Monthly Archive for October, 2010

Two parties to announce…

First off, we’ll have a November Knockout pre-event party for 3XWrestling on November 3^rd.

The event will be a way for you to meet and greet a few of 3X’s best and brightest, and maybe even some of their most devise.  I’ll provide some free beer and we’ll have some discounts in the shop on comics.  We’ll also give away a pair of tickets to the show.  It’ll be one of your last chances to get advance tickets to the November 5^th event.  Event time will be 6:00 to 8:00.

We hope to have this every month, the Wednesday before the Friday show.  December’s event will be on the 1^st.

Next week, I’ll have a rundown of matches, but there are a couple really good tag team matches set for this event, including the return of the High Flyers (Thompson and Sydal) versus the equally (?) impressive Ground and Air.

Second, we’ll have a Welcome Back Batman party on the 17^th of November.  Not 100% sure everything we’ll have in this just yet, but I think everyone (except me) is just happy to have Bruce Wayne back.  Books that are due out that day include Batman: the Return and Batman, Inc.  For those of you who like a little red in your hero, Hellboy double feature is coming out that day too.  Maybe we pit the two against each other and see how Hellboy is far superior!  More next week.

Halloween at Cup o’ Kryptonite…

We are going to have a sale on Saturday, October 30^th.  I’m not giving you any details today.  They will be posted on Facebook on and sent out in an e-mail Friday night.

Marvel’s “BIG” Price Reduction…

I’m going to say it first and then go into detail… Marvel Comics is a pack of lairs.  Their statement “We are going to lower prices too” is now being proven wrong to the point of hilarity.

If you have been following the story, DC announced a few weeks ago, at the New York Comic Con, they would be restructuring their books (lowering to 20 from 22 pages and doing away with back-up features) and dropping their prices to a standard of $2.99.  A few hours later Marvel reacted saying they would do the same, sort-of.  All of their NEW titles would be $2.99 and there would be a reduction of titles across their line.

So what actually happened?  I have not had time to sit down with the numbers, books and prices, so I’m going to take the website Robot6 at their word.  This is from their site:

“In January, there are 54 items listed at $3.99 and 28 at $2.99, for 82 items total split between those price points (not including the Icon titles and, obviously, $4.99 items like the Iron Man anniversary issue). In Marvel’s December solicitations,there were 69 at $3.99 and 26 at $2.99, for 95 items total (again, not including Icon, etc.). So yes, overall, the number of $3.99 books is shrinking, the number of $2.99 books is increasing, and the total number of releases is declining, albeit not necessarily dramatically, and without the price cuts being noticeably tied to what’s new and what’s not.”

Wow, so not really close to what DC is doing.  Robot6 goes on to say that it is most likely a gradual reduction and practically praises Marvel for not dropping prices in January, a typically tough month for retailers.  Sounds biased towards somehow proving Marvel didn’t blatently lie to the public’s face.

There is another site’s opinion I like a lot better.  BleedingCool.com said this:

“When approached, Marvel representatives now say that select new titles will launch at $2.99, not all. Which is basically the same policy Marvel had previously.  And most of the increase in $2.99 books for January come from existing $2.99 comics having two issues instead of one. Aside from a reduction in line size, I’m struggling to see if Marvel have a new price point policy.  Right now, it doesn’t look like they have.”

The whole article can be found here and it is interesting to note the different tone.  Rich Johnston is most certainly thinking  of the consumer without a possible bias… what was that about quality journalism I’ve talked about… hmm?

I’ll put it like this… Marvel was caught with their pants down.  I wish they were taking a bigger public thrashing then they are.  DC releases a structured, designed reduction in cost for the customer and then enacts it.  They heard that $3.99 was too much and the number one factor driving fans away from the industry and did something about it.

I talked to three different DC representatives or executives last week.  None of the stuff was supposed to be about the price drop, but I ended up getting asked about it by all three.  You spoke to me and I conveyed our conversations to DC.  I conveyed our losses of Marvel sales to them and the reasoning behind it, price point.  In the phone conversations, it was apparent to me DC really wanted to know what their customers, both retail and you the eventual buyer, thought of it.  I got a sense they cared or at least gave a $hit.

Yes, it is probably motivated by money, but it is a gamble.  One I think is a good one to make.  Buy four Avenger titles, cost $16.99.  Buy three Green Lantern books and Brightest Day, cost $12.99.  Guess what, if I had twenty dollars to spend that week, I’m picking up another title.

But those are my thoughts, I could be wrong… though I’m not.

The Legion Election and Review…

I don’t know how many of you read the new Legion of Super Heroes book right now, but you should be.  It is written by Paul Levitz and drawn by Yildiray Cinar.  It needs to be stated, I am a VERY big Legion fan and have expressed my displeasure in the seemingly constant changes and alterations of the Legion over the past few years.  From Mark Waid’s “It isn’t  a reboot” reboot (and utter and complete failure) Legion to the post Infinite Crisis Geoff Johns “I want my stamp on these characters, ‘cause I’m the greatest” reboot he did in several different versions… yeah, there is some confusion on what exactly we are seeing in this series.

I try and pride myself on understanding and following continuity in comics.  I do not need Wikipedia to tell me the plot of a damn comic book.  Until I tried to figure out what this Legion was and I still can’t tell you.  Here is the craziest thing, Levitz writing on the book is so clean and unhampered with Johns-esque mystery storytelling (the all will be revealed in four years time and seven giant crossovers type of storytelling.)  Levitz makes you care about the characters, just like he did when he was writing them TWO DECADES AGO!!

Things you should know about the Legion of Superheroes:

• They have been a series for a long time and have a crap load of characters.
• The writer Paul Levitz wrote most of the best stories the series has ever seen.  He knows these characters and can handle a huge cast, probably better than he does a single character.
• The series was created WAY back, so, expect some girls, boys, lasses and lads.  Comics are supposed to be fun, so, just go with it.
• It is space opera.  Don’t understand something, it doesn’t matter.  “How are they able to do that thing under those conditions?”  Who cares?  Again, comics are supposed to be fun, got it!?!

Should mention the art too.  I absolutely love Cinar’s work on this book.  Simple and clean, with great basic non-complex line work you expect from your superhero books.  It isn’t Jim Lee, but it is and on time and I’ll take that right now.  Wouldn’t you like that too, Batman fan?

I wanted to hate this book.  I really hated the takes Mark Waid and Geoff Johns took on them over the last eight years.  Actually hate doesn’t even come close to my level of displeasure, but I have found myself less concerned with the continuity and just “going with it.”  I figure Levitz is writing stories that he had planned before he became the head of the company and left the book.  If you are an old fan you need to do yourself a favor and pick this up.  New readers should see how comics can be, fun, character driven and on time and revel in these by gone concepts.

On the Ronnie Rating system, I give it 4 out of 5 stars, but consider it one of my favorite reads a month.  (unlike Ronnie, I hold my five star reviews for only a few books.)

Election of 3010…

With the upcoming midterm  and guber-na-torial elections that no one with a brain cares about I give you an election you do have choices on, the Legion Election of 3010!!

In this election your choices do not consist of two people, an old pandering right winger has been, who was kicked out of office once before and now contradicts every stance he once stood for or a absolute jerk of an incumbent no left winger in their right mind would support – if the Republican wasn’t SO bad.  (Hey, Culver, why are you losing in the polls to such a terrible choice like Branstad?  Are you really that unlikable?  Hell with it, I’m writing in Satan myself.  Why choose the lesser of two evils?)

Ah, but in the election of 3010, you have the choice of ALL the current Legionaries.  How is that for a getting rid of the two party system?  Go to Legionelection.com (connected to the DC Comics online site) and you can vote for the Legionnaire you want to lead the team.  This is an old plot device the comic used to incorporate into the letter columns and yes, it will affect the upcoming storylines.  (You old fogies out there will remember when Polar Boy won years ago and screwed up Levitz plots for awhile.)

You have until November 10 to vote, so get in there and cast a vote for your favorite or the one you think will mess with the current storyline the most.  Just know you are actually making a difference, as opposed to the current… mess.

Right when you think you have seen it all… Comic book companies go and LOWER prices!

To say I was shocked to see the news being released at the New York Comic Con this weekend that the new main price point will be $2.99, is an understatement.  Can you remember comics EVER having their prices lowered?  No.  Take a second and think about it.  I can’t.  Marvel tried a couple of experiments in the early ‘90s with dollar books (Untold Tales of Spider-man, for example) but it has been a steady and pretty regular happening of price increase over the last decade and half.

The weekend’s developments started on Friday when DC announced they would be cutting back to $2.99.  In the release DC Co-Publisher Jim Lee stated this “re-affirms DC Comics’ commitment to both our core fans and to comic book store retailers.” And that “for the long term health of the industry, we are willing to take a financial risk so that readers who love our medium do not abandon the art form.”

Fellow DC Co-Publisher, Dan DiDio explained, “We listened to our fans and to our partners in the retail community who told us that a $3.99 price point for 32 pages was too expensive. Fans were becoming increasingly reluctant to sample new titles and long term fans were beginning to abandon titles and characters that they’d collected for years.  We needed a progressive pricing strategy that supports our existing business model and, more importantly, allows this creative industry to thrive for years to come. With the exceptions of oversized comic books, like annuals and specials, we are committed to a $2.99 price point.”

Now for the most part, DC has been publishing at $2.99 since Marvel made the push to go towards $3.99 as a gold standard for pricing last year.  However, DC saw how to get $3.99 and still look like they were giving something for the extra price.  That included eight page back up stories of characters who could not support their own series.  In most collector’s eyes, this was almost more infuriating then actually just raising the price.  However, now that is gone, as well as some of the overpriced standard issues that were $3.99 a book.

In the release, DC said they would be getting rid of all back up stories, which would lower prices down to $2.99 again.  Also, books that had been started at $3.99 would now be lowered down to $2.99, like American Vampire, Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors or the new Batman, Inc.  Amazingly, some of the books coming over from the now absorbed Wildstorm are getting lowered too.

There will still be $3.99 priced books from DC, however all will be either anniversary or 40 page standard books.  But this was only DC, what would Marvel say.  Well, it didn’t take long.

It was Saturday morning when at a retailer breakfast, Marvel announced they would also be lowering prices.  No real specifics were given and it was stressed that their announcement was merely coincidental that DC had made their’s first.  For Marvel, the big deal was that they announced a decreasing line count to several characters.  What does this mean?  You can expect a reduction of Thor, Captain America, Deadpool books.  Probably some of the underperforming second series of Iron Man are done.  Again, no specifics, but the opening salvos in the new war of compassionate publishing has begun.

Why did this happen…

It was theorized on Bleedingcool.com that digital publishing created enough extra money that allowed them to re-establish the price point lower.  Not in my wildest dreams would I have guessed THAT would have been a side effect of digital publishing.

I personally think the writing was on the wall.  Ask anyone, in or out of comics, “Is $3.99 an acceptable price for a comic book?”  After the layman says “are you @#$%ing serious, that is how much they are charging for comics these days?” you pretty much have your answer.

The industry was not in as good of shape as many wanted to think and the big bad (emphasis on bad) comic movies are not bringing people into stores like they thought.  So, they had better keep the core readers reading… and the only way to do so was to get an acceptable price point.

So, what do I, personally, think of this…

Obviously, as a comic book fan, first and foremost, this is the best news in decades.  Even though I own a comic shop, doesn’t mean I don’t still buy comics.  It burns me every week when I total up my pile for purchase and I hit a $3.99 priced book.  Much like you, I grumble, think about the character and the collection and add it to the pile.  Reluctantly.

As a retailer, this is fantastic news.  I want to see people buying comic books.  They had started to not do that as the price started climbing.  I’ve heard more and more, “nah, it’s too expensive to get that new Wolverine book.”  I emphasize how good it and the writer are, but don’t even argue.  I understand.  This changes that.  People WILL try a $2.99 book, but NOT a $3.99 book.

Look at it like this… For every three books that are now going to be getting at $2.99 (that were $3.99) you can get another comic.  When it comes to Marvel, THAT IS A LOT OF COMICS!

Last week, Diamond announced they had finally laid the ground work for delivery of comics to retailers on Tuesday for Wednesday Sale.  This is a huge deal for retailers.  Now we will be able to take Tuesday afternoon/evening to sort and organize books and not be pressured to get the books, get them organized and on the wall within a few hours Wednesday morning.

It also means Diamond is starting to take retailers serious.  By working to get this done they finally admit that not all retailers are fanboy idiots that have little business sense and are only in it for the cheap comics.  We can be trusted to do what is best for our business.  And as big as the delivery of comics on Tuesday, a reduction of price is bigger for my shop.

Comic Books are my hobby, my love and my life and I want to see it, the industry/comics/the medium, grow and prosper.  Reducing prices is only a big part of making things right.

How about some reviews…

Tia’s X-Review

Uncanny X-Force #1 by Rick Remender and Jerome Opena

(Spoilers Included)

It is entirely possible that we need another book featuring Deadpool like we need another hole in our heads.  I too heard the collective groans when the new lineup for Uncanny X-Force was announced and Deadpool was in it.
Well, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but Uncanny X-Force is good.  It’s really, really good and Deadpool is a perfect fit for this team and this book.
Predictably, the first few pages are just Deadpool engaged in self-dialogue as he investigates some cult happenings in a mysterious underground fortress. Personally, I found these few pages of speech significantly more clever and less grating than other examples of the merc with a mouth’s self talk. This was a smart way to start the series, and it really set a proper tone for the dynamics of the book.
Our first introduction to other team members comes courtesy of Psylocke inside Angel’s mind, where he is (as always) fighting an internal battle against Archangel and what he might become if he lets the dark side take over.
At this point, I’m going to briefly veer off the usual ‘male review’ template and mention how insanely jealous it makes me that Psylocke is totally getting it on with Warren. I certainly did not mind the three pages of ‘bedroom’ stuff between these two, as I simply skimmed the dialogue, then spent another 4 or 5 minutes fantasizing about how awesome it would be to be Psylocke right then.
Luckily, I get shaken out of my creepy fantasy world by the appearance of Fanotmex!
Involved in some high-stakes game of thievery and stealth, it’s an absolute treat to get to read the banter between Wolverine and Fantomex. In his long absence, I’ve nearly forgotten how well Fantomex’s character works with Logan’s, and how enjoyable he is in a team book with the mutants. I was a little bit surprised to find that Fantomex is the main narrator through the rest of the book. His narration is very effective in giving the reader a breakdown of the action that we may not entirely understand from the art or dialogue, while still keeping true to character.
Getting back to the story, we find out that Deadpool was a scout for a mysterious quest that is very close to Warren’s heart, so naturally the team must go along on the mission. As the team flies into battle, our narrator comments “No jovial sense of adventure. No camaraderie to overcome the tension. This is NOT the X-Men”. That sentiment is precisely what I loved about the first X-Force, and I’m all too pleased to see that this new team is no different. In fact, they may even be a little more stoic and mission-minded and cold than the original team, and I love that.
In the depths of this fortress, our team encounters some very interesting villains who, through possession of our heroes, give a glimpse into who (or what) they actually are, and into the larger picture behind their existence.
X-Force stumbles upon Deadpool finally, only to be forced to retreat the fortress before Warren finds his mysterious target…Apocalypse! The last pages of art and narration work really well together to cleverly reveal X-Force’s major foe, and the manner of his return.
Frankly, I hate Apocalypse as a villain. I’ve never appreciated him as a character and never enjoyed the storylines in which he is the major antagonist. However, I was discussing this issue with my friend Paul, and he made a very good inference, which I desperately hope is the direction that Remender will go. He reminded that Apocalypse’s main ideology is survival of the fittest, and pretty much adjusts to the whatever situation in which he’s placed. Therefore, holding true to that ideal, this modern incarnation of Apocalypse should adapt into modern society as some type of suave, charismatic, well-groomed politician, or public figure. Then, using that approach, show what the majority of society believe in/worship/put our trust in/like/love and show the X-Men as the minority with good ideas as well while not saying one side is all right or wrong.
It’s all good in theory, but, it’s entirely possible that we’re going to get another formulaic “big, bad Apocalypse” showdown. Rick Remender has been cleverly weaving some big personalities together seamlessly in this book, and his writing style has a way of keeping the reader interested but not overwhelmed. I’m very interested to see how he progresses this story.
The artwork by Jerome Opeña was just fantastic and gorgeous and was a perfect complement to the story. Best art in an X-book in a LONG time, and easily the best art in any current X-book.
I really can’t say enough good stuff about this new book and the new team. I honestly think that even people who “hate” Deadpool are going to enjoy the dynamics of him being in a team with stronger characters, where he’s not the central star.  You want to read this book. Trust me.

Ronnie’s Reviews…
Chew (Series Review) Currently on issue #14
by John Layman and Rob Guillory
Chew is a very original and outlandish new series set in a dystrophic near future where the bird flu became a global epidemic.  In the aftermath of the flu, chicken is outlawed and the Food and Drug Administration has policing powers beyond that of the FBI.  However, things may not be exactly as they seem.  I smell good old fashioned government conspiracy.   The series stars an insecure FDA Detective Tony Chu, who is a cibopath; someone who, once he eats something, is able to mentally view the entire history of that object.  For instance, if he were to eat an apple, he would see the tree farm it grew from, the pesticides used to grow it, the laborers involved in the harvesting, the shipping to the store, etc.

Our hero uses this ability to solve crimes, like finding out where a serial killer buried the bodies by biting him.
The series is equal parts detective story, buddy cop film/drama, and high stakes international espionage dark comedy.  The writing is able to coherently twist several plot threads at once, introduce and maintain interest in a large and memorable cast, and leave you with a great cliffhanger each issue.  The art is something of a marvel.  Each characters face tells you a lot about the person and their past.  They are drawn in a slight caricature style with tons of expression.  Chew is a lot of fun to look at.  Some of the most memorable, original art in quite a while.

The book has no adds in the middle and includes a letters page with cat pictures!  Man, do I love and miss letters pages.
Everything about this series feels new and unique.  I can’t really think of anything to compare it too.  Even though it is published by Image, it looks and reads like an indy comic.  I really feel it is one of the better series in a long time.  There is currently two trade paperbacks out, plus a hard cover combining the two.  And you can pick up the first issue for only $1.  I highly, highly suggest you give it a try.  I guarantee you have never read anything like it.  5 Stars.

(Editor’s Note – That $1 issue can be used as a coupon too.  Buy it, try it and if you like it return the issue when you purchase the first volume trade, which is only $9.99 for the first five issues.)

Quickies-
Batman: Hidden Treasures One-Shot by Ron Marz & Bernie Wrightson
The long fabled lost story by the legendary Ron and Bernie.  Every page is an expertly executed splash page, the story is engaging, and the ending is either joyfully ambiguous or a dead giveaway, depending on your Gotham City nerd IQ.  Plus an old Swamp Thing/Batman reprint, although recolored.  Not quite sold on all these recolorings just yet.  4 Stars.

Scalped #42 Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera
This issue contains 2 pages of the most emotionally intense images/story I have ever consumed in any medium.  This series continues to affect me in ways no other has.  There are is no happy ending in sight, and the train wreck is approaching quickly.  5 stars.

Batman Odyssey #4 Neal Adams
I am giving Mr. Adams the benefit of the doubt that his name demands.  This issue answers about 4 of the 36 questions raised in prior issues, and presents about 17 more.  I am ‘getting it’ quite a bit more, which is increasing the enjoyment significantly.  Neal’s art has evolved, but is unquestionably his, which is still great.  Who the hell is Bruce talking to, though? 3.5 Stars.

Unknown Soldier #24 Joshua Dysart and Alberto Ponticelli
Only one more issue left of this excellent, but canceled series.  This issue shows the struggle its creators are going through to give us a proper ending.  This saddens me.  Why must all the good Vertigo books be cancelled?  The book was delivering on its potential (a new and all together different take on The Unknown Soldier), telling a complex historical story which hasn’t been heard by enough people here in the U.S. and now is not get quite the finish it deserves.  Damn it.  4 stars for this issue, 5 for the series as a whole.

(Editor’s Note – Unknown Soldier shows the continued problems that exist in the comic book industry.  Without a doubt one of the best written series in recent memory.  Historical, complex and moving, this book needed the spotlight Vertigo provided, but could it be this was to Historical, Complex and Moving for a mainstream company?  where did things go wrong?  This book should be read by triple the number who are.  Is it too smart?  Can comics be “too smart?”  Did Vertigo not “get it?”  Why does a book like this not keep going when we have 15 Thor books, 24 Deadpool books or 87 Batman books?  I don’t know, but it is a problem.  Maybe with less money being spent on mainstream cape and cowl crap now that prices are being reduced, future books like Unknown Soldier will have a better chance.)