eldarwannabe

So, there is this being published right now. I'm not following it monthly (I'm not really following anything monthly) but I have noted it, in a back-of-my-mind kinda way. I mean, it's Kevin Smith. There's a good chance I'll check it out later. I really really like Green Arrow: Quiver. (Too bad it had to lead to what we have with GA today)

The point right now is the title. When I first heard "Batman: Widening Gyre" my reaction was, "hmm, sounds dramatic. I wonder what it means?"

Then I go to the FIRST DAY of college classes, weeks ago, and my oceanography teacher is all, "the ocean is wicked awesome y'know, there's non-carbon based lifeforms at the ocean floor," and when I was distracted by the thought of the sci-fi potential at that comment, she dropped, "and look, here's a gyre!"

And my DCU-based brain waves went, "HOLD IT RIGHT THAR!"

But see, now that I know what a gyre is, I might as well not. A gyre is like an ocean-scale whirlpool. They are made up of shipping currents and such going 'round and 'round. Still a cool name, but unless climate change gets way way worse then we want it to, they won't widen (or shrink) all that much.

But you see, I know nothing about this book (except that Poison Ivy is involved) but in my mind I keep going, "Hmmm, so Batman is trapped in a trading-current from the West Indies, and he's SINKING, but he's OK, but because he can BREATHE in SPACE but then the gyre WIDENS and the Earth is DOOMED! And somehow Poison Ivy can control phytoplankton!! (remember, Oceanography class)

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/040916-Didio20.html

DD: "And my question this time – it’s the classic monthly book versus trade discussion: what gets you to pick up a trade over the monthly issues?"

Gosh, that's a funny question. There's LOTS of reasons to favor trades over monthly. I'm thinking of more as I type this. Ok, here goes.

Price!

Let's break it down. Individual issues tend to cost anywhere from $2.99-$3.99. Trades tend to cost from $15-$20. (I'm ignoring specials, Absolutes, collections, special shiny editions, and so on. This is just the average story that is coming out right now in a run-of-the-mill title that will be collected in a run-of-the-mill trade.) If you shop around for a price almost anywhere (amazon.com being the easiest, but B&N member discount, ebay and overstock.com, are all options) you can almost always save a few dollars. And when you plan to buy lots and lots of comics, it makes a difference.

Complete Story

I can't speak for the rest of the world, but I find that waiting a month for the next chapter tends to disrupt the flow of the story for me. Especially these days, when stories are more tightly scripted and the overarching story is emphasized, sometimes at the expense of individual issues, it is simply easier to read the whole story all at once. When I went through my years of collecting monthly, I would sometimes find myself totally unmotivated to read the comic I just bought because it would involve digging out the old issues. I would wait a few months, then read them all in one go. Some writers weren't like this, but I found mini-series ESPECIALLY suffered from this, so why bother when you can just grab the mini in a nice trade that collects the whole story very neatly?

Storing

I don't know if you've ever tried to store comics, but it's tough! And sometimes expensive. They're an odd shape, too tall for normal bookshelves, and too thin to hold themselves up even if you rearrange the shelving. Basically, fans are expected to buy these very specific boxes in the right size, then store each comic in it's own plastic sleeve with a cardboard backing to keep them in pristine condition. I don't mind going through the whole maze for a few very good issues, but comics were produced on the format originally to be a disposable, easily transportable medium! When I'm spending all this money on keeping them pristine, it's more bother than it's worth, really. I managed, and even alphabatized the whole collection, but really, it's much easier with trades. I can just stick them in a bookshelf after moving the shelves, and the spines conveniently display the titles so I don't have to pull up issues to find what I'm looking for.

Less Fragile

To continue the previous comment trades are generally less fragile than comics themselves. I have yet to tear any of my comic trades, and they bend far less easily. Comics are so thin that I'll try to stick it back in the box and it'll bend badly as I put it back. Drives me nuts. Again, comics are simply too expensive to be the same disposable medium they once were, so I'm forced to be super-duper-extra-careful, and I frankly don't need the stress. Trades are much better at taking care of themselves.

Travel Value

Again, due to the durability of trades, I can just grab 'n go. For someone who spends time on public transportation, goes on family trips, visits friends on the weekends, etc., I put a lot value in how portable something is. My ipod more convenient for music than my laptop. I buy most books in softcover so I can stuff more in my backpacks. While individual issues are lighter, it's true, they just can't take the same beating in my bags and suitcases. Plus, trades have the whole story when I travel, unlike individual issues, which I have to keep careful track of because they're so easy to misplace. Not that I haven't done it. I dragged the Arsenal mini-series on a family trip because I wanted to, but I was neurotic about the issues, reading them one at a time, and sliding them into the sleeves like spun glass. A trade would have been much, much easier.

Rereading Value

To combine many of my earlier arguments, you can't even compare rereading a trade to individual issues. For individual issues, I have to dig them out of boxes, trying to get the whole story arc together in once place, without disrupting the rest of the comics too much. Then you read each issue individually, pulling them out of the plastic, reading them, putting them back in. Then you have to put them BACK. Trades, you grab, read in one shot, and slide back in. I happen to store a lot of trades the same way I store my comics (which is similar enough to a box that it might as well be.) and I don't keep them organized in the slightest and it's still less of hassle to read them. That's why I know my trade stories very very well, but I'm pretty fuzzy on the issues I bought.

Extra Content

Not the reason to buy trades, but it must be considered. Trades typically come with some kind of extra content. An introduction, some preliminary sketches, alternate covers, a full comic script, all sorts of stuff can just be casually stuffed in the back. I can't say why certain things are chosen over other, but I love the extras. A little peak into the minds of the writer, artist or even just another opinion in the case of introduction gives me a thrill. I just love that kind of stuff.

And finally, the last thing I can whip up off the top of my head....

Lending Value!

This one is PRICELESS in my opinion. As someone who is constantly trying to get her friends into comics, trying to prove the value of the medium and maybe attract one or two followers, nothing can beat actually reading the stories. And the durability and travelability of trades allow them to pass hand much more easily then individual issues. I got one friend hooked on H-E-R-O (way to drop the ball there, DC) by lending her the first trade. I convinced a friend to like BoP with a trade. I offer my Watchmen trade to EVERYONE. Even when friends come to visit for an extended length of time, and they're IN MY HOUSE, they'd rather read a trade then issues. Come on, for a medium and genre with a high barrier of entry, this is especially important. Don't hand out issues, hand out trades. Libraries aren't offering issues for a reason.

Anyway, that isn't to say issues can't be great. This isn't to say that issues can utilize tools that NO OTHER MEDIUM has at their disposal. This isn't to say that those flimsy pamphlets don't have a future, because I truly believe they do. But come on. I, and I'm sure many other, are totally comfortable waiting for the trades.

Well, I've been ignoring my comics fandom recently, as I was too involved in other stuff to be keeping on top of comics news (which can be a chore).

So I'm a little slow in finding out that Mike Wieringo died on August 12. He was easily one of my favorite artist (Hey, I knew his name! Even though I'm definitely pronouncing it totally wrong) His stuff always had the motion I like in a comic book, his characters didn't look like they were posing in every shot, but that they were really moving around. (Which is my biggest complaint about Alex Ross. His drawings frequently suffer from looking too stuck in place.)

But Mike's stuff, from his run on Flash (which I haven't read all of, but I really enjoyed what I did read) through his absolutely amazing run on the Fantastic Four, was just wonderful. His backgrounds and characters belonged together, and he always worked to achieve consistency from page to page. And he had the amazing ability to have large background casts while making every character look distinct.

It's also a little eerie that he dies mere weeks after Impluse/Bart Allen, a character he co-created for DC comics.

If Booster Gold doesn't pull a Hiro Nakamura, I'll throw a fit!

( Explanation in Layman's Terms. )

The Martian Manhunter's new outfit makes me sad. Now, in many ways I actually prefer it. What can I say? Modesty is an attribute I happen to think is totally underrated in todays sexy sexy society, and lord knows the J'onn was running around in little more then a speedo with cool boots and a swirly cape. But really? Girls run around in comic books wearing less and no one sees fit to comment on that. (Although the new girl-Cyclone-in the JSA has one of the most normal outfits I've ever seen any comic character wear while in costume, striped stockings and all.)

But back to Martian Manhunter. Now his outfit is blue. All over, skintight blue covering all that exposed skin with his old costume basically just over it. Now come on! Girls can run around looking like strip dancers almost done with their act, but the worst boys can get is sleeveless? Give me a break!

I have to admit a slight bias in this case. I always associated J'onn's with GREEN. With good reason. It was the most obvious color associated with him on first glance. I was comfortable with J'onn, and I liked that he could pull of the speed and cape with dignity. I have to double-take any time I see his new outfit. It just doesn't look, or feel like J'onn to me. But with DC's reputation for keeping new costumes. (Like, oh Superman's brief electric period, thankfully dead, and Wonder Woman's mod runaround, basically forgotten) I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing J'onn properly green again in a year or two.

I hope.

So, I'm seeing West Side Story for the fist time. (shut up.) And I'm really enjoying it. Not just for the cheezy pseudo-fighting scenes, although I admit to a sense of nostalgia as I watch. This movie is old-school, in many, many ways. It would definetly not be done in the same way if it were filmed today (and I'm not only talking about the clothing and hairstyles. Bernardo makes me laugh EVERY SINGLE TIME he's on screen.)

I haven't finished the movie yet, but I need to comment on one thing:

"...he don't even need an atomic ray gun"
"Who don't?"
"Captain Marvel. Gee, I love him"
"So marry him!"


Now, for anyone who's in the know, it should be Superman, not Captain Marvel. I don't know when the movie was made, but it could make a huge difference. After all, DC sued Fawcet, claiming they stole their whole Superman idea to create C.M. (I call BS, but that's just me) and they won. It's a whole hidden statement! Does Captain Marvel = Superman?

Just a fannish moment. Oh, also? It may be disturbing to have a kid weirdly admire/love/obsess over Superman, who's roughly 20 or so, but C.M. is supposed to be, like, 8? Creeeeeeeepy.

I'm basically "publishing" this now, because it's an idea I want to come back to, at least when my writing skills imporove.

So, comic books. I don't want to call them a failing medium, but they're certainly not doing as well as they once were. There are many, many reasons for that, but at least a part of it has been the loss of the female readership.

Don't get me wrong. I'm part of the current comic book female readership. And there's certainly a whole group of us. And there are lots of comics that appeal to us just as much as guys, like SANDMAN, for example. But reality is that most of the comics published by the BIG TWO (DC and Marvel) are aimed at boys. Or men, these days. Now, there has been success at Marvel among the female readership with titles like RUNAWAYS and SPIDER MAN LOVES MARY JANE (everyone should pick up that title. I'm considering buying a bunch for my school library) But DC? You ask us to read more Supergirl? Why would I want to? She's obviously designed for boys; busy, long legs, no internal organs.

But they are trying Minx. No comment for now, but I'm doubtful. I'll still probably check out at least some of the titles, but you see me? This is my doubtful face.

Now, there's manga, or Japanese comics. In Japan, girls are a HUGE part of the readership. They buy shojo AND shonen, and when that's not enough, they check out shonen-ai, hardcore yaoi, josei, etc. And now that manga is big in the states, girls are a big part of the readership. Just looks at Fruits Basket, for heaven's sake!

So here's my idea - Take Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld. It's a great title, with massive girls appeal. And publish an OEL (Origional English Language) manga using the basic story ideas from the begining. (see: http://www.sequentialtart.com/archive/june00/art_0600_2.shtml) I think there's tons of potential in the story, if handled correctly. And screw this Minx line of books. Publish it under CMX, sticking it smack in the middle of your manga section. Tokyopop is doing it!

I'm currently trying to figure out the best way to do this on my own. I think I might reread Rayearth, as it has many of the same themes (and it's written by CLAMP for heaven's sake. Get more manga-y then that. I dare you.)

So there's my idea. I'll probably touch on some of the other issues I addressed at a later time, because I think it's worth talking about. But, yeah. Amethyst! She has more potential then a cameo in Crisis, DC!

Ugh.

I just read about the new DC series, Countdown that's going to start at the end of 52. It's going to another year-long weekly title. Now, I happen to be enjoying 52 a lot. Mostly Booster running around (Not dead yet! Although we know he dies in costume, which is kinda creepy...) and the Animal Man, Starfire, and Adam Strange Adventures in Space! is tons of fun. But I find the constant hints at other characters and comics that are obviously meant for the people reading them frustrating much of the time. I simply cannot afford to buy that many comics, plus I wouldn't even want to if I could.

Plus, I'm going off on my own next year and I can't just keep getting money from the 'rents to pay for comics and such.

But I miss how it was when I first started reading comics. There was a general status quo, and I could pretty much pick up any book and figure out what was going on in a few issues, or with a quick web search. I was excited by big crossover events, first War Games in the Batman books (though I was sorely disappointed with the whole let's kill Steph because we can! subplot and I'm thankful I didn't read most of the follow-up issues, such as the destruction of Leslie Thompkins as a nice wholesome character) and I tried to keep up with the going-ons in as many books as possible. Crossovers, after all, are something pretty much exclusive to the comic book medium. There aren't many places where two basically independent series' can just visit each other whenever they want. I must admit, the idea still thrills me, and I really like mini-crossover events, like Teen Titans/Outsiders and Robin/Batgirl and such.

But DC is totally abusing the privilege. In the old days (read:1989) when the first Crisis hit DC, it was a company-wide event, but it was ONE series, coming out ONCE a month, that would briefly touch on other series'. Admittedly, I wasn't really up to reading at that point (I probably didn't master my first word by the time it was over) but I know for a fact that they had handy little boxes at the bottom of panels to indicate which comics one would have to read to keep up.

But once the series was over, DC slowly retconned itself into a new status quo, and stuck with it! (At least until Zero Hour)

Now crossover events are the new big thing, although I see some differences between the way DC handles them and Marvel handles them, the fact remains that they happen more frequently then pre-1989. But the genral trend seems to have been: Big crossover event, stuff changes, stuff settles down, continuity get messed up again, then a new big crossover event, etc.

But jeez DC, give it a break! First Identity Crisis, then Countdown to Infinite Crisis, then Infinite Crisis, then The Omac Project, Rann/Thanagar War, Day of Vengeance, Villains United, then 52, now this Coundown? Plus, I've ignored things like Green Lantern: Rebirth and Adam Strange: Planet Heist! (or whatever it was called), plus upcoming stuff like Amazons Attack! It's getting a little annoying, DC. When do you settle down to this new, Superboy-Prime-punched status quo and just let the reader figure stuff out for a while? I'm thrilled that some lesser-known characters are getting a chance to shine, but really. Give me a couple of years where comics don't change at the drop of a hat and characters don't keep dying left and right. Please? Just for a little while? Then you can let Supergirl misplace time or have Darkseid bowl with the planets to explain your bad retconning, but give me a couple of years to get used to the aftermath of Superboy Prime for a while, kay?