Comic Book Candy

A Lack of Ladies: Creators, Characters, And Readers

2012-01-25T08:12:00.000-06:00

“You have a generation of girls who have grown up with this stuff and view it as a natural part of culture. You’ve had three ‘Spider-Man’ movies and ‘X-Men’ movies since they’ve been growing up. You’ve had ‘Harry Potter’ books and movies. And this generation has gotten it in a more concentrated level than I had as a kid. I might have had a ‘Superman’ movie every few years. But it was still a bit of a learning process.”
-Jeff Katz, former Fox movie executive

And yet here we are, readership shrinking and no closer to expanding our niche market. Hollywood has been quicker to recognize the mass appeal of various "nerd culture" properties, but the comic book industry itself is taking its time creating products for the growing female market. There are many creators, fans, and retailers that don't treat female readers like an elusive / non-existant unicorn, but when it comes to the big two, the driving force behind production is short term sales. In an interview with Comics Alliance discussing recent cancellations at the House of Ideas (and the lack of female led titles as a result), Marvel editors didn't shy away from saying low sales were the main reasons behind the cuts. Interestingly they credit these low sales with a perceived lack of interest from fans in titles that are not part of the over-arching stories of the Marvel U. She-Hulk, Ms. Marvel, Spider-Woman; these are characters that have had roles in events from Civil War to Dark Reign, yet readers did not deem their solo titles "must-reads" and each have been canceled. Could it be there may be more reasons for the low sales? Readers only speak with what they buy, and I get that Marvel is a business and they are simply making more of what sells. What I have a problem with accepting is the fact that they are the ones that decide what to put on the shelves. This company, with a vast catalog of characters would rather give us the same "top tier characters" in triplicate than give an underused or new character a solo series.

"The problem, I think, is that there are so few of our female characters have achieved the iconic status that translates into sure-fire sales. While Sue Storm and Ororo Monroe have high Q-ratings due to their roles in iconic monthlies -- Fantastic Four and Uncanny X-Men, respectively -- they function as parts of an ensemble cast."
-Axel Alonso, Marvel Editor-in-Chief

Here's an example of "self fulfilling prophecy". A company deems their own product irrelevant, stops making it, then wonders why these characters don't have wider recognition? And what does all of this have to do with the readership, you ask? Well female readers aren't an insignificant part of the audience, though there is no definitive data on the subject. A recent survey undertaken by Graphic Policy's Brett Schenker came to the conclusion that roughly 25% of the comic book reading population is female. He acquired these statistics by data mining various social networks and finding individuals that identified themselves as comic book fans, so it' certainly not the final say on the readership. However, it is refreshing to be able to quote a source, any source, that uses a statistic larger than 10% to describe the female readership. Anyone that reads comic books, works in a store, or attends comic conventions will tell you the number of female fans is certainly larger than 10%, an almost certainly outdated statistic. The real question is, why isn't it larger than 25%? Keep in mind as well, this survey does not take into account what these readers are buying, or how much they are spending. Anyone resistant to changing the landscape of mainstream comics will argue that the women that do read comics aren't interested in superhero titles, so why change them. We really don't have the numbers to quote one way or the other what women are buying because no one has invested in finding out. But as a female reader, I can say with certainty, some of us do enjoy books of the fights and tights variety, and no, we don't all have an interest in manga.

I don't base my purchasing decisions on whether or not female characters are featured in a book, but there are plenty of female characters that are not being used (or are being poorly written). Characters like Mary Jane, Storm, Jessica Jones, and Jean Grey. Talk about not using what you've got! Was the loss of one of Marvel's few recognizable (and bankable) female characters worth the immediate sales in killing her? If I want to read a well-made superhero book featuring a female character I literally can't find one title in Marvel's entire line. I'm thankful that at least DC has given several of their female characters their own titles, and it helps that they are well made (I wouldn't read them if they weren't; see Batwoman, Wonder Woman, and Batgirl). I am certain of the fact that there are plenty of male and female fans alike that would like to see more solo female led titles, and not because it would be more realistic. The current state of mainstream comics is already pretty realistic in representing the gender inequality of our society. Less than 1% of fortune 500 companies have female CEO's. 16.6% of our congress members are women. If comics serves as escapist fantasy, this aspect is depressingly close to reality. If the superhero genre reflects what we would hope to achieve with great abilities and gifts, you better be damn sure there would be just as many women putting on capes as men.

"I think we have to stop thinking of it as a quota thing and think of it as a common-sense thing."
-Dan Harmon, creator of NBC's Community, on hiring more female writers

That brings us to our final exploration of the lack of ladies, and that is in the creation of the comics themselves. The percentages are dismal for female writers and artists working for the big two, though it is slightly more favorable when it comes to editorial staff. Neither company can boast anything close to a reasonable ratio. This without a doubt contributes to the lack of diversity amongst their comic book content as well. Imagine if for every "top selling" character with three titles, at least one had a female creator. Each character would be written or drawn by a creative team that had a uniquely different perspective from the other offerings on the shelf. I understand the challenges these publishers face as well. They have a product that has been predominantly enjoyed by male fans for the last 20 or 30 years. Those fans have grown up, and the few that decided to become comic book creators reflect the readership. When DC and Marvel say they simply hire the best of the talent that approaches them, to an extent I believe this to be true. In essence it reflects just how long the industry has failed to connect with a female audience. It is a vicious cycle that will continue without serious thought and intentional change. Independent comics, specifically creator owned works, do afford more opportunities for female writers and artists to break into the industry, especially if what they are doing does not resemble what DC and Marvel currently create (and the big two are only interested in creating more of the same at the moment). But comic books are dominated by these large companies. I believe the rise of independent titles will influence change within the genre of superhero titles and eventually a more diverse product will result in order to compete. But until that happens, the health of the direct market depends on how well these two publishers do. If they fail to engage their current fans and bring new ones into comic book stores, all of the movies, cartoons, and merchandising in the world won't keep brick and mortar stores in business. The well recognized brands of Marvel and DC are not nearly as inviting to a wider audience as they could be, and that isn't good for fans and retailers that want to see this industry grow.

Coming up in the next segment we will explore how the portrayal of female characters contributes to the uphill battle of attracting more readers, and keeping the ones we currently have. Enjoy more reading at the links below!

Comics Alliance - The Problem Of Women In Comics: Where They Are (and Aren't)

Comics Alliance - Marvel Editors Discuss Women in Comics and the Lack of Female-Led Titles

ComicBook.com - Erik Larsen on Women in Comics

The Guardian UK - Ker-pow! Women kick back against comic-book sexism

CNN's Geek Out Blog - Are women and comics risky business?

CNN's Geek Out Blog - Are women comic book fans as rare as unicorns?

Graphic Policy - Who Are Comic Book Fans On Facebook?

MSNBC.com - The emerging face of geek fandom is female

NYmag.com - Community’s Dan Harmon Talks About Women in the Writers’ Room

Bleeding Cool - Gendercrunching by Tim Hanley – DC and Marvel, October 2011

Changing Tides: Women In Comics

2012-01-22T21:55:00.002-06:00

When one starts a conversation concerning women in comics, they are bound to be met with various reactions: "Yes, please!" "What now?" and "What women?" are just a few. The growing number of articles on the subject indicate the times may in fact be changing. Oh please comic book gods, say it is true! Could more and more comic book readers be seeing the giant female elephant in the room? It comes in a few shapes and sizes, but the main ones currently gaining visibility include the depictions of women in comics, the lack of female creators, and the lack of female readers. My blog does not focus on the various topics of women in comics (there are already plenty of wonderful ones out there like DC Women Kicking Ass, Girls Read Comics, The Mary Sue, and Comic Book Grrrl just to name a few) but as a female fan, my perspective is influenced by my experience. Being a woman informs my opinions as much as having worked in local comic shops, too. Even my time living abroad in Australia makes my reading experience different as I appreciate how lucky I am to have access to so many great local comic shops. But the issue of women in comics is too wide and varied to cover in one post, so we'll take it on one topic at a time and hopefully add to the growing number of fans taking notice and voicing their opinions.

Overcoming denial is the first step to recovery, and the comic book industry has a long history with learning things the hard way. The readership continues to shrink, and yet the subject of women in comics is met with outright hostility or derailed by tired arguments that defend continuing "business as usual". What other industry actively turns down opportunities to gain a larger audience and make more money in order to appear loyal to one fan base? Vocal members of the target audience don't keep mum when these discussions happen, either. When it comes to women, any concerns raised are met with responses so cliched, one can assume to hear at least a handful of the same arguments during a discussion:

“Fear, uncertainty and discomfort are your compasses toward growth.” - Unknown

Fans expressing the sentiments above certainly reveal the growing pains in our industry. Here's hoping their reactions indicate that those of us that inspire such fervor are on to something. May the bridges we burn light the way.

Comic Book Candy: A New Look

2012-01-15T21:15:00.000-06:00

Since the beginning of 2012, I have been working on a new look of my rather young blog, and though it is a work in progress, I am pleased with the new direction. It may still be a pre-packaged template, but it does have some comic book related imagery thanks to the wonderful Digital Comic Museum. Open to anyone willing to register, you may browse and download images from a large selection of Golden Age comic artwork that is now part of the public domain. The website does accept donations as well, so if you feel appreciative of their work, do consider making a contribution. The images used for my current background come from Love Lorn #3. From that same comic, here is just one example of the hidden treasures awaiting discovery in their vast archive:

The Vampire Venn Diagrams

2011-12-22T08:44:00.001-06:00

As a self-professed Buffy addict and reluctant reader of Twilight, it was only a matter of time before I gave in to the multiple recommendation of trusted friends to watch CW's hit series The Vampire Diaries. Thanks to Netflix watch instantly, I've quickly made my way through the first two seasons and I'm enjoying the guilty-pleasure indulgence. I am hooked by the story of feuding Salvatore brothers Damon and Stefan as they vie for the affections of human teenager Elena. There are also witches, wolves, and evil doppelgangers to keep things interesting. My initial assumption about the series was that it was for pre-teens too young to watch True Blood and needing something to follow-up their Twilight binge, but I now appreciate the show for what it is: a love letter to the teen horror romance genre. The writers of the series have seen what was done before and have upped the teen high school dramatics to the max. One may mistake the obvious influences as proof of lacking originality, but I suspect the similarities are not beyond the show's creators. It is more likely that they are fully aware of the borrowing and use it as a way to hold a mirror up to the genre's more ridiculous (and frequent) aspects. The original Vampire Diaries books were written by L. J. Smith in the early 90's, and though much has been changed for the television adaptation, the main concept is still pre-Buffy, pre-Bella, and pre-Sookie. That makes this teen protagonist vampire story ahead of its time. Since good artists borrow and great artists steal, here is a quick guide to all of the best overlaps from TV's hottest teen-vampire-romance-high-school-drama-horror-fantasy series.

Love Triangles

We'll start with the most obvious thing that Buffy, Bella, and Elena share: complicated relationships. Each story has a love triangle that features one human girl caught between two supernatural suitors, usually against her own common sense. Each possess a dangerous element, whether it's Buffy's Angel who could turn into evil Angelus, Twilight's Edward finding Bella both attractive and appetizing, or Stefan who has an unstable ex-girlfriend and equally unstable brother Damon. None of these relationships scream "healthy" but the alternatives usually aren't much better. Former companion to Angel's evil Angelus, the vampire Spike is literally soulless. Vampire Diaries' Damon is manipulative and quick to murder. Bella's Jacob may be the only sane alternative, and considering he is a werewolf he still doesn't fall in the realm of "normal". One thing is for sure, no ordinary human is much competition for the affections of the women in these vampire franchises.

Broody Beaus

The furrowed brow. The piercing eyes. The hair. These guys have a lot more in common than a weakness for underage girls. Each one carries around the same amount of guilt for being a vampire, and this quality seems to make them irresistible. Did I mention each has had 100 years to brood? They have been miserable for most of that time until meeting their mortal mates. They also pull the same "I am too dangerous, I must leave" routine at one point (or more). Dangerous and controlling? Winning combo! Though she later forgives him, at least Buffy sends Angel to hell for his lapse of morality.

Bad Boys and The Women Who Love Them

Damon and Spike. So many similarities. Both are ruthless killers, quick tempered, and each has an insatiable thirst for human blood. So why are they so damn attractive? These boys are damaged goods, but they are convincing at hiding what lies beneath the surface. The heartbreak they felt as humans manifests in their sadistic behavior as vampires, their rage inspired by their loss of love. Rather than self loathe, they self medicate. This makes it all the more moving when they attempt to change their ways for the love of a human. But 100 years of murderous habits don't go away over night, ladies.

Mystical Small Towns & Their Unwitting Inhabitants

Where there are vamps, crazy stuff goes down. The local communities seem none the wiser in Mystic Falls (Vampire Diaries), Sunnydale (Buffy), and Forks (Twilight), though each town has a long history with the supernatural beings that frequent their villages. Animal attacks are popular explanations in all three series. Angel, the Buffy spin-off, is the only series that keeps it real in Los Angeles where crazy stuff goes down and no one notices because "Hollywood!"

Veggie Vampires

Every girl that dates a vampire has to tell themselves the same lie: He's different cause he only eats animals! And each one of these vamps falls off the wagon at some point. This adds to the appeal of the "bad boy" character. Spike and Stefan are inspired by their love to fight their murderous nature; Angel and Edward were already yearning to retain their humanity before falling for a human.

Yes, Sire!

Behind every brooding, reluctant vampire, there is usually a sexy, manipulative vampire that sired them. Darla (of Buffy) and Catherine (of Vampire Diaries) each created their vampire companions out of a twisted sense of love, but mostly because these guys were hot and could prove useful. Being a vampire also allowed these women to amass great power when the era of their births (the 15th / 16th centuries) would have denied them opportunities as humans. These vindictive creatures come to discover that their self-serving habits don't prove effective in protecting them from feelings of abandonment when their creations eventually spurn their love.

Witchy Best Friends

Bff's that can hold their own in a fight with vampires? Kind of handy to have around. Buffy's trusted friend Willow is loyal no matter what, even when Buffy makes questionable decisions. Bonnie on the other hand has a much harder time accepting Elena's choice of companions, and for good reason. Her family history keeps her from ever fully trusting the vampires and this makes her a valuable person in Elena's life. It would be nice to see her struggle with the responsibility of her Wiccan gifts as Willow does in season 6 of Buffy.

Vamps vs. Wolves

Image courtesy of Draw For Me

by Jeremy Kron

The vampire / werewolf rivalry is not a new concept to the horror genre, but it is one that is reinforced by these three series. Both Twilight and The Vampire Diaries make these creatures natural enemies that are deadly to one another while Buffy portrays werewolves as cursed humans rather than soulless demons. Since the Buffyverse is inhabited by many more demonic creatures, there is a a much greater spectrum of moral ambiguity amongst them (especially in the Angel series).

Strong Female Leads That Aren't Entirely Defined By Their Relationship

Whoops. Guess Buffy kind of has a monopoly on that one! I felt the need to point this out since this is one area where Twilight and The Vampire Diaries fall short. Buffy isn't even the only strong woman in the series either. Willow, Faith, Cordelia, and Anya each have distinct character arcs that do not begin and end with "meets boy, falls in love." Though Bella and Elena do exhibit admirable qualities, they play the damsel in distress a little too often, nor do they make great role models for how a teenage girl should organize her priorities (aka dangerous vampire boyfriend above all else). I'm hoping The Vampire Diaries will surprise me, but that will only happen when I ask more questions of Elena besides "Which vampire will she choose?" Buffy may have super slayer abilities, but she's the only female lead that makes being a human girl look bad-ass.

Not every Buffy fan will love Vampire Diaries, nor will every Twi-hard be bowled over by the Whedonverse. But I do believe that these series share enough similarities to check them out if you are a devoted fan of one (or possibly two). Buffy fans will love the over the top relationship drama of The Vampire Diaries, and if you are team Spike, you'll love Stefan. Twilight fans will enjoy Buffy for the element of forbidden love, and they may be pleasantly surprised by how much a strong female lead can add to the story. And lastly, if you are a fan of The Vampire Diaries, consider this series a gateway to a whole world of horror / fantasy genre television shows, books, and comics. Vampires are just the start as you may find yourself watching Dr. Who and reading Sandman sooner than you think.

Under The Radar: 2011's Best Geek Gifts

2011-12-04T17:40:00.003-06:00

So you know your girlfriend / best friend / co-worker reads comics and enjoys various nerd cultural phenomena, but you have no idea what to get them. Sound familiar? It's tough. These are the people that are most likely to buy themselves that highly sought after collectible. They know what they want, and that makes your job as gift giver a tough one. No fear! Here are some suggestions that will have your loved one feeling thankful and hopefully surprised. Enjoy more gift ideas after the jump!

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Next Level Blu-Ray

The box says it all: "A Taste of TNG in High Definition." This is a perfect gift for several reasons. It will not be released until January, so you know they won't have it, and it's something that not every Trekkie will get for themselves, but they will enjoy nonetheless. This sampler collection contains three classic episodes of Next Gen, the first to be re-mastered for blu-ray. Paramount will surely release a complete series of TNG on blu-ray in the future, but it will probably be astronomically expensive at first. Until then, this is the perfect gift to make that wait a little easier. Since this gift won't arrive before Christmas, here are some suitable alternatives / additional items:

Star Trek: The Next Generation Motion Picture Collection Blu-Ray

Star Trek: Original Motion Picture Collection Blu-Ray

Any Brandon Bird Original Artwork

You may be familiar with Brandon Bird's work and not even know it. Several of his pieces are "internet famous", and all of them are wonderful works of art that will make unique gifts. Bird's work spans a wide range of subjects from his recent Jurassic Park piece to Law & Order: SVU portraits. These go beyond fan art as each print is memorable, humorous, and eye catching. Give your friend a print of "Nobody wants to play Sega with Harrison Ford" and it will sure to be a conversation starter. There is plenty more to buy on his site as well, with some of his pieces available as t-shirts, lunchboxes, sticker adventure sets, and coloring books, too.

Handmade Doctor Who Gifts

Etsy users are kind of a geeky crowd. There's even a section called "geekery". Just searching for Doctor Who items resulted in 3,098 returns. There is a good chance your loved one doesn't have these item (they aren't mass produced) and with so many options, you're bound to find the perfect gift. Here are a few favorites:

Nyan Tardis Cross Stitch Pattern

Tardis Handcrafted Soap

Tardis necklace with Pink Bow

Set of Three Minimalist Doctor Who Inspired Prints

And though this is not from Etsy, it is my all time favorite fan made Doctor Who t-shirt design from Threadless:

Set of 6 Circuitboard Coasters

Most of us have a friend or two with a weakness for ale. Getting them a six pack of their favorite craft beer may be one option, but it's a gift that probably won't last long after being opened. If your friend also happens to have a taste for steampunk, this will be a much appreciated gift. These stylish coasters made from recycled circuitboards don't have to be given with brews, either. These limited edition Guild Jones Sodas will look pretty swank, too (They have a Buffy set as well):

Fawkes and Codex Highland Sextasy Poster (The Guild)

If your friend owns this, you would already know about it. If they don't, and you know them to be a big Guild fan, this will surely blow their mind.

Samurai Sword Umbrella

'Nuff Said.

Gourmet Food Press

I have lots of vegetarian / vegan, / tofu loving friends. None of them have this. All of them would love this. It's a bit on the pricey side at $39.95, but from reading the reviews it sounds like a worthwhile investment!

The Settlers of Catan Board Game

A board game sensation 40 years in the making, Settlers of Catan's popularity has finally reached the masses. Fans of this game will rave about the engaging and quick gameplay that focuses on the commerce, trade, and challenges of settling a new land. It's fun for the whole family, too! Purchase it directly through the Mayfair Games website or track it down in local gaming stores like Chicago's Dice Dojo where they host a gameboard night every Wednesday!

Mighty Wallets

Notice your friend's wallet looking a little worse for wear? Get them a Mighty Wallet and they can pay for their comics in style! These inexpensive, yet strong wallets come in numerous designs from comic book logos (at least DC) to television screengrabs. Many local comic stores are also beginning to stock these, so check with them first!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Quote Mug

Give a Whedonesque cup of joe to your loved one or co-worker with this wonderfully uplifting mug. What better way to start your day than a coffee and quick quips from everyone's favorite vampire slayer series?

Cafepress Buffy T-shirts

These are just a few of my favorites, but they have many.

Locke & Key Volume 1: Welcome to Lovecraft

And finally, comics themselves make a pretty good gift, too. If you give one book away this year, let it be Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez's Locke & Key. It's a good series for someone that has read Sandman but doesn't know where to go next, as well as the "haven't read comics before, but want to get into them" kind of reader. After their father is murdered, the Locke family moves in to his childhood home located across the country in a town called Lovecraft. What they uncover leads to more questions than answers about their father's death. The book is truly magical, and I can't recommend this series enough. The link above is for Amazon.com, but I would encourage you to check with your local comic shop first. If they don't carry this series, you may want to reconsider your retail choice.

Marvel Cancellations: Smart Business or Proof of Insanity?

2011-12-03T14:56:00.001-06:00

It has been widely speculated how Marvel would respond to DC's New 52, especially with DC dominating media attention and market share in the last three months. Would they do a "revamp" of their line as well? Would they try to use their new parent company to gain a wider audience? Would they keep calm and carry on? We may now have our answer with recent announcements that Marvel is canceling several of their lowest selling series, yet offering just as many issues as last year. Instead of offering a wider variety of titles to appeal to more readers, Marvel's (continued) strategy will focus on "double shipping" their flagship character titles each month, forcing loyal customers to spend more and make up for Marvel's loss in short term sales.

As of late, I've found it hard to find the time to write about comics. I have been reading plenty, but few subjects seemed pressing enough to motivate me to make the time to voice my opinion. The month of October I failed to make Halloween costume suggestions or spooky reading recommendations, and come November, my lack of writing had become habit. It's unfortunate, but this recent change was the motivation I needed to get back on schedule and talk comics. I just wish it was something fantastically positive rather than a shitty marketing change that has me talking.

The (un)official announcements were made several weeks ago, but now with February's solicitations set, it is confirmed that X-23, Ghost Rider, Daken: Dark Wolverine and Black Panther: The Man Without Fear have all been canceled. PunisherMAX will also be "ending" as opposed to getting canceled. Marvel has no official press release regarding these cancellations and most fans found out following sad tweets from the book's creators. I'm assuming Marvel failed to bring attention to these cancellations because the headline would read something like this:

"Marvel to Cancel Female / Black / Bisexual Superhero Titles"

That's one way to read the news, right? X-23 and Ghost Rider are the only current ongoing female headlined superhero titles. Daken is the only headlining character that could be described as "not entirely straight", and Black Panther certainly isn't the only black character, but he's only one of two with his own title (Miles Morales has very recently joined those ranks). So for those keeping score, of Marvel's solo superhero titles to be released after the cancellation of these titles:

18 = White Male Dudes
0 = Women
1 = Minority (and even that title, Ultimate Spider-Man, won't see a release in the month of February)

Marvel does have three titles headlined by female characters, but none of them are in the capes crowd with Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, Anita Blake: Circus of the Damned - The Scoundrel, and Northanger Abbey. I guess Marvel does have a place for female characters, and that's in the adaptations of other works. The majority of Marvel's titles are team books / minis (they add up to around 20 releases for February), and female and minority characters do show up in these, but with the almost always guaranteed white straight male majority.

Two observations here: one, this doesn't reflect the real world. Two, this doesn't even reflect the readership. Instead of doing something risky like, I don't know, investing advertising and making it a priority to increase readership for these lesser-read titles, Marvel has made it clear that they are abandoning the readers on their fringe. The ones that look at the shelves in the comic book store and don't see themselves reflected on the covers of these books. The sales don't lie, they should cater to the loyal throngs of readers picking up three different ongoing Captain America titles, right? If short term sales are their only goal then yes, Marvel is doing exactly what they should. Trimming the fat and making a leaner line of books that produce more of "what sells" would seem smart, only they don't have anything to gain. This is all about maintaining the status quo, not expanding readership. Much of what I am saying could also refer to the "New 52" as DC has not shied away from stating that males age 12-30 are their target audience (not sure who else would buy Catwoman these days), but hey at least they have something to offer me as a reader with Wonder Woman, Batgirl, and Batwoman. I happen to like male superheroes, too, but the comic book market is not in short order of readers like me. I already buy what they are making. If Marvel and DC have any hopes for the long term health of the market, they have to start making comics that appeal to the people that aren't buying their books already instead of trying to get their current readers to buy more, or bringing in "lapsed" readers. Creating books featuring more females, minorities, and just plain different characters is a start. Until then, Marvel is just reinforcing the view that heroes may come in all shapes, sizes, colors, or creeds, but they are only interested in telling the stories of one kind of hero.

Odyssey X, Week 10: Uncanny X-Force #15 , X-Men Legacy #255

2011-10-23T21:55:00.000-05:00

(For those joining late, please see the introductory post on Odyssey X, where I explain my attempt to read every X-Men title during X-Men: Schism)

Uncanny X-Force #15
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Jerome Opena
Cover Price: $3.99

Uncanny X-Force isn't just the best X-Men titles being released; it's probably one of the best Marvel books period. Remender continues to push the boundaries of the X-Men line by infusing more than a few genres into this super-hero title. At the end of the last issue, Psyloche chose to stay behind in an attempt to save Warren, while her teammates fled from their losing battle to regroup. The Life Seed is being used to alter time itself by creating a new evolutionary path for Earth, one where life's mutation never reached the plateau of mankind. The dreamlike sequences of Archangel and his followers witnessing time and evolution re-form makes one hell of a subject for Opena to draw, and he more than meets the challenge. X-Force feels the least like an x-book, and considering the rest of the crop, that is a very good thing. One minute the book is action, suspense, and quick quips, the next it is a fantasy tinged meander through time. All the while it is an immersion that is hard to escape. This is a read twice kind of book, just so you can take in all of the details and enjoy it once more.

Verdict: Remender and Opena are killing it on this book, and making everyone else look bad. Pick it up!

X-Men Legacy #255
Writer: Mike Carey
Artist: Steve Kurth
Cover Price: $3.99

X-Men Legacy isn't the worst x-book, but it may be the safest. Well established super hero titles like the X-Men always risk falling into patterns, and Carey certainly has a weakness for familiar storytelling. Rogue and company are still stuck on a doomed asteroid amidst warring alien races. If this book has a theme it must be "constant regrouping", as the conflict is always secondary to a drawn out game of "let's find so-and-so". The story culminates with a predictable battle between scorned daughter Lorna and absent father Magneto. This tedious turn of events has me asking, "Will we ever get off this rock?" Either way, whenever this story line ends, it will probably jump right into another non-stop thrillride. The problem is, it's not much of a thrill without a moment to breathe; constant motion in a story leads to an experience akin to literary motion sickness, but far less visceral. The visuals on this book don't help either as there are not one, or even two, but three inkers. That means the final product is the result of five different artists (penciler, three inkers, and one colorist) and one writer. Marvel continues to show their disregard for the "visual" half of the comic book medium, and this is one predictable misstep I am not comfortable seeing so often.

Week 10 Summary:
Potential Cost: $7.98
0 Books Purchased, 2 Books Shelved

A mercifully small week! Readers that actually pay to enjoy these books must have thanked their retailers for such a light X-Men week. The two titles that released were good examples of the best and worst of what the x-titles have to offer on the shelves. On one hand you have Uncanny X-Force pushing the boundaries of the line, incorporating different genres in the storytelling with engaging artwork as well. On the other hand, X-Men Legacy sticks to tired throw away storytelling. Remender shows you what these books and characters are capable of, then Carey pulls you right back down to the mediocre reality of the rest of the X-Men titles. It's a tough act to follow, but any current X-Men book compared to X-Force will certainly fall short.

Odyssey X, Week 9: X-23 #14, X-Men #17, X-Factor #224.1

2011-10-06T17:39:00.000-05:00

(For those joining late, please see the introductory post on Odyssey X, where I explain my attempt to read every X-Men title during X-Men: Schism)

X-23 #14
Writer: Marjorie Liu
Artist: Phil Noto
Cover Price: $2.99

The Future Foundation are a greater focus than the usual cast of X-23, making Lara feel like a bit of a guest in her own series; still, it's a well written continuation of the "fish out of water" concept. Marjorie Liu effectively shows Lara's struggle to come to terms with her past by having her work with well adjusted super-heros and their precocious children. The recent earthquake in New York brought together X-23 and the FF and they quickly realized they had more in common than saving lives. While trying to pinpoint the source of the selective destruction, Valeria Richards solves the mystery but inadvertently causes Spidey, Sue, and Laura to be transported to another dimension. Their selection for this unexpected transportation has something to do with the three heroes being "hosts" for a galactic being. This story line doesn't particularly hold my interest; I enjoyed seeing Lara help people she doesn't understand or empathize with, and this space adventure feels like a detour from what has previously worked. It is a testament to Liu's writing and Noto's artwork that I still enjoyed this issue despite things taking a different direction than expected.

Verdict: X-23 continues to be an interesting character study, but I look forward to the book eventually returning to a more grounded setting. Also, (never thought I'd say this) more Gambit, please.

X-Men #17
Writer: Victor Gischler
Artist: Jorge Molina
Cover Price: $3.99

X-Men is the other title this week featuring the Future Foundation, and as previously stated, I can't understand why the editors found the need to release this at the same time as an X-23 storyline featuring the FF. They both prominently feature the guest stars on the covers with the regular characters as well (I would definitely put X-23 above X-Men as far as quality is concerned, both in cover and content). After experiencing equipment failure, the X-Men and FF still struggle to find a way home from this (not quite Savage Land) alternate dinosaur dimension. While Wolverine and the rest of the X-Men search for the the ex-girlfriend of Cyclops (who ends up looking a lot like a Sheena knockoff), Cyclops and Emma are captured by a local warlord that is in league with Dr. Doom. I don't consider this revelation a spoiler since Doom turning evil is about as predictable as Wolverine popping his claws at the slightest sign of danger. If anything, I'm sure this is a ruse on Doom's part to gain the enemies trust and save the day by the end of the story arc. Lucky for us readers, this issue also delivers more borderline-offensively-sexist versions of Emma Frost and Sue Richards. With additional gripes about ex-girlfriends, new complaints are made about the ravages of jungle atmosphere on a delicate lady's hairstyle. Gischler's characterization of Emma isn't the only thing lacking; Molina displays some truly baffling anatomy in this issue, including some impressive wonk-eye from Emma (note: facial expressions can change, but eye location should remain the same). I suspect Marvel is rushing their artists, and it shows.

Verdict: On top of being a very "by the numbers" story, this book is $3.99. Really? Pass.

X-Factor #224.1
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Valentine De Landro
Cover Price: $2.99

Throughout Odyssey X, I've read one other "Point One" issue, a gimmick Marvel is using to entice readers to a series by releasing "new reader friendly" issues. X-Men #15.1 was a dismal attempt at introducing an already mediocre book to new readers and I had expected this issue to be equally distracting. But with Peter David and X-Factor regular artist Valentine De Landro on board, #224.1 proves that when done well, this promotional tool can effectively show off a title's goods while still holding the interest of old and future fans. I was not impressed with the last story arc of X-Factor, one that focused on the birth of Rahne's supposedly evil offspring. David has wisely chosen to move quickly beyond that arc to the next case, the next mystery. Jumping right into the story, Jamie Madrox and Layla Miller pay a visit to Jamie's childhood home where he explains the inner workings of X-Factor to the single mother and young boy now living there. This framing device is perfect for introducing the characters to new readers while still offering plenty of comedic moments to keep regular readers interested. If hearing about the beloved characters of X-Factor doesn't hook new readers, seeing them in action will as they fight a demonically possessed pensioner in the nearby town. After assuming the day is saved, X-Factor return to New York unknowingly leaving the real villain behind. Since this is a series heavy on payoffs, I'm guessing the final reveal will lead to the next story arc, or another one down the road. Either way, I will still be reading this series! Hopefully De Landro stays on for art duties; Emanuela Lupacchino has done a fine job as of late, but De Landro is a frequent artist of the series and I'm always glad to see him back.

Verdict: I was expecting a pointless issue from Point 1, but this book does the series justice!

Week 9 Summary:
Potential Cost: $9.97
1 Book Purchased, 2 Books Shelved

I'm getting closer and closer to finishing Odyssey X, and I find myself looking forward to the end with each passing week. You could even say I'm exhausted by the x-books. Or exasperated. Surprisingly, Emma and Cyclops only appear in one book this week. Following the end of Odyssey X, I will talk about the new books on post-Schism. For better or worse, it doesn't look like there will be less books on the shelves for readers.

Odyssey X, Week 8: Uncanny X-Force #14 and a Mid-Point Reflection

2011-09-15T15:59:00.001-05:00

(For those joining late, please see the introductory post on Odyssey X, where I explain my attempt to read every X-Men title during X-Men: Schism. Or stay here and read my mid-point reflections on the project after my review of Uncanny X-Force!)

Uncanny X-Force #14
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Jerome Opena
Cover Price: $3.99

So much for a monthly schedule! (For those not keeping track, Uncanny X-Force just came out last week.) After nearly two months of Odyssey X, this is the only week thus far where only one x-title has been released, and it happens to be the best series of the entire line. Remender continues to weave an entertaining action heavy book while still keeping the focus on characterization. After returning from the AoA timeline one member short, the X-Force team find they have been deceived into helping the enemy they were seeking to destroy. As we learn more about the nefarious plans of Archangel, it is obvious that this incarnation of Apocalypse is very different from the foe of X-Men past. The last issue saw Mark Brooks sharing the art responsibilities with Scot Eaton, and as suspected, this led to a change of artists for Uncanny X-Force. There are some truly striking panels, including one that may be an homage to the classic John Byrne cover for Uncanny X-Men #142 (they each feature a gnarly depiction of Wolverine being incinerated). As much as I love Opena's artwork, I am becoming more aware of the frequency with which Marvel switches artists on titles, often mid-story. Here's hoping the new guy sticks around long enough to finish a story arc.

Verdict: The best X-Men title being released, and one that I'd recommend to anyone looking for a good X-Men title.

Week 8 Summary
Potential Cost: $3.99
0 Books Purchased, 1 Book shelved

Since this is such an unusually small week for the x-books, this may be my only chance to reflect on the project thus far until X-Men Schism ends. I don't like to be "down" on books, but there are quite a few recurring issues that make me realize why I probably won't be a faithful x-reader after Schism.

Erratic Release Schedules

This week saw one X-Men title released. The previous week saw five. Some books come out monthly. Some books come out every other week. Whether they want their customers to buy one title or every title, the key is in consistency. There is no rhyme or reason to these release schedules, and I can't imagine how this must effect the books when there is an in-line crossover. Here's a breakdown of the very loose schedules:

Generation Hope: Monthly!
Uncanny X-Men: Monthly!
Astonishing X-Men: Monthly!
X-23: Monthly!
X-Men: Monthly!

New Mutants: Twice in One Month
X-men Schism: Twice in One Month
X-Factor: Twice in One Month

X-Men Legacy: Every other week for three issues, then a two week break.
Uncanny X-Force: No discernible schedule. Monthly one month, then released 3 times in 4 weeks. Retailers must LOVE ordering this title!

Roughly 5 out of 10 titles are on a regular monthly schedule. 3 are twice-monthly, while 2 are testing the patience of readers and retailers alike. Believe it or not there are readers that stop by a store once a month. So when a book comes out more or less than expected, issues get missed. Next time you stop by your local comic shop, look at the shelf for Uncanny X-Force. This is a series that has sold out consistently for many issues, now all of a sudden there are stacks. Why? Casual readers don't know it has come out yet. And when they do come in for their monthly visit, they're going to look for one issue, not three. Having a regular consistent monthly schedule also helps regular weekly readers, too. When you budget for 12 ongoing titles, and one of them comes out twice or three times in a month, that's a big difference in price. Most readers would rather have quality over quantity. Which makes me wonder.....

Editors, and do they have any?

Where is the ringleader for this show? Is it anyone's job to look at the scheduled releases and think "Maybe we should hold off on that 5th release?" On top of that, you have weeks where the content is very similar, making it even harder for readers to decide what to buy. Last week, not one but two X-Men books had the Future Foundation as guest stars, and they were on the covers of both issues. Perhaps a little foresight would have allowed these stories to be told at different times, or at least released in different weeks. Sure think the writers would appreciate this, sounds like the job for an editor! This is far from the only duplicate; like having a character "dying" in one issue, and appearing in a separate series the same week. If the X-books function as one organism, then the left hand doesn't know what they right hand is doing. I know Marvel frequently hosts retreats for writers to meet and discuss the plans for the overall universe, so why don't they do it for the x-books? Otherwise they will keep repeating the same mistakes. And speaking of multiplicity....

Overexposed characters

Reading comics is funny sometimes. You get used to ignoring things like "If Superman is in Justice League, how can he be in Metropolis in Action, on New Krypton in Superman, and Smallville as a guest on Superboy?" When you have a well loved character, it is not unusual to see them show up in multiple books each week. Emma Frost is not one of those characters. Neither are Cyclops, Gambit, Dani Moonstar, Magneto, Kittypryde, or Hope Summers. Each of these characters show up on multiple teams, meanwhile the entire X-Factor gang remains solidly within the confines of their title. Storm consistently remains writer's favorite background character (she is hardly well written in Astonishing, though she does at least have a few lines). Wolverine and Deadpool are the running jokes for overexposed characters in the Marvel U, but in terms of the x-books they aren't the only ones. Having consistent, unique teams will make these books more recognizable. Which leads us to....

Lack of a clear vision for each title

When you have a line of very similar books, it's tough to attract readers to any one title. If the description "Cyclops and his team of X-Men fight to save the world that hates them" fits more than one book, then you have a marketing problem on your hands. X-Factor, Uncanny X-Force, and X-23 are the only books with unique premises. The others have the potential to be unique, but their dopplegangers will need to be eliminated. Generation Hope and New Mutants are essentially the same title, but with different characters. X-Men and Uncanny X-Men both have Cyclops and company fighting very similar battles, often with the same characters. X-Men Legacy is consistently referred to as "Rogue's book" - and that's not good considering it's supposed to be an ensemble. Astonishing has such an identity crisis, it switches between two creative teams / stories every other issue! Does anyone else see a trend here? The books with the best quality are also the ones that are the most easily distinguishable. Uncanny X-Force = Black Ops. X-Factor = Mutant Gumshoes. X-23 = Recovering Hitman. Uncanny X-Men = Ummm, well, the girls consistently look the same? OH, the story is Cyclops and the X-Men fight stuff. Marvel is basically betting on readers shelling out money for multiple versions of the same product. Speaking of moneys....

Overall Cost (It's a lot!)

$95.73 for 8 weeks of comics OR $11.96 per week on average OR $47.86 per month

That is about half my comic book reading budget. And this doesn't even include the Wolverine and Deadpool titles! This line, as it stands, isn't worth half what it costs. And last but not least, one of the reasons none of these books are getting my money:

Frequent creative changes

This. REALLY bothers me. Of the 10 titles I have read over an 8 week period, only 3 of those books have retained the same creative teams. I haven't been a big Marvel reader in several years, but from what many self described Marvel Zombies tell me, this is becoming commonplace at the House of Ideas. I really want to go all angry-fangirl here for a second. Comics are a VISUAL MEDIUM. To change artists mid-story is possibly one of the most insulting things editorial can do to its regular readers. To not even allow for a story arc to finish is to imply that we won't notice! Do you ever hear fans say, "Man I really loved that Old Man Logan book. EXCEPT that issue that McNiven didn't draw." No, that would never happen. The book was terribly late for several issues, but it was worth the wait. Ask any retailer and they won't complain either. The book sold like gangbusters, even if you had to wait 2 or 3 months between issues. You can't create memorable stories if the artists keep changing (unless it is intentional - see the Alias story arc "The Secret Origins of Jessica Jones"). I would much rather wait for the current artist to finish the story than have someone else take over just to get the book to come out in two weeks. Writers are not immune to quick replacements either, but for a publisher that continues to promote the rock star status of their "architects" It might be worth reminding them that their stories only come to life with the other half of the creative team. They desperately need to restore the respect for artists and readers alike by giving them the proper time to finish telling those stories; if they want to release a twice-monthly title, bring someone in that can keep up that ungodly schedule. But don't bring in an artist that fans will come to know and love, then replace them on a whim. This is coming from a seasoned reader as well; new readers are far more fickle, and one of the biggest complaints you hear from someone that has never read a comic book is that "the inside doesn't look like the cover." It's hard enough to get them to accept this fact, then to turn around and expect them to get used to artist changes between issues is a hoop new readers are less likely to jump through.

Stepping down from my soap box, I will continue on with Odyssey X in hopes that some of these bad habits will change after Schism. If not I'll speak with my money and give it to publishers that release consistent, high quality comic books.

Odyssey X, Week 7: X-Men #16, Astonishing X-men #41, New Mutants #30, Uncanny X-Force #13, X-Men Legacy #254

2011-09-15T14:17:00.000-05:00

(For those joining late, please see the introductory post on Odyssey X, where I explain my attempt to read every X-Men title during X-Men: Schism. Still a bit behind, but catching up!)

X-Men #16

Writer: Victor Gischler
Artist: Jorge Molina
Cover Price: $3.99

Dinosaurs, Doom, and Dimensions, oh my! This book is turning into "X-Men and the Marvel U Adventures"; without the occasional killing, this might make a decent kids title. This new story arc features the Future Foundation as the two teams, well, "team up" to rescue Cyclops' ex girlfriend who is stranded in a dinosaur infested dimension. The distress beacon leads to a big reveal that felt more like a big WTF for me (I had no clue who the character was, so he's probably a beloved Starjammer or AoA regular). Though he is far from being the only one to miss the mark in portraying Emma Frost (see X-Men: First Class), Gischler continuously writes Frost as borderline offensively shallow. I don't mean this in that the character is shallow (which she is) but that he uses tired cliches to substitute characterization. This issue spotlights a tacky "girls hate when guys talk about their exes" moment. We even get a "you go girl" moment with Sue. Molina's artwork is new to the title, and though he is no worse than the last, it is far from an improvement. Many characters appear to be anatomically challenged; Ben Grimm, Emma, and Sue are all portrayed differently between panels (poor Ben's head fluctuates in scale quite a bit). Again, perhaps with a little tweaking this book could be an appealing all ages title; as of now it is just an unjustified and redundant x-title. With the exception of Doom (because Doom is clearly very fun to write), most of these characters are being written (and drawn) better in other books.

Verdict: I don't know how this book got to 16 issues.

Astonishing X-Men #41

Writer: Daniel Way
Artist: Nick Bradshaw
Cover Price: $3.99

Holy cow was this a good issue! No joke, I actually teared up a little bit at the end. Astonishing X-Men is a series that unlike the rest of the x-books, appears to be on a monthly schedule. On top of that, the series has been switching between two different story lines and creative teams. For the love of God, I have no idea why, because this one was incomparably better than the other. While the last issue saw a team of X-Men fighting Brood aliens in space (with some unattractive artwork to boot), Daniel Way's "Monsters" story was simple, emotionally engaging, and had all of the charm of a classic Kirby and Lee silver age Fantastic Four comic. Keep in mind as well, this is an assessment made by someone that enjoyed the conclusion even as a latecomer. The prologue brought me where I needed to be to understand the story, but Way and Bradshaw ensured that I became immediately engaged. Most of the book features Wolverine and Emma in the clutches of a third rate villain that is threatening to blow up an island inhabited by monsters (with the X-Men on it). This scheme is all in an attempt to blackmail his former employers, oil company Roxxon, who want to exploit the resources of Monster Island. Again, I cannot stress the charm of this issue's set up. The villain, Mentallo, actually "monologues", revealing his weaknesses and hubris to his hostages. The rest of the X-Men eventually show up (and by the rest I mean simply Cyclops and Armor), but their timely arrival allows for some added tension, comedy, and finally a touching reunion between Armor and her recently widowed father. There is no unnecessary dialogue, no unnecessary characters, and each and every character, even the monsters, are fully realized. This is a creative team that knows how to make books like it's every reader's first comic. Perhaps that quality needs more time, hence the alternating stories in Astonishing. No matter what the reason, Marvel editor's are missing out on the perfect opportunity to put out a well-rounded X-Men book with mass appeal.

Verdict: Marvel needs to cut the dead weight and give this book to Way and Bradshaw for good!

New Mutants #30 (Fear Itself tie in)

Writer(s): Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Artist: David Lafuente
Cover Price: $2.99

Any appeal this book once held for me is now gone. Continuing with the convoluted Fear Itself tie in, we find members of the team in "Hell" where Mephisto is written like a bad stand up comedian. There are countless bad jokes from other characters as well, and only one involuntary chuckle from the whole issue. Mephisto's portrayal is at least an improvement from his recent use in Spider-Man. It's hard to imagine this character being any more ridiculous after One More Day. At least the "deal with the devil" he offers to the New Mutants stems from a clear motive (Mephisto just wants a date with one of the team members). Regardless of the quality, three issues seems quite long for a tie in; perhaps Marvel found sales for tie-ins to be better than separate minis. I guess making them indistinguishable solves that problem. For a reader that was almost convinced to start buying this book on a regular basis, they've done a fine job of discouraging me to continue reading after Schism ends.

Verdict: One more issue with Mephisto, Hel, and Hell is two too many.

Uncanny X-Force #13

Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Mark Brooks and Scot Eaton
Cover Price: $3.99

Since Uncanny X-Force is one of the few true monthly titles in the X-Men line, it took me a few pages to realize that the art has changed since the last issue. The easy-to-follow flow of Brooks work was missing, and certain characters were not as recognizable. Perhaps Brooks fell behind and needed another artist to come in to help finish the work on time as Scot Eaton is added to the art credits; frankly, I would have rather waited an extra week or two. The degraded artwork is distracting and takes away from some of the more dramatic moments, but it is still enjoyable. Remender's writing is as witty as ever as the X-Men take their final stand against enemies of the Age of Apocalypse. We are treated to the inner monologue of Fantomex, which is more humorous than the dire thoughts of Wolverine form the previous issues; at one point, Fantomex accuses Gambit of being so trashy as to have an hidden 8-ball tattoo. It isn't all fights and banter for X-Force though. The X-Men engage their enemies on two fronts, and both suffer casualties. Having been made weaker than before they came to the AoA, the end of the issue implies that X-Force's troubles have just begun.

Verdict: The shared artwork takes away from this titles' quality, but here's hoping it is just a temporary stopgap and not a transition to a different artist.

X-Men Legacy #254

Writer: Mike Carey
Artist: Steve Kurth
Cover Price: $3.99

With literally no pause between one confrontation to the next, the team of X-Men Legacy find themselves transported to a space station inhabited by waring alien races. Even Michael Bay writes in some downtime for his thinly portrayed characters. Alas, after battling Legion, there is little rest for the righteous as they seek to rescue Rachel Summers and the Starjammers. Little advancement is made from start to finish of this issue; the X-Men don't find themselves any closer to rescuing Rachel, but we learn about a new threat as the space station is heading towards a collision course with a nearby star. Despite the numerous threats facing Rogue and company, there is little tension and even less interest. It is hard to care about characters that face one imminent threat after another with little to no reaction. Without showing a little humanity, these mutants don't make for very engaging subjects.

Verdict: What would make me care more about these characters? If they were in a different book.

Week 7 Summary
Potential Cost: $14.96
0 Books Purchased, 5 Books Shelved

I've once again fallen behind in my reviews, and unsurprisingly it is during a week with the release of five X-Men titles. It was also a potentially costly week for dedicated fans that pick up every book with only one comic priced at $2.99. Next week's Odyssey X promises a much smaller schedule and perhaps enough time to reflect on the project as a whole thus far. There are more than a few trends amongst the x-books that will be given thought, so stick around!

Challengers Comics, Rogues Gallery Opening: Eduardo Risso

2011-08-31T09:36:00.000-05:00

Over at my photography site I've posted pictures from the Rogues Gallery's most recent opening for artist Eduardo Risso. The exhibit will remain on display through this week into next, then it will come down shortly before September 9th when Challengers welcomes Wizard of Oz artist Skottie Young. Stop in and see Risso's work for yourself while you can! Among others, there are pages from 100 Bullets as well as Flashpoint mini Batman: Knight of Vengeance, Risso's most recent collaboration with Brian Azzarello. Did I mention these pages are always on sale for prospective art collectors? If you have yet to visit the Rogues Gallery for an opening, these images may entice you to stop by in the near future; fun, free events where you get to view comic book art and meet top creators in the industry. What more could you want?

Above, cover artist Dave Johnson curiously looks at the camera.

(See more over at my photography site!)

Vertigo to End House of Mystery, Scalped

2011-08-28T18:15:00.000-05:00

Talk of DC's relaunch and the "New 52" have continuously dominated mainstream comic news cycles, whether it be about the various changes made to characters origins and designs, to rumblings about the lack of female creators. Lost amongst the shuffle were the recent announcements concerning the end of two of Vertigo's best titles, House of Mystery and Scalped.

During San Diego Comic Con last month, it was announced that Jason Aaron and R. M. Guera plan to end their long running series with the 60th issue. For those that read it in trade, that's only 7 issues left. Aaron was not available at the show to comment, but has since confirmed on his blog that this was not an editorial decision but has always been the plan. The book has never been a big seller in individual issue form, though I count myself among its enthusiastic fan base. It is a series that I recommend on a near weekly basis for fans of crime / noir comics.

Fan enthusiasm for House of Mystery never quite got this series the attention it deserved, though the trade paperbacks have frequently debuted among the top ten sellers in the months upon their release. No formal announcements were made concerning its cancellation; a "Final Issue" note was added to the solicitations for issue 42 in October (see the cover for the final issue above). Sadly, it does not look like we will get to see a final Halloween annual, a comic which has been a standout anthology each year it has been released.

I am especially sad to see these books end as they've each been on my "Best Of" year end recommendations; to have them both end so soon will be hard to reconcile. Expect to see a series recommendation from me for each upon their completion.

(On a side note, this is my 100th post to the blog. Here's to two years of sharing my love for everything comic book related!)

Odyssey X, Week 6: X-Men Schism #3, X-Factor #224, Generation Hope #10, Uncanny X-Men #542

2011-08-27T13:38:00.001-05:00

(For those joining late, please see the introductory post on Odyssey X, where I explain my attempt to read every X-Men title during X-Men: Schism. This week's post is still on its way as I am perpetually one week behind.)

X-Men Schism #3
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Daniel Acuna
Cover Price: $3.99

While issue #2 felt like a detour from an otherwise superbly presented mini, Schism #3 gets us back to the tight storytelling and well-placed humor Aaron delivered in the first issue. The bulk of the issue takes the X-Men off of Utopia (wow, just typed that out as "Genosha"; no wonder Utopia feels dull and overly familiar) to the opening of the Mutant History Museum in San Francisco. It's interesting to see well known and new characters alike reflect on their shared heritage, and it also reveals how Aaron is constructing this story to define a new chapter in that short history. Once all hell breaks loose (courtesy of the new Hellfire Club), the X-Men find themselves face to face with a young enemy they will surely underestimate. Often fight scenes in event titles play out like a round of Street Fighter; each issue has plenty of brawling, with it all coming down to two fighters with an inevitable K.O. Both Jason Aaron and Daniel Acuna prove the exception by presenting clever challenges unique to the characters. Comedic moments are not in short order either, as the kids of the Hellfire Club make as many wisecracks as you'd expect from 12-year-old villains. I don't think one boring old punch is thrown in this book. Then again, Acuna has some experience in portraying memorable fight scenes (see Black Widow with Marjorie Liu). I look forward to seeing what will happen when Aaron actually brings the big guns and pits Logan and Scott against one another. Perhaps Schism's greatest weakness is that the audiences know what will be the climax and end result.

Verdict: It'll be tough for the next two issues to be as good as this one, but I'm willing to buy them and find out!

X-Factor #224
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Emanuela Lupacchino
Cover Price: $2.99

X-Factor is a book that I always count on to deliver the goods, and this issue did not live up to its predecessors. For starters, events transpire between #223 and #224 that make it necessary for even a longtime fan to read the prologue. It felt like Peter David didn't know how to get around a plot hole, so he had certain events happen off panel. Specifically, Rahne is left at the end of the last issue being helped into a cabin by a stranger so she can give birth to her unborn cub; now we find her prisoner of said stranger. Of course, she is never in any real danger as the (very gruesome) birth of her cub results in the would-be baby snatcher getting his comeuppance. Rahne's immediate abandonment of her child also seems poorly justified. Sure, the wolf murders the first person it sees, but fighting a primal urge to kill is nothing Rahne isn't familiar with. David also ignores very recent events by presenting Hela in her original form despite having her character defeated / combined with X-Factor's own Darwin just last story arc. Am I being nit-picky? Am I that crazy fan that thinks the writer is ignorant of their own work? I may be straying into whiny fangirl territory, but I have high expectations for this title and this arc did not meet my standards.

Verdict: Not the finest moment in this series, but I'll still be coming back for more. Here's hoping I'm not disappointed.

Generation Hope #10 (Schism tie-in)
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Tim Seeley
Cover Price: $2.99

Despite having a repetitive concept (we get to see the same events of Schism #3 but from Idie's viewpoint), this issue was an insightful read for fans of X-Men: Schism and Generation Hope alike. Idie, a young new mutant on Hope's team, finds that she has become the last line of defense between the Hellfire Club and the incapacitated X-Men, as well as a vulnerable group of human bystanders. Despite objections from an absent Wolverine, Scott tells Idie to do what she feel she has to. We know from the beginning of the issue what that will end up being. The events that lead up to this final harrowing moment show us just how different the younger generation of mutants are from their mentors. While the older ranks experienced far more personal tragedies, partly because they did not know what they were, the newest generation weren't just gifted anomalies. They were born into a hatred that went beyond a fear of the unknown. Their loved ones knew what they were, and Xavier's school was never a well hidden sanctuary for these children. They grew up with the X-Men. Sadly, this issue does not reveal anything about Idie's past, and as a new reader I don't know if it has yet to be revealed or just hasn't been discussed since I began reading. Either way, the next issue (another Schism tie-in) would be a perfect opportunity to show readers why this character considered herself a monster long before she got blood on her hands. Tim Seeley takes over the art for this issue, and though he is very capable, it is difficult to cultivate regular readers with such frequent artist changes.

Verdict: An improvement over the last issue, but these young mutants still struggle to find their own place in the line of x-books.

Uncanny X-Men #542 (Fear Itself tie-in)
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Greg Land
Cover Price: $3.99

Another surprising issue this week, Uncanny X-Men #542 was an engaging read with an ending that makes this event tie-in relevant to the X-Men. Rather than the comical introduction seen in issue #541, here we see exactly how unstoppable this supernaturally enhanced villain can be. In an effort to stop Juggernaut from attacking San Francisco, Cyclops sends in mutant after mutant, resulting in failure each and every time. A solution is sought through Magik, a team member that has recently been deemed untrustworthy due to her attraction to the dark arts (and we quickly see why). I think this story functions well on two levels; one, it presented the Fear Itself villain as an enemy with a lasting impact rather than a distraction to be dealt with in three issues, which is the m.o. for most event tie in issues. Secondly, the tie in does not overshadow the regular narrative of the book. We still get to see some of the internal conflict the X-Men books are famous for as Emma Frost fights a murderous desire for one of her teammates. Though I'm still not keen on Greg Land's artwork, he does well with the action sequences and creates easy to follow imagery in some challenging settings like the Crimson Cosmos. His work here only really distracts from the story whenever female characters are presented (they all. look. the same). Clearly the males get different photo references, so why not the ladies?

Verdict: A decent tie in that doesn't feel like a detour from your normal Uncanny X-Men story.

Week 6 Summary
Potential Cost: $13.96
2 Books Purchased, 2 Books Shelved

Most weeks during Odyssey X where I've had this many books to read, it has not been a task worth looking forward, but I was pleasantly surprised by the reading this week. Not one title felt like a waste, and that's even with two books that dealt with the same event (Schism). But even a good read can be unwanted when it is too frequent, and thus too costly. Three out of four of this weeks titles have seen their last issue less than three weeks ago. Another way to see it, half of these issues have been bi-weekly this month. Quality and interest are mighty hard to maintain on that kind of schedule, and I hope that a "less is more" mentality will be adopted for the x-books post-Schism. I'm not holding my breathe though.

Odyssey X, Week 5: X-Men #15.1, X-Men Legacy #253, New Mutants #23, Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force #2 (Bonus Book)

2011-08-18T17:56:00.000-05:00

(Catch up on earlier posts and read the introduction to Odyssey X where I explain my attempt to read every X-Men title during X-Men: Schism)

X-Men #15.1
Writer: Victor Gischler
Artist: Will Conrad
Cover Price: $2.99

Marvel's recent attempt to make books "new reader friendly" has revolved around a series of "Point 1" issues. Usually self contained, they are meant to convey the feel of a title and introduce the characters and their unique struggles. With that in mind, X-Men 15.1 was a great Ghost Rider / New Mutants point 1 book! I kid, it wasn't actually great, but it really didn't have much to do with what I know of X-Men. Not only are the writer and artist different from the last issue, but the main characters featured here are an amalgam of Uncanny and New Mutant regulars - oh and Ghost Rider. The story itself centers around a demon-posessed Native American. The perfect job for Ghost Rider! Wait, who called the X-Men? Their presence is rendered completely pointless when, after disaster is averted, Cyclops pretty much tells Dani Moonstar that their job is to just show up and do their best sometimes. Awkward humor was abound in this issue as well, like when Cyclops mentions Ghost Rider looking "a little shorter" than he remembers. Just shy of pointing out her tits, this was the dumbest way of reminding readers that the new Ghost of Vengeance is a woman. As if this issue wasn't problematic enough, the artwork is inconsistent throughout. Conrad awkwardly portrays the female Ghost Rider, though that is a tough job for even a seasoned artist since facial expressions of the character range from "flaming skull" to "flaming menacing skull". Though I admire Conrad for trying some challenging angles, without a telling hairstyle, some of the characters were indistinguishable from one page to the next.

Verdict: A misleading introduction for new readers and a distraction for fans of the regular X-Men title. I am neither, and pretty well expect this kind of inconsistency from a book like X-Men.

X-Men Legacy #253
Writer: Mike Carey
Artist: Khoi Pham
Cover Price: $2.99

Didn't I just force myself to read this book two weeks ago? No wonder the art looked rushed. Awkward humor seems to be one of the themes this week for the X-Men titles, and in Legacy's case, some of the jokes are definitely unintentional (see Legion's ridiculously named "personalities"). The confusing conclusion to this team's battle with the mutant equivalent of Sybil results in the revelation that Legion was actually Rogue! After latching onto Legion and absorbing the countless number of powers he has amassed, Rogue gains a "mutant compass" that leads them to space and Shiar aliens. I don't start and end too many books with a heavy sigh and eye roll, but there you go.

Verdict: Maybe I'm just being cynical. Perhaps a new, overused location could be just what this book needs!

New Mutants #29 (Fear Itself Tie-In)
Writer: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Artist: Dave Lafuente
Cover Price: $2.99

Well there goes my desire to add this book to my pull list. Much in the way the X-Men book was hijacked by the Point 1 initiative, New Mutants has been overtaken by Fear Itself. Cyclops has asked Dani Moonstar to fly to Vegas and make an ally of Hela, queen of the Asgardian underworld. This fits in with the events of Uncanny X-Men #541, another Fear Itself tie in, where the X-Men of San Fran are fighting a hammer-weilding Juggernaut. Repeated references to Dani's "Asgardian connection" and "relationship with Hela" all hint at events that I am unaware of as a new reader. With the number of times Abnett and Lanning refer to said relationship, they could have easily explained it in the same amount of space (then again, I haven no idea how convoluted the connection is). In addition to the story taking a sharp left turn into "universe altering event tie-in", the artwork has changed once again. If you aren't keeping count that's three different artists within three issues. This is one bizarre approach at keeping regular readers. Another inconsistency from this story is that Hela recently had a confrontation with X-Factor's Darwin which resulted in a big change for the character. Guess the editors forgot to tell the writers of New Mutants?

Verdict: This book is really starting to make me feel like I'm being jerked around! I just want the same creative team for one story arc, is that possible?

(Bonus Book)
Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force #2 (Fear Itself Mini)
Writer: Rob Willliams
Artist: Simone Bianchi
Cover Price: $2.99

I was curious to see if the quality from Remender's X-Force had carried over to this mini; alas, I found the only real similarity was in the team's reputation for hyper violence. I also missed the first issue, and jumping in mid story point I had little interest in X-Force's showdown with a sociopath surgeon / genetic purist. The connection to Fear Itself feels like a bit of a stretch as well, so fans of the big Marvel event may find this mini lacking. Some of the philosophical musings of Rob Williams are interesting (do the world's super-heroes really help mankind or only make the world a more hectic place, the idea of a mad man moving beyond the use of martyrs to indiscriminate massacre) but in the end my interest could not be held, partly because of Bianchi's artwork. A talented artist no doubt, his ultra detailed style feels overworked at times, especially when it comes to the characters (what he does with Psylocke's costume would make Jim Lee blush.)

Verdict: This book embodies the superfluous nature of tie-ins / minis; not necessary reading to understand the big event title, and it probably won't add much to your enjoyment unless you choose books based solely on the characters.

Week 5 Summary
Total Potential Cost: $11.96
0 Book Purchased, 4 Books Shelved

This week really tested my patience. I started to consider changing my parameters, like maybe I could stop reading some books as I go along and only continue picking up the less-than-awful ones. But then I wouldn't get a real sense of this line of titles, which is the whole point of Odyssey X. The most difficult part beyond the poor quality is the frequency with which some of these books are being released. By my count, at least 3 of the ongoing titles were released in a 5 week period, and that's not even counting the first two issues of Schism coming out within two weeks. This must frustrate retailers (and some readers) to no end. Rather than the mantra "we'll stop putting books out late when you stop buying them" used by DC in the past, perhaps someone should remind Marvel that overproduction can have an equally negative effect on readership when a lack of quality is being exhibited.

Odyssey X, Week 4: X-23 #13 , X-Factor #223

2011-08-18T16:02:00.003-05:00

(These reviews are part of an ongoing series. Please see the introductory post on Odyssey X where I explain my attempt to read every X-Men title during X-Men: Schism)

X-23 #13
Writer: Marjorie Lui
Artist: Phil Noto
Cover Price: $2.99

After having read every other x-book out there, X-23 stands out amongst the bunch as one of the few worth reading. While many X-Men titles struggle to find a distinct voice, X-23 knows what it is, and that's the story off a girl trying to become her own person after circumstance and evil men have tried again and again to create and control her fate. What's best is that there aren't any overused characters looking over her shoulder along the way. Not one cameo from Wolverine, Emma, or Cyclops. Gambit is the closest this book has to an older mentor but he seems to be led as much by X-23 as she is by him. There are moments when X-23 reminds me of the Terminator of T-2; understanding normal human emotional behavior is her greatest challenge, not the struggle to go against her training as a killer. Phil Noto's painterly manga style is pleasing and easy to follow (my eyes are still recovering from some of last week's art), and I especially enjoyed his take on Spider-Man. Next issue promises cameos from the rest of the FF as well.

Verdict: A Worthwhile read, and I'll be keeping my eye on this book!

X-Factor #223
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Emanuela Lupacchino
Cover Price: $2.99

The last few issues of X-Factor have been chase-heavy, and #223 brings us closer to the end of the manimal-hunt for Rahne's demon werewolf baby. A mysterious wolf-man (Jack Russell) has come to Rahne's rescue, apparently because his ancestoral instinct have told him to protect his distant as-yet-to-be-born kin. X-Factor's trademark comedic moments are not in short order here, from the enterrogation of the less than trustworthy troll Pip to the quick banter between Madrox and Monet. Events hint at a less-than fortunate future for X-Factor as the arrival of Rahne's baby may not be a joyous occasion (Peter David's track record for births implies heartache is on the way). As long as Lupacchino sticks on this title, I'm happy. Speaking of artwork, it must be said that I always appreciate the cover art for X-Factor. Not only are they often enticing to readers, but they *gasp* actually relate to the events within the issue.

Verdict: Enjoyable as always. There's not a bad time to start reading this book, but the best time would be ASAP!

Week 4 Summary
Total Potential Cost: $5.98
1 Book Purchased, 1 Book Shelved

Easily this has been the most enjoyable week of reading for Odyssey X. Besides both taking place in New York, these books each offered something different to readers perusing the shelves, with neither issue disappointing. In regards to the project in general, I'm one month in and I now know which books will be a chore for me to read, though I hope to be surprised. I have decided not to add any new X-Men titles to my list till the end of the project in order to discern if I truly want these books on a regular basis or if they just seem like good ideas compared to the rest of the x-books. New Mutants, X-23, and Uncanny X-Force currently have long term potential. The last few weeks I have fallen behind on posting, though I am read up through this week. Expect things to be back to normal by next week!

Odyssey X, Week 3: X-Men Schism #2, X-Men Legacy #252, Astonishing X-Men #40, Uncanny X-Force #12, New Mutants #28, Bonus Book Generation Hope #9

2011-08-01T18:13:00.000-05:00

(For those joining late, please see the introductory post on Odyssey X, where I explain my attempt to read every X-Men title during X-Men: Schism)

X-Men Schism #2
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Frank Cho
Cover Price: $3.99

Perhaps expectations were high after such a satisfying first issue, but Schism #2 felt like a letdown. This issue is cheaper and shorter than the first and unfortunately, those extra pages are missed in the storytelling. The exciting revelations in issue one are expanded upon, but often the action is happening off the page. The character interactions that made the first issue emotionally engaging are now shorter, and at times repetitious (it's becoming pretty obvious who the young X-Men will end up following since they've had little or no time with Scott). After wreaking havoc at an international delegation, Quentin Quire returns seeking asylum from the world leaders and super-heroes attempting to apprehend him. His return appears only as another way to show the differing views of Cyclops and Wolverine. Meanwhile, X-Men around the world are working to save man and mutantkind alike from recently reactivated sentinels. Schism #1 had many humorous moments, but the jokes in this issue are overshadowed by their political angles (Kitty Pryde saving a misogynistic middle-eastern leader, as a Jewish woman, is funny but not ha-ha funny). The most interesting part of the book centers around the Hellfire Club's new leader and his equally young minions. How these kids became so darn evil will surely be an intriguing back story. For those that need convincing to pick up issue #3, the change of artwork from Frank Cho to Daniel Acuna may be enticing. Though Cho does a fine job on this issue, I'm excited to see one of my favorite artists continue the story. Acuna has proven in the past his ability to create compelling stories with uniquely recognizable artwork. Here's hoping Aaron will be back on his a-game for issue #3.

Verdict: Not as good as issue #2 but still leaps and bounds above most x-offerings this week. Keeping it!

X-Men Legacy #252
Writer: Mike Carey
Artist: Khoi Pham
Cover Price: $2.99

The past year or so whenever X-Men comics came up in conversation at my local comic shop, several fans were quick to say that X-Men Legacy was the "good" one. I can't say I understand this assumption. Of all the x-books I have randomly started reading, this one has been the most confusing thus far. When I feel the urge to look up a character on Wikipedia for further explanation, it is safe to assume something is lacking. Though I may be familiar with the heavy hitters here, and there are lots (Magneto, Rogue, Gambit) I have no idea who Legion is, or why he has a gigantic flattop. Unless he's heading to the Pajama Jammy Jam, ala House Party 2, this ridiculous hairdo only serves as a distraction. Seriously, I am 18 pages in and I keep looking at it wondering if it is a result of his mutation. Speaking of which, Legion's mutant ability is that he is host to many fractured, powerful personalities, ones that can escape and wreak havoc. Instead of a character with one confusing mutant power to describe, he has several. The enemy of this particular confrontation is "Styx", an entity that is also holding Legion's father Charles Xavier hostage in the catacombs of Paris (First appearance of Charles during Odyssey X and he's the mindless slave to a third rate character's alter ego. Fan-tastic.) Oh and one of Legion's contained personalities, Time-Sink, is fighting to escape as well. I'm bored just describing the plot. When I talked about being confused by this comic, it wasn't just Legion that felt fractured, but several times the characters referred to other events with no frame of reference. Editors used to annotate these comments to get readers to pick up past issues, or simply bring them up to speed. I guess here they felt it would be better to infuriate / confuse new readers rather than enlighten them. It wasn't all sighs and rolling eyes for this book; the art is pretty descent. Pham's sketching appears looser as the story moves on, perhaps the result of a fast approaching deadline, but the rougher edges created more tension as less is revealed. Seeing a looser approach from Pham made me wish the entire issue were a little less polished.

Verdict: I give Carey credit for boldly attempting to tell instead of show, but it's back to the shelf for X-Men Legacy.

Astonishing X-Men #40
Writer: Cristos Gage
Artist: Juan Bobillo
Cover Price: $3.99

My expectations for the x-titles were pretty low going into this, but Astonishing X-Men has managed to push the envelope of awful mainstream comics. What was once a well written and top-selling title just 3 years ago has become unrecognizable in its necessity. This particular issue reads like a low budget science fiction movie from the 50's, minus the kitschy charm. Everything in this book is over-explained to the point where you wonder if this ever crossed an editors desk before going to artist Juan Bobillo. Since there are already plenty of X-Men titles dealing with the threats of humanity and alternate timelines, Astonishing deals with galactic threats to the X-Men (well I guess this book does fill a unique role, just poorly). The bloodthirsty Brood race is attempting to infiltrate Earth after being hunted to near extinction by other intelligent races. Before agreeing to nuke em from space (it's the only way to be sure) Beast uses some seriously flawed scientific reasoning to justify letting the Brood live, and the X-Men hatch a scheme to re-program the violent race into more agreeable carnivorous creatures. The team also fails to see the irony in swapping one extreme measure for another, but if I tried to apply logic to this book I may end up with an aneurism (why is Kitty Pryde in a bubble suit here, but not in Schism? Did this problem solve itself off-panel? I still don't fully understand the bubble suit). Though it is nice to see an X-Men title that does not stick to a traditional super-hero style, Bobillo's street art inspired approach was not my cup of tea, nor do I understand why anyone would like an x-book where Storm looks like Lawrence Fishburne in drag.

Verdict: If my review doesn't convince you to pass this up, perhaps the astonishingly-awful cover will.

Uncanny X-Force #12
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Mark Brooks
Cover Price: $3.99

From the worst to the best, Uncanny X-Force is a title that's really growing on me. The rather large cliffhanger from issue #11 pays off as we meet the Age of Apocalypse version of Jean Grey, and she's not the only love from Wolverine's past to make an appearance here. Both Remender and Brooks are equally skilled in their ability to present a well-paced story, even though it is a book crammed with tons of characters and alternate timeline versions of said characters. Brooks actually knows how to use panels to his advantage. If everything is busting from the confines of the panel and every other page is a splash-page, nothing ends up being dramatic. Brooks wisely uses these tools sparingly as ways to enhance the big picture. Remender's characterization of Logan continues to be fantastic and I loved the internal narration even more in this issue. This may be one of the few x-books where Wolverine feels well-rounded. It is rather impressive that the story remains clean and easy to follow despite the rather complex circumstances introduced to a new reader like myself. Throughout the book, the focus remains on the relationships and varied personalities of the X-Men dealing with the harsh realties that face them if they should fail. A solid book all around!

Verdict: Not buying it this week; I'm going to give my local shop a few weeks to catch up on their orders, but this one will be added to the pull list by the end of Odyssey X.

New Mutants #28
Writer: Dan Abnet & Andy Lanning
Artist: Michael Ryan
Cover Price: $2.99

A scant two weeks after the last issue, New Mutants returns with a new story arc, new artist, and same writing duo. My wishes have been granted and this issue has plenty of moments with Dani Moonstar, the spunky leader of the New Mutants team. After a difficult but ultimately successful fight with Sugar Man, Dani invites a counselor to Utopia to help her teammates work through their various issues. Abnet and Lanning successfully use Dani as the comedic relief of New Mutants. When she gives therapist Gus Grim a brief history of the Summers family, she does so while acknowledging the ridiculousness of the situation. There is not enough fun in the x-verse, and I think this title will continue to stand out because of the lighter tone. Cyclops and Emma make a brief appearance, once again proving that no x-book about younger characters is complete without the "old guard" appearing and dispensing opinions. Considering the frequency of appearances from Cyclops, Emma, and Logan, I'm beginning to think it may be an editorial mandate that they appear in every single X-Men title. Cyclops isn't the only over-exposed Summers either as Hope also shows up to offer her assistance.

Verdict: Oh man, am I about to add New Mutants to my pull list? If Michael Ryan stays on art for the next issue, I may have to do just that....

(Bonus Book)
Generation Hope #9
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Jamie McKelvie
Cover Price: $2.99

I missed this issue last week as my local shop chooses to keep this title under "G" as opposed to grouping it with the x-titles. Similar in tone to New Mutants, Generation Hope sees a team of relatively young and unknown mutants tasked with a mission that the big boys are too busy to worry about. Hope Summers and her team must locate "newborn" mutants and use her mutant abilities to stabilize their dangerous metamorphosis (I guess her powers are a reverse of Rogue's?). This concept of unstable genealogy amongst mutants is new to the X-Men mythos, and I believe it only serves as an excuse to give Hope and her team of misfits something to do. This issue even shows that they aren't doing it very well, as the newest member to the mutant ranks decides his grotesque appearance is the worst possible thing that could happen to him, so he kills himself. If their was ever I time that I have missed Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, it is now. This overly-complicated concept of a title could benefit from the simplicity of mutants in school learning to deal with their unique situations. Instead we have another book where Wolverine has to convince someone to pity the fearful humans.

Verdict: Definitely back to the shelf. The issue isn't nearly as good as the cover design.

Week 3 Summary
Total Potential Cost: $20.94 (slighly higher due to the "bonus book" missed last week)
1 Book Purchased, 5 Books Shelved

Do the editors of these books talk to each other? Attend any of the same meetings? Perhaps they should share notes more often, or at least better plan the release dates of these series. This week had more x-titles released than I had on my pull list from all publishers (hence my lateness in posting these reviews). As a reader forcing myself to pick up all of these books I found myself dreading the task, and I'm betting I'm not the only one who felt that way once they saw the end of the Marvel alphabet. It is far to easy to see the similarities (and inconsistencies) between these books when they are all released at once. Will Schism bring a clearer vision to these titles?

My Amazing Spider-Man 666 Retailer Variant Covers

2011-07-27T14:16:00.001-05:00

Retailer exclusive variants are nothing new to collectors, but for fans with love for their local comic shop, Amazing Spider-Man 666 will a be a must-have issue for their collection. Spidey is shown on the cover holding the Daily Bugle with a headline touting the rescue of your LCS by everyone's favorite webslinger. Because these variants required a large minimum order, not every store was able or willing to participate. But here in Chicago, four stores decided to order the incentive covers, and I was lucky enough to have my photography grace the covers of two. Considering only about 200 stores worldwide will have this incentive cover (see Marvel's master list), I feel honored to have my work on these covers. A special thanks is necessary to both Challengers and Graham Crackers for entrusting me with the task of representing their unique stores. They could have taken their own photo, hired a different photographer, or just used a store logo, but they thought of me first and I am thankful. Check out the final covers below and order your copies today by clicking the links - they'll go fast!

Challengers Comics+Conversation

Pat and Dal requested an image of Challengers from the outside, keeping the focus on their unique storefront design. It is worth noting that the selected image did have some post production work completed by artist Luke Smarto since all non-Marvel characters / advertising had to be removed. His photoshop skills are almost as good as his comic book art, but not quite.

Graham Crackers Comics (Loop)

Since Graham Crackers is a chain, the owners felt the best way to represent the stores as a whole would be to have all of the managers on the cover in front of one store, in this case the location in downtown Chicago. Surprisingly, it took serious convincing to get 9 comic book store managers to pose with Captain America shields and a Thor hammer.

Again, order directly through their websites or go to the stores to get your copies soon. Lots of fans are trying to collect as many covers as possible!

Odyssey X, Week 2: X-Men #15, X-Factor #222, Uncanny X-Men #541

2011-07-21T15:23:00.000-05:00

(For those joining late, please see the introductory post on Odyssey X, where I explain my attempt to read every X-Men title during X-Men: Schism)

X-Men #15
Writer: Christopher Yost
Artist(s): Dalibor Talajic & Wil Quintana
Cover Price: $3.99

It's tough for a reader to jump into a story at the end of a multi-issue arc. All of the previous momentum is meant to culminate at long last, but instead of relief we get a bombardment of mindless action sequences with little attention to character development. At least that's how it felt reading X-Men #15. Cyclops and company are attempting to stop an old enemy who want to destroy all of mankind in order to protect mutants. The issue jumps back and forth between the current struggle and their original confrontation with these Evolutionaries. The big difference we see between "then" and "now" is that Magneto is no longer working with the enemy, but other than that it is the same, "We don't want your genocide, thanks." The previous and current battles are relentless to the last page. It may sound exciting, but without any tension or real danger, it is a tedious read. Their is little reflection, and each and every character feels inconsequential. Literally, there are characters that make one appearance, or simply stand in the background looking menacing. Can we even technically call them characters? Window-dressing would be a more appropriate description. Namor is in this book, and I have no idea why he is in league with the X-men. Storm also makes a silent appearance. When fans talk about a comic not doing their favorite characters justice, this is exactly what they mean. This book should only have as many characters as Christopher Yost (or any writer) can write and keep well rounded. Currently, no one stands out in this over-crowded book.

Verdict: Back on the shelf. Maybe a new story arc will embrace "less is more".

X-Factor #222
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Emanuela Lupacchino
Cover Price: $2.99

Here's another book mid-storyline, but in this case it isn't a chore to read. This being the only x-title I have been consecutively reading for the last several years, I don't have the same perspective as a new reader, but even an old biased fan like myself can see why this comic is more engaging than any other X-Men book this week. A new reader may not know why Shatterstar and a pregnant Rahne are in danger, or why "Strong Man" Guido is returning from a recent hospital trip, but they will care for these characters. Despite the imminent danger the gang faces, we actually see them interacting, not just throwing punches. Another reason Peter David's title will stand out is because it is a very different concept from the other X-Men titles. It isn't set in San Francisco or Utopia, and Cyclops and Emma Frost don't make an appearance (and I thought Wolverine was overexposed). X-Factor isn't a one-note comic, either. It's as exciting as it is funny, and often heart wrenching. Lucky for readers new and old, Lupacchino returns to the art for this issue. If there is one fault X-Factor has, it is too frequent changes of artists.

Verdict: Bagged, boarded, and kept in the long box. Also the cheapest book this week!

Uncanny X-Men #541 (Fear Itself tie-in)
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Greg Land
Cover Price: $3.99

In another smash-em bash-em book this week, Cyclops and company must prevent Juggernaut from destroying San Francisco. A normally easily defeated enemy, this time he wields one Asgardian hammer and appears to be especially indestructible. Even super-charged, he makes a comical villain. Every word from his mouth is garbled magic-speak, but it looks more like mystical burps as they are only ever one-word blurbs. The almost military like precision of Cyclops leadership is unable to stop this mindless threat from continuing his charge on San Francisco. Of all the fear-inducing enemies, the X-Men have Juggernaut? Why even have a Fear Itself tie in? Another particularly lacking element was the portrayal of new mutant Hope. Greg Land does little to show any difference in appearance of this new mutant to Jean Grey. She also looks no where near her young age. Land has been drawing various x-books for several years, and that must mean he has faithful fans out there. I find his overly cheesecake depictions of female characters distracting. Since he is known to use photo references for his work, it is baffling that all the women he draws look so similar. Women come in all shapes and sizes (and have different noses, mouths, and eyes) but the differences here are left to hair style and clothing. In contrast, his male characters are far more dynamic and distinguishable. Personal preference aside, this book could use some fresh talent, if not to attract the once large female fan base these titles once touted.

Verdict: Back to the shelf. Not even a little sad to see it go.

Week 2 Summary
Total Potential Cost: $10.97
1 Book Purchased, 2 Books Shelved

What makes these books unique? Why would a reader pick up one over the other, or any at all? With the exception of X-Factor, this week saw two very similar struggles, each with a similar roster of characters as well. Enemy threatens humans. X-Men move to intervene. Cyclops was there! Emma Frost uses her mental powers at some point! Schism will result in two different teams with very different ideologies. The split couldn't come soon enough, and I'm beginning to think two teams may not be enough to sustain all of these books.

Note: Last week I had a miscalculation of the potential cost for the comics in Week 1. The error has been corrected. Thanks, careful readers for pointing this out!

Odyssey X, Week 1: X-Men Schism #1, New Mutants #27

2011-07-17T19:57:00.001-05:00

Part of the appeal of completing Odyssey X (reading all of the X-Men titles during X-Men: Schism) is to experience these books with fresh eyes. What if a new reader tried all of these titles in one go? Would it make sense? Would it be engaging enough to bring them back for more? How much would it cost to commit to reading every X-Men title? In the truest sense, I am not even reading every single mutant-featured comic. Wolverine will not be on my reading list, nor will Deadpool. Both of these over-exposed characters frequent the Marvel U proper as much as the X-Men titles. I also know my limits, and I have a pull list full of other Independent, DC, and Marvel books to read. Any extra books I pick up will be included as "bonus" reviews. This week saw the release of a second printing of Uncanny X-Force #11, and since it boldly states that it is "Chapter 1" of the Dark Angel Saga, I thought I'd jump in now so I can more easily understand "Chapter 2".

X-Men: Schism #1
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Carlos Pacheco
Cover Price: $4.99

Without committing to Odyssey X, I would have needed serious convincing to pick up this book. It may be an oversized issue, but $4.99? Steep, even by Marvel standards. With all of the talk about this being the biggest X-Men story to come in years, the art certainly does not look the part. Both Wolverine and Cyclops are featured on the cover looking very constipated amongst a pile of robot rubble. Did I think sentinels would be in this story? No. Did I think male camel toe would be a plot point? Yes. Because that's all I see here. The interiors are also by Pacheco, which added to my lack of enthusiasm. If this is meant to be an iconic story, remembered and read for years to come, an equally memorable artist would have been more appropriate. Pacheco's art feels like a safe choice.

Despite my disinterest in the artwork, I read on, and found that the story was not lacking. Aaron does a good job of introducing Utopia on a micro scale to new readers. There are no sweeping views of the mutant inhabited island, just Wolverine coming in from a rough night of....being Wolverine, only to return to more obligations. Scott needs his second in command to accompany him on a trip to Switzerland for an arms control conference. Before the obligatory action sequence begins, we get to witness some wonderful back and forth between Scott and Logan. There is obvious mutual respect between them, but long forged resentments still linger. Despite the tense arrangement, Aaron humorously portrays the uneasy relationship between the frenemies. A promo image for Schism featuring a savagely clawed visor may haven given away the fact that Schism will pit Logan and Scott against one another, but their ideological leanings are surprising. I couldn't help but compare their relationship with that of Magneto and Professor X, especially in reference to the recent X-Men: First Class film.

I won't give away too much concerning the events of the attack on the international delegation, except to say it is brilliantly executed. The villain isn't who you think it is, and the ramifications to come are epic in proportion. Breathing room is something often missed in big event titles, and Aaron uses it here to great affect. The extra space allows for plenty of telling interactions and revelations about minor characters. The first issue left me wanting more, and according to the editorial notes I won't have to wait long for the second issue which comes out on July 27th. I am also delighted to see that Frank Cho will be taking over art for that issue, and the wonderful Daniel Acuna will pencil issue three. If the talent keeps increasing by the issue, so will my recommendations to read Schism.

Verdict: Putting it in the long box! Even at $4.99, it's worth keeping.

New Mutants #27
Writer(s): Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Artist: Leandro Fernandez
Cover Price: $2.99

I know it is blasphemy for any fan of the X-Men to say they don't like Age of Apocalypse, but I am part of that quiet minority. I prefer my X-men in the here and now, fighting social injustice and trying to save those that hate them. Back by popular demand, the characters and conflicts surrounding AoA have returned. For someone who could care less about that alternate time line, this issue wasn't entirely unenjoyable for me.

The last in a three issue arc, #27 concludes the story line "Unfinished Business". The New Mutants consist of the younger, yet capable ranks of the X-Men and Cyclops has given them the vague mission statement of "tying up loose ends". In this case that means rescuing X-Man (yes, that one) from the clutches of Sugar Man (I feel silly just typing that) who is attempting to use the reality warping powers of Nate Summers to return to his home world. Dani, leader of the New Mutants reacts to Sugar Man much the same way as I did. "Him? Really?" I got a kick out of this meta criticism. When drawing a multi armed mohawk-ed blob, things can get a little muddled on the page. The tight shots on close hits are the most satisfying moments of Leandro Fernandez's artwork, but pull out for a wider view and the momentum (and interest) is lost. What both Fernandez and company accomplish best in this issue is showcasing Dani's ass-kicking abilities. This "Sugar Man", former ire of the X-Men proper, is no match for her tenacity. After (unsurprisingly) apprehending the perp, the New Mutants return to Utopia where Cyclops talks to Nate about their family and always having "unfinished business". A tad heavy handed, but probably satisfying for those who care about this character. I personally would have enjoyed seeing more of Dani, who was the best discovery in reading New Mutants.

Verdict: Back to the shelf! Surprisingly not bad, even slightly enjoyable, but I won't be keeping it. More of a focus on Dani next issue may change my mind.

(Bonus Book)
Uncanny X-Force #11
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Mark Brooks
Cover Price: $3.99

"After assassinating the new incarnation of the X-Men's archenemy Apocalypse, and a successful defense against an invasion of superhuman cyborgs and the mind-thief known as the Shadow King, Deadpool, Psylocke, Fantomex and Wolverine have found that they have an even bigger problem on their hands."

Intimidated much? That's just the first sentence of Uncanny X-Force's overly long recap. There is a rule amongst comic book writers to write each issue like it is your reader's first. You can't pick up one book in the X universe without having a long explanation of the previous story arc's events, and the funny part is that in most cases, these are unnecessary and work against the goal of attracting new uninformed readers. Within the first two pages of the actual story in this issue, Wolverine's inner monologue reiterates everything from the recap. Imagine that, the writer bringing a reader up to speed without relying on editorial intervention?

Back to the issue at hand; despite my immediate disinterest in a second book featuring Age of Apocalypse, I continued on, once again pleasantly surprised by the quality of the story within. Remender writes Uncanny X-Force with a surprising amount of humor, and not just from Deadpool. Our team of anti-heroes must travel to the time line of Apocalypse in order to obtain an object that can free Angel from forces that threaten to turn him into the next Apocalypse (I guess that last potential host wasn't worth the trouble since they simply killed him). Their attempt to find the "Life Seed" results in a confrontation with the AoA version of Nightcrawler, which gives everyone the willies because he recently died in regular continuity. When things go south for X-Force, their new uneasy AoA allies take them to a safe haven where they are introduced to more ghosts from the past. Once you get to the end of the book, you'll realize why this issue sold out immediately and went to a second print. The twist can aptly be described as a "bombshell" but we won't know if it's really just a big tease till next issue.

This book has a lot going for it despite sounding like a hot mess. Two different continuities to keep straight, characters that are dead remain alive in other dimensions, and a lot of implied histories between characters. Remender uses Wolverine's narration as a successful device to guide us though these confusing waters without too much exposition. Mark Brooks shows ease in creating movement on the stagnant page with careful composition. This is a rare quality amongst artists, and of the three x-books I read this week, his art was the best of the bunch. The coloring, however, is overly dark and almost flat at times, making it difficult to distinguish characters at times. I understand this series is "edgy" and "graphic" but you can create a dark atmosphere without sacrificing a varied color palette.

Verdict: Back to the shelf! This was mostly a budgetary decision; at $3.99, those two extra pages don't feel worth spending the extra dollar.

Week 1 Summary
Total Potential Cost: ~~$12.97~~ $11.97
1 Book Purchased, 2 Books Shelved

My first week of Odyssey X is complete, and I am happy to report that I remain cautiously optimistic. Reading every x-book this week did reveal a few similarities; several Grant Morrison-created characters from New X-Men appear in important roles, proving that it doesn't take an event title to have a lasting impression, just good writing. Age of Apocalypse has returned full force in other titles, but does not appear to play a role in Schism. We'll see if these worlds collide in the near future.

Odyssey X: A Reconsideration of the X-Men Comics

2011-07-14T17:42:00.003-05:00

It's hard to think of an equal comparison for the downfall of the X-Men titles; once flagship books that were consistently among the top sellers in the industry, the last several years have seen dismal sales despite increasingly talented creative teams coming aboard. The likes of Warren Ellis, Ed Brubaker, and Matt Fraction have tried - and failed - to rejuvenate the once crowning jewel of the House of Ideas. That lost luster has come at a high price as once loyal readers are reluctant to give the books another chance. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, I'll never buy your book again. Or so should be the saying in comics. With the econapocolypse showing no end in sight, readers are more selective than ever and that's not even considering competing (cheaper) entertainment.

X-Men books brought me into a comic book shop as a 15 year old girl. Specifically, I wanted to be Jean Grey; intelligent, beautiful, sought after by many suitors, and oh yeah, insanely powerful. Any intelligent teenage female will tell you they can relate to the alienation Jean Grey felt because of her gifts. I may have been awkward because I was unaware of my defining traits, while Jean was afraid of killing her closest friends and family, but I could relate to feeling uncomfortable in one's own skin. That alienation can be doubly felt for young female comic book readers, too. Adolescent male fans don't often get excited about their female counterparts; they feel intimidated and often threatened by what they see as intruders of their historically male dominated past time. I didn't truly feel like a part of the comic book community till after high school, but I kept coming back for more because I was an x-addict. This story is not uncommon amongst female fans as so many found an "in" to comics via the x-titles. Many male readers found comics through the X-men too, but they didn't have to look hard to find male leads that reflected their own struggles. There was only one Kitty Pryde, one Storm, one Rogue, and all in the same book.

I began to lose interest in the X-Men comics shortly after Phoenix: End Song. I did not recognize it as the tipping point; at the time I enjoyed reading the Greg Pak story with the overly cheesecake-like Greg Land artwork. In retrospect, perhaps I was content to read any title with Jean Grey, even if she began and ended the mini series as a corpse. Had I known that she would really be gone from comics for the next six years, I might have been a little more offended by the fact that it featured Cyclops and Emma Frost consecrating their relationship (after a torrid psychic affair) in the same story that is meant to be a sendoff to his dead wife. After Grant Morrison's departure from New X-Men, the death of my favorite character was enough to send me packing. With the exception of Astonishing X-men, my forages into the X-Men titles since have left me disappointed. (I have continued to read X-Factor, but honestly, that title is barely an X-book. It's a fun, supernatural tinged gumshoe book that happens to have mutants.)

But the X-Men books are tempting sirens that continue to lure me back with hopeful curiosity. I would like nothing more than to see my once favorite books restored to their former glory. And once again I am an employee at a comic book store. After the closing of Comic Vault, I'm back with Graham Crackers Comics, this time at their new Lakeview location (formerly the Lincoln Park store). The only reason anyone works at a comic book store is because they love comic books. Keep this in mind next time you stop by your local comic shop, especially before you ask them if they read comic books (yes, yes, yes, the answer is and always should be yes). I have the privilege of reading whatever a please without having to pay for it, something I rarely do. Why should I convince a customer to pick up a book that I wouldn't take home myself? But I will use this opportunity to undertake Odyssey X. This endeavor may be one I will regret, but the parameters are as such: I will read and review every X-Men title during X-Men: Schism. If I like a book I will buy it, but I'll leave the rest on the shelf. I hope to come away from this experience with a rediscovered love for the books that gave me so much joy as a youth, though I am likely to come away with some disappointment as well (they can't all be good!). Check back soon for the first installment with X-Men Schism #1 and New Mutants #27.

Odyssey X, Week 1: X-Men Schism #1, New Mutants #2

Odyssey X, Week 2: X-Men #15, X-Factor #222, Uncanny X-Men #541

Odyssey X, Week 3: X-Men Schism #2, X-Men Legacy #252, Astonishing X-Men #40, Uncanny X-Force #12, New Mutants #28, Bonus Book Generation Hope #9

Odyssey X, Week 4: X-23 #13 , X-Factor #223

Odyssey X, Week 5: X-Men #15.1, X-Men Legacy #253, New Mutants #23, Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force #2 (Bonus Book)

Odyssey X, Week 6: X-Men Schism #3, X-Factor #224, Generation Hope #10, Uncanny X-Men #542

Odyssey X, Week 7: X-Men #16, Astonishing X-men #41, New Mutants #30, Uncanny X-Force #13, X-Men Legacy #254

Odyssey X, Week 8: Uncanny X-Force #14 and a Mid-Point Reflection

Hopes and Fears for the DC Relaunch

2011-06-12T17:28:00.001-05:00

Since news broke on June 2nd of DC's plans to relaunch their entire line of titles come September, it's clear that there won't be another comic book news story quite like this one for the rest of the year, and perhaps for years to come. Though countless speculation, opinions, rants, and other varied thoughts already exist on the internet concerning this huge announcement, I wouldn't be much of a comic book blogger if I didn't put in my two cents! If you don't follow comic news too closely and need more details, there is a great rundown of all of the title announcements here.

The Good

-People are talking about the relaunch / comics in general. Before I get into any of the anticipated titles, it's exciting to see a story like this getting attention. Fans are discussing it in shops, non-comic book related websites are covering it, it's getting some genuine buzz. Whether this will bring anyone into shops off the streets is yet to be seen, but here's hoping this bold move from DC will motivate curious fans and former fans alike.

-Batwoman will FINALLY be released. All of those vague reasons for delaying the book now make sense. "When the market is more favorable for a #1 release" has a whole new meaning. However, it is going to be interesting to see how the title will fit into the relaunch considering everything else is "starting over" and Batwoman's book continues from her stint in Detective, but I guess we'll find out. I am just damn happy to finally see this book released.

-Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang to take on Wonder Woman. Oh man oh man, am I excited for this book. I love me some Chiang artwork, I thoroughly enjoyed Azarello's 100 Bullets, and it's refreshing to see DC put some more offbeat creators on this title. I myself have had little interest in reading Wonder Woman, especially when they do shit like turn here into a 22 year old who wears Lisa Turtle throwaways. In the first promo image for WW #1, Chiang even manages to make her new costume work by simplifying Jim Lee's overly busy design (Jackets! Chokers! Bangles! Pants! More more more!). Azzarello, known best for his hard-boiled noir stories, is not an obvious choice for this title, which could make it a really fresh take on the character or...something else. Either way I'm excited to find out.

-Justice League Dark. Need I say more? Okay. So all of this character licensing re-shifting DC has been doing with Vertigo totally makes sense now. Why didn't we see this coming? John Constantine and Madame Xanadu on the same occult themed Justice League team? Yes, please. Also, now that I've seen a few covers from Milligan's original take on Shade the Changing Man, I'm definitely interested in checking out more books about this character. Mikel Janin will be the artist, and though I am not familiar with his work but I'd imagine his pairing with Peter Milligan implies he may have an alternative style. Also good to keep in mind that the last team books Milligan wrote were X-Focre and X-Statics for Marvel.

-Red Lanterns to have their own title. This is another Peter Milligan book to which I am looking forward. Anyone that read Blackest Night and the preceding stories of Atrocitus and his Red Lantern Corps have been hoping for this book. I forsee a lot of blood spattered splash pages. Also, this may be the only corps with a cat lantern (makes sense).

-Action Comics written by Grant Morrison. Three words sum up my excitement for this book. All. Star. Superman. Morrison clearly has a lot of respect for the character, and I'm excited to see what new in-continuity stories he will tell with Supes. Even though it is not part of the initial releases in September, DC has also stated that Morrison's Batman Inc. will continue but the release won't happen in September. Rumor has it Chris Burnham will be the regular artist once the series relaunches at #1. Did you really DC would sign him as an exclusive artist and not utilize his talent?

The Bad

-Very vocal fans are PISSED. Understandably, there is a group of fans that feel alienated by the announced relaunch. DC has repeatedly stated their desire to bring in new fans to the books, and that makes current fans feel a little jilted. I am not one of those fans myself; in fact, I'm totally okay with DC courting as many readers as possible. Current readers are fickle and small in numbers. Sorry, but we need more readers, even if it means pissing off a few of the current "loyal" readers. What seems most outlandish is the repeated mantra that current and past stories "won't matter" once the universe is relaunched. I can't understand the absurd notion that new stories make old ones irrelevant. The idea of the relaunch is to create new views of classic characters. Without being influenced or informed by previous stories, there would be nothing to re-make, it would just be creating new characters. It's also worth mentioning that the past 80 years of stories can still be enjoyed by readers new and old. Last time I checked, DC wasn't going to stop printing their back catalogue.

-A lot of books being released I still don't care about. But I guess that will always be the case. I'm still planning to pick up more DC titles than I currently read, which makes it a win if enough readers feels the same way.

-Jim Lee re-designing all major character costumes. This particular part of the announcement had me cringe. I think Jim Lee is a very talented artist that hasn't really pushed himself to new levels in a long time. On All-Star Batman, the critically lauded Frank Miller book, Lee's work felt lazy and overly familiar. Much of the imagery seemed like recycled designs from Batman Hush. More troubling, his recent re-design of the Wonder Woman costume was almost comically outdated. His Justice League #1 cover is a little too Michael Turner inspired for my taste, and I doubt his interiors will be much of anything new. The relaunch is meant to entice new readers, but those new readers better like early to mid 90's artwork cause there's a whole lot of it. Even Rob Leifeld has a book!

-True relaunch or just an over-hyped renumber? Until the books show dynamic and engaging new takes on the classic characters, it could prove to be more of the same thing. They've shifted around a lot of artists and writers, but for the most part September sees the same creators working in the DCU as we have now. Considering the stakes, I am hoping artists and writers will rise to the occasion and bring their best work forward.

-Retailers are nervous. It is hard enough trying to gauge the anticipation of a new book, let alone 52 new titles in one month. Speculators tend to pick up number ones in hopes that it will become highly sought after (yes, these people do exist), and it is a good jumping on point, but never have so many new books come out at once. Will only the bigger books garner a lot of attention? Will the numbers for DC remain soft compared to Marvel's hefty market share? All books for the relaunch are returnable, but that initial cost for ordering will come from the store owners, and credit for returns isn't instant. This is a big gamble that DC is taking and expecting comic shops to make it with them.

-Can DC survive if this fails? If fans don't buy these books en masse, it could be catastrophic for the nearly 80 year old company. Of course, much like the launch of "New Coke", the triumphant return of the "Classic" could be more profitable than the initial relaunch. However, comic book readers seem a little less forgiving than soda drinkers and may not return if their favorites are changed too drastically.

The As Yet To Be Seen

-Same Day Digital Releases For All DC Titles. DC is hoping this will entice readers to try more titles, but retailers fear they will pick up digital copies rather than buy books in store, which is a valid concern. Publishers really do need to do this if they want to seriously combat pirating. I don't think anyone that currently pays for comics now would go all digital just because it's suddenly an option. I would think that the most DC has to gain from digital comics are people who currently don't buy comics or trades because they don't want to "collect" but simply want to read (think people who travel for a living). Overseas readers that pay top dollar for imported books will benefit from this option as well. Until they actually target these customers, retailers will continue to accuse publishers like DC of poaching the already loyal weekly readers that frequent their stores. As stated in my musings on the industry earlier this week, anything that makes comics more accessible is okay by me.

-Barbara Gordon to return as Batgirl. More than any other title, this announcement has garnered the most attention by far. (When Fangirls Attack has a very comprehensive list of the fan reactions to the return of Batgirl.)It is an unsurprisingly controversial decision, as many have come to love Barbara's current role as Oracle. Nearly my whole life Barbara has been in a wheelchair. For many in the differently-abled community that have come to look at Oracle as one of the few positive role models in comics, or pop culture in general, this is a hard change to accept. The creative team they have behind the title, Gail Simone as writer and Ardian Syaf as artist make this a must read, but I can understand why so many are hurt and may pass up on the book altogether. One twitter user summed up my feelings pretty well when he said in so many words that anything done to change the character of Barbara Gordon can't be any worse than what was done to her in The Killing Joke. Couldn't agree more, and any feelings about this huge change go back to my comments on fans that are pre-emptively condemning DC's decision to relaunch. Any new stories told of Barbara as Batgirl do not change the ability to enjoy and find inspiration in the stories of Oracle from the last 20 years. More than any other book, DC will have to prove to fans this change is worth making.

-Will this really bring in new readers? We will find out come September, but I really hope this works in everyone's favor. DC is not too savvy on reaching out to younger readers, as evidenced by the decision to exclusively break the news via USA Today, but the story is getting attention. I just hope DC has more planned to get the word out to potential readers.

The Verdict

-Overall, I am more excited than I am skeptical. Let's get one thing straight, there is no way that all of these books will be worth reading. There aren't 52 creative teams amongst the entire stable of living artists and writers that would make that possible. But this is still an attempt at some much needed change, and that's something I can get behind. I've never heard the same topic discussed so heavily amongst fans, so thoroughly covered or dissected. Expect to see my opinions here on the new books come September!

Chicago Comic Vault Stores Closing

2011-06-08T17:03:00.000-05:00

Only a few short months after the opening of their downtown location in Block 37, both Chicago Comic Vault locations will be closing. The first to close will be the downtown store, then the uptown location. Effective this week, both have stopped ordering new merchandise. Until closing, everything in both stores is 35% off, with some items (like toys) at 50% off.

My time with Comic Vault as an employee and customer has been short-lived. Owner Matt Sardo has stated personal reasons for the closing of the stores, and though I may be privy to more details than the average customer, I won’t go into details as those are irrelevant to the discussion at hand. Owning and maintaining a comic book store, or any small business, is a very time consuming stressful endeavor, and I don't think less of anyone who decides it is not for them. At the end of the day, business is not an altruistic endeavor; you can't be in it for anyone but yourself. But I do hope for the comic book community's sake that Matt will find his way back to the industry in another facet. With a dedication to bringing more exposure to local artists and writers, I would not be surprised to see Matt's name show up in some promotional aspect a few years from now. Creators can always appreciate incites of a person like Matt who know firsthand how the direct market works.

Perhaps the most unfortunate part of this whole ordeal is that this will displace many loyal readers and the short notice will have some deciding to quit reading comic books altogether. Since I personally broke the sad news to several regular customers and club members that had yet to hear about the closing, I can attest to this reality. For some readers (let's face it most), convenience and price are the deciding factors for continuing to read, not enjoyment. This is especially true for those fans that can't pick up Fear Itself without compulsively buying every tie in. Several club members even said they continued reading as long as they did because they liked the store so much (the 35% off discount program helped as well). But when one is faced with dwindling disposable income or increasing domestic responsibilities, having your local comic shop close can be an excuse to leave comics altogether. These were weekly club members saying, "You know, I was thinking about quitting reading anyway." This is a troubling reaction from customers that are the backbone of the industry.

Now we're going to take a trip to "Rantville" where I express a few thoughts on the direct market in general. In order for the industry to thrive once again, readership for comics needs to increase. Despite an unprecedented number of television, film, cartoon, amusement park, Slurpee tie ins, demand has not increased with awareness. Retailers are a little busy these days with pressing questions such as "How will a complete line relaunch from DC effect my business?" "How does one order appropriately when all new titles from DC will be available digitally the same day?" "How do I get more readers off the street to buy books?" is so daunting a task it is not frequently considered when one is trying to keep the customers they already have. Even large scale events designed specifically for this task, such as Free Comic Book Day, is still by and large enjoyed by people who already read comic books to begin with. DC's recent announcement to relaunch their entire line of books is a huge change, one that could possibly bring in more readers to DC. But it sounds like the same game of musical chairs that comic book companies have been playing for years. DC is more likely to gain readers from Marvel than off the street. It's the same pie being cut up differently but unfortunately, we are running out of pie, folks. For variety's sake, in readers and material alike, we need more pie, a larger audience to sustain diversity. I truly believe when it comes to comics there is something out there for everyone, so why isn't every demographic being targeted by publishers? When this big announcement from DC was made exclusively through USA Today, my first thought was "Who on earth are they targeting?" When they speak of this relaunch as a way to entice a younger audience, did they consider the irony that they were making this announcement through a dying medium? If they said they were going to give away a copy of Justice League #1 to every person who bought a ticket to the new Green Lantern film, I might think differently. Instead, this announcement has a lot of regular readers saying "You know, I was thinking about quitting reading anyway."

I don't want to be the last generation of regular comic book readers. As much as I love the relationships that result from their unique retail experience, comics need to come out of the local comic shop. So many individuals won't even consider stepping foot in the doors of a comic shop, or simply don't know about them. Maybe they would if they could get their hands on some books and fall in love with the medium. If a comic shop is further away from your home than the local grocery store, bank, or 7-11, for many that would be too far out of their way. Digital may be a start, but at the moment I can count on one hand how many people I know with iPads, and the number gets even smaller of the ones that are willing to put pay content on those devices. Getting books into more schools would raise awareness, putting comics in book mobiles. Seeing trade paperbacks and comics in more of the big box stores. Having more than one non-monopoly distributor would help heaps in this endeavor. Comic books used to be ubiquitous with disposable entertainment but they have become this highly specialized item. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked "Are these collectible" or "Will these be worth money someday" by a curious shopper. These people usually ask if their soggy comics from the 80's are worth selling, and often seem confused when you tell them most people read comics to enjoy them, not to collect them. In the eyes of the Average Joe consumer, comic books need to be re-branded. Unspecialized. Accessible. I am not even talking content (that’s a post all its own) comics are not physically accessible. DC and Marvel could do more about this as well. Why not make deals with big box retailers that carry the toys, giving them more incentives to carry the actual books (like making them returnable if they don't sell)? Or how about local shops working directly with local schools to provide access to course reading material, educating the parents on the value of comic books as learning tools? College level courses are not the only classrooms that should have comics in them! Nothing is more disheartening than seeing a parent drag their kid out of a comic book store empty handed. A child's enthusiasm for books, any books, is a wasted opportunity. Parents easily forget that the comics their children are enthusiastically clutching are the source and inspiration for their toys and favorite cartoons - but those comics can actually enhance their child's knowledge beyond mindless entertainment. Rodney Dangerfield had it right. (We) get no respect.

I know many retailers would support these endeavors in theory but if they actually ever saw comics being sold at say Wal-Mart, they would not be too happy for the competition. For those concerned that an additional marketplace poses a great threat to their business, consider this. If comics were to become widely available, local comic shops would still be the same entity we see today: specialty stores that cater to hardcore fans. I'm one of them. I would never consider getting my books anywhere else but from a local store. But there’s a whole world of individuals who would never go out of their way to buy comics. I want to live in a world where people ask you "What comics do you read?" and not "You read comics?" That won't happen until more people discover the difference between what they think of comics and what they know to be true of comics.

It Must Be Wednesday: Batman Gates of Gotham #1

2011-05-25T16:22:00.000-05:00

Batman: Gates of Gotham #1(of 5)

Writer(s): Scott Snyder & Kyle Higgins

Artist: Trevor McCarthy

Batman: Gates of Gotham has many elements of a modern Gothic mystery. A hidden figure wreaks havoc on the city by planting bombs on several bridges, killing more than Batman and his fellow vigilantes can save. Vignettes into Gotham's history reveal a connection between major players in the story and their ancestors, including the grandfathers of The Penguin and Bruce Wayne. The bridge-as-target is an appropriate metaphor for connecting the past to the present, and it could make for an interesting visual element. Despite the potential this story has, the book doesn't quite come together. For starters, the artwork is not a good fit for the story; disturbing moments are awkwardly portrayed leading to some unintentionally hokey results (see Batman's attempts at underwater rescue, or his interrogation of a pleather wearing henchman). Complicated action sequences are further hindered by overly-busy layouts. That's not to say McCarthy doesn't have his moments. He deftly portrays turn of the century Gotham, but that is only a few pages of the book. A more well-rounded artist could have maintained a consistent tone between the past and present, or made them different enough to serve as interesting comparisons. The story itself also feels disjointed, especially when Dick, Tim, and Damian discuss solving the mystery at hand. This rag-tag team of Batman & Company feels more like the Hardy Boys with cowls. The book's concept is intriguing, but it is not elevated by the writing and one is left to wonder what could have been had the book been given to a different creative team.

Since "madman on the loose" is a tried and true story for the Batverse, I'd imagine the most interesting bits will be revealed in the history surrounding the Gates of Gotham. Maybe keeping the story in the past would have helped keep my interest. As it stands, if I want a good Gothic Batman tale, I'll re-read Arkham Asylum, and for a team book Batman, Inc. is a more satisfying take on that concept. DC promises this title to be a "gamechanger", but considering how often that adjective is attached to stories these days, it has lost its weight. The secret history of Gotham, as tantalizing a reveal as it may be, isn't enough to keep me reading.

Unoriginal or Rip Off? Cliff Chiang and Mighty Fine Tees

2011-05-23T09:57:00.004-05:00

This past weekend Mighty Fine Tee's revealed a new line of women's t-shirts featuring Marvel comic book characters depicted in the iconic style of Patrick Nagel's album artwork. But that wasn't the only artist to come to mind when I viewed these new duds - Cliff Chiang has been creating very similar parodies for years.

Like showing up to Prom in the same dress... (Chiang's take at left)

In Mighty Fine Tee's defense, they have a lot of really awesome, original designs available through their site. I myself own a Scott Pilgrim tee from their store, and I am seriously considering buying this art nouveau style Shadowcat tee. But these new designs have only been online for a day and already several of Cliff Chiang's fans have pointed out the similarities, myself included. This case is a little less cut and dry compared to some of the blatant infringements that have been brought forth by artists, such as Jess Fink's recent battle with several t-shirt vendors and one Etsy user. When comparing Mighty Fine's "80's throwback tees" vs. Cliff Chiang's series 12 In. Remix, no one owns an exclusive copyright to parody, but it is a little embarrassing on Mighty Fine Tee's behalf. After all, how many people are out there creating mash-ups of comic book characters and album covers from the 80's? Well, at least two now. Not only do the designs share the same concept, Chiang and Mighty Tee's both have remakes of the same Duran Duran album cover. Kind of hard to believe it is mere coincidence.

Since he created the first remix piece in 2008 to his most recent addition earlier this year, the series has continued to bring exposure of Chiang's work to many people outside of the comic book world. A google image search for "Cliff Chiang" brings up as many hits from his 12 In. Remix series as any of his work for DC. His series went beyond Nagel and includes mashups of Teen Titans and The Breakfast Club to Storm and Janet Jackson. All of Cliff's pieces are instantly recognizable as homages to the well-known original works. The choice of characters are intentional, often humorous, a sure sign that they are successful parodies. Vampirella as a stand in for the infamous Duran Duran Rio album cover is perfect since Nagel often used pale vixens in his work. The love triangle between Jean Grey, Scott Summers, and Wolverine make them an obvious choice for the Pretty In Pink poster. And Batgirl as Prince? Inspired. In other words, Cliff Chiang has created clever, memorable pieces; Mighty Fine Tee's has created some tacky shirts that do not add any commentary to the original works, serve no comedic purpose, and have debateable aesthetic pleasure. Anyone with an appreciation and understanding of parody can recognize 12 In. Remix as original works.

But who knows, Mighty Fine Tee's may have just unluckily created a similar attempt at parody as Cliff Chiang. It's a tough break though. He did it first, and he did it better.

UPDATE: 5/23/11 - Cliff Chiang Is A Classy Dude

"Thanks so much for the heads up. To be honest, I don’t feel like my idea was 100% original to begin with (CB Cebulski and Jason Pearson did Johns Hughes posters on “Loners” a couple years beforeme), but I REALLY appreciate your looking out for me. Those shirts are a fun visual mash-up like the Star Wars Nagel posters (and man, is it hard to draw like Nagel), whereas I try to draw more connections between the characters and history to make an extended gag. There’s room for all of it!"- Cliff Chiang

It Must Be Wednesday: Super Dinosaur #1

2011-05-16T14:22:00.000-05:00

In an ongoing series for the Comic Vault blog, I will be reviewing one or more new releases each week (meant to post this one BEFORE the Flashpoint review). We're calling the series "It Must Be Wednesday", for obvious reasons! Here is a look at the recent review for Super Dinosaur #1:

"Wow. What a fun book! I know a genuine snap judgement like that might come across as sarcastic, but that reaction accurately sums up this new title from Kirkman and Howard. I wasn’t sold at first, as the hype made my expectations pretty high. Kirkman doesn’t disappoint with this action and intrigue packed debut issue."

The rest of the review can be found at It Must Be Wednesday: Super Dinosaur #1

It Must Be Wednesday: Flashpoint #1

2011-05-16T14:19:00.001-05:00

Here's a look at my recent review for Flashpoint #1, written by Geoff Johns with artwork by Andy Kubert (Spoilers: I really liked this first issue). It's also worth mentioning that since I wrote this review last week, this issue has sold out from DC and will be going to a second print. Get it while you can!:

"Have you picked up Flashpoint #1 yet? Have event fatigue? Planning to wait for the trade? Were you confused / uninterested by the concept? None of these are sufficient excuses to skip this latest DC mini. It’s actually really good. If I sound surprised that’s because I too was reluctant to pick up another “what if / alternate scenerio / not-quite-but-kind-of-an-Elseworlds” book. After finishing this first issue I’m still not entirely sure how the alternate universe came to transpire, but in this case not knowing is totally okay."

You can find the rest of my review at It Must Be Wednesday: Flashpoint #1

Free Comic Book Day 2011: An Overview

2011-05-15T15:21:00.000-05:00

The month of May brings more than just warm weather and summer blockbusters. For comic book fans the world over, especially those in Chicago, Free Comic Book Day is the shining beacon that marks the end of a long, cold winter. FCBD means those much touted event books from the Big Two are right around the corner, and comic book movie adaptations aren't far behind either. This year saw the release of Thor the same weekend as FCBD, while past releases have included Wolverine and Star Trek. Despite a large amount of store participation across the world, many fans still do not know what this wonderful event is about. Speaking from retail experience, many casual comic readers see posters for FCBD and think, "What's the catch?" Though every store has different criteria, the main idea remains the same. Stop in to your local comic book store on the first Saturday in May and you can get 1 or more free books specifically released for FCBD, no purchase necessary. These books are not free for retailers, but they are a great promotional tool for comic shops to introduce new readers to hot titles, especially younger fans. It's a wonderful event that I eagerly await every year, and 2011 was no exception. I managed to visit four stores in the Chicagoland area, though I would have liked to go to more. Here's a rundown of the exciting events, and of course, the free goodies that were obtained!

Graham Crackers in Edgewater

This guy means business. Take the free books already!

Starting with the store closest to my home, Graham Crackers was already packed and bustling with activity less than an hour after opening their doors. In case passers by were unaware of the event, a fan dressed as a stormtrooper standing on the sidewalk gave the hint that fun was underway. My visit was short, yet I saw several young fans walking by that were overjoyed by the prospect of free comics. For shop owners, seeing even a few unsuspecting pedestrians discover your store makes the event worth the cost. Free comics weren't the only draw for Graham Crackers either; plenty of other freebies were available as well from Hero Clix to movie passes. Also in attendance, local writer Matt Anderson was on site to sign copies of his recent all-ages release Kung Fu Panda, a perfect fit for FCBD. This being my first stop of the day, I made sure to pick up the books I knew I wanted: Locke & Key, Giant Sized Action; Super Dinosaur, Origin Special; and the B.P.R.D. Seattle One-Shot, an Emerald City Comic-Con exclusive that Graham Crackers had on hand as an extra for the day.

Seen at top right, writer Matt Anderson. These crowds made me glad I stopped in first, as they surely ran out of a few titles early on.

Dark Tower in Lincoln Square

FCBD adverts dominated Dark Tower's windows for weeks beforehand.

Another crowded venue, Dark Tower still had plenty of books to give away at noon. One of the best parts of FCBD is that publishers offer such a wide range of titles for the event that it is nearly impossible for a store to carry every single release, making it worth your while to visit more than one shop. Dark Tower generously had a few hefty stacks of titles that were not released for FCBD, full price books that they were happily giving away to fans. This included the first issue of Locke & Key: Keys to the Kingdom. Considering this is a $4 issue of a fantastic ongoing series, I felt compelled to show my gratitude by picking up Locke & Key: Head Games as well as Jeffrey Brown's Cats Are Weird. (It was tempting to pick up more books considering all trades were 40% off.) Dark Tower also had two artists on hand, Chris Burnham and Hillary Barta, though they had yet to arrive when I was there. I didn't stick around as I wanted to visit as many stores as possible. I did catch an appearance of Zatanna before I left! The official FCBD books I picked up included Discovery Channel's Top 10 Deadliest Sharks; Top Shelf's Kid's Club; and the Dark Horse flip book with Baltimore and Criminal Macabre.

For those that aren't familiar with Zatanna, she is famous for her spell-casting backward speak. Also above, the as-yet-to-be-filled table for Burnham and Barta, and the large stack of free Locke & Key issues.

Of all of the stores on FCBD, Dark Tower was the easiest to navigate despite the crowds.

Challengers Comics + Conversation in Bucktown

Step 1. Find free comics. Step 2. Pick free comics. Step 3. Enjoy.

I arrived just in time for the re-stocking of Challenger's free comic book shelves. As co-owner Pat Brower pointed out, this gives participants an equal opportunity of free books to choose from no matter when they stop by. Some stores such as Ohio's Bookery Fantasy even give away pre-selected packages of the books to ensure late comers get a variety of titles. Pat and company also gave me a few recommendations for the best books to grab while they re-stocked. I picked up Captain America and Thor, The Mighty Fighting Avengers; Oni Press' Rated Free For Everyone; Atomic Robo; The Intrepid Escape Goat; and Young Justice and Batman Brave and the Bold Super Sampler. Two artists with books being released for FCBD were on hand to do sketches, and it was amazing to see these guys in action. Both Chris Mitten of Criminal Macabre and Mike Norton of Young Justice happily met every and any request for fans willing to stand in line. My request for a femme fatale with tentacles was granted by Mitten, while Norton's Kid Flash will make a fine present for a certain Flash fan I know with a 7th birthday on the horizon. Seeing these pros in action was a highlight of the day. For fans in a hurry, one could stop in Challenger's Rouge's Gallery to view original artwork from both Mitten and Norton. Still currently on display, the works are available for purchase.

From top left: Mike Norton documents a sketch before giving it away; Mitten and Norton hard at work; Mitten's tentacle mistress in progress; another Mitten sketch, Iron Man, handed out; Norton puts the final touches on Kid Flash.

At right, Chris Mitten shows off the final product. I love love loved this sketch!

Comic Vault in Uptown

From top left: FCBD is made a family affair at Comic Vault; Jonathan Hickman with his S.H.I.E.L.D hardcover; Hickman signs a copy of FF for a young fan; a Hickman sketch for FF; and of course, free books!

I told myself I would visit at least two more stores after Comic Vault*, but this ended up being my final destination. With six creators on hand, it is no wonder that I stayed longer than expected. Two artists began the "Creator Death Match" shortly after my arrival, which made it even harder to pull myself away and head to the next store on my list. I was most looking forward to meeting Jonathan Hickman, a writer that has quickly become one of Marvel's most important creators. Without a doubt, I have a much easier time meeting artists in person. One can request a sketch, or simply watch them in action if reluctant to chat. When I meet writers I turn into Chris Farley from those SNL sketches where he interviews celebrities only to prove himself a nervous starstruck amateur. I felt more in my element photographing Hickman rather than chatting about his recent work on Fantastic Four. Awkwardness in action! The "sketch-off" between artists Dave Lasso and Tom Kelly was judged by the additional creators in attendance including Hickman, Tom Stillwell, Mike Moreci, and Brian Crowley. The lucky winner Tom Kelly received a Thor Slurpee topper / hood ornament of The Destroyer. Not to be overshadowed by the events of the day, free comics were also enjoyed, including the Archaia double feature of Mouse Guard and The Dark Crystal; Toy Boy (being distributed for free by writer Stillwell), and Green Lantern: Special Edition.

From Left: Mike Moreci and Brian Crowley judging the final works; Lasso's work begins to overtake Kelly's; Lastly, victor Tom Kelly with his prize and Dave Lasso looking crushed.

Top Left: artist Brian Crowley works on a watercolor; At bottom, Tom Stillwell with his book Toy Boy; Hickman and Comic Vault owner Matt Sardo let their inner 12-year-old loose; A young fan peaks in during the Hulk match.

Finally, a special thanks to all of the stores that I was able to visit, and the ones I didn't get a chance to see as well, such as Third Coast Comics and Evil Squirrel just to name a few. FCBD is only possible because these stores are willing to give away the books and organize the events. Show them your appreciation by stopping by and picking up a few extra titles!

*For those that missed the announcement, I am now a current employee of Comic Vault, though I was not working the day of FCBD,

Return to Retail

2011-05-10T16:39:00.001-05:00

The last month my blogging has slowed considerably, but no fear, I have not lost interest in comics. In fact, I've been reading more than ever! My increasingly busy schedule has been in part due to the fact that I have returned to the world of comic book retail. Since its opening in the Block 37 shopping center in early April, I have been a regular employee of Comic Vault Downtown. I thought it best to make an official statement in the interest of full disclosure, especially considering how frequently I write about the retail experience. The only major effect I foresee this having on my blog will be an increase in availability of reading material, and perhaps more frequent spotlights on events occurring at the Comic Vault stores. Thus far it has been a blast working with the Comic Vault crew, and I've had even more fun getting the chance to talk to other fans face to face about the books coming out each week, discovering new series, and being in the thick of it every Wednesday once again. I have also been writing regular reviews for the Comic Vault blog in a series entitled "It Must Be Wednesday" (links coming soon!). As I expressed to owner Matt Sardo upon accepting a position, I still plan to visit other stores on a semi-regular basis, not only for the blog, but because I've always been one to shop around even while having a regular pull file. The ongoing Retail Therapy series will continue soon as well, though my coverage of the new Comic Vault store may be impossible to do without a little bias. I look forward to making more frequent updates to the blog, including an upcoming series entitled Odyssey X where I attempt to read and review every single X-Men title to be released in one month. Things may get ugly, but I hope to be surprised! I wouldn't be a very good employee if I didn't tell readers to stop by Comic Vault Downtown, which is located on the third floor of Block 37 at the corner of State and Washington. If you want to chat comics, or get a recommendation from yours truly, stop on by Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. This Wednesday will be a good time to check out the new store as Chris Burnham will be signing copies of Batman, Inc. #6 from Noon to 3pm.

Nerds in the Kitchen: Making Lucy Knisley's Chai Tea

2011-04-19T13:27:00.000-05:00

Chicago winters are a very resilient disease. All of the symptoms disappear and then BAM; you have an outbreak of blustery wind and freezing rain. It is nice to have more excuses to stay inside and read comics on a Friday night, and also make chai tea from a recipe found in a graphic novel. That narrows down the list of books right away, but in this case the recipe is from fellow Chi-town resident Lucy Knisley's collection Make Yourself Happy. If you aren't familiar with this up and coming writer / artist, you can check out her webcomic series titled Stop Paying Attention. She also contributed to Marvel's recent Girl Comics anthology (her story is in the first issue and features an adorable Doc Oc). I first became familiar with Knisley's work when she chronicled her attempt at a cleansing diet in "The Fast" which was linked on BoingBoing, and it's also collected in Make Yourself Happy. Her numerous nerdy references and self-deprecating humor make her work immediately engaging, but she conveys real life experiences with a sincerity that gives these mini-comics a longer lasting impression than your average webcomic series. A benefit of autobiographical work is that the wide range of subjects means there is something to which everyone can relate. You may come to her site and find a study of skate-rink patrons or a revealing account of a recent break-up. I immediately jumped on the chance to own a hardcopy of her work even if much of it is available online. This is something I can hand to a friend or take on the train, not to mention buying this collection supports an artist that frequently provides their content for free. If you're in the Chicago area, you can pick up her books at many local establishments, including Quimby's, Third Coast Comics, and Challengers Comics + Conversation, or order directly through her website. She's definitely a "next big thing" creator, so check out her work sooner rather than later! Here's the chai tea syrup recipe found in the back of Make Yourself Happy, though Lucy's instructions and illustrations give it a lot more character:

3 cups water
3 bags of black tea
1 tsp of cinnamon
1/2 tsp of ginger
1 bay leaf
A sprinkle of ground cloves
A sprinkle of cardemom
3 tbsp vanilla
Honey to taste

I suggest going to a nice large grocery store to gather all of these ingredients. I went to no less than three places to get everything. The Edgewater farmer's market did not have all of the spices (ground cloves are hard to find!), and I started making it and realized I'd forgot the most common spice of the bunch, cinnamon. Luckily the local grocery / liquor store had it in stock.

Add a couple bay leaves, and you've got yourself a stew goin!

Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a medium size saucepan. Steep the three bags of tea for several minutes while stirring, then add all of the dry ingredients (this is everything except the vanilla and honey). Add the honey to taste; Lucy's notorious sweet tooth recommended 5 tbsp. Stir constantly for 20-30 minutes until it gets thick and syrup-like. She uses a wooden spoon, but I went with my teflon spatula. Turn off the heat and remove the tea bags and bay leaf. Add the vanilla. Let cool, then store in a glass bottle or jar to store in the fridge for later. Add to milk or soy milk to taste, and enjoy it hot or cold. I may have let mine boil a bit too long because my syrup was hardly enough to fill half of a glass jar, but it still turned out delicious! Next time I may add some peppercorns to the mix to give it a spicier taste. Lucy also includes a summer pickle recipe that I will surely be trying out once I get my hands on some fresh cucumbers.

The end result! It is delicious, I can assure you.

Adrianne Palicki's Wonder Woman Costume Debated By Fans And Fashionistas

2011-03-28T16:41:00.003-05:00

After years of stalled pre-productions for a Wonder Woman film, the creation of David E. Kelley's television series has made surprisingly quick progress. Only a few short months ago, leaked scripts for the pilot were being circulated, and the casting of Adrianne Palicki is still a recent headline. This week saw the first glimpse of our generation's modern incarnation of the feminist icon, princess, goddess, and ass-kicking Amazonian, and more than a few opinions were expressed via the internet. Tempting as it was, I resisted the urge to dispense my immediate reactions, via twitter, blog, or otherwise. I opted to take a few days, and a few looks to reach a final verdict on the new costume. I'm still unsettled, with reactions falling somewhere between considering it a tasteless abomination to reverence for all its kitschy gloriousness.

Many criticisms are justified when discussing aspects of the costume's design. Words that accurately describe it include shiny, camp, busty, plasticine, Barbie-esque, fetishistic, inaccurate, form-fitting, stiff, cheap. Somewhere between the design and execution a few poor choices were made. Even a different material would diminish or eliminate many initial negative reactions. The current spandex / latex hybrid looks so thinly painted on that one high kick would rip the seams of Diana's delicate pants. The "gold" detailing is poorly disguised plastic. As for the lasso of truth, it is very reminiscent of Dave Chapelle's critique of Wonder Woman during a session with Dr. Katz. The only truth likely to be ascertained from this whip are observations about her good physique. She's got big boobs. Look at that! You squeezed the truth right out of me!

On the other end of the spectrum, this costume goes right past tacky to almost quintessential. Considering the wacky-as-normal atmosphere for comic book adaptations during the 70's, it is likely that Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman costume would have raised few eyebrows upon its premiere. Comic book culture has taken a more realistic turn in the last decade, so seeing a life-size version of a HeroClix can be unsettling. Costumes of our current film and television superheroes tend to be less flamboyant than the larger than life designs seen in comics. Even the most iconic ensembles have been made more realistic for film (think Batman's Kevlar heavy suit and Joker's grotesquely scarred face). The memorably fierce Dark Phoenix costume of the Byrne / Claremont years is hardly recognizable in the watered down mall-goth number sported by Famke Janssen in the third X-Men film. This version of Wonder Woman more closely resembles a comic book than a comic book adaptation, but what we see as iconic on the page comes across very differently in real life. Calling this "porn-esque" or "stripper chic" reveals a bias amongst fans of the source material. We have a much higher threshold for what is considered tasteful in a comic book versus real life. In comics, Tarot seems to be the ick zone for many fans, with Star Sapphire being totally acceptable, but neither have a comfortable place in reality. Kelley's version of Wonder Woman is no less revealing or impractical than the hot pants of her 1940's debut. Adam Hugh's Wonder Woman probably couldn't lift her leg without revealing whether she has a Brazilian or Amazonian wax (see image below).

I still find myself torn between polarized views of this new costume, but one consistent opinion I have is that it's poorly photographed. The belt is almost certainly photoshopped if not completely fabricated. Also, "Halloween Costume Listing" is not a good first impression. More dramatic lighting or a different pose would have been more flattering, and the anthropological nature of this promo shot certainly invites excessive scrutiny. Regardless of the bland presentation, the negative aspects of the design are hard to reconcile with the fact that I love its shameless embrace for camp sensibilities. Whether you find this costume tacky or agreeable, most fans can at least agree that yes, that is definitely Wonder Woman. I'll even go a step further and say it is more modern and iconic than Jim Lee's recent revamp from the comics. At the end of the day, one promo image does not a show sum up. Judging this incarnation of Wonder Woman solely on a costume test shot is more than a little superficial, and is dismissive of the fact that it matters quite a bit how Adrianne Palicki portrays the character, how David E. Kelley has written her, not just how she looks in tight pants. Any fervor over this being an affront to feminism may be overstated and counterintuitive to the arguments of detractors. Any outrage should be saved for when we get to see the final product. The costume may be the least of fan's worries.

We've all been humbled by our past wardrobe choices at one point or another.

Here is a short link round up of fan reaction to the costume:

E! News: Lynda Carter Approves of New Wonder Woman

Geek Mom's Open Letter to David E. Kelley

Bleeding Cool's First Look, Fans Sound Off

The Gloss: Why Are Warrior Women Always Dressed Like Strippers (Wonder Woman not on list, but relevant to discussion)

The Comics Beat, Comments Section Sparks Implant Debate

UPDATE 3/30: Costume Officially Less Shiny, Red Boots Back

UPDATE 5/15: Aaaand It's Canceled

Coming This Weekend To Chicago

2011-03-23T16:28:00.000-05:00

Only a week after C2E2, there are already several comic book related social events here in Chicagoland. Whether you missed the recent convention or you went and were left wanting more, we locals here in Chicago are lucky enough to seemingly always have opportunities to indulge our love for comic books. Here are a few noteworthy events happening this very weekend (March 25th-27th):

Becky Cloonan Signing and Gallery Opening
Where: Challengers Comics + Conversation in Bucktown
When: Friday 7pm - 10pm
Website: Challengers "Demo" Gallery Event with Becky Cloonan

If you have yet to attend one of Challenger's Rogue Gallery openings, this is your chance to finally see what all of the hub-bub is about. Art collectors get the chance to see pages in person before they purchase pieces for their collections, and fans get the chance to meet and greet with the artist herself, all the while everyone enjoying snacks and refreshments: just like a real art opening! Pick up the new volume of Demo while you are there, or bring in a copy of your favorite Cloonan work to be signed. Even if you aren't familiar with Becky's work, this is the perfect opportunity.

Chicago Zinefest 2011
Where: Columbia College, 826CHI, Quimby's Bookstore
When: Events held throughout the day on Friday and Saturday (See flier)
Website: http://chicagozinefest.org/

You know those local artists I mentioned missing at C2E2? Chances are several of them will be at the Chicago Zinefest this weekend, including Sarah Becan (I'm hoping Jeffrey Brown will be there as well). This two-day long event has a wide range of activities to choose from (all free), including readings, karaoke, a DIY film festival, workshops, and of course the opportunity to purchase a ton of locally created work. Chicagoland has a lot of fantastic independent creators, and I can't wait to meet some of them and purchase their work in person. Locals won't be the only ones at this event. Expect to see creators from all over the country as well.

An early reminder as well, Free Comic Book Day will be happening on May 7th this year. I will be updating sooner to the date with a list of events and signings for the annual event. Last year we had a fantastic time meeting Buffy The Vampire Slayer actor Nicholas Brendon at Columbus, OH's Rat Pack Comics. For anyone who missed out last year, he will be returning to Rat Pack for another FCBD event. It will be hard to beat, but hopefully this year will be just as much fun.

C2E2 2011: An Overview

2011-03-22T18:03:00.000-05:00

Can you find Where's Waldo? No really, he's there.

As fans take inventory of their convention purchases, cos-players put away their weekend attire, and vendors and artists pack up what little is left of their merchandise, we all begin to process the long and exciting weekend that was C2E2. This being my first time at the new-to-Chicago con, I opted to go only one day (Saturday), and I have plenty of reasons to get a weekend pass next year. I spoke with many con-goers that were at the show last year, from artist Erik Rose to retailer Pat Brower, and across the board everyone has said that this year the show had much larger crowds (early estimates for attendance have confirmed this). Though I can't compare, it certainly felt crowded, especially when one tried to browse the merchandise. From personal experience, cons don't usually look over-picked until Sunday afternoon. Logic dictates that the majority of good deals at conventions are going to be on merchandise that isn't moving in stores; hardcovers, books that were over-ordered, or old sets of toys. But I'm more likely to buy a $5 trade that I've seen at every other booth if I am also purchasing it with something I was actually looking for (Morning Glories was sold out EVERYWHERE.) Seeing the same books became a running joke; as my husband put it, there sure are a lot of Amazing Spider-Man: Back in Black HC's. The difficulty in finding sought after titles, combined with the frequent elbowing, bag swinging, and shoving that came with navigating the show made actual shopping a little difficult. However, it was nice to see large crowds for the convention in general and not for things like Rob Blagoavich sitting in the Batmobile.

The venue for C2E2, McCormick Place, is hands down better suited for cons than Rosemont, the home of Wizard World Chicago. There are windows, more food options, and with frequent free shuttles running from the loop to the convention, it was easier to get to, as well. McCormick does have some disadvantages. If you are an out of towner, the hotels aren't as cheap downtown as they are near O'Hare and Rosemont. Also, from what I've heard from vendors, the booths at C2E2 are a bit pricier. I'm sure for this reason many vendors opted for less square footage than usual, and it showed. Considering this show will probably prove to be a good moneymaker for vendors, here's hoping next year will see larger booths with more merchandise. The aisles between artist alley were large, but if anyone had a line for signing, you better hope the person sitting next to them isn't the one you were looking for. Overall it seemed like show organizers planned according to last year's crowds. Even the Hi-Chew booth ran out of candy to sell! I can't imagine how vendors and artists got through Sunday, as everyone already looked pretty exhausted by Saturday's end.

Despite the large crowds and smaller than anticipated selection of merchandise, I still had a blast at the convention. There were tons of cos-players, and the artist alley was the biggest I've seen yet. There were a few locals I would have liked to see, such as Sarah Becan, and Make Yourself Happy creator Lucy Knisley (she was signing at Challenger's booth on Friday, but did not have a table in artist alley). Alas, now that I have gone to C2E2, I know that what this show has to offer is more than a 1 day pass can provide. Next year I will know to shop on Friday, meet and greet with creators Saturday, and pick up the deep discounts Sunday. Of course going one day meant less time for panels, too, but many con-goers live blogged and tweeted announcements in real time, one of the most frequent being Girls Read Comics Too (I am not as technologically prolific, as evidenced by the blog's posting schedule). Here is a rundown of some notable announcements:

Greg Rucka to take on Punisher: Max, Mark Waid will write Daredevil
I'm excited about these announcements for several reasons. Rucka was awesome on Detective Comics, and I can't wait to see what he does with Punisher. Waid has delivered a lot of hits recently with his creator owned work at Boom! Studios, but quotes from the panel announcement indicated that he will continue with the "superhero swashbuckling" feel the book has maintained during Andy Diggle's run. He will "keep it gritty" but not "want a stiff drink" gritty. Personally, I kind of like my Daredevil as punching bag. Rucka was not present to comment on the announcement.

Marvel still not lowering prices
Though they hope to keep minis and one shots at $2.99 (minus any back up stories), there is no budging on titles that are already at $3.99 in order to keep up the quality and attract talent. That statement seems like a bit of PR bull, but at the same time I can agree that most artists and writers are probably keen to have 22 pages to tell their story rather than 20, and I am happy to support good content. Still not willing to be pay $3.99 for Uncanny X-Men until it gets better.

DC still keeping lower prices
"For as long as possible" says Dan DiDio. Enjoy it while you can folks, inflation will catch up! Word to Marvel and DC: what ever happened to the quarter / ten cent raise?

Editor in Chief Dan Didio takes full responsibility for Batwoman delay
I'm sure J.H. Williams is happy to hear this stated publicly as many have speculated that his beautiful, albeit time consuming artwork was the cause for delay. Apparently DC plans to release the book later in the year when the market is more favorable to its release. When exactly is that? Given that everyone calls this a "much-anticipated" title, they will have a hit no matter when they release it. But the longer they wait, the more it will be referred to as "much-delayed".

Bendis and Bagley to release new Icon series Brilliant
This new creator owned series will be centered around a group of college students competing to crack the code for superpowers. Bendis has stated that this will not be a "superhero" title. Considering his track record for Icon titles (Powers, Scarlet) this will be a book to keep your eye on when it is released this July.

Here are just a few photos from the convention of cos-players, fans, merchandise and mayhem. More after the jump!

These were only a handful of the adorable mini-cosplayers on Saturday. On Sunday all children were given free admission to C2E2.

Sights like this make me love conventions.

From left: Princess Zelda, Princess Leia, Batwoman, and Buffy herself.

The view from the food court offered the perfect opportunity for people watching.

The quarter bins were a hot ticket on Saturday.

Really disappointed I don't know anyone who fits into the Darth Maul sandals.

Archaia hosted an adorable kid friendly play area, which felt like the play areas Blockbuster used to have.

Cliff Chiang in artist ally works on a sketch commission. Other finds in artist alley, mini-paintings and cards have been popular the last few years, and of course, self-published works are always plentiful.

This kid is my hero. He brought his comics to the con in a break pads box.


Cinderella doesn't know it but she is totally being sized up by this pint-sized cos-player.

I went as a kind of incognito cos-player. My Morning Glories Academy student costume didn't get much notice; unlike sticks out like a sore thumb Waldo. Another subtle costume, Bruce Wayne at right.

Sex Or Substance: Female Casting in Comic Book Films

2011-03-10T16:41:00.001-06:00

Hathaway just screams spinster

The recent announcement of Anne Hathaway as Catwoman has sparked some interesting debate amongst fans. Specifically a few of my nerdy pals, male and female alike, have questioned Ms. Hathaway's potential "sexiness" for the role of Selina Kyle. She may be a little awkward (see Oscars co-hosting gig), and starring in the Princess Diaries nearly a decade ago is an image not easily forgotten; but more recent films have included roles as a recovering addict, trophy wife to a gay man, and an ambitious would-be journalist. "She's not sexy enough" hardly seems reason to claim she's miscast. And you know, a lack of sex appeal is totally Hollywood's problem these days, right? Not only is this reasoning an insult to Hathaway's acting abilities, but it also implies that the character of Catwoman amounts to little more than an object of sexual fantasy. Little known secret, Hollywood: "sexy" and "talented" are not mutually exclusive. With most films, it comes down to how well the part is written. I have faith in Christopher Nolan to do the character justice, despite his less than memorable take on Rachel Dawes.

Unlike past female comic book character castings that have ranged from bizarre to downright awful, Anne Hathaway seems like a refreshingly appropriate choice. In addition to a resume that includes Oscar and Golden Globe nods, she is also age appropriate, a rarity in Hollywood where male leads are too easily confused with father figures. Have we really gotten to the point where a critically acclaimed actress is cast in a film and we question their ability to pull it off? Fans will have to wait at least another year to see trailers for the third Batman to decide whether or not she is the best choice for the role. Until then, it is worth noting just how far off the mark casting has been in past (and upcoming) comic book adaptations. These questionable choices may make dubious Catwoman fans a little more grateful for Nolan's choice.

Jessica Alba as Sue Richards in Fantastic Four

Where do I start? When I think brilliant scientist counterpart to Reed Richards, Jessica Alba would not even be in the top 1000 names of actresses to come to mind. I have yet to see Jessica Alba demonstrate any ability as an actress. She is a human prop, and in stating as much I at least give her credit for looking nice as she reads lines. In the final scene of the first Fantastic Four film, Reed attempts to kiss the Invisible Woman and she girlishly squeals, "That's my nose, silly!" This has stood out as one of the worst displays of attempted acting by Alba to date. In addition to the ghastly performance, she was physically a very odd choice for the role. There are merits to casting an actor of a different race as a new take on a character (see Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, or even in this film Kerry Washington as Alicia Masters) but to turn around and pretend that Jessica Alba isn't in fact Latino and give her an awful bleach blonde haircolor to conform to the traditional all-American view of Sue Richards is superficial at best and insulting at worst.

Jessica Alba as Nancy Callahan in Sin City

You might think that an actress best known for her physical attributes would be well cast as a stripper, but you would be mistaken. Alba's miscasting isn't very obvious when she is gyrating in the background of Kadie's Bar, but it's clear she is out of her element once she starts talking. Part of the tension of the story comes from Nancy being rescued as a child from a rapist by Officer Hartigan, only to become the sexually empowered woman he finds upon his release from jail. Alba's attempts at naivety come off as childlike, giving the relationship a whole new level of uncomfortable. Alba also refused to do any nudity for the film. Although I have the utmost respect for the boundaries of an actress, she did sign up for a role as an exotic dancer. Co-star Jaime King opted for a body double, and I don't think less of her standards. Considering that this iconic role was made famous by Frank Miller's visceral depictions of Nancy, Alba's objections to nudity prevented the authenticity that was lent to the rest of the film's visuals.

Halle Berry as Storm in X-Men, Selina Kyle in Catwoman

I added Halle Berry to this list to remind readers that even a talented actress can't do much with poorly written material. In the case of the X-Men franchise, the character of Storm is underutilized and underdeveloped. Halle Barry can't even decide between scenes what accent she wants to use. Instead of a strong second in command to Scott Summers, we are given a character that is an excuse for special effects, a weak imitation of the force of nature seen in the pages of the comic books. (Could you ever imagine Berry's Storm rocking a mohawk?) The second and third outings may give Storm more lines, but they could have been delivered by any of the larger cast. Had the role been taken on by another actress, even fan favorite Angela Bassett, it is doubtful they could have given the part more depth as there was clearly little to work with.

In the case of Catwoman, however, miscasting is far down on the list of possible explanations for this film's vast failures. I can't even comment on the choice of Halle Barry since I skipped this movie altogether.

January Jones as Emma Frost in X-Men First Class

Hollywood does deliver the goods from time to time. When I first heard about January Jones being cast as Emma Frost, I thought it was a joke because it is absurdly perfect casting. For all of the missed marks in the X-men franchise films, there always seems to be one role that makes up for the rest of the mediocre choices. Alan Cumming as Nightrcrawler. Kelsey Grammer as Beast. Betty Draper as the White Queen. As an avid fan of Mad Men, I was already half-convinced that Mrs. Draper was secretly leading a double life as a member of the Hellfire Club. Whether the movie is as successful as this casting choice is yet to be seen. On an interesting sidenote, Matthew Vaughn, director for X-Men First Class, was originally set to direct X-Men 3. His biggest contribution to that film? Casting Kelsey Grammer before he left the project.

Malin Akerman as Silk Spectre in The Watchmen Zack Snyder really disappoints here. After the wonderful casting of Lena Headey in 300, one would think Mr. Snyder knows a thing or two about strong leading ladies. Then he goes and hires Malin "second coming of Heather Graham" Akerman. One could argue that the role of Silk Spectre is not meant to be played by a commanding young woman as the character is somewhat insecure in her role as crimefighter. But the most Akerman brings to the film is a lot of slow-motion entrances. The mediocrity of her performance would not be nearly as noticeable if she wasn't surrounded by far superior talents like Patrick Wilson and Jackie Earle Haley. Hollywood once again perpetuates the lack-of-female-talent myth with miscasting.

Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane in Superman Returns

So many aspects of this film are off that casting isn't given much thought when debating the merits of the Superman re-bake. For a story that focuses heavily on the relationship of Lois and Clark, the miscasting of Kate Bosworth certainly made matters much worse than would seem at first glance. Even if one believes Ms. Bosworth gives a fair performance (which I don't), Brandon Routh and Kate Bosworth have a palpable lack of on-screen chemistry. Bosworth is also void of the tenacity that Lois Lane is known for. Rather than portraying a flawed, neurotic workaholic, this Lois is naggy and not very likable. As with the case for Malin Akerman, it doesn't help when there are better actors in the supporting cast - Parker Posey has more spunk in one scene than Kate Bosworth has in the entire movie.

Blake Lively as Carol Ferris in Green Lantern

I don't even think there is so much as a screengrab of Lively in the Green Lantern trailer. Is there a Bechdel Test for movie trailers? If not, at least appearing in the trailer, having a line, and being involved in an activity besides kissing the male lead might be some good parameters. Though I may be preemptive in my judgment of the casting of Lively as Ferris, I am already dubious of the 22 year old actress's ability to convincingly portray the head of an aerospace company considering that only last year she was playing a high schooler on Gossip Girl. It's also not a good sign when articles insinuate that she MUST be talented if she beat out far more talented and older actresses for the role.

Jennifer Garner as Elektra in Daredevil, Elektra
Exotic bad-ass ninja? Not Jennifer Garner.

Whether you agree or disagree with the choices of the Hollywood casting system, as fans there is one thing we do control: the creepy photoshopped images that result from early casting announcements. Moratorium on these, anyone?

My favorite! Because it's not even the right character.

Retail Therapy Part VIII: The Comic Vault

2011-03-03T18:24:00.000-06:00

The Comic Vault is an inviting spot along a quiet stretch of Montrose near Clark.

You'll find plenty to browse, especially when it comes to newer issues. I even broke my "rule" for Retail Therapy and purchased a hard to find issue.

Looking at the calendar of events, seeing the selection of new products, and watching the colorful ads for The Comic Vault makes one suspect this store has bigger plans than "sell you your comics". They want to sell you, your roommate, and your next door neighbor comics, too. The extra efforts put forth by owner Matt Sardor and staff give this store a very high value per square foot. They bag and board every comic, host signings, screenings, fundraisers, and claim to fit up to 80 patrons in the store for events. Counters are moved and back issues are set aside, essentially changing the store into a venue more conducive to socializing. The recent Winter Con 2 included the appearance of 20 local artist and writers for signings. Of course they were scheduled on a rotating basis, but that's an impressive draw for a store of any size. My visit came well over a month after a charity event featuring the appearance of pro football player Lance Briggs, but the organizations had yet to collect several boxes of the donated items. Considering these large stacks were just a fraction of the donations, it was demonstrative of just how many individuals this store has reached in its short time. The Comic Vault is clearly aiming to build a community that moves beyond the neighborhood store.

Stores with new release walls are an easy way to get customers to browse books they might otherwise ignore (anyone who has worked in a store knows about the "Marvel Zombies", and I don't mean the mini series)

The recent layout changes have improved the shopping experience.

When I say that it is easy to underestimate the offerings of The Comic Vault, I speak from experience. I lived near this store several years ago, and I stopped by a few times not too long after it first opened. Those visits were usually short, and this was partly because the store was more sparse back then. Now the three walls are covered in new issues, and the selection of products has improved. The back issues are lined up against the wall underneath the new release shelves. The check out counter, which previously took up almost half of a wall, is now in the center of the store, surrounded by graphic novels. It's likely that as the store has gained more regular customers, they have been able to take more chances on new titles and invest in long term sales like statues. The store didn't carry many trades back then either, but they have a modest selection of popular titles now. Their is a "new this week" section for issues, with the rest of the recent issues arranged by Marvel, DC, and Independent. The newer trades are on the same shelves as the individual issues, which makes them less obvious than the new issues. This pet peeve aside, the new set up of the store more successfully utilizes the limited shelf space. When I spoke with owner Matt, he talked about how many of his priorities have changed since opening the store. His affinity for superhero comics is obvious (Green Lantern is a prominent) but his bias doesn't show in the wide variety of titles. He's also more of a collector and didn't see the value of carrying trades until setting up shop brought him face to face with customers requesting them more and often. His willingness to adapt and cater to the needs of the shoppers shows in the changes made throughout the years. The generous 35% off subscriptions is a good draw for loyal customers as well.

If Matt seems easy to talk to it may be his background in bar-tending. Let the Cheers comparisons commence!

On my Tuesday visit, the merchandise and extra staff took up most of the counter space and even on a less busy day, one is never far from the staff. Though shoppers are encouraged to open the bagged issues for browsing, some may be too shy or feel pressured to buy an item after opening it. As a customer and avid collector, Matt didn't care to buy new books with bent corners and worn spines, and offering books in top condition is a priority for The Comic Vault owner. Bagging the issues is the easiest way to do this, and considering the store's close proximity to a large elementary school this measure seems necessary to protect books from sticky fingers and rough handling. Perhaps the only books that should be left unbagged are the children's section, alas these are still sealed. If you have had to cut back on reading for financial reasons, the generous discount will make this store a tempting destination. I recommend checking out this neighborhood store, whether for one of the upcoming events (Jonathan Hickman for FCBD? Yes, please) or if you're considering finding a new shop. You'll have the opportunity for a lot more individual attention and may find yourself sticking around longer than you expect.

Teen Angst Begins Its Comeback in Comics

2011-02-14T15:41:00.001-06:00

If only the Teen Titans were this much fun (mash-up by Cliff Chiang)

That headline will either make you roll your eyes and loudly sigh, or you are eagerly awaiting to hear about new books treading familiar coming-of-age territory. You can count me in the latter category! I've always enjoyed melodramatic adolescent adventures, whether in early seasons of Buffy or between the pages of Invincible. But as the average age of comic book readers has climbed higher, the need to appeal to teen readers has declined. Beloved characters have grown up as well; Spidey falls somewhere between 20-something and young professional, the X-Men have been teachers longer than they've been students, and the original Teen Titans have opted to drop the Teen. Even the once young Robin has taken on Batman's role in the past year. The newer generation of teen-centric titles are scarce compared to yesteryear, not to mention the fact that they've seen a noticeable drop in quality and focus in recent years. Marvel teen properties like Runaways have been bogged down by universe relevant storylines, while DC's offerings are slim. Sean McKeever, the original scribe for Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane, has proven time and again how well suited he is for crafting teen dramas (I'd love to see him take on Runaways), but even his recent work on Young Allies has more heroics than angst taking up space in the stories. The extraordinary circumstances teen super heroes face just make their unrequited crushes and questionable judgement more interesting, but saving the day isn't the only thing that keeps me reading. It's the drama of it all! Never mind my own vicarious desires to read about teens; it's quite a challenge to find titles that can appropriately be recommended to a young teenager.* With all of the complaints about a shrinking market, maybe publishers should try catering to the much ignored tween market, that place between Tiny Titans and Teen Titans. I'd really like something else to give my 14 year old cousin besides the Twilight graphic novelization.

I'm happy to report that a few good teen dramas outside of the capes and tights crowd will easily satisfy one's desire for juvenile tales. One is cemented in the reality of collegiate life in New York while the other presents more supernatural obstacles for its high school characters. Both titles sit precariously between the simplicity of youth and the overbearing complexity of adulthood, while providing readers with the many thrills that come along the way.

New York Five
Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Ryan Kelly
Publisher: Vertigo

I missed the first volume of this series, New York Four, but after taking a chance on the first issue of this sequel I may have to track it down. Centered on the lives of five female NYU students, New York Five sees the returning characters begin their second semester of freshman year. Brian Wood does a thorough job of bringing new readers up to speed on the intricate details of their lives, whether they are weirdly obsessing over a professor (Lona), losing their job (Merissa), or trying to make amends with their tragically-hip sibling (Riley). It's an immediately engrossing mini-verse, largely because of the creative team's attention to detail. Wood gives each character a soundtrack and bite sized philosophies with their introductions, and artist Ryan Kelly has drawn five girls as uniquely different as the boroughs of the city. It's a testament to Kelly's skill that the characters still demand attention amongst the intricate black and white cityscapes. New York Five is a lot like the Gossip Girl series minus the debauchery and constant suspension of disbelief. But unlike the similarly New York set show, the characters of New York Five are more defined and easily distinguishable from one another. Imagine that, a story in the comic book medium boasting a more obvious third dimension than a television series (note: I'm not actually surprised). If you need more convincing to pick up this title, Vertigo has printed the first several pages of New York Five in the back of many titles; just pick up your January issues for Fables, House of Mystery, or Hellblazer to try it out.

Morning Glories
Writer: Nick Spencer
Artist: Joe Eisma
Publisher: Image / Shadowline
Morning Glories has been recommended to me many times in the past few weeks, so I finally picked up a fourth print of the first issue. The first volume of this series will be released within the next few weeks, and thank goodness cause I'm already hooked. The newest class of arrivals for the elite boarding school, Morning Glory Academy, have been told time and again that they have the potential to achieve greatness. What the administrators have in mind for their student's "better future" is yet to be seen. It doesn't take long to realize that once you enter MGA, there's no leaving until your role has been fulfilled. I actually read this issue from cover to cover twice, and considering how many books I have in my "to be read" pile that's saying a lot. Part of my desire to reread the book was for for the purpose of clarification (a lot happens) and that density left many opportunities for discovery in a second read. Mostly it was just fun to pick up again. Joe Eisma is relatively unknown, and his artwork feels a little ripe at times. The backgrounds can be noticeably bare, and the sinister creature introduced within the first few pages feels a bit Scooby-Doo-ish. His strength is clearly in the characters. The first issue sees Eisma creating a wide range of emotional states, often with hilariously spot on facial expressions (Zoe in particular). It would have been nice to see more diverse style in the characters, especially the women. Outfits range from busty, less busty, to modestly busty, unsurprisingly popular choices for women in comics. Personal taste aside, Eisma's style is appropriate for the material. What would a horror-tinged teen drama be without a little t&a? The book is frequently compared to Lost, but I think that does the book a disservice. Unlike the creators of Lost, I'm hoping Nick Spencer has a better idea of where he is going with the concept rather than arbitrarily introducing paranormal elements without explanation. I don't mind the suspense of waiting for answers, but if I get to the end of this series and it turns out "they're all dead!" I will never read another book compared to Lost again. A more apt comparison may be to say Morning Glories is like Battle Royale with a splash of Breakfast Club. Favorite character so far: Ike. He's like Chuck Bass meets Patrick Bateman.

* (I do realize that there are a number of wonderful all ages books that can be recommended to younger teens, such as Bone, Mouse Guard, The Plain Janes, and the recent Wonderful Wizard of Oz. But as you may notice, many of these are self contained series, no longer ongoing (see also Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane), or not in the mainstream thus harder to find. But this post is about a lack of books with teenage characters. A lack of titles produced specifically for readers age 10-14 is a subject worthy of its own post in the future!)

Retail Therapy Part VII: Challengers Comics + Conversation

2011-02-04T17:54:00.000-06:00

Challengers as seen on the much warmer 24 Hour Comics Day this past October.

(This post is part of an ongoing series where I attempt to visit every single comic book store within Chicago city limits. You can read more about the project here!)

Location: 1845 N Western Ave #2R in Bucktown
Public Transit: Nearest buses are the Western (49) and Milwaukee (56), nearest train is the Western blue line.
Hours:
Monday through Friday: 11:00 to 7:00
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 to 5:00
Website: http://www.challengerscomics.com

Challengers Comics + Conversation presented a uniquely complicated task for Retail Therapy. My history with the owners makes me a little more than biased. I worked for co-owner Patrick Brower for several years before he opened Challengers, and I have remained close friends with him since. When my husband and I wanted to have a Star Trek theme wedding, Pat offered to officiate and host the nuptials inside of Challengers. How can I possibly talk about this comic book shop in an objective manner? Well it is near impossible to separate the store from the owners, even if you haven't known them for years. Pat and Dal are the reason this store is the way it is, and no one else could have made a store quite like it. From top to bottom, Challengers Comics + Conversation is the result of Pat & Dal's combined ambition, love, and dedication to the comic book reading experience. I may be more aware of this than first time shoppers, but it is a fact that anyone quickly learns once they become a regular customer.

Pat and Dal insisted on straightening the shelves before I photographed the store.

As soon as you walk into Challengers it's obvious that this is a different approach to the comic book retail outlet. I have heard people refer to it as a "bizarro" comic book shop because in many ways it is the opposite of what you'd expect. The high ceilings and ample natural light give it a very open feel. Artwork is a prominent feature within the store, from the wall directly behind the counter adorned with drawings, to the exclusive original art prints for sale. One cannot comment on the aesthetics of the store without mentioning the carefully chosen color scheme; all fixtures in the store are red and white, from the carpet, couches, shelves and on most days, the owner's clothes even match the decor. Another modern approach taken by Challengers is in the community aspect of the store. They host an ambitiously large amount of events (some I have blogged about in the past) including a monthly book club, signings, Magic, and the Contest of Challengers podcast; they maintain a socially engaging website complete with store webcam; and now there's even an art gallery attached to the store. Readers have many opportunities to meet creators of their favorite works at signings here, and now they can purchase the original art from those books as well.

The Rogue's Gallery as seen on the January 14th opening for The Sixth Gun exhibition.

Did I mention they have comics, too? For all of the "Challengers is different!" rhetoric, they still meet (and by their large selection exceed) the basic needs of comic book fans. The issues are arranged by Marvel, DC, Independent, and a Local Artist section as well. Trades are arranged by publisher, with non-DC and Marvel titles alphabetized by author. You'll also find trade shelves for All Ages, Manga, Discount, and How-to. No matter what you're looking for, there are no shelves that are left unlabeled. Even the t-shirts have "New This Week" signs. The organization of Challengers is nothing short of meticulous. They also carry a few toys, cards, and novelty items (see Scott Pilgrim plushies), but these are carefully chosen and reveal soft spots for the owners such as Dr. Who and Buffy. They certainly don't carry every Marvel Select or DC Direct toy, but you'll find a good selection of statues and t-shirts (with girl sizes! I must point this out because it is still not the norm at many stores). They no longer carry back issues, which will be noticed by avid collectors searching for key issues. I expect like many stores these days, trades have replaced the demand for back issues.

Each event earns a place on the walls Challengers. They're entering their fourth year soon and wall space is limited.

Challengers may sound overwhelming if you are a "get in, get your books, get out" kind of reader that likes to get lost amongst unkempt piles of merchandise. You won't find piles of any kind here to hide behind, and the word "conversation" isn't in their namesake to be catchy. The owners are friendly, but in very different ways. Pat is the one who will probably remember your name the second time you come in. He's more than willing to help you find your new favorite book, tell you about the upcoming events on the horizon, or offer a seat while you wait for the next bus to pass. Dal is less hands on. He himself prefers anonymity as a shopper, and tends to let customers dictate the level of interaction. During events Dal mans the register and let's Pat be the social butterfly. The community aspect of Challengers may not be fully appreciated by the solitary reader, but both owners will always help you find what you are looking for.

Pat (left) and Dal (right) pose in front of the wall of sketches

Have I been objective in my observations? To the best of my abilities I believe so. But when you personally know a proprietor, whether your experiences are good or bad, it's difficult to separate the two. Would I go to Challengers if I didn't know and like the owners? You're damn straight I would. But I can guarantee I wouldn't be a stranger for long. Chances are you won't either.

Retail Therapy Part VI: G-Mart Comic Books

2011-02-01T16:39:00.002-06:00

(This post is part of an ongoing series where I attempt to visit every single comic book store within Chicago city limits. You can read more about it here!)

Location: 2641 N Kedzie in Logan Square
Public Transit: Nearest buses are the Diversey (76) and Milwaukee (56); Nearest train is the Blue line Logan Square stop.
Hours:
Monday: 12-7
Tuesday: 12-7
Wednesday: 12-8
Thursday: 12-7
Friday: 12-8
Saturday: 12-7
Sunday: 12-6
Website: www.g-mart.com

G-Mart Comic Books has flown under my radar for several years, and I suspect that may be the case for many Chicago comic book fans. Geographically, it is not easy to get to for a Northsider like myself. Located in Logan Square, it took a good hour to reach, and even when I was in the neighborhood, I still managed to miss it despite being across the street. After wondering too far down Kedzie, I stopped at a local 7-11 and asked the employees if they knew where the comic book store G-Mart was located. Befuddled looks then led to long explanations about how no no, not around here, maybe on the North side, but, no way man, I don't think so. In truth, I was just about a block north of where I needed to be, but you'd think I was asking where to find Lake Michigan. G-Mart isn't quite the rarity the locals might think, but it is true that the West side of Chicago has less stores than the North side. G-Mart could definitely use some more obvious signage to indicate its presence considering it sits at a major intersection within view of the Logan Square blue line, and yet I have never noticed this store, even when I was in search of it.

Hey, I have a Batman standee in my living room, too!

Walking into G-Mart feels like entering a friend's living room that also happens to be a comic book store. Complete with a large couch, coffee table, and television, you can immediately find refuge from the cold and browse a book while you defrost. The only thing missing is an Ikea lamp and rug to bring the room together. I find a lot of stores have couches these days, but G-Mart has one that is actually large and comfortable. Molly and Ryvre, the two gals working the store during my Saturday evening visit seemed to easily avoid the temptation to lounge as they were busy with filing and other work behind the counter. They were both friendly and open to offering their opinions on books without it feeling like pressure to purchase. Everyone that came in during my visit was treated like an old friend. Conversations seemed to pick up where they left off, pull lists were handed out without prompting. The atmosphere and general familiarity between customers and employees is easy to understand considering the store's history. The owner opened G-Mart in part because he realized he could get enough of his pals together to qualify for a discount if they all bought their books directly from the publishers. That favorable arrangement extends to customers today as qualifying club members receive a generous 35% off their subscriptions. After opening the first G-Mart in Champagne, IL, the owner extended the discount-for-friends model by opening this second location in Chicago. He now lives in New York but the Logan Square store is clearly left in capable hands while he runs the online store.

The new issue selection is quite large and varied, but you'll have to request any back issues

On to the merchandise! G-Mart has a decent selection of new titles, with the issues arranged by DC, Marvel, and Independent. G-Mart places some of their new trades on the same shelves as the individual shelves. As retail therapy continues, this is quickly becoming a re-occuring pet peeve of mine. I have yet to see one store successfully, nay, consistently accomplish this task. Visually it breaks up your line of sight, like seeing a semi parked amongst cars. A "new this week" trade shelf is sorely missed in many shops, not just G-Mart. Considering how many trades are released each week of long finished series, re-releases, and graphic novels, these don't have a place among the new issues, so why find a spot just for the latest Amazing Spider-Man reprint?

The majority of the trades are organized by genre, many of which are ones I haven't seen before. There are sections for music, critically acclaimed titles, superhero prose, GLBT, Noir, zombies, and a few creator specific ones (someone who works here is a big Straczynksi fan). Organizing books in this ultra-detailed manner gives the impression of a much larger selection than is actually present in the store. This is surely a good thing since I found myself noticing books that probably would have been lost in the shuffle if they had simply been alphabetized. The more stores I see, the more certain I am that arranging titles by genre is more successfully accomplished with trades than floppy issues. G-Mart also has a small selection of back issues that consist of quarter books and dollar books. Some of these titles are debatable as to which bin they belong in considering books in both bins look pretty beat up without bags and boards, but either way you can easily find good deals. ~~Just don't expect to find any books from before the 80's.~~ G-Mart actually has an extensive back issue collection sold mainly through the website, but the books themselves are on the premises albeit out of site. The staff will happily provide the issues upon request! (See comments for further explanation)

Molly (left) holds up an issue of Unwritten, a title recommended by herself and Ryvre (right)

One of the employees, Ryvre, makes several speciality items that are sold in the store. These include t-shirts of her own design and buttons made from recycled comics. You can also purchase posters designed by employees, and the manager Paul will sketch characters for you if you ask. Beyond the handmade offerings, there are a few statues and Hero Clix, but no action figures and little in the way of novelty items. (Surely the Captain Hammer t-shirt makes it worth venturing to the West side?) Molly and Ryvre claim that the welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff are enticing for Chicago comic fans during the winter, and they will also be hosting D&D in store. Even on a frigidly cold Saturday night, G-Mart shoppers were out in full force, proof of the store's appeal. Like many gems in Logan Square, the locals may want to keep this store a hidden secret. Here's hoping that recommendations like mine will help change G-Mart from beloved shop of hip-to-it Westsiders to worthwhile destination for Chicagoland comic book fans.

So there appears to be some sort of "blizzard" descending upon Chicagoland at the moment; luckily I have a few stores yet that I have visited but simply haven't published. I will also be posting a mid-point update / reflection once I hit my 10th store! You can see the progress here on the blog, and also on this handy google map where I mark the locations of the stores as I visit them.

Retail Therapy Part V: Chicago Comics

2011-01-27T16:32:00.002-06:00

(This post is part of an ongoing series where I attempt to visit every single comic book store within Chicago city limits. You can read more about it here!)

Location: 3244 N Clark in Lakeview
Public Transit: Nearest buses are the Clark (22); Nearest train is the Belmont Red/Brown/Purple line stop.
Hours:
Monday: 12-8
Tuesday: 12-8
Wednesday: 12-8
Thursday: 12-8
Friday: 12-10
Saturday: 11-10
Sunday: 12-6
Website: www.chicagocomics.com

I can still remember my first trip to Chicago Comics when I was a teenager visiting from the suburbs of Dayton, Ohio. This was not your small town comic book store. I was blown away by the many remarkable items on display; kitschy collectibles adorned with pulp pin ups, patches and pins, art books I'd never seen before, comics I'd never heard of at that point. My wonderment was soon accompanied by considerable feelings of inadequacy. I was 16, reading far too many X-Men titles, and surrounded by a whole world of comics I had not known to exist. I'd like to think I'm a little more informed about comic books nowadays thanks in part to stores like Chicago Comics, but my awe and intimidation still exist when I visit this store.

You'll find most of the small press books in the back of the store near the back issues.

Chicago Comics is only number five on my list for retail therapy, but I'm certain few stores will be able to rival their selection for independent works. The self published section is impressively large, but they go the extra step by having additional sections for Zines and Minis, too. Well known independent creators have their own shelves like Jason, R. Crumb, and Harvey Pekar. The area dedicated to independently created work is large enough to be its own store. The rest of Chicago Comics attempts to be similarly organized, but some sections aren't as successful. For instance, the area of the store where new individual issues are displayed is a little hard to navigate. There is the "Vertigo" section and the "Superhero" section. I think the store got to a point where they decided to change the Vertigo section to just Independent but forgot to change the sign. You'll find Dark Horse, Image, and IDW along the Vertigo wall, but you'll also see Buffy and Invincible under the Superhero banner. If they want to organize by genre it would help if they had more than one. To add another confusing element to the mix, they put the trades on the same walls as the comics, too. But not all of the trades, just the independent ones. The superhero trades are alphabetized on separate book shelves instead. If they could apply the same clarity to the mainstream comics as they do to the self published section, it would greatly benefit confused shoppers. To be fair, I did not so harshly criticize Evil Squirrel for having a similar system. Because they do not explicitly label any section by genre, you are left to assume rather than debate their organizational choices. They also don't offer near as many indie titles as Chicago Comics, leaving less opportunity for confusion.

It's obvious that Chicago Comics doesn't do much in small quantities. They have an abundance of toys, t-shirts (for men and women, thank you), magazines, mangas, kid's books, and even hard to find specialty DVD's. The back issues may be easy to miss, but only because they are stored in attractive black drawers in the back of the store rather than your usual tattered cardboard boxes. If you happen to come into the store on a slow Wednesday, it's dangerously easy to find other items to replace your comic book budget. The Star Trek flask was particularly tempting during my visit. No matter when you come into the store, expect the shopping experience to be a self guided tour. The staff here is not particularly warm, but for shoppers that like to avoid small-talk at all costs, it can be a blessing. The check out counter is raised just a foot above ground level, but it's enough to create a disconnect with the employees. In all of my visits throughout the years I have never seen an employee on the floor of the store (unless they have an automated restocking system, then they have to come out from behind that counter eventually). My interactions with employees have always been polite, but I feel like I'm usually doing most of the talking. Raphael, one of the store employees I spoke with on Wednesday, was happy enough to answer my questions and he even posed for a photo next to his recommended title, Morning Glories. This encounter was probably the longest I have ever spoken to anyone at Chicago Comics.

Raphael poses with his recommended book, along with his review posted in the store.

The store's unofficial mascot is a female mannequin deco-paged with yellow discarded comics, a goddess that has stepped out from between the pages of the funnies. She's perched high above everyone in the store, with toys strewn at her feet like offerings (actually she's just put on the same table where figures are displayed). It's a fitting representative for the store's atmosphere. She's strange, beautiful, exotic, and imposing. Much like the store, she can be a little scary to approach, but then again, isn't that the power of fascination, of allure? Chicago Comics has these in spades, and I recommend this store for those who don't mind asking for what they want. The mistress of Chicago Comics is definitely high maintenance.

Alex Ross's print seen left (exclusive to Chicago Comics) does the store mascot justice.

Retail Therapy Part IV: Variety Comics

2011-01-22T21:39:00.000-06:00

The store still has their original display cases.

(This post is part of an ongoing series where I attempt to visit every single comic book store within Chicago city limits. You can read more about it here!)

Location: 4602 N Western Ave in Lincoln Square
Public Transit: Nearest buses are the Western (49B), Montrose (78), and the Lawrence (81); Nearest train is the Brown line Western stop.
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12-5
Wednesday: 12-6:30
Thursday: 12-6
Friday: 12-6
Saturday: 12-4
Sunday: 12-4
Website: None, but if you have questions their number is 773-334-2550

Visiting Variety Comics made me a little nervous. Words like dark, dank, and haphazard were thrown around by those who had been there. The store's owner had a reputation for being testy, and the hours were known to be sporadic. It is now too late for me to form my own opinions of Rick. He passed away last year after having owned the store for 30 plus years. The new proprietor is Vinny, a lifetime customer of Variety Comics and close friend of Rick's. Not only did I miss the chance to meet the original owner, but I have been missing out on countless opportunities to scour the store's surprisingly impressive collection of new and old comics.

Many of my observations about the store can be seen as valid criticisms by shoppers. The store is definitely a mess. There are stacks upon stacks of books, trades, magazines, and boxes. You will feel the need to wash your hands after going through the back issues. Advertisements on the wall encourage shoppers to pick up "new" titles such as Lady Death from Chaos Comics. Promo stills from Batman (1989) grace the walls, and you can still pick up the premiere issue of Comics Foundry, a superb magazine that began in 2007 and has been canceled for at least 2 years now. I am so glad this store is a mess. It allows ample opportunities for finding treasures, and I dare anyone who comes in to not find something they want or need to complete their collection. It's not just the back issues holding hidden gems; the newer issues stay on the shelves here a lot longer, too. If there's a hot new issue that's selling out everywhere, your chances of finding it here are better than most. The same goes for trade paperbacks and hardcovers. The selection of new titles lean more towards the mainstream of DC and Marvel, but they carry the indie heavy hitters as well like The Walking Dead and League of Extraordinary Gentleman.

Variety's reluctance to modernize will definitely put off some shoppers, especially those who lack an appreciation for wood paneling. Unlike the burbs, there aren't many "old school" style stores left in the city. You hear stories about places like Larry's Comics, but Variety may be the last of a dying breed. Stores where you don't see statues or t-shirts, where there is absolutely no seating anywhere because lounging is discouraged. Club pull lists consist of telling Vinny what you want, and he'll "set it aside for you". The time warp back to 1982 will be very comforting for shoppers that miss the former exclusivity of the comic book world, before comic book characters were bigger in the movies than on news stands. Kids today have Spider-Man shoes but have never read a comic book. Things are different and there's no better reminder than places like Variety Comics where little has changed since 1975.

Seen above left, Rick in the store in 1977.

No one is better suited to carry on Variety's legacy than Vinny. He's the kind of guy that has no Facebook page, and he was reluctant to be photographed for the blog. For those who may have stayed away from Variety because of Rick's reputation, Vinny doesn't share many of the previous owner's colorful personality traits. He's friendly and willing to make reading suggestions, but happy to let shoppers browse in peace. When you talk to Vinny, it is obvious that he has the utmost respect for the store's history. When customers suggest that he update the posters to reflect newer titles, he simply states that he likes things they way they are, they way they were when he came in as a kid. Vinny has in fact never been to another comic book store in his entire life; knowing this makes it easier to understand his resistance to update the store. The extent of changes to come in the future may be a replacement of one of the paintings outside. Spawn may be replaced soon by a more recently popular character like Green Lantern or Hellboy. But don't expect anything too drastic; he is in talks with the mural's original artist to create the new addition.

The lack of organization can be a discouraging for some, but for others it's the perfect opportunity for discovery.

Whether you love or hate Variety Comics (and I doubt there are many in between), you can't deny that the store deserves respect. Despite a changing industry and a changing world around it, they have stayed true to themselves, and as Vinny proves, loyal to their longtime customers. I recommend this store, and for more reasons than nostalagia. It is a comic book store within a vacuum, a shrine to the reverence we once held for comic books without the frills. You may not have many more chances to visit a store like Variety Comics, so experience it while you can.

Review: Buffy Season 8 Finale

2011-01-20T13:09:00.003-06:00

Season 8 puts Buffy through the ringer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #40
Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Joss Whedon
Artist: Georges Jeanty

Warning: This review includes ample SPOILERS. There's no pussyfooting around the ramifications of Season 8.

I've just finished BTVS #40, the final issue of the ongoing series of comics dubbed Season 8, and I am pretty bummed to see this story come to an end. Since I am a rather late comer to the Buffy franchise, this is the first time that I have finished anything within the Buffyverse without having something to immediately follow. I didn't have to wait months between seasons, or years between the end of the show and the beginning of the comic. I didn't even have to wait long for the first 30 issues of the comic either; I read those in trade paperback and only recently read the comics issue to issue. A few years ago I would have said that I didn't read the comics because I didn't think they could possibly live up to the quality of the show. Deep down I knew really just wanted to wait so I could read them all at once.

Last Gleaming concludes a few months after the events of the battle between the slayers and Twilight. To recap, Buffy won the battle by destroying the source of power for both sides - all magic within this dimension. To say she has created a few enemies from these actions is an understatement. The army of potentials-turned-slayers are furious with Buffy for eliminating the future of their recently discovered heritage. Wiccans the world over, including Willow, are equally pissed off over the loss of their powers entirely (unlike the army of slayers, they did not retain their powers post-magic since it was something they wielded rather than inherently had / were like vampires and slayers.). People are predictably pissed off, but in Buffy's defense, the war that began in Season 7 was much like a war between two limbs on the same body. As Willow states in this issue, magic was the heart of the world, and slayers and evil were just an arm and a leg on the same body, constantly fighting but both drawing power from the same well. If there was ever a theme that drove these last 40 issues, one that could have easily been drawn from the events at the end of Season 7, it is that the slayer army and their opponents are two sides of the same coin. The re-balancing Buffy aimed to achieve by empowering the potentials had the unintended consequence of making herself and her fellow slayers into something that more closely resembled what they were fighting. Nothing demonstrates this more aptly than the character of Simone, the rogue slayer (and future villain for Season 9 from the looks of this issue) who has always had preoccupations with guns and power. One corrupted slayer can be easily identified and contained; a whole army of corrupted slayers presents a much more dangerous threat.

I kind of went on a "Season 8 Themes" tangent; just to clarify where we are in this issue, Buffy is a waitress again. Xander and Dawn are living together (!!!) while Buffy sleeps on their couch. Willow has dumped Kennedy because she finally realized Kennedy was the rebound girl. Giles is dead and he's not coming back. Angel is in a catatonic state after (kind of) killing Giles. You would think such a downer issue wouldn't be that enjoyable to read, but leave it to Joss Whedon to make you laugh, cry, and squeal all in one issue. No one writes the witty banter between characters like Whedon. Dawn even calls herself the Scrappy Doo of the gang. Willow and Buffy know each other so well they can have an argument and still manage to hold hands while they do it. We even get a classic Spike / Buffy moment where he predictably plays the role of cheerleader for Buffy that ends with him getting rejected. Everything is different in the world of Buffy, but it's kind of the same.

The writing for this series has taken a very meta turn in its conclusion; much like Buffy's realization that you don't change the world over night, Joss Whedon also shows that he has realized he can't change BTVS over night either. The strength of the series, and the connection it has with viewers / readers, is because of the flawed humanity of the characters. Their relateability stemmed from their struggles to deal with with life under extraordinary circumstances (one of my favorite quotes from Whedon concerning season 6: "Life is the big bad!"). Even while she dusted vamps, slept with vamps, and saved the world, Buffy still had to deal with things like getting a job and not knowing how to drive. Given the unlimited possibilities for the series in comic book form, he took these characters to places where they never could have gone in the show; the story became about an organization of globe trotting, time traveling, magic-weilding super-heroes. Once these desires were indulged (and the zany adventures were enjoyable to an extent), it became clear that getting back to basics and fighting the good fight is where Buffy and the Scoobies belong. Losing sight of this came at a dear cost to Buffy in the death of Giles. I didn't really deal with him dying until this issue. I was hoping for some kind of comic book wackiness where he stands up and walks away, laughing with Buffy at the absurdity of death (because they can share stories about crossing over now) and everyone would be happy, the end. The possibility of his resurrection disappeared as I read about everyone's lives continuing without him. His absence is acutely felt once everyone numbly assumes the roles of aimless 20-somethings (oh how I relate!). Giles is no longer there to help steer the course of their fates, the older and wiser ones are gone.


Comic book Buffy is kind of a better actress

Confession: I hate the fact that they killed Giles. But that has little to do with how they did it, or why, but only because I love Giles so dearly. A lot of my favorite episodes are very Rupert heavy (Band Candy, Passions), and the comics never quite got the tone of his dry humor. Instead of a loving but stern father figure, the comic book Giles took on a distant role as he spearheaded the black ops on Buffy's behalf while he investigated his suspicions about the growing threat of Twilight. What we get in return is a strengthened relationship between Giles and Faith, the extent of which is shown when it's revealed that Giles has left his entire estate to Faith. Sort of like leaving everything to the wild step-child. Even after losing her mentor, the faith of her best friend Willow, the (kind of) betrayal of her lover Angel, and gaining the ire of a legion of super-powered former slayers, the truth of Gile's final wishes is what reveals Buffy's heartache. The moment is perfectly rendered by Georges Jeanty in one panel showing the shocked, blood shot eyes of Buffy. At the end of the day, leaving Buffy the one possession of his watcher's book Vampyr, is the last lesson for his student, and Whedon having written it as such, is a final message for his fans. It's time to get back to basics.

Buffy and Angel's love is forbidden and better unrequited. Willow Rosenburg is not the sum of her parts. Xander is the normal one. Dawn is Scrappy-Doo. And Buffy. Well, she kicks ass. I may not have anything new to experience in the Buffyverse, but I have a pretty good idea where I should go next. Season 1 anybody?

Retail Therapy Part III: Dark Tower Comics & Collectibles

2011-01-18T18:15:00.002-06:00

Owner Mark Beatty with one of his two dogs, Koko.

(This post is part of an ongoing series where I attempt to visit every single comic book store within Chicago city limits. You can read more about it here!)

Location: 4835 N Western Ave in Lincoln Square
Public Transit: Nearest buses are the Western (49B) and the Lawrence (81); Nearest train is the Brown line Western stop.
Hours:
Monday: 2-8
Tuesday: 2-8
Wednesday: 11-9
Thursday: 12-9
Friday: 12-9
Saturday: 11-7
Sunday: 11-7
Website: http://www.darktowercomics.net/

I miss living in close proximity to Dark Tower Comics & Collectibles, a homey store that quickly puts one at ease. With their flexible hours and extensive $1 back issue selection, this was one of my favorite stores for bargain hunting on lazy Sunday afternoons. (When you have a 9-5 job Tuesday through Saturday, you appreciate the businesses that stay open on Sunday and Monday. Many-a comic book stores and Thai restaurants have broken my heart over the years.) Since moving to another part of the city, I had not visited this store in well over a year and I was pleasantly surprised by some of their recent changes. They've done some rearranging that has given the store a more open feel. For one, they moved the counter to the back of the store. It used to be right by the entrance which was a little awkward for incoming and outgoing customers. The new layout has no aisles and instead opts for a donut shape, with delicious back issues in the middle. You'd be surprised how much of a difference a change in layout can make. It's always been a well organized store with plenty of merchandise, but now it is more inviting to browse with everything in easy view. The toys, trade paperbacks, and comic book paraphernalia take up the majority of the right side of the store, back issues are in the middle, and new issues are arranged by publisher on the left wall. The individual comics are uninterrupted along the wall which makes for efficient browsing. You won't have to go searching for the indies or guess where they keep the Vertigo books since they are all in close proximity. I came in on a Tuesday when they were making spaces for the new books for the week. Plenty of stores use card holders with the issue number and title of the book, simply for their own sanity when making spaces and keeping track of what has sold out, but the large clear print of their signage has obviously been done with the customers in mind. These signs also show the discount available for subscribers. Most stores offer "club discounts", but it is not always clearly advertised.

Yes, that is a custom Captain America statue made from motorcycle parts.

All of these observations (open all week, wide range of merchandise to browse, well organized) demonstrate why this is a good comic book store, but they don't show how this is a unique comic book store, and Dark Tower is definitely special. That all comes down to the friendly staff and the atmosphere of the store. I came in with the hopes of visiting a few more shops nearby afterwards, but my afternoon was quickly consumed by long chats with owner Mark Beatty. Everything from comics to real estate were covered in conversation. A heated debate about the merits of Step Up 3-D were discussed with another employee. Books were recommended (Locke & Key - I really need to read this), websites were suggested, and stories about the Chicago comic book community were shared. Dark Tower even hosts the recordings of Around Comics, a popular podcast featuring fans and creators alike.

You could go here for years and not know the dogs, Koko (bottom) and Daisy (top), were quietly sleeping behind the counter.

You don't need to stay all afternoon in the store to get an idea of what Mark is like. Just looking around the store will tell you a few key things; he is a big Captain America fan; he loves his dogs so much he brings them to work with him; and he has a wide taste in comics judging by the merchandise in the store. What you will get out of those long conversations, what you can't get from visual cues, is a genuine reciprocality of interest. Mark wanted to know more about the project, as most store owners do once I mention it, but he also wanted to know what I was reading, what I thought about Ultimate Captain America #1, if I liked the new layout of the store. Most store owners are chatty people, but Mark is a conversationalist. He is willing to give you the time you offer in return, and that is rare. It's not like the guy doesn't work, you just don't get the feeling that you are taking up his precious little time. You can certainly pick up your books at Dark Tower and be on your way, too, but chances are you'll be compelled to stick around a little longer than you planned.

Mark has a lot of his Captain America original artwork displayed behind the counter; seen above is a Jeffrey Brown re-imagining of Captain America #1

The stereotype of "Comic Book Guy" is still fresh in popular culture's memory, and it's something that many fans and store owners alike would rather forget. There are still a few stodgy know-it-all proprietors out there (I think?), but going in the opposite direction isn't much better either. I'm talking about employees that barely take notice of your existence. They ring up your books as if they were candy bars and soda at 7/11. They could care less about comics or they could have impressively extensive knowledge of your favorite titles and you wouldn't know either way because your conversations have never gone beyond "Cash or Credit?". Perhaps in our desire to distance ourselves from stereotypes, we as fans, customers, and store employees have become reluctant to "geek out", even in the most appropriate of settings. Shopping for comics in person is under-appreciated in the digital age, so it's refreshing to meet store owners like Mark that aren't afraid to get enthusiastic on various subjects. That may have seemed like an overly-long tangent, but my point is that Mark, and Dark Tower, offer the unique experience of making you feel as welcomed as your small-town store, but without the detachment that can come with big city burnout.

Now that my affection for this store has been reignited, I'll be sure to resume my Sunday back issue hunting ritual. Therefore I recommend Dark Tower Comics, especially for those of you who may need a little extra TLC from your retailers. Mark has plenty to give!

Don't just take my word for it; here's Jeffrey Brown's own glowing description of Dark Tower Comics, complete with adorable renderings of Mark (click for larger view).

Some readers have been curious about whether I ever have anything negative to say about the stores I visit; I'm not sugarcoating my views of these stores, I just have not gone to any that I don't like yet. But I'm sure I will, and when I do, I won't hesitate to say why! Just enjoy the positivity while it lasts.

Christmas 2010: An Overview

2011-01-10T14:36:00.000-06:00

Last year saw a lot of Buffy related presents, and this year Joss Whedon continued to make my house a little happier. Not all presents were Whedonesque, but they were all awesomely nerdy. Here's a rundown of the presents that were received (and given) for Christmas and also my birthday.

1. 8 Bit Heart Ring from Aldo
This chunky pixelated ring was a self-picked present purchased from Aldo. If I happen to get into any scuffles while wearing this ring, it'll make a pretty good substitute for brass knuckles.

2. Carnivale Season 2 DVD and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Blu Ray DVD Combo
The husband really delivered this year. Now that we have finished the Angel: Complete Series DVD box set from last Christmas, we can enjoy Carnivale as well. For those who don't consider this to be a nerdy gift, keep in mind that this is the series that writer / producer Ronald D. Moore made in between his work on Star Trek: Next Generation and Battlestar Galactica. It's an overlooked Depression-era series that focuses on the lives of traveling carnies. It's a slow burn, and from what I hear the series did not get a proper finish, a la Firefly, but I'm sure I will enjoy it nonetheless. If you aren't sure how I feel about receiving Scott Pilgrim vs. The World for Christmas, just read my review.

3. Women of Marvel Tote Bag and Nintendo Boo Hat
I've used this tote bag once since Christmas and I've already been given several compliments on its awesomeness. What makes it so great is the fact that it features somewhat obscure characters, at least for those who don't regularly read comics. There's Patsy Walker, aka Hellcat, Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Woman, and Elektra. If I'm feeling especially proud of my nerdiness, I can go out wearing my Boo hat at the same time. It looks really great when worn in the snow, and it's warm, too!

4. Framed Star Trek: Next Generation Season 1 Stickers
I found these at the Graham Crackers Comics in Lincoln Park and wasn't sure how I would use them; eventually I decided they were unworthy of simply being stuck on objects like sad Trapper Keeper decorations. No, these needed to be properly displayed. And thus hand-cut mats were made and secret Christmas-gift-making commenced. The husband was very pleased.

5. Buffy Tales HC and Buffy Season 8 Motion Comic DVD Blue Ray Combo
Did I mention how great my husband is at picking gifts? He pretty much got me exactly what I wanted. The Buffy Tales HC includes Tales of the Slayers, Tales of the Vampires, and a few extra one shots. Pretty much everything that is not included in the Buffy comics proper. These are series that I normally would have ignored as unnecessary tie ins, but they are actually kind of great. Some of the creators featured in these books include Tim Sale, Gene Colan, Joss Whedon, Jane Espenson, and Leinil Yu just to name a few. It's a must read for any Buffy fan that is curious about slayer history. Continuing with the Buffy gifts, I also got the Season 8 Motion Comic. This is one item that I would not have gotten for myself but that I have been very curious about. They did not secure the original cast members for the voices (let's face it, Sarah Michelle Gellar is the William Shatner of the Buffy Universe, and she would never do this). At the end of the day, the comics, though written by Joss Whedon, were intended for comic book form and are best enjoyed that way. That doesn't mean these aren't fun to watch. I just hope they work as intended and get curious fans of the show into reading the comics.

6. Close Up!
Feel free to click on the image to see the details of all of these wonderful gifts. I'm very thankful to all of my friends and family members that got me these items. You made my Christmas and 20-something birthday all the more enjoyable.

Retail Therapy Part II: Evil Squirrel Comics

2011-01-09T17:27:00.000-06:00

(This post is part of an ongoing series where I attempt to visit every single comic book store within Chicago city limits. You can read more about it here!)

Location: 6928 N Glenwood Ave in Rogers Park
Public Transit: Nearest buses are the Sheridan #151 and Clark #22; Nearest train is the Redline Morse stop.
Hours:
Monday Closed
Tuesday - Saturday Noon til Close
Sunday Nine til Close
Website(s): http://www.evilsquirrelcomics.com/

Evil Squirrel Comics is another shop here on the North side of Chicago, and it is one I've been curious about for several months. I work in Evanston, so everyday on my way to and from work, I see this store from the Redline. It's located just next to the train tracks, and it's nestled in between an independent theater and a greasy spoon diner. I found the area was even more charming in person than it looked from high on the L train. Across from the storefronts are large, vibrant murals that extend the length of the street and wrap around to the Morse train station. The character of the neighborhood extends to the inside of the store as well. The first thing I noticed was how pleasantly it smelled, which is unfortunately rare in the world of comics. I think they still had some holiday scented oils or candles, and festive decorations were still hung throughout the store. This gave it a very cosy feeling; that and the fact that you can see the entire store from the minute you step in the door. There are no hidden nooks, corners, or high shelves to lurk around. It's pretty much you to the register, and comics in between. Luckily the high ceilings made it feel more open than cramped. Evil Squirrel has a lot of unique aspects, most notably their shelves are not on slot wall, nor are they wire wracks. It's a very sleek setup of long metal shelves giving the space an organized and uncluttered feel. The bagged and boarded books are not separated by publishers but are instead organized alphabetically; except the indie and kids titles. Sort of a "Super Heroes" and "Everything Else" system. They even had some warnings next to titles unsuitable for children. I can imagine that would be appreciated by parents that may bring in their children to shop. My only complaint about the visually appealing display system is that the top shelf where new books happen to be kept is not exactly eye level for a person of my stature. They could easily mix the new titles in with the rest and use magnets on the metal shelves for "New This Week" signs. Then again, I have no idea what would be the average height of a comic book fan.

There store is very carefully laid out to maximize the small space, but it doesn't feel like a hole-in-the-wall.

One of the many things that pleasantly surprised me was the wide selection of back issues. For such a small store, they have used their space economically and they have about 30 long boxes of comics sitting front and center. Not only that, but you can buy the "Superhero Back Issues" for $3 per pound. Since the average comic book only weighs a few ounces, you can really get some deals with this system. They have a pretty good mixture of old and new titles, too, so don't think it's all $.50 books. I probably would have spent more time browsing if the boxes were a little looser; some were too tight to even get a finger in. But since this project tempts me to buy a lot of things it's probably best that I avoided the bargain back issues. (When I go back to being a regular old consumer, I'll be sure to take advantage of the deals.)

My husband totally came back to buy me the Buffy Tales HC. Alas, it was already gone!

Enough of my subtle observations; I did eventually talk to the staff member working that day. He did not wish to be identified for the blog, and I can respect anyone's wishes to avoid having their picture / name posted online. I will say he was very friendly and extremely modest about his comic book knowledge. Thursday's are the store's Magic tournament nights, and he said that was more of his speciality, but all of my questions about the store and books were answered patiently and thoroughly. At one point I asked about the contents of the Buffy Tales HC and when he couldn't find the answer online he called the owner of the store himself (keep in mind that he did this before he knew I was writing a blog about the store). I considered his thoroughness above and beyond necessity, and it was definitely appreciated. Since I can't visit every store in Chicago on Wednesday, there will be plenty of shops like Evil Squirrel where I won't get to meet the owners. But this project is all about meeting the people behind the counters, and that is simply up to chance.

Our unidentified Thursday employee holds up a comic he has been enjoying.

In addition to the newer comics and back issues, they have a small selection of toys, t-shirts, and novelty items. They feel carefully selected, as if to say, "If you don't buy this, we'll still like the way it looks in the store." In other words, they don't appear to be selling items they wouldn't like themselves. That may seem like an obvious observation, but the wide selection of stores in this city allows shops to cater to specific customers instead of appealing to everyone. Continuing with the store's offerings, there are several original pieces of artwork for sale with the prices clearly displayed. This gesture must be appreciated by artists and customers alike since it can be awkward to ask. Little details like that are what make this store special. Decisions have been made for the space to be practical and visually pleasing. I appreciated the aesthetics in this small shop, but didn't feel overwhelmed by the selection. If the way Evil Squirrel looks doesn't appeal to you, then the products within may not be to your liking. But honestly, who doesn't enjoy over-sized inflatable die? Evil Squirrel earns my seal of approval, and I will definitely be returning, especially when I have a hankering for back issues and cheap diner food.

Comics Are Like, Art

2011-01-09T16:49:00.000-06:00

The blog has been very Chicago-centric lately, but clearly this town has a lot going for it. Mark your calendars now for these current and soon to happen events!

Challengers Comics SIXTH GUN Weekend with Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt
Where: Challengers Comics in Bucktown
When: January 14th and 15th

With all of the holiday hub-ub, I missed the first official gallery opening in December at Challenger's new art space, the Rogue's Gallery, but here's another chance to see fine art on display and also meet with the creative team behind The Sixth Gun. Did I mention this is taking place at a comic book store? Sure, stores have signings, but how often do you get to see the original artwork at the same time? The opening night even features a fancy dress reception. Social events at this store are a hot ticket, so get there early!

New Chicago Comics at the MCA featuring Jeffrey Brown, Lilli Carré, Anders Nilsen, and Paul Hornschemeier
Where: The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago
When: January 8-30

This exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Chicago will feature (among others) one of my favorite independent creators, Jeffrey Brown. If you are not familiar with his work, check out Incredible Change-Bots, his hilarious Transformers parody with a soon to be released sequel, Incredible Change-Bots Two coming in a few short months. Here's more info about the event:

"For the month of January, the MCA presents an exhibition of the work of four young, Chicago-based cartoonists and animators: Jeffrey Brown, Lilli Carré, Paul Hornschemeier, and Anders Nilsen. In their own unique styles each of these artists expands and challenges the conventions of a visual art form for which Chicago continues to be renowned: the comic book."

Retail Therapy Part I: Third Coast Comics

2011-01-06T12:11:00.001-06:00

Location: 6234 N Broadway in Edgewater
Public Transit: Nearest bus is the Broadway #36; Nearest train is the Redline Granville stop.
Hours:

Monday Closed

Tuesday 11:00 - 6:00

Wednesday 11:00 - 7:30

Thursday 11:00 - 7:00

Friday 11:00 - 7:00

Saturday 11:00 - 7:00

Sunday 12:00 - 6:00

Website(s): http://www.thirdcoastcomics.com/

Third Coast Comics was a great place to start my comic book store project (more details here). It's a well lit, well stocked store with friendly staff. First off, I did not inform employees of the project until after I'd had a good browse around. Doing this gave me a better impression of how any customer off of the street would be treated as opposed to the girl carrying a massive camera and asking lots of questions (that comes later). I came in on a Thursday, a relatively quiet day, but several customers came and went during my walk through. You won't get a better impression of a store than by seeing how customers are treated and how they interact with the staff. One gentleman came in with his very young child, asked owner Terry to recommend a book, and purchased it without thinking twice. A few more regulars came in looking for their books on hold or special orders. In short, no one walked in without talking to Terry.

Here is owner Terry along with a few books he currently enjoys. Also shown are the Graphic Novel Reader MVP cards. It's similar to the frequent buyer cards at Dairy Queen, only you get a free graphic novel instead of a delicious Blizzard.

The store is colorfully decorated with a lot of personal touches without feeling cluttered. Click on any images in this post to view a larger version

After quietly observing for several minutes, I asked for permission to take photos and ask a couple of questions for the blog. You can see from the many pictures that I had a lot of fun showing off this store. They use a rather unique system for displaying their books, and it threw me off at first. Most stores stick to a pretty predictable filing system. Marvel, DC, everything else. Alphabetized. Trades. Not Third Coast Comics. You may have to ask to find certain books, but it doesn't take long to get the hang of it. Like books are next to like books. Event titles are in one section, X-books are in another. Women who kick ass are in one section while Supes and Spidey share shelves. When asked what brings folks into the store, the first things Terry pointed out were the variety of titles and the store's aim to meet customer's specific wants and needs. If a customer wants Noir, there's a whole section for it. If they like local artists, there's a section for that, too. The "if you like this, try this" wall pretty well sums up the store. Another interesting point that Terry made was that about 48% of their regular customers are female (regular being readers with subscriptions). That's rather impressive considering the average number of female readers hovers around 20%. Having girls come in regularly says a lot about a store's atmosphere. You'd be surprised by how many establishments can still make you feel like a three-eyed freak if you happen to be a female comic book fan. Especially if you are looking for The Boys vol. 3. I'm sure it helps that a sizable portion of the store's employees are also female, as evidenced by their store recommendation section.

Jeffrey Brown x-mas cards? Yes please

As for the rest of Third Coast's offerings, there were a few kitschy items like Captain America shot-glasses, and Star Wars chop sticks (items I would totally purchase). But for the most part, this is definitely a store about the books. You'll have to special order your Batman statues and Marvel Select toys. As Terry pointed out, space is limited and they want to keep the focus on the comics. Even with the limited selection of novelty items, there was more than enough to browse. Girl size t-shirts! Love it.


A few examples of the store's unique signage.

Limited space does mean limited back issues

Finding things to complain about this store is a lot like that bullshit question in job interviews where you are asked to state your biggest weaknesses. You'll most likely get a bullshit answer, and the same is true here. They only carry Scalped in trade form? That's all I've got. This store has many regular events from an arts night (I love combining crafting and comics!) to a sci-fi book club. There are also signings at the store from time to time, and Terry hopes to schedule one for January. In other words, there are more than plenty of reasons to come out to this store during the cold winter months. Consider Third Coast Comics enthusiastically recommended!