03/06/12 Where have you gone, Mrs. Robinson?
Marc Lamming's interiors are
just as good as the covers.
I have been diverted from posting anything to this site for quite some time. The reasons are plenty but really boil down to two thoughts: 1) it was not a top priority and 2) it was NOT because of a lack of great comics to read. So I am going to try to make things more of a priority and give you a few books that were sadly overlooked since we last spoke. Some of these you might know, some I've even mentioned on Twitter (@whycomics) - but all are books that would be criminal if more people did not experience and appreciate.
For today, let me mention THE RINSE (BOOM! Studios) and THE ACTIVITY (Image Comics). Both are small print run, non superhero books from solid companies and creators. While both speak to readers searching for more than just the "POW, WHACK, and BOOM" of the spandex clad superhero universes, they do so in different way. As the initial press release read:
"THE RINSE is a tale of high finance and low-down greed as Jeff Sinclair, the premiere laundryman in San Francisco, is unwillingly pulled into a dangerous gig laundering $25 million in stolen casino skim money. Forced to truly consider his line of work and the evil that he facilitates, Jeff must find a way to clean the cash and wash away his own sins. A grounded, gritty look at the world of money laundering in the vein of Elmore Leonard, THE RINSE is a modern crime classic in the making! For fans of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ CRIMINAL!
After reading the series, I think the hype was pretty well justified. Brubaker fans will definitely feel at home in the world that Gary Phillips and Marc Laming bring to life. Special kudos go out to Laming who's art was a real revelation on this series. Crisp, clean and yet full of nuance - this was my introduction to his work and I was left wanting more. Good stuff all the way around here.
For today, let me mention THE RINSE (BOOM! Studios) and THE ACTIVITY (Image Comics). Both are small print run, non superhero books from solid companies and creators. While both speak to readers searching for more than just the "POW, WHACK, and BOOM" of the spandex clad superhero universes, they do so in different way. As the initial press release read:
"THE RINSE is a tale of high finance and low-down greed as Jeff Sinclair, the premiere laundryman in San Francisco, is unwillingly pulled into a dangerous gig laundering $25 million in stolen casino skim money. Forced to truly consider his line of work and the evil that he facilitates, Jeff must find a way to clean the cash and wash away his own sins. A grounded, gritty look at the world of money laundering in the vein of Elmore Leonard, THE RINSE is a modern crime classic in the making! For fans of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ CRIMINAL!
After reading the series, I think the hype was pretty well justified. Brubaker fans will definitely feel at home in the world that Gary Phillips and Marc Laming bring to life. Special kudos go out to Laming who's art was a real revelation on this series. Crisp, clean and yet full of nuance - this was my introduction to his work and I was left wanting more. Good stuff all the way around here.
With "THE ACTIVITY", Nathan Edmonson and Mitch Geards bring us a solid take on the world of intelligence and cover-ops. Back in a hype piece in December, CBR said:
"The Activity" focuses on a group of highly-trained covert operatives sent on missions to -- theoretically -- make the world a better place for American interests. A tight, tech-filled series of adventure stories, "The Activity" offers all types of action as well as some real world-based ops for the reader's enjoyment.
Once again, that's a fairly spot on take on the book. What works here are a couple of things. One is the done-in-one issue missions that Edmonson has decided to employ so far in the series. The method gives us a taste of the world in which Team Omaha operate and how they relate to one another. This is crucial in hooking us (the reader) in. Keeping us hooked will be the slower, more nuisanced reveal of how Team Omaha welcomes a new team member to the squad - one who may or may not have the teams best interests at heart.
The books is off to a solid start and I am along for the ride. Give it a shot!
I'll be back soon with more recommendations. In the meantime, feel free to shoot me a note about your own in comments! Thanks.
"The Activity" focuses on a group of highly-trained covert operatives sent on missions to -- theoretically -- make the world a better place for American interests. A tight, tech-filled series of adventure stories, "The Activity" offers all types of action as well as some real world-based ops for the reader's enjoyment.
Once again, that's a fairly spot on take on the book. What works here are a couple of things. One is the done-in-one issue missions that Edmonson has decided to employ so far in the series. The method gives us a taste of the world in which Team Omaha operate and how they relate to one another. This is crucial in hooking us (the reader) in. Keeping us hooked will be the slower, more nuisanced reveal of how Team Omaha welcomes a new team member to the squad - one who may or may not have the teams best interests at heart.
The books is off to a solid start and I am along for the ride. Give it a shot!
I'll be back soon with more recommendations. In the meantime, feel free to shoot me a note about your own in comments! Thanks.
08/02/2011
From Ultimate Spider-man #160
I must applaud Marvel comics, but not for the reasons you might think. Today, Marvel jumpstarted the sales cycle for the relaunch of one of their books, Ultimate Spider-man, by leaking some “major” news to The USA Today. I say “major” in quotes because I feel it’s up to the individual reader to decide how important the news truly is.
On the surface, the news that Marvel Comics had killed off Spider-man – you know, Peter Parker… the Ol’ Webhead”, the most recognizable and popular of all of Marvel’s creations over the years – sounds downright newsworthy. But it didn’t garner much attention and it’s OLD news. He died last month saving his friends and family in the well written endgame that once again proved that great power necessitates great responsibility and in this case, ultimate sacrifice. His final acts were ones of heroics and reclamation as he did what he couldn’t do for his beloved Uncle Ben when he saved the life of his Aunt May.
Yet today’s news was not of this death, but rather of his replacement. It was news that Peter Parker is truly gone and replaced by Miles Morales, an American teenager of Latin and Black parents. What we have is a black Spider-man. That’s the crux of the press release. True to form for the internet, the news was greeted in a reprehensible fashion. In what can only be labeled as predictable and pathetic, most of the comments that I’ve read today bashed Marvel on two fronts: the replacement of a white hero for a black/Hispanic one and for attempting to “PC up my favorite character”. I can’t even begin to address the racist nature of many of the comments, but I do want to clarify what seems to be overlooked here. The Peter Parker we all grew up with, the one with over a thousand issues that chronicle his life and adventures is still alive and he’s still white. It’s Marvel’s alternate take on Spidey that is experiencing a major shake-up.
On the surface, the news that Marvel Comics had killed off Spider-man – you know, Peter Parker… the Ol’ Webhead”, the most recognizable and popular of all of Marvel’s creations over the years – sounds downright newsworthy. But it didn’t garner much attention and it’s OLD news. He died last month saving his friends and family in the well written endgame that once again proved that great power necessitates great responsibility and in this case, ultimate sacrifice. His final acts were ones of heroics and reclamation as he did what he couldn’t do for his beloved Uncle Ben when he saved the life of his Aunt May.
Yet today’s news was not of this death, but rather of his replacement. It was news that Peter Parker is truly gone and replaced by Miles Morales, an American teenager of Latin and Black parents. What we have is a black Spider-man. That’s the crux of the press release. True to form for the internet, the news was greeted in a reprehensible fashion. In what can only be labeled as predictable and pathetic, most of the comments that I’ve read today bashed Marvel on two fronts: the replacement of a white hero for a black/Hispanic one and for attempting to “PC up my favorite character”. I can’t even begin to address the racist nature of many of the comments, but I do want to clarify what seems to be overlooked here. The Peter Parker we all grew up with, the one with over a thousand issues that chronicle his life and adventures is still alive and he’s still white. It’s Marvel’s alternate take on Spidey that is experiencing a major shake-up.
Huh? I'll explain...
Created over a decade ago as a way to tell fresh new tales and takes on characters without all of the baggage that comes from the 40 plus years of regular Marvel continuity, the Ultimate Universe was to be a creator’s dream play ground to run wild, identify the core of the characters, and turn everything else we knew upside down. As with many grand ideas, it worked better in conception than execution except for Ultimate Spider-man, the little engine that could guided all this time by the steady hand of Brian Bendis. Stories that echoed what he loved about Peter, but told in a different manner and in a different period of the character's life (young teen versus mid 20’s) caused old and new readers to jump aboard the title. And many, like me, never let go and were rewarded by a consistent creative team that not only knew the characters, they made them come to life and evolve in a realistic, relatable manner. It was a great run. But all great runs come to an end and Brian Bendis had decided that Peter Parker’s story had been told. It is time for Miles Morales story to drafted and presented.
That’s what is great about the Ultimate Universe. Marvel can take liberties, rumble recklessly headlong down unlit corridors and just see where they end up. They can flex their creative muscles and see what works and what doesn’t. And they can do it all without fear of upsetting the continuity or invalidating the history of the regular Marvel Universe thus facing the wrath of the legions of fans who fiercely fight, debate, and criticize any perceived attack on what they hold dear.
Many of today’s comments were so near sighted and lacking of understanding of the full perspective at play here, that I was sure that they had to have originated from Capitol Hill in DC. Sadly, it was just short sighted, ill informed, unable to allow an opinion time and insight it needs to be relevant types who often troll on internet messages boards. I had to remind myself of that. And in doing so, I realized that I loved this news. It’s this type of fearless storytelling and willingness to stunt promote the work into the mainstream that makes me love comics.
Comics should be for everyone. Not each character and each title – but there needs to be stories and characters that are identifiable across the dividing lines of age, race, and geography. That's how the industry can continue to grow out of its traditional “niche” market standing into a true widespread entertainment option. Comic movies show that non readers are interested in the concepts especially when they are done well. It’s up to the publishing house of Marvel (and other publishers) to translate those ticket sales into new buyers of the monthly titles or trade collections. And part of that is to offer new takes on concepts they are familiar with (this case Spider-man) hand in hand with what they know and maybe used to love (Regular Marvel Universe Spider-man with still 100% white geek Peter Parker). It makes business sense and it’s good for the future of comics if you can find ways to attract new readers. If white Peter Parker in the movie was interesting, but not interesting enough to read about in the main universe, well maybe young black Miles Morales with his unique heritage, back story, and problems of his own framed in the comfortable familiarity of the Spidey costume and powers just might be. At that’s why this is major news to me.
Comics are like any other episodic form of entertainment. We grow to expect our next fix and often grow resistance to change. But change can be vital – to sales, to attracting non-comic readers, to rejuvenating still purchasing but questioning worn out readers, and to bring in old lost or never have tried readers. I love the ideas and efforts at play with Marvel’s decisions and am going to give the new series a lengthy test drive. I want to be hooked, to have my low expectation not only surpassed but thoroughly destroyed, and to see others feel the same way. It’s important to the hobby that I love. Plus, Bendis has earned by respect. And the kid is named Miles - that has inherent cred built in, doesn't it?
Anyhow, bully for Bendis and Marvel for flipping the script and trying something different and bully for Marvel's PR department for getting a real niche story main stream press coverage. And for all of the negative commenters out there - thank you. You've reinforced my belief that the ambition being shown here is a good thing and that I'll be rooting for the success of the series even more fiercely than I was before. And guys, remember what Marvel and I already know. Press - no matter how much you want to spin it or slander it - is still good press as free advertisement and increased curiosity are its main byproducts. So keep it up boys as I want to see Miles Morales get introduced to a broad range of folks and you are a key cog in the hype machine.
That’s what is great about the Ultimate Universe. Marvel can take liberties, rumble recklessly headlong down unlit corridors and just see where they end up. They can flex their creative muscles and see what works and what doesn’t. And they can do it all without fear of upsetting the continuity or invalidating the history of the regular Marvel Universe thus facing the wrath of the legions of fans who fiercely fight, debate, and criticize any perceived attack on what they hold dear.
Many of today’s comments were so near sighted and lacking of understanding of the full perspective at play here, that I was sure that they had to have originated from Capitol Hill in DC. Sadly, it was just short sighted, ill informed, unable to allow an opinion time and insight it needs to be relevant types who often troll on internet messages boards. I had to remind myself of that. And in doing so, I realized that I loved this news. It’s this type of fearless storytelling and willingness to stunt promote the work into the mainstream that makes me love comics.
Comics should be for everyone. Not each character and each title – but there needs to be stories and characters that are identifiable across the dividing lines of age, race, and geography. That's how the industry can continue to grow out of its traditional “niche” market standing into a true widespread entertainment option. Comic movies show that non readers are interested in the concepts especially when they are done well. It’s up to the publishing house of Marvel (and other publishers) to translate those ticket sales into new buyers of the monthly titles or trade collections. And part of that is to offer new takes on concepts they are familiar with (this case Spider-man) hand in hand with what they know and maybe used to love (Regular Marvel Universe Spider-man with still 100% white geek Peter Parker). It makes business sense and it’s good for the future of comics if you can find ways to attract new readers. If white Peter Parker in the movie was interesting, but not interesting enough to read about in the main universe, well maybe young black Miles Morales with his unique heritage, back story, and problems of his own framed in the comfortable familiarity of the Spidey costume and powers just might be. At that’s why this is major news to me.
Comics are like any other episodic form of entertainment. We grow to expect our next fix and often grow resistance to change. But change can be vital – to sales, to attracting non-comic readers, to rejuvenating still purchasing but questioning worn out readers, and to bring in old lost or never have tried readers. I love the ideas and efforts at play with Marvel’s decisions and am going to give the new series a lengthy test drive. I want to be hooked, to have my low expectation not only surpassed but thoroughly destroyed, and to see others feel the same way. It’s important to the hobby that I love. Plus, Bendis has earned by respect. And the kid is named Miles - that has inherent cred built in, doesn't it?
Anyhow, bully for Bendis and Marvel for flipping the script and trying something different and bully for Marvel's PR department for getting a real niche story main stream press coverage. And for all of the negative commenters out there - thank you. You've reinforced my belief that the ambition being shown here is a good thing and that I'll be rooting for the success of the series even more fiercely than I was before. And guys, remember what Marvel and I already know. Press - no matter how much you want to spin it or slander it - is still good press as free advertisement and increased curiosity are its main byproducts. So keep it up boys as I want to see Miles Morales get introduced to a broad range of folks and you are a key cog in the hype machine.
07/23/2011
Thank you, San Diego. Thank you, Image Comics.
For what you ask? It's simple - BKV.
What's a BKV, you ask? BKV equals Brian K. Vaughan, the ultra talented writer of such favorites as Y The Last Man, Ex Machina, and Runaways. Quite simply, Vaughan is one of the best comics writers going today. The problem is that Vaughan hasn't done much writing for the comics industry in recent years, but that is all about to change with today's announcement of his upcoming series Saga set to be released from Image Comics in 2012.
Vaughan scared many readers when he detoured from comics to work as a writer on ABC's LOST a few years ago. As his Hollywood work blossomed, many of us were worried that he would not come back. I am thankful to hear that is not the case. His is an original voice and his work is accessible to comic fanboys and non-traditional readers alike.
Happy Day, happy day.
07/17/2011
I'm a little tired as I write this, but I wanted to give a quick mention of yesterday's Derby City Comic Con. In the current wake of Wizard having tried and failed in their efforts to monopolize the comic convention scene, you just don't see many regional and local comic conventions anymore and rarely do you see a new convention of any account pop up. Sure, there are still the big city shows, but the regional efforts have mostly whittled themselves down to small shows, flea markets, horror cons, or just plain non-existence. Enter the founders of the Derby City Comic Con. They managed to fill a regional void that offered a little something for everyone. The local art scene was spotlighted through the Louisville Cartoonist Society and an emphasis on professional artists with local ties such as Tony Moore (The Walking Dead, currently of Marvel's Venom series), Jay Leisten (inker extraordinaire for Marvel and current inker on Uncanny X-Men ) and others. There was a strong variety of vendors offering single issues, trades, toys, big dollar Golden and Silver Age books, gaming, buttons, statues, and more. Also impressive was that the retail presence was strong with local long time collectors in the state and the four major Louisville comic stores all in attendance.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the attendance figures reportedly blew than anticipated numbers out of the water. When you run out of wrist bands at lunch, I think you have a good thing going. Hopefully the organizers, attendees, and sponsors will all realize what went right and capitalize on it to add further growth for a second show next year. Really, I can see this becoming an annual tradition. Where else am I going to meet and spend time with such wonderful people as Bob Hall (Shadowman) and Janet Lee (Return of the Dapper Men). Quality people, quality guests, quality convention. Thanks to all involved for such a wonderful event and a reaffirmation of why I love comics.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the attendance figures reportedly blew than anticipated numbers out of the water. When you run out of wrist bands at lunch, I think you have a good thing going. Hopefully the organizers, attendees, and sponsors will all realize what went right and capitalize on it to add further growth for a second show next year. Really, I can see this becoming an annual tradition. Where else am I going to meet and spend time with such wonderful people as Bob Hall (Shadowman) and Janet Lee (Return of the Dapper Men). Quality people, quality guests, quality convention. Thanks to all involved for such a wonderful event and a reaffirmation of why I love comics.
07/12/11
The old adage "You can't judge a book by its cover" may very well be true, but today we here at Why Comics? don't really care. That because we are going to focus on one of the main selling points of comics - the cover image - and judge plenty of books based solely on their covers. Just as Hollywood pre-sells the audience with movie posters, the comics industry counts on the cover image to grasp hold of the buyer’s attention and to separate a particular book from the hundreds of others on the shelves. Unlike movie posters, however, comic covers have to vary issue to issue, month in month out, twelve months a year. Popular series like Amazing Spider-man or Batman (which often schedule 12-18 issues of just the regular series a year in an effort to generate extra sales and meet demand) have to produce multiple and frequent home runs with just a single image - not an easy task.
What makes for a great cover? Well, that's going to depend on who you ask since "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and all that jazz. But I believe certain things hold true when you consider the best of the best. One, the image has to stimulate the brain and keep the eye from lingering as must all good art (regardless of the form it takes). Two, it must clearly indicate the product that it is selling. Lastly, great covers create a lasting impression, often by means of stirring the buyer's emotion and establishing tone and mood.
I think the attached gallery is full of prime examples of covers that succeed at all three elements. The images chosen are a mixed bag of classic images, covers to some of my favorite issues, and others that just flat out dropped my jaw, burned into my brain with their brilliance, or got me to open my wallet based solely on the cover alone. It is not all encompassing and I know I've left some out, but here are a few covers that make me scream my love of comics as loudly as possible.
What makes for a great cover? Well, that's going to depend on who you ask since "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and all that jazz. But I believe certain things hold true when you consider the best of the best. One, the image has to stimulate the brain and keep the eye from lingering as must all good art (regardless of the form it takes). Two, it must clearly indicate the product that it is selling. Lastly, great covers create a lasting impression, often by means of stirring the buyer's emotion and establishing tone and mood.
I think the attached gallery is full of prime examples of covers that succeed at all three elements. The images chosen are a mixed bag of classic images, covers to some of my favorite issues, and others that just flat out dropped my jaw, burned into my brain with their brilliance, or got me to open my wallet based solely on the cover alone. It is not all encompassing and I know I've left some out, but here are a few covers that make me scream my love of comics as loudly as possible.
07/08/11
San Diego Comic Con is right around the corner and while a lot of comics people complain about the Hollywood invasion that SDCC has seen over the last couple of years, you won't hear the same from me. In fact, I'm of quite the opposite opinion. In fact, it's one of the reasons that I love comics. Now hear me out - I'm not going to justify my love in terms of Hollywood's efforts to milk comic lovers out of their hard earned money by throwing some random celebrity name on the book (ahem...Jennifer Love Hewitt...cough...cough...Deepak Chopra.) But I love it when a celebrity is unabashedly unashamed to profess their love of the medium.
Most people know that Nicholas Cage and Charlie Sheen are long time fans (who have owned some of the rarest of books in their collections). Jerry Seinfeld's love of Superman is well known. But how many of you knew that Robin Williams, Seth Rogan, Tori Amos, Samuel L. Jackson, Sebastian Bach, Keith Moon, Neil Patrick Harris, Howard Stern, Kristen Bell, are/were quite out and in the open about their love of comics and reading habits? There are also a ton of stars that have taken it to another level and written their own books. Kevin Smith, Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, Seth Green, Rosario Dawson, Bill Hader and Seth Myers, Rob Zombie, William Shatner - heck even Taye Diggs - have all put their efforts into giving back to the medium they love. One of the coolest displays of fandom actually comes from the NFL where Chicago Bears Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs went as far as creating and running his own website to discuss the books he's into.
Now these celebrity fans have no realeffect on my affection for comics, but it does give me a weird sense of community that is hard to explain. It's part my pop culture obsession, part American obsession with celebrity, but mostly just a comfort to know that love for comics transcends fame and fortune. We are all geeks and proud to declare it.
Most people know that Nicholas Cage and Charlie Sheen are long time fans (who have owned some of the rarest of books in their collections). Jerry Seinfeld's love of Superman is well known. But how many of you knew that Robin Williams, Seth Rogan, Tori Amos, Samuel L. Jackson, Sebastian Bach, Keith Moon, Neil Patrick Harris, Howard Stern, Kristen Bell, are/were quite out and in the open about their love of comics and reading habits? There are also a ton of stars that have taken it to another level and written their own books. Kevin Smith, Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, Seth Green, Rosario Dawson, Bill Hader and Seth Myers, Rob Zombie, William Shatner - heck even Taye Diggs - have all put their efforts into giving back to the medium they love. One of the coolest displays of fandom actually comes from the NFL where Chicago Bears Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs went as far as creating and running his own website to discuss the books he's into.
Now these celebrity fans have no realeffect on my affection for comics, but it does give me a weird sense of community that is hard to explain. It's part my pop culture obsession, part American obsession with celebrity, but mostly just a comfort to know that love for comics transcends fame and fortune. We are all geeks and proud to declare it.
07/06/11
Today is Wednesday and for most people, it's Hump Day. For comic lovers, it is something else entirely. It's the day that we live and breathe for - New Comic Day. And it's today's reason that I love comics.
Non comic fans probably have no idea that the comic industry is geared upon a fixed schedule with a regular release date much like movies and music. Having a set day of the week offers us comic fans something to anticipate and Wednesday has become the best part of the week for most of us. There's nothing like knowing that you can walk into a shop every week and feast upon a new rack of newly released books. Being able to go in and get your holds (the books set aside by your local comics retailer) and flipping through a stack of fresh goods is like a hit to a junkie. A junkie is what we are - let's face it, comics are an addiction for most of us. Comic collectors are obsessive. We are creatures of routine. We are always in need of a new fix. And that's what New Comic Day offers - a weekly fix of what we need most. So much so that my wife knows to that I'll need space every Wednesday night to plow through my new purchases.
I'm not sure I can truly explain this one to non-comic lovers, but I think everyone can understand this: Every Wednesday is like Christmas to comic lovers. Nerd Christmas. Now excuse me, but I've got a stack of today's books calling my name.
Non comic fans probably have no idea that the comic industry is geared upon a fixed schedule with a regular release date much like movies and music. Having a set day of the week offers us comic fans something to anticipate and Wednesday has become the best part of the week for most of us. There's nothing like knowing that you can walk into a shop every week and feast upon a new rack of newly released books. Being able to go in and get your holds (the books set aside by your local comics retailer) and flipping through a stack of fresh goods is like a hit to a junkie. A junkie is what we are - let's face it, comics are an addiction for most of us. Comic collectors are obsessive. We are creatures of routine. We are always in need of a new fix. And that's what New Comic Day offers - a weekly fix of what we need most. So much so that my wife knows to that I'll need space every Wednesday night to plow through my new purchases.
I'm not sure I can truly explain this one to non-comic lovers, but I think everyone can understand this: Every Wednesday is like Christmas to comic lovers. Nerd Christmas. Now excuse me, but I've got a stack of today's books calling my name.