The following article is based on the opinions expressed by the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Pendragon's Post staff. Thank you.In the name of Progress...O.K. let’s face it: Thing’s change, life changes, time marches on. When does what’s popular today become yesterday’s news? When did what we used to know become outdated? And when did the simple pleasures in life become so complex? It seems that in entertainment circles these days, there is a secret format war going on in the background with regards to printed Vs. digital comics. This war is not only being waged by publishers, but by fans also.
Now in prepping for this article, I felt I needed to split comic book fans into two groups: Comic book readers and comic book collectors. For myself, I fall into the average comic book reader category. My reading habits are as follows:
-I read the books I buy, but I am not hard core when it comes to preserving them.
-I enjoy them for entertainment value which the stories and the art provide, but I won’t go out of my way to find variant covers, first editions, or even bag them.
-And yes I do purchase digital comics for my smartphone.
But if someone did offer me a full color E-reader, about the same size as your average comic book , which would give me the same satisfaction as reading the printed version, then I would most likely take them up on that offer without hesitation. Why you may ask? Well for me it’s about affordability, access, and availability. If I can download a comic online for 99 cents to $1.50, and not have to hunt for it, I am sold. But that’s just me.
Now before anyone goes thinking that this was a one sided debate for me, it’s wasn’t. I used to fall into the other category, the comic book collector, and for years I used to be a slave to the long lost issue, the variants, and yes the longbox. Plus, besides the rare issues of some sliver age & golden age comics I did manage to find, most of my collection was modern comics and worth more to me sentimental wise than monetary. But the real clincher for me was after I turned 30, I started to realize I wanted more of a convenience than a collection. But I will admit, there is something to be said about actually holding a printed comic book in your hand, and nothing will be able to replace that.
However, just like the format changes which the music industry has gone through in the past decades, I feel progress doesn’t always mean obsolescence. In the last 30 years, we have gone from listening to music on vinyl records, 8 track tapes, cassette tapes, CD’s, to finally MP3’s. And I remember how less than a decade ago, critics had declared vinyl records long dead as a viable music format. But thanks to the efforts of those who wished to preserve and keep alive the vinyl record, this format has managed to make a comeback in this digital age.
And I feel the same way about comic books. There will always be a market for the printed comic book, although I believe in a more collector oriented market. But Digital comics do have their place also, and shouldn’t be so readily dismissed, or ignored.
Basically what it boils down to is a matter of personal choice. And as consumers we have that right. All we have to do is make our wishes heard, and keep the old traditions alive.
Ed Rondo
Senior Critic
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Mattel took time out their busy schedule to answer some questions.
1) It seems on-line stores like Big Bad Toy Store & Enchanted Toy Chest had orders for DC Universe Classics Wave 9 canceled. Can you go into greater detail as to what happened?
We have increased production to meet growing demand for this wave. The figures are being offered open stock for online customers.
2) Will Wave 9 be sold on Mattycollector.com? If so, will they be sold as seperate figures or as set?
No, Wave 9 will not, but we are hoping Wave 11 may be.
3) Will there be any more Wal-Mart wave in the future after Wave 10?
At this time there is nothing to report.
4) With figures coming out for the upcoming Superman/Batman: Public Enemies DVD, will be seeing a trend like this for other DC DVD movies, like the announced DC Showcase or Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths?
That has also not been decided yet but we would be excited to do so.
5) In the last Q & A We learned that Sigourney Weaver was fair game for the Ghostbusters line...What about Rick Moranis? Any chance of GB going monthly?
Yes, a Louis Tully figure is a possibility down the road. We do have rights to Mr. Moranis for the line.
6) I thought Matty collector was to feature all things "Mattel". Will we see other mattel properites in time on the site, such as Hot Wheels, Barbie, and even older Mattel owned toy lines that have a big collector base such as "Big Jim", Fisher-Price Adventure People,Tyco slot cars or "Wheeled Warriors"?
MattyCollector.com will be the home of action play brands, and yes we will look at adding some vintage galleries such as “Wheeled Warriors”: and “Major Matt Mason”. For other Mattel toy lines check out our mother site: Mattel.com!
7) Can you tell us more about the potential "larger" figures that you have alluded to. For example, when you get around to characters like Clawful and Whiplash, are they going to use the standard bodies that we have already seen on other figures or will they use bigger parts?
The MOTUC line is based on the original line from 1982. In this line Clawful and Whiplpash were the same height as other figures.
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Marvel is proud to uncover the Hulk #16 Deadpool McGuinness Variant by fan-favorite artist Ed MGuinness!
In Hulk #16, Emmy & Eisner Award winning superstar writer Jeph Loeb and red-hot artist Ian Churchill go into Code Red as Red Hulk recruits a team of lethal heroes including Deadpool, Punisher, Elektra and more to capture Domino. But what secret has Domino discovered regarding the Red Hulk that would lead him to recruit this powerhouse team? Luckily, Domino isn’t on her own as she’s enlisted her friends in Wolverine and X-Force to even up the score! And if this titanic throw-down between two teams of Marvel’s heaviest hitters wasn’t enough, Red She-Hulk makes her thunderous debut! But just whose side is this wildcard on?
Don’t miss the series that ComicBookResources.com calls, “classic Marvel fun.” Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Hulk, as it continues to garner buzz with the current “Code Red” storyline featuring a plethora of guest-stars from Deadpool to Wolverine and X-Force! Who is the Red She-Hulk? How will the X-Force fare against the Red Hulk and his A-list squad!? Find out in Hulk #16!
HULK #16 (AUG090471)
HULK #16 MCGUINNESS VARIANT (AUG090472)
HULK #16 DEADPOOL MCGUINNESS VARIANT (AUG098052)
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & Cover by IAN CHURCHILL
Variant Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Deadpool Variant Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Rated T+ …$3.99
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Bestselling Issues #1 thru #4 Available Today!
BOOM! Studios and Comixology proudly announce that they are making Mark Waid's multiple sell-out, bestselling series IRREDEEMABLE available on the iPhone today. Issues #1 through #4 will be immediately available on Comixology's Comics App for $1.99 per issue to iPhone users across the globe.
Coming on the heels of BOOM! Studios' announcement yesterday of Waid's new series INCORRUPTIBLE, this agreement with Comixology makes the early issues of IRREDEEMABLE accessible to more comic fans than ever before.
"In superhero comics, pretty much everyone who's called upon to put on a cape is, at heart, emotionally equipped for the job. I reject that premise," said series writer and BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid. "IRREDEEMABLE is, in a way, my third and most complex chapter on the cost of superheroics - a pulp adventure tale of horror exploring how the lessons we learn about right and wrong as children can become warped and twisted when challenged by the realities of the adult world."
When launched, IRREDEEMABLE #1 sold out the day of release, followed by a second print that quickly sold out soon after. IRREDEEMABLE #2 sold out before the issue even hit store shelves, also accompanied by a second printing that quickly sold out.
This past August, BOOM! Studios released the bestselling IRREDEEMABLE Volume 1 TPB, collecting the first four critically acclaimed issues, priced at $9.99 along with issue #5 for only .99 cents - with both shipping on the same day. Continuing an upward trajectory, IRREDEEMABLE #6 garnered more orders than issue #1. Even so, demand for the latest issue has outpaced expectations with issue #6 quickly going to second print also.
Mark Waid's IRREDEEMABLE has received near unanimous praise for all quarters:
"One of the most intriguing, suspenseful, grab-you-by-the-throat comics I've ever read. I highly recommend picking it up." - Ain't It Cool News
"Mark Waid has served up a powerful little story of love and betrayal "IRREDEEMABLE" may be the last thing you want to call this series." - Newsarama
"The visuals present are nearly tangible. Krause has brought his best work to this book, and Waid makes good use of Krause's talents. Yes, Mark Waid is evil. It makes me a little bit uneasy to say that I hope he continues to be evil, because I sure enjoyed reading it." - Comic Book Resources
"Not just another dismantling of the mythology, IRREDEEMABLE is a masterful tale of the fall of a great heroes" - Project Fanboy
"There really is a tremendous piece of fiction being unveiled here, with precision and fury." - Comic Book Jesus
"This book wants me to just spout out superlatives like fantastic, great, page turner, stunning visuals, wonderful characterization, not a page or panel wasted, so I'm forced to try and find some other way to tell you 2009 best new series is at BOOM! studios and it is called IRREDEEMABLE." - Comics And
"One of the strongest debuts of 2009 this is probably one series you won't want to miss." - Paradox Comics Group
"My local comic shop displays a black shirt with bold white lettering proclaiming 'Mark Waid is Evil.' He's proving it in this book with a devilish grin. Sometimes, as in this case, evil is good." - Jimmy in the Garden
"It's definitely worth a look, especially if you want something that isn't your straight traditional Marvel or DC title." - Comic Vine
"This is an amazing book! I cannot stress how much I truly enjoyed it. Mark Waid has crafted a tale that has captured my attention and left me wanting more. 5/5 - Comics Bulletin
"IRREDEMABLE is an enigmatically twisted tale which grasps your attention from the first page and refuses to let you go!" - Comics Waiting Room
"Anyone who's read superhero comics for any length of time needs to read this!" - Extra Sequential
"When you see this on the shelf of your local comics store, when you see the tick box on your online order form. MAKE SURE YOU PICK THIS UP. Unrelenting in its flow, its shocks, its power and its pure brilliance." - 32 Pages
While now available on the iPhone, all four issues can also be found in the IRREDEEMABLE Volume 1 TPB price at $9.99 featuring cover art by John Cassaday interior art by Peter Krause, carrying a Diamond Order Code of JUN090793 with ISBN: 1-934506-90-7 and ISBN13: 978-1-934506-90-5.
The Comics by comiXology App is available, including over 30 free comics, for $0.99 from the App Store.
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MARK WAID HOSTS
BOOM! STUDIOS'
DRINK UP CELEBRATING
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF
INCORRUPTIBLE
Everybody Is Invited!
BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid cordially invites all of the Long Beach Comic Con attendees to the INCORRUPTIBLE Announcement Drink Up* taking place at The Auld Dubliner Irish Pub and Restaurant, Saturday, October 3rd from 6pm to ???
Come celebrate with Mark Waid and the rest of the BOOM! Studios Crew, the announcement of the forthcoming INCORRUPTIBLE, that asks the question: What Happens When A Villain Becomes A Hero?
This is an open invitation event. No RSVP needed. No tickets required.
Where: The Auld Dubliner - 71 S Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802
When: Saturday, October 3rd, from 6pm to ??
*For those that might not be privy, a “Drink Up” is just like a “Meet Up” but with people drinking. This will be a gathering of friends and fans, so make plans to stop by and see what's happening!
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