Me Geek, You Geek

I ran across this blog post this morning and it got me thinking, which is an incredible feat at 6 AM in the morning.

The Daily Pulp is talking about how his daughter is reading, loving, and "ruining" comic books.  She rolls them up, crinkles them, creases them, spills stuff on them, etc.  To you and me, this is comic book abuse.

But the writer, Marc, goes on to say this:

I think this is a point my generation has missed the mark on greatly. Comic books are disposable entertainment. Not something to be hidden away in the corner of the attic. We rail against people destroying our childhood by making movies that don't conform to our memories. Or comics that lack what the ones from our childhood made us feel. But the whole time what we are really doing is ruining it for the next generation. We've made comic lovers a smaller and smaller group by excluding anyone who doesn't hold comics as some high art form. When most times it is a guy in a goofy costume made to entertain kids.

This statement is so spot on.  As an industry, we have taken the "fun" out of comics.  We are easily the most cynical bunch of fans any medium has.  We strike out on the internet to rail against this writer, or that artist, or this publisher.  We want comics to be "mainstream", "taken seriously", or as Marc says, "some high art form".  But we continually bash the creators and then keep the comic books to ourselves.

At the end of the day, comics are meant to be enjoyed, passed around, and loved.

Back in the day, when we were readying comics, we loved them for the story.  For the adventure.  For the escape.  Now, I get my comics once a month, read them ever so diligently, bag and board 'em and put them in a box, never to be seen from again.

And when I do buy my kids the occasional comic book, I have to keep myself from pulling my hair out when I see how they treat it!  I have the same reaction when my wife brings home a new action figure for the kids and rips open the packaging.

Now, by no means am I expecting my kids to keep their comics mint, or keep their toys in their packaging, but why is there a piece of all of us that cringes when we see this?

Anywho, I thought Marc made an interesting point and wanted to share and add to it.

Go grab some comics and start to spread the cheer. Most of those comics you have in your basement aren't worth anything anyway....

Yeah Bart, I'm talking to you!  Give my kids your Fantastic Four #3! Ha....would that not be torturous?  Watching a two year old flip through your copy of FF #3?  Yikes!

Labels: Comics, Commentary

Posted by Jon at 7:07 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

As Christine pointed to, Joe Q. is making it seem (not accidentally this time) that Michael Lark will be leaving Daredevil with Brubaker as of issue #500.

Since we don't know who the art team will be, I figured I would throw my hat in the ring and proclaim who I think should be the next artist of Daredevil when Diggle takes the reigns over with #501.

These picks are my dream wish, but within reason.  While it might be nice to see a Jim Lee Daredevil, the chance of him doing DD is 0%, so I stayed away.  There are some picks in my list that are probably also 0% but they are either prior DD artists or at least working for Marvel at the time.

So without further ado, I will begin posting, one by one, (since these posts will be graphic intensive) my picks for next DD artist, in no particular order:

David Aja:

Being the most recent fill in artist for DD (and a great one at that) and his take on Iron Fist, David would easily fill the big shoes.  He has a style which flows well and understands how to portray kung-fu action scenes.  If I had to pick one artist myself (and who knows, Joe Q. might call me and ask) I would choose Mr. Aja.  Feast your eyes on his recent works from DD #116 (as always, click on the images throughout these posts for the bigger, nicer, crisper versions):

I know, I know, Wilson Fisk should not be portrayed as such a loveable man...but I love this shot of ol' Kingy.  Plus, we get to see how evil he is since he's walking in the rain with a beautiful woman and not holding the umbrella over her.  What a d*ck!

Wow!  Look at that shot.  I love this composition and would love to see more of it on a monthly basis.  And look how menacing DD looks, a great tribute to the old Lee Weeks DD from the Last Rites storyline.  Fraking fantastic!  And to put Bullseye inside his silhouette....well, David gets my vote!

Labels: Comics, Daredevil, Marvel Comics

Posted by Jon at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

From Marvel.com:

Deadpool possesses a superhuman healing factor derived from that of the mutant Wolverine that allows him to regenerate damaged or destroyed areas of his cellular structure at a rate far greater than that of an ordinary human. As such, he can regrow severed limbs or vital organs. The speed at which this healing factor works varies in direct proportion to the severity of the damage Deadpool suffers. This healing factor also affords Deadpool a virtual immunity to poisons and most drugs, as well as an enhanced resistance to diseases and an extended life span. Unlike Wolverine’s natural healing factor, Deadpool’s is mentally driven to a partial extent.

Notice it doesn't say anything about his testies being able to reemerge from his innards.

And what's with the SFX of "WHRUNCH!"?  As all of us men can attest, when this horrendous act occurs, it never sounds like "WHRUNCH"!

And what does Black Widow mean by, "And you never will".  I think she's referring to the fact that Wade will never sound like anything other than a 4 year old girl.  But I'm open to other suggestions.

What a disturbing image...

And on a lighter note, I think this is the first time I've used the word "nards" in a title.  Yay for me!

Labels: Marvel Comics

Posted by Jon at 9:28 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Here's a quick little post about a poll going on at Newsarama.  Looks like eComics under $1.00 is what people are looking for, although, the free version (with ad support) is right up there.

Check it out...there are some good ideas in the comment section as well.

Props to ComicShopRant (on Twitter) for pointing me to it...

Labels: eComics

Posted by Jon at 3:57 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Sony is apparently contemplating adding a comic book service to their PSP store.

Wow.  The future of digital comics is right around the corner.  Although, I think the corner is going to be a a long stretch until we get a color Kindle-like device.  Then, full page digital comics will be sweet!

But until then it seems like more comic book and game developers are going to be using the PSP and similar devices to distribute their creations.

For all you PSPers out there, here's a PSP comic book program for you to use.  Don't say I never did anything for you.

The above image is from NYC 2123 Dayender.  The creators are tagging it "a graphic novel for the PSP". It's free, can be read online, and is worth the effort.

But, until one of the big two step up to the plate (and no, Zuda and MDCU do not count) these independent works will simply satisfy the most high tech geeks among us.

Next up...Marvel's plans to go digital in a big way...

Labels: Digital Comics

Posted by Jon at 1:51 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

The above image is courtesy of Francesco.  (Well, actually it's courtesy of Marko Djurdjevic and Marvel, but since we bloggers don't give a rats ass about copyright, I'm saying it's from Francesco!)

I just thought it was hilarious and needed to share it.  Francesco does a bunch of these panel revisions and they're pretty funny....so make sure to check it out.

Also, while I am posting up on some of my favorite Daredevil blogs, make sure to check out The Other Murdock Papers.  This post gives a good run down, and all the links, to recent news on the changing of the Daredevil creative team and some works from Mr. Diggle. (Ha....for some reason I love saying "Mr. Diggle".) 

I was going to do a post like this, but Christine beat me to it and did a much better job than I.  And she doesn't giggle when she hears Diggle.  Or maybe she does....

Enjoy!

Labels: Comic Blogs, Daredevil

Posted by Jon at 6:52 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Just a word to all you other comic book collecting yahoos about a service you may not know about.  Or you may know about it but you may not know that it's a great place to get cheap trade paperbacks and/or hardcovers.

I recently ran across a story at freep.com that was tying the current depressing economic news to the comic book industry.  Most industries will obviously be touched by the economic troubles and our beloved comic book industry is no exception.

The article talks about the 33% increase of six Marvel comic books (yikes!).  Apparently, DC is not increasing prices and Top Cow is doing the same, keeping their books priced at $2.99 and looking to do more guerilla marketing.

The article then goes on to an interview of sorts with Dave Gibbons (you know, the nice "Watchman" guy) and he says:

"I saw the other day there were going to be $4 comics. That is a lot of money for a person who buys 10 titles a week," he said. "What I think is going to happen is that comic readers will buy the first book in a series. Then, if they like it, they will wait until all of the books in the series are combined into a graphic novel."

Gibbons went on to talk about how the real probability will come when new comic books are first released online and then printed in collections much like we have today.

Then I ran across an article talking about how Graphic-novel sales boom nationwide!

Guess what Bucky, we're all sitting at the death bed of the serial comic book. 

So, with that said, we need to start looking at alternatives.  Surely, the death of the "floppy" is going to be a slow and painful one, so we do have some time.  I have noticed my own collecting behaviors have gone away from buying most of the big floppies each month (Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, etc.) to waiting on these titles and simply buying the trades as they are released.  As floppies die and TPB sales boom, the trades have been released almost immediately after the last issue to be collected.  Sometimes the trades are even listed for sale the same month as the final issue!

So where should you go to get great deals on TPBs?

Half.com my friend!

For instance, I have been wanting to read the recent Green Lantern stuff, but didn't want to add another monthly title to my floppy list.  But if you go to Half.com you can get Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps War 1, hardcover, for $12.97!  That's 50% off what you would pay at your local Borders or Barnes. 

Amazon.com is also a great place to go, obviously, but I found that most the books that I wanted to purchase at these steep discounts come only in used versions, which, obviously is no good to us meticulous collectors!

So save some money, buy some TPBs!

And watch as the floppies slowly die away.....

Labels: Comics, DC Comics, Marvel Comics

Posted by Jon at 6:32 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Just in case anyone missed this, Joe Q. was recently talking about our good friend DD and giving him some good publicity.  Which Daredevil could use at the moment.  With Andy Diggle (Thunderbolts) coming onboard we are sure to get some more exciting, kick ass stories.

Anywho, here is Joe Q's entire quote from this article (typos are theirs, not mine):

Well…when I think about it, I think Daredevil has had one of the greatest long-term literary histories of any comic.You can easily point to aWatchmen, a Dark Knight Returns or whatever and argue that’s betterthat those are the hallmark stories in comics, and I wouldn’t dispute you.But I think pound for pound, over the long haul, there have probably been more great stories written in Daredevil than any other Marvel comic. Maybe in anyone’s comic.I mean…there’s a long series of classic stories about this one character! It seems to attract great writers. It seems to attract great artists—ahem, ahem!, as I compliment myself! But there’s just something about the character. I think maybe he’s ourt most Shakespearean character.

And while you're here, make sure to click on that DD cover art at the beginning of this post for the bigger version.  Wow....still drooling.

Labels: Comics, Daredevil, Marvel Comics

Posted by Jon at 6:32 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I ask you this.  Who the frak was in charge of the construction of this toy? 

This is the "Sadomasicist Wolverine" action figure which is going to be hitting stores soon in anticipation of the upcoming "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" movie.  Apparently, this is the action figure for a scene that takes place between Wolverine and Sabertooth during the climax of the film.

Now, I'm not one who usually gets freaked out about these things, but would you really want your child "blowing" up Wolverine in this manner?

I saw the packaging and the back of the blister pack says:

"And remember kids...the better you blow...the bigger he gets!"

Labels: Marvel Comics, Movies, Toys

Posted by Jon at 7:55 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Our first real superhero is Spider-Man?

This news story hit the internet pretty hard this week.  Apparently a man in Manteca, CA spent his last twenty years in a wheel chair, "without hope of recovery", after being involved in a motorcycle accident.

David Blancarte, a former boxer and dancer, thought the rest of his life would be spent confined to his chair, his boxing and dancing days far behind him.

Then a recluse spider bites him (are you sure it wasn't a radioactive recluse spider?), sends him to the hospital for 8 months, and whammo...he's walking again!

Really?  Seems like a miracle story!  Well maybe not to this guy.

David is only walking 250 feet per day, a great feat for a man who hasn't walked at all in the last twenty years, but he is certainly not up to any superhero shenanigans yet.

And in true Spider-Man form, "the man" is trying to keep him down.  After his story hit the news sites late last week David was arrested for an "outstanding warrant from a contempt of court charge stemming from a domestic violence case."

Boooooooooooo!  Only a jackass would be domestically violent.

Seems to me our first real superhero isn't Spider-Man after all....it's Yellowjacket!

Labels: News

Posted by Jon at 6:21 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Well, I'd like to say that I was doing the same thing good old Archie is doing here....protecting innocent bomb shells from pesky onlookers.  Who knew that he packed such a punch...two black eyes to show for it.

But alas, I have not been a good comic book blogging boy.  And I have come before you to confess my sins.  And to give an explanation.

This is prompted by a couple of things.  First of all, my good buddy Bart sent an e-mail, pretending he was a reader, saying the following:

"Dudes!  Will you please post some new stuff on this page?!!  It's been forever.  How 'bout a new talk show?  C'mon!"

And then Darkness U.S.A commented on my thoughts regarding Fox doing a new Daredevil movie.  Now, to read that on March 14th, 2009 is not a surprise, but the post was originally posted on September 11th, 2008.  You gotta love these blog archival systems.  So Mr. Darkness's comment read as follows:

the best thing about that daredevil movie was that song in it, other than that i did not care for it.it had some good ideas the chamber mat sleeps in to keep out the noise and he has to wear the leather can't wear spandex in the movies. in a reboot you have to tell his origin cause i know next to nothing about his childhood or his mother. if you need a costumed villain use Mr fear or typhoid Mary or kingpin again. show some of his training with stick

I would love to hear what my DD blogging brethren have to say about this comment.  Cause I can't argue with any of the points.  Not one.  A DD film with a bunch of Stick and Typhoid Mary would be rock solid!  But I digress...

The piece de resistance was a callout from Francesco himself here.  For those of you who are too lazy to follow the link, he said:

What's up, Jon? Been a long time since you last posted something.

Now, I think that is just a really polite way of saying:

What's up Jon?  Been a long time since you last posted something you lazy @ss piece of sh*t.  Why don't you get off your dumb @ss and do something worthwhile!"

And so, here I am.  I agree with Francesco (both versions) and of course....Bart.

Time to get back to MGYK baby!

But where have I been?  Well, to tell you the truth....and Bart can be witness to this....I fell off of the comic book wagon.  Sure, I was still getting them.  But they were piling them and I was really just complaining about how sick of comics I was.  Gasp!  The horror!  I know, I know.  But I needed a break apparently, so I took it.  In retrospect I truly think I was just crossover event-ed out.  Only so many 52's, Secret Invasion, Secret Wars, Final Crises, blah, blah, blah that a man can take.

So I let the comics accumulate and went on with life.

And then the stomach flu hit and I was down for three days...with nothing to do but be in bed.  So I grabbed the stack, put them in order, and went to town.

And surprisingly, I read some damn good comics!

First of all, props must go to Naoki Urasawa.  I read both his new books, Pluto #1 and 20th Century Boys #1.  I have talked favorably about Mr. Urasawa many times and he continues to amaze me.  Pick up both of these books and follow the series.  Pluto is actually based upon the events that take place in the Astro Boy story called "The Greatest Robot on Earth" and it's amazing.

The rest of the list was Ultimate Spider-Man #129-131, Deadpool, Captain America (the original Human Torch was stolen man!), the Avengers stuff that is going on and even, I must happily add, DD #115.  Of which I am extremely anxious to get my hands on a copy of old Kingy being back in business....

So with a kick to the face with the flu and a pile of comics....I'm back!

And does anyone care?

Anyone?

I didn't think so...

Now to get my butt out there to see Watchmen...

Labels: Blogging, Comic Blogs, Comics

Posted by Jon at 10:57 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post