Blog: One Diverse Comic Book Nation
Over in the left column, a little ways down, are “Blogs of Note”, my short-list of the most essential comics blogs that I check regularly for updates. If the democratic blogiverse is akin to the [self-elected] House of Representatives, than these blogs are the House Ways and Means Committee. Some are new, some aren’t; some
On The Shelves: 1/4/07
Reading is fundamental. Don’t waste your time reading bad comics out of habit! Hello, 2007! 2006 was a great year for comics of all types (be sure to check out my Best of picks) and I’m betting this year is going to be even better all-around. Hopefully Ed Brubaker’s crystal ball is in working order:
Stagger Lee, Best of 2006?
For its outstanding combination of ambition, execution and re-readability, Stagger Lee gets the nod for my Best Original Graphic Novel of 2006.
Charlie Foxtrot Entertainment
A number of new comics publishers have targeted specific niches over the years, seeking to better serve and/or exploit untapped audiences in an effort to carve out a viable niche for themselves. Whether its minorities, women, GLBT, pre-teens, etc., it’s a topic I’ve covered specifically or peripherally several times in the past, so this latest
Review: American Born Chinese
American Born ChineseBy Gene Luen Yang (First Second, 2006; $16.95) When I first heard about American Born Chinese back in July, I pegged it as the highlight of First Second’s second wave of releases purely based on a few preview images and its solicitation copy. After doing so, I crossed my fingers that it would
On the Shelves: 12/28/06
Reading is fundamental. Don’t waste your time reading bad comics out of habit! My weekly, semi-informed look at select comic books being released Thursday, 12/28/06 follows. The full shipping is list available at ComicList. [NOTE: Not all of these titles will actually arrive in all stores. If your LCBS offers a pre-ordering service, be sure
Quesada on DC Becoming Marvel
From NEW JOE FRIDAYS WEEK 27: “There’s a reason Batman is the greatest DC hero, he’s the closest to the Marvel formula, but the rest of the DC universe I feel suffers from the same flaws as Superman. In his time, Superman spoke of the immigrant experience which was very important in America at the
Crystal Ball: March 2007 Solicitations, Part II
Support GOOD Comics! Pre-order something new EVERY month. Part I featured a look at Marvel, DC, Image and Dark Horse’s offerings for March 2007, and now Part II casts the spotlight on the most interesting books being solicited by “independent” publishers. Links to full solicitations from almost every publisher can be found at MillarWorld. [NOTE:
Two Cents: Lightning Round
We’re heading down to Virginia for the holidays and I’m planning to post a bunch of TPB reviews throughout next week — in between catching up on sleep and movies — including Stagger Lee; American Born Chinese; Opening Lines, Pinky Probes, and L-Bombs, and a few others. Oh, and I haven’t forgotten about the holiday
Indie Bookstores Bailing Out; Bad Sign for Comics?
[UPDATED: 9:55 pm] PW Daily has a sobering article about several independent bookstores shutting their doors thanks to increased expenses and competition, and I can’t help but think about how it parallels the current state of the comic book industry, both on the publishing and retailing side, and how it could potentially affect graphic novel