This blog started rather quietly...I would simply post a few thoughts about the comics I bought each week, I tried adding some news but it was more entertaining for me to just stick with small reviews.
As time went on, I started to experiment with my reviews, trying to expand on them and streamline them.
That seemed to work.
I got noticed by the fine folks behind Comicbooked.com and was offered a shot as writing reviews and articles for them. For me this was the big time. I loved what I was doing here, it wasn't for anyone else but me, but to be able to share my opinions and get feedback from people who may actually read my stuff? Sounded like an adventure.
A few articles and reviews down I started to broaden my base a bit more. New friends were made through the site, I work with some really cool people.
Then came the podcasts. I've always wanted to do a radio show, ever since Junior High. I never thought I'd be able to do it though but suddenly, I'm being recorded with a group of Comicbookers and it's being put out online.
Hell, I even got a Twitter account
Things change and move fast. If you don't pay attention you will lose track of yourself.
So, after all these great things have all happened from what I've started here, the question now is, being so close to my 200th post and after being pretty actively posting here since July 2009...should I just toss it all out and reboot this blog?
Of course, the main reason for this entry is the DC Reboot and all the pointless stuff surrounding it. I've heard some try to rationalize it by saying it'll bring in new readers because comics with numbering in the 700's and 900's is intimidating and new readers won't look at them.
Really? When I started collecting comics in 1990 comics had been published for decades. My first issue of Fantastic Four was #489. I stayed with it until the series 'ended' and was replaced with 'FF' which I had no interest in reading on a monthly basis. Amazing Spider-Man I've tried twice. The first time I started at #358, the second time was with #529 and I'm still reading that series today.
Obviously, I wasn't able to start these books from #1 and it didn't intimidate me at all. They had a good or interesting story and a jumping on point. The stories continued to be interesting, for the most part, and I became fans of both series.
Would I like to check them out from #1? Sure, and I have. They are called Essentials and Marvel publishes them regularly to allow newer readers a chance to see where is all began. I have around 40 of these volumes in my collection and love them.
DC claims this reboot will let new readers to jump on at the ground floor. Why? Why end everything in the hopes that new readers will come on board and risk losing established readers in the process? Would it make more sense to give your established readers something to talk and rave about? Wouldn't it make more sense to give us long time readers something that makes us so excited that we will share it with our friends who don't read comics?
It works.
I started more than a few of my friends on comics because of my excitement over Chaos! Comics. I loved those books and characters and wanted to share them. I let some of my friends read Lobo, another character I love.
Some of these friends are now DC guys. All of them now read comics as regularly as their time and finances allow. They have, in turn, introduced other people to comics. It's a great cycle.
DC thinks #1 issues mean something. They don't. Titles that show longevity mean something. Action Comics recently reached #900, something no other American comic book had ever done. It was an accomplishment to be proud of and put it even closer to #1000. It was to be the first comic to have #1-1000, published on a regular basis, with new stories and no interruptions.
But, that's all over now. An historic run has been destroyed because of the myth that first issues created excitement.
A sad day indeed but one that makes me kind of happy that I'm not a big DC reader.
