Printed Comic Books Are Not a Viable Business and Goon #39

So I keep telling Lee that my interest in the blog is waning and he says that has been true for a couple of years. I agree with him but one of the problems I also have is often I can bore myself. I have a clear opinion on comics and have made that viewpoint known over and over and over again. The capes bore me as we have no true advancement of the characters. Lee pointed out I want endings and he is again correct. Finally Lee said that I should just do the rants on this blog. Why Comic Books Suck was going to be that blog, but I was too ambitious and cannot generate enough bile and time to keep up that blog and write here. So this week’s column is Lee’s fault.

Lee was right about a few things, shocking, but lighting statistically speaking can strike the same place more then once regardless of the saying. This week brought along a minor revelation in the from of Goon #39 which lays out what is wrong with DC and Marvel and does so in an entertaining manner. Eric Powell’s column at the end of the book should be required reading and I will post it here for your edification.

Comic Covers Sunday: Classic Comics

Another Sunday another batch of covers.  This week we look at one of the great comic book series, Classic Comics.  This would eventually become Classics Illustrated and the covers wouldn't be nearly as exciting.  But the first run produced some great ones.

Let's start with...

Classic Comics #1.  There's something appealing about this that I can't quite identify.  Maybe it's the simplicity of the line.  Maybe it's the inability of the inker.  No matter what it is, it's fun to look at.

Classic Comics #8.  Now this is just fantastic.  Great design and composition.  AND, because the title wasn't standardized yet, the artist incorporated it into the cover.  This is just perfect.

Classic Comics #11 is another cover in which the artist incorporated the title of the book into the page itself.  Stellar!

Classic Comics #18.  This has interesting use of perspective with a giant drooly dude.  I am pretty sure this was different from everything else on the stands that day.

Classic Comics #30.  It's a big fat budda dude.  What's not to like???







That's all folks, now go enjoy your Sunday.

Assemble Avengers!

Okay, it's a very busy weekend for me with my older brother's wedding today (I get to be best man!) and a 90th birthday party for my wife's Aunt tomorrow (both events out of state).  So, I'm going lite today with some FUN photos of some of my Avengers toys.

Three of my original MEGOs from childhood.  It's amazing the Hulk is still intact after throwing him around so many times.

 As Lee likes to remind everyone, there's more after the jump.

Free Digital Comic

Ulimtates #9


Redemption Code

ATMC1AXDVHSP

Go to marvel.com/redeem and enjoy

Indies Previews For June Part 3 of 3

Lee: What a messed up month this is. Work got out of control so this intro paragraph isn't showing up until the final day of indies.  Sheesh.  But, it's been a great month with lots of cool books and this last batch is no exception.  Maybe we'll be more organized next month. 
Gwen:I just assumed we weren't doing an intro =P

:01 First Second
Marathon GN by (W) Boaz Yakin (A/C) Joe Infurnari
It was a turning point in ancient history. It inspires men to greatness. It was the foundation of one of the greatest and most prevailing global peace efforts of the 20th century. It was the greatest feat - and the tragic death - of a man whose legacy will never be forgotten. In 490 BCE, an Athenian messenger named Eucles ran 27 miles from Sparta to Athens, and in so doing preserved ancient Greek civilization from subjugation to the Persian Empire. $16.99
Lee: Let’s start with something that just looks cool and should be a winner. Why? (1) :01 Books is a great publisher of indie material. (2) Infurnari is an awesome artist. And finally (3) it just sounds interesting.
Gwen: Except I'm pretty sure most people don't know this story at all. Seeing how classical history isn't focused on very much anymore. This is a cool story and all but I'm worried it'll get over exaggerated like the 300.

The rest are below the break

Indies Previews For June Part 2 of 3

Continuing the Indy Adventure!

Krause Publications

Parents Guide to Best Kids Comics: Choosing Titles Children Love SC by (W) Scott Robins
Experts showcase in great detail 100 of the best comics currently available for young readers and identifies what attracts and entertains kids, all while creating a suggested reading list of hundreds of other outstanding titles. The reading level guide, clear comments, and accompanying comic samples guide users to the best choices for every child. Each entry includes key reading appeal points and associated genres, creating a recommended balance of reading for education and reading for recreation. $16.99
Lee: I periodically get questions about what books are good for kids so I think this is awesome! If the books shown on the cover are any indication the author has a really good handle on what is/ is not good for kids.
Gwen:It is nice to have someone else compile a list of kid friendly comic books. Not that I don't have a pretty solid list myself these days (after having bought comics for a lot of my friend's kids) but it's nice to see some stuff I wasn't previously familiar with.

And 7 more below the break

Indies Previews For June Part 1 of 3

Continued from yesterday!

Lee's just kidding - this is actually part 1.

Fantagraphics Books

Beta Testing the Apocalypse GN by (W/A/C) Tom Kaczynski
While Tom Kaczynski's comics share many of the obsessions found in the prose work of J.G. Ballard, with riffs on dystopian modernity, bleak man-made landscapes and the psychological effects of technology, Kaczynki's visual storytellingadds an architectural dimension that the written word alone lacks. Beta Testing The Apocalypse includes 10 short stories, depicting the immense political and technological structures and spaces we inhabit that subtly affect and define the limits of who we are and the freedoms we presume to enjoy. Tom Kaczynki is a new, unique voice in the comic firmament. $19.99  Visit the artist here.
Lee: Ok, here's what you need to know, Tom K is a new, unique voice.  Translated that means this is pretty much unlike anything you've read recently.  Meaning, it's gonna be out there.  If you like you comics off kilter and out there, then this is for you.
Gwen:Well I don't know if I like my comics off-kilter per say, but the concept does look as if it has potential to be very interesting.

Seven more below the break