Oh, right, this is a comics blog.
This is the second week in a row where our weekly funnybook shipment from Diamond is smaller than normal, which means we’re probably due for a week sometime soon where Marvel releases three-quarters of their books. However, even with the smaller shipment, we’re still getting four different Avengers titles, which is, you know, something.
Also something is the release this week of Image United #3, only eight months after #2, and six months after the #0 special. This surprises no one, I’m sure, particularly given the number of different Image founder cats that are needed to be herded into providing art for the project. I have no idea if that actually is the reason for the delay, but I’d imagine that’s a pretty good guess.
Ending this week is Ex Machina with issue #50, which has been an interesting and enjoyable series, and, I don’t know, it sort of seems like after making a big splash when it first appeared (in part because it was one of the earliest examples of comics using the events of 9/11 in a compelling/alternate history/non-exploitative way), it remained flying under the radar ever since. Not a big seller, but a consistent one, and the trade collections go through spurts of movement at the shop. Even so, it’s still one of the few non-Authority Wildstorm properties to have any customer interest at our shop, and I’m sorry to see it go.
Another title ending this week, also at issue #50, is Star Wars: Legacy, the “future history” series taking place a century or so after all that Expanded Universe SW stuff with Old Luke, Old Han, Old Leia, etc. Now, I tried to give this series a chance, but my interest only piqued when references to and/or characters from Episodes IV-VI popped up, like the alleged Force ghost of Luke, or a certain droid of our acquaintance. I just couldn’t get interested in Cade Skywalker and his other space pals. Now, that shouldn’t be taken as a slam on the comic…it’s me, baby, not you, as my continuing interest in Star Wars seems mainly restricted to the ongoing adventures of, well, Old Luke et al. The comic remained a strong seller for us throughout its lifespan, as did the trades when, um, they were in print, and frankly I’m a little surprised it’s going away. Well, not entirely going away, since a new mini-series, with its new order-grabbing “#1,” is coming soon…but I’d have preferred the series continuing instead of giving current readers a convenient stopping point.
Also of note:
- Hellblazer #270 – Nearly 300 issues of this. Hard to believe. At last for us, this is one of DC’s low-range sellers…not quite to the point of the Red Circle material or Magog, but more along the lines of, say, R.E.B.E.L.S. Subsidized by trade paperback sales, I suppose, and the fact that this, and the Fables franchise, are now the flagship periodicals for the Vertigo line.
- Honey West #1 – Gonna be hard to top this cover, but seriously…this seems like an odd license to acquire, even though the team actually producing the book (Trina Robbins and Cynthia Martin) is a good one. Are there enough Honey West fans out there willing to buy the comic to justify the cost of the license, versus just putting Robbins and Martin on their own brand new female private detective series? Then again, “Honey West” is one of the greatest fictional character names of all time, so I can see the appeal.
- S.H.I.E.L.D. Director’s Cut #1 – In case you didn’t get your hands on the first four printings of the first issue.
- Tiny Titans #31 – So this kids’ book gets some grief in that some of the gags require specific continuity knowledge of the regular teen-and-adult-oriented DC Universe. My feeling on the topic, which I’m sure you’re dying to know, is this: 1) the sheer cuteness of the book helps sell the gags, even if the target audience doesn’t “get” the context, and 2) I remember, as a young Mikester, watching WWII-era Warner Brothers cartoons with gags specific to that period (“TURN OUT THAT LIGHT!”) and still thinking it was funny even if I didn’t fully understand why it was so important for that light to be out. Okay, maybe not the best analogy, but it’s fine if there are jokes that go over kids’ heads once in a while. Keeps them wondering. It’s good for ’em.
- Darkwing Duck #3 – Fully approved by fans of Darkwing Duck! Especially those two very excitable gals who come in every time a new issue is released and, prior to purchase, flip through the comic next to the register and loudly read to each other their favorite bits, giggling and laughing and generally carrying on and making a ruckus. THANKS IAN.
But honestly, congrats to pal Ian for the success he’s had writing Darkwing Duck. I’m teasing a bit above, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen people get quite that excited over a comic. I’m very proud of you, buddy.
- …But the best thing coming out this week:
YES.
Actually, that “Turn out that light!” example works pefectly. I remember laughing at that exact same thing, and I think it had more to do with the sudden loudness and tone of voice that sold the joke to a very young Leroy.
Another good example of this, is when I very first watched “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” when it first came out (I’m 29, do the math), I didn’t really understand the patty-cake gag, or a zillion other thinly-veiled adult jokes in that flick, but I laughed at them all. Why? Because cartoon characters were delivering them, and when you’re a wee child, anything cartoon characters say is funny.
I think this is an important part of childhood, because inevitably, you’ll re-watch these movies or re-read these books when you’re older, and go “AH-HA!!! I GET that now!”, and all is right with the Universe.
Also, good luck with the “Darkwing” twins…although, it sounds rather hilarious just reading about it. Sure it’s probably closer to how in the liquor store I work in, when the “regulars”…if you will…decide to pretend they’re gormet beer critics when they’re holding a 6er of Pabt’s Blue Ribbon. Funny in hindsight, not so much during.
Too bad about Ex Machina not getting too much attention. I mean it had Tony Harris! As a character.
I’m also sad to see Legacy go, it was my favorite Star Wars book since X-Wing Rogue Squadron. The arc in which we learned of Cade’s mom’s background I was feeling like watching an episode of the Wire where some (supposedly) bad guys background and motivation is revealed and one is thuroughly captivated by it. If you have read the last Song of Fire and Ice book something very similar happens there.
On the plus side: John Ostrander writing one less book a month might mean better chances for a new SUICIDE SQUAD ongoing.
You know, I only have 7 books on my local comic shop pull list.
• Atlas
• Captain America
• Ex Machina
• Fantastic Four
• Green Lantern
• Jonah Hex
• Spider-Girl
So I find out that two of those titles have been canceled and another is ending.
It’s obvious that Marvel & DC don’t want me as a reader/customer.
Oddly, my shop never bothered to get the 3rd or 4th printings of SHIELD #1. Looking forward to finally reading it, assuming of course they bothered to order it.
Nice to see Hellblazer get some love. Twenty two years is a vey long run for what is – essentially – a horror comic. The Milligan run now going has been FANTASTIC. Give it a check!
I had the same reaction to old Looney Tunes growing up, and I also think the way Tiny Titans works is similiar to how Sesame Street manages to bring in a slew of Parental Bonus without affecting its core audience.
…Also, dude, Darkwing Duck was very important to me when I was eleven…I hadn’t realized there was a comic…oh god, I can already feel myself turning into one of those giggling girls…
Wasn’t that Honey West book solicited ages ago? I seem to remember reading about it last year, although I may be wrong. And isn’t there an Anne Francis photo variant cover involved? Because, you know, Anne Francis.
You’re right, though, the creative team is top-notch, and warrants a look-see from me.
According to the Internet, there be not one, but two, Anne Francis photo variant covers of Honey West #1.
That said, Make Mine Tubby!
One Tubby to go please!
I have never bought a variant cover in my life, and I will buy one of every Honey West comic that comes out. Honey is a proto-feminist figure, a cool period piece, and a kick-ass PI with a pet ocelot: you can’t go wrong. Best news I’ve heard all day.
Why is everything so LARGE? Not this post, but the comments, and everything prior to this post.
Roger – this appears to be something that just happened, and I have no idea why. It appears to be a font display problem in IE8 and possibly earlier versions. I’ll see what I can do.
Okay, I think it’s fixed now. I don’t have any version of IE, so I can’t check, but there was an HTML tag that didn’t get closed at the end of my post, and I’m pretty sure that was the culprit.
Thanks Mike! Hey, I’m just happy to know girls read and enjoy the book!That’s one of the nice things about working on a Disney, animated spin-off.
I am daunted that Darkwing #3 has to up against Tubby, though.
I STILL don’t get the “TURN OUT THAT LIGHT!” reference, but my inner child still chuckles at it. It’s especially odd that they made reference to it with the newer show Tiny Toons (or possibly Animaniacs. I get the two mixed up sometimes).
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