Weekly Comic Spotlight

[LA Rabbit]

Andy did you get hypernaturals 1 at sdcc? I picked one up at an abnett and lanning signing. Was nice to tell them how much I live their writing in person. And get my hypernaturals 1 signed by them both.

Btw, I think I got an sdcc variant.

I forgot my copy so I did buy the SDCC variant there and had them sign it. Normally I am not one for those sorts of things but when in Rome. Very nice gents. I think it is funny that they were at the Boom, DC and Marvel booth if I am not mistaken. Boom had many great people but Chris Roberson missed at least one of his scheduled comics.

I am not sure how I would feel about a return to inventory stories. Strangely enough, I have bought a bunch of the Marvel From the Vault books which are a similar concept. I would think the options are:
1) Delayed release
2) inventory story
3) multiple artists on same issue
4) back-up with different artist
If 2 is not likely due to previews, then I think I would prefer 1 or 3. At least assuming the delay doesn't go into months. Still can't fault DC for trying different options. They should do another survey among the true faithful about those types of issues as well. How important is timeliness to the regular comic book reader? If they don't like Nielsen, I know of a better market research company that they can use.

As to the decompressed question or not, I guess I go back to Bob and John's concept of a "satisfying story chunk" per issue. Some issues felt a little short from Demon Knights but overall I like it. I would probably advise people just to trade wait though.

[LA Rabbit]

Enjoyed the most recent episode but for some reason I thought Bob had already dropped Trio. I got the first two but think I will let it lapse. As you gents note, it seems like it is easier to drop books than it should be if they want my money. Living in a small place means space is a premium (and I have yet to take to digital).

Thanks.

[JohnMayo]

Enjoyed the most recent episode but for some reason I thought Bob had already dropped Trio.

I can understand why you thought that since Bob posted a week before the episode went up that he'd dropped Trio with that third issue.

[BobBretall]

Enjoyed the most recent episode but for some reason I thought Bob had already dropped Trio.

I can understand why you thought that since Bob posted a week before the episode went up that he'd dropped Trio with that third issue.

I need to learn the art of the "tape delay for prime time broadcasting".

I've been studying NBC's Olympics coverage so I can get better at this.

[LA Rabbit]

Great job as always. I bowed on Batman at issue 10 or 11. I might have to revisit but sort of cooling on DC and Marvel.

I have no history on the original Valiant. I tried the first relaunch and it didn't do anything for me. I did take a flyer on the new Archer & Armstrong and really liked it. I am not reading any of the other books but A&A is accessible and fun. I will stay on it for the forseeable future. I am a little concerned if they start in with the crossovers but no need to worry about that now.

I bought the two IDW portfolios. If you like the artist editions, you will like these. Once you go down that path, you start buying them up like crazy. Speaking of which, Bob are you going to have an extra Kane Spider-man or should I land one myself?

Thanks for the hard work.

[BobBretall]

Speaking of which, Bob are you going to have an extra Kane Spider-man or should I land one myself?

Unclear at this point. I ordered one via DCBS and IDW has made no mention of any kind of exclusive edition.

That said, they usually wait until the last minute to announce any exclusives just so they can screw with fans of these things, I think.

[BobBretall]

What did people think of the art change-up on Batman #12?

Lenny seemed to be very disturbed by it, it took him out of the story.

For me, it was just fine (as John & I mentioned in the show).

How did people react to the art switch-up? I kind of liked not having an unrelated backup, even it it meant an artist change during the story.

[Gilgabob]

What did people think of the art change-up on Batman #12?

Lenny seemed to be very disturbed by it, it took him out of the story.

For me, it was just fine (as John & I mentioned in the show).

How did people react to the art switch-up? I kind of liked not having an unrelated backup, even it it meant an artist change during the story.

I would much rather have an artist change that continues the story than a backup of unrelatable material. So, not bothered.

[HassanT]

The different artists (or writers) on Batman #12 didn't bother me. I think John said it best on describing the transition. If I recall (I don't have the issue in front of me) the last panel in Becky Cloonan's page and the first panel of Andy Clarke's first panel is the same scene.

I agreed w/ Bob and John w/ everything they said. I thought A&A 1 was a 5/5 and a great first issue. Batman 12 is the best issue in Batman for years. And I felt that Fantastic Four was just buying time until the new relaunch. I said it before but I think Marvel is making a mistake of launching Marvel Now over a period of few months.

[LA Rabbit]

Enjoyed the recent episode. Stuck on hardcover for Elephantmen and unlikely to change. Trades are easier for me to store and read. Reading Daredevil but way behind. It would probably make sense for me to switch to trade but just in the single habit. Trying to cut back though.

I did like Pathfinder but I don't roleplay anymore. You get a little poster/map in the comic which was cool. The only thing I didn't like was I wish they put the roleplaying stuff intersperced throughout the comic. By having it all at the end it was a bunch of stuff I didn't care about so I felt short-changed. I don't like those books where all the ads are at the end of the book. You feel that heft of the remaining pages but no more story. If there is still weight in my right hand, I expect more story. It is a psychological quick that may be unique to me and certainly digital readers don't have that problem. However as I felt there wasn't much there not sure I will get #2.

Thanks.

[HassanT]

On this week's episode of WS, I was more in John's camp than Bob's related to the anniversary issue of Amazing Spider-man. I thought the 2nd and 3rd stories to be good but more throwaway stories versus good stories but tied into the current book that they done in the past.

It felt like someone reminded them at the last minute that it is Spider-man's 50th anniversary. I the main story was average. I didn't really cared for the new character and thought the accident caused by Tiberius was so obvious that I can't believe all these smart scientists didn't figured it out. Then standard guest appearance by every scientist super-hero when there is a problem bothered me as well. I don't mind a guest appearance but it seems very standard nowadays if there is a problem, they all show up, no matter how large or small.

I am still enjoy Amazing Spider-man overall and I thought Dan Slott did the best Spider-man stories from the Brand New Day run, but this one didn't grab me.

[LA Rabbit]

Enjoyed the latest episode as always. I think the key with Before Watchmen will be if the trades become evergreen. If they do NOT, then I think DC can just burn up this property with endless sequels staffed with any talent. Ideally you would want top notch talent but presumabley that is more expensive (and only so many top names). The question becomes whether those top names extra costs (I presume top names get paid better) are offset by the more sales they pull in. At the end of the day, DC is a business to make money. I think the original Watchmen will stand on its own. I am not sure if prequels will pull in as many casual readers like some of the other big trade books (Walking Dead, Fables, etc), who traditionally run forward (not including flashback issues).

While I have no doubt that it was an over-reaction by DC to withhold the book, I agree with John that they had to "do something". So they find any comic with any possible link, no coincidentally the Batman Inc books sell less than the top Batman Books. Now, they have diffused any issue and who knows maybe all the buzz will make people buy that book. That is cynical but what can I say?

Fun episode as always. Thanks.

[ChrisMyers]

I enjoyed the most recent episode, as usual. I'm not reading Green Lantern but you have inspired me to search out the annual to see what the Guardians are up to. I like that Bob and John have different opinions about comics and are not shy to share them. Keep up the good work.

[BobBretall]

I enjoyed the most recent episode, as usual. I'm not reading Green Lantern but you have inspired me to search out the annual to see what the Guardians are up to. I like that Bob and John have different opinions about comics and are not shy to share them. Keep up the good work.

Hopefully they'll do a 2nd print of the GL Annual. It seems to have sold out & the 1st print is selling for escalated prices.

I think this one snuck up on a lot of people (including shop owners, who seem to have under-ordered). Once people realized this wasn't a throwaway side-story & wanted to pick it up the book sold out.

[HassanT]

I enjoyed the most recent episode, as usual. I'm not reading Green Lantern but you have inspired me to search out the annual to see what the Guardians are up to. I like that Bob and John have different opinions about comics and are not shy to share them. Keep up the good work.

Hopefully they'll do a 2nd print of the GL Annual. It seems to have sold out & the 1st print is selling for escalated prices.

I think this one snuck up on a lot of people (including shop owners, who seem to have under-ordered). Once people realized this wasn't a throwaway side-story & wanted to pick it up the book sold out.

DC Comics is doing a second print. It is supposed to be out October 3rd.