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Read more about the article Buzzscope: Down With the King?

Buzzscope: Down With the King?

My latest Establishing Shots column is up, a look at what Stephen King's DARK TOWER project with Marvel means for indie creators.This isn’t Joss Whedon taking on the X-Men or promoting his movie; and it’s not Brad Meltzer taking on some of the most recognizable icons in American pop culture. This is Stephen King offering original material in a sequential format, in a genre that is, to put it charitably, under everybody's radar when it comes to comic books.Funny thing about a monthly column that's equal parts commentary and site hype, is the commentary aspect rarely ends up being about…

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Read more about the article "How Are You Doing?"

"How Are You Doing?"

"Why Haven't You Called?""Did you get my email?""When are you going to hang out next?""Come on! It's only for a few hours!"I get some version of one or all of these questions all the time, and the same way people don't really mean "How are you doing?" when they ask, "How are you doing?", I usually give some half-assed excuse of being "too busy" or "too tired" as an answer every time. It's not that it's untrue, because I usually am "too busy" or "too tired" at any given moment these days, but it's the details I tend to avoid.I…

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Read more about the article Buzzscope: What’s a Nubian? #1

Buzzscope: What’s a Nubian? #1

When I first came across PopCultureShock.com last year, it was the combination of the favorable response in their forums to the announcement of Reggie Hudlin taking on Black Panther (in contrast to the immediate sniping over at NEWSarama and throughout the comics blogosphere, with ignorant comments like, "Oh no! He's going to gangstify the Black Panther!"), and the "Color Commentary" column that surveyed black characters' appearances each month, that landed it a spot in my bookmarks. Of course, Hudlin turned out to be a bit of a dud, and "Color Commentary" disappeared before really fulfilling its promise, but those two…

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Read more about the article MEMO: Co-Worker, Two Cubicles Over

MEMO: Co-Worker, Two Cubicles Over

SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!!!!!I'm sick and tired of hearing you constantly reference your Greek heritage like a leper explaining his lesions.On every single phone call.Don't blame Greek culture for your inability to communicate with people in a respectful, civil manner. It's not a Greek thing, it's a YOU'RE A SOCIALLY MALADJUSTED IDIOT WITH EXTREME SELF-ESTEEM ISSUES thing!!!Stop it now!And I don't want to hear any more about your terminally ill "roommate" you played lovelorn caretaker for when his family turned their backs on him for "being a loser." I'm really starting to think he stepped in front of that train…

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Read more about the article Industry Buzz #3: Flawed Diamond?

Industry Buzz #3: Flawed Diamond?

There was some interesting buzz last month about Diamond Comic Distributor's policy of canceling orders for comic books that don't reach certain thresholds, a move which, long story short, primarily affects small press titles selling under 1,500 copies/issue, and it's led to the inevitable speculation about the eventual demise of independent publishers. The fact that Diamond pretty much owns the North American Direct Market means they have an inordinate amount of control over what makes it to retailers' shelves and, ultimately, into readers' hands.This month, Industry Buzz takes a closer look at Diamond and the direct market, and asks: is…

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Read more about the article Buzzscope Reviews: 9/28/05

Buzzscope Reviews: 9/28/05

Black Widow: The Things They Say About Her #1 (of 6)The combination of a regular dose of Bill Sienkiewicz' art and Richard K. Morgan's intriguing, globe-spanning spy-noir tale made their first Black Widow volume an unexpected treat last year, and they succesfully pick up right where they left off without alienating new readers.Be sure to check out this week's Review Roundup, including Action Philosophers! #3, one of my personal favorites. Also, there's brand-spanking new What A Girl Wants and Comics You Should Own columns, ripping Brian Pulido and praising Aztek, respectively. Check 'em out!

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