Discussing the minutiae of comic book collecting.
Discussing the minutiae of comic book collecting.
I’ve decided to take a break this week from my recent interview series so I could say a very big happy 75th anniversary to Batman….wait, is it anniversary or birthday? Either way, he doesn’t look a day over 30, must be all the exercise and money. Being a billionaire does have it’s privileges.
I remember when DC’s the New 52 were first announced there was a lot of skepticism on this site. That soon changed once people realized how significant the event was, as well, DC appeared to be very committed to this new direction. Our Undervalued Spotlight host, Walter himself was speculating if these new books would become the new “keys” of this current generation. Well, it's been over two years so I thought I'd check to see how the initial wave of these books are doing in the back issue market.
1989 is one of those years that doesn't seem like it was that long ago. The late seventies or early eighties, sure, and anything pre Star Wars definitely. But 1989 can't be that long ago right? It isn't like someone who was born that year could now legally rent a car or anything. Time, as they say, does fly and before we know it a quarter of a century has passed since we were asked if we had ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight. But 1989 wasn't only the year that introduced us to Prince's Bat-Dance, for there were a lot of other comic book milestones that year. Here are a few of the key books and events that made headlines.
This year on February 9th, the Vaughan Winterfest celebrated its 25th anniversary. It is a great event that helps break up the monotony of a long winter, especially with the abundance of snow and cold temperatures we've had this year.
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!
Warner Bros Animation has released the first DC comics feature in the "new 52" universe, following the Geoff Johns and Jim Lee Justice League initial story arc Origin.
The Brave and the Bold #159, DC Comics, February 1980. I know we’re all saving up for Valentine’s Day so I thought I’d make this Spotlight another affordable one. Forgive me though because I’m still on this Ra’s Al Ghul kick.
But isn't that implicitly what Marvel and DC state by having a shared universe for their stories? If all their stories are great and if they all have the same heroes who live in the same world then wouldn't I want to buy every book they produce? I decided to get out the Previews Guide and a calculator to answer this rhetorical question. I used the January 2014 Previews as a proxy for the entire year on the assumption that some months will have fewer books and some months will have more but overall it will probably average out. I didn't include books not in the shared universe and I didn't include collected editions.
It’s funny but in that 45 year gap between the Riddler and Bane I can think of only 2 new villains that should be counted among Batman’s greatest, Poison Ivy from 1966 and our featured villain this week Ra’s Al Ghul in 1971.
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!
Fast forward to now and you've all heard the news. The sequel to Man of Steel is going to include Batman (played by former "Daredevil" actor Ben Affleck). It will also feature Wonder Woman who will be portrayed by Gal Gadot. There are also rumours that the Arrow TV series may tie into Man of Steel 2, which will bring Arrow and The Flash into the fold. I have also heard of rumours that Nightwing may make an appearance too (this has been speculation with no confirmation... so don't shoot me).
The Death of the Family storyline crossed over into Batman, Detective Comics, Batman and Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, Catwoman, Teen Titans, Suicide Squad and Red Hood and the Outlaws. Each title had their star "Bat-Characters" match wits against the evil and diabolical Joker, whose ultimate plan was to get rid of Batman's allies, who in Joker's mind were weakening the Dark Knight and keeping him from being the hero that Gotham (and the Joker) desperately needs.
Another high profile Heritage auction ended over the weekend in Beverly Hills, with a large selection of original art going for record prices. No iconic pieces this time around but an excellent collection of material ranging from Alex Raymond Jungle Jim to Wizard Spider-Man.
The first two entries in the Batman: Arkham series of video games (Arkham Asylum, 2009 and Arkham City, 2011) are fantastic games and some of the best that this generation of video games had to offer. The combat was tight, the voice acting superb, and the gameplay perfectly suited for the Darknight Detective. So when development for a prequel was shifted from Rocksteady Studios to Warner Bros. Interactive’s Montreal studios they had some big shoes to fill.
Batman '66 is making a resurgent comeback too. It was several months ago when I noticed in Previews that there were action figures coming out based on the series. I am not a big DC toy collector, but my love of the series immediately piqued my interest in picking these up. I have been able to locate only Batman, Riddler and Penguin at regular retail, while I have found Joker, "Surfing" Batman and "The Dynamic Duo" at a specialty store.
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!
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!
As a journalist, I do everything I can to promote comic writing and art to the public, particularly for youngsters. Heck, if it weren’t for comics, I seriously doubt I would have ever learned to read. Comics today can be a spark younger people may need to lead them to a lifetime of wonder and imagination in both words and art.
Fan Expo is just under two weeks away and it is the premiere entertainment and comics event in Canada. It is a four-day event that attracts thousands of people to come an partake in the festivities. Comic Book Daily will…
Even since San Diego Comic Convention, the news has been floating around the internet that the television series Arrow, will lead into a launch of a Flash TV series. It has also been rumoured that these two shows will eventually…