It’s a brand new year, this 2017, and while I’m not much for resolutions, I do want to look ahead to things I want to see happen in the 12 months ahead! See if you have similar goals in mind! Together, we can make the comic book industry a better place, I feel!

A friend of mine was telling me just how much he doesn’t like it when “real life” people appear in comics books. He prefers they stick to fictional presidents, actors, and even celebrities. That got me thinking, so let me share my thoughts on this subject with you.

Recently Stephen Schleicher was interested in our thoughts on this subject: “Is the drop in (November) sales due to the holidays, or something else? You have the data, so now it is up to you to draw your own conclusions and share the information in the comment section below.” I’d like to weigh in on this subject since I have some thoughts about what’s happening.

This week a new version of DC’s Direct Currents free quarterly periodical arrived in comics shops, taking its place alongside Marvel’s Free Previews to provide information about upcoming titles from that company. In this era of Internet instantaneous communication, including Facebook and Twitter, why produce a slick, four-color, glossy publication about your products? There are good and bad sides to this, so let me explore some of them.

Often I like to talk about local comics shops and why I frequent them. One of the biggest reasons I go is that they often offer subscription services. When I sign up for them, I usually find what I’m looking for already pulled and waiting for me when I get there. Like most everything in life, however, there are good and bad sides to this common practice.

It’s the season to say what we’re all thankful for, so I thought this week I’d accentuate the positive and focus on those things in the comics industry I’m grateful are happening.

What makes a “Real Comic Shop?”

This past weekend I was at MegaCon Tampa Bay, the first of its kind in the area. Was it a good idea?

It’s a common phrase among comics’ fans – Death in comics is only temporary!

On Friday, MajorSpoilers.com’s Head Honcho Stephen Schleicher wrote the following: “Diamond Comic Distributors has announced DC Comics took the top spot once again in September for comics released in the direct market. Is this the sign of a major market change, or is the apocalypse upon us all!?” Given the reaction of some of my Marvel friends, I’d say the latter. I’ve had to give some the local comics suicide hotline number! Sheesh!

Are comics too popular now?

I was looking through the Previews and the Marvel Previews yesterday, and I saw that the Inhumans are going to fight the X-Men in a miniseries. Time was, this used to attract my attention. Not any longer.

It was only a couple of weekends ago that Batman Day was held for 2016. That seems to be turning into a successful yearly event at local comics shops! Coming at the end of October will be Halloween ComicFest, the fall’s version of Free Comic Book Day. It will be held on the last Saturday of the month, the 29th. There will be free comics and other treats galore at participating locations!

When things go on as they usually do, nobody cares. However, turn stuff on its head, and people pay attention!