Post-Crisis

Is David Finch Married to a Bond Transsexual?

2005-11-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

Alexandre Grati asks David Finch marries transexual?

i read this online today, "Caroline Cossey married Canadian comic book artist David Finch in 1992, and as of 2003, they were still married and living in Atlanta, GA, USA"

For those of you who dont remember, Caroline Cossey was the transgendered bond girl with Roger Moore 007 film, "For your eyes only"

I dont really care, but i was just wondering if it was the same david finch, who i deeply admire artistically, david finch. ultimate x-men, david finch.

just wondering.

Judging from the responses, I don't think anyone really care who Finch is married to. Nor do they seem to care if the poster "dave finch" is actually David Finch or not. But they do seemed confused about the difference between a transsexual and a hermaphrodite.

Your Comic Book Girlfriend

2005-11-07T04:12:00.000-08:00

Philosophical graduate or the hardest core geek online? theprimedreamer asks Comic Books Personified - What type of lover would it be?.

So visualize this with me. Let's put what we like and hate about comic books and collecting comics, and the stories, the art, the cheesecake - all of it and stuff it into a person. And let's make comic books a person. And say this person was your significant other. What type of lover would Comic Book be? Would Comic Book be a lover of great passion that comes every so often and leaves you with burn marks? Or is Comic Book a lover that you know like the back of your hand?

So what is it? What type of lover would Comic Book be?

Later, Moonbeam gets raunchy:

He'd be incredibly creative in bed, wowing me with the variety of skills he demonstrates and responding to my desires by arousing in me an amazing number of climaxes and uncontrollable emotional reactions.

But I'd only get it once a month. And he'd leave me hanging at the end of each session, wanting more.

... Until February, at which time I'd suddenly get it weekly.

Dangerous Beans makes an important point.

PAPER CUTS!!!!!!

Free Illicit Music Through Newsarama Members

2005-10-28T15:42:00.000-07:00

After complaining about how bad Madonna's new album is before listening to it, Jesse Newcomb said this in response.

You're right. I've been acting like an asswipe. I'll give the album a full listen to.

And if anyone is interested to a Hung Up remix, I got access to one. Just give me a PM and I'll e-mail it to you.

Contact the asswipe in this thread to get your free Hung Up remix.

Just Smurf It

2005-10-11T11:04:00.000-07:00

In case you missed it, The Beat has the skinny on an interesting new Smurfs video from UNICEF.

While UNICEF is definitely a good cause, you do have to wonder about the use of the Smurfs in this one. I mean, they are so 1980s ... couldn't they have blown up Dragonball Z instead?

Just Doom It

2005-10-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

Via Progressive Ruin, Dr. Doom's top ten euphemisms for sex. I think "Unleashing the Doombots" is my favorite.

The Incredible John Byrne

2005-10-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

John Byrne comments on Incredibles:

…and it was pretty much everything I was afraid it would be. Some good characterizational moments, yes. Some fairly spectacular superheroics, to be sure. But an overall disdain for the genre that came thru in almost every scene. The impression was that there were two groups of people working on this movie -- one that liked superheroes (and had obviously read a lot of back issues of FANTASTIC FOUR*), and one that had no love for the concepts.

Hey Gail, wanna read my fan fiction?

2005-08-27T14:04:00.000-07:00

Not since the glory days of ManoftheAtom have creators feared message boards like they should after reading this thread:

Ever buddy-listed comix pros to see what they're up to? I do. For example...

we now know why Rob Liefeld is always late with his art: he's constantly surfing Newsarama on a daily basis.

Geoff Johns has replaced BENDIS as the most frequent writer to visit Nrama (though Peter David, Gail Simone and Kurt Busiek are all giving him a run for his money).

Marc Andreyko needs more titles to write (because he's here so much).

Artists are busier than writers; I see them online (save Liefeld ) much less than I do the writers.

Either BENDIS is really busy these days or he has me blocked from watching him anymore. (damn you, Bendis!! )

Dan Jolley, wherefore art thou anymore?

Ed Brubaker is slacking---Johns, Busiek, Simone and PAD have much higher post counts than him!!

Newsarama posters respond:

Staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalker!

That's one creepy post, bud. People like you is why I choose the invisible option. What motivates a thread like this?

Only Howard Porter and Kurt Busiek have responded to me (I'm probably on Peter David's Ignore list ) so I doubt if any others would except Fabian Nicieza. He looks at my posts to get Deadpool's dialogue right. It's true.

Seriously now, there was a poster that used to come to Newsarama, and everytime she came to the boards, someone would keep PMing her, even if she didn't post. It can be pretty disturbing to have someone watch your movements like that.

The original poster responds as only a fan could... with Bruce Banner references:

I have my reasons. None of them involve trying to visit these people at their homes or trying to send them presents in the mail or anything of that nature. To lump me in with those people (instead of say, someone like Pascal for his obsession with PAD) is something I do take personally... so all of you taking that attitude need to find someone else to harrass. Because you don't wanna make me angry.

You wouldn't like me when I'm angry. So take this thread as the tongue-in-cheek joke it's supposed to be... because if you take it too seriously, I'm going to take it too seriously.

And nobody likes it when I do. So don't.

Yes, veiled threats are always a good idea when trying to prove you aren't an insane stalker.

Sideshow Mel: Tell them they'll live to regret this.
Sideshow Bob: YOU'LL LIVE TO REGRET THIS ... oh thanks, now I look crazy.

Bendis Wants A Barbie

2005-08-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

An Ella Enchanted one to be specific.

And it's for his daughter.

Kinda cute.

 http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=28782

Saluting the Troops

2005-06-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

Over at Newsarama, President Kang has posted the cover and some interior art to Marvel's special New Avengers/Fantastic Four comic designed exclusively for the U.S. Military. Kang says:

Wow, this comic is shit. Even by Bendis standards. I think its so bad, troops in Iraq should send it back. If they're going to do an entire comic just for the military, you think half of it wouldn't involve characters standing around babbling about how to open a friggin door. Hell, you'd think for a comic meant for US servicemen that Bendis would put Captain America at the front. This comic doesn't inspire anything in the readers, save for boredom.

Hope He Never Coaches Little League

2005-06-06T21:35:00.000-07:00

In a thread titled What does Marvel have To Do poster DrTzinTzin gives his opinion on what Marvel needs to do in order to be the best in the industry.

To put it bluntly... Marvel should just give the fuck up.

That's right... The current number one seller in the industry should just give up. Pack up the bags and move on. Great advice, no?

Well, it beats the "What does 616 mean?"

2005-06-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

Apparently a title alone can say a thousand words. In that notion, from the Bendis board (and be warned this thread contains adult discussion) -

Soooo... anyone ever experienced squirters?

They Say That Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

2005-05-22T17:41:00.000-07:00

But apparently it's easier than having a comic creator leave a book, as Newsarama's VocalRiot points out.

This is the worst news I've heard since my girlfriend of two years broke up with me a week ago. I am so sad. Damn.

Long live the Flash. God bless Geoff Johns.

It's okay when it involves people in spandex

2005-05-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

As posters at newsarama react to the group editor of DC's manga imprint leaving, one poster puts DC's editing of Tenjho Tenge into perspective:

I'd totally forgotten that DC had a manga imprint. Then I remembered that there was that controversy about them editing a rape scene in one of the books. Then I remembered that when I'd originally read about the controversy, I wondered why they didn't just have Rags Morales draw Doctor Light into those panels, since that seems to work for the mainstream DCU. Then I forgot again that DC had a manga imprint. - Robot H Brian

I wonder how Grant Morrison feels about Doom Patrol

2005-05-10T12:02:00.000-07:00

John Byrne on Miracleman:

...with fond memories of MarvelMan behind me, I did not much care for Moore's take on the character. The "everything you know is a lie" approach is a card that should be played with great caution, and usually works best as a story arc, with all things restored at the end, rather than as a "big reveal".

Connections

2005-05-10T10:12:00.000-07:00

Poster ali-sama "need favor" and figures there's no better place to ask this than on the Pro colorist forums:

i need to deliver a letter to a cast member in smallville. if any of you have connections and would like to help. Please contact me.

After all, we all know, those digital artists are always rubbing shoulders with Hollywood.

UPDATE:
Forum Administrators deleted the thread and replaced it with this locked thread.

Lights on, lights off ...

2005-04-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

Ah, what could have been ... comic writer/artist and enemy to internet fanboys everywhere, Chuck Austen, started a blog at the end of March, but apparently pulled the plug a few days later. Unles he's kidding, like he was with his April 1 entry. Or in his post on Craig Thompson and Blankets:

I don't get Craig Thompson. I really don't.
Some people pass out when they meet him at a comic book convention. I swear, I've seen this happen. This one girl, over in Chicago, she broke down in tears the moment she shook his hand. She just wouldn't stop crying.
Others worship the ground he walks upon. They want to kiss his feet and have his love child.

But why? For God's sake, why?
What's the big deal about Craig Thompson? So he wrote this book. Blankets, it's called. It's a blubbery blubfest about a nerdy guy who desperately wants to get laid with this girl, who desperately wants to do other stuff but humors the nerdy guy because he reminds her of a dying puppy or whatever. Then they break up and the nerdy guy whines about it for about six hundred pages.

I write stuff like that in under thirty minutes. Every. Single. Month. And yet, you don't see people worship the ground I walk upon or beg for my love child. Really, I write stuff like that during breakfast. Only with more sexual innuendo in it. And big-ass fights. Every good comic book has to have big-ass fights. Craig Thompson's comics don't have big-ass fights. QED.

At least I assume that's a joke, because it's funny as hell.

Dead means dead. Just ask your grandma.

2005-04-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for something to read besides YET ANOTHER Infinite Crisis at the House of M hype story or fanboy complaint thread, Kung Fu Monkey delivers the goods in the form of an interview with God on Infinite Crisis on Actual Earth (that would be your world and mine ... well, mine, anyway).

John: A long series of weird deaths --
God: Reagan, Arafat --
John: Johnny Cochran
God: From that great run on "I Can't Believe It's the Justice System".
John: Prince Rainier, Saul Bellow and more, then a bizarre wife-murder crime run, followed by reintroduction of old villains the Avian Flu and Ebola Outbreak, plus crossing the line on peak oil production --
God: Wow, you noticed that one. You are a fanboy.

*snip*

John: Any regrets?
God: Never should have let Millar write the Schiavo thing.

Warren Ellis Reopens Forum for 12 Hours

2005-03-18T06:35:00.000-08:00

Warren Ellis reopened his legendary message board earlier today; it will be open for 12 hours, so if you're interested in checking it out, do it fast:

http://warrenellis.suddenlaunch3.com/

On his email list, Warren said: 12 hours. I realise everyone on the old WEF is cast to the four winds now, but I'd really like to hear from as many people from the old place as possible. And if you weren't around before, fuck it, come in and say hello anyway.

Pepsi Girl Digs Comics

2005-03-17T17:03:00.000-08:00

Seen the Pepsi/iTunes commercial where the brunette opens a Pepsi and dances to Gwen Stefani's "Rich Girl?" The brunette is Mandy Amano, daughter of comic artist Jeff Amano and a former model for Billy Tucci's Shi character.

Read more about her here, and be sure to check out the blog created by her biggest fan.

Image Hack Confirmed

2005-03-11T10:47:00.000-08:00

Post-Crisis now has confirmation that the Imageboards were hacked.

Mike Avon Oeming, from his newsletter:

This is just a message to spread the word that the Bendis board is now located at:
JINXWORLD :: View Forum - BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

It has been relocated after some ass hacked into the Image Board and wiped it out.

A Hack-A-Day

2005-03-10T23:39:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, the Image Comics messageboard have also appeared to have been hacked. Disappearing threads and porn image sightings have been reported by users. The site is currently down with only this simple message appearing:

As you can see, Image took a very simple, cold "no comment" type approach to the problem. Meanwhile, over at Gutterzombie, the admin turned the site into a blog updating users on the status of their site, with more pictures of cute birds.

Two comic book boards have been hit the last two days. Someone must have it out for comics.

Going to the Birds

2005-03-10T06:31:00.000-08:00

Gutter Zombie, a message board for comic colorists, was apparently hacked yesterday. The board is down, having been replaced by a message from the admin:

Looks like GZ got attacked. If I had to guess what happened i'd say some kids found a script that hits known security exploits on older versions of PHPBB. If you're wondering, no, we don't stay right up to date with the latest PHPBB. The modifications we've done to the basic forum software make it a bit of a headache to set it all up again.

*snip*

In the meantime, Here's a picture of my budgie, hopefully she'll lift your spirits.

I have no idea what "PHPBB" means. Cool bird, though.

No Prize for Dan Slott

2005-02-27T09:08:00.000-08:00

Over at Newsarama, Dan Slott lets all the fanboys know that SHE-HULK#12 wasn't a dig, it was a plea for ALL of us to be POSITIVE, CREATIVE, & FUN:

It started when someone sent Dan a private message: But I just dont get your problem with us vocal fanboys. The little digs are turning me off of your work. And prior to them, honestly, I have no problem with your work. Not a single complaint. Care to explain where the unsolicited apprehension stems from?

Dan responds:

Everybody has been takings 3 pages of SHE-HULK #12 out of context. SHE-HULK #12 was not just about those three pages-- there were 20 other pages in that issue (yes, you got an extra page and Marvel didn't raise the price or anything. ...) But those 3 pages were the most salacious fodder for online fans to criticize, so that's what everyone has been focusing on.

But there was a thread running through that ENTIRE issue-- on how trends in comics, creators, and hard core fans are bringing so much NEGATIVITY to comics-- a medium that is SUPPOSED to be about CREATIVITY and FUN.

Barbs poked an EQUAL amount of fun at the DISASSEMBLED arc, excessive violence for violence sake, the killing off of popular/beloved characters for increased sales, and even MY OWN writing.

(snip)

AND if people take the time to actually read the "speech" in its ENTIRITY, that fan is NOT TELLING the snarky fans to be more positive, he is PLEADING with them, CHALLENGING them, BESEECHING them to USE their vast knowledge of comics to HELP OUT.

And when they DO help in the story-- it is ACTUALLY those SAME fans who come up with the solution and SAVE THE DAY! They actually become the heroes of the book!

Holidazed

2005-02-16T06:41:00.000-08:00

In case you missed it, today is National deprogram a DC or Marvel Zombie Day. Not everybody is in a celebratory mood, though:

is it also national "let people read what they want, they're not bothering you, get on with your life and stop being an elitist dick" day, too? because if so, count me in!

I love a lot of Marvel and DC stuff, which I guess would make me a Marvel and DC zombie, but I also love a lot of indy stuff, and ever since I first got into Stray Bullets, I've been very open-minded about various indy (or at least semi-indy stuff) and black and white comics that I never would have checked out before. I don't think it has to be one or the other.

How about just "Get people to read comics and don't worry about what they read?"

And Now, on the crass scale..

2005-02-13T10:05:00.000-08:00

Peter David takes a lot from people who read his political opinions and then decide that because he phrases things intelligently (and often times sarcastic/humorous) they need to berate him on-line for having an opinion...

Therefore, in the interest of fairness -

Ethan Van Sciver on the Bendis Board commenting on writers he is not fond of:

<>

I didn't read the DaVinci code, because it captured our retarded Christian population's imagination. "Could the 'cup of Christ' actually refer to a woman? Did DaVinci know the truth!?"

Answer: No, because the Bible isn't true.

Okay, so....onto questions of King Arthur's sexuality then

Ah yes... The lovely "retarded Christian population's imagination". Isn't he so eloquent folks? Check out the thread here .

If he really liked Mark Waid's work so much...

2005-01-23T23:17:00.000-08:00

In the book Writers on Comics Scriptwriting 2, one of the entries is an interview with Geoff Johns. One of the questions asked to him was what writers have influenced him. His answer:

"Besides the silver age greats - who I think influenced everybody, even if they don't know it - I really, really liked John Ostrander. I thought he was terrific on Suicide Squad. Great concept. Great execution. I liked Peter David on Hulk... I was really into that series when he was working on it, and you've got to respect that twelve-year run. I mean give me a break, even if you didn't read it or like it all, you have to respect that. Mark Waid was a huge influence on me when he took over on Flash. It was just amazing. I remember being in college when that "Return of Professor Zoom" story came out and I was just floored. It was the best storyline he did in that book. It's plainly one of the best stories I ever read.

Now, the silver age was a given, but the comments on Mark Waid's Flash run were interesting, especially given how much reversing of the run has been done, most notably with Impulse into Kid Flash (and it's not like character development/change is a bad thing.. but rushed, messy character revamping with a weak reason is something else).

Posting and You

2005-01-17T10:04:00.000-08:00

We here at Post Crisis try to keep you informed about what's going on in the world of comic board posting. But if you've ever had opinions of your own and have an overwhelming desire to contribute to Newsarama, the John Byrne forums, etc. you may want to take a look at Posting and You, a Flash movie that explains the do's and don't's of message board posting.

Win Street Angel Comics

2005-01-17T09:59:00.000-08:00

Comic Book Galaxy is giving away Street Angel Comics to one lucky winner, as well as that one lucky winner's one lucky comic store. My local shop doesn't carry Street Angel, so should I put them down on my entry, or the other store across town where I can buy it? Dilemmas ...

Maybe he should have offered a page from Astonishing X-Men ...

2005-01-16T10:04:00.000-08:00

Over on the Geoff Johns boards (registration required), Green Lantern: Rebirth artist Ethan Van Sciver started a new thread (with a "sticky," no less) asking the board regulars to register at Newsarama and vote for Green Lantern: Rebirth #1 in a "Cover of the Quarter" poll.

Hey! I normally don't do this...in fact I didn't even send around an email asking for votes for me for Best Penciller on that Wizard ballot. But I'd like this. Newsarama runs a poll about the best cover of the year, and REBIRTH #1 is up for best cover of the third quarter. Unfortunately, we're being trounced by Astonishing X-Men right now. That's probably because the righteous posters of the Geoff Johns's message board don't know about it!

The main competition in the poll is Astonishing X-Men #7. Ethan later added this incentive:

It's such an uphill battle. Maybe we can still get it though. Thank you, everyone who participated, or is about to participate. Perhaps there should be a prize given out at random for one of the voters if we win. A page from REBIRTH #1?

Someone shared this information on Newsarama, and posters responded:

Does EVS really need this type of validation so much that he's willing to buy votes?

I like EVS's art, but that is really pathetic. I find it really dissapointing that a creator would do that...

Ethan, you shameless, shameless man. I agree with Pascal, though, it's pretty funny. I mean, it's an internet poll...*shakes head walking away*

No, it's just a really nice gesture that he is doing because he's a stand-up guy who loves his fans as much as we love him!!! Besides AXM will probably win because it has an X in the title. Fans of it have to admit, it's pretty uneventful. (the AXM cover, that is)

I think we all have to remember that this is just a fun poll. It's not the Eisners, for cryin' out loud.

Even with the bribe, at noon today Astonishing X-Men was still winning by four votes. Geoff Johns hasn't weighed in on the poll ... of course, he is probably torn, since the distant third-place in the poll is JSA #68.

1603?

2005-01-16T09:59:00.000-08:00

Neil Gaiman comments on his blog about his next Marvel project:

And I just got an e-mail from Joe Quesada about Marvel mystery project #2. It looks like I've practically got an artist for the project (a really cool one I've never worked with before); and that, following a long conversation between me and Joe, we'll be incorporating bits of stuff from previous plans into something set in the Marvel Universe here and now. And that it'll be fun.

Just in time for MLK Day ... John Byrne on Black Culture

2005-01-16T09:51:00.000-08:00

First all Hispanic women with blonde hair look like hookers, now this ...

Isn't it about time Black people got insulted by Hollywood constantly pillaging White culture for material? Doesn't this say "Black culture is barren -- nothing we can use there!"

These are John Byrne's comments on a new "Honeymooners" remake starring Cedric the Entertainer and Mike Epps.

Ah, Byrne. In the great big family of comics, he's the uncle who thought he was funny ... y'know, the one who you never wanted your friends to meet.

EDIT: Comic writer Dwayne McDuffie responds to Byrne's comments here.

Raise the Dead

2005-01-16T09:45:00.000-08:00

Oddly enough, the CrossGen Web Site and Message Board are back. It looks to be unchanged, except of course for the "What the?" posts from the board regulars who wandered back in.

The Miracle of Birth

2005-01-13T05:03:00.000-08:00

A poster on Newsarama asks, "What's the most stomach-turning, disturbing mainstream superhero book you ever read?" Some of the answers:

For me I think it'd have to be the "What If?" issue in the 90s where Wolverine gutted and ate a live baby on panel (his back was to the reader but still...) After he was done feasting they showed his bloody face. And that was approved by the comics code!!

The pregnancy in MiracleMan (#7, I believe). I did not need to see something so graphic!

I think the Green Lantern girlfriend-in-the-fridge episode was a step too far.

I also was disturbed by the content of a recent Powers issue where a boy was left hanging from a shower curtain rod where he'd been raped and beaten to death. I guess talking about it is one thing, but showing a full-page image of his body complete with a bloody area where he was violated was a bit much for me.

Rape, girls in refrigerators, baby-eating ... and the miracle of birth. Disgusting!

Sorry I Ruined Your Black Panther Party

2004-11-16T13:10:00.000-08:00

Before it was hacked (again) earlier today, Newsarama reported on a story in the New York Times on a new Black Panther comic. Here's what the Times said (registration required):

The Black Panther, below, the first African-American superhero, is being polished for comic book stardom by Marvel Comics. The character, created in 1966, is receiving a new monthly series in February to coincide with Black History Month. "The Black Panther" will be written by Reginald Hudlin, the writer and director of the 1990 film "House Party'' and a producer and director of "The Bernie Mac Show" on Fox. John Romita Jr., a longtime illustrator of Spider-Man, will provide the art. The first six issues of the series will deal with the Panther's origin. The next six issues will have the Panther take a greater role in the Marvel Universe, interacting with the Avengers, Spider-Man and the X-Men, and meeting many other black heroes, including Blade, Luke Cage and Storm.

Old Firestorm vs. New Firestorm, Artists vs. Colorists

2004-10-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

So who is Firestorm and who isn't? We think we know who's dead and who's alive, right? Check out the cover to Firestorm #10 here. Or here, where you can find an interesting debate starting on page three between two people who you would think know each other.

Matt Haley, cover artist for Firestorm, has begun coloring his own covers and asked for advice: This one I'm pretty happy with, although I think the colors are a bit flat, I think it lacks depth. If any color geniuses have some color tips, they'd be much appreciated

A poster called Soto responds: I think the coloring falls short in quite a few ways.
There's no ambient light. The white hilights, and muddying look of the smoke seem a little pedestrian to me. There's really no focus and there's no sense of depth (how far away are the characters from each other?). Also, there's no binding color to make the whole thing look cohesive.
I like the B&W. I think that looks snazzy, but I'm really not feeling the colored piece.
Sorry to sound harsh, but I'm a little rushed for time.

Matt responds: I don't take it as anything other than constructive criticism, however, without knowing you or seeing an example of your work , it's a bit hard to accept your crits at face value.

Soto: Hmmm....
Okay, I guess it was wrong of me to assume that you knew who I was.
I color Firestorm.

So maybe this Soto guy does know a thing or two about coloring Firestorm, eh?

Last Laugh

2004-10-28T13:33:00.000-07:00

Speaking of politics (and I know all of us Americans are speaking about politics for a few more days, anyway), check out this Flash movie Peter Kuper did based on his "Richie Bu$h" comics. Not quite as light-hearted as those "JibJab" movies, but effective nonetheless.

Brady Law

2004-10-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

Readers and posters of Newsarama's boards may have noticed a recent trend ... Chief Newsaramist Matt Brady has been a lot more visible on the boards over the past few weeks. For instance, in today's announcement about Marvel's earnings (Brother Voodoo on TV? I can die happy now), a typical Newsarama scene was played out when two posters began the age-old debate about who's better, Marvel or DC. Matt swoops in:

You're calling someone ignorant because they don't share your opinion? Both Marvel and DC have plenty of Hollywood successes and failures under their belts at this point. Calm it down.

They don't, and he's back ...

Can we please cut the Marvel vs. DC bickering now? It's not relaly making anyone look good...

This, of course, is "good cop" Brady ... we've also seen "bad cop" Brady in the Talk@ section lately, specifically in a thread he stickied on political threads:

So let it be known on these boards the political threads are under heavy scrutiny as of now. If you think youre going to get into a passionate debate about politics on this board and win converts, think again, recalling how many times youve changed your mind about something as important as politics because of what someone you didnt know wrote on an internet messageboard.

Ive a feeling that things are going to try to get worse as we get closer to the election Ive no problem deleting threads that are started for the sole purpose of inciting others, and Ive got no problem banning political threads on this board altogether until well after the election.

And speaking of deleting threads, poster Strike apparently had one deleted this week and was quick to start a thread defending the original thread:

Did you really think I was gaybashing? The point was, I want the new Black Cat series to be T&A, and have HLA. And I was just trying to get support, by conving the gay community that this would be the best way to get acceptance. With the real motive being, that I'm a perv. You people are too sensitive.

His original thread was deleted, but someone was kind enough to email us the text of his first post from it:

Gay people are idiots They are. They want acceptance and equal rights, yet they go completely the wrong way about it.All too often, they use threats, intimidation and guilt to try and make people accept their way of life. What they fail to realise is that you cannot force people to be tolerant.Threats and intimidation never work. They only cause resentment.Bribery,on the other hand, works like a charm.The Gay Rights Movement should instead try a new tactic. They should try offering society something in exchange for equal rights.And what is it that gays have that everyone else wants?Lesbians.The key to homesexual acceptance is, and always has been, Hot Lesbian Action. If they had only tried convincing their more attractive female members to offer HLA in exchange for acceptance, they could have had equal rights decades ago.It's the carrot and stick method. The stick doesn't work, try using the carrot instead.And for Marvel Comics, the carrot = Felicia Hardy a.k.a The Black Cat.In the alternate future storyline of Spider-girl, Felicia is a lesbian. And you know something, I cannot think of a single damn reason why she should not be a lesbian in the regular Marvel Universe too.Northstar was Marvel's best attempt to inject homosexuality into their comics, but as an experiment, anyone with any sense could see that it was doomed to failure, no matter how liberal we may claim to be. And don't even get me started on the stupidity of Rawhide Kid.Mystique has sometimes been hinted at being a lesbian. But that's all there's ever been, hints and rumours. Not even in her current series has she been shown getting off with another girl.Okay, there's been Sunfire in Exiles. And guess what, dead within six issues.Well according to rumour, there's a Black Cat series coming up, with Frank Cho as artist.And I say, go for it. Make her a lesbian. And I want - no, I DEMAND a plentiful supply of hot, lesbian action, with lots of sexy babes for Felicia to screw.Trying to force-feed us wax-chested gays was never going to work.A lipstick lesbian in a pvc catsuit - that will work. The series will be a major smash seller, guaranteed!And then, ONLY then - when you have a successful superhero storming up the charts - will you have taken the first step towards homosexual acceptance in mainstream comics.

Addition: Then there's this thread from condescending poster onemoment, where "Bad Cop" Brady really lays it down:

Oh, just knock that shit off. You posted a message that was very clearly meant to insult anyone who has the misfortune of not seeing the world as you see it, and have, in following up, opted more to insult those who hold different opinions, and paint large swaths of people as "suckers" or worse

...

You're free to discuss your points in a rational manner, which means respecting the opinions of others, and the operating under the fundamental realization that other people may not see things as you do, and may have very good reasons for not seeing things as you do. As I've explained though, you've yet to really show you can do this, preferring instead to hold yourself superior to just about everyone else, bait, bitch, insult and argue, when all you have to do is show a little common respect for others.

If you don't, well, I'm imagining that this won't be the first place you've been booted from.

There won't be another warning.

Squirrels!

2004-10-26T17:21:00.000-07:00

Comic colorist + graphs =

And that is only the beginning of this developing saga.

Marvel My Way

2004-10-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

Need a primer on how to run Marvel out of business? Visit Newsarama's "Name 10 things you'd change at Marvel if you could...":

Have new characters start to take center stage and slowly phase out older ones. Legends never die but, their story has to end sometime, right?

Wrap-up the Ultimate line. As much as I hate to say this, It was a good idea at the time. Heck, it got me back into comics after a few years away (about 10 or so - missed the whole 90's). But, I think it's time to tie everything together and end the story.

Simplify. What do we need Marvel Knights for? Seriously, what is the purpose of the Knights imprint? To me, its just extra. Couldn't it just be under the regular Marvel imprint? Also, why 3 X-Books? Why 4 Spider Books? I think they should just make everything tighter, cut out the excess.

Shoot whoever wrote the script for the Punisher movie. I enjoyed the movie itself. However, all throughout the movie, I kept thinking, the original Punisher origin would have been much better and had more emotional impact if they had built on that.

Heck, why not just do away with movies altogether?

Are Jason Lee and Stan Lee related?

2004-10-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

That's what one inquisitive poster asked in this thread.

Five posts in, he had to clarify he was being serious.

John Byrne ... Our Favorite Message Board Poster

2004-10-19T18:36:00.000-07:00

Is it Tuesday? Then it must be time for John Byrne to make an inappropriate comment. In a thread on his message board about the recent Green Arrow HIV issue, John Byrne shares this comment ...

I have noticed that people have begun referring to Christopher Reeve as a "hero". I do not wish to take away one iota of the courage he must have needed not to wake up screaming every single day, but the hard truth is there was nothing "heroic" in what happened to him, or how he dealt with it. In fact, as far as how he dealt with it, he didn't even have a choice. We could imagine he spent every hour of every day (when not in front of the cameras) begging family members to simply kill him and get it over with -- but none of them did, so he had no choice but to deal with each day as it came.*

Heroism, I believe, involves choice.

*Not in any way suggesting this is what was happening, just in case there are those who are paralyzed from the neck up who might be reading these words. . .

I like the disclaimer best ... "Not in any way suggesting this is what was happening," yet he painted quite a vividly morbid picture there, didn't he?

Is Cap Racist? Only if you want to make a point ...

2004-10-05T11:11:00.000-07:00

A Newsarama poster let Captain America fans know the score:

The only reason people like Captain America is because they are terrified of the idea of a person who isn't an all-american white-boy could possibly be a hero.

They need Captain America to support their beliefs that white people are naturally superior to all other races, and that America is by right the greatest country of all, and that all other nations should bow before American superiority.

They believe that anyone who doesn't like Captain America must be a terrorist or homosexual. And they hate homosexuals.

Captain America appeals only to racists, and it is only racists who buy this comic.

But before you start beating the red, white and blue drum for our favorite Sentinel of Liberty, poster Strike added:

Don't like it?

That's how I feel whenever somone accuses me of being a sexist pervert, just because I like t&a comics.

Ah! He was making a point! So we're not going to discuss racism and Captain America? No, we're talking about T&A comics ... what a swerve. I feel a bit cheated, because it seems like we're always talking about T&A comics. Posters respond:

I don't think all people who enjoy looking at drawings of scantily clad women are perverts.

Hey as long as the drawings are 18 it's cool.

You're definitely a perv if you prefer to look at drawings more than the actual thing.

Well, I am a Captain America fan and a homosexual. What could have been an intelligent discussion on this issue of people who rear t and a comics and why, has instead become a "I don't like general comments hurled at me when I pick up a certian type of book-- so I will hurl general comments back at other readers who pick up other books" thread. If you don't like the comments you get form people, then why do you give the same type of comments back?

Strike returns to the conversation and outlines the difference between good and bad T&A comics:

I just get sick of it, y'know. An artist draws his(her) women looking nice and sexy, and snobby fanboys tell everyone that only perverts who masturbate over comic-book porn will buy this book.

Even worse is when a creator is forced to deny that his comic is t&a, when some kind of shameful peer-pressure compels him to point out all the other qualities of his book, and play down that element that he's worked so hard on. As though creating a t&a comic is something to be ashamed of.
(Billy Tucci and Raven Gregory are prime examples)

What a lot of people forget is that there are different kinds of t&a, and varying levels of quality.

There's quality t&a - Cho, Balent
And there's crap t&a - Liefeld.

Anyway. The point is: I like t&a comics. Some of them, anyway. Not because the images turn me on, or because I'm a geeky pervert (I am, but it's not the reason).

The reason is, quite simply, because it's funny as hell!

Ah, so people buy T&A books for the humor. Gotcha.

Shanna's Breasts and Artist's Rights

2004-10-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

Apparently Marvel has asked Frank Cho to tone down his T&A version of Shanna, the She-Devil so it may be published as a Marvel Knights book instead of a MAX book. This news brought an interesting discussion at Newsarama as several posters discussed both artists rights and big breasts.

"Keep in mind that it's a corporation asking the artist to change his work ON A CORPORATION-OWNED CHARACTER. They are hiring him to do work. If they decide that they don't like the direction or that they have a different idea now, that's their prerogative."

"As Frank Cho says in Wizard; "There has been some resistance from the retailers for a MAX book.....which is understandable...............So they(Marvel) decided that under the Marvel Knights imprint, it would go to a wider audience than before. The good news is that if the Marvel Knights book sells well, there will be a Director's Cut 'rated R' Max imprint version."

"I hope it sells well. I want the R rated verison. I love boobies. Real of Fake. Reality or Fantasy. Show me the areola!"

"I think if anything can be learned from this thread is that there are ZERO girls with any interest in this mini and that we all like boobies."

More insanity, and actual discourse, can be found HERE.

Absolute Worst

2004-09-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

Poster Algertman asks Newsarama posters What DC Abosulute Hardcovers they want.

His list includes:

-Flash: Geoff Johns run
-BatMan: Loeb/Sale collaborations
-Swamp Thing: Alan Moore
-Watchmen: i will die before this gets released
-ID Crisis-just so i can have Sue raped and beat SUPERSIZED!

Fellow Poster Stephanie, was not amused:

Holy flying fuck! That's not funny even though you probably think it is.

Sins Past

2004-09-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

JMS' current Amazing Spider-Man storyline is stirring up the emotions of fans across the web, with everyone decrying his "ruining" of Gwen's Vestal Virgin Image.

Apparently, some of these posters have a problem with Gwen succumbing to weakness and seduction, and would have prefered that she had been raped. Of course the entire storyline itself is leaving a bad taste in people's mouths continuity (I'm beginning to hate that word)-wise. This begs two important questions.

1) How can fans be okay with the Sue Dibney-rape being inserted into continuity without any problems?

and

2) How the hell would rape serve to perserve her Vestal image? Either way, she's been subjected to intercourse. At least, this way it was a lapse in mental judgement. But then again, I can see the appeal of taking the tragedy of Peter's first real love and amping it up. I mean, her father was killed by one of his archenemies, she was killed by his biggest archenemy. Why not kick it up a notch? BAM! Rape.

No real choice quotes to post, but for a good example of the raging debate, check out the Newsarama thread.

Also make sure to check out the over-obessive continuity rant at the bottom of the Silver Bullet Comics review posted in the Newsarama thread. Ignore the review itself, as Craig Johnson doesn't so much review as spoil, and forget certain things (like how London to Paris isn't exactly that big of a trip, once you're in Europe)....

John Byrne's Board Does the Darndest Thing...

2004-09-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

It all began in a thread in which Byrne called out detractors to use "TRUTH" in their arguments against him and slowly through out the course of the board, people began to realize that one of Byrne's hardcore detractors was turning up on people's ignore lists - without them putting him there.

Turns out "Byrne Robotics Investor" Dave Pruitt did it... and as member Matt Hawes was not happy about it...

Wait a minute...!!

You are confessing that you tampered with the "preference" function of several (all?) the posters, here on the board?

JB, were you aware of this?

Dave, I don't give a flying fuck about Glenn Watson, AKA, "Foil." I think he's a troublemaker and a nuisance. If JB didn't want him banned, than that's up to JB, but for you to decide who the rest of us should ignore is no joke.

Damn it, I was hoping it was a glitch.

You violated my trust, Dave, and I suspect the trust of many with your action. How dare you justify your actions as you did above. Your breach of ethics is disgusting. And the worst part is that you've just given that bastard "Foil" something to crow about.

How dare you tamper with my preferences, Dave.

I'm sorry, JB, but this is unacceptable to me. It's no "joke" to me. I am your fan and I enjoy discussing comics and entertainment with you and others on the boards, but if one of the chief moderators is abusing his position so blatantly and even expecting us all just to laugh it off, we'll I won't accept that nonsense.

Sue you, Dave? I wish I could at this point.

Kurt Busiek chimes in on page 8.

Readers can see the entire thread HERE.

Racism, Frank Miller and "Crazy Man Who Can't Stop Talking"

2004-09-25T21:59:00.000-07:00

A poster on Newsarama asks if Frank Miller is a racist:

I got the Daredevil VIsionaries volumes because I no longer have my old Daredevils and wanted to reread them. This is the first time I read them all at once as an adult and noticed how badly the blacks were depicted. Even when he started and McKenzie was doing the writing, his depictions of blacks in the background were disturbing. They were often shirtless, angry looking, had cornrows, or had disgustingly long nails and contorted grimaces.

When he started writing, there was lots of stereotypical dialogue and buffoonish behavior from supporting characters and extras like Turk and various other black criminals. One shirtless thug tried to take Heather Glenn to a back alley and wanted to rape her. Power Man and Iron Fist guest-starred and Power Man was written very stupidly and stereotypically. Although both Power Man and Iron Fist were both used for comic relief, Iron Fist had some scenes where he was used effectively, fought Daredevil and was complimented on his martial arts prowess. Power Man's only contribution was his buffoonish behavior, though.

Posters respond:

I don't know if he is racist, or just not that interested in developing support characters. He admitted when he first moved to NYC and was doing Daredevil, his depiction of the streets was more influenced by childhood memories of Kojak rather than what was going on around him. As good as his writing can be, he frequently relies on stereotypes to convey blunt messages, and I personally think he does not handle female characters well. The vast majority of Miller women are whores, strippers, assassins, or some combination thereof. Is there a message there? I don't know... maybe.

I [think] Miller just has a tendency to use stereotypes. Lots of his stories feature recurring types like Crazy Man Who Can't Stop Talking, Stalwart Trenchcoat Man. Ninja Whore and Uber-Ditz.

Update: Rich Johnston vs. the Industry's Colorists

2004-09-25T21:45:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday a bit of drama unfolded on a newsboard for colorists called Gutter Zombie, as we detailed here. For those just joining us, several colorists who post at Gutter Zombie took offense to an item in Rich Johnston's Lying in the Gutters column. Rich showed up at the forum and all hell broke loose.

The drama continues with the creation of a new forum called "The Rich Johnston Experience." The forum includes three locked threads that provide a history of the conversations between regular board participants and Rich, as well as one unlocked thread that is open to people without having to register. Let the onslaught begin.

Priest's Call for Support

2004-09-24T13:46:00.000-07:00

Christopher Priest asked for fan support of Captain America & the Falcon on his blog today:

It's perhaps too early to crank up the bells of doom, but I think it is fair to suggest if you like CAF and want to see it continue, it'd be a good idea to be fairly vocal about it to your retailers and to Marvel. Nobody at Marvel has said or done anything that would suggest we won't be here next year, but unfortunately, by the time they DO tell us anything, it may be too late to do anything about it.

More: http://phonogram.us/admin/logs/archives/000264.html

John Byrne Says The Darndest Things

2004-09-23T13:44:00.000-07:00

If you've ever strolled over to John Byrne's Forum, You'll know what I'm talking about.

The latest John Byrne-ism comes from a thread talking about a photograph of Jessica Alba as Sue Storm for the upcoming Fantastic Four movie.

Personal prejudice: Hispanic and Latino women
with blond hair look like hookers to me, no matter
how clean or "cute" they are. Somehow those skin
tones that look so good with dark, dark hair just don't
work for me with lighter shades.

Like I said -- personal prejudice.

I think Bill Cosby can easily host a television special on Mr. Byrne's stunning comments.

Color by Numbers

2004-09-21T16:15:00.000-07:00

Posters over at Gutter Zombie, a site for colorists, are upset over a recent item in Lying in the Gutters titled "color ME CURIOUS":

I was also tipped off to a change in the production budget in other ways. Colouring fees are being reduced by half at Marvel, and there has been a move to outsource abroad, or hire juniors for the task. Why? It's getting easier to color a book these days...

The usual reaction to this kind of news is negative. People lose jobs, or people have to change jobs, but as technology increases, it's luddite to ignore it. And a saving in the production budget can change the profitability level of certain books.

Posters responded to the article:

What they don't understand, is that while it may be easier for amaetures to produce half decent colours it is no easier for professionals to color at a professional level.

Just because the technology of a pencil is as simple as can be, doesn't mean that anyone can be a good penciller. I can't for the life of me understand why people can't figure this out. It's like when you take a good photograph, and people compliment you on your camera. People think that better technology somehow imbues you with magical powers.

Great! The last thing we need is people to think colouring is "easy." Rich's statements are damaging. Colourists are artists as well and should be recognized as such. I've had to get someone off my back once about wanting to learn about digital colouring. He wanted to be a colourist because he was "not a good artist so he can't be a penciller".

Poster Dave McCaig fired off an email to Rich on the subject, then posted Rich's response email on the thread. Rich responded on the thread with more details and a lesson in netiquette, then the thread continues for a few pages, addressing questions such as:

Is Rich a journalist?
Is coloring easier now than it was before the latest version of Photoshop?
Is it ok to post emails on newsboards?
If colorists are the Rodney Dangerfields of the comic industry, what are the rumour mongers?

EDIT Sept. 22: If you follow the thread, you'll see that Rich was banned from Gutter Zombie.

EDIT Sept. 23: And now he is unbanned.

Eagle Awards Voting

2004-09-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

Online voting for the Eagle Awards has been open for a few weeks. To cast your vote, visit:

http://www.komixworld.com/survey/public/survey.php?name=eagle2004KW

Punching Comic Creators in the Gut

2004-09-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

Dan Slott stopped by Newsarama to pimp She-Hulk and offer his opinion on fans who "steal" comics. He wasn't talking about shoplifting comics or even downloading them, but about fans who read them at the store and then put them back on the shelf:

"Flip ALL you want. Get a feel for the art, the basics of the story, flow of script-- whatever. That's cool. Take a Baskin Robins pink spoon of the comic. I'm all for that. I mean, the LAST thing I'd want to see in a comic shop is EVERY book bagged and boarded. You should be allowed to take a test drive.

"But READING an ENTIRE book COVER-2-COVER is tantamount to sneaking into a movie without paying. Sure, a large big-studio film (like HARRY POTTER) can take the hit in stride-- but a small indy pic (like THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING) can't. If retailers are ordering 30,000 copies of a book or less-- AND you're reading it REGULARLY and NOT paying for it-- you're hurting the book.

"Please tell me if that's an unfair statement."

...

"Reading it cover-2-cover in the store and THEN putting it back on the rack? That's a punch to the gut of everybody who puts their ALL into this title."

Is that an unfair statement? Read the rest of his reply before deciding.

Cleaning Your Own House

2004-09-13T10:27:00.000-07:00

You've seen it on Millarworld. It's been discussed on the Bendis Board. It even happens at the Pulse and CBR. Now, finally, things have apparently gone too far, as Newsarama posts a thread bashing Newsarama:

Did you all know that Talk@ is surrounded by some of the ugliest, most obtuse, comic-bashing trolls EVER?!? I mean you can't even surf NEWS without seeing some grossly ignorant comment or Arthurian post on how comics are so terrible these days. You can't even reason with them, they just want to bash creators and decisions made by the big 2. It sort of makes me sad that there are so many clueless and disenchanted people, but I guess they can't take the heat of coming into Talk@ and having a real adult converstaion about comics, so we're safe.

It's amazing how ANYTHING you post in the news section seems to start off really bitchy arguements. I don't know that the Newsarama 'trolls' are any worse than those on other sites - I suspect most of them just flit from board to board, annoying as many people as they can. It's their form of 'social interaction' I suppose

The problem with messageboards is it gives people confidence. This can be good like say me who is generally a shy person but I come on here and well it's easy to talk to people and have fun. Now the bad side seems to be far more prevalent or at least obnoxious. People come one say "So and so is an @#$%" or "This story sucks and it's because of moron fans like you". Stuff they probably would never say to a creator's or poster face they can say because A)There is no Dr. Strange Pants Cleaner in the phone book or B)What are the chance I am going to run into Chuck Austen in real life? So we get all sorts of idiots, ashholes, fools, jackasses, morons, tools, trolls, bile spewing, brain dead, mental midgets(see insulting from behind a computer is easy) who have a chip on their shoulder.

In the same thread, one poster claims to be an "insider" now because of his screen name ... GenXMaverick said:

I told Jeremy several stories about how my screen name as GenXMaverick has kinda-sorta gotten me known in certain circles within the comics industry. My favorite story is the DC employee (not a comics creator) who I introduced myself to and this person replied, "Oh, you're GenXMaverick. Yes, I recognize the screen name."

You have no idea how many times something like that has happened to me. It's weird. Out of all the screen names I've had, that one for some reason has stuck out. It gets me more attention than any other one I've created. I can't explain it.

My point being, certain screen names attract people's attention. I advised Jeremy why Xaraan was probably going to get him noticed on Newsarama more than any of the others. So, when creating a screen name or deciding whether or not to change it, there are a few little tricks you can use to try and get folks attention.

The Post-Crisis legal team advises us that you can't put a screen name down on a restraining order. Just an FYI, DC.

Spider Jerusalem Returns

2004-09-13T06:50:00.000-07:00

John Kerry and his smiling VP candidate beware ... Spider Jerusalem is back. On his "Mister Sleepless" LiveJournal, Warren Ellis shares a short story featuring everyone's favorite tattooed journalist. In return, Warren asks for a PayPal donation:

If you like the little story thing, drop a couple of coins in the old man's hat, and he can bring you more Stunts, and more importantly more of The Dirty Stuff. I thank you.

Joe Quesada to Leave Marvel - And this Poster Knows!

2004-09-06T14:03:00.000-07:00

First, here's the post (well the original post.. He edited it):

I don't know if I'm supposed to tell you but, I have inside info and Joe might be leaving. Ever since Bill Jemas left marvel he's been working on a writing/publishing company called 360 Squared. And he told me that he has sent Joe a contract for him to be a writer at 360 and Joe said he might leave. but don't tell anyone. I dont know If i was supposed to tell anyone.

Now here's the thread: Joe Quesada Might Be Leaving Marvel.
Oh, and here's another comment : Bumped Thread - To Defend Jemas

Sooo.. He's not supposed to tell anyone, but he blabs on a comic news board? With supposed inside information (he's friends with Jemas' kids). And then he goes back and edits his post? Exscuse the skeptic in us, but... Riiiiiight.

- Post-Crisis, returning from the dead.

JMS Catches Waves with Silver Surfer

2004-08-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

J. Michael Straczynski updated readers of rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated on several upcoming projects. One thing he mentioned was that he would be doing a new Silver Surfer mini-series ... wow, the body isn't even cold on the other Silver Surfer "mini" series that Marvel just canceled. He also hinted at a "secret" project at Marvel.

Apparat-ly

2004-08-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

The artbomb blog has the 411 on Apparat, another Crazy Warren Ellis Production(TM), complete with cover images. They sound like pulp on speed:

Crime is the map we build our houses around. Everything's based on crime. This is how Frank Ironwine sees the world. New York's built on the bones of the people who were murdered to make it happen. There are no new crimes in New York City, not really. They've all happened before, and understanding their patterns is a step towards understanding the city. But no crime is ordinary.

Avatar will publish them in November.

billjemas.com

2004-08-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

Back during the "U-Decide" brouhaha, Peter David registered billjemas.com, but didn't do much with it. He gives an update on the status of it over at his blog:

...after having some giggles at Bill's expense, I publicly stated that if he wanted to take it off our hands, we wouldn't cybersquat on it. Never heard from him. Until recently.

Best of luck to Bill and whatever he decides to do next. Maybe he and Jim Shooter could team up for something?

Brian Hibbs vs. Peter David

2004-08-22T08:23:00.000-07:00

...well, not really; as Peter David says, "I don't feel like I'm in a pissing match with Brian." But they are having a spirited debate on retailers, comics activism and why is it so difficult to find Fallen Angel in comic shops these days?

It started with a passing mention of Fallen Angel in Brian's Tilting at Windmills column on Newsarama:

Do you want to know why it is so hard to launch new books into the market? Why we need “comics activism” for She-Hulk or Fallen Angel? It’s precisely because we get weeks where there are 9 X-Men books and 5 Batman titles, and that is when those books ship. Of course, that’s also the week that someone at DC thinks it’s a grand idea to ship two of the struggling “Focus” titles. “Uh, but why doesn’t this sell?” they then ask.

Then David responded on his blog:

...pundits look at troubled sales and cynically wonder when DC will stop publishing the book, proclaiming that there’s lack of fan interest. But fan interest is irrelevant when there’s lack of retailer interest. The first, best tool in generating increased sales is positive word of mouth. But word of mouth doesn’t get it done when the books aren’t there for purchase. Under ordinary circumstances, browsing customers will spot Fallen Angel on the stands, say, “Oh, I’ve heard good things about this, I’ll check it out,” and buy it. That can’t happen when retailers don’t bother to put so much as a single copy out.

Then Brian responds on his blog:

Now, let me get the “bad part” out of the way. I carry FALLEN ANGEL, and I do so beyond subs. I don’t believe I have sold out of more than 1 of the 14 released issues. And our sales have steadily eroded until they are down to, for the last 5 issues, 1 copy preordered by a sub, and 1 rack copy sold. I’m still ordering 3 copies, mind you, even though I have pretty good proof that last copy is not selling and is a waste of my $1.13. That’s the kind of store I try to be. We ordered 1 copy of the trade. Haven’t sold it.

And Peter David responds again:

My point--and I did have one--was that in recent months the book seems on the verge of overcoming all of that as more and more reviewers rave about it and more and more readers start seeking it out...only to discover it couldn't be found, and there's apathy in some quarters about getting it for willing readers. While the non-ordering habits of some retailers is certainly not the only reason Fallen Angel has been a tough slog, I hardly think those same retailers could be exempt from comment or criticism simply because there's a lot of books out there they have to deal with. Because I'm the one hearing from the fans who are complaining (and by the way, will someone PLEASE swing by Brian's store and buy the copy of the Fallen Angel trade he says he hasn't sold yet? Whoever does, I'll toss in an extra something cool when you send for the bookplate. Thanks.)

Oh, and his first post, Peter David made this offer to fans:

I am going to produce a limited edition Fallen Angel bookplate, which artists Dave Lopez and Fernando Blanco are doing the art for. I will autograph the bookplates, which can then be affixed to the title page of the trade paperback. Any retailer who has copies in his store, send me a self-addressed stamped #10 envelope to PO Box 239, Bayport, NY 11705, and tell me how many you need. I will send you up to five (if more postage is required, I’ll cover the difference). If you need more than that, send me some sort of written proof that you’ve ordered that many. I will also make these available to fans, since I don’t want to freeze out people who order via Amazon.com or whose retailers simply won’t carry it. Likewise send a SASE, and include a copy of your receipt. (If you don’t have the receipt, send a photocopy of the cover or a picture of you holding the book(s), something.) Hey guys, you could do worse for a holiday gift for your girlfriend or spouse than a signed trade paperback of a well-reviewed series featuring a strong female protagonist.

...so if you have a copy of the Fallen Angel trade, this sounds like a fun offer. As a kid, I remember when David took over Hulk, and he noted that Hulk was only receiving three or four letters each month from fans. So he made the offer to personally respond to every fan who sent in a letter about the book (I wonder what I did with mine)?

So this isn't the first time David has gone out of his way to promote his work and please his fans. That's reason enough to check out Fallen Angel, if you can find a copy.

Hey Kids--Free Comic

2004-08-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

On his blog, Neil Gaiman has outlined how to get a free signed Cerebus comic from Dave Sim:

If you'd like to read one of the Sandman parody issues of Cerebus, Dave will send you one. He'll send it to you very happily, free of charge. He will sign it for you, too. And he won't charge you a thing. Not even postage.

And if you're wondering what the catch is, it's this: Dave wants to know (as, I have to admit, do I) how many of the people out there in internet-land will actually go and do things that don't involve passively clicking on a link and going somewhere interesting. So what you have to do is write Dave a letter (not an e-mail. Dave doesn't have e-mail) telling him that you read that he'll send you a signed Cerebus, and telling him why you'd like him to send you a copy. It's as easy as that. And, quite possibly as difficult.

The address to write to is:

Aardvark Vanaheim, Inc
P.O. Box 1674 Station C
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2G 4R2

Dave, I suspect, thinks he'll get a handful of requests. In my more pessimistic moments, I think he's right, although I'd love it if he got deluged with letters, like those kids in hospitals who don't exist but are still collecting postcards...

WTF PDF?

2004-08-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

In a recent email on his BAD SIGNAL list, Warren Ellis threw out an idea for a .pdf-based magazine:

Short fiction works best on a computer screen. Get yourself donated a bunch of 500-word fictions. Get yourself donated the art to go with them, and whatever other elements you think a breakthrough sf magazine should contain. Don't make it sprawl. Keep it tight -- no more than a 1.44 meg download, for instance.

And BitPass it. Put it behind a micropayment gate. Say a Yanqui dollar. Which doesn't sound a lot, but remember the bulk of a short-run magazine's cover price is eaten by production, printing and distribution, and all you're covering is time and bandwidth.

Put it out and plug it where you can, and whatever you make is your war chest for your next issue -- where you use the same people and pay them for their time from said war chest, all the money moved around by PayPal or money orders.

Just an idea. Thought I'd release it out into the wild.

Some people are taking exception to this idea, as Regie Rigby highlights in the latest Fool Britannia on Silver Bullet Comics:

It’s just that, well, it’s already been done, hasn’t it? Silver Bullet readers should be familiar with a publication called Borderline, which was a .pdf comics magazine of about 1.44megs distributed through the Internet. Ran for ages and had a world wide readership that was frankly huge.

The idea didn’t need releasing into the wild Warren – it was already there. But perhaps it just passed him by – just because he’s in comics doesn’t mean that he reads everything there is.

Regie's column includes quotes from Phil Hall, one of the creators of Borderline. He was a bit hacked off and called Warren Ellis a cunt.

Warren responded on Bad Signal:

Apparently, when I was talking about doing a paid fiction magazine in PDF format, I forgot about a comics journalism magazine called BORDERLINE that was released in PDF a few years back. The couple of issues I recall downloaded were
nicely laid out but not especially good, but, according to the rant in the above link, it ran for some 20 issues. Of course, I was talking about a form that could
be used for a fiction magazine, so there was no reason BORDERLINE would come to mind, really.

...

Anyway, Phil's always had my email address and my phone number, but I guess it's much easier to just call me names on a website...

A careful reading of Warren's original email shows that yes, he was talking about a fiction magazine and no, it didn't include any kind of assumed trademark or patent on the idea of a .pdf magazine. What's funny is that doing a .pdf magazine isn't really all that new--they've around as long as Adobe Acrobat has been--and they are really unfriendly to navigate on a computer screen if they aren't done right. So anyone doing one should make sure they are worth the paper they'll need to be printed on.

Blanderizing of America

2004-08-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

In discussing Fallen Angel on Newsarama, a poster made this comment about why comic shops don't support it:

It seems comic stores now are geared to picking up customers coming off the back of the marvel films, and with stores having no interest in trying to promote a title that breaks the trend of comics and are trying to make new ground and do not star a well known character or brand the future looks bleak for Fallen Angel and comics like it.

Peter David responds with an excellent post that sums up the state of, well, everything in the United States:

Well, that's just an extension of the uniform blanderizing of America, when you get down to it, right?

Once upon a time America was filled with diversity. A vast array of family run or independent Mom and Pop stores, restaurants, service outlets, clothing outlets. There was variety. There was something for everyone.

And over the years, American tastes have become more and more limited in scope. Less adventurous. Less interested in trying something new and different. What's the Holiday Inn slogan? "The best surprise is no surprise." That's what Americans want.

Which is why Mom and Pop stores and family-run stores are dying, and why every major road in the country is a clusterf**k of Starbucks, McDonalds, Burger King, the Gap, Home Depot, Office Max, Staples and Borders Books.

That's what mainstream comics have become. A book like "Fallen Angel" is a Mom and Pop diner drowning in an endless cacophony of signal-to-noise through which it cannot penetrate because the vast, vast majority of fans are too busy chowing down their McComics.

I cannot tell you how many people came up to me at San Diego, telling me they're huge fans of my work, love everything I write. And when I would say, "Do you read 'Fallen Angel?" the response was invariably blank looks. "What's that?" "Never heard of it." "When's it coming out?" It hasn't registered on their radar. But Every Single One knew about "Madrox" and it doesn't ship until next month.

Losing readers? How about they're just not finding us. Based purely on numbers alone, about 80% of comic readers have never even tried it...and based purely on personal experience, the vast majority of that hasn't even heard of it. And every retailer who can't be bothered to stock it or hides it behind other books just makes it that much harder.

Bugle Boy

2004-08-03T08:21:00.000-07:00

Looking for news from Marvel's Ultimate Universe? No, not announcements about Mark Millar and Brian Michael Bendis writing yet another Ultimate title ... real news, from the streets of Ultimate New York. Then check out the Daily Bugle, a fun fan site with fake Ultimate Universe news. Here's how it describes itself:

The New York Daily Bugle is a fan-based website that highlights events from the Ultimate Marvel Universe. The Ultimate Daily Bugle will covers stories from Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate X-Men, the Ultimates and all the other Ultimate Spin-offs and Mini-series.

Brian Michael Bendis gives the site a thumbs up: Bravo to you... Love the site, showing it to Marvel. I wanted them to do this for the longest time, it looks great and we are really flattered by it.

Be sure to read about Dazzler's big Las Vegas concert, Michael Moore's documentary on mutants and the classifieds.

Hackarama

2004-08-01T17:54:00.000-07:00

This afternoon, Newsarama fell victim to self-proclaimed hacker MeM. Instead of the usual message board, users found themselves looking at this:

Click to enlarge the screen capture.

According to several posters, music played when you went to Newsarama. But for me, I did not hear a thing. I tried to get the audio going with the little control panel in the middle of the screen but nothing happened. I guess MeM should learn how to encode and embed audio universally for all browsers and operating systems. Ha!

The two images on the page were animated .gifs of the following:

Currently, the boards are down as administrators scramble to fix the problem.

EDIT: I found the link that MeM streamed the audio file from. You can listen to it at http://www.soutiat.com/sounds/n/n21.ram. If anyone can help translate the audio or know what kind of website it came from, Post-Crisis would appreciate it.

Save an X-book

2004-07-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

"Cult hit" Weapon X can be saved from cancellation, according to an interview with Frank Tieri on Newsarama:

I’d say our numbers are good enough to make us what you might call a “cult hit” - and, let’s face it, “cult hit” or not— plenty of books in today’s market would smother their own grandmothers for numbers like we have. However, they’re also numbers that push the limits of what Marvel finds acceptable these days— and so here we are.

(Can an X-book be a "cult hit"?)

...we’re not going down without a fight. You might have already seen that many sites like Silver Bullet Comics, ComiX-Fan, Herorealm, Comicboards and TheComicFanatic have already joined the cause and fans have already begun a letter-writing campaign. I know for a fact Marvel has already received quite a few letters but we have to keep ‘em coming. We’re asking fans to write to Dan Buckley, Joe Quesada and/ or Mike Marts, doing so in a polite and respectful manner, at:

Marvel Enterprises, Inc.
10 E. 40th St.
New York, NY 10016
ATTN: Weapon X

Tell them you want more Weapon X. Remember what Stan used to say… You are our bosses. Marvel is not necessarily the “Evil Empire” a lot of people make it out to be—a lot of them are just people like you and me who are willing to listen. And if enough of you write in and show your support for this book, I’m confident they will.

Frank puts his money where his mouth is and offers to write issue 29 for free:

I haven’t heard anything as of yet. So what I’m going to do right now is sweeten the deal - because I believe so strongly in this project and that the Weapon X fans should get their ending, I’m willing to make Marvel this offer… I will do the first issue for free. That’s right, Marvel! You give me six issues and you will get the first issue… absolutely free. Act now, act fast—supplies are limited!

So get out there and save the book, before we lose another X-book that will likely be replaced with three more.

Newsarama DNC Correspondent

2004-07-30T07:18:00.000-07:00

Newsaraman Prozac Man, who describes himself as an out-of-work Bostonian, has been providing "on the street" coverage of the Democratic National Convention on the Newsarama forums. His coverage has been both interesting and entertaining ... nice job, Prozac!

Day -1 (The day before)
Day 1
Day 2
Day 4
(Day 3 is MIA)

Talk@Newsarama, by the way, has been a real hotbed of political discussion lately. With the election still months away, it's doubtful it will die down anytime soon, which kind of sucks for Post-Crisis ... arguments about comics, not arguments about Michael Moore, George W. Bush, Iraq and John Kerry, are our bread and butter.

The Inevitable Return?

2004-07-30T07:02:00.000-07:00

A poster at Newsarama found a "secret" preview page from Astonishing X-Men #4 that might or might not reveal which X-character is coming back from the dead. If you don't want it to be SPOILED, don't click here.

Several people responded positively and negatively, but Peagle8 had the best response: "It’s good to see everyone isn't jumping to conclusions from an out of order preview page."

For more Marvel previews (including the legit Astonishing X-Men #4 preview and the dreadfully bad Invaders #1), visit Mile High Comics.

A Dark Day

2004-07-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

Brian Bendis has suspended his message board. Possibly for good. Several longtime members of his board, had a private board, where they talked about killing members of the Bendis board, discussed raping girl/girls at Wizard World Chicago and unleashed mass amounts of derogatory comments. The secret board was outed yesterday and Bendis (and his board's runner - Denny and Allen) immediately took charge, banning, threatening to ban, and apologizing to female members.

As Bendis posted last night on his now MIA board:

i an very sickened by the whole thing here and came very close to pulling the plug. i have way too much to do to deal with this.

some people i have met and like personally are very guilty of some truly disgusting behavior here.

would public apologies from the guilty make people happy? or should i just ban half the board? does anyone care? i don't know.

as it stands alot of banning is about to happen. but i am hoping that some of the guilty stand up and repent.

Bendis posters chimed in with comments, chiding the other posters.

I don't give a fuck what people say about me. None of you know me anyway. But you don;t post a picture of a girl and then say you're going to rape her. THAT is bullshit.

Bendis and the posters than began to offer words of consolation and encouragement to the females on the board who had been targets of such awful "jokes" as a rape-list.

This morning the battle moved to new ground, and a new board, as Mark Millar joined in on his board.

I just had a link sent to me this morning by a friend who's girlfriend (also a friend) is on a Rape List for the Chicago con by a bunch of frat-house pricks who run a website. Their whole site is clearly bullshit and I'm 99% certain this isn't serious, but given that some girls who post here and on the Bendis board and targeted and mentioned by name pissed me off so much I'm trying to get more details on these fucks to be passed along to Wizard so they can be banned from the Con and also any other comic boards. There's few enough women reading comics without this bullshit behaviour. I also think it's possibly criminal and have asked Wizard to pass the details along to the police. If you know these people or recognize their faces post below so we can pass along the information. Also, if you see them at the con they need their asses kicked. If I see ANY of these people I will glass them. Seriously.

As the war moved over there, so did poster NeilFarted, who adminned the private message board of hate. His entire response to the ordeal has been bullshitting non-chalant. As have several other members of the hate board, claiming it was all in joking fun. As one Hate-Board-Poster explained it, they used this board as a place to joke and vent for fear that the jokes would cause people on the Bendis board to gang up on them or they would be banned.

Gee, 37 FUCKING THREADS ON HOW MUCH THEY HATE AND WANT TO KILL A POSTER IS A JOKE!? Or SIX THREADS ON HOW THEY WOULD WANT TO RAPE A FEMALE BENDIS POSTER?!

I have seen lots of disgusting posts and lots of stupidity on-line (the now defunct Shoutweb boards being an example of this. A board who's life was ended, might I add, when death threats, showed up). But for NeilFarted and his collaborative cronies to just say its a joke and lighten up is beyond any sort of definied stupidity or maturity.

I very much echo the words Mark Millar used to NeilFarted when he replied to Millar's threat to "glass" him (asking if it was hypocritical for Millar to threaten assualt but have people banned from the con for threatening to rape, basically".

Your friends have the hotel address of several women on these boards and have on this thread and another mentioned them by name, said they wanted to rape them and encouraged other people to rape and/ or kill them. Are my threats therefore acceptable? Yes.

Don't try and get into semantics with me. Your fucking disgraceful site is exactly the kind of thing that perpetuates the idea that this business filled with female-hating pricks. If you want to defend these people, fine. Do it elsewhere. You are not welcome on these boards and neither are your friends. Two of the girls mentioned don't want to be involved with the net community anymore and one said she's scared to come to Chicago now. Brian Bendis spoke to me on the phone this morning and said he was so disgusted by this that he's closed down his site for the time being.

To come here and try to justify this is pigshit. Fuck off!

Well said, Mark.

Post-Crisis members send condolences to the women who felt threatened, the male posters who had murder scenarios planned for them, the poster who's autistic children were degraded and slandered (and god knows what else), and Bendis for having to deal with this people and, unfortunately, having this negative drama associated with his name.

For more info: Millarworld.

Best. Response. Ever.

2004-07-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

The Bendis board brought attention to a millarworld thread involving Warren Ellis. Bendis poster cburnham noticed this jewel of dialogue:

Warren Ellis: Of course, once a work's out in the wild, it's free to be interpreted in any way anyone likes...

-- W

Johnny California: Oh, come on. TOKYO STORM WARNING was obviously a polemic against technological advancement and put forth the usual paranoid fears about genetic engineering and atomic testing.

Don't try to deny it, you luddite.

Warren Ellis: I want to operate on your living brain with sticks.

In my opinion, no more commentary is needed.

Secret Identity

2004-07-18T20:08:00.001-07:00

Newsarama poster cyclopsfan wasn't happy with the ending of the first issue of Ex Machina: what i found distastful, was the presumtion that a superhero could have saved the lives of the those who died that day, and in this incarnation, did save one of the towers. It isn't real. There were real people who died in the tower he "saved" who have family who probably don't like the idea of that tragedy exploited like that. Im a fan of [Brian K. Vaughan], i read and enjoy alot of what he writes. This however, i won't be following

Poster OBERGEEK defended the story: You said it isnt real. you nailed right there. It isnt. this is a comic. You suspend your system of belief to read them. Im sorry you cant do that here. Look, we ALL have reverance for what happened that day. A lot of us had friends or family who died that day. But I dont think its exploitation to keep that event fresh in peoples minds. Americans are jaded people, and to a large degree have already forgotten. business as usual. Its sad really. What is so wrong with putting an uplifting spin on a fictional account of something that really happened. Its fictional, but in our story, people didnt die. Some of them were saved. I know thats hard to swallow. But in a lot of ways , to a lot of people, its uplifting. Its positive, not exploitation.

OBERGEEK's secret identity is Tony Harris, who drew Ex Machina, but apparently cyclopsfan didn't know this. After cyclopsfan told Tony if he thought it was great, he should continue to buy it, Tony added: I dont buy it, I draw it. . I frequent these boards. And I like nothing more than to mix it up with readers. Thats the real pay off for the work is the interaction. LOVE IT!! Positive or negative. Re-read my comments knowing that I am drawing the comic, and they might read in a different way, ....maybe...I dunno.

cyclopsfan later added: See, now i can't comment on how i did like the art without sounding like a kissup. but i did like the art! He also said he will "probably" buy the next issue since Tony was gracious enough to visit the boards.

After-Byrner

2004-07-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

Poster James Pipik over on the Byrne boards is upset with the events of Identity Crisis #2, in a now-locked thread called "Dropping Doom Patrol":

...and all other DC books in protest of (edited for spoilers). Don't tell me THIS JLA isn't a mainstream title, don't tell me these aren't children's characters, don't tell me it's a prestige format or whatever, don't tell me it's a great story. This is a new low. Sorry to keep my nickel out of your pocket, JB, but I can't pay you without paying the people who put out this other stuff. Please tell your editor.

Byrne responds: So I get zapped for something you don't like in a book by someone else -- a book over which I have no control? Thanks a lot.

In the same thread, poster Tony Mazza points out the fairly tasteless Adult Swim DVD ads that have been popping up in comics: I actually thought that the ad they are running for the Cartoon Network DVD was more in bad taste, it's the one that shows the girl unzipping her wet suit and holding the two DVD's in front of her chest so that it looks like her breasts........how juvenile.

Digital Comics

2004-07-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

Posters over at Newsarama seem to be split over the subject of downloading comics:

put quite simply, i download alot of comics. but i do also buy the ones i like. about half my pull list is made up of comics i have downloaded first, and im now buying them.

I've d/led a few, too. The only ones I've downloaded were "missing" issues or a couple things the trades/hcs aren't out for yet that I wanted to read before picking them up. I don't see harm in it, cause it CERTAINLY hasn't curbed my comic buying. If anything, it's fueled it, even giving me more interest in things I wouldn't normally check out, like DC books (of which about 7 or 8 are now on my pull list, after reading a d/led one)

I am so diggin it......this is the greatest thing since.....the comic book

I believe it is wrong and hurts in the industry, it's theft in every shape of it's form. Now I do download music, but I at least don't try to rationalize it as anything other then stealing

I don't download, simply because it's like kicking a creator in the nads. "I love your work, but not enough to pay you for it!" As a creator myself, although not of comics, I respect that these people made a choice of how to make their work available and I respect that choice. I understand that some people buy the comic also, and some people are collecting stuff that's long out of print, and I see the justification behind it- but I don't agree with it. But hey, that's why I don't do it, and I know many people don't feel the same way.

One poster admits it is wrong, but still does it ... and asks everyone else to shut up about it:

may it be music, comics, movies, or computer software - if it helps or damages the industry, it is still wrong because you are disrespecting the copyright laws. and no matter what the arguement you use....that's that. that's the law, good or bad.yes as some of you know, i used to download comics as well...and heck i'll probably still do it....even if i know it's wrong. i had some excuses for myself, but i erased them all, because i couldn't think of one valid one except i must be a hypocrite. i'm someone who knows it's wrong but yet i do it. so are a bunch of us and really we don't need more people like us.but if i may suggest something, don't bring this subject to everyones attention...because 1) we really don't know how this would affect the industry if it becomes wide spread. we all love comics, that's a given, but do we really want it to be de-valued like music? let's not chance it. 2) it's illegal and god forbid one day you guys are tracked and conviceted for a copyright crime. it only makes it easier for you to get caught when you "share" your files or talk in chat rooms about this subject. if you really want to talk about it, go somewheres where your ip is not logged. the last thing we need is another napster.i suppose it's inevitable that everyone will learn how to do it...one day, but let's not promote it. you maybe just one person doing it, but think of it as one of those pyrimid business schemes...it may just get out of hand.

Do as I say, not as I do.

Moderating Workout

2004-07-15T09:53:00.000-07:00

I don't even know where to begin explaining what happened but several posters over at Newsarama went psycho and kept moderator MattB busy here, here and here.

Matt cracks down on the crazed posters eloquently:

locking down all these bullshit high school drama threads.

look people - this board is not life - for many it's a place to come and talk to friends, chat about comics and other interests. Why there need to be cliques, backstabbing, sock puppets, and name calling is beyond me.

You all want to play Degrassi High, feel fucking free to do it, but do it somewhere else.

You want to stay here, talk comics, hang out and have a good time without this high school bullshit, by all means, stay.

MattB

I'm sure Matt's words of wisdom will be remembered for one week at the most.

I also have a feeling this thread had the potential to hit the juvenile chopping block but poster GenXMaverick, who started the thread stating people should stand up in what they believe in and express a diversity of opinion on the boards, locks it down himself. GenX locks this right before the more conservative (and rival) posters have a chance to say their piece. I guess he believes in standing up in what you believe in, and silencing those who oppose you. Way to go diversity of opinion!

Last, Matt's obviously keeping on his toes today too because a thread started by poster picsaro was quickly deleted. The thread simply said:

Girlfriend/Wife pics
Let's see some pictures of your ladies. Don't be shy.

Puny Humans

2004-07-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

If you have a blog, I suggest you blogroll this guy before he gets angry.

And you wouldn't like him when he's angry.

More Retailer Fun

2004-07-13T21:46:00.000-07:00

Apparently Marvel's subscription policy is annoying more retailers.

Andy Battaglia of Comics Etc. in Rochester, New York. He writes :

What can I say, other than thanks again, Marvel; I guess the bright side would be we would not have to worry about not getting reorders from Marvel. Powers switching to Marvel is another bone-headed maneuver... is selling less really your goal? I just continue to look for ways to keep my Marvel orders under budget. And with half their line sporting bad imitation manga artwork, that's becoming much easier.

Wow... This is the guy I want to buy my comics from. Let's say he bites the hand that feeds him, complains about Powers moving to a potentially bigger audience ("is selling less really your goal?" What does that mean?) And then degrades their line, while having budget problems with them. Maybe its time for Andy here to switch jobs or better yet, if he is that fed up with Marvel, drop them. Stop carrying their books. Stop whining (for no reason, but hey, isn't that the way with these people) and eliminate your budget problems.

Oh and then make sure to come back with a whole new complaint once people aren't able to find Astonishing X-Men or Ultimate Spidey in your store.

I'm sure you'll be able to find another way to pin it on Marvel.

Open Black Market

2004-07-13T16:12:00.000-07:00

Comic file-trading is a sticky issue. Is it good? Is it bad? Is it okay if you only download back issues? Regardless of what side of the fence a person is on, I think there is one thing that can be agreed on:

YOU DON'T PUBLICALLY ASK WHERE TO FIND NEW COMICS... Oh wait... Apparently, we all don't agree on it, as the following poster asks:

Do you guys know where I can find recent comics on torrent sites? Like.. Ultimate Spideys?

Y'know, whether or not you do it, is one thing. But to publically ask on a message board in full view of the industry itself is bad form.

Sigh, remember the days when "illegal" products were dealt in private, behind closed doors?

Follow-up: Waid vs. Byrne

2004-07-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

Lying in the Gutters has a follow-up to the Byrne/Waid reboot post from a few weeks ago. Mark Waid replied to Byrne's statement "As when Mark Waid stuck up his hand at a convention Q&A to ask me if 'we can have the real Superman back'...", on the Joe Quesada message boards:

"This, by the way, never happened, even though it's become one of Byrne's new favorite anecdotes. I'd gladly refute it more directly at the message board on which it was posted, but--at least in my experience--those who attempt to correct John's delusional statements and borderline libels are quickly booted."

Waid went on to say that he had already been banned once from the Byrne boards for defending Gorilla Comics.

Retailer of the month Award

2004-07-11T19:49:00.000-07:00

It seems that retailer Donald Riordan of Future Dreams in Portland, Oregon has a problem with Marvel's new subscription sale. Apparently, since they are offering titles for as low as 1.50 an issue this is, as Riodan puts it, "Way over the line... The Program is short sighted." He then rambles like the rest of his direct market brethren, who have a problem with Marvel doing something in an effort to make money and provide the consumer with a break, while not "caring about the retailers." Honestly, when the hell did the Direct Market become more important then the consumer? (NOTE: Pariah is not anti-comic shop. I love my local comic shops (which are run well, inviting, and find ways to not let this effect them...))... You can find the entire story here: Disgruntled Retailer.

Side note: When this appeared at Fanboy Rampage, it brought with it a chorus of different opinions, some actually siding with the retailer! Apparently, stupid is contagious. Although a few of the wiser posters, make mention of non-comic magazine subsciption prices always undercutting the newstand without negative effect. Comments are here.

One Punch!

2004-07-11T00:09:00.000-07:00

Rocker and Verotik Comics publisher Glen Danzig got knocked out with one punch buy Danny NSK. Of course someone was around to videotape the incident and uploaded the mpg file for everyone see. The link is popping up everywhere, including comic book message boards where people that once worked for Danzig are getting a good laugh.

Danny Marianino of North Side Kings tells the story from his point of view:

Bad show with Danzig last night. I posted this on Blabbermouth.com before he tries to sue me for knocking him out. Read this and die with laughter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Before crazy rumors begin to spread I would like to explain what happened:

North Side Kings were to play with Danzig last night in Tuba City, Arizona. To make a long story short the whole show was a disaster and a few bands got bumped off. Mr. Danzig (or his managment??) refused to push back the original scheduled time slot so North Side Kings and Rapid Fire would have to play "after" his set. Whatever- we agreeded to play later because we drove 6 hours and didn't feel like going home without playing.

Needless to say, as soon as Danzig was finished, the venue turned on the lights and Danzigs crew and the staging company began to take the stage apart almost instantly. I confronted Mr. Danzig backsatge while he was signing autographs and told him I thought he was an asshole because of his "rockstar" attitude and no consideration twords the FEW other bands that got bumped off tonight. In a fit of rage he turned around and slammed me into the wall yelling "fuck you motherfucker" trying to be a big toughguy in front of his fans. I -in self defence punched him in the face knocking him out as he was attacking me again. He went down, bleeding from his mouth, eyes rolled back, and in shock that he got knocked to the floor so quickly.

A friend happened to tape the entire incident and this is all documented. Many witnesses saw him attack me, and I did what any man would do.

It was unfortunate that this went the way it did -and I hoped Glen Danzig learned a valuable lession tonight - Do not lay your hands on anyone unless you can handle what may happen.

I aploigize for nothing, except for the poor little kids that had to witness this big asshole get his ass kicked in a matter of seconds.....

Danny M
North Side Kings

Dying 101

2004-07-08T14:59:00.000-07:00

Newsarama poster Lorendiac posted a well thought out post on the top ten reasons characters die in comics. Some of my favorites (no. 7 should happen more often):

03. Let's Make Room for Someone Younger and Cuter in a Similar Role!

Hal Jordan is dead; Long Live Kyle Rayner! (Who DOESN'T embarrass DC by having white hair at his temples, suggesting he might actually be getting downright ancient - like, in his forties, even!)

04. The "End of the Romance" Fatality

"Good grief, I think the hero is becoming emotionally involved with this lady! What can we do to get rid of her? I know! We'll KILL her! That'll fix the problem! Then the fans will stop nagging at us to let him marry her and settle down, which would *gasp of horror* CHANGE him from the swinging bachelor he is now! This will teach them not to nag us about such nonsense!"

07. Housecleaning to Get Rid of an Embarrassment

"If We Kill Him, We can Have All Our Characters Soon Develop Total Amnesia and Never Mention Him Again!"

Will Write for Food

2004-07-08T08:33:00.000-07:00

It's probably safe to assume that many newsboard posters are also wannabe comic book creators, and some of them are hoping their brilliant posts on why Scarlet Witch should be an X-Man will one day land them a job at Marvel. Newsarama poster BobbyPeru took a more overt approach in a recent thread on Bruce Jones signing with DC:

Bruce Jones no longer on the Hulk...forgive me if my tears are not forthcoming...

I hereby, however, offer to write HULK for Marvel. My writing can be found at http://www.idealog.uk.net/GoodnightHorses.htm and though its not comic writing, and is much more abstract material, it shows that I can a)write well and b)keep to a deadline (just ask my editor on there!).

Marvel, if you want a fresh voice, especially one that is soaked in Hulk history, come talk to me. Email address is on the site.

"A fresh voice" that's "soaked in Hulk history." Man, that sounds almost pornographic. Also, I checked out your site, Bobby; I hope you have a back-up plan when the Hulk gig falls through.

Them Bones

2004-07-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

Newsarama followed up on a story about Scholastic’s new graphic novel imprint, Graphix, with answers to poster's questions about the color (!!!) Bone graphic novels they will distribute. Scholastic's Janna Morishima said:

I wanted to answer a few of the questions I read. Regarding Bone: Jeff chose the colorist, not us. The color is being done at Cartoon Books, not at Scholastic, and we coordinating closely with them to make sure the production and manufacturing are top-notch.

The Bone books will be 6 x 9. We'll be printing a small hardcover run and a much larger paperback run. We'll be printing two volumes per year, in Spring and Fall, with volume one coming out in February 2005.”

The hardcover edition of Bone will be priced at $18.95, while the paperbacks will run at $9.99. The covers will feature new Bone art by Jeff Smith.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the book looks like in color. If you have any ideas for other graphic novels they should do, she provided contact information:

We are accepting query letters for book proposals. You can send them to my boss and/or me:

David Saylor/Janna Morishima
Scholastic
557 Broadway
9th floor
New York, NY 10012

Thanks again for all your comments -- rest assured I am taking careful note!

Ming the Merciless

2004-07-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

In his latest column over at the Pulse, Warren Ellis discusses what he would do if he was Editor-in-Chief at Marvel:

If I'm the Marvel EIC, then my first responsibility is to make money for the company. I'm an employee. That's what I do. I don't do all these extraneous books with characters known only to the hardcore fans. I'm not going to greenlight RUNAWAYS or VENOM. I'm sure they're fine books. Brian Vaughan can write. But no-one's heard of them.

I want a GHOST RIDER book, because everyone knows Nic Cage wants to do GHOST RIDER, and it's going to be about a guy on a bike with his head on fire who runs people over. And then lights them on fire. And then goes into a bar and drinks it and does Lisa Marie Presley over the pool table and then lights the place on fire and goes out and gets back on his bike and looks for more people to run over. This is what they want. Damn straight.

Justice, Like Lightning

2004-07-07T08:21:00.000-07:00

Colorist Chris Sotomayor said on Comixfan.com that he's working on a new Thunderbolts book for Marvel:

I went to see Spidey 2 (simply amazing!!!!) with the crew from Marvel. While I was up there, I got the official word that I'll be on the new Thunderbolts series. I should have a cover soon(-ish), so I'll post that when I get it. Now go see Spidey 2.

Would the real Superman please stand up?

2004-07-06T19:57:00.000-07:00

Brad Brickley asks about continuity and reboots on the Byrne boards, and John Byrne answers:

Some are too "uptight" -- but mostly they are the ones who claim a great knowledge of the characters while possessing none. As when Mark Waid stuck up his hand at a convention Q&A to ask me if "we can have the real Superman back", prompting me to wonder if this meant the Superman who could not fly and who routinely killed the badguys. After all, nothing could be more "real" than the character as originally presented by his creators.

Those who complain about the plastic nature of comics are either selfish, or ignorant, or both. They would rather wallow in a stagnant pool they completely "own" than risk a free flowing stream they would have to share.

Pimpin' Ain't Easy

2004-07-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

A Newsarama story posted today gives me reason to pimp one of my favorite online strips -- the dementedly photogenic A Softer World.

NRAMA: A Softer World has been described as a “post-modern haiku”. Given the space you have to work with, how do you work to ensure that you can get your idea across in such a limited space?

EH: With Emily's photographs I find that I'm often working with a character or a figure, and so the text is even more restricted because it cannot cover up the figure in more than one of the panels. Concise language is the only way that we can work in a three panel format. I try my hardest not to dumb down the idea we're going for, and sometimes I end up leaving large parts of the joke implicit.

Win-Win

2004-07-05T17:49:00.000-07:00

Co-Writer of Powerless, Matt Cherniss, deserves some recognition for going out of his way to help a Newsarama poster (and pimp his own work). Poster Blind Assasin was having trouble with his comic shop who sold out of Powerless and didn't pull one for him as request. Matt, though, has offered to send him a copy. It's a great win-win situation for all those involved and shows that there are pros out there who do care. (For the record, Peter David has offered things like this before too.)

Trolls and the Pros...

2004-07-05T17:39:00.000-07:00

Last week, at Newsarama, Brian Bendis and Joe Quesada gave an interview to promote and discuss the upcoming Avengers Disassemble story. On page 2 of the thread, everyone's professional Poster of Negativity, OM replied (after being taken to task about insulting Bendis):

...You know, I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Matty when he tried to argue that Jimmy Palmiotti didn't deserve to have his shit perpetually jumped for having ruined Superboy with his ghetto version of the Kid's adventures. Matty argued that Jimmy was one of the nicest people in the business, but as I said then about Palmiotti I'll double that for Bendis, Millar and even Chuclkes: It doesn't mean jack shit how nice someone is if they can't do their job right.

...Let's face it, kids: Millar, Bendis and Austin are all hacks, and the only reason they're still employed by Marvel is that they're buds with the Q. He's comfortable with them, and he's going to keep them employed so they'll watch his back as he's watching theirs. It's that simple, and explains why they keep getting all the choice writing gigs when far better writers are left out in the cold. They may be nice guys, and probably won't even kick their dogs in the snoot when they poop on the carpet, but that doesn't automatically mean their writing is worth a shit.

[cue Marvel Zombies]

Of courses this is nothing new for OM, and even ignoring the pedantic tone he takes with other posters, he was just asking for a reply. A reply that came from Bendis himself:

usually i would let it go, but you've said it now fifty times... so for the record i want to put it out there that i did not know joe q at all when i was hired based on the merits of my indepandant comic work. yes, we are friends now, but that came after.... i made him a lot of money

why you post on something you clearly don't know anything about is a very odd perdicament of the internat., either you're a liar or you're gleefully talking out of an orifice of your choice, your call pappy.

millar, joe, even chuck are all real people and not cartoon characters or wrestling characters for you to hiss and boo. they are real people. critique the work all the live long day but speak as you would be spoken too.. or at least have the guts to use your real name.

to the rest of you, thanks for getting on board with this. looking forward to your reaction when the story is done.

matt- this interview was right on the money as far as tone and quoting. great job.

Now if only more people would take trolls to task...

More Piss & Vinegar

2004-07-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday on his Bad Signal list, the busy Ellis talked about the free comics he received this week from DC. Some gems:

The DC Big Box O'Shite turned up last night, and I read some of it. Robin is now a girl and Batman is looking at her arse. Really. He is. The paedophilication of American
culture proceeds apace.

I also read something called IDENTITY CRISIS, written by the American novelist Brad Meltzer. Possible spelling error there, sorry. I can't decide if it's almost obsessively generic or as richly writerly as Alan Moore's first takes on mainstream DC superheroics. He works hard to humanise these characters, and you admire his determination to give them literary weight, but at the end of the day it's The Revenge Of The Elongated Man. And I can't help but wonder if it's the same misguided brilliance that leads people to fashion a perfect 3-D representation of the Last Supper out of butter.

I think CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN was in the box, but after reading MIGHTY LOVE, I think I've been touched by Uncle Howard in my bad place one time too often.

Streaming Piss & Vinegar

2004-07-01T08:14:00.000-07:00

Warren Ellis has started up a new column at the Pulse, filled with random bits of piss, vinegar and brilliance:

Someone needs to break Stuart Immonen's hands for me. He's the artist on ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR, and I never seem to get more than a few pages ahead of him. I sent in eight pages the other week and the assistant editor, Nick Lowe, wrote back to say that they should hold Stuart from around 11am until 11.20. Stuart's stripped his style down to bare lines for UFF. Now, theoretically, that should be a harder gig for him -- there's strain and precision in boiling eight lines down to one line that does the same job. It's one of the things that slows Adam Hughes down -- he draws a complete piece and then takes out every line that doesn't do work, which is how he gets those gorgeous crystalline pages. But it's time-consuming. Someone once told me that Terry Dodson gets a similar effect faster by building carefully from the ground up and simply stopping drawing once he's got the essential line down, and I guess Immonen's doing the same thing. Whatever. He must be stopped. He is the reason I'm not being interviewed for a TV documentary about I, ROBOT this week. I'm going to be either typing or sleeping for the next five weeks. I hate you, Stuart Immonen.

He claims Stuart Immonen calls him names over at his LiveJournal, but Stuart seems much too nice to do that. I couldn't find any name-calling, but maybe you'll have better luck.

Follow the Logic:

2004-06-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

From poster MetalFan at Newsarama, on one of those "Why do people like the Ultimate Universe threads." See if you can follow the logic in MetalFan's post...

"I would like for you guys to post this at the bmb boards and let them know what you think.

I did that yesterday about this and it was shity because those guys like the u line and gave some good reasons why,and some good reason to try it,but i think the way some of you guys do about the u line, and whoever said it's continuity free is saying bs.

post these thoughts of yours at the bmb boards or copy them...just copy them post them and let the good discussion go.

Maybe you can explain to them why you think the u line is crap."

Yup... Nothing makes a day shitty then telling a bunch of people why a "bunch of comics are crap." Only to have them tell you some good reasons why they like it and why you should try it. How dare those bastards do that to MetalFan!

Oy.

Rich Johnston, Eat Yer Heart Out

2004-06-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

Comic message board gadfly SimplyJD has started his own rumor column. The rumors aren't exactly new--Gaiman on Thor, return of Thunderbolts with Dave Ross on art--but his site is worth a visit for the free giveaways and other stuff anyway.

Oops

2004-06-28T09:09:00.000-07:00

What's Mark Millar been up to lately? Who knows ... his site, millarworld.biz, went down this weekend because he failed to renew his domain.

Welcome to the temporary parking page of millarworld.biz. This domain name expired on Jun 26, 2004 .

I'm sure somehow DC is to blame for this.

Fist of Fury

2004-06-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun little story about Chris Claremont that leaves an odd (and disturbing!) mental image. And should be strangely satisfying to anyone who wasted money on Sovereign 7 or Extreme X-Men.

Eat the Rich

2004-06-25T05:45:00.000-07:00

At Silver Bullet Comics this week, The Panel asks the question, "Should comic fans go on a diet?" No, they aren't jumping on the "No Carb" bandwagon that has brought us crap like No-Carb Doritos (cardboard, anyone?) and C2, the low-carb Coke that is supposed to taste better than diet but doesn't. Fan Joseph P. Gauthier explains his question:

...there are no "discerning tastes" among the majority of comic consumers. That we basically "eat" whatever the publishers give us. In fact, we mostly over eat when we're not even hungry. Buying comics has become more habit than love.

Stinz creator Donna Barr responds: "Sometimes we need stories more than food." If an animal is starving, it will eat dung (well, dogs don't care, and scarab beetles prefer it). If there is plenty of food, the animal can pick and choose according to its needs and wants and best interest. Our zoo is starving!!!!

Dung? Obviously she's read Holed Up!, Witches and Identity Disc.

Bitchy Bitch creator Roberta Gregory might have taken the question too literally ... or maybe not: Well, I think a lot of the problem is a sedentary lifestyle. But if fans suddenly became active and athletic, they would read less comics, and then were would we creators be? I just read an article in the paper that said Americans get a third of their calories from junk food, so it is probably not much different in the UK. Personally, I have discovered as I grow older (I am over 50 now!) I need to eat much less food than I thought I do, and I am very active, trying to walk 3 miles a day and with a physical labor 'day job.' I will cook my usual eggs-and-veggies brunch dish and find I only need to eat half of what, a few years ago, I thought was a normal serving-- I can save the rest and nuke it later for dinner. Perhaps, then, it is the fact that fans are aging and have a perception of how much food they need from several years earlier. AND, the plus side is, if you are spending only half the money on food now, you can buy MORE comics and graphic novels. It is a win-win situation!

Joseph's question is a good one; how many fans buy books to "keep a run going" or out of momentum rather than because they really enjoy the book? But I guess if they did that they couldn't constantly complain about Chuck Austen on message boards (right ... like that would stop them).

Golden Rule Selectivity

2004-06-24T23:21:00.000-07:00

People have a tendency to speak their mind on message boards about artists or writers (never colorists or inkers or letters... what? No love?) unless they know the person is listening. Isn't it great how posters will go from saying:

"Quesada can hire any of these artists and what does he do? Get Bill Sienkiewicz! The man is a hack...."

to

"Cant we ever get a pro to pop in here without someone bashing him or her?"

The former quote from a thread with no pro's in site, and the later on a thread with a pro stopping buy. Interesting...

Axebone's Been Axed

2004-06-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

I was doing my rounds to various artists' sites and to my surprise, fantasy and erotic artist Axebone has given up his craft for Jesus. I'm not criticizing his decision, but it was a bit shocking to go to his site expecting warrior women with massive racks and erected nipples and instead there is a picture of a beaten and bloodied Christ crucified.

Gail Simone, Love Doctor

2004-06-24T07:01:00.000-07:00

Over on Comic Book Resources, Gail Simone has her own forum for talking about upcoming projects, discussing her work with fans and handing out dating advice. One poster, fly on the wall, asks:

I've been dumped before plenty, but it's been a long time since I've been in the dumping business either way.

I did dump one of my girl friends, she got all bent out of shape and there were bad repercussions.

So that's why I want to get a new girlfriend just for the fun of dumping her ass the first chance I get. Like after the second date.

I'm sure that dumping someone and watching their crushed face fall would do oodles for my sexual confidence. You can't have enough sexual confidence.

But I'd have to dump her real fast before she gets the drop on me. Some girls are pretty quick on the draw, especially when it comes to me.

Whoever dumps first wins the relationship. Unless you marry, in which case neither party wins.

Sounds like this guy has issues. Gail responds:

Aha! But the flaw in your logic is assuming there would be a complete first date, let alone a second.

I'm sorry, Fly. I don't see this plan working out.

Good advice, Gail. But keep in mind that her idea of a good comic sex scene involves vegetables.

Kick'em When They're Down

2004-06-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

CrossGen's financial woes have been well-documented (welcome to the Information Age, Mr. Alessi), to the point that you can even check out a list of their top 20 creditors at Newsarama. I'm not going to kick them while they are down, especially since Warren Ellis has already done it so well on his Bad Signal email list:

Small press guys! Next time Quebecor World demand payment up front for printing your comics, ask them how much credit they extended to CrossGen!

One and a half million fucking dollars!

Next time American Express gets on your back about interest payments, ask them how much credit they extended to a ropey comics company that never had shit in terms of market share despite boasts of targets!

Half a fucking million dollars!

Next time a Weston hotel gives you shit about how you DID TOO eat the nuts in the minibar, ask them how much they let CrossGen put on the tab in San Diego one year!

Sixteen thousand bucks!

Got an employee? Tell 'em from CrossGen -- if CG can get away with not paying Luke Ross sixteen thousand dollars, then they ain't seeing jack shit!

There's hours of fun to be had with this. A pity that all the really rabid CrossGen staffers who used to give me their fanatical shit have... well, been thoroughly cornholed
and lost their jobs, really...