This week in TONY'S TIPS at Tales of Wonder... Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe; Conan the Barbarian by Jason Aaron and Mahmud Asrar; Injection Deluxe Edition Volume 1 by Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey.
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2019 REVIEWS #5
What Has Gone Before:
I’m reading and reviewing the Free Comic Book Day comic books sent to me by my pals at Stormwatch Comics in West Berlin, New Jersey. When I read and review FCBD comics, I look at three areas.
QUALITY: Is the material worthwhile?
ACCESSIBILITY: Is the material presented in such a way that someone coming to it for the first time can follow it?
SALESMANSHIP: After reading the FCBD offering, would someone want and be able to buy more of the same?
I score FCBD offerings on a scale of zero to ten. Each category is worth three points with the tenth point coming from my interest in seeing more of what’s ever in the book.
We begin with...
Riverdale [Archie Comics] is a tough one for me to review. I used to be a big fan of Archie Comics titles. But when they became much less humorous and more soap opera and soul-deadening horror riffs, I found them less entertaining. I know “new” Archie has its fans. I want to see what those fans see in the comics. I don’t. Doesn’t mean I’m not going to use my local library system to read some of the collections of the recent material. I’m trying to keep an open mind. That said, this Free Comic Book Day has a ten-page story and a bunch of feature pages and house ads.
QUALITY: The writing on the comics story was adequate, but it did not bring me into the ongoing story. The art was likewise adequate. Adequate doesn’t win me over when there are so many great comics available to me. Also in the issue are pages from a Riverdale High handbook and the opening of a prequel novel.
ACCESSIBILITY: So-so. I never felt like I had a leg-up on the story or other material I was reading.
SALESMANSHIP: Top-notch. If a reader liked what they saw here, the ads will direct them to Riverdale collections, the handbook, the prequel novel, Betty and Veronica merchandise, a collection of the Sabrina comic book series, the current issues of Sabrina, Archie and Riverdale, the Sabrina TV series on Netflix, and the Riverdale TV series on the CW and the CW app.
SCORE: Four out of ten points.
The Tick [New England Comics Press] has never been high on my list of comic-book titles. I liked the original TV cartoon and TV live-action series much better. I have not yet watched any of the later small screen incarnations of the character. All that said, I really enjoyed this Free Comic Book Day issue. This issue has a new 12-page story by writer/artist Ian Nichols, a new 13-page story by writer Jeff McCleeand and artist Nichols, and an assortment of single-page features.
QUALITY: The first story confused me at first as it continued from last year’s FCBD tale, but that passed quickly and I was won over by the villains of the piece: the ultimate Tick collectors. All of the other material was also good fun.
ACCESSIBILITY: Outside of not knowing anything about the heroes who made brief appearances in the lead story, I found all of the Tick material easy to get into.
SALESMANSHIP: Low-key but effective. The back cover advertises all of the available Tick trade paperbacks. I’m going to see if I can get them through my library system.
SCORE: Nine out of ten points.
Gilbert [Papercutz] leads off with a 20-page excerpt from Gilbert #2: The Curious Mysterious by Art Baltazar. The title character is a young merman. Also in the issue is a six-page section introducing Monica Adventures, one of the most popular comics in Brazil. Monica has been around for years and has even teamed up with Astro Boy and the Justice League.
QUALITY: The Gilbert excerpt didn’t do anything for me story-wise, but I could look at Baltazar’s art all day. I was more intrigued by the Monica Adventures article and sample pages.
ACCESSIBILITY: The Gilbert story really needed “What Has Gone Before” material, something to give an unfamiliar reader a leg up into the character’s world.
SALESMANSHIP: Papercutz Editor-in-Chief Jim Salicrup was effusive in his praise of Gilbert and other Papercutz comics. A blurb at the end of the Gilbert story directed potential customers to the full graphic novel. There were ads for several other Papercutz graphic novels. The overall promotion seemed a little low-key for me.
SCORE: Six out of ten points.
Malika: Fire & Frost [Youneek Studios] features a 24-page excerpt from the Fire & Frost graphic novel by creator/writer/art director Roye Okupe, artist Sunkanmi Akinboye, colorist Etubi Onucheyo and letterer Bode Joseph. It also has some editorial text and various advertisements.
QUALITY: Malika is always well-written and well-drawn. The problem here is that this excerpt doesn’t really give the new reader a good idea of what has gone before.
ACCESSIBILITY: I touched on this in the previous paragraph. There is no background given for the protagonists. There is a time travel element that isn’t explained well. Unless a reader has been avidly following Malika from the beginning, they will likely be lost when they try to read this FCBD issue.
SALESMANSHIP: Okay. There’s an editorial that attempts to explain the concept behind the Youneek Universe. There are advertisements for a Malika graphic novel and some other comics. None of the ads do a good job describing the products.
SCORE: Four out of ten points.
Animosity Tales #1 [AfterShock Comics] is the best Free Comic Book Day issue I’ve read as of this writing. It leads with an 18-page story by creator/writer Marguerite Bennett, artist Elton Thomas, colorist Marco Lesko and letterer Marshall Dillon. Long-time comics industry veteran Mike Marts is the editor. The issue also features a two-page summary of previous Animosity stories and a preview of the forthcoming Mary Shelley, Monster Hunter #1.
QUALITY: The Animosity Tales story is brilliant, weird and wonderful. I was enthralled from start to finish. The preview of Mary Shelley, Monster Hunter was also quite good.
ACCESSIBILITY: Top-notch. Even before you get to the “What Has Gone Before” summary, the lead story is easy to follow. The Mary Shelley excerpt is equally inviting.
SALESMANSHIP: I’d have given this issue high marks just because of the summary. Even though I now know what happened in those initial four volumes, I want to read them. There’s also a house ad for the most recent issue of Animosity. The back cover touts AfterShock Comics in general.
SCORE: Ten out of ten points.
Look for more Free Comic Book Days in the weeks to come.
© 2019 Tony Isabella
I’m reading and reviewing the Free Comic Book Day comic books sent to me by my pals at Stormwatch Comics in West Berlin, New Jersey. When I read and review FCBD comics, I look at three areas.
QUALITY: Is the material worthwhile?
ACCESSIBILITY: Is the material presented in such a way that someone coming to it for the first time can follow it?
SALESMANSHIP: After reading the FCBD offering, would someone want and be able to buy more of the same?
I score FCBD offerings on a scale of zero to ten. Each category is worth three points with the tenth point coming from my interest in seeing more of what’s ever in the book.
We begin with...
Riverdale [Archie Comics] is a tough one for me to review. I used to be a big fan of Archie Comics titles. But when they became much less humorous and more soap opera and soul-deadening horror riffs, I found them less entertaining. I know “new” Archie has its fans. I want to see what those fans see in the comics. I don’t. Doesn’t mean I’m not going to use my local library system to read some of the collections of the recent material. I’m trying to keep an open mind. That said, this Free Comic Book Day has a ten-page story and a bunch of feature pages and house ads.
QUALITY: The writing on the comics story was adequate, but it did not bring me into the ongoing story. The art was likewise adequate. Adequate doesn’t win me over when there are so many great comics available to me. Also in the issue are pages from a Riverdale High handbook and the opening of a prequel novel.
ACCESSIBILITY: So-so. I never felt like I had a leg-up on the story or other material I was reading.
SALESMANSHIP: Top-notch. If a reader liked what they saw here, the ads will direct them to Riverdale collections, the handbook, the prequel novel, Betty and Veronica merchandise, a collection of the Sabrina comic book series, the current issues of Sabrina, Archie and Riverdale, the Sabrina TV series on Netflix, and the Riverdale TV series on the CW and the CW app.
SCORE: Four out of ten points.
The Tick [New England Comics Press] has never been high on my list of comic-book titles. I liked the original TV cartoon and TV live-action series much better. I have not yet watched any of the later small screen incarnations of the character. All that said, I really enjoyed this Free Comic Book Day issue. This issue has a new 12-page story by writer/artist Ian Nichols, a new 13-page story by writer Jeff McCleeand and artist Nichols, and an assortment of single-page features.
QUALITY: The first story confused me at first as it continued from last year’s FCBD tale, but that passed quickly and I was won over by the villains of the piece: the ultimate Tick collectors. All of the other material was also good fun.
ACCESSIBILITY: Outside of not knowing anything about the heroes who made brief appearances in the lead story, I found all of the Tick material easy to get into.
SALESMANSHIP: Low-key but effective. The back cover advertises all of the available Tick trade paperbacks. I’m going to see if I can get them through my library system.
SCORE: Nine out of ten points.
Gilbert [Papercutz] leads off with a 20-page excerpt from Gilbert #2: The Curious Mysterious by Art Baltazar. The title character is a young merman. Also in the issue is a six-page section introducing Monica Adventures, one of the most popular comics in Brazil. Monica has been around for years and has even teamed up with Astro Boy and the Justice League.
QUALITY: The Gilbert excerpt didn’t do anything for me story-wise, but I could look at Baltazar’s art all day. I was more intrigued by the Monica Adventures article and sample pages.
ACCESSIBILITY: The Gilbert story really needed “What Has Gone Before” material, something to give an unfamiliar reader a leg up into the character’s world.
SALESMANSHIP: Papercutz Editor-in-Chief Jim Salicrup was effusive in his praise of Gilbert and other Papercutz comics. A blurb at the end of the Gilbert story directed potential customers to the full graphic novel. There were ads for several other Papercutz graphic novels. The overall promotion seemed a little low-key for me.
SCORE: Six out of ten points.
Malika: Fire & Frost [Youneek Studios] features a 24-page excerpt from the Fire & Frost graphic novel by creator/writer/art director Roye Okupe, artist Sunkanmi Akinboye, colorist Etubi Onucheyo and letterer Bode Joseph. It also has some editorial text and various advertisements.
QUALITY: Malika is always well-written and well-drawn. The problem here is that this excerpt doesn’t really give the new reader a good idea of what has gone before.
ACCESSIBILITY: I touched on this in the previous paragraph. There is no background given for the protagonists. There is a time travel element that isn’t explained well. Unless a reader has been avidly following Malika from the beginning, they will likely be lost when they try to read this FCBD issue.
SALESMANSHIP: Okay. There’s an editorial that attempts to explain the concept behind the Youneek Universe. There are advertisements for a Malika graphic novel and some other comics. None of the ads do a good job describing the products.
SCORE: Four out of ten points.
Animosity Tales #1 [AfterShock Comics] is the best Free Comic Book Day issue I’ve read as of this writing. It leads with an 18-page story by creator/writer Marguerite Bennett, artist Elton Thomas, colorist Marco Lesko and letterer Marshall Dillon. Long-time comics industry veteran Mike Marts is the editor. The issue also features a two-page summary of previous Animosity stories and a preview of the forthcoming Mary Shelley, Monster Hunter #1.
QUALITY: The Animosity Tales story is brilliant, weird and wonderful. I was enthralled from start to finish. The preview of Mary Shelley, Monster Hunter was also quite good.
ACCESSIBILITY: Top-notch. Even before you get to the “What Has Gone Before” summary, the lead story is easy to follow. The Mary Shelley excerpt is equally inviting.
SALESMANSHIP: I’d have given this issue high marks just because of the summary. Even though I now know what happened in those initial four volumes, I want to read them. There’s also a house ad for the most recent issue of Animosity. The back cover touts AfterShock Comics in general.
SCORE: Ten out of ten points.
Look for more Free Comic Book Days in the weeks to come.
© 2019 Tony Isabella
Sunday, June 30, 2019
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS TONY ISABELLA?
Last weekend’s garage sale was not a rousing success. I think that was due to the scorching heat. I only did 45.7% of my two-day goal. I haven’t done the final math yet, but, despite this slow weekend, it appears I’ve hit or come very close to hitting my goal for the summer to date.
Because I’m attending G-Fest in Chicago and Comic-Con International in San Diego, I won’t be holding another garage sale until the last weekend in July. Counting that late July garage sale, I’ll be doing four and maybe five more garage sales before the end of my garage sale season in September.
Here’s my schedule of remaining 2019 conventions and garage sales. I don’t want to do more than two conventions a month, but, if you are a event promoter who would like me to appear at your show, or someone who would like me to speak at your library or school, send me an e-mail and we’ll see what we can work out.
July 12-14: G-Fest (Chicago)
July 17-21: Comic-Con International (San Diego)
July 26-27: garage sale
August 4: NEO Comic Con
August 9-10: garage sale
August 16-18: New Mexico Comic Expo
August 23-24: garage sale
September 6-7: garage sale
September 21: Flaming River Con (Cleveland)
November 2-3: Akron Comiccon
November 8-10: Grand Rapids Comic-Con
I could conceivably add up to two appearances in September, October and December. I’m also starting to book my 2020 appearances, albeit with the likelihood I’ll only be doing one appearance most months. If you’re interested, contact me.
I’ll be writing about my G-Fest and Comic-Con international later this week. Watch for it.
I’ll be back soon with more stuff.
© 2019 Tony Isabella
Because I’m attending G-Fest in Chicago and Comic-Con International in San Diego, I won’t be holding another garage sale until the last weekend in July. Counting that late July garage sale, I’ll be doing four and maybe five more garage sales before the end of my garage sale season in September.
Here’s my schedule of remaining 2019 conventions and garage sales. I don’t want to do more than two conventions a month, but, if you are a event promoter who would like me to appear at your show, or someone who would like me to speak at your library or school, send me an e-mail and we’ll see what we can work out.
July 12-14: G-Fest (Chicago)
July 17-21: Comic-Con International (San Diego)
July 26-27: garage sale
August 4: NEO Comic Con
August 9-10: garage sale
August 16-18: New Mexico Comic Expo
August 23-24: garage sale
September 6-7: garage sale
September 21: Flaming River Con (Cleveland)
November 2-3: Akron Comiccon
November 8-10: Grand Rapids Comic-Con
I could conceivably add up to two appearances in September, October and December. I’m also starting to book my 2020 appearances, albeit with the likelihood I’ll only be doing one appearance most months. If you’re interested, contact me.
I’ll be writing about my G-Fest and Comic-Con international later this week. Watch for it.
I’ll be back soon with more stuff.
© 2019 Tony Isabella
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
GARAGE SAILING
Come aboard, me hearties. This be the good ship Vast Accumulation of Stuff, setting a course for my Vast Accumulation of Stuff garage sale. There be a lot of bargain-priced booty on my tables and you are most welcome to buy as much of it as you desire.
The Phantom just texted to tell me to knock off the pirate stuff. Apparently, the Ghost Who Walks also know what I write before I do. As the old jungle saying goes, “When the Phantom texts, you’d best be knocking off the foolishness.” This particular old jungle saying seems to lose something in the translation.
This garage sale will take place Friday and Saturday, June 28-29, at 840 Damon Drive in Medina, Ohio. The sale hours are my standard 9am to 1pm. This will be my last garage sale until I get back from San Diego’s Comic-Con and recover from said event. Figure the next garage sale after this one will be the last weekend in July.
I’m writing this blog entry on Monday afternoon. Things are going well. I have five of my highly sought after $10 mystery boxes all packed and ready to go. I hope to have several more ready before I open the garage door on Friday morning.
I’ve added a few hundred new items to the sale while reducing the prices on a few dozen other items. I’ll be cutting out one quarter box and one dollar comics box to make room for more oversized trade paperbacks and hardcovers and another collectible phone or three.
My “fifty cents” table will have lots of new books and manga on it. When stuff doesn’t sell over a sale or two, I pull it for inclusion in the mystery boxes or reduce the price on it. The aim is to sell as much as possible. Downsizing.
One cautionary note. I don’t haggle. You may want to believe that everything is negotiable, but it isn’t. Haggling annoys me. Heck, I’m thinking of raising the price on one item because the would-be haggler wasted my time with multiple e-mails.
I’ll have the usual Isabella books and comics, but I won’t have a dedicated box of my older Isabella-written comics. I’m organizing those and won’t be selling them until I’m sure I have decent file copies of everything I’ve written. I’m hoping to have a box of my older work before the end of the garage sale season.
I’ll also have the usual posters, but, after this sale, I will be taking off sale the spiffy double-sided Superman poster I conceived for Cleveland’s 1988 International Superman Exposition. The poster has sold for very high prices. I’m going to give my customers one more chance to buy them at the existing $20 price. Then they will be pulled for auction.
I’m feeling pretty good about what will be available for sale this weekend. If all has gone as planned, my son Ed and I will pay a visit to my secret Fortress of Storage. The plan is to look for a nice box of older comics, a few more collectible phones and some odds and ends that can go into mystery boxes. I’ll also be going through some of the storage areas in my house to see what other cool stuff I can excavate for the sale.
One last note. I sign comics and other Isabella items free at these garage sale. It doesn’t matter if you’ve just bought the items from me or if you’re bringing them from your collection. Unless you’re a dick, I’ll sign them without charge.
I’m looking forward to seeing many of you this weekend. We’re gonna have a good time.
I’ll be back soon with more stuff.
© 2019 Tony Isabella
The Phantom just texted to tell me to knock off the pirate stuff. Apparently, the Ghost Who Walks also know what I write before I do. As the old jungle saying goes, “When the Phantom texts, you’d best be knocking off the foolishness.” This particular old jungle saying seems to lose something in the translation.
This garage sale will take place Friday and Saturday, June 28-29, at 840 Damon Drive in Medina, Ohio. The sale hours are my standard 9am to 1pm. This will be my last garage sale until I get back from San Diego’s Comic-Con and recover from said event. Figure the next garage sale after this one will be the last weekend in July.
I’m writing this blog entry on Monday afternoon. Things are going well. I have five of my highly sought after $10 mystery boxes all packed and ready to go. I hope to have several more ready before I open the garage door on Friday morning.
I’ve added a few hundred new items to the sale while reducing the prices on a few dozen other items. I’ll be cutting out one quarter box and one dollar comics box to make room for more oversized trade paperbacks and hardcovers and another collectible phone or three.
My “fifty cents” table will have lots of new books and manga on it. When stuff doesn’t sell over a sale or two, I pull it for inclusion in the mystery boxes or reduce the price on it. The aim is to sell as much as possible. Downsizing.
One cautionary note. I don’t haggle. You may want to believe that everything is negotiable, but it isn’t. Haggling annoys me. Heck, I’m thinking of raising the price on one item because the would-be haggler wasted my time with multiple e-mails.
I’ll have the usual Isabella books and comics, but I won’t have a dedicated box of my older Isabella-written comics. I’m organizing those and won’t be selling them until I’m sure I have decent file copies of everything I’ve written. I’m hoping to have a box of my older work before the end of the garage sale season.
I’ll also have the usual posters, but, after this sale, I will be taking off sale the spiffy double-sided Superman poster I conceived for Cleveland’s 1988 International Superman Exposition. The poster has sold for very high prices. I’m going to give my customers one more chance to buy them at the existing $20 price. Then they will be pulled for auction.
I’m feeling pretty good about what will be available for sale this weekend. If all has gone as planned, my son Ed and I will pay a visit to my secret Fortress of Storage. The plan is to look for a nice box of older comics, a few more collectible phones and some odds and ends that can go into mystery boxes. I’ll also be going through some of the storage areas in my house to see what other cool stuff I can excavate for the sale.
One last note. I sign comics and other Isabella items free at these garage sale. It doesn’t matter if you’ve just bought the items from me or if you’re bringing them from your collection. Unless you’re a dick, I’ll sign them without charge.
I’m looking forward to seeing many of you this weekend. We’re gonna have a good time.
I’ll be back soon with more stuff.
© 2019 Tony Isabella
Monday, June 24, 2019
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2019 REVIEWS #4
What Has Gone Before:
I’m reading and reviewing the Free Comic Book Day comic books sent to me by my pals at Stormwatch Comics in West Berlin, New Jersey. When I read and review FCBD comics, I look at three areas.
QUALITY: Is the material worthwhile?
ACCESSIBILITY: Is the material presented in such a way that someone coming to it for the first time can follow it?
SALESMANSHIP: After reading the FCBD offering, would someone want and be able to buy more of the same?
I score FCBD offerings on a scale of zero to ten. Each category is worth three points with the tenth point coming from my interest in seeing more of what’s ever in the book.
We begin with...
Stranger Things/Black Hammer [Dark Horse is another Free Comic Book Day issue that has me at a disadvantage. Though Barb and Eddie (my wife and son) watched at least the first season of Stranger Things and liked it a lot, I have not yet watched. As for Black Hammer, I bailed on the Hellboy Universe a few years back as it became more complicated and depressing. This comic would be my first exposure to either feature. The issue has a 12-page Stranger Things story by Jody Houser with artist Ibrahim Moustafa and a 12-page Black Hammer story by writers Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes with artist/letterer by David Rubin.
QUALITY: The Stranger Things story was so well-written that, even with my lack of knowledge of the series, I connected with its young characters and wanted to know more about them. Apparently, Houser is writing a prequel to the first season. I plan to read that and, as soon as possible, start watching the TV series. The Black Hammer story was just okay.
ACCESSIBILITY: The Stranger Things story was inviting to this new reader/viewer. The Black Hammer story didn’t change my disinterest in the Hellboy Universe. Mind you, I think there’s a lot of decent work being down in the Hellboy Universe and might give it another shot in the future via the omnibus editions.
SALESMANSHIP: First rate. I was directed to the existing Stranger Things volume and the prequel series. There was a checklist of the Black Hammer trades. There were house ads for The Umbrella Academy, the Hellboy omnibus editions and Polar, which looked interesting. I’ll see if it’s available through my local library.
SCORE: Seven out of ten points.
Star Wars Adventures [IDW] features a 22-page story from a series called Tales from Vader’s Castle. It’s written by Cavan Scott and drawn by Derek Charm. Tales from Vader’s Castle is an anthology of alleged scary stories told by rebels who have invaded the castle of Darth Vader. These are suitable-for-all-ages stories with cartoon-style art. House of Mystery, it ain’t.
QUALITY: I wasn’t impressed. The format (rebels telling stories as they slink through the castle) is awkward. The story presented here was kind of meh.
ACCESSIBILITY: The Star Wars Universe is very complicated. I find myself frequently confused when reading Star Wars comics. The tale in this issue was fairly straightforward given the format. Readers more into Star Wars than me probably found it easier to follow than I did. Your mileage undoubtedly varies.
SALESMANSHIP: Good job. There’s a full-age house ad for Tales from Vader’s Castle and plenty of other ads for a variety of Star Wars comics. If a new reader likes this free comic book, those other ads constitute a virtual shopping list to other Star Wars comic books and graphic novels.
SCORE: Five out of ten points.
Robotech [Titan] features “Chapter 0" of a new series based on the re-imagined (for American television) anime series. I watched some of the American episodes and have read some of the earlier comic books based on the series. By no means am I proficient in the history of Robotech. This Free Comic Book Day offering has a 16-page story by writer Simon Furman with art by Hendry Prasetya, color art by Marco Lesko and lettering by Jim Campbell; and a two-page story involving the singer Lynn Minmei by Furman, Campbell, and artist Sarah Stone.
QUALITY: The first story has a scattershot sequence of flashbacks that might have refreshed the memories of avid Robotech devotees but did nothing for me. Once I got past that sequence, I was much more interested in the well-written story. That lead story ended on an intriguing note. The second story was also quite intriguing as it opens with a tribute to a character who died and ends with that character appearing. I’m considering reading further.
ACCESSIBILITY: Not great. A “The Story So Far” summary doesn’t give new readers as much of a leg-up into the series as it should have. The flashback scenes in the story itself didn’t help much. I think I got more of a back story of Lynn Minmei in the two-page episode that followed the lead.
SALESMANSHIP: Solid. There’s an ad following the stories directing readers to Robotech trade paperbacks. The inside front cover plugs other Titan trades. The back cover ad is for a Robotech card game and a Robotech tabletop game.
SCORE: Seven out of ten points.
Spawn #1 [Image] reprints Todd McFarlane’s first Spawn story from May, 1992. McFarlane is credited with story, pencils and inks with Tom Orzechowski on lettering and Steve Oliff on coloring. The cover is by Francesco Mattina.
QUALITY: Rereading this story for the first time in 27 years hasn’t improved my opinion of it. It’s not well-written, though I started liking the title more when McFarlane added more information on who Spawn had been and what was most important to him. This first story was lacking in the human drama. Even the art wasn’t as good as what McFarlane has been doing over at Marvel.
ACCESSIBILITY: Poor. Spawn is about to hit his 300th issue and this reprint doesn’t give the reader much of a leg-up. This free comic book could have used a lengthy “What Has Gone Before” summary for its inside front cover. There’s precious little connection between this story and whatever has been happening in the series in more recent times.
SALESMANSHIP: Marginal. There are several ads for Spawn collections in the issue and a back cover ad for Spawn #300. None of them are very enticing.
SCORE: Two out of ten points.
Look for more Free Comic Book Days in the weeks to come.
© 2019 Tony Isabella
I’m reading and reviewing the Free Comic Book Day comic books sent to me by my pals at Stormwatch Comics in West Berlin, New Jersey. When I read and review FCBD comics, I look at three areas.
QUALITY: Is the material worthwhile?
ACCESSIBILITY: Is the material presented in such a way that someone coming to it for the first time can follow it?
SALESMANSHIP: After reading the FCBD offering, would someone want and be able to buy more of the same?
I score FCBD offerings on a scale of zero to ten. Each category is worth three points with the tenth point coming from my interest in seeing more of what’s ever in the book.
We begin with...
Stranger Things/Black Hammer [Dark Horse is another Free Comic Book Day issue that has me at a disadvantage. Though Barb and Eddie (my wife and son) watched at least the first season of Stranger Things and liked it a lot, I have not yet watched. As for Black Hammer, I bailed on the Hellboy Universe a few years back as it became more complicated and depressing. This comic would be my first exposure to either feature. The issue has a 12-page Stranger Things story by Jody Houser with artist Ibrahim Moustafa and a 12-page Black Hammer story by writers Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes with artist/letterer by David Rubin.
QUALITY: The Stranger Things story was so well-written that, even with my lack of knowledge of the series, I connected with its young characters and wanted to know more about them. Apparently, Houser is writing a prequel to the first season. I plan to read that and, as soon as possible, start watching the TV series. The Black Hammer story was just okay.
ACCESSIBILITY: The Stranger Things story was inviting to this new reader/viewer. The Black Hammer story didn’t change my disinterest in the Hellboy Universe. Mind you, I think there’s a lot of decent work being down in the Hellboy Universe and might give it another shot in the future via the omnibus editions.
SALESMANSHIP: First rate. I was directed to the existing Stranger Things volume and the prequel series. There was a checklist of the Black Hammer trades. There were house ads for The Umbrella Academy, the Hellboy omnibus editions and Polar, which looked interesting. I’ll see if it’s available through my local library.
SCORE: Seven out of ten points.
Star Wars Adventures [IDW] features a 22-page story from a series called Tales from Vader’s Castle. It’s written by Cavan Scott and drawn by Derek Charm. Tales from Vader’s Castle is an anthology of alleged scary stories told by rebels who have invaded the castle of Darth Vader. These are suitable-for-all-ages stories with cartoon-style art. House of Mystery, it ain’t.
QUALITY: I wasn’t impressed. The format (rebels telling stories as they slink through the castle) is awkward. The story presented here was kind of meh.
ACCESSIBILITY: The Star Wars Universe is very complicated. I find myself frequently confused when reading Star Wars comics. The tale in this issue was fairly straightforward given the format. Readers more into Star Wars than me probably found it easier to follow than I did. Your mileage undoubtedly varies.
SALESMANSHIP: Good job. There’s a full-age house ad for Tales from Vader’s Castle and plenty of other ads for a variety of Star Wars comics. If a new reader likes this free comic book, those other ads constitute a virtual shopping list to other Star Wars comic books and graphic novels.
SCORE: Five out of ten points.
Robotech [Titan] features “Chapter 0" of a new series based on the re-imagined (for American television) anime series. I watched some of the American episodes and have read some of the earlier comic books based on the series. By no means am I proficient in the history of Robotech. This Free Comic Book Day offering has a 16-page story by writer Simon Furman with art by Hendry Prasetya, color art by Marco Lesko and lettering by Jim Campbell; and a two-page story involving the singer Lynn Minmei by Furman, Campbell, and artist Sarah Stone.
QUALITY: The first story has a scattershot sequence of flashbacks that might have refreshed the memories of avid Robotech devotees but did nothing for me. Once I got past that sequence, I was much more interested in the well-written story. That lead story ended on an intriguing note. The second story was also quite intriguing as it opens with a tribute to a character who died and ends with that character appearing. I’m considering reading further.
ACCESSIBILITY: Not great. A “The Story So Far” summary doesn’t give new readers as much of a leg-up into the series as it should have. The flashback scenes in the story itself didn’t help much. I think I got more of a back story of Lynn Minmei in the two-page episode that followed the lead.
SALESMANSHIP: Solid. There’s an ad following the stories directing readers to Robotech trade paperbacks. The inside front cover plugs other Titan trades. The back cover ad is for a Robotech card game and a Robotech tabletop game.
SCORE: Seven out of ten points.
Spawn #1 [Image] reprints Todd McFarlane’s first Spawn story from May, 1992. McFarlane is credited with story, pencils and inks with Tom Orzechowski on lettering and Steve Oliff on coloring. The cover is by Francesco Mattina.
QUALITY: Rereading this story for the first time in 27 years hasn’t improved my opinion of it. It’s not well-written, though I started liking the title more when McFarlane added more information on who Spawn had been and what was most important to him. This first story was lacking in the human drama. Even the art wasn’t as good as what McFarlane has been doing over at Marvel.
ACCESSIBILITY: Poor. Spawn is about to hit his 300th issue and this reprint doesn’t give the reader much of a leg-up. This free comic book could have used a lengthy “What Has Gone Before” summary for its inside front cover. There’s precious little connection between this story and whatever has been happening in the series in more recent times.
SALESMANSHIP: Marginal. There are several ads for Spawn collections in the issue and a back cover ad for Spawn #300. None of them are very enticing.
SCORE: Two out of ten points.
Look for more Free Comic Book Days in the weeks to come.
© 2019 Tony Isabella
THIS IS FOR ME, BUT THANKS FOR LISTENING
I have started this blog entry a couple dozen times over the past several months. Things haven’t been right with me for those months and, at the risk of sharing too much, I wanted to explain what has been going on to my friends and readers online.
None of this is a plea for sympathy, though I know many of you will send me just that. Right from the start, you should know I have a wonderful life with a wonderful family and more wonderful friends from all around the world that I ever dreamed of having.
My comic-book and other writings have been incredibly well received over the years. The Black Lightning TV series has been a blessing unlike any in my career. I think of everyone who works on the show as part of my extended family. I may have to start buying Christmas cards by the gross.
It’s been an additional blessing talking about Black Lightning, the show and my other work at conventions and libraries and schools. I have done close to a hundred print and TV interviews over the past three years. They turned out pretty good.
I’m doing pretty okay in the financial department, though, like all of us, I wish I was doing better. Without regular work from any of the major comics publishers, I have to work at least twice as hard to make half as much. I’m grateful I’m still able to work as much as I do. Many creators of my generation aren’t writing or drawing at all. Which is a damn shame.
Physically, I’m doing decently for a guy of my age and lifestyle. My blood pressure rarely goes into even the moderate warning zone and, according to my doctor, my cholesterol is spectacular. I’m not as spry as I used to be. I need more naps. I need to lose weight. But, all in all, I should be able to keep doing the things I love for many years to come. Emotionally, well, that’s an area that is of concern to me. But I believe I am getting a handle on it and the months of depression that have accompanied it.
In January, I spent several days visiting the cast and crew of the Black Lightning TV series in Atlanta. You can read about my visit in a series of blog entries posted earlier this year. I was treated with great love and respect by everyone I met there. It ranks very high among the best moments of my life. I hope to visit the Black Lightning set more than once during the production of the series’ third season. I have a standing invitation to visit. Those amazing folks seem to be as fond of me as I am of them.
So, you may be asking, what is your problem, Tony? The problem I’ve been having emotionally, the problem that has me fighting the worst writer’s block of my career, stem from the vast disconnect between the love/respect I receive from the TV show, from the fans, from many fellow comics creators, from conventions I attend, from talks I give, from TV and print journalists who interview me...and between the almost total lack of that love/respect from the rest of the comics industry.
DC Comics kicked me to the curb a while ago. I’ve written about it previously. I’ve written about how insulting it is that the company has reduced Black Lightning, the star of a hit TV series and their most iconic black super-hero, to Batman’s support Negro. I won’t go over all that stuff here.
Many comics people think I’m on the top of the world and I cannot deny I’ve been riding high in many ways. They think I made far more money from Black Lightning than I have. They think I receive crazy cool offers to write comics and TV shows and movies. I wish all of that were true.
Despite my past problems with DC Comics, I believed I was heading for the top of the world. Early on, there had been some discussion of my becoming an adviser of some sort on both the comics and the various TV shows. I would have liked to have been able to share my ideas and knowledge with DC Entertainment. I think they would have been the better for that.
I figured it was a given that I would writing Black Lightning comic books for years to come. I figured I would be writing other things as well. I pitched some stuff that was initially well received and ultimately rejected. Even Black Lightning was off the table because DC editorial decided that their most iconic black super-hero, the one who has a hit TV show, the one who has meant so much to fans over the decades since I created him, was best suited to be reduced to Batman’s support Negro in Batman and the Outsiders. The reboot of my creation as seen in Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands seems to have been written out of current continuity even before my mini-series concluded.
Lucy pulled away the football. How could I have believed it would not happen this time?
I was hurt. I have said many times that I would love to be writing Black Lightning stories until the day I die. That seems unlikely at this point, though I also thought that in the 1990s. I’m not going to speculate publicly on why things played out the way they did with DC this time around. Maybe they’ll ask me to write my creation again in another twenty years. Comics is crazy.
I figured I’d have no problem creating comics and getting work from other comics publishers. Cold Dead Hands proved I could still write great comics. They could put “From the creator of Black Lightning” on the covers of any comics I wrote for them. I could use my media and social media contacts to publicize my new comics. I was and I remain committed to showing DC Comics what a huge horrible mistake they made kicking me to the curb.
But that didn’t happen. Since I finished Cold Dead Hands, the only comics writing I’ve done is a one-page story for Marvel Comics and an eight-page story I had to pull from publication because the Ripley’s Believe It or Not people wanted changes that would have ruined the story.
Only a few other comics publishers ever contacted me. I responded. None of them followed up with me. Though that’s happened many times before, it was particularly disheartening this time.
Things that wouldn’t have bothered me in the past are now blows to my peace of mind. Despite Cold Dead Hands being set in Cleveland, despite the series being promoted in area newspapers and on local TV stations, despite the release of several trades collecting my previous Black Lightning work, not a single Cleveland comics shop ever contacted me to do a signing at their shop. People recognize me on the street, but the comics shops weren’t interested. This is why I buy my comics from a store in New Jersey.
I’ve been told there is a slander campaign against me. That’s not a new thing. It happened in the 1990s and that one was a whole lot better orchestrated than what seems to be happening now. If this is happening, and it likely is, I’m sad about it. Even as I understand that some comics creators who aren’t straight white old guys have it much worse than I will ever have it. The Dumpster in the White House has empowered the most vile elements of our society and the Internet gives them a relatively safe platform for their despicable behavior. It’s something we all live with.
For the record, I am neither insane nor undependable. I think I’m a delight to work with. I think I go above and beyond to create the best comics I can create. I think I can help publishers well beyond my writing skills. I’m a sweetheart of a human being. As you can see, my self-esteem remains intact.
The blows to my mind and soul have plunged me into depression on a regular basis. It’s a battle I have fought my entire life. It’s a battle I know how to fight. But it’s a struggle and that struggle has taken a toll on my productivity.
Baby steps. That’s the best way I can describe my battle plan for the immediate future. Right now, I’m concentrating on avoiding as much stress in my life as possible. I’m focusing on the “must-do” stuff right in front of me. Getting ready for my next garage sales. Trying to get back on track with my “Tony’s Tips” columns for Tales of Wonder. Completing pitches that I should’ve finished months ago. Planning for G-Fest and the San Diego Comic-Con. Figuring out ways to be more productive when I return Comic-Con.
One thing I’ve started doing is writing several blog entries at the same time. Even when I don’t have the time or the energy to write a complete blog entry, I can find a few minutes to review a comic book or movie. I can find a few minutes to write an item or two for entries that aren’t strictly review columns. Whenever these various items or review amount to a decent-length bloggy thing, I will post them. On some days, you won’t get an new blog entry. On other days, you might get two or more. When they are finished, I will put them online. I have missed my nigh-daily blogging and I sincerely hope you have missed it as well.
I will have much more to say in the coming weeks, especially after I get back from San Diego. In the meantime, if you want to contact me about my attending your convention, my writing for your company, or meeting with me at G-Fest or Comic-Con, please e-mail me sooner rather than later. I’ll do my best to accommodate you.
If you stayed with me through this way-too-long bloggy thing, you have my thanks. Now go find something more fun to do or read. You have earned that in spades.
I’ll be back soon with more stuff.
© 2019 Tony Isabella
None of this is a plea for sympathy, though I know many of you will send me just that. Right from the start, you should know I have a wonderful life with a wonderful family and more wonderful friends from all around the world that I ever dreamed of having.
My comic-book and other writings have been incredibly well received over the years. The Black Lightning TV series has been a blessing unlike any in my career. I think of everyone who works on the show as part of my extended family. I may have to start buying Christmas cards by the gross.
It’s been an additional blessing talking about Black Lightning, the show and my other work at conventions and libraries and schools. I have done close to a hundred print and TV interviews over the past three years. They turned out pretty good.
I’m doing pretty okay in the financial department, though, like all of us, I wish I was doing better. Without regular work from any of the major comics publishers, I have to work at least twice as hard to make half as much. I’m grateful I’m still able to work as much as I do. Many creators of my generation aren’t writing or drawing at all. Which is a damn shame.
Physically, I’m doing decently for a guy of my age and lifestyle. My blood pressure rarely goes into even the moderate warning zone and, according to my doctor, my cholesterol is spectacular. I’m not as spry as I used to be. I need more naps. I need to lose weight. But, all in all, I should be able to keep doing the things I love for many years to come. Emotionally, well, that’s an area that is of concern to me. But I believe I am getting a handle on it and the months of depression that have accompanied it.
In January, I spent several days visiting the cast and crew of the Black Lightning TV series in Atlanta. You can read about my visit in a series of blog entries posted earlier this year. I was treated with great love and respect by everyone I met there. It ranks very high among the best moments of my life. I hope to visit the Black Lightning set more than once during the production of the series’ third season. I have a standing invitation to visit. Those amazing folks seem to be as fond of me as I am of them.
So, you may be asking, what is your problem, Tony? The problem I’ve been having emotionally, the problem that has me fighting the worst writer’s block of my career, stem from the vast disconnect between the love/respect I receive from the TV show, from the fans, from many fellow comics creators, from conventions I attend, from talks I give, from TV and print journalists who interview me...and between the almost total lack of that love/respect from the rest of the comics industry.
DC Comics kicked me to the curb a while ago. I’ve written about it previously. I’ve written about how insulting it is that the company has reduced Black Lightning, the star of a hit TV series and their most iconic black super-hero, to Batman’s support Negro. I won’t go over all that stuff here.
Many comics people think I’m on the top of the world and I cannot deny I’ve been riding high in many ways. They think I made far more money from Black Lightning than I have. They think I receive crazy cool offers to write comics and TV shows and movies. I wish all of that were true.
Despite my past problems with DC Comics, I believed I was heading for the top of the world. Early on, there had been some discussion of my becoming an adviser of some sort on both the comics and the various TV shows. I would have liked to have been able to share my ideas and knowledge with DC Entertainment. I think they would have been the better for that.
I figured it was a given that I would writing Black Lightning comic books for years to come. I figured I would be writing other things as well. I pitched some stuff that was initially well received and ultimately rejected. Even Black Lightning was off the table because DC editorial decided that their most iconic black super-hero, the one who has a hit TV show, the one who has meant so much to fans over the decades since I created him, was best suited to be reduced to Batman’s support Negro in Batman and the Outsiders. The reboot of my creation as seen in Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands seems to have been written out of current continuity even before my mini-series concluded.
Lucy pulled away the football. How could I have believed it would not happen this time?
I was hurt. I have said many times that I would love to be writing Black Lightning stories until the day I die. That seems unlikely at this point, though I also thought that in the 1990s. I’m not going to speculate publicly on why things played out the way they did with DC this time around. Maybe they’ll ask me to write my creation again in another twenty years. Comics is crazy.
I figured I’d have no problem creating comics and getting work from other comics publishers. Cold Dead Hands proved I could still write great comics. They could put “From the creator of Black Lightning” on the covers of any comics I wrote for them. I could use my media and social media contacts to publicize my new comics. I was and I remain committed to showing DC Comics what a huge horrible mistake they made kicking me to the curb.
But that didn’t happen. Since I finished Cold Dead Hands, the only comics writing I’ve done is a one-page story for Marvel Comics and an eight-page story I had to pull from publication because the Ripley’s Believe It or Not people wanted changes that would have ruined the story.
Only a few other comics publishers ever contacted me. I responded. None of them followed up with me. Though that’s happened many times before, it was particularly disheartening this time.
Things that wouldn’t have bothered me in the past are now blows to my peace of mind. Despite Cold Dead Hands being set in Cleveland, despite the series being promoted in area newspapers and on local TV stations, despite the release of several trades collecting my previous Black Lightning work, not a single Cleveland comics shop ever contacted me to do a signing at their shop. People recognize me on the street, but the comics shops weren’t interested. This is why I buy my comics from a store in New Jersey.
I’ve been told there is a slander campaign against me. That’s not a new thing. It happened in the 1990s and that one was a whole lot better orchestrated than what seems to be happening now. If this is happening, and it likely is, I’m sad about it. Even as I understand that some comics creators who aren’t straight white old guys have it much worse than I will ever have it. The Dumpster in the White House has empowered the most vile elements of our society and the Internet gives them a relatively safe platform for their despicable behavior. It’s something we all live with.
For the record, I am neither insane nor undependable. I think I’m a delight to work with. I think I go above and beyond to create the best comics I can create. I think I can help publishers well beyond my writing skills. I’m a sweetheart of a human being. As you can see, my self-esteem remains intact.
The blows to my mind and soul have plunged me into depression on a regular basis. It’s a battle I have fought my entire life. It’s a battle I know how to fight. But it’s a struggle and that struggle has taken a toll on my productivity.
Baby steps. That’s the best way I can describe my battle plan for the immediate future. Right now, I’m concentrating on avoiding as much stress in my life as possible. I’m focusing on the “must-do” stuff right in front of me. Getting ready for my next garage sales. Trying to get back on track with my “Tony’s Tips” columns for Tales of Wonder. Completing pitches that I should’ve finished months ago. Planning for G-Fest and the San Diego Comic-Con. Figuring out ways to be more productive when I return Comic-Con.
One thing I’ve started doing is writing several blog entries at the same time. Even when I don’t have the time or the energy to write a complete blog entry, I can find a few minutes to review a comic book or movie. I can find a few minutes to write an item or two for entries that aren’t strictly review columns. Whenever these various items or review amount to a decent-length bloggy thing, I will post them. On some days, you won’t get an new blog entry. On other days, you might get two or more. When they are finished, I will put them online. I have missed my nigh-daily blogging and I sincerely hope you have missed it as well.
I will have much more to say in the coming weeks, especially after I get back from San Diego. In the meantime, if you want to contact me about my attending your convention, my writing for your company, or meeting with me at G-Fest or Comic-Con, please e-mail me sooner rather than later. I’ll do my best to accommodate you.
If you stayed with me through this way-too-long bloggy thing, you have my thanks. Now go find something more fun to do or read. You have earned that in spades.
I’ll be back soon with more stuff.
© 2019 Tony Isabella
Thursday, June 20, 2019
TONY'S TIPS #306
This week in TONY'S TIPS at Tales of Wonder...I gave a talk on comics at a retirement community plus I wrote reviews of Superman: The Golden Age Newspaper Dailies: 1947-1949 by Alvin Schwartz, Wayne Boring and Win Mortimer, and Abby Denson’s Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen and, celebrating 80 years of Marvel Comics greatness, Crypt of Shadows #1.
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