Nostalgic

By Thomm

I miss the Spider-Man I started with 31 years ago. It wasn't the first comic I ever read, but it was the first that I bought with my own dimes. My Grandma had bought the occasional comic for me, of course. Most of it was Richie Rich and Casper and other fluff of that sort. There was, I recall, one Superman title that was really silly, but I can't remember any more than that about it now.

When I was 10, though, we moved from suburban Philly to rural PA. That fall was my first experience of the soon to be loathed magazine sales drive to raise money for the school. I've pretty much hated sales ever since, but I did start buying comics then. Actually, I've pretty much been buying them ever since. I started with a subscription to Amazing Spider-Man. The first issue to arrive was #184. The eminently forgettable villian was the White Dragon. But I liked it. Peter Parker graduated from college the next issue. Sure, Aunt May seemed to be on the verge of death for as long as the book was published, but even without having read the classics with the death of the Norman Osborne Green Goblin and Gwen Stacey, it felt like I was picking things up quickly and the story was moving Parker forward in his life.

I gave up on the book right when McFarlane was starting. I had been through the Secret Wars nonsense that brought Spider-Man his symbiote costume. I went through the Venom fight. As a kid I like the sort of Batman/Catwoman like relationship Spider-Man had with the Black Cat, though it seems rather like a rip-off now. I had been through his developing relationship with Mary Jane Watson. I think I might even have bought the wedding special, whenever that came out.

Altogether, it was a lot of fun, but by the time I gave up on it, there seemed to have been a loss of really challenging villians, or even interesting lame ones. More importantly, I suppose, I had gotten away from superhero titles in general to a large extent. McFarlane's art wasn't keeping me around, either. As I noted last time, I'm not a big art guy, and the stories just weren't there.

But Spider-Man was the first title I really got into, and I stuck with it for about 10 years. Now, all I hear about Spider-Man is that it's really gone off the rails. Really, all of its history seems to have been lost. Norman Osborne's not dead. Gwen Stacey, or a clone of her, was back at some point. Somewhere along the line someone decided Gwen Stacey had had children. Not only that, they were Norman Osborne's children and the reason he killed her. Parker himself went through some bizarre period where he was a clone, or some such nonsense. Now, I read where a Faustian bargain was made by Mary Jane for who knows what reason that led to Parker forgetting about his marriage to her, so he's a swinging single again, and everyone else has forgotten he revealed his secret identity at some point. Oh, and he had a bunch of additional powers he picked up some time after I quit reading that all went away, too. What a mess.

I guess it boils down to Jim's complaint. The characters never age. They continue to have more and more history heaped upon them, reach a point of bloat, and then are re-set. But what's the point of that? Sure, the whole superhero medium is a willing suspension of disbelief, but if you read a title long enough, you'll realize that at some point it's all going to be wiped away, so the story you're now reading really means absolutely nothing, no matter how well written. Somewhere down the line, some mandate is going to come along for a brand new day.

The only way around it is to compartmentalize. Or stop reading superhero books altogether. I suppose that's what makes a lot of the independents interesting. With no long term bloat to hang on to, write around, or re-set, there's a freedom to allow characters to age, die, or move on. And that's in superheroes like Invincible or Dynamo 5, not just Scalped, Sandman, or The Walking Dead. Why, sometimes, the stories even reach an end.

To some extent, what's happened with Spider-Man, Captain America, the X-Men and the like is worse than the mega event. At least with a mega event you can usually read the story and be done if you want. The ongoing titles are like soap operas, only without aging or plastic surgery. And it seems to be worse in Marvel than DC. I've largely given up on Marvel books at this point.

So, I finish with a recommendation. Buy this book. It won't lose you in a soap opera.

Dark Horse Preview Review for November

Jim: I’m a little surprised by how little new stuff is being solicited for November. I would think as a publisher November/December is when you want your product out on the shelves.
Lee: As long as they continue to publish quality product I don’t care when it comes out. And, DH has been on a role this year so it’s all good to me.

THE ADVENTURES OF LUTHER ARKWRIGHT 2ND EDITION
Bryan Talbot (W/A) Available nowb&w, 216 pages$18.95TPB, 6 5/8"x 10 3/16"
Across a multitude of parallel universes, dark forces operate in the shadows, manipulating mankind's histories throughout countless timelines. The agents of these Disruptors all work with a single purpose the recovery and activation of Foxfire, a long-hidden doomsday device whose unspeakable power is capable of consuming the galaxy in all its incarnations. Standing in the way of the Disruptors is Luther Arkwright, a human anomaly who exists only in a single universe, a man of vast psychic powers, capable of traveling between the parallel realities to counter the Disruptor's malign influence. But the Disruptors are aware of Arkwright and his abilities, and while Arkwright searches the myriad Earths for the location of Foxfire, the agents of darkness race to destroy Arkwright...and to ensure their unthinkable ends.
In celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the first publication of The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, this new edition features entirely new scans from the original artwork that restore much of the lost detail from previous editions. Arkwright has never looked better.
Jim: I was not aware of this work and while I have enjoyed Bryan Talbot’s work on other projects this is still a pass for me.
Lee: This and the followup series “Heart of Empire” are very good books. Talbot put together a great alternate history of Great Britain and told a great story. I already have this but I would get it in hc if they offered it.

THE CLEANERS #1 (of 4)
Mark Wheaton (W), Joshua Hale Fialkov (W), Rahsan Ekedahl (A), and John Graef (C)
On sale Nov 12FC, 32 pages$2.99Miniseries
In the dark tradition of Los Angeles noir, The Cleaners is a terrifying new mystery series about a ragtag team of for-hire trauma-scene cleaners led by ex-surgeon Robert Bellarmine.Contracted with sanitizing some of the nastiest crime and accident scenes in the tri-county L.A. basin, the team battles against what could only be described as the grim, unknowable face of the supernatural. But by focusing on the scientific explanation, no matter how aberrant or extraordinary, they counteract centuries-old superstition to prove things are seldom what they seem . . .
In this miniseries, the cleaners crew takes on a series of gruesome tasks starting with a bloodbath that covers an entire neighborhood. This investigation leads them toward uncovering a disturbing mystery involving missing children, which dates back longer than the history of the city itself.
Josh Fialkov is the writer behind the hit indie sensations Punks the Comic and Elk's Run, as well as highly acclaimed runs on Friday the 13th, Vampirella, and more!
Jim: Now this looks very cool and sounds like it could be a unique series. This type of material I would take a chance on. Oddly enough I would actually prefer it being issued as a graphic novel from the jump.
Lee: Going straight to GN? That is a jump in thinking for you. Besides that I agree this does sound very good. And, Elk’s Run was very good too so I know Fialkov can write. I don’t add many new series but I’ll add this.

THE END LEAGUE #8
Rick Remender (W), Eric Canete (A), and Naomi Baker (C)
On sale Nov 26FC, 32 pages$2.99Ongoing
Black, Soldier American, and Arachnakid, the last remaining heroes on earth, are trapped between the armies of three villainous masterminds and their war for control of the planet. With the hammer of Thor finally within their grasp, one hero will obtain it, one will be proven unworthy, and another will turn against the team! Fan favorites Rick Remender and Eric Canete bring you the earth-shattering finale to the second arc, where everything is flipped upside down, giving birth to a new status quo for our small band of surviving heroes!
Jim: I bring this book up because I don’t even think issue #4 has hit the stands (as of this writing) and they are soliciting #8. I have doubts this series will last, between the radical shift in art styles from the first artist to this and the dragged out publishing schedule, this book is fast becoming a faded memory.
Lee: Bi-monthly schedules just don’t work in this day and age. There is too much other material out there that this book gets forgotten on the off month. I don’t get many monthlies so it’s easy for me to go back and re-read the previous issue. I’m not sure that’s true of many other people. As for the change in art, I love Canete so this is a step up in my opinion.

GIGANTIC #1 (of 5)
Rick Remender (W), Eric Nguyen (P/Cover), and John Rauch (C) On sale Nov 5FC, 32 pages$3.50Miniseries
It was a beautiful spring day in downtown San Francisco before a gigantic armored alien appeared from out of nowhere and began smashing things all to hell! Who is this invader? Why is he being attacked by strange alien beings? And why is he so GIGANTIC? A twist on The Truman Show, Gigantic focuses on a brainwashed, alien superhero deposited on Earth to be the spotlight of an intrusive, around-the-clock television program being filmed without his knowledge.
Critically acclaimed writer Rick Remender (Fear Agent, The End League) teams up with groundbreaking artist Eric Nguyen (X-Men, Sandman) in the merging of big, visually exciting art with a story examining America's consumer-based culture.
Sci-fi thrills and superhero action from the one and only Rick Remender!
Jim: Just read the premise and Rick Remender as the writer and I’m trying this book out. This looks to be a send up of so many different things, that I can’t wait to read it.
Lee: This I can wait for the trade on. I agree that it sounds very interesting but I can’t get everything. Sign me up in five months if it’s good.

KULL #1 (of 6)
Arvid Nelson (W), Will Conrad (P), JosÈ Villarrubia (C), Andy Brase (Cover), and Joe Kubert (Cover)
On sale Nov 5FC, 32 pages$2.99Miniseries
More comfortable with a sword than a scepter, Kull has recently crowned himself king and seeks to unite the once-proud and powerful land of Valusia. Only Count Areyas stands between Kull and a reunified kingdom and the obstinate Count waits patiently in his Iron Fortress, the land's oldest and most formidable castle. Horrors lurk in the shadows of Kull's newly won throne, and slithering foes stalk his every move. Arvid Nelson (Rex Mundi) scripts this series, which will adapt Robert E. Howard's story The Shadow Kingdom, with art by Will Conrad (Serenity) and JosÈ Villarrubia (Conan).
Joe Kubert (Sgt. Rock, Enemy Ace) delivers a special Kull #1 cover, which along with his Conan the Cimmerian #1 and Solomon Kane #1 covers marks the first time Kubert's visions of these Robert E. Howard heroes have seen print. Renowned fantasy artist Andy Brase provides regular series covers to this bracing, bloody fantasy series.
Jim: It seems that anyone who gets the rights to Howard always get around to doing a Kull series and for me Conan is enough.
Lee: One barbarian is enough for me too. But there’s a market out there for this material so you may as well flood it.

THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY: DALLAS #1 (of 6)
Gerard Way (W), Gabriel Ba (A/Cover), Dave Stewart (C), and Jim Lee (Cover)
On sale Nov 26FC, 32 pages$2.99Miniseries
Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba return with a story as American as semiautomatic weapons.
The Umbrella Academy hassaved the world, but the house they were raised in is destroyed. One member is bedridden, the side of her head held together with tape; and another has lost her voice, the source of her power. Now that they've fulfilled their destiny, does the Umbrella Academy have any future at all?
The Umbrella Academy returns for a second six-issue series Dallas, where we put the term-hero-to the test. Variant cover by Jim Lee! 32 pages, no ads! The acclaimed series from Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba returns! 2008 Eisner Award winner Best Limited Series!
Jim: The first series was enjoyable, so I’ll be buying this, but I’m not in can’t wait mode like a few people I know.
Lee: I can wait. In fact, I’ll wait for the trade. Just like I did the first time.

Jim: That’s a wrap for Dark Horse this month and it appears to be a semi-quite one for them. Still right now these guys are producing my favorite collections with Hellboy, Creepy and Erie to be added in 2009.
Lee: Wow. Short list this month. I wonder if DH is waiting to unless a massive list next month in time for Christmas.

The End of Comics – Or the Secret Crisis of the Digital Age

I have for the last 10 to 15 years wondered how comics will survive and if they can survive long term. When you look at that statement it becomes almost a parody of itself as obviously comics have survived the last 10 to 15 years and are doing very well and in some ways better then they ever have in the entire life cycle of comics. Still we are possibly staring at the last gasp of comics, as we know them.

The monthly comic and the direct market I predict are a dying breed and we will see the end of this market place within our lives. There are many and various forces that are playing into why I believe this to be true.

Let’s look at recorded music as an example of what has happened. We went from hand cranked Victrolas, to stereos, to 8 track player, to cassettes, to compact discs to MP3 players to IPODs and beyond. Bottom line the sales of music are weighted more and more to just buying a song online. Movies are moving more and more the same way. Many stores have cut back or moved the DVD and CD sections to the back of their stores as the product mix in their stores says these are not their money makers.

Comics are not only moving to the digital age more and more, but we also have trade and hard cover collections. From a dollar and sense standpoint there is more profit in the trades and digital distribution then there is in the monthly comics sold to the direct market.

Look at a DC or Marvel comic. In X-Men Legacy #215 every ad in the comic was a house ad for another Marvel comic. The inside front cover was for Marvel branded products from FAB Starpoint, the inside back cover an ad for Universal Orlando which has Marvel themed rides and the back cover was for Chaotic Card Games, the only non-Marvel related ad. Catwoman #82 did a lot better with ads for the AST Dew Tour (DC is sponsor), a Navy ad, Overcome CD ad, ads for 2 Fox TV shows and an Army ad and house ads. Per the July sales estimates X-Men Legacy sold 69,844 and Catwoman sold 17,761(that is not in the hands of consumer, that is what the store buys). As an advertiser why waste your money on such small numbers when you are trying to find a market of millions. Of course the ads are sold to run in every book and then they can say it will be in 600,000 units and it sounds good until the guy realizes it is the same 50,000 people buying all of these books in a month. Bottom line it is evidence of a market that is in decline when you do not have advertisers clamoring to be in your books.

Trades are a better deal for the companies. Number one all the reprints or trades of monthly material have various royalty payment structures, but it is a residual and not an owed amount. In other words I have to pay you $5,000 to write Superman for one month. When I collect it in a hard cover or a trade I only owe you for the units sold at a greatly reduced rate. So the issue loses me a couple dollars or nets a few bills, but the trade is almost a guaranteed profit. Plus with the trade I do not have to depend on Diamond. I can go to Barnes and Noble, Amazon and other distribution outlets to have my product on the shelves and those numbers are never as clean or given out by the publishers.

Next is the pressure of digital distribution. Marvel has a huge library you can pay a fee to view, they have free books online, DC has free issues on line, Newsarama has been running the Pilot Season free on line, BOOM, Arcana, Th3rd World, Catastrophic, Zuda, Sarah Ellerton, Gina Biggs and on and on. We have free webcomics and free regular comics all over the web. Now we are getting comics for your IPhone, motion comics with actors doing the voices. For myself and many others these choices are an ancillary form of enjoying comics, for the next generation it maybe the main way they buy their comics.

If you had a fantastic digital reader and could download you favorite book for a $1 as opposed to paying $4 for your favorite book what would you do. Think about the digital reader being the same size or a little large then a comic when opened. Also think about being able to zoom in or zoom out to get different perspectives of your favorite comic. Now think about the fact that what you are buying today is not going to be worth $100,000 in 40 years because every other fan owns it and has it sealed in a plastic bag and it is printed on acid free paper. Your comic budget per week is $40, so you can download 40 new books or buy 10 comics. You can ride to the store that is a 20 mile round trip, waste an hour, spend $40, $4 in gas and have 10 comics or sit home download 35 comics, save $5 in comics and $4 in gas and have an extra hour to spend reading your books.

From the publishers stand point no distribution costs, no printing costs and $1 is more then they probably see on a $4 book anyway. They would have to restructure how they pay the talent, but even if it is a secondary outlet at first, how long before you switch over to digital. The brick and mortar retailer will be hard pressed to withstand that competition and will ultimately have to change or die.

Another thing about the digital age is it will be a hell of a lot easier for the little guys to compete as the direct market set-up is a horrible barrier for a small press publisher. Also the distribution just went world wide and I can tell you just from the hits on this blog, it really is the world wide web.

Are comics dying? No! Our industry delivered movie ideas that generated over 1.2 Billion dollars in ticket sales last time I checked this year. The Cartoon Network and merchandising of these characters are greater then ever before. Graphic novels are slowly becoming more and more accepted by the public at large (there are some old hold outs that books with pictures and words can’t be anything worthwhile).

Is the monthly comic dying? No! It is changing and it is morphing and soon it may go into a cocoon and come out as something different, but it will still be here.

Is the direct market becoming a thing of the past? Yes! The thing that saved comics is starting to strangle and kill itself.

Is the paper comic dying? No, but it is going to need a walker soon. The circulation of all paper products is getting less and less (I’m sure there are a few exceptions) so comics are not going to buck that trend. Plus what will replace them are OGN and more comics are just going straight to a trade format and skipping the monthly.

None of this is going to happen overnight and you may see blips that defy what I believe is going to happen, but I’m willing to bet that I’m right and it will be a great day for comics. If comics become more and more digital and the big companies and small companies are competing on a more equal playing field, the quality of the entertainment we get will be better and more diverse. This means Left on Mission, Creature Feature, Scalped, Criminal get to be on the same shelf space with Batman, Superman, Spider-Man and the X-Men and be presented to the public at large. Now let’s see what is the best selling comic.

A Fistful of Reviews

No comic reviews this week as I've had no time to read my book - I just got the yesterday because of the holiday on Monday. If I can I'll include some of this week's books in next weeks post because there are a few books I'm really looking forward to, like Madame X. I have also read several Anthropological articles for class this week as well as several textbook chapters. Don't worry, I'll spare you that! ;)

Déjà Dead - Kathy Reichs


I picked up this book because I really enjoy the TV show that resulted from these stories: Bones. Being an anthropology major I found this book to be both fascinating and informative. It's nice to know that the author is an actual forensic anthropologist and thus knows what she's talking about. I think I like the characters in the show better (although Kathy Reichs also had a huge part in creating the TV versions) but the book itself was decently done. I wasn't a big fan of the end exactly, but this was the first book and I'm sure the next few will improve. I really like the way her main character explains forensic anthropology, it was remarkably clear and informative.

Stargate Continuum


I actually watched this last week but forgot to add it. In some ways I was a wee bit disappointed in this movie as I had hoped to see more conclusions reached with character relationships seeing how I'm not sure how many more chances we'll have to see these characters together. Beyond that this was a fun Stargate movie. I enjoy Stargate in all its TV forms and Ben Browder had a nice role in this which is always a good thing :) Also, it featured my favorite bad guy, Ba'al!

Heroes (season one)


Yes, I just now FINALLY got to watch this show. I must say, this is one of the most enjoyable, well directed, well written and well acted shows I have ever had the pleasure of viewing. It was fun, funny, engaging, and best of all - while the story was fantastic it didn't make me feel the need to constantly watch the next episode thus destroying my sleep cycle. During the end it was more intense (as to be expected) but the rest of the season was enjoyable in a relaxation kind of a way. I actually looked forward to coming home and watching an episode with dinner before going to bed. Also, my boyfriend was amused by Hiro, because apparently that's how I would act if I acquired super powers - must be all the Star Trek references. I look forward to seeing more of this excellent series :)

Violence in Comics – Are There Any Limits

This is a theme that Lee and I both have strong feelings on. I find it amusing that Lee and I agree but we agree in degrees. Lee feels Johns has gotten too violent in mainstream DCU books and I feel that the audience has grown up enough that it is more accepted and more (I hate using this word in a super hero comic book discussion) realistic. My book that I feel may have crossed the line is Kick-Ass. This is admittedly a Mature Reader Labeled book and published as a creator owned book by Marvel’s Icon banner. Icon is essentially Marvel placating a few top tier talents that they wanted to keep happy and not lose them. So Millar, Bendis, Brubaker are almost the entire Icon line.

Kick-Ass #4 was part of a discussion on Cosmic Comix Conversation and then sort of continues in this article and the ensuing comments.

Rusty (local comic shop owner) said “First off as noted it is branded for mature readers and is no more violent than a Punisher Max book or some Vertigo books or a myriad of independent books that have no warning on the cover. If Geo-Force can slice his own neck in DC Universe the Last Will and Testament, and the Rogues can brutally kill off their younger counterparts in Final Crisis Rogues Revenge both off which have absolutely no warnings on the cover of any kind (and I’m not picking on DC those just happened to come out this week, almost any Wolverine title will suffice) then I have no problem with Polly Pocket taking out some gangsters.”

My Comment back was “While granting your points, does a Mature Label then mean you are allowed to do anything. There is a level that is broached that goes beyond the boundaries and I wonder if having a seven year old committing such heinous acts of violence and covered in gore is over the line. If that is not over the line what would be? Free Speech still has limitations. I have voted with my wallet and won’t buy this book, but I don’t think it is the same thing as the other comics you mentioned because I had no problem with the violence Frank Castle has done, but this is different. Calling it a parody or something else does not in fact excuse it.”

Lee added “I think the problem is more generic than a specific book. It’s gotten to the point that every book is hyper violent and there doesn’t seem to be a limit. You named 4-5 books with over the top violence and no warnings. I don’t believe this is good for the industry as a whole. At some point, Little Johnny’s Mom is going to pick one of these books up and let the law suits begin.

In the same sense, what does it say about us, the fanboys that continue to support this type of extreme storytelling?”

My Comment Back “It says a lot about us and at times it causes me to question if I want to be a member of a group that celebrates such ridiculous extremes. Two books that I tried and went over the line for me caused me to vote with my wallet. First was the Boys, which was not only over the line it was just denigrating super heroes almost for the hell of it, and now Kick Ass.
In the right context hyper violence works, the Punisher Max book is a good example. In other situations I think it can work also, but pushing a seven year old little girl to be a killing machine and splattered with blood is (in my opinion) wrong.”

I guess where I find myself coming down on the question is first and foremost I vote with my wallet. If you cross a line for me I drop your book. That is the way a market place should work. Still in a society where free speech is highly important, we have the dichotomy of political correctness gone so amok you can’t even say what you think without almost being stoned to death (no examples as I’m not offering to be stoned to death – biblical sense not drug sense).

Is there a line that should not be crossed? If a seven year old killing people covering herself in gore and using the “c” word is not over the line, what is? Is bestiality funny in the right context? Is rape okay? Is rape of a minor child okay? How about using racial epithets and slurs against people’s sexuality?

I believe strongly in free speech, but even that has limitations, no shouting fire in a crowded theatre. Child pornography is against the law, so should drawings of the same also be against the law. Is violence on this level child pornography?

Hell I’m asking the questions I don’t pretend to have the answers and again I vote by what I buy. I guess I’m more concerned what these types of examples from a mainstream book present to the outside world. We have just really become much more of a legitimate source for and a powerful place that is gaining wider acceptance, I would hate to lose it to another Frederick Wertham. Can you imagine Oprah doing a show on Kick-Ass and how would it resonate with the public at large.

Maybe the more freedom the better and no censorship should be allowed, but we have standards as a society and if something is wrong it is wrong and Kick-Ass is wrong.

Comments heard during the week

Ever have one of those weeks when everyone manages to say something silly? Usually, it's just me saying things I shouldn't. This week everyone else joined my "ooohhh-shouldn't-have-said-that" party.

Event #1: Grandma Discourages Tiny
You would think that Grandmothers would know better but not ours. Oh no, Grandma started the week off right with a bang.
Grandma: You can’t read.
Tiny: Yes, I can!
Grandma: No you can’t.
Luckily it ended there because I was about kill Grandma. The problem is, while Tiny can’t read, she’s really interested in books. She likes to hold them and pretend to read them. With all the other media around, I feel it’s important to instill a love of books and reading early. I want all my kids to be readers in life and not watchers. What ever possessed Grandma to “discourage” Tiny and tell her she couldn’t do something is beyond me.

Event #2: Boy Crushes Girl.
I don't know what started this, but with one simple sentence Boy absolutely crushed Girl at the dinner table one night.
Boy: You must really be upset that your friend is going to be better at cartwheels than you are.
It’s a long convoluted story but Girl is taking a tap and ballet dance class and not the “acro” class. The acro, or acrobatic, class teaches kids how to do tumbles, cartwheels, etc. It’s a complete waste of money. But, some of Girl’s little friends are doing that instead of more dance lessons. While logically Girl understands that dance lessons are better, and she will be ahead in the long run, she was still having trouble with the decision emotionally. Boy did a great job of helping her forget that she was leaving friends behind.

Needless to say, Dad stepped in quickly. “WHAT are you trying to say?" and not even giving him a chance to dig a deeper hole I went straight to. "That’s not nice at all!”

Event #3: Dad gets in the act.
Finally, unable to resist the temptation to say something I shouldn't, I joined the crowd.

It started when Grandma stopped by my office. She, myself and a couple of the older ladies were discussing current affairs, the grandkids, and Grandpa, when one of the ladies asked Grandma: “Why haven’t you retired yet?

Grandma proceeded to give some weak excuses which amounted to “I’m a Baby Boomer and I feel the need to work until I’m 100.”
Completely dissatisfied with her answer because there is no reason for her to still be working, I managed to blurt out, You know, if you were to.. you know… suddenly pass away then I could retire at least 10 years earlier than I am planning to. Then at least one of us could enjoy retirement.

Yep. Grandma hasn't stopped by the office since. In fact, only recently has she started using sentences when talking to me. That's a marked improvement from the past weekend. Hey - serves her right for being mean to Tiny.

Books worth buying

Two Morrows is currently having a $2 back issue 50% book sale. I don't normally recommend sales but this is a really really good price and some great material. The magazine back issues include Comic Book Artist which was one of the best in depth artist/history interview magazines ever. If you want to know what it was like by the people who were there then you need to read this.

Also, they are selling lots of "Rough Stuff" and "Write Now" which are essential reads for anyone who wants to know the nuts/bolts of comic book writing.

Finally, the 50% off sale has lots of good stuff too. I ordered "Streetwise" which is autobiographical stories by various artists. The highlight is the Kirby piece but I've heard the Windsor Smith is very good too. Look for a review in the near future. I also highly recommend Mark Evanier's three books. They are very, very funny true tales about people in the industry.

The $2 sale here and the 50% book sale here