I was reading a recent interview with Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson about the “state of the industry” as he sees it, a topic I’m always interested in. Some of what he said infuriated me. Other comments I had to agree with.
Something interesting is happening with DC Comics titles featuring Wonder Woman and The Flash.
The comics industry has been shifting from the monthly title to more mini-series and such recently.
It’s only hours now until we leave 2019 behind and meet 2020. I always like to spend the last day or two of a year looking back at what happened, then taking a peek forward to consider what might take place.
I think it’s always good to look back at a year just about over… what went well, what didn’t. I wrote a similar column last year, so I thought it was time to reflect as we turn the last few pages of 2019.
The biggest news of the week seems to have been the revelation of Superman’s secret identity.
The bad part of this kind of thing is that what appears to be a permanent change will really last for what in comics is really a very short time.
As I’m writing this, I’ve just completed watching the first episode of The CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths event as well as the initial Aftermath show. Being a DC fan, I loved a lot of what I saw, and am grieving for the loss at the end of that first hour. This made me reflect on how DC handled things pre-event, and what they might have done better. And I dreamed a little bit about what could be.
I wonder if trades are where the industry will be heading in the years ahead.
It’s a tradition of mine to talk about what’s going on in the comics industry that I’m thankful for. After all, Thanksgiving is happening this week here in the United States of America. So, let me talk briefly about a few things I’m happy about!
I always enjoy the fact that several people have thought the Scarlet Speedster was too powerful, so he was killed a few decades back. Yet today’s Flash comics are some of the very best stories featuring the character I’ve ever read.
In the last few days, I read online that Invaders from Marvel Comics, based on the classic team from World War II, is being cancelled after issue #12 coming in December. At the same time, DC is reviving Legion of Super Heroes and Justice Society of America. Each one of these groups have had their time in the spotlight, but can they find an audience in another time?
Baltimore Comic-Con is one of those great con experiences each year because they focus on comics! Yes, they do have some media guests, but they are often mostly known for comic- or genre-related shows! Happy 20th, BCC!
As much as I enjoy Baltimore Comic-Con, it also signals the time of the year when convention season begins to seriously wind down. I can’t help but think that Prince was right when he said, “Life is just a party, and parties weren’t meant to last.” Neither does con season.
I know this is somewhat early to be talking about this subject, but I felt it important to ride a certain hobby horse of mine—supporting Halloween ComicFest again this year! It takes place on Saturday, October 26!
I think Free Comic Book Day continues to soar even higher every year, and I hope the same can be said about Halloween ComicFest coming this month as well!
