Tagged: Comic Book

Dynamite Entertainment Releases an Extended Preview of QUEEN SONJA #25

Cover: Chasen Grieshop

Dynamite Entertainment has released a preview of the upcoming QUEEN SONJA #25, which debuts November 30th wherever you buy your favorite comic book entertainment.
Click on images for a larger view.

Cover: Lucio Parrillo

QUEEN SONJA #25
32 pages FC • $4.99 • Teen +
Written by LUKE LIEBERMAN
Art by FRITZ CASAS
Covers by LUCIO PARRILLO (50%), CHASEN GRIESHOP (50%)

An over-sized anniversary issue! The final battle for the throne, the fate of an empire hangs in the balance! All loyalties tested and schemes lain bare in the final showdown between Queen Sonja and Emperor Antonious!

To learn more about Dynamite Entertainment, please visit http://www.dynamite.net/.
Look for QUEEN SONJA #25 in stores November 30th.

Dynamite Entertainment Releases an Extended Preview of WARLORD OF MARS: FALL OF BARSOOM #4

Cover: Francesco Francavilla

Dynamite Entertainment has released a preview of the upcoming WARLORD OF MARS: FALL OF
BARSOOM #4, which debuts November 30th wherever you buy your favorite comic book entertainment.
Click on images for a larger view.

WARLORD OF MARS: FALL OF BARSOOM #4
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +
Written by ROBERT PLACE NAPTON
Art by ROBERTO CASTRO
Covers by JOE JUSKO (main), FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA (1-in-10)
“Black & White” Retailer incentive cover by JOE JUSKO
“Virgin Art” Retailer incentive cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA

Cover: Joe Jusko

100,000 YEARS BEFORE THE TIME OF JOHN CARTER! A tribe of Red Martians attacks the Atmosphere Plant just as it’s about to go operational. Meanwhile, the savage Warhoon march on the last stronghold of the Orovar — the city of Horz–determined to wipe the White Martians from the face Mars.
This is the penultimate chapter in the Fall of Barsoom!

To learn more about Dynamite Entertainment, please visit http://www.dynamite.net/.

Look for WARLORD OF MARS: FALL OF BARSOOM #4 in stores November 30th.

MICHAEL DAVIS: The Art Of The Deal, Part 3

Please refer to Part 1 of this series. Part 2 was my attempt to try and underscore what I was trying to get across. Yeah, I have no idea why I did it either. To recap, I was breaking down my deal that put comic books in the school system.

The program was called The Action Files and it’s a K-12 high interest, low level reading program. These were the steps I took and the questions I asked:

Q. Did my idea have merit?

A. Comics in the school system. Duh, duh, triple duh.

Q. What were the barriers to entry?

A. After researching I decided the reason why there was no comic book reading programs taught as a curriculum because of the educational climate and prejudices that were associated (at the time, which was 1996) against comic books.

In other words, no one wanted to see The Hulk on a textbook.

Q. If such a good idea, why had it not been done before?

A. Marvel and DC were light years away from my brilliance! Only I was smart enough to figure out how to get into the school system! Me and me alone!!!!!

Or…Marvel and DC were simply not interested in the market to approach it the way I did which was as a curriculum.

I covered all of this in detail in Part 1. Now comes the Nitti Gritty as to exactly how I was able to pull this off.

The idea of comics’ as a learning tool and comics in the school is not a new idea and certainly not just my idea. I realized that idea was a good one but it was a huge one.

So I fine-tuned the idea to a smaller more manageable and focused idea. Comics in the schools as a reading program. A curriculum based program complete with lesson plans and teacher guides.

From my research I realized that most states have different guidelines for their schools. No matter how smart, well done and even needed my reading program was, it would not ever be seen in a state unless it adheres to that states guidelines.

So how did I get around that? Did I do a program for all 50 states?

Err, nope.

I created two different programs, one for California using their guidelines and one for Texas using their guidelines.

Why California and Texas? Why not my beloved New York and some other state I don’t hate like I hate both California and Texas?

Because there are no bigger players in the textbook market than California and Texas, where they go, goes the nation. Seriously, I can’t stand Texas and have no love for California but this as they say is business.

Did I care about the other 48 states and Puerto Rico?

Nope. Not for this deal. Sometimes less is more.

Now I had the program and knew the audience and had created The Action File Universe so now the question was how to get paid. Not how to get the comics into the classrooms.

I’ll say it again; the question after all this work was how I would get paid for this idea. Why was I not thinking about how to get the comics in the classroom?

Because that’s not what I do.

That’s so important. Many people try and be a jack-of-all-trades but end up being masters of none. I’m an idea guy. After the idea I’m like a deer in the headlights.

I don’t know nor do I want to know how the guy I hired to fix my car fixed it. Why? Because knowing how he did something does not mean I’ll be able to do it. So why waste my time trying? Hell, I know how and why my dentist drills my teeth but I’m not buying a drill so I can do it.

I don’t have millions of dollars (not anymore, here’s some advice kids, just say no) to pay for the creation, printing and distribution into the schools nor did I have the juice (influence) to get into the very exclusive education market.

I’ve got the juice now, trust me, I’m a doctor.

Remember. I’m an idea guy. The above is not what I do, even if I had that kind of bank.

I needed a partner. I needed a partner who would not only get it; they would also pay for it.

So, I took another month and wrote a detailed business plan. When that was done, I picked up the phone and called one of the biggest publishers in the world.

Next week, the deal.

WEDNESDAY: Mike Gold

Dynamite Entertainment’s Pulp Offerings for February 2012

Dynamite Entertainment has released their solicitations for February 2012. These titles are available for preorder now from your favorite comic book retailer.


THE LONE RANGER #1

Rating: TEEN+
Covers:
http://www.dynamite.net/htmlfiles/search2.html?0=19&next0=&KMPZ=Alex%20Ross&method=dynamiteAlex Ross (50%), Francesco Francavilla (50%)
Writer: Ande Parks
Artist: Esteve Polls
Colorist: Marcello Pinto
Genre: Western
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: Comic Book
PAGE COUNT: 32 pages
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130186065 00111
UPC: 725130186065 00121
UPC: 725130186065 00131
UPC: 725130186065 00141
It’s been two months since Lone Ranger and Tonto hit the trails of the old west, looking for injustice. They’ve found plenty. Now, they come across settlers who have been victimized in a way that stirs memories in John Reid. Loss, vengeance, and redemption as pioneer idealism meets the reality of hard life on the prairie. A stand-alone tale that ties into an epic six part story that will test the mettle of the west’s most legendary heroes.

Rating: Teen +
Covers:
http://www.dynamite.net/htmlfiles/search2.html?0=19&next0=&KMPZ=Alex%20Ross&method=dynamiteAlex Ross (75%), Paul Renaud (25%), Francesco Francavilla (1-in-10)
Writer: Eric Trautmann
Artist: Daniel Indro
Genre: Sci-Fi
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: Comic Book
PAGE COUNT: 32 pages
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130183958 00311
UPC: 725130183958 00321
UPC: 725130183958 00331
UPC: 725130183958 00341
Flash Gordon — on the run from Ming’s pursuit ships — finds himself cut off and alone, facing down the deadly hazards of Mongo’s untamed wilderness, and the primal rage of Prince Thun of the Lion Men. Alien threats abound, which will test Gordon’s skills to their outer limits. Meanwhile, on an Earth still menaced by the threat of invasion from Mongo, three alien rebels wage a secret battle against Ming the Merciless. Their target: a shipment of powerful extraterrestrial weapons, delivered into the hands of the Third Reich!
Dynamite Entertainment‘s epic space opera continues in Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist’s thrilling third chapter, “Monsters of Mongo.

Rating: Mature
Covers: Lucio Parillo (50%), Paul Renaud (50%), Francesco Francavilla (1-in-10)
Writer: Arvid Nelson
Artist: Roberto Castro
Genre: Action/Adventure
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: Comic Book
PAGE COUNT: 32 pages
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130183934 00211
UPC: 725130183934 00221
UPC: 725130183934 00231
UPC: 725130183934 00241
UPC: 725130183934 00251
The year is 1909. Bloodthirsty mutineers have seized the beautiful Jane Porter and her father. The cutthroats are lying low on the coast of the Belgian Congo as they squabble over a mysterious chest Jane and her father risked their lives for. Cecil Clayton, heir apparent to the title of Lord Greystoke, is with them, searching for a long-lost uncle who disappeared on the very shores he and the Porters find themselves on. Fortunately for the hostages, they’ve stumbled onto the hunting grounds of pulp fiction’s greatest hero! Could there be a connection to their mysterious protector and Clayton’s missing relative? Find out in Lord of the Jungle Issue 2: The Forest God!

VAMPIRELLA VS. DRACULA #1
Rating: Teen +
Covers: Joe Linsner
Writer: Joe Harris
Artist: Jean Diaz
Genre: Horror, Super-Hero
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: Comic Book
PAGE COUNT: 48 pages
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130186058 00111
UPC: 725130186058 00121
UPC: 725130186058 00131
48 pages at only $3.99! Spinning out of Alan Moore’s retelling of the ageless horror classic,
Dracula has come to America to play out his timeless narrative in this brave, New World. Only he didn’t realize ANOTHER vampire already beat him to it. Drawn to one another across continents and centuries by a mysterious force, both Vampirella and Bram Stoker’s immortal monster find themselves sucked into a time-tossed epic of love, hate, death and damnation. But can an epic built for one vampire possibly hold them both?
Also includes the reprinted Alan Moore/Gary Frank story!

Rating: Teen +
Covers: Francesco Francavilla (50%), Aaron Campbell (50%)
Writer: Stuart Manning
Artist: Aaron Campbell
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: Comic Book
PAGE COUNT: 32 pages
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130183989 00411
A killer is stalking the streets of Collinsport as vampire Barnabas Collins finds himself in a race against time to save the Collins family from a dangerous force. As his eternal nemesis, the witch Angelique, makes her new bid for eternal life, Barnabas and Julia must work out what links Barnabas’ dreams to the mysterious statue in time to prevent a tragic death.

Rating: Teen +
Covers:
http://www.dynamite.net/htmlfiles/search2.html?0=19&next0=&KMPZ=Alex%20Ross&method=dynamiteAlex Ross (main), Jonathan Lau (1-in-10)
Writer: Kevin Smith with Phil Hester
Artist: Jonathan Lau
Colorist: Ivan Nunes
Genre: Media Tie-In, Action Adventure
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: Comic Book
PAGE COUNT: 32 pages
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130184009 00611
UPC: 725130184009 00621
UPC: 725130184009 00631
Steve Austin and the evil cyborg Hull engage in a bionic battle that shakes the very foundation of Washington DC. From the posh ballrooms of high society to the bowels of the subway, the half-machine combatants leave a path of destruction through our nation’s Capitol. But when Hull’s tactics put the lives of innocents in danger, Steve Austin must push his new bionic
Powers to the limit… and beyond!

Rating: Mature
Covers:
Joe Jusko (50%), Stephen Sadowski (50%), Lucio Parrillo (1-in-15)
Writer: Arvid Nelson
Artist: Edgar Salazar
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Super-Hero
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: Comic Book
PAGE COUNT: 32 pages
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130184047 01611
UPC: 725130184047 01621
UPC: 725130184047 01631
John Carter is finally united with the son he never knew. The two of them face bloody death in the great arena of Issus, Goddess of Life Eternal. No one has ever escaped from the arena of Issus before, but Carter and his son might have a thing or two to teach this false goddess about religion — the old fashioned way, at the end of a sword point! Hair-raising escapes, devious villainy, and an embarrassing revelation or two await you in Warlord of Mars Issue 16: Flight and Pursuit!

Rating: Mature
Covers: Paul Renaud (33%), Ale Garza (33%), Fabiano Neves (33%)
Writer: Robert Napton
Artist: Carlos Rafael
Colorist: Carlos Lopez
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Super-Hero
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: Comic Book
PAGE COUNT: 32 pages
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130184054 01111
UPC: 725130184054 01121
UPC: 725130184054 01131
The Great Toonolian Marshes–one of the most feared places in Barsoom with 1800 miles of marsh land infested with exotic and dangerous creatures. It also possesses natural resources that Helium needs for its reconstruction. Dejah, along with her new pilot Kantos Kan, ventures into this foreboding region on an expeditionary mission. While there, Dejah is possessed by “the Boora Witch,” one of the marshes’ most dangerous residents. Unknown to anyone, The Witch takes control of Dejah and starts spinning a web that could destroy Helium once and for all! Dejah has overcome many enemies, but can she overcome the enemy within?

Rating: Mature
Covers: Lucio Parrillo
Writer: Mark Rahner
Artist:
Stephen Sadowski
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Super-Hero
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: Comic Book
PAGE COUNT: 40 pages
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130186072 00111
The mighty green warrior Tars Tarkas was ready for blood the day he first met John Carter on Barsoom. Make that MORE blood. The epic, “Shell Shock,” chronicles the violence and horror that led to that day. Tars Tarkas is jolted out of an existential crisis by the massacre of a Thark egg incubator, and things just get worse from there as he faces mutiny and … and genocide! Written by Mark Rahner (“Rotten,” “Green Hornet” Annual #2).

Rating: Teen +
Covers: Brian Denham (33%), Phil Hester (33%), and Jonathan Lau (33%)
Writer: Ande Parks
Artist: Igor Vitorino
Colorist: Ivan Nunes
Genre: Super-Hero, Adventure
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: Comic Book
PAGE COUNT: 32 pages
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130184115 02411
Green Hornet’s perception as a villain in Century City has been kicked up a notch, as someone disguised as the Hornet has assassinated the city’s Mayor. A pair of new villains finalize their plans to seize power, and a fearful public demands blood, with Green Hornet and Kato as the prime targets. Britt Reid has to find a way to clear his alter ego’s name while maintaining both his secret identity and his fearful reputation amongst the gangs of Century City. Green Hornet is now Public Enemy #1… with a bullet.

Rating: Teen +
Covers: Matt Wagner
Writer: Matt Wagner
Artist: John K. Snyder III
Genre: Action/Adventure
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: Comic Book
PAGE COUNT: 32 pages
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130184139 00711
The one and only Matt (MAGE, GRENDEL) Wagner is in the home-stretch of his epic story of Zorro! After catastrophic changes in Zorro’s world-events, Zorro begins to question everything he does and everything for which he stands. There’re thrilling times ahead as ZORRO RIDES AGAIN with issue #7 from
Dynamite Entertainment!

Rating: Teen +
Covers: Walter Geovani (50%), John Watson (50%)
Writer: Eric Trautmann
Artist: Walter Geovani
Genre: Sword and Sorcery, Adventure, Superhero
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: Comic Book
PAGE COUNT: 32 pages
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130184153 06611
The final, bloody showdown over the cursed Horn of Nergal is at hand! To stand fast against an army of Stygian assassins, and the sinister machinations of the Priestess Azanathi, will require all of
Red Sonja‘s considerable skill. But is the She-Devil’s martial prowess enough to win the day, and perhaps, a measure of redemption, or will the Horn’s curse cost Sonja everything?

Rating: Teen +
Covers: Frank Martin Jr.
Writer: Marc Mason
Artist: Lui Antonio
Genre: Sword and Sorcery, Adventure, Superhero
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: Comic Book
PAGE COUNT: 40
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130186089 00111
The goddess Scathach places her blessings upon a new warrior, Raven, who dedicates herself to the advancement of women all across the land. But when
Red Sonja finds herself investigating a series of massacres, she begins to suspect that Raven isn’t quite as noble as she seems in the pursuit of her cause. Surrounded by an army of women ready to draw blood in her name, Raven may be the one foe that Sonja cannot defeat… and she may not want to!

Rating: Teen +
Cover: Igor Vitorino (50%), Lucio Parrillo (50%)
Writer: Luke Lieberman
Artist: Milton Estevam
Genre: Sword and Sorcery, Adventure
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: Comic Book
PAGE COUNT: 32 pages
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
UPC: 725130184160 02711
When you move to strike Empress Sonja you had better not miss, because you only get one shot. Then it is her turn. Meanwhile Xander and Melea penetrate Koliostri’s growing cult, and learn its secrets.

Rating: Mature
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Genre: WAR
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: 6 x 9 prose novel
PAGE COUNT: 160
Rights: WW
Age range: 16+
New York Times Best-Selling Author and comic book writer, Chuck Dixon’s first ever novel from
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT! In the tradition of G.I. Joe, Punisher, Tom Clancy, Brad Thor, Clive Cussler, Vince Flynn, W.E. Griffin, and Dale Brown: SEAL Team Six: The Novel!
They are highly trained. Their missions are classified. They are our best and last hope. Yet they do not exist. Follow SEAL Team Six as they train, hunt and fight an enemy who reaches out from the most remote corners of the world to murder and maim. These highly-trained, military men are the unknown heroes who endure unimaginable hardship and murderous combat to protect our homeland.
SBN-10: 1-60690-251-2
ISBN-13: 978-1-60690-251-6

Rating: TEEN+
Cover:
http://www.dynamite.net/htmlfiles/search2.html?0=19&next0=&KMPZ=Alex%20Ross&method=dynamiteAlex Ross
Writer: Ande Parks
Artists: Esteve Polls
Genre: Action/Adventure,
Western
Awards: N/A
Publication Date: Jan 2012
Format: soft cover trade paperback
PAGE COUNT: 128
The legendary masked crime-fighter, Zorro, now in his sixties, has hung up his cape and sword. Living on a peaceful ranch in the new state of California, Don Diego tends to his cattle, breaks horses, and enjoys the company of his wife. When a renegade band of Confederate bushwhackers attack a nearby Indian settlement, though, Don Diego cannot Just stand by and let innocents be slaughtered. Zorro heads back into action again… for the last time! Guest starring another legendary masked lawman –
The Lone Ranger!
Collecting the entire five-issue series, along with a complete cover gallery.
ISBN-10: 1606901575
ISBN-13: 978-1-60690-157-1

To learn more about Dynamite Entertainment, please visit www.dynamite.net.THE LONE RANGER: DEATH OF ZORRO TPB SEAL TEAM SIX: THE NOVEL QUEEN SONJA #27 RED SONJA: RAVEN RED SONJA #66 ZORRO RIDES AGAIN #7 (OF 12) GREEN HORNET #24 WARLORD OF MARS ANNUAL #1 WARLORD OF MARS: DEJAH THORIS #11 WARLORD OF MARS #16 KEVIN SMITH – THE BIONIC MAN #6 DARK SHADOWS #4 LORD OF THE JUNGLE #2 FLASH GORDON – ZEITGEIST #3

LANCE STAR: SKY RANGER LANDS AT THE DRIVETHRU

Cover: James Burns

The Lance Star: Sky Ranger “One Shot!” comic book by Bobby Nash and James Burns is now available for digital download at DriveThru Comics. http://comics.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=96166.

About Lance Star: Sky Ranger “One Shot!”
November, 1941. Ace Air Adventurer Lance Star accepts a dangerous mission into an enemy stronghold to stop the Nazi’s from uncovering plans for a weapon long believed destroyed. Lance flies a solo mission to Kiev where he is to plant explosives and destroy a weapons facility when he runs into an old enemy. Now, Lance is faced with a choice. Complete the mission? Or take down the Sky Ranger’s greatest adversary? He’s only going to get one shot at this. Will he choose the mission or revenge?

Featuring high-flying adventure, aerial dog fights, explosive action, and stunning artwork, Lance Star: Sky Ranger “One Shot!” is pure pulp fun from start to finish.

Lance Star: Sky Ranger
“One Shot!”
Written by Bobby Nash
Art/Letters/Colors by James Burns
28 page DriveThru Comics Digital Edition
$1.50

Page 1.

Lance Star: Sky Ranger “One Shot!” is now available for digital download at DriveThru Comics. http://comics.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=96166.

Learn more about DriveThru Comics at http://comics.drivethrustuff.com/.

Lance Star: Sky Ranger pulp anthology volumes 1, 2, and 3 and “One Shot!” are also available in print and digital editions. Visit http://www.lance-star.com/, http://ben-books.blogspot.com/, and http://www.bobbynash.com/ for more information and updates on future Lance Star: Sky Ranger projects.

MARC ALAN FISHMAN: Editing Away the Future

This past weekend I was graced with the presence of ComicMix EIC/Columnist/Cranky Elderly Statesman Mike Gold. He invited me out for a brisket sandwich and conversation. For those not in the know, Gold and I are Jews – and as such, after circumcision, Bar Mitzvah, and a wedding to a Jewish bride, “brisket and conversation” is the next milestone in the Hebrew circle of life. In a day I’ll not forget for a good long while, we waxed poetic on a bevy of topics. It was like “Tuesday’s With Morrie,” except no one was dying. One point that seemed to come up again and again revolved around the state of the comic book industry. And when the dust had settled, and my brisket was fully digested, it came to me. There’s plenty of good going on in comics today, but for all the bad the finger of shame is pointed heavily at the editors’ desks.

What is a comic book editor? Well, he or she is many things to many people. To artists and writers, they are the boss. They assemble the parts, and roll out the final product. They help dot i’s, cross t’s, and make constructive criticism to ensure that the book that hits the shelf is the best it could be. To the fans, they are mysterious figure-heads who get their names right under the talent on the title page. They are the kings at conventions, giving sage advice one minute, and spinning bad fan-reaction the next. In the days before the Internet they were the keepers of secrets – the walking Wikipedias of their brands.

And today? They are that and more. Constructors of continuity, ruiners of rumors, and dolers of dreams. They say absolute power corrupts absolutely. Has their hubris finally caught up with them? I offer some proof, by way of my all-powerful-never-wrong-because-I’m-a-columnist opinion.

How about the Epic Cross-Over of Infinite Magnitude! The first time it happened it sure must have been novel. Upend the whole universe and throw all the heroes together in a big fight. Sounds cool, right? Sure. And I bet it sold like hot cakes. A chance to see Spider-Man, Captain America, The Thing and Ben Gallagher all fight Dough Boy, Red Skull, and Avalanche no doubt equaled a nice spike in sales, and plenty of direction for the respective players, when the dust settled. But be it the editors, or the powers that be behind them. what was a once-in-a-decade deal has now become a yearly escapade. And it drags down the whole industry with it. And where it used to be a single book to encapsulate the ruckus, thanks to those editors, it now permeates the entire line of comics coming out.

I’ve been truly enjoying Matt Fraction’s Invincible Iron Man now for two and half years. But lately, the books have been disjointed, discombobulated, and terribly boring. Fear Itself has consumed it, and because I’m not interested in Marvel’s excuse to dress everyone up in spikes and Tron lines. I’m buying a book that makes little sense. And when the crossover is over, I’ll invariably have to suffer for at least an issue or two more to deal with the eventual fallout. And the whole time, I can’t help but see the puppeteer’s grimy hand placed sorely up Matt Fraction’s asshole.

And yes, I know he is the lead architect/writer of Fear Itself. But I doubt he walked into the editor’s office with the pitch saying “This needs to bleed into seven different mini-series, and 13 other books.” The fact is with each passing summer “epic,” the publishers invariably encompass more and more books. And every time they do it, it stops any forward momentum on a series cold.

Invincible Iron Man was an amazing deconstruction of Tony Stark, full of intrigue, new and old villains, and a strong cast of supporting characters. Thanks to Fear Itself, I’ve had to suffer three or four books of Tony building weapons with dwarfs while he drinks. The intrigue? The drama? The 30+ books of character building? Gone with a swing of Odin’s Budweiser and a fight with a mud-monster.

But I digress. With the New 52, DC’s Dan DiDio stuck his neck on the line and said “this is what we need to do to shake things up.” And I whole-heartedly agree. But he chose to end the current continuity by way of one of those aforementioned epics, and then give all of us a do-over on his “One Year Later” trick. Remember that? And to boot, while countless writers sit on the sidelines waiting for a chance to shine, Dan hands himself a job on OMAC.

I’m curious. Did he pitch the book to himself? If the editors exist to challenge their artists and writers to make the best books possible, if the New 52 was supposed to exist to make it not only easy for new readers to jump in, but to hold the industry to a higher standard of quality. How do books like Voodoo, Hawk and Dove, Mister Terrific, and Grifter get published?

Furthermore, what about the books that were universally “meh’ed” like Red Lanterns, JLI, Catwoman, or Red Hood and the Outboobs? Did the editors really sit back at their desk with the assembled pages, and say “now here’s a book I am proud of” or did they just get the damned thing done and hope for the best?

Stay tuned next week, when all the ComicMix columnists will be editorially mandated to write on the same topic: Honey Badgers!

SUNDAY: John Ostrander

12 Gauge Comics October Pulpy Offerings

Coming in October from 12 Gauge Comics.

THE BOONDOCK SAINTS, VOL. 1 TP: “In Nomine Patris”Writers: Troy Duffy and J.B. Love
Artist: Guus Floor
152 pages
$19.99
THE SAINTS ARE COMING!
Launching out of the wildly successful film franchise — THE BOONDOCK SAINTS and THE BOONDOCK SAINTS II: ALL SAINTS DAY — this inaugural comic book collection chronicles the first story to take place outside of the cult-hit films. Written by BOONDOCK SAINTS creator/writer/director TROY DUFFY and comic scribe J.B. LOVE, the “In Nomine Patris” saga is the perfect companion to the films.
Discover the true story behind the original saint, Noah MacManus (IL DUCE), and his bloody war against New York’s 1960s Underground Crime world.
And what of the beloved MacManus Brothers? For the first time ever, Troy Duffy reveals some of what happened between the films, as well as the brother’s journey to uncover the full extent of their family’s legacy of violence, leaving a path of vengeance in their wake!
Including a foreword by Connor MacManus himself– actor SEAN PATRICK FLANERY– never-before-seen art, a cover gallery, all six comic issues, and more— this all new chapter in the Boondock Saints Saga is what the fans have been waiting for! Don’t miss it!

ICE #4 (of 4)Writer: Doug Wagner
Artist: Jose Holder
Cover Artist: Brian Stelfreeze
Colors: Michael Wiggam
* Bonus co-feature by Doug Wagner and Brian Stelfreeze
32 pages
$3.99
The battle for simple justice has turned deeply personal for ICE agent Cole Matai, who has left his badge in the states and illegally crossed the border into Mexico, seeking only revenge after the shocking events of the last issue.
With his goal being to finish off Luis Morales once and for all, Cole takes the battle straight to the most ruthless criminal he’s ever encountered. Two men, two knives, and a battle for the ages. It has all led to this….ICE #4 will not disappoint!

LOOSE ENDS #4 (of 4)Writer: Jason Latour
Art and Cover: Chris Brunner
Colors: Rico Renzi
24 pages
$3.99
“With guns drawn, the deadly crime lord Batista charges toward the seedy Miami hotel room where Detective Rose’s plot is finally hatched. It seems that the only person standing between Sonny, Cheri, and this vicious gangster is the treacherous Detective Flynn and his facility for murder and violence. Or is he?
Join us for all this and more, as we draw the blinds on our shocking conclusion.”
LOOSE ENDS is a gritty, slow cooked, “southern crime romance”, that follows a winding trail down Tobacco Road, through the war torn streets of Baghdad, and into the bright lights and bloody gutters of South Florida…12-Gauge style.

COUNTRY ASS-WHUPPIN’: A Tornado Relief Anthology (One-Shot)Writers: Jason Aaron, Sean Patrick Flanery, Doug Wagner, Nathan Edmondson, and others
Artists: Jason Pearson, Brian Stelfreeze, Jason Latour, Rebekah Isaacs, Tony Shasteen, and others
Cover A: Cully Hamner
Cover B: Kody Chamberlain
48 pages
$5.99
On April 27, 2011 a string of deadly tornados ripped across the southeastern United States, with the brunt of the devastation focused on the state of Alabama.
In an effort to help some of the victims who are still putting their lives back together, many of the finest comic creators working in the industry today, all with roots or ties to the south, have banded together and donated their time for a uniquely southern anthology: COUNTRY ASS-WHUPPIN’.
The stories have one thing in common– they are all about people in the south kickin’ ass or getting their asses kicked. Enjoy both tall-tales and true stories, told by some of the best in the business; including Jason Aaron (X-MEN: SCHISM, WOLVERINE), Sean Patrick Flanery (BOONDOCK SAINTS), Cully Hamner (RED, BLUE BEETLE), Brian Stelfreeze (ICE, WEDNESDAY COMICS), Rebekah Isaacs (IRON AGE, ANGEL & FAITH), Jason Pearson (ASTONISHING X-MEN, DEADPOOL), Nathan Edmondson (WHO IS JAKE ELLIS?) and many more. Don’t miss this celebration of southern culture, while having fun and helping those in need.
100% of the proceeds from this book will go directly to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, so please ask your retailer to reserve your copy today!

To see all of 12 Gauge Comics’ offerings, visit http://www.12gaugecomics.com/.

MARC ALAN FISHMAN: Variant Variety Ain’t the Spice of Life

When my mother asked me why I was buying up all the comics I could, I made an attempt to satisfy her underlying problem. “I’m not wasting my money, Mom, these comics are worth money!” She bought that. Years later, she asked me when I was going to sell them and enjoy the tidy profit. Wouldn’t you know it? All those copies of Night Man and Mantra weren’t worth the paper they were printed on. And my Walgreens copy of Cyberforce: Bloodstryke? Nary a nickel would be given to me by any one aside from maybe Marc Silvestri. Had I been smart enough, I would have picked up the holo-foil variant cover, and nabbed me a dime.

You see kiddos, when I got into comics, the ‘Variant’ cover ruled the land. In the go-go-nineties, when people suddenly thought comic books were highly coveted collectables, the publishers followed suit by releasing a veritable tidal wave of ‘comicas con variantas.’ Short supply equaled high demand, and before you know it… even your next-door neighbor (who can’t tell Batman from Man-Bat) is collecting comic books. Me personally? I couldn’t care less. Have a seat. Get comfy. Let me pull out my jar of poetry wax. It’s time to polish up the Rant-O-Tron 5000.

Collectables by and large bother me. The idea that you would purchase a toy, a poster, a print, or a talking rubber fish all with the notion that it’d eventually mint you a tidy profit seems ludicrous to me. Toys are meant to be played with. Art is meant to be displayed. And those talking rubber fish? They’re meant to be in RVs in the south.

The same goes for comic books. Maybe I’m alone in this sentiment (and I hope in fact that I’m not) but comic books are meant to be read. Comic books as collectables just irks me a bit. Scratch that. Comic book collectors who don’t enjoy the medium for anything other than the potential profit? They irk me.

Unlike commemorative plates, baseball cards, or Hollywood memorabilia, comic books are made with the intent to entertain. Writers sat at typewriters concocting amazing fantasies for their fictitious creations. Artists slaved over their drawing boards meticulously adding nuance, detail, and action to the written word. And a literal team of other players had their hands in the pot… from the letterers, colorists, inkers, designers, and editors who spent their work week fretting over deadlines to eventually put their book on a store shelf… and you don’t even take the time to read it? Next time do me a favor, buy a limited edition Billy Bass.

But Marc, you protest, what about those smart people who minted thousands upon thousands for their rare Action Comics #1, or Detective Comics #27? What about them, indeed. Neither were a “Holo-Foil Sketch Blank Autographed Variant.” And 75 years from now, if you think your copy of the “B” cover of Justice League 2011 will be worth thousands of dollars more than the standard “A” cover… well, you are welcome to dance on my grave if it’s true.

Suffice to say, I’ve never bought a comic strictly for the purpose of profiting. And for those who do, while I don’t deny you the right to spend your money however you see fit: I scoff at you on principle alone.

For the publishers who produce them, it must seem like a brilliant idea. In John Ostrander’s piece a few weeks back, we learned that the comic book market is such that the publishers don’t sell to the consumers. They sell to retail shops who in turn sell to us. So their spin-off squeeze play is nothing more than an attempt to hike up sales a bit more. Dynamite alone must produce an Alex Ross variant every other week, for every other book they publish. In turn the shops might feel compelled to order enough of the base book to “earn” those packed-in variants, and in-turn mark them up for sale to the saps, err, collectors who come into their stores. I love Alex Ross’s work kids, I do. But they day I’m chasing down a Green Hornet Year One Sketch Cover Variant C, break a NASCAR Jeff Gordon plate across my face. Before anything else, a comic is there to be read and enjoyed.

Agree? Disagree? You know the drill. Let me have it below.

SUNDAY: John Ostrander

Lance Star: Sky Ranger Digital Comic Book Now Available At Graphic.ly!

BEN Books is proud to announce that the Lance Star: Sky Ranger “One Shot!” comic book by New Pulp Creators Bobby Nash and James Burns is now available in digital format at Graphic.ly for only $1.99.
http://graphicly.com/ben-books/lance-star-sky-ranger-one-shot/1

Lance Star: Sky Ranger “One Shot!”

November, 1941. Ace Air Adventurer Lance Star accepts a dangerous mission into an enemy stronghold to stop the Nazi’s from uncovering plans for a weapon long believed destroyed. Lance flies a solo mission to Kiev where he is to plant explosives and destroy a weapons facility when he runs into an old enemy. Now, Lance is faced with a choice. Complete the mission? Or take down the Sky Ranger’s greatest adversary? He’s only going to get one shot at this. Will he choose the mission or revenge?

Featuring high-flying adventure, aerial dog fights, explosive action, and stunning artwork, Lance Star: Sky Ranger “One Shot!” is pure New Pulp fun from start to finish.

Learn more about Lance Star: Sky Ranger “One Shot!” and the Graphic.ly edition at http://www.lance-star.com/.

john-ostrander-8877507

JOHN OSTRANDER: Targeted Audiences

john-ostrander-8877507My Mary gets pissed-off about a lot of commercials because they’re so stupid. I remind her that, in most cases, we are not the target audience for the product. At 62, I’m rarely the target audience for most products unless they’re for erectile dysfunction or, as I like to call it, Limp Dick Syndrome.

Most products have a targeted audience, and that includes comics. In fact, it has a primary and secondary audience and it might surprise fans to know that they are the secondary audience. Who is the primary audience? Distributors and retailers – or, at least, they have been.

A quick review/primer on how comics are sold: when comics are printed they are shipped to distributors who then solicit the sale of the comics from retailers (traditionally direct sale comic book shops) who have pre-ordered the books based on how many they think they can sell. The books are then, hopefully, sold to a public who comes into the shops and buys them off the shelves.

ostrander-column-110814-art-1133233That’s the trick. If the books don’t find their ways to the shelves, they don’t get sold. The distributor has a catalog in which the books are advertised and where and how they’re placed can determine how many copies of a given book are ordered or if they are ordered. The retailers’ goal is to sell out each book each month. Why? Because they’re stuck with each book they don’t sell; the books are non-returnable. It makes better business sense to order too few than order too many especially when you look at the volume of titles out every month.

The primary goal of the comic book companies is to make money which translates into how many books they sell. They want to convince the distributor to give them bigger space in the catalog so they can attract the eye of the retailers so that they will order more or at least the same amount as the previous month. (Many retailers I know automatically reduce their order by so many percentage points every month unless the book is in the top twenty. They assume readers drop off after a certain point. Why do they assume that? Experience.)

How do the big companies do that? They stage events – crossovers, multiple covers, guest stars (Wolverine or Batman everywhere!), revamps, new creative teams, new directions and so on. The companies hope that the fans will get excited but the real reason is to get the primary target audience to order more. So the stories that the secondary audience – the reader – sees is largely dependent on what grabs the primary audience.

And all that’s going to change. The small independent creators are proving that they can sell their comics online or in digital form direct to the fans. And the big companies have taken notice. DC is making its book available online the same day they go on-sale in shops. If it’s successful, expect everyone else to follow and fast. The secondary audience will become the primary audience.

What will that mean in terms of story? It means things could get real interesting. More on that next week.

(Editor’s note: This column was supposed to be posted on Sunday morning. That’s what the editor set everything up for. But it didn’t happen. We think this is because the editor is an idiot. Our apologies to John and all the Ostranderites all over the globe.)