCREDIBLES FAMILY MATTERS TP
JSA HC VOL 05 BLACK ADAM AND ISIS
LORDS OF MISRULE HC
MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD TP HERO UP DIGEST HERO CVR
MARVEL ZOMBIES ARMY OF DARKNESS TP
NOCTURNALS HC VOL 02 DARK FOREVER AND OTHER TALES PX ED
NOCTURNALS HC VOL 02 DARK FOREVER AND OTHER TALES REG ED
PROCESS RECESS HC VOL 03 HALLOWED SEAM
REBEL GN
SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN TP VOL 06
SILENT MOBIUS COMPLETE ED GN VOL 01
SPY VS SPY TP DANGER INTRIGUE STUPIDITY
SPY VS SPY TP MASTERS OF MAYHEM
SPY VS SPY TP MISSIONS OF MADNESS
STAR TREK ARCHIVES TP VOL 06 BEST OF ALTERNATE UNIVERSES
SUPERMAN NEW KRYPTON HC VOL 02
WOLVERINE AND POWER PACK TP WILD PACK DIGEST
WONDERFUL WIZARD OZ HC
ZOMNIBUS GN VOL 01


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Ben, Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

ARCHIE #600: It has been a really long time since I've last read an issue of ARCHIE. Well, a proper one, at least -- I glanced through one of those "new look" issues, but threw it across the room in disgust.

So I was a little surprised as to just how much I enjoyed this first part of "Archie Marries Veronica"

Some people, I guess, might object to this being an "Elseworlds" (Archie walks one night along "Memory Lane", but decides to walk UP the path), but it seems to me that the Archie line depends on being essentially changeless (If slightly out of tune with what teems are really like), but, at the same time, moving away from that eternal formula can seemingly yield fairly alright stories.

So, yeah, it's a little strange to see Archie Andrews as a drifting post-collegial young man who makes the decision to change the way he's done thing all of these years and to make a commitment to Ronnie, but it also worked in a very strange way.

I mean, I'm certainly a "Betty Man", and that makes a lot more sense to me than Veronica, but Mike Uslan's script here is remarkably crisp, as well as filled with real drama and pathos.

I have a slightly bigger problem with the art -- I guess my eye just has a hard time with any drawing that's NOT Dan DeCarlo, but Stan Goldberg has been drawing Archie for years (Decades?), so it isn't like this looks "off model" or something. BUT...

... they made a really strange choice to not actually render most of the female character's noses in most panels.

It just looks wrong, especially on Veronica.

In fact there are several panels that, if I looked at them out of context, without a picture of Archie or Jughead, I don't know that I would necessarily have guessed it was from an Archie comic.

Not a major deal, either way, but it has knocked down my grade just a little. What's surprising to me is even with that knock, I'm still going to say this issue was VERY GOOD. Wow! Whudathunkit?

What did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Archie, Brian

Click Here to Read More...

Yay, Ben's first day of First Grade! You'll forgive me if I'm distracted...

Big ole week of excellent comics this time through...

28 DAYS LATER #1
ANITA BLAKE LC NECROMANCER #4 (OF 5)
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #27
BAD KIDS GO TO HELL #3 (OF 4)
BARACK THE BARBARIAN #2 (OF 4)
BART SIMPSON COMICS #49
BATMAN AND ROBIN #3
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #8
BATMAN WIDENING GYRE #1 (OF 6)
BETA RAY BILL GODHUNTER #3 (OF 3)
BETTY & VERONICA #243
BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #7
BLACKEST NIGHT TITANS #1 (OF 3)
BONEYARD #28 (OF 28) (RES)
BOYS HEROGASM #4 (OF 6)
BUCK ROGERS #3
CAPTAIN ACTION COMICS #5 GULACY RETRO CVR
CEREBUS ARCHIVE #3
CITIZEN REX #2 (OF 6)
DARK AVENGERS #8 DAX
DARK REIGN ELEKTRA #5 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN SINISTER SPIDER-MAN #3 (OF 4) DKR
DARK TOWER THE FALL OF GILEAD #4 (OF 6)
DARK WOLVERINE #77 DKR
DARK X-MEN BEGINNING #3 (OF 3) DAX
DARKNESS PITT #1 KEOWN CVR A
DEADPOOL #14
DETECTIVE COMICS #856
DOCTOR WHO COLD-BLOODED WAR (ONE SHOT)
DYNAMO 5 #24
FANTASTIC FOUR #570
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH INK #4 (OF 6)
FLASH REBIRTH #4 (OF 6)
FRANK FRAZETTAS SORCERER FRAZETTA CVR A (ONE SHOT)
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #3
GREEN LANTERN #45 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
GRIMM FAIRY TALES #41 CVR A CAMPBELL
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #17
HALO HELLJUMPER #2 (OF 5)
HULK #14
I AM LEGION #5 (OF 6)
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #133
INCREDIBLE HULK #601
INCREDIBLES #0
JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #153
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #30
KILLAPALOOZA #4 (OF 6)
KING CITY #1
LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #4 (OF 6)
MADAME XANADU #14
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #54
MS MARVEL #44 DKR
MUPPET SHOW TREASURE OF PEG LEG WILSON #2 (OF 4)
NEW AVENGERS #56 DKR
NEW MUTANTS #4
NOVA #28
PHANTOM GENERATIONS #4
PREDATOR #2 (OF 4)
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS CHAPTER TWO #2
RED CIRCLE THE SHIELD #1
RED SONJA #47
REX MUNDI DH ED #19 (OF 19)
RIFTWAR #3 (OF 5)
RUNAWAYS 3 #13
SCALPED #31
SECRET WARRIORS #7
SHERLOCK HOLMES #4 (OF 5)
SKRULL KILL KREW #4 (OF 5) DKR
SON OF HULK #14
SONIC UNIVERSE #7
SPIN ANGELS #1 Of(3)
STAR WARS DARK TIMES #14 BLUE HARVEST PT 2 (OF 5)
STAR WARS LEGACY #39 TATOOINE PT 3 (OF 4)
STREET FIGHTER LEGENDS CHUN LI #4 (OF 4) A CVR DOGAN
SUPERMAN #691
SUPERMANS PAL JIMMY OLSEN SPECIAL #2
TEEN TITANS #74
TIMESTORM 2009 2099 #4 (OF 4)
UNKNOWN #4 (OF 4)
UNKNOWN SOLDIER #11
USAGI YOJIMBO #122
WEDNESDAY COMICS #8 (OF 12)
WILDCATS #14
WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #18
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #39
WONDER WOMAN #35
X-FORCE #18
X-FORCE #18 70TH FRAME VAR
X-MEN FOREVER #6
ZERO KILLER #4 (OF 6) (RES)

Books / Mags / Stuff
AUTHORITY WORLDS END TP BOOK 01
BORDERLINE TP VOL 03
CABLE TP VOL 02 WAITING FOR THE END OF THE WORLD
GHOST RIDER TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS TP
IMMORTAL IRON FIST PREM HC VOL 05 ESCAPE FROM EIGHTH CITY
LANTERN CORPS BLACK SYMBOL T/S LG (O/A)
LANTERN CORPS BLACK SYMBOL T/S XL (O/A)
MUPPET SHOW TP
OLD MAN WINTER & OTHER SORDID TALES GN
PREVIEWS #252 SEPTEMBER 2009 (NET)
REIGN IN HELL TP
SECRET SATURDAYS GN VOL 01
SECRET SIX UNHINGED TP
SHOWCASE PRESENTS ECLIPSO TP
SPARROW HC VOL 12 SERGIO TOPPI
TOMARTS ACTION FIGURE DIGEST #179/#180
TOON TREASURY OF CLASSIC CHILDRENS COMICS HC
TRINITY TP VOL 02
ULTIMATE X-MEN ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP VOL 03
UNCANNY X-MEN SISTERHOOD TP
WIZARD MAGAZINE #216 TRAVIS CHAREST CAPT AMERICA CVR (C: 0-1
WORLD OF WARCRAFT TP VOL 01
X-FORCE CABLE MESSIAH WAR HC
X-FORCE TP VOL 02 OLD GHOSTS

What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #1: Well, not that you'd know that was the title by looking AT the title, which, can I say? drives me bucking fonkers. Indicia really should match title, sigh.

(And, they're not really "Avengers", either -- that word doesn't appear to be uttered within the comic whatsoever, but whatever!)

For action and sardonic wit, this picks up smoothly from Millar's last ULTIMATES run, though I'd've been happier if it appeared that either Millar or Bendis even READ "Ultimatum", because Millar has it here as "New York flooded", which is a smidge different than "millions dead as New York is decimated by a tsunami", but, again, whatever...

As a retailer, I'm dismayed that both this and UCSM #1 shipped the same week (And in one of the single biggest ship weeks of the year, at that) -- and first week sales seem to match that dismay. Both are well under the sell-through for U3 #5, or USM #133 in their first week, which leads me to perhaps rashly conclude that this reboot has chased away more of the audience than it has drawn in.

Either way, I thought this first issue was perfectly OK


ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #1: I have to say that I find the notion that within six months New York City is COMPLETELY RESTORED to be far more "comic booky" than if, say, Wolverine had already returned from the (what appeared to be pretty final) Dead. I mean, fuck, here we are EIGHT YEARS after 9/11, and we still don't have anything at Ground Zero, and that was TWO buildings. Between that and the "Hey, maybe Spidey is dead, too? HA! PSYCHE!" bullshit, my interest in this comic has nearly completely cratered.

USM used to be one of the "top read" comics in my weekly pile -- I'd want to get to it ASAP, but now I'm not sure if I really care to read another page.

Part of this, I think, stems from the dissonance of "Oh, look, Peter's a loser, he's working at BK", then a few pages later he's being praised by the police (what? Peter never read the Bugle?) and making out with a hot chick. I don't know, this feels like a moment that passed, and the fact that this is a relaunched #1, instead of being #134 only increases that feeling for me.

I could barely muster a half-hearted, EH, sorry.

ADVENTURE COMICS #1 (or #504, depending): Hurm, I dunno -- I don't find Conner to be that compelling of a character in the first place, though I guess that maybe that last panel reveal might go somewhere halfway interesting. But I kind of doubt it. The art was pretty, however. A mild OK for the lead story.

I disliked the back-up, though -- I'm of the camp that says that the Legion isn't even remotely interesting out of their future milieu; and this Starman story line really needed to end about a year ago. And the "coming up in.." section that Geoff used so well previously falls utterly flat here -- none of those six "pre-hangers" particularly interest me. I'm going to go with AWFUL for the back half. Averaging out as an EH on the issue.

THE MARVELS PROJECT #1: Brubaker and Epting are a great team, who know how to make great comics, but this whole thing felt a bit weightless to me. I guess it is noce to have some of the back story of the 1940s Marvel U fleshed out, but I can't say convincingly that I actually cared about any of the revelations. Strongly OK, but nothing more than that...


What did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian

Click Here to Read More...

OF COURSE, after last week's brutal onslaught of a billion titles, here's a teeny tiny week of books. *sigh*

A G SUPER EROTIC ANTHOLOGY #107 (A)
AIR #12
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #603
AOD ASH SAVES OBAMA #1 (OF 4)
ARCHIE #600
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #18
ATOMIC ROBO SHADOW FROM BEYOND TIME #4 (OF 5)
BATGIRL #1
BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #3
BLACKEST NIGHT SUPERMAN #1 (OF 3)
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #26
CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #13
DAREDEVIL #500
DARK REIGN HOOD #4 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN MISTER NEGATIVE #3 (OF 3) DKR
DAYS MISSING #1 (OF 5) DALE KEOWN CVR
DEADPOOL SUICIDE KINGS #5 (OF 5)
DOCTOR WHO ONGOING #2
DOKTOR SLEEPLESS #13 (RES)
EX MACHINA #44
FARSCAPE GONE & BACK #2
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH DANCE #4 (OF 6)
GENEXT UNITED #4 (OF 5)
GRAVEL #13
HELLBLAZER #258
INVINCIBLE #65
JACK OF FABLES #37
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #36
MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #39
MIGHTY AVENGERS #28
MONSTERS INC LAUGH FACTORY #1
OUTSIDERS #21
PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #134
POE (BOOM) #2
POWER GIRL #4
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS MEET THE BAD GUYS #1
PUNISHER #8
PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX #73
PUNISHER NOIR #1 (OF 4)
RED CIRCLE THE WEB #1
ROBERT JORDANS NEW SPRING #7 (RES)
SIMPSONS COMICS #157
STAND AMERICAN NIGHTMARES #5 (OF 5)
STAR TREK SPOCK REFLECTIONS #2
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OLD REPUBLIC #44 REAPING PT 2 (OF 2)
STARCRAFT #3
SUPER FRIENDS #18
SUPERGIRL #44
SUPERMAN ANNUAL #14
SUPERMAN BATMAN #63
SWORDSMITH ASSASSIN #1
TINY TITANS #19
UNTHINKABLE #4 (OF 5)
VIGILANTE #9
VIKING #3
WE KILL MONSTERS #2 (OF 6)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #7 (OF 12)
WITCHBLADE #129 SEJIC CVR A
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #4
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #22
X-FACTOR #47
X-MEN LEGACY #227 DAX
ZORRO #15

Books / Mags / Stuff
A D NEW ORLEANS AFTER DELUGE GN
ASTONISHING X-MEN PREM HC GHOST BOX
AVENGERS FOREVER HC
BEST EROTIC COMICS 2009 SC (A)
BRAVE AND THE BOLD THE BOOK OF DESTINY TP
DARK AVENGERS PREM HC VOL 01 ASSEMBLE
DARK ENTRIES HC
ESSENTIAL MARVEL TEAM-UP TP VOL 03
FILTHY RICH HC
HEXED HC
JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #287
JUXTAPOZ VOL 16 #9 SEP 2009
LEES TOY REVIEW #201 AUG 2009
LITTLE FLUFFY GIGOLO PELU TP VOL 01 (A)
NAOKI URASAWA 20TH CENTURY BOYS GN VOL 04
NEW AVENGERS PREM HC VOL 11 SEARCH FOR SORCERER SUPREME
NYX TP NO WAY HOME
PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX TP SIX HOURS TO KILL
SHRAPNEL TP ARISTEIA RISING
SPIDER-MAN MARY JANE TP YOU JUST HIT THE JACKPOT
SQUADRON SUPREME TP BRIGHT SHINING LIES
UBU BUBU TP VOL 01 FILTH
UNKNOWN SOLDIER TP VOL 01 HAUNTED HOUSE
VADEBONCOEUR COLLECTION OF IMAGES #11
WET MOON GN VOL 05
WHEN WE FALL GN

What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

People were asking me to follow up on the "why retailer's conservatism hurts" bit from a month or two back, so here we go. Go read the column on CBR!

Also, in the follow-up category, Percy Carey has quit as Marketing Director of Tyrese Gibson's Mayhem! in part due to the stuff I discussed in last months column. You can read Carey's press release here.

-B

Labels: Brian, Tilting, Tyrese Gibson

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It is a brutal week for comics on the West Coast!

Also, as a note for those of you who were looking during the Neil Gaiman signing, we've received more copies of WHO KILLED AMANDA PALMER -- I *think* I am the only store in the Bay Area (comics or otherwise) who has stock of this on hand.

But, I've hidden the rest under the jump, so we don't scroll away too many of the recent pack of reviews...



A LOT of stuff didn't ship to the West Coast last week, and it is all here now. Sheesh, there's over NINETY distinct and different periodical comics titles shipping this week. And that's on top of the 51 Books/Mags/Stuff things. Cuh-razy!

I actually have no idea how I'm going to rack all of this in anything less than a hideous fashion...

ABSOLUTION #1 (OF 6)
ACTION COMICS #880
ADVENTURE COMICS #1
AGENTS OF ATLAS #9
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #602
ANGEL ONLY HUMAN #1 (OF 4)
ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #201
ATOMIKA #10 (OF 12)
BATMAN #689
BIG QUESTIONS #12
BLACKEST NIGHT #2 (OF 8)
BLACKEST NIGHT BATMAN #1 (OF 3)
BOOSTER GOLD #23
BOYS #33
BPRD 1947 #2 (OF 5)
CABLE #17
CAPTAIN AMERICA THEATER OF WAR TO SOLDIER ON
CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #40
DARK REIGN ZODIAC #2 (OF 3) DKR
DARKNESS #79 LUCAS CVR A
DEAD AT 17 AFTERBIRTH #3 (OF 4)
DEADPOOL #13
DESCENDANT #2 (OF 3)
DESTROYER #5 (OF 5)
DMZ #44
DOMINIC FORTUNE #1 (OF 4)
ESCAPE FROM WONDERLAND #1 (OF 6) CVR A CAMPBELL
EXISTENCE 2.0 #2 (OF 3)
FABLES #87
FARSCAPE DARGOS TRIAL #1
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH ESCAPE #4 (OF 6)
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH RUN #4 (OF 6)
FROM THE ASHES #3
GARTH ENNIS CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD LAST BATTLE PREVIEW
GEN 13 #31
GHOST RIDERS HEAVENS ON FIRE #1 (OF 6)
GI JOE #8
G-MAN CAPE CRISIS #1 (OF 5)
GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #23
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #39 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
GRIMJACK MANX CAT #1
HELLBOY WILD HUNT #5 (OF 8)
HERCULES KNIVES OF KUSH #1 (OF 5) A CVR STERANKO
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #132
JSA VS KOBRA #3 (OF 6)
KABUKI REFLECTIONS #14
KILLER #10 (OF 10)
KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #153
LOCKJAW AND THE PET AVENGERS #4 (OF 4)
LOONEY TUNES #177
LUKE CAGE NOIR #1 (OF 4)
MAD MAGAZINE #501 (RES)
MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #14
MARVEL COMICS #1 70TH ANNIVERSARY
MARVEL DIVAS #2 (OF 4)
MARVEL SPOTLIGHT SUMMER EVENTS
MARVELS PROJECT #1 (OF 8)
MICE TEMPLAR DESTINY #2
MS MARVEL #43 DKR
NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #172
OFFICIAL INDEX TO MARVEL UNIVERSE #8
PRIDE & PREJUDICE #5 (OF 5)
PS238 #40
REBELS #7
RED CIRCLE INFERNO #1
RED HERRING #1 (OF 6)
RED ROBIN #3
SCOURGE OF GODS FALL #2 (OF 3)
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #203
STAR TREK NERO #1
STAR WARS CLONE WARS #8
STARSTRUCK #1
STREET FIGHTER II TURBO #8 B CVR DOGAN
SUPERMAN SECRET FILES 2009 #1
TERRY MOORES ECHO #14
THE GOOD THE BAD & THE UGLY #2
THOR TALES OF ASGARD BY LEE & KIRBY #4 (OF 6)
TITANS #16
TOY STORY MYSTERIOUS STRANGER #4 (OF 4)
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #1
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #1
UNCANNY X-MEN #514 DAX
UNCANNY X-MEN FIRST CLASS #2 (OF 8)
UNWRITTEN #4
WALKING DEAD #64
WAR OF KINGS #6 (OF 6)
WAR OF KINGS WARRIORS #2 (OF 2)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #6 (OF 12)
WEREWOLVES ON THE MOON VERSUS VAMPIRES #3 (OF 3)
X-MEN FOREVER #5

Books / Mags / Stuff
AGENTS OF ATLAS PREM HC DARK REIGN
BATMAN HUSH COMPLETE TP
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA OMNIBUS TP VOL 01
BIG KAHN GN
BRIT TP VOL 03
CHARLATAN BALL TP
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #96 NIGHTHAWK
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #97 BLINK
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #98 GLADIATOR
COMICS JOURNAL #299
COMPLETE ESSEX COUNTY TP
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #14 SUPERGIRL
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #15 SHAZAM
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #32 SUPERMAN PRIME
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #33 HAWKMAN
EERIE ARCHIVES HC VOL 02
FABLES TP VOL 12 THE DARK AGES
FANTASTIC WORLDS OF FRANK FRAZETTA TP VOL 01
GERONIMO STILTON GN VOL 02 SECRET O/T SPHINX
GIRL GENIUS TP VOL 08 AGATHA & CHAPEL OF BONES
GREEN LANTERN MINI NEON SIGN US VERSION
HISTORY OF THE DCU SER 1 ONE THIRD BAL CASE (NET)
HOT MOMS WORKING MOMS TP (A)
ILLO MAGAZINE #2 (RES)
ILLUSTRATION MAGAZINE #3 NEW PTG
INVINCIBLE TP VOL 11 HAPPY DAYS
JUXTAPOZ VOL 16 #8 AUG 2009
LOST OFFICIAL MAGAZINE #24 SPECIAL PX ED
MARQUIS TP VOL 01 INFERNO
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 13 DIGEST
MIDNIGHT NATION DLX HC
PAX ROMANA TP VOL 01
PUNISHER WAR ZONE TP
ROBIN SEARCH FOR A HERO TP
RUNAWAYS PRIDE & JOY TP
SANDMAN BY JOE SIMON AND JACK KIRBY HC
SHOWCASE PRESENTS THE FLASH TP VOL 03
STAR TREK MAGAZINE #20 NEWSSTAND ED
STEPHEN COLBERTS TEK JANSEN HC
SUPREME POWER PREM HC HYPERION
THOR BY J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI TP VOL 02
TICK SPECIALS COMPLETE WORKS TP
TOYFARE #146 DST STAR WARS UQS CVR
UNIVERSAL WAR ONE PREM HC REVELATIONS
VIDEO WATCHDOG #150
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 10 WHAT WE BECOME
WARREN ELLIS FRANKENSTEINS WOMB GN
WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS TP NINJAS GODS AND DIVAS
WOLVERINE TP FLIES TO A SPIDER
X-MEN FIRST CLASS TP FINALS GN
X-MEN LEGACY SALVAGE PREM HC
X-MEN ORIGINAL SIN TP

So, what looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

I've been thinking a lot about the news that Mirac...er, I mean MARVELman has been bought by Marvel comics.

As I think I mentioned here in passing, Marvel has a couple of really big problems they're going to have to overcome in bringing this work to market -- and I don't just mean the lingering legal/creator issues.

My read of the internet's reaction to this was a significant amount of "Huh?...Who?". Which kind of makes sense -- it has been something like 15 years since an issue of MIRACLEMAN has been released. For all of the talk of the "aging" readership, and whatever, I bet if you took a poll, less than half of today's readership has ever read a printed copy of MIRACLEMAN -- MM is more known for it's not being available than from something that the majority of the readership has any personal knowledge of, or affection for.

At this instant in time the only thing we can really be sure that Marvel has firm rights to is the 1950s/60s Mick Angelo material -- basically a direct Captain (Shazam!) Marvel ripoff. I've not read a ton of these, but the bits I've read were pretty uninspired and formulaic work. The market is unlikely to have a great deal of affinity for this material -- any more than it is falling over itself for ACTUAL Captain Marvel reprints. I mean, DC's semi-recent GREATEST SHAZAM STORIES EVER TOLD sold like 2400 copies into the Direct Market. I have a hard time seeing MARVELMAN reprints doing any better than that.

(Except MAYBE in the UK? Maybe? I dunno, we have any UK retailers/readers who have an opinion there?)

There's also the interesting question if DC would object to reprinting THAT material in the first place -- they possibly need to protect their Shazam! trademarks? I really don't know. The MIRACLEMAN material would seem to me to being sufficiently different from Shazam! but who can say if they want a direct, and well-acknowledged, rip-off of Shazam! to see print in the first place? *I* wouldn't, if I were DC/Time-Warner, especially if I had hope that a Shazam! movie or TV show could someday be made...

Maybe more importantly, I think RELAUNCHING "Marvelman" with musty reprints is nearly a sure way to kill market-interest in the Moore/Gaiman material before it even gets there. I wouldn't think it would be wise to reprint that old stuff until AFTER the Moore/Gaiman material is well into its reprint cycle. And, even then, it would still be pretty financially risky in my considered opinion.

I've been rereading the Moore material the last few days, and I have to say it, too, is somewhat problematic. Even putting aside some of the technical details (wow, those all have to be COMPLETELY re-lettered!!), the first few chapters are... well "weak" might be too strong a phrasing, but the material certainly isn't as strong as it's reputation.

The first few chapters are written in, like, 6 page chunks, and it very much reads that way. The first chapters are also Moore-before-his-prime, and read that way as well. They're certainly CLEVER, but they aren't GREAT. By 2010 standards of comics writing, the first book of MIRACLEMAN feels a little quaint and creaky and antiquated. I got a real sense of "Hm, I've read THAT before" (and not, smart-ass, from me literally reading it before!) because we've had 20 years of people reusing Moore's tricks and tropes since then.

Book two is really sadly choppy. There's part of me that thinks that maybe they even want to go so far as to redraw the Chuck Austen issues -- it isn't that it is BAD, but sandwiched between (early) Alan Davis and Rick Veitch, there's a definite "huh" factor that I don't think is going to hold up great in serialized reprinting (And they're be dumb NOT to serialize the reprint before they go to the inevitable hardcover and TP collections)

There's also, in book two, the vaguely racist Evelyn Cream, and his musings on "the White God" and all of that. It reads really weirdly in the 21st century. Plus, like, what the fuck was up with his sapphire teeth anyway?

Now book three... well, book three I'd hold up there with nearly anything else published in the last twenty years, or even anything else that Moore has written since. These are AMAZINGLY good comics: thoughtful, thrilling, and utterly game-changing. But is the modern audience willing to sit through somewhere between 9 and 11 not-as-good comics to get to that point?

On the Savage Critic scale, I think I might call book one OK, book two bouncing around a (low) GOOD, and book three absolutely EXCELLENT. But is the audience willing to wait? That's an open question, I very much think.

What do YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian, marvelman

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FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #5: Well, I liked it a little better than Douglas did, maybe possibly because I have a greater affinity for the "real" Legion (ie Levitz/Giffen, and all that came before that), so I'm real glad to have them back after all of these years, but I have to admit that I'm befuddled by some of the gyrations of the multiple-worlds stuff in this.

Maybe it is because I just don't understand how one can have "52" parallel worlds AND also have "infinite" ones on top of that. As a general concept, I prefer the idea of endless ones that some artificial limitation -- but it isn't at all clear to me that DC or the writers working there really understand their own "rules", which makes things fairly confusing.

As I recall the theory, "Earth Prime" was OUR world -- the world where there weren't any superheroes, and we only read about them as comic book characters. This world was, theoretically, destroyed during "Crisis on Infinite Earths", which, of course, doesn't actually make any sense whatsoever from the POV of DC's cosmology.

(I always had this theory about COIE that went something like this: the multiple earths were never actually destroyed, just that "earth-1" decided to wall itself off from the rest of the multiverse. From THEIR perception, it might seem like everything else was "destroyed", but they just couldn't perceive it any longer.)

Anyway, I always liked the IDEA of Earth-Prime -- where you could have the adventures of Julie Schwartz and Cary Bates or whatever. They made a pretty big hash of it, however, when they decided to introduce... um, what the hell was his name? Was it "Ultraa"? Yeah, I think that's right -- a name with that extra, unnecessary "a" at the end. Would anyone ever know that was his name if he just SAID it? "Uh, no, it has an extra 'a' at the end, it's silent!" "Wow, that's really dumb"

Then, of course, we got Superboy-Prime from that issue of DC COMICS PRESENTS. Though I don't remember any of the details of that DCCP, I vaguely remember the idea was that he was in like "day one" of his career then he went directly into COIE seconds later, so maybe, just maybe, Earth-Prime could still be "our" world.

Now, here in FCLOTW #5 there's a little throwaway line about how Earth-Prime was reborn during "the second crisis", though it seems a smidge weird to me that Sboy-Prime wouldn't have known that since that was everything he wanted in that story, but whatever.

Either way, sboy-Prime is sent back to "his" (our) earth, and then really becomes the explicit metaphor of fanboy entitlement -- living in his parent's basement, posting on the DC Comics message boards (ha ha!)

But what marred this for me is the implication that he then murdered Lori, AND he still has his super-powers. That kind of guts the metaphor, doesn't it? No, it would have been much better to leave those two points out of it; to have had his parents been terrified by him not because of the suggestion of powers, but rather than because of his nutjobbery. I mean, it isn't like they could have him committed because they read in a comic book that he was a genocidal fuck, right? That would get THEM committed.

Take out those two bits, and this would have been a note-perfect ending; but instead it smacks too much of wanting to have one's cake and eat it as well -- Johns just can't seem to put the toy back in the toy box and lock it away forever. Bah!

I hope it WILL be forever, too -- I never ever want to read a comic book ever again that has Prime as the antagonist!

Either way, I still thought this was a decently GOOD ending to the series - one that would have had more punch had it actually came out on time...



BLACKEST NIGHT #1, GL #43 & 44: Y;know, even though this plays to the worst of Johns' instincts (Dirk Deppey's "Superhero Decadence", yes), I really enjoyed the heck out of these. IF you're going to have super-powered zombies coming around, then this is the way to do it, and I like the scope and scale of the story.

BUT, man, do you HAVE to have on-panel violence that is as extreme as Black Hand blowing his head off in GL #43? Or the gory ending of BN #1?

I'm really really REALLY hoping that Johns has a solid endgame mapped for this which puts all of the toys back in the box, properly -- hopefully this will all conclude with all of the dead characters (or at least the ones we LIKE -- Aquaman, J'onn, etc.), coming "properly" back to life, because, in the end, shitting on these characters legacies the other way will really really suck, and will essentially ruin the characters and their legacies "forever". (God, now I'm starting to sound like Prime, aren't I?)

I wonder, too, about at least one of the choices made here -- we've seen it established that Ralph and Sue have a "proper" afterlife, solving crimes as the DC version of Nick-&-Nora-Charles-meets-the Kerby's-From-TOPPER, so what's the, mm, "animating force" in the undead versions of the two? They talk to the Hawks like they ARE Ralph and Sue, but they can't really "BE" them, can they? I mean cosmologically-speaking, and all.

As for GL #44, well it has the hard trick of trying to have content, when that content kinda HAS to be in BN itself -- so, you get "round one" of MM vs Flash & GL, but since that was introed in BN#1, the main bit of it has to happen there. Still, I wanted to make a point that J'onn IS (nearly) "as strong as Superman", PLUS he can shapechange, and read minds and turn invisible... and Barry and Hall should really have no chance whatsoever against him. Not really.

Anyway, for now, I'm "liking" all of this -- I'd rather not, all things considered, have rivers of gore, but if you're doing "zombies", that kind of comes with the territory. ASSUMING that this gets an ending that restores heroism and hope (I know, I'm a fool), then I'm down with this little detour, and I'll give it a solid GOOD.

What's weird to me is that it's selling pretty poorly, compared to my expectations -- we sold more copies of WEDNESDAY COMICS #1 so far than we have of BN #1... and that's even with us giving out the BN ring with purchase. I expected BN #1 to sell like FINAL CRISIS, but it seems to me that the "DC fans" have lost a lot of thier faith in these kinds of events...

Anyway, as always, what did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Blackest Night, Brian, Geoff Johns

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Smallish week here on the west coast -- I'm told a number of Marvel books didn't it make it out to the coast this week...

ALL WINNERS COMICS #1 70TH ANNIV SPECIAL
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #601
ANGEL #24
ASTRO CITY THE DARK AGE BOOK THREE #4 (OF 4)
AUTHORITY #13
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #32
BETTY #181
BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #173
BLACK PANTHER 2 #7
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #27 CHEN CVR
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #2 (OF 5)
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 #15
CHEW #3
DEAD RUN #3
DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #2
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #2 (OF 24)
DOCTOR WHO CLASSICS SERIES 2 #9
DOOM PATROL #1
DYNAMO 5 #23
EXILES #5
FALLEN ANGEL REBORN #2
FINDING NEMO REEF RESCUE #2 (OF 4)
GREEK STREET #2
HOUSE OF M MASTERS OF EVIL #1 (OF 4)
HOUSE OF MYSTERY #16
HULK #13 DKR
INCARNATE #1 (OF 3)
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #16 DKR
IRON MAN ARMOR WARS #1 (OF 4)
IRREDEEMABLE #5
JERSEY GODS #6
JONAH HEX #46
JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #2 (OF 7)
LOVE AND CAPES #11
MIGHTY #7
MUPPET ROBIN HOOD #3 (OF 4)
NORTH 40 #2 (OF 6)
PHANTOM GHOST WHO WALKS #4 CVR A
POLITICAL POWER #1 COLIN POWELL
RED CIRCLE THE HANGMAN #1
SAVAGE DRAGON #151
SCOOBY DOO #147
SECRET SIX #12
SOLOMON GRUNDY #6 (OF 7)
SPIRIT #32
STAR TREK ALIEN SPOTLIGHT Q
STAR WARS DARK TIMES BLUE HARVEST #0
STAR WARS INVASION #2 (OF 5)
STRANGE ADVENTURES #6 (OF 8)
STREET FIGHTER IV #3 (OF 4) A CVR TSANG
SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #6 (OF 12)
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #34
TYRESE GIBSONS MAYHEM #1 (OF 3)
ULTIMATUM FANTASTIC FOUR REQUIEM #1
ULTIMATUM X-MEN REQUIEM #1
VEIL #2
WAR MACHINE #8
WARLORD #5
WEDNESDAY COMICS #5 (OF 12)
WITCHFINDER IN THE SERVICE OF ANGELS #2 (OF 5)

Books / Mags / Stuff
ABSTRACT COMICS ANTHOLOGY HC
ANGEL AFTER THE FALL TP VOL 01
DEATH OF THE NEW GODS TP
FINAL CRISIS REVELATIONS HC
HEAVY METAL SEPT 2009
HEROES REBORN THE RETURN TP
IRREDEEMABLE TP VOL 01
JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR #53
JAMES BOND TP GIRL MACHINE
JOJOS BIZARRE ADVENTURE TP VOL 12 (RES)
LAND OF OZ PKT MANGA TP VOL 01
LOCAS HC VOL 02 MAGGIE HOPEY & RAY
LOCKE & KEY TP VOL 01 WELCOME TO LOVECRAFT
METAL MEN TP
NIGHTWING THE GREAT LEAP TP
SAGA SOLOMON KANE TP
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ARCHIVES TP VOL 11
SPIDER-MAN CRIME AND PUNISHER TP
TRANSMETROPOLITAN TP VOL 03 YEAR OF THE BASTARD NEW ED
WHEN WE FALL GN


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

We've had a really good summer for graphic novels, haven't we? There's universally well received work like THE HUNTER by Darwyn Cooke, and stuff that doesn't seem to be on anyone's radar, like THE IMPOSTOR'S DAUGHTER from Laurie Sandell (I thought it was a terrific little book!), but without a doubt, the biggest winner of the summer is ASTERIOS POLYP by David Mazzucchelli.

I'm not that great of a critic, really -- not like Douglas Wolk, whose review can be found over here -- but there's not another book this year that has lingered in my brain like POLYP. I've already re-read it twice, each time picking up new little nuances in color and form.

Above all else, this is a masterpiece of cartooning -- Mazzucchelli's line is confident and bold and absolutely assured and in control of his medium. It's funny, but as I try to hand-sell this book to people, a lot of people have said "who?" when I mention Mazzucchelli's name (I suspect some of these people are the same folks who say "Uh, so what?" when they read the non internet-cracking news about Marvel(Miracle)Man's return -- for a guy like me who has been doing this forever and a day, it is easy to forget that when material or a creator is "off the market" for so long, people forget all about them. Man, has it really been 16 years since RUBBER BLANKET was last released (in '93!)? 15 years since his adaptation of CITY OF GLASS?

Even then, outside of a few dozen stores, RUBBER BLANKET didn't really have all that wide circulation, I don't think -- no, I have to mention BATMAN YEAR ONE to people to get that "Oh, yeah, that guy!" reaction. Which is kind of funny, considering the extreme difference in craft and construction between the two. Er, that's not to say that BATMAN YEAR ONE doesn't have craft and construction, more that it's kind of amazing to put the two side by side and realize that they're the same artist. It is rare to see that kind of growth, so starkly.

POLYP is a work that rewards re-reading -- in fact there's a scene at the very beginning that has a COMPLETELY different tone once you know what is in the middle of the book, and there's a lot of smart things happening through-out the work that you're not going to glom onto on your first reading.

One of the most amazing bits is the coloring -- on a "flip test" the book looks a bit limited and too pastel, but on the actual reading the color choices absolutely support and underline virtually every scene nearly perfectly. Good coloring, like good lettering, shouldn't draw one's attention to it, but should support the work itself. But I suspect that if you photocopied POLYP into gray tones, it would lose a tremendous amount of its power and readability.

In the same way, the lettering is amazing as well -- each character has a distinct "voice" conveyed through the lettering, yet the presentation of that lettering is never overwhelming or distracting whatsoever.

Basically, what I'm saying here is that if you appreciate craft whatsoever -- and I don't mean in terms of formalistic tricks like those first chapters of, say, LOST GIRLS (the chapter told all in a mirror, or whatever) -- I mean the actual craft of creating comics work, then this is most certainly the best book of the year so far, and, probably, is the best book of the decade so far; and, best of all, it shows all of that craft without a lot of "hey, hey, look at me!". Every choice that is made is in the service of the work, and it all works and flows seamlessly.

If POLYP doesn't absolutely sweep next year's Eisner Awards I will be shocked and disappointed -- and, if it doesn't, it will only be because it came out so "early in the year" (relative to the judging process, I mean)

I've three criticisms I can make here, but only one is about the work itself.

To start with, and here I am speaking as a retailer, the cover kind of sucks. It looks misprinted and out of register, and while that fits very thematically with the work, it makes it something that I really am having to hand-sell to people. Further, the "short" dustjacket is horrifically prone to ripping, both on the racks, and more perniciously, in the distribution process. I've had to return some 10% of the copies I've received because the dustjacket got mangled.

The second criticism is, again, as a retailer, this comic would have worked very well as a serialization -- it would be pretty easy to chop the book up into segments of 16-18 pages at a throw, and the chapter breaks are already there, in fact. I could have sold hundreds of copies of a serialization, where we'll be limited to scores of copies of a $30 HC (people can be cheap, yes), and there would have been an ongoing buzz for the book over the last x years.

The third bit, and this one relates to the work, is that I thought the ending was pretty bad. In a way, it made me think of LIKE A VELVET GLOVE CAST IN IRON, where Clowes lost the thread of the story, and basically just had it STOP, rather than having a narratively satisfying conclusion -- that's probably overstating it in this case, but the end, at least for the lead characters, feels imposed by the author, rather than flowing naturally out of the characters. I'm glad there's a coda, of sorts, that mutes that to some degree, but the end is the one bit that I did not think worked at all. If that was the end of, say, a film, it would tank it at the box office because that's not how you want people leaving the "theater". Thankfully it IS a comic, and comics have different rules about time and space, but it still did mar the work to some degree.

Still, regardless of any of that, this really is the best book I've read this year, and I'm absolutely enamored of craft of ASTERIOS POLYP. I hope we don't have to wait another decade for Mazzucchelli's next work, because this is everything comics should be.

ASTERIOS POLYP is absolutely EXCELLENT work, and deserves a place of honor on your bookshelf.

What did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Asterios Polyp, Brian, David Mazzucchelli

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A quick housecleaning note before this week's list: I'm pretty strongly aware of how much and/or how few reviews get posted here. This site is my home page everytime I open any browser, so I'm probably more aware of it than you are.

I'd very much like to see more posts, but because no one is getting paid for any of this (we, frankly, don't even cover hosting costs), people are going to post as often as they can based on their own will, and nothing else.

So, posting anonymously to a thread some smart-ass comment like "Didn't this site used to do reviews" is, in fact NOT more likely to get us to post. For me, at least, it makes me LESS likely to do so.

I'm ITCHING to do a couple of reviews -- I've read some GREAT comics (and some REALLY shitty ones) in the last few weeks -- but things come down to time for me. When it is a choice between finishing my monthly order form and taking my 5 year old son to summer camp, and taking the time to write some non-shitted-out review, well the store and my boy are going to win each and every time. I'm sorry that the short-short deadline Gaiman gave me to arrange the event soaked my review time, but suck it up.

And I believe that virtually every SC writer was in San Diego last week (which actually consumes a month of head-CPU cycles, I remember from when I used to attend)

So what I'm saying is HAVE PATIENCE -- we ALL want more reviews, but being a smart-ass isn't going to get you there. I'm going to try DAMN HARD to get some written by Wednesday, but if I don't, well, there you go...

Here's this week's list, and now I have to finish the god-damn order form...

ARCHIE DIGEST #256
BAD KIDS GO TO HELL #2 (OF 4)
BARACK OBAMA #2 THE FIRST 100 DAYS
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #7
BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #6
BLACKEST NIGHT TALES OF THE CORPS #3 (OF 3)
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 #15
CITIZEN REX #1 (OF 6)
COMPLETE DRACULA #2 (OF 5)
DARK REIGN GOBLIN LEGACY DKR
DARK REIGN HAWKEYE #4 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN HOOD #3 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN LETHAL LEGION #2 (OF 3) DKR
DARK REIGN SINISTER SPIDER-MAN #2 (OF 4) DKR
DARK REIGN YOUNG AVENGERS #3 (OF 5) DKR
DARK TOWER THE FALL OF GILEAD #3 (OF 6)
DARK X-MEN BEGINNING #2 (OF 3) DAX
DETECTIVE COMICS #855
FANTASTIC FOUR #569
FEAR AGENT #27 1 AGAINST 1 (PT 6 OF 6)
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH INK #3 (OF 6)
FLASH GORDON #6
GARTH ENNIS BATTLEFIELDS TANKIES #3 (OF 3)
GLAMOURPUSS #8
GRIMM FAIRY TALES #40
IGNITION CITY #4 (OF 5)
JUGHEAD #196
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #35
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #29
KID COLT #1
LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #3 (OF 6)
LONE RANGER #17
MADAME XANADU #13
MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #4 (OF 4)
MICE TEMPLAR DESTINY #1
MUPPET SHOW TREASURE OF PEG LEG WILSON #1 (OF 4)
NEW AVENGERS #55 DKR
NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #171
NORTHLANDERS #19
RAPTURE #3 (OF 6) OEMING CVR
RAWBONE #3 (OF 4)
SECRET WARRIORS #6 DKR
SON OF HULK #13
SPAWN #194
STAR TREK MISSIONS END #5
STAR WARS LEGACY #38 TATOOINE PT 2 (OF 4)
STUFF OF LEGEND #1 (OF 2)
SUPERMAN #690
TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #57
TEEN TITANS #73
TERROR INC APOCALYPSE SOON #4 (OF 4)
THUNDERBOLTS #134 DKR
TOY STORY MYSTERIOUS STRANGER #3 (OF 4)
ULTIMATUM #5 (OF 5)
ULTIMATUM SPIDER-MAN REQUIEM #2 (OF 2)
UNKNOWN SOLDIER #10
WAR OF KINGS ASCENSION #4 (OF 4)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #4 (OF 12)
WILDCATS #13
WOLVERINE NOIR #4 (OF 4)
WONDER WOMAN #34
X-MEN FOREVER #4
ZOMBIE TALES 2061 ONE-SHOT

Books / Mags / Stuff
ALTER EGO #88
BIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL MOTHER TERESA GN
BIONICLE GN VOL 06 UNDERWATER CITY
CHILDREN OF THE SEA TP VOL 01
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG XAVIER 2 PACK
COMPLETE CRUMB COMICS SC VOL 09 NEW PTG
COMPLETE JACK SURVIVES HC (RES)
COMPLETE PEANUTS HC VOL 12 1973-1974
CORALINE DVD WS
DEVICE VOL 02 RECONSTRUCTED
ESSENTIAL PARKER SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 4
EVIL & MALICE SAVE THE WORLD TP
GIGANTIC ROBOT HC
GREEN LANTERN ANIMATED MOVIE DVD WS
HISTORY OF THE WILDSTORM UNIVERSE
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN PREM HC VOL 02 WORLDS MOST WANTED
JANES WORLD TP VOL 09 THE QUEST FOR LOVE
JERSEY GODS TP VOL 01 ID LIVE & ID DIE FOR YOU
JOJOS BIZARRE ADVENTURE TP VOL 11 (RES)
KRAMERS ERGOT SC VOL 06 (O/A)
LAST REIGN KINGS OF WAR TP
NORTHLANDERS TP VOL 02 THE CROSS AND THE HAMMER
PARASYTE GN VOL 08 (OF 8)
PREVIEWS #251 AUGUST 2009
PVP TP VOL 06 SILENT BUT DEADLY
ROSE GN GRAPHIX ED
SCOURGE OF GODS PREM HC VOL 01
SKIN DEEP GN
STAR WARS ADV TP VOL 02 PRINCESS LEIA & ROYAL RANSOM
TMNT COLLECTED BOOK TP VOL 01
TREASURY 20TH CENTURY MURDER HC VOL 02 FAMOUS PLAYERS
WIZARD MAGAZINE #215 MARVEL 70TH ANNIV JAM CVR
YOUNG LOVECRAFT GN

What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

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Here's at least two bloggish posts about the Gaiman signing:

First from Matt Maxwell, and the second from Seth Rosenblatt.

The latter has this nice pic (if I'm linking correctly, at least)




Also, here's the photodump of pictures that Susan Riddle took.

If you know of any other posts, please let me know!

-B

Labels: Brian, Neil Gaiman

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Look, a list:

100 BULLETS #1 VERTIGO CRIME SAMPLER
ALIENS #2 (OF 4)
ALL NEW SAVAGE SHE-HULK #4 (OF 4) DKR
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #600
ARCHIE #599
ATOMIC ROBO SHADOW FROM BEYOND TIME #3 (OF 5)
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #26
BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #196
BLACK PANTHER 2 #6 DKR
BLACKEST NIGHT TALES OF THE CORPS #2 (OF 3)
BOYS HEROGASM #3 (OF 6)
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 #15
CARS ROOKIE #4 (OF 4)
CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #59
CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #12
CYBERFORCE HUNTER KILLER #1 (OF 5) ROCAFORT HUNT KILL CVR A
DARK REIGN FANTASTIC FOUR #5 (OF 5) DKR
DARK WOLVERINE #76 DKR
DEADPOOL SUICIDE KINGS #4 (OF 5)
DELLEC #1 TAN CVR
DELPHINE #4
DETHKLOK VS THE GOON (ONE SHOT)
DOCTOR WHO ROOM WITH A DEJA VIEW
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS #2 BENITEZ CVR
FALL OF CTHULHU NEMESIS #4 (OF 4)
FARSCAPE GONE & BACK #1
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH DANCE #3 (OF 6)
FINAL CRISIS LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #5 (OF 5)
FREDDY JASON ASH NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #2 (OF 6)
FUSION #3 (OF 3)
FUTURAMA COMICS #44
GEARS OF WAR #9
GI JOE #7
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #2
GREEN LANTERN #44 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
GROOM LAKE #4
GROTESQUE #3
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #16
HALO HELLJUMPER #1 (OF 5)
HELLBLAZER #257
IMMORTAL WEAPONS #1 (OF 5)
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #131
INCREDIBLE HULK #600
INVINCIBLE #64
JACK OF FABLES #36
JIM BUTCHERS DRESDEN FILES STORM FRONT VOL 02 #1 REG CVR
JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #152
KILLAPALOOZA #3 (OF 6)
LENORE VOLUME II #1
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #53
MS MARVEL #42 DKR
NOVA #27
OUTSIDERS #20
PHONOGRAM 2 #4 (OF 7) SINGLES CLUB
POWER GIRL #3
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS CHAPTER TWO #1
RED SONJA #46
RIFTWAR #2 (OF 5)
RUNAWAYS 3 #12
SONIC UNIVERSE #6
SPIRIT #31
STAR TREK SPOCK REFLECTIONS #1
SUPERGIRL #43
THOR & HERCULES ENCYCLOPEDIA MYTHOLOGICA
TINY TITANS #18
WARRIORS JAILBREAK #1
WE KILL MONSTERS #1 (OF 6)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #3 (OF 12)
WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #17
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #38
WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ #8 (OF 8)
X-FORCE #17
YOUNGBLOOD #9

Books / Mags / Stuff
AWAKENING HC VOL 01 (RES)
BACK ISSUE #35
BEANWORLD HC VOL 02 GIFT COMES
BERSERK TP VOL 30
BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL TP VOL 21 DEMON LAIR II
CABLE CLASSIC TP VOL 02
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #99 MORBIUS
CONFESSIONS OF SISTER JAQUELINE GN (A)
CREEPY ARCHIVES HC VOL 04
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #16 RIDDLER
ELEPHANTMEN TP VOL 02 DAMAGED GOODS
FESTERING ROMANCE GN (NOTE PRICE)
FINAL CRISIS ROGUES REVENGE HC
FIRE & BRIMSTONE TP VOL 01
FROM WONDERLAND WITH LOVE DANISH COMICS ANTHOLOGY GN
GEEK MONTHLY AUG 2009
HR GIGER ARH PLUS SC
IMPOSTERS DAUGHTER TRUE MEMOIR HC
MARVEL 1985 TP
MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR TP 4 3 2 1 DIGEST
MOUSE GUARD HC VOL 02 WINTER 1152
MYSPACE DARK HORSE PRESENTS TP VOL 03
NEW AVENGERS PREM HC POWER VOL 10
NEXUS ARCHIVES HC VOL 09
OISHINBO GN VOL 04 FISH SUSHI & SASHIMI
PLUTO URASAWA X TEZUKA GN VOL 04
RETURN TO WONDERLAND TP
SCARLET DESIRE GN (A)
SHOWCASE PRESENTS BATMAN TP VOL 04
SPARROW HC VOL 13 CAMILLA DERRICO
SPAWN ORIGINS TP VOL 02
STAN DRAKE HEART JULIET JONES TP VOL 02
STAR WARS OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 MENACE REVEALED
SUPERMAN CHRONICLES TP VOL 07
TASTY BULLET GN
TEZUKAS BLACK JACK TP VOL 05
TMNT 25TH ANNIVERSARY BY KEVIN EASTMAN
UNION STATION GN NEW ED
USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 23
WILDCATS WORLDS END TP BOOK 01
YOU HAVE KILLED ME HC
YOU SHALL DIE BY YOUR OWN EVIL CREATION TP

What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

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It was a very very nice event.

Neil read from WHO KILLED AMANDA PALMER (which I overnight Saturday deliveried a case of copies in -- I should have had THREE cases, damn it; I'll be restocking those, for sure!) for about a half hour, then we did the signing itself.

Despite the fact that he had lunch plans with Daniel Handler, he still took the time to talk to each and every person in line for five minutes or so, and did little head sketches for most of them. He was utterly gracious with his time and attention, and sat through scores of photos, and everything else.

We were scheduled to end at 12:30, and, instead, wrapped at something closer to an hour late because Neil wanted to talk to each and every person there -- now that's pure class!

Thank you to all of the attendees, all of whom seemed to leave the store with huge glowing smiles on their faces (and, in one case, what ended up 20 minutes later as a permanent tattoo) (Seriously, she came back with permanent ink, and got a big smooch from Neil as a secondary reward)

Thanks to my god-damn good staff: Carissa, Matt and Susan. They totally rocked it.

Thanks to the generous volunteers who helped with line control and keeping people happy and moving: Seth & Skye, Tim & Lisa, Matt N., James, Shannon and Antoine. We literally could not have done it without all of you, and you've got a lot more than just my thanks coming.

And thanks most of all to Neil Gaiman for being such a generous guy with his time and being a master of charm and enthusiasm. Let's do this again for the store's FORTIETH anniversary, aye?

-B

Labels: Brian, Neil Gaiman, signing

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Look: it is the new Tilting At Windmills, and here I talk about Neil Gaiman and Tyrese Gibson and Social Networking and Marketing, and how perfect storms are pretty imperfect after all.

Some months are a long hard search for a subject, but this month was, in a way, a gift as it was 100% obvious what I HAD to write about.

If you don't/won't/can't comment at CBR, well you can say something here (but Jonah'd be more happy if you said something over there, yeah)

-B

Labels: Brian, Neil Gaiman, Social Networking?, Tilting, Tyrese Gibson

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My Family is finally back from a month away (YAY!!!!), and I'm drowning in pre-Gaiman prep, AND i have to write a Tilting this week, so don't expect to hear anything more from me for another week...

Not a ton (numerically) of comics this week, but it's a real solid batch of titles:

2000 AD PACK JUNE 2009
ACTION COMICS #879
AGENTS OF ATLAS #8
AIR #11
ALL SELECT COMICS #1 70TH ANNIV SPECIAL
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #599 DKR
ARTESIA BESIEGED #3 (OF 6) (RES)
BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #2
BETA RAY BILL GODHUNTER #2 (OF 3)
BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #90
BLACKEST NIGHT #1 (OF 8)
BLACKEST NIGHT TALES OF THE CORPS #1 (OF 3)
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #25
BUCK ROGERS #2
CAPTAIN AMERICA #601
CREEPY COMICS #1
DARK AVENGERS #7 DAX
DARK REIGN MISTER NEGATIVE #2 (OF 3) DKR
DEAD AT 17 AFTERBIRTH #2 (OF 4)
DEADPOOL #12 DKR
DESCENDANT #1 (OF 3)
DMZ #43
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #1 (OF 24)
DOCTOR WHO ONGOING #1
DOG EATERS #3
DOMINO LADY #1
FABLES #1 PETER & MAX PREVIEW
FABLES #86
FALLEN ANGEL REBORN #1
FARSCAPE DARGOS LAMENT #4 (OF 4)
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH ESCAPE #3 (OF 6)
FRANKLIN RICHARDS SCHOOLS OUT
INCOGNITO #5
INCREDIBLES FAMILY MATTERS #4 (OF 4)
IRON MAN ARMORED ADVENTURES
JSA VS KOBRA #2 (OF 6)
KILLER #9 (OF 10)
LAST RESORT #1
LOCKJAW AND THE PET AVENGERS #3 (OF 4)
MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #38
MIGHTY AVENGERS #27
NEW MUTANTS #3
NEXUS SPACE OPERA ACTS 3 & 4
PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #133
PHANTOM GENERATIONS #3
POE (BOOM) #1
PUNISHER #7
RASL #5
RESURRECTION VOL 2 #2
ROTTEN #2
SCALPED #30
SHERLOCK HOLMES #3 (OF 5)
SIMPSONS COMICS #156
STAR WARS CLONE WARS #7
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OLD REPUBLIC #43 REAPING PT 1 (OF 2) (C: 1
SUPER FRIENDS #17
SUPERMAN BATMAN #62
TIMESTORM 2009 2099 #3 (OF 4)
TITANS #15 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
UNKNOWN #3 (OF 4)
UNTHINKABLE #3 (OF 4)
VIGILANTE #8
VOYAGES O/T SHEBUCCANEER #3 (OF 3) EYE O/T JADE DRAGON
WALKING DEAD #63
WEDNESDAY COMICS #2 (OF 12)
WEREWOLVES ON THE MOON VERSUS VAMPIRES #2 (OF 3)
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #21
X-FACTOR #46
YOUNG LIARS #17
ZEKE DEADWOOD ZOMBIE LAWMAN #1 LEGALLY DEAD

Books / Mags / Stuff
ANGEL AFTER THE FALL HC VOL 04
ANNIHILATION CLASSIC TP
ASTRO CITY THE DARK AGE TP BOOK 01
BATMAN WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CAPED CRUSADER HC
CAPTAIN BRITAIN MOORE DAVIS OMNIBUS HC DM ED
ENDERS GAME PREM HC BATTLE SCHOOL
ENDERS SHADOW PREM HC BATTLE SCHOOL
ESSENTIAL MARVEL TWO IN ONE TP VOL 03
FALL OF CTHULHU TP VOL 05 APOCALYPSE
GI JOE MOVIE ADAPTATION TP
GI JOE TP VOL 01
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY PREM HC POWER STARHAWK
JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #286
LEES TOY REVIEW #200 JUL 2009
LIGHT BRIGADE TP NEW PTG
LOST GIRLS HC
MADAME XANADU TP VOL 01 DISENCHANTED
MARVEL ILLUSTRATED TP THREE MUSKETEERS
PREACHER HC BOOK 01
RICHARD STARKS PARKER THE HUNTER HC
SPIDER-MAN PREM HC TORMENT
SUPER FRIENDS CALLING ALL SUPER FRIENDS TP
SUPERMAN AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES TP
SWALLOWING THE EARTH GN
WELCOME TO FOREST ISLAND HC


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

(There’s a long, rambly story that goes with this, which you can find here, but just so as to not bury the lede…)

Comix Experience is very proud to announce, as part of its ongoing 20th anniversary celebration, a rare San Francisco reading/Q&A/Signing with acclaimed author Neil Gaiman on Sunday, July 19th from 11 AM to 12:30 PM.

The event is now completely sold out, and we thank everyone for their interest and patience!

-B

Labels: 20th Anniversary, Brian, Neil Gaiman

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OK, so you all remember that 2009 is Comix Experience’s 20th anniversary, right? (April first, to be exact!)

Those of you who are actually customers may also note that we didn’t exactly do anything special for it (like a party or something). This is because my plan was to do several events throughout the year to celebrate, probably culminating in that party on the Twenty-First birthday because, y’know, then she’s legal to drink and all.

I’d actually been thinking about this for a very long time. How long? Well, it was way back on February 15th, 2006 (!) that I first emailed Neil Gaiman a message with the title “How Is Your 2009 looking?”

Neil’s one of those Major League guests nowadays – his schedule is overbooked, all of the time, and everyone wants him somewhere always. This is why I started three years early!

Why Neil? I mean, besides the “Uh, duh he’s a major league super-star” bit? Well, in a lot of ways because I think Neil and I came up together in comics.

See, I had creators that I was passionate about whom the store supported (and they supported back) dating from before I started CE – the Matt Wagner’s, the Dave Sim’s, and so on. (I actually have a story involving both of them and my reasons for starting CE that’s nearly old enough that I might be able to tell it out loud in public one of these days…) – Comix Experience was effectively created because of the passion I had for those guy’s works at the time.

And as the store went on, that passion for creators and their work expanded way out to even more people who then did events and things for us, and became friends of the store and friends of me personally – Garth Ennis, Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison, dozens and dozens of other people; all of that happened after the store opened, and the medium to began to expand in tone and depth.

But Neil? Neil was my first. Neil was the very first contemporaneous creator who I felt that same passion as I did for my heroes.

Comix Experience opened, as I said, in April of 1989. Sandman #1 has a cover date of January 1989. I was utterly enamored by Sandman, and we worked like hell to sell it to every person we could, and it very quickly became one of our store’s best sellers.

I’d read Violent Cases, of course, as well -- maybe one of 1200 people in America who had at that point? So, yeah, I was a fan of this guy, and I really really wanted to do anything I could to help him and his career in whatever small ass way I might.

We met in San Diego that year, and I guess my enthusiasm worked OK on him – this was, of course before he was “NEIL GAIMAN”, he was hustling for work like anyone else, and was still a little awestruck with being an author with a monthly book from DC (Vertigo didn’t exist yet) at the San Diego ComicCon, I asked him if we could do a store signing (I think that maybe this would be his second or third signing ever?), and he agreed.

Here’s a photo from that day. Man, we’re both absurdly young! If I recall correctly, this is the window display for that signing.

Now, twenty years gone I don’t remember the exact details and timing, and the scrapbook is sitting at the store right now, so I can’t look it up, but I believe it was the week that Sandman #10 was released? That puts it sometime in November of ’89 then, per www.comics.org. I’m not sure why Neil was in from England then, but he made the trip to SF. Heh, let me tell you just how low rent we were back then – Neil actually slept on our sofa in our living room! Man, today I couldn’t even imagine asking a creator to crash on my sofa!

One neat thing happened at that signing. A few months before, DC did a free overship (100%? I don’t recall now) of Sandman #8. Since we were doing the signing, DC decided to send us some of what they had around the office. They sent a case of Sandman #8.

But, oddly enough, and seemingly unknown to anyone at the time, Sandman #8 had actually been misprinted. It had a recap / intro at the front (the same one, I think, that was in early printings of “A Doll’s House”). But it was also supposed to have had an introduction by Editor Karen Berger on the inside front cover. The majority of the print run, for whatever reason, didn’t -- it ran the usual Jenette Kahn DC house ad.

Now DC told me that there were only 600 copies of this, and they sent one to me and one to some other retailer I don’t recall now, and basically I had a third of the print run. Somehow I actually disbelieve that story now because I know enough to know that just flicking the big machine on and off produces more than 600 copies – realistically there’d have to be more than 1000 of these out there, minimum, but 600 was the official story.

I know, once I opened the box, what I had. Potentially, this was a gold mine. I mean, if I had those copies now, and had CCGed them, I’d have gotten a purely gross and evil return. Thankfully, I had a soul, and I put them to their intended use – I gave that shit out for free. You can see them in the picture above, actually, with my crappy hand-written sign. And the ones that we didn’t give out when Neil was in the store? (Because, I don’t think there were even 50 people who showed up that day? It was one of those nice, “have a nice 5 minute chat with each attendee” kind of signings.) Well those copies, I stuck a flyer for the store in, with some sort of bounceback coupon, and just started Johnny Appleseed-ing them across The City. Left them on buses, at barber shops and Laundromats, and in paper boxes at school campuses. I recall we got some sort of nutty return on those – like 10% or something, maybe?

The main lesson though, was that doing the “right thing” – actually giving out the comics like we were supposed to, instead of, dunno, selling them off for $5 a throw or something (hey, in 1990 dollars!), earned me new customers who then became devoted Sandman readers month-in and month out, and some of them started branching out into other books, and a few of them even still occasionally shop with me today. Long-term seeding really does work better than short-term gain!

This also gave me a good rep with DC, which still pays dividends for me today. A year or so later, Sandman had got the attention of Rolling Stone Magazine, and there was some sort of article about Sandman as one of, I think, 10 “hot” things that year. DC rushed out a paperback collection of “A Doll’s House”, and, suddenly a whole new way of thinking about things was born.

Prior to that, there were collected editions of comics, of course – I think DC’s backlist at that point was maybe 20 items deep, if that? I do know that I kept my very first order form from month #1 of the store, with all of its precious little “1”, “2”and the very occasional “5” written in it, and that month was the premiere of the first Alan Moore Swamp Thing collection. I think it was a decade later before every Moore issue was finally collected…

Anyway, I was all about the paperback. Dude, awesome – a format where we can sell the best stories forever and ever and ever and ever? I’m all over that. Hell, I opined in probably ’91, ’92 that there wasn’t even any point in publishing stuff that you weren’t going to collect and make the long green from – this is the business we’re supposed to be in. There was a meeting in Los Angeles sometime in there with me, and the late and well loved Bill Liebowitz (Golden Apple) and Rory Root (Comic Relief) (And boy, do I miss both of those guys right about now!), and DC staff of Paul Levitz, Bob Wayne and the gone-but-not-forgotten Bruce Bristow. Me and Rory insisting to these guys that paperbacks were the model, and Bristow just being absolutely incredulous. Luckily Bob and Paul understood what we were saying…

Comix Experience was always the prototypical “Vertigo Store” – not that we sold the most number of copies of comics-meant-more-for-adults (I almost typed “sophisticated”!), but as a proportion to our superhero sales we were way up in the upper parts of the curve. And I want to believe that it was stores like mine that made the imprint possible at all. And that made the sense, company wide, that backlist was a viable model. And that, at the end of the day, is ultimately why DC took their chance to do exclusivity with Diamond and to be able to dictate the building of the infrastructure that allowed the modern era of comics to come to pass. “Real” book publishers wouldn’t be doing graphic novel lines if the Direct Market, and stores like mine hadn’t proved the model out.

I’m chatting with Neil a lot at this point – like at least once a week, sometimes 2-3 times a week, often for an hour or more – comics, comics comics, what can we do, how do we fix it, ah, I was such a Phone Queen back then. All I can say is we only sorta kinda had an internet back then, y’know?

Anyway, fast forward a little, and Season of Mists is about to come out. As a hardcover! Whoa, this is not at all common for a reprint. Thing looks like an old bible, too, with a leather cover, no dustjacket. Woulda won an Eisner if “Publication Design” had existed as a category then. The thing was lush.

And we did a signing for that.

Not just with Neil, but also with, let’s see, Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, Kelley Jones, Matt Wagner (my original hero!), and Steve Oliff. I don’t think I’m forgetting someone? Now this was no repeat of the first one. This was a Rock Star kind of day. Crazy lines down to the end of the block, carnival atmosphere, I think we were selling copies of the hardcover at like one a minute. Absolutely insane.

Here’s a picture from that one: note Neil’s Rock Star sunglasses (but at least he’s not wearing the leather jacket!) -- and here’s the window display we did for it. Yeah, we did a black and white window display; I liked it!

(We also had a Matt Wagner signing for Sandman #25, window here)

Finally, we had Neil in (alone this time) for the “A Game of You” tour, which we immediately called “A Gaiman/You” and here’s the window display: http://comixexperience.com/agaimanyou.htm

Well, I said “finally”, but then Comix Experience also sponsored a west coast leg of Neil’s Guardian Angels Tour, where Neil read and raised $15,000 for the CBLDF.

So, yeah, this will be the fifth appearance of Neil Gaiman in San Francisco in conjunction with Comix Experience.

And it feels pretty awesome, really.

See, there’s absolutely no reason for Neil to actually do a signing here any more – I’m just one pokey little comics store, and I’m not going to enhance his profile any longer, really. And we barely ever speak – maybe once every year or two there will be occasion for a call. Neil “rarely” does comics any longer, and comics is what I’m all about, but we came up together and that counts for something.

So the punchline to this long rambly thing is that, like I said, I approached Neil about doing something in 2006 – three years in advance. Every six months or so I’d send a little tickle email, but, y’know, I was sorting thinking it wasn’t going to happen, because the man be busy, right?

Neil contacts me out of the blue on Monday, “Hey I’m going to be in San Francisco in two weeks, can we work something out?”

Look, honestly, twelve days isn’t half the amount of time that one really needs to plan a signing and make all of the pieces come together. But it is Neil, right? And who is going to say no to him? Certainly not me! Mama Hibbs didn’t raise no idiots!

And it is going to be butter – smoother than silk, and Neil’s going to help me celebrate 20 years of selling and loving comics because the man is, frankly, a mensch.

Thanks again, buddy!

-B

Labels: 20th Anniversary, Brian, Neil Gaiman

Click Here to Read More...

This is not a large week, no. But maybe that will help WEDNESDAY COMICS sell...

PLUS: Although there was a holiday this weekend, COMICS ARE ARRIVING ON WEDNESDAY. It wasn't a UPS holiday, so comics as normal this week.

ALL STAR SUPERMAN #1 SPECIAL EDITION
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #36
ANGEL NOT FADE AWAY #3
ANITA BLAKE LC NECROMANCER #3 (OF 5)
ARCHIE & FRIENDS #133
ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #200
BATMAN #688
BOOSTER GOLD #22
BPRD 1947 #1 (OF 5)
CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #39
DARK X-MEN BEGINNING #1 (OF 3) DAX
DARKNESS #78
DEAN KOONTZS NEVERMORE #2 (OF 6)
DRAFTED ONE HUNDRED DAYS ONE SHOT
ELEPHANTMEN WAR TOYS YVETTE (ONE SHOT)
FROM THE ASHES #2
GENEXT UNITED #3 (OF 5)
GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #22
GREEN LANTERN #43 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
HOUSE OF MYSTERY #15
I AM LEGION #4 (OF 6)
JUNGLE GIRL SEASON 2 #5 (OF 5)
MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #13
MS MARVEL #41 DKR
NO HERO #6 (OF 7)
NORTH 40 #1 (OF 6)
PRESIDENT EVIL
PRIDE & PREJUDICE #4 (OF 5)
PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX #72
REBELS #6
RED ROBIN #2
ROBERT JORDANS WHEEL OF TIME EYE O/T WORLD #1
SCOOBY DOO #146
SKRULL KILL KREW #3 (OF 5) DKR
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #202
STAND AMERICAN NIGHTMARES #4 (OF 5)
STAR TREK CREW #5
STORMWATCH PHD #22
STRANGE ADVENTURES OF HP LOVECRAFT #3 (OF 4)
STREET FIGHTER II TURBO #7
SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #5 (OF 12)
THE GOOD THE BAD & THE UGLY #1
THOR TALES OF ASGARD BY LEE & KIRBY #3 (OF 6)
UNCANNY X-MEN FIRST CLASS #1 (OF 8)
UNWRITTEN #3
WAR OF KINGS WARRIORS #1 (OF 2)
WARLORD #4
WASTELAND #25 SPECIAL DOUBLE ISSUE
WEDNESDAY COMICS #1 (OF 12)
X-MEN FOREVER #3
X-MEN LEGACY #226 DAX

Books / Mags / Stuff
100 BULLETS TP VOL 13 WILT
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN BY JMS ULTIMATE COLL TP BOOK 01
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS HC
BACK TO BROOKLYN TP (DIRECT MKT ED)
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #12 IRON MAN
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #32 VENOM
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #91 SHOCKER
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #94 MANDARIN
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #13 SCARECROW
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG SPECIAL BANE
FRUITS BASKET GN VOL 23 (OF 23)
G FAN #88
GI JOE MOVIE PREQUEL TP
HULK RED AND GREEN TP VOL 02
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL TP VOL 02
MAN WITH NO NAME TP VOL 01 SINNERS & SAINTS
MARVEL 70TH ANNIVERSARY TP
MOON KNIGHT PREM HC VOL 05 DOWN SOUTH
MORE DIGRESSIONS NEW COLL OF BUT I DIGRESS COLUMNS
NARUTO TP VOL 45
NEW WARRIORS CLASSIC TP VOL 01
NOBODY HC
PIXU TP VOL 01 MARK OF EVIL
SHOWCASE PRESENTS BATLASH TP
SINFEST TP DARK HORSE ED VOL 01
SKULL & BONES TP
STAR TREK TNG LAST GENERATION TP
SUPERMAN WHATEVER HAPPENED TO MAN OF TOMORROW HC
TOYFARE #145 GI JOE MOVIE TOYS CVR
TRON TP VOL 01 GHOST IN THE MACHINE
WORLD WAR ROBOT TP VOL 02
X-MEN SHATTERING TP


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

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Damn, everyone already spoiled my best joke -- yes, indeed, the logo really DOES look like "Justice League: Gay For Justice"

Plus, it has the Mikaal Starman (Gay), Batwoman [soon] (Gay), Congorilla (Maybe not officially, but compared to some of what I saw coming home through the Castro during Pride Weekend, suggestively Gay), Green Lantern & Green Arrow, without the Canary Beard, and Freddy Freeman who, to me, is the Gayest of the Marvel Family.

I guess there isn't anything particularly gay about either Supergirl or The Atom (OR IS THERE?!?!!?)

Anyway, yeah, that was pretty creakingly dialogued, but I thought the art was super-swell, and it had something I miss so so very much: a text feature of "What I'm thinking". I'm willing to add two grades to this JUST for that alone. I mean, the DC books have stopped even doing the "Next Issue:" boxes, even with simply the cover, which, to me at least is the simplest cheapest most effective tool to create excitement for your next issue.

My biggest problem with the issue is that at least two of the characters don't want JUSTICE, they want VENGEANCE, which is a completely different thing altogether. A exploration of the difference between the two could possibly be interesting, but it's really unclear at this point if they're going to explore anything like that at all.

When I put down this issue I thought, "Hey, that was GOOD", but after an hour or two reflecting on it, It's probably really only OK at best.

What did YOU think? (Like you didn't say so in Graeme or Douglass' threads...)

-B

Labels: Brian, Gay For Justice

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Now we'll look at the periodical comics. Again, under the jump...



Again, we'll start with sorting it by PIECES sold.

Yeah, the quarter book permutations win (and "10 for a buck" is counted as ONE item, not TEN), followed by Barack Obama and Spidey, followed by "back issue" as a generic item, then we get into the BUFFY's and other stuff. You'll recall that our '08 list was ABSOLUTELY dominated by BUFFY, but it spreads out a bit from there.

Here's the list:

Quarter Book - 10 for a Buck
Quarter Book - Single
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583
Back Issue
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #21 CHEN CVR
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #22 CHEN CVR
Dollar Book
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #23 CHEN CVR
BATMAN #686 (NOTE PRICE)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #24 CHEN CVR
FINAL CRISIS #6 (OF 7)
FINAL CRISIS #7 (OF 7)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #25 CHEN CVR
DETECTIVE COMICS #853 (NOTE PRICE)
ASTONISHING X-MEN #28
FLASH REBIRTH #1 (OF 5)
UNWRITTEN #1
DARK AVENGERS #1
UNCANNY X-MEN #506
CAPTAIN AMERICA #600
ASTONISHING X-MEN #29
SANDMAN DREAM HUNTERS #3 (OF 4) (MR)
HELLBOY WILD HUNT #2 (OF 8)
UNCANNY X-MEN #509
INCOGNITO #1 (MR) (C: 1-0-0)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #20 CHEN CVR
DARK AVENGERS #2
IGNITION CITY #1 (OF 5) (MR)
INCOGNITO #2 (MR)
NEW AVENGERS #49
WOLVERINE #71
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #22
SANDMAN DREAM HUNTERS #4 (OF 4) (MR)
UNCANNY X-MEN #507
UNCANNY X-MEN #508
UNCANNY X-MEN #510
UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL #2
WOLVERINE #70
KICK ASS #5 (MR)
HELLBOY WILD HUNT #4 (OF 8)
MIGHTY AVENGERS #21
Starter Set
BATMAN #684
HELLBOY WILD HUNT #3 (OF 8)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #46
FABLES #83 (MR)
FINAL CRISIS SUPERMAN BEYOND #2 (OF 2)
IGNITION CITY #2 (OF 5) (MR)
INCOGNITO #3 (MR)
NEW AVENGERS #50
THOR #600
BOYS #26 (MR)
ULTIMATUM #3 (OF 5)
WOLVERINE #72
DARK AVENGERS #4
FLASH REBIRTH #2 (OF 5)
SEAGUY THE SLAVES OF MICKEY EYE #1 (OF 3) (MR)
FINAL CRISIS LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #3 (OF 5)
KICK ASS #6 (MR)
LITERALS #1 (OF 3) (MR)
NEW AVENGERS #51
NEW AVENGERS #52
BATMAN #687
BOYS #29 (MR)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #50
DARK AVENGERS #3
NEW AVENGERS #53 DKR
BOYS #28 (MR)
UNCANNY X-MEN #511
UNWRITTEN #2 (MR)
ANGEL AFTER THE FALL #16
BOYS #27 (MR)
DETECTIVE COMICS #854
FABLES #81 (MR)
FANTASTIC FOUR #562
FINAL CRISIS LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #4 (OF 5)
BATMAN #685 (FOE)
BTVS TALES OF THE VAMPIRES ONE SHOT JO CHEN COVER
DARK AVENGERS #5 DKR
FABLES #80 (MR)
FABLES #82 (MR)
GREEN LANTERN #36
BPRD BLACK GODDESS #2 (OF 5)
DAREDEVIL #115
FABLES #84 (MR)
GREEN LANTERN #40
INCOGNITO #4
JACK OF FABLES #33 (MR)
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #23 (FOE)
NO HERO #3 (OF 7) (MR)
SEAGUY THE SLAVES OF MICKEY EYE #2 (OF 3) (MR)
ULTIMATUM #4 (OF 5)
ASTONISHING X-MEN #30
BOYS #30 (MR)
BPRD BLACK GODDESS #1 (OF 5)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #45
CAPTAIN AMERICA #47
CAPTAIN AMERICA #49
FLASH REBIRTH #3 (OF 5)
GREEN LANTERN #38

----------------------------------------------------

OK, same thing, sorted by DOLLARS SOLD. Done this way Quarter books drop way down (for 10 for a buck), or completely off -- but "Starter Sets", packaged runs of books (eg; "10 issues of BATMAN") soars right up:

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583
Back Issue
Starter Set
BATMAN #686 (NOTE PRICE)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #21 CHEN CVR
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #22 CHEN CVR
FINAL CRISIS #6 (OF 7)
DETECTIVE COMICS #853 (NOTE PRICE)
FINAL CRISIS #7 (OF 7)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #23 CHEN CVR
CAPTAIN AMERICA #600
Quarter Book - 10 for a Buck
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #24 CHEN CVR
DARK AVENGERS #1
FLASH REBIRTH #1 (OF 5)
NEW AVENGERS #50
THOR #600
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #25 CHEN CVR
IGNITION CITY #1 (OF 5) (MR)
DARK AVENGERS #2
UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL #2
ASTONISHING X-MEN #28
FINAL CRISIS SUPERMAN BEYOND #2 (OF 2)
IGNITION CITY #2 (OF 5) (MR)
NEW AVENGERS #49
ULTIMATUM #3 (OF 5)
DARK AVENGERS #4
INCOGNITO #2 (MR)
ASTONISHING X-MEN #29
NEW AVENGERS #52
NEW AVENGERS #51
INCOGNITO #1 (MR) (C: 1-0-0)
DARK AVENGERS #3
NEW AVENGERS #53 DKR
BATMAN #687
FINAL CRISIS LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #3 (OF 5)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #50
SEAGUY THE SLAVES OF MICKEY EYE #1 (OF 3) (MR)
SANDMAN DREAM HUNTERS #3 (OF 4) (MR)
ANGEL AFTER THE FALL #16
UNCANNY X-MEN #509
INCOGNITO #3 (MR)
DETECTIVE COMICS #854
DARK AVENGERS #5 DKR
FINAL CRISIS LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #4 (OF 5)
NO HERO #3 (OF 7) (MR)
HELLBOY WILD HUNT #2 (OF 8)
WOLVERINE #71
ULTIMATUM #4 (OF 5)
UNCANNY X-MEN #508
SEAGUY THE SLAVES OF MICKEY EYE #2 (OF 3) (MR)
UNCANNY X-MEN #507
SANDMAN DREAM HUNTERS #4 (OF 4) (MR)
WOLVERINE #70
UNCANNY X-MEN #510
KICK ASS #5 (MR)
THOR #601
HELLBOY WILD HUNT #4 (OF 8)
UNCANNY X-MEN #506
HELLBOY WILD HUNT #3 (OF 8)
MIGHTY AVENGERS #21
NEW AVENGERS #54 DKR
NO HERO #5 (OF 7) (MR)
ANGEL #17
FABLES #83 (MR)
DARK AVENGERS UNCANNY X-MEN UTOPIA #1 DAX
WOLVERINE #72
FLASH REBIRTH #2 (OF 5)
KICK ASS #6 (MR)
INCOGNITO #4
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #20 CHEN CVR
LITERALS #1 (OF 3) (MR)
NO HERO #4 (OF 7) (MR)
BATMAN #684
BATMAN BATTLE FOR THE COWL #2 (OF 3)
STAND CAPTAIN TRIPS #4 (OF 5)
DARK AVENGERS #6 DKR
UNWRITTEN #2 (MR)
ANGEL #18
UNCANNY X-MEN #511
BOYS #26 (MR)
SEAGUY THE SLAVES OF MICKEY EYE #3 (OF 3)
SECRET WARRIORS #1
BATMAN BATTLE FOR THE COWL #1 (OF 3)
FABLES #81 (MR)
BTVS TALES OF THE VAMPIRES ONE SHOT JO CHEN COVER
WAR OF KINGS #3 (OF 6)
FABLES #80 (MR)
BATMAN BATTLE FOR THE COWL #3 (OF 3)
IGNITION CITY #3 (OF 5) (MR)
BOYS #27 (MR)
FABLES #82 (MR)
BPRD BLACK GODDESS #2 (OF 5)
ANGEL #19
FABLES #84 (MR)
GREEN LANTERN #40
JACK OF FABLES #33 (MR)
FINAL CRISIS SECRET FILES #1
GREEN LANTERN #36

These will change a lot, probably more than the books chart, when we get to the end of the year -- for example, Morrison's B&R has only been on sale for a month, and I'm going to get a lot more sales before THAT ride is done... but I like the snapshot anyway.

Still, it is very highly improbably that anything will beat that issue of AMAZING SPIDEY. Note, however, that that had NO follow-through impact whatsoever on the series...

Again, anyone see anything interesting to you?

-B

Labels: Brian, retailing, Sales Charts

Click Here to Read More...

Since the first half of the fiscal year just closed, let's take a quick look at Comix Experience's best-sellers, year-to-date.

Below the jump for those of you who don't care about these things...



Because of the formatting issues, I've decided to not attach ranking numbers to the chart. I figure you guys can count just fine!

I've gone a little past #100 -- this is actually our top 127 best selling items, because I wanted to have my own book appear on the list, ha!

This first list is PIECES sold. Yes, the first item is marked down books on sale. And, finally, something else breaks the Vulcan Death Grip that WATCHMEN had last year.

(Totally sorry for all of the Diamond bullshit in the listings. I COULD clean it up, but it would take a year and a day, and this is just for snapshot purposes, so there you go.)

Sale Book
LOEG III CENTURY #1 1910 (MR) (C: 0-1-2)
WATCHMEN TP (FEB058406)
SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 05 SP VS THE UNIVERSE (DEC084184)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 09 HERE WE REMAIN (MR)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 01 DAYS GONE BYE (JUL068351) (MR)
ALL STAR SUPERMAN HC VOL 02
LOEG VOL ONE TP (JUL068290)
CRIMINAL TP VOL 04 BAD NIGHT (NOV082430) (MR)
DMZ TP VOL 06 BLOOD IN THE GAME (MR)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 08 MADE TO SUFFER (MR)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 10 WHYS AND WHEREFORES (MAR080241) (MR
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 03 WOLVES AT THE GATE (JUL080042)
FABLES TP VOL 11 WAR AND PIECES (AUG080229) (MR)
POWERS TP VOL 12 COOLEST DEAD SUPERHEROES
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 02 CYCLES (OCT058281) (MR)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 04 SAFEWORD (APR058056) (MR)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 05 RING OF TRUTH (MAY050306) (MR)
UMBRELLA ACADEMY TP VOL 1 APOCALYPSE SUITE
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 01 UNMANNED (OCT058020)
BOYS TP VOL 03 (MR) (C: 0-1-2)
FREAKANGELS TP VOL 02 (MR)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 06 GIRL ON GIRL (SEP050317) (MR)
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 01 LONG WAY HOME (JUL070028)
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 04 TIME OF YOUR LIFE (C: 0-1-2)
FABLES TP VOL 01 LEGENDS IN EXILE (APR058372)
SANDMAN TP VOL 02 THE DOLLS HOUSE (APR058268)
THE FART PARTY TP
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 03 ONE SMALL STEP (MAR068027) (MR)
ALL STAR SUPERMAN TP VOL 01 (MAY080205)
BATMAN DARK KNIGHT RETURNS TP (DEC058055)
BATMAN THE KILLING JOKE SPECIAL ED HC (NOV070226)
LOEG VOL TWO TP (FEB058407)
SECRET INVASION TP (NOV082460)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 02 MILES BEHIND US (NOV068026) (MR)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 09 MOTHERLAND (FEB070362) (MR)
ALAN MOORE LIGHT OF THY COUNTENANCE GN (O/A) (NOV083804) (MR
BLACK HOLE COLLECTED SC
BOYS TP VOL 02 GET SOME (DEC073541) (MR) (C: 0-0-2)
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 02 NO FUTURE FOR YOU (FEB080102)
CRIMINAL TP VOL 01 COWARD (MR)
PREACHER TP VOL 01 GONE TO TEXAS NEW EDITION (MAR050489) (MR
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 07 THE CALM BEFORE (MR) (C: 0-1-2)
BONE COLOR ED SC VOL 01 OUT FROM BONEVILLE
FINAL CRISIS HC
FREAKANGELS TP VOL 01 (SEP083753) (MR)
JACK OF FABLES TP VOL 05 TURNING PAGES (MR)
SANDMAN TP VOL 01 PRELUDES & NOCTURNES (DEC058090)
SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 01 SP PRECIOUS LITTLE LIFE (MAY042851)
SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 04 SP GETS IT TOGETHER (JUN073779) (C:
TOP 10 TP BOOK 01 (OCT058279)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 07 PAPER DOLLS (FEB060341) (MR)
ACME NOVELTY LIBRARY HC #19 (MR)
PREACHER TP VOL 04 ANCIENT HISTORY NEW EDITION (MAY050299) (
SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 02 VS THE WORLD (DEC042750)
SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 03 INFINITE SADNESS (OCT053132)
SWAMP THING TP VOL 02 LOVE AND DEATH (JUL058053)
BONE COLOR ED SC VOL 09 CROWN OF HORNS (C: 1-1-2)
BOYS TP VOL 01 (DEC078191) (MR)
CRIMINAL TP VOL 02 LAWLESS (OCT072158) (MR)
DMZ TP VOL 01 ON THE GROUND (MAR060383) (MR)
DMZ TP VOL 02 BODY OF A JOURNALIST (NOV060292) (MR)
FABLES TP VOL 03 STORYBOOK LOVE (MAY068085) (MR)
FABLES TP VOL 05 THE MEAN SEASONS (JAN050373) (MR)
FABLES TP VOL 10 THE GOOD PRINCE (FEB080297) (MR)
HELLBOY VOL 01 SEED OF DESTRUCTION TP
JOKER HC (JUL080124)
JUSTICE TP VOL 01 (FEB080252)
PLANETARY TP VOL 01 ALL OVER THE WORLD AND OTHER STORIES (FE
PREACHER TP VOL 06 WAR IN THE SUN NEW EDITION (MAY050301) (M
PREACHER TP VOL 07 SALVATION NEW EDITION (MAY050300) (MR)
SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING HC BOOK 01 (MR)
SANDMAN TP VOL 03 DREAM COUNTRY (JAN058148)
SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN TP VOL 05 (C: 0-1-2)
SERENITY BETTER DAYS TP (C: 0-1-2)
TALES FROM OUTER SUBURBIA HC (C: 0-1-2)
TRANSMETROPOLITAN TP VOL 01 BACK ON THE STREET (MR)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 04 HEARTS DESIRE (SEP051681) (MR)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 05 BEST DEFENSE (MAR061834) (MR)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 06 SORROWFUL LIFE (DEC061874) (MR)
WALTZ WITH BASHIR SC (C: 0-1-2)
100 BULLETS TP VOL 01 FIRST SHOT LAST CALL (SEP068078)
AIR TP VOL 01 LETTERS FROM LOST COUNTRIES (MR)
BATMAN RIP DELUXE EDITION HC
BPRD TP VOL 10 THE WARNING (C: 0-1-2)
DMZ TP VOL 03 PUBLIC WORKS (JUN070267) (MR)
DMZ TP VOL 05 THE HIDDEN WAR (APR080273) (MR)
EX MACHINA TP VOL 01 THE FIRST HUNDRED DAYS (SEP058036) (MR)
EX MACHINA TP VOL 07 EX CATHEDRA (JUL080199) (MR)
FABLES TP VOL 04 MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS (OCT058021) (M
FABLES TP VOL 07 ARABIAN NIGHTS AND DAYS (MAR060384) (MR)
FABLES TP VOL 08 WOLVES (SEP060313) (MR)
FROM HELL TP NEW PTG (MR)
HELLBLAZER ROOTS OF COINCIDENCE TP (Diggle v3 of 3)
LOEG BLACK DOSSIER TP (JUL080193)
PREACHER TP VOL 05 DIXIE FRIED NEW EDITION (JUL050315) (MR)
RESURRECTION TP VOL 01
SANDMAN TP VOL 04 SEASON OF MISTS (OCT058022)
SCALPED TP VOL 01 INDIAN COUNTRY (MAY070243) (MR)
TOP 10 TP BOOK 02 (APR068255)
V FOR VENDETTA NEW EDITION TP (MR)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 08 KIMONO DRAGONS (AUG060299) (MR)
A DRIFTING LIFE TP
BERLIN TP BOOK 02 CITY OF SMOKE (JUN083900) (MR)
BLACK SUMMER TP (JUL083705) (MR)
DMZ TP VOL 04 FRIENDLY FIRE (DEC070294) (MR)
EX MACHINA TP VOL 04 MARCH TO WAR (AUG060269) (MR)
FABLES TP VOL 09 SONS OF EMPIRE (MAR070271) (MR)
FUNNY MISSHAPEN BODY GN (MR) (C: 0-1-2)
GARTH ENNIS BATTLEFIELDS NIGHT WITCHES TP (C: 0-1-2)
GOON TP VOL 07 PLACE OF HEARTACHE & GRIEF (C: 0-1-2)
JUSTICE TP VOL 03 (OCT080172)
NEIL GAIMANS CORALINE TP
PATH OF THE ASSASSIN TP VOL 15 BAD BLOOD PART 2 (C: 0-1-2)
PREACHER TP VOL 03 PROUD AMERICANS NEW EDITION (JUL068334) (
PREACHER TP VOL 08 ALL HELLS A COMING (SEP058101)
PREACHER TP VOL 09 ALAMO (APR078094) (MR)
SHORTCOMINGS HC (JUL073524) (MR)
SHOWCASE PRESENTS AMBUSH BUG TP VOL 01
SUPERMAN RED SON TP (NOV058130)
SWAMP THING TP VOL 01 SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING (APR058269)
TILTING AT WINDMILLS SC VOL 02
UNDERSTANDING COMICS THE INVISIBLE ART
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 03 SAFETY BEHIND BARS (MR)
WARREN ELLIS AETHERIC MECHANICS GN
WARREN ELLIS CROOKED LITTLE VEIN MMPB
WE 3 TP (APR050419) (MR)


___________________________________________________

OK, same thing, but this time sorted by DOLLARS sold. It looks similar, but not identical:

Sale Book
WATCHMEN TP (FEB058406)
LOEG III CENTURY #1 1910 (MR) (C: 0-1-2)
SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 05 SP VS THE UNIVERSE (DEC084184)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 09 HERE WE REMAIN (MR)
SECRET INVASION TP (NOV082460)
POWERS TP VOL 12 COOLEST DEAD SUPERHEROES
ALL STAR SUPERMAN HC VOL 02
FABLES TP VOL 11 WAR AND PIECES (AUG080229) (MR)
BOYS TP VOL 03 (MR) (C: 0-1-2)
LOEG VOL ONE TP (JUL068290)
UMBRELLA ACADEMY TP VOL 1 APOCALYPSE SUITE
FINAL CRISIS HC
FREAKANGELS TP VOL 02 (MR)
FROM HELL TP NEW PTG (MR)
SANDMAN TP VOL 02 THE DOLLS HOUSE (APR058268)
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 03 WOLVES AT THE GATE (JUL080042)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 10 WHYS AND WHEREFORES (MAR080241) (MR
CRIMINAL TP VOL 04 BAD NIGHT (NOV082430) (MR)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 05 RING OF TRUTH (MAY050306) (MR)
DMZ TP VOL 06 BLOOD IN THE GAME (MR)
BOYS TP VOL 02 GET SOME (DEC073541) (MR) (C: 0-0-2)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 08 MADE TO SUFFER (MR)
BATMAN THE KILLING JOKE SPECIAL ED HC (NOV070226)
STARMAN OMNIBUS HC VOL 02
BLACK HOLE COLLECTED SC
LOST GIRLS DLX SLIPCASED ED CURR PTG
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 01 LONG WAY HOME (JUL070028)
FREAKANGELS TP VOL 01 (SEP083753) (MR)
SANDMAN TP VOL 01 PRELUDES & NOCTURNES (DEC058090)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 02 CYCLES (OCT058281) (MR)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 04 SAFEWORD (APR058056) (MR)
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 01 DAYS GONE BYE (JUL068351) (MR)
SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING HC BOOK 01 (MR)
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 04 TIME OF YOUR LIFE (C: 0-1-2)
SWAMP THING TP VOL 02 LOVE AND DEATH (JUL058053)
TOP 10 TP BOOK 01 (OCT058279)
A DRIFTING LIFE TP
LOEG VOL TWO TP (FEB058407)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 09 MOTHERLAND (FEB070362) (MR)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 06 GIRL ON GIRL (SEP050317) (MR)
BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 02 NO FUTURE FOR YOU (FEB080102)
BATMAN RIP DELUXE EDITION HC
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 02 MILES BEHIND US (NOV068026) (MR)
PUNISHER BY GARTH ENNIS OMNIBUS HC
HEAVY LIQUID HC (MAY080261) (MR)
THE FART PARTY TP
POPGUN GN VOL 01 (NEW PTG) (SEP071958) (C: 0-1-2)
WALKING DEAD HC VOL 01
WALKING DEAD HC VOL 02
JOKER HC (JUL080124)
BATMAN DARK KNIGHT RETURNS TP (DEC058055)
CRIMINAL TP VOL 01 COWARD (MR)
PREACHER TP VOL 01 GONE TO TEXAS NEW EDITION (MAR050489) (MR
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 03 ONE SMALL STEP (MAR068027) (MR)
STARMAN OMNIBUS HC VOL 03
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 01 UNMANNED (OCT058020)
BLACK SUMMER TP (JUL083705) (MR)
ALL STAR SUPERMAN TP VOL 01 (MAY080205)
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 07 PAPER DOLLS (FEB060341) (MR)
TALES FROM OUTER SUBURBIA HC (C: 0-1-2)
SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN TP VOL 05 (C: 0-1-2)
DOKTOR SLEEPLESS TP VOL 01 ENGINES OF DESIRE (AUG083788) (MR
FABLES TP VOL 10 THE GOOD PRINCE (FEB080297) (MR)
PREACHER TP VOL 06 WAR IN THE SUN NEW EDITION (MAY050301) (M
PREACHER TP VOL 07 SALVATION NEW EDITION (MAY050300) (MR)
JACK OF FABLES TP VOL 05 TURNING PAGES (MR)
HELLBOY VOL 01 SEED OF DESTRUCTION TP
LOEG BLACK DOSSIER TP (JUL080193)
SANDMAN TP VOL 04 SEASON OF MISTS (OCT058022)
V FOR VENDETTA NEW EDITION TP (MR)
ACME NOVELTY LIBRARY HC #19 (MR)
BOYS TP VOL 01 (DEC078191) (MR)
WATCHMEN HC (JUL080172)
WATCHING THE WATCHMEN HC (AUG084300) (C: 0-1-2)
WALTZ WITH BASHIR SC (C: 0-1-2)
BOYS DEFINITIVE ED HC (NEW PTG) (JUN083805) (MR) (C: 0-0-2)
WATCHMEN THE ABSOLUTE EDITION HC (JUL080174)
Y THE LAST MAN DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 01 (JUN080308) (MR)
PREACHER TP VOL 04 ANCIENT HISTORY NEW EDITION (MAY050299) (
LOCAS A LOVE & ROCKETS BOOK HC VOL 01 (O/A) (MR)
COMPLETE PERSEPOLIS TP
FABLES TP VOL 04 MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS (OCT058021) (M
FABLES TP VOL 08 WOLVES (SEP060313) (MR)
OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE SC VOL 39 AVENGERS (O/A) (
SWAMP THING TP VOL 01 SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING (APR058269)
FABLES TP VOL 01 LEGENDS IN EXILE (APR058372)
BERLIN TP BOOK 02 CITY OF SMOKE (JUN083900) (MR)
SHORTCOMINGS HC (JUL073524) (MR)
UNDERSTANDING COMICS THE INVISIBLE ART
FABLES TP VOL 03 STORYBOOK LOVE (MAY068085) (MR)
FABLES TP VOL 05 THE MEAN SEASONS (JAN050373) (MR)
SANDMAN TP VOL 03 DREAM COUNTRY (JAN058148)
TRANSMETROPOLITAN TP VOL 01 BACK ON THE STREET (MR)
CRIMINAL TP VOL 02 LAWLESS (OCT072158) (MR)
JUSTICE TP VOL 01 (FEB080252)
SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 04 SP GETS IT TOGETHER (JUN073779) (C:
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 07 THE CALM BEFORE (MR) (C: 0-1-2)
SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 01 SP PRECIOUS LITTLE LIFE (MAY042851)
PLANETARY TP VOL 01 ALL OVER THE WORLD AND OTHER STORIES (FE

At the end of the day I'm super happy with our sales patterns, and I think they show a pretty high level of diversity.

Anything interesting YOU see?

-B

Labels: Brian, retailing, Sales Charts

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Well, we've all already discussed BATMAN & ROBIN #1, but what about the REST of the Bat-books, mm?

BATMAN #687: Taking place *before* BATMAN & ROBIN #1, this does a pretty decent job in setting up Dick for the role, and getting him through the baggage. I wasn't too excited by the art, but then, all we have to do is wait a month and Mark Bagley comes on. Which is a weird shift from Ed Benes, really. Still, as a "#0", this does its job perfectly adequately, and Winick's usual scripting ticks are fairly well hidden. I guess I can give this a low "GOOD", but I think I'd be happier if I actually believed this would last more than a year or two, max. 'sfunny, this sort of makes me think of Cap-Bucky -- I think I'd actually PREFER if this was a no-tapbacks restart of the Bat franchise, because I really do think that Dick couldn't ultiamtely make a better bat...

RED ROBIN #1: This doesn't feel like Tim Drake to me -- Tim was always the "unobsessed" of the Bat-family... the one who did it because he WANTED to, because he was SMART enough and strong enough and fast enough, the one who would, eventually, someday be the Bat, but who would approach it as a detective as a guardian, not as a thug or bruiser. So, no, I don't see him having internal dialogue about breaking people's bones, or crossing lines, or any of that. Also, as a series-based premise, "I'm going to find Bruce" is pretty dead end, as well as being way too soon in the game to start unfurling. The scripting was fine, the art was solid, but it just didn't seem like the right character in the role, and doing stuff that was too far off in left field. This also makes the second of these that doesn't have a cliffhanger so much as just stopping because they reached the end of the issue. This first one is SELLING something like triple what ROBIN used to, but I'll be pessimistic about the long-term prospects. I thought it was pretty EH.

BATMAN: STREET OF GOTHAM #1: Based on this first issue, I'm pretty confused as to the premise of the book. I'm of the mind that when you have multiple books for one character that each one needs to have a VERY clearly defined premise, and I'm not seeing one here. Is it "Batman stories where Batman is slightly off camera" maybe? But that's not really a great premise. I tremendously liked the art, but there's little in the story that couldn't be done exactly the same with Bruce. Plus, can I say just how much I hate Hush as a villain -- he's simply not interesting, even a little bit, and I'm tired in trying to be convinced that he is. Hell, I find Firefly more compelling, because at least he has a shtick. As a first issue, I only sold-through about 2/3 of the average of Dini's DETECTIVE run moved, which is a really bad start, actually -- that's going to put this down into BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL range by issue #6. At least this issue sort of had a cliffhanger, but it was angled wrong, and it wasn't until my second reading for this review that I noticed the bat signal shape. I'll go with a mild EH

As for the Manhunter back-up, I pretty actively disliked it -- this felt like a desperation move "We really think you should like this, even though you've established that you don't, already, so, um, let's change the setting and the supporting cast, maybe that's the problem?" Well, no, the supporting cast was one of the things I vaguely liked about the original premise (not that much ever got done with it...), and yeah that last page note was just sour: "Jane Doe, BUM BUM BUM!" Um, what's that, and why the fuck should I care? I thought this feature was pretty AWFUL, and would resent being asked to pay an extra buck for it.


GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #1: Another series I don't see having much in the way of legs -- this will be cute and charming for a few issues at a time, but as a premise, I sort of don't see it: these characters, in this continuity, don't sit all of that well together. Maybe if Dini was DRAWING it, too, then "cuteness" would be a major selling point. The art, by Guillem March, is nice enough, but I just don't see where this series could go that I'd want to follow. Also: there were a few what I personally would call storytelling problems with Bonebreaker's vague powers -- he punches through walls, and declares that he "powders" bones with his touch... but he touches Selina and Harley just fine with no apparent after-effects. Still, first week sales show it's selling better than SOG, so what do I know? OK

DETECTIVE COMICS #854: In a way this is like two years too late -- I could have sold the fuck out of this had it been released in the wake of 52. It is selling really well, out of the gate -- about triple Dini 'TECs, but once upon a day it would have sold as well as Morrison's B&R. It is really incredibly gorgeous, maybe the best looking book DC has published all year, but I wanted a smidge more meat on the story -- like the hows and whys and how the hell she does all of that heart surgery and why the Bat, and all of that. Plus, another "ran out of pages" ending, with nothing that screams "Come back and buy the next one, mister!" (other than the art, which IS fuckin' scrumptious) -- and yet I'll still say GOOD.

The Question back up was fine enough, I guess, but didn't have enough weight to it, and, again, ended at a really awful spot. A solid OK.

What did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian

Click Here to Read More...

Here is what is arriving this week to Comix Experience. Pretty solid week, without being overwhelming...

A G SUPER EROTIC ANTHOLOGY #106 (A)
AGENTS OF ATLAS #7 DKR
ANGEL #23
ASTONISHING TALES #6
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #17
ASTRO CITY THE DARK AGE BOOK THREE #3 (OF 4)
ATOMIKA #9 (OF 12) (RES)
AUTHORITY #12
BAD KIDS GO TO HELL #1 (OF 4)
BANG TANGO #6 (OF 6)
BATMAN AND ROBIN #2
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #31
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA FINAL FIVE #4 (OF 4)
BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #172
BOYS #32
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #26
CABLE #16
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #1 (OF 5)
CHEW #2
CROSSED #6 (OF 9)
DAREDEVIL NOIR #4 (OF 4)
DEAD RUN #2
DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #1
DESTROYER #4 (OF 5)
DOCTOR WHO CLASSICS SERIES 2 #8
EXILES #4
EXISTENCE 2.0 #1 (OF 3)
FANTASTIC FOUR #568
FARSCAPE STRANGE DETRACTORS #4 (OF 4)
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH RUN #3 (OF 6)
FINDING NEMO REEF RESCUE #1 (OF 4)
GEARS OF WAR #8
GRAVEL #12
GREEK STREET #1
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #38 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
GREEN LANTERN REBIRTH #1 SPECIAL EDITION
HERE COME THE LOVEJOYS #1 FATHER FIXATION (A)
HOT MOMS #12 (A)
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #15 DKR
IRREDEEMABLE #4
JONAH HEX #45
JUGHEAD AND FRIENDS DIGEST #33
JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #1 (OF 7)
KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #152
LOCKE & KEY HEAD GAMES #6
LOONEY TUNES #176
MARVEL DIVAS #1 (OF 4)
MIGHTY #6
MUPPET ROBIN HOOD #2 (OF 4)
OFFICIAL INDEX TO MARVEL UNIVERSE #7
SAVAGE DRAGON #150 (NOTE PRICE)
SCOURGE OF GODS FALL #1 (OF 3)
SECRET SIX #11
SOLOMON GRUNDY #5 (OF 7)
SPAWN #193
STAR TREK WRATH OF KHAN #3
STAR WARS INVASION #1 (OF 5)
STRANGE ADVENTURES #5 (OF 8)
STRANGE EGGS JUMPS THE SHARK
SWORD #18
TERRY MOORES ECHO #13
TOY STORY MYSTERIOUS STRANGER #2 (OF 4)
UNBOUND SAGA ONE SHOT
UNCANNY X-MEN #513 DAX
USA COMICS #1 70TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
VERONICA #195
WAR OF KINGS #5 (OF 6)
WITCHBLADE #128
WITCHFINDER IN THE SERVICE OF ANGELS #1 (OF 5)
Y THE LAST MAN #1 SPECIAL EDITION
ZOMBIES THAT ATE THE WORLD #4

Books / Mags / Stuff
BOYS TP VOL 04 WE GOTTA GO NOW
BRAT PACK NEW EDITION TP
BRAVE AND THE BOLD WITHOUT SIN TP
DAREDEVIL FATHER TP
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #25 DEADSHOT
EVERYBODY IS STUPID EXCEPT ME & OTHER ASTUTE OBSERVATIONS GN
FAR ARDEN HC
FORGOTTEN HC VOL 02
GIRL WITH A THOUSAND CURSES GN (A)
GOON TP VOL 08 THOSE THAT IS DAMNED
GREEN LANTERN RAGE OF THE RED LANTERNS HC
HI FRUCTOSE MAGAZINE QUARTERLY #12
LONE RANGER TP VOL 03 SCORCHED EARTH
PRINCE VALIANT HC VOL 01 1937-1938
SOLOMON KANE TP VOL 01 CASTLE OF DEVIL
SPAWN ENDGAME TP VOL 01
SPIDER-MAN ELECTION DAY PREM HC
SUPERMAN BATMAN SER 7 BALANCED INNER CASE ASST (NET)
SYNCOPATED GN
VOICE OF THE FIRE SC NOVEL
WORLDS OF HP LOVECRAFT DAGON & OTHER TALES TP
WRITING FOR COMICS & GN WITH PETER DAVID REVISED ED


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

I don't think I've mentioned here that Ben and Tzipora are off in Israel to visit Tzipora's parents -- they've been gone for 11 days now (yes, during my birthday and Father's Day), and I still have 17 days alone to go.

I've been starting to get depressed over the last few days -- I've done all the cleaning chores, and blown through the laughs to be had in doing what I want when I want, and now I'm just feeling lonely and desperately wanting to hold my wife and child in my arms.

We're talking every day, via Skype, which certainly helps in seeing their faces and all (I'm able to keep reading to Ben nearly every day -- we just started book 12 of A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS), but, still, this is getting to be harder than I thought it would be, earlier on.

Working every day AND having to do all of the cooking/cleaning/shopping/whatever is also a big shift. Call me a big 'ol baby, but I haven't been single... well, since I was like 17 (and I'm 42 now), so I don't really know what being a bachelor is like, and I find myself getting exhausted, both physically and emotionally, earlier every day.

See, I sorta thought when they were gone I'd have MORE time for posting and stuff, but, perversely, it seems like I have LESS, and by the end of each day I just want to sit there and veg out. *sigh*

Anyway, if I seem gloomy (or, maybe more gloomy than normal), that's the reason...

Reviews... Let's get started! (Hm, of course I just got the call the truck is coming in under 30 minutes while I started typing, so let's see where I get)

RICHARD STARK'S PARKER: THE HUNTER HC: One of the rare perks of owning a comics shop is getting advance copies of stuff. Super-generally I don't bother reviewing any of it before the books actually arrive in the store (why get people all excited if they can't do anything about it), but I'm more than willing to make an exception in this case.

Damn, was that EXCELLENT.

I mean, no surprise, right? Darwyn Cooke is obviously a major talent, and this kind of gritty period piece is absolutely playing to the core of his strengths, but the main thing is that you can SEE it is a labor of love, that his heart and soul is there on every page.

I love the wonderful two-tone art, the character designs, the choreography, and just everything about it. This is a major work from a major talent and deserves a very prominent place on your book shelf when it comes out at the end of next month. Hell, buy two, you must have a friend who could get into this, too.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #600: Y'know, no matter what I have to say about this as a retailer who is watching out for my rights, it DID sell well, and it was a good solid value at 100 pages. The main story was, perhaps, a little too set-up-y for REBORN, but I quite liked the Stern and Waid stories, and the Golden Age reprint was a hoot (though, really, why was the Red Skull wearing a rising sun on his chest for half the story? That was weird). If every comic gave that kind of story value, no one would be bitching about comics prices... a solid GOOD.

Oh, frack, the truck is here already. More, I hope, tomorrow...

What did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian, lonely

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Biggest week of comics in quite some time -- I hope you've been saving your pennies...

2000 AD #1637
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #598 DKR
ARCHIE #598
ARCHIE DIGEST #255
ASTONISHING X-MEN #30
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #25 DKR
AVENGERS INVADERS #12 (OF 12)
BARACK THE BARBARIAN #1 A CVR OBAMA
BART SIMPSON COMICS #48
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #6
CARS ROOKIE #3 (OF 4)
CEREBUS ARCHIVE #2
CHURCH OF HELL #2
CLEANERS #4 (OF 4)
DAREDEVIL #119
DARK AVENGERS #6 DKR
DARK AVENGERS UNCANNY X-MEN UTOPIA #1 DAX
DARK REIGN ELEKTRA #4 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN HOOD #2 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN LETHAL LEGION #1 (OF 3) DKR
DARK REIGN SINISTER SPIDER-MAN #1 (OF 4) DKR
DARK REIGN ZODIAC #1 (OF 3) DKR
DARK WOLVERINE #75 DKR
DETECTIVE COMICS #854
DYNAMO 5 #22
END LEAGUE #8
FANTASTIC FOUR GIANT-SIZE ADVENTURES #1
FARSCAPE DARGOS LAMENT #3 (OF 4)
FEMALE FORCE #4 CAROLINE KENNEDY
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH INK #2 (OF 6)
FREDDY JASON ASH NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #1 (OF 6) CV A
FRINGE #6 (OF 6)
FUSION #2 (OF 3)
GI JOE #6
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #1
GREEN LANTERN #42
GRIMM FAIRY TALES #39 CVR A RON ADRIAN
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #15
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #27
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #130
INCREDIBLES FAMILY MATTERS #3 (OF 4)
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #34
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #28
KILLAPALOOZA #2 (OF 6)
LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #2 (OF 6)
LILLIM #4 (OF 5)
LITERALS #3 (OF 3)
MADAME XANADU #12
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #52
MARVEL SPOTLIGHT CAPTAIN AMERICA
MS MARVEL #40 DKR
MUPPET SHOW #4 (OF 4)
NEW AVENGERS #54 DKR
NORTHLANDERS #18
NOVA #26
PERHAPANAUTS #6
PREDATOR #1 (OF 4)
PVP #42
RED SONJA #45
RIFTWAR #1 (OF 5)
RUNAWAYS 3 #11
SECRET WARRIORS #5 DKR
SGT ROCK THE LOST BATTALION #6 (OF 6)
SKAAR SON OF HULK #12
SONIC UNIVERSE #5
SPIRIT #30
SQUADRON SUPREME 2 #12
STAR TREK MISSIONS END #4
STAR WARS LEGACY #37 TATOOINE PT 1 (OF 4)
STARCRAFT #2
SUPERMAN #689
TALES FROM WONDERLAND RED QUEEN ONE-SHOT
TEEN TITANS #72
TERROR INC APOCALYPSE SOON #3 (OF 4)
THOR #602
THUNDERBOLTS #133 DKR
TIMESTORM 2009/2099 X-MEN
UNCANNY X-MEN #512
UNKNOWN SOLDIER #9
USAGI YOJIMBO #121
VIKING #2
WILDCATS #12
WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #16
WOLVERINE NOIR #3 (OF 4)
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #3
WONDER WOMAN #33
X-FACTOR #45
X-FORCE #16 XMW
X-MEN FOREVER #2
YTHAQ NO ESCAPE #3 (OF 3)
ZORRO #14

Books / Mags / Stuff
ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN THE BOY WONDER TP VOL 01
ALTER EGO #87
ANCIENT BOOK OF SEX AND SCIENCE HC
AWESOME 2 TP AWESOMER
CALIBER TP VOL 01 FIRST CANON OF JUSTICE
CITY OF DUST TP VOL 01
CLASSIC DAN DARE HC VOL 11 PHANTOM FLEET
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #92 BISHOP
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #93 VALKYRIE
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #95 IMPOSSIBLE MAN
COMICS JOURNAL #298
DARK REIGN ACCEPT CHANGE TP
DC COMICS COVERGIRLS BARGAIN HC ED
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #12 TWO FACE
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #27 DEATHSTROKE
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #29 BLACK ADAM
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #30 CAPTAIN COLD
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #31 AQUAMAN
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #9 CATWOMAN
EMPOWERED TP VOL 05
ESSENTIAL DOCTOR STRANGE TP VOL 04
GANTZ TP VOL 05
GEEK MONTHLY JUL 2009
GOATS INFINITE TYPEWRITERS TP VOL 01
GOLDEN AGE STARMAN ARCHIVES HC VOL 02
GRAPHIC CLASSICS VOL 17 SCIENCE FICTION CLASSICS GN
GREEN LANTERN TALES OF THE SINESTRO CORPS TP
GRIMM FAIRY TALES TP VOL 06
HEAVY METAL SUMMER 2009
HERCULES TP VOL 01 THRACIAN WARS
IMMORTAL IRON FIST FRACTION BRUBAKER AJA OMNIBUS HC
IMMORTAL IRON FIST TP VOL 04 MORTAL IRON FIST
INDIANA JONES TP VOL 01 TOMB OF GODS
JIM BUTCHERS DRESDEN FILES STORM FRONT PX HC VOL 01
JLA DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 02
JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #285
JUXTAPOZ VOL 16 #7 JUL 2009
LUIS ROYO DEAD MOON
MIJEONG GN
NEIL GAIMAN DAVE MCKEAN CRAZY HAIR YR HC
OUTLAW TERRITORY GN VOL 01
PATSY WALKER HELLCAT TP DM ED
PREVIEWS #250 JULY 2009 (NET)
REMAKE GN VOL 01
SHERLOCK HOLMES CASES O/T TWISTED MINDS TP
STAR TREK MAGAZINE #19 SPECIAL NEWSSTAND ED
SUPERMAN TALES FROM THE PHANTOM ZONE TP
TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE TP VOL 07
TEZUKAS BLACK JACK TP VOL 05
TREASURY 20TH CENTURY MURDER HC VOL 02 FAMOUS PLAYERS
TWISTED TOYFARE THEATRE TP VOL 10
VENOM TP DARK ORIGIN
WIZARD MAGAZINE #214 SPIDER-MAN ROMITA JR CVR


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

The newest TILTING AT WINDMILLS is up at Comic Book Resources.

Go. Read.

-B

Labels: Brian, retailing, Tilting

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On Monday I did another podcast interview with the Comic Geek Speak guys.

You can hear it right here.

-B

Labels: Brian, retailing

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Happy birthday to me! (No, really, it is my birthday -- and yet I'm working. What's up with that?)

Just for a quick follow up: The New York Daily News has now run the story that REBORN #1 is, in fact, the return of Steve Rogers. (It also doesn't say anything about CAPTAIN AMERICA #600, out this week, ah well)

...

...

...

That's me waiting for the phone to ring.

Yeah, not going to happen -- resurrections just don't pack the same punch that deaths do.

At the end of the day, Marvel decided to fuck with retailers in the hope that news would break big. That doesn't seem to have happened.

The shame of it is that if they had told us this at point of initial solicitation I could have played it up in store, I could have gathered subs and interest and preorders, and I would have had a stronger order placed because there would have been excitement about the "how" of it.

Now, not so much.

I'll sell plenty of copies, I'm sure -- but not "Civil War" plenty or "Secret Invasion" plenty, or, most certainly, not "Spider-Man and Obama big". Or even "Death of Captain America" big.

I feel bad for those retailers who bought/are buying the book at any of those kinds of "big" levels, BUT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LET A PUBLISHER "GAME" THE SYSTEM.

At the end of the day YOUR orders determine what publishers do. If you automagically buy 10% more copies of a book to get that 1:10 variant cover, you're guaranteed they will do more and more variant covers. If you order blindly on the HOPE that there's a story published in the news, AND that that story will have meaning and resonance with the general public, then they're going to continue to do that, as well.

Just something to think about.

-B


(Oooh, seconds before I was about to hit "post" I got a call asking for CAP #600. As near as I can tell, no one in town bit on the early shipping thing? Anyway, he didn't sound like a civ, though I didn't interrogate him or anything)

Labels: Brian, retailing

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Here's what is coming this week....

ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #12
ACTRESS AND THE BISHOP #1
AIR #10
ALL NEW SAVAGE SHE-HULK #3 (OF 4) DKR
ANGEL #22
BARACK OBAMA THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE #1
BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #1
BETTY & VERONICA #242
BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #195
BOMB QUEEN PRESENTS ALL GIRL COMICS (ONE SHOT)
BOYS HEROGASM #2 (OF 6)
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #24
CABLE #15 XMW
CAPTAIN AMERICA #600
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 #14
CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #58
DARK REIGN FANTASTIC FOUR #4 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN HAWKEYE #3 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN MISTER NEGATIVE #1 (OF 3) DKR
DARK REIGN YOUNG AVENGERS #2 (OF 5) DKR
DARK TOWER THE FALL OF GILEAD #2 (OF 6)
DEAD AT 17 AFTERBIRTH #1 (OF 4)
DESTROYER #3 (OF 5)
ELEPHANTMEN #20 (RES)
EX MACHINA #43
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS #1 BENITEZ CVR
FALL OF CTHULHU NEMESIS #3 (OF 4)
FANTASTIC FORCE #3 (OF 5)
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH DANCE #2 (OF 6)
GENEXT UNITED #2 OF(5)
GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #21
GROOM LAKE #3
HELLBLAZER #256
INCOGNITO #4
INVINCIBLE #63
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #14 DKR
JACK OF FABLES #35
JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #151
MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #16 (RES)
MAN WITH NO NAME #11
MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #37
MARVEL PETS HANDBOOK
MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #3 (OF 4)
MASQUERADE #4
MIGHTY AVENGERS #26 DKR
MYSTERIUS THE UNFATHOMABLE #6 (OF 6)
OUTSIDERS #19
PHONOGRAM 2 #3 (OF 7) SINGLES CLUB
POWER GIRL #2
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS CHAPTER TWO #0
PUNISHER #6 DKR
RED MASS FOR MARS #3 (OF 4) (RES)
REX MUNDI DH ED #18
SIMPSONS COMICS #155
STAR TREK WRATH OF KHAN #2
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OLD REPUBLIC #42 MASKS PT 1 ( OF 3) (C: 1-
SUPERGIRL #42
SUPERMAN BATMAN #61
TALES FROM WONDERLAND CHESHIRE CAT ONE-SHOT
THOR TRIAL OF THOR
TINY TITANS #17
ULTIMATUM SPIDER-MAN REQUIEM #1 (OF 2)
VIGILANTE #7
WAR MACHINE #7
WAR OF KINGS ASCENSION #3 (OF 4)
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #37 DKR
WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ #7 (OF 8)
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #20
X-MEN LEGACY #225
X-MEN ORIGINS GAMBIT #1
YOUNG ALLIES COMICS #1 70TH ANNIV SPECIAL
YOUNG LIARS #16

Books / Mags / Stuff
BATMAN THE BLACK CASEBOOK TP
BODY BAGS TP VOL 01 FATHERS DAY
BORIS VALLEJO & JULIE BELL ULTIMATE ILLUSTRATIONS SC
CINEFEX #118 JUL 2009
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #50 HAWKEYE
COMPLETE JUST A PILGRIM TP
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #10 RAS AL GHUL
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #11 LEX LUTHOR
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #28 SINESTRO
FAT CHUNK GN VOL 02 ZOMBIE
GREEN LANTERN SINESTRO CORPS WAR TP VOL 02
HITMAN TP VOL 01 A RAGE IN ARKHAM TP NEW PTG
LOST OFFICIAL MAGAZINE #23 PX ED
LOW MOON
MAGIC TRIXIE GN VOL 03 MAGIC TRIXIE & THE DRAGON
MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS TP VOL 09 DIGEST
MICE TEMPLAR TP VOL 01
NAOKI URASAWA 20TH CENTURY BOYS GN VOL 03
NEXUS AS IT HAPPENED TP VOL 01
POWER PACK CLASSIC TP VOL 01
PUNISHER YEAR ONE TP
QUESTION THE FIVE BOOKS OF BLOOD TP
RED SONJA HC VOL 06
REQUIEM LE CHEVALIER VAMPIRE COLLECTION TP
REX LIBRIS TP VOL 02 BOOK OF MONSTERS
SEX LIES AND PRIVATE EYES (RES)
SIZZLE #42 (A)
SLEEPER SEASON 1 TP
SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE SEASON 2 TP SOPHOMORE JINX
SPIDER-MAN NEW WAYS TO DIE TP
STARMAN OMNIBUS HC VOL 03
T RUNT HC
THE IRREDEEMABLE ANT-MAN TP
ULTIMATE ORIGINS TP
WASTELAND TP VOL 04 DOG TRIBE
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO WORLD OF TOMORROW HC
WILL EISNERS SPIRIT ARCHIVES HC VOL 26 (RES)
WONTON SOUP GN VOL 02
X-INFERNUS HC
YTHAQ PREM HC FORSAKEN WORLD
ZORRO YEAR ONE TP VOL 01 TRAIL O/T FOX PX ED

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

So. Very. Tired...

2000 AD #1635
2000 AD #1636
ABSOLUTION #0 (OF 6)
ACTION COMICS #878
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #597 DKR
ANGEL BLOOD AND TRENCHES #4
ANNA MERCURY 2 #1 (OF 5)
ARCHIE & FRIENDS #132
BATMAN #687
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #30
BETA RAY BILL GODHUNTER #1 (OF 3)
BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #5
BOOSTER GOLD #21
BPRD WAR ON FROGS #3 (OF 4)
BUCK ROGERS #1
CHANNEL EVIL #1
DEADPOOL #11 DKR
DMZ #42
DOCTOR WHO AUTOPIA (ONE SHOT)
ENDERS GAME RECRUITING VALENTINE
FABLES #85
FANTASTIC FOUR #567
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH ESCAPE #2 (OF 6)
FLASH REBIRTH #3 (OF 6)
GEN 13 #30
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #37
JSA VS KOBRA ENGINES OF FAITH #1 (OF 6)
LIFE AND TIMES OF SAVIOR 28 #3
LOCKJAW AND THE PET AVENGERS #2 (OF 4)
MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #12
MISS AMERICA COMICS #1 70TH ANNIV SPECIAL
PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #132
PHANTOM GHOST WHO WALKS #3 CVR A
PRIDE & PREJUDICE #3 (OF 5)
PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX #71
REBELS #5
RED ROBIN #1
RESURRECTION VOL 2 #1
SAVAGE DRAGON #149
SCOOBY DOO #145
SHERLOCK HOLMES #2 (OF 5)
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #201
SOUL KISS #5 (OF 5)
SPIRIT #29
STAR TREK WRATH OF KHAN #1
STORMING PARADISE #6 (OF 6) (RES)
STRANGE ADVENTURES OF HP LOVECRAFT #2 (OF 4)
STREET FIGHTER LEGENDS CHUN LI #3 (OF 4) A CVR DOGAN
SUPER FRIENDS #16
TERMINATOR REVOLUTION #5 (OF 5)
THOR TALES OF ASGARD BY LEE & KIRBY #2 (OF 6)
TITANS #14
TOY STORY MYSTERIOUS STRANGER #1 (OF 4)
UNCANNY X-MEN #511
UNCANNY X-MEN FIRST CLASS GIANT-SIZE SPECIAL #1
UNKNOWN #2 (OF 4)
UNTHINKABLE #2 (OF 4)
UNWRITTEN #2
VEIL #1
WALKING DEAD #62
WAR OF KINGS SAVAGE WORLD OF SKAAR
WITCHBLADE DARKNESS ANGELUS BLOOD ON SANDS (ONE SHOT)
WOLVERINE #74
X-FACTOR #44
X-MEN FOREVER #1

Books / Mags / Stuff
30 DAYS OF NIGHT 30 DAYS TIL DEATH TP
ART OF HARVEY KURTZMAN HC
BLEACH TP VOL 27
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 TP VOL 02 HELL COMES TO BIRMINGHAM
COLOR OF WATER GN
CONAN HC VOL 07 CIMMERIA
DARE GN
DARK REIGN DEADPOOL THUNDERBOLTS TP
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG SPEC ANTI MONITOR
DOUGLAS FREDERICKS & HOUSE OF THEY TP (RES)
DRAGONERO TP
ESSENTIAL THOR TP VOL 04
EXCALIBUR VISIONARIES ALAN DAVIS TP VOL 01
FINAL CRISIS COMPANION TP
FINAL CRISIS HC
FLASH THE HUMAN RACE TP
FOUR FRIGHTENED WOMEN (RES)
HEAVY METAL JULY 2009
JSA SERIES 1 BALANCED ONE THIRD CASE ASST
JUXTAPOZ VOL 16 #6 JUN 2009
LEES TOY REVIEW #199 JUN 2009
PIXIE GN VOL 02 (OF 4)
RED TP NEW EDITION
RUNAWAYS TP DEAD WRONG
RUNAWAYS TP VOL 08 DEAD END KIDS DIGEST
SHOWCASE PRESENTS GREEN LANTERN TP VOL 04
STAR TREK MAGAZINE #18 SPECIAL NEWSSTAND ED
SUPERMAN LAST SON TP
SUPREME POWER HIGH COMMAND PREM HC
TOYFARE #144 MATTEL GHOSTBUSTERS CVR
WITCHBLADE ORIGINS TP VOL 02 REVELATIONS
X-MEN THE END TRILOGY TP
YOUNG LIARS TP VOL 02 MAESTRO
ZOMBIE TALES VOL 04 (OF 4) THIS BITES


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

I'm not going to speak for anyone else here, but there are weeks at a time where I just really don't have anything meaningful to say about that week's books, and I don't just want to post in order to post, y'know?

But I thought this was a nice week o' comics. Let's go!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #596 DKR: Man, Phil Jimemez was only on for one issue of this storyline? Foul! Say what you will, Spidey is more readable than it has been in a long-ass time. I'm still frustrated by the "DKR" intruding on each and every thing in the Marvel U (especially because it feels like we got at least another year of this to go), but this is still basically OK stuff.


BANG TANGO #5 (OF 6): I can't review this -- I haven't read past issue #1, but I do want to note that this is the first Vertigo comic ever where I've reduced my rack copy orders down to a single copy at FOC. I actually don't think that Vertigo is capable of selling a periodical mini-series any longer because of their trade policies. Here's the thing though: one subber, one rack copy sold -- why would I order any copy of a theoretical trade paperback of this story? Discuss.

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1: Pretty, fun, but probably a little thin -- this was more of a vignette than a story, wasn't it? An extremely high GOOD, but it wasn't meaty enough to push it up much higher.

BOYS #31: I'm much less interested in this book when Robertson isn't drawing it. I really LIKE Ezquerra (or McCrea on HEROGASM), but when your name is above the title, then you should be drawing the book. Ennis very surprisingly kills a major character -- even if that character kind of doesn't HAVE a character yet. I would have thought we would have learned more before he got to that stage. I thought this one was oddly EH.

BTVS TALES OF THE VAMPIRES ONE SHOT: OK, this is goofy continuity point, but my understanding of the mythology of the Buffyverse was that when you became a vampire, "you" were effectively possessed by a demon who essentially took over your body and your memories (That's one of the reasons that all Vampires know "kung fu" the moment they rise, yeah?) -- and this would seem to completely ignore that concept altogether. It wasn't bad or anything, but shouldn't one follow the "rules" of the world you're in? Kinda EH.

CHEW #1: I think John Layman might have finally hit on the right concept for him. More darkly humorous than humorously dark, this concept seems fairly sustainable, and I enjoyed it quite a bit: GOOD.

FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH RUN #2 (OF 6): I don't know about anyone else, but these FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH books have been utter retail death for us -- single copy preorders, under-one-hand rack sales, I've NEVER seen follow-up series sell this far below the series they have spun from. A teeny part of it was leading with the wrong books -- RUN is the adventures of Captain Loathsome, after all -- but even DANCE with a solid author, and the I-thought-people-liked-them-at-least-ironically Super Young Team sold less than 3 rack copies for me. And the best of the bunch -- last week's INK (a solid GOOD), was down to a single rack sale. Sheesh. And there's five more months of these things scheduled. I nearly doubt that I'll be carrying rack copies of ANY of them by the time we get to the end... Anyway, RUN #2 is slightly AWFUL.

IRREDEEMABLE #3: I really really want to like this, but even the creepy sexual thing at the beginning didn't work because there isn't any context for anything that is happening. I don't think that it's enough to have a hooky premise -- "what if Superman suddenly turned evil" -- what matters is what you DO with it. I can't get into the premise because I never "saw" him be good, nor do we know why any of this happened. I guess Waid thinks the "why" is the story? It really isn't -- it's the ignition. I guess we're supposed to feel for Scylla and Charybdis here? But why? They're absolute ciphers -- there's no real reason for us to care other than "look, a few more of the character boxes now will have an X through them!". Sorry, this is EH.

KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #151: Other than SAVAGE DRAGON and NINJA HIGH SCHOOL, are there any other independently produced comics that are currently being published, that have crossed the 150 bar? (if I was at the store, I could answer that easily with the POS, couldn't I?) And, y'know, support a whole writing staff? This is a really amazing accomplishment, ESPECIALLY because no one in the comics field other than me ever even mentions this book. You'd think Spurge or Ace or maybe even Deppey would at least mention KoDT every once in a while. (Or NHS for that matter)

The best part is it really is funny -- albeit it aimed very sharply at a specific niche audience (gamers). If I have complaints (and I have two), they are these: A) I just don't think the World of Hackcraft stuff (obviously parodying WoWarcraft) is even a third as funny as the tabletop stuff. "Table chatter" is what MAKES KoDT, in a lot of ways, and they just can't pull that off in the WoH sections; B) they're often juggling too many storylines at once, stripping some of them of their inherent drama. As an example: this month's chapter of "Gary Returns" basically just restated what we learned in part 1, with virtually no new information.

What KoDT really REALLY needs, though, is their own version of Essential or Showcase volumes -- 20-25 issues worth for $20 (or less); preferably parsed in storyline order so the reading experience is worth it. The most recent "Bundle of Trouble" (their version of TPs -- they're at.. um, 23? 24?) was really essentially "all middle" because of the choice of material that was in there, and was less than a good read for it.

I wouldn't recommend you start here with 151, (150 was a much better jumping on point), but I'd VERY much recommend buying a Bundle of Trouble and going from there. 151 was GOOD.

MUPPET SHOW #3 (OF 4): I was reading the comics at home and both Ben and Tzipora asked me "Why are you reading a Muppet comic, isn't that for little kids?" Cracked me up. Then Tzipora asked "And just what is Gonzo anyway?" (Well, I think she said "that creature" because she doesn't have them memorized, BUT THE POINT REMAINS), which was funny because that's the very plot of this issue. This is solidly GOOD stuff.

SOLOMON GRUNDY #4 (OF 7)
STRANGE ADVENTURES #4 (OF 8): I just want to observe that these are two DCU comics that I had to stop racking because I wasn't selling a single rack copy in the first few weeks. They both come out the same week, too, which is weird. Oddly, SOLOMON GRUNDY sells better than 2 or 3 other DCU books that I DO rack, because of sub requests from pre-#1's release. I was talking with Jeff Lester today about the shape of the business, and I think it is literally astonishing that there is a Jim Starlin comic I can't sell ANY rack copies of. I would not have pictured that as actually possible.

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #133: Fuck. Seriously, you can't do a wordless comic for $4. FUCK, and no, you can't end your run on the book on such a downer note. Especially not a book like this. It is betraying the very thematic underpinnings of the book to do so. Completely ASS.

ULTIMATUM #4 (OF 5): plus, if you're going to do the Big Event, then you have to fucking get it out on time. AND have it be something more than just "Lots of people die, the end". This is really starting to smell like the last Wildstorm reboot to me, in terms of audience interest. EH.



As always, what did YOU think?

-B

Labels: Brian

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As hoped, Marvel has officially extended the FOC date for REBORN #1 to Tuesday June 16th, so we should have basic information about REBORN in place before our orders are due.

"REBORN FOC MOVED TO TUESDAY 6/16 TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR ORDERS!
Reborn #1 (MAY090412D, $3.99) is expected to receive nationwide mass media coverage on June 15, and in an effort to give retailers more time to adjust orders, the issue’s FOC date will be moved from Thursday, June 11 to Tuesday, June 16. The on sale date of July 1 is unaffected by the FOC adjustment."

Therefore, Comix Experience WILL now be able to rack the book.

See, complaining in public does occasionally do some minor amount of good.

However, everything about this sort of hinges on trust: how much does one trust Marvel to be able to "deliver" "nationwide mass media coverage". Clearly a news story has been brokered, but it is utterly an open question whether or not it will actually RUN (Any number of stories could very easily push it out of the "news cycle"), and, much MUCH more importantly, whether any one or not will CARE about whatever the revelation is.

There are several possibilities of what "Reborn" might be referring to, of course -- some suggest it might be the return of the Cap from "Truth: Red, White and Black", or, it could be the "Heroes Return" Cap (Since that version of Bucky is evidently in CAPTAIN AMERICA #600), or it could just be "our" Steve Rogers coming back from the dead. Or it could be something else. We won't know until 6/15. Happy birthday to me!

One of those stories might entice the general public (and the "Obama Grandmothers"), one won't even create a ripple within the Direct Market, and the last is likely to create a collective "So?"

(People seem to like Bucky-Cap just fine, after all)

If it IS the most obvious result (The return of Steve Rogers), then I'm willing to predict a still birth on this -- Brubaker's CAPTAIN AMERICA is a fine comic book, indeed, but rebirths almost never generate any real market heat, with the possibly notable exception of GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH which had on its side the fact that probably half (?) of GL readers actively disdained Kyle Rayner (the other half LOVED him), as well, to my mind, the idea that that would usher the return of the GL CORPS (Probably the best idea that comics, up to that point, had ever "thrown away")

It is worth mentioning (largely because this is getting fairly confusing) that CAPTAIN AMERICA #600, the putative lead-in to REBORN #1, will be "early released" on the Monday the news is meant to hit. For those who wish to pay for it, natch. That kind of direct shipping cost is fairly likely to run at about 5% of retail on the book, completely wiping out the benefit from the order incentive that Marvel ran.

But if the news DOES hit, there will be a bifurcation in the market -- because retailers have to pay the incoming shipping, additional staff and labor, etc etc, I'm not going to expect that a majority of retailers will actually pull that particular trigger. Which means the stores that DO will have a fairly hefty advantage. On the other hands if it is "just" "the return of Steve Rogers", I don't see a lot of civilian consumers biting -- people like death, they're less excited about returns.

(And, if you don't believe that, I'm sure I could act as a broker on AS MANY CASES of ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #500 as you might possibly want)

Comix Experience will not be one of those stores -- partly because we have Tuesday delivery, so paying 5% of retail for a (maybe) 24 hours advantage doesn't seem sensible to me; and partly because I'm not *expecting* any revelation other than "Steve Rogers returns" at this time.

What's horrifically fucked up about the CAPTAIN AMERICA #600 portion of this game is that that, effectively, most retailers had about a 3 hour window (on a Wednesday, fercryinoutloud -- when most retailers are frantically trying to help customers and don't have time to be obsessively checking email every 3 minutes) to make the decision whether to bring in those Monday CAPs or not. If you waited until Thursday it was too late to place order increases. Too bad, so sad.

Whatever these books end up being, however they end up selling, Marvel in my opinion handled this very poorly -- not giving retailers enough information OR time to make a properly formed decision. It was all "trust us".

And so far in this case, I'd argue they haven't given us enough reason to do so for these specific books.

On the other hand, they've generated a LOT of conversation, and way more "free press" then they would have otherwise, and I'm sure there are PLENTY of stores out there spiking their numbers up over all of these books. MARVEL is going to sell a whole lot more of these comics then they would have otherwise.

I just hope they sell THROUGH at retail.

-B

Labels: Brian, retailing

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Man, June already? Well, at least here's a great week of comics for that!

A G SUPER EROTIC ANTHOLOGY #105 (A)
AGENTS OF ATLAS #6 DKR
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #596 DKR
ANGEL NOT FADE AWAY #2
ANITA BLAKE LC NECROMANCER #2 (OF 5)
ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #199
ASTONISHING TALES #5
ASTRO CITY THE DARK AGE BOOK THREE #2 (OF 4)
ATOMIC ROBO SHADOW FROM BEYOND TIME #2 (OF 5)
AUTHORITY #11
BANG TANGO #5 (OF 6)
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA FINAL FIVE #3 (OF 4)
BETTY #180
BLACK PANTHER 2 #5 DKR
BOYS #31
BTVS TALES OF THE VAMPIRES ONE SHOT
CAPTAIN BLOOD ODYSSEY #1 (OF 5)
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 ANNUAL #1
CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #38
CHEW #1
CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #11
DAREDEVIL NOIR #3 (OF 4)
DARK AVENGERS #5 DKR
DEAD IRONS #4 (OF 4)
DEAD RUN #1
DEADPOOL SUICIDE KINGS #3 (OF 5)
DOCTOR WHO CLASSICS SERIES 2 #7
EXILES #3
FARSCAPE STRANGE DETRACTORS #3 (OF 4)
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH RUN #2 (OF 6)
FLASH GORDON #5
HOUSE OF MYSTERY #14
IRREDEEMABLE #3
JERSEY GODS #5
JONAH HEX #44
KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #151
LOONEY TUNES #175
MIGHTY #5
MIGHTY AVENGERS #25 DKR
MUPPET SHOW #3 (OF 4)
NEW AVENGERS REUNION #4 (OF 4) DKR
NEW MUTANTS #2
OFFICIAL INDEX TO MARVEL UNIVERSE #6
PHANTOM GENERATIONS #2
PS238 #39
PUNISHER MAX NAKED KILL #1
ROTTEN #1
SCALPED #29
SEAGUY THE SLAVES OF MICKEY EYE #3 (OF 3)
SECRET SIX #10
SKAAR #11
SOLOMON GRUNDY #4 (OF 7)
SPAWN #192
STAR TREK CREW #4
STRANGE ADVENTURES #4 (OF 8)
SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #4 (OF 12)
TIMESTORM 2009/2099 SPIDER-MAN
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #133
ULTIMATUM #4 (OF 5)
UNIVERSAL WAR ONE REVELATIONS #3 (OF 3)
UPTIGHT #3 (RES)
WAR OF KINGS #4 (OF 6)
WARLORD #3
WEREWOLVES ON THE MOON VERSUS VAMPIRES #1 (OF 3)
WOLVERINE REVOLVER #1

Books / Mags / Stuff
4 GIRLFRIENDS GN VOL 02 (A)
ALTER EGO #86
BATGIRL REDEMPTION TP
BIOGRAPHIC NOVEL 14TH DALAI LAMA GN
DEADPOOL TP VOL 01 SECRET INVASION
EUREKA TP VOL 01 (OF 4)
FARSCAPE HC VOL 01
GREEN LANTERN CORPS SINS OF THE STAR SAPPHIRE TP
HALO UPRISING PREM HC (RES)
HOUSE OF MYSTERY TP VOL 02 LOVE STORIES FOR DEAD PEOPLE
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA TP VOL 03 INJUSTICE LEAGUE
LOVE IS A PECULIAR TYPE OF THING GN
MIJEONG GN
OCEAN TP NEW EDITION
PUNISHER MAX HC VOL 05
SENTRY TP AGE OF SENTRY DM ED
SUPERMAN BATMAN FINEST WORLDS HC
TERRY MOORES ECHO TP VOL 02 ATOMIC DREAMS
TINY TYRANT GN ETHELBERTOSAURUS
TOMARTS ACTION FIGURE DIGEST #178
TORCHWOOD GN RIFT WAR
UNCANNY X-MEN LOVELORN TP


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

Click Here to Read More...

Remember (because I DID forget until today) that new comics are on THURSDAY in the US this week, due to the Memorial Day holiday.

ALIENS #1 (OF 4)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #595 DKR
ARCHIE #597
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #16
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #24 DKR
AVENGERS INVADERS #11 (OF 12)
BACK TO BROOKLYN #5 (OF 5)
BATMAN IN BARCELONA DRAGONS KNIGHT
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #5
BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #171
CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #57
CROSSED #5 (OF 9)
CURSED PIRATE GIRL #1 (OF 3)
DARK REIGN ELEKTRA #3 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN HOOD #1 (OF 5) DKR
DARKNESS #77
ENDERS SHADOW BATTLE SCHOOL #5 (OF 5)
FALL OF CTHULHU NEMESIS #2 (OF 4)
FARSCAPE DARGOS LAMENT #2 (OF 4)
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH INK #1 (OF 6)
FUTURAMA COMICS #43
GARTH ENNIS BATTLEFIELDS TANKIES #2
GHOST RIDER #35
GLAMOURPUSS #7
GODLAND #28 (RES)
GOTHAM GAZETTE #1 BATMAN ALIVE
GREEN LANTERN #41
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #14
HERO SQUARED LOVE & DEATH #3 (OF 3)
IGNITION CITY #3 (OF 5)
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #26
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #129
JANS ATOMIC HEART
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #33
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #27
LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #1 (OF 6)
LITERALS #2 (OF 3)
LORDS OF AVALON KNIGHTS OF DARKNESS #6 (OF 6)
MAD MAGAZINE #500
MADAME XANADU #11
MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #48
MOON KNIGHT #30
MOUSE GUARD WINTER 1152 #6 (OF 6)
MS MARVEL #39 DKR
MUPPET ROBIN HOOD #1 (OF 4)
NEW AVENGERS #53 DKR
NORTHLANDERS #17
NOVA #25
RAPTURE #1 OEMING CVR
RED SONJA #44
ROBERT JORDANS NEW SPRING #6 (RES)
RUNAWAYS 3 #10
SONIC UNIVERSE #4
SPIDER-MAN SHORT HALLOWEEN
SPIRIT #28
SQUADRON SUPREME 2 #11
STAND AMERICAN NIGHTMARES #3 (OF 5)
STAR WARS LEGACY #36 RENEGADE
STARCRAFT #1
SUPERMAN #688
SWORD #17
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #33
TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #56
TEEN TITANS #71
TRINITY #52
ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS HULK #6 (OF 6)
UNKNOWN SOLDIER #8
USAGI YOJIMBO #120
WAR MACHINE #6
WILDCATS #11
WOLVERINE #72
WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #15
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #36 DKR
WONDER WOMAN #32
X-FORCE #15 XMW
X-MEN FUTURE HISTORY MESSIAH WAR SOURCEBOOK
X-MEN LEGACY #224

Books / Mags / Stuff
BART SIMPSON SON OF HOMER TP
BAYOU TP VOL 01
BERSERK TP VOL 29
CHICKEN WITH PLUMS SC
CONAN TP VOL 07 CIMMERIA
DAMES DOLL AND GUN MOLLS SC
DC LIBRARY ROOTS OF THE SWAMP THING HC
DEAD AT 17 ULTIMATE ED TP
DEATH DEFYING DEVIL TP VOL 01
ELEPHANTMEN HC VOL 02 FATAL DISEASES
ESSENTIAL X-MEN TP VOL 09
FLOWER OF LIFE GN VOL 04 (OF 4)
GALVESTON TP
GARTH ENNIS BATTLEFIELDS TP VOL 02 DEAR BILLY
GEEK MONTHLY JUN 2009
GHOST RIDER DANNY KETCH TP ADDICT
INCOGNEGRO SC
INCREDIBLE HERCULES TP LOVE AND WAR
JOHN STANLEY LIBRARY MELVIN MONSTER HC VOL 01
JUDGE DREDD COMPLETE HEAVY METAL DREDD GN
JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #284
JUXTAPOZ VOL 16 #5 MAY 2009
KODT BUNDLE OF TROUBLE TP VOL 26
LOST OFFICIAL MAGAZINE #22 SPECIAL PX ED
MARVEL ADVENTURES TP THOR DIGEST
MY INNER BIMBO TP
NAOKI URASAWA 20TH CENTURY BOYS GN VOL 02
POWER UP GN
PREVIEWS #249 JUNE 2009 (NET)
SHAKARA THE AVENGER TP
SIDE B GN
SINISTER DEXTER GN VOL 01 EUROCRASH
SPARROW JOHN WATKISS HC
SPECIAL FORCES TP VOL 01
SPIDER-MAN NOIR PREM HC
STAR TREK OMNIBUS TP VOL 01
STAR WARS CLONE WARS TP VOL 03 WIND RAIDERS TALORAAN
STAR WARS VECTOR TP VOL 02 CHAPTERS 3 AND 4
STATIC SHOCK REBIRTH OF THE COOL TP
THIS IS A SOUVENIR SONGS OF SPEARMINT & SHIRLEY LEE GN
TRINITY TP VOL 01
TRUE LOVES GN VOL 02
WIZARD MAG #213 PACHECO ULTIMATE AVENGERS CVR
WORLD OF WARCRAFT ASHBRINGER HC
X-MEN MAGNETO TESTAMENT PREM HC
X-MEN WORLDS APART HC

What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

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The Direct Market is sometimes an awkward beast: publishers solicit books roughly 3 months before publication, which can lead to problems in releasing information in such a way that can spoil those upcoming titles. I am very sympathetic to these concerns.

Direct Market retailers, of course, buy comics non-returnable -- if we order too many copies, we simply eat them. This means we need as much information as we can possibly get at the time of solicitation so we can make proper, informed judgments of the saleability of a specific work.

There's no doubt this is a substantial conundrum -- in this particular aspect the publisher's best interests are diametrically opposed to the retailer's. They want to preserve suspense, we want as much information as is possible (in fact, the best possible world would be to be able to read every comic before we had to finalize our orders)

Marvel, over the last few years, has taken to making certain high-profile title's solicitations "Classified" where they provide retailers NO solicitation information at first, instead releasing it, typically, the final day that Final Orders are due. This is extremely annoying (I can't help build interest in a work via pre-orders if the first piece of hard information I receive is 3 weeks before a title ships), but we've been able to work with it fairly adequately to date because, generally, we were talking about essentially "just another issue of IRON MAN", and the trade off was "spoiling the end of SECRET INVASION", y'know? I have cycle sheet data for IRON MAN, I know the general range it is going to sell, I can work around it. As long as they finally give me the solicit by the time of Final Order Cutoff (FOC).

Which brings us to REBORN #1.

REBORN is a 5-issue mini-series. It is by Ed Brubaker and Bryan Hitch. It is 32 pages long, in color, and retails for $3.99. That's every piece of information that we have. We don't know who or what is "reborn", and, really, we aren't precisely sure if that's the exact title of the final comic book. It certainly could be the return of the Steve Rogers Captain America, but it could just as easily be something to do with "Heroes Reborn", or even some version of Captain America that has nothing to do with Steve Rogers. It could also have nothing whatsoever to do with Captain America, regardless of what Rich Johnston is reporting. My point is we simply don't know.

Unlike previous situations with "classified" solicitations, this does not appear to be done to protect the conclusion of a line-wide crossover like CIVIL WAR or SECRET INVASION. As near as I can tell, no other comic is being impacted by this book in the short term. There's a possibility that this spins out of CAPTAIN AMERICA #600, I suppose? But that would be the absolute limit.

No, this is Marvel trying to "game" the system, as far as I am concerned -- trying to create interest in something in what I consider to be an underhanded way, and completely against the moral intent of the processes of the Direct Market.

And now we come to what I consider to be the real problem: Marvel has apparently pre-arranged press coverage with a tame journalist with embargoed exclusivity with one media outlet with a promise to go wide on it. This week's Marvel Mailer (a retailer-only mailing with Marvel news in it) they say the following:

"REBORN #1’s solicit and cover will not be revealed before its FOC date due to upcoming mainstream press regarding the series. Please see the Marvel page of Diamond’s Retailer Service Area for more information"

Going to that page, we get this detail (I'm not printing the details of the incentive deals):

"REBORN #1, by Ed Brubaker and Bryan Hitch, will be receiving nationwide press on 6/15, possibly on par with the media coverage we received during Civil War.

However, this means that the solicit and covers for Reborn #1 cannot be shown before the FOC of 6/11. Marvel will do everything possible to ensure an overprint is on hand to counter huge anticipated demand, but the incentives below and qualifying for free variants will only be available for orders placed before FOC"

So, basically, Marvel is cutting the retailers out of the information loop in order to hopefully make a splash in the wider media. There are two problems I see with this strategy. One: depending on news going wide is a dangerous and risky move. What if 6/15 is the day that the President is assassinated, or we declare war on North Korea, or we find out a planet-killer asteroid is on its way, or whatever else of a billion things that could knock any media interest in ANY comics project into the garbage?

Two: like we saw with CAPTAIN AMERICA #25, if there IS press coverage, and we don't have the information to even attempt to order properly, then we can't capitalize on it.

As a retailer, I object to these actions. I find these tactics ethically abhorrent and morally repugnant, and flatly against the best interests of the Direct Market and it's constituent retailers.

If we let this pass silently, then we're telling them to do it again and again and again -- hell, why even actually solicit ANYthing? We'll accept that, right?

So, there's really only one thing I can do at this point to protest these tactics, and that's to decline to carry the book. Assuming that Marvel doesn't change their mind on this, before FOC time, I'm going to cut my rack copy orders to zero.

Obviously I will stock the book for any customer who is interested in preordering the title, but I can not, in good conscience, spend my own discretionary money on something that is against my best interests. To do otherwise would be to condone what Marvel is doing here. I have no other way to express my displeasure than voting with my dollars.

Marvel won't care, I'm sure. The thirty to, say, one hundred and fifty copies I might have sold (Depending on what the comic really is) won't make or break them. It probably won't hurt Ed or Bryan either, but I have to make a public stand in the only way I can.

But what else can I do? To participate is to say that what Marvel is doing is acceptable business. And it just isn't. Some times you have to stand on your principles, even if it costs you a little bit of money.

-B

Labels: Brian, retailing

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Hey look, Kids, Comics!

AGENTS OF ATLAS #5 DKR
AIR #9
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #594
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN FAMILY #6
ANGEL #21
ARCHIE DIGEST #254
BATMAN BATTLE FOR THE COWL #3 (OF 3)
BLACK TERROR #4
BOYS HEROGASM #1
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #23
CAPTAIN AMERICA #50
CARS ROOKIE #2 (OF 4)
COMPLETE DRACULA #1 (OF 5)
CRIMINAL MACABRE CELL BLOCK 666 #4 (OF 4)
DARK REIGN FANTASTIC FOUR #3 (OF 5) DKR
DOCTOR WHO TIME MACHINATION
EX MACHINA #42
FANTASTIC FORCE #2 (OF 5)
FANTASTIC FOUR #566
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH DANCE #1 (OF 6)
GEARS OF WAR #7
GI JOE #5
GIGANTIC #4 (OF 5)
G-MAN TP VOL 01 LEARNING TO FLY
GREAT UNKNOWN #2 (OF 5)
GREATEST AMERICAN HERO #3 (OF 3)
GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #20
GRIMM FAIRY TALES #38
HELLBLAZER #255
HOTWIRE #3 (OF 5) PUGH CVR A
HULK #12
INCREDIBLES FAMILY MATTERS #2 (OF 4)
INVINCIBLE #62
JACK OF FABLES #34
JIM BUTCHERS DRESDEN FILES STORM FRONT #4 (OF 4)
JUGHEAD #195
KILLAPALOOZA #1 (OF 6)
LOCKE & KEY HEAD GAMES #5
MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #35
MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #36
MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS #1 70TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
MYSTERIUS THE UNFATHOMABLE #5 (OF 6)
NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #170
OUTSIDERS #18
PATRICIA BRIGGS MERCY THOMPSON HOMECOMING #3 (OF 4)
PLANET SKAAR PROLOGUE ONE-SHOT
PUNISHER #5 DKR
RESIDENT EVIL #2 (OF 6)
ROBERT JORDANS WHEEL OF TIME EYE O/T WORLD #0 REG CVR
SCOOBY DOO #144
SIMPSONS COMICS #154
SKRULL KILL KREW #2 (OF 5) DKR
STAR TREK ALIENS SPOTLIGHT ROMULANS
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OLD REPUBLIC #41 DUELING AMBITIONS PT 3 (
STEPHEN COLBERTS TEK JANSEN #5 (OF 5) (RES)
SUPERGIRL #41
SUPERMAN BATMAN #60
TERROR INC APOCALYPSE SOON #2 (OF 4)
THUNDERBOLTS #132
TIMESTORM 2009 2099 #2 (OF 4)
TINY TITANS #16
TRINITY #51
UNCANNY X-MEN #510
VIGILANTE #6
WARRIORS OFFICIAL MOVIE ADAPTATION #2 (OF 5)
WITCHBLADE #127 SEJIC CVR A
WOLVERINE NOIR #2 (OF 4)
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #2
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #19
X-MEN FOREVER ALPHA
YTHAQ NO ESCAPE #2 (OF 3)

Books / Mags / Stuff
ARLENES HEART HC
BATMAN MAD LOVE AND OTHER STORIES HC
BEN TEMPLESMITHS DRACULA GN
BIG BOOK OF BARRY WEEN BOY GENIUS TP (RES)
BOOSTER GOLD 52 PICK UP TP
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER OMNIBUS TP VOL 07
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #90 WARLOCK
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAG SPECIAL MAN THING
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #07 GREEN ARROW
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #08 WONDER WOMAN
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #25 DEADSHOT
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG #26 PENGUIN
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG SPECIAL DOOMSDAY
GOON TP VOL 07 PLACE OF HEARTACHE & GRIEF
HEAVY METAL JULY 2009
HEROES TP VOL 02
INVINCIBLE TP VOL 10 WHOS THE BOSS
JOHNNY HIRO TP VOL 01
KODT BUNDLE OF TROUBLE TP VOL 25
KUROSAGI CORPSE DELIVERY SERVICE TP VOL 09
LEES TOY REVIEW #198 MAY 2009
MODESTY BLAISE TP VOL 15 LADY KILLERS
MOON KNIGHT TP VOL 04 DEATH OF MARC SPECTOR
PLUTO URASAWA X TEZUKA GN VOL 03 (C: 1-0-1)
PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL TP VOL 05 SECRET INVASION
RANN THANAGAR HOLY WAR TP VOL 01
STAR TREK MAGAZINE #18 SPECIAL NEWSSTAND ED
SUPERMAN ENDING BATTLE TP
THOR BY J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI PREM HC VOL 02
THOR VISIONARIES WALT SIMONSON TP VOL 02 NEW PTG
TINY TITANS TP VOL 02 ADVENTURES IN AWESOMENESS
TRANSMETROPOLITAN TP VOL 02 LUST FOR LIFE NEW ED
ULTIMATE GALACTUS TRILOGY TP
WAR OF KINGS ROAD TO WAR OF KINGS TP
YOUNG X-MEN TP VOL 02 BOOK OF REVELATIONS


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

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Whoops, forgot to mention it earlier in the day: you can find May's TILTING AT WINDMILLS right here

-B

Labels: Brian, Tilting

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Fairly big, if uninspiring, week:

A G SUPER EROTIC ANTHOLOGY #104 (A)
ACTION COMICS #877
ALL NEW SAVAGE SHE-HULK #2 (OF 4) DKR
AMAZON #3 (OF 3)
ANGEL NOT FADE AWAY #1
AZRAEL DEATHS DARK KNIGHT #3 (OF 3)
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #29
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA FINAL FIVE #2 (OF 4)
BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #194
BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #89
BLACK PANTHER 2 #4 DKR
BOOSTER GOLD #20
BPRD BLACK GODDESS #5 (OF 5)
CAPTAIN ACTION COMICS #4 GIORDANO MODERN CVR
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 #13
CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #37
CASTLE WAITING VOL II #15
DARK REIGN HAWKEYE #2 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN YOUNG AVENGERS #1 (OF 5) DKR
DARK TOWER THE FALL OF GILEAD #1 (OF 6)
DEADPOOL SUICIDE KINGS #2 (OF 5)
DOCTOR WHO CLASSICS SERIES 2 #6
ELEPHANTMEN #19 (RES)
FABLES #84
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH ESCAPE #1 (OF 6)
FROM THE ASHES #1
FUSION #1 (OF 3)
GENEXT UNITED #1 (OF 5)
GRAVEL #11
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #36
GUERILLAS #4 (OF 8)
HOUSE OF MYSTERY #13
HOWLING COMMANDOS #1
JACK STAFF #20 (RES)
JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #150
KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #150
LILLIM #3 (OF 5)
LOCKJAW AND THE PET AVENGERS #1 (OF 4)
MAN WITH NO NAME #10
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #51
MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #11
NEXUS ORIGIN REMASTERED
ORACLE #3 (OF 3)
PHANTOM GHOST WHO WALKS #2 JOE CORRONEY CVR
PRIDE & PREJUDICE #2 (OF 5)
PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX #70
RAWBONE #2 (OF 4)
REBELS #4
SAVAGE DRAGON #148
SECRET SIX #9
SECRET WARRIORS #4 DKR
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #200
SOUL KISS #4 (OF 5)
STAR TREK MISSIONS END #3
STAR WARS CLONE WARS #6 (OF 6)
STORMING PARADISE #5 (OF 6) (RES)
STORMWATCH PHD #21
STREET FIGHTER II TURBO #6 CRUZ CVR A
STREET FIGHTER II TURBO #6 WANG CVR B
SUPER FRIENDS #15
SUPER HUMAN RESOURCES #4 (OF 4)
TERRY MOORES ECHO #12
THOR TALES OF ASGARD BY LEE & KIRBY #1 (OF 6)
TITANS #13
TRINITY #50
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #132
UMBRELLA ACADEMY DALLAS #6 (OF 6)
UNKNOWN #1 (OF 4)
UNTHINKABLE #1 (OF 4)
UNWRITTEN #1
VIKING #1 2ND PTG (PP #862)
VOYAGES O/T SHEBUCCANEER #2 (OF 3) EYE O/T JADE DRAGON
WALKING DEAD #61
WAR OF KINGS ASCENSION #2 (OF 4)
WOLVERINE #73
WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ #6 (OF 8)
X-FACTOR #43
YOUNG LIARS #15
ZORRO #13

Books / Mags / Stuff
ALTER EGO #85
AVENGERS INITIATIVE TP VOL 03 SECRET INVASION
BACK ISSUE #34
BATMAN SCARECROW AND TWO FACE YEAR ONE TP
BRINKLEY GIRLS BEST OF 1913-1940 HC GN
CLOAK & DAGGER PREM HC CHILD OF DARKNESS
COMPLETE DICK TRACY HC VOL 07
ESSENTIAL SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 09
FLINCH GN VOL 01
FUTURE DIARY GN VOL 01 (OF 6)
GIANT ROBOT #59
HELLBLAZER ROOTS OF COINCIDENCE TP
I KILL GIANTS TP
ILLUSTRATION MAGAZINE #26
MARVEL ILLUSTRATED ILIAD TP
POTTERS FIELD HC
RETURN TO LABYRINTH GN VOL 03 (OF 4) (RES)
ROBINSON CRUSOE HC
SHOWCASE PRESENTS MARTIAN MANHUNTER TP VOL 02
SUPERMAN NEW KRYPTON HC VOL 01
TOYFARE #143 TWISTED TOYFARE OBAMA OBI WAN CVR
X-FACTOR TP VOL 06 SECRET INVASION
X-MEN MANIFEST DESTINY HC
YOULL NEVER KNOW HC VOL 01 A GOOD AND DECENT MAN


What looks good to YOU?

-B

Labels: Brian, Shipping Lists

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