Damnable Comparisons

So, over in the T&A column on CBR, Axel Alonso said the following about the new AGE OF X event:

This is an instance where a writer – Mike Carey – had an idea big enough that his editor – Daniel Ketchum – thought we should huddle up to discuss it. Upon review, David Gabriel and I realized we were looking at a tight and focused event, more along the lines of "Curse of the Mutants" than, say, "Second Coming." It's a big story, but it doesn't cut across lot of titles and it definitely won't outstay its welcome.

Aside from the big numbers on the X-Men #1 issue, has Curse of the Mutants been that strong in sales that you'd want to compare a new project to it? I don't know and can't be arsed to look it up. I just know everything I heard about no one wanting to be involved in that top-down project. If I were Carey, I'd be a bit offended to have my idea compared to Curse of the Mutants. Wouldn't you?

Mr. Anonymous, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?

Rich Johnston has word that Wolverine is being made into a vampire in this X-Men vs vampires storyline.

And I have...





...yeah...nothing. ;)

I guess Mr. Anonymous just wasn't really moved enough by the story element to feel the need to share about it. But if I did anything to upset him, I hope he'll let me know. ;)

The Dodsons' Uncanny X-Men 526 Cover, In Stages

Pencils

Inks

Colors (in progress)

Terry & Rachel Dodson are still one of my favorite art teams in the business. I always appreciate when they share their work in the different stages of the process so can see the metamorphosis from pencils to finished cover. 

Mr. Anonymous Reveals The 2010 Winner Of The EPIC FAIL Award

UPDATE/CLARIFICATION: Nothing below is meant to suggest that XMEN: LEGACY is ending. The teasers implied to me that there wold be a new X-MEN title, which is what I was going on. Mr. Anonymous has just reached out to me to clarify Carey's book and his run on it are not being ended. Also, I may have been too cute in saying "when you're the ArchAngel". Some are thinking this is editorially mandated; no, it is from David Gabriel (get it? archangel?). 

You know what rarely works out well? When the business-minded folks at the company force their "creative ideas" on their employees.

That's what is happening at Marvel.

When you're the Archangel at Marvel, there aren't a lot of people who can say no to you. When you decide that vampires are soooooooooooooooooooo "in", you can tell your people you have an idea that they just need to do and, well, who is going to tell the boss it sucks?

I speak of X-MEN. The adjective-free X-MEN book. The main focus of that book? Everyone's favorite mutants versus vampires. That's why there is blood dripping on the teasers. That's why you've seen Blade in one.

No one wants to be the one to edit it. The only creative team that would touch it is Victor Gischler and Paco Medina.

The next teaser? I'll have Nate Grey and Jubilee in it. Now, I don't know about Nate, but Ms. Lee?

Total bloodsucker.

That's right...Jubilee is being made into a vampire. The vocal minority that has lamented Marvel's handling (or lack of handling) of the character has GOTTA love that.

Oh...and all of the above? Brought to you by Mr. Anonymous. He, also, posted the first group shot of the Secret Avengers up on 4chan today. He wanted to be able to post it anonymously and thought I was still in my "I don't know that I want to catch shit from Marvel" phase. Lately? In the words of Mr. Mathers: I just don't give a fuck.

Now, word is that Marvel has completely rescinded advance review PDFs due to the Secret Avengers image getting out. As far as I know, Mr. Anonymous didn't get his stuff from PDFs dispersed to comic book "news" and review sites. So, their decision to shit on the people that more or less give them free advertisement? Not going to have an effect on keeping this shit locked down.

Mind you: if Marvel didn't insist on giving reviewers PDF copies that contain all of the ads that will run in the print version of the book, their wouldn't be spoilery house ads for them to worry about. Of course, the lineup was leaked long before this house ad, but don't expect facts and logic to get in the way of the Mighty Marvel Spiteful Brigade.

Still Digging Terry Dodson's Work

If only Greg Land wasn't, also, on the title, I'd probably put this book on the ol' pull list. Pity.

I'm So Buying This

Jason Aaron had me at "I'll be playing with some of the cool toys Morrison created", but this cover art has me ready to stand outside the LCS a minute before the doors unlock.

Not What Marvel Had In Mind

Marvel released the above cover image in hopes of teasing one of their upcoming projects. Nothing was said about who was working on it or what it truly was.

This led to somebody (and it was primarily ONE somebody, as JK Parkin notes) decided to turn it into a smear campaign against Valerie D'Orazio. The appearance of Cloak & Dagger led people to say that the Cloak & Dagger mini might be scuttled and then to say that this morphed out of that project. Then someone pretending to be Emily Warren (but certainly not her) said that Valerie got her and Christina Strain fired.

Meanwhile, Christina tweeted to agree with one bit comment from the thread: "As I said, you can tell a lot from a person by their fans. Draw whatever conclusions from that you may."

So, a teaser image helps lead to accusations of a new female writer with a controversial blogging history getting two other females fired from Marvel. I'm thinking they wish they included just a touch more detail with that release.

Terry Dodson: 2 More Uncanny X-Men 507 Pages

Ultimate Comics Walk-Up Sales For Dec 4th, 2008

From Lee Newman of Ultimate Comics, the list of top-selling books at one of their locations in North Carolina for what was released on 12/4/08. Pull lists are not included, as this is meant to capture what is being bought off the shelf.

Sorry, everyone for the late post this week. One day shorter in the week and business in the store created a very hectic week for me.

1. Batman #682
2. Batman #681
3. Secret Invasion #8
4. X-Men Noir #1
5. Haunted Tank #1
6. Sandman: The Dream Hunters #2
7. Amazing Spider-Man #579
8. X-Infernus #1
9. Justice Society #21
10. Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #1

Commentary:

1&2: Media exposure baby. Seriously, I would love if Marvel and DC would start advertising on tv with a nice comic shop locator ride on!

3. It is important to note that last week's issue of Batman performed better than the end of Marvel's big event. Some will think this is attrition, but believe or not we don't see too much attrition in event books, even late ones like Final Crisis perform well and consistently. The big push here was the Batman story made it into the news.

4&8. Yup, people will buy the X-Men regardless of what it is.

5. Surprise of the week. Solid, fun, and funny book (although I am unsure as to whether or not it was supposed to be funny or if my twisted brain made it funny), it may have had something to do with me talking it up. ; )

10. Hellboy has been a big performer at this store. We are just now figuring out what numbers of it will sell here, it may become a repeat performer.

1 & 2. Ugh. I'd be afraid that those sales would mean we'd see more stories like BATMAN R.I.P., but most of my problems with the arc were very Grant-Morrison-specific, thus unlikely to be repeated any time soon.

4 & 8. I haven't seen a copy of these yet, but I'd like to hope there is some quality behind them in addition to having the X-MEN name slapped across them. Lee's comment doesn't leave me with much hope, though.

Bridges Byrned & Re-Byrned

John L. Byrne apparently likes to make it challenging for him to find a friendly face to give him a job, as he kind of offers a bit of snark about what Marvel should do and, conversely, what they'll most likely do in 2009:

As the new year approaches, it occurs to me there are some things I'd like to
see -- and most pointedly not see -- from the Condo of Concept.

• No new X-titles

• No recycling of 20 and 30 year old storylines

• No more "writing for the trade", which also means…

• No stories that run more than 3 issues

• No pinup covers

• No fake deaths

• No real deaths

• No breaking of the status quo by the latest flavor of the month
"talent".

Of course, even as late as they are with most of their product, this is
December, so at least the first few months of 2009 are probably in the
drawer. How many of these challenges have already been lost, d'you
suppose?

Thoughts?

Uncanny X-Men 504: Terry Dodson Inked Page One

As always, the provided images come from the Terry Dodson fan group on Yahoo.

Chocolate Costumes & Halle Berry's Terrible Storm Legacy

If you Google New York Chocolate Show, you'll find a lot of other pictures of heroes in chocolate uniforms. Many are pretty goofy/terrible. But I figured I'd just half-jokingly point out this one.

You see, this a white model being used to portray Storm. I tell ya, if it wasn't for Halle's portrayal of Storm as so light, they'd never have tried to pull this off. The goofy NY skyline made of chocolate is par for the course with this fashion show, though. I think Wonder Woman had a white chocolate plane stuck in her hair.

Uncanny X-Men: Terry Dodson Pencil & Ink Interior Pages

As always, the provided images come from the Terry Dodson fan group on Yahoo.

Uncanny X-Men #505 Cover: Complete

As always, found over at Terry Dodson's fan group on Yahoo.

Uncanny X-Men #505 Cover: Pencils & Inks

As always, found over at Terry Dodson's fan group on Yahoo.

The Dodsons: Secret Invasion: X-Men

As always, the images shared here can be found in Terry Dodson's Yahoo Group. I encourage all of you that enjoy these images to sign up there and let the Dodsons know how much you appreciate their hard work.

Ladies Of X-MEN Redesigns

Redesigns done by Joëlle Jones (Twelve Reasons Why I Love Her GN and the upcoming You Have Killed Me GN and, from Token (Minx Graphic Novels)).

The Dodson X-Men Cover Progression

(The color version might not be the final colors, as I believe Terry has said they were whipped up for the Previews deadline and will be improved)

Found Art: Todd Nauck's X-Men Sketch

From his DeviantArt page.

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE Trailer; Get It While You Can!

(original two video version of the trailer was pulled down; here's a replacement)