Well folks, I knew it was coming and I bet you did too. The wife and I had the talk… the talk that I’m spending too much money on comics (and other related stuff), which, alas is true. With the new baby and our saving goals for the family, I need to drastically reduce my cash outlay at the comic store by about half.
It’s funny because I was thinking about doing a post about how comics were too expensive nowadays and how the days of getting a weekly stack of comics are just about gone unless you’ve got a lot of disposable income. It wasn’t long ago that trades were a viable option and in some case they still are but the price has jumped on these books too especially Marvels. Thirty bucks for the Invaders volume 2, Sorry I just couldn’t swing that and what’s with all the hardcovers? (Hey Marvel, maybe this why your income is down on the publishing side) And now the price on regular comics has really gotten out of hand for me. I have to create a budget and I must stick to it. That means if the comic is four F-ing dollars an issue, it better be dam good from day one or I’m dropping it posthaste. Gone are the days when I’ll stick around to see if it improves because I’d rather spend my meager funds on something that’s stellar out of the gate.
I feel bad because I have this urge to buy a lot, because I want to have the sense that I’m a part of something. I’m “participating” in geek culture. By cutting down my number of books, it “seems like I’m losing out because comics are really what I’m interested in. Plus, I’ll have nothing to talk about on my blog. I do remind myself though, that times are tough and I’ve got a decent job. So I shouldn’t be such a whinny bitch. I bet there are plenty of people in the world that would love to have this as their only problem. What I need to do is start hitting the library and actually review the few comics I’ll still be following to stay relevant.
Here’s my initial list of cancellations submitted to the Comic Store yesterday. I’m sure I’ll add more
I was kidnapped by Lesbian Pirates from Outer Space, Platinum Studios
Actually, this is a rather cute title from both the art and the writing perspectives. If I were a female high schooler I’d sure share this with my Girlfriend… but I’m an older white dude and so I like my lesbian pirate action a little more in the adult, Heavy Metal realm.
Battlestar Galatica (All Titles), Dynamite Entertainment
What’s funny about this is that my comic book store just forgot to put the BSG comics in my box and after a few months went by, I realized that I didn’t really care. I added this to cancel list merely as a formality.
Project Superpowers, Dynamite Entertainment
I am really interested in the old Golden Age Characters that are part of this series (as some of them were quite popular in their day) and I was also quite excited by Alex Ross’ designs but actually this title has been rather boring. All the great heroes pop out of thin air after being are stuck in jar for decades? Oh come on… The action just starts up without any frame of reference for just whom these guys are. There needed to be more of an introduction to the world that these forgotten characters inhabit. See Miracle Man or the Twelve on how to revive long lost superheroes. Also, the internal art isn’t living up to the Ross covers. Sound familiar… Earth X cough, cough…
Wrath of the Titans, Blue Water
I think this title is over anyway but just incase. I didn’t like the manga-ish art and the subpar coloring job. If a comic has Ray Harryhausen’s name on it, the artwork should match his style.
Next Issue Project, Image
Actually the first title in this series was quite good. Kinda like a cross between and indie book and Bronze Age comic. It’s just too expensive for me continue with right now. If an affordable trade shows up at some point, I may purchase it or at least borrow it.
The Dead Rider, Dark Horse
This thing is seems to be published so sporadically that I don’t remember what going on from issue to issue so it’s gone.
Lone Ranger, Dynamite Entertainment
This is a well-written comic, but I guess I’m just more of a revisionist western type of guy so it’s Jonah Hex for me.
Buckaroo Banzi, Moonstone
This is an OK series; I suppose I’m just not as excited about the main character as I thought I was.
Love and Rockets: New Stories, Fantagraphics
I’m an old school Love and Rocket fan. I’m just bailing on this before I have a chance to see it to save some cash.
Reign in Hell, DC comics
If your going to have folks just standing around hell talking about what their gonna do, then have Neil Gaiman or Mike Carey write it or don’t bother.
Night of the Living Dead, Avatar
I just wanted the one-shot. I’m just making sure that they didn’t sign me up for a regular series.
She Buccaneer, Great Big Comics.
Great concept and a great main character but this title needs better plotting. At Four bucks a pop it should be a superior product and right now it’s merely a B-movie.
Super World, Near Mint Press
Something I signed up for a long time ago that never showed up. Just making sure it never does at this point.
Storming Paradise, Wildstorm
The premise of this title is very intriguing, it’s actually something I’ve given some thought to. So, when Wildstorm announced that they were doing a WWII invasion of Japan alternate history comic, I was pretty stoked. The problem is Storming Paradise isn’t focusing on the things I’m interested in, such as things like the experimental jet aircraft built by the Japanese that would have factored into any invasion battles or the Russian invasion of Hokkaido. I might still pick up the next issue as it’s a good title but if I can’t, no worries.
The Age of the Sentry, Marvel
I like the silver age aesthetic of this comic but it hasn’t come out yet so it’s gone. Plus I really disliked the last Sentry mini.
Criminal Macabre, Dark Horse
Good stuff but if I’m not reading it, I don’t know what I’m missing right?
Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters, Dynamite Entertainment
I picked this up out of nostalgia for the 80s. It’s OK but with a smaller budget I need bigger laughs to keep going with it.
No Hero, Avatar
This is actually a really interesting psychedelic superhero offering from avatar. No complaints here. I hope I can pick up as trade during a sale someday.
The Station, Boom Studios
A crime comic in space? That’s what the station offers with a murder scenario on the international space station. It isn’t out yet that’s why I dropped it. I’ve been burned a few times with some of Boom’s titles not living up to the hype so I guess it’s better to wait and see if the buzz is good for this book, besides Boom’s trades tend to be more economical anyway.
Streets of Glory, Avatar
One western too many I guess.
Savage Tales, Dynamite Entertainment
One of the things that’s been bugging me about the Red Sonja title is that it’s supposed to set during the Hyborian Age, which I fined a very compelling fantasy world, but Dynamite has been keeping her travels very vague as to where she is. Sonja is just in some generic medieval land rather than the time of Conan. I like the character so much and that’s what keeps me coming back to her own title, but Savage Tales with its McMagic world stories about other guys? No thanks anymore.
Salem: Queen of Thorns, Boom Studios
I thought I would be in the mood for a good Salem witch horror story. I guess I’m not. If you are, check it out it’s just not my bag of chips at this point.
Anna Mercury, Avatar.
I picked this one up for the art, which is great. I’m just not into Warren Ellis’s sci-fi premise that’s presented in this title. Maybe She reminds me of too many other sci-fi action heroines like UltraViolet and Aeon Flux.
-Swinebread
This week’s best cover is The Twelve #0.
“Phew” sorry for griping it is just something that has been bugging for a while. But the big reason I went was to meet Andy Mangels. He’s a great, talkative guy who wears many hats. Mostly known for being a writer of Star Trek books, Andy also directs and writes material for DVD projects. Many Saturday morning favorites of yesteryear have been coming out with fantastic bonus material thanks to Andy. I’ve got a few of ‘em like Flash Gordon, Blackstar, the Animated Star Trek, and Dungeons and Dragons. 
I asked Andy a few questions and he was really great about providing answers. He had a hard time choosing his favorite DVD project but mentioned Ark II as a real treat to work on, as it had always been a favorite show of his. Additionally Andy said he feels that the Prince Valiant boxed sets are the most underrated because despite being a children’s show they had many adult themes, included faithful elements from the comic strips and interesting twists on the King Arthur mythology. Mr. Mangels felt Dungeons and Dragons had the most bonus features and he was pretty excited about the Lone Ranger, Zorro, Jason of Star Command and Isis sets due this year as well. 
When I asked about when Tarzan (one of my favorite cartoons) might come out, he informed me that it looks good but his group has to jump through a few more hoops to get the rights straightened out. But the best news of all: There is a good chance he’ll be doing Thundarr, (my favorite cartoon ever) although it might take some time. Andy said: “I know there is a lot of demand out there!” Boy, is that an understatement. I sure hope he gets to do the Thundarr DVD since his bonus features have been really stellar. 
