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I don’t want to panic anybody out there but my heating boiler blew while I was out.  Luckily it was onlyu an electrical fuse blowing.

Yes,this is real life on the edge.

You can go back to reading X-Men now.

For a few months now I’ve been noting some odd things going on with the Travelling Man shops,but especially the one based in Bristol. Well,from Saturday,12th January,2008,Bristol will have no TM store.

Yes,a month or so after recruiting some new staff [now looking for work],the store is to close.

The fault should not be with the management there,they have gone out of their way trying to instill new life into a store that has had,what,three or four years to establish itself? It seems that there just is no support or set plan from the owner[s].

Ludicrously,staff of TM in other towns have had to go on shopping trips to their local Forbidden Planet to stock up and fulfill standing orders! The fact that any independent comic shop owner sets up in the same street or just around the corner from Forbidden Planet mega stores is unbelievable. How can you expect to compete?!

What is more unbelievable is that Forbidden Planet [Bristol] is now a “destination store” out of the way of the main shopping area like it used to be. Area 51 stocks some graphic novels and Essentials books but few new titles even though it has the North side of Bristol to itself:it is mainly seen as an role playing game store.

TM was just off the City Centre with any number of bus stops opposite/outside the store.

Now,FP you have to walk up the steep Park Street,though you can get a bus there. This made Travelling Man the easiest to get to comic store and in a University area. But it’s failed.

I keep hearing the word “recession” being used. Rubbish. A properly managed/owned store should be able to survive on a mix of graphic novels/new comics/back issues and,yes,action figures. For the first time since 1975,Bristol will now have only one comic store and that part of a major chain.

With this type of situation and increased comic prices,I’d guess that scanned new titles are going to be downloaded more and more.

There is a serious point here:if you are going to open a shop you need to back it all the way if you want to succeed. With everything in its favour Travelling Man failed and blame can only be aimed at owners.

Hmm. Archie seem to be dishing out all the Press Releases but don’t seem to want to answer any of the questions I’ve asked over the last month or so.  As pointed out to Wizkids;CBO is a two-way deal not a free publicity service.  But in the meantime: 

 

ARCHIE LAUNCHES NEW WAY TO COMMUNICATE WITH FANS 18 NEW ARCHIE BLOGS, A BLOG FOR EVERY TITLE 

  

Archie Comics is pleased to announce that we are starting the New Year with 18 brand new title-specific blogs. Archie Comics has always been very interactive with their fans. For years we have received mail by the ton telling us what our fans think about what we are doing. 

  

Since the start of our website www.archiecomics.com we have been receiving millions of emails and fan art from our readers. The site receives 16-18 million hits a month. If a lot of our fans want to see something happen in the pages of our comics, we try to make it happen. 

  

With the new system of blogs, we will get information to our fans title by title. For example, if you read Tales From Riverdale each month, you can find out the latest news about that title without having to read through what is happening in every title. 

  

If you are a fan of Josie & the Pussycats you will be able to read about our plans for them in our digests. Our digests also regularly feature That Wilkin Boy, Dilton, Captain Sprocket, and even Reggie. Characters that are not featured in their own title but have a regular home in some of our most loved digests. 

  

The blog format will allow us to interact with our fans and protect our younger fans. All posts will be read by a member of the Archie Comics staff prior to posting so that parents will be able to feel safe when their children are visiting the Archie Comics site. 

  

The new blogs will also feature original content not found anywhere else, from interviews with the writers, artists and staff to sketches and other art our fans will be excited to see. 

  

As the world of communication grows, we have looked for more ways to communicate with our fans. We want to let them know what we have planned, and we want to hear from them if they think we are doing a good job. We will have immediate dialog with our fans on every title we publish. To find these new title-specific blogs, go to www.archiecomics.com and click on the word “COMICS” on the upper banner. 

Or, you can find each separate blog at…

 

 

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/archiecomic

 

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/archiedigest

 

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/archiedoubledigest

  

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/archieandfriends 

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/palsngalsdoubledigest 

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/talesfromriverdaldigest

 

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/bettyandveronica 

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/bettyandveronicadigest

  

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/bettyandveronicadoubledigest 

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/bettycomic 

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/veronicacomic 

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/bettyandveronicaspectacular 

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/jugheadcomic 

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/jugheaddigest 

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/jugheaddoubledigest 

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/sabrina

  

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/sonic

  

http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/sonicx

  

Stop on by, we look forward to hearing from all our fans. 

Oh Gods,I’m turning into a miserable old sod!  I have to admit that I wasn’t that impressed by the new Batman with Christian Bale.  Too long,meandering and when the Scarecrow did appear it was almost as a cameo.

So,when I learned that the latest outing,The Dark Knight,would feature the Joker as villain I thought “Oh dear lords not the Joker again?!”  There are,after all,some fantastic villains in Batman lore -most pretty much butchered  in the non-Michael Keaton films [it would have been good to see Keaton age as Wayne/Batman and Dark Knight actually being based on the 1980s comic series].

When I saw what the Joker looked like this time I did utter “Oh **** me!” as it was not an impressive look.  If you could call it “a look”. 

Still,let’s wait until the film is out and we can take stock,though I’m getting very jaded with re-telling of Superman and Batman origins.

You can check things out at the official Warner site:

 http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/

Or go to this one:

http://www.worstpreviews.com/trailer.php?id=141&item=3

Remember:only miserable old farts have the right to moan here!

 

The Justice Society of America has always been a favourite of mine since I first saw them in a cross-over with the JLA back in the 1960s [all these cross-overs have been  reprinted in graphic novel format over the last few years].

I was a massive fan of Roy Thomas’s ALL STAR SQUADRON though still don’t understand why it couldn’t have been titled JSA.  There were various mini series in the 1980s-1990s and one of my big favourites had the late,great Mike Parobek as artist. 

When it was announced that there was a permanent series coming along I thought it was going to be awful. 

I was WRONG.

I’ve stuck with it since and now we’re back to a new new series [!] because of the recreated DC multi-verse,I was waiting to see things go awry. They haven’t. 

With the introduction of the Superman from the Kingdom Come universe we’re left wondering whether the JSA is going to get it’s own Superman again? 

So,as a preview here are the covers and snippets from JSA 11-14.

 

JUSTICE SOCIETY of AMERICA #11 

Written by Geoff Johns & Alex Ross; Art by Dale Eaglesham & Ruy Jose; Cover by Alex Ross; Variant cover by Eaglesham & Jose  

The epic storyline by Geoff Johns and Alex Ross, THY KINGDOM COME, continues! Adjusting to this strange, new Earth, the Superman from Kingdom Come discovers he may have more in common with the heroes of the Justice Society than he believes. Plus, Jay Garrick and Wally West pull out the cosmic treadmill!  

DC Universe  |  32pg.  |  Color  |  $2.99 US  

OnSale December 5, 2007

 

 

JSA#12

Written by Geoff Johns & Alex Ross; Art by Dale Eaglesham & Ruy Jose; Cover by Alex Ross; Variant cover by Eaglesham & Jose  

“Thy Kingdom Come” explodes as Jakeem Thunder returns! The Justice Society reaches out to the next wave of legacy heroes: the new Mr.America, Judomaster, Amazing Man and more! Plus, another face familiar to the Kingdom Come Superman makes his presence known.

 DC Universe  |  32pg.  |  Color  |  $2.99 US  

OnSale January 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

JSA #13

Written by Geoff Johns and Alex Ross; Art by Dale Eaglesham and Ruy Jose; Cover by Alex Ross; Variant cover by Eaglesham and Jose  

“Thy Kingdom Come” continues! The Justice Society has been tracking the “Heartbreak Slayer” — a mysterious serial killer targeting super-villains — for months. Now, as new members are welcomed into the fold and the Society expands, the JSA will come face-to-face with an evil that threatens the future they stand for.  

DC Universe  |  32pg.  |  Color  |  $2.99 US  

On Sale February 27, 2008

 

 

 

JSA #14

Written by Geoff Johns and Alex Ross; Art by Dale Eaglesham and Ruy Jose; Cover by Alex Ross; Variant cover by Eaglesham and Jose  

“Thy Kingdom Come” continues as the mystery of the “Heartbreak Slayer” explodes while the Justice Society discovers a true “New” God stalking them. Meanwhile, devastating images of the future continue to plague the Man of Steel.  

DC Universe  |  32pg.  |  Color  |  $2.99 US  

On Sale March 26, 2008

 If you haven’t revisited the Watchmen Comic Movie site since I posted the link in October 2007,it IS well worth checking out again.  Lots of news,reports,photographs and more at:

http://watchmencomicmovie.com/index.php

Tell ‘em Rorschach sent ya!

As a reminder;the link to the CBO-Comic Bits Online site is:

http://comicbitsonline.multiply.com/journal/item/67/THE_TWELVE_1….Almost_Here

THE TWELVE #1 

COVER BY: KAARE ANDREWS

WRITER: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI

PENCILS: CHRIS WESTON

INKS: GARRY LEACH

COLORED BY: CHRIS CHUCKRY

LETTERED BY: COMICRAFT 

THE STORY:Yesterday’s Men of Tomorrow—Today! Thought lost to the pages of time, a dozen Mystery Men from the “greatest generation” of World War Two find themselves thrust into the morally-gray world of the 21st century! Now, Captain Wonder, Dynamic Man, Mastermind Excello, Mister E, the Laughing Mask, the Witness, the Black Widow, the Phantom Reporter, the Fiery Mask, Rockman, the Blue Blade and Electro the Marvel of the Age must seek a place for themselves in the modern Marvel Universe—while a silent killer seeks to eliminate them, one by one!

Rated T+ …$2.99 

IN STORES: 9th January!!

 

 

Marvel has never really done its Golden Age Timely heroes real justice.  With the exception that is,of Roy Thomas with his great run on The Invaders and also The Liberty Legion in Marvel Premiere[?] -we’re going back a ways now.The later incarnations of The Invaders were absolutely awful in both concept,story and art.  Why did it flop and get cancelled?  No idea -oh wait,I do!

erm. Anyhoo,whereas DC brought back the JSA in the 1960s and there were those great annual JLA-JSA cross-overs,it also had a multiverse which it then destroyed in 1985 via Crisis On Infinite Earths…a multiverse which has returned!

However,Marvel and DC have destroyed and re-created their universes so many times who has any real idea of who or what is who or what?!

A lot of us old timers [sucks beard in toothless mouth while dragging on cornpipe] had hoped that,as these characters had not been even referred to,it might be some “Earth T” style cross-over -hey,EXILES has proven that there is still a massive multi-verse out there!

Now we have what almost sounds like a Watchmen style plot. 

I know Straczynski re-invented The Squadron Supreme in  a “more realistic” style but it never really worked for me.  Straczynski brought us the legendary Babylon 5 which I still think far out-shone Star Trek:The Next Generation in its characters,stories and effects. Big B-5 fan,obviously!

But what we really want to see is good old fashioned action,fun and adventure.

Remember Alan Arkin in “The Return Of Captain Invincible” with the song “The Good Guys And The Bad Guys”?  No?  Must be on YouTube somewhere and it says it all:the good guys always won out against evil and you could tell villain from hero -now who knows?!

When you intimate you are going to start killing off heroes one-by-one where’s the fun or shock value -remember Marvel’s AWFUL Great Lakes Avengers mini series where it seemed everyone who joined had to die?  It was a truly awful concept and I was glad when it ended.

So,with The Twelve due out this coming week,will it be a big disappointment or fun?

I’m going to wait and see but I’d very much like to hear YOUR opinion.

T

Diamond Comic Distributors Inc. to distribute Septagon Studios’ debut comic book Scorn.

 

DIAMOND TO DISTRIBUTE “SCORN”
Diamond Comic Distributors Inc. to distribute Septagon Studios’ debut comic book Scorn.

(Toronto, 2008) Nicola Defina (President) of Septagon Studios Inc. and Philip Defina (Art Director) are pleased to announce that Diamond Comic Distributors will be carrying SCORN, Septagon’s debut comic book.

“We’re ready to embark on this tremendous opportunity and privileged that Diamond has recognized our company. We know how careful Diamond is in selecting their products for distribution, ” says President Nick Defina. “We’re looking forward to a lengthy relationship with them.”

Published by Septagon Studios Inc., Scorn is a 28 page, full color bi-monthly miniseries. Scorn is a dark tale of revenge that uses real Windy City locations as its backdrop. Kevin Moyers also uses actual events to set the story in motion. The gritty and unique artwork from Philipp Neundorf brings this emotional tale to life. The book revolves around 19-year-old Michael Riggs, who witnesses the murder of his best friend at the hand of notorious gang leader Robert Torres. Michael becomes obsessed, and nothing can stop him on his vicious and bloody rampage of vigilante justice.

Diamond will begin soliciting Septagon Studios’ debut title Scorn #1 in their January 2008 Previews catalog (on sale in March), thus enabling those retailers who prefer to deal directly with the distribution company the opportunity to purchase the series from the beginning. All future publications from Septagon Studios, Inc. will also be available via Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc.

Retail Price: $3.50 US
Cover: Philipp S. Neundorf
Writer: Kevin Moyers
Art: Philip S. Neundorf
Readership: Mature Readers
Format: Comic Book
Full Color, 28 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-9739667- 0-1

DIAMOND ORDER CODE: SPOT JAN083866 SCORN #1 OF 4) (MR)

For more information on Septagon Studios Inc or Scorn, check out the Septagon Studios website at http://www.septagon studios.com.

People thought I was a little rough regarding the first issue of this series.  I kept saying “wait until the second issue comes out -it’ll probably pick up”.

The second issue is out.

Much better cover but it has nothing to do with the contents! But this is comics anyway so…Story-wise,nothing original and,no,I don’t intend rolling off a list of films where the bits and pieces come from.

I had thought the art problems [with anatomy were no longer present but then a couple of people pointed out that the problems were still there…and they are.

But what hit me were the glaring continuity problems.

p.14 panel 2:

Dare:”Keep a lid on that,Hillary. We dont want a panic”

Digby:”Local Detachment CO,apparently”

Captain Finley introduced himself but there is something off -I thought a speech balloon had been forgotten.  On page 19 the perspective and character placement seems to have gone out the window.  Then we’re suddenly in the PMs office on Earth and he’s on the floor…last page:huge head of Mekon in space.

My tolerance is now zero.  I won’t buy no.3.

“Dire” is the best I can write!