Originally published December 25, 1998, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1310
I was more than halfway up the Temple of the Sun when my legs gave out. I flopped to the stone surface, crouched on the narrow and inclined stairs, my heart slamming against my chest, and I tried to remember what the hëll I was doing there…
Originally published December 11, 1998, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1308
With the passing of Bob Kane, I thought I’d indulge in some memories of the character most associated with him, namely…
Courageous Cat.
Okay, not really. But boy, do I remember Courageous (as I date myself to such a degree that you can measure it in radioactive half-life.)
Originally published December 4, 1998, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1307
(conclusion)
Jack and Rose gasped and threw themselves back against the wall, unable to take their eyes off the spectacle of hundreds upon thousands of spiders. They were skittering along the ceiling, a black mass heading toward, presumably, safety.
Jack watched where they were headed, turned to Rose, and said, “If the spiders are going that way, it’s good enough for me. Come on!” He grabbed Rose’s hand and pulled, and the girl needed no further urging.
Originally published November 27, 1998, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1306
The owner was not happy.
The collision had jolted him from his sound sleep. It had been a serene slumber, for he had had his usual pleasant dreams. It had been dreams of his ownership of the Marvelmanic, the biggest, most powerful of its kind. He dreamt of others looking on in amazement, Marveling at what he had constructed. He was the king of all there was, he was the surveyor of a world that looked upon him with awe. He reveled in adulation, he foresaw new towers of power that he would climb and from there he would look down upon all those whom he had left behind. They admired him, they feared him, they sought to be like him and all the while knew that they could never begin to match his greatness.
And there were the headlines, the headlines he was always boasting that he would achieve, headlines that he was constantly seeking. Headlines describing his latest, greatest triumph—whatever that might happen to be. He was determined that Marvelmanic was going to give him opportunities for newer, even bigger headlines. Full-page banners, crowning him as the new king of entertainment, touting his empire…
All very pleasant dreams—until the sudden, massive thud, followed quickly by a grinding noise evocative of a thousand coffin lids opening. It sent him tumbling to the floor, and, once he pulled himself together, he yanked on a robe and headed to the command center.
Originally published November 13, 1998, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1304
And now, a cautionary tale having nothing to do with comics, but which should be duly noted in the log of “things that could happen to you, so watch it.”
A few months ago, the phone rang in my office (as it is wont to do). I answered it, and there was a representative from MCI on the other end. “Hello, Mr. David,” said the rep. “We’re calling to verify your new MCI calling card.”
Originally published November 6, 1998, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1303
No one can argue the absolute necessity of trying to get new fans, new readers on board. To present stories and concepts that will ideally stir the interests of those who are not currently reading comics and bring them into the hobby.
The last time that comics had massive or rapid expansion, it was driven by the collector mentality. The characters and stories were of no interest; rather, comics were being bought and sold purely as commodities. Purchasers had as much emotional attachment to the characters as stockbrokers have to AT&T stock. It’s just business, with no personal investment or interest. Unfortunately, if one is at all interested in the long-term health of the industry, then ways have to be found to stoke the fire of that interest once more. There are far too many things vying for the attention of potential young readers these days, and comic characters are a very small voice in a very loud wind.
So, companies continue to make efforts to bring in new readers, any way they can.
I have two recent examples of such, both available for under three dollars, and both aimed at substantially different audiences. One is quite charming, and the other is kind of… meh.
First up is Spider-Man: Chapter One.
Continue Reading “Comic Reviews: Spider-Man: Chapter One and I Hate Superman”
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