So, I’m late with this week’s column. First time I have been late in quite sometime. You have my apologies. A weird convergence of events occurred, leaving my house internet and heatless yesterday. The lack of internet is why the column was not up. The lack of heat is why I mention being frozen so often in this column. Enjoy my suffering. And now, back to your regularly scheduled column
The year end awards have finally drawn to a close. I encourage you to go ahead and read them en masse and comment on the message boards about who and what we chose. If I get enough responses, we just might put together a sort of “what the fans of Comics Nexus say we missed.” This could be your chance to shine!
Anyway, they are Best Limited Series
Best Teams
Best Artists
Best Villains
Best Characters
Best Writers
Best Moments
Best Single Issues
Best Titles.
Read and enjoy. But not before you read all this news!
It’s the Reason, It’s the Answer
The DCU, it is a changin’.
March sees DC Countdown #1, which promises to follow up on the events from Identity Crisis, and maybe even, if the cover is any indication, add another to the body count. Then, in April, things get rolling in a big way, with the launch of two miniseries spinning out from Countdown, The OMAC Project and Day of Vengeance, with two more miniseries promised for May.
What does it mean, and where are these changes leading? We sat down with DC VP, Editorial (and editor of Countdown), Dan Didio for some answers, some larger-picture looks, and of course, the obligatory teases
Read a new stories that Gob would love at Newsarama. I pray at least one of you got that Arrested Development reference.
A good interview that really does not reveal much that is not already out there. Worth hearing it from DiDio’s mouth, I suppose.
I like that Newsarama is taking the time to ask questions about the cash demands of such events. I am not saying I won’t be paying or I resent DC putting out product I want to buy, I just like that it is a different question to ask besides, “So”¦what’s this all about?”
The question I’d ask my furnace right now would be: Why is it, exactly, that you wish me to die?
Pros Contemplate: How Best to Rock the Last Son of Krypton
This week’s question comes from me and is as follows:-
You have complete control of Superman. What do you do?
This week’s question was meant to be a bit of fun, a chance for me to see what The Panel thinks of Superman, which in turn would help me on a script I am writing for a documentary. Lots of answers this week, so here we go”¦
To see what the pros have to say about something you and your friends debate all the time, why not sneak over to Silver Bullet Comic Books and listen in
I threw this in here sight unseen because I thought it was a neat idea. After reading it though”¦less so. Well, the idea is still neat, but the thoughts of the creators were a bit disappointing. It’s cool that some of them decided to be funny and whatnot, but I was hoping to get some actual ideas with some meat on them to respond to. So, all and all this one was a bit of a disappointment. Not a disappointment as depressing as the ever present possibility that I might soon succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning, but still, disappointing. Ah well, perhaps some other time.
Superman’s Pal, Karl Kerschl
Karl Kerschl, who makes his debut as the regular artist on ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN with May’s issue #640, has signed a 2-year exclusive agreement with DC Comics.
Tell Jimmy Olsen to suck it at Newsarama
Insert my standard exclusive contract congratulations here.
Also, does being exclusive mean that he might wield enough power to get a technician to come by my house, rather than just calling me every half hour or so and telling me, “we’ll be there soon sir.” Cause, if so, I might like to go exclusive with DC too.
A PEEK AT MARKETING, DC STYLE. COME ON, I KNOW IT MAKES YOU HOT
Fierman, Ironically, To Stoke the Fires of Fandom Buying
Stephanie Fierman, a well-respected and accomplished senior marketing executive, has joined the DC Comics staff as Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this newly created position, Fierman will oversee both the direct sales and the book trade activities of the company, as well as the marketing and promotion of the company ‘ s brands across its own publications and products, including DC Comics, Vertigo, WildStorm, CMX, and MAD Magazine.
Meet the new boss at Newsarama Bring her a present too. Every boss loves a suck up. Honest.
These Are the Men and Women That Steal All Your Money
A lot of comic readers are aware of the creators who write and draw their favorite books; many of them even know the names of the editors who guide those comics. But far fewer fans are aware of the talented people who help to promote and market those comics. A monthly line of books don’t succeed in a vacuum; their success is nurtured by a strong coordination between the creative side of things and the marketing side. Without marketing, readers wouldn’t know what books are coming out; they wouldn’t be aware of major storylines, major creative changes, and the like. The people in sales and marketing work on long-term strategies, determining the best time for the release of major projects, analyzing sales trends, and ensuring that the right projects are released at the right time with the right promotion.
Monday brought the news that DC had brought in Stephanie Fierman for a newly-created position of Senior VPâ€â€Sales & Marketing. Some wondered if this signaled the beginnings of a change in DC’s marketing. On Wednesday, Stephanie Fierman & Bob Wayne, VP-Sales & marketing, sat down for a conversation with Cliff Biggers of Comic Shop News about the new position and what it means for DC.
You might as well just hand over your wallet now at Newsarama
I’m simply too cold to care about this article. I swear I can see my breath right now.
Numb3rs is a New Series on CBS. Just So You know
IDENTITY CRISIS continued to be DC Comics’ best-selling series in December. Tailing two strong debuts from Marvel Comics, NEW AVENGERS #1 and ULTIMATES 2 #1, IDENTITY CRISIS ranks at No. (3) on the Top 300 chart with its final issue. Also in the Top 10 for DC are SUPERMAN/ BATMAN, GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH and SUPERMAN.
Other notable December releases from DC Comics include the launch of Mark Waid and Barry Kitson’s LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES, as well as the beginning of new writer David Lapham’s 12-part arc in DETECTIVE COMICS. DC’s sub-imprints saw the first issue of TRIGGER (Vertigo) and, because we demanded it, the publication of BATMAN/ DANGER GIRL (WildStorm).
Concerning titles from publishers other than Marvel and DC, we’re looking at the sales of CONAN, RISING STARS, FATHOM: DAWN OF WAR, Chuck Austen’s WORLDWATCH, the debut of Burlyman Entertainment’s DOC FRANKENSTEIN and SHAOLIN COWBOY and the final issue of AiT/ PlanetLar’s DEMO, among others.
Many thanks to Milton Griepp and ICv2.com for allowing us to use their figures for these calculations.
That Rob Murrow”¦he’s a stud. Anyway, check out The Pulse for all your sales numbers needs.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Week 2 of this brand new feature and look! A new color! Look at me, adding a little jazz to your reading. Or something. Anyway, it turns out that oatmeal and tangerine are font colors available to me. The color above, however, is maroon. ‘Tis bold, no?
DEADSHOT #3
I’ve been enjoying this mini thus far, but I think this is its make or break issue. Green Arrow is slated for an appearance and I believe that Deadshot is also supposed to be visited by some old villain cronies who have gotten the wrong impression about Floyd’s goals in all of this. I’ve been impressed with Gage’s characterization and the progress Cumming has made on art thus far, but I expect/hope this’ll be the one to blow the doors off.
MONOLITH #12
Saying goodbye is never easy, but here it is. A unique series to be sure and it is a shame to see it go after only a year. It’ll be shame if Monolith (and his supporting cast) gets simply put in mothballs after this, but probably inevitable. Still, I am looking forward to another solid offering and enjoying a series that, while cancelled too soon, still had the benefit of going out at the top of its game.
OPINIONS ON THE WORK OF PEOPLE FAR MORE TALENTED THAN I
FLASH #218
Definitely worth the wait. I don’t remember ever reading a Heat Wave with this much character. I can recall encountering him in Underworld Unleashed, the Rogues one shot (part of New Yea’s Evil), and the Hell to Pay arc in Flash turning Waid’s tenure with the book, but he never stood out for me in the least. In the short time he has appeared in this book under Johns’s pen, I have become more interested in the character than I ever was and this issue cemented that interest. Another great issue, most certainly on par with the Captain Cold spotlight issue.
JLA CLASSIFIED #3
What started off so-so for me finished strong. Morrison using the JLA here to great effect, proving again that he can right a most excellent Martian Manhunter. If only one could convince Morrison to right the green shaman a bit more often. Oh well, some is better than none, right? Mc Guinness continued to impress by maintain his style without letting the bubble muscle approach ruin his storytelling ability. And the further adventures of the Ultramarines in the infant universe? Sign me up for that mini.
BATMAN #636
Hey, a bat title that I am enjoying! What a relief. Good banter, great art, intriguing story. Plus, Mr. Freeze done right! And Black Mask done tolerable. (Speaking of tolerable, I think Freeze would find the current temperature of my abode tolerable. Whereas, let’s say, me, would find it very, very close to hypothermia inducing). It’s been awhile since I’ve picked up a main Bat book and enjoyed reading it, but that streak is now at an end.
NIGHTWING #102
Although the story is one that I have heard (and I believe, read) before, this Year One issue is a considerably stronger effort than the last. McDaniel’s art is much stronger and cleaner and the characterization just feels more right. A couple of neat nods to past continuity seal the deal with Boston Brand making an appearance and the recall of the old “Lois doesn’t know” Superman dynamic.
RICHARD DRAGON #9
No McDaniel?!?! Even with an appearance by Neron, this issue is utterly forgettable. Nice to see Connor Hawke and Eddie Fyers though. I miss those guys.
ROBIN #134
See my review here but sufficed to say, I was not kind.
WE 3 #3
See my review later this week. As a preview, please accept these two words: soooooooooo good.
PLANETARY #22
I love this book, I do. Great art, interesting story. But how does this advance the plot at all? Answer: it doesn’t. Still, I find it hard to complain.
SLEEPER SEASON TWO #8
It’s nice to have a Miss Misery centric issue, particularly since she gets to be so very nasty (in all senses of the word). I’m not exactly sure what mission Carver was dispatching her for or if we even witnessed it in this issue, but it was still a good story. I am enjoying Carve’s attempts at machinations and how they seem to be falling by the wayside very rapidly.
I just want to take this moment to remind everyone that the second season of Batman: The Animated Series was released last week and it includes two of my favorite episodes ever: Almost Got ‘im and If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Rich? The series is the best Batman portrayal in non-comic form out there and these two episodes are great examples why. Plus watching “If You’re So Smart” should go a long way to explaining to any curious party out there why I think Riddler is a cool villain deserving of more and better stories.
Also on DVD (this week) is the second season of Sealab 2021. I believe the Bizzaro episode is on this season and it is, in my opinion, one of the funniest 12 minutes of TV ever. If I can’t persuade you to buy the season, at least do me a favor and rent or Netflix it. Funny stuff.
Oh look, my furnace is now bulging up oil and water on the floor. That’s gotta be good. Well, I’m gonna take care of this and I’ll see you next week. At least, I will if I survive this.
Un Gajje forgot one of these last week. Un Gajje is shamed.
