Central City Comics Blog: Comics Talk

Archive for the ‘Comics in General’ Category

Star Trek #1

Let me introduce you to IDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title “Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share” for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic Distributors.IDW is currently recognized as the fifth largest publisher of American comic books by Diamond Comic Distributors.In addition to their printed comics and graphic novels, IDW has more than 650 books in digital distribution across multiple partners and platforms. I wanted to share a new title that might be of interest to you Star Trek. Information taken from their website.

All-new ongoing series begins in September
Classic Star Trek: The Original Series episodes re imagined in the new universe

The Star Trek universe will never be the same following the events of the game-changing, blockbuster 2009 film. Beginning with STAR TREK #1 in September, IDW Publishing and CBS Consumer Products join forces with Star Trek writer/producer Roberto Orci to explore the vast implications of the alternate timeline created by the film in a new, monthly, ongoing comics series. “Movies cost money. Lots and lots of money,” said Orci. “But comics give us unlimited budgets to take the crew of the Enterprise farther than they’ve ever been. Join us!” The adventures of the Starship Enterprise continue with the new cast from the film as they embark on missions that re-imagine the stories from the original television series, along with new threats and characters never seen before.
Under the creative direction of Orci, fan-favorite STAR TREK writer Mike Johnson and artist Stephen Molnar bring this alternate universe to life and begin the countdown to the highly anticipated Star Trek sequel. The series kicks off with a dramatic new envisioning of The Original Series second pilot, “Where No Man Has Gone Before.”

“Finally, new STAR TREK comics that showcase the new Enterprise crew,” said editor Scott Dunbier. “The only thing more fun than reading them is editing them!”
STAR TREK #1 will feature covers from Tim Bradstreet and David Messina, plus four rare photo covers. Readers are encouraged to talk to their local retailer about the photo covers, and the super rare STAR TREK #1 signed by Orci and Johnson.  The debut issue will also feature a golden ticket promotion, with more details to come shortly from IDW.

STAR TREK #1 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in stores in September 2011. Diamond order code JUN11 0308.
(c) 2011 Paramount pictures Corporation.  TM & (c) 2011 CBS Studios Inc.  STAR TREK and related marks and logos are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Transformers: Dark of the Moon is the 2011 film in the Transformers film series, directed by Michael Bay and produced by Steven Spielberg. It is the sequel to Transformers and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and is scheduled for release on July 1.Initially scheduled to be released on July 1, on May 20, 2011 it was announced that the film would be released on June 29 instead. The film will be presented in regular 2D, Real D 3D and IMAX, featuring Dolby Surround 7.1 sound.

The first hour and a half of DARK OF THE MOON focuses primarily on story (with brief fight and chase sequences pepperd in), but it’s actually a cool story about the Autobots finding out that the technology that was supposed to save their race and planet has been sitting on the moon the entire time they’ve been on earth and nobody bothered to tell them; Optimus Prime is not amused. Naturally, we also get the continuing adventures of Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), who has now graduated college and is desperately looking for his first job. He has a new girlfriend, Carly (supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley), who doesn’t need an occasion to dress in the tightest clothes imaginable.

If you are a Transformers movie and comic fan you won’t want to miss this. If you like great action in a film you won’t want to miss this movie. I have been told the last battle last for about an hour. Well a lot of action there, can you stay at the edge of your seat for an hour? Guess we will have to see. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Avengers 2012

Unless you have been away from comics and the movies you have heard that Marvel is going to produce the Avengers movie in 2012 directed by Joss Whedon, it is already in production. Now DC/Warner Bros has mentioned their intention to produce a Justice League Movie in 2013.

The president of the Warner Bros. motion picture group, Jeff Robinov recently sat down for an extensive interview with The Times, he discussed his long-term strategy for DC beyond movies already in the works, such as June’s “Green Lantern” and next year’s “The Dark Knight Rises” and Superman movie. Jeff Robinov is already thinking about DC Comics movies for 2013 and beyond, and he’s got “Justice League” and a reinvented Batman on his mind.

Justice League Movie

The first priority for the man with the ultimate say on what films get made at Warner Bros.: Finally getting the Justice League, DC’s team featuring all its top characters, on the big screen in 2013. The picture had been very close to production in late 2007 and early 2008, but was killed by the Writers Guild of America strike, tax credit issues in Australia, and concerns by some at Warner about presenting a competing (and conflicting) version of Batman while director Christopher Nolan’s films were breaking box office records.

Jeff Robinov

But Robinov said a new Justice League script is in the works. Also being written for Warner are scripts featuring the Flash and Wonder Woman, who could be spun off into their own movies after Justice League. Though Wonder Woman is also in the works as a television pilot for NBC produced by Warner, Robinov dismissed that as a sticking point. “Wonder Woman could be a film as well, the same way that ‘Superman Returns’ came out while‘Smallville’ was on,” he said, referring to the 2006 film that put Brandon Routh in the cape and the television show starring Tom Welling that is now in its 10th and final season.

Robinov knows that the most bankable part of his superhero empire has been Nolan and his Gotham City films –  the studio has yet to deliver a 21st century superhero blockbuster hit without Nolan in the director’s seat. Batman will continue to be a centerpiece property beyond next year’s “The Dark Knight Rises” and Nolan’s departure from the franchise. “We have the third Batman, but then we’ll have to reinvent Batman…Chris Nolan and [producing partner and wife] Emma Thomas will be producing it, so it will be a conversation with them about what the next phase is.”

As much as I would love to see a good Justice League movie, Warner  Bros always seems to have problems in major projects like this. Just like the hurried Superman movie which is in production the Man of Steel, Warner’s track record on anything but a Chris Nolan production has not been good. I would like them to take their time and do it right even if it does not make it by 2013. I can appreciate Robinov and his vision for Warner Bros but how can you compete with Marvel by not putting a quality movie out there. I guess we will not be buying tickets to see a Justice League movie for a while. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

March 4th – 6th I attended the Seattle Emerald City Comic Con. It was pleasant experience. I found the people in Seattle very hospitable and the service very good. The facility for the convention was suitable, the crowds were pleased with a good representation from all the major comic distributors and publishers. The costumes were outstanding keeping in mind they could not be store bought but had to be original. Many were made by the wearers themselves. The floor on Saturday was very crowded which was a good problem for the promoters insuring that there will be more shows in the future.

They came in all sizes

My favorite panels were with the Marvel Comic creators. Marvel: Breaking Into comics, was on Friday. Marvel: The Architects and Marvel: Pint O’ C.B. both panels were on Saturday and allowed for many Q/A sessions. Sunday  Marvel: Next Big Thing was discussed on the Marvel panel. The panel participants included Brian Michael Bendis (Avenger, Ultimate Spider-Man), Matt Fraction (Fear Itself, Thor), Ed Brubaker (Captain America), Jonathan Hickman (FF/Death of the Torch), and Senior Vice President of Marvel Creator and Content Development, C.B. Cebulski, plus Senior V.P. – Publishing, Tom Brevoort. The discussion was lively and straight forward each answering questions about story lines, how to create comics and all aspects of bringing the reader a good comic to read.

The DC Comics, Warner Brothers Panels gave an overview of what was

Media Stars

coming in the comics and animated world in the future. Some of people there were Marv Wolfman (Crisis on Infinite Earths, New Teen Titans), Pete Woods (Action Comics, Superman, Deadpool, Amazons Attack), Ryan Winn (Batman, Batman: The Return, Detective Comics), Bruce Timm, Producer (Batman:TAS, Superman:TAS, Justice League Unlimited), and many more.

Many artist were there I recommend this for those in the great Northwest a quality well done project for comics. And those who follow Star Trek and other Science Fiction media there was many big names there. It was just a lot of fun. Next year will be coming 2012 save this dates March 30-31 & April 1st, 2012 for the 10th Anniversary show!! Mark your calendars! Stay tuned comic faithful we go where there is comics news and fun. Walt

Diamond Comic Distributors announced this January 6th the leaders in sales for 2010, calculated based on total unit sales to comic book specialty shops most of us go to every Wednesday to grab weekly books.

Avengers #1

The best-selling comic book of the year was Marvel’s Avengers #1, written by Brian Bendis with art from John Romita Jr. The publisher snagged the #2 spot as well, courtesy of X-Men #1. Marvel also took the top spot as the leading industry publisher, boasting a 43% Unit Market Share and a 38% Dollar Market Share. For comparison, the industry’s second leading publisher, DC Comics, had a 34% Unit Market Share with a 30% Dollar Market Share. DC’s best-seller of the year was Blackest Night #8, coming in at #3 behind Marvel’s titles.

The complete top ten looks like this:

1. Avengers #1
2. X-Men #1
3. Blackest Night #8
4. Siege #1
5. Blackest Night #7
6. New Avengers #1
7. Brightest Day #0
8. Brightest Day #1
9. Siege #2
10. Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1

With the price of comics these days it is interesting to note that the only title that is not $3.99 is Brightest Day #1, which came in at #8 priced at $2.99. With 77% Unit Market Share only Marvel and DC Comics made the top ten. 7 of the 10 were Big Event comics, with sales like that looks like more Big Event series will be coming from Marvel and DC in the future. There was a decline from 2009, 3.5% Down in sales for the calender year reported from Diamond.

“While sales for the year were down, there have been a lot of positive signs in the last quarter. Sales have steadily picked up and most retailers reported better than average holiday shopping sales,” said Diamond President & CEO Steve Geppi. “We believe comic books and graphic novels offer a great entertainment value for consumers, and 2011 is shaping up with some very exciting and creative story lines and titles from the industry’s top publishers.”

The Walking Dead Vol. 1: Days Gone By

For graphic novels and trade paperbacks, Image’s collections of The Walking Dead out sold the others taking up 5 slots of the top ten. Image should send a thank you card to AMC for their marketing of the smash hit television adaptation. The only graphic novel in the top ten that received very little multimedia attention was Superman: Earth One which was the best of the top ten in my opinion, it finished #5.

The complete top ten wound up as follows:

1. The Walking Dead Vol. 1: Days Gone By
2. Kick-Ass Hardcover
3. The Walking Dead Vol. 11: Fear the Hunters
4. Scott Pilgrim Vol. 6: Finest Hour
5. Superman: Earth One Hardcover
6. Scott Pilgrim Vol. 1: Precious Little Life
7. The Walking Dead Vol. 12: Life Among Them
8. The Walking Dead Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us
9. The Walking Dead Vol. 3: Too Far Gone
10. Scott Pilgrim Vol. 2: Vs. The World

Well that’s how it went last year, that’s what the comic buyers bought. Comic sales were good even with the slight drop. So let me know what you think of 2010 sales and quality stories and art. I have my ears on and I will see you at the comic shop in 2011. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Blackest Night

It is time for our year in review of the comic industry and the Good the Bad and the Ugly in comics. Again the big companies Marvel and DC dominated the scene with the Big Event comics. The ending of Blackest Night and the beginning of Brightest Day in DC Comics and The Siege of Asgard ending with the Beginning of the Age of Heroes in Marvel. There has to be a reason for Big Event comics done by comic creators one to change direction and shake things up and increase sales. It takes the place of promoting a single Hero by involving many at once with the reader thinking of getting more for the price of the comic at 3 and 4 and 5 dollars now. People who buy comics will prioritize their comic budget to see what is going on and buy as many crossovers that they can afford. I think the Ugly in comics is the ever increase in price. It inhibits the buying power of the buyer and if prices dropped it

Siege #4

would actually increase sales more than they are and put more in the hands of new readers. While I enjoy reading comics the monthly cost is a factor in choosing what to read. And look at all the new titles that are being released they are flooding the market in hopes that you will buy everyone. It was part of the reason in the mid to late 90′s from last century the sales dropped and put the comic industry in dire trouble not giving the reader a good basic choice of a quality comic.

I thought the industry learned that lesson when they began this century with good comic writing and art in fewer titles. Be that as it may the good of comics must be recognized. The first is Marvel, Siege was well done, they had a conundrum on their hands and had to do something with the god like Sentry: villain and hero and at the same time and they wanted to change the direction from the Dark Reign. Plus Marvel wanted to conclude stories that began back in Civil War with the return of Steve Rogers the original Captain America. Thor is back and becomes a major part of Siege and the comics that followed called the Age Of Heroes.

Amazing Spider-Man 638

Amazing Spider-Man finally dealt with the controversial change in history of the marriage of Peter Parker to Mary Jane which was dissolved back in 2007 with the series “One More Day”. They used a new series “One Moment in Time” to re-explain what happened and change direction of Spider-Man and Peter Parker and Mary Jane. The new stories define the character in a way that puts Peter Parker in a better position for good stories. Very fresh in it’s approach a great time to jump on if you have not followed Spider-Man for a while. Incredible Hulk and the Hulk resolved story lines that were started in the “Planet Hulk” story by Greg Pak back in 2006. They also answer the question who the Red Hulk is and who the Red She-Hulk is and who is stronger Green Hulk vs Red Hulk. Plus it sets the stage for the Sons of Hulk story and redefines the father son relationship between Bruce Banner and his sons. All together an excellent story with co writer Jeph Loeb.

X-Men Second Coming

The X-Men stories finally finish the Messiah ComplexX which is the climax of events that began with “House of M” in 2005 with the new story line this year called “Second Coming” solidifies what the future of the mutant population will be for the Marvel Universe. The story centers on the return of Cable and Hope Summers to the present day and Bastion’s final campaign to destroy the X-Men. A must read for the X-Men fan.

DC Comics was battling Marvel for the Big Event comics ending the series Blackest Night by bringing back the Anti-Monitor and introducing the White Power Entity and Sinistro as a White Lantern. Plus the White Power Entity resurrected 12 heroes and villains for a task that will be relieved in the year long series Brightest Day to be finished early in 2011. Wonderfully written by Geoff Johns who has been plotting these stories for years starting in Green Lantern: Rebirth back in 2004. The Return of Bruce Wayne was released this year and as the title says Bruce Wayne is back after being hit by the Omega Blast of Darkseid in 2009 Final Crisis. The Flash Barry Allen is back in his own comic again running as fast as ever. DC is redefining the speed force and where the speedster’s get their ability to run so fast.

World of New Krypton

Superman’s life has changed greatly he was for a while one of many Kryptonians on the earth with the destruction of Brainiac’s hold on the City of Kandor in a bottle. The people of Kandor were freed and they created another world in the solar system and inhabited it. This story arc ended the story which began in Action Comics #844 (2006) about Christopher Kent (Lor-Zod) who was sent to earth from the Phantom Zone and adopted by Lois and Clark Kent. It also dealt with many issues that came from the Brainiac and Legion of Super Heroes stories covered in Action, Superman, and Supergirl comics. A long journey for Superman and Supergirl and the repercussions from it are still affecting them and those around them in current story lines. All together a great collection of stories in DC Comics.

The bad of comics in my opinion was the story line in World War Hulks about the Hulked out heroes pitting Gamma radiated heroes against each other and then writing about it like it was the battle of the century between characters that you would want to read. Silly it was at best and totally a waste of paper.  And would somebody please tell me why Deadpool deserves so many titles. How many times can you write about the mayhem and unstable – mercenary called Deadpool please some one fill me in.

I have more to say about 2010 and the comics we read but I will end this now by saying editors, writers, and artist and other comic creators did a wonderful job in producing many comics that I would call a good read in 2010 and some a great read. I will talk more about this soon in a new article reviewing more of this year. See you at the comic shop. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

When I first started reading comics there were very few crossover events and most comics finished the story within the pages in your hands. Big event comic themes were not the norm and most stories did not last very long. Comic editors had more say how stories were formed and story lines concluded. Then in the sixties Marvel Comics with Stan Lee and Jack Kirby with Steve Ditko and many others brought a explosion of unfettered talent and created stories that tied together for many issues and brought the reader back the next month to see what happened to their favorite hero. This gave birth to the big event comics, that is a comic theme or event that spread through many comic titles or a series of comics. It was usually a team effort and required the collaboration of many talented writers and artist.

Chaos War 5

Marvel’s “Chaos War” and DC “Brightest Day” are examples of modern day big event comics. They involve multiple characters in many titles covering a common theme and direction with smaller stories inside of the main theme. Chaos War is about the Chaos King, the living embodiment of the void before time and space began, has decided he liked things better before everything was,” explains editor Jordan White. “He’s on a mission to wipe out all of existence with an army of alien space gods at his back, and the only ones who can stop him are the gods of Earth’s pantheons, lead by the all-new God Squad! Hercules leads Thor, Sersi, Venus, Galactus, and The Silver Surfer in protecting all of reality against The Chaos King. Writers are Greg Pak (Incredible Hulk) and Fred Van Lente (Marvel Zombies). Artists include Ed McGuinness and Khoi Pham inside art. It is a cataclysmic event on the same level as DC’s Crisis of 2009 but a shorter story. It is very involved in the destruction of many mythical characters in the Marvel universe and will no doubt result in some major changes in hero and immortals of Marvel Comics. It also involves animation of the dead and the concept of life vs death in contrast to nothingness. Very well thought out and straight forth in it’s direction and it will be interesting how it is resolved in the final issue in 2011.

Brightest Day is also involves multiple characters in many titles covering a common theme resulting in major changes in the DC Universe and it’s characters. It is the year-long comic

Brightest Day 0

book limited series that premiered in April 2010. This followed the ending of the series Blackest Night. Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi are part of the creative team for this crossover block buster. It involves the resurrected characters of Blackest Night and the role played out by the White Light Power that made is appearance in Blackest Night. It is the personal stories of each individuals and the struggle to find there place in the DC Universe and the mystery of the White Light Power and Battery. They are 12 Heroes and Villeins both: Aquaman, Captain Boomerang, Hawk, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Jade, Firestorm matrix  (Jason and Ronnie), Martian Manhunter, Maxwell Lord, Osiris, Prof. Zoom, and Boston Brand (Deadman). Each one brought back for a purpose that they must find to preserve life. Much longer in story line because of the story of each persons event of life and how they find new purpose in living. Well thought out and by Geoff Johns words years in the making, beginning in his mind back in Green Lantern: Rebirth 2004.

I still enjoy single issue comics that tell a great story but there is something special in big event series that tell a big story it makes you come back for the next issue if done well and both series are done well. Now I will see you at the comic shop for the conclusion of these good series. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Life is never simple for the comics book writer and artist and editor. To keep the readers interest in story and blend it with great art work and story panels and edit it so it is not too long and not too short with the right story content this is not easily done. So when you read and say to yourself that was good you must understand and appreciate how the final comic came to be in your hands. Sometimes the story is great but the art is bad or the art is great and the story is weak. But when you have great story and great art work plus great cover art it really grabs your interest and becomes something special.

The 20th century had some examples of art and story that are as classics and great comics. But now we are in a new century with bigger ideas and great artist and writers. Some of the comics of this century have reached greatness in every way you measure greatest. Central City Comics DB Blog and Comics Talk have joined together to bring you The Greatest Comics of the 21st Century. It is the tribute to good work in the comic industry. We honor great comics and writers and artist. In it’s early development we are accepting opinions of your favorite comic of the 21st century just enter your title and issue or series in the contact form provided. Check it out give us your opinion or comments be part of the tribute to The Greatest Comics of the 21st Century at Greatestcomic21.com. See you on the World Wide Web. Walt

Dark Reign

2009 was a interesting year in comics Captain America (Steve Rogers) appears
in New Avengers Annual in the last panel alive, the Red Hulk’s identity
has still not been revealed, Bruce Banner is still not able to turn into the
Hulk and is teaching his son to kick ass. Peter Parker and Mary Jane are still un-married, still have 4 Avengers titles, the Dark Reign story line is still going on. Thor has lost his Kingdom and kicked
out of Asgard. The Xmen are on an Island in the Pacific trying avoid Dark Reign control. This is just some of the action in the Marvel Universe.

Blackest Night

On the DC side Batman (Bruce Wayne) is still dead, Dick Grayson has taken the Cowl of Batman, Superman is on the New Krypton as military Comander there, the
Justice League is redefining itself as a group of superheroes, the Flash (Barry Allen) has returned and is trying to find a place again as a superhero. And Green Lantern title has taken over the DC Universe through the Limited Series
Blackest Night which on the heals of Final Crisis will change the DC Universe as
we know it. Where have I heard that before?

Well as you can see in DC and Marvel you have two comic worlds in flux with writers having a good time shaking up the way things are. Brian Michael Bendis for Marvel seems to dominate the direction marvel is going right now with
the new series Siege coming in 2010 will end I think the Dark
Reign story line, seven years in the making. With that and the new story the Fall of the Hulksit will define Marvel in the way Bendis and Quesada have wanted for years. The public is waiting to see what the result will be.

Siege Origin

And at DC Geoff Johns has to be the writer of the year for the story Blackest Night story line which will control the fate of the DC comic world for years to come. Change is the way they sell comics now. At 4 and 5 dollars per comic I wonder if we are getting our money’s worth. But that is for the
comic buyer to decide when the price gets too high it will not sell.

Geoff Johns has to be right up there as great writers with the domination of the DC Universe. Don’t quite know what direction he is going with the Blackest Night story line but can’t wait to see what will happen when it is concluded.

Maybe this is the year when the dust settles and we see what the Marvel and DC
universe look like. Enough with the Universe ending events. Lets get to the
interesting characters and relationships that make up the comic world great to
read. How about a good story and great art work within each comic title and let
us decide what is good entertainment. See you at the comic shop. Stay tuned
comic faithful for More Walt.

Secret Invasion #1

I did not think that the Marvel comic world could top 2007 in shaking things up with Civil War, World War Hulk, One More Day Spider-Man, and of course the death of an Icon: Captain America but they did a fair Job with A Brand New Day storyline with Spider-Man without Mary Jane in his life. Plus the restart of the series with Thor and Asgard written by J. Michael Straczynski an outstanding writer. And the restart of the Hulk series introducing the Red Hulk a meaner more sinister Hulk written by Jeph Loeb drawn by Ed McGuiness. The Incredible series is taken over by Hercules of Marvel fame. Ed Brubaker’s introduction of Bucky as the new Captain America was a suprise. And the biggest shake up of all was Secret Invasion written by Brian Bendis, it runs through almost all the Marvel titles and the stories reflect on history of the past several years in New Avengers and Mighty Avengers and Fantastic Four and other titles. It was quite an amazing feat of Bendis to make the story work but he does just that, very remarkable. Marvel if not the best sure put their best foot forward this year.  Quesada as has really done a great job letting loose the talent from Marvel the men and women have done an outstanding job creatively. Top this with the blockbuster release of Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk with more movies to come and finally forming their own studio production Marvel Entertainment. It looks like they have recovered fully from bankrupcy a few years ago.

DC Comics not to be out done finished the 52 weeks stories that contenued the saga of universal Crisis that began in the 80′s with Crisis on Infinite Earths written by Marv Wolfman then followed by Zero Hour: Crisis in Time 1994 by Dan Jurgens and Identity Crisis 2004 by Brad Meltzer and Infinite Crisis 2005-2006 series by Geoff Johns and ending 2008-2009 with Final Crisis by the outstanding writer Grant Morrison, writter of the award winning series All Star Superman. This is the big one that will change the landscape of DC Comics for years to come with the fate of the DC Universe and it’s heroes in the balance. We have already seen the death of the Martian Manhunter, J’onn J’onzz a silver age hero and part of the Justice League. Barry Allen Flash has reappeared after years of absence. It stands to be a classic story and will be discussed for years I am sure.

JSA #10

The Justice Society of America storyline has included the Kingdom Come Superman with art work and covers by Alex Ross and story by Geoff Johns in my opinion one of the best stories of 2008. Green Lantern series are getting ready for a major story called The Blackest Night. Batman’s fate is to be known in the sixth issue of Final Crisis. What DC Universe will arise from the ashes of Final Crisis remain to be seen. This is not to be undone from the biggest release of SuperHero Movie The Dark Knight that set records of which may never be topped.

All This overshadows the release of Dynamite Entertainment new series Project SUPERPOWERS. This powerful series is overseen by Alex Ross along with writer Jim Krueger and artist Carlos Paul. It is the restart of heroes of the Golden Age of writing they have all have been drawn and designed by Alex Ross, including Fighting Yank, Green Lama, The Death Defying ‘Devil, the Black Terror, Masquerade, The Flame, Mister Face, Samson, The Scarab, The Owl, the Claw, Pyroman, the Arrow, the American Spirit, the Crusaders, the F-Troop and more. It has been a bunker year for art and story in the comic world can it be topped in 2009 we shall see. Let me know what you think. Stay tuned comic faithful for MORE, Walt

Almost every person who reads a comic has been ridiculed by insensitive people saying that you should have something better to do with the time than to read a ” funny book “. As a young person I saw nothing funny about the super hero comics I was reading. They made my imagination soar, for a few moments I could imagine what it was like to be Superman with the ability to fly and move faster than a speeding bullet. I could have power to change things in society and do good. Stan Lee wrote in his comic Amazing Spiderman, ” with great power comes great responsibility “. Morals in comics? Yes it helped me form ideas about good and evil in society. Many comic book readers have gone on to become very responsible people and use their abilities to change the world today. It is true the pin is mightier than the sword. Many writers in comics can take pride their stories. The art work also is important it can make a story pleasurable to read and help with the dynamics of the story. With just a few panels in a comic you can say a lot. A picture is worth a thousand words. The art work in comics is just as meaningful as the story. The comic industry came together after 9-11-01 to show some of the grief and heart ache the country was feeling because of the terrible loss of life in the terrorist attack. Each company used their best artists in special comic releases to show a grief stricken comic Hero world. This mirrored the feelings in the free world over the atrocity in New York and Washington D.C. Although they are fictitious characters they gave a point of relief the world needed. The anguish was very real and felt by many all over the world. Comics have been around for many years and will always exist in some form or another. It is the expression of a generation through story and art and is ever changing. You can observe that change and be part of it if you want. As a reader or artist or story teller feel free to express yourself in this media.  Stay tuned comic faithful for MORE, Walt