Then again, depends on the comics.

§ June 13th, 2025 § Filed under video § 10 Comments

Hey pals, if you noticed an offensive comment on this site in the last day or so, I apologize. I didn’t get around to checking recent comments ’til late Thursday night and spotted it then. Deleted, and they can go be hateful somewhere else.

In more useful comments, Thom said in response to yesterday’s post and that news footage of a Dark Horse Comics office visit:

“The comedic tone irrationally bothers me, even though I realize it probably stems from some combination of a) copying the same tired formula for comic news pieces and b) getting to actually report on something fun for once.”

That’s a fair assessment, I think…surely during a story about comics is better than, say, a murder/suicide or a plane crash. Looking at it that way, I’m willing to give a pass even to the clichéd “bam/pow” sound effect graphics referencing a TV show from literally decades before. Though I have to admit the “CRASH” one they used for the computer was a good gag.

“Having said that, it’s cool that they showcased a variety of adult jobs at a comic book company. I bet some kids saw this (or similar) and became curious about how to break into comics.”

Yes, I was glad to see that, too. Given how short a segment it was, and how much time was given over to the reporter goofin’ around, you got brief snippets of People Working, presenting this as an actual business and not some kind of hedonistic beach party (though to be fair, I’m not sure what CrossGen’s office experience was like).

They certainly did a better job of getting that across than this early ’90s series of segments on MTV, where one of their onscreen personalities spent some time in the Marvel offices mostly introducing the next video. However, occasionally some minor production stuff gets presented, and there are short chats with Bob Harras and Mark Gruenwald:


Anyway, I’m always keeping my eye out for more period videos like these. These are a lot of fun, reminding me of a time early in my comics retailing life.

10 Responses to “Then again, depends on the comics.”

  • Snark Shark says:

    “though to be fair, I’m not sure what CrossGen’s office experience was like”

    Rather BRIEF.

  • Wayne Allen Sallee says:

    Mike: I remember back in 2020 when some numbnuts kept posting crap about your no mask policy. We talked once and you said something like “oh, him again”.

    More importantly. PLEASE tell me you have a sweater just like the one the guy in the video has. (You know I’m just asking to tell you to wear it in the store.

  • Thom H. says:

    I bet that’s the most public attention those letterers ever got. So interesting to see them hand-cutting the word balloons/boxes pre-digital lettering.

    Didn’t every man in the late ’80s/early ’90s have a Cosby sweater? I’m surprised there aren’t leather patches on the front of this one.

  • Wayne Allen Sallee says:

    Yea, maybe forget the sweater, Mike. Good point, Thom H.

    I’ve come across a site that found a bunch of old videos of 70s and early 80s AM rock DJs, no shock jocks, and what is cool is that they records are playing as the DJ is interviewed, a little capsule of which songs were most popular as well as hearing the DJ talk about random things. Anyone out here in Chicago/Midwest might recognize John “Records” LanDecker.

    I bring this up since there were those rock ‘ roll comics in the early 90s. they actually sold pretty decently at my shop, even had a few subscribers.

  • ExistentialMan says:

    Man! Bob Harras’ “manspreading” in front of the camera sure doesn’t age well.

  • Sean Mageean says:

    @ ExistentialMan

    All of those ’90s Mighty Marvel mullets haven’t aged well either…

  • Jon H says:

    Ooh a snippet of Anthrax’s cover of Joe Jackson’s Got The Time.

  • Snark Shark says:

    “All of those ’90s Mighty Marvel mullets haven’t aged well either”

    Still better than Rob Liefield.

  • Sean Mageean says:

    @ Snark Shark

    I was referring to the mullets that the guys working at the Marvel Bullpen were sporting in the video clip–while it is true that Liefeld can’t draw feet, I’m pretty sure he wasn’t guilty of having a hideous mullet…

  • Snark Shark says:

    I mean I’d rather see mullets than Rob Liefield.

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