• Is our industry complicated? If someone watched the Superman and Fantastic Four movies and decided to try out this thing called comic books, would they be able to navigate the treacherous waters?

    Probably not. At least not on their own.

    Luckily there are many trusted comic book stores out there (mine included) who do give good advice and customer service to the newbie. But obviously, from experience, sometimes it feels like I am discussing the topic of quantum physics. My favorite part is when their eyes sort of glaze over and I know I have lost them. It is usually on the “everything you order comes out in two months”‘ part.

    Do not get me wrong. It has been well documented that the direct market saved the industry because the circulation system was not working. Publishers would ship out 300,000 copies, half of which would be returned, and that was not sustainable. Financially and environmental(ly?).

    Finally, why is Franka giving Barbara the low down on the industry? Read forthcoming installments of Solicitations to find out!

    -Marv

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • This week’s recommendation is something very dear to my heart. As you can tell from the title it’s L.E.G.I.O.N. which launched in 1989. And this thing literally has everything. Walk with me.

    Beautiful covers by Kevin Maguire.

    Initially plotted by Keith Giffen and scripted by Alan Grant.

    Alan Grant takes over plotting.

    Barry Kitson takes over from him, with co-plotter Mark frickin’ Waid.

    It’s a prequel, of sorts, to the Legion of Super-Heroes.

    And it has Lobo who is FORCED to work in a team. Ha, yeah right.

    In short, it’s probably one of my favorite comic book series of all time and each storyline, all the way up to its final issue of #58, takes you through such an epic and beautiful sci-fi journey, that you scream at the moon that this thing has not, and I repeat, HAS NOT, been collected.

    So you do have to hunt down the single issues.

    Luckily, you can find them from time to time in the dollar bins. And it is worth every minute and second to hunt these down because if you are a fan of comics, great art and storytelling, L.E.G.I.O.N. just has to be in your collection.

    Or you’re not a real human being.

    And speaking of not being a real human being. By far the greatest pleasure in the series is Vril Dox, who is a descendent of Brainiac Five and the leader of the L.E.G.I.O.N. Dox is severely hated and everyone, throughout its 58 issue run, is trying to either kill him or at least find a way to force him out of the leadership position. It leads to a lot of comedic moments and this week’s fan-art is dedicated to that. Both Lobo and Garryn Bek really just want to kill this guy. But Vox is always one step ahead and comes out on top. Much to the universe’s annoyance.

    Enjoy.

    Bis bald,

    -Franka

    Lobo and Garryn Bek really want to kill Vril Dox. And can you blame them?

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *