The leisurely comic discussion thread

[Koete]

Bob Harras? Sent Marvel into the shitter Bob Harris? Huh.

[Missy]

Here's the thing, though he was the EIC when Marvel filed for bankruptcy, that wasn't his fault. The company was a wreck before he took the job. Also, he gave the green light to Heroes Reborn (say what you will about the quality of the books, it was a much-needed shot in the arm and made Marvel huge money), and later Heroes Return (which spawned Kurt Busiek's Avengers, Mark Waid's Captain America, and Dan Jurgens' Thor). It was also during his tenure that Marvel Knights launched.

Really the only truly bad thing the man's name has even been attached to is the Clone Saga.

[Stavros]

Here's the thing, though he was the EIC when Marvel filed for bankruptcy, that wasn't his fault. The company was a wreck before he took the job. Also, he gave the green light to Heroes Reborn (say what you will about the quality of the books, it was a much-needed shot in the arm and made Marvel huge money), and later Heroes Return (which spawned Kurt Busiek's Avengers, Mark Waid's Captain America, and Dan Jurgens' Thor). It was also during his tenure that Marvel Knights launched.

Really the only truly bad thing the man's name has even been attached to is the Clone Saga.

I presume from a financial standpoint much of the clone saga would have to considered a success as well, that's why they dragged it out for so long.

[dc20willsave]

He was also the editor in chief on the X-Books in the early 90s. X-Men #1 happened on his watch along with X-Cutioner's Song and a little event known as Age of Apocalypse. It was also while he was editor that the books really started to flow with each other. I'm optimistic about this to tell you the truth.

[Koete]

Mark Waid (of ten years ago) disagrees.

Edit: And apparently the Mark Waid of 2010 disagrees with that because he told Rich Johnston to go fuck himself.

[Dread]

Mark Waid (of ten years ago) disagrees.

Edit: And apparently the Mark Waid of 2010 disagrees with that because he told Rich Johnston to go fuck himself.

The older I get, the more I love Mark Waid. Or maybe it's the older he gets. Regardless, it stands.

[ShaunKL]

Anybody want to recommend a good Deadpool trade?

[Stavros]

Anybody want to recommend a good Deadpool trade?

Deadpool for Machine Man?

[Molly]

Holy hell, Harras? Really? Did not see that shit coming. I don't honestly think this is going to make a huge difference, because Jim Lee and Geoff Johns are still holding the reigns on the creative end, and DiDio is on the business end, but still, surprising.

[Venneh]

Death is hot, and back in the mainstream DCU. Discuss.

Also, this:

[dc20willsave]

The thing I'm most looking forward to about the next issue is Death's take on Nekron ruining her good name.

[KnightWing]

Actually, Nekron predates Death by several years.

[dc20willsave]

That's debatable. Nekron the being came into existence as a counter to the creation of life, the same thing that produced Death. If anything, they would be twins BUT Nekron had to bolster his power through the Anti-Monitor. Death claims everything eventually, even the Anti-Monitor and, presumably, even Nekron. She gets to put the chairs up and turn off the lights when the universe closes up shop. Yes, we are talking about one of my top 5 favorite fictional characters if you can't tell.

[KnightWing]

Oh. See, I meant in the publishing world. Nekron being first created in 1981 and Death in 1989.

But, going with the in-universe thing, then that's interesting. Nekron is technically the Lord of the Land of the Unliving (sorta like purgatory), where souls await their final judgment. So he doesn't have complete dominion over death, exactly, he just controls the doors between our world and the afterlife.

So... would Death and Nekron be working together, then? She ferries souls to the Land of the Unliving, where Nekron takes over?

[dc20willsave]

I'd say that Death and Nekron work together in that we have this building. Nekron works the elevator, taking people up or down to their destination. Death is the lobby, front door, and the steps outside. One of the things she does is come and collect the spirits of the dead and take them to their ultimate destination. But more than that, Death is also the building itself. Nekron, The Black Racer, Hades, and the Black Flash all work in the building but you had best believe that Death is the one in the Penthouse Suite also.

See, if the walls between DC and Vertigo continue to thin, these are the big questions, namely of the many personifications of Death, what's the hierarchy? So looking forward to the next issue of Action.

[Koete]

Rob Liefeld has the final word on Liefeld bashing.

[Missy]

This is why I respect Rob Liefeld. He doesn't argue with fans at cons or over Facebook. Instead, he takes it all in stride and keeps a sense of humor about himself. Thumbs up to the man.

[Molly]

I've said my piece on Rob Liefeld plenty of times.

[SuaveStar]

The only thing stopping me getting the Action Comics issue with Death, as it looks like its going to be fun, is the price.

[dc20willsave]

Here's the thing about the price. It is mainly because there's the Jimmy Olsen co-feature but, having read the first one, it was pretty fun. It's definitely one of the co-features I have enjoyed as much the feature.

[SuaveStar]

Here's the thing about the price. It is mainly because there's the Jimmy Olsen co-feature but, having read the first one, it was pretty fun. It's definitely one of the co-features I have enjoyed as much the feature.

While I get that, I just don't like spending $3.99 on one single comic. Co-feature or not, that is my stopping point.

[SuaveStar]

[dc20willsave]

I'm making it my goal to buy a print of that page.

[dc20willsave]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DC COMICS DROPs prices on $3.99 titles; MOVES TO $2.99 price point for ongoing COMIC BOOK series

New York, October 7, 2010– Beginning January 2011, DC Comics will implement a line-wide pricing adjustment, lowering the prices of all standard length 32-page ongoing comic book titles currently priced at $3.99 to $2.99, it was announced today by DC Comics Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio.

“Today’s announcement re-affirms DC Comics’ commitment to both our core fans and to comic book store retailers,” said Jim Lee, DC Comics Co-Publisher. “For the long term health of the industry, we are willing to take a financial risk so that readers who love our medium do not abandon the art form.”

“As Co-Publishers, we listened to our fans and to our partners in the retail community who told us that a $3.99 price point for 32 pages was too expensive. Fans were becoming increasingly reluctant to sample new titles and long term fans were beginning to abandon titles and characters that they’d collected for years.” said Dan DiDio, DC Comics Co-Publisher. “We needed a progressive pricing strategy that supports our existing business model and, more importantly, allows this creative industry to thrive for years to come. With the exceptions of oversized comic books, like annuals and specials, we are committed to a $2.99 price point.”

When taking into account mini-series, annuals and specials, more than 80% of DC’s comic books will be priced at $2.99.

As of January, the following titles standard length ongoing titles, previously priced at $3.99 for 32 pages/22 story pages, will be priced at $2.99 with 32 pages/20 story pages:

American Vampire;

Batman: The Dark Knight;

Batman Incorporated;

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors;

JSA All-Stars.

As of January, the following licensed titles, previously priced at $3.99, will be priced at $2.99:

Gears of War;

God of War;

Kane & Lynch;

Ratchet & Clank.

As of January, the following ongoing titles previously priced at $3.99 for 40 pages/30 story pages including co-features, will no longer include co-features and will be priced at $2.99 for 32 pages/ 20 story pages:

Action Comics;

Adventure Comics;

Batman: Streets of Gotham;

Detective Comics;

Doc Savage;

Justice League of America;

Legion of Super-Heroes;

The Spirit.

In January, five books are $3.99 for 40 pages/30 story pages:

Batman: Europa # 1

First Wave # 6

DCU: Legacies # 9

Weird Worlds # 1

World of Warcraft: Curse of the Worgen

The following oversized anniversary issue will be $4.99 for 48 pages/38 story pages:

Hellblazer # 275

“Fans of our co-features should stay tuned. Some of these characters will find a new platform,” said Dan DiDio. “Going forward, mini-series and special events may feature a different price point and page count to best allow writers and artists the flexibility of format and story pages they need to tell their stories best.”

Source

[SuaveStar]

I am now interested in reading both Batman Inc, and Action Comics.