A lot of cancellations and near cancellations this week. To say there is no joy here in News and Views-ville is a bit of an understatement. Let’s paw through the remains together, shall we?
DC’S BREAKING HEARTS
Not Jolley’s Week
DC Comics has confirmed for Newsarama that Bloodhound by Dan Jolley, Leonard Kirk and Robin Riggs will end with April’s #10.
Put on your finest prison duds and help mourning the passing of an excellent title at the funeral home we call Newsarama
At the Studio Phoenix website, writer Dan Jolley has announced that he will be leaving DC’s Firestorm with issue #13, due in stores in May.
Because sometimes the hits keep coming, show some support to Jolley at Newsarama
I know this isn’t the biggest story of the week. Heck, I don’t even think it is the biggest cancellation news of the week. But I put it first because, well, it is the news that just sucks the worst. With every great series on run on a title there is one issue that represents the moment where everything came together, where the title hit a home run. This week’s Bloodhound was that issue. Check out my review below and my good friend Tim Sheridan’s review Thursday for a more in depth look at why.
So, this week, Bloodhound produces its best issue to date and…gets cancelled?! Not to devolve this into profanity, but WTF!?! I mean, I get it from a sales angle and a profit one and so on, but…I still don’t “get” it, you know? Human Target (which will get to in a moment) hurts because it succeeded for me on some many levels and it was the first book that got Janelle into the monthly aspect of comics (it had all been trades and OGNs until then). But at least it got a nearly two year run. Bloodhound, (oddly enough, like my other favorite, Aztek) only got 10 issues and the cancellation notice gets passed down the week that its best issue yet hits stands (again, like Aztek…I think…it was at least the same month). God does not roll dice with the universe, but he sure does have an interesting sense of timing (and no, I don’t really think this is an act of God…that was just a writing tool I was employing there).
So it stinks, it does. And yeah, I am glad I got to read the title at all, but I still would have liked to have read more of it. I’m not sure if this is one of those instances where a writing or message board campaign can stem the tide, but I urge any of you Bloodhound fans out there to give it a shot. I mean, it worked for Spider-Girl like a billion times, right? Maybe a move to Vertigo might buy it some more time and a chance to build a larger fanbase because it tends to be more tolerant of lower selling titles than the DCU proper? I don’t know, I am just throwing out some ideas here. It may all be for naught, but I strongly suggest anyone who reads this column who gives a damn about this title, make that damn known. It may lead to something, it may lead to nothing, but at least we’ll have tried, you know?
As for the other note, the end of Jolley’s run on Firestorm, well, that is a shame, too. It seemed like he had a fairly large overarching plan for things that, sadly, will now fall by the wayside.
It’s Not Mathan, Gajje, and Janelle’s Week Either
The Beat has learned that THE HUMAN TARGET, by Peter Milligan, Javier Pulido and Cliff Chiang, has also been cancelled with issue #21, which sucks because it was really, really excellent.
Send condolences, candy, and flowers to the family of Christopher Chance at The Beat (The Beat is a blog so just use the search function [control+F] to scan down to this entry)
This one hurts too. We’ve started our “Best of” Awards this week and, not to give anything away, but, Human Target does well in at least a few categories, particularly well in one specifically. And there’s a reason. It was smart, it had great art, the stories were unique and compelling. Human Target was all about Chance, sure, but it was really all about America. I know that sounds unnecessarily pretentious, but it is the only way I can think of to sum up the title. Every story took a slice of American life and held it under the microscope to reveal all of its ugliness and, often times, how it was still beautiful despite its imperfection. Chance was the perfect cipher to take the journey will: dryly sarcastic, unemotionally observant of others’ foibles, and always yearning to know who he was and what his place was in the world. Twenty-one issues in this day and age is not a bad run for a title like this, but I categorize that as cold comfort in this case. I would have liked to hang around with Chance at least a little bit longer.
Fallen Angel is Poised to Live Up to Its Name
In speaking to Fanboy Radio on Sunday, writer Peter David made many a Hulk fan’s dream come true, announcing that he will remain as the writer on the series past his initial storyline. According to David, plans call for him to remain on the series through the remainder of 2005 at the very least – and there’ll be more gamma-irradiated goodness as well.
Bid adieu to Bette Noire at Newsarama. (And yes, I know that teaser does not mention Fallen Angel at all, but trust me on this, okay?)
Another tough one for fans of nontraditional DCU books. Peter David did everything to make this book sell, short of move heaven and earth (and don’t think he wouldn’t have, it he could) and taking my suggestion to go door to door and read it to people as a bedtime story. And it just didn’t seem to make a difference. It bought it a brief reprieve, but it appears that the time has run out on that as well. A shame.
Losers, However, Dodges the Meaning of Its Name or Tim Sheridan Can Do a Happy Dance
DC confirmed that THE LOSERS has not been cancelled. Following yesterday’s announcement of other DC cancellations, speculation had swirled around THE LOSERS, which seems to have wandered into very dangerous sales territory. Artist Jock finally piped up on Millarworld. Over on his own forum, Diggle said that he had been assured that the series would run to its conclusion, but wasn’t allowed to say what that conclusion was, except that the story was always supposed to last two or three years. (Hm, isn’t THE LOSERS up to issue #22? so that run still may not be very long.)
Because everyone needs a bit of good news, take a look at The Beat (The Beat is a blog so just use the search function [control+F] to scan down to this entry)
This is good news of sorts. Diggle and Jock are both excellent creators (Jock even wrote into this very column once to call me an idiot…good heartedly, no doubt) so I am glad to see that they will get to end The Losers when they intended. As the article implies, that could be as soon as two issues from now, but let us not dwell on the negative possibilities for now, okay? Good news on a week of bad news is great news. Let’s take it.
Trigger Takes a Stand
In what is easily one of the coolest ad campaign ideas since A.I.’s multi website scavenger hunt, both Ethicorp and The Jason Hall Electro-Magnetic Facility have sent out e-mails urging you to not buy and buy Trigger, respectively. Some very, very smart stuff that will hopefully aid them in their quest for more readers.
Here’s an excerpt from Jason Hall’s e-mail (and note Mathan’s quote):
It looks like ETHICORP’s attempts to stop the circulation of my new creator- owned monthly Vertigo series TRIGGER was a complete failure! Reviews have been very positive and I’ve also heard reports from around the country of stores selling out of their initial orders of #1. Thanks to everyone for their kind words and support!
TRIGGER #2 hits the shelves this Wednesday, January 19. If you haven’t picked up TRIGGER #1 yet, you can just pick both up at the same time! (And if your retailer doesn’t have any copies on hand, make sure they reorder some.) Now’s the time to jump on board! Just take a look at the reviews for Issue #1:
ComicsNexus.com: 10/10
“This could be Vertigo’s next big thing … Pick this book up and you’ll be hooked. An interesting story with perfect art. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.”
http://comicsnexus.com/article.php?contentid=30263
and Ethicorp’s attempt to counter:
Dear Concerned Citizen:
We here at ETHICORP are appalled by the positive response of the comic book reviewers and comic readers alike to the first issue of Jason Hall’s new lie-infested series TRIGGER. We’re certain that money has exchanged hands, as there can be no other logical explanation. Reports of retailers selling out of the book must surely be the result of Mr. Hall himself buying up the abundantly excess copies sure to have been left on the stands.
This Wednesday (January 19th) brings with it the unfortunate release of the second issue of TRIGGER, once again spreading untruths about our fine, upstanding and globally respected company ETHICORP.
We have yet to be able to put a stop to the publication of said periodical, but feel that if we work together as a responsible global community to ensure our moral fiber as a whole, we can bring an end to this ridiculous monthly example of pornographic illiteracy.
Keep in mind that ETHICORP has only your best moral and ethical interests in mind, and when you see the following image, you can trust that ETHICORP is indeed watching out for you and your loved ones:
And remember:
We’re ETHICORP.
We get the bad out…
Sincerely,
Ridge Stone
Press Secretary | ETHICORP
Like I said…smart (and funny) stuff
IDENTITY CRISIS: A LOOK BACK…WITH STILL MORE REPRINTS!
ID Crisis Dancing Another Dance Before Closing Time
This April, DC Comics brings back all seven issues of the blockbuster miniseries IDENTITY CRISIS in periodical form one last time. These Final Printings will give readers who missed it another chance to experience this monumental tale before the collected edition is released in the fall.
What does that headline even mean? Damned if I know. Anyway, you try to make an article about yet another reprint of ID Crisis sound interesting. Go ahead to Newsarama and give it a shot…I dare you.
They will still be reprinting this series when we are all grandparents and retired. I can see that now.
Meltzer Looks Back… Devoid of Anger
It’s all over but the shouting at this point – and, given the subject and story of Identity Crisis, there will be some shouting for a while to come, both pro and con. The seven issue miniseries, written by Brad Meltzer, with art by Rags Morales and Michael Bair, and colors by Alex Sinclair, which started with a murder, and ended in December with an ending that had fans buzzing was arguably the major highlight of DC’s 2004. Issues sold out, fans talked and talked and talked about it, critics laughed, cried, and fell in love. The outside media noticed it.
It was a Big Deal.
Now, with the story fully out, and the ripples on the pond starting to settle, we sat down with Meltzer to talk about the process of writing the miniseries, his view of the reaction, the impact, and a few specifics.
Get an Inside to Actor’s Studio type look at ID Crisis at Newsarama. Sadly, there will be no James Lipton on hand.
Some interesting tidbits here. Nothing that will stun anyone, but Meltzer is smart and talks with a lot of love in his heart about the DCU. It bugs me that, even after this, people will still say that he doesn’t know anything about the characters he wrote and/or he does not respect the history of the Justice League. I get not liking the story (well, I don’t get it, as I really did like the story, but I think you understand what I mean here), but I can’t understand how that translates into, “Meltzer hates the DCU and has contributed to its inevitable ruin.” I don’t see it.
But just as I get all annoyed and pissy, I saw this posting from Simon DelMonte (who also happens to be a fan of those ‘Mazing Mets and thus, he is very much my dawg,
“My last comment on IC on any board is as follows:
Whatever qualms I had about Identity Crisis, it accomplished what DC wanted it to accomplish. What’s more, all the readers I know who are NOT lifetime DC freaks (unlike myself) loved it. They for the most part even loved the resolution of the mystery.
And after reading this interview, I think it is safe to say that Brad is as much a fanboy as the rest of us, and that he worked really hard to make this story work on many levels. That some of us think he failed does nothing to take that away from him. He gave it his all, and tried to do the impossible in mixing old-school sensibilities with his own approach to storytelling. That he then takes all the criticism we thorw at him in stride is all the more remarkable.
Is IC the greatest thing since sliced bread? I don’t think so. Is Meltzer the second coming of Alan Moore? Not yet? Will I be watching for his next project? Oh, yes. And has he earned my respect in how he’s handled this, and in how he actually reads the stuff we say or send him? Beyond a doubt.
And with that, I will say nothing more about Identity Crisis. It’s time to move on to the next big thing. Whatever it may be. Bring it on!”
That one made me fell okay again. Didn’t like the series, but respected the writer. Good man, Simon, good man.
Arcudi Gets Wet
Although a SuperFriend, founding member of the Justice League of America, and a King, among other things; Aquaman the Rodney Dangerfield of the superhero set, just doesn’t seem to get any respect. Or, at least not as much respect as other heroes with just as many things on their resume do. New series writer John Arcudi hopes to change that. He and regular artist Patrick Gleason have lots of plans for Sub Diego, Aquagirl, and the King of the Seven Seas. It may be sink or swim for the writer. Arcudi said it was the rich history of the character that interested him the most in treading these waters. “I can use the history to establish instant connections with the readers,” said Arcudi. “It can help ease me into the job, but, of course, I still have to perform once I’m in.”
“Most of the other characters I’ve worked on have been my own or were very early in their development,” continued the scribe. “Drawing on history can be both a burden (in terms of continuity constraints) and a blessing.”
As I understand it, it’s much better, where it is wetter, under The Pulse…er…the sea.
Poor everybody who has ever been connected with an Aquaman title. Talk about the albatross that you can’t cut off your neck. Don’t get me wrong, I wish Arcudi the best of luck with this one, but it seems as though making Aquaman cool is a near insurmountable task. And even if you do achieve it, most people won’t believe the buzz and will still ignore the title. Or they’ll accuse you of completely altering the character (think the Peter David hook hand era). Any of these fates (failure, ignored, dismissed as being “wrong”) are less than grand, but a job that has all three possibilities (and little else)…that’s some rough stuff.
All that doom and gloom aside (doom and gloom appear to be a theme for this column, huh?), I will say this: With Gleason on art and the Sub Diego (god, I loathe that name) “world” as the backdrop for the title, Aquaman does have his best chance since David’s run of catching on. Of course, I would have said the same of Pfeiffer, but… (damn, there’s that doom and gloom again).
Yeah! More Numbers!
Diamond has released its numbers for 2004, based on actual sales. By the straight numbers, it’s hard to say any one company won the year – many top five publishers had high points, and the top 100 books for the year is populated by more than a few surprises.
So – given the banner year for “event” issues, let’s dig into the numbers.
A year in review is available at Newsarama
This is the wrong week for me to be looking at sales figures, so I’ll do us all a favor and just won’t.
OPINIONS ON THE WORK OF PEOPLE FAR MORE TALENTED THAN I
BLOODHOUND #7
Titles only get so many near perfect issues. The one title that I can think of of late that has had more than one within a couple year stretch is Human Target. Which is why its one of my favorites.
Well, another one of my favorites is this title here. And this is its first near perfect issue. I think all of us have an Old Yeller or Yearling moment. Not literally, of course. Not all of us have to take up arms against our favorite animal and end its life, but all of us do face that moment where everything before was childhood and everything after was not. We still may be children, but our childhood, that innocent unsullied part of our lives (that adults so desperately try to elongate in the lives of their own kids), are done. For me, it was coming out to my father sitting on our couch when I was four years old. Seeing no mom around, I asked where she was and my father simply said, “She’s gone.” It was only a divorce, as it turned out (I say “only” with full knowledge that the life I have now would be entirely different if not for that moment), but in that one second, I became entirely convinced my mom had died. And once that thought darkens your doorstep, trust me, your childhood is gone.
In any case, Clevenger comes up against his Yearling moment this issue and the result is startlingly. The biggest bad ass in prison has such a banal “secret origin” that you are instantly sucked into his life. Yes, the moment rings forth with a genuine horror to it, but it is a horror the gets its chills from its closeness to reality, not its outlandishness. That such a brute of a man could be so undone by this one memory would be ironically amusing if it did not feel so real, so honest. We all grow up, but many of us…we never really leave that one moment.
GOTHAM CENTRAL #27
Last issue, my only complaint was the art. This issue, the art still isn’t good. Everyone looks as if they had been beaten up mere moments ago. Except for Slam Bradley, (who really should look like that). For some reason, his face is almost entirely obscured when on panel.
However, my disappointment does not stop at the art this time. The GCPD does manage to unravel the framing of Catwoman, but ultimately, well, it seems Catwoman did not really need their help in the first place. Thus, Josie and Driver end up feeling very superfluous to the plot, even though Josie dominated it panel timewise. The most interesting part, Josie’s fear of being outed as a minor psychic to Driver, is given a last panel resolution when it would have been more interesting to see how exactly that conversation will go down. Great book, disappointing issue.
JSA #69
Two things stand out for me in this issue. One, Rex Tyler’s house. If Johns or Kramer did any sort of reference work for it, I think I know the house in Hartford that either one of them chose to be the Harris estate. Which is kind of cool.
Two, the incident of racism on the train. In a book that just last issue had such an extreme act of violence occur that is nearly unthinkable the fact that this simple act of cruelty (that was a reality for the time) can still smack you between the eyes is impressive. The rest of the issue is good, but it just does not resound without that moment when the modern day Mr. Terrific can’t get on the portion of the train that he would like to. Powerful.
NIGHTWING #101
I have been anticipating this for months so it hurts to say this, but…eh. McDaniel seems a touch off his game and this father-son push-pull between Dick and Bruce feel stale. That’s not to say that there aren’t many great moments to still be rung from that dynamic, but if there are, they aren’t found here. Dixon can and has done more insightful work with Dick and I hope to see that in the issues to come.
Man, I am in a foul mood, aren’t I? Seems that way at least. Well, the beauty of this is next week’s column is another chance for me to be more pleasant. We’ll see if I can pull that off.
Please check out our Year End awards and be back here next week. Thanks.
Un Gajje would like to take this moment to remind that while exits are available in the front and rear of this auditorium, he would suggest that those in the front will allow you easier access to the parking area.
