#43: When Good Heroes Get Bad Reps!

Today saw the release of Aquaman #1.

The seventh Aquaman #1.

He can withstand the crushing pressure of the ocean depths and this makes him tough enough to be invulnerable to machine gun fire. He also possesses superhuman strength and can swim at speeds of 10,000 feet per second. He can even swim up Niagara Falls!

But ask most people who he is and what do they say?

“Isn’t he that fish guy?”

He’s been around since 1941 and has navigated the treacherous waters of comic book popularity with the best of them. He’s starred in cartoons, been a Super Friend and even had a television pilot centered around him. It failed miserably, but you gotta admire the orange and green garbed one’s tenacity.

He’s adapted with the times: a hip, blue outfit and attitude for the 1980s:

Image via Wikipedia

A beard, long hair and a hook (He sacrificed a hand for his fans. How many superheroes do that?) for the 1990s.

Image via Wikipedia

But every time, his sales eventually dip and DC Comics sinks the King of the Seven Seas to a watery grave.

But somehow, he still floats to the top. Now he has Geoff Johns, arguably the comic scribe of our age, guiding his adventures.

His creators have even acknowledged his PR issues and dealt with them head on by subject our hero to heckling from fellow diners at a seafood restaurant. In their defense, he does order fish and chips!

Will he succeed this time? I wouldn’t bet your buried treasure on it, but one thing is for sure: he’ll always survive to ride the waves again. Until the undertow of public sentiment drags him down – again.

Ohhh Archie! What’s REALLY Going on in Riverdale?

Image via Wikipedia

It would appear there’s more to Riverdale than G-rated love triangles and beach parties.

Archie Comics Publications has filed papers citing bullying and sexual harassment against Nancy Silberkleit, Co-CEO of the company since 2008 after the death of her husband, Michael. Reportedly, Ms. Silberkleit has a history of abusive behavior, including a now-infamous incident in 2009 where she barged into a meeting and ”pointed to each [attendee] and said, ‘PENIS, PENIS, PENIS, PENIS’ and then walked out.”

Archie has apparently hired an outside firm to investigate the claims and the company recommended Archie cut ties with Nancy as soon as possible. Archie Comics is hoping for a judge to grant an injunction which will keep Nancy away from the Archie offices as well as San Diego Comic-Con.

At this point, you’ve got to be asking yourself, “Is this real?”

I know I sure am.

But according to TMZ,of all outlets, this is the Real Deal, a real-life tale of a fallen executive whose appetites have caught up with them. Only this time, it’s a woman, and she works for the most wholesome comic book company in the world.

Until now, that is. Archie Comics has EVERYTHING at stake here. Without their reputation, what are they?

A target for media vultures like TMZ, that’s what.

Related articles

• Archie Comics CEO: ‘Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis!’ [Lawsuits] (gawker.com)
• Archie Comics Bigshot — Accused of ‘Penis’ Taunting (tmz.com)

DC Comics Wants To Change New Comic Book Day Forever!

Superman’s creators are bored and have decided to kill him.

Again.

This time around though, they’re taking out their entire universe! Don’t worry, the DCU will be resurrected and rebooted into a different yet recognizable form. And if all goes according to the company’s plan, your local comic book outlet will undergo some changes as well.

In addition to over 50 new #1 titles in September, DC will be unveiling same-day digital publishing which many believe will signal the death kneel of the comic book store as we know it.

Or will it?

Will Store Like This Soon Vanish?

According to some retailers, readers will still have to physically travel to a store to download their titles! The retailer will have a series of cards or codes the customer will have to pay for before swiping or downloading.

Confused? Join the club.

The coming months will hopefully bring some enlightenment, but until then, there is going to be a lot of fanboy head scratching going on.

 THE NEW JLA: HEROES FOR A DIGITAL AGE?

Related articles

• DC comics to simultaneously release print, digital versions of comic books (teleread.com)
• DC Comics planning day-and-date digital comics publishing for relaunch (mobile-ent.biz)
• DC Comics Is Rebooting Everything and Going Digital (blogs.forbes.com)

Look, Up In The Sky, It’s….. A Fashion-forward Man Of Steel?

Quality control has always been Superman’s real kryptonite.

A integral component of DC Comics‘ realunch campaign for September appears to be updated looks for their iconic characters. Case in point, a streamlined look for the Last Son of Krypton.

 

There will  be a lot of print and cyber space devoted to the examination of this decision prior to the launch, but personally, only one phrase comes to mind.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

A gripping story and dynamic artwork is all a comic book needs, never mind flashy threads for your hero. A guy in a suit can be just as interesting as someone right off the catwalk.

In the right hands.

The Second Half Of Supes' New Look. What Do YOU Think?

Related articles

• First Look at SUPERMAN From DC’s New ACTION COMICS Relaunch (geektyrant.com)

Terrible Flashback Fridays – Naughty Comics!

Okay, so it’s not Friday – sue me! I’ll be away on a Fun Family Weekend the next two days, so consider this a little bonus.

 

Image via Wikipedia

Here in North America we have a love/hate relationship with our sexuality.

We’re not ashamed of it like most Asians, burying it and thus creating a perverted sub-culture. On the other hand, we don’t flaunt it like Europeans whose children have seen more bare breasts than I have as an adult! No, we fall somewhere in the middle.

And you can see it when it comes to some of our “adult” publications. Like Cherry Poptart, for example.

Created in 1982 this naughty comic series was originally published as Cherry Poptart, but was changed to Cherry by Issue #3. Some say the name change was spurred by the threat of litigation by Kellogg’s army of mouthpieces, while others suggest the “Cherry” name alone simply looked better as a logo.

Personally, I think if you’re drawing with one hand you want to minimize your workload!

Cherry was a nubile, hyper-horny, blonde teenage girl who not coincidentally resembled Betty from the Archie Comics universe, and would become aroused by simply breathing! She was up for ANYTHING and that was the plot for every..single..issue!

But Cherry Popstar, as the character was later referred to, wasn’t just a “porno comic”. It was actually a smartly written satire on politics and pop culture.  This horny little Betty Cooper clone has graced several free speech/censorship awareness campaigns. Cherry was among the largest-selling of the underground comics, and is even credited with reviving that genre.

Now if you want to talk bad XXX comics, check this one out..

Comic Crossovers Can Be Terrible!

Comic book crossovers are great – in theory.

The epic storylines, the gathering of heroes - it just doesn’t get much better for hardcore fans. Of course, the promise of “Nothing will ever be the same again” never comes true, but no one really cares if the ride is wild enough.

But after the obligatory announcements have been made and the anticipation has risen to a fevered pitch, the other superhero boot drops and reality sets in.

And considering the cost of crossovers these days – reality bites!

Flashpoint titles shipping in May:

FLASHPOINT #1
BOOSTER GOLD #44 (FLASHPOINT)
FLASH #13 (FLASHPOINT)
FLASH #12 (FLASHPOINT)

Flashpoint titles shipping in June:

FLASHPOINT #2
FLASHPOINT BATMAN KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT SECRET SEVEN #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT ABIN SUR THE GREEN LANTERN #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT THE WORLD OF FLASHPOINT #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT EMPEROR AQUAMAN #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT DEATHSTROKE THE CURSE OF RAVAGER #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT FRANKENSTEIN CREATURES OT UNKNOWN #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT CITIZEN COLD #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT WONDER WOMAN AND THE FURIES #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT LEGION OF DOOM #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT THE OUTSIDER #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT KID FLASH LOST #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT PROJECT SUPERMAN #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT HAL JORDAN #1 (OF 3)
FLASHPOINT GRODD OF WAR #1
FLASHPOINT THE REVERSE FLASH #1
FLASHPOINT GREEN ARROW INDUSTRIES #1
FLASHPOINT THE CANTERBURY CRICKET #1

That was Month One of DC Comic‘s Flashpoint crossover event. Focussed on the Flash (Natch!), the story centres on a DC Universe which has been altered by dark forces and is on the verge of destruction. In order to “properly showcase” the changes in their various characters, DC has designed over fifteen mini-series to tie-in with the main book.

Fifteen? In addition to the core book?

Now let’s look at the other ”Big Boy” comic publisher out there, Marvel Comics, and their Fear Itself crossover, shall we?

• Fear Itself # 1 – 7

Mini Series/ Tie-Ins:

• Fear Itself: Sins Past (one shot)
• Fear Itself: Spotlight (one shot)
• Fear Itself: Home Front # 1- 7
• Fear Itself: Spider-Man # 1 – 3
• Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt # 1-6

And that’s not counting the dozens of regular monthly titles Marvel produces, most of which will tie-in with the main book for months!  

To their credit, Marvel has decided to add to the story, which tells of The Worthy, eight powerful men and women — made even more powerful by mythical hammers — that attempt to lay waste to civilization at the urging of an all-powerful being known as the Serpent.

Starting Today, the Fear Itself: The Worthy digital series will be available for free download on the Marvel Comics app for iPhone and iPad, Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited and Marvel Comics on Chrome.

A new member of the Worthy, the group of people who have been empowered by the reawakened Serpent, will be featured each Tuesday for eight weeks with a four-page origin-type story. Still, even with the addition of the free digital content, the story is going to take a deep bite out of fans’ pocketbooks.

If my last name was Trump then I would have no problem with this marketing strategy. However, I am but a lowly bellman who has supported both of these companies for most of my 41 years.

And this is the thanks I get? A blow to the wallet worthy of the Hulk?

Related Articles

• “Flashpoint” and “Fear Itself”: Adding Up the Tie-Ins (techland.time.com)
• Will Marvel’s Fear Itself Really Change Anything? (geeksyndicate.wordpress.com)
• “Geoff Johns Cancels Flash As Part Of Flashpoint? What’s Next For Barry?” and related posts (insidepulse.com)

Justin Beaver Is Coming! (Seriously.)

TERRIBLE DISCLAIMER: Terrible Flashback Fridays are temporarily suspended, but the concept I’m about to introduce will be a terrible flashback – someday! Trust me.

Meet the single worst idea to hit comics since..ever!

Justin Beaver.

I’m not joking, here. A character named Justin Beaver is going to be introduced to an unsuspecting world via Archie Comics. This was inevitable I suppose.

Be afraid, people.

There is really nothing more to say, except I just lost a little respect for the Archie universe. Of course, my daughter is a big fan and they get her money every month, so I’m sure they don’t care.

Related Articles

• Archie Comics plans series for 1st gay character (seattletimes.nwsource.com)