Monthly Archive for October, 2009

The Week of October 26th

Published on October 26, 2009 in Comics and Shop Crap. 0 Comments

This will be the hardest post I have ever written.  I am going to, as promised last week, stay positive and still talk about comics.  This is not easy for a comic book retailer.  You laugh and say “ho, ho, but you just sit around all day and read comics.  That is a great job.”  (long exasperated sigh)  Yep, that is all we do.

But why would it be so hard to stay positive?  I’m going to give you a comic “news” page and you can circle all the bad that is on it for fans of comics, retailers and the industry in general.  Curt sent me it this morning, remember, after reading it, stay positive.   robot6.comicbookresources.com

Pretty Big Comic News…

So, some news has filtered out about a new Stephen King project and it involves comics.  King will be taking half the writing chores and co-collaborating on the other half. It will be at Vertigo as well.  Yeah, pretty big.  Here are some excerpts from the press release:

Celebrated short story writer Scott Snyder and artist Rafael Albuquerque will launch a new monthly comic book series from Vertigo in March 2010 with a unique contribution from New York Times bestselling novelist Stephen King. The new ongoing series, American Vampire, will introduce readers to a new breed of vampire – a more muscular and vicious species of vampire with distinctly American characteristics. The series’ first story arc, to be told over the course of five issues, will feature two different stories, one written by Snyder, the other by King.
Snyder’s storyline is one of decadence and deception and Jazz Age glamour. Pearl is an ambitious modern woman with starlet dreams. She frequents Hollywood’s speakeasies and dance-halls searching for her first big break, only to find something far more sinister waiting for her.
King’s story provides the origin of the very first American vampire: Skinner Sweet, a bank robbing, murdering cowboy of the 1880s. Skinner is stronger and faster than previous vampires; he has rattlesnake fangs and is powered by…. the sun?
Following the conclusion of the first story arc, Snyder and Albuquerque will trace Skinner’s bloodline through various decades of American history.
“I love vampire stories, and the idea of following the dark exploits of a uniquely American vampire really lit up my imagination. The chance to do the origin story-to be ‘present at the creation’ – was a thrill. I owe big thanks to Scott Snyder for letting me share his vision, and sip from his bucket of blood.” – Stephen King

You do not get bigger news then one of the top selling writers in the history of literature coming to your medium.  Though this is not his first writing of comics (Mike points out he wrote X-Men: Heroes for Hope… I did not know that, thanks Mike) this is big right now.  The Stand and Gunslinger stuff was great, sales and exposure wise for comics.  This is enormous and, frankly, the biggest thing since Marvel killed off Captain America a few years ago, without anyone finding out about it.  Let’s hope it stays on time.  Good thing it is coming out through DC.

I-Con time…

The Comic book I-con is coming.  Des Moines’s annual comic convention is November 7th at the Adventure Land Inn from 9am to 5pm.  If you need more info checkout www.iowacomicbookclub.com

Review Time…

Pretty easy to stay positive when you are talking about books you like.  So, what have I read recently that you should consider giving a chance?

In the arena of trades and hard covers, last week saw the third volume of Echo and fifth volume of Scalped.  The series are nothing alike, but both very good and the trade route is a fantastic way to catch up.

Uncle Sam, the Vertigo two issue mini-series from 1997, was released in a very nice looking hard cover last week.  I can not say enough good things about this very deep and complex story.  Writer Steve Darnell takes you on a tour of American history with the character (not the one from DC comics) Uncle Sam.  This is not a very uplifting look at American history, but a very accurate one.  With the best art of his career, Alex Ross really adds the extra bit of high end excellence to make this one of the finest things Vertigo has ever published.  If you are open minded, I highly recommend this.

Every few years I find something that is a great representative of our medium, comics.  In the nineties, it was probably Uncle Sam, but still this was published in two issues. So, it was still a comic book if you want to break it down.

Last week, I finally received in the shipment, my copy of Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter.  It shipped a couple months ago and I ended up selling through my initial shipment (in about two hours) and a reorder.  Then the book was out of stock for awhile.  I waited.  Had I known how good it was I would have been beg, barrow, stealing for this thing.  It is one of the finest graphic novels I have ever read.

Adapted and illustrated by Darwyn Cooke, it is crime noir done so well you lose yourself in the story and the fantastic period heavy art.  All the color is in blue and black to add to the roughness of both story and character.

If you buy either of these, and I’m not saying you should as it has a fairly high price tag of $24.99 or Uncle Sam at $19.99, you then own pieces of our medium that such great representatives, ambassadors if you will.  Books you can loan out to non readers.  These are the losers who don’t consider our medium legitimate literature.  They are shocked and awed.  Both are the very pinnacle of what can be done with graphic storytelling.

And some comics you should still be reading…

I’m not going to spend too much time on these, but all four of these comics are books that I’ve mentioned in the past and still sales are lower then what they should be in comparison to the quality that is in them.

First is The Stand.  Just starting the third leg of the story and still this is a great read.  Art, writing… we sold the holy hell out of the first few issues and then it went south.  I am surprised by this frankly.  Maybe people have dropped it because they are looking for capes and tights instead and those who don’t read comics regularly can’t be bothered to come in on a semi-monthly basis (see above loser comments.)  This is still very good.

Beasts of Burden is unlike any other book on the shelf.  I reviewed it a couple weeks ago when issue one came out, but wow, this is seriously one of the best books on the shelf… but again, no underwear on the outside wearing super-types in it, only dogs and cats.  Not for everyone, but it should be.

Fantastic Four does not suck anymore and sales are dropping, sad really.  How many of you stuck through the worst run on FF in my memory and NOW you are dropping it?  No, let me put it this way.  Curt and Kyle HATE the Fantastic Four and they are even reading it!!  That is a recommendation.

And finally, Batman: Streets of Gotham.  The latest issue doesn’t have Paul Dini writing it, but Dustin Nguyen might be on my list of artists I would buy for art alone.  Solid, clean and always great for colorists, it kicks ass.  The story is okay, Chris Yost has a Man-bat/Huntress story and then back to the Dini stuff which has been better than any of the other Batman books except B&R.  HEY, now what about Nguyen on Bat and Robin?  Certainly a better idea then Tan.

Website of the Week…

I was shown a website that, for DC continuity buffs, is a slice of fried gold.  I give you The Unauthorized Chronology of the DC Universe.  I have not had that much time to actually wonder around on this, but is immense.  Separated into eras it “footnotes” the relevant needed notations.  And it even points out the irritating mess ups that have come popped up since the latest of the crisis-es, cris-I (what is the plural of crisis?)  Detailed to the nth degree.

There is also a section on birthdays.

So, why is this important?  Man, if that question was in your head… grrr, hard to stay positive here.  Continuity is the most important part of long running comic serials.  It is what makes comics so great and so different.  Everything ties together, even after 800 issues that history is so important to us.  Well… I say us, the reader, because it seems like no one cares about continuity at the big two.  In terms of DC, it would be nice to show (scenes from A Clockwork Orange come to mind) them this.  Maybe Jeffery Johns could take a long hard look and then try and reread his crappy run on Superman.

Week of October 19th

Published on October 19, 2009 in Comics, Matt's stupid ramblings and Shop Crap. 0 Comments

I guess I’m being too negative in my e-mails/posts and my pessimistic attitude is bringing people down, that I make people want to hate comics.  I’ve been told I only rip on Marvel (granted, that’s probably true.) So, I won’t be… next week.  I promise to be more positive and only talk about the good and fun and fantastic (four) of comics…  Next week.

Why, ‘cause you did not sit and have to do a monthly order for Marvel last night.  Two damn hours of numbers… but I’m getting ahead of myself.  Let us start off with some good and hopefully fun filled stuff…

Sugarshock One Shot, now with more Whedon…

New Joss Whedon book out this week, Sugar Shock.  I spent a good ten minutes in an attempt to find out what it was about and got nowhere online.  I know it has Fabio Moon providing the art chores and that is about it.  But hey, all you crazy Buffy fans love the Joss right?  So buy it up and it is…

100% self contained story.  Now, all in one issue…

I can tell you that it is part of the Dark Horse One Shot program though.  The powers that be at Dark Horse are trying to bring new readers to their books and one of the best ways to accomplish this is through single issue stories, one shots.  Among the titles that are getting the special treatment are The Goon, Hellboy, Abe Sapian, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Conan, two different Star Wars stories and a couple of new series books like Sugar Shock.  Last week’s Star Wars Invasion was part of this program.

Scott Allie, one of Dark Horse’s senior editors, recently said “it’s a shame so many writers and artists seem to have lost the knack for treating the comic itself as a complete package” while writing about the one shots.  He continued saying “One-shot wonders give you a heavy helping of what comics can do for you.”  And if this sounds like Matt singing the undying praises of Dark Horse again, it’s because I am!

I WISH the other two big comic companies would right a single issue story in some of their books.  Does anyone remember comics from the 70’s and 80’s, the books had running storylines but were easy to get into, because of the accessibility in the storytelling.  One shots and two part story arcs were the norm not the extreme rarity.

Tyler always hated it when I attributed this quote to him, but since I heard him say it before I read it from whoever else said it he gets the credit, nonetheless, “every comic could be someone’s first comic.”  It should be tattooed on the forehead of every comic executive so they have to see it every time they look themselves in the mirror.  Well, all of them except those at Dark Horse anyway.

Good books from Vertigo…

I wasn’t real impressed by the week that was comics last.  Don’t you hate it when you read your stack of new books and still feel hungry?  I had that last Thursday.  At least I had three Vertigo books, so I got a complete and balanced meal even if my comic stomach was growling.

I apologize about the missing Vertigo titles on the wall.  They have been flying out of the store after not moving all summer.  Crazy ups and downs of retailing.  If you feel you missed anything you want on a regular basis, let me know and I’ll get it on your hold list or keep checking back, I’m restocking all the time.

Speaking of Vertigo…

I have now heard from three customers who have read the Peter and Max Fables Novel.  They have all loved it and highly recommend it.  I respect their opinion greatly, so, I guess I better get started.  I know a couple regulars who were put off by the fact it was a novel and not a GRAPHIC novel, but fear not.  I am told there are pictures in the book and it reads very fast.  Just so you know.

So, yeah… Marvel…

What had me so irritated I can’t be positive in this week’s post?  Last night I spent two hours entering numbers for the end of the months order, just in the Marvel section alone.  This is tedious data entry that just has to get done and is part of the job, but while I was doing it I started looking over all the titles that Marvel is publishing.  Kyle and I totaled up some numbers:

Marvel is going to publish in (or around) the month of December 106 comics.  These are on-going (54, several shipping twice that month) and one-shots (48) or annuals (3).

In contrast, DC Entertainment (let’s get it right people) will publish 51 titles.  Only one issue, Batman Confidential will ship twice.  DC has 26 one-shots or miniseries coming out and an additional 34 titles being published through either Wildstorm or Vertigo.

This concerns me.

I have started to see a slow decrease in overall numbers from Marvel collectors and these numbers and a closer look at the books that are going to be published tell me why.

In December, there is a start to another mini-series/crossover multi-parter called the Siege starting, but I didn’t think that Dark Reign ended.  Did it stop Reigning or was I just not paying attention?  There is a new X-related crossover called Necrosha starting that will run through a bunch of different books.

There will be

Two Black Widow mini-series, TWO!!

Five different on-going or one-shot Hulk books, FIVE!!

Five new What If? Issues, but only four weeks in the month now to ship them.

Three Ender’s Game books

Two War of Kings spin-off mini-series (at least written by Abnett and Lanning)

And yes, Guardians and Nova are still being published, true believers

Two MORE Marvel Noir books

Three Deadpool books (and a rumored fourth coming soon.)

And a slew of characters who can NOT support their own mini-series let alone on-going series.  They include:

Brother Voodoo, Deathlok, Spider-woman, Moon Knight, The Torch,  Web of Spider-man, Black Panther, Ares, Amazing Spider-man… oh, sorry Spider-man no one loves you anymore.

What I’m getting at, and by no means is Marvel the only one I think needs to sit down with the average comic reader and retailer (stop listening to the idiots on the message boards) is that publishers could make more, retailers could make more and readers would enjoy more if they were a little more selective in what was published.

Think about it.  Five Hulk issues all at $3.99 a piece.  Only the very die hard Hulk fans can afford that.  So, the fringe fan who likes the character, but can’t afford all of the Hulk and the ten other books from your own company and a couple of others decides, “eh, I’m done.  Drop it.  Kill the Hulk.”

Instead, if the story is that important use an (singular, as in one) annual once a year to help your storytelling.  Have the occasional companywide one-shot that draws in everyone, not the additional one shots for EVERY character you publish like is currently happening with the List one-shots.

End a storyline once a year?  Okay, once every other year.

Publish a title that has what was once called a “jumping on point.”

Does anyone remember how good Showcase or Marvel Comics Presents was in the 90’s?  I’m referring to quality here, but DC used to publish an anthology of Batman stories called Batman Family.  A company could publish a weekly (or monthly and just make it bigger, but still cheap) comic at $1.99 or $2.99 and have the stories all tie into current story lines.  It would be a promo book for what was happening in the other books.  Showcase did this so well in the 90’s.  Borderline or C list heroes where showcased.  Didn’t like who was in it, didn’t buy it.  Oh, wait maybe that is why it didn’t keep going.

Nonetheless, I don’t want to keep down this past.  I sort-of seems like we could be headed towards a breaking point.  Books that should have much bigger readerships are being drug down by the overall weight of the companies publishing load.  Less is more is probably a good motto our comic collecting overlords could learn.

See, that wasn’t that negative.

Just call me ghost of comic book’s future.

Week of October 11th

Published on October 12, 2009 in Comics, Matt's stupid ramblings, Movies and Shop Crap. 0 Comments

Man, I’m freak’n busy.  I am so back logged on work.  I feel like that stupid sign with some dumb cartoon character like ziggy or Dilbert or something on it that says “I can’t die until I’m finished with all the work I have to do. At this rate I’ll live forever.”  I guess that’s looking on the bright side of it.  I would love to be immortal, but not stupid immortal like being a vampire.  Stupid vampires.   Nonetheless…

Join the Corps of your choice…

Back a few months ago we had Black Lantern Rings that went with the release of Blackest Night #1.  I guess they marketing wizards at DC thought it was a good idea and now decided to release the rest of the rings.  AH, but there is, as always, a catch.  They have tied the ordering of them into a bunch of underselling titles that now are lucky enough to get a Blackest Night Crossover.

Here is how you can get them.  Below are all the books the rings are tied to.  If you buy one of these issues (they are all $3.99) you get a ring for free or you can buy a ring for $2.00 each.  If that sounds too pricey, I’ll explain why.  It isn’t that the rings are going to cost so much, but the comics are.  We have to order a certain amount to of each to have the privilege to order rings and to say these are under performing titles is an UNDER statement.  I can go on, but I think you all understand Basic Comic Retailing 101.  (I would make a horrible professor, but I would look great in a tweed jacket.)

We will allow you to put down a “hold” on titles and rings, if you would like.

Here are the titles, rings and ship dates:

Doom Patrol #4 = Yellow Rings (NOV.4)
Booster Gold #26 = Orange Rings (NOV.11)
REBELS #10 = Indigo Rings (NOV.11)
Adventure Comics #4 = Blue Rings (NOV.18)
Outsiders #24 = Violet Rings (NOV.18)
Justice League of America #39 = Red Rings (NOV.25)
Blackest Night #5 = Green Rings (NOV.25)

Hey, that movie looks good…

Yeah, I said I was done with comic adaptations into movies, but no one really believed that right?  It will still take something really special to get me to actually go to one though.

I think I have found that one.

I’ve always thought of the comics that would work the best into film it is the lesser known or side/sub genres like western, war or stuff from Vertigo.  Superheroes don’t work, unless they are unknown.

Jonah Hex is being made into a movie.

If you read the book, you know how awesome the character can be.  Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray have a fantastic style of good collaborative hard hitting writing on it and the who’s who of artists that have worked on it, this has been one of DC’s consistently good books for several years.  Sales, well, let’s not talk about those, quality isn’t always determined on sales.

The potential here is immense.  Josh Brolin (from No Country For Old Men) is Hex and the movie also stars John Malkovich.  The look on Brolin is great, not to messed up, but messed up enough that he isn’t winning any beauty contests (like most western stars.)  I’ve also found that the metal band Mastodon is set to score the film.  That clinches it for me.

Here is a link to a site talking about the Mastodon work and a teaser poster for the film:

www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=126497

By the way, if you aren’t doing anything on Wednesday, you should go see Mastodon at the Val Air Ballroom.  Show should be really good.  I can’t wait.

Speaking of Palmiotti…

I stumbled upon his blog when reading news about The Pro being made into a film.  (Yeah, it wouldn’t last.)  His site is GREAT.  You seriously should check it out.  He and his wife, comic artist superstar Amanda Connor, are currently working on getting the movie cast.  They are having a sort-of debate on who should play the lead.  Jimmy listed pics of Amanda’s choice, Sara Silverman.  I think she would be perfect!  Check it out for yourself:

jimmypalmiotti.blogspot.com

Just be warned, Jimmy loves to post sexy pics of women, so, maybe just check if your boss is behind you when you go there rather than doing your job.  Sexy Monday is pretty nice and there is also a teaser poster for Jonah Hex there as well.

Positive Comic Reviews…

There are three comics I’ve reviewed in the past, that I’m pointing out again.

Seriously, Daredevil does NOT suck.  I’ve told you why I like the new storyline, Daredevil is now leader of the hand, but today I want to point out the art.  Roberto De La Torre is the new monthly artist and he is great.  His stuff has a great sketchy feel that adds such a dark feel.  The start of issue 501 has a bunch of ninjas doing a bunch of ninja stuff in the rain.  De La Torre’s art feels wet and I think it is the sketchy non-over inked style.  The colorist needs some compliments too.  When you color over pencils, like was done on early issues of Conan with Cary Nord’s art, it is not an easy process to make it look right.  Tyler used to tell me it can give it a great painted feel or a bad water color feel.  For comics, water color rarely works.  Matt Hollingsworth nails it.  Great book that you should be and should STILL be reading.

Witchfinder is so damn good.  I’ve said how much I like the story, but for anyone reading the BPRD stuff, you can NOT go wrong with the story reveals in this one.  And art-wise, Ben Stenbeck is the perfect in between of Guy Davis and Mike Mignola.  I really wish our three bestselling books were Hellboy, BPRD and whatever third mini-series Dark Horse is putting out for that universe’s mythos that month.  You just can’t go wrong with any of them.

Holy Cats!  Did you read Crossed!?!  I didn’t see that coming.  If you are not reading this book, you are probably too late.  I have only one pack of issues  left at the shop and I consider taking it home every day.  Once it is gone, you are waiting for the trade.  It is the most (insert harshest expletive you can think of) thing you have ever read.  Garth Ennis is one of my favorite writers, and he has certainly not disappointed with this book.  (Makes me kind of giddy as we approach the release of Warren Ellis’s Supergod.  Avatar has come a long way over the last couple years.)

Batman Annual #27 did not suck.  I was bad mouthing this book all week and I have to say I actually enjoyed it.  I feel more dirty saying that then saying how much I like Crossed.  The whole point of the two Bat Annuals this year is to launch a new Azreal title, which we DO NOT need.  I am not a fan of the writer or the artist and frankly, the price nearly gave me a bit of a heart attack.  But, I liked it.  It is just another Batman searches for a killer in Gotham which is all tied to a cult storyline, but the dialogue wasn’t bad and the art didn’t make me sick either.  This isn’t a raving review, but if you need another Batman story, I’m telling you, you could go a lot worse.

Did you pick up a copy of Batman Unseen.  Man, I love Kelly Jones’s art.  It is amazing how much I hated him as a kid and now I just love it.  He is so free flowing and has some of the best panel layouts of anyone in the industry.  Fantastic stuff.

Lastly, I have my one big recommendation of the week, Sweet Tooth.  You should be reading it.  Vertigo rarely does anything I dislike.  There are only a couple titles they have out I don’t read right now, but I was very hesitant on Sweet Tooth.  I have to say I didn’t like the first issue, but it was only half a book without enough of a “I have to come back for more.”  Issue two has the rest.  (Issue one was only a buck, so think of it as buying a Marvel comic, but you’ll like this.)  The storyline is your post apocalyptic road story, but the kid has antlers.  (Well timed with the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road coming out soon.)    Something went and wiped out most of humanity and now this very big man, who may not be all he appears, is going to lead little Sweet Tooth to the Preserve where all the rest of the half-humans have gone to survive.  Jeff Lemire does a bang up job with his weird disproportionate and simple style.  I remember Y-The Last Man before it got bogged down and stretched out, this is what I remember liking about it.  There is something good about road stories chalked with danger.  I highly recommend this book.

The End of Comics, or how I stopped worrying and learned to love the rich…  nah.

If you need a laugh at the sick crossover geek culture has taken, go to Bleedingcool.com and take a look at the Bloomingdales T-shirt offerings.  I’m not telling you how much they are, but when you see it you will laugh out load or vomit violently.  Maybe both.

I had a pretty lengthy diatribe about the disgustingly rich and Hollywood’s co-opting of our hobby, but if you know me, you’ve heard it all before, so, I deleted it.

I don’t need to say another word on why those t-shirts are so disgusting.  And why they, Hollywood and the rich made me so mad.  All that or maybe just because today is a national holiday dedicated to a genocidal madman.  “Happy” Chrissy Columbus Day everyone!

The Week of October 5th

Published on October 5, 2009 in Comics and Shop Crap. 0 Comments

Big comic book change of the week?…

All the Disney/Warner Bros. restructuring stuff over the last couple weeks is starting to shake out.  Like an iceberg, you can’t see the whole thing from the surface, the Disney/Warner shake ups will be felt and seen for years to come.  There is a lot of speculation as to what all of it means.  Rich Johnston has some thoughts on this over at Bleedingcool.com.  I can’t and won’t do justice to his story, so just jump over there and take a look see.  He has some interesting speculation as to what could come from a possible move of DC Comics from the East to the West Coast.  I don’t think I would want to be at DC right now.  You can find the full article here: bleedingcool.com

Coming This Week…

There are some good books coming this week (certainly better than last week.)  There are a few that I had no idea on orders for.  Every once and awhile I get a couple books that I just don’t have the foggy nelson-est idea of what to put down.  So, I am going to point them out and you let me know, BEFORE Wednesday morning, if you want any of these pulled, otherwise they are going on the shelf.

First is Haunt by Kirkman, McFarlane, Ottley and Capullo.  Is this the next big thing or a big giant flop?  So far sales-wise it look pretty good for the industry.  Bleedingcool.com reports that it has hit 60,000 preorders, outselling Amazing Spider-man, but what doesn’t outsell Spidey these days.  At the Cup, Tiny Titans outsells Amazing.  Good for Art Baltazar.  Good for the little kids book that can.  Bad for one of our best sellers just a year and a half ago.  Spawn used to sell super huge numbers in shops too.  Let’s hope Haunt doesn’t suck.

The Batman Annual starting… Azreal.  I am not pulling this for all the Batman hold customers.  Why?  ‘cause half of them won’t want it and then they go on the wall and don’t sell.  At $5.00 a shot, I’m not taking the risk.  However, I do have a bunch for the wall to start and if you want it, let me know and it will find its way into your box.  (Azreal, really?  Do we need this crappy ‘90’s character back?… the 90’s, hmm, that gives me an idea for a column.)  This story is only the first part too.  So, if you do want it and want the whole story, I can pull the Detective Annual for you as well.

Peter and Max, the Fables hardcover novel.  I have a few for the wall and can reorder, but at $22.99 a shot, I didn’t bank on selling the same number as I sell of Fables.

Speaking of these odd orders… Previews came out last week and we have a copy or two in the shop awaiting your pursuing.  Grab a cup of joe, sit your butt down and flip away in amazement.

New to this E-Mail…

I’m going to include the variants that we put up on the e-bay.  I’ll put them down by the shipping lists.  I know most  of you know about this already, some don’t or it would be a good reminder each week.  I really want my regular customers to get first crack at these, but all variants lose considerable e-bay sale value after the first week.  If you buy one of these there are two stipulations.  A) you don’t have to pay shipping and handling.  B) you have to pay cover price, even if you win the bid for less then cover price.  Good?  Great.

The e-bay has become a good way for us to make extra money.  I am very thankful for Kyle’s hard work on this every week.  He is a wiz at it and if you ever have questions about what goes up, putting something up on the e-bay or variants in general you can e-mail us at the shop and I’ll forward your e-mail or just talk to him directly.

Variants, crossovers and the return of the 90’s?…

(If that isn’t the start of the most horrifying Halloween-like comic topic, I can think of nothing else that would be.)

Isn’t it amazing how much the comic market place is starting to resemble that of about 1996?  So many things are reminiscent of that era right now.  Characters who sell well (Deadpool) and those that don’t (Spider-man) are as I remember it.  Hell, the bloody clone saga is even back!  Music, fashion, politics… if you don’t learn from your mistakes (clone saga), you are doomed to re-read them and not learn from them again, or something like that.

Variants are certainly in that boat.  I’m bothered by the increasing usage of Foil and Die-cutting of covers lately.  There are a lot of smaller companies that are starting to use this as an incentive.  What retailer is even considering buying more of Complete Alice in Wonderland #1 for privilege to buy a die-cut version so they can sell in their store for considerably more!?!  Seriously!

It might be easier to sell variants in store at larger shops in larger cities, but variants are for two kinds of collectors; speculators and hard core collectors.  There is nothing wrong with variant covers, per-say, but we as an industry are skirting a dangerous line right now.  We’ve noticed a slow pull back on e-bay of variant re-sell value.  To me this indicates there are too many being published and those that were buying are not buying as much or as many.

What happens to this industry if we were to kick out the legs of the variant incentive market?  It is a scary, but not horrifying thought.  Marvel is the only one that has artificially inflated their numbers and we can already see a general contraction from them in monthly numbers.  A year ago, I would have and did say differently.  Now, I’m a little more pleasant, but think about the numbers of extra copies of a book that need to be ordered to get a variant and if every shop is ordering an extra three to reach that goal… you get the picture.  The numbers aren’t right and the industry isn’t selling those comics, they are selling variants.

However, like I said, I don’t think things are that dire anymore.  I truly feel the market is starting to correct itself and the number of variants are actually coming down, or simply not being ordered.  As an example, the Stand is no longer offering their high end sketch variant as an incentive.  Why?  Because not enough people are ordering it.  You have to do math (I know, and it’s hard) to figure out if it is cost effective to eat the extra issues and gamble on the variant selling for a big payday.  Or as Kyle (and South park’s Kyle) would say, “get me some of that internet monies.”

Speaking of the nineties, I think the crossover is about to change too.  Marvel is getting their butt kicked by Blackest Night over Dark Reign.  All comment on editorial or creative content aside it isn’t even close.  I think that the market is starting to correct itself in this sense too.  Marvel is licking its wounds a little on this one.  They really did take it too far.  They are locked into the NEVER ending crossover and people are burnt out.  Crossovers sell, yes they do, but at some point you have to have a resolution.  I think people see Blackest Night as a fresh start, and there is so little baggage to go with it.  I’m not saying Dark Reign isn’t easy to get into or been a pretty good overall story, but if you start to explain the whole thing, you start sounding like one of those books of the bible that go “…and Bill of Caprica begot Frank of Belgrade who begot Billy Dee of Colt 45’s-ville.”  Blackest Night reminds me of the Infinity Gauntlet.  Let’s just hope it doesn’t go down the Blackest Night War and Crusade roads of the nineties… oh crap, let’s hope that isn’t the way that crossover is going.