Wonder Woman Changes: My Opinion

I haven't blogged regularly for quite some time. I have been working a lot and trying to figure out what to do with my life, so it has been very quiet.

Until today.

Because I have been a fan and longtime Wonder Woman reader, I wanted to give some thoughts. I believe the many dollars I have spent collecting the book from 1974 on and buying back issues that have created a continuous run from 1966 entitle me to this. No internet/comic book lurker am I- you have found the real deal here, Kids.

First off, I am disappointed with the new costume. I am not outraged, because I know it won't last forever. My first impression was that it looked like an old school X-Men costume. My second reaction was that it actually takes away her singular, iconic form and makes her quite ordinary. I am a traditionalist and I won't apologize for it. Her "stars and spangles" costume has always set her apart, and I have never felt that she looks "cheap" or "sexy" in a way that is degrading, other then when past artists have given her the thong look that to me has always been a cop out in general.

J. Michael Straczynski is going to put his stamp on the character as he sees fit in his run. Will it have lasting effects? There is no way to know at this point in time as all we have seen is a preview. I do know that there is a pretty big loophole already in place that will allow the next creative team to bring Diana back to any point in her history. This means that all the outrage that is pouring out right now may be just a moment in time.

Has the new look made her less "revealing"? Not in my mind. She has a bustier and she is wearing lycra/leathery style pants that don't hide anything. All they have done is cover her up with tight clothing and put a jacket on her. It isn't like they put Wonder Woman in a hoop skirt, for Hera's sake. :-)

As a reader, I am not a fan of what I have seen so far. I have already ordered issues 601 and 602 on my DCBS order, so I will have the opportunity to explore further and see if the new creative team can change my mind.

I am not freaking out because I have read comics long enough to know that the only constant in it is change. I am also convinced that DC has done this to make it easier to produce a movie with a more "realistic" edge for non-comic book readers.

Bottom line: I don't like the new look. Taking away the boots and the traditional costume have just made her less extraordinary in my book. I also don't like the fact that she has lost the traditions and rich culture of her upbringing- I always felt it made her unique.

Her new codename should be "Urban Wonder Chick with the X-Men outfit so We can Make a Movie", cuz that is what it all boils down to.

Now I am going to go read my friend's blogs to see what they think. :-)

What is your opinion on the change?

A Couple of Quick Things...

People who rip off deceased artists' work and sell it on eBay suck.

The Justice League: Arsenal mini-series isn't the worst comic book series I have ever read, but it doesn't exactly toot roses either.

Life is insane, but I miss this place. I hope that really soon things will change and I can spend a lot more time here. :-) HOPING!!

Post Emerald City!

I went to the Emerald City Comicon with every intention of blogging photos and keeping up a stream of information. That obviously didn't happen, so here I am today following up.

This year I volunteered again for HERO Initiative and then I helped Jim out at the Sequential Treasures artist alley table. Between those ventures, seeing old friends, and trying to recover from being sick, while deciding if alcohol would interact poorly with my meds, it was quite the full plate. LOL.

The good news is that ECCC was a wonderful time. It was busy, hectic, and tempers flared a bit, but it is always what you make it. Those of you that know me are aware that I always try and have fun, and keep a positive attitude, so finding out that I had a good time is nothing new.

We got to Seattle Friday night and waited for our good friend Brian to get off work. Then we ran over to the convention center, got the lay of the show, and got our badges. Since I was feeling so unwell with a bad head cold, we headed to Brian's place early. He was kind enough to put us up, and I am ever so grateful for that.

Saturday morning, we were up early and anxious to get to the show. Jim shared a table with Randy "Rantz" Kintz and his booth babe Phoebe. I helped him get set up and then assisted in the booth for awhile.

HIGHLIGHT: Jim got to meet Stan Lee and get his autograph. He also got to shake his hand. I am so happy that this happened! In the early 1990's, Jim and his brother Tom tried to meet Stan Lee back in Philly but it never worked out. That being said, there was no way he was going to miss his opportunity this time! Mission accomplished, and I am happy with our decision, even though an autograph was $40.

I also got to see my good friend from college and her fiance'. It was their very first comic book show, and they had a great time. I was thrilled to see Michelle, and was happy to find out that Tony used to read comics growing up, so he had a definite point of reference. I also love the fact that they got to see what all the chaos is about. Both vowed to come back next year.

I love working the HERO Initiative booth. It is for a great cause, so it is easy to sell the product. I also get to work with great people- Brian, Kasey, Carly, Mike, etc. I was at the booth from 4 p.m. to close, and it went fast.

Saturday was a good day for friends and raising money. It wasn't the best day ever for Sequential Treasures. Selling original art is a niche, and the folks at the show didn't go overboard. We had problems that we have identified for next year- bigger signage, more table space, and a better take-away for prospective clients. The business is growing, and I am excited to be a small part of that.

We ended the day in the best way possible- at the HERO Initiative 3 minute sketch cocktail hour with Tim Sale. Jim got a killer Iron Man piece, and I got two beers. :-)

I will be back to finish up talking about Sunday, a short blog summit, and why it is important to keep Comics Fairplay a regular commitment and bit of fun in my life.

My picture is of Jim at his artist's alley table- ready for business!

Hero Initiative at ECCC

Signing schedule tomorrow! Come by booth 907 tomorrow and raise money for a good cause.



-- Post From My iPhone

Hitting the Limit: Comic Prices

I was talking to Jim last night about the upcoming Emerald City Comicon. He wanted to know if I was going to take any spending money, and my answer was a quick "no". The reason for this is simple.

The price of comic books in the current market have turned me off to buying new ones. When books hit $3.99, I hit my limit. Suddenly my habit felt like a burden- a huge financial one.

I honestly have wandered around my basement looking at my many long boxes, feeling pissed off that I spent so much money over the years on books that sit in a box. Of course, I also feel the same way about DVD's, CD's, and hardcover books, so I digress a bit.

My point is that I am scared to spend anymore money on comic books at this point. I enjoy the few that I still get, and I really appreciated your responses on what you are reading. I just wish that the limit on a new book was $2.50 or under.

I know that publishers and creators have to make a living, so I am under no false illusion about the reality of things. It just disappoints me. I loved comic books for so many years, and now I just feel bitter. I think that is a big reason I didn't blog for awhile. I didn't get my books every week any more, and I couldn't spend much on the ones I did get. Thank God for Discount Comic Book Services. If not for them, I wouldn't be able to afford them anymore at all.

It feels weird to go to a major comic event without any desire to spend money. I sincerely hope that when I get there it changes. Right now I want to work the HERO Initiative booth to raise money for creators in need and I want to help Jim out at his booth. I also want to see my wonderful friends, and that is the bonus.

What do you think would help me change my mind? Is it too late, because of the price of comics? I worry that it will never be the same again.

Has the price of comics changed your opinion?

What Are You Reading?

It's been awhile. I have dropped a lot of books. Some I have kept because I actually like them. It is like comic book reading the way it is supposed to be, I guess.

My surprise ongoing favorite has been Incredible Hercules. I love Greg Pak's scripting, and the interaction between Hercules, Amadeus Cho, and the supporting cast is fun and fresh.

Wonder Woman and Power Girl are my "female" go-to books. Gail Simone has lit the fire on the Amazon's book, taking it from a so-so title to a great one. She has re-energized the Amazons and given Diana a new lease on life. I appreciate Aaron Lopresti's art on the book- he draws strong female characters without being too heavy on the sexy tip.

Speaking of art, Amanda Conner makes it look like she was born to draw Power Girl. Her art is fun and exciting, and I appreciate the symbiosis with Jimmy Palmiotti on the book.

The Boys is my current "favorite" read. Garth Ennis and Darrick Robertson have taken a twisted concept and added heart to it. Sometimes putting a mirror up to society and mixing in the traditional association of "valiant teams" into a dark blender can be an eye-opener. It certainly is here.

The only X-Title I am currently getting is Uncanny X-Men. Though Terry Dodson and Greg Land on art chores wouldn't be my first pick, Matt Fraction is inspired as a writer. If I didn't know any better, he is having as much fun writing it as I have reading it.

I have also followed Blackest Night and enjoyed it despite not buying the tie-in books other then Green Lantern. I am anxiously awaiting the hopefully astounding conclusion.

What are you reading? Can you recommend me something that I am missing? I would certainly appreciate it as I don't go to comic book stores very often and don't have that point of reference.

Retirement Homes Circa 2040

In the past couple of years I have had the opportunity to visit my grandparents in a retirement home and observe the activities that occur therein. It seems pleasant enough, and I hope to be able to afford senior living someday.

My sister and I were having a conversation a couple of weeks ago and ever since then I have been thinking about what I can expect at a retirement home when it is my time. Since my generation and younger is so computer savvy, and since the general outlook on life has continued to evolve, it should be pretty interesting.

Retirement homes now:
Bingo and Gin Rummy
Day trips to events like the county fair or home show
General telephone usage
Lawrence Welk and Big Band music
Black and White movies, big on westerns
A tendency to dress up in nice slacks and button down shirts and/or pantsuits
Remembering those that fought in World War II
General calisthenics and physical therapy
Saying "darn it"
Lots of pride when the grandkids visit

Retirement homes circa 2040:
Virtual X-Box tournaments
Trips to rock shows and lots of concern over if the mosh pit is going to be a hip breaker
Texting my homies while surfing the net and checking Facebook
Jay-Z and Metallica blaring on the sound system
Tarantino and Die Hard film festivals
Blingy Christian Audiger t-shirts and ripped jeans
Remembering those who fought for the last copy of Avatar 3D on virtual DVD
Wii Fit and body pump with intermittent trips to pump iron
Saying "f*#k it"
Lots of pride when the grandkids visit

Okay, maybe some things never change.

I just know that it will be fun finding out how we will roll, especially with so much technology at our fingertips. I wonder how we will act and if we will mellow with age or if we will continue to seek continuous instant gratification.

What do you think?

I'm Back....

After a long absence, I am here announcing my renewed presence. It has been crazy in "life" and lots of things have consumed my time.

The biggest "non time" problem is that I only get comic books once a month. Also, I haven't had time to read the comic book news or check out other blogs. I am pretty much lost when it comes to current comic book affairs. That has made it tough to blog.

What is bringing me back?

For one, the Emerald City Comicon is coming up on March 13 and 14 in Seattle. I will be volunteering at the HERO Initiative booth and Jim will be there with his artists, conducting business over at artist alley.

Original art has also become an interest, though I don't have the capital to invest in it. Watching what Jim does and how the market has beared up during the poor economic times has been fascinating to say the least.

Last but not least, I missed you guys. :-)

Stay tuned for thoughts, musings, and rants.... I have a Stan Lee one coming out next!