Category Columns

Shaking Things Up at Marvel

Ed Campbell
July 17, 2014
3 Comments

The comic book world is still spinning from the news this week that Marvel is shaking things up a bit, and changing some of their major characters. Originally I was going to write this article about the power of Thor being transferred from Thor to a new female character. That is a column within itself. But this week we hear more news that the mantle of Captain America is being passed from Steve Rogers, to his friend and ally Sam Wilson.

Remembering the Yellow Pages

You see kids, once upon a time before the Internet and cell phones we kept all phone numbers in a large newsprint tome that was not only informative but also gave circus strongmen something to rip in half with their bare hands. All joking aside the phone book was a pretty important part of tracking down new comic books for your collection.

In Praise Of The Brown Paper Bag

When I started collecting comics in the early 80s your comic shop purchases were slipped into a brown paper magazine bag and it was taped closed. There was no mention of bag and boards, just fresh new comics in your…

New Grading Company: Comic Book Certification Service

Peter Chin
July 16, 2014
48 Comments

A few weeks ago, I attended a local comic convention here in Vancouver and I heard about the new company Comic Book Certification Service (CBCS). This company was started by Steve Borock, the former president of CGC so he definitely…

TF Con and Collectible Toy Expo 2014 – Sunday

Ed Campbell
July 14, 2014

This past Sunday I attended the final day of TF Con (Transformers Convention) held in conjunction with the Collectible Toy Expo. It was held at the Delta Hotel and Conference Center in Mississauga. I was unable to attend the convention…

BIFF SOCKO: “Say Goodbye to FANGBONER”

Clint McElroy
July 11, 2014

It’s time for another update from BIFF SOCKO, TWO-FISTED NEWSHOUND. Biff Socko covers Comic Book News like zits on the A-V Club. Faster than Perry White! Stronger than J. Jonah Jameson! Hotter than Cat Grant. He is…BIFF SOCKO! DEADLINE:…

Lo! A Beast Is Born!

Mike Huddleston
July 10, 2014

Arcs & Runs #9: Lo! A Beast is born! Amazing Adventures #11-17 We will continue on with my Days of Future past hangover and the X-Men’s hidden or lost years, when the title only produced reprints. In this period of…

Collector or Businessman?

I often find myself arguing between Dennis the Collector and Dennis the businessman. The good part of this argument is Dennis always wins, one way or the other. But seriously, it is difficult sometimes to pick and choose what to…

Comic Book Character’s Value

Ed Campbell
July 7, 2014
1 Comment

Last week I wrote about Neil Gaiman’s character Angela now showing up in the pages of Marvel Comics. In the comments of that column Josh commented that Marvel Comics purchased the character from Neil Gaiman. I searched the internet quickly…

Review: Velvet Vol 1

The main character Velvet is a wonderful subversion of the expected spy genre. Brubaker and Epting ask the question "what if Miss Moneypenny were a spy?" and the result is a robust, complex story.

The Death of Comic Books!

I’ve read a few discussions and articles lately that are talking about doing away with “floppys” and going totally digital. You have read some articles and comments on this site. Here is another example. I hate the name floppys. They’re not floppys .…

Creator’s Rights = Stale Creativity?

Ed Campbell
June 30, 2014
2 Comments

I have talked to several artists and writers since I started doing this for CBD, and usually our conversation will evolve into talking about their dream projects. Most times the comic creator will say their dream job is to work…

The Madness of Magneto

In March 1970 the axe fell on the original X-Men, and after 66 issues suspended publication. They returned in December of 1970 in reprint form with issue #67 and published bi monthly until issue #94 when the all New X-Men…

Mapping the World of Superheroes

Peter Chin
June 24, 2014
1 Comment

When I was a kid, I was fascinated by geography and exotic locations throughout the world. This interest translated into the comic book world as I was fixated by the ways that Marvel and DC depicted the locations for their…

Ask Doc Curmudgeon: Joss Destroys the Universe

Dear Doc Curmudgeon, I just wanted to check in with you. AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON is really coming along nicely. I wish you would re-consider your decision to not let me cast you in the movie. ROBERT, MARK, JEREMY, and…

Review | Meka and Naja by J.D. Morvan and Bengal

Andy Zeigert
June 23, 2014
1 Comment

Magnetic Press releases two JD Morvan and Bengal works in English for the first time.

Cosplaying with Weapons

Ed Campbell
June 23, 2014

There was a lot of buzz this week about Fan Expo. There were some rumours flying around that Fan Expo was going to limit the use of all costume “props and weapons”. You could bring them to the show, but…

“Save the cheerleader! Look Somewhere In Nashville”

Clint McElroy
June 20, 2014

Collectors, readers, comics, and your entertainment dollar

I've visited a lot of comic shops, I've attended or worked a lot of book conventions, and I've talked with a lot of fans. I guess for the ease of discussion we can place them into two groups: collectors and readers.

Emotional Assets and Failed Series

The two posts over the last week by Mike Huddleston “Why Did the Original Silver Surfer Run Fail” and “Comics as Emotional Assets” by R.J. Steinhoff both brought up some interesting thoughts for me. The Silver Age Surfer run for…