Why I have been gone for a bit......

     I have been absent for quite some time.  It was not from lack of comics to Blog about.  I am still buying current books.  I still have a great many older comics to talk about.  I guess the biggest reason was I just got down and didn't feel like it.  I struggle with depression and it comes in waves.  When it does I tend to prioritize what I do and work came first.  That didn't really help, as it stressed and depressed me more, but to live life I had to choose to be in the world and let the online stuff go.

     Now seems like a good time to try and get back into the swing of things.  The heavy schedule of summer is closing out for a more steady and balanced fall transition.  I am more likely to review a DC Comicbook if it is new.  Sorry, still not back to collecting current Marvel stuff.  I took Mr. Quesada at his word and followed that advice, "If you don't like what we are doing just read the older comics." (A paraphrased quote)  That is what I do, when collecting it is back issues of Marvel books.  I am reading Lazarus, Pink Ranger, ROM, and Future Quest as my something different.  I am still floating around Valiant Comics as well.

     Recently I did something I have never really done before.  Maybe it is a comic addiction or maybe it was therapy, depends on what side of Fandom you are on I guess.  I was just tired of my life that week.  Things were stressful, the kids at work were especially loud and bouncy that week, I just felt like all things were terrible.  My Local Shop had purchased a collection of 120,000 comics, and were having a special sale.  I went the second day.  I had withdrawn some money and set a limit.  I wasn't even sure I would buy, but if I saw some things I wanted to be ready.  On the Saturday of the sale I went and spent two hours just looking through long boxes.  It was wonderful.

     I could have read books with the previous owner.  They had similar taste as I have in books.  What was cool was the almost complete runs that were there, even after a day of people picking through already.  I had two issues of Ultraverse's Firearm, now I have the entire run.  I picked up a major chunk of Brubaker's Catwoman.  Lots of New 52 singles that i bought cheaper than cover price.  I also got those fringe and oddities one collects but really doesn't have a reason for why they collect them.  It was a major haul.  I am still reading the last of them.  On the OLD Fantastic Four issues I bought.  It was nice to just immerse myself in my hobby like that and enjoy myself.  Really nice considering all the terrible was still waiting once I got back from my fun.

     Still, it got me wanting to write about comicbooks again.  I have new material and can really feel the reasons why I did this in the beginning again.  Here is hoping that I can begin again and share my love and passion for comicbooks with you, the few who have read my blog.

BDS   

Flashback Friday: The Might Thor #353

Walt Simonson is by far the Master of Thor Comics.  His Art and Story drived this character from epic adventure to the most absurd situations.  One thing he always brought what that EPIC and IMMORTAL feel of Thor and the world he came from.  This issue is proof of that statement.  It is the culmination of a massive tale pulled from the Norse Mythology and crafted with the Marvel Universe as backdrop.  The Demon Lord Surtur has sought to light his Twilight Sword in the Eternal Flame so he can set the Universe ablaze.  It has built over multiple issues.  This tale is not unlike a great symphony with this as the climax of each note and instrument.

I dare say that an issue like this will never be seen again.  The current comicbook creators lack the ability to tell a story like this in an issue.  "The Finale Of The Surtur Saga" is across the book.  It is well and truly finished in these pages.  Today it would take five issues or more just to tell what this lone comic does.  There would not be the dialogue and really probably not be as good.

The action is almost more than the pages can hold.  We have Avengers, Asgardians, and others lead by Beta Ray Bill fighting hordes of Demons on Earth.  Johnny Storm is helping a man try and repair the Cask of Ancient Winters while battling Frost Giants and fairies.  Then there is the Battle Royal with Odin and his sons Thor and Loki battling Surtur in Asgard.  That is a tremendous fight that showcases the powers and skills of each warrior.  This is the ultimate in what Marvel was when it valued story and respected the reader.  This entire Saga is one great read, but the end is also a great stand alone.  Plus, BETA RAY BILL people.

BDS

How Do You Promote What You Don't Read

I very much have this question in mind of late.  It is something that is causing me to feel like I come off as a "Comicbook Elite" when I talk with someone about Marvel's movies.  I walked completely away from all current Marvel titles around 2007 because of the "One More Day" story in Spider-Man's books.  I thought for a long time that Marvel was going away from character driven stories to a more here is a story and let us make a character we want fit the story way of making comics.  I suffered through Civil War and then watched Spidey betray all Aunt May and Uncle Ben taught him.  I held on to one title, Nova.  That ended as the crossover event driven model began to dominate and Nova was sucked into that as well.  So I stopped reading any current Marvel.

In fact I remember reading and even listening to Joe Quesada say at HeroesCon that if I (readers) didn't like the current stories that there were plenty of back issues we could read.  I took his suggestion.  I now read plenty of DC and have my smaller press companies, but my loyalty to Marvel was broken.  The few people who know me online can attest that this was a big break for me.  Still, it brings me to my current situation.  When people know you are a comicbook collector and love comics they want to discuss the current mainstream stuff with you.  I am having problems saying no I have not seen Wolverine and not becoming Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons in qualifying why I have not seen a movie.

Even though I dislike what and where Marvel is going I do not want their films to tank as Wolverine has in terms of the market for his film compared to the first in his franchise.  I want it to help lead people to the real stories.  If people like that type of story and they start buying books it is good for the industry in my opinion.  So how do I support the industry and not support Marvel?  It is difficult.  The shear size of the behemoth that is Marvel dominates the comicbook pop culture landscape.  So I feel bad when I seem wishy washy on support to really non-comicbook fans who are trying to connect.

There is no real answer.  I just have to try and not dampen the person's interest while relaying that I am not currently reading a bunch of current Marvel.  Be polite and just steer the conversation to what they liked.  That works well.  You do not sound arrogant and along the way you can put little nuggets into the conversation by letting them know which is a long time character and which is a new for the movie character.

As for skipping Flashback Friday, well, nothing jumped out as a book to put up last Friday.  I also had given you posts during the week.  I thought letting the Greg Rucka book stay up a bit longer was better.  I hope to have Mutant Monday up today.  The pic I found and used reminded me of something I did in college.  It was the Wall O' Marvel.  I stuck Marvel trading cards on my wall and had what looked like a giant poster.  It was cool and a nice time consuming project when I was bored.

BDS

Heroes Convention 2013 Day 1 Pics

 Made it down and thought we were in the right Marriott, but we were not.  The correct on was cut off by a festival that took over about seven blocks.  That made things weird.  But I got some pics.  Toys start us off.

They did something different with the Art Auction this year.  A stage and chairs to sit and actually watch people create.

Well, Cosplay will be very popular again this year.  Saw a few nice ones today.  I figure tomorrow will be extremely full of people to ask to take pics of at HeroesCon.

Here is what I had been looking forward to all week, Mert's Heart & Soul Cafe.  I had Beef BBQ Ribs, Red Beans, Mac and Cheese, and a side of one piece of fried Catfish.  Oh boy was it good.

As I mentioned they had a major street festival.  It was bunches of food vendors.  All kinds of stuff.  The first statue is not alive, the second one up there was alive.  Look for an update of Day 2 tomorrow night.  (WIFI in the room, AWESOME)

BDS

ART AUCTION FOR PETER DAVID!!!!!

Starting today you have the opportunity to help the wonderful Writer of so many diverse characters and worlds, Peter David.  Most of you should know that Mr. David had a stroke recently.  This auction has been put together by J.K. Woodward over on his Blog.  Several people have generously done original pieces and put some other things up to help.  All information is yours by going to the following link:

J.K. Woodward Gallery

Please check out this auction.  Please share the fact that it is going on.  

BDS

Updates for stuff I wanted done by now

My goal was to have the first chapter of BOOGITY BOOGITY CHEESE posted.  I have it partially done.  It is a fact of health issues bumming me out and the job being priority one that has dealt me this setback.  It will come sometime, just not sure when.

The poll ended and we have a tie.  I am trying to decide whether to go with She-Hulk or Spider-Woman.  I have more Spider-Woman issues, but start with Issue #5.  She-Hulk starts with Issue #2 in my collection.  I have two possibilities for purchases of these old series in the coming weeks, so I will not make a decision until then.  Both have similar issues that I have noticed about female heroes from this era.  I am sad Dazzler didn't rate at least a vote.  That series contrasts the other two very well.

I added this alternate cover image because it is so coll and to remind myself, "ALL WILL BE WELL."

BDS

A Rant on DC and Comic Con

Let me get this rant out of my system before Bloggers like The Nerdy Bird give us all the great reports from the biggest Convention in Geekdom as far as comics are concerned.  I am sick in tired of the Social Media reports on the DC Blog.  Here are the cool things we are giving away.  Want a button, too bad be on the Left Coast.  It sucks.  I was OK as for the second year DC had a smaller presence at HeroesCon.  Well, this year it was no official presence.  It is kind of nice when the creative people that work for the big companies do not have to have meetings with the company big wigs.  More time for us adoring fans to pester and talk with them.  I figure the economy had a part to play as well.  Save up for bigger venues.  That's cool.

For two months though it seems we that have to scrape by just to get to Charlotte and other smaller venues have had our faces rubbed in all the cool give aways at Comic Con.  Screw you DC.  It reeks that you do this and think it is cool.  It sucks.  So not only are we nervous that you will screw up this grand plan to make your books "more hip and accessible" to buyers that will never be as committed, we also get spit upon because we cannot be in San Diego.

Bad taste in my mouth.  Glad it is out.  Now I can look at the cool costumes I wish I could make as well as others do and all the neat stuff that will be shown on the Internet about new books and toys.  Glad that is over.

BDS

Journey To Heroes Convention

I am behind on getting comics discussed I know.  I do have one more book to discuss before I try and get some thoughts up on the comics most of you probably come here to read about.  Besides the regular work and the delays in getting books I am now working to get to Charlotte for HeroesCon.  I decided to show you how I raise money to spend.  Tomato plants fund my vacation expenses for the most part.

I have been working to get the seeds to grow and transplanting the tiny plants since the end of January.  It is not a way to get rich.  I mean you have to sell a bunch of plants at $1 a single or four-pack.  The upside is that the dealers at the Convention love when I pay with ones.  So many people run to the ATM machine and drop twenty's on the people selling stuff that it helps them when I can use ones to pay.  Still, I have to work very hard and for a long time consuming day outside to sell maybe $30 and usually half of that will be Dad's plants.  

I was hoping to get a bit of money from my substitute teaching to use for vacation, but taxes and stuff has me behind on that use.  I was going to get ahead this month and this week I had to buy a battery for my Explorer.  $90 to get that and my bank account is drained.  I have just enough to pay health insurance, which I have been over paying to keep it lower.  Had I not done that I would have not had enough in the bank account.

Some people will roll into HeroesCon and drop a bunch of money.  I will be watching every dollar and just trying to enjoy the day and buy what I can without going broke.  I am lucky my friend is going, it enables us to stay for two nights in the hotel.  That will take care of parking and gas costs.  Plus I can really feel like I am on vacation.

I am working now on my costume.  I hope to start dying at the end of the week.  I then have some sewing to do along with thinking about what kind of pants to adjust.  I want to sustain pockets, but I need to look as close to the character as possible.  I think I have one that the homemade nature will work well.  I may be visiting another friends podcast group.  Little nervous about this as I am just a simple comicbook fan that has stopped reading all the news and gossip sites.  Sometimes these types are a bit haughty.  I hope it is not the case this time.  

Just wanted to share a bit as I sit her with dad as he awaits a doctor appointment.  

BDS 

I love this......

I checked out the "Stats" area that Blogger has added to our dashboard.  Some neat keyword searches have been on the thing lately.  I looked just now and the search words were as follows; 

"why is Thor 411 so important"

Is that not the best thing ever asked?  Well those of us who are fans of the greatest bunch of heroes ever know why that issue is important.  It is the first appearance of the New Warriors.  I sure hope that the first of my Warrior posts helped to educate this person who has great taste in search questions.  

BDS

I Started a Shop (Comics Paradox) at Cafe Press

I made a few shirts.  Some of the other free stuff looks odd.  I will play with it more, but take a look.  Comics Paradox Shop