This Joke About/For the CGC Made Me Laugh a Little

Some time ago Valiant announced they would have variant covers that looked like actual CGC-graded and slabbed comics. It almost looks like a swipe at the CGC but they actually partnered for them. I of course have mixed views on the CGC but it is funny to see some comics give the company a bit of a ribbing. This did make me wonder if when someone tries to get these graded it would cause some confusion, however.

Project: Comic-Con 2015 Reflections Part 2--Some of The Stuff I Got

Such Marvelous Things to Get!

My most recent post was about all the great folk I met at this years Project: Comic-Con, but what about all the awesome stuff I picked-up while attending too? Well, this post is here to show-off a bunch of my swag I got thanks to saving up some funds for the show (always save for conventions, you never know what cool stuff you'll want)! I now present, what I purchased...

Stuff I Bought

I thought it would make sense to begin with the only, "Commission," of sorts I got at the show, a fantastic trading-card sized drawing of Moon Knight that just looks incredible. René Barr was kind enough to create this gorgeous image for me and I thanked her profusely.

I mentioned Lindsay and James Hornsby in the previous post, and this comic about "Princess Pups" as well as the fun stickers and print come from Mrs. Hornsby. I thought it was too adorable to pass-up and am pleased I got it!

Meredith Finch is of course the current writer of "Wonder Woman". I have not read the title under her penmanship but did just pick-up her first arc in trade paperback form thanks to my local library and plan to give it a gander. When I saw this great cover to the first issue she wrote and David Finch drew however I bought it and she was kind enough to sign it with a bright gold pen so that her signature now really pops-out on the black-and-white illustration. Here is a closer-look at her autograph:

I've read mixed things about her time on the title and will probably offer an opinion once I give it a look-over, but regardless of if you are a fan of her or not you gotta admit that looks snazzy!

Staying on the subject of DC-characters and their creative teams, this is of course quite possibly my favorite cover to "Detective Comics" as I discussed waaaaaayy back on my birthday in 2011. Hence, when I saw it being sold at the show signed by both Scott Snyder and the artist, Jock, I grabbed that eagerly after negotiating the price down a bit!

The tin of tea themed with a classy Velociraptor came to me courtesy of Ms. Allison Bannister and her Dino Teas brand. I was lucky enough to purchase the last Earl Grey tin at the show and have enjoyed it a lot!

Llama Land was a comic for sale by Ella Kindt, the child of fellow comic-maker Matt Kindt. As someone who loves Llamas and Alpacas this was an obvious purchase. I have to admit I am quite jealous however as Ms. Kindt is not even a teenager yet and her art is better than anything I could ever make.

Not at all for kids but also quite fun is the "Smut Peddler 2014" trade paperback I purchased. Made by Iron Circus Comics, this anthology of sex-positive comics is a peppy and charming as it is raunchy! The 2016 edition apparently launches soon and I can't wait!

The latest issue of, "Robot Pulp," was a fascinating looking magazine with a mixture of prose and comics that I was pleased to acquire as I love me some robots and pulp yarns.

My wife and I adore Grumpy Cat, so when one of the covers that can be harder to find was for sale at the 'con I got it for her! She was very pleased.

"No Mercy" is a collaborative comic between two great creators, Alex De Campi and Carla Speed McNeil. I was pumped to be able to buy a trade of the first volume and have them sign it!

I also picked up the first collection of McNeil's "Finder" series and am eager to dive-in and give it a read.

The last item I bought with the bit of cash I had left was a Trader paperback for the 4th collection of, "Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose," created by Jim Balent and Holly Golightly, which also includes a cool lithograph signed by Balent himself! I've enjoyed interviewing  the creator-couple for the blog before and they are indeed quite cool folk. "Tarot" is of course a title I have at times been really hard on and at other times quite complimentary to, as overall I enjoy how off-the-wall it is. This 4th collection has a slightly-saucy cover I edited a tad so that you can continue to enjoy my site at work or the library without any eyebrows being raised.

Final Thoughts

This year's Project: Comic-Con was another great show, full of spectacular people and some awesome items. I had such a wonderful time and greatly look forward to the next show!

Project: Comic-Con 2015 Reflections Part 1--Some of The Folk I Met

Yeah, That Was Awesome

Project: Comic-Con wrapped Sunday--and then I was too busy to post about it until today because I just got married! If you follow its twitter feed you saw plenty of tweets I contributed to sending out as the social media coordinator for the show, and the pictures reflect all the cool people I met and the fun I had! By the end of convention my feet were killing me and I felt more exhausted than I had in some time, but I was also incredibly happy as it had been such a fun event!

I met many awesome creators and while I enjoyed speaking with everyone I thought I would describe in further detail the creators I had more in-depth conversations with, picked up cool stuff from (the swag I got will be the subject of the next post) or otherwise have sticking-out in my mind.

Some Delightful People

Trina Robbins (left) and June Brigman (right).

The day before the convention while assisting with set-up I met Alex De Campi and Carla Speed McNeil. It was fun to see both as they of course are collaborators on, "No Mercy," as well as other titles. I greatly enjoyed speaking with them before and during show, picking up a number of comics from them which I am excited to read. During the night before the show I also had a chance to speak with June Brigman and Trina Robbins. Both great creators, June is known for a number of titles including, "Power Pack," and Ms. Robbins was the first female ever to work on "Wonder Woman"  created Vampirella's famous outfit, and has done countless other amazing things. The night before the show I also ran into Jen Blake whom is always hilarious and eager to discuss her work on titles such as, "My Little Pony." Truly a fun night and that was before the show even began!

On the day of the convention before the show began and got busy I was able to chat with C. Spike Trotman and hear about all the awesome things coming out from the comic publisher she founded, Iron Circus Comics. Then, as the show kicked-off I had the opportunity to speak with Meredith Finch and discuss how she has greatly enjoyed writing "Wonder Woman" for DC Comics.

Emily Warren

As the show proceeded I ran into Emily Warren who has a really fun art style and was featured on the local news! I also saw Sara Richard and complimented her work on "Jem" and other titles. I made it a point to say, "Hello," to Kenneth Rocafort because he is always super pleasant and I would consider myself a fan of his art-style. I also met Lindsay and James Hornsby and admired their cool comics about various subjects, picking up one about puppies. At a neighboring table was a man named Tom O'Brien and a lady named Allison with a variety of cool wares too!

The show approached lunchtime on the first day and at that point I had spoken with Matt Kindt and purchased a comic being sold by his daughter who had accompanied him to the convention so she could sell her own title about a llama. I also met René Barr and took advantage of her offer to sketch a trading-card size image of whatever I wanted and requested she make me a Moon Knight (I picked it up on day two and it is gorgeous, as you'll see in my later post).

Some of the folk from the cosplay fashion show!

At this point in the convention I attended the cosplay fashion show and was impressed by all the outfits on display from a wide range of ages and fandoms. It was really cool.

As the afternoon approached I spoke with Jeff Balke, a colorist who does something unique in that you can bring him any sort of sketch and he will hand-color it for you--thereby taking a cool black-and-white image you may have had created and turning it into something even more unique and one-of-a-kind. I also said, "Hi!" to Joëlle Jones and complimented her stellar work on, "Lady Killer." I was excited to hear from her that more stories are on the way! I also went over to the table of, "Rori!" and told her how I enjoy her, "Tiny Pink Robots," comic.

Two awesome prints exclusive to the show!

It was then 5PM and the show as done for the day. I was utterly exhausted and unable to stay for the after-party, instead going home and passing out, waking up to eat a late dinner, and then going back to sleep.

Day 2 began the next morning and I kicked it off saying hello to Rick Burchett again (I had greeted him briefly the day before) and discussing his enjoyment of creating a web comic (that then gets collected in print) in the form of, "Lady Sabre," with writer Greg Rucka. Following chatting with Mr. Burchett I walked over to Jim Mahfood's table and told him how much I had enjoyed the recent, "Miami Vice: Remix," comic that he illustrated and Joe Casey wrote.

Jim Mafood

Then, I browsed around some more and stepped out for lunch. It was pretty tasty but I was annoyed when I asked if the bison burger was cooked separately from the beef as I have an allergy and was told by the server they were, "Basically the same," so I can't just be allergic to just one. My past allergy test results and what happens to my stomach anytime I eat beef would disagree, but whatever. I just got the herb-stuffed chicken instead.

Afternoon arrived and I really enjoyed speaking with Nicole Boose as it is interesting to hear about the craft of comics from an editor's perspective. I also was able to chat with Faith Erin Hicks as the show was winding down and tell her how snazzy her prequel-comic for, "The Last of Us," looked thanks to her fantastic artwork. I also had the chance to greet Lorenzo Lizana and chat about his work with Lion Forge comics (a company which I've discussed on the blog before).

Nicole Boose

Overall, I had quite a stellar time and while I enjoyed this year's Wizard World STL, I really appreciated the comic-focus and more relaxed feel of Project: Comic-Con. At this show it is so much easier to be able to meet and talk with creators as opposed to some of the gigantic conventions where you wait in a long line just to say, "Hello," get an expensive autograph from a movie star, and shuffle along.

Project: Comic-Con was just awesome and I'm so happy I was able to help with the social media, set-up, taking down booths, and otherwise contribute to such a fun time. Keep an eye out for my 2nd post on the convention where I discuss a bunch of the cool things I purchased!

I Got Married Today!

Today I got married to the love of my life, Samii! We decided recently that instead of planning some huge wedding it made more sense to do something small and practical, then do a fun party in the summer. I am so happy! I look forward to spending my life and love with her.

Posts on Project: Comic-Con Are Coming Soon

I have some articles on Project: Comic-Con I am working on. Tomorrow I have some big news that is taking precedence over those posts however, but expect them soon too!

Project: Comic-Con Starts Today!

I'll be busy at Project: Comic-Con today and tomorrow but plan to write about all the fun I had not too long after it is finished. If you happen to be there and see me don't hesitate to say hello and tell me you love (or hate) the blog!

Flashback Friday--Widow Archives Volume 1

Spider + Woman = A Lot of Mayhem

I realized recently I haven't done a, "Flashback Friday" post in awhile, on a comic, game, or anything in particular. I want to rectify this so I have a few posts I'm mulling over to give any readers craving some nostalgia a fix. With that in mind I present the first collection of a comic that originally came out self-published, then was picked-up by Avatar and given some tweaks, before the original creator, Mike Wolfer, went back to spruce it up a bit and release its, "Archives," over 4 volumes.

I'm a fan of Wolfer's work, often discussing his self-publishing ventures and Kickstarters, so when I inquired about purchasing the "Widow Archives" and reviewing them he was more than happy to shoot-over a digital review copy of the 1st volume for me to give a look-over. I'm glad he did because other than some minor annoyances I quite enjoyed this debut of Widow.

The monsters are delightful grotesque,
even if sometimes the art struggles in this early volume.

Let's get the biggest issue out of the way first, the art can be a bit rough in spots. Wolfer has been working at doing comics for decades now and this is from earlier in his career, so even though things are never outright ugly (well, except for the monsters that are supposed to be hideous) things can feel a little scratchier and at times.

Nowadays Wolfer of course makes stellar art and even the later volumes of Widow ramp-up in art quality to his present-day quality, but if you're someone who refuses to read comics that aren't utterly gorgeous you're already missing out on other great stuff with less-than-awesome art and you may struggle to enjoy this first volume when compared to the later ones.

If someone is rich, isolated from society, and has a huge mysterious lab, run!

Putting that aside though, I quite enjoyed the story of this first volume. Two FBI agents end up on a mysterious island after a drug-bust on a boat goes awry and meet a rich and obviously crazy scientist Langford Harrow who takes them in and offers to put them on a ride back to the mainland when a boat of his supplies arrives. Harrow also has a beautiful daughter named Emma with a unique illness that precludes her from living in normal society.

 The allusions to Dr. Moreau are clear and intentional. I would say the two agents/protagonists of the story are distrustful of Harrow from the moment they wake up in his mansion, but if they had been even more paranoid things might have turned out a bit less gruesome (although that would have made for a duller story, so hooray for over-trusting madmen who alter genes)!

The story moves at a good clip with a nice balance of romance (between Emma and an agent named Taggert) and scary imagery (something on the island is murdering people violently). The agents and Emma are well fleshed-out, with Emma especially at first seeming like she is just a boring and horny side-character before as the story goes on we grow to really care about her and have empathy for her plight--seeing as how the later books build-off of the big conclusion of this one, Emma actually has spider-genes and is the main monster causing trouble on the island, sorry if you're mad about spoilers, but the book is named, "Widow," and has her on the cover, so I respect a blog-reader's intelligence enough to figure it out.

All-in-all the first volume of the "Widow Archives" is quite enjoyable and serves as a solid start to the saga of Emma/Widow. As long as readers can look past the sometimes-iffy art in this first volume fun is sure to be had, and I'm excited to further dig-in to the later volumes for sure!
4 out of 5 stars.

In Case You Forgot, Libraries Are Awesome!

Having Fun Isn't Hard When You Have a Library Card!

You know, we as a populace often don't utilize local resources that are really useful and our tax dollars pay for. Parks serve as one example of that, and another prime one is the local library/libraries within your city or town (I'm addressing my U.S. readers here, but if you are reading this in another country I would imagine you have libraries too). People sometimes joke that libraries are outdated, but they actually are quite useful, with the Saint Louis County Library system serving me quite fantastically.

Imagine you want to read a book (including graphic novels) but not have to buy it, or rent a movie, even a newer video-game. Just continue your imagining and picture a place that has a variety of books to choose from and can get ones they don't have loaned to them, a place that has popular movies you can check out while paying nary a dime, music CDs for listening, and video-games for the newest consoles you can take without worrying about a daily fee as long as you return it on time. Well, quit imagining because I'm obviously talking about the library.

One of my local branches I have visited.

Plus, a library isn't just a useful place to borrow things from, an account through one can often get you access to academic journals and online databases that contain them--a handy tool should you not currently be enrolled in a school that has a subscription to EBSCO or such. Should you lack internet for any reason you can also utilize that at the library too!

I'll be honest and admit that it had been awhile since I'd visited the library when I moved to the Saint Louis Region, and until I officially changed my residency to that of a county resident I would have had to pay a fee to get a library card (a modest fee, but still a fee). Since becoming a resident however I have greatly appreciated the libraries in my region and would imagine that if you don't utilize the library/libraries in your town you'll be as grateful as I am.

Another of the local library branches in the county I've visited.

This almost reads more as a public service announcement than a regular post, but folk close to me have noticed how much more I've been talking about how great the library is since using it a lot recently, so I thought it made sense to give my local library system a, "Shout-out," and suggest that you check your own library/libraries out!

Kickstarter and the Concept of Complimenting Versus Competing with Retail

Ah Yes, Kickstarter

Kickstarter is a fascinating platform that has helped a variety of games, comics, foods, etc. become actual products/events people can enjoy--and these are things which would have not existed without Kickstarter. That said, there are too many occurences of things going wrong, between out-and-out scams and folk protesting how they ran out of money and can't deliver a product that I feel a lot more hesitation these days to use Kickstarter at all. Should someone lay-out why they are using Kickstarter, honestly discuss the potential for problems, give a solid answer on the process of how the product/event will be created, and other things that I feel are reasonable to ask for, then I'll back a project assuming it appeals to me. Some completely unproven company or random person whose Kickstarter seems more disconnected from reality than anything else however? Yeah, I'm gonna skip that (and the stupid, "Joke," Kickstarters lost their appeal long ago, around the whole potato salad nonsense).

Putting aside concerns about questionable Kickstarters let's talk about ones that will be effective--with us focusing on comic ones--and discuss what happens when it comes to the question of a comic-maker complimenting their retail presence as opposed to competing with it. Therefore, you'll get individuals, publishers, etc. who engage in a Kickstarter campaign. There are occasions where I have no problem with this and other times when I honestly get quite agitated. Let's break it down, using fun photos to help illustrate how I would feel in each situation...

Possible Scenarios
In one version of events, you're a single person, or part of a group. You have a comic you really want to get published and you did all the leg-work to get a printer lined-up, you've got a product ready or almost ready and if you can just get funds from people you'll be able to publish your comic. In the process of getting funded or shortly after your project comes out a comic publisher approaches you and states, "Hey, this comic you did here is really impressive, can we print a version?" You of course excitedly state yes and your comic is printed in much bigger quantities with only a few minimal changes (if any). I would state something like this is perfectly alright as you went-in to all this not knowing if you actually would find a big publisher and you thankfully did. I'm not going to hold your success against you.

Irritation Level: None

Let's say you're someone with some experience in the comic business and you have something you want to release to retail but by doing Kickstarter it will help secure you funds to pursue that. You realize you don't want to compete with retail so you keep your Kickstarter items different in unique ways--be it variant covers, special gift items for backers, and so forth. You maybe could have even gone straight to retail in comic-book stores, but this helps you get those extra funds and you're not even competing with retail because what you're doing is geared more towards fans of your work and the items they get via the Kickstarter won't be available at retail. Again, I have no problem with this because you're doing something that maybe was planned from the start to be retail and Kickstarter, but you're keeping them separate in terms of what goes on sale. You're complimenting your retail sales, not competing with them.

Irritation Level: None

Now then, you're a smaller publisher and plan to go to retail but also want to do to Kickstarter to help make your book even more impressive when it comes to printing costs. Thanks to the support of people who Kickstart you a better comic will be made, and the exact same one will go to retail but it'll be even cooler thanks to your Kickstarter supporters and you'll be sure to thank them in the retail copies of the book too--after all, its the exact same product. You would be able to put this comic out in retail stores but maybe it wouldn't be as cool and you really do value your Kickstarter supporters. This gives me some concern because you're already going to retail and basically using Kickstarter as an extra support that will reward folk who just purchase your book in comic shops and whom weren't there from the start. However, if you throw in some cool extras only the Kickstarter backers can get I think everything's pretty square.

Irritation Level: None-to-Minor

You're a bigger publisher who has hit some harder times financially. You have a ton of great books you're willing to give to people with unique extras and are happy from support from anyone who is willing to kick-in funds for you to keep surviving. Their money will guarantee them some books you already have and future ones too. Without this you might struggle to stay afloat and even if its a little embarrassing for someone as big as you to come to the populace with your hat-in-hand it is necessary. Fantagraphics stands as an example of this. It bugs me a little because one would hope if you've been around as long as you have you don't need Kickstarter, but if it turns out you truly do need it, then go ahead and do it. I may be a little irked by the campaign, but I would rather you survive to keep making great books than go under because you had too much pride to ask the fans for help. Just please don't make it a regular thing because then you'll create a perception that you aren't spending your money well.

Do note that if your doctor does this gesture,
you are good and truly screwed.

Irritation Level: Minimal

Again, you're a bigger publisher, but this time your Kickstarter isn't to save the company. No, this is really just a marketing stunt to get people to agree to buy your books in advance. People who support you do get some special neat things, but you honestly don't need this money and you're undoubtedly competing with retail sales. This is what Archie comics did for their relaunch before enough outcry resulted in the whole thing being cancelled and the company getting a lot of egg on their face (metaphorically speaking). I find this pretty annoying and an example of a company just trying to, "Get-in on this Kickstarter trend," without needing it at all.

Irritation Level: Moderate

Okay, you're a decent-sized publisher and you already ran a successful Kickstarter that you probably didn't need to do, but it made you some money anyways. Now you're going to run another Kickstarter for your comics, under-cut slightly what you'll charge at retail, and not give fans anything special--just the exact same thing stores get but for less than the comic will actually cost at retail. Now you're essentially cannibalizing your store profits, drawing in fans who may have gone to the comic shop to get your book that you're already going to take to retail but now offer for a bit less, and otherwise look like a jerk. This is a prime example of something that is just stupid and it isn't surprising the purveyors of the incredibly below-average debut issues of zombie comics that riffed on, "Night of the Living Dead," Double Take, are exercising this very method as we speak.

This image of a woman about to smack someone with a frying pan
is as borderline-sexist as it is an accurate representation of how I feel.

Irritation Level: High

Lastly, let's say you're a huge publisher, something along the lines of Marvel, DC, or Image, and you want to see if a comic idea you have would be sustained by the fan-base and do a Kickstarter for an idea stating the comic will only come into existence if its Kickstarted and no, you know what, this is a terrible idea even in theory. Should the day comes this occurs I will think we've reached some kind of tipping-point for Kickstarter and that something will have to give because things will have gotten just far, far too absurd. I'm not even going to entertain this idea any further, because if it happens...ugh.

Irritation Level: Extreme/Facepalm

In Conclusion
So, to review: If your Kickstarter helps you create something that would otherwise not get made, assists you in making something unique for backers, or will save your company from financial ruin, I think you are doing things that compliment your retail experience as opposed to competing with it. If you're engaging in a simple cash-grab or eating into your own retail sales then you're doing something wrong, and I am perturbed by you. Another person's criteria for what kind of Kickstarters are fine and which are questionable may vary, but I think we can all agree that it is always better to help your retail sales as opposed to harming them.

Project: Comic-Con 2015 is Almost Here!

It's Gonna Be a Great Weekend

As attentive readers will remember, I announced back in June that I'm assisting Project: Comic-Con with their social media. The event is now to occur this weekend and I'm really excited! Happening from 10AM-5PM on Saturday with additional later-activities such as a documentary screening and after-party, as well as on Sunday from 10AM-4PM, this is bound to be a great time! I've been posting creator spotlights on PCC's Facebook and when the event occurs you can expect plenty of tweets.

I will of course have write-ups on my experience at the convention, with past Project: Comic-Con shows always being great and my expecting this one to rock too (hence my being happy to serve in a volunteer position)! There is a great number of guests, and unlike other conventions this one is comic-focused, not so much bringing in random movie or T.V. stars (although I've enjoyed those kinds of conventions too). Also, the price isn't absurd, which is something conventions sometimes seem to suffer from.

I'm super-pumped for this weekend and would encourage you to attend if you live in the area. I've enjoyed many conventions but always have found PCC extra exciting thanks to its being sizable enough to get some great guests, and vendors but not feeling absurdly packed.

Anways, here are some helpful links:

Here is the guest list for Project: Comic-Con, which this year has a lot of great female creators!

You can buy tickets to Project: Comic-Con at this link.

Their Facebook page is here

The official twitter of Project: Comic-Con is at this link, expect it to be very busy this Saturday and Sunday!