Wolverine and the X-Men brought back a memory of an even lesser known animation, War Planets. No, not Battle of the Planets; that one brings back memories of an evil villain transvestite. You see, the first time I discovered War Planets was between 5:30 and 6:00am as I stumbled out of bed before my alarm clock even went off; I began my fuzzy prep for the work day. Usually, I’ll flick on the TV and watch Continue reading
Comics
Marvel No Way!
For years Marvel Comics has had a big problem. While they have made a ton of money from their movie properties, they seem to have an issue with selling . . . comics.
Just over 20 years ago, Marvel shipped over 8 million of copies of X-Men #1 to retailers. Now the only comics that sell well for Marvel are their special events and major crossovers. The Avengers Vs X-Men crossover sold around 175K copies an issue in July. Standard top-tier titles haven’t fared anywhere near as well. The next best-selling title for the month of July was Uncanny X-men which sold 66k issues.
The Avengers movie grossed over 600 million dollars. In July the comic book sold 63k copies.
Marvel has tried to find a way to turn sales around for a while and just haven’t been able to accomplish it. They relaunched Ultimate Spider-Man about a year ago. Issue #12 sold 42k copies in July. They tried it with Fantastic Four as well with two different comic titles (Fantastic Four, and FF), both of which sold well under 40k copies.
Despite the poor sales, for years Marvel was the #1 selling comic book company . . . until this past year. DC took a huge gamble a year ago and rebooted the DC Universe with the what they called “The New 52”. Since they made the change DC has outsold Marvel consistently, but not by much.
At NYCC in 2011 I was hoping to hear something exciting from Marvel. I went to the X-Men panel hoping that they would revamp the line, and cut some titles. Instead they announced more titles. I think Marvel had something like 17 different X related titles getting released, which is just way too many [ed. Agreed!]. As a lapsed comic book reader that used to love the X-men I was looking to jump back in, but at $4 an issue and 17 different titles why would I bother.
The changes Marvel made last year just weren’t enough to help their bottom line. To combat this Marvel has announced Marvel Now! which at first glance looks like a relaunch of the Marvel Universe. They are canceling most of their top-tier X-Men and Avengers books and relaunching them with different costumes and creative teams. The list of titles that Marvel is canceling and replacing can be seen at the Marvel NOW! wiki page.
Unfortunately this isn’t what Marvel needs to do. Marvel needs to cancel EVERYTHING and start again. They need to give lapsed readers a clean slate to come on board with. To make things worse they are adding extra titles. So instead of making the Marvel Universe easier to follow they added even more complexity to the situation. The major plot point involving the Marvel Now! involves time travel . . . yeah, that’s going to go well. As a lapsed Marvel reader this isn’t what I want to see happen.
This whole Marvel Now! initiative feels like an event mini series that will have everything back to normal next year with another major event. Perhaps Marvel will eventually have the balls to do what needs to be done and reboot the universe with less titles.
RIP Joe Kubert
Written by: Christopher Lee
Although I’ve only met you as a fan, you ran a school that honed the amazing skills inherent in a good handful of my friends, and the friends I’ve met through them, that they met through you.
That being so, you’ve sort of vicariously filled my life with a good many talented artists that never cease to impress me with their imagination and skill, I thank you for giving me that wonderful sense of pride in people I care about.
It may seem a weird tribute, but it’s an honest one, and one I can attribute to him on a personal level.
Just to give you an idea of the level of talent this legend of comics had. Well, for one, he ran the Joe Kubert School of Art here in NJ that many of my friends have gone to.
Aside from that, check out a couple of his “quick sketches”… (little known fact, although Kubert didn’t create Hawkman per se, he was instrumental in creating the Hawkman as we know his character today)
One of the awesome old weird covers of the golden age!
a lil’ Batman for ya…
Joe Kubert, thought, yes, you will be missed, your legacy will live on in the art of every student coming out of your school, and of course, all the wonderful art and imagination you’ve left in your wake.
Thank you.
The Vintage Avengers!
Written by: Christopher Lee
I know, we’re all well aware that the Avengers comes out in a couple weeks, with some theaters doing a full “Avengers Day” package showing of all the films leading up to it. I’d kind of like at least one theater showing all the vintage live action films. Maybe they could, and maybe it could lead up to this.
Wow…just…wow. This is brilliant and I *kinda* wish it were real. I would have loved to see this as a kid!! Although I know it’s a bit obscure even for those in my age range, I LOVE the idea of Paul Lynde as “Loki” hahaha! And Kudos go to the creators of this for the very witty “Hawkeye” dual reference.
(FYI, I am well aware that some of the clips here are from the 80’s, but hey, I didn’t make the video!! Regardless, it still feels right with that date. I just feel this needs saying. I know how finicky “we” can be.)
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The Avengers' Maria Hill
Written by: Christopher Lee
The internet famous Marvel Digital Media’s Ryan Penagos or as he’s known to his legion of followers, “Agent M” (who is very vocal about his love of tacos), posted these photos of S.H.E.I.L.D. agent Maria Hill (played by Cobie Smulders) in the upcoming “Avengers” movie. Pretty darned awesome and very true to her comic book counterpart if you ask me. If all the attitude that comes through in these pics translates to the movie, she’ll be rather excellent indeed.
Also, is it just me or is that the S.H.E.I.L.D. Helicarrier in that screen graphic on the top pic?! Cool!
-Chris
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First official photos of Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill in Marvel’s The Avengers!
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