Columns

There’s very little chance you’re at this site, reading this article about comic book retail, and do not have a working knowledge of recent comic book history. That said, it never hurts to add a little context to current events. So. In September of 2011, DC Comics relaunched their entire superhero universe with fifty-two brand new ongoing series functioning in a bright new continuity. Since then, the company has used September as a large-scale event month, using 2012 to flashback to the unexplored “early days” of the new continuity, and 2013 to unleash their villains across each and every one of their titles. Conceptually, there’s nothing wrong with this. The comic book industry thrives off of the occasional event as the eyeballs gained from the news of a line-wide disruption usually translates into higher profits. It was the reason why DC’s line-wide relaunch in 2011 was shatteringly successful for that month (and several after), and why their flashback month in 2012 garnered a slight bump in sales, despite a comparatively lower profile concept and easier execution.

Everyone has milestone events which they remember (or wish to forget).  Some are small memories, like a first kiss, while others can be momentous...

§ Emerald City Comicon was a wonderful, diverse event. And a survey of attendees suggests that half the attendees identified themselves as female. ...

Some things are so shocking, you won't believe it!!!

§ Alex Dueben catches up with Richard Thompsonas "The Complete Cul de Sac" is published: What was it like seeing the exhibit at OSU?...

§ Many thanks to David Fairbanks, Michael DeLaney, David Nieves and of course, Tireless Torsten Adair for their C2E2 coverage. Sounds like this show has come into its own at last. § There were a bajillion comics events this weekend and one of the more oblique was the Brooklyn Zine Fest ; Robyn Chapman has a complete report and says it was her most profitable show since Comic Arts Brooklyn, so in Brooklyn they like ziney comics. That is good.

§ Beware the timeslot! It seems that the aborted single season of Beware The Batman will finish but new episodes will be shawn at...

§ Big big ups to Shannon O'Leary and Pam Auditore for their WonderCon coverage! You guys are THE BEST. § Here is that big...

First off, thanks to Nicholas Eskey for his WonderCon coverage this weekend. He did a smashing job covering some diverse panels, including Con Talk-Back...

I was working on a long article this week so this all piled up, but I know it's the weekend and everyone has nothing...

§ Mark Evanier reports that original Airboy artist Fred Kida, a nominee for this year's Eisner Hall of Fame, has passed away at 93.

§ Maine cartoonist Jeff Pert died suddenly at age 53. Pert was known for his local humor, and his cartoon books were a staple...