Oh Canada!

I've long had a love of and desire to collect specialty comics. That is to say comics that either contain corporate characters selling or appearing in comics that are sponsored by other companies (not their respective publishers) or comics where the characters are pushing some sort of pro-social cause. Quite a few of these comics have been from Marvel, DC, and Archie, and I have amassed quite a few of them. 

Recently I acquired one that came out way back in 2001 for which I had long been searching. Well it arrived the other day and I've just finished reading it, and while I enjoyed it, I do have just one minor beef with it, which I plan on sharing with all'y'all now. 

As you can plainly see, the comic in question is Marvel's Wolverine Son of Canada, which was subsidized by Doritos/Lays, and was issued only in Canada. In this comic, native son Wolverine, along with Spider-Man and The Hulk get sucked through a vortex and wind up in The Great White North (where they eventually meet up with Storm, Captain America, Silver Surfer, Thing, and Thor all of whom have been captured by minions of Blastaar). 

To cut to the chase, the heroes manage to free their friends, and defeat Blastaar and his minions with relative ease (hey, it's only a 16-page comic with 2 pages of ads). My issue is this. I found a typo (printo, really as it was probably hand lettered). The error came on page two where Wolverine says "This is Vancouver, British Columbia." and Spider-Man responds, "Canada? Where in Canada? which makes no sense as Wolverine just said that they were in Vancouver, British Columbia. Causing me to think that Spidey was supposed to have said "We're in Canada? which would have made much more sense.

(I placed arrows on the art so you could better see what I was talking about above. 

Not a big deal, but, honestly, my editor-sense was buzzing.

Having gone through that, I just wanted to add one more image from the comic, which is a shot of Cabot Tower on Signal Hill in Newfoundland, but only because my good buddy Roger Keel lives in Newfoundland, and I thought he might be entertained by its inclusion in the comic. 

Well, that's all I have for today, now I have to get back to my real work so I can go catch the last matinee of Captain America New World Order later today. 

Jughead says hello

Just thought I'd share this con sketch of Jughead that I acquired for my wife several years ago from Stan Goldberg. I apologize in advance for the quality of the image. The art is framed and I was unwilling to take it out from behind the glass to scan it.

The sketch is from '87.

Fast Food Marvel heroes

I just recently acquired (at a very reasonable cost, mind you), a pair of very old (1990) Marvel heroes that were part of a Hardee’s promotion. I’m very excited.

Just for fun (and because I also own this toy), I’m going to include the image of another Hardee’s comicbook figure driving a car. None other than Mr. Archie Andrews himself.

How cool is that, eh?

Archie Comics will make you gay...

OK, no they really won’t, but I just learned that Archie will debut its first “openly gay” character in September.

Riverdale High School, the stomping ground of comic book legend Archie Andrews, will open its doors to its first openly gay student.

Kevin Keller will be the new student to join Archie, Jughead, Veronica, Betty and Reggie, Archie Comics publications announced Thursday.

"The introduction of Kevin is just about keeping the world of Archie Comics current and inclusive. Archie's hometown of Riverdale has always been a safe world for everyone. It just makes sense to have an openly gay character in Archie comic books," said Jon Goldwater, Archie Comics co-CEO.

I guess the whole world really has changed, eh?

The Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art

If you have never heard of The Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) it is time that you learn. Located in New York City, the purpose of the MoCCA is “the collection, preservation, study, education, and display of comic and cartoon art.” It is the Museum’s goal to represent very genré of the artform, including animation, anime, cartoons, comic books, comic strips, gag cartoons, humorous illustration, illustration, political illustration, editorial cartoons, caricature, graphic novels, sports cartoons, and computer-generated art. In fact, the goals of the museum goes further than that, as its collection policy ensures that the art collections are maintained in an environment of the highest integrity.

It is the mission of the museum to promote the understanding and appreciation of comic and cartoon art as well as to detail and discuss the artistic, cultural, and historical impact of what is the world's most popular art form. Comics and cartoons have been instrumental in effecting significant dialogue on issues involving society, culture, philosophy, and politics. History has shown them to be instrumental in documenting--and interpreting--historic events and social change. Artistically, comic and cartoon art is created at the highest levels by some of the world's finest graphic illustrators.

Yep, that’s it, the museum‘s intent is to educate the public about the historic, educational, and entertainment value of comic and cartoon art. It is the museum’s stated goal to demonstrate through lectures, panels, and gallery shows to demonstrate how it is crafted, and how it reflects history, the time period in which it was created, and how does the art and storytelling itself stands the test of time.

Anyway, as I said, MoCCA is located in NYC (594 Broadway, Suite 401, (btwn. Houston and Prince), Voice: 212.254.3511 / Fax: 212.254.3590). The reason I’m bringing all of this up is because last night I went to the Museum to attend a panel hosted by Arie Kaplan with Victor Gorelick, Stan Goldberg (respectively Editor in Chief and long-time artist at Archie Comics). While I was there I joined MoCCA giving me free entry to the Museum, all MoCCA events, and and 10% off MoCCA purchases.

How cool is that?

Oh yeah, while I was there I picked up a copy of Archie Digest # 260 which contains an original story by Arie where Archie and the gang went on a field trip to MoCCA. By purchasing the comic (and joining, I also received a free copy of DC/Vertigo’s The Unwritten, which turned out to be something of a cool issue.

Needless to say, I’m suggesting that if you live in the NY tri-State area, and you ever find yourself in or near the Village, you really owe it to yourself to check out Mocca, and join, you’ll be glad that you did.

I know that I am.

Free Comic Book Day Is Coming

Yes, Free Comic Book Day is six months away, but today several of the participating companies announced the books that they will be giving away through retailers across the country come Saturday May 1st.

“This year’s roster of Gold Comics looks amazing,” said FCBD spokesperson, Elissa Lynch. “We’re pleased to showcase the best the comics industry has to offer—and hopeful that this year’s comics will drive new customers to see what’s great about comics and their local comic book shop.”

Gold Sponsor comics include special FCBD editions designed to attract new readers into comic shops with some of the industry’s most widely recognized characters. A complete listing of FCBD titles, including all Gold and Silver Sponsor comics will be announced on December 23rd, and can be ordered through the January issue of Diamond Comic Distributors’ PREVIEWS catalog, on sale at all comic book shops on January 6th, 2010.

The announced comics include:

Dark Horse Comics

Doctor Solar/Magnus
The dawn of a new age of superhero excitement begins as Dark Horse Comics proudly presents the return of two of the most legendary characters in the annals of comics: Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom and Magnus, Robot Fighter — re-imagined for the 21st century by comics legend, writer Jim Shooter! All new content and storylines for this free issue!

DC Comics

War Of The Supermen #0
A war is coming, and all that stands between Earth and 100,000 vengeful supermen is one Superman! Special #0 issue featuring all-new material previewing the conflicts to come!

Image Comics

Fractured Fables
This special FCBD title offers a small taste of the new hardcover anthology from Silverline Books due later in the year. An all-star cast of writers and artists have been assembled to turn familiar fairy tales and nursery rhymes on their ear to make kids LAUGH!

Marvel Comics

Iron Man/Thor FCBD 2010 Edition
Two of Marvel’s heaviest hitters like you’ve never seen them before! A major new direction for the Marvel Universe kicks off HERE – on Free Comic Book Day!

Ape Entertainment

Kizoic Presents: Shrek & The Penguins Of Madagascar
Featuring four stories by the artists and writers of the upcoming Shrek and Penguins of Madagascar comic books!

Archaia Entertainment

Mouse Guard/Fraggle Rock
Two amazing all-new stories in one fantastic flip-book!

Archie Comics

Archie’s Summer Splash! #1
“Whose BEACH is it Anyway?”: Sun, sand, swimsuits and cool rockin’ tunes — no, it’s not a cinematic “beach party” blast from the past, but a whole new summer splash from Archie and his friends!



BOOM! Studios

Toy Story
With Toy Story 3 hitting theaters this summer, don’t miss this opportunity to get a FREE issue from the ongoing Toy Story series from BOOM Kids!

Drawn & Quarterly

Yow! The John Stanley Library
D+Q delivers another wholly original and boisterous FCBD issue that will entertain readers of all ages—from the world's greatest all-ages cartoonist, John Stanley, in a beautiful package designed by Seth.

IDW Publishing

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #155½
This is what you really want! Larry Hama continues his original and ground-breaking G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero saga with the very next issue (but, you know, 15 years later).

Everyone Loves Archie!

A couple of months ago (in Archie #600), Archie publications kicked off a six-issue storyline that had Archie marrying Veronica. In #603 the story goes for three more issues exploring a Archie/Betty wedded life. According to the company, the storyline brought world-wide attention back to the perennial teen (who first hit the stands in December of 1941.

The minaj a trois is the result of a storyline that has Archie traveling down memory lane, and taking first one fork and then the other, so as to get both sides of the marital issue.

Jon Goldwater, co-chief executive of Archie Comic Publications estimates that the first part of the story line sold some hundreds of thousands of copies. According to sources, the sales of #600 come in at just over 54,000 (by contrast,issue #597 sold around 2,500 copies. These numbers do not account for newsstand, supermarket

“This has really pushed ‘Archie’ into the consciousness of everyone’s mind,” Mr. Goldwater said. The plotline was mentioned on everything from the BBC to the “Late Show With David Letterman” to “The Rachel Maddow Show” and in newspapers worldwide. The response in India was especially enthusiastic, and so “Archie” will now be printed in five languages there. Archie Comic Publications plans to open its first international office in New Delhi next year and is also preparing some exclusive comics for that market that will include Indian characters.ket and international sales of Archie.

The marriage story arc has been written by Michael E. Uslan (executive producer of the Batman films) and illustrated by Stan Goldberg (a longtime Archie illustrator).

Neeedless to say it is the hope of the company for this “relaunch” of Archie and his gang may help launch the characters into feature films or even a new animated series. Archie Publishing has recently signed with Creative Artists Agency to represent the gang in Hollywood. Then, on the print side, the publisher is joining with the fellow comic-book publishers IDW and Dark Horse for several collected editions, in softcover and hardcover. IDW will reprint Archie newspaper strips, as well as best-of volumes devoted to the work of longtime Archie artists like Dan DeCarlo and Stan Goldberg.

Starting next year, Dark Horse will publish archive editions of Archie that begin with his first appearance in Pep Comics #22 in December 1941.

For more on this story go here.

Halloween is coming!

That’s right kids. It isn’t too early to start thinking about Halloween, especially with a quintet of mini comics that are now available at your local comic shop. I discovered them myself when I visited the shop yesterday. The five mini comics are Popeye (Fantagraphics), Betty Cooper Confidential (Archie), Domo (Tokyo Pop), Caspar/Little Lulu and Star Wars (Dark Horse).

These are all 7.5" x 5.5" 12-page books (plus covers), and while I can imagine getting one of these for Halloween (hey, I already have!), but I’m guessing that if you haven’t already ordered a boat-load of these comics, you simply won’t have enough to give them away.

Needless to say, all of the minis are essentially preview copies for up-coming series (or square bound collections) of up-coming material.

Dark Horse is preparing to issue bound volumes of Caspar and Little Lulu, plus it always has a number of on-going Star Wars series in the works.

Archie Comics always has comics featuring the ever-lovely Betty Cooper (even though Archie has apparently married Veronica Lodge!?), but there is also a new upcoming comic that delves into her secret diary.

Fantagraphics continues its long tradition of bring back and collecting complete volumes of classic newspaper strips with a collection of E.S. Segar’s Popeye work.

And then there’s Tokyo Pop that is bringing Domo the Manga to the American shores for the first time.

I’m suggesting that the next time you good folk visit your local comic shop you check out these free giveaway minis, and then, look for the books that they are promoting in the coming months.

I know that in the past other comicbook companies (Marvel included) have resorted to producing Halloween mini giveaways, and I’m really glad to see that this tradition is continuing with these comics, as it gives me (and, well you) the opportunity to check out some comics that you might not be reading,. but just might, if you could get a taste.

I heartily endorse the practice, and urge other companies to follow suit. Plus it just might lead to a bigger turnout of Free Comic Book Day (or a FCBD 2.0 version)

Free Comicbook Day is Coming! Free Comicbook Day is Coming!

Sure it is nearly two months away, but it is coming none-the-less, and it is a national holiday dedicated to comicbook fans everywhere the world over!

OK, OK. It isn’t a national holiday (yet) nor is it truly the world over (today the U.S. next year, the world!), but it should be. Needless to say, it is a very cool event that celebrates comic books and their creators by giving fans something that they want.

FREE COMIC BOOKS!

So mark it down on your calendars in ink, and make sure you get to your local comicbook shop for the event. This year there are 41 comics, and three HeroClix figures (two Star Wars Figures and an Iron Man). The Comics are from Marvel DC, Archie, Bongo, Dark Horse, Dynamite, Virgin, Arcana, Impact, Walt Disney, E.C., TwoMorrows, Wizard, and more!

I’m telling you that this event gets better and better every year! Hey, I’m so happy I’ve put a (semi)permanent link to the site over on my nav bar to the right.