Archie Comics Fan Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: irishmoxie on March 30, 2016, 10:49:35 PM

Title: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on March 30, 2016, 10:49:35 PM
Patsy Walker #4 - Just ok for me. Too much superhero stuff and not enough girlie stuff.

Spider Woman #5 - A bit too real life for me with all the baby stuff.


Jem #13 - LOVED the art in this one. Sophie Campbell is back on her game. The Dark Jem arc is coming to an end.

Circuit Breaker #1 - Dystopia with girlie manga art. Cute. I'll read the next issue.

Harrow County #10

Jonesy #2 - Even better than the first issue.

Luna the Vampire #3 - Over so soon??

Grumpy Cat Vol 1 Issues 1-3 and Vol 2 Issues 1-2 - I just love this.

Lumberjanes #24 - The Kiss issue. I always thought this was a bit of a kid's series but I guess kids have crushes too.

Mystery Girl #4 - The first arc comes to an end. The beginning of this issue was a bit confusing. I hope they continue the series.

Disney Princesses #1 - more like a comic strip. A bit too immature for me.

Catching up on Wayward. I'm now up to 14. The storyline is a bit confusing but some of the art is just beautiful.

Starfire #1 - Not sure I will continue.


Henchgirl #4 - Got a bit boring for me.






Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 30, 2016, 10:51:46 PM
I bought Jughead #5 from the Archie app. I have been trying to download it but it taking a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on March 30, 2016, 11:01:36 PM
Stuff I'll hopefully be reading this coming Wednesday:
Archie #7
Bee and Puppycat #10
Bruce Lee Dragon Rises #1
Jem #14

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on March 30, 2016, 11:03:16 PM
I've been catching up on Image Comics titles tonight:

Autumnlands
Birthright
Descender
Drifter
Wolf

and others
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on March 30, 2016, 11:06:38 PM
Archie Comics 75 Years, 75 Stories
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 31, 2016, 10:45:42 AM
I read Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #241 & Betty & Veronica Comics Annual #236 for 12 minutes each.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: spazaru on March 31, 2016, 11:24:34 AM
Mostly digests, the new Jughead and Archie Double Digest in particular.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on March 31, 2016, 12:21:14 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on March 30, 2016, 10:49:35 PM
Mystery Girl #4 - The first arc comes to an end. The beginning of this issue was a bit confusing. I hope they continue the series.

Disney Princesses #1 - more like a comic strip. A bit too immature for me.
MG is officially "on break" which seems to be a new semi-regular thing at both Dark Horse & Image — finish an arc and take a month or two off to get the next ready ...

I thought the flip to DP#1 was a lot more interesting that the mainside book which is too choppy/disjointed and the "calendar style presentation really didn't work for me

On the other hand I thought Jughead got a lot better ...  not sure about the Sunnyside (Martinsville/Reversedale) bit, but the art improved — in fact the "coming next month" page looked fantastic (artistically anyway) — like Erica trying to say "Hey I can do good art when I want to!" to all her critics ... of course the corollary is saying she didn't think it was worth putting putting the effort in for Jughead ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on March 31, 2016, 01:15:57 PM
Quote from: invisifan on March 31, 2016, 12:21:14 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on March 30, 2016, 10:49:35 PM
Mystery Girl #4 - The first arc comes to an end. The beginning of this issue was a bit confusing. I hope they continue the series.

Disney Princesses #1 - more like a comic strip. A bit too immature for me.
MG is officially "on break" which seems to be a new semi-regular thing at both Dark Horse & Image — finish an arc and take a month or two off to get the next ready ...

I thought the flip to DP#1 was a lot more interesting that the mainside book which is too choppy/disjointed and the "calendar style presentation really didn't work for me

On the other hand I thought Jughead got a lot better ...  not sure about the Sunnyside (Martinsville/Reversedale) bit, but the art improved — in fact the "coming next month" page looked fantastic (artistically anyway) — like Erica trying to say "Hey I can do good art when I want to!" to all her critics ... of course the corollary is saying she didn't think it was worth putting putting the effort in for Jughead ...

I also didn't like the calendar format of Disney Princesses. I would much rather they do 5 page stories like Archie.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 01, 2016, 05:34:17 AM
📖 I read some of my digital copy of Jughead's Time Police.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: JonInIowaCity on April 01, 2016, 08:13:15 AM
I enjoyed Jughead this week. Squirrel Girl was fun too. I need to download the latest Die Kitty Die yet.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Deb on April 01, 2016, 10:23:52 AM
Far too many Archie Digests and the Archie Vol. 1 trade
Walt Disney's Comics and Stories
Donald Duck
Uncle Scrooge
Mickey Mouse


Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 01, 2016, 03:36:02 PM
I read
Archie & Friends #5 & #145 & #153
Reggie's Revenge #1 & #2 & #3
Saga #34
Jem & Holograms #12
Spider Gwen #6
I read each of these for twelve minutes
Betty & Veronica Comics Annual #236
Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #241
B & V Easter Annual #247

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on April 01, 2016, 10:11:32 PM
continuing with Image:

Invincible
Manifest Destiny
Nameless
No Mercy
Roche Limit Clandestiny

and others
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 02, 2016, 01:34:15 PM
I read my digital copy of Jughead #5. It finally worked from the Archie app. It was alright. I think the other 4 were better though. I don't like it when they change into super heros.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: chancebond on April 02, 2016, 01:46:31 PM
Not sure if it counts, but I picked up the July Previews World.  I'm really excited for the DC Relaunch, and the new Post Apoc Scooby Do?!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 02, 2016, 03:45:25 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on April 02, 2016, 01:34:15 PM
I read my digital copy of Jughead #5. It finally worked from the Archie app. It was alright. I think the other 4 were better though. I don't like it when they change into super heros.
The Superhero parodies are always a bit inane, but at least this one is framed as a definite dream sequence (and and as superhero stories go it wasn't bad, so bonus)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 02, 2016, 06:05:40 PM
I read each of books for 12 minutes each
📖 Archie 1000 Page Mega Digest
📖 Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
📖 Archie's Favorite High Stories
📖 BatGirl- BatGirl From Burnside
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 02, 2016, 11:05:46 PM
Wayward 14 and 15 - end of this arc. Also looks like they are totally changing the direction of the series. Not to be too spoilery.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 03, 2016, 12:14:40 AM
Just read through Kirkman's Outcast ... which will be on TV starting in June — already renewed for a second season  ::) which I did not know when I started last night ...  dark, S-F hiding in a religion-theme, and not for everyone — but hey, he also writes the Walking Dead ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: chancebond on April 03, 2016, 12:16:41 AM
Quote from: invisifan on April 03, 2016, 12:14:40 AM
Just read through Kirkman's Outcast ... and which will be on TV starting in June — already renewed for a second season  ::) which I did not know when I started last night ...  dark, S-F hiding in a religion-theme, and not for everyone — but hey, he also writes the Walking Dead ...

I heard about that somewhere...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 03, 2016, 08:06:15 AM
I'm going read each of these for 12 minutes each
📖-B & V Friends Easter Annual #247
📖 -Archie Winter Annual #265
📖 - Archie-The Married Life-Book #5
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 04, 2016, 03:41:43 AM
SUNDAY 04-03
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE DOUBLE DIGEST # 1, 3, 5
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 04, 2016, 09:48:26 AM
I'm going read
🐻 Archie #1- Staples, the variant
🐰 Archie #2-Paul Renaud
🐧 Archie #3-Andrew Robinson
🐨 Archie #4-Jaime Hernandez
🐘 Archie #5-David Williams
🐹 Archie #6-Marguerite Sauvage
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Deb on April 04, 2016, 10:06:22 AM
Just finished Archie vol. 1 recently.  I have to say that I liked it more than I thought I would.  Once I got caught up in the story, not having it drawn in the house Archie style didn't bother me as much.  Having Archie talk to the reader is an effective way to draw you in to the story.  I really like Jughead in this version, too, especially after Veronica Fish started drawing the comic.  She got him to look more indifferent and less like he's angry at the world.  I may have to track down issue 7 when it comes out.  The Jughead preview was fun, too.  "You can...MAKE food?" and "I have the power of...infinite burgers!" both had me laughing.  The art is a bit odd, but suits the quirkiness of the story itself.  I'll have to look for the Jughead trade when it comes out. 
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 04, 2016, 03:02:26 PM
I finished Betty & Veronica Comics Annual #236. But I'm still reading Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest 241 & Jughead & Archie Jumbo Comics #15.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 06, 2016, 12:19:14 AM
I finished reading Archie Comics Spectacular-Rock On. But I also read Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #241 & B & V Easter Annual #247 & Jughead & Archie Jumbo Comics #15 & Archie Winter Annual #265 & Archie Favorite High School Comic for 12 minutes each.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 06, 2016, 01:03:46 AM
I've been reading PS238 which is hilarious and a great story. As well as the usual weekly Adventures of Supergirl & Injustice.

If course tomorrow is Wednesday, so all the new issue ... Archie #7, Henchgirl #6, and Spider-women Alpha ... among others ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 06, 2016, 01:18:11 AM
🍦 🍪 🍕 🍟 I read my digital copy of Jughead #5.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Archiecomicxfan215 on April 06, 2016, 11:21:16 AM
Last i read was the daily newsLuann strip for Luann
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 06, 2016, 12:25:27 PM
Archie #7 - not great. Don't like how they wouldn't tell us what Reggie did. The series keeps teasing but doesn't reveal much. Also there wasn't much of the girls in this issue. I'm looking forward to Betty and Veronica when it comes out this summer.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 06, 2016, 06:26:36 PM
I agree, it was just ok. Hardly any Betty in this one. But we did see her holding hands with Sayid. Maybe she finally moved on from Archie. I wonder if Sayid is boyfriend material?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 06, 2016, 08:03:18 PM
Princeless Vol 2 and 3 - #3 featured my favorite character: Raven.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 07, 2016, 02:54:16 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 06, 2016, 08:03:18 PM
Princeless Vol 2 and 3 - #3 featured my favorite character: Raven.
Yeah, I consider Book 3 to really be Raven Book 0 ... did you read the short stories book which shows their first meeting from a slightly different view?

As for Archie ... interesting to see Mr. Mantle for a change, and the interaction there ... it was an okay issue, nothing spectacular, but good.
Also the latest Henchgirl (#6) & working through PS238 ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 07, 2016, 03:02:01 AM
MONDAY 04-04
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE DOUBLE DIGEST # 5

TUESDAY 04-05
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE JUMBO COMICS # 6 (not finished)
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE DOUBLE DIGEST # 7

WEDNESDAY 04-06
SWAMP THING #4 (OF 6)
UNCLE SCROOGE #417
MICKEY MOUSE #320
BOB'S BURGERS #10
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARKSEID WAR SPECIAL #1
SUPERMAN: THE COMING OF THE SUPERMEN #3 (OF 6)
WONDER WOMAN: EARTH ONE HC
EMPRESS #1 (OF 7)
THE INFINITY ENTITY #4 (OF 4)
UNCANNY X-MEN #6
BLACK WIDOW #2
BLACK PANTHER #1
LOBSTER JOHNSON (#23) THE FORGOTTEN MAN
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #14 (June 1998)
DILTON'S STRANGE SCIENCE (1989) #1, 2, 4, 5

Off-topic:
Anyone else having this problem? Since the site came back, it seems to always insist on putting extra spaces in between lines whenever I compose a post.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: JonInIowaCity on April 07, 2016, 09:30:30 AM
I read Archie #7 last night. Hopefully I'll read the latest Uncanny X-Men and Die Kitty Die! #2 tonight or tomorrow.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 07, 2016, 09:40:14 AM
Quote from: JonInIowaCity on April 07, 2016, 09:30:30 AM
I read Archie #7 last night. Hopefully I'll read the latest Uncanny X-Men and Die Kitty Die! #2 tonight or tomorrow.


Uncanny X-Men #6 is some kind of lead-in to another massive crossover story, "Apocalypse War". As such, I'm already losing interest (the first five issues were better than I expected them to be), and having art by a couple of fill-in artists didn't help much. That's pretty much been the story of my X-Men reading experience though -- I read 6 or 8 issues, then there's some lousy crossover tie-in issues, and I quit reading.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: JonInIowaCity on April 07, 2016, 09:43:38 AM
One thing that I'm liking (in theory at least) about the "Apocalypse Wars" is that it seems to be more of a thematic crossover instead of an actual crossover. Kind of like "Fall of the Mutants" back in the 80s. They all have Apocalypse stories, but the books aren't directly connected. I prefer crossovers like that because I can skip out on some of the books if I don't like those titles!!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 07, 2016, 11:04:08 AM
I read my digital copy of Archie #7. And Cheryl Blossom #28 & #29 & part #2 of 3 issues when Cheryl gets a summer job.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on April 07, 2016, 01:32:11 PM
I want to read The Best of Archie Book Four but it's checked out at the library  :(
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 07, 2016, 01:46:16 PM
I suppose you can at least be happy there's at least one other Archie fan at or near your library system ... :-\
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 07, 2016, 02:21:04 PM
Read today...

SABRINA'S HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR #2 (1993) - There's a 3-part new story that takes up about half the issue; the rest are reprints (that I'd mostly read before). The new story tries to cover Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, all in one story (the previous issue's story was completely Halloween-based). Just need to find the third issue now.
REGGIE'S REVENGE #1 (1994) - One new 8-page story, plus a bunch of Reggie-centric reprints. Surprisingly (they're all sourced), none of them originally from REGGIE's own series. All of the reprints have the "Reggie's Revenge" logo pasted on them, though.
WORLD OF JUGHEAD (Archie Giant Series) #542 - "Throughout History With Jughead!" - A bunch of short stories with Jughead existing in different time periods... no other explanation offered. (I was sort of hoping it could be retroactively explained by way of the Time Police, but... nah.)
FACULTY FUNNIES #1-5 (1989) - The complete series, which strangely enough, has both an "origin issue" and a final issue where the "Awesome Foursome" lose their superpowers for good. You don't see that often in a comic book series.
WORLD OF ARCHIE (Giant Series) #587, 599 - Two issues that introduced the EXPLORERS OF THE UNKNOWN, by Rich Margopoulis and Rex Lindsay (the same people responsible for JUGHEAD'S TIME POLICE). Kind of a shameless rip-off of Jack Kirby's Challengers of the Unknown, even to the point of the team having their secret base inside a mountaintop. It's surprising that DC's lawyers never sent ACP a cease-and-desist letter (or maybe they did, and that's when the series ended).

It's always fascinating when reading these older Archie Comics to look through the ads and see not only what they were publishing at that time, but what they were selling. 1990s Archies seem to have all kinds of merchandise offered through mail-order. These had some ads for things like the Riverdale High "Archie Romance Novels", t-shirts, hats, watches, a 1990 calendar, and posters, including two 6-foot tall posters of Archie and Jughead!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 07, 2016, 03:05:21 PM
I read Archie Volume #1, the beautiful book that just came out. I read it for 15 minutes. I also read Archie #1- the Fiona Staple cover with white border & Archie #2-Paul Renaud variant & Archie #3-Andrew Robinson variant & Archie #4-Jaime Hernandez variant.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 07, 2016, 03:22:22 PM
I just read Pep Digital #4. Archie & Friends Spring Has Sprung.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 07, 2016, 06:27:58 PM
I read both of books for 15 minutes then finished Archie Winter Annual #265.I also read Archie 1000 Mega Comics Digest.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 07, 2016, 08:06:13 PM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes each.
The Archie Wedding-Will You Marry Me?
Archie-The Married Life-Book #5
The Cute Girl Network
BatGirl-BatGirl Of Burnside
Friends With Boys , which is by Faith Erin Hicks. I love that book. I love the way she draws characters that are guys, they are so cute.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 07, 2016, 08:09:05 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 07, 2016, 02:54:16 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 06, 2016, 08:03:18 PM
Princeless Vol 2 and 3 - #3 featured my favorite character: Raven.
Yeah, I consider Book 3 to really be Raven Book 0 ... did you read the short stories book which shows their first meeting from a slightly different view?


That and Vol #4 are on my TBR list.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 07, 2016, 08:15:02 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 07, 2016, 03:02:01 AM

Off-topic:
Anyone else having this problem? Since the site came back, it seems to always insist on putting extra spaces in between lines whenever I compose a post.


I have also had this problem. I don't know how to pre-fix besides going back and modifying the already submitted post.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Mr.Lodge on April 07, 2016, 11:56:54 PM
Anything that looks interesting EXCEPT superhero comics. I can't stand superhero comics.  :idiot2:
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 07, 2016, 11:59:15 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 07, 2016, 08:09:05 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 07, 2016, 02:54:16 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 06, 2016, 08:03:18 PM
Princeless Vol 2 and 3 - #3 featured my favorite character: Raven.
Yeah, I consider Book 3 to really be Raven Book 0 ... did you read the short stories book which shows their first meeting from a slightly different view?


That and Vol #4 are on my TBR list.
The short stories are all either between books 2 & 3 or (fairly important) backstory; each has a different artist (all female except The Smiths) with a large variety of styles ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 08, 2016, 10:04:26 AM
Quote from: Mr.Lodge on April 07, 2016, 11:56:54 PM
Anything that looks interesting EXCEPT superhero comics. I can't stand superhero comics.  :idiot2:


You're my new best friend. I thought I was the only one!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 08, 2016, 10:05:35 AM
Reading lots of manga:
Orange
Yamada kun and the 7 Witches
LDK
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 08, 2016, 10:17:07 AM
Going to read Pep Digital #1 Arch- Madness between my classes.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Bluto on April 08, 2016, 10:37:17 AM
DK III: The Master Race
Klaus
James Bond
Batman '66 Meets The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Astro City
Black Widow
The Invincible Iron Man
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl
Howard The Duck
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on April 08, 2016, 01:42:48 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 07, 2016, 01:46:16 PM
I suppose you can at least be happy there's at least one other Archie fan at or near your library system ... :-\


I guess. I would like to know who is checking out Archie. At the main library it seems like I am the only one who checks them out. The other day one of the librarians told me that she hasn't seen any kids paying attention to those comics (they have them in the children's section). At another branch, close to the main library, they  told me the same thing. The comic I mentioned (Best of Archie #4)is at another branch I have never been to, on the other side of the town. So someone, I don't know who, on the other side of town, is a fan of Archie,too.....
I want to be able to read them before they disappear, because I've noticed that a lot of the AC are not on their catalog anymore. I guess, someone is stealing them?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 08, 2016, 09:39:04 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 07, 2016, 11:59:15 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 07, 2016, 08:09:05 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 07, 2016, 02:54:16 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 06, 2016, 08:03:18 PM
Princeless Vol 2 and 3 - #3 featured my favorite character: Raven.
Yeah, I consider Book 3 to really be Raven Book 0 ... did you read the short stories book which shows their first meeting from a slightly different view?


That and Vol #4 are on my TBR list.
The short stories are all either between books 2 & 3 or (fairly important) backstory; each has a different artist (all female except The Smiths) with a large variety of styles ...

Read these 2 now. Princeless Vol 4 and the Short stories tpb. Kinda disappointed in these. I didn't really understand where the story is going in Vol 4. Onto the new Princeless series now Make Yourself.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 09, 2016, 01:12:57 AM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 08, 2016, 01:42:48 PM
I've noticed that a lot of the AC are not on their catalog anymore. I guess, someone is stealing them?

Could be that, because ACP is letting their older TPBs go out of print and not reprinting them (except for maybe a few, like Best of Archie Comics and The Married Life). That makes the older TPBs harder to find, and copies for sale begin to have "collectible" prices when you can.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 09, 2016, 01:32:24 AM
Also possible that they are just old and undesirable by the library's standards and put on "sale" carts to raise money, or beat-up by younger patrons and not deemed worth replacing
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 09, 2016, 06:42:14 AM
I read
Lumberjanes #24
Jem & Holograms #13
Saga #35
BatGirl #50
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 09, 2016, 07:32:33 AM
I just read Jughead #5-Thomas Pitilli variant. I'm going put in the comic frame next to next to the Reggie commission that Thomas Pitilli did for me.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 09, 2016, 09:59:00 AM
It's so freaking cold outside today so that put me in a Christmas mood. I am going to read a digital exclusive of Archie's Christmas Stocking.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on April 09, 2016, 08:44:51 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 09, 2016, 01:12:57 AM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 08, 2016, 01:42:48 PM
I've noticed that a lot of the AC are not on their catalog anymore. I guess, someone is stealing them?

Could be that, because ACP is letting their older TPBs go out of print and not reprinting them (except for maybe a few, like Best of Archie Comics and The Married Life). That makes the older TPBs harder to find, and copies for sale begin to have "collectible" prices when you can.


Sorry but what are TPBs?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on April 09, 2016, 08:47:53 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 09, 2016, 01:32:24 AM
Also possible that they are just old and undesirable by the library's standards and put on "sale" carts to raise money, or beat-up by younger patrons and not deemed worth replacing


Hmm, I don't know. I've never seen them on the library's book store but who knows. I wish they sold some of them at the library, I would buy them right away.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: nuageo on April 09, 2016, 09:10:09 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 09, 2016, 08:44:51 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 09, 2016, 01:12:57 AM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 08, 2016, 01:42:48 PM
I've noticed that a lot of the AC are not on their catalog anymore. I guess, someone is stealing them?

Could be that, because ACP is letting their older TPBs go out of print and not reprinting them (except for maybe a few, like Best of Archie Comics and The Married Life). That makes the older TPBs harder to find, and copies for sale begin to have "collectible" prices when you can.


Sorry but what are TPBs?

In comics (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comics), a trade paperback (often shortened to TPB, TP or trade) is a collection of stories originally published in comic books (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_comic_books), reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Story_arc) from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles.

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_paperback_%28comics%29
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on April 09, 2016, 09:22:06 PM
Quote from: nuageo on April 09, 2016, 09:10:09 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 09, 2016, 08:44:51 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 09, 2016, 01:12:57 AM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 08, 2016, 01:42:48 PM
I've noticed that a lot of the AC are not on their catalog anymore. I guess, someone is stealing them?

Could be that, because ACP is letting their older TPBs go out of print and not reprinting them (except for maybe a few, like Best of Archie Comics and The Married Life). That makes the older TPBs harder to find, and copies for sale begin to have "collectible" prices when you can.


Sorry but what are TPBs?

In comics (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comics), a trade paperback (often shortened to TPB, TP or trade) is a collection of stories originally published in comic books (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_comic_books), reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Story_arc) from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles.

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_paperback_%28comics%29 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_paperback_%28comics%29)


Ah, okay yeah that makes sense. Thanks!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 09, 2016, 09:26:53 PM
📖 📖 📖 No reading for me today. I took a break 📖 📖 📖
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 10, 2016, 08:39:27 AM
I read Jughead #5-Erica Henderson variant.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 10, 2016, 04:20:14 PM
📖 I read Archie #7-Marguerite Sauvage Variant.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 10, 2016, 04:29:05 PM
I am reading Archie's Rival Reggie #1.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 10, 2016, 04:46:55 PM
Let's see...

Friday 04-08
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE JUMBO COMICS #6 (finished)

Saturday 04-09
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE DOUBLE DIGEST #8

Sunday 04-10
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE DOUBLE DIGEST #9 & 10
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE DOUBLE DIGEST #9 & 10
(I'm done with Funhouse for now, and moving on to another title...)
JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #1
(Plan to read #1-3, and 6-8; missing issues 4 & 5)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 10, 2016, 07:55:57 PM
I read these books for 15 minutes each
Archie's Favorite High School Comics
Archie Giant Comics Collection
Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 10, 2016, 07:56:38 PM
Some really good manga webcomics from the Webtoon app.
Siren's Lament about mermaids yay
Helios Femina Michelle Phan's comic
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 10, 2016, 08:00:39 PM
Keeping with my theme for the day of reading original #1 comics on digital I have read Archie Girls Betty and Veronica.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 11, 2016, 10:12:43 AM
Quote from: The Bee on April 10, 2016, 08:00:39 PM
Keeping with my theme for the day of reading original #1 comics on digital I have read Archie Girls Betty and Veronica.


Are they digitizing these now? Did you find them on the app?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 11, 2016, 10:35:23 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 11, 2016, 10:12:43 AM
Quote from: The Bee on April 10, 2016, 08:00:39 PM
Keeping with my theme for the day of reading original #1 comics on digital I have read Archie Girls Betty and Veronica.


Are they digitizing these now? Did you find them on the app?
Yes they are. They have all the original #1's including Archie #1, Jughead #1, Betty and Veronica #1, and Archie's Rival Reggie #1.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 11, 2016, 03:35:42 PM
Quote from: The Bee on April 11, 2016, 10:35:23 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 11, 2016, 10:12:43 AM
Quote from: The Bee on April 10, 2016, 08:00:39 PM
Keeping with my theme for the day of reading original #1 comics on digital I have read Archie Girls Betty and Veronica.


Are they digitizing these now? Did you find them on the app?
Yes they are. They have all the original #1's including Archie #1, Jughead #1, Betty and Veronica #1, and Archie's Rival Reggie #1.


I hope they continue digitizing Archie's Girls now that the hardcover is canceled.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 11, 2016, 03:41:34 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 11, 2016, 03:35:42 PM
Quote from: The Bee on April 11, 2016, 10:35:23 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 11, 2016, 10:12:43 AM
Quote from: The Bee on April 10, 2016, 08:00:39 PM
Keeping with my theme for the day of reading original #1 comics on digital I have read Archie Girls Betty and Veronica.


Are they digitizing these now? Did you find them on the app?
Yes they are. They have all the original #1's including Archie #1, Jughead #1, Betty and Veronica #1, and Archie's Rival Reggie #1.


I hope they continue digitizing Archie's Girls now that the hardcover is canceled.
I hope so because the Betty and Veronica series other than maybe the Jughead series has been one of my favorites. I would love reading some of the earlier stuff. I will let you know. I just recently got the Unlimited service so I am just getting used to it, but I am liking it so far.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 11, 2016, 04:25:25 PM
I took break from reading any comics today.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 11, 2016, 05:01:15 PM
I continued with reading the #1's by reading the digital copy of the original Jughead.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 12, 2016, 10:24:52 AM
I read each of these for 12 minutes
📖-Archie's Funhouse House Comics Double Digest #13
📖 -World Of Archie Comics Annual #50
📖-Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #239
📖-Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics #233
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 12, 2016, 11:50:13 AM
Continuing with the digital exclusives. Pep Digital #2 Reggie King of April Fools.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on April 12, 2016, 01:11:36 PM
This morning I finished reading Archie Comics Spectacular Block Party.
I'm gonna start reading Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 12, 2016, 01:49:28 PM
I read both Archie #7-Fish & Djibril Morissette -Phan issues.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 12, 2016, 02:15:20 PM
Finishing up with the original #1's on digital with the Archie #1. I have read this one before in the Archie#1 reboot so I will be familiar with the story.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 13, 2016, 12:07:02 AM
I finally finished reading my digital copy of Jughead's Time Police. I also the digital comic where Cheryl trying to take down Pieter, the foreign exchange student.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 13, 2016, 12:19:30 AM
Finished the night off by reading Pep Digital Exclusive #3 Betty & Veronica Go Green.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 13, 2016, 01:43:14 AM
Today I found a copy of ARCHIE'S CAR by Al Hartley, and it was in pretty good condition. This was one of the later printings, from 1986, under the Barbour imprint (they took over after Spire Christian Comics and just reprinted the comics exactly except for the company imprint and cover price -- this one was priced at 69 cents). I think there were 17 different Archie comics done by Hartley under Spire, and I'm keeping an eye out for these. I got a kick out of it, anyway.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 13, 2016, 09:06:46 AM
Between classes I am starting to read Pep Digital #5 Archie's Grand Slams.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on April 13, 2016, 12:53:43 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 12, 2016, 01:11:36 PM
This morning I finished reading Archie Comics Spectacular Block Party.
I'm gonna start reading Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala.


I hate that they repeat the same stories in different books. I started reading 1000 page comics Gala and there are 8 stories in a row that I had already read on Block Party.  :tickedoff:
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 13, 2016, 12:57:42 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 13, 2016, 12:53:43 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 12, 2016, 01:11:36 PM
This morning I finished reading Archie Comics Spectacular Block Party.
I'm gonna start reading Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala.


I hate that they repeat the same stories in different books. I started reading 1000 page comics Gala and there are 8 stories in a row that I had already read on Block Party.  :tickedoff:
I just shake my head at this. I just don't understand this at all with all the material they have you'd think they could pick different stories for what they are putting out. Do they not have a clue what material they are putting in there comics?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 13, 2016, 01:08:34 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 13, 2016, 12:53:43 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 12, 2016, 01:11:36 PM
This morning I finished reading Archie Comics Spectacular Block Party.
I'm gonna start reading Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala.


I hate that they repeat the same stories in different books. I started reading 1000 page comics Gala and there are 8 stories in a row that I had already read on Block Party.  :tickedoff:


I can't believe you're just noticing this for the first time. You know that the 1000 Page digests just contain straight chunks of pages (several stories in the exact same order) as the regular digest titles from 3 or 4 months earlier, right?  And the Spectaculars just reprint the stories from recent digest titles on better paper, grouped by some kind of theme (very loosely themed, I should say). At any rate, they cancelled the last Spectacular (High School Hijinks) that they solicited, so it looks like there will be no more of those.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on April 13, 2016, 01:13:11 PM
Quote from: The Bee on April 13, 2016, 12:57:42 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 13, 2016, 12:53:43 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 12, 2016, 01:11:36 PM
This morning I finished reading Archie Comics Spectacular Block Party.
I'm gonna start reading Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala.


I hate that they repeat the same stories in different books. I started reading 1000 page comics Gala and there are 8 stories in a row that I had already read on Block Party.  :tickedoff:
I just shake my head at this. I just don't understand this at all with all the material they have you'd think they could pick different stories for what they are putting out. Do they not have a clue what material they are putting in there comics?


And then there are those stories (great stories) that just came out once and never again were they reprinted.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on April 13, 2016, 01:16:41 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 13, 2016, 01:08:34 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 13, 2016, 12:53:43 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 12, 2016, 01:11:36 PM
This morning I finished reading Archie Comics Spectacular Block Party.
I'm gonna start reading Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala.


I hate that they repeat the same stories in different books. I started reading 1000 page comics Gala and there are 8 stories in a row that I had already read on Block Party.  :tickedoff:


I can't believe you're just noticing this for the first time. You know that the 1000 Page digests just contain straight chunks of pages (several stories in the exact same order) as the regular digest titles from 3 or 4 months earlier, right?  And the Spectaculars just reprint the stories from recent digest titles on better paper, grouped by some kind of theme (very loosely themed, I should say). At any rate, they cancelled the last Spectacular (High School Hijinks) that they solicited, so it looks like there will be no more of those.


No, this isn't the first time I noticed this. I know they love to repeat stories over and over but it still makes me mad....I didn't know about HS Hijinks being cancelled. Is it the same one as Pep Rally, or is that another one?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 13, 2016, 01:27:34 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 13, 2016, 01:13:11 PM
Quote from: The Bee on April 13, 2016, 12:57:42 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 13, 2016, 12:53:43 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 12, 2016, 01:11:36 PM
This morning I finished reading Archie Comics Spectacular Block Party.
I'm gonna start reading Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala.


I hate that they repeat the same stories in different books. I started reading 1000 page comics Gala and there are 8 stories in a row that I had already read on Block Party.  :tickedoff:
I just shake my head at this. I just don't understand this at all with all the material they have you'd think they could pick different stories for what they are putting out. Do they not have a clue what material they are putting in there comics?


And then there are those stories (great stories) that just came out once and never again were they reprinted.
That certainly seems the way it is.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 01:48:12 PM
0-day so I've read (so far):
Saving Princeless book 5 #1 for last ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 13, 2016, 02:37:24 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 01:48:12 PM
0-day so I've read (so far):

       
  • Spidey #4
  • Spider-Gwen #7
  • The Unbelievable Gwenpool #1
Saving Princeless book 5 #1 for last ...

I liked princeless book 5 #0 even though it was more of a prequel.

How's gwenpool?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 13, 2016, 02:40:16 PM
Quote from: The Bee on April 13, 2016, 12:57:42 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 13, 2016, 12:53:43 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 12, 2016, 01:11:36 PM
This morning I finished reading Archie Comics Spectacular Block Party.
I'm gonna start reading Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala.


I hate that they repeat the same stories in different books. I started reading 1000 page comics Gala and there are 8 stories in a row that I had already read on Block Party.  :tickedoff:
I just shake my head at this. I just don't understand this at all with all the material they have you'd think they could pick different stories for what they are putting out. Do they not have a clue what material they are putting in there comics?

It costs money to hire someone to curate these stories. ACP just wants to make a quick buck.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 13, 2016, 03:13:17 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 13, 2016, 02:40:16 PM
Quote from: The Bee on April 13, 2016, 12:57:42 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 13, 2016, 12:53:43 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 12, 2016, 01:11:36 PM
This morning I finished reading Archie Comics Spectacular Block Party.
I'm gonna start reading Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala.


I hate that they repeat the same stories in different books. I started reading 1000 page comics Gala and there are 8 stories in a row that I had already read on Block Party.  :tickedoff:
I just shake my head at this. I just don't understand this at all with all the material they have you'd think they could pick different stories for what they are putting out. Do they not have a clue what material they are putting in there comics?

It costs money to hire someone to curate these stories. ACP just wants to make a quick buck.
What they are going to end up getting is a lot of customers that finally get fed up with the crap they keep on pulling and then more sales will start going down. If the Digest sales start to sink badly ACP will be in even more trouble.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 13, 2016, 03:16:23 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 13, 2016, 01:16:41 PM
No, this isn't the first time I noticed this. I know they love to repeat stories over and over but it still makes me mad....I didn't know about HS Hijinks being cancelled. Is it the same one as Pep Rally, or is that another one?

Well, you got me with that one. I hadn't even heard of any Spectacular called "Pep Rally", so I had to google that one for more information. Most of those turned out to be dead ends (like the Walmart.com listings) that didn't provide any information or even show a cover image.

No, I had to go all the way to a bookstore in Malaysia to find a listing for that with a little more info and a cover image, which indeed -- does turn out to be the same cover as "High School Hijinks". Unlike a lot of the other listings, this one actually identified the book correctly as being cancelled.

https://malaysia.kinokuniya.com/bw/9781627388665 (https://malaysia.kinokuniya.com/bw/9781627388665)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 13, 2016, 03:47:04 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 01:48:12 PM
0-day so I've read (so far):

       
  • Spidey #4
  • Spider-Gwen #7
  • The Unbelievable Gwenpool #1
Saving Princeless book 5 #1 for last ...

"0-day"?

Wow, I read a few pages into SPIDEY #4 and then just gave up. What a difference the art of Nick Bradshaw made on the first 3 issues of that book (which are slated to be reprinted in a one-shot deluxe Marvel Treasury Edition). Unless Bradshaw's just skipping an issue or two before coming back, I guess I'm done with it.

Here's what I read today:
REGGIE'S WISE GUY JOKES #13 (June 1970)
HENCHGIRL #6 (Things take an interesting turn in this issue.)
AW YEAH COMICS ACTION CAT AND ADVENTURE BUG #2
WALT DISNEY'S COMICS AND STORIES #730
THANOS: THE INFINITY FINALE (OGN) - (This being the third OGN by Jim Starlin in a trilogy. It occurs to me I may have missed the second one, so I'll have to look into reordering that.)
SILVER SURFER #3 (I just love what Dan Slott and Mike Allred have been doing with this character. Great stuff.)
HERCULES #6 (A title I was only slowly warming up to, this issue totally sold me on the revised concept. Absolutely zero action in this issue, but the characterization and dialogue held me riveted for the entire issue. A teaser on the last page leads me to believe this is the final under this title, to be replace by a new #1 called THE GODS OF WAR.)
MOON KNIGHT #1 (I haven't been a huge fan of Jeff Lemire's writing, so I almost skipped this, but I'm glad I read it now. I'll read at least a couple more issues now, as he kind of hooked me with the general concept here.)
BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #5 (of 6)
JUPITER'S CIRCLE - Book 2 #5 (of 6)
ROUGH RIDERS #1

I have more to get to from this week's haul, but that's probably it for today. Other stuff I got today:
THE PHANTOM COMPLETE SUNDAYS VOL 3 HC
DONALD DUCK: GHOST OF THE GROTTO TP
DONALD DUCK: THE GOLDEN HELMET TP
BLACK BAT DOUBLE NOVEL #3
THE SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL #105
MONSTER BASH #26
CAPTAIN AMERICA 70TH ANNIVERSARY MAGAZINE (Free)
DC REBIRTH PREVIEWS MAGAZINE (Free again)
WONDER WOMAN '77 SPECIAL #3
DOC SAVAGE: THE SPIDER'S WEB #5 (of 5)
BRUCE LEE: THE DRAGON RISES #1
THE THREE STOOGES: THE BOYS ARE BACK #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on April 13, 2016, 06:38:47 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 13, 2016, 03:16:23 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on April 13, 2016, 01:16:41 PM
No, this isn't the first time I noticed this. I know they love to repeat stories over and over but it still makes me mad....I didn't know about HS Hijinks being cancelled. Is it the same one as Pep Rally, or is that another one?

Well, you got me with that one. I hadn't even heard of any Spectacular called "Pep Rally", so I had to google that one for more information. Most of those turned out to be dead ends (like the Walmart.com listings) that didn't provide any information or even show a cover image.

No, I had to go all the way to a bookstore in Malaysia to find a listing for that with a little more info and a cover image, which indeed -- does turn out to be the same cover as "High School Hijinks". Unlike a lot of the other listings, this one actually identified the book correctly as being cancelled.

https://malaysia.kinokuniya.com/bw/9781627388665 (https://malaysia.kinokuniya.com/bw/9781627388665)


I got the Pep Rally title from my library's online database. I just checked again and noticed that the cover image does indeed say High School Hijinks. Too bad it was cancelled.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 06:54:05 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 13, 2016, 02:37:24 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 01:48:12 PM
0-day so I've read (so far):

       
  • Spidey #4
  • Spider-Gwen #7
  • The Unbelievable Gwenpool #1
Saving Princeless book 5 #1 for last ...

I liked princeless book 5 #0 even though it was more of a prequel.

How's gwenpool?
that's a hard question — it's definitely a strange book, self-referential mocking of the superhero genre; and that was the stated intent (more or less — do you know anything about it already?) ... I'd like it to succeed actually, but not sure if they're going to pull it off ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 07:06:08 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 13, 2016, 03:47:04 PM
"0-day"?
The day when new comics hit the stores ...

QuoteWow, I read a few pages into SPIDEY #4 and then just gave up. What a difference the art of Nick Bradshaw made on the first 3 issues of that book (which are slated to be reprinted in a one-shot deluxe Marvel Treasury Edition). Unless Bradshaw's just skipping an issue or two before coming back, I guess I'm done with it.
I wouldn't say the art made a real difference to me, but I don't blame you for giving up — I thought the first issue showed a lot of potential, but with #2 it just seemed ...  ::) aimless?  :-\ pointless?  :( I'll probably keep watching where it goes a while longer, but ...  :P

QuoteHENCHGIRL #6 (Things take an interesting turn in this issue.)
Definitely — may you live in interesting times.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 13, 2016, 07:23:11 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 06:54:05 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 13, 2016, 02:37:24 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 01:48:12 PM
0-day so I've read (so far):

       
  • Spidey #4
  • Spider-Gwen #7
  • The Unbelievable Gwenpool #1
Saving Princeless book 5 #1 for last ...

I liked princeless book 5 #0 even though it was more of a prequel.

How's gwenpool?
that's a hard question — it's definitely a strange book, self-referential mocking of the superhero genre; and that was the stated intent (more or less — do you know anything about it already?) ... I'd like it to succeed actually, but not sure if they're going to pull it off ...


Don't know anything about it or Marvel but the art looked cool.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 13, 2016, 07:24:12 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 07:06:08 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 13, 2016, 03:47:04 PM
"0-day"?
The day when new comics hit the stores ...

QuoteWow, I read a few pages into SPIDEY #4 and then just gave up. What a difference the art of Nick Bradshaw made on the first 3 issues of that book (which are slated to be reprinted in a one-shot deluxe Marvel Treasury Edition). Unless Bradshaw's just skipping an issue or two before coming back, I guess I'm done with it.
I wouldn't say the art made a real difference to me, but I don't blame you for giving up — I thought the first issue showed a lot of potential, but with #2 it just seemed ...  ::) aimless?  :-\ pointless?  :( I'll probably keep watching where it goes a while longer, but ...  :P

QuoteHENCHGIRL #6 (Things take an interesting turn in this issue.)
Definitely — may you live in interesting times.


Just as I gave up on the series. Boo. Maybe I'll have to pick it up again. Too bad they don't do digital issues. I guess I'll slog through the web comic.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 13, 2016, 07:29:24 PM
More manga...My Love Story and Princess Jellyfish
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 07:49:28 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 13, 2016, 07:23:11 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 06:54:05 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 13, 2016, 02:37:24 PM
How's gwenpool?
that's a hard question — it's definitely a strange book, self-referential mocking of the superhero genre; and that was the stated intent (more or less — do you know anything about it already?) ... I'd like it to succeed actually, but not sure if they're going to pull it off ...

Don't know anything about it or Marvel but the art looked cool.
Gwen Poole is a comic fan who got "displaced" during a multi-universe event ... her version of Earth is essentially ours, and she's read all sorts of Marvel comics so when she ends up on that earth she decides she's dreaming or part of a book/narrative and must be the hero — so she will win in the end and nothing horribly bad can happen ... and if she is the hero in a superhero world then she gets to be a superhero ... and starts living out her fantasies ... and things get ... weird ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 13, 2016, 08:00:10 PM
No reading for me again, I actually went out & went to the avenue.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 13, 2016, 08:11:24 PM
I finished up Pep Digital Exclusive #5.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 14, 2016, 01:32:48 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 13, 2016, 07:24:12 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 07:06:08 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 13, 2016, 03:47:04 PM
QuoteHENCHGIRL #6 (Things take an interesting turn in this issue.)
Definitely — may you live in interesting times.
Just as I gave up on the series. Boo. Maybe I'll have to pick it up again. Too bad they don't do digital issues. I guess I'll slog through the web comic.

Webcomics are annoying to you to the point where you'd rather pay for a PDF (or whatever digital format it is you're used to reading) than to "slog" through it for FREE? Or you know, save a bunch of the webcomics as JPGs and put them in a file folder on your tablet where your comic reader app can access them? This I don't get. The fact that they're free is what keeps me reading webcomics. Other digital comics that are available in print, it's just easier to get the print copy. When they're not available (or hard to find) in print, then it's just annoying. Unless they're free webcomics.

The other thing I realized the other day when thinking about this is that I have absolutely NO sense of urgency about getting digital comics. They're not going to NOT be available next week, next month, or next year, or harder to find, or more expensive. (In fact, they occasionally are later on sale cheaper, for 99 cents or something, on ComiXology, or other places that have sales on digital comics.) That makes them a lot lower priority for me, because I need to find the stuff that won't be easy to find next week, next month, next year FIRST. So that stuff goes to the top of my list, while digital comics go to the bottom. A lot of the stuff I read and/or collect isn't available digitally anyway.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 14, 2016, 02:03:00 AM
Quote from: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 07:49:28 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 13, 2016, 07:23:11 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 06:54:05 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 13, 2016, 02:37:24 PM
How's gwenpool?
that's a hard question — it's definitely a strange book, self-referential mocking of the superhero genre; and that was the stated intent (more or less — do you know anything about it already?) ... I'd like it to succeed actually, but not sure if they're going to pull it off ...

Don't know anything about it or Marvel but the art looked cool.
Gwen Poole is a comic fan who got "displaced" during a multi-universe event ... her version of Earth is essentially ours, and she's read all sorts of Marvel comics so when she ends up on that earth she decides she's dreaming or part of a book/narrative and must be the hero — so she will win in the end and nothing horribly bad can happen ... and if she is the hero in a superhero world then she gets to be a superhero ... and starts living out her fantasies ... and things get ... weird ...

Pretty much seems like Marvel's answer to Harley Quinn to me... the adventures of a dangerously loopy chick.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 14, 2016, 05:20:10 AM
Quote from: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 07:06:08 PM
QuoteWow, I read a few pages into SPIDEY #4 and then just gave up. What a difference the art of Nick Bradshaw made on the first 3 issues of that book (which are slated to be reprinted in a one-shot deluxe Marvel Treasury Edition). Unless Bradshaw's just skipping an issue or two before coming back, I guess I'm done with it.
I wouldn't say the art made a real difference to me, but I don't blame you for giving up — I thought the first issue showed a lot of potential, but with #2 it just seemed ...  ::) aimless?  :-\ pointless?  :( I'll probably keep watching where it goes a while longer, but ...  :P

I took 'the point' such as it is, to be approximately the same as that of Ultimate Spider-Man when that title started out, i.e. "What If Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man were just beginning his career today?" Come to think of it, that's pretty much what Kurt Busiek & Pat Oliffe's Untold Tales of Spider-Man was as well, except that they weren't concentrating so much on making a point of modernizing things, just telling modern-style stories "interstitially" dispersed between those classic adventures. SPIDEY wasn't doing a straight retelling of the original Lee/Ditko stories so much as a reinterpretation of Peter's first encounters with various foes in a modern context, which I think is perfectly valid. If you're going to sweat how it fits into "Spider-Man continuity", it's probably just going to be a burr in your saddle.

Is there a place in modern comics for a stripped-down, back-to-basics Spider-Man? I think there is; but then again, the execution is everything (Bradshaw's art made those stories dynamic and fun, whereas the art in #4 made it all look rather dull and pedestrian). I pretty much have zero interest in the continuity-heavy, complexly-interwoven adventures of the current Spider-Man. Marvel Universe Spider-Man fans obviously disagree vehemently with my opinion.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 14, 2016, 08:05:15 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 14, 2016, 01:32:48 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 13, 2016, 07:24:12 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 07:06:08 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 13, 2016, 03:47:04 PM
QuoteHENCHGIRL #6 (Things take an interesting turn in this issue.)
Definitely — may you live in interesting times.
Just as I gave up on the series. Boo. Maybe I'll have to pick it up again. Too bad they don't do digital issues. I guess I'll slog through the web comic.

Webcomics are annoying to you to the point where you'd rather pay for a PDF (or whatever digital format it is you're used to reading) than to "slog" through it for FREE? Or you know, save a bunch of the webcomics as JPGs and put them in a file folder on your tablet where your comic reader app can access them? This I don't get. The fact that they're free is what keeps me reading webcomics. Other digital comics that are available in print, it's just easier to get the print copy. When they're not available (or hard to find) in print, then it's just annoying. Unless they're free webcomics.

The other thing I realized the other day when thinking about this is that I have absolutely NO sense of urgency about getting digital comics. They're not going to NOT be available next week, next month, or next year, or harder to find, or more expensive. (In fact, they occasionally are later on sale cheaper, for 99 cents or something, on ComiXology, or other places that have sales on digital comics.) That makes them a lot lower priority for me, because I need to find the stuff that won't be easy to find next week, next month, next year FIRST. So that stuff goes to the top of my list, while digital comics go to the bottom. A lot of the stuff I read and/or collect isn't available digitally anyway.

I don't like webcomics because you have to click from page from page. And I read fast so it disrupts my enjoyment having to wait for each page to load. I have an ad blocker so that isn't the problem. To read them fluidly I have to beg my husband for some computer science trickery to download the images through a command line. And he hates my comic habit. I believe in supporting things monetarily if I like them otherwise they will stop publishing them.

To buy physical comics I have to pay shipping which makes the comics cost double and as you said if you wait long enough there will be a sale on Comixology. I also read a lot of Kindle books and download from iTunes and digital items do disappear from these stores over time especially if they are from indie companies. It must cost money to host these things on these big websites and small companies can't afford it over time. I've learned that the hard way when I've waited to buy things digitally.

I have a lot of those deluxe hardcovers and they hurt my hands to read them. Also they take up a lot of space and in my field I have to move around a lot.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 14, 2016, 10:22:40 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 14, 2016, 02:03:00 AM
Quote from: invisifan on April 13, 2016, 07:49:28 PM
Gwen Poole is a comic fan who got "displaced" during a multi-universe event ... her version of Earth is essentially ours, and she's read all sorts of Marvel comics so when she ends up on that earth she decides she's dreaming or part of a book/narrative and must be the hero — so she will win in the end and nothing horribly bad can happen ... and if she is the hero in a superhero world then she gets to be a superhero ... and starts living out her fantasies ... and things get ... weird ...
Pretty much seems like Marvel's answer to Harley Quinn to me... the adventures of a dangerously loopy chick.
Quite possibly true — her  view of the world is that it's just a story or video game (her mind holding on to sanity in the wake of the events that brought her to her current place, by extreme rationalization, so definitely loopy) and since she views it as unreal and essential a (violent) game for her to play she is totally fearless and has no second thoughts about killing bad guys or blowing up unreal estate ... so also definitely dangerous ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 14, 2016, 10:40:14 AM
I read
Archie #1- Sanford Greene variant
Archie #2-Erica Henderson variant
Archie #3-Fiona Staples
Archie #4-Joe Quinones variant
Archie #7-Djibril Morissette -Phan
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 14, 2016, 10:50:47 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 14, 2016, 05:20:10 AM
I took 'the point' such as it is, to be approximately the same as that of Ultimate Spider-Man when that title started out, i.e. "What If Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man were just beginning his career today?" Come to think of it, that's pretty much what Kurt Busiek & Pat Oliffe's Untold Tales of Spider-Man was as well, except that they weren't concentrating so much on making a point of modernizing things, just telling modern-style stories "interstitially" dispersed between those classic adventures. SPIDEY wasn't doing a straight retelling of the original Lee/Ditko stories so much as a reinterpretation of Peter's first encounters with various foes in a modern context, which I think is perfectly valid. If you're going to sweat how it fits into "Spider-Man continuity", it's probably just going to be a burr in your saddle.
On the one hand, they just went to a lot of trouble to get rid of the Ultimate Universe ... so why start a new one? Retelling in a modern style is no problem — this certainly isn't the main universe, so they can do what they want it's just that it's rushed and aimless ... They are changing fundamental things for no apparent reason and skipping over details (new and old) apparently rushing to get somewhere, with nowhere to go ... it's a new continuity, but they aren't giving us an actual story, just vignettes along the way, so — pointless and aimless. If they treated it as a new continuity (like Spider-Gwen) I'd be fine with that but it has no substance.

QuoteIs there a place in modern comics for a stripped-down, back-to-basics Spider-Man? I think there is; but then again, the execution is everything (Bradshaw's art made those stories dynamic and fun, whereas the art in #4 made it all look rather dull and pedestrian). I pretty much have zero interest in the continuity-heavy, complexly-interwoven adventures of the current Spider-Man. Marvel Universe Spider-Man fans obviously disagree vehemently with my opinion.
This is stripped down beyond the point of readable on my opinion — the art isn't the determining factor, the whole thing just falls flat ... and a sad part of it is that this is really all there is for Peter Parker — anywhere else he's just a big name cameo — including what should be his own book: "The Amazing Spider-man" which is now really "Parker Ind. Inc." with him pretending to be his own bodyguard/security force like Stark's original Iron Man deal ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Great Gazoo on April 14, 2016, 01:45:18 PM
I'm reading Pep Digital Exclusive #6 Archie & Friends Mother Knows Best.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 14, 2016, 04:47:36 PM
In my attempt to try superheroes again I read Mockingbird #1. It was interesting. The first issue didn't explain much.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 14, 2016, 05:12:41 PM
Heart Throb #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 14, 2016, 05:18:32 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 14, 2016, 04:47:36 PM
In my attempt to try superheroes again I read Mockingbird #1. It was interesting. The first issue didn't explain much.
She has a long history (which isn't totally necessary) — nothing like Patsy of course and she's always been in the superhero side of things, but about 50 years I'd say ... I could do a summary if you want, but I doubt it's essential ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 14, 2016, 06:06:43 PM
Goldie Vance #1 - Nancy Drew in South Florida. It's definitely an all ages comic and I wouldn't compare her to Veronica Mars. Not snarky enough.


I liked the preview in the back for the Lumberjanes and Gotham Academy crossover. I've been trying to catch up on Gotham Academy in preparation.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 14, 2016, 06:08:30 PM
Quote from: invisifan on April 14, 2016, 05:18:32 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 14, 2016, 04:47:36 PM
In my attempt to try superheroes again I read Mockingbird #1. It was interesting. The first issue didn't explain much.
She has a long history (which isn't totally necessary) — nothing like Patsy of course and she's always been in the superhero side of things, but about 50 years I'd say ... I could do a summary if you want, but I doubt it's essential ...


Do you think I would like issue #2? I think it was released this week. I'm on the fence with continuing the series.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 14, 2016, 06:39:29 PM
I've picked it up but not read it yet — will get to it tonight and let you know  ;)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 14, 2016, 07:31:44 PM
Harrow County #11 - Oh how I love thee. Still acting mysterious. I especially like the scary stories sent in by readers in the back.


Another Castle #2 - Beautiful art especially the colors. The story is standard princess fare/fairytale written by a man.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 15, 2016, 12:18:41 AM
Today I read ARCHIE GIANT SERIES #590 and 602, and JUGHEAD'S TIME POLICE #1-6; plus about halfway through JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE COMICS DIGEST #2.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 15, 2016, 02:39:59 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 14, 2016, 06:08:30 PM
QuoteIn my attempt to try superheroes again I read Mockingbird #1. It was interesting. The first issue didn't explain much.
Do you think I would like issue #2? I think it was released this week. I'm on the fence with continuing the series.
Quote from: invisifan on April 14, 2016, 06:39:29 PM
I've picked it up but not read it yet — will get to it tonight and let you know  ;)
Okay — if you thought #1 was interesting I'd say definitely give the next 4 a try ... it's a bit of a mystery and more spy than superhero for the most part — and it's supposed to be a puzzle that's shown as it goes along, with the first issue just intended to intrigue ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Mr.Lodge on April 15, 2016, 06:13:43 PM
Patty Cake by Scott Roberts

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv74%2Fncsercs%2Farchie%2Fpat0001_zpsabipn8po.jpg&hash=cc63e8e43edd5816fc20acf5cce7bdb8b2b54570)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 16, 2016, 12:54:55 AM
I read
📖 - Cheryl Blossom #6 & #8 & #27
📖- Archie 3000 #1 & #2 & #7 & #11
📖- The New Archies #1 & #15 & #22
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 17, 2016, 02:09:13 AM
Friday 4/15
JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE COMICS DIGEST #2

Saturday 04/16
ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #267 (arrived that same day, along with Jughead and Archie Spring Annual #20)
WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #58 (arrived 04/14)

... and that catches me up on the current digests, at least until Archie Comics Annual #268 or Betty and Veronica Double Digest #243, whichever comes out first. Until I get those in the mail, I'll be catching up on older Jughead and Archie, and Jughead & Friends digests.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 18, 2016, 06:08:54 AM
I read each of 12 minutes
The Best Of Archie-75 Years 75 Stories
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
The Best Of Archie Comics Starring Betty & Veronica
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 19, 2016, 04:22:48 AM
I read
Jughead #5-Henderson
Deadly Class #19
Jem & Holograms-Valentine's Day Special
Jem & Holograms #13
Lumberjanes #23 & #24
Black Canary #2 & #9
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 19, 2016, 01:35:32 PM
Bruce Lee The Dragon Rises #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 19, 2016, 02:22:49 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 19, 2016, 01:35:32 PM
Bruce Lee The Dragon Rises #1

I have this, but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Any good?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 19, 2016, 04:58:36 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 19, 2016, 02:22:49 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 19, 2016, 01:35:32 PM
Bruce Lee The Dragon Rises #1

I have this, but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Any good?


I like it. I had no idea what the story was before I read it. Lots of fighting scenes which is to be expected.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 19, 2016, 09:42:42 PM
So I was just reading HOWARD THE DUCK (2016, Vol. 2) #6, which is, in addition to being the second part of a crossover with THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL (also 2016, Vol. 2) #6, a story that takes place in between HOWARD THE DUCK (2016, Vol. 1) and HOWARD THE DUCK (2016, Vol. 2), that explains just where the heck Howard got that cyborg cat that he's had hanging around since the beginning of Vol. 2.

Now, the interesting thing here, is that a running footnote/sidebar metatextual commentary (which is the usual case for things in SQUIRREL GIRL, but not in HOWARD THE DUCK) reveals some previously unknown facts of major significance to the Marvel Universe mythos. To wit, and with reference to the character of Weapon II (who, I guess I need to explain, is a mutant cyborg squirrel, and a product of the same clandestine government program that produced Weapon X, whom most of you may know as Wolverine): As it turns out, "Weapon II" is (shockingly, I know) NOT pronounced as "Weapon Eye-Eye" but as "Weapon Two" ("II" being the Roman numeral for "2"), which means, by implication, that "Weapon X" is not pronounced "Weapon Echhs" either, but as "Weapon TEN" (again, "X" being the Roman numeral for "10"). THAT, in itself, was mind-staggering enough to those of us who had been pronouncing it "Weapon Echhs" all these years, but THEN, to have it revealed (still in the aforementioned running footnote/sidebar metatextual commentary - stay with me here) that IN ACTUAL FACT, Professor Xavier had meant to create a team of mutants known as the "Ten-Men" (his idea being that he could find 10 mutants to fill out the team ranks), but had tried to be clever and used the Roman numeral X as the designation for the number of mutants in the team. Well, obviously he did not succeed in finding his ten suitable mutants for the team, and gave up after finding only five. Since everybody was already calling his mutant team "The Echhs-Men", he just let them think he meant the English letter of the alphabet X, and not the Roman numeral, all along. This is the kind of shocking revelation that totally rewrites TOHOTMU (that's The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, in case you haven't been paying attention). Oh, and there's a story in here (HOWARD THE DUCK #6, still) with both Squirrel Girl and Howard in it (and the aforementioned cyborg cat - not to be confused with Weapon II, who is a cyborg squirrel), as well. AND THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAID THAT THIS TITLE WAS NOT IMPORTANT TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE!! HAH!, I say, HAH!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 19, 2016, 10:56:58 PM
Browsing the Eisner nominees looking for more recs...


Lady Killer #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 20, 2016, 09:28:49 AM

What I read today 04-20:

BACK TO THE FUTURE #7 (IDW)
ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #6 - Nick Spenser does an interesting job of mixing serious stuff with light comedy. Fun book.
SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL #4 - The best part was when Spidey and Pool went on a double date, and wound up being forced to dance in a club on stage in their underwear. You just don't see enough of that type of thing in superhero comics. PS: Deadpool was wearing his Spider-Man underpants.
HOWARD THE DUCK #6 - Case closed! Boy, does Howard love to say that, even when it really isn't. He just wants it to be true so bad. Did I mention he has a talking cyborg cat named Biggs? Well, he calls him a "robocat" but he's pretty much a cyborg.
ASTRO CITY #34 (DC/Vertigo) - I'll keep going on this as long as Kurt Busiek wants to write the thing.
TITANS HUNT #7 (of 8 ) - Oh well, might as well see how it ends now, I guess.
HYPERION #2  - this will be my last
HUCK #6 (of 6) (Image)
DONALD DUCK #379 (IDW) - Wow, I just realized all these Disney titles have 36 pages of story for $4!
GUTTER MAGIC #4 (of 4) (IDW)
CAPTAIN AMERICA SAM WILSON #8- Getting close to dropping this, I think.
TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #5 - Getting close to dropping this, I think.
INVINCIBLE #127 (Image) - still kinda lost
SNOWFALL #3 (Image) - I think this will be my last
BLACK-EYED KIDS #1 (Aftershock)
HEARTTHROB #1 (Oni Press)
JONESY #3 (of 4) (Oni Press)

I gotta start dropping some stuff.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 20, 2016, 01:40:17 PM
Injustice Year 5 #18
Huck #6
Invincible #127
Silk #7
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 20, 2016, 07:13:16 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 20, 2016, 09:28:49 AM

What I read today 04-20:

BACK TO THE FUTURE #7 (IDW)
ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #6 - Nick Spenser does an interesting job of mixing serious stuff with light comedy. Fun book.
SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL #4 - The best part was when Spidey and Pool went on a double date, and wound up being forced to dance in a club on stage in their underwear. You just don't see enough of that type of thing in superhero comics. PS: Deadpool was wearing his Spider-Man underpants.
HOWARD THE DUCK #6 - Case closed! Boy, does Howard love to say that, even when it really isn't. He just wants it to be true so bad. Did I mention he has a talking cyborg cat named Biggs? Well, he calls him a "robocat" but he's pretty much a cyborg.
ASTRO CITY #34 (DC/Vertigo) - I'll keep going on this as long as Kurt Busiek wants to write the thing.
TITANS HUNT #7 (of 8 ) - Oh well, might as well see how it ends now, I guess.
HYPERION #2  - this will be my last
HUCK #6 (of 6) (Image)
DONALD DUCK #379 (IDW) - Wow, I just realized all these Disney titles have 36 pages of story for $4!
GUTTER MAGIC #4 (of 4) (IDW)
CAPTAIN AMERICA SAM WILSON #8- Getting close to dropping this, I think.
TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #5 - Getting close to dropping this, I think.
INVINCIBLE #127 (Image) - still kinda lost
SNOWFALL #3 (Image) - I think this will be my last
BLACK-EYED KIDS #1 (Aftershock)
HEARTTHROB #1 (Oni Press)
JONESY #3 (of 4) (Oni Press)

I gotta start dropping some stuff.


How did you like Huck? I read the 1st two issues and it was basically a superhero story starring an everyman.


What did you think of Heartthrob?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 20, 2016, 09:58:50 PM
Silk #1 - Kinda like a poor man's Patsy Walker instead she's working as a journalist.


Finished Lady Killer #1-5
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 21, 2016, 01:50:10 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 20, 2016, 07:13:16 PM
How did you like Huck? I read the 1st two issues and it was basically a superhero story starring an everyman.

I like it. It has a real upbeat quality to it, unlike a lot of superhero comics. I see it as taking the original stripped-down Superman concept and crossing it with Forrest Gump.

Quote from: irishmoxie on April 20, 2016, 07:13:16 PM
What did you think of Heartthrob?

I don't think I'll continue on this one. I found the artwork... "interesting", not to say bad, but the artist made the protagonist character look unattractive most of the time by giving her these odd facial expressions (or maybe he's trying, but just has trouble drawing the eyes). Apart from that though, the whole thing was just kind of a drag to read, like the script was really bogged down; it was taking a long time to plow through it, and the whole thing just left me with the impression of being too depressing to really be entertaining. A fair amount of what's happening is predictable, so the fact that it takes so long for the writer to get there is kind of irksome. It's easy to imagine this being turned into a not-bad movie, though (which I'm sure they're hoping).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 21, 2016, 11:14:17 AM
I finished Betty & Veronica Friends-Easter Annual #247. But I also read Betty & Veronica Double Digest #234 & Betty & Veronica-Jumbo Comics #242 & Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala. I read each of those for 12 minutes.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 21, 2016, 12:16:21 PM
Finished reading through Nodwick; started Insufferable.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 21, 2016, 02:22:59 PM
Not really a comic, but I'm reading "The Gremlins" by Roald Dahl (writing as 'Pegasus', with illustrations by the Walt Disney Studio) from the December 1942 issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine, as reprinted in the back of The Return of the Gremlins hardcover, a Dark Horse Comics sequel to the story (which later was expanded to book form in 1943). The story (and 1943 book) was intended to form the basis of a (never-produced) Disney animated movie. Roald Dahl wrote it when he was in the RAF, still a young man in his twenties. He later went on to write such books as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and The Witches (all of which have been made into films). These Gremlins have nothing whatsoever to do with the popular 1980s film directed by Joe Dante. Also in the back of the hardcover are some reprints of short comic strips by Walt Kelly from WALT DISNEY'S COMICS AND STORIES from 1942 and 1943.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 21, 2016, 02:41:11 PM
The last Archie I read was Archie #7.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 22, 2016, 12:14:34 AM
Finished RETURN OF THE GREMLINS (the comic sequel portion which is the main part of the book) and THE NEW ENGLAND LIFE OF CARTOONIST BOB MONTANA.
Started ARCHIE BY BOB MONTANA: THE COMPLETE NEWSPAPER COMICS 1946-1948 (50 pages or so), and ARCHIE GIANT COMICS COLLECTION (also 50 pages or so).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 22, 2016, 07:09:45 AM
This A.M. before school I read Jughead #5
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 22, 2016, 11:38:05 AM
This morning:
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zonanegativa.com%2Fimagenes%2F2016%2F01%2Fdeadly_hands_of_criminal.jpg&hash=2ff4c6274e451d3366a41c9219aa07ee2c4b9687)


These CRIMINAL specials are a great standalone story (last year's pictured below). There are pages from a 1970s B&W retro comic interspersed and paralleling events of the main story. Brubaker and Phillips are to comics what Quentin Tarantino is to films.


(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frobot6.comicbookresources.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F01%2Fcriminalcvrmagazine_r-01.jpg&hash=4fd44cb9bce9856f05a764b32df0271fe2e7088b)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 22, 2016, 03:48:00 PM
Reading Jughead #4 and Archie #5.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 23, 2016, 06:12:07 PM
Loving Rachel Rising so far. It fills the "good but creepy story" vibe while I wait between issues of Harrow County. I don't usually like black and white but the art is so good. When she was walking through the forest I could practically hear the leaves crunching (without those sound effect words).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 23, 2016, 06:15:56 PM
Went back to the beginning with the new Jughead and read #1 again. I really like that story line.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 23, 2016, 06:52:54 PM
Henchgirl #5 and 6 - Don't really get this comic. She's superglueing this guy back together and I have no idea where he came from and in the next issue she's kidnapped??
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 23, 2016, 06:57:10 PM
I now going onto the new Jughead #2. By the end of the day I am going to read all 5 of them again.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 23, 2016, 07:11:47 PM
Princeless Make Yourself #1 - not as good of a series as Vol 1 and 2 and the Raven books
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 23, 2016, 07:28:57 PM
Now onto the new Jughead #3. I tell ya every time I read this story over I find new things in it.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 23, 2016, 07:36:46 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 23, 2016, 06:52:54 PM
Henchgirl #5 and 6 - Don't really get this comic. She's superglueing this guy back together and I have no idea where he came from and in the next issue she's kidnapped??


He was in previous issues. This is where it probably helps not to have such big gaps between reading issues. I really think those first six read much better if you read them back-to-back (or eventually, as a graphic novel, print or digital version).


1. He has a really dumb superpower, able to leave his body but his body then becomes immobile and brittle, and when the bad guys figure this out they smash him like a glass statue.


2. She's "kidnapped" by the same gang of which she's supposed to be a lowly henchgirl, when they finally figure out that it was SHE that really betrayed the gang. In fact, they ascertain this for sure by tricking her into holding a magical gem which requires the holder to only speak the truth, and then they just ask her point blank. She's unable to lie about it until after she isn't holding the gem, so they are now treating her as a prisoner and an enemy superhero.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 23, 2016, 08:06:59 PM
The new Jughead #4 is next up for me right now.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 24, 2016, 07:14:04 AM
I read some digital comics
Reggie & Me
Betty's Garden Variety
Archie & Friends-Love Is Blind
Cheryl Blossom-High School Royalty
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 24, 2016, 12:14:22 PM
When I woke up I reread the new Archie #1 & 2. Now I am about to reread #3.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 24, 2016, 03:50:58 PM
Quote from: GingerGal on April 24, 2016, 12:14:22 PM
When I woke up I reread the new Archie #1 & 2. Now I am about to reread #3.


Out of curiosity do you just have the regular covers for Archie and Jughead? If you have any variants, which ones?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 24, 2016, 04:18:21 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 24, 2016, 03:50:58 PM
Quote from: GingerGal on April 24, 2016, 12:14:22 PM
When I woke up I reread the new Archie #1 & 2. Now I am about to reread #3.


Out of curiosity do you just have the regular covers for Archie and Jughead? If you have any variants, which ones?
I mostly have the regular covers because that is what they order at the comic shop I get them at. You have to special order a variant if you want that.

Archie #1: Regular Cover
Archie #2: Regular Cover
Archie #3: Variant Cover(Stuart Immonen)
Archie #4: Variant Cover(Mahmud Asrar)
Archie#5: Regular Cover
Archie #6: Variant Cover(Marguerite Sauvage)
Archie #7: Regular Cover

Jughead #1: Regular Cover
Jughead #2: Regular Cover
Jughead #3: Variant Cover(Ty Templeton)
Jughead #4: Regular Cover
Jughead #5: Variant Cover(Thomas Pitilli)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 24, 2016, 08:23:29 PM
I'm going read each of for 15 minutes.
🎉 Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash 🎉
🎉 The Best Of Archie Comics-Starring Betty & Veronica 🎉
🎉 The Best Of Archie Comics-75 Years 75 Stories 🎉
🎉 Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration 🎉
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 24, 2016, 08:37:33 PM
I have read the new Archie #1-6. I've only got #7 left to go.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on April 24, 2016, 09:52:47 PM
Quote from: kassandralove on April 24, 2016, 08:31:27 PM
Just got this issue of Millie the Model it was 10 dollars pretty good condition a few small rips
Wonder how much it's actually going for

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160425%2Ff5a5890d11aa00eb7b78aca7a48d347b.jpg&hash=0fa9ccc814ac788637c9e5397c6a4707c672ba66)

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160425%2Fdaeecbf72f69c09b0031a3711ca1089c.jpg&hash=d907e45847ab38519359cc45bf648e88e0500909)
Also she looks like a Cyclops from side view lol
I was just thinking "cyclops" myself ...
as for value ... a lot of factors come into place including subject evaluation of condition — based on the picture & your description I'd say it rates around "good" from a dealers viewer — maybe a little less if the dealer was buying, or a bit more based on age and generosity ... 2 years ago that would be about $8US and while some thing go up, it's not by that much, and Millie in particular wouldn't have seen a huge change in value in that period (I could check for sure tomorrow if you want though) ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 24, 2016, 10:14:47 PM
I did complete my reading task for the weekend by rereading all 7 of the new Archie comics and also all 5 of the new Jughead comics. I can't wait till next month and the new ones come out for both of them.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 25, 2016, 12:58:14 AM
Quote from: kassandralove on April 24, 2016, 08:31:27 PM
Just got this issue of Millie the Model it was 10 dollars pretty good condition a few small rips
Wonder how much it's actually going for

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160425%2Ff5a5890d11aa00eb7b78aca7a48d347b.jpg&hash=0fa9ccc814ac788637c9e5397c6a4707c672ba66)

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160425%2F8d71c9c36c4e543814dabdd68ef2c56f.jpg&hash=2be194fbd951cbdf4908a3badae9667b9e5ffb51)

Also she looks like a Cyclops from side view lol
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160425%2Fdaeecbf72f69c09b0031a3711ca1089c.jpg&hash=d907e45847ab38519359cc45bf648e88e0500909)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The early-to-mid 1960s MILLIEs are cool, but I don't like them as much as the older ones (1950s, largely the work of Dan DeCarlo, but those are hard to come by in better condition), or the ones from after 1967, when MILLIE got "retro-booted" back to being a teen humor comic. But any of them are good; I just like the ones where the stories are more cartoony/funny than soap-opera/drama better.

(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_iv/600/696949.jpg)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 25, 2016, 07:22:46 AM
I read
🏯 🎰 🚲 Cheryl Blossom #1 & #2 & #3 & #4 & #5 & #9 & #10 & #22 & #23 Cheryl Blossom #3-Special.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 25, 2016, 07:30:54 AM
Re-reading Harrow County. I just love this series. The writing and art fit perfectly together.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 25, 2016, 11:04:59 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 25, 2016, 07:30:54 AM
Re-reading Harrow County. I just love this series. The writing and art fit perfectly together.


What's it about?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 25, 2016, 11:58:58 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 25, 2016, 11:04:59 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 25, 2016, 07:30:54 AM
Re-reading Harrow County. I just love this series. The writing and art fit perfectly together.


What's it about?

It's kinda like Sabrina ;) but more of a mystery. I first read it without knowing the plot and I think it's better this way. The art is watercolors which adds to the mystery. The writer is Cullen Bunn. Usually I care more about the art than the writing but the writing is really strong in this like a novel.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 26, 2016, 06:01:58 AM
I read
🌹 Cheryl Blossom #11 & #24
🍁 Archie 3000 #14
I also read
☔ Archie's Favorite High School Comics
🎤 Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
🔆Archie Giant Comics Collection
🌃 Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #234
⚓ Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics #233
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 26, 2016, 06:13:07 PM
Just started reading Life With Archie #16. It is the one where Kevin gets married.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 26, 2016, 06:23:30 PM
I finished reading ARCHIE BY BOB MONTANA: THE COMPLETE DAILY NEWSPAPER COMICS 1946-1948. That was really good. Today I got ARCHIE'S PAL JUGHEAD ARCHIVES VOL. 1 hardcover from Dark Horse Comics, which reprints the first 8 issues from 1949-1951, so (after reading this week's current releases) that is what I'll probably be getting into next. After I finish that I plan to get the next ARCHIE BY BOB MONTANA: THE COMPLETE NEWSPAPER COMICS hardcover volume from IDW, which covers the years 1960-1963 (don't ask me why they skipped 1949 through 1959).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 26, 2016, 06:41:50 PM
Finished Life With Archie #16 and it was very good. Now I am going to read another story about Kevin Keller in Veronica #202. I think it is the first ever appearance of Kevin.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 26, 2016, 09:24:31 PM
I read
📖 Lumberjanes #25
📖 Jem & The Holograms #14
📖 Invincible #127
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 26, 2016, 09:53:42 PM
I finished Veronica #202 and now onto Veronica #205 both digital freebies on the app before I go to bed.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 27, 2016, 12:05:19 AM
This week's comics for me:
SQUADRON SUPREME #6
RICK AND MORTY # 13
JACKED #6 (of 6)
HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D. 1953: BEYOND THE FENCES #3 (of 3)
BILL AND TED GO TO HELL #3 (of 4)
3 DEVILS #2 (of 4)
JUSTICE LEAGUE #49
DARK KNIGHT III: MASTER RACE #4 (of 8 )
MICRONAUTS #1
BATMAN '66 MEETS THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. #5 (of 6)
TWILIGHT ZONE: THE SHADOW #1 (of 4)
LORDS OF THE JUNGLE #2 (of 6)
GODZILLA: OBLIVION #2 (of 5)
LOST IN SPACE #2
VELVET #14
SIMPSONS COMICS #228
PATSY WALKER A.K.A. HELLCAT #5
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 27, 2016, 07:36:01 AM
So I also noticed with the Life With Archie comic I just read that they had one where where Archie Marries Veronica and one where Archie Mariies Betty. The story line is very similar in ways as it remains that Kevin is getting married, but in Archie Marries Veronica, Betty is with Reggie. It is kind of weird but I somehow like the two different angles.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 27, 2016, 08:25:55 AM
Quote from: GingerGal on April 27, 2016, 07:36:01 AM
So I also noticed with the Life With Archie comic I just read that they had one where where Archie Marries Veronica and one where Archie Mariies Betty. The story line is very similar in ways as it remains that Kevin is getting married, but in Archie Marries Veronica, Betty is with Reggie. It is kind of weird but I somehow like the two different angles.


I'm surprised you were able to figure out what was going on, without knowing too much about the story beforehand, given that this was an issue from the middle of the 37-issue run. I read the whole thing in trade paperback from beginning to end (6 volumes) and there were times I couldn't keep straight what was happening with each character in which story.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 27, 2016, 09:05:12 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 27, 2016, 08:25:55 AM
Quote from: GingerGal on April 27, 2016, 07:36:01 AM
So I also noticed with the Life With Archie comic I just read that they had one where where Archie Marries Veronica and one where Archie Mariies Betty. The story line is very similar in ways as it remains that Kevin is getting married, but in Archie Marries Veronica, Betty is with Reggie. It is kind of weird but I somehow like the two different angles.


I'm surprised you were able to figure out what was going on, without knowing too much about the story beforehand, given that this was an issue from the middle of the 37-issue run. I read the whole thing in trade paperback from beginning to end (6 volumes) and there were times I couldn't keep straight what was happening with each character in which story.
It was hard. They had this little description of the major relationships going on in the story before you got into the actual comic. That helped a little bit. I actually liked the Veronica comics I read much better though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 27, 2016, 09:19:53 AM
I read Archie Volume #1 which has both Staples & Fish issues & Archie-The Married Life- Book #5 for 15 minutes each.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 27, 2016, 10:19:55 AM
Quote from: GingerGal on April 27, 2016, 09:05:12 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 27, 2016, 08:25:55 AM
Quote from: GingerGal on April 27, 2016, 07:36:01 AM
So I also noticed with the Life With Archie comic I just read that they had one where where Archie Marries Veronica and one where Archie Mariies Betty. The story line is very similar in ways as it remains that Kevin is getting married, but in Archie Marries Veronica, Betty is with Reggie. It is kind of weird but I somehow like the two different angles.


I'm surprised you were able to figure out what was going on, without knowing too much about the story beforehand, given that this was an issue from the middle of the 37-issue run. I read the whole thing in trade paperback from beginning to end (6 volumes) and there were times I couldn't keep straight what was happening with each character in which story.
It was hard. They had this little description of the major relationships going on in the story before you got into the actual comic. That helped a little bit. I actually liked the Veronica comics I read much better though.


That reminds me, re-reading the entire The Married Life series has been on my to-do list forever. I want to read it through the second time by just reading "Archie Marries Betty" from beginning to end, and then "Archie Marries Veronica" from beginning to end - instead of reading one chapter of each alternating back and forth (the way it appeared in LIFE WITH ARCHIE). I wonder if it will make more, or less, sense that way.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 27, 2016, 11:09:54 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 27, 2016, 10:19:55 AM
Quote from: GingerGal on April 27, 2016, 09:05:12 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 27, 2016, 08:25:55 AM
Quote from: GingerGal on April 27, 2016, 07:36:01 AM
So I also noticed with the Life With Archie comic I just read that they had one where where Archie Marries Veronica and one where Archie Mariies Betty. The story line is very similar in ways as it remains that Kevin is getting married, but in Archie Marries Veronica, Betty is with Reggie. It is kind of weird but I somehow like the two different angles.


I'm surprised you were able to figure out what was going on, without knowing too much about the story beforehand, given that this was an issue from the middle of the 37-issue run. I read the whole thing in trade paperback from beginning to end (6 volumes) and there were times I couldn't keep straight what was happening with each character in which story.
It was hard. They had this little description of the major relationships going on in the story before you got into the actual comic. That helped a little bit. I actually liked the Veronica comics I read much better though.


That reminds me, re-reading the entire The Married Life series has been on my to-do list forever. I want to read it through the second time by just reading "Archie Marries Betty" from beginning to end, and then "Archie Marries Veronica" from beginning to end - instead of reading one chapter of each alternating back and forth (the way it appeared in LIFE WITH ARCHIE). I wonder if it will make more, or less, sense that way.
I think that would be the much easier way to understand it reading it the way you said you were going to reread it. Wow that sentence didn't make much sense.  ;D
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 27, 2016, 01:48:26 PM
I keep meaning to read Life With Archie for the first time but keep getting bogged down with how depressing it is and never finish the first volume.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 27, 2016, 03:00:43 PM
The Archie Digital App came out with 3 more FREE comics so I am going to read Veronica #183. This one it looks like Veronica is going to be running for President.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: GingerGal on April 27, 2016, 09:32:58 PM
Finished Veronica #183 and now I am going to read Veronica #199 where it looks like Veronica meets American President Obama.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 28, 2016, 03:16:55 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 27, 2016, 01:48:26 PM
I keep meaning to read Life With Archie for the first time but keep getting bogged down with how depressing it is and never finish the first volume.

For me, I think it helped that The Married Life was my (re-)introduction to Archie. The long and drawn out storyline, with its convoluted soap-opera subplots and dire circumstances, is very common in the ongoing Marvel and DC titles (where there's always some new lurking menace or personal problem looming in the background). LIFE WITH ARCHIE seemed designed purposefully to attract readers who were long used to that kind of storytelling in comics.

On the plus side, you knew that these depressing circumstances were merely what you get when you emerge from the relative safety and carefree years of high school into adult life, and, being sequestered off in 'possible future' timelines, there was no chance of any of that seeping into the traditional classic Archie stories which were strictly episodic sitcoms. Here they were able to explore some situations and cater to fanboy/fangirl fantasies that couldn't be dealt with in the traditional style stories, where real change can never be allowed to accumulate.

It seems that ACP's takeaway from the publishing experience of LWA was to reboot Archie in his high school days, and add the longer continuing storyline with subplot elements of teenage angst and soap-opera dramatics (whether that be the breakup of a longtime relationship, or an evil Principal taking over the school), so if it doesn't bother you there, I don't see why it would bother you to see them as adults with problems in a 'possible future' setting. If you had said you didn't care for it because there were too many science-fictional elements in the story, that I could probably understand.

Now, the problem I have with the New Riverdale titles isn't their mere existence, for an audience that wants to purchase an "Archie variant", in the same way that LIFE WITH ARCHIE or AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE are "variant Archies". For me, it's "eh... been there, done that". That's all well and good, if what they were doing was merely expanding the audience by adding new options for types of Archie products, variants that would appeal to different audience demographic segments. The problem I have with it is that every indication is that the intention of ACP is to seed and fertilize the NEW garden of New Riverdale titles, while they let the OLD garden of Classic Archie wither and die out. All the resources are being diverted over there, and away from Classic Archie. It's not an Archie alternative, it's an Archie replacement.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 28, 2016, 11:39:52 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 28, 2016, 03:16:55 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 27, 2016, 01:48:26 PM
I keep meaning to read Life With Archie for the first time but keep getting bogged down with how depressing it is and never finish the first volume.

For me, I think it helped that The Married Life was my (re-)introduction to Archie. The long and drawn out storyline, with its convoluted soap-opera subplots and dire circumstances, is very common in the ongoing Marvel and DC titles (where there's always some new lurking menace or personal problem looming in the background). LIFE WITH ARCHIE seemed designed purposefully to attract readers who were long used to that kind of storytelling in comics.

On the plus side, you knew that these depressing circumstances were merely what you get when you emerge from the relative safety and carefree years of high school into adult life, and, being sequestered off in 'possible future' timelines, there was no chance of any of that seeping into the traditional classic Archie stories which were strictly episodic sitcoms. Here they were able to explore some situations and cater to fanboy/fangirl fantasies that couldn't be dealt with in the traditional style stories, where real change can never be allowed to accumulate.

It seems that ACP's takeaway from the publishing experience of LWA was to reboot Archie in his high school days, and add the longer continuing storyline with subplot elements of teenage angst and soap-opera dramatics (whether that be the breakup of a longtime relationship, or an evil Principal taking over the school), so if it doesn't bother you there, I don't see why it would bother you to see them as adults with problems in a 'possible future' setting. If you had said you didn't care for it because there were too many science-fictional elements in the story, that I could probably understand.

Now, the problem I have with the New Riverdale titles isn't their mere existence, for an audience that wants to purchase an "Archie variant", in the same way that LIFE WITH ARCHIE or AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE are "variant Archies". For me, it's "eh... been there, done that". That's all well and good, if what they were doing was merely expanding the audience by adding new options for types of Archie products, variants that would appeal to different audience demographic segments. The problem I have with it is that every indication is that the intention of ACP is to seed and fertilize the NEW garden of New Riverdale titles, while they let the OLD garden of Classic Archie wither and die out. All the resources are being diverted over there, and away from Classic Archie. It's not an Archie alternative, it's an Archie replacement.

ACP will probably go bankrupt if the TV show fails. They don't have unlimited money to devote to keeping multiple Archie universes going at the same time.

I can handle teen drama because it's pretty petty and doesn't really affect the world. LWA was too realistic for me. I have to be in a certain kind of mood to read it when there isn't a lot of stress going on in my own life. Same reason I don't read Saga a lot even though whether that comic is realistic is debatable. I read comics for escapism.

I'm curious to what other comics you consider to be similar to the new Riverdale. I might be interested in reading them.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 28, 2016, 03:33:01 PM
I read
Cheryl Blossom #18 & #19 & & #20 & #25 & #26 & Cheryl Blossom Special #4.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 28, 2016, 03:34:26 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on April 28, 2016, 11:39:52 AM
I'm curious to what other comics you consider to be similar to the new Riverdale. I might be interested in reading them.


I've read a lot of comics, and find very little of uniqueness in the two New Riverdale books. The style of art and writing/storytelling in basically the same as in most mainstream comics, but that shouldn't be all that surprising because that's why they hired those people to write and draw them. It basically looks like those pages of a superhero comic on which no superheroes appear, and it's just people walking around, talking and doing other ordinary boring-type stuff. Other mainstream comics have other elements that make them unique that I like, but those are conceptual usually, or sometimes more character-driven, but for the most part they are illustrated adventure stories, not characters that were originally designed as funny cartoons. With Archie Comics, there's just nothing about the characters themselves and their relationships that I find that intrinsically compelling apart from the style and tone, and the way it's executed. It's just like there are a dozen different styles of Batman comic books, but I don't like them all, only certain ones, according to the style and execution of it.


I like classic Archie because it's unique and not like comics produced by any other company (although other companies DID produce this type of comics in the past, and I like those too... Millie the Model, Chili, Patsy and Hedy, Date With Debbi, Leave It To Binky, Swing With Scooter, Tippy Teen, Go-Go and Animal, and others -- plus a few new ones like Die Kitty Die and Super Suckers). I like the cartooniness, the lightheartedness, the cuteness and sweetness of them. They are "comical comics". They are candy for the eyes and for the mind in the same way bubblegum rock is candy for the ears. All that is completely gone from the New Riverdale books. I'd rather read an old issue of one of those other comics I mentioned, or an old issue of some Archie comic.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 29, 2016, 05:27:38 PM
I'm planning to read these 12 comics so I hang them on my wall.
Jem & The Holograms-Outrageous Annual
Jem & The Holograms #4 & & #9 & #10 & #13 & #14
And I also want to read Lumberjanes
Lumberjanes #3 & #9 & #11 & #12 & #13 & #14
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 29, 2016, 08:02:45 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on April 29, 2016, 05:27:38 PM
I'm planning to read these 12 comics so I hang them on my wall.
Jem & The Holograms-Outrageous Annual
Jem & The Holograms #4 & & #9 & #10 & #13 & #14
And I also want to read Lumberjanes
Lumberjanes #3 & #9 & #11 & #12 & #13 & #14

Trying to find the time to reread lumberjanes from the beginning. I hope there are some Easter eggs or foreshadowing to the mysteries of the forest.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 29, 2016, 08:26:42 PM
I read each of these for 15 minutes
Bad Houses
BatGirl-BatGirl Of Burnside
Archie's Favorite High School Comics
Archie-Volume #1-Staples & Wu & Fish issues
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 30, 2016, 02:01:40 AM
Yesterday I finished reading ARCHIE'S PAL JUGHEAD ARCHIVES VOL. 1. There's a second volume of this series coming in June, and I plan to get that too. I'd love it if Dark Horse Archives produced volumes of REGGIE and ARCHIE'S GIRLS BETTY AND VERONICA too. I haven't gotten any of the ARCHIE ARCHIVES volumes they did (which begin at the beginning, in 1941), but that's mainly because I have a low tolerance for the 1940s Archie stories. The quality of the art and stories seemed to vastly improve by 1949, where the first Jughead volume picks up in the chronology, plus I just find Jughead more intrinsically interesting as a character.

The exception, for me, would be Bob Montana's comic strip Archie, the first IDW volume of which (beginning with the first strip in 1946) I greatly enjoyed -- but it's worth noting that the characters at that point hadn't quite evolved into the versions that we know today. Some of their characteristics are in place right from the start, but others hadn't really begun to be emphasized yet -- notably, Veronica in the strip seems a much more benign or innocent character than she later became. Betty doesn't get a lot of focus, relatively speaking, but the strips where she does show the beginning of her character development, and even then she seems like a sweet kid. I was surprised at the number of plots (or variations on same) that I can recall seeing used in later comic book stories. Montana was a great gag writer too, and the strip format seems to showcase his strengths. His daily strips seem a lot funnier to me than the comic book stories that were being published at the same time.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 30, 2016, 12:19:08 PM
I read those 6 Lumberjanes issues & 6 Jem & The Holograms issues. I put them in my comic frames. I will take a picture & put it on my Twitter page.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: longtermarchie101 on April 30, 2016, 12:22:11 PM
not really any for a long time, im sorry to say, with all the new stuff they are pumping out to try and reinvent themselves that archie had died for me. instead, I have been working on my own comics, (my avatar is hand drawn) which  I plan to hopefully post some here as I promised a longgggg time ago lol :P
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 30, 2016, 04:57:31 PM
I caught up on a few things that have been piling up in the last month or two (but nowhere near enough).


THE THREE STOOGES #1 (American Mythology Productions) - There's an 8 page story leading off this issue, drawn by Bill Galvan. Funny, with an Archie-like feel to it. I actually liked the second story better (in terms of the writing; it had more of the feel of a real Stooges short). Not a bad first issue. I hope there will be more Bill Galvan art in future issues, as I generally preferred the look of his story to the artwork in the second one, but maybe it wouldn't have worked for that particular story as well. There were a couple of text pages in the back with some interesting fun Stooge facts that I was unaware of, such as: 1) the famous Stooge eye-poke was the invention of Shemp, who first did it to Larry during a real argument over a card game; 2) Curly's signature bit where he runs in little circles was actually an ad-lib while filming when he forgot his lines; 3) the Stooges were once nominated for an Oscar! (for the 1934 short Men In Black - they didn't win). Closing out the issue is a short story reprinted from Dell Four-Color #1170 (1961, erroneously credited as 1942).

BRUCE LEE: THE DRAGON RISES #1 (Darby Pop Publishing) - This was a bit of a disappointment. It's an all-ages comic, and normally I'd applaud that, as there never really seem to be enough of those, but in this case, that particular choice didn't really make sense. While both the writing and the artwork here are serviceable and tell the story, the whole effect is pretty underwhelming. I've read a number of martial arts genre comics (and it's a pretty small genre to begin with), and this didn't really cut it. It would have made more sense to aim this comic at the same audience that enjoys Bruce Lee's films, and dispense with the kid-friendly elements (like the kid sidekicks), and treat the whole thing on a more adult level. Bruce Lee's film fans are bound to be disappointed. The main part where this comic really drops the ball is the art in no way is good enough at displaying the martial arts action sequences. Those need to be cinematic, and convincing to look at, to persuade us that this really is Bruce Lee we're reading about here (at least a fictionalized version of Bruce Lee). They should have hired someone like Paul Gulacy to draw this, or someone of equal ability, but I guess they couldn't afford someone like that. The whole thing just feels like it's too heavily dependent on the Bruce Lee name alone to sell the comic. A certain amount of that is expected, but the follow-through here in terms of the way the story gets visually presented is lacking.

ALL-NEW CLASSIC CAPTAIN CANUCK #1 (Chapterhouse Comics) - Here's something you don't see every day. They already rebooted Captain Canuck in a series from last year which updated the character and costume, giving the identity to a new man. Now they're doing a direct follow-up to the original Captain Canuck series from the 1980s (using the original artist, George Freeman - astounding!), picking up on some unresolved plot threads that were left when that series ended. Unfortunately, it's been a while, and I didn't do my homework and re-read the old series again before getting into this, so I was a little lost on a few background points of information (memory of 1980s comics being a bit fuzzy after all this time), but nevertheless, it felt like a good read. The story picks up with the original Captain (Tom Evans) lost in time, and trying to find his way home (to the original time period where his series left off) by using an alien time-travel device that he doesn't really understand, so he has to resort to trial-and-error (the control markings aren't clear to him). It's a good looking book at any rate, and the writing and art is clear and straightforward (in the old-school style). I'll be wanting to go back and re-read it again, after I find the time to re-read the original series.

IRWIN ALLEN'S LOST IN SPACE: THE LOST ADVENTURES #1-2 (American Gothic Press) - They actually located a couple of unfilmed scripts left over when the TV series was cancelled, written by one of the show's regular scripters, Carey Wilber. The result is good, and this has the exact feel of any of the better television episodes. As I was reading the first two issues (Parts 1 & 2 of the story "The Curious Galactics"), I could easily hear the original cast's voices in my head while reading the dialogue. This would have been one of the more serious (as opposed to the sometimes silly) episodes, where John Robinson, Will, Don and the Robot are off in the Chariot, setting up some radar stations far away from the Jupiter II, and find themselves caught in an alien experiment. They don't know they're part of an experiment, and they haven't seen the aliens, but strange things are happening, and their every effort to find their way back to camp at the Jupiter II is being thwarted somehow. They need to reason out what's going on with very little in the way of clues to go on. Interesting premise, and a good story in the telling.

BATMAN '66 MEETS THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. #5 (of 6) (DC Comics) - I wasn't sure the premise of this would work, as the tone of the original shows was so different, but somehow writer Jeff Parker has made it work. He manages to work pretty much all of the major TV series villains into the story, as well as T.H.R.U.S.H. (U.N.C.L.E.'s evil opposite in the world of international espionage) and even a few bat-villains that never appeared on the TV series (including Professor Hugo Strange, who turns out to be the mysterious puppeteer manipulating both the assembed bat-villains and the forces of T.H.R.U.S.H.). The artwork is very pleasing as well. Just a really good job all around, despite my initial trepidations that it wasn't going to work, while keeping all the characters firmly in-character relative to their television counterparts.

WONDER WOMAN '77 SPECIAL #3 (DC Comics) - There are four stories in this squarebound, $8 comic book. The first two were pretty good, both in terms of story and artwork. The latter two, not so much. On average, this issue was much weaker than the first two of these specials. I'm always hoping to find a DC Comic that I can enjoy, but finding very little apart from Batman '66 and Scooby-Doo Team-Up, both of which have been consistently entertaining. This one was definitely more of a mixed bag. I'd probably enjoy this TV WW adaptation more if there was a consistent writer and artist (or at least a consistent writer).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on April 30, 2016, 06:01:35 PM
 :o  I was not aware there were Three Stooges comics. I used to watch the cartoons as a child, you know, The New Three Stooges on VHS tapes.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 30, 2016, 11:08:09 PM
Patsy Walker Hellcat #5 - I think I'll be dropping this series. I liked the first 3 issues but the last two have been too superhero-y for me and skewed away from the girlie stuff.

Pink Panther Classic #1 - A type of comic that is sadly lacking in the marketplace today. A nice alternative to Archie and Disney. The humor reminds me of Looney Tunes. I'll probably read this when I have nothing else to read.

Rachel Rising #4 and 5 - very spooky. Loving it so far. Reminds me a lot of

We Can Never Go Home 1-5 - really strange story. It's supposed to return this year but I don't think I'll be continuing.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 01, 2016, 03:16:28 AM
Strawberry Shortcake #1, Puss in Boots #1, Camp Midnight (preview) - had high hopes for all these and sadly disappointed. The art in Puss is nothing like the cover. The writing on these just isn't funny enough. I wish more comic writers could write comedy as well as in Die Kitty Die and Supersuckers. I like all ages but these were just too juvenile for me. I think older comics pre 1980 even though labeled for kids can also be enjoyed as adults. I think the new all ages comics they are pumping out are mostly for kids now.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 01, 2016, 05:58:26 AM
I got up early now & I'm going read these in my comfy chsir in my room.
Betty & Veronica #237
Cheryl Blossom #21 Cheryl when she goes to Hollywood #1 & #2 & #3& Cheryl Blossom those Summer issues #1 & #2 & #3
Archie #3000 #3 & #9 & #10 & #15
The New Archies #14
In a day or two I have catch up to After Life With Archie because the changed the date to May 25th for the one with Reggie on the cover.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 01, 2016, 02:07:38 PM
I reread Archie vs Predator to see whether I'd like it any better the second time, reading the whole thing together. I didn't.

Mr. Lodge has a bunker beneath the mansion that he built "after that Russian arms deal went sour"? (Because, c'mon... we all know that's how he got so rich, by selling weapons to the Russians, right?) With some kind of sci-fi machine that turns an almost-dead Archie into Arnold Shwarzenegger on crack? And it can also turn the Predator into Archie? Because even though he spent the entire story picking them off one by one, he's repented his evil ways at the end and is a good guy now? WTF? That's the kind of writing that turns the phrase "comic book writing" into a venomous slur to sling at any hack writer. Utter tripe.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 01, 2016, 03:03:35 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 01, 2016, 02:07:38 PM
I reread Archie vs Predator to see whether I'd like it any better the second time, reading the whole thing together. I didn't.

Mr. Lodge has a bunker beneath the mansion that he built "after that Russian arms deal went sour"? (Because, c'mon... we all know that's how he got so rich, by selling weapons to the Russians, right?) With some kind of sci-fi machine that turns an almost-dead Archie into Arnold Shwarzenegger on crack? And it can also turn the Predator into Archie? Because even though he spent the entire story picking them off one by one, he's repented his evil ways at the end and is a good guy now? WTF? That's the kind of writing that turns the phrase "comic book writing" into a venomous slur to sling at any hack writer. Utter tripe.


I've tried reading this several times and can never get past the first issue. The writing is just bad.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on May 01, 2016, 04:26:06 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 01, 2016, 03:03:35 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 01, 2016, 02:07:38 PM
I reread Archie vs Predator to see whether I'd like it any better the second time, reading the whole thing together. I didn't.

Mr. Lodge has a bunker beneath the mansion that he built "after that Russian arms deal went sour"? (Because, c'mon... we all know that's how he got so rich, by selling weapons to the Russians, right?) With some kind of sci-fi machine that turns an almost-dead Archie into Arnold Shwarzenegger on crack? And it can also turn the Predator into Archie? Because even though he spent the entire story picking them off one by one, he's repented his evil ways at the end and is a good guy now? WTF? That's the kind of writing that turns the phrase "comic book writing" into a venomous slur to sling at any hack writer. Utter tripe.


I've tried reading this several times and can never get past the first issue. The writing is just bad.
Like it or hate it, it's one for the "Crazy Betty" thread in the end ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 01, 2016, 09:25:49 PM
I'm going read each of these for 15 minutes
Archie-Jumbo Comics Digest #256
Archie-1000 Page Comics-75th Anniversary Bash
Archie-1000 Page Comics Comics Gala
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #242
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 02, 2016, 12:51:43 AM
Quote from: invisifan on May 01, 2016, 04:26:06 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 01, 2016, 03:03:35 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 01, 2016, 02:07:38 PM
I reread Archie vs Predator to see whether I'd like it any better the second time, reading the whole thing together. I didn't.

Mr. Lodge has a bunker beneath the mansion that he built "after that Russian arms deal went sour"? (Because, c'mon... we all know that's how he got so rich, by selling weapons to the Russians, right?) With some kind of sci-fi machine that turns an almost-dead Archie into Arnold Shwarzenegger on crack? And it can also turn the Predator into Archie? Because even though he spent the entire story picking them off one by one, he's repented his evil ways at the end and is a good guy now? WTF? That's the kind of writing that turns the phrase "comic book writing" into a venomous slur to sling at any hack writer. Utter tripe.


I've tried reading this several times and can never get past the first issue. The writing is just bad.
Like it or hate it, it's one for the "Crazy Betty" thread in the end ...

I'm not even sure I'm clear on what Alex DeCampi was trying to imply with that ending -- that somehow the Predator killed everyone else because he's smitten with Betty and just wants to get her away from everyone else, or protect her from those he sees as a threat to her... Cheryl and Jason, Veronica, Archie? Because she's so pretty and nice, and even an extraterrestrial hunter could see that? NOTHING about the story makes the least bit of sense, and then DeCampi is just casually tossing stuff in there like implying that you don't get to be a teenage witch without making a few sacrifices -- of the human type (enough to fill a mass grave, which just disappears along with her house into the netherworld, after she's killed) -- at least, as best as I can make things out there.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on May 02, 2016, 02:24:15 PM
Archie vs Predator was so weird and it made me feel a bit uncomfortable seeing my characters killed of, especially since they were drawn in the classic house style. The writing wasn't great, but that being said, I liked it  :o 
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 02, 2016, 03:48:07 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 02, 2016, 12:51:43 AM
Quote from: invisifan on May 01, 2016, 04:26:06 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 01, 2016, 03:03:35 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 01, 2016, 02:07:38 PM
I reread Archie vs Predator to see whether I'd like it any better the second time, reading the whole thing together. I didn't.

Mr. Lodge has a bunker beneath the mansion that he built "after that Russian arms deal went sour"? (Because, c'mon... we all know that's how he got so rich, by selling weapons to the Russians, right?) With some kind of sci-fi machine that turns an almost-dead Archie into Arnold Shwarzenegger on crack? And it can also turn the Predator into Archie? Because even though he spent the entire story picking them off one by one, he's repented his evil ways at the end and is a good guy now? WTF? That's the kind of writing that turns the phrase "comic book writing" into a venomous slur to sling at any hack writer. Utter tripe.


I've tried reading this several times and can never get past the first issue. The writing is just bad.
Like it or hate it, it's one for the "Crazy Betty" thread in the end ...

I'm not even sure I'm clear on what Alex DeCampi was trying to imply with that ending -- that somehow the Predator killed everyone else because he's smitten with Betty and just wants to get her away from everyone else, or protect her from those he sees as a threat to her... Cheryl and Jason, Veronica, Archie? Because she's so pretty and nice, and even an extraterrestrial hunter could see that? NOTHING about the story makes the least bit of sense, and then DeCampi is just casually tossing stuff in there like implying that you don't get to be a teenage witch without making a few sacrifices -- of the human type (enough to fill a mass grave, which just disappears along with her house into the netherworld, after she's killed) -- at least, as best as I can make things out there.

Now you got me curious. I'll have to read this. I usually love beach/tropical stories.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 02, 2016, 07:19:14 PM
I read the comics I got at the thrift store  Archie #380 & #385 & #403 & Betty & Veronica-Summer Fun #611 & Betty & Veronica-Christmas Spectacular #580 & 629.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 02, 2016, 09:22:29 PM
some Betty and Veronica single issues from the late 90s/early 2000s as I add them to comics.org
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 02, 2016, 11:11:06 PM
Finally finished Betty and Veronica Jumbo #238... yes the orange Christmas one with the dog. Yes I'm a bit behind on digests. Was digging through some digests I had from when I was a kid and actually found Holiday Fun digest #1. Forgot I had that.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on May 03, 2016, 07:19:01 AM
Just binged through Grace Randolph's Supurbia ...  :buck2:
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on May 03, 2016, 06:26:36 PM
I read some Little Lulu stories  :D
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 03, 2016, 07:00:50 PM
Did anyone read GOLDIE VANCE from a few weeks ago? It's a Boom comic (#1 of 4) by Hope Larson (haven't read any of her previous stuff) and Brittney Williams (who draws Marvel's new PATSY WALKER comic). Not sure what it's about, but it looks like it might be some Nancy Drew-type mystery solving thing. I'm going to give it a try later and see if I like it.

Gotta read PATSY WALKER #5 from last week first, though...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 03, 2016, 07:15:53 PM
I read each of these for 12 minutes
📖 Archie's Funhouse Comics Double Digest #13
📖 Archie & Jughead Jumbo Comics Digest #15
📖 World Of Archie Comics Double Digest #48
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 03, 2016, 08:32:21 PM
Yesterday I read JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #1, 2, 8, and 9.
Today I read PATSY WALKER a.k.a. HELLCAT #5, SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP #16 and GOLDIE VANCE #1.
I like the art in GOLDIE, and the story was alright I guess, but doesn't really compel me to keep reading the title.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 03, 2016, 09:12:57 PM
I have to catch up on reading my digital comics. I'm going read Sunstone-Volume #4 and maybe a few more digital comics.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 03, 2016, 10:00:00 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 03, 2016, 07:00:50 PM
Did anyone read GOLDIE VANCE from a few weeks ago? It's a Boom comic (#1 of 4) by Hope Larson (haven't read any of her previous stuff) and Brittney Williams (who draws Marvel's new PATSY WALKER comic). Not sure what it's about, but it looks like it might be some Nancy Drew-type mystery solving thing. I'm going to give it a try later and see if I like it.

Gotta read PATSY WALKER #5 from last week first, though...


I've read both of these. The art in Goldie was very cute. The story was like you said very Nancy Drew and ok enough. I'll support it because it's one of the few girlie comics. I especially like the Florida setting. Most comics seem to be set in NYC or big cities.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 03, 2016, 11:17:26 PM
More Betty and Veronicas. Ran across an issue where Victor Gorelick mentions 9/11. I'm still convinced he made a cameo in Die Kitty Die #3. Also there really are tons of Canadian fans, evidenced by how much fan art they send in.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 04, 2016, 06:10:45 PM
I read Deadly Class #20 & Archie #385 & #415 & World Of Archie #6.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 04, 2016, 07:53:36 PM
I read each of these for 12 minutes
Jughead & Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #15
The Best Of Archie Comics -75 Years 75 Stories
Archie-1000 Page Comics-75th Anniversary Bash
Betty & Veronica-Comics Double Digest #232
Betty & Veronica-Comics Double Digest #234
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 04, 2016, 07:59:47 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on May 04, 2016, 07:53:36 PM
I read each of these for 12 minutes
Jughead & Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #15
The Best Of Archie Comics -75 Years 75 Stories
Archie-1000 Page Comics-75th Anniversary Bash
Betty & Veronica-Comics Double Digest #232
Betty & Veronica-Comics Double Digest #234

How's the 75th anniversary bash? Does it have lots of old stories?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 04, 2016, 09:02:09 PM
It has new & old stories. But I'm read it again soon.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 04, 2016, 11:18:42 PM
reading some She's Josie stories from the early issues of the World of Archie digests. I didn't realize they reprinted almost complete issues of She's Josie in each digest sort of in order. They could easily put out an anthology of these, even digitally.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 05, 2016, 12:19:02 AM
Space Battle Lunchtime #1 - very cute adventure story. Reminds me a bit of Adventure Time and Monsters Inc. More of a taste than a complete story. Hopefully issue #2 is longer.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 05, 2016, 04:12:44 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 04, 2016, 11:18:42 PM
reading some She's Josie stories from the early issues of the World of Archie digests. I didn't realize they reprinted almost complete issues of She's Josie in each digest sort of in order. They could easily put out an anthology of these, even digitally.

I remember when we had the thread on DE collections I listed the contents of the SHE'S JOSIE digital exclusive collection. That reprints all the Josie stories (because the early ones were issue-long stories) from She's Josie # 1, 8, 9, 10, and 13. Wouldn't surprise me too much to find out they'd all been reprinted earlier in issues of WOADD. Do you find any stories from issues #2-7, 11 or 12 in those early World of Archie digests?

Here's that listing again -

She's JOSIE: Before the Pussycats
    124 pages        Dec. 2013

1-I    "A Gym Dandy"    8    JOSIE #1    Feb. 1963    Josie and Pepper try to get Alex to exercise.
1-II    "Neat Workers"    6    JOSIE #1    Feb. 1963    Josie's dad tells her to clean out the garage.
1-III    "Muscle Hustle"    5    JOSIE #1    Feb. 1963    Josie and Pepper are still trying to get the boys to exercise.
1-IV    "Track Down"    6    JOSIE #1    Feb. 1963    Melody succeeds where Josie failed.
                   
2-I    "The Unhappy Hero"    8    JOSIE #8    Sept. 1964    Alexander inadvertently saves Albert's life.
2-II    "Saved By The Belle"    6    JOSIE #8    Sept. 1964    Alex tries to escape from Albert with Josie.
2-III    "And Away We Go"    5    JOSIE #8    Sept. 1964    At the beach, Albert follows Alex everywhere.
2-IV    "Happy Ending"    5    JOSIE #8    Sept. 1964    Alex just can't help being a hero.
                   
3-I    "You're The Tops"    8    JOSIE #9    Oct. 1964    The gang collect box tops to win a prize.
3-II    "A Run For Your Money"    6    JOSIE #9    Oct. 1964    At the World's Fair, Alex drops his wallet and tries to get it back.
3-III    "Fair Play"    5    JOSIE #9    Oct. 1964    The gang wastes the day trying to help Alex recover his wallet.
3-IV    "Cereal Story"    5    JOSIE #9    Oct. 1964    Filling a swimming pool with Crispy Crunchies pays off for the gang.
                   
4-I    "Team Spirit"    8    JOSIE #10    Dec. 1964    The girls want to help the school football team.
4-II    "No Help Wanted"    6    JOSIE #10    Dec. 1964    Melody recruits a new player - Jinx Malloy.
4-III    "Sideline Stars"    5    JOSIE #10    Dec. 1964    Melody becomes a cheerleader - for the opposing team.
4-IV    "The Last Man"    5    JOSIE #10    Dec. 1964    Coach is so desperate, he takes Albert off the bench.
                   
5-I    "The Schemers"    8    JOSIE #13    Jun. 1965    Albert and Alexandra conspire to break up Josie's date with Alex.
5-II    "The Dreamers"    6    JOSIE #13    Jun. 1965    Alexandra dons a rocket pack!
5-III    "Now You See It"    5    JOSIE #13    Jun. 1965    Melody has her eye on a new boy who needs glasses.
5-IV    "Now You Don't"    5    JOSIE #13    Jun. 1965    Melody enjoys being fought over.



Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 05, 2016, 04:20:59 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 05, 2016, 12:19:02 AM
Space Battle Lunchtime #1 - very cute adventure story. Reminds me a bit of Adventure Time and Monsters Inc. More of a taste than a complete story. Hopefully issue #2 is longer.

I will check that one out next week.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 05, 2016, 07:53:03 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 05, 2016, 04:12:44 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 04, 2016, 11:18:42 PM
reading some She's Josie stories from the early issues of the World of Archie digests. I didn't realize they reprinted almost complete issues of She's Josie in each digest sort of in order. They could easily put out an anthology of these, even digitally.

I remember when we had the thread on DE collections I listed the contents of the SHE'S JOSIE digital exclusive collection. That reprints all the Josie stories (because the early ones were issue-long stories) from She's Josie # 1, 8, 9, 10, and 13. Wouldn't surprise me too much to find out they'd all been reprinted earlier in issues of WOADD. Do you find any stories from issues #2-7, 11 or 12 in those early World of Archie digests?

Here's that listing again -

She's JOSIE: Before the Pussycats
    124 pages        Dec. 2013

1-I    "A Gym Dandy"    8    JOSIE #1    Feb. 1963    Josie and Pepper try to get Alex to exercise.
1-II    "Neat Workers"    6    JOSIE #1    Feb. 1963    Josie's dad tells her to clean out the garage.
1-III    "Muscle Hustle"    5    JOSIE #1    Feb. 1963    Josie and Pepper are still trying to get the boys to exercise.
1-IV    "Track Down"    6    JOSIE #1    Feb. 1963    Melody succeeds where Josie failed.
                   
2-I    "The Unhappy Hero"    8    JOSIE #8    Sept. 1964    Alexander inadvertently saves Albert's life.
2-II    "Saved By The Belle"    6    JOSIE #8    Sept. 1964    Alex tries to escape from Albert with Josie.
2-III    "And Away We Go"    5    JOSIE #8    Sept. 1964    At the beach, Albert follows Alex everywhere.
2-IV    "Happy Ending"    5    JOSIE #8    Sept. 1964    Alex just can't help being a hero.
                   
3-I    "You're The Tops"    8    JOSIE #9    Oct. 1964    The gang collect box tops to win a prize.
3-II    "A Run For Your Money"    6    JOSIE #9    Oct. 1964    At the World's Fair, Alex drops his wallet and tries to get it back.
3-III    "Fair Play"    5    JOSIE #9    Oct. 1964    The gang wastes the day trying to help Alex recover his wallet.
3-IV    "Cereal Story"    5    JOSIE #9    Oct. 1964    Filling a swimming pool with Crispy Crunchies pays off for the gang.
                   
4-I    "Team Spirit"    8    JOSIE #10    Dec. 1964    The girls want to help the school football team.
4-II    "No Help Wanted"    6    JOSIE #10    Dec. 1964    Melody recruits a new player - Jinx Malloy.
4-III    "Sideline Stars"    5    JOSIE #10    Dec. 1964    Melody becomes a cheerleader - for the opposing team.
4-IV    "The Last Man"    5    JOSIE #10    Dec. 1964    Coach is so desperate, he takes Albert off the bench.
                   
5-I    "The Schemers"    8    JOSIE #13    Jun. 1965    Albert and Alexandra conspire to break up Josie's date with Alex.
5-II    "The Dreamers"    6    JOSIE #13    Jun. 1965    Alexandra dons a rocket pack!
5-III    "Now You See It"    5    JOSIE #13    Jun. 1965    Melody has her eye on a new boy who needs glasses.
5-IV    "Now You Don't"    5    JOSIE #13    Jun. 1965    Melody enjoys being fought over.


I'm adding these to comics.org as I go but so far I've read She's Josie issues #1, 2, 3, and 5 and they skip around like 1, 2, 5, 7, 3 or something like that in the early WOA digests. And they reprint pretty much the whole issue except some 1 pagers like Lil Jinx so you're not missing much. They even reprinted some of the fashion pages.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 05, 2016, 10:13:04 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 05, 2016, 07:53:03 AM
I'm adding these to comics.org as I go but so far I've read She's Josie issues #1, 2, 3, and 5 and they skip around like 1, 2, 5, 7, 3 or something like that in the early WOA digests. And they reprint pretty much the whole issue except some 1 pagers like Lil Jinx so you're not missing much. They even reprinted some of the fashion pages.


Those early issues of She's Josie (at least the first 10, but maybe some beyond that) are unusual for Archie Comics (except the "Archie Adventure" line) of the early 1960s, in that they're issue-length stories, broken down into four chapters. In some of them, each chapter focuses on a different incident that happens on a given day, but it's clear that they're connected and should be read in order, unlike the typical Archie Comics of the time, which were merely anthologies of unrelated short stories. Other issues of JOSIE (like the World's Fair story in #9) are more like a cohesive epic, but even in that one, most of the actual action at the World's Fair happens in the middle 2 chapters, while chapters 1 and 4 are like short stories within a longer story; chapter 1 focuses entirely on the gang trying to collect cereal box tops to win a prize.


Occasionally, in a title like LIFE WITH ARCHIE, you might have a 13-page story broken down into two parts (or rarely, as many as four, filling the entire issue), but that may have been the only exception for titles featuring Archie (not LITTLE ARCHIE, where the extended story seemed to be the preferred format as well). But it's clear to me from reading JOSIE that the title was aimed at a slightly older audience than the average Archie comic book. That sort of thing went away -- I'm not clear on exactly when it disappeared, but by the time the Pussycats were introduced in #45, it was a thing of the past, and the individual stories within a JOSIE comic were unrelated to each other, like other Archie comic books.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 05, 2016, 05:47:58 PM
Today I read a couple of digests and some old Archie comics I found at my local comic shop the other day.

JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #10 - A new lead story by Fernando Ruiz (love his Jughead stories) has Mr. Jones reading to Jughead from a book about their family history. Jughead is pretty dubious about the truth of what he tells him about those ancestors, though. One of his ancestors is Sir Jugalot (from JUGHEAD'S FANTASY #1) which was a neat touch, I thought. Fernando always seems to work those little bits of business into a story as sort of a little nugget for sharp-eyed readers in the know. The end of the story had Mrs. Jones cracking a joke which seems to confirm Jughead's suspicions about the veracity of Jonesy's claims about their ancestry.

Next I'm going to read #15, which has the new lead story "Souphead Du Jour" (another Fernando story). I love how he always works the old characters (like Souphead or Uncle Herman) into a story. Every issue of JUGHEAD & FRIENDS has a reprint section of THAT WILKIN BOY stories, which is always something I look forward to. Most of them have Rex Lindsey Jughead stories in them, as well, but #10 and #15 didn't. There's always a bunch of Samm Schwartz Jughead stories too (because there are so many to pick from) but the selection of those is usually pretty good. Occasionally, I'll even spot a Dan DeCarlo Jughead story in one of these digests. The Bingo Wilkin reprints and the new Fernando Ruiz Jughead stories are the main attractions here for me, and what motivated me to try to collect this entire series of 38 issues, but having a bunch of choice Rex Lindsey reprints sure doesn't hurt either.

BETTY AND VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #243 - This came in the mail today, and as soon as I got back from the mailbox, I sat down to read it. The first thing I noticed is that (like the last World of Archie digest I got) they seem to have done away with the title pages for the special character sections. This issue didn't have a title page for the Sabrina or Little Archie sections, and the last WOA digest didn't have a title page for the Life With Archie and Archie 1 sections. I sort of got used to having those, because they made those sections that much easier to find, but whatever, I guess. (I didn't count the pages, so I don't know if the loss of those title pages results in an extra story page being included instead, or if they were replaced by ads.)

One good thing is that the Sabrina section continues to reprint the excellent series of stories by Bill Golliher and Holly G. This issue reprints "Charm School" which introduces Lilith, a mean teenage witch (and also the daughter of Head Witch Enchantra) who's a rival for Sabrina as she begins attending Charm School. Sabrina's also reunited with her old friend Llandra (from South America; she's the daughter of a shaman) whom she first met when they were children attending 'Camp Nether-Nether Land'. Aunt Zelda (who's quite the cutie in this series of stories) is continuing her quest to find a suitable husband before the deadline of a year passes when she'll lose her powers, and in this story she gets cozy with Headmaster Headstone, who administers the Charm School. I sure wish this series of stories by Golliher and Holly G could have gone on for another 40 issues, instead of being replaced by the manga Sabrina (*sigh*). Zelda and Hilda next have a dating dilemma where they need to be in two places to double date - at the Charm School Reunion dance, and at a Greendale High Faculty Award Night, so they zap Sabrina and Salem into dopplegangers of themselves and send them to Greendale to double-date Sabrina's teacher Mr. Hastings and his twin brother Max (AWKWARD...!!) so that they can both go to the Charm School Reunion.

Oops, I need to backtrack and talk about the new lead story in this issue (SPOILERS -- DO NOT READ ON IF YOU DON'T WANT THE STORY RUINED), "Hooray For Bollywood!" - the latest (and what looks to be the final, for now anyway) chapter of "The Many Loves of Archie Andrews" featuring ARCHIE & AMISHA & RAJ (okay, it doesn't say "Raj", but guess who winds up stealing Archie's thunder in this story?). Archie is more gluttonous when it comes to girls than Jughead is when it comes to food. It's not enough that he's got BOTH Betty AND Veronica wrapped around his little finger, but he's got to supplement that with dating Valerie Smith, Sabrina Spellman, Amisha Mehta, Ginger Lopez, and every other hot girl who's ever appeared in a story more than twice?!? Geez, buddy, leave a few for the other guys!! Sheesh! (All right, what did I expect from a series titled "The Many Loves of Archie Andrews"... but I'd still rather see a series called "The Many Loves of Betty and Veronica"...) But Archie loses Amisha to Raj in this story... so YAY!! It might have helped Raj's image a little if he hadn't been portrayed in this story as so utterly clueless, but at least there was a happy ending. (Any story where Archie loses has a happy ending). Dan Parent does it again!! Okay, a bit spoilerish in a "Darth Vader is Luke's father??" sorta way, but you'll still have to read the story to see what actually happens. (I hope I didn't just ruin The Empire Strikes Back for someone there... but if you haven't seen it by now, it's your own fault.)

If you like Jeff Shultz's art on B&V stories (and who doesn't?), then you'll LOVE this digest. There are EIGHT of them in this issue, plus a few single-page gag strips by him. Plus of course a couple of Dan DeCarlo stories (and a classic Betty pin-up page), a couple of Dan Jr. and Jim DeCarlo stories, a few Dan Parent stories, and a few Stan Goldberg stories. (Plus a couple of Bob Bolling "Little Veronica" and "Little Betty" stories, if you're into that kinda thing.)

**********************************************************************
Now I'm too written-out to comment on the old Archie comics I read, so I'll just list them.

ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT #61 (Sept. 1978)

LAUGH #21 (June 1990)

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #28 (Oct. 1975)

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #57 (Dec. 1979)

BETTY AND VERONICA #66 (Aug. 1993)

LIFE WITH ARCHIE #195 (July 1978)

JUGHEAD #281 (Oct. 1978)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 05, 2016, 07:15:43 PM
Wow you write a lot, you don't get tired.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 05, 2016, 08:14:29 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on May 05, 2016, 07:15:43 PM
Wow you write a lot, you don't get tired.

Maybe he has a dictophone but I suspect he's just a fast typist.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 05, 2016, 09:32:17 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 05, 2016, 05:47:58 PMOops, I need to backtrack and talk about the new lead story in this issue (SPOILERS -- DO NOT READ ON IF YOU DON'T WANT THE STORY RUINED), "Hooray For Bollywood!"

**********************************************************************
Now I'm too written-out to comment on the old Archie comics I read, so I'll just list them.

ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT #61 (Sept. 1978)

LAUGH #21 (June 1990)

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #28 (Oct. 1975)

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #57 (Dec. 1979)

BETTY AND VERONICA #66 (Aug. 1993)

LIFE WITH ARCHIE #195 (July 1978)

JUGHEAD #281 (Oct. 1978)


I can hardly ever find Sabrinas locally or within a 2h drive and if I do they're always at least $10 each even in fair condition. How much does your shop charge for them?


I hope they continue the Many Loves storyline but this sounds like it's the last one?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 06, 2016, 12:30:05 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 05, 2016, 04:12:44 AM


I remember when we had the thread on DE collections I listed the contents of the SHE'S JOSIE digital exclusive collection. That reprints all the Josie stories (because the early ones were issue-long stories) from She's Josie # 1, 8, 9, 10, and 13. Wouldn't surprise me too much to find out they'd all been reprinted earlier in issues of WOADD. Do you find any stories from issues #2-7, 11 or 12 in those early World of Archie digests?


Went through some WOADD's and comics.org and was able to compile this list. All these WOADD's are on Unlimited on the Archie app. I wonder why they don't just put all these in hardcover volumes. They are almost complete on She's Josie and Josie. They could even compiled these into a digital exclusive and charge a boatload of money. For some reason I don't see the 70's stories of Josie and the Pussycats reprinted that much. Maybe they feel very 70's/dated and that's why?

WOADD #1 = No Josie. All Christmas stories.
She's Josie #1 = WOADD #2
She's Josie #2 = WOADD #3
She's Josie #3 = WOADD #7
She's Josie #4 = WOADD #44
She's Josie #5 = WOADD #4
She's Josie #6 = WOADD #5
She's Josie #7 = WOADD #6
She's Josie #8 = WOADD #8
She's Josie #9 = WOADD #9
She's Josie #10 = WOADD #10
She's Josie #11 = WOADD #12
She's Josie #12 = ?Not in a WOADD
She's Josie #13 = WOADD #11
She's Josie #14 = ?Not in a WOADD but one of the stories is reprinted in some digests from the 90s
She's Josie #15 = WOADD #40
She's Josie #16 = WOADD #41
Josie #17 = ?Not in a WOADD
Josie #18 = WOADD #35
Josie #19 = WOADD #13
Josie #20 = ?Not in a WOADD but one of the stories is reprinted in The Best of Dan DeCarlo Vol. 4
Josie #21 = WOADD #19
Josie #22 = WOADD #17
Josie #23 = WOADD #16
Josie #24 = WOADD #14
Josie #25 = WOADD #39
Josie #26 = WOADD #36
Josie #27 = WOADD #38
Josie #28 = WOADD #15
Josie #29 = WOADD #20
Josie #31 = WOADD #21
Josie# 32 = WOADD# 37
Josie #33 = WOADD #22
Josie #34 = WOADD #29
Josie #36 = WOADD #30
Josie #37 = WOADD #32
Josie #38 = ?Not in a WOADD
Josie #39 (only 3/4 stories included from #39; the fourth story is in a B&V Friends digest from 2012) = WOADD # 55 (story from Laugh #157 also in this issue)
Josie #40 = WOADD# 34
Josie #41 = WOADD #31Josie stories from Laugh:
WOADD #33 = Laugh #147, 152, 155, 159
WOADD #42 = Laugh #154, 158, 160, 161
WOADD #43 = Laugh #145, 146, 168, 151
WOADD #50 = Laugh #149, 148, 153 and Pep #161


Seems to be no more Josie after WOADD #50. Maybe they are thought she wasn't that popular after all? Or the recoloring/retouching cost was too high? Or maybe we will see her again in another digest like B&V Friends.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 06, 2016, 12:31:02 AM
QuoteI can hardly ever find Sabrinas locally or within a 2h drive and if I do they're always at least $10 each even in fair condition. How much does your shop charge for them?

I hope they continue the Many Loves storyline but this sounds like it's the last one?


I'm guessing about TMLoAA, based on the descriptions of the lead stories in the solicitations for issues 244 and 245 of B&VDD. Since there have already been 7 episodes up to this point, and they already did episodes featuring each of the other six girls (besides B&V) that nominated Archie for the "Boyfriend of the Year Award" mentioned in the first episode, if the series were to continue to 10 episodes (as originally projected by Dan Parent) the remaining 3 episodes would spotlight Betty in one story, Veronica in another, and then a concluding episode to wrap things up. Based on the solicitation descriptions the new lead stories in 244 and 245 don't sound like episodes of TMLoAA. That and the fact that the timing of this last episode coincides with Fernando's mention (after he turned in his last new story only to discover, to his surprise, that they had no new art assignments to offer him) that all new lead stories in the digests will be strictly limited to 5 pages from here on out, and all of the TMLoAA episodes have been 10 or more pages so far.

Those old comics were only in 'good' condition, and I found them rummaging through some $1 boxes. Occasionally (I should probably say very occasionally) I can find some SABRINAs (not the earliest ones) in less than VG condition, but rarely any JOSIEs. But mostly I only find common, lesser condition issues of almost every Archie title except the ones featuring Josie, Sabrina, Betty, Veronica, or B&V, unless it's a recent one from the last 5 years.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 06, 2016, 12:48:10 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 06, 2016, 12:30:05 AM

Seems to be no more Josie after WOADD #50. Maybe they are thought she wasn't that popular after all? Or the recoloring/retouching cost was too high? Or maybe we will see her again in another digest like B&V Friends.


Thanks for the list, it's helpful. I'll save that for future reference.

The Josie (& the Pussycats) reprint section has been appearing in B&V FRIENDS DD since the beginning (#209), but it's only a 12-page section with two 5 or 6 page stories. Occasionally one of those is a pre-Pussycats Josie story, if it fits the page count.

The digital exclusive JOSIE & THE SCAREDY CATS is all '70s stories. We can sit here and wonder why ACP doesn't do the logical thing in reprinting stories, and figure that older collectors who have disposable income would jump on a series of hardcover collections, but somehow it doesn't seem to have occurred to anyone. Dark Horse is doing the most ancient Archie stories they can find, but those aren't the most attractive ones to the majority of adult Archie fans, it's the later ones from the mid-1950s to mid-1970s, especially on select titles like JOSIE. Someone will figure it out eventually, if I live that long, I guess. ACP doesn't have the money or the know-how to do high-end hardcover reprints (except if they recruit someone like Craig Yoe, as they did with their two hardcovers, The Art of Betty and Veronica, and The Art of Archie: The Covers). IDW did "the best of" Archie artists hardcover collections, and ACP did "The Best of Archie Comics" TPBs, but nobody seems to think about doing chronological Archives collections of the best series featuring the best stories and artwork, like JOSIE. Dan DeCarlo is probably THE most popular artist among the older collectors, but gee... he didn't do a huge amount of Archie stories, and Archie is the most popular character according to digest readers, so that obviously wouldn't work. DUH. Nobody buying hardcovers cares all that much about Dan's Archie or Jughead stories, comparatively speaking -- they want to see him drawing girls, like Josie, Sabrina, or Betty & Veronica.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 06, 2016, 07:53:06 AM
I think the Archie archives are finally at the end of the 40s now. Hopefully we will start seeing stories from the 50s and beyond. Especially Josie and the other female characters.

After I posted that I remember the pussycats stories were in the B&V Friends digests. I believe there are still some holes regarding which stories are where so I'll try to fill those in when I have time.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on May 06, 2016, 09:26:25 AM
SuperZero ... Totally .. weird ... enjoying it but no idea where it's going ... after 5 issues ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 06, 2016, 10:10:29 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 06, 2016, 07:53:06 AM
I think the Archie archives are finally at the end of the 40s now. Hopefully we will start seeing stories from the 50s and beyond. Especially Josie and the other female characters.

After I posted that I remember the pussycats stories were in the B&V Friends digests. I believe there are still some holes regarding which stories are where so I'll try to fill those in when I have time.


It's going to be a long wait to get to JOSIE and those DeCarlo Sabrina stories from ARCHIE'S MADHOUSE, if they just keep moving forward at the pace they have been. With the first ARCHIE'S PAL JUGHEAD ARCHIVES (volume 2 due in June) they're already up to issue #8 (1951), but they haven't even scheduled a first volume of ARCHIE'S GIRLS BETTY AND VERONICA yet. Likely REGGIE would be first, anyway, chronologically speaking (I'd be anxious to get my hands on that one myself), and it would be a short run, with issues #1-14 (2 volumes) covering the years 1949 through 1954, then a big break while the title went on hiatus until #15 in September 1962. This is all assuming that they are going in strict chronological sequence. There's another 12-13 years to cover before they get to 1962 and SHE'S JOSIE #1, so my argument would be to jump ahead to the good stuff, and forego the strict chronological reprinting of all Archie titles. Fantagraphics Books took exactly that approach when doing THE CARL BARKS DISNEY LIBRARY, not proceeding in chronological order of issuing volumes in that hardcover series. The stories within each volume ARE in chronological sequence, but there's no need for the readers to read them that way, since the stories themselves aren't heavily dependent on those that came before. Why not just jump straight to 1962 with some of the better Archie material like JOSIE and proceed from there? Go back and forth and eventually fill the gaps in each series, but that way you've got a bunch of different titles proceeding ahead, each at its own pace (according to what sells best).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 06, 2016, 03:27:08 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
🌠Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #242
🌠Jughead & Archie Comics Double Digest #14
🌠Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #266
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 06, 2016, 04:04:05 PM
ARCHIE COMICS ANNUAL #268 came in the mail this morning, and I'm about halfway through it. I'd probably have finished it hours ago if I weren't typing a few huge replies over on another thread.


TWO Raj Patel stories in one month? Are Archie digests in India outselling the U.S. ones? I don't mean just 2 new digest stories where he shows up somewhere in the story, I mean 2 where he's one of the three main characters in the story. Maybe they're gearing up for a Raj Patel digital exclusive collection or something.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: spazaru on May 06, 2016, 04:32:53 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 06, 2016, 04:04:05 PM
ARCHIE COMICS ANNUAL #268 came in the mail this morning, and I'm about halfway through it. I'd probably have finished it hours ago if I weren't typing a few huge replies over on another thread.


TWO Raj Patel stories in one month? Are Archie digests in India outselling the U.S. ones? I don't mean just 2 new digest stories where he shows up somewhere in the story, I mean 2 where he's one of the three main characters in the story. Maybe they're gearing up for a Raj Patel digital exclusive collection or something.

Who knows if it's true, but Jon Goldwater always says India is very important to them and they do well there. 
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 06, 2016, 09:31:29 PM
I read some digital comics for 12 minutes each
📖-Team Betty
📖-B & V -Snow Day
📖-Jughead In Love
📖-Archie & Friends-Love Is Blind
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 07, 2016, 04:52:52 AM
I got up early & read
Jughead #5-Thomas Pitilli variant
Archie #6-Veronica Fish
Archie #7-Djibril Morissette-Phan variant
Saga #31
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 07, 2016, 09:20:00 AM
I read
Saga #36
BatGirl #51- they changed the artist, I miss Babbs Tarr. Her art was great.
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #8
Invincible #127-they changed the artist too, I miss the guy who did the other issues
Casey & April-Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 07, 2016, 02:02:07 PM
More of ARCHIE COMICS ANNUAL #268


Didn't have time to read that much today. Found a few more Archie Comics when I went to my LCS today, a BETTY AND VERONICA, a BETTY'S DIARY, and an issue of ARCHIE'S TV LAUGH-OUT. No SABRINAs or JOSIEs, though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 08, 2016, 01:02:17 AM
Some Laugh comics from the late 80s series because they contain Josie and Sabrina stories. Adding them to the GCD as I go.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 08, 2016, 06:06:41 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 08, 2016, 01:02:17 AM
Some Laugh comics from the late 80s series because they contain Josie and Sabrina stories. Adding them to the GCD as I go.

Excellent. I was just combing through that listing for Laugh at GCDb (or maybe it was the second series) looking for the Sabrina and Josie stories. Maybe when I have some more complete (or at least somewhat substantial in terms of multiple issues) runs of those older anthology titles (TV Laugh-Out is another, as is Pep Comics) I'll be able to contribute a few things to the index. I realize you can just add a single issue here or there, but I haven't really spent any time looking at the mechanics of adding listings, the format and whatnot. Seems like it would be easier to just concentrate on one title at a time, if I had a bunch of issues of the same. My older issues are sparse and pretty random acquisitions at this point. I haven't really seriously devoted time to searching out ones of particular interest, because I still have only the vaguest sense of what stories go in which titles in which time periods. That and a lack of good selection of Archie back issues to buy anywhere but online. I need more help from GCD than I'm able to give at this point. All I know is that I like Sabrina and Josie stories, and Betty & Veronica stories drawn by Dan DeCarlo. Wish I had more of the originals.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 08, 2016, 04:28:42 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 08, 2016, 06:06:41 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 08, 2016, 01:02:17 AM
Some Laugh comics from the late 80s series because they contain Josie and Sabrina stories. Adding them to the GCD as I go.

Excellent. I was just combing through that listing for Laugh at GCDb (or maybe it was the second series) looking for the Sabrina and Josie stories. Maybe when I have some more complete (or at least somewhat substantial in terms of multiple issues) runs of those older anthology titles (TV Laugh-Out is another, as is Pep Comics) I'll be able to contribute a few things to the index. I realize you can just add a single issue here or there, but I haven't really spent any time looking at the mechanics of adding listings, the format and whatnot. Seems like it would be easier to just concentrate on one title at a time, if I had a bunch of issues of the same. My older issues are sparse and pretty random acquisitions at this point. I haven't really seriously devoted time to searching out ones of particular interest, because I still have only the vaguest sense of what stories go in which titles in which time periods. That and a lack of good selection of Archie back issues to buy anywhere but online. I need more help from GCD than I'm able to give at this point. All I know is that I like Sabrina and Josie stories, and Betty & Veronica stories drawn by Dan DeCarlo. Wish I had more of the originals.


Some stories I liked so far:
"Camp Scamps" in Laugh #10 - Sabrina is a camp counselor for mischievous young witches. (not reprinted elsewhere that I can find)
"Clowns of Renown" in Laugh #11 - Sabrina is a clown and helps another clown entertain some children with magic.
"Maid of Money" in Laugh #18 - Melody wears a dress made out of dollar bills and gives them out to the boys at the dance.
"It's Magic" in Laugh #14 - The Pussycats get a band of magician's costumes by mistake.



Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on May 09, 2016, 01:29:41 AM
I read Archie Comics Digest #195 and Archie #116-119
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 09, 2016, 03:03:46 AM
JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #15, 16, 17, 18

There are good new Fernando Ruiz Jughead stories in all of these. #17 has "New Superkid In Town", a 10 page story that takes place at the local comic shop, where Archie, Jughead and Chuck are excited about the upcoming in-store appearance of Hugh Kendraw (punny... "you-can-draw"), a famous comic creator who has a new reality TV series entitled So You Wanna Be A Superhero?. (An obvious reference to the then-current reality TV series, Who Wants To Be A Superhero?, hosted by Stan Lee.) As part of the promotional kickoff for the new show, Kendraw will be judging a competition at the store with fans creating their own superhero characters, and appearing as them in costume. The winner of the contest gets to appear on the show and will be drawn into one of Kendraw's comic books as a guest star character. At the comic shop they bump into Dexter Daring, a meek, mild-mannered glasses-wearing teen, who begs off from participating in the competition, claiming it's "a little too much excitement for me".

Chuck creates a costume for himself as his superhero Fastball, a baseball-inspired superhero; Jughead appears as The Living Statue, whose indestructible stone body can't be harmed (but he has some mobility issues in his costume); Betty & Veronica appear in identical costumes sporting the Roman numeral II as a symbol, as one girl who can split herself into two bodies named Gemini; and Archie appears in an orange and yellow costume as Count Vertical, his superhero creation whose not-very-well-thought-out superpower is vertical flight (he can only levitate up and down, not horizontally). All of them are impressed when they witness the real superhero Courageous Kid flying overhead, saving Riverdale from the threat of an impending meteor impact (no points for guessing that Dex is secretly Courageous Kid). The final panel punchline comes after an irritated Hugh Kendraw throws up his arms in frustration over the parade of ill-conceived wannabe superhero character contestants, refusing to continue judging the competition. His parting accurate observation is "This town wouldn't know a REAL SUPER HERO if it stared one right in the face!" My own observation would be that Stan Lee must likely have felt the same frustration often in the judging of contestants on his cable series Who Wants To Be A Superhero?, but years of experience dealing with wannabe comic book writers and artists certainly must have armed him with diplomacy and tact. On the couple of episodes of that show I managed to catch, Lee handled the less-talented participants with kid gloves.

That story caused me to ponder the similar plot of Night At the Comic Shop (also drawn by Ruiz, and hardly coincidentally, I think -- he seems to relish these opportunities to work superheroes into the Archiverse, and the results are always enjoyable to me). In that story, a meteor impact at the comic book shop causes a rift in the multiverse, opening a number of dimensional gateways to parallel worlds inhabited by other characters formerly published by ACP. But where was Courageous Kid when he was needed?! (Probably otherwise occupied, off in outer space stopping some incipient cosmic disaster or alien incursion... it's the most likely explanation in these all-too-common situations.)

Reggie's cousin Regina appears in "Cousin Calamity" issue #18, where she actually goes on a date (not shown) with Jughead! Regina actually reminded me of one of the prettier versions of Ethel, without the buck teeth and with eye makeup and lipstick, except for her hairstyle. At least, to me she looked more like Ethel than a female Reggie, which was what I expected. She's mad at herself after the date, when her anticipated pranking of Jughead on their date got sidetracked by a trip to a burger joint and a movie, followed by ice cream and a long walk in the park, resulting in what she claims is the best date she ever had (she was having such a good time, she forgot to prank him).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on May 09, 2016, 08:45:51 PM
I was going to continue reading Archie #120 to maybe #125 but with my allergies acting up I don't feel like reading  :(
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 09, 2016, 09:34:25 PM
I took a break from reading today. Maybe tomorrow.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on May 10, 2016, 05:49:38 AM
Finally started Millar's "Jupiter's Legacy" ... fairly typical Millar  ::) (which is to say pretty good)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 10, 2016, 07:52:05 AM
Quote from: invisifan on May 10, 2016, 05:49:38 AM
Finally started Millar's "Jupiter's Legacy" ... fairly typical Millar  ::) (which is to say pretty good)


I liked the prequel, Jupiter's Circle, even better in terms of the writing, although it's not as consistent having more than one artist.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 10, 2016, 08:44:07 AM
I'm going read every single Saga issue that I have. I have 22 out of 36 issues. I'm going give them all new plastics too.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on May 10, 2016, 08:41:37 PM
I read a couple of Casper the Friendly Ghost stories.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 11, 2016, 03:45:50 AM
ARCHIE'S JOKE BOOK #187 (Aug. 1973)
ARCHIE'S JOKE BOOK #251 (Dec. 1978)
ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT #46 (Feb. 1977) coverless
ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT #96 (Aug. 1984)
BETTY #43 (Nov. 1996) - "One Brief Moment", the ultimate Betty/Reggie shipping story
BETTY'S DIARY #2 (June 1986)
BETTY AND VERONICA SPECTACULAR (Archie Giant Series) #537 (June 1984)
BETTY AND VERONICA #60 (Feb. 1993)
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #143 (Mar. 1974)
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #197 (Sept. 1978)
THAT WILKIN BOY #29 (Sept. 1974)

MEET MISTY #5 (Aug. 1986) [STAR Comics/Marvel] - Interesting. Written and drawn a simple, retro style by Trina Robbins, it has a very "Katy Keene" feel to it, with virtually every panel crediting a reader for contributing the clothing design for the character(s) in that panel. Given that this was only the 5th issue, you have to wonder whether a lot of those reader names weren't just made up. I'd been aware of the existence of this comic from the time it came out, but had never really read it. It turns out that the teenage Misty of the title lives with her Aunt Millie, who is actually an older & heavier version of Millie Collins (last names are never mentioned, but she's married by the time of this series; her husband is seen in a few panels, but never named) of MILLIE THE MODEL fame. There was a short story in the middle of the book called "Millie's Memories" where she goes to clean her old clothes out of her closet, and spends a couple of pages reminiscing about all the times she first wore various outfits (which are each illustrated in their own flashback panels, showing how she looked in them when she was young). Clicker (Millie's fashion photographer boyfriend in her old series) is shown in one panel, and Millie thinks "I wonder if I should have married him?" She eventually donates all her old outfits to a thrift store, but then just as she's having pangs about missing those old memories, Misty and her friends show up wearing some of her old outfits.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 11, 2016, 05:18:18 AM
I just read my digital copy of Archie #8, I give it a A+.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 11, 2016, 07:39:31 AM
I read Archie's & Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #15 & Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #234 for 12 minutes each.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 11, 2016, 11:32:20 AM
The Walking Dead #1-3: very good so far. Each issue ends on a cliffhanger.

Archie #8: a succinct and satisfying issue. The storytelling is getting better. I'm glad they ditched the 1940s reprints for Samm Schwartz instead.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 11, 2016, 04:12:02 PM
FCBD 2016 PINK PANTHER
FCBD 2016 DC SUPER HERO GIRLS
FCBD 2016 CBLDF DEFEND COMICS
Will Eisner's THE SPIRIT #10
FCBD 2015 THE PHANTOM, FCBD 2016
THE PHANTOM
JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #24
ARCHIE BY BOB MONTANA: THE COMPLETE DAILY COMICS 1960-1963 HC (Just started.)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 11, 2016, 07:56:01 PM
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #1 - Alright first issue. The tone was a bit affected. I wonder if it gets better.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 12, 2016, 05:11:49 PM
Harrow County #12 - they unfortunately changed the artist again. I miss the watercolors which really work with the story. I liked the idea of the possessed doll though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 12, 2016, 09:36:55 PM
More Laugh issues. A lot of the Mighty Archie Art Players stories are reprinted in the Pals N Gals digests. There's a parody of Back to the Future in Laugh #22.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 12, 2016, 10:57:22 PM
I skipped reading anything Archie related. I read a lot of library books. Tomorrow I'll focus on my digital comics.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 12, 2016, 11:02:42 PM
Re-reading Finding Molly issues 1 and 2 in preparation for issue 3.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 13, 2016, 12:22:52 AM
Kennel Block Blues 1-4: I probably shouldnt've read this as a pet owner. Issue #3 just about killed me it was so sad.  :'( First time a comic made me cry. I loved the juxtaposition between reality and the song and dance the dog made up to deal with the harsh reality.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 13, 2016, 12:56:03 AM
THE PHANTOM (Hermes Press, 2014-16) #1-6
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 13, 2016, 08:05:09 AM
I read each of these for 13 minutes
👟 Jughead & Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #15
👔  Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
🌂 Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #266
👚 World Of Archie Comics Annual #50
👕 Archie & Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #15
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on May 13, 2016, 02:08:30 PM
I just got My Dinner with Lulu (Little Lulu Vol.1)

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on May 13, 2016, 03:43:55 PM
Read "Protectors, Inc." while waiting for the conclusion of Jupiter's Circle on Wednesday  — good stuff; really a long graphic novel ... Jupiter's was good to — with a return to Legacy next month to anticipate ...
After those: Silk 8 (Spiderwomen #6), Gwenpool 2 (funny — of a sort I don't usually enjoy, but it's growing on me ...) and of course Archie ... which was good, but ... while I enjoyed it it was just ... good ...
Also read through Paul Jenkin's Sidekick ... just gratuitous humour  :-\ if it wasn't relatively short (and long finished) I'd have dropped it ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on May 13, 2016, 03:47:41 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 10, 2016, 07:52:05 AM
Quote from: invisifan on May 10, 2016, 05:49:38 AMFinally started Millar's "Jupiter's Legacy" ... fairly typical Millar  ::) (which is to say pretty good)

I liked the prequel, Jupiter's Circle, even better in terms of the writing, although it's not as consistent having more than one artist.
It was good, but it invoked "Before Watchmen" for me, with the Justice League/DC heroes standing in for Charlton's ... and while Millar is good (even great at times) the overall comparison is not in his favour (though he makes a strong effort) ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 13, 2016, 04:17:43 PM
Quote from: invisifan on May 13, 2016, 03:47:41 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 10, 2016, 07:52:05 AM
Quote from: invisifan on May 10, 2016, 05:49:38 AMFinally started Millar's "Jupiter's Legacy" ... fairly typical Millar  ::) (which is to say pretty good)

I liked the prequel, Jupiter's Circle, even better in terms of the writing, although it's not as consistent having more than one artist.
It was good, but it invoked "Before Watchmen" for me, with the Justice League/DC heroes standing in for Charlton's ... and while Millar is good (even great at times) the overall comparison is not in his favour (though he makes a strong effort) ...


I sort of wished I'd been able to read the whole thing in the proper chronological sequence, though. I believe there's still a third book to Jupiter's Circle, and it's been so long since the original Jupiter's Legacy came out that I've lost the thread a little, so I may wait until Jupiter's Circle is completed, then go back and read Book 1 of Jupiter's Legacy again before going on to Book 2. JLA simulacra (like Squadron Supreme) is such a common trope in comics now that I can't even see it as Moore's Minutemen, or whatever the abortive Silver Age group was called. Millar's characters don't really live in that Watchmen-like world, where Dr. Manhattan was the only real superpowered character, they have all the cornball Silver Age-y JLA-type adventures fighting alien invasions and supervillains, and they even have their own 'Teen Titans'. Obviously done with love and affection for those original comics.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 13, 2016, 05:18:19 PM
Quote from: invisifan on May 13, 2016, 03:43:55 PM
Read "Protectors, Inc." while waiting for the conclusion of Jupiter's Circle on Wednesday  — good stuff; really a long graphic novel ... Jupiter's was good to — with a return to Legacy next month to anticipate ...
After those: Silk 8 (Spiderwomen #6), Gwenpool 2 (funny — of a sort I don't usually enjoy, but it's growing on me ...) and of course Archie ... which was good, but ... while I enjoyed it it was just ... good ...
Also read through Paul Jenkin's Sidekick ... just gratuitous humour  :-\ if it wasn't relatively short (and long finished) I'd have dropped it ...


Protectors, Inc. the J. Michael Straczynski book? Funny you mentioned Paul Jenkin's Sidekick, as I'd never heard of it or him (or is it the Marvel Paul Jenkins? Different guy? Jenkins is not known for his humor.), but while I didn't read JMS' Protectors, I did read J. Michael Straczynski's Sidekick (interesting, but pretty downbeat... there are no real good guys in the story, so it's hard to know who you're supposed to root for by the end of it). Intriguing concept, but I'm not so sure how I felt about the ending. I was reminded somewhat of Rick Veitch's Bratpack, from long ago.


Hermes' THE PHANTOM was great, but it did make me wish there was some way there could be a real Phantom/Tarzan crossover story. Old-school in a good way, and much better than Moonstone's Phantom (which wasn't bad, really) and MILES better than Dynamite's. Can't wait for Hermes' second Phantom series coming in August.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on May 13, 2016, 05:40:04 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 13, 2016, 05:18:19 PM
Protectors, Inc. the J. Michael Straczynski book? Funny you mentioned Paul Jenkin's Sidekick, as I'd never heard of it or him (or is it the Marvel Paul Jenkins? Different guy? Jenkins is not known for his humor.), but while I didn't read JMS' Protectors, I did read J. Michael Straczynski's Sidekick (interesting, but pretty downbeat... there are no real good guys in the story, so it's hard to know who you're supposed to root for by the end of it). Intriguing concept, but I'm not so sure how I felt about the ending. I was reminded somewhat of Rick Veitch's Bratpack, from long ago.
Likely the same Paul Jenkins — and if so, still not known for his humour IMO — and yes, Protectors, Inc. the J. Michael Straczynski book — more of a mystery+love story with "super"heroes as a complicating factor ... and not so downbeat ... well, mostly. and I actually picked up the Jenkins' Sidekick because I came across it first when looking for the other, so not so much a coincidence really ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on May 13, 2016, 05:55:25 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 13, 2016, 04:17:43 PM
Quote from: invisifan on May 13, 2016, 03:47:41 PM
It was good, but it invoked "Before Watchmen" for me, with the Justice League/DC heroes standing in for Charlton's ... and while Millar is good (even great at times) the overall comparison is not in his favour (though he makes a strong effort) ...
I sort of wished I'd been able to read the whole thing in the proper chronological sequence, though. I believe there's still a third book to Jupiter's Circle, and it's been so long since the original Jupiter's Legacy came out that I've lost the thread a little, so I may wait until Jupiter's Circle is completed, then go back and read Book 1 of Jupiter's Legacy again before going on to Book 2. JLA simulacra (like Squadron Supreme) is such a common trope in comics now that I can't even see it as Moore's Minutemen, or whatever the abortive Silver Age group was called. Millar's characters don't really live in that Watchmen-like world, where Dr. Manhattan was the only real superpowered character, they have all the cornball Silver Age-y JLA-type adventures fighting alien invasions and supervillains, and they even have their own 'Teen Titans'. Obviously done with love and affection for those original comics.
Well, I would say that you are supposed to read Legacy without the foreknowledge of just how corrupt "Brainwave" really is, so the start comes as a shock ... Circle v2 comes to a natural close, but there's room for a 3rd which I think implies a 3rd Legacy series as well ...  in many ways Circle opens more cans of worms than it answers questions ...

Watchmen of course had nothing to do with the JLA/JSA, the Minutemen was just the old Charlton heroes used as a team the way everyone formed teams — but the Circle is not just a homage to the old DC heroes, it even uses very recent DC material ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on May 14, 2016, 12:58:01 AM
And now finished the JMS Sidekick ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 14, 2016, 04:12:20 AM
Got about halfway through ARCHIE BY BOB MONTANA: THE COMPLETE NEWSPAPER COMICS 1960-1963 - THE SWINGIN' SIXTIES. The title "The Swingin' Sixties" is a bit of a misnomer here, as there's nothing particularly "Swingin' " about these strips (the "Swingin' Sixties" didn't really get underway until the arrival of The Beatles in America in 1964). I like this volume a bit less than the previous one (1946-1948) because ALL the strips here are independent and unrelated gags. In the earlier volume, Montana had little running storylines, even though each strip stood on its own as a "gag-a-day" strip. That was a tough thing to pull off, but he did it beautifully in those early strips. A punchline every day, while still moving a short continuity of related strips forward -- a series of incidents all happening during a running theme.

Also read about half of JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #27 (good new story by Bill Galvan, who was particularly well-suited as an artist for Jughead).

Reading Dynamite's DOC SAVAGE: THE SPIDER'S WEB #3-6 now.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on May 14, 2016, 01:55:07 PM
Archie #124, 125, 126
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 14, 2016, 02:48:44 PM
I'm going read these books for 12 minutes each
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #242
B & V Friends Comics Annual #246
World Of Archie Comics Annual #50
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 14, 2016, 04:23:19 PM
I finished World Of Archie Comics Annual #50.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 14, 2016, 07:25:35 PM
I read Saga #32 & #33 & #34 & #35 & #36.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on May 16, 2016, 12:43:49 AM
Someone lent me a copy of the reboot Jughead #1 and I just finished reading it.
Did. Not. Like. It. At. All. Nevermind the fact that I don't care for the reboots or the new style, or Erica's hideous drawings. The comic is just not funny. It was boring, it did not make me laugh not even one bit, plot is not interesting. The guy said I could also borrow the other issues if I want to, but frankly I don't feel like reading the other ones.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 16, 2016, 01:25:02 AM
Sunday I read a bunch of JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGESTs. Issues # 29, 30, 32, 33, 37 and 38. That brings me to the end of that title's run, but I'm still missing issues #3, 7, 13, 23, 25, 26, 31, 34, 35, and 36.

I also read about another 70 pages in ARCHIE BY BOB MONTANA: THE COMPLETE NEWSPAPER COMICS 1960-1963, bringing me up to page 202, with exactly 70 pages left to go (hopefully I'll finish that today). I've already ordered the next (and last to date) volume of this series to be released by IDW/LoAC, 1963-1965, and should have it in day or two.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 16, 2016, 01:34:55 AM
Archie 1-8. Sadly it doesn't hold up to a reread that well though it goes really fast because each issue is so short. It doesn't help I've never really been a fan of the Archie vs. Mr. Lodge stories and they dragged that out for 8 issues. I also am not a big fan of Reggie the villain and I don't like how they keep withholding info like what Reggie did that was so bad that he didn't want anyone else to know about. Also I noticed a lot happens that they never show. Like Betty and Sayid suddenly start dating. Hopefully the next arc will be better with the music theme. The Pussycats might even make an appearance.



In each issue about one thing happens:
#1 - the one with the dance
#2 - the one where Betty gets a makeover and Mr. Lodge's house falls down
#3 - the one where Veronica vomits at school and Archie falls in love
#4 - the lipstick incident aka emo teen angst issue
#5 - the one where Veronica has a house party; Reggie's Revenge part 1
#6 - the one where Archie gets a concussion; Reggie's Revenge part 2
#7 - the one where Archie works at the newspaper; Reggie's Revenge part 3
#8 - Mr. Lodge finally allows Veronica to date Archie


Never thought I'd say this but I think this series needs more action by Jughead. What happened to Jughead and Betty teaming up to break up Archie and Veronica?? Guess she's too distracted by Sayid now.


Have to say though Fiona Staples still draws my favorite Veronica. She captures that rich girl Blair Waldorf aesthetic better than the others.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 16, 2016, 10:09:40 AM
I read in my room in my cofmy chair
Archie #3000-#3 & #9 & #10
Cheryl Blossom - those summer issues where she gets a job #1 of 3 &
Cheryl Blossom #1 & # 2 & #3 those are also issues where she gets a job.



Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on May 16, 2016, 03:51:00 PM
Binged through Lazarus ... I wouldn't have thought so initial (still not at all sure, but ...) irishmoxie , you might like this — strong female lead(s), dystopian & some definite mysteries involved ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 16, 2016, 08:07:49 PM
I read
Saga #27 & #28 & #29 & #30 & #31
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 17, 2016, 11:55:37 PM
SQUADRON SUPREME #7
ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #8
TITANS HUNT #8 (of 8 )
SILVER SURFER #4
JUGHEAD #6
CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA #5
HENCHGIRL #1&2 BUMPER EDITION
MICRONAUTS #2
ASTRO CITY #35
INVINCIBLE #128
FUTURE QUEST #1
THE BADGER #4 (of 5)
STEVE DITKO ARCHIVES VOL. 6: THE OUTER LIMITS (Introduction only - 6 pages)
WALLY WOOD: GALAXY ART AND BEYOND HC (Introduction only -21 pages)
ARCHIE BY BOB MONTANA: THE COMPLETE NEWSPAPER COMICS 1963-1965 (Introduction only - 3 pages)
GRAVEDIGGER: HOT WOMEN COLD CASH TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 18, 2016, 12:02:41 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 16, 2016, 01:34:55 AM
I also am not a big fan of Reggie the villain and I don't like how they keep withholding info like what Reggie did that was so bad that he didn't want anyone else to know about.


Hit and run accident where he killed Hot Dog with his car and fled the scene before anyone saw him? At least, that's the answer in Afterlife With Archie.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 18, 2016, 09:17:27 AM
I just read Jughead #6 my digital copy. It was just ok, I would give it a B. The other 5 issues were better. I can't we haven't seen Ethel in any of the issues. It seems like they really don't talk about Jughead not liking girls. He was friendly with Betty. And he really can't stand Veronica.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: spazaru on May 18, 2016, 09:51:47 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on May 18, 2016, 09:17:27 AM
I just read Jughead #6 my digital copy. It was just ok, I would give it a B. The other 5 issues were better. I can't we haven't seen Ethel in any of the issues. It seems like they really don't talk about Jughead not liking girls. He was friendly with Betty. And he really can't stand Veronica.


Maybe the new writer and artist will bring Ethel in
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 18, 2016, 09:55:20 AM
Quote from: spazaru on May 18, 2016, 09:51:47 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on May 18, 2016, 09:17:27 AM
I just read Jughead #6 my digital copy. It was just ok, I would give it a B. The other 5 issues were better. I can't we haven't seen Ethel in any of the issues. It seems like they really don't talk about Jughead not liking girls. He was friendly with Betty. And he really can't stand Veronica.


Maybe the new writer and artist will bring Ethel in

I was re-reading Archie and I saw Ethel in a background in a scene. I believe it's the one where Veronica vomits up the sloppy joe.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 18, 2016, 10:22:12 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 18, 2016, 09:55:20 AM
Quote from: spazaru on May 18, 2016, 09:51:47 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on May 18, 2016, 09:17:27 AM
I just read Jughead #6 my digital copy. It was just ok, I would give it a B. The other 5 issues were better. I can't we haven't seen Ethel in any of the issues. It seems like they really don't talk about Jughead not liking girls. He was friendly with Betty. And he really can't stand Veronica.


Maybe the new writer and artist will bring Ethel in

I was re-reading Archie and I saw Ethel in a background in a scene. I believe it's the one where Veronica vomits up the sloppy joe.


I was just saying to myself the other day, "You know, there just isn't enough vomiting in comics." Good to see that ACP's addressing that.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: spazaru on May 18, 2016, 12:42:48 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 18, 2016, 10:22:12 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 18, 2016, 09:55:20 AM
Quote from: spazaru on May 18, 2016, 09:51:47 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on May 18, 2016, 09:17:27 AM
I just read Jughead #6 my digital copy. It was just ok, I would give it a B. The other 5 issues were better. I can't we haven't seen Ethel in any of the issues. It seems like they really don't talk about Jughead not liking girls. He was friendly with Betty. And he really can't stand Veronica.


Maybe the new writer and artist will bring Ethel in

I was re-reading Archie and I saw Ethel in a background in a scene. I believe it's the one where Veronica vomits up the sloppy joe.


I was just saying to myself the other day, "You know, there just isn't enough vomiting in comics." Good to see that ACP's addressing that.

Me too!  It's amazing we were thinking the same thing.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 18, 2016, 01:06:08 PM
Quote from: spazaru on May 18, 2016, 12:42:48 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 18, 2016, 10:22:12 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 18, 2016, 09:55:20 AM
Quote from: spazaru on May 18, 2016, 09:51:47 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on May 18, 2016, 09:17:27 AM
I just read Jughead #6 my digital copy. It was just ok, I would give it a B. The other 5 issues were better. I can't we haven't seen Ethel in any of the issues. It seems like they really don't talk about Jughead not liking girls. He was friendly with Betty. And he really can't stand Veronica.


Maybe the new writer and artist will bring Ethel in

I was re-reading Archie and I saw Ethel in a background in a scene. I believe it's the one where Veronica vomits up the sloppy joe.


I was just saying to myself the other day, "You know, there just isn't enough vomiting in comics." Good to see that ACP's addressing that.

Me too!  It's amazing we were thinking the same thing.


Were you also thinking that Veronica was bulemic? Oh, I suppose they might just be trying for physical comedy in that scene (who made the sloppy joe, Pop Tate?), but with the reboot you never know. Bulemia just seems more angst-y, so it would fit. Or maybe it does play as comedy in that scene, and it's only the setup; the angst comes later when it's discovered that she's actually bulemic. I obviously haven't read it, so I'm trying to visualize the context.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: spazaru on May 18, 2016, 01:49:55 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 18, 2016, 01:06:08 PM
Quote from: spazaru on May 18, 2016, 12:42:48 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 18, 2016, 10:22:12 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 18, 2016, 09:55:20 AM
Quote from: spazaru on May 18, 2016, 09:51:47 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on May 18, 2016, 09:17:27 AM
I just read Jughead #6 my digital copy. It was just ok, I would give it a B. The other 5 issues were better. I can't we haven't seen Ethel in any of the issues. It seems like they really don't talk about Jughead not liking girls. He was friendly with Betty. And he really can't stand Veronica.


Maybe the new writer and artist will bring Ethel in

I was re-reading Archie and I saw Ethel in a background in a scene. I believe it's the one where Veronica vomits up the sloppy joe.


I was just saying to myself the other day, "You know, there just isn't enough vomiting in comics." Good to see that ACP's addressing that.

Me too!  It's amazing we were thinking the same thing.


Were you also thinking that Veronica was bulemic? Oh, I suppose they might just be trying for physical comedy in that scene (who made the sloppy joe, Pop Tate?), but with the reboot you never know. Bulemia just seems more angst-y, so it would fit. Or maybe it does play as comedy in that scene, and it's only the setup; the angst comes later when it's discovered that she's actually bulemic. I obviously haven't read it, so I'm trying to visualize the context.

I don't think that hard about Archie Comics.  Just enjoying the vomiting for what it is! LOL.  Anytime Archie goes in a John Waters direction, I just have to roll with it!  Ha ha. 
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 18, 2016, 01:55:59 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 18, 2016, 01:06:08 PM
Quote from: spazaru on May 18, 2016, 12:42:48 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 18, 2016, 10:22:12 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 18, 2016, 09:55:20 AM
Quote from: spazaru on May 18, 2016, 09:51:47 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on May 18, 2016, 09:17:27 AM
I just read Jughead #6 my digital copy. It was just ok, I would give it a B. The other 5 issues were better. I can't we haven't seen Ethel in any of the issues. It seems like they really don't talk about Jughead not liking girls. He was friendly with Betty. And he really can't stand Veronica.


Maybe the new writer and artist will bring Ethel in

I was re-reading Archie and I saw Ethel in a background in a scene. I believe it's the one where Veronica vomits up the sloppy joe.


I was just saying to myself the other day, "You know, there just isn't enough vomiting in comics." Good to see that ACP's addressing that.

Me too!  It's amazing we were thinking the same thing.


Were you also thinking that Veronica was bulemic? Oh, I suppose they might just be trying for physical comedy in that scene (who made the sloppy joe, Pop Tate?), but with the reboot you never know. Bulemia just seems more angst-y, so it would fit. Or maybe it does play as comedy in that scene, and it's only the setup; the angst comes later when it's discovered that she's actually bulemic. I obviously haven't read it, so I'm trying to visualize the context.

It's comedic. An instance of actual comedy in the reboot!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on May 18, 2016, 02:50:33 PM
It was cafeteria food ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 18, 2016, 03:35:23 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 18, 2016, 01:55:59 PM
It's comedic. An instance of actual comedy in the reboot!


Unless it was a sloppy joe made with some really bad meat, or just a terrible home-made recipe or something, I assume the joke is that Veronica's palate is so accustomed to upper-crust cuisine that she finds "regular people food" totally inedible. I know I've seen the occasional instance of a vomiting joke in a classic Archie story or two, probably only modern ones though. Don't think I recall any instances of Veronica not being able to stomach the same kind of foods the other kids eat, though. She spends so much time at Pop Tate's, even if she would vastly prefer Gaston's cooking.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on May 18, 2016, 04:12:18 PM
The joke would be her first exposure to Ms Beazley's cooking ... Everyone else has (presumably) built up a resistance ;)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Mr.Lodge on May 18, 2016, 08:26:46 PM
Jughead 006 - Absolute garbage from start to finish.

Sabrina 005 - Really good, especially the ending.

Archie 008 - Entertaining, good read.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 18, 2016, 08:56:07 PM
Unbelievable amount of girlie comics coming out today:
Finding Molly #3
Disney Princess #3
Goldie Vance #2
Lumberjanes #26
Lumberjanes Special
Mae #1
Princeless Raven #8
Princeless Make Yourself #2
Strawberry Shortcake #2
Chilling Sabrina #5

And other light hearted comics:

Grumpy Cat #4
Puss in Boots #2
Mighty Zodiac #2
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 18, 2016, 09:15:29 PM
No reading for today. I took a break. I watched Orange Is The New Black-Season #3 instead.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 19, 2016, 12:50:22 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 18, 2016, 08:56:07 PM
Unbelievable amount of girlie comics coming out today:
Finding Molly #3
Disney Princess #3
Goldie Vance #2
Lumberjanes #26
Lumberjanes Special
Mae #1
Princeless Raven #8
Princeless Make Yourself #2
Strawberry Shortcake #2
Chilling Sabrina #5

And other light hearted comics:

Grumpy Cat #4
Puss in Boots #2
Mighty Zodiac #2

I don't know that Sabrina belongs anywhere on that list or that's there's anything particularly girlie about it, beyond the fact that the title character is female (but you left a lot of those books off the list). Point taken on the others.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 19, 2016, 12:54:17 AM
Quote from: invisifan on May 18, 2016, 04:12:18 PM
The joke would be her first exposure to Ms Beazley's cooking ... Everyone else has (presumably) built up a resistance ;)

That was a constant source of gags for Bob Montana's newspaper strip -- somewhat less so for classic Archie comic books.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 19, 2016, 09:09:04 AM
I read Archie #8- Fish cover. There was no Reggie in this issue. And Betty was just on one page. Who were the people playing cards with Archie's parents? Were they supposed to be Raj or Sayid's Mother & Father. You would think  it's Raj's parents because why would  Archie's parents want to hang with them now their son is dating Betty.And why did Betty fix his car again, I think she would still hate Archie for dumping her to be with Veronica.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: spazaru on May 19, 2016, 09:36:36 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on May 19, 2016, 09:09:04 AM
I read Archie #8- Fish cover. There was no Reggie in this issue. And Betty was just on one page. Who were the people playing cards with Archie's parents? Were they supposed to be Raj or Sayid's Mother & Father. You would think  it's Raj's parents because why would  Archie's parents want to hang with them now their son is dating Betty.And why did Betty fix his car again, I think she would still hate Archie for dumping her to be with Veronica.


Maybe now that she's dating Sayid, she's happy and doesn't need to be mad at Archie.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: spazaru on May 19, 2016, 10:27:28 AM
Quote from: Mr.Lodge on May 18, 2016, 08:26:46 PM
Jughead 006 - Absolute garbage from start to finish.

Sabrina 005 - Really good, especially the ending.

Archie 008 - Entertaining, good read.


I haven't read Sabrina yet.  I have to go back and read the last few to get caught back up.  I've forgotten a lot of it.


I loved Archie. 


I didn't think Jughead was absolute garbage.  It reminded me more of a Man from R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E story with the fast pace.  Maybe not the best issue, but I'll keep on with the series to see what happens now that they've gotten Stanger out of the way and are heading into what looks like more typical Archie territory on a summer vacation.  It does seem odd to me that Chip Zdarsky is staying on for the next two issues.  Seems like this would have been a good jumping off point. 
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Mazz on May 19, 2016, 02:58:29 PM
I read The Chilling Adventure of Sabrina #5 and it was outstanding. I'd definitely give it a solid 8.5/10.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 19, 2016, 04:48:01 PM
I read for 12 minutes each
💝 Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
🎊 Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #266
🎁 Betty & Veronica Comics  Double Digest #234
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Mazz on May 19, 2016, 04:56:23 PM
I'm reading Betty and Veronica DD #243 now.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on May 19, 2016, 08:53:41 PM
Reading through a bunch of different issues from Wednesday, notably Jughead 6 .. I'd say the arc ended on a high note at least, though all things considered that wasn't difficult ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on May 19, 2016, 09:00:40 PM
I have been reading old issues of Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 20, 2016, 09:41:40 PM
I read the 7 free comic book day that I got from Midtown Comics in the mail today. I'll hang them in my comic frames tomorrow.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on May 20, 2016, 10:38:53 PM
I finally got from the library Archie Vol. 1 The New Riverdale.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 21, 2016, 01:04:58 PM
I read these for 12 minutes each
Betty & Veronica Double Digest #1
Betty & Veronica Annual Digest Magazine #1 & #2
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 21, 2016, 10:29:55 PM
💞 💘 💓 💕 I read Archie #8 which is my 10th Archie issue of 24 Archie issue subscription.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 22, 2016, 01:43:41 AM
Thursday 05/19- ARCHIE BY BOB MONTANA: THE COMPLETE NEWSPAPER COMICS 1963-1965 (started)
Friday 05/20- WORLD OF ARCHIE SUMMER ANNUAL #59
Saturday 05/21 -  ARCHIE BY BOB MONTANA: THE COMPLETE NEWSPAPER COMICS 1963-1965 (finished)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 22, 2016, 10:58:50 AM
I read Saga #22 & #23 & #24 & #25 & #26 & #34
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 22, 2016, 01:41:17 PM
STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY #1-5 - This is co-written by Mike Johnson, the regular writer on IDW's ongoing STAR TREK comic book series. I'm not really sure what I was expecting, probably that I'd like it, but I don't really think I expected to like it as much as I did. The story is kind of a spinoff concept for ST, and self-contained so that a reader new to the Trek universe doesn't need much background info or previous familiarity with Star Trek going into it (which is good). It's also more of an all-ages comic. Or perhaps I should say it almost seems like this could have been an animated series on Cartoon Network (it's not, but maybe it should be). If it were a novel, then it would be a Young Adult ST novel. In a way it almost feels like a modernized take on such old sci-fi television staples from the 1950s like Space Patrol or Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, although this never really occurred to me until I'd finished reading it.

The story starts with a mystery uncovered three years ago (2258) by Cadet Nyoka Uhura while she was still attending Starfleet Academy along with James Kirk, Leonard McCoy, and Spock (who is an Academy grad student-teacher at the time), as seen briefly in the early part of J.J. Abrams STAR TREK reboot film, and then flashes forward to a new group of Academy students in 2261. Most of the story focuses on them as a group representing Starfleet in a competition among students from different academies from different planets that is being held in honor of Starfleet Academy's Centennial Celebration. The mystery that Uhura discovered 3 years earlier will eventually involve the 5 students representing Starfleet Academy in a big way. The flashbacks to 2258 with Uhura and her contemporaries come up in every issue, so there are two parallel stories running, but you have to wait until the final issue to see how the whole thing connects (in retrospect the connection seems a little obvious, although I never really saw where it was going while I was reading it).

Derek Charm does a great job of drawing attractive people (and aliens), and he doesn't overwork the figures and faces with excessive lines and detail. The whole effect is pretty clean and streamlined; I have to admire an artist who has a philosophy of economy of line, but has put a lot of thought into the work to make sure every line is important and conveys all the information needed while looking good at the same time. Derek has a real facility for tweaking nuanced expression out of his characters' faces with a minimal number of lines, too. Seeing how his art works gives me a good feeling as far as him taking over JUGHEAD. The only thing I can't tell from his work here (because there are no real opportunities in this script to showcase any comedy scenes) is whether he'll be able to exaggerate his characters' facial expressions and body language enough to get the most out of the funny parts of JUGHEAD.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 22, 2016, 07:20:29 PM
Josie and the Pussycats Manga digital exclusive
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 23, 2016, 05:46:31 PM
I read Jughead #6-Cliff Chaing variant. I'm going hang my 12 favorite Jughead covers & I'll take a picture & put it on Twitter page soon.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 23, 2016, 08:25:48 PM
I read for 15 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Digest
Archie 1000 Page 75th Anniversary Bash
The Best Of Archie Comics 75 Years 75 Stories
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 23, 2016, 09:13:59 PM
Reading the STARFLEET ACADEMY miniseries a few days ago got me motivated to catch up on my IDW Star Trek comics, which I'd let pile up for over a year. So yesterday and today I made a concerted effort to catch up, and read a veritable boatload of Trek comics:


STAR TREK: NEW VISIONS #3-11 - A bookshelf format series of 48-page standalone episodes; fumetti done in 'photomontage' style, by manipulating hi-def screen grabs of the actors and props from The Original Series, mixed with Photoshop-created imagery, by John Byrne. As close as possible to watching new episodes of the classic Trek.

STAR TREK: MIRROR IMAGES TPB (= #1-5) - A miniseries based on the original series "Mirror, Mirror" episode that shows how that universe's Kirk became Captain of the ISS Enterprise.

STAR TREK (2011 ongoing) #35-54 - This is the series based on the J.J. Abrams rebooted Trek universe.

STAR TREK: ALIENS SPOTLIGHT TPB VOL. 1 - Six standalone stories focusing on the Star Trek alien races: Gorn, Orions, Vulcans, Borg, Andorians, and Romulans.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: daren on May 24, 2016, 01:55:56 AM
I'm reading The Blue Baron from Sitcomics.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 24, 2016, 09:46:53 AM
I read
Jughead #211- which is all time favorite Jughead issue & The last Archie #666 issue with Jughead on the cover. I changed all my comic frames 12 issues of Jughead. 6 issues are the classic Jughead & 6 are from the reboot. I'll take a picture & put it on my Twitter page. I can't wait for all the Derek Charm covers .
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 24, 2016, 09:35:08 PM
I read AfterLife With Archie #8. I forgot Archie asked Betty to marry him in that issue. I'm getting Afterlife With Archie #9 from tfaw. The one with Reggie on the cover.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: daren on May 25, 2016, 02:43:05 AM
I finished the Blue Baron, liked it a lot. Now I'm brushing up on Afterlife 1-8 so I'll know what's going on when I read 9 tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to it, every reread I do of this series makes me like it less and the next issue sounds like it could misstep badly. I hope the character who does the "unexpected act of kindness" that makes Reggie confess is one of two characters even though it's not likely.  :P
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 25, 2016, 03:46:06 AM
Quote from: daren on May 25, 2016, 02:43:05 AM
I finished the Blue Baron, liked it a lot. Now I'm brushing up on Afterlife 1-8 so I'll know what's going on when I read 9 tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to it, every reread I do of this series makes me like it less and the next issue sounds like it could misstep badly. I hope the character who does the "unexpected act of kindness" that makes Reggie confess is one of two characters even though it's not likely.  :P


Cheryl or Veronica. Otherwise the kindness would not be "unexpected". I won't read it until next week.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 25, 2016, 12:51:49 PM

NIGHTHAWK #1* (* = title I'm not continuing reading)
RICK AND MORTY #14
BACK TO THE FUTURE #8 (now an ongoing series)
BILL & TED GO TO HELL #4 (of 4)
JUSTICE LEAGUE #50*
DC UNIVERSE REBIRTH #1 (one-shot)
TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #6*
SPIDER-MAN DEADPOOL #5 (DP swears off killing? Seriously. Seriously? Don't know what they're thinking with that.)
JONESY #4 (now an ongoing series)
LOBSTER JOHNSON: THE METAL MONSTERS OF MIDTOWN #1 (of 3)
TWILIGHT ZONE: THE SHADOW #2 (of 4)
BATMAN '66 MEETS THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. #6 (of 6)
LORDS OF THE JUNGLE #3 (of 6)
TANK GIRL: TWO GIRLS ONE TANK #1
STREET FIGHTER X G.I. JOE #4 (of 6)
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE JUMBO COMICS #20
DISNEY MAGIC KINGDOM COMICS #1 (of 2)

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 25, 2016, 02:05:41 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 25, 2016, 12:51:49 PM

NIGHTHAWK #1* (* = title I'm not continuing reading)
RICK AND MORTY #14
BACK TO THE FUTURE #8 (now an ongoing series)
BILL & TED GO TO HELL #4 (of 4)
JUSTICE LEAGUE #50*
DC UNIVERSE REBIRTH #1 (one-shot)
TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #6*
SPIDER-MAN DEADPOOL #5 (DP swears off killing? Seriously. Seriously? Don't know what they're thinking with that.)
JONESY #4 (now an ongoing series)
LOBSTER JOHNSON: THE METAL MONSTERS OF MIDTOWN #1 (of 3)
TWILIGHT ZONE: THE SHADOW #2 (of 4)
BATMAN '66 MEETS THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. #6 (of 6)
LORDS OF THE JUNGLE #3 (of 6)
TANK GIRL: TWO GIRLS ONE TANK #1
STREET FIGHTER X G.I. JOE #4 (of 6)
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE JUMBO COMICS #20
DISNEY MAGIC KINGDOM COMICS #1 (of 2)

How was magic kingdom? Glad to see you're reading Jonesy.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 25, 2016, 02:50:09 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 25, 2016, 02:05:41 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 25, 2016, 12:51:49 PM

NIGHTHAWK #1* (* = title I'm not continuing reading)
RICK AND MORTY #14
BACK TO THE FUTURE #8 (now an ongoing series)
BILL & TED GO TO HELL #4 (of 4)
JUSTICE LEAGUE #50*
DC UNIVERSE REBIRTH #1 (one-shot)
TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #6*
SPIDER-MAN DEADPOOL #5 (DP swears off killing? Seriously. Seriously? Don't know what they're thinking with that.)
JONESY #4 (now an ongoing series)
LOBSTER JOHNSON: THE METAL MONSTERS OF MIDTOWN #1 (of 3)
TWILIGHT ZONE: THE SHADOW #2 (of 4)
BATMAN '66 MEETS THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. #6 (of 6)
LORDS OF THE JUNGLE #3 (of 6)
TANK GIRL: TWO GIRLS ONE TANK #1
STREET FIGHTER X G.I. JOE #4 (of 6)
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE JUMBO COMICS #20
DISNEY MAGIC KINGDOM COMICS #1 (of 2)

How was magic kingdom? Glad to see you're reading Jonesy.


It's a deluxe comic ($6.99 cover) on good paper with glossy cardstock covers. I didn't count the pages, but somewhere between 48 and 64, I think.
It has four mid-length stories with the classic Disney characters taking place or spinning out of a visit to Disneyland (in honor of the 60th anniversary). There can't be that many of those in existence. In one of them, the characters from the Country Bear Jamboree practically steal the story from Mickey and Donald. There's a couple that work more like a standard Uncle Scrooge or Scrooge+Donald+nephews story (but spin out of specific attractions like Pirates of the Carribean), and the last one stars the unlikely team of Goofy+Pluto+Minnie+Jiminy Cricket (with a lot of guest-stars as well, like the Red Queen of Wonderland, the evil Witch from Snow White, Peter Pan, the Seven Dwarfs, etc. Oddly enough, no stories here based around the Haunted Mansion. There's supposed to be a second issue in August, which I hope might have some stories based on the other Disney parks in Orlando, Paris, and Tokyo.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 25, 2016, 03:35:13 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Mega Digest
The Best Of Archie 75 Years 75 Stories
.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 26, 2016, 02:32:48 AM
BIFF BAM POW! #1 (2007, Amaze Ink) - Found in the 50c boxes, this is a collection of alternative-y superhero comix by Evan Dorkin (MILK & CHEESE) and Sarah Dyer. Some of the strips appeared earlier in other places like DISNEY ADVENTURES DIGEST or NICKELODEON MAGAZINE. It seems like most of Evan Dorkin's work is either in mainstream kids publications or for indy fringe comix publishers like Slave Labor Graphics, but whenever I see an entire comic that's all his strips I pick it up. Sarah Dyer is his partner and frequent collaborator. This one has a long lead story (the cover feature) about how 110-lb female prizefighter One Punch Goldberg became a crime fighter, plus strips featuring Nutsy Monkey, Kid Blastoff, and the 1 page "Billy and Super-Rad" about a teenage superhero and his little brother/nemesis.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: daren on May 26, 2016, 04:24:28 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 25, 2016, 03:46:06 AM
Quote from: daren on May 25, 2016, 02:43:05 AM
I finished the Blue Baron, liked it a lot. Now I'm brushing up on Afterlife 1-8 so I'll know what's going on when I read 9 tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to it, every reread I do of this series makes me like it less and the next issue sounds like it could misstep badly. I hope the character who does the "unexpected act of kindness" that makes Reggie confess is one of two characters even though it's not likely.  :P


Cheryl or Veronica. Otherwise the kindness would not be "unexpected". I won't read it until next week.


The two I had in mind weren't even in the issue after all.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 27, 2016, 07:24:11 AM
I read
🎨 Jem & The Holograms #15
🚴 Invincible #128
🍄 Pasty Walker aka HellCat #6
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 27, 2016, 07:31:02 PM
I read these for 12 minutes each
📠 Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #232
📣 Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #233
☀ Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #241
⛄ World Of Archie Winter Annual #56
💋 I finished Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #234


Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 28, 2016, 12:43:32 AM
ARCHIE GIANT COMICS COLLECTION - I've been reading a little off an on over the last week. About halfway through it.

STAR TREK: ROMULANS: PAWNS OF WAR by John Byrne - JB is a genius of classic Trek. Here he gives the background leading up to the key classic Trek episode "The Balance of Terror", plus an adaptation of said episode, as seen from the Romulan side of events, followed by the aftermath of those events. The origin of the Romulan/Klingon alliance is explained, how they shared technology between those two empires, working in references to "The Trouble With Tribbles", "The Corbomite Maneuver", "The Enterprise Incident", and knitting all the background events together and filling in the details. Klingons Kor and Koloth play a big part in the alliance. A certain unnamed Starfleet Commodore formerly known only as 'Number One' from the pilot episode "The Cage" (a.k.a. "The Menagerie") shows up later in the story, and even the Organians from "Errand of Mercy" appear. There is a shift in power on Romulus after the events of "Balance of Terror" (thanks to the Klingons' machinations) that eventually results in the Praetor being succeeded by Gaius, the son of the unnamed Romulan Commander seen in "Balance of Terror" (the better for the Klingons to instigate war between the Romulans and the Federation, with Gaius seeking revenge on Kirk for his father's death in confrontation with the Enterprise), as well as an internal plot on Kronos to overthrow the Klingon emperor. All very well thought-out and satisfying by way of connecting the background history of ST, as the writers of the original television screenplays weren't working from some master plan, but merely constructing stand-alone episodes as they went along.

STAR TREK: CREW by John Byrne - In a series of individual stories, JB follows the career of Number One, from cadet assigned to the shakedown cruise of the Constitution-class starship NX-0001 (which will eventually be christened Enterprise) to her eventual return to the ship as a Starfleet Lieutenant under its original Captain, Robert April. She's obviously one of Byrne's favorite characters from the original series. Chris Pike shows up (as First Officer to Captain April) in the last story as well. One of the stories here is a sequel of sorts to an earlier Byrne ST miniseries, STAR TREK: ASSIGNMENT EARTH (which itself is a sequel to TOS episode of the same name featuring Robert Lansing as Gary Seven, agent of mysterious alien masters assigned to Earth in the 1960s). I'll be reading that one next.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 29, 2016, 05:27:44 PM
I read each of these for 12 minutes
1-Archie 1000 Page Comics Explosion
2-Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
3-Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
4-Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #232
5- Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #241
6-Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #233
.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 30, 2016, 06:58:26 AM
I read
Jughead #141 & #144 & #145 & #160 & #162 & early this morning I read these digital comics
Betty & Veronica Sleepover Party Special
B & V Pool Party
Team Betty
Betty Vs Veronica -Sabotage
I finished reading Betty & Veronica Rival Cheryl Blossom High School Royalty
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 31, 2016, 03:28:27 PM
I read Jughead #12 & #18 & #60 & #62 & #71 Jughead's Baby Tales #2.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 31, 2016, 06:05:20 PM
I read AfterLife With Archie #9, which was great.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 31, 2016, 08:39:51 PM
I haven't updated this in a few days, so here's what I read the last four days:

Saturday May 28:
STAR TREK: ASSIGNMENT EARTH TP by John Byrne

Sunday May 29:

STAR TREK 100-PAGE SPECTACULAR 2011 (#1)
STAR TREK 100-PAGE SPECTACULAR 2012 (#2)
STAR TREK: LEONARD McCOY: FRONTIER DOCTOR TP by John Byrne

Monday May 30:

STAR TREK CLASSICS: THE GORN CRISIS TP
ARCHIE GIANT COMICS SPOTLIGHT
CAPTAIN CANUCK: ALEPH TP

Tuesday May 31:
STAR TREK: KLINGONS: BLOOD WILL TELL TP
AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #9
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on June 01, 2016, 12:21:45 AM
Just an FYI since it's not one I read, but apparently BOOM! studios has lowered it on "Bee & Puppycat" — despite earlier solicits for #12-16, #11 is now the final issue ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 01, 2016, 01:10:48 AM
JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS #21 came in the mail today, and I read that tonight. One thing I've been doing is counting the pages of the new lead stories in the months since Fernando Ruiz announced that ACP would be limiting the new stories to 5 pages going forward (I began counting only after Fernando's final story had appeared), and I found that not to be the case, with more than a few 6 page stories, as is the case with the new lead story in this issue.


One thing I'm noticing is that apart from the final B&V stories of "The Many Loves of Archie Andrews", all of the new Dan Parent stories since then have been written by writers other than Dan himself. And with the last couple of months of solicitations having digests where the lead stories are NOT described as "NEW", that's planted a suspicion in my mind that the new lead stories may only hold out as long as the scripts which ACP had bought and paid for far ahead of time. They may already have ceased paying for new scripts from writers entirely, and are merely having Dan Parent work through a backlog of paid-for scrips that had been accumulating for some time. After those scripts run out, it may be all over for new classic Archie stories in the digests.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on June 01, 2016, 01:06:56 PM
I haven't had time to read anything :(
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 01, 2016, 07:48:45 PM
Quote from: invisifan on June 01, 2016, 12:21:45 AM
Just an FYI since it's not one I read, but apparently BOOM! studios has lowered it on "Bee & Puppycat" — despite earlier solicits for #12-16, #11 is now the final issue ...


I read this one. I got an email from TFAW awhile back canceling my orders for those issues. Boo.  :(
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 02, 2016, 06:23:36 AM
I got up early & read in my room in my comfy chair. And read & gsve these comics new plastics.
Jughead #90 & #100 & #131 & #134
AfterLife With Archie #1 & #2 & #3 & #4
Now I finished reading
Afterlife With Archie #5 & #6 & #7 & #8 & #9. I put all of them in comics frames. I'm going take a picture & post it on my Twitter Page today.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 02, 2016, 10:56:19 AM
All the Prom issues from Betty, Veronica, and Betty and Veronica featured on the Archie app.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 02, 2016, 03:41:02 PM
FBCD 2016 VIZ MEDIA ONE-PUNCH MAN/MY HERO ACADEMIA - Previewing two superhero series from the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump. The first stars a "superhero for fun" who looks very unimpressive - not much of a physique, bald-headed, only the simplest of facial features. His biggest problem is trying to avoid boredom, because his devastating power to defeat any foe with a single punch has him constantly seeking new challenges. The second is about a world where about 80% of the population has a "quirk" (specialized superpower), and our protagonist is a teenager trying to be accepted at UA Hero Academy, a superhero high school. He has near-unlimited power he can draw from crystals, but it's too powerful for him to handle at 100%, and he hasn't learned to modulate that power to smaller percentages yet. In this story he's got to pass a series of physical tests and he's in danger of being cut from the school before even starting. Both sort of interesting, but I liked One-Punch Man a lot better, because it's more like a tongue-in-cheek comedy, plus I preferred the art style to My Hero Academia, which seems to tread some of the same ground as a lot of X-Men spinoff titles featuring young mutants. I think I might order Volume 1 of the One-Punch Man series (it was recommended to me by someone else, as well).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 03, 2016, 06:32:47 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
🐒 1-Archie Giant Comics Party
💅 2-Archie 1000 Page Mega Digest
⛪ 3-World Of Archie Winter Annual #56
💝 4- The Best Of Archie Comics 75 Years 75 Stories
🌆 5-Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #232
⛅ 6-Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #233
And on Saturday morning I read
🐨 1-Invincible #128
🔦 2-Patsy Walker AKA HellCat #1 & #6
💘 3-Casey & April-Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 & #4
💾 4-Saga #18
⛺ 5-Vampirella #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 04, 2016, 10:59:16 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on June 03, 2016, 06:32:47 PM
Patsy Walker AKA HellCat #1 & #6

I couldn't even make it all the way through Patsy Walker #6. That was the most terrible example of using a fill-in artist (completely different style) that I've ever seen in a comic. Essentially the equivalent of having the artist of the newspaper strip CATHY (Cathy Guisewite) fill in on the artwork in an issue of BATGIRL or something.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 04, 2016, 01:37:54 PM
I didn't like the art from #6, issue #1 is great though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 05, 2016, 10:08:53 AM
Saturday:
SUPER 'SUCKERS #1 & 2


Sunday:
ARCHIE ANNUAL COMICS DIGEST #48 (1986)
MISTER X: RAZED TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 05, 2016, 04:58:02 PM
This week I plan to read 12 Veronica issues so I change my wall. I'm going read
Veronica #1 & #8 & #38 & #100 & #120 & 128 & #149 & #157 & #194 & #201 & #202 & #206.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 05, 2016, 10:11:19 PM
📚 📖 📚 📖 📚Tonight I have to catch up & read some digital comics while in bed.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 06, 2016, 10:21:17 AM
⛵ I read all 12 of those Veronica issues that I said I was going read before putting them in my comic frames. I gave them new plastics too.
Veronica #1 & #8 & #38 & #100 & #120 & #128 & #149 & #152 & #194 & #201 & #202 & #206
I want to read Jughead #1 - #6 before the 15th to get ready for #7. I can't wait to see Derek Charm's art.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 06, 2016, 06:57:06 PM
⛵ I read some Digital Comics
📔 Reggie & Me
📓 Invincible #22
📙 Sunstone-Volume #4
📓 Jughead's Cousin Bingo Wilkin
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 07, 2016, 01:34:00 PM
I've mostly been updating on Goodreads these days.


Paper Girls #6 - I was just about to give up on this series (because they weren't explaining anything) but this book brought me back. I loved the fish out of water experience the 80's girls had in 2016 and the 3 Erins.


Escape to Gold Mountain - a very difficult and horrifying book to read but a very important one. This is for those interested in Asian studies or race relations.


Curb Stomp #1 - Didn't like it at all unfortunately despite the beautiful colors. I wanted it to be Jem and the Holograms but it just wasn't. Why are these so few comics about music and bands??


Grimm Fairy Tales The Little Mermaid - Just terrible.


Part Time Princesses #1 - It was ok. Loved the idea of the setting - amusement parks, summer, and princesses.


Ares & Aphrodite #1 - I'm trying out Comixology Unlimited which unfortunately is mostly just issue/volume #1's. So if you like a series you have to buy it. This was ok. It was like a rom-com movie but in comic format.


The Undertaking of Lily Chen - Great idea (corpse brides are fascinating) but the old fashioned art style did not at all go with the modern dialogue.


Through the Woods - Loved it! Spooky stories and fabulous art. Why don't they make more like these??

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 07, 2016, 06:13:31 PM
⛵ I read each of these books for 12 minutes
Archie 1000 Page Mega Digest
Archie Giant Comics Party
World Of Archie Comics Double Digest #49
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #233
And I finished Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #232
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 08, 2016, 12:26:58 AM
HOWARD THE DUCK #8
GODS OF WAR #1 (of 4)
MICKEY MOUSE #322
DONALD DUCK #381
THE SHADOW: DEATH OF MARGO LANE #1 (of 6)
WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT #11 (of 12)
EMPRESS #3 (of 7)
MIDNIGHT OF THE SOUL #1 (of 5)
INVADER ZIM #10
STAR TREK #55-58 (Legacy of Spock, Parts 1-4)
STAR TREK: MANIFEST DESTINY #1-4
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 08, 2016, 01:12:50 AM
Best of Jughead Crowning Achievements - loved the Craig Boldman stories. I'm thinking of going back and reading all the ones he wrote.


In Real Life by Jen Wang - poignant, girlie gamer story.  :smitten:
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 08, 2016, 11:55:15 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 08, 2016, 01:12:50 AM
Best of Jughead Crowning Achievements - loved the Craig Boldman stories. I'm thinking of going back and reading all the ones he wrote.


You're just discovering Craig Boldman's Jughead? He did an incredible 10-year run on Jughead with Rex Lindsey. Gave Jughead an amazing array of quirky obsessions, a vocabulary word of the month, and introduced his arch-nemesis Trula Twyst.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: spazaru on June 08, 2016, 03:51:52 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 08, 2016, 11:55:15 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 08, 2016, 01:12:50 AM
Best of Jughead Crowning Achievements - loved the Craig Boldman stories. I'm thinking of going back and reading all the ones he wrote.


You're just discovering Craig Boldman's Jughead? He did an incredible 10-year run on Jughead with Rex Lindsey. Gave Jughead an amazing array of quirky obsessions, a vocabulary word of the month, and introduced his arch-nemesis Trula Twyst.

I like Boldman's writing way better than Lindsey's art.  He didn't do bad on the girls but I always thought the guys' heads were too tall or something.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 08, 2016, 06:06:51 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 08, 2016, 11:55:15 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 08, 2016, 01:12:50 AM
Best of Jughead Crowning Achievements - loved the Craig Boldman stories. I'm thinking of going back and reading all the ones he wrote.


You're just discovering Craig Boldman's Jughead? He did an incredible 10-year run on Jughead with Rex Lindsey. Gave Jughead an amazing array of quirky obsessions, a vocabulary word of the month, and introduced his arch-nemesis Trula Twyst.

Never gave Jughead much of a try because when he appears in the Archie issues he's very one dimensional and obsessed with food which gets boring. These Craig Boldman stories are probably some of the funniest Archie Comics stories ever.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 09, 2016, 12:21:36 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 08, 2016, 06:06:51 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 08, 2016, 11:55:15 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 08, 2016, 01:12:50 AM
Best of Jughead Crowning Achievements - loved the Craig Boldman stories. I'm thinking of going back and reading all the ones he wrote.


You're just discovering Craig Boldman's Jughead? He did an incredible 10-year run on Jughead with Rex Lindsey. Gave Jughead an amazing array of quirky obsessions, a vocabulary word of the month, and introduced his arch-nemesis Trula Twyst.

Never gave Jughead much of a try because when he appears in the Archie issues he's very one dimensional and obsessed with food which gets boring. These Craig Boldman stories are probably some of the funniest Archie Comics stories ever.

That's what I meant about the quirky obsessions. The obsessions with food, laziness/avoiding effort, and his relationship to girls aren't isolated things in Craig Boldman's Jughead, but part of a broader range of general eccentricity. I think Boldman realized the food/laziness/girls thing had been done to death over the decades, so while he incorporated those aspects of the character, he tried to make them part of a wider spectrum of oddball behavior. Cleverness and luck (sometimes good, sometimes bad) both play a part in the stories.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: daren on June 09, 2016, 05:31:47 AM

I read Archie Double Digest 269, the one with Fernando's final Archie story. "Happiness is a Clean Pup" about Archie and Jughead starting their own dog washing business.



(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/acdd269.712/preview/)


(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/happinessisawarmpup1.716/preview/)


(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/happinessisawarmpup2.717/preview/)


Pretty soon they expand their business to washing cats:


(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/happinessisawarmpup.713/preview/)


Obviously the story is funny and Fernando's art is as great as ever. Now we won't be seeing it in any new ACP stories anymore and no need to say to anyone here how much this sucks. Coincidental that this story comes out the same day that ACP announces their new Josie reboot as if as distraction, maybe when Dan Parent does his last story we'll get news of a Reggie reboot. With Reggie in juvie hall or maybe the psych ward if that isn't too tame for them by then.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 09, 2016, 05:53:45 AM
⛵ I read
Jughead #5-Erica Henderson variant
Betty & Veronica #278-The 90's variant
Archie #6-Derek Charm & Marguerite Sauvage variants
Archie #415 & #645 & 648
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 09, 2016, 06:55:24 AM
Quote from: daren on June 09, 2016, 05:31:47 AM

I read Archie Double Digest 269, the one with Fernando's final Archie story. "Happiness is a Clean Pup" about Archie and Jughead starting their own dog washing business.



(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/acdd269.712/preview/)


(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/happinessisawarmpup1.716/preview/)


(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/happinessisawarmpup2.717/preview/)


Pretty soon they expand their business to washing cats:


(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/happinessisawarmpup.713/preview/)


Obviously the story is funny and Fernando's art is as great as ever. Now we won't be seeing it in any new ACP stories anymore and no need to say to anyone here how much this sucks. Coincidental that this story comes out the same day that ACP announces their new Josie reboot as if as distraction, maybe when Dan Parent does his last story we'll get news of a Reggie reboot. With Reggie in juvie hall or maybe the psych ward if that isn't too tame for them by then.

Started reading that yesterday as well. Usually I sit and read the whole digest (Annuals and Jumbos included) in one sitting, but for some reason I fell asleep after reading (I guess) about 50 pages (it was in the middle of the Statue of Liberty story).

And now I'm wondering just what happened to that B&V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #248, and if I will ever see it, or if it was cancelled with no announcement.
(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_pi/300/3243143.jpg)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 09, 2016, 03:15:28 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 09, 2016, 06:55:24 AM
Quote from: daren on June 09, 2016, 05:31:47 AM

I read Archie Double Digest 269, the one with Fernando's final Archie story. "Happiness is a Clean Pup" about Archie and Jughead starting their own dog washing business.



(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/acdd269.712/preview/)


(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/happinessisawarmpup1.716/preview/)


(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/happinessisawarmpup2.717/preview/)


Pretty soon they expand their business to washing cats:


(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/happinessisawarmpup.713/preview/)


Obviously the story is funny and Fernando's art is as great as ever. Now we won't be seeing it in any new ACP stories anymore and no need to say to anyone here how much this sucks. Coincidental that this story comes out the same day that ACP announces their new Josie reboot as if as distraction, maybe when Dan Parent does his last story we'll get news of a Reggie reboot. With Reggie in juvie hall or maybe the psych ward if that isn't too tame for them by then.

Started reading that yesterday as well. Usually I sit and read the whole digest (Annuals and Jumbos included) in one sitting, but for some reason I fell asleep after reading (I guess) about 50 pages (it was in the middle of the Statue of Liberty story).

And now I'm wondering just what happened to that B&V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #248, and if I will ever see it, or if it was cancelled with no announcement.
(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_pi/300/3243143.jpg)


How was the rest of that Archie digest? Does it have a lot of summer themed stories?


B&V Friends 248 has been out digitally since 5/25/2016. I've already read it. I'm not sure about the print version. Maybe they are testing the waters to see if people will buy digests digitally now. Or there is some new embargo before the print copies get released.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 09, 2016, 03:33:08 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 09, 2016, 03:15:28 PM
How was the rest of that Archie digest? Does it have a lot of summer themed stories?


Not that I noticed. I didn't really pay that much attention to when the stories might have been taking place. I guess some or most of them could have been during the summer (there really weren't any "school" stories, but nothing like beach stories, either). The only story that stood out (apart from the longish Statue of Liberty story I mentioned) was one written by Bob Bolling and drawn by Rex Lindsey (first time I've ever seen that particular combo) about Mr. Lodge taking (teenage) Archie with him on a trip to find Mystic Lake's legendary lake monster, "Misty". It has sort of a strange ending, the kind that is becoming an earmark of Bolling's writing to me. Apart from those, nothing really stood out - a pretty average issue.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 10, 2016, 06:28:56 AM
PREZ: THE FIRST TEEN PRESIDENT TP  - by Joe Simon (w)/ Jerry Grandenetti (a) + Neil Gaiman (w)/ Mike Allred (a) + Ed Brubaker (w)/ Eric Shanower (a)
PREZ was a bizarre concept for a comic book even by DC Comics standards of 1973. (His actual name is Prez Rickard, given no more justification in the story than "When I was born, my mom said 'Someday this baby will be president, so she named me Prez -- ' ".) This collection reprints all 4 issues of the 1970s series plus the unpublished story originally intended as issue #5. Also included is a story by Cary Bates from SUPERGIRL #10 (Oct. 1974) that featured a guest appearance by Prez, plus a 1993 issue of the Vertigo series THE SANDMAN by Neil Gaiman & Mike Allred that revisited the character, and a final one-shot Vertigo Visions from 1995 written by Ed Brubaker, "Smells Like Teen President". I guess it's no more bizarre than Jughead's Time Police, though. In fact, it's not hard to imagine something like President Archie coming out of that late '80s period of experimental titles from ACP.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 10, 2016, 06:12:01 PM
I read The Nameless City for 12 minutes. It's a great book by Faith Erin Hicks. I also read BatGirl #52 & Deadly Class #21 & After Life With Archie #9.
On Saturday Morning I read these books for 13 minutes each
🍦 1-Archie 1000 Page Mega Comics Digest
💅2-Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #242
💃 3-Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #20
🐾 4-The Archie Wedding-Will You Marry Me?
🌌 5-Friends With Boys
🌾 6-The Nameless City
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 12, 2016, 01:37:45 PM

I read all 6 Jughead issues in order to ready for #7.
Jughead #1- Francavilla variant
Jughead #2-Les Mclaine variant
Jughead #3-TY variant
Jughead #4-Mack variant
Jughead #5-Henderson variant
Jughead #6-Chaing variant
I also read in my room for awhile.I read each of these digests for 12 minutes
World Of Jumbo Comics Digest #41
Jughead & Archie Double Digest #1
Archie Giant Comics Festival
And I also read
Jughead #177 & #186
Archie #385 & #640 & #649 & #657
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: daren on June 13, 2016, 01:45:02 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 09, 2016, 03:15:28 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 09, 2016, 06:55:24 AM
Quote from: daren on June 09, 2016, 05:31:47 AM

I read Archie Double Digest 269, the one with Fernando's final Archie story. "Happiness is a Clean Pup" about Archie and Jughead starting their own dog washing business.



(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/acdd269.712/preview/)


(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/happinessisawarmpup1.716/preview/)


(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/happinessisawarmpup2.717/preview/)


Pretty soon they expand their business to washing cats:


(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/happinessisawarmpup.713/preview/)


Obviously the story is funny and Fernando's art is as great as ever. Now we won't be seeing it in any new ACP stories anymore and no need to say to anyone here how much this sucks. Coincidental that this story comes out the same day that ACP announces their new Josie reboot as if as distraction, maybe when Dan Parent does his last story we'll get news of a Reggie reboot. With Reggie in juvie hall or maybe the psych ward if that isn't too tame for them by then.

Started reading that yesterday as well. Usually I sit and read the whole digest (Annuals and Jumbos included) in one sitting, but for some reason I fell asleep after reading (I guess) about 50 pages (it was in the middle of the Statue of Liberty story).

And now I'm wondering just what happened to that B&V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #248, and if I will ever see it, or if it was cancelled with no announcement.
(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_pi/300/3243143.jpg)


How was the rest of that Archie digest? Does it have a lot of summer themed stories?


B&V Friends 248 has been out digitally since 5/25/2016. I've already read it. I'm not sure about the print version. Maybe they are testing the waters to see if people will buy digests digitally now. Or there is some new embargo before the print copies get released.


Not really, the closest was an old story where Veronica, Mr. Lodge and Archie are sitting by the pool but most of it doesn't even take place there.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 14, 2016, 11:05:21 AM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes
Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #239
World Of Archie Comics Double Digest #48
Archie's Funhouse Comics Double Digest #13
Archie Giant Comics Collection
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 14, 2016, 07:04:50 PM
I will reading Jughead #7 on my phone . I'm getting it from the Google Play Store.
I finished Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #241. And I also read these Archie Giant Comics Party & Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #266 & World Of Archie Winter Annual #56
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 15, 2016, 05:52:58 AM

JUGHEAD #7 - Well, it's an improvement, anyway. Derek Charm's artwork makes reboot Jughead and Archie a lot easier to look at. The humor here is coming through slightly better now, but is still far too subdued for my liking, and the overall problem of decompressed storytelling continues to apply here -- far too little is happening in any given issue. I can only hope incoming writer Ryan North will pick up the pace when he takes over.


ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #9 - A decently written and drawn, solid superhero comic. One could wish that the protagonist wasn't so relentlessly portrayed as a loser (although he does manage to defeat the villains in each story arc), and for this particular title, I sometimes think it could do with a little LESS humor. Still a decent read every month.


INVINCIBLE #129 - I've been reading this since the "Reboot" arc (which wasn't really a reboot), and have managed (despite my handicap of not being well-versed in the complex backstory of INVINCIBLE) to follow along so far with few problems, but this issue baffled me as to what exactly was going on. There are a few scene changes in the latter half of the story, with no hints as to whether we're viewing events from the past, future, or perhaps even some alternate timeline. If things aren't made clear by the next issue, I'll probably wind up dropping this from my reading list, as I honestly couldn't make heads or tails of it. Not even a guess as to what might be going on here, really.


BLACK WIDOW #4 - I have to admit I'm not enjoying this book anywhere near as much as I'd hoped I would. Part of that is that the tone of the story, while fine for a comic per se, runs counter to my expectations for this character, and my expectations from the Waid/Samnee team based on their prior work on DAREDEVIL. It's reminiscent of nothing so much as the tone and tropes of Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting's VELVET, but otherwise suffers by the comparison to that excellent series. Again, as with the rebooted ARCHIE, Waid's writing here is in the decompressed storytelling mode, with not much happening in any given issue. I'll give it a couple more issues before giving up on it, but I'm afraid I'll be dropping this if it doesn't get better fairly soon.


SQUADRON SUPREME #8 - I've very little in the way of attachment to most of the main protagonists of this series (save for Hyperion and Thundra), but James Robinson's writing and the involvement of incidental characters like Black Bolt and Toro Raymond are holding my interest, and Robinson seems to be slowly adding some dimension to the other main characters who were previously cyphers to me. Going to stick with this one for a while yet.

WALT DISNEY'S COMICS AND STORIES #732 - The conclusion of the long running series of stories focused around "The Search For the Zodiac Stones" (this is Part 12 of 12) that involved Scrooge McDuck, Donald and his nephews, plus Mickey Mouse and Goofy. Individual stories in this series were complete adventures in themselves, but this 31-page concluding chapter wraps up the overarching subplot as the component 12 zodiac stones are assembled; it's the longest story ever featuring all of Disney Comics' most popular stars. Also included is a 6-page backup story starring the less-frequently seen Ludwig von Drake (and a personal fave).


HENCHGIRL #8 - This is such a "fringe" title that I'm a little surprised (given my heavy reading list) that I'm still reading it after 8 issues, but at the same time, I realised that with every issue, I was a little more charmed by and drawn into the world of Kristen Gudsnuk's Crepe City, and its oddball heroes and villains. In this issue, Fred Stumbley (AKA Mannikin) continues to heal from having his brittle body shattered and then glued back together. He meets Lovely Celestial Angel Amelia, who's just moved to Crepe City (and just been robbed of all her belongings). Having nowhere to go, she decides to become Fred's crime-fighting partner, which leads to Mary Posa making her the object of her vengeance (due to still being turned evil, which is worrysome as there doesn't seem to be any possible way to rectify her condition). Poor Mary. Poor Fred! Actually, Amelia seems nice for a magical girl crime-fighter, so maybe something will develop between Fred and her (I can't believe I'm shipping them already). I know, I know... I'm supposed to be rooting for Mary. And now I'm thinking I REALLY should be following the webcomic at www.henchgirlcomic.com. That goes on my to-do list. So far the story is up to 233 pages.


SWAMP THING #6 (of 6) - Not much to say about this one. As ST comics go, this story wasn't one of the more interesting ones, although it had a lot of guest stars, particularly in this final issue.


ASTRO CITY #36 - 2nd part of a 2-parter. Again, not one of the more notable stories in this series.


TITANS REBIRTH #1 - Not crazy about the artwork (though I've seen much worse as well, particularly from DC), but they really are "trying to get the band back together". The original 5 kid sidekicks of the Silver Age JLA (Robin/Dick Grayson, Wonder Girl/Donna Troy, Aqualad/Garth, Speedy/Roy Harper, and Kid Flash/Wally West) are reunited after discovering that their minds have been tampered with to erase memories of their past association together (and some characters like Wally West had been erased from the current reality altogether). What can I say, there was probably nowhere further DOWN that DC Comics could go, so I guess they're at least going through the motions of pretending to listen to what their former fans have been complaining about. This is merely what I'd consider an "okay" DC comic book, but even at that it's a big improvement over the last 5 years of their superhero comics. They happen to also be some of my personal favorite DC characters, which really doesn't hurt either.


ACTION COMICS #957 + SUPERMAN (2016) #1 - The first of these comics featuring the "rebirth"ed Superman wasn't actually too bad (credit goes to old-school DC Superman writer Dan Jurgens), and has the pre-New 52 DC Universe Superman replacing the recently-deceased New 52 Superman. Trouble rears its head immediately in the form of Justice Leaguer Lex Luthor (still the New 52 incarnation of said character), who wants the job for himself. The new SUPERMAN #1 issue (by writer Peter Tomasi) gets a thumbs-down just as easily for a boring story (same Superman as Action Comics, though) that doesn't really have much interesting going on. Less than half (honestly maybe closer to 25-35%) of the DC Rebirth first issues represent any sort of improvement over the previous months, but mild though that improvement may be, it's exceeded my expectations in that regard, so I'll see what develops in a few of these books in the coming months. AQUAMAN REBIRTH, FLASH REBIRTH and DETECTIVE COMICS REBIRTH were reasonably not-too-horrible as well. None of this stuff is going to make my top 20 list, but "nowhere to go but up" seems to apply here.

PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #7 - OMFG it's Kate Leth again! After that last issue, I wasn't sure... Not a bad issue, and it finally wraps up Patsy's problems with Hedy Wolfe.


WACKY RACELAND #1 - Too bad. It's a big bore. Takes itself way too seriously. There was some real potential here, as I could see where they were using the MAD MAX franchise (with a big dollop of Roger Corman's DEATH RACE 2000) as a lens through which to re-interpret the Hanna-Barbera WACKY RACES cartoon. I still think the concept has legs, and they're complete idiots if they don't turn this into a videogame. What's missing here is that the series has no self-awareness of its own absurdity. This would have been better handled as a full-bore 2000AD (the zarjaz Mega-Comic from the UK) tongue-in-cheek sardonic humor style post-Apocalyptic comic. They should have hired someone like Pat Mills (or Alan Grant) to write it, and someone like Mike McMahon, Cam Kennedy, Carlos Ezquerra, or Kevin O'Neill (all Judge Dredd/2000AD alumni) to draw it. Or maybe someone like Jamie Hewlett (TANK GIRL). That could have really worked, and been a kick-ass comic.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 15, 2016, 07:15:51 AM
Really liked Jughead #7. It's more of a classic Archie comedic story (with some inside jokes) and no dream sequences/fantastical elements.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 15, 2016, 08:55:38 PM
I read Jughead #7 which I actually got from Archie Comics by mistake. My 6 issue subscription is over. On the label it said a Grace issue, I guess that means free. I can't wait to hang up on my wall.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on June 15, 2016, 09:32:56 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on June 15, 2016, 08:55:38 PM
I read Jughead #7 which I actually got from Archie Comics by mistake. My 6 issue subscription is over. On the label it said a Grace issue, I guess that means free. I can't wait to hang up on my wall.
Maybe to see if the new art style will tempt you to renew ...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 15, 2016, 10:39:18 PM
That could be the reason but I'm not going get a subscription to it. That 6 Jughead issue subscription was enough.  I have a subscription to Archie & hsve only got 8 issues so far. A lot of them are damaged. And The issues are cheaper at Midtown Comics. Midtown Comics sends them in a box so they are not damaged.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 16, 2016, 07:40:55 AM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
✈ 1-World Of Archie Winter Annual #56
🐝 2-Archie Giant Comics Party
👻 3-Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #266
☔ 4-Archie-Volume #1 with those issues  1-6
👗 5-Friends With Boys
🍟 6-Nameless City
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 16, 2016, 09:19:27 AM
I read
Jughead #7-Charm, the beautiful cover with Jughead giving us the peace sign even though it's for 2 for 1 Burgers.
Afterlife With Archie #9- The Reggie cover
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 16, 2016, 09:49:53 PM
🐯 🐻 🐨 🐯 I took a break from reading today
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 17, 2016, 07:40:04 AM
THE BIRTH OF KITARO by Shigeru Mizuki, a just released collection of manga stories from the late 1960s, and an earlier-released (2013), larger collection (300-ish pages) of the same, simply entitled KITARO. Both of these were published by Drawn & Quarterly.

Kitaro is a little yokai boy, the last member of the Ghost Tribe, who helps humans (and other yokai) with their problems. You could call him a "yokai buster". He has a number of strange abilities due to his yokai heritage, and seems to discover new ones in every story. He has a long prehensile tongue like a gecko, his hair can stretch out and grab things, and is strong like metal wire. He can also fire the hairs out of his head like porcupine quills, or blend into his background surroundings like a chameleon. He has special yokai glasses that allow him to see things that humans and other yokai can't. He wears wooden sandals that have special properties like allowing him to walk on rainbows. In one story his hand is cut off, but continues to move around on its own until it finally returns to his body.

As for what exactly a yokai is, that's a little hard to explain. Yokai can be monsters, demons, goblins, spirit creatures, minor deities, ghosts, or cryptids. They encompass all sorts of folkloric beings and paranormal creatures. Some are humanoid, some combine features of various animals, and some are in-between. Others have no real form at all -- they can be like balls of gas or light. They could be Japanese, or from another country, or even from outer space. They could be daikaiju (giant monsters) or mythical creatures that inhabit lakes and rivers, live underground, or in the sky. Some were once human, and some are born as yokai; some might have a mixed heritage, being half-human and half-yokai. Traditional western monsters like Dracula and Frankenstein's monster are considered yokai too. About all you can really say that they have in common is that they are strange, intelligent beings that inhabit our world (which is to say, the modern world). There are bad yokai and good yokai, and some who are just mischievous.

Kitaro was born of a dead mother, in a graveyard. He's a little boy with a bulbous head and one huge eye. His other eye socket is empty, and that's where his father lives. His father was a yokai too, but as he lay dying of a long illness, slowly decomposing, he learned of his son's birth and was so motivated to protect and look after the boy that he willed his remaining spirit into his eyeball, which oozed out of its socket and fell on the floor, where it regrew a tiny body from the optic nerve so that he could move about. Now he's just an eyeball with an itty-bitty body and he rides around in Kitaro's empty eye socket.

These are whimsical stories about monsters and paranormal creatures and a little monster boy who helps people who are being troubled by them. Not a genre of manga that I was familiar with before reading this, but they're quite fun.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 17, 2016, 03:52:51 PM
I read Archie #9. It was very good. Fish's art is getting better. Veronica has to hang out at Archie's being of mean old dad. If Mr. Lodge sees Archie, I think he kill him. So to make Veronica feel at home with the Andrews she buys them expensive gifts which Fred Andrews love especially the huge tv. Veronica overs hears Mary Archie's complain about it make Veronica question their relationship. Which has Archie worried that they are going break up. Betty gives Archie her opinion but it falls on deaf ears. Archie & Veronica don't break up. The only bad thing about the issue there was no Reggie.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 17, 2016, 06:51:18 PM
I read each of these books for 15 minutes
🌠 Archie 1000 Page Comics Explosion
👑 Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
🌲 Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 18, 2016, 05:16:07 AM
Read the latest two issues of Patsy Walker. I can see what DeCarlo Rules meant about the art in issue #6. It was in the style of a little kids' series. I actually didn't mind it because I like the artist's series Bee and Puppycat. I also read the last 2 issues of this series as well. Sad to see it go. There are so few current series that feature multiple short stories in one issue which I prefer over an issue long story when I'm tired. There's Grumpy Cat and the Disney comics. Anyone know any others?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 18, 2016, 01:18:05 PM
I finished reading The Cute Girl Network. And also read these for 12 minutes each
📖 Archie Giant Comics Collection
📖 The Archie Wedding-Will You Marry Me?
📖 Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #15
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 18, 2016, 02:37:19 PM
SHADOW LADY VOL. 3: SUDDEN DEATH (Dark Horse, 2001) - Interesting superhero manga by Masakazu Katsura. I knew of his work from a couple of anime shows (also superheroes) I'd seen that he created, Tiger & Bunny (about superheroes competing in a reality TV series) and Zetman (which began as a manga, but hasn't gotten an official English language translation). The Japanese always seem to put an interesting spin on superheroes. I picked this up at my LCS out of curiosity (because I'd never read Masakazu's manga, only seen his anime). I enjoyed it, and will probably try to track down the first two volumes (this was the concluding arc of a longer series which ran 24 issues in the standard floppy comic format). Shadow Lady is a Japanese teenager who gets a gift of magical eye shadow from her grandmother, which when applied, turns her into Shadow Lady, whose job it is to retrieve a series of demon gemstones that are like eggs with hibernating demons inside waiting to be reborn. If they awaken they will cause the destruction of the world. She's assisted by a small magical creature from the demon world named De-Mo. The big problem is that these demon gems are all possessed by respectable members of society, and they are exerting a corrupting influence on them, causing them to commit acts of evil (but surreptitiously, so they maintain their respectable image). When Shadow Lady tries to steal the gems from them, she's considered a thief and is being hunted by a young police detective (who is also conflicted because he's starting to fall in love with her).

JUGHEAD (1987) #89, 90, 91, 93, 94, 160 - I'll be reviewing these in detail later in another thread.

TALES DESIGNED TO THRIZZLE VOLUME TWO
by Michael Kupperman - Very interesting collection of an alternative anthology series of absurdist/dadaesque stories.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 18, 2016, 04:45:06 PM
I read these Jughead issues while in my comfy chair in my room
Jughead #207 & #208 & #209 & #210 & #211 & #212 & #213
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 18, 2016, 05:34:42 PM
And I also read
Jughead #139 & #143 & #166 &  #214
In bed I read 3 digital comics
💗 Jughead #7
💚 75Th Series Reggie & Me
💙 Sunstone- Volume #4
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 18, 2016, 06:18:28 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 18, 2016, 02:37:19 PM

JUGHEAD (1987) #89, 90, 91, 93, 94, 160 - I'll be reviewing these in detail later in another thread.



The Trula Twyst issues. Woot woot. I've been meaning to get my hands on these eventually. They are not available digitally :(.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 19, 2016, 12:26:26 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 18, 2016, 06:18:28 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 18, 2016, 02:37:19 PM

JUGHEAD (1987) #89, 90, 91, 93, 94, 160 - I'll be reviewing these in detail later in another thread.



The Trula Twyst issues. Woot woot. I've been meaning to get my hands on these eventually. They are not available digitally :( .

Yeah, I noticed that. I can't believe they haven't reprinted those somewhere, or done a digital exclusive themed collection of Jughead vs Trula. I've got plenty of reprints of later Trula stories in the digests, but I've not seen the original 5 reprinted anywhere. Comics.org couldn't help me there.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 19, 2016, 06:38:47 AM
I took Archie #9 off my wall & read it again.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 19, 2016, 11:05:31 AM
JUGHEAD & ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #5 - I've been trying to fill in the few issues I was missing of this digest title. As it turns out, I'd already read all of the stories in here, probably because I'd read them earlier in one of those 1000 Page Comics Digests or Giant Comics Digests, so nothing to remark on here. Only missing one issue of this series now, and two issues of ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE to complete the set.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 19, 2016, 08:24:32 PM
I skipped reading anything today. I dyed my hair instead . I colored a lot in one of my stress coloring books.
On Tuesday I read
Archie #9-Fish the one from my subscription
Jughead #7-Charm, this is one they actually mailed me when my 6 issue subscription was over.
Jughead #211-which is my all time favorite Jughead issue
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 22, 2016, 10:59:33 AM
I read each of these for 12 minutes
🐒 Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #266
🏯 Archie's Funhouse Jumbo  Comics Digest #15
💝 Archie Comics Double Digest #269
🐱 The Archie Wedding-Will You Marry Me?
And Tonight I read Life With Kevin #1 which was adorable. Kevin's a Hottie. Did you notice a little mouse sleeps in the bed with him. And this mouse looked cute.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Midge Klump on June 22, 2016, 10:50:46 PM
Betty and Veronica #244 Summer Annual
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on June 22, 2016, 11:32:26 PM
Been reading some old Betty and Veronica Double Digests (125-127, 147)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 23, 2016, 06:40:09 AM
Let's see, where did I leave off...?

Monday 06/20:
BETTY AND VERONICA SUMMER ANNUAL #244

Tuesday 06/21:
WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS #60
INVINCIBLE #0 (2005)
DARK HORSE PRESENTS: (THE ONCE AND FUTURE TARZAN) #23
LORDS OF THE JUNGLE #4 (of 6)
THE TWILIGHT ZONE: THE SHADOW # 3 (of 4)
STEAM WARS PRINCESS LEGENDS #1
ALL NEW CLASSIC CAPTAIN CANUCK #2
DARK NIGHT: A TRUE BATMAN STORY HC OGN
by Paul Dini & Eduardo Risso
ARCHIE'S PAL JUGHEAD ARCHIVES VOL 2 HC


Wednesday 06/22:
JUSTICE LEAGUE #51 & 52
ACTION COMICS #958
FLASH (2016) #1
WONDER WOMAN (2016) #1
DETECTIVE COMICS #935
AQUAMAN (2016) #1


... Already starting to lose interest in a couple of those newly-"Rebirth"ed DC universe titles. FLASH and AQUAMAN were both kind of 'meh'. I think #52 was the last of the current JUSTICE LEAGUE series, and it was (oddly) kind of a prequel to ACTION COMICS #957 (which came out a couple of weeks ago). #51 was a semi-confusing fill-in issue in which remnant characters from different prior iterations of the DC universe appeared, which just leaves you scratching your head as to what that was all about. Maybe it'll be followed up on elsewhere, or after the JUSTICE LEAGUE REBIRTH #1 issue comes out, who knows? That issue #51 Justice League team seemed to have the old Superman (which is to say, the New 52 Superman, the one they started with) in it, so it had to have taken place before his recent death. The DC Universe is just a confusing place sometimes. ACTION COMICS is still interesting to me, with Lex Luthor putting on an S-shield symbol on his power armor, and attempting to take the deceased Superman's place (meanwhile, over in the regular SUPERMAN Rebirthed title, it's the old pre-New 52 DCU Superman taking his place). They meet in this issue, and have some conflict over that. DETECTIVE COMICS has Batwoman leading a team of Gotham-centric Bat-spinoff characters that includes Spoiler (Stephanie Brown, daughter of minor Bat-villain The Cluemaster), Orphan (Cassandra Cain, one of the former Batgirls), Red Robin (Tim Drake, formerly Robin III), and Clayface II (Matt Hagen). While the idea of having a title with a permanent assemblage of Bat-allies is the kind of no-brainer that makes you wonder why it never happened before, I have to question the inclusion of bat-villain Clayface. I can see where they'd want at least one character with actual superpowers, but if they wanted a monster-type guy, Man-Bat (a.k.a. Kirk Langstrom) was definitely the way to go. While Matt Hagen's origin seems kind of tragic, he's always been presented as pretty irredeemable bad guy, so his inclusion smacks of a really arbitrary, illogical editoral decision. The non-inclusion of the better-known and more popular Batman sidekicks Nightwing (Dick Grayson) and Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) was sort of understandable as they both have their own teams (Titans and Birds of Prey, respectively).  Don't know how long I'll stick with these books, as I'm already thinking about dropping FLASH and AQUAMAN from my reading list. I might stick with ACTION, DETECTIVE and WONDER WOMAN for a few more issues.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 23, 2016, 09:20:53 AM
I read
Jughead #7-Cully & C. Smith variants. Now my wall id full of Jughead issues I 'll take a picture later today & post it on my Twitter page.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Midge Klump on June 23, 2016, 10:29:07 PM
Archie DD #269
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 26, 2016, 02:35:05 PM
I'm going read these digital comics for 15 minutes
🎁 Sunstone-Volume #4
🎁 Reggie & Me-75 Year Series
🎁 Archie & Friends- Love Is Blind -Pep Digital #130
🎁 And these books
🎁 Archie Comics Double Digest #269
🎁 Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #15
🎁 Archie-75 Years 75 Stories
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 26, 2016, 03:41:35 PM
SANDMAN MYSTERY THEATER - BOOK 1 TPB

DC ARCHIVES - THE SANDMAN VOL 1 HC


ARCHIE COMICS DIGEST #29 (1978)

JOKEBOOK COMICS DIGEST #2 (1978)

LAUGH COMICS DIGEST #16 (1978)

TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #4, 5, 7, 9
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 28, 2016, 06:26:03 AM
I'm going read these for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Comics Shindig
Archie 1000 Comics Celebration
The Nameless City
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 29, 2016, 08:29:40 AM
I read
Jughead #163 & #165 & #172 & #191 & #193
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 29, 2016, 08:42:57 AM
B&V FRIENDS COMICS ANNUAL #249
PLUTONA #5 (OF 5)
CRYPTOCRACY #1
TANK GIRL 2 GIRLS 1 TANK #2 (OF 4)
RICK & MORTY #15
DAREDEVIL PUNISHER #2 (OF 4)
CAPTAIN AMERICA STEVE ROGERS #2
MICRONAUTS #3
ACTION MAN #1
DARK KNIGHT III MASTER RACE #5 (OF 8)

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 30, 2016, 03:57:51 AM
I read
Invincible #129
Archie #9-Robinson variant
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 30, 2016, 04:20:56 AM
ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #270
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 30, 2016, 10:39:02 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 29, 2016, 08:42:57 AM
B&V FRIENDS COMICS ANNUAL #249
PLUTONA #5 (OF 5)
CRYPTOCRACY #1
TANK GIRL 2 GIRLS 1 TANK #2 (OF 4)
RICK & MORTY #15
DAREDEVIL PUNISHER #2 (OF 4)
CAPTAIN AMERICA STEVE ROGERS #2
MICRONAUTS #3
ACTION MAN #1
DARK KNIGHT III MASTER RACE #5 (OF 8)


I was underwhelmed by the conclusion of Plutona. It made me want to be reading Paper Girls instead.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 30, 2016, 10:56:18 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 30, 2016, 10:39:02 AM
I was underwhelmed by the conclusion of Plutona. It made me want to be reading Paper Girls instead.

Yeah, that one was a loaner. It seemed sort of promising at the beginning, but all it really amounted to was a heapin' helpin' of teen angst.

I was almost tempted to read Paper Girls. I love Cliff Chiang's artwork. I just don't understand Brian K. Vaughn's writing though. It's impenetrable to me.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 30, 2016, 04:50:33 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 30, 2016, 10:56:18 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 30, 2016, 10:39:02 AM
I was underwhelmed by the conclusion of Plutona. It made me want to be reading Paper Girls instead.

Yeah, that one was a loaner. It seemed sort of promising at the beginning, but all it really amounted to was a heapin' helpin' of teen angst.

I was almost tempted to read Paper Girls. I love Cliff Chiang's artwork. I just don't understand Brian K. Vaughn's writing though. It's impenetrable to me.

You would like it if you like open ended mysterious stories that almost make you come up with your own theories about what's going on i.e. The tv show Lost
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 30, 2016, 06:37:04 PM
Been along time since I've updated this so there's a bunch. Favorites in bold.

Plutona 1-4 (reread) and 5


Jem #16 (need to find some time to re-read the whole series again since this is the end of Sophie Campbell's run. Really looking forward to Jen Bartel's run. She's one of my all time favs.)

B&V Friends #249 (really enjoyed the beanie babies story; I liked the Josie stories especially "Head Count" even though I'd read them before. Also liked the new Cheryl monkey story and Cheryl story "Spaced Out" which I'd also read before.)
B&V Friends #248 - nothing particularly memorable


Life with Kevin #1 -  :smitten: More please. This bridges the gap between classic Archie and 21st century Archie.


Oddly Normal Vol. 1, 2, (reread) and 3 (read) - reminds me a lot of Sabrina and somewhat of Harry Potter. His background characters are very creative. It's one of those rare "kids" comics that also appears to adults. It doesn't talk down to kids.


Penny Dora Vol 1 - Good like Oddly Normal. I wonder if they are continuing this.


Disney Princess - reread 1-4. These are cute but I'm not in love with the format. It needs to be in a flip book in landscape format and it would be nice if they superimposed which characters/movie the strip is supposed to be. It's a bit jarring to switch to a different character every row or sometimes every third row.


Death Follows - Cullen Bunn can do no wrong. His comics are so novelistic. For fans of spooky stories. IF you like Harrow County, you'll love this.


Jughead 7 and 9- Love these simple classic Archie stories (not a big fan of the fantasy/dream elements previously). Especially love the Jughead artwork. They should've done this from the beginning.


Digital exclusives Betty and Veronica Lifeguard on Duty and Just Keep Swimming


Finished Bee and Puppycat up to issue 11. Sad to see it go.


Blood Feud issue 1 - Another Cullen Bunn farm mystery/countryside horror, whatever this genre is. I like it so far.


The Dark and Bloody issue 1


Mae #1 and #2 - interesting...great animation like artwork but I don't quite get the story.


Goldie Vance #3


Jonesy #4


Shrek #1 - just ok


Puss in Boots #1, 2 - just ok


Marceline Gone Adrift - I'm not super familiar with Adventure Time but since I liked Bee and Puppycat I thought I'd give it a go.


Remind Vol 1 - really good. Fantasy animal story.


Space Battle Lunchtime #2 - Not as good as #1 but I'll keep reading.


Blankets - Did not like, did not finish.


Essex County - same


Ghoul Scouts #1 - it was ok.


Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy crossover - assumes you are very familiar with the Gotham characters which I'm not. Not as great as I was imagining it would be.


Jade Street Protection Services #1 - Left the void that Zodiac Starforce left. For fans of magical girl (Sailor Moon) stories.


She Wolf #1 - Another big disappointment. Very, very weird and not spooky at all.


Ultracat #1 - Cute.


Gray Horses - just bad.


Nutmeg Vol 1, 2, issues 7-9 - Great art but plot is not that engaging despite being a Mean Girls/Jawbreaker mashup.


My Faith in Frankie #1 - bad. It's amazing that a few short years ago comics like these were all girls had to read.


Rowan's Ruin #1-4 - reminded me of the Lois Duncan books I read in the 90s.


Tinker #1 (reread) and #2 - another superhero comic disguised as a girlie comic.  >:(


Action Lab Dog of Wonder #2 - I'm a sucker for animal stories. I wish they made more of these.


All the Hilda books (i.e. Hildafolk, Hilda and the Black Hound) - Love, love, love these. All ages books that adults can enjoy. If you like magical animals, light fantasy, the woods, camping.


Lots of graphic novels from the Minx line for girls that was published back in 2007-2008. Nothing too impressive. I read The New York Four, The New York Five, Burnout, Token.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 30, 2016, 06:48:14 PM
I read these for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
World Of Archie Jumbo Comics
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 01, 2016, 08:54:49 AM
I read these & changed my wall around so I'll take a picture & post it on my Twitter page.
Archie #3- Robinson variant
Archie #9-Robinson variant
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 02, 2016, 01:38:49 AM
BEAUTIFUL STORIES FOR UGLY CHILDREN Volume 9: "By the Light of the Screaming Moon" (Piranha Press/DC, April 1990) - Sounds like a graphic novel, but it's actually in the floppy comic format, a short story told in blocks of text with accompanying illustrations on every page, or across a two-page spread, in black and white. This issue tells the story of two sibling teenagers about to attend their junior prom. They're actually lemmings, though, and the realities of their existence come crashing in on them when their parents reveal to them on prom night that the lemming community has reached a peak population period, and that lemming instinct dictates that come tomorrow, the entire population of the town will leap to their deaths from the cliffs overlooking the ocean.

Extremely experimental for the time (and even now), this series ran for 30 issues (each of which featured a standalone story), written by Dave Louapre and illustrated by Dan Sweetman. You can get an idea of the tone of the series simply by looking at the titles of the stories:

A Cotton Candy Autopsy
The Deadjohnson's Big Incredible Day
Diary of a Depressed Tap Dancer
The Black Balloon (A Happy Story)
The Crypt of the Magi
Happy Birthday to Hell
Ricky the Doughnut Boy
Die Rainbow Die: A Story of Hope
By the Light of the Screaming Moon
Where the Tarantulas Play
The Daffodils of Plague Town
Beneath the Useless Universe
A Cotton Candy Autopsy II: Bingo and Addy's Big Escape
Dangerous Prayers
The Pagan Tourist
The Santas of Demolition Street
A Conspiracy of Sweaters
The Neutered Beast
Nice Girls Don't Massacre Ants
Arnold: Confessions of a Blood Junkie
Dances With Cows
Psychotronic Virgin
Tiny, Slimy, Writhing Thing
I Am Paul's Dog
Legion of Ogs
Dead Like Me
The No-Wax Killing Floor
The Guilty Orphan
Gravity Sucks
The Dream Is Dead - Gone, Shot Off, All Squashed Flat

I pick these up whenever I find them in the 50c or $1 boxes.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on July 02, 2016, 03:11:05 AM
Picked up Menage a 3 again. It really is Gisele's best comic as far the writing goes. So funny. I love that she's working at a comic book store now and the references to Archie and Japanese manga/pop culture. The only bad thing is the digital version from gumroad takes awhile to arrive in my inbox. :waits impatiently:
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 02, 2016, 09:04:32 AM
I read Jughead #6-Volume #1 & #149 & #199 & #200 & #201
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: spazaru on July 02, 2016, 09:28:58 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on July 02, 2016, 09:04:32 AM
I read Jughead #6-Volume #1 & #149 & #199 & #200 & #201


Jughead 200 is one of my favorite Archie issues ever
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 02, 2016, 10:25:58 AM
I have a regular Jughead #200 & the variant of that issue.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 02, 2016, 11:36:10 AM
Quote from: spazaru on July 02, 2016, 09:28:58 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on July 02, 2016, 09:04:32 AM
I read Jughead #6-Volume #1 & #149 & #199 & #200 & #201


Jughead 200 is one of my favorite Archie issues ever

That was the Sabrina story right, where another witch tricks Jughead into selling her his metabolism, essentially? Dan Parent has a print he sells of that cover (I think his was the alternate one).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: spazaru on July 02, 2016, 11:55:15 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 02, 2016, 11:36:10 AM
Quote from: spazaru on July 02, 2016, 09:28:58 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on July 02, 2016, 09:04:32 AM
I read Jughead #6-Volume #1 & #149 & #199 & #200 & #201


Jughead 200 is one of my favorite Archie issues ever

That was the Sabrina story right, where another witch tricks Jughead into selling her his metabolism, essentially? Dan Parent has a print he sells of that cover (I think his was the alternate one).


Yes that's the one!  So maybe adding Sabrina to the new Jughead comic isn't as weird as it seems.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 02, 2016, 03:05:57 PM
Quote from: spazaru on July 02, 2016, 11:55:15 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 02, 2016, 11:36:10 AM
Quote from: spazaru on July 02, 2016, 09:28:58 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on July 02, 2016, 09:04:32 AM
I read Jughead #6-Volume #1 & #149 & #199 & #200 & #201

Jughead 200 is one of my favorite Archie issues ever

That was the Sabrina story right, where another witch tricks Jughead into selling her his metabolism, essentially? Dan Parent has a print he sells of that cover (I think his was the alternate one).

Yes that's the one!  So maybe adding Sabrina to the new Jughead comic isn't as weird as it seems.

Speaking of "weird", I remember thinking when I read that, that having Sabrina guest-star in a Jughead story was sort of a weird way (and it is kind of a weird Jughead story, and for him, that's saying something) to celebrate a 200th issue. It's a great story however, just not the sort of one I'd expect for a 200th issue. Generally with Archie comics that would mean something like the number 200 would be central to the plot of the story (as the number 666 was for the final issue of ARCHIE, and they used it in ARCHIE #400 too, IIRC) or it would be more of a retrospective type story, with a lot of old characters that hadn't been seen in while all showing up in the story, or something along those lines. The Sabrina thing almost seemed a little random, like when they wrote the story, they weren't even thinking about "which" issue it would come out in. Of course I was glad to see her in that story, and nothing like that had ever been done in an issue of JUGHEAD before.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 02, 2016, 03:35:58 PM
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #19, 20, 21, & 22 - I've been reading through a big run of these, and really enjoying them. There's a heck of a lot of variety in this digest, and it's a good kind of variety. Some of the reprints that show up on a continuing basis in this title are: Sabrina the Animated Series (let's get that out of the way first, as I consider it pretty much the ONLY drawback detracting from this digest title -- it's in every single issue, and I skip it every single time -- it looks to me like the digest reprinted the entire run of that series); Cheryl Blossom (most issues); Josie & the Pussycats (some older stories, but mostly Stan G shorts from the 90s); That Wilkin Boy (not too often, as that was a regular feature in every issue of JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST); Madhouse (a whole bunch of these have Madhouse sections, which is awesome); Archie's Weird Mysteries (only a few of those); plus the usual mix of Betty, Veronica, Betty & Veronica, Archie, and Jughead stories. A few Reggie stories as well. Three of the Veronica stories in these digests featured Veronica as Powerteen, and they made kind of a big deal about it (Powerteen gets her own splash page introducing the section). Even though I'd read 2 of them before, it was good to read those again.

For new stories, there's also an excellent variety of shorts: I've seen Ginger Lopez, Nancy, Chuck, Chuck & Nancy, Dilton, and even an Archie & Frankie (Valdez) story, all of which were new. I think I saw at least one Mr. Weatherbee story and at least one Reggie story, too. A lot of Archie/Archie & the Gang/Jughead stories as well, of course. I'd say about 2/3rds to 3/4ths of these are by Fernando Ruiz (mostly written by him, too) and the rest mostly by Dan Parent, although there are a few by the Kennedy brothers in there as well. New characters were introduced in some (like Wendy Weatherbee in #10, and Raj Patel and his family in #21). Really, there's some great stuff in this digest that I don't see a lot in other digest titles. Generally there seem to be about 2 or 3 new shorts (10 to 12 pagers for the lead story, then one or two 5 or 6 pagers in the back) in every issue.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 02, 2016, 06:30:59 PM
Oh, and Li'l Jinx. Jinx is pretty much in every one of those, but I really like the way it's reprinted here. Instead of bunching all the Li'l Jinx stories up in one 12 or 15 page section, they're all spread out evenly, and for the most part, it's all 1 or 2 pagers, with rare exceptions. So it's just a brief pause before launching into the next couple of longer stories featuring the other characters. That's the ideal way to read Jinx stories as far as I'm concerned. WHAM-BAM. I get too bored when they clump up too many of these together.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 03, 2016, 11:36:12 AM
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #25, 26, 27 & 28 - #25 had a new 12-page story of Dilton, drawn by Fernando Ruiz, and #26 had a new 11-page story of Reggie, also drawn by Ruiz, but written by George Gladir. All these issues had reprinted Moose stories (not just the one-page gag ones, although those show up randomly in a lot of issues), and I recall one of the earlier issues also had a reprinted Moose story as well. It appears I was mistaken in my earlier post about Sabrina the Animated Series being in every issue, as with #25 it is gone, and replaced by an Archie's Weird Mysteries section (starting with reprints of the 1st issue of that title). #27 has another appearance by Wendy Weatherbee (in another story written & drawn by Ruiz) that tells about her father, Tony Weatherbee, who's Waldo Weatherbee's (almost-)identical twin brother. He has a full head of hair and facial hair, and is into motorcyles, so he opened a motorcycle sales and repair shop. The two brothers had grown apart over the years because of their opposite interests (and Waldo was jealous because his brother never lost his hair like he did), but they reconcile in this story. In a flashback to the brothers' younger years, we get to see a young Geraldine Grundy (sometimes called Gerri) and a young Hirarm Lodge. Geraldine has red hair and Hiram's hair is black, in case you're wondering. By #25, the new 5-6 pagers are gone - only the 11-12 page lead story is new. In addition to AWM, these all have Josie and the Pussycats sections (reprints of Stan G. stories from the '90s). #28 has a new Archie lead story by Ruiz.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 03, 2016, 11:37:04 PM
I read some Digital Comics
Life With Kevin #1
Betty's Diary 75th Year
World Of Archie-Pals vs Gals
Sunstone-Volume #4
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on July 04, 2016, 01:45:24 AM
Read all the Kevin Keller issues.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 05, 2016, 03:37:54 PM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes
🔮  -World Of Archie Comics Double Digest #48
📒-  Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #266
💜 -Archie & Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #15
🍓 -I finished Archie's Funhouse Comics Double Digest #13
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 06, 2016, 12:49:37 PM
Today, July 6:
HILLBILLY #1
FLINTSTONES #1
SILVER SURFER #15
MOON KNIGHT #4
PUNISHER #3
DAREDEVIL / PUNISHER #3 (of 4)
CAPTAIN AMERICA STEVE ROGERS #1
SUPERMAN THE COMING OF THE SUPERMEN #6 (of 6)
EMPRESS #4 (of 7)
UNCLE SCROOGE #320
DONALD DUCK #382
LOBSTER JOHNSON METAL MONSTERS OF MIDTOWN #2 (of 3)
WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT #12 (of 12)
THE BADGER #5 (of 5)
FUTURE QUEST #2
BATMAN '66 MEETS STEED & MRS. PEEL #1 (of 6)
INVADER ZIM #11
KIM & KIM #1
JUSTICE LEAGUE REBIRTH #1
AQUAMAN #2
CAPTAIN AMERICA SAM WILSON #11
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #29 & 30
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on July 06, 2016, 08:54:50 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 06, 2016, 12:49:37 PM
Today, July 6:
HILLBILLY #1
FLINTSTONES #1
SILVER SURFER #15
MOON KNIGHT #4
PUNISHER #3
DAREDEVIL / PUNISHER #3 (of 4)
CAPTAIN AMERICA STEVE ROGERS #1
SUPERMAN THE COMING OF THE SUPERMEN #6 (of 6)
EMPRESS #4 (of 7)
UNCLE SCROOGE #320
DONALD DUCK #382
LOBSTER JOHNSON METAL MONSTERS OF MIDTOWN #2 (of 3)
WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT #12 (of 12)
THE BADGER #5 (of 5)
FUTURE QUEST #2
BATMAN '66 MEETS STEED & MRS. PEEL #1 (of 6)
INVADER ZIM #11
KIM & KIM #1
JUSTICE LEAGUE REBIRTH #1
AQUAMAN #2
CAPTAIN AMERICA SAM WILSON #11
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #29 & 30


Looking forward to The Flintstones and Kim & Kim. How were they?


Edit: read Bounty and Kim and Kim now. I keep thinking they're the same series. Unfortunately Kim and Kim pulls a bait and switch where the interior art is not as great as the cover.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 07, 2016, 06:43:10 AM
I preorder Kim & Kim #1 because I follow the artist on Facebook.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 07, 2016, 07:17:23 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on July 06, 2016, 08:54:50 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 06, 2016, 12:49:37 PM
Today, July 6:
HILLBILLY #1
FLINTSTONES #1
SILVER SURFER #15
MOON KNIGHT #4
PUNISHER #3
DAREDEVIL / PUNISHER #3 (of 4)
CAPTAIN AMERICA STEVE ROGERS #1
SUPERMAN THE COMING OF THE SUPERMEN #6 (of 6)
EMPRESS #4 (of 7)
UNCLE SCROOGE #320
DONALD DUCK #382
LOBSTER JOHNSON METAL MONSTERS OF MIDTOWN #2 (of 3)
WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT #12 (of 12)
THE BADGER #5 (of 5)
FUTURE QUEST #2
BATMAN '66 MEETS STEED & MRS. PEEL #1 (of 6)
INVADER ZIM #11
KIM & KIM #1
JUSTICE LEAGUE REBIRTH #1
AQUAMAN #2
CAPTAIN AMERICA SAM WILSON #11
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #29 & 30


Looking forward to The Flintstones and Kim & Kim. How were they?


Edit: read Bounty and Kim and Kim now. I keep thinking they're the same series. Unfortunately Kim and Kim pulls a bait and switch where the interior art is not as great as the cover.

I wasn't impressed with Kim & Kim, and won't be following it. The Flintstones was... strange. It was a mixed bag, not all good or all bad. I'm not totally sure how I feel about it yet. I'll probably read a few more before deciding for sure if it's worth the time spent reading it.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 07, 2016, 07:20:02 AM
I didn't get Kim & Kim #1 yet but I really like the cover. It's coming from Midtown Comics.
On Friday night I read these each for 12 minutes
💝 Archie 1000 Page Mega Comics Digest
🐳 Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
🐝 Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
📞 Archie 1000 Page Comics Explosion
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 10, 2016, 04:12:49 AM
TMNT: BEBOP & ROCKSTEADY DESTROY EVERYTHING! #1-5
MARS ATTACKS: THE OCCUPATION #4 (of 5)
THE THREE STOOGES ("Stooge-A-Palooza") #2
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #31-35, 38, 39
(the final issue).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 10, 2016, 12:03:59 PM
I read the Blank Jughead #1 that I'm going mail to Gabbie Gross & she will draw Jughead on for me. But I'm also give mail a Blank Betty & Veronica #1 with it. So I could get both commissions together.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 10, 2016, 04:51:14 PM
REALWORLDS: WONDER WOMAN (2000)
MIRACULOUS #1 (of 4?) - 64 pages, not bad for $4.
THE ROCKETEER AT WAR #1-4
SECRET WARS: AGENTS OF ATLAS #1 (one-shot)
2000 AD FCBD 2016
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 10, 2016, 07:29:09 PM
I read each of these books for 15 minutes
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th 🎉 Anniversary Bash
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 11, 2016, 08:04:34 PM
I finished World Of Archie Comics Digest #48. But I also read these books for 12 minutes.
🌈 1-Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #15
📖 2-Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #266
🚿  3-Archie Comics Double Digest 269
🐨 4-Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #233
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Archiecomicxfan215 on July 12, 2016, 12:00:36 AM
School is going to end soon for me, I cannot wait to read my Double Digests again  :smitten:
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 14, 2016, 06:58:45 AM
Yesterday, Wednesday July 13th:
CIVIL WAR II: GODS OF WAR #2 (of 4)
MILLARWORLD ANNUAL 2016 #1
CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA #6
RICK AND MORTY: LIL POOPY SUPERSTAR #1
BETTY AND ME #33 (Feb. 1971)
ACTION COMICS #959
DETECTIVE COMICS #936
WONDER WOMAN #2
NIGHTWING REBIRTH #1
HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS REBIRTH #1
JOSIE #26 (Apr. 1967)
BETTY AND VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #245
THE LONE RANGER #1 (1993) one-shot newspaper strip reprint
THE LONE RANGER & THE GREEN HORNET #1 (of 6)
SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN: FALL OF MAN #1 (of 5)
RAGNAROK #9
KAIJUMAX SEASON 2 #2 (of 6)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 14, 2016, 09:20:03 AM
I read these & put them in new plastics.
Archie #1-Staples
Archie #2-Rivera
Archie #3-Caldwell
Archie #4-Hernandez
Archie #5-Fish
Archie #6-Fish
Archie #7-Morissette-Phan
Archie #8-Hicks
Archie #9-Robinson
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 14, 2016, 03:52:45 PM
I read these & gave them new Plastics
Archie #1-Staples cover
Archie #2-Staples cover
Archie #3 Staples cover
Archie #4-Wu cover
Archie #5-Fish cover
Archie #6-Fish cover
Archie #7-Fish cover
Archie #8-Fish cover
Archie #9-Fish cover
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 14, 2016, 06:20:01 PM
Today I read SWING WITH SCOOTER #8, 21, and 24, plus BINKY'S BUDDIES #4. SWING WITH SCOOTER #8 wasn't the least bit Archie-like, and I can't say I much cared for its forced attempt at humor. #21 and 24 were much more to my liking, having work by Doug Crane and Henry Scarpelli. BINKY'S BUDDIES #4 wasn't quite as good, but still had a (somewhat more vague) Archie-like approach to teen humor.

Doing a little bit of research on these two titles on GCD, it looks as though SWING WITH SCOOTER, which began as a DC humor title based around a fashionable "mod" British teen and his sister who come to live with their Aunt Hatta and attend an American high school, seems to have experienced a makeover around issue #14 (with the two issues prior to that somewhat transitional). Later issues never refer to Scooter's British origins and he seems to have lost his accent and Anglicized slang. Cookie and Penny are his two gal pals (a blonde and a raven-haired brunette), and he's got a weird friend (an otherwise handsome blond-haired guy) named Malibu, whose family are all monsters. Apart from the fact that Malibu always wears a black turtleneck and pants with a white trenchcoat (even indoors) and has pointed ears, it's never mentioned or hinted at what kind of monster he's supposed to be, so maybe he's a bit like Marilyn Munster, the "oddball" offspring of the family. He seemed to be the most popular of Scooter's friends, and he appears in many one- and two-page gag strips, sometimes filling out half the issue.

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F796893.jpg&hash=222f6804589b5cc61e687c203ef0b8551a7cc7ed)(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F608631.jpg&hash=c1d488d1f8b1fff6c3e4400931f583a7217b0d03)(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F1053863.jpg&hash=d5defac8d92ec6cdf17f956c453b6619f86c1aeb)

BINKY'S BUDDIES was a spinoff title from the earlier LEAVE IT TO BINKY, a title that goes all the way back to 1948 for DC. It compared reasonably with the same type of teen humor comics being published by Marvel at that time, before people like Dan DeCarlo, Stan Goldberg, and Al Hartley became some of the main artists on teen humor titles there in the 1950s. (When Marvel severely cut back on its publishing in 1958, DeCarlo was let go, and ACP became his main source of income. By 1960, Marvel's remaining girl humor titles were transitioned to romantic soap opera dramas.) By 1958 though, DC's LEAVE IT TO BINKY must have appeared pretty dated and was selling badly, and there were several long gaps between issues #58 (Jan/Feb 1957) and #60 (Oct 1958), when the title was cancelled. It was revived almost 10 years later, in 1968 (after a one-issue tryout in SHOWCASE #70, Sept/Oct 1967), picking up with #61 (Jun/July 68), now revamped in the mode of then-contemporary Archie Comics, and ran until #81 (after a title change to just plain BINKY beginning with issue #72), dated Oct/Nov 1971. There was one final issue published in Summer 1977 (#82). Despite the short run of 22 issues in its revived incarnation, the revamped BINKY must have initially been well-received enough that it did manage to spin off a separate title in that time, BINKY'S BUDDIES, which lasted from #1 (Jan/Feb 1969) to #12 (Nov/Dec 1970).

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F747335.jpg&hash=03b164a30328e1c3ae24f06328f612f6111bccaf)(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F804671.jpg&hash=2d94449bb857670b88cb4f7b602aec2dbeff96b8)(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F803193.jpg&hash=b83e4a9abbf2b10c9dd7c9fc4a3037cd2dffb13b)

Also during this same time, DC published DATE WITH DEBBI for 18 issues, which actually outlasted both BINKY and BINKY'S BUDDIES, and contained work by Samm Schwartz, Henry Scarpelli, Doug Crane (the latter two were also contributors to SCOOTER), and Stan Goldberg (is there a comic publisher he didn't work for?), running until Oct/Nov 1972, and ending the same month as SCOOTER's final issue, #36 (even though the previous issue, #35 had been published back in Aug/Sept 1971).

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F803915.jpg&hash=bd5bb6d32703d8f3d2f81068f23c8efe44ae54e9)     (https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F1081043.jpg&hash=7625d64f0d6e3357cb88caac505f6b085fc179ce)

One final DC humor title of overlapping interest was ANGEL AND THE APE, featuring pretty Angel O'Day and her cartoonist/detective partner Sam Simeon, who just happened to be a talking gorilla. It ran for 7 issues, from Dec 1968 to Dec 1969, after a one-issue tryout appearance in SHOWCASE #77 (Sept. '68), with pencilling mostly supplied by DC humor mainstay Bob Oskner, while much of the inking gets credited to the legendary Wallace Wood.

Not coincidentally, during that same period from late 1967 to early 1973, Marvel's girl humor titles (previously revamped as soap operas) returned to the Archie style sitcom and gags. Also not coincidentally, Archie Comics was itself riding high (relatively speaking) during that time period, and enjoying the exposure of its characters in animated cartoons on Saturday morning television (and in later reruns), something that was not lost on the marketing departments at DC and Marvel.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 15, 2016, 09:56:16 AM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
💝 Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #238
🐯 World Of Archie Comics Double Digest #49
🎭 Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #15
🎉 Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Archiecomicxfan215 on July 15, 2016, 05:21:09 PM
Im sitting insude Wendys I am in my 45 minute break. I got 25 minutes left. Someone took over my job cleaning lingere in the store. Good riddence i hate that section now
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 16, 2016, 01:12:43 AM
Yesterday I read CARTOON NETWORK PRESENTS #3 (Wacky Races), 17 (Toonami), 20 (Cartoon All-Stars), 21 (Toonami), 22 (Cartoon All-Stars), and THE FLINTSTONES AND THE JETSONS #19, all published around 1998-1999 by DC.

These were published at a time when Cartoon Network's programming was mostly comprised of reruns of old cartoons, and DC had just taken over the license to publish Hanna-Barbera comic books from Archie Comics. In fact, CARTOON NETWORK PRESENTS was sort of a continuation of the same sort of content that had been in ACP's licensed HANNA-BARBERA PRESENTS (#1-8, 1995-1996), and featured a lot of the same characters, like Wacky Racers, Yogi Bear, Top Cat, Quick Draw McGraw, Magilla Gorilla, Secret Squirrel and Atom Ant. Cartoon Network was just beginning to produce new shows, a few of which were featured in CARTOON NETWORK PRESENTS, like Dexter's Laboratory (#1) and it's companion cartoon Dial M For Monkey (#4) and Space Ghost Coast To Coast (#2), but most of these issues featured old Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters. One major exception was the new CN show Cow and Chicken, which appeared in issues #6, 10, 14 and 19. Toonami (which appeared in issues #5, 9, 13, 17 and 21) was originally an afternoon programming block of H-B adventure cartoons (Herculoids, Birdman, Galaxy Trio, Shazzan, Dynomutt & the Blue Falcon, etc.) hosted in framing segments by Space Ghost's old foe Moltar. Later the format switched to mostly a mix of anime shows like Dragonball Z and DC character cartoons like Batman, and Moltar was dropped as a host in favor of the robotic CGI host Tom.

#24 was the last issue of Cartoon Network Presents, as new programming on Cartoon Network continued to increase. DEXTER'S LABORATORY was quickly spun off into it's own title after the early issues, and Cartoon Network Presents was cancelled in favor of a similar title, CARTOON NETWORK STARRING (1999), which premiered with THE POWERPUFF GIRLS in issue #1 (also in #5), before they too got their own ongoing title. From then on Cartoon Network Starring featured Cow and Chicken (continuing from where it left off in Cartoon Network Presents #19) in issues #3, 7, 10, 13, and 16, rotating with Space Ghost Coast To Coast (previously featured in Cartoon Network Presents #2) in issues #4, 9, 12, 15 and 18,  and Johnny Bravo in issues #2, 6, 8, 11, 14 and 17.

Other anthology titles based on the network like CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY (which featured The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Codename: Kids Next Door, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Ed Edd & Eddy, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, Foster's Imaginary Friends, and Camp Lazlo, in addition to continuing Dexter's Laboratory, Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, and Cow and Chicken, and ran 59 issues), and CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK (featuring Ben 10/Alien Force/Ultimate Alien, The Secret Saturdays, Samurai Jack, and Generator Rex, among others, for 67 issues) followed at DC.

While I missed the old H-B cartoons featured in Cartoon Network Presents when it was cancelled, DC did continue to publish THE FLINTSTONES AND THE JETSONS for 21 issues from 1997-1999 (picking up where Archie Comics' previous FLINTSTONES series of 22 issues, 1995-1997, and THE JETSONS, 17 issues from 1995-1997 had left off). These were interesting because a few of the issues featured crossover stories between the modern stone age family and the family of the future. Archie Comics had also published SCOOBY-DOO for 21 issues from 1995-1997, and DC picked up with a new SCOOBY-DOO #1 in 1997, and that series has continued running until this day (155 issues and still going strong, even spinning off the companion title SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP in 2014, which is also still going after 16 issues).

DEXTER'S LABORATORY, THE POWERPUFF GIRLS, BEN 10, and SAMURAI JACK all eventually appeared in DC Comics, but they eventually lost the CN license (with the exception of SCOOBY-DOO, which they kept) to IDW in 2013, which continues to publish irregular miniseries featuring those CN properties and others. Recently they launched a new POWERPUFF GIRLS comic to tie in with the revived/revamped new PPG animated series on CN.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 16, 2016, 03:13:22 PM
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE SUMMER ANNUAL #21 - In addition to the usual 11-page Little Archie section this issue had a long 22-page Little Archie story reprinted from one of the last issues of ARCHIE & FRIENDS, and another 5-page lead (possibly new, but I'm not convinced) Little Archie story by Bob Bolling. Besides which, I counted several stories in this digest that I'd read recently elsewhere (can't recall where). That made it a pretty lackluster Summer Annual for me, with entirely too much Little Archie content. The only other thing I noticed that was noteworthy were a number of stories where Dilton plays a major part (more than is average for a digest this size) which is a good thing AFAIC, and (I think) 3 or 4 stories in which Archie seems interested in Midge (or attempts to flirt) briefly, in one fashion or another, which again seems like a higher percentage than random.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 16, 2016, 03:23:09 PM
I read this
B-V-1Asrarvar-49030
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 16, 2016, 05:22:08 PM
Now I just finished reading Betty & Veronica #1- Francavilla variant.
betty-veronica-1-45
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on July 16, 2016, 08:39:57 PM
I read the Archie reboot #7-9
Are they supposed to be on vacation? They were not at school in those 3 issues.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 17, 2016, 06:34:00 AM
I read Betty & Veronica #1 - the blank variant. It's actually the one I'm mailing to Gabbie Gross so she can draw Betty & Reggie on it.
betty-veronica-1-173
Now I just read Hack's variant of Betty & Veronica #1. I can take a picture of my wall after I get up in a little while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 17, 2016, 09:02:31 AM
I just got caught up with the last 9-10 months of Constantine, DC Comics Bombshells, Earth 2 Society and Harley Quinn over the last couple of days.  The Justice League  titles, Wonder Woman, Starfire and Legends of Tomorrow are next.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 19, 2016, 06:55:17 AM
I read Betty & Veronica #1-Price variant & this afternoon I read these for 12 minutes each
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #238
Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #15
The Nameless City
Friends With Boys
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 20, 2016, 01:31:09 PM
Monday, 7/18:
THE ETERNAUT HC

Wednesday, 7/20:
ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #10
PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #8
BLACK WIDOW #5
SQUADRON SUPREME #9
SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL #7
BETTY & VERONICA #1
WEIRD DETECTIVE #2 (of 5)
BLACK HAMMER #1
ASTRO CITY #37
HELLBLAZER REBIRTH #1
BATGIRL & THE BIRDS OF PREY REBIRTH #1
JUSTICE LEAGUE (2016) #1
ONE-PUNCH MAN VOL. 1 TP
HENCHGIRL #9
STAR TREK NEW VISIONS SPECIAL: THE CAGE
ONE-PUNCH MAN VOL. 3 TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 20, 2016, 03:23:19 PM
I read
Archie #1-Mike Norton
Archie #2-Zullo
Archie #3-Andrew Robinson
Archie #4-Asrar
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on July 20, 2016, 04:15:55 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 20, 2016, 01:31:09 PM
Monday, 7/18:
THE ETERNAUT HC

Wednesday, 7/20:
ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #10
PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #8
BLACK WIDOW #5
SQUADRON SUPREME #9
SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL #7
BETTY & VERONICA #1
WEIRD DETECTIVE #2 (of 5)
BLACK HAMMER #1
ASTRO CITY #37
HELLBLAZER REBIRTH #1
BATGIRL & THE BIRDS OF PREY REBIRTH #1
JUSTICE LEAGUE (2016) #1
ONE-PUNCH MAN VOL. 1 TP
HENCHGIRL #9
STAR TREK NEW VISIONS SPECIAL: THE CAGE
ONE-PUNCH MAN VOL. 3 TP

What did you think of Betty and Veronica #1?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 20, 2016, 11:23:55 PM
I read my digital copy of Betty & Veronica #1 this morning.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 21, 2016, 07:31:43 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on July 20, 2016, 04:15:55 PM
What did you think of Betty and Veronica #1?

Quotable quote of the issue:
Quote"I know it's unrealistic to want it, but I want to keep our Riverdale the way it's always been. I want it to grow, but I don't want it to CHANGE. Does that make sense?"

I'd have voted for two pin-up/fashion pages of B&V in their bikinis instead of two small pictures of Betty reading the script. In fact, I think I could have given the script a pass altogether, for 24 pages of B&V in their bikinis. AH should just go with what works for him.

Is Veronica this big of a putz in the regular ARCHIE series?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 21, 2016, 11:11:59 AM
I read
Gwen Pool #1
Jem & The Holograms #1
Kim & Kim #1
Silk #8
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 21, 2016, 01:31:27 PM
ONE-PUNCH MAN VOL. 4, 5, 6, & 7 - One of the most enjoyable manga series I've read in a while. I intend to pick this up from now on as new volumes come out.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 21, 2016, 03:55:55 PM
I read
Archie #666- the one with Jughead on the cover
Jughead #19
Jughead #4 Erica Henderson

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on July 22, 2016, 03:53:39 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 21, 2016, 01:31:27 PM
ONE-PUNCH MAN VOL. 4, 5, 6, & 7 - One of the most enjoyable manga series I've read in a while. I intend to pick this up from now on as new volumes come out.
I'll look for this. Never heard if it.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 22, 2016, 04:42:09 PM
Quote from: steveinthecity on July 22, 2016, 03:53:39 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 21, 2016, 01:31:27 PM
ONE-PUNCH MAN VOL. 4, 5, 6, & 7 - One of the most enjoyable manga series I've read in a while. I intend to pick this up from now on as new volumes come out.
I'll look for this. Never heard if it.

Yeah, it's very interesting. Runs the gamut from silly comedy to heavier drama, with plenty of melodrama in the middle, but it's chiefly fascinating to me that the creators seem to like the superhero tropes, but at the same time don't have the kind of reverence (that's the best approximation, I think) for that genre that American comics do. That allows the creators to examine the themes of vigilante justice, fame and celebrity, what motivates someone to become a hero, etc. in ways that American comics seem to rarely (if ever) explore. A lot of Saitama's (he's the "One-Punch Man" of the title, but that's not an official hero name) colleagues in the Hero Association are revealed to be venal, and some truly heroic, some in-between, but there's a real spectrum of characters there. I was actually kind of surprised to find this series was nominated for an Eisner award last year. I didn't know that until after I'd read it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-Punch_Man (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-Punch_Man)

Since I caught up on most of the current volumes of One-Punch Man (still missing Vol. 2 at the moment, and it seems to be out-of stock currently with Diamond Distribution), I decided to catch up on a few more random manga things I'd bought and hadn't gotten to in the last year or two:

JACO THE GALACTIC PATROLMAN by Akira Toriyama - This is a series of short chapters that make up a single done-in-one volume. Jaco is a young Ultraman-type alien law-enforcer, who comes to Earth looking for a monster, and the monster, which he never does find, turns out to be the baby Saiyan warrior named Son Goku, in a tie-in to Toriyama's mega-popular DRAGON BALL series, which I've never read (or seen the anime). That's sort of a bonus feature to the main story of Jaco, though, as the plot here stood on its own. I enjoyed this quick, light-hearted read, and particularly liked the artist's drawing style. May have to look into reading Dragon Ball now, too.

Disney's BIG HERO 6 Volume 1 by Haruki Ueno - Still only partway through this one. Haven't seen the movie, by the way, although I'm aware of its origins as Marvel Comics' Japanese counterpart to nationalistic superhero teams like Canada's Alpha Flight. There's a Volume 2 in this series, not sure if there are any more to come. Will review after I've read both. There's also a "Cinestory" color comic adaptation taken from frame grabs of the movie, and it occurred to me I should actually read that -- as these other B&W volumes are prequels, I think -- so I ordered a copy.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 24, 2016, 06:56:00 AM
I read some Digital Comics for a change. I read each of them for 12 minutes.
❄ B & V Snow Day
💝Betty & Veronica-Sabotage
🍍Jughead In Love
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 25, 2016, 07:04:16 AM
Finished reading BIG HERO 6, volumes 1 & 2 - a complete story which had an ending. Seemed like an origin story, but now I'm still a little confused (because of how the story ended) as to exactly how this related to the movie (which I haven't seen) so... I'm going to wait until I get the "Cinestory" photomanga adaptation to review all three. On to more manga...

BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE: DOOM DIMENSION Volumes 1 & 2 (Del Rey Manga, 2010) - Actually more of an "Amerimanga" (still in the B&W/small paperback format) by writer Peter David and artist Dan Hipp. Each of these was a slim book with only 80 pages of story, and together these two (like the two BIG HERO 6 volumes) make up a single complete story. Made me wonder why it wasn't just published as a single book of 160 story pages -- guess they were just trying to milk the consumer for the extra cash ($8 cover price each). I was familiar with Peter David's prior comics, and this story was typical of his usual good work. Dan Hipp was not an artist whom I was familiar with, but he has a very interesting style. While the characters remained recognizable as the same ones from the television series, he definitely put his own stylistic stamp on them. Somewhat manga-esque (and the tv series itself was obviously influenced by manga heroes and the manga style to begin with), but Hipp has his own 'independent-y' style. I'll be on the lookout for more of his work from now on. The story could have been a more-or-less typical episode (or two-part episode) of the tv series, which is a good thing I guess, because this doesn't seem like it wouldn't fit in with the type of adventures Ben 10 is usually involved in. I have to wonder what the genesis of this manga spinoff was though, and why only these 2 books were produced. The artwork has a lot of gray tones (much more than is the usual case for manga) so I wonder if it wasn't originally supposed to be printed in color, and going with the manga format was an afterthought. It could have worked either way, I suppose, as a standalone color graphic novel in the regular trade paperback format, but it still looks good in black & white and reduced to the tankobon (as it's called in Japan) format, too.

SPIDER-MAN J (Vol. 1) Japanese Knights & (Vol. 2) Japanese Daze by Akira Yamanaka (Marvel, 2008/2009) - This is an English-language adaptation (by Marc Sumerak & Zeb Wells) of a story that originally ran for about 6 months in the shonen manga Comic Bom Bom (published in Japan by Kodansha) in 2004-2005. The Americanized adaptation previously appeared as 11 chapter installments in the anthology comic (which was partially reprinted material) SPIDER-MAN FAMILY. It's also not the first manga version of Spider-Man to be produced in Japan -- an earlier version by Ryoichi Ikegama (later to be known for Mai the Psychic Girl, Crying Freeman, and Sanctuary in the U.S.) had appeared in Japan in 1970-71 (that version has also been partially reprinted by Marvel, in the standard floppy comic format, no collected edition so far). I bring it up only to point out the differences to Spider-Man J. While Ikegama's manga Spider-Man had been aimed at a slightly older readership, and took pains to be realistic and serious-minded, Spider-Man J is just the opposite, aimed at younger kids, and strictly for fun. I wasn't familiar with creator Yamanaka's work, but I really enjoyed his 'retro' style of manga art -- it looks to be influenced by that first generation of manga artists who began working in the 1950s and 1960s, like Osamu Tezuka, Mitsuteru Yokoyama, Shotaro Ishinomori, along with the somewhat younger Akira Toriyama (DragonBall Z). In this version, Spider-Man works with a Tokyo police detective partner (Detective Makoto in Japan/Detective Flynn in the Americanized translation). In Japan, Spider-Man J's true identity is Sho Amano (but in this version, he's just called "Peter Parker"). I found this kind of annoying, the adapters trying to translate the manga back into its American counterpart. Why is Peter Parker living in Tokyo, and working with a Tokyo Police detective named 'Flynn'? Why is his Aunt May (actually Mami) so young looking, and why is she dressed in a kimono, making a living in Tokyo as a dressmaker? His friends at school (because Spider-Man J is only 15 years old) are "Jane-Marie" (actually, Megumi) and "Harold" (actually, Densuke), and of course, they look nothing like Mary Jane Watson and Harry Osborn (even allowing considerable leeway for the artistic differences in American style comics and Japanese manga). Apart from that, this is a fun little tale, filled with the sort of tropes found in those henshin hero Japanese TV programs (think Power Rangers or Masked Rider), and again, I'll be looking out for more of creator Yamanaka's work in the future.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 25, 2016, 02:27:52 PM
I read Betty & Veronica #1-Andy Price variant.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 26, 2016, 08:41:15 AM
I read Betty & Veronica #1-Hack variant This afternoon I read each of these for 12 minutes each
Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #239
World Of Archie Comics Double Digest #49
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 26, 2016, 10:41:28 PM
I just finished reading Archie #3-9 plus the most recent issue of Afterlife with Archie and the last two issues of Sabrina.  I thought all of them were pretty good.  I'm going to read the new Jughead series and B&V #1 next.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 27, 2016, 01:35:30 AM
GARTH ENNIS' RED TEAM: DOUBLE TAP #1 (of 8 )
POWERPUFF GIRLS (2016) #1
HOWARD THE DUCK #9
RICK AND MORTY #16
SAVAGE DRAGON #215
SHE-WOLF #1 & 2
ARCHIE #10 (just the reprinted story)
TITANS #1
ACTION COMICS #960
DETECTIVE COMICS #937
WONDER WOMAN #3
HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1
MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: PINK #2 (of 6)
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP #17
HANNA-BARBERA FUTURE QUEST #3
THE SHADOW: THE DEATH OF MARGO LANE #2 (of 5)
LORDS OF THE JUNGLE #5 (of 6)
EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS' THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT #1
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND #1 (of 6)
DARK HORSE PRESENTS VOL 3 #24
PREDATOR VS JUDGE DREDD VS ALIENS #1
MICRONAUTS #4
ACTION MAN #2
MICKEY MOUSE SHORTS: SEASON ONE #1 (of 4)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 27, 2016, 05:25:28 AM
I just read my digital copy of Archie #10. It was just ok. It was mostly about a teacher who mean to the stud students but he had his reasons. Veronica took video of him being cruel & it started a lots fights because now this teacher's life is ruined. And that video that Veronica taped made him a candidate for Mayor & he's actually Betty's Uncle. Reggie was only in one page.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 28, 2016, 10:31:43 PM
No reading for me today, I was busy in the morning at Physical Therapy. So I skipped it.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 29, 2016, 07:07:44 AM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #15
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #238
Lumberjanes #28- the cover with those beautiful unicorns
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Archiecomicxfan215 on July 29, 2016, 04:49:01 PM
I am currently reading Betty and Veronica Comics Double Digest #245
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on July 29, 2016, 05:17:07 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on July 29, 2016, 07:07:44 AM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #15
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #238
Lumberjanes #28- the cover with those beautiful unicorns

I wanted that cover but it was pretty expensive from Midtown.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on July 29, 2016, 05:18:21 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on July 27, 2016, 05:25:28 AM
I just read my digital copy of Archie #10. It was just ok. It was mostly about a teacher who mean to the stud students but he had his reasons. Veronica took video of him being cruel & it started a lots fights because now this teacher's life is ruined. And that video that Veronica taped made him a candidate for Mayor & he's actually Betty's Uncle. Reggie was only in one page.

Yeah it was pretty boring. This was the first issue of the reboot that has taken me days to get through.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 29, 2016, 08:29:09 PM
I only read it once but I'll try to read my digital copy it again tonight. I'm still waiting for my issue to come from www.archiecomics.com
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 30, 2016, 01:54:26 AM
Thursday 7/28
B&V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #248 - This was a good one. Only one or two stories in here that I'd read before previously. Loved the lead story with Ethel at an open mic comedy night (and it was really nice to see new kids Chloe Mancuso and Carla Teal in a story, hanging out with B&V). There was another 10-page story in here starring Ethel too (Jughead was barely even in it, although she mentioned him several times), and it was a pretty good story. I think that the first Ethel solo story I've ever seen that wasn't a 1-page or 1/2-page gag strip. There were a lot of good stories in this one, and one that was particularly good, written by Kathleen Webb, titled "There's This Triangle", which was so well written it seemed almost like one of those early 1960s Frank Doyle stories where he used to do a little breakdown of the basic premise of the Archie/Betty/Veronica relationship, and in this one it gets a little meta with some 4th-wall breaking stuff. That really impressed me. I always thought Kathleen Webb was one of the better writers, but this story just raised my estimation of her, as far as the 1987-present ACP writers are concerned. I'd rate her just below Craig Boldman and Dan Parent overall, but this story could compare to one of the better ones by either of them.

Thursday/Friday
B&V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS #250 - This is getting to be problem for me in general with any of the Jumbo digests, but there were quite a few stories in here that I'd read before. It was still a pretty good digest, though. Plenty of good stories even if I'd read maybe a half-dozen or more of them before. It was really nice to get a double dose of my fix of Josie stories with the previous issue together with this one. Both digests had Cheryl stories in them too, which is never a bad thing. I'd point out a few of the better stories in #250 but I don't have the digest here with me at the moment. There are a lot of summertime/beach stories, which I always look forward to at this time of year. The lead story, "The Perils of Pet Sitting" wasn't particularly noteworthy from a writing standpoint (Alex Simmons isn't one of my favorite ACP writers), but boy am I loving every single new story I see that's drawn by the Kennedy brothers. That is some stylish artwork. The Kennedys seem to be the most fashion-conscious of all the 21st century Archie artists (Dan P. is too, but mostly that shows more in his covers and pin-up/fashion pages rather than the stories themselves), and there's this one page where Veronica shows up in a brand-new outfit (it's the first panel on the page, and it takes up an entire third of the page) and she looks absolutely stunning in her ensemble as drawn by the Kennedys. But whether the characters are dressed casually or dressed to impress, the Kennedys always make them look good. They love drawing those sneakers, too. I also need to mention Dan Parent's cover, which while just a simple iconic image of B&V in their swimsuits is probably my favorite digest cover so far this year. I really like that background with the palm tree icons and the white outline around the figures of B&V which if you look at it for a few seconds, almost gives the cover a 3-D effect where the figures of B&V look like they're on a separate plane. I wouldn't be surprised to see this cover show up again on a B&V digital exclusive or trade paperback collection sometime down the road.

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.slj.com%2Fgoodcomicsforkids%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F07%2FBAndVFriendsComicsDoubleDigest_250-0.jpg&hash=d0d9f02ced86ac4d91bb48b0bb408a3f430d7f1f)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 30, 2016, 06:29:15 AM
I read each of books for 12 minutes
🏯 1-Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
💕 2-Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
⛄ 3-Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 30, 2016, 06:02:18 PM
I read a bunch of the Hernandez brothers' comics I found in the bargain boxes at my LCS. Great stuff, and I didn't realize they did so many different titles in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
I still have a bunch more Hernandez comics that I didn't get to today, but hopefully tomorrow or Monday. In the meantime I'm going to read a little bit more of this book I picked up last Wednesday, THE OSAMU TEZUKA STORY - A LIFE IN MANGA AND ANIME by Toshio Ban. This is by far the longest graphic novel I've ever seen in one complete book, and it's a biographic novel in manga format. 865 whopping pages from beginning to end, without so much as a chapter break anywhere in it. The book is a softcover, but it's literally as thick as a brick. I've only read about 50 pages so far, but it's really interesting.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 31, 2016, 05:28:42 AM
I love the book Love & Rockets. I rented a lot of their books from the library. There's actually going be a new comic coming out soon. I hope it's good.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 31, 2016, 07:35:28 PM
No reading for me today. It was too hot to do anything. My brother came over . So no time for reading. He did change my poster near my bed to the where Archie becomes a girl. I really wish that story had more issues to it. I loved Reggie as girl & Archie as a girl.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on July 31, 2016, 08:43:22 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 27, 2016, 01:35:30 AM
MICKEY MOUSE SHORTS: SEASON ONE #1 (of 4)


How are these different than the regular Mickey comic? Shorter stories?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Csnapp2019 on July 31, 2016, 10:26:59 PM
HELP! I have trying to rember this for years! Does anyone know the name of the Archie comic where their is an angry old man who gets shot outside his mansion before he dies he vows to return in 100 years. He returns and then starts haunting Archie and his friends Sabrina is also in the comic and I think it is a 4 part series
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 01, 2016, 12:11:08 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on July 31, 2016, 08:43:22 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 27, 2016, 01:35:30 AM
MICKEY MOUSE SHORTS: SEASON ONE #1 (of 4)


How are these different than the regular Mickey comic? Shorter stories?

No, it's a four-issue miniseries, each issue featuring several stories adapted from the new Mickey Mouse animated shorts being produced by Disney since 2013, which you can watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC6qIbU1olyXQe1WOKt8UJ4hErx3D7qt8 (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC6qIbU1olyXQe1WOKt8UJ4hErx3D7qt8)
Season One (19 episodes, of approx. 03:45) of these cartoons was also released on DVD in 2104. They're really good cartoons.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 01, 2016, 12:21:33 AM
Quote from: Csnapp2019 on July 31, 2016, 10:26:59 PM
HELP! I have trying to rember this for years! Does anyone know the name of the Archie comic where their is an angry old man who gets shot outside his mansion before he dies he vows to return in 100 years. He returns and then starts haunting Archie and his friends Sabrina is also in the comic and I think it is a 4 part series

Sounds a little bit like "House of Riverdale" (a.k.a. Archie's Haunted House in trade paperback), but that was only a 3-parter. I didn't remember Sabrina being in it, but according to GCDb, I guess she was. I'll have to re-read that sometime.

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcomicbookdb.com%2Fgraphics%2Fcomic_graphics%2F1%2F298%2F146850_20081028080050_large.jpg&hash=73ebbb9b844cf5093aac8e2e6b72c02c8b575445)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcomicbookdb.com%2Fgraphics%2Fcomic_graphics%2F1%2F294%2F144258_20081014201719_large.jpg&hash=a67085a4eb7f6994bf2bb920f05bf33589c7adb6)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcomicbookdb.com%2Fgraphics%2Fcomic_graphics%2F1%2F202%2F100880_20070730152628_large.jpg&hash=4162df80d684463ef81576fb980affebbaa21b74)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 01, 2016, 07:20:06 AM
Why isn't Reggie on a cover?
I'm going read some of the Betty & Veronica #1's I got on Saturday & then change my wall around again .
I read
Betty & Veronica #1-Rebecca Isaacs
Betty & Veronica #1-Audrey Mok
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on August 01, 2016, 12:53:30 PM
^ Reggie is so underrated  :( >:(
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 01, 2016, 10:09:19 PM
Even when Archie was rebooted. Reggie wasn't on any of the covers. I wish he was on Sanford Green's Archie #1 cover but he wasn't. 
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 02, 2016, 08:51:00 PM
BLUE MONDAY VOL. 1: THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT TP (Image, 2016) by Chynna Clugston Flores
- This was a pretty cool comic that I'd never read before, and it had a 'teen humor comic' vibe to it, but done in a modern style (even though the story is taking place in the early 1990s). There was even a reference on the last page (and in the introduction as well) to Archie Comics, although the style of art (somewhat manga-influenced) and writing here isn't particularly reminiscent of Archie Comics. It was funny and felt fresh and 'indie', though. It did make me wonder what an Archie reboot done by Chynna Clugston might have been like. They should have asked her, or maybe someone like Bryan Lee O'Malley (SCOTT PILGRIM) or even Scott McCloud (ZOT!, UNDERSTANDING COMICS).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on August 02, 2016, 11:04:15 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 02, 2016, 08:51:00 PMIt did make me wonder what an Archie reboot done by Chynna Clugston might have been like. They should have asked her, or maybe someone like Bryan Lee O'Malley (SCOTT PILGRIM) or even Scott McCloud (ZOT!, UNDERSTANDING COMICS).
Sounds cool. I'll add Blue Monday to my pickup list this month.  A Scott McCloud Archie is intriguing.  I enjoyed Zot! and Eclipse in general. (DNAgents and I think Crossfire were favorites.)  Also, whatever happened to Cat Y.? Did she just retire from comics after the company shut down?  I first remember her as a prolific LOC contributor.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 03, 2016, 01:15:08 AM
Quote from: steveinthecity on August 02, 2016, 11:04:15 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 02, 2016, 08:51:00 PMIt did make me wonder what an Archie reboot done by Chynna Clugston might have been like. They should have asked her, or maybe someone like Bryan Lee O'Malley (SCOTT PILGRIM) or even Scott McCloud (ZOT!, UNDERSTANDING COMICS).
Sounds cool. I'll add Blue Monday to my pickup list this month.  A Scott McCloud Archie is intriguing.  I enjoyed Zot! and Eclipse in general. (DNAgents and I think Crossfire were favorites.)  Also, whatever happened to Cat Y.? Did she just retire from comics after the company shut down?  I first remember her as a prolific LOC contributor.

I should perhaps make clear that the Image trade paperback is reprinting (for the first time in color) the first Blue Monday three-issue miniseries originally published by Oni Press in 2000 (and a half-dozen shorter stories that preceded it). Image plans to release the second volume trade collection in October, followed by a third in January, and a fourth in April. They then plan to serialize a previously-unfinished miniseries (the first issue of which was published by Oni Press in 2008) and complete it, followed by a hardback omnibus, "Germfree Adolescents" collecting the Blue Monday series in its entirety. They also plan to reissue Clugston's SCOOTER GIRL six-issue miniseries as a color trade collection in December.

From 1993-2007, Cat Yronwode worked in the production department for the small publisher Claypool Comics, best known for publishing a long-running series (166 issues) based on ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK. She currently operates an online business called The Lucky Mojo Curio Shop devoted to occult and new age topics, and continues to write books on those subjects.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 03, 2016, 03:48:02 AM
I just read my digital copy of Jughead #8, I give it an A plus but sadly No Reggie. I hope he is in the next issue.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 03, 2016, 11:18:03 AM
JUGHEAD #8 - Mrs. Weatherbee is a pretty black woman who looks 10-15 years younger than her husband, and drives a sexy-looking sports car?
CAPTAIN KID #1 - Another Mark Waid idea, a middle-aged guy who turns into a super-powered kid hero (Billy Batson/Captain Marvel in reverse). Not as interesting as I thought it would be. Probably won't continue unless #2 is a lot better than the first.
SQUADRON SUPREME #10 - I just like the way James Robinson writes.
PUNISHER #4 - Much better than the last few Punisher series Marvel published. I love Steve Dillon's artwork, and Becky Cloonan writes a pretty gritty Punisher story.
MOON KNIGHT #5 - Somewhat confused now, by the ending of this story arc...
UNCANNY X-MEN #11 - I skipped a bunch of these because they were crossover stories, now I don't know if I'll be able to pick up the thread again. I'll give it another issue or two.
TWILIGHT ZONE: THE SHADOW #4 (OF 4) - Rod Serling knows what evil lurks in the heart of The Shadow. Excellent execution of an unusual concept.
LOBSTER JOHNSON: METAL MONSTERS OF MIDTOWN #3 (OF 3) - All of these are consistently top-notch.
GUNS OF THE BLACK BAT #1 (OF 3) - This teams the Black Bat up with four other public domain pulp heroes: The Moon Man, Airboy, The Skull Killer, and the Golden Amazon, against alien invaders collaborating with the Nazis.
TANK GIRL: 2 GIRLS 1 TANK #3 (OF 4)
JONESY #5 - May be starting to lose interest in this one.
KILL OR BE KILLED #1 - The start of another new Ed Brubaker/Sean Phillips series. I get all of these, and am never disappointed.
KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC (SAINT SEIYA) VOL. 8, 9 (2006) - Another superhero manga, with mythological/cosmic elements, from the mid-1980s.
GODZILLA: OBLIVION #1-5 - The worst Godzilla comic IDW has done so far. Boring story, with lackluster artwork. Nice covers, though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 03, 2016, 04:06:49 PM
It's funny that they never mentioning Mr. Weatherbee having a wife before. He has no children. Just a niece named Wendy & a twin brother named Tony who is Wendy's father. I wonder if we even see Wendy in Jughead title or even in Archie's title? When we ever see Ethel or Trula again?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on August 03, 2016, 06:15:13 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on August 03, 2016, 04:06:49 PM
It's funny that they never mentioning Mr. Weatherbee having a wife before. He has no children. Just a niece named Wendy & a twin brother named Tony who is Wendy's father. I wonder if we even see Wendy in Jughead title or even in Archie's title? When we ever see Ethel or Trula again?
Mr. Weatherbee has had a wife before on at least two occasions(as I recall)in classic Archie.  You'll have to give me time to dig those stories out.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on August 04, 2016, 12:35:14 AM
I'm catching up on Dark Horse comics this week as well as a few Marvels

today included -

Abe Sapien, Baltimore, BPRD, Hellboy, Joe Golem, Lobster Johnson, Angel & Faith from Dark Horse

Spider-Gwen, Spider-Woman, Silk, Spider-Man 2099 and Spidey from Marvel
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 04, 2016, 02:26:32 AM
Quote from: steveinthecity on August 03, 2016, 06:15:13 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on August 03, 2016, 04:06:49 PM
It's funny that they never mentioning Mr. Weatherbee having a wife before. He has no children. Just a niece named Wendy & a twin brother named Tony who is Wendy's father. I wonder if we even see Wendy in Jughead title or even in Archie's title? When we ever see Ethel or Trula again?
Mr. Weatherbee has had a wife before on at least two occasions(as I recall)in classic Archie.  You'll have to give me time to dig those stories out.

I remember those old stories with Weatherbee's wife (but not the titles or where they appeared).

As for Ethel, and to some degree the Moose/Midge couple, I can see where those characters might need a complete overhaul for the 21st century.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 04, 2016, 12:24:06 PM
After lunch I have to catch up & read some Betty & Veronica #1's
I read
Betty & Veronica #1-Moritat
Archie #10-Elliot
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 05, 2016, 02:40:19 AM
SHADOW LADY: DANGEROUS LOVE (Vol. 1)
SHADOW LADY: THE AWAKENING (Vol. 2)
SHADOW LADY: SUDDEN DEATH (Vol. 3)

by Masakazu Katsura. Basically a magical girl series for boys, like Go Nagai's CUTIE HONEY, to which it bears some similarities. It sort of has that "making it up as I go along" quality, where the character and backstory hadn't been completely thought out to begin with, but developed as it went along. That probably has a lot to do with the nature of how stories are serialized in short installments published weekly or bi-weekly in manga anthologies in Japan, with the creators working under very tight deadlines. About halfway through the entire series, the tone shifts away from a playful adventure-themed romantic comedy to a more serious dramatic manga, and the pacing could have been a little better. The final half of the story seems a little compressed from what may have originally been intended as a longer run of chapters, and there are some inconsistencies in that latter half of the story. Some of those little inconsistencies might have been glossed over by the translators if they'd taken the time to edit a bit. For example, it's mentioned in a caption that Shadow Lady has six "expert transformation" forms, but only three of them are ever shown. Later on, Shadow Lady takes on the task of retrieving what is originally depicted as five Demon Stones, but later bits of dialogue seem to indicate six, or possibly even seven stones. However, ultimately she's only shown attempting to retrieve three of them, while the never-seen ones are simply referred to in a dialogue balloon as "the others were easy". That sort of left me wondering if there might have been a few missing chapters of the original story that Dark Horse and Studio Proteus failed to translate, perhaps in some attempt to fit the whole story into a certain number of pages for the American translation, or whether Masakazu Katsura had left them out of the original Japanese version. It was still a fun read, and I enjoyed Katsura's artwork.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 05, 2016, 11:27:28 AM
GRIP: THE STRANGE WORLD OF MEN by Gilbert Hernandez (Dark Horse, hardcover) - By far the strangest thing by him I've ever read. Hallucinogenic, stream-of-consciousness, or just plain incoherent... your guess is as good as mine. It's hard to know exactly what to make of this one, but it's pretty out there. I've felt that before with a few of Gilberto's previous graphic novels, but never quite to this degree. I don't mind him invoking some SF or fantasy ideas, or even horror or crime fiction, so long as it's explained in a way that's convincing enough and makes some logical sense. Unfortunately, there's not much in the way of character relationships (his strong suit) to glue the rest of the pieces together.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 05, 2016, 05:50:57 PM
BLACK BLIZZARD by Yoshihiro Tatsumi (D&Q, 2010) - This 127-page graphic novel was originally published in Japan in 1956, and is a crime story about 2 fugitives chained together on the run after a landslide wrecks the train they're being transported on. While still primitive in style on a draftsmanship level, it's pretty advanced (for 1956) in terms of the maturity of the story and storytelling technique, with lots of varying angles and compositions of panels, clearly influenced by cinema. It's kind of funny that up until just a decade or two ago, Americans were debating what could be called the first true graphic novel, but the Japanese had been publishing long-form, original "story manga" (as it was called) as a matter of course since at least the late 1940s.

WONDER MOMO: BATTLE IDOL VOL 1 by Jim Zub, Omar Dogon, Eric Ko (Udon Studios/ShiftyLook, 2014) - Momoko is a 16-year old who dreams of being a pop idol, but instead she's gifted by an alien with power armor which turns her into a superhero to fight the invading Waru, and their various henchmen and game bosses. It's based on a 1987 video game by Namco (now owned by Bandai), and ShiftyLook was their website in collaboration with Udon Studios to create webcomic series to spark some new interest in old IP characters that they owned. Apparently in this case it worked, since the webcomic not only led to a print release, but also a new video game, anime (and soundtrack) based specifically on the webcomic version of the character. As with ACP's MEGA MAN comic, I knew nothing about that back history to the game before reading this -- I just liked the basic concept and the artwork here. They managed to work a decent storyline into this, but now the online ShiftyLook website has been discontinued, so it looks like I will never get to read the second half of the story (this book reprints #001-104, which represent the first 4 story arcs). The story eventually ran to #200, and had a definite conclusion, which could still be read online up until a couple of years ago. Rats.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on August 06, 2016, 12:17:13 AM
More Dark Horse comics today - Usagi Yojimbo, Groo, Mystery Girl, Midnight Society, Mirror's Edge, The Rook, Eve: Valkyrie, Tomb Raider and a bunch of others.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on August 06, 2016, 12:21:53 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 02, 2016, 08:51:00 PM
BLUE MONDAY VOL. 1: THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT TP (Image, 2016) by Chynna Clugston Flores
- This was a pretty cool comic that I'd never read before, and it had a 'teen humor comic' vibe to it, but done in a modern style (even though the story is taking place in the early 1990s). There was even a reference on the last page (and in the introduction as well) to Archie Comics, although the style of art (somewhat manga-influenced) and writing here isn't particularly reminiscent of Archie Comics. It was funny and felt fresh and 'indie', though. It did make me wonder what an Archie reboot done by Chynna Clugston might have been like. They should have asked her, or maybe someone like Bryan Lee O'Malley (SCOTT PILGRIM) or even Scott McCloud (ZOT!, UNDERSTANDING COMICS).

I loved this series when it started from Oni back in 2000.  I plan to pick up this edition since it is in color now.  I think Absolute Beginners is due from Image in a couple of months.  Hopefully Chynna comes out with a new Blue Monday series soon since she never finished Thieves Like Us.   Another Scooter Girl series would be cool, too.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 06, 2016, 01:18:56 PM
I read each of these for 12 minutes
World of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #60
The Best Of Archie Comics 75 Years 75 Stories
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest ##250
I just read some digital comics
Jughead #7
Jughead #8
Jughead & Archie Double Digest #1
And on Sunday I read these for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Archie 1000 Page Comics Mega Digest
Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
World Of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #60
And I finished reading Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #15
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 08, 2016, 03:08:25 PM
I read these for 12 minutes each
B & V Jumbo Comics Digest #250
Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #239
Archie Giant Comics Collection
World Of Archie Comics Double Digest #49
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 10, 2016, 02:22:22 AM
I still haven't received my subscription copies of Archie Back To School Annual #271 or World of Archie Double Digest #61 that came out last Wednesday.
In the meantime I've been reading mostly manga.

THE OSAMU TEZUKA STORY: A LIFE IN MANGA AND ANIME by Toshio Ban (Stonebridge Press, 2016) - Finished reading this 865-page manga story. It's a little like a crash course in the history of Japanese comics and animation, and explains a lot about how the industry works and developed over there.

THE ART OF OSAMU TEZUKA by Helen McCarthy (Abrams ComicArts, 2009) - I'd mostly just skimmed this oversize coffee-table book and looked at the art when I bought it, so this was a good textual support to the information in the manga biography, with a little more detail about specific works of Tezuka's. Rather than read it from the beginning though, I'm skipping back and forth through it focusing on the parts of greatest interest. Didn't finish it, so I'll be returning to it a bit later to polish off specific sections at a later time.

THE BOOK OF HUMAN INSECTS by Osamu Tezuka (Vertical, 2012) - Here is Tezuka venturing into the kind of 'alternative' comix pathways trod by Daniel Clowes and Gilbert Hernandez. While the graphic storytelling remains top-notch, it's not one of his better works, IMO - not even if we're confining that comparison to his works aimed at older readers (that would be stuff like the multi-volume PHOENIX and BUDDHA, or MESSAGE TO ADOLF). The whole thing comes off a bit too melodramatically, like an adult soap with a few weird elements (and a lot of implausible circumstances) thrown into the mix.

CAPTAIN KEN VOLUME 1 (of 2) by Osamu Tezuka (Digital Manga Publishing, 2015) - Here's Tezuka in his classic mode, with a boys' SF-adventure manga from 1960-61. It's a space western taking place on the Martian frontier, right down to the Martian cacti, shootin' irons and mecha-horses, and oddly enough with an early (possibly) gender-bending element to the story. Haven't finished this yet, but I put it down to read a few other things.

FLINTSTONES #2 - Still kind of lukewarm on this title. The covers are a lot better than the interior story.

BATMAN '66 MEETS STEED AND MRS. PEEL #2 (of 6) - Not enjoying this as much as previous Batman '66 stories, both because the of the writing (by Ian Edgington, presumably chosen because of his familiarity with Steed & Mrs Peel) and the artwork, which aren't as good as I'm used to for Batman '66. Hope any future B66 miniseries go back to Jeff Parker as the writer.

DONALD DUCK #383 - Pretty weird story, almost Lovecraftian in plot (in a Disney comic?).

THE SHADOW: THE DEATH OF MARGO LANE #3 (of 5) - Matt Wagner does the best Shadow comics, ever.

ONE-PUNCH MAN VOL. 2 - I'd missed this one volume from 2015 earlier in my reading of volumes 1-7, so now I'm caught up. This is probably my current favorite superhero series right now (with the possible exception of Dan Slott and Mike Allred's SILVER SURFER, and Jeff Parker and Evan Shaner's FUTURE QUEST).

Next I plan to finish CAPTAIN KEN VOL. 1, and read a few volumes (#19, 20, & 21) of an older manga from 2006, KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC (Saint Seiya) that I found at my LCS.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Purgatori on August 10, 2016, 11:15:47 AM
Wandering Island - Kenji Tsuruta: Slow-paced first volume from author not know for speed of publication (I really enjoyed Spirit of Wonder, also from Dark Horse, many years ago now). Beautifully illustrated with minimal dialogue. The story of a young woman who is co-owner with her grandfather of an airplane shipping service in the Japanese islands. When he dies, she finds a package addressed to her, but the address is for an island that doesn't exist. So begins her obsessive desire to find this mysterious island
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 10, 2016, 02:32:55 PM
I'm glad you mentioned SPIRIT OF WONDER. I remembered that as being one of the last manga I purchased new in the floppy comics format (all the way back in 1996). I liked the artwork, but I can't remember much about the story other than it had a little bit of a steampunk feel to it (before that genre had become as popular as it is today), and I'm not sure that I ever finished reading it, since I recall that I'd missed an issue or two somewhere. I must have found them since  then (the copies I have of #1, 2, and 5 are bagged and boarded, but issues #3 & 4 aren't boarded, so I must have found them much later). I was able to locate the whole set and put those aside to read later.

Today my subscription copy of WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #61 arrived, and I read that. I'm guessing it's been almost 2 weeks since I've read an Archie digest, when my copies of B&V FRIENDS #248 and 250 arrived on the same day. Even though I'd read at least a half-dozen of the stories in there before (including both of the long ones, part 2 of "The Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E." and "The Archies in London"), at least there wasn't any space taken up in the digest with Little Archie or Li'l Jinx stories, and I always look forward to reading the Archie 1 stories in the back. Hopefully I'll be getting my subscription copies of ARCHIE BACK TO SCHOOL ANNUAL #271 and JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE ANNUAL #22 sometime in the next week.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Purgatori on August 11, 2016, 03:55:43 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 10, 2016, 02:32:55 PM
I'm glad you mentioned SPIRIT OF WONDER...I liked the artwork, but I can't remember much about the story other than it had a little bit of a steampunk feel to it (before that genre had become as popular as it is today)

I realised when I read this, that I couldn't remember anything about the story either. So I'll have to dig out the issues and add them to the reading pile (Judge Dredd: The Uncensored Cursed Earth Saga is on top at the moment).

I did re-read Betty and Veronica 1 last night and found what could well be a reference to the storyline in Jughead , but it is very tangential
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 11, 2016, 06:31:33 AM
Quote from: Purgatori on August 11, 2016, 03:55:43 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 10, 2016, 02:32:55 PM
I'm glad you mentioned SPIRIT OF WONDER...I liked the artwork, but I can't remember much about the story other than it had a little bit of a steampunk feel to it (before that genre had become as popular as it is today)

I realised when I read this, that I couldn't remember anything about the story either. So I'll have to dig out the issues and add them to the reading pile (Judge Dredd: The Uncensored Cursed Earth Saga is on top at the moment).

I am also a big Judge Dredd fan, although I find it difficult to keep up with the various Rebellion releases, but I've been reading Dredd (and other 2000 AD series like Rogue Trooper, Strontium Dog, A.B.C. Warriors, Nemesis the Warlock, etc.) since the Titan Books albums released in the 1980s.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on August 11, 2016, 09:01:13 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 11, 2016, 06:31:33 AM
Quote from: Purgatori on August 11, 2016, 03:55:43 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 10, 2016, 02:32:55 PM
I'm glad you mentioned SPIRIT OF WONDER...I liked the artwork, but I can't remember much about the story other than it had a little bit of a steampunk feel to it (before that genre had become as popular as it is today)

I realised when I read this, that I couldn't remember anything about the story either. So I'll have to dig out the issues and add them to the reading pile (Judge Dredd: The Uncensored Cursed Earth Saga is on top at the moment).

I am also a big Judge Dredd fan, although I find it difficult to keep up with the various Rebellion releases, but I've been reading Dredd (and other 2000 AD series like Rogue Trooper, Strontium Dog, A.B.C. Warriors, Nemesis the Warlock, etc.) since the Titan Books albums released in the 1980s.
Dredd can be a bit hokey and over the top with some plots and the "Law" thing, but it's a great series overall, imo, but well worth reading.  Additionally, anyone who can get these at their libraries should check it(them) out.  Probably falls mostly under the "hero" genre beyond the action-sci-fi futuristic thing for those interested.

I don't recognize Nemesis The Warrior.  Was that originally a Starlord magazine character?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 11, 2016, 09:58:16 AM
Quote from: steveinthecity on August 11, 2016, 09:01:13 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 11, 2016, 06:31:33 AM
Quote from: Purgatori on August 11, 2016, 03:55:43 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 10, 2016, 02:32:55 PM
I'm glad you mentioned SPIRIT OF WONDER...I liked the artwork, but I can't remember much about the story other than it had a little bit of a steampunk feel to it (before that genre had become as popular as it is today)

I realised when I read this, that I couldn't remember anything about the story either. So I'll have to dig out the issues and add them to the reading pile (Judge Dredd: The Uncensored Cursed Earth Saga is on top at the moment).


I am also a big Judge Dredd fan, although I find it difficult to keep up with the various Rebellion releases, but I've been reading Dredd (and other 2000 AD series like Rogue Trooper, Strontium Dog, A.B.C. Warriors, Nemesis the Warlock, etc.) since the Titan Books albums released in the 1980s.
Dredd can be a bit hokey and over the top with some plots and the "Law" thing, but it's a great series overall, imo, but well worth reading.  Additionally, anyone who can get these at their libraries should check it(them) out.  Probably falls mostly under the "hero" genre beyond the action-sci-fi futuristic thing for those interested.

I don't recognize Nemesis The Warrior.  Was that originally a Starlord magazine character?

NEMESIS THE WARLOCK is another great strip from 2000 AD, created by Pat Mills and Kevin O'Neill (who once had a DC Green Lantern Corps story of his rejected by the Comics Code Authority purely on the basis of his art style, because they found it repugnant). The same team later went on to create the equally great (creator-owned) MARSHAL LAW, sort of a cathartic avatar for all the comics creators who hate superhero comics but are forced to work on them if they expect to make a living in the American comics industry. Marshal Law was a hero-hunter who skewered superheroes, both in the visceral and the satirical senses of the word. And of course, O'Neill went on to illustrate Alan Moore's Victorian-era "superhero team", THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN.

A sample of the Mills/O'Neill NEMESIS:

(https://2000ad.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/nemesis-the-warlock-whos-who.jpg)

One of the great things about the early 2000 AD characters was that a number of them didn't need to "spin-off" from one of the more popular features in order to inhabit the same universe. The above image shows Mek-Quake, Ro-Jaws, and Hammerstein, who also featured (individually, or together) in other 2000 AD strips like ROBO-HUNTER, RO-BUSTERS, and A.B.C. WARRIORS.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 12, 2016, 11:11:07 AM
I'm going read these 6 Betty & Veronica #1's so I can put them in my comic frames. I'm going take my time reading them. I don't think it will take one day.
💝 -Hughes
💞-Cliff Chaing
💕 -Ryan Sook
💓-Genevieve F.T
💌-Tom Bancroft
💗-Ramon Perez
This morning I read Hughes & Cliff Chaing issues so far.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on August 12, 2016, 02:39:18 PM
Related trivia:  while it's not close to a record, there appear to be (excluding the blank) 40 variant covers for B&V  — 24 specifically from ACP and the rest retailer and convention exclusives (including another Adam Hughes, an Andrew Pepoy. J.Scott Campbell and more).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Purgatori on August 13, 2016, 04:32:41 AM
Quote from: invisifan on August 12, 2016, 02:39:18 PM
24 specifically from ACP and the rest retailer and convention exclusives (including another Adam Hughes, an Andrew Pepoy. J.Scott Campbell and more).

Do you have a list of these other sixteen variants? Are you counting signed editions separately?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: invisifan on August 13, 2016, 08:07:32 AM
Quote from: Purgatori on August 13, 2016, 04:32:41 AM
Do you have a list of these other sixteen variants? Are you counting signed editions separately?
I don't count signed or sketch covers separately:
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 13, 2016, 11:26:13 AM
Yesterday, I got JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE ANNUAL #22 in the mail and started reading that.
Also attended Boston Comic Con on Friday and found a number of deals, including a big pile of Archie Comics in VF/NM condition for $1 each:

B&V SPECTACULAR #76
BETTY AND VERONICA #196, 198, 199, 231, 250, 253, 256, 259, 260, 265
VERONICA #43, 71, 72, 74, 75, 134, 136, 209var (KEVIN)
KEVIN KELLER #2
JUGHEAD #187, 188, 200var*, 211 (had the #200 variant cover signed by Dan P.)

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcomicbookrealm.com%2Fcover-scan%2F1da311fc1cd3e7fa638b70b7a28a86df%2Fxl%2Fidw-publishing-archie-the-best-of-samm-schwartz-hard-cover-1.jpg&hash=e3a1eb564eb7f3e8e4c16a18646323d003556516)
The best find: ARCHIE: THE BEST OF SAMM SCHWARTZ VOL. 1 hardcover (slightly dinged lower right-hand corner) for only five bucks!!

Also found a copy of that Papercutz THREE STOOGES "Bed Bugged" TPB by George Gladir and Stan Goldberg for $5. The only other things I bought worth mentioning were a TP reprint of ZORRO newspaper strips by Don McGregor and Tom Yeats, and a couple of manga TPs.

Dan Parent has the blank cover and convention exclusive variants of the Chapterhouse Comics DIE KITTY DIE #1 at his table at Boston Comic Con, so I'll probably pick those up on Sunday -- I also already picked up my Kickstarter rewards package from him at the show (minus the commission piece that I'll hopefully also pick up on Sunday). Haven't had time to look through it much, but I did read the Gisele backup story exclusive to the DKD hardcover collection. Got a couple of nice original Dan P. Archie and DKD art pages in there. I'll see what I can do a couple days later when I get some time about posting some pics of those.

Mark Waid and Erica Henderson are also at Boston Comic Con and were together with Dan Parent on an Archie panel on Friday afternoon. Adam Hughes was originally scheduled to appear but had to cancel (due to his workload) a month or two back.

Had my eye on some older Silver/Bronze SABRINAs and JOSIEs, but didn't buy them on Friday. I'll check back again on Sunday and if he still has them I might try to haggle with the guy for some kind of package deal for a dozen issues or so. We'll see.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 13, 2016, 03:25:54 PM
I'm going read each of these for 12 minutes
🎠Betty & Veronica Annual Digest Magazine #1
🍎 Betty & Veronica Double Digest #1
☎ Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #239
🐯 B&V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #250
🐷 World Of Archie Comics Double Digest #49
💞 World Of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #60
🏯 Archie Giant Comics Digest Collection
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 13, 2016, 04:26:32 PM
I finished Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #239 & World Of Archie Comics Double Digest #49.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 14, 2016, 04:04:37 PM
Bronze Age swag (and a couple of Silver Age) that I got at Boston Comic Con today:
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F751331.jpg&hash=8296e82627320214e25a04d03a633a234fb9d57c)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F836359.jpg&hash=1379e82476f3e40590d866973a7b840525e03942)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F803475.jpg&hash=c56404d3f6a5ba2044ef42df798bad51c761032e)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F1049209.jpg&hash=e8ad782fd74234d432423230c3c05aea58321222)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F797737.jpg&hash=b7dcaeef6d9c794084027a35ca73921995011c8a)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F797743.jpg&hash=a04a5d574b3b1889f8029481a84d03211038ef28)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F797749.jpg&hash=1e73d8d121568d7e3707fe0bf87db007bf904451)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F804603.jpg&hash=7a339fea7109613c3cc156256032db5a31f9a31d)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F839757.jpg&hash=934e26fe805f4887b97176f7d0870e75f3b61743)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F759163.jpg&hash=d3f40483b8ce2cebca1674691bf5ea933871b865)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F759195.jpg&hash=33c4817ea43a798a79490fc31917c47cd2f6f8b9)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F585805.jpg&hash=1006768995670de88a3dd4a3eeb037e68e17f9f5)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F704143.jpg&hash=84f8e5e626dd1f1ea3f2bfc88c8aaba7935b681e)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on August 14, 2016, 04:42:20 PM
Haven't updated this in awhile. I've been unbelievably busy with work.


Flintstones #1 and 2 - Different take than I was expecting and not as comical as previous Flintstones reiterations. Lots of connections drawn between this ancient society's race relations and commercialism and modern society. I'm intrigued. I'll keep reading.


Mae #1-3 - Split between 2 parallel worlds. A bit like Narnia in a way.


Shrek #1-2 - These are ok. Writing could be better.


Black Hammer #1 - I wanted it to be my replacement to tide me over between issues of Harrow County and it just wasn't. A weird mix of farm stories and superheroes.


The Hunt #1 - Also really weird.


Lumberjanes #28 - I think they're trying to stretch this series out way too much and not much happens in each issue or even arc. But I'm excited about the upcoming movie.


Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy #1 - Big disappointment. Hopefully subsequent issues improve.


Powerpuff Girls #1 - Cute.


Socute the Corgi #1-2 - I'm a sucker for animal stories.


Space Battle Lunchtime up to #4 - Started out great. My interest is kinda waning. I think this would be better as a cartoon.


Action Lab Dog of Wonder #3 - Not as great as the previous 2 issues.


Ghoul Scouts #1 and #2 - It has all the elements I would like (kid friendly scary stories) but the series just isn't hooking me.


Girl Over Paris #1


Goldie Vance #4


Jonesy #5 - Agree with DeCarlo Rules on this one. This issue isn't as great as previous.


Harrow County up to #15 - Still a great series. It's going in a whole new direction now with new characters and I'm excited to see where it goes.


Jem up to issue #17 - Jen Bartel's interiors weren't as great as I was hoping. Excited for the spinoff series The Misfits. Excited to see Shouri getting more work as she's my favorite colorist and a pretty good artist too. Hopefully she can do the interiors as well.


Jughead up to issue #8 - Look forward to this series every month now. Can't wait for the Sabrina issues.


Lady Killer Vol 2 #1 - Art is still top notch. So far pretty much the same as the previous series.


Paper Girls up to #8 - Still loving.


Ultracat #2


Betty and Veronica #1 - I think Adam Hughes was trying really hard to go in a direction no one was expecting. I'm trying to read and think of this series from an outsider perspective of someone who is not familiar with the franchise. I think they would be very confused as to why the dog was narrating.


Snotgirl #1 - Love the art, the girliness of the story. The end is a cliffhanger.


Really missing great series like Black Magic and Mystery Girl and even Wayward. Comics seem to be a bit dry lately as far as great storytelling goes.




Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 14, 2016, 05:49:35 PM
I kinda liked Black Hammer #1. It established a little mystery as to why these former superheroes had to flee from the world/dimension/earth on which they originated, and there's someone from back in their home world setting out to find them and prove that they're still alive. It was a little slow-moving, but enough of a hook to intrigue me for a few more issues at least (not sure if it's a miniseries or an ongoing).

I passed on Snotgirl #1 originally simply because the title of the book itself was off-putting to me, but now I'll pick it up and give it a look-see, at least, to see what I think.

I've already read a few of those Bronze Age ACP comics I picked up at the con, and I'm going to try to review most (if not all) of them one or two at a time. The thing that immediately hits me about those early-70s "Archie Giant Series" format issues of Archie's T.V. Laugh-Out and Sabrina the Teenage Witch (besides the mere fact of them having more pages and more stories) is that in those early Giants, there always seems to be a story or two where Archie or some of the gang interacts with Sabrina, and you simply don't see much of that in the stories in those titles after they were reduced to the standard price and page count, so that makes the Giants extra-special to have.

Another thing notable about those early Sabrina issues is that the main source of conflict in many, if not most, of the stories revolves around the fact that Sabrina (although a witch) is just a sweet, nice, normal teenage girl who wants to get along with people, be "one of the gang", have fun and date boys like Harvey, and help out those in trouble, but her Aunt Hilda (and even more so, Head Witch Della) is trying to influence her or mentor her to be a "good witch", which is to say, a bad person. A good witch does bad and makes mischief for people with her magic powers, so when Sabrina does good things with her magic to help people, that makes her a very bad witch, and many of the stories involve penalties threatened against her by Head Witch Della, the most dire of which is the removal of her magic powers. Sabrina doesn't want to be bad, because it runs counter to her sunny disposition, but she still feels a sense of responsibility towards her aunts who are raising her, to fulfill that obligation to them by being a good witch and making them proud of her. Cousin Ambrose frequently takes on the role of her protector, trying to balance these opposing directions and secretly help her. That struck me immediately in reading a bunch of these stories together, as something that's been largely lost in the later Sabrina stories, and something I'd greatly like to see restored.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 14, 2016, 08:09:09 PM
I read
Archie #10-Fish
Betty & Veronica #1-Coover
Morning Glories #38
Black Canary #9
Jughead #1-Covention Variant
Jughead #4-J Bone
Jughead #7-Cully Hamner
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 15, 2016, 07:00:28 AM
I'm going read some more Betty & Veronica #1's I read
Betty & Veronica #1-Tom Bancroft
Betty & Veronica #1-Rian Gonzales
I'm going read
Morning Glories #44 & #48
Invincible #122 & #123 & #128
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 16, 2016, 12:08:21 AM
Yesterday I read LOVE-O-RAMA 2000, which is a B&W, 96-page TPB collection of Dan Parent-written stories (except for 2 of them, I think) sub-titled "Romance Stories That Will Touch You In A Special Place!". Most of the stories are drawn by Dan as well, but except for a couple, you probably wouldn't recognize them as his art, because it's not really done in "the Archie style". Three-quarters of those are inked by Kim De Mulder, and I'm not sure exactly how much of the difference in Dan P's usual style is due to his original pencils for the stories, and how much is due to Kim De Mulder's inking. These stories had previously appeared in some obscure comics: Secret Fantasies #1 (1998) and #2 (1999), and Dumbass Express #1 (and only). I guess you could probably say most of these stories were R-rated (definitely not for kids), and for the most part, I found them pretty funny, and found them to reflect Dan's peculiar sense of humor (which I love), just a little more unrestrained and uncensored. Maybe "adult situations" is the best label here, because there's no actual "graphic depictions" or any "adult language" or anything like that, but remember that's just using ACP standards as a yardstick.

The story that interested me the most personally was one called "My Love Is Alien", which was about 2 female friends, a plain but brainy & nerdy sci-fi fangirl and her pretty but shallow roommate who has absolutely no interest in SF, but who had promised her friend she'd go the the science fiction con with her. So the nerdy girl shames her friend into going anyway, after she tried to wheedle her way out of her promise. Marina reluctantly gives in and goes to the SF convention, where she all of a sudden gets interested, when she meets a hunky-looking guy wearing what she thinks is an alien costume at the con. So she finds every excuse to give in to him and spend time with him (and of course, she doesn't realize that he's an actual alien). As I'm reading the first few pages of the story, I'm looking at the girls and what they are saying to each others, and I'm thinking "Wait a minute... Isn't this really just a Veronica story guest-starring her sci-fi loving cousin, Marcy McDermott?", because in this story Marina is pretty but kind of a snob. However, in trying to place the story among the chronology of Veronica stories, this story would seem to precede cousin Marcy's first appearance in the early 2000s (which - I think - was in VERONICA #137, May 2003). As far as the personality and behavior of the girls at the beginning of the story, they interact almost just like Marcy and Veronica, even though the story later goes off in a different direction with Marina (the pretty one) having a one-night stand with this alien guy she's smitten with, and then having his baby while he disappears (it turns out later that he was drafted to fight in some kind of space war). I should mention that as far as how they're drawn in the story, the characters don't actually resemble Marcy and Veronica, it's just that one is a nerdy girl into sci-fi and the other is pretty, but totally disinterested in that kind of stuff, and is snobbish and puts it down. Still, there's this germ of an idea there in this independently-produced work of Dan's, that it seems like he later reworked into his stories in VERONICA, which I found interesting. In this story however, instead of mentioning "Space Trek" or some kind of obvious euphemism, the actual names of science fiction TV shows and movies are used (and the context in which they are referenced helps to make the story funny).

Despite the adult situations, there's still a distinct Archie-like feel to most of these stories, just the fact that they're short, sitcom stories with romantic elements, and Dan Parent's signature sense of humor (which in these stories, he's allowed to get pretty wacky with). There are lots of stories with takeoffs on things like the Patrick Swayze movie Ghost, daytime talk shows like The Jerry Springer Show, the self-explanatory "Vampire Girls Need Love Too", "Drastic Plastic" about plastic surgery, and other weirdness, including one set in the 1970s that crams every TV show and pop culture reference from that time into a short farce. The nature of Dan's humor spares no one's sensibilities in the arena of political correctness, so if you're easily offended by a gay superhero like "Interior Decorator Man", this probably isn't for you. The back page has an utterly hilarious text piece called "A Little About Dan Parent" that totally cracked me up.

BETTY AND VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #246 came in the mail yesterday, and I'm about halfway through reading that. Spent most of the day catching up on sleep I missed over the weekend while I was either at the Boston Comic Con or working.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on August 16, 2016, 02:58:42 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 16, 2016, 12:08:21 AM
Yesterday I read LOVE-O-RAMA 2000, which is a B&W, 96-page TPB collection of Dan Parent-written stories (except for 2 of them, I think) sub-titled "Romance Stories That Will Touch You In A Special Place!". Most of the stories are drawn by Dan as well, but except for a couple, you probably wouldn't recognize them as his art, because it's not really done in "the Archie style". Three-quarters of those are inked by Kim De Mulder, and I'm not sure exactly how much of the difference in Dan P's usual style is due to his original pencils for the stories, and how much is due to Kim De Mulder's inking. These stories had previously appeared in some obscure comics: Secret Fantasies #1 (1998) and #2 (1999), and Dumbass Express #1 (and only). I guess you could probably say most of these stories were R-rated (definitely not for kids), and for the most part, I found them pretty funny, and found them to reflect Dan's peculiar sense of humor (which I love), just a little more unrestrained and uncensored. Maybe "adult situations" is the best label here, because there's no actual "graphic depictions" or any "adult language" or anything like that, but remember that's just using ACP standards as a yardstick.

The story that interested me the most personally was one called "My Love Is Alien", which was about 2 female friends, a plain but brainy & nerdy sci-fi fangirl and her pretty but shallow roommate who has absolutely no interest in SF, but who had promised her friend she'd go the the science fiction con with her. So the nerdy girl shames her friend into going anyway, after she tried to wheedle her way out of her promise. Marina reluctantly gives in and goes to the SF convention, where she all of a sudden gets interested, when she meets a hunky-looking guy wearing what she thinks is an alien costume at the con. So she finds every excuse to give in to him and spend time with him (and of course, she doesn't realize that he's an actual alien). As I'm reading the first few pages of the story, I'm looking at the girls and what they are saying to each others, and I'm thinking "Wait a minute... Isn't this really just a Veronica story guest-starring her sci-fi loving cousin, Marcy McDermott?", because in this story Marina is pretty but kind of a snob. However, in trying to place the story among the chronology of Veronica stories, this story would seem to precede cousin Marcy's first appearance in the early 2000s (which - I think - was in VERONICA #137, May 2003). As far as the personality and behavior of the girls at the beginning of the story, they interact almost just like Marcy and Veronica, even though the story later goes off in a different direction with Marina (the pretty one) having a one-night stand with this alien guy she's smitten with, and then having his baby while he disappears (it turns out later that he was drafted to fight in some kind of space war). I should mention that as far as how they're drawn in the story, the characters don't actually resemble Marcy and Veronica, it's just that one is a nerdy girl into sci-fi and the other is pretty, but totally disinterested in that kind of stuff, and is snobbish and puts it down. Still, there's this germ of an idea there in this independently-produced work of Dan's, that it seems like he later reworked into his stories in VERONICA, which I found interesting. In this story however, instead of mentioning "Space Trek" or some kind of obvious euphemism, the actual names of science fiction TV shows and movies are used (and the context in which they are referenced helps to make the story funny).

Despite the adult situations, there's still a distinct Archie-like feel to most of these stories, just the fact that they're short, sitcom stories with romantic elements, and Dan Parent's signature sense of humor (which in these stories, he's allowed to get pretty wacky with). There are lots of stories with takeoffs on things like the Patrick Swayze movie Ghost, daytime talk shows like The Jerry Springer Show, the self-explanatory "Vampire Girls Need Love Too", "Drastic Plastic" about plastic surgery, and other weirdness, including one set in the 1970s that crams every TV show and pop culture reference from that time into a short farce. The nature of Dan's humor spares no one's sensibilities in the arena of political correctness, so if you're easily offended by a gay superhero like "Interior Decorator Man", this probably isn't for you. The back page has an utterly hilarious text piece called "A Little About Dan Parent" that totally cracked me up.

BETTY AND VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #246 came in the mail yesterday, and I'm about halfway through reading that. Spent most of the day catching up on sleep I missed over the weekend while I was either at the Boston Comic Con or working.

I was supposed to get this from Kickstarter but Dan never sent it. :(
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 16, 2016, 04:24:50 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on August 16, 2016, 02:58:42 PM
I was supposed to get this from Kickstarter but Dan never sent it. :(

If you email him, I'm sure he'll send it, assuming you already got the rest of your Kickstarter reward package. Dan and Fernando are still in the process of mailing all these out to the pledges, one at a time, and they split up the mailing labels between them, but not necessarily by what supporter was getting original art by which creator, so there's a little confusion between the two of them. One of the things missing from my package was Fernando's sketchbook, which Dan tells me is still at the printers, so packages that got mailed out already will be missing those. This is their first Kickstarter, so maybe they're not as well-organized as some others who've done it before, and there were a lot of bonuses and add-ons to the packages, so there's a list of different stuff that has to go in depending on your pledge level. If you didn't get your rewards package yet, be patient, either Dan or Fernando could have your mailing label.

Then too, these guys are both still doing the convention circuit at the same time. Dan was at SDCC last month, then in Boston last weekend (Aug. 12-14), and will be at TerrifiCon in Connecticut next weekend (Aug. 19-21), then he's off to Hyderabad, India for a big con (Sept. 24-25), and then New York Comic Con (Oct. 8-9), plus who knows all what else -- while continuing to turn in 5 page stories and covers for the digests.

The best thing to do is contact them through the Kickstarter page and let them know, if you got the rewards package already and it was missing that TPB.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 16, 2016, 06:12:43 PM
SNOTGIRL #1 - I liked the artwork. Couldn't relate to the story at all. It's pretty much all social media and 20something angst -- subtract those from it and there's really nothing left, so thumbs down for me.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on August 16, 2016, 06:46:34 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 16, 2016, 04:24:50 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on August 16, 2016, 02:58:42 PM
I was supposed to get this from Kickstarter but Dan never sent it. :(

If you email him, I'm sure he'll send it, assuming you already got the rest of your Kickstarter reward package. Dan and Fernando are still in the process of mailing all these out to the pledges, one at a time, and they split up the mailing labels between them, but not necessarily by what supporter was getting original art by which creator, so there's a little confusion between the two of them. One of the things missing from my package was Fernando's sketchbook, which Dan tells me is still at the printers, so packages that got mailed out already will be missing those. This is their first Kickstarter, so maybe they're not as well-organized as some others who've done it before, and there were a lot of bonuses and add-ons to the packages, so there's a list of different stuff that has to go in depending on your pledge level. If you didn't get your rewards package yet, be patient, either Dan or Fernando could have your mailing label.

Then too, these guys are both still doing the convention circuit at the same time. Dan was at SDCC last month, then in Boston last weekend (Aug. 12-14), and will be at TerrifiCon in Connecticut next weekend (Aug. 19-21), then he's off to Hyderabad, India for a big con (Sept. 24-25), and then New York Comic Con (Oct. 8-9), plus who knows all what else -- while continuing to turn in 5 page stories and covers for the digests.

The best thing to do is contact them through the Kickstarter page and let them know, if you got the rewards package already and it was missing that TPB.


I haven't gotten the rewards package yet just the DKD hardback. I ordered a second copy (outside of the Kickstarter) and haven't gotten that either yet. I'll keep waiting.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 16, 2016, 07:26:39 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on August 16, 2016, 06:46:34 PM
I haven't gotten the rewards package yet just the DKD hardback. I ordered a second copy (outside of the Kickstarter) and haven't gotten that either yet. I'll keep waiting.

I might still be waiting on mine, if I hadn't contacted Dan and made arrangements to pick it up in person at Boston Comic Con. Funny thing, I bumped into a guy I know at Dan's table (whom I had no idea had pledged the DKD Kickstarter) on Friday and he mentioned he hadn't got his rewards package yet. On Sunday, I was at Dan's table again, and the same guy came back and told Dan that his DKD rewards package had arrived at his house on Friday while he was at the con. I think the original plan was to have all these packages out much earlier, but the printer took longer on the hardcovers than they expected, and now both of them are knee-deep in convention season. To be honest, I haven't even had time to go back to check the list of the rewards I was supposed to get, so if there's anything missing (were there pins or buttons?) from mine besides Fernando's sketchbook then I'm not even aware of it. Besides the hardcover book and some original artwork, I got a DKD lanyard, 2 stickers, 12 trading cards, and Dan's sketchbook (and the Love-O-Rama 2000 TPB was an add-on).

Also, the original commission I got (and am now using as my avatar) from Dan isn't the original drawing that he first handed to me. I had requested Betty as Superteen, and Dan somehow had drawn an original of Betty as SuperGIRL... as he was about to hand it to me, he was saying "... and I've got your drawing of Betty as Supergirl right here (looking in portfolio) ..." and I said "You mean Betty as SuperTEEN..." and there was some momentary embarrassment as he realized he'd made a mistake. He showed it to me, but then put it aside and said "It's no problem, I can do it for you and have it later today".  Then we started chatting for a while, and at some point, I decided I'd like a 2-figure drawing of both Betty as Superteen and Veronica as Powerteen (because they'd never actually been in a story together), so I agreed to pay him extra for another figure. Then I wanted him to base the pose on a particular image (that I hadn't thought to bring with me beforehand) so I told him that when I went home that night I'd find the image I was thinking of, and email it to him. Oddly enough, I couldn't find that exact image that I had in mind, and wound up changing my mind, so I had him base the pose on the "Wonder Twin powers, ACTIVATE!" image (which basically got repeated in every Super Friends cartoon they were in). Dan does a lot of superhero commissions, or Archie/superhero mash-up commissions, which you'll see when you check out his sketchbook (and he'll obviously have no problem selling that drawing of Betty as Supergirl).

Hey, this is my 1000th post (since the meltdown and reboot) -- which would have made it my 5000th post if the meltdown had never happened.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 17, 2016, 10:01:20 AM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #20
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #233
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Archie 75 Years 75 Stories
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on August 17, 2016, 08:15:17 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 16, 2016, 07:26:39 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on August 16, 2016, 06:46:34 PM
I haven't gotten the rewards package yet just the DKD hardback. I ordered a second copy (outside of the Kickstarter) and haven't gotten that either yet. I'll keep waiting.

I might still be waiting on mine, if I hadn't contacted Dan and made arrangements to pick it up in person at Boston Comic Con. Funny thing, I bumped into a guy I know at Dan's table (whom I had no idea had pledged the DKD Kickstarter) on Friday and he mentioned he hadn't got his rewards package yet. On Sunday, I was at Dan's table again, and the same guy came back and told Dan that his DKD rewards package had arrived at his house on Friday while he was at the con. I think the original plan was to have all these packages out much earlier, but the printer took longer on the hardcovers than they expected, and now both of them are knee-deep in convention season. To be honest, I haven't even had time to go back to check the list of the rewards I was supposed to get, so if there's anything missing (were there pins or buttons?) from mine besides Fernando's sketchbook then I'm not even aware of it. Besides the hardcover book and some original artwork, I got a DKD lanyard, 2 stickers, 12 trading cards, and Dan's sketchbook (and the Love-O-Rama 2000 TPB was an add-on).

Also, the original commission I got (and am now using as my avatar) from Dan isn't the original drawing that he first handed to me. I had requested Betty as Superteen, and Dan somehow had drawn an original of Betty as SuperGIRL... as he was about to hand it to me, he was saying "... and I've got your drawing of Betty as Supergirl right here (looking in portfolio) ..." and I said "You mean Betty as SuperTEEN..." and there was some momentary embarrassment as he realized he'd made a mistake. He showed it to me, but then put it aside and said "It's no problem, I can do it for you and have it later today".  Then we started chatting for a while, and at some point, I decided I'd like a 2-figure drawing of both Betty as Superteen and Veronica as Powerteen (because they'd never actually been in a story together), so I agreed to pay him extra for another figure. Then I wanted him to base the pose on a particular image (that I hadn't thought to bring with me beforehand) so I told him that when I went home that night I'd find the image I was thinking of, and email it to him. Oddly enough, I couldn't find that exact image that I had in mind, and wound up changing my mind, so I had him base the pose on the "Wonder Twin powers, ACTIVATE!" image (which basically got repeated in every Super Friends cartoon they were in). Dan does a lot of superhero commissions, or Archie/superhero mash-up commissions, which you'll see when you check out his sketchbook (and he'll obviously have no problem selling that drawing of Betty as Supergirl).

Hey, this is my 1000th post (since the meltdown and reboot) -- which would have made it my 5000th post if the meltdown had never happened.


What's in those sketchbooks? DKD art? Now I'm curious.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 18, 2016, 12:36:40 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on August 17, 2016, 08:15:17 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 16, 2016, 07:26:39 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on August 16, 2016, 06:46:34 PM
I haven't gotten the rewards package yet just the DKD hardback. I ordered a second copy (outside of the Kickstarter) and haven't gotten that either yet. I'll keep waiting.

I might still be waiting on mine, if I hadn't contacted Dan and made arrangements to pick it up in person at Boston Comic Con. Funny thing, I bumped into a guy I know at Dan's table (whom I had no idea had pledged the DKD Kickstarter) on Friday and he mentioned he hadn't got his rewards package yet. On Sunday, I was at Dan's table again, and the same guy came back and told Dan that his DKD rewards package had arrived at his house on Friday while he was at the con. I think the original plan was to have all these packages out much earlier, but the printer took longer on the hardcovers than they expected, and now both of them are knee-deep in convention season. To be honest, I haven't even had time to go back to check the list of the rewards I was supposed to get, so if there's anything missing (were there pins or buttons?) from mine besides Fernando's sketchbook then I'm not even aware of it. Besides the hardcover book and some original artwork, I got a DKD lanyard, 2 stickers, 12 trading cards, and Dan's sketchbook (and the Love-O-Rama 2000 TPB was an add-on).

Also, the original commission I got (and am now using as my avatar) from Dan isn't the original drawing that he first handed to me. I had requested Betty as Superteen, and Dan somehow had drawn an original of Betty as SuperGIRL... as he was about to hand it to me, he was saying "... and I've got your drawing of Betty as Supergirl right here (looking in portfolio) ..." and I said "You mean Betty as SuperTEEN..." and there was some momentary embarrassment as he realized he'd made a mistake. He showed it to me, but then put it aside and said "It's no problem, I can do it for you and have it later today".  Then we started chatting for a while, and at some point, I decided I'd like a 2-figure drawing of both Betty as Superteen and Veronica as Powerteen (because they'd never actually been in a story together), so I agreed to pay him extra for another figure. Then I wanted him to base the pose on a particular image (that I hadn't thought to bring with me beforehand) so I told him that when I went home that night I'd find the image I was thinking of, and email it to him. Oddly enough, I couldn't find that exact image that I had in mind, and wound up changing my mind, so I had him base the pose on the "Wonder Twin powers, ACTIVATE!" image (which basically got repeated in every Super Friends cartoon they were in). Dan does a lot of superhero commissions, or Archie/superhero mash-up commissions, which you'll see when you check out his sketchbook (and he'll obviously have no problem selling that drawing of Betty as Supergirl).

Hey, this is my 1000th post (since the meltdown and reboot) -- which would have made it my 5000th post if the meltdown had never happened.


What's in those sketchbooks? DKD art? Now I'm curious.

Dan's sketchbook is mostly stuff like preliminary cover layouts (some you'll recognize, some not... because they were never used), and commissioned artwork. One of the things I noticed in looking through it again yesterday were three different cover layouts for ARCHIE'S GIRLS: THE PIN-UPS book. I remember that had been announced at one time as a follow-up to the hardcover art books THE ART OF BETTY & VERONICA, and its sequel THE ART OF ARCHIE: THE COVERS, but it never happened.  :tickedoff:

Dan's sketchbook (which is the same dimensions as those small Archie TPBs in the ARCHIE & FRIENDS ALL-STARS series) "Volume 1" was printed back in 2014, so you won't find anything really recent in it. I told him it was time to do a Volume 2, and he agreed, but as to when that might happen... who knows. I haven't seen Fernando's sketchbook since (as I think I mentioned somewhere before) according to Dan it was still at the printers. Presumably that means it contains some of Fernando's really recent stuff, maybe Kitty, but I can't be sure.

In case you missed it, Dan & Fernando sent out another DKD update last night:

QuoteWe're halfway through August and we're more than halfway through shipping books!  So, if you haven't received yours yet, please be patient, it's on the way!!  We're hoping to have everything shipped by the end of August, except for those picking up your packages at Toronto Fan Expo.

Thanks for the great responses!  We're so happy with the quality of the books and the extras!

And soon we'll have more exciting news about Kitty's next adventure....
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 18, 2016, 01:35:25 AM
Yesterday (Wednesday 08/17):
DARK HORSE PRESENTS #25 - I'm only following the features "The Once and Future Tarzan", "Mister X", and "Mr. Monster"
INVADER ZIM #12
ISLAND 731 #1 - Didn't really care that much for it, so I won't continue.

SUPERGIRL REBIRTH #1 - Certainly one of the best-looking of these DC Rebirth comics, with artwork by Emanuela Lupacchino (and a nice iconic Supergirl image on the variant cover by Adam Hughes). Wish I could say the same about the story, but at least the artwork looked good. All of these "Rebirth" one-shot issues are just preludes to an ongoing series. Whether the same creative team will be on the ongoing series, I don't know. I might give it another chance if the ongoing series is drawn by Lupacchino, we'll see.

BLACK WIDOW #6 - This was actually the best single issue of the series for me so far, but I've lost a lost of my initial enthusiasm that I had in anticipation going into it. Kind of on the fence as to whether I'll keep reading or not, so the next issue might be the last for me. Or not, depending on whether it gets better.

SUPERF*CKERS FOREVER #1 - This is one hilarious comic book, but not for the easily offended. James Kolchaka puts a serious 'alternative comix' spin on the idea of superheroes in a way that's pretty indescribable.

THE LONE RANGER AND THE GREEN HORNET #2 (of 6) - The adventures of the Green Hornet take place in the 1930s/40s, while the adventures of the Lone Ranger take place (usually) in the 1870s/80s. That would place the Lone Ranger's birth around 1850 or so, so in this story taking place in the 1930s, he's in his eighties. How many of you knew that The Lone Ranger is the Green Hornet's great-uncle? This story is written by Michael Uslan of "Archie Marries" fame, by the way. Lots of good historical detail and touchstones in this one, from Nazi bunds and Elliot Ness to 1936 Olympic winner Jesse Owens.

SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN: FALL OF MAN #2 (of 5) - Steve Austin is on the run from OSI, having learned from secret documents that Oscar Goldman is apparently collaborating with the government to create an army of cyborg supersoldiers.

ROCHELLE #1 (of 3) - Teenager Rochelle Planeta's mother was artificially inseminated, part of the donor DNA coming from periplaneta americana (the American Cockroach), so now she "does whatever a cockroach can". Nothing particularly noteworthy in this story, apart from the artwork by Dell Barras, whose work I like.

BLACK HAMMER #1 & 2 - I went back and read the first issue again since the new one just came out. I'm quite taken by this, as an original spin on the superhero concept (something that genre needs far more of -- mainstream superheroes are getting pretty boring). It's an unusual art style for the superhero genre, and the approach is pretty unique. Having said that, there's no way I'd expect anyone unfamiliar with superhero comics to understand the tropes and character archetypes that the story is referencing; it can really only be fully appreciated by those that get the references.

HILLBILLY #1 & 2 - Again, went back to read the first again, since the new one just came out. This is an excellent spooky/supernatural/horror comic, in my estimation -- because there's nothing else I can really compare it to; it's totally original. Someone else's mileage may vary -- I guess with horror, it all comes down to what your own personal touchstones are for that genre, and I'm usually pretty picky. The title character is a backwoods mountain man or trapper who becomes a pawn in a vendetta between two witches (and these aren't your modern wiccan-style witches, they're the traditional folkloric evil hags who deal in black magic and put curses, hexes and spells on people). The story is taking place in some unspecified time and place, but I presume it to be sometime in the late 1800s or early 1900s, and there's a real flavor for mood and dialect here. As a result of his involvement in this quarrel between witches, the title character is cursed, and gains possession of "The Devil's Bonesaw", an outsized meat cleaver which can cut through pretty much anything and has supernatural properties, including being toxic to the touch of witches. In the second issue, the personification of Death, on his pale horse, follows the protagonist as he seeks a remedy for a witch's hex placed upon an innocent young girl -- the roots of an anthropomorphic tree, corrupted by evil by feeding on the blood of dozens of hanged murderers. Eric Powell has a real facility for both mood and pacing in this story, using supernatural elements deftly, and a real ear for dialogue. 10 out of 10.

DIE KITTY DIE (THE DELUXE EDITION) HC - Enjoyed it even more the second time around.

Read some of those Archie comics I picked up for $1 each at Boston Comic Con:
JUGHEAD #187, 188, 200
VERONICA #43, 71, 72, 74, 75, 134, 135
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 18, 2016, 04:20:17 PM
My Archie #11 came from my subscription. I loved it. Thomas's art is awesome. I can't wait for him to do the next issue.
I read some Digital Comics while in bed. Betty & Veronica's Sleep Over & Archie's Car Castophe's Dancing With The Archies.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 19, 2016, 08:49:06 AM
I read
Archie #10-Sandy Jarell
Archie #11- Veronica Fish
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 19, 2016, 05:41:39 PM
I read
Invincible #79 & #117 & #118 & 119
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 19, 2016, 06:30:33 PM
I read each of these for 12 minutes
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #233
B & V Friends Jumbo Digest #250
World Of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #60
Archie & Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #20
While in bed I read The New Archies #11
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on August 20, 2016, 03:15:50 PM
Wandering Island - after DeCarlo Rules' recommendation. It was really good. Kinda in the same family as castaway stories. Unfortunately there's only one volume, it ends on a cliffhanger, and it looks like it's been 5-6 years so I don't think the mangaka is writing another one. I wonder if I would like Spirit of Wonder as it's out of print now and retailing for $60+. Worth it??


Also I got my DKD Kickstarter package today with the rewards. It went to my old address by mistake. They also sent some extras which was cool. Next time they do a Kickstarter though I'd like the option of paying more for shipping as MediaMail isn't kind to books especially dust jackets. 
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 20, 2016, 04:58:55 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on August 20, 2016, 03:15:50 PM
Wandering Island - after DeCarlo Rules' recommendation. It was really good. Kinda in the same family as castaway stories. Unfortunately there's only one volume, it ends on a cliffhanger, and it looks like it's been 5-6 years so I don't think the mangaka is writing another one. I wonder if I would like Spirit of Wonder as it's out of print now and retailing for $60+. Worth it??

That was... ? Someone else, not me. And now that you reminded me, I still didn't get around to reading those SPIRIT OF WONDER issues that I found a couple of weeks back. They are cheap though. Usually like a buck each or less, assuming you can find them. If you're not interested in hunting them down, mycomicshop.com has all five issues (NM) for $1.35 per issue.

Well, I'm glad someone told me that WANDERING ISLAND is a story that has no conclusion. I'll pass on reading it now, or at least until such time (if ever) that it IS completed.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 20, 2016, 11:02:58 PM
No reading for me today. My mom & I went to my brother's.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 21, 2016, 07:22:47 PM
I'm going read these for 12 minutes each
🌈 1-Betty & Veronica Comics Annual #240
💘 2-Archie Giant Comics Collection
👗 3-Archie's Favorite High School Comics
🐚 4- The Best Of Archie Comics 75 Years 75 Stories
👕 5-Friends With Boys
👻 6- The Nameless City
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 21, 2016, 08:09:10 PM
I finished reading
Archie Giant Comics Collection
Friends With Boys
The Nameless City
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 21, 2016, 11:05:02 PM
I read some Digital Comics
📖 Archie 3000-Teen Of The Future which I just finished.
📒 Archie & Friends-Pals Vs Gals
📘 Betty & Veronica-Sleep Over
📔 Jughead In Love
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 22, 2016, 08:21:43 AM
I'm going read these for 12 minutes each
🎅 Archie Comics Spectacular-It's A Date
🍒 Archie Comics Spectacular-Food Fight
📦 Archie Comics Spectacular-Summer Daze
🏡 Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
😎 Archie 1000 Page Mega Comics Digest
🎈 Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 23, 2016, 10:38:46 AM
I read these while sitting in my comfy chair in my room
Archie #10-Sandy Jarell
Archie #11-Veronica Fish, this is my issue from my 24 Archie Issue Subscription.
Jughead #8-Walt Simonson
Betty & Veronica #1-Jenn St. Onge
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on August 23, 2016, 08:58:08 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on August 21, 2016, 08:09:10 PM
I finished reading
Archie Giant Comics Collection
Friends With Boys
The Nameless City


How did you like Nameless City?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 23, 2016, 09:52:10 PM
I liked it. I have few of Faith Erin Hicks books. She is a great Artist.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 24, 2016, 05:24:45 AM
I just read my digital copy of Archie #11. I loved it.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on August 24, 2016, 01:47:26 PM
I just finished reading Betty and Veronica #1.
Meh! It was boring. And the art is ugly, really makes me miss Classic Archie Comics. Seriously, why do people like the reboots?!
And why did the guy who draw this comic, draw Jughead so bad?


(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/ugly-juggie-from-boring-bv01.1178/preview/)
I mean, come on!!


The only thing I enjoyed was the classic BV story and Pinup on the last pages.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 24, 2016, 02:46:31 PM
A big list for this week.
GIGANTO MAXIA (Dark Horse) - A done-in-one volume manga I had picked up at Boston Comic Con. Pretty good story, with some hyper-detailed artwork. Wish it had been printed at a larger size, because at the standard manga paperback size (tankobon) it's harder to appreciate all the work that obviously went into the art. It's by the same manga creator who did the series BERZERK (which I haven't read, but is supposedly pretty popular).
LEGENDS OF TOMORROW #6  - I'm not sure if this is the last issue or not. I was only following it to read the Metal Men story, which will hopefully be collected later into a trade paperback, but it ended with this issue, so I'm done. I liked it. I didn't bother reading any of the other stories other than to flip through them.
CIVIL WAR II: GODS OF WAR #3 (of 4) - I've followed most of Marvel's Hercules series (of which this is one) for the last decade or so. He's one of the few of Marvel's Silver Age characters that still continues to interest me.
GARTH ENNIS RED TEAM: DOUBLE TAP #2 (of 9) - A pretty strong reality-based police story, with good, convincing dialogue and procedural details.
UNCLE SCROOGE #17 - A pretty funny story about Donald challenging Scrooge to beat him in a virtual-reality videogame based on The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck. It doesn't take much to guess who's going to win, but the story stayed interesting for the entire time.
INVINCIBLE #130 - Stuff happened, but this is way above my priority clearance level. No idea what's going on, really. I'll probably give up the struggle after one more issue if it doesn't become less murky to me. I mean, it seems like it could be potentially interesting if I could make out the context, but they're not exactly providing any help.
TITANS #2 - I'd probably be tempted to stick with this more if I liked the artwork better. I'll give it a few more to see where (if indeed anywhere) it's going.
DAREDEVIL/PUNISHER #4 (of 4) - Two characters that I really like in a story together, but this story didn't much impress me. So much better has been done with these two together.
SIX PACK & DOG WELDER: HARD TRAVELING HEROES #1 (of 6) - Impossible to explain.
SHE-WOLF #3 - If there's such a thing as a girlie werewolf horror story, I guess this would be it. Interesting enough for me to see it through to the end.
DETECTIVE COMICS #939 - This seems to be turning out to be the best of all the DC rebirthed titles, at least for me. I'm still not buying the redemption-seeking Matt Hagen (Clayface), though. It's possible that he'll turn on the team at some point, I guess. I'd like to see him replaced by Kirk Langstrom (Man-Bat).
DARK WEREWOLVES VS DINOSAURS #1 - Pretty weak. I'll pass on future issues.
HELLBLAZER #1 - Not a bad first issue. It even had Swamp Thing in it (always a plus for a Constantine story). This seems like the most likely candidate after Detective Comics for the DC comic that I might actually keep reading for more than the first story arc. The previous Constantine series was definitely lacking.
KINGSWAY WEST #1 - Interesting (so far) alt-history Old West story.
ACTION COMICS #962 - This was the end of the first story arc. Undecided if I'll continue or not.
WONDER WOMAN #5 - I've got mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, it seems like a substantial improvement on the character from the New 52 version, but I still have some reservations, and exactly what has changed about the character is still a little unclear to me at this point.
HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #3 - The artwork is at least pretty good. The story's not grabbing me much, but I'll probably read up to #5 or 6, whenever it ends.
NORTHGUARD #1 - Just checked it out because it was a Chapterhouse Comics title. Doubt that I'll stick with it.
WEIRD DETECTIVE #3 - Police story with some H.P. Lovecraft thrown into the mix. One of the detectives has been inhabited by an alien being from HPL's "The Colour Out of Space".
PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #9 - Still liking it.
LORDS OF THE JUNGLE #6 (of 6) - The conclusion of a time-travel story where Tarzan meets Sheena.
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND #2 (of 6) - A neat story that explains some things about how King Kong (and the native tribe that worships him) got to Skull Island in the first place. Which makes sense, since they're the only primates on an island whose indigenous fauna is comprised almost entirely of reptiles from the Age of Dinosaurs. Some great artwork by Carlos Magna here.
GODZILLA: RAGE AGAINST TIME #1 (of 5) - Another story set in the past, this time 13th Century Japan, where the invading Mongol hordes of Kublai Khan have somehow gotten control of the ancient daikaiju Gigan and Megalon. This is a pretty good (and pretty different) Godzilla comic, with some good artwork and a refreshingly different setting. The next issue is set in ancient Greece, so I'm looking forward to seeing the big G go up against some of the traditional giant monsters of Greek myth (Typhon, Charybdis, etc.).
MARS ATTACKS: THE OCCUPATION #5 (of 5) - I enjoyed the first 10-issue run of Mars Attacks, and the miniseries where Mars Attacks Judge Dredd. This was no exception. John Layman, the writer of the original IDW series, wrote it, so it's a direct sequel.
STAR TREK 50th ANNIVERSARY COVER CELEBRATION - Surprise! Bet you wouldn't have guessed that Archie and the gang are in this. This reprints 50 of the best Star Trek comic book covers. All but 2 came from IDW's Star Trek comics. They've done 60 issues of an ongoing series based on J.J. Abrams' reboot of the franchise, and over a dozen other miniseries (varying from 4 to 6 issues), plus some one shots -- an of those 100+ comics, virtually all of them have been available with at least two different cover art options, a smaller number of them with between 3 and 5 different covers. And they use some really good artists. Two of the covers here came from the original Gold Key Star Trek series from the 1960s/70s. So of the possible 48 covers chosen to represent IDW's comics, with something like 300 or more covers to pick from, it's kind of an honor that Dan Parent's alternate cover from STAR TREK (ongoing) #52, with Archie and the gang in Starfleet uniforms, was among those chosen. Yay, Dan!!







Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on August 24, 2016, 10:00:45 PM
Archie #11 - The art was particularly bad. Maybe because 3 different people worked on it? Breakdowns, Finishes, and Special Thanks to Veronica Fish. Comparing this to Fiona Staples is astounding. Interesting how they tried to make it look like old Archie with the half page stories. But the comedy wasn't there. Battle of the Bands was nowhere near Jem and the Holograms levels.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 25, 2016, 12:10:43 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on August 24, 2016, 10:00:45 PM
Archie #11 - The art was particularly bad. Maybe because 3 different people worked on it? Breakdowns, Finishes, and Special Thanks to Veronica Fish. Comparing this to Fiona Staples is astounding. Interesting how they tried to make it look like old Archie with the half page stories. But the comedy wasn't there. Battle of the Bands was nowhere near Jem and the Holograms levels.

I was going to read the reprint in the back but I forgot to. Hopefully I didn't miss anything good, but I usually enjoy reading Waid's little text essays.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 25, 2016, 03:09:22 PM
I read
Invincible #120 & #121 & #124
Morning Glories #40 & #41 & #46
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on August 25, 2016, 07:34:19 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 25, 2016, 12:10:43 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on August 24, 2016, 10:00:45 PM
Archie #11 - The art was particularly bad. Maybe because 3 different people worked on it? Breakdowns, Finishes, and Special Thanks to Veronica Fish. Comparing this to Fiona Staples is astounding. Interesting how they tried to make it look like old Archie with the half page stories. But the comedy wasn't there. Battle of the Bands was nowhere near Jem and the Holograms levels.

I was going to read the reprint in the back but I forgot to. Hopefully I didn't miss anything good, but I usually enjoy reading Waid's little text essays.


The reprint was a Harry Lucey The Archies story from the late 60's which I know I've read before.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 26, 2016, 12:48:54 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on August 25, 2016, 07:34:19 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 25, 2016, 12:10:43 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on August 24, 2016, 10:00:45 PM
Archie #11 - The art was particularly bad. Maybe because 3 different people worked on it? Breakdowns, Finishes, and Special Thanks to Veronica Fish. Comparing this to Fiona Staples is astounding. Interesting how they tried to make it look like old Archie with the half page stories. But the comedy wasn't there. Battle of the Bands was nowhere near Jem and the Holograms levels.

I was going to read the reprint in the back but I forgot to. Hopefully I didn't miss anything good, but I usually enjoy reading Waid's little text essays.

The reprint was a Harry Lucey The Archies story from the late 60's which I know I've read before.

You never know. Sometimes I get surprised, like the last issue of CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA, which had an early Dan DeCarlo Sabrina reprint from Archie's Madhouse that I'd never read before. I think all of the reprints in the back of ARCHIE and JUGHEAD have been ones I've seen before, or at least almost all of them.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 26, 2016, 11:31:29 AM
I read
Invincible #129
Morning Glories #47 & #49
And each of these for 12 minutes
Archie's Favorite High School Comics
Jughead & Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #5
Archie & Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #17
Betty & Veronica Comics Annual #240

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 26, 2016, 01:04:13 PM
DISNEY MAGIC KINGDOM COMICS #2 (of 2) - There's a great long story in here where Mickey accidentally winds up in Disneyland, in an exact replica of his hometown, Mouseton. Mind you, this story was written and drawn for Disneyland's 30th Anniversary (1986) -- which was eight years before the actual Mickey's ToonTown attraction opened in Disneyland, so this story kind of predicted the future.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE VAMPIRES OF LONDON HC - This is Dark Horse's English translation of a graphic novel originally published (in two parts) in France. It's a pretty good story, and Holmes seemed true to character. I don't know if I liked it as much as Dynamite's various Sherlock Holmes miniseries, but I'd say it was an enjoyable read.

WALLY WOOD'S JUNGLE ADVENTURES WITH JIM KING AND ANIMAN HC - First, Vanguard put out hardcover collections of Wood's early (non-E.C.) science fiction comics, then his horror and crime comics. Now we have a collection of stories with a jungle theme. The book leads off with the best material, Animan from Wood's own prozine, Witzend #1 and 2, followed by five stories he did for Charlton Comics' Jungle Jim comic book (here changed to "Jim King") -- both of these hailing from the 1960s. That's the first 52 pages. The rest of the book is filled out with very early Wood comics circa 1950-51, most of it nearly unrecognizable compared to his polished work of just three or four years later. Still worth it.

CLOCKWORK APPLE by Osamu Tezuka TP - Very much like a collection of Twilight Zone stories, ranging from science fiction, and some horror and fantasy overtones, to more realist scenarios. This publication was funded through Kickstarter. I like these type of stories, and the endings here weren't too predictable, which always helps. All of the stories were originally created between 1968 and 1973. I plan to read Tezuka's 1953 shonen manga adaptation of Dostoyevsky's CRIME AND PUNISHMENT next.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 27, 2016, 11:28:17 AM
I read
Invincible #130
Archie #11-Thomas Pitilli
Jughead #8-Andre Szymanowic
And tonight I read
Jughead #8-Derek Charm
Archie #11-Veronica Fish
On Sunday I read a bunch of digital comics
🎉 Archie At The Chocklit Shoppe
💝 Team Betty
🐹 Archie & Friends-Pals Vs Gals
🐙 Betty & Veronica-Sabotage
☁ Betty & Veronica-Sleep Over Special
🐞 Archie 75th Series -Reggie & Me
⛵ Jughead's Cousin Bingo Wilkin
💚 Morning Glories-For Better Future
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 30, 2016, 01:37:56 AM
I read
Life With Kevin
Betty's Diary-75th Series
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 30, 2016, 10:38:58 AM
I read
Betty & Veronica #1-Chip Zdarsky variant
And I just started reading Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life-Volume #1 which I got from the Thrift Store.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 30, 2016, 06:13:07 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
🎡 The Best Of Archie Comics-Betty & Veronica
😎 Archie 1000 Page Comics Explosion
🎁 Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
🎊 Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 31, 2016, 09:19:27 AM
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT by Osamu Tezuka (adapted from Fyodor Dostoyevsky) TP
BRAVE DAN by Osamu Tezuka TP
TRITON OF THE SEA by Osamu Tezuka VOL 1 TP
ATOMCAT by Osamu Tezuka TP
ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #11
AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #10
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES UNIVERSE #1
DUCK AVENGER #0
HOWARD THE DUCK #10 (of 11)
SILVER SURFER #6 (#200)
FUTURE QUEST #4
PREDATOR VS. JUDGE DREDD VS. ALIENS #2
WORLD OF TANKS #1
TANK GIRL: 2 GIRLS 1 TANK #4 (of 4)
TRITON OF THE SEA by Osamu Tezuka VOL 2
TP - 1st 86 pages (of 432 pages)
ROM #1 & 2
MICKEY MOUSE: SHORTS SEASON ONE #2 (of 4)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 31, 2016, 05:07:56 PM
I have read some digests for 12 minutes each . I haven't read any in while
🍏 Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #17
🍒 Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #20
🍓 World Of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #60
🍉Jughead & Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #5
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on August 31, 2016, 07:37:00 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 31, 2016, 09:19:27 AM
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT by Osamu Tezuka (adapted from Fyodor Dostoyevsky) TP
BRAVE DAN by Osamu Tezuka TP
TRITON OF THE SEA by Osamu Tezuka VOL 1 TP
ATOMCAT by Osamu Tezuka TP
ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #11
AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #10
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES UNIVERSE #1
DUCK AVENGER #0
HOWARD THE DUCK #10 (of 11)
SILVER SURFER #6 (#200)
FUTURE QUEST #4
PREDATOR VS. JUDGE DREDD VS. ALIENS #2
WORLD OF TANKS #1
TANK GIRL: 2 GIRLS 1 TANK #4 (of 4)
TRITON OF THE SEA by Osamu Tezuka
TP - 1st 86 pages (of 432 pages)
ROM #1 & 2
MICKEY MOUSE: SHORTS SEASON ONE #2 (of 4)


No Betty and Veronica #2?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 31, 2016, 09:26:13 PM
Tfaw says the date of release of Betty & Veronica #2 now is October 5th well at least it will come out with Archie Meets The Ramones 🎤 🎸 🎹 🎶 🎵 🎼 🎧 🎤.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 01, 2016, 05:36:39 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on August 31, 2016, 07:37:00 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 31, 2016, 09:19:27 AM
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT by Osamu Tezuka (adapted from Fyodor Dostoyevsky) TP
BRAVE DAN by Osamu Tezuka TP
TRITON OF THE SEA by Osamu Tezuka VOL 1 TP
ATOMCAT by Osamu Tezuka TP
ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #11
AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #10
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES UNIVERSE #1
DUCK AVENGER #0
HOWARD THE DUCK #10 (of 11)
SILVER SURFER #6 (#200)
FUTURE QUEST #4
PREDATOR VS. JUDGE DREDD VS. ALIENS #2
WORLD OF TANKS #1
TANK GIRL: 2 GIRLS 1 TANK #4 (of 4)
TRITON OF THE SEA by Osamu Tezuka
TP - 1st 86 pages (of 432 pages)
ROM #1 & 2
MICKEY MOUSE: SHORTS SEASON ONE #2 (of 4)


No Betty and Veronica #2?

Nope. JUGHEAD #9 will be out next week (hoping that the combination of Derek Charm and Sabrina's charm adds up to something magical), and hopefully I'll get my copy of the B&V GIRLS RULE trade collection. I'll have to review which recent digests I'm still missing copies of. At least ARCHIE BACK TO SCHOOL ANNUAL #271, possibly others.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 02, 2016, 03:07:24 PM
I read each of books for 12 minutes
👻 Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life
🎄 Archie Double Digest #221
🎁 World Of Archie Christmas Annual
🐻 Jughead Double Digest #173
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 02, 2016, 03:45:19 PM
Finished TRITON OF THE SEA by Osamu Tezuka VOL 2 TP.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on September 03, 2016, 02:18:49 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 31, 2016, 09:19:27 AM
ROM #1 & 2

Is this a reboot I wasn't paying attention to?  The original series was pretty cool. Bedrock City Comics from Houston actually ran a ROM only booth at the STL convention a few years ago as a gimmick of sorts, and managed to cover costs of the booth.  There are some underground ROM fans out there evidently.  I was a little late to the party, but it would be nice to see all those early issues repackaged for sale.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 03, 2016, 05:15:35 AM
Quote from: steveinthecity on September 03, 2016, 02:18:49 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 31, 2016, 09:19:27 AM
ROM #1 & 2

Is this a reboot I wasn't paying attention to?  The original series was pretty cool. Bedrock City Comics from Houston actually ran a ROM only booth at the STL convention a few years ago as a gimmick of sorts, and managed to cover costs of the booth.  There are some underground ROM fans out there evidently.  I was a little late to the party, but it would be nice to see all those early issues repackaged for sale.

Yes. IDW has been expanding the number of their properties licensed from Hasbro (and other toy companies), first with MICRONAUTS, then ACTION MAN (which was the British version of the original G.I. Joe), now with ROM. This is all leading into a big crossover event series called REVOLUTION, which will feature all of the aforementioned properties plus the long-running G.I. JOE and TRANSFORMERS titles, and spinning off yet another new/old one, M.A.S.K.

This latest crossover would appear to be building on the success of a prior IDW crossover, TRANSFORMERS VS. G.I. JOE, which recently completed its 13-issue run. I hadn't been following either Transformers or G.I. Joe, but I bought that one simply because the art was drawn by Tom Scioli (co-creator, along with Joe Casey, of Image's GØDLAND series, which I loved) in his usual pseudo-Kirbyesque style.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on September 03, 2016, 12:07:13 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 03, 2016, 05:15:35 AM
Quote from: steveinthecity on September 03, 2016, 02:18:49 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 31, 2016, 09:19:27 AM
ROM #1 & 2

Is this a reboot I wasn't paying attention to?  The original series was pretty cool. Bedrock City Comics from Houston actually ran a ROM only booth at the STL convention a few years ago as a gimmick of sorts, and managed to cover costs of the booth.  There are some underground ROM fans out there evidently.  I was a little late to the party, but it would be nice to see all those early issues repackaged for sale.

Yes. IDW has been expanding the number of their properties licensed from Hasbro (and other toy companies), first with MICRONAUTS, then ACTION MAN (which was the British version of the original G.I. Joe), now with ROM. This is all leading into a big crossover event series called REVOLUTION, which will feature all of the aforementioned properties plus the long-running G.I. JOE and TRANSFORMERS titles, and spinning off yet another new/old one, M.A.S.K.

This latest crossover would appear to be building on the success of a prior IDW crossover, TRANSFORMERS VS. G.I. JOE, which recently completed its 13-issue run. I hadn't been following either Transformers or G.I. Joe, but I bought that one simply because the art was drawn by Tom Scioli (co-creator, along with Joe Casey, of Image's GØDLAND series, which I loved) in his usual pseudo-Kirbyesque style.
Thanks for the info, I'll look these up. 

Just wondering when someone might bring
Action Jackson into comic book reality, or even Best Of The West.  Jay, Jamie, Janice, or Josie West might appeal to a younger market demo(horsies!)  Those Viking and Knight characters were pretty awesome as well, but I forget their names.  They would have kicked GI Joe butt going one on one, but the Joe's had better accessories plus the kung-fu grip thing going for them.  I still think Johnny West should get a comic.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 03, 2016, 02:09:53 PM
Quote from: steveinthecity on September 03, 2016, 12:07:13 PM
Just wondering when someone might bring Action Jackson into comic book reality, or even Best Of The West.  Jay, Jamie, Janice, or Josie West might appeal to a younger market demo(horsies!)  Those Viking and Knight characters were pretty awesome as well, but I forget their names.  They would have kicked GI Joe butt going one on one, but the Joe's had better accessories plus the kung-fu grip thing going for them.  I still think Johnny West should get a comic.

You would appear to have a penchant for those briefly-marketed toy lines owned by now long-defunct manufacturers. Marx Toys and Mego Corp. have been out of business for many decades now. Too bad you didn't ask about Stretch Armstrong... I happen to know that one is now owned by Hasbro. No idea who (if anyone) now owns on the ones you mentioned. The only really viable nostalgia toy properties would probably be long-running franchises that had prior equally long-running comic book incarnations.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 03, 2016, 06:27:43 PM
I read
Invincible #127 & #130
Jem & The Holograms -Holiday Special
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: mugpate on September 03, 2016, 06:47:27 PM
Sonic the Hedgehog 285
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur 10
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 03, 2016, 06:51:46 PM
Today the mailman brought both ARCHIE BACK TO SCHOOL ANNUAL #271 (a month late, after sending an email to orderhelp@archiecomics.com earlier this week), and WORLD OF ARCHIE ANNUAL #62 (which might be a few days early, or a few days late, I'll have to check). So I'll be reading those within the next 24 hours.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on September 04, 2016, 02:05:37 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 03, 2016, 02:09:53 PM
Quote from: steveinthecity on September 03, 2016, 12:07:13 PM
Just wondering when someone might bring Action Jackson into comic book reality, or even Best Of The West.  Jay, Jamie, Janice, or Josie West might appeal to a younger market demo(horsies!)  Those Viking and Knight characters were pretty awesome as well, but I forget their names.  They would have kicked GI Joe butt going one on one, but the Joe's had better accessories plus the kung-fu grip thing going for them.  I still think Johnny West should get a comic.

You would appear to have a penchant for those briefly-marketed toy lines owned by now long-defunct manufacturers. Marx Toys and Mego Corp. have been out of business for many decades now. Too bad you didn't ask about Stretch Armstrong... I happen to know that one is now owned by Hasbro. No idea who (if anyone) now owns on the ones you mentioned. The only really viable nostalgia toy properties would probably be long-running franchises that had prior equally long-running comic book incarnations.
I don't know if it's a "penchant" per se, but I've always really liked those action figures, Mego as you mentioned in particular.  The Big Jim, Big Jack, Big Josh, etc. also seem pretty cool.  It's Kirby art in those 70's comic ads, is it not? 

I've always found it interesting that my playing with fighting or war themed "dolls" throughout my youth resulted in me being such a peaceful, kindly, and sensitive person in the long run.  8)

I even like those C.W. McCall themed figures now that I think about it.   :smitten:
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 04, 2016, 04:37:07 AM
Quote from: steveinthecity on September 04, 2016, 02:05:37 AM
The Big Jim, Big Jack, Big Josh, etc. also seem pretty cool.  It's Kirby art in those 70's comic ads, is it not? 

I've seen those comic book ads. It is Kirby. Not sure if the King did any actual packaging art for Mattel. I'm blanking on Big Josh and Big Jack, but wasn't there a Bulletman doll? Not the Fawcett/DC character, some Mattel original superhero, like the Captain Laser figure that was a late add-on to the Major Matt Mason toy line of the 1960s -- my dream comic franchise, along with the identically-scaled Ideal's Zeroids and Colorforms' Outer Space Men, but it'll never happen. There were abortive attempts at all of those, that managed to squeak out a single comic or two.

Anyway, back to Kirby. I'm not sure how he got set up on a number of these deals, but I know that he got some decent bucks for the re-designs of the second wave of Kenner's Super Powers figures. That's why the action figures weren't based on Kirby's original Fourth World character designs from 1970 -- it was a way to get Kirby money (that he wouldn't have gotten since he had no rights to the DC characters he'd created). The Mattel stuff obviously came earlier. I think Paul Levitz and Jenette Kahn worked some deal out with Kenner to help him out, and that's when DC wanted him to do the wrap up to the New Gods saga that eventually became the graphic novel The Hunger Dogs. I also remember seeing in the 70s these small carded games (like those slide puzzles and similar low-priced items) that had beautiful package graphics that were pure Kirby, and they were all classic hero characters like Tarzan, The Lone Ranger, etc. Not sure if those were Mattel too, or some other toy company.

Quote from: steveinthecity on September 04, 2016, 02:05:37 AMI even like those C.W. McCall themed figures now that I think about it.   :smitten:

C.W. McCall sounds like it should be some kind of toy figure trying to tap into the brief C.B. radio fad of the 1970s (there was even an Archie story about that). Can't say that I'm familiar, though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Archiecomicxfan215 on September 04, 2016, 11:00:46 AM
i've been looking at the 1000 pagers that I own
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 04, 2016, 12:22:35 PM
I read in my comfy chair in my room & read these for 12 minutes each
🍉 Scott Pilgrim's - Precious Little Life-Volume #1
😈 Free Comic Book Day-World Of Archie Digest #1
🎅 World Of Archie Christmas Annual #53
🎁 Betty & Veronica Digest #185
☔ Archie Double Digest #221
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on September 05, 2016, 12:39:43 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 04, 2016, 04:37:07 AM
Quote from: steveinthecity on September 04, 2016, 02:05:37 AM
The Big Jim, Big Jack, Big Josh, etc. also seem pretty cool.  It's Kirby art in those 70's comic ads, is it not? 

I've seen those comic book ads. It is Kirby. Not sure if the King did any actual packaging art for Mattel. I'm blanking on Big Josh and Big Jack, but wasn't there a Bulletman doll? Not the Fawcett/DC character, some Mattel original superhero, like the Captain Laser figure that was a late add-on to the Major Matt Mason toy line of the 1960s -- my dream comic franchise, along with the identically-scaled Ideal's Zeroids and Colorforms' Outer Space Men, but it'll never happen. There were abortive attempts at all of those, that managed to squeak out a single comic or two.

Anyway, back to Kirby. I'm not sure how he got set up on a number of these deals, but I know that he got some decent bucks for the re-designs of the second wave of Kenner's Super Powers figures. That's why the action figures weren't based on Kirby's original Fourth World character designs from 1970 -- it was a way to get Kirby money (that he wouldn't have gotten since he had no rights to the DC characters he'd created). The Mattel stuff obviously came earlier. I think Paul Levitz and Jenette Kahn worked some deal out with Kenner to help him out, and that's when DC wanted him to do the wrap up to the New Gods saga that eventually became the graphic novel The Hunger Dogs. I also remember seeing in the 70s these small carded games (like those slide puzzles and similar low-priced items) that had beautiful package graphics that were pure Kirby, and they were all classic hero characters like Tarzan, The Lone Ranger, etc. Not sure if those were Mattel too, or some other toy company.

Quote from: steveinthecity on September 04, 2016, 02:05:37 AMI even like those C.W. McCall themed figures now that I think about it.   :smitten:

C.W. McCall sounds like it should be some kind of toy figure trying to tap into the brief C.B. radio fad of the 1970s (there was even an Archie story about that). Can't say that I'm familiar, though.
I didn't know about Kirby's involvement with designing action figures or Super Powers, so I appreciate the info.  Glad to know he was being compensated for that work.

C.W. McCall was a real thing ---he or they recorded the song "Convoy" during the CB craze and toys followed shortly thereafter.  What red blooded American kid didn't dream of life on the open road in an 18-wheeler?  Never saw the actual toys, just pics from an old Sears catalog and e-Bay.  My trucking life went as far as standing along a highway pumping my arm up and down to encourage a passing truck to blow it's airhorn.  Life was simpler back then for six and seven year olds.  :(

Sticking more to the thread topic I read Our Love Story #32 from Marvel(1974), also B&V #149.  I'm tempted to start a "Bronze Age in review" thread as I read and re-read material from this era all the time, but not sure if many are interested in the older stuff.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 06, 2016, 08:50:10 PM
No reading for me today. I'm was too tired.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Archiecomicxfan215 on September 06, 2016, 10:51:54 PM
I read some of Betty and Veronica Comics Double Digest #246
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 07, 2016, 01:24:00 AM
BETTY BOOP'S BIG BREAK (1990)
KO-KO THE KLOWN AND HIS CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE (2000)
FLINTSTONES #3
RICK AND MORTY #17
RICK AND MORTY: L'IL POOPY SUPERSTAR #2 (of 5)
SQUADRON SUPREME #11
UNCANNY X-MEN #12
MOON KNIGHT #6
KILL OR BE KILLED #2
NOWHERE MEN #11
SKYBOURNE #1
HENCHGIRL #10
MICRONAUTS #5
STAR TREK #59 & 60
GUNS OF THE BLACK BAT #2 (of 3)
BETTY AND VERONICA: GIRLS RULE! TP
JUGHEAD #9
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE JUMBO COMICS #22

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 07, 2016, 01:29:25 AM
Quote from: steveinthecity on September 05, 2016, 12:39:43 AM
Sticking more to the thread topic I read Our Love Story #32 from Marvel(1974), also B&V #149.  I'm tempted to start a "Bronze Age in review" thread as I read and re-read material from this era all the time, but not sure if many are interested in the older stuff.

I'd read it. Any noteworthy stories in Our Love Story #32?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on September 07, 2016, 01:43:52 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 07, 2016, 01:29:25 AM
Quote from: steveinthecity on September 05, 2016, 12:39:43 AM
Sticking more to the thread topic I read Our Love Story #32 from Marvel(1974), also B&V #149.  I'm tempted to start a "Bronze Age in review" thread as I read and re-read material from this era all the time, but not sure if many are interested in the older stuff.

I'd read it. Any noteworthy stories in Our Love Story #32?
Not really noteworthy, interesting to me for the over the top dramatics, male perspective plots written for the primary story characters(young women), and some nice Gene Colan art.  Pretty good art in general I'd say.  Several stories were reprints from Our Love(#1 & 2 in 1970) as Stan obviously wasn't writing these comics by '74. Not sure when he stopped, kind of like what you were seeing in the Millie comics you posted on the "old" forum.  Sometimes the indicia helps to find the original year of publication, but sometimes not. I just find the romance comics to be a fun read.  Please keep that just between you and me, though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 07, 2016, 06:33:16 AM
I just read my digital copy of Jughead #9. It was ok, The science fair was crazy. Jughead made a human of himself with food- Burgers & Hot Dogs & Nanchos.  The part with Dilton was boring. I hate Dilton.  Any way the rest of story was better. Jughead actually had a crush on the lady outside handing out coupons for Burgers but he couldn't who she was because of custome. And what a shocker, it's Sabrina.
I think I like Chip Zdarsky's writing the book better.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 07, 2016, 07:21:17 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on September 07, 2016, 06:33:16 AM
I just read my digital copy of Jughead #9. It was ok, The science fair was crazy. Jughead made a human of himself with food- Burgers & Hot Dogs & Nanchos.  The part with Dilton was boring. I hate Dilton.  Any way the rest of story was better. Jughead actually had a crush on the lady outside handing out coupons for Burgers but he couldn't who she was because of custome. And what a shocker, it's Sabrina.
I think I like Chip Zdarsky's writing the book better.

Wow, you must really hate science. That really shouldn't matter though, as the story took place during an art competition. Surely you didn't think a mannequin made out of hamburgers qualifies under even the loosest definition of "science"?? Dilton was explaining how he used math and a computer to create art, but he's only in a few panels of the story, so what's the big deal. It's an art competition, so naturally there would be other students from Riverdale High competing. It's just a simple way of showing the contrast between Jughead's approach to creating art and Dilton's.

How could you be shocked that the Burger Lady turned out to be Sabrina? She's on the cover, which kind of gives away the ending of the story. I guess it would have made for a better story if they hadn't put her on the cover, since she's the only suspect for who's in the Burger Lady outfit.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 07, 2016, 08:42:42 AM
I just can't stand Dilton. He's just terrible. I hate science. And he is a nerd. How does he have friends? There was no Kevin in the issue. And when will we see Ethel? Is Jellybean ever going make a appearance? I like the part where they are all discussing that Jughead was going on a date. That part was good.
I'm going catch up on reading Archie. The ones from my subscription.
Archie #8, #9, #10, #11

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on September 07, 2016, 06:05:19 PM
Random Zits: A Zits Treasury
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 07, 2016, 08:54:53 PM
I read those religious Archie Comics
Archie's Car
Archie's World
Laugh #339
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 08, 2016, 04:57:50 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on September 07, 2016, 08:42:42 AM
I just can't stand Dilton. He's just terrible. I hate science. And he is a nerd. How does he have friends?

Because not everyone hates science like you. Scientists have friends and families, just like everyone else. Unless they are those stereotypical "mad scientists" that you see in movies and comic books -- then they just have lackies, like Mad Doctor Doom and Chester.  :)

Dilton's a good guy. He helps everyone out, or at least tries to (sometimes his attempts to help people backfire, but at least his heart's in the right place). Unlike, say... Reggie, who can be a selfish, egotistical ratfink, but has his fans anyway just because he's good looking. So what if Dilton's a little different than the typical guys at Riverdale High. Should I hate Ethel because she's different and isn't as pretty as the other girls at RHS? She may not be one of my favorite characters, but I don't hate her. Should I hate people in wheelchairs because they're a little different than most people? That strikes me as an odd attitude to take.

How do you feel about Simon Silverstein (also known as "Prankenstein")? The reason I ask is that he's brainy, short, and not the hunky type (like Dilton), but at the same time he's got the same bad attitude as Reggie (thinks he's superior to others because he has a big ego, and is always pulling pranks on people). I guess that if he was tall and good looking, you'd probably like him despite his brains and ego. Dilton's smarter than almost anyone else at Riverdale High, but he doesn't lord it over anyone because of his superior intelligence, he just tries to be one of the gang and a regular guy (in his own way), and help out his friends in any way he can. So he's obsessed with science...  and Jughead's obsessed with food, Archie's obsessed with girls, and Reggie's obsessed with himself. What's the difference?

I don't even understand how someone can say "I hate science." Do you hate indoor plumbing and heating, medical health care, electric wheelchairs, television, computers, the internet, mobile phones, digital comic books? None of those things would even exist without science. We'd all be living in caves, hunting our own food or gathering nuts and berries if not for science. People with no mobility would be dead from starvation if they couldn't do those things by themselves.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 08, 2016, 05:11:19 AM
Basically I just don't like his character. He is boring. All his stories are a waste, I skip over them. With Ethel I can go either way, she's not interesting. And she is a sad sack. Can't Veronica doll her up. Veronica give her a makeover . And could help her a little. She is only trying to get Jughead. Some prize he is.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 08, 2016, 06:40:54 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on September 08, 2016, 05:11:19 AM
Basically I just don't like his character. He is boring. All his stories are a waste, I skip over them.

Okay. Sort of like me and Little Archie (or Little Anybody, actually). I wouldn't say I hate Little Archie, though. Just "no interest". His stories just take up space in the digests that could be devoted to other stories I like better. Heck, if this was a democracy and you could order up your stories with only the characters you like in them, ala carte, I'd just vote to skip Archie altogether, in favor of other characters. To me he's the least interesting character, and appears in far too many stories. Most of the really good Archie stories are the ones from 1955-1965. Just my opinion.

Quote from: BettyReggie on September 08, 2016, 05:11:19 AMWith Ethel I can go either way, she's not interesting. And she is a sad sack. Can't Veronica doll her up. Veronica give her a makeover . And could help her a little. She is only trying to get Jughead. Some prize he is.

Yeah, isn't it amazing how many girls have been interested in him, though? Offhand, a partial list would include Ethel Muggs, January McAndrews, Debbi Dalton, Joani Jumpp, Anita Chavita, Jackie Frost, Trula Twyst, and Toni Topaz. And now I guess we have to add Sabrina Spellman to that list. That's only nine girls though, in 75 years. Archie has dated hundreds, although most of them were just a one-time fling, and what's so special about him?

There have been more than a few stories where Ethel got a makeover. Overall, her ugliness has been really toned down in the last 25 years. In that one story I mentioned on another thread where she got herself all dolled up with a new dress, hairdo and makeup to go to a model railroading expo with Archie she practically looks cute, and I've seen several other stories where she's been cuted up quite a bit as well.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 08, 2016, 11:15:53 AM
I read
Betty & Veronica #1-Stephanie Buscema
And each of these for 12 minutes
Archie Double Digest #221
Free Comic Book Day-World Of Archie Digest #1
Jughead Double Digest #173
And I finished reading Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life-Volume #1
And Tonight I read these fo t 12 minutes
Betty & Veronica Comics Annual #240
Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #17 & #20
World Of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #60
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 11, 2016, 06:33:13 AM
I read several Digital Comics for 12 minutes each.
🌷 Betty's Diary
🔉 Jughead's Time Police
🐇 Jughead In Love
🌈 Betty & Veronica #245
🏠 World Of Archie-Pals VS Gals
🎭 Team Betty
🌆 Archie At The Chocklit Shoppe
📞 Archie Explores Of The Unknown
This Morning I read these for 12 minutes each
📖 B &V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #250
📖 The Best Of Betty & Veronica
📖 Archie 1000 Page Comics Explosion
📖 I finished World Of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #60
📖 Betty #99
📖 Betty #138
📖 Betty #145
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 12, 2016, 09:09:46 AM
I read
Betty #100
Veronica #155 & #199
The rest of day I didn't read anything else. I wasn't in the mood.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 14, 2016, 08:38:51 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
🎄 B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #250
🎄 Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #233
🎄 Jughead & Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #5
🎄 Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #20
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 14, 2016, 11:50:18 PM
CIVIL WAR II: GODS OF WAR #4 (of 4)
DOOM PATROL #1
DETECTIVE COMICS #940
ACTION COMICS #963
WONDER WOMAN #6
HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #4
SUPERWOMAN #2
ASTRO CITY #38
POWER RANGERS: PINK #3 (of 6)
THE SHADOW: THE DEATH OF MARGO LANE #4 (of 5)
BATMAN '66 MEETS STEED AND MRS PEEL #3 (of 6)
ROCHELLE #2 (of 3)
ONE-PUNCH MAN GN VOL 08
SPIRIT OF WONDER #1-5
(Dark Horse, 1996)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on September 15, 2016, 10:09:01 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 14, 2016, 11:50:18 PM
CIVIL WAR II: GODS OF WAR #4 (of 4)
DOOM PATROL #1
DETECTIVE COMICS #940
ACTION COMICS #963
WONDER WOMAN #6
HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #4
SUPERWOMAN #2
ASTRO CITY #38
POWER RANGERS: PINK #3 (of 6)
THE SHADOW: THE DEATH OF MARGO LANE #4 (of 5)
BATMAN '66 MEETS STEED AND MRS PEEL #3 (of 6)
ROCHELLE #2 (of 3)
ONE-PUNCH MAN GN VOL 08
SPIRIT OF WONDER #1-5
(Dark Horse, 1996)
One Punch Man is awesome,dude!! :P Have you seen the anime yet? Hmmm--no Future Quest, buddy. I thought it was your favorite DC comic.... :)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 15, 2016, 10:15:57 AM
Quote from: SAGG on September 15, 2016, 10:09:01 AM
One Punch Man is awesome,dude!! :P Have you seen the anime yet? Hmmm--no Future Quest, buddy. I thought it was your favorite DC comic.... :)

One-Punch Man is indeed awesome! It's practically a re-invention of the whole superhero genre. I haven't seen the anime yet, but this volume has a couple of "congrats" and "thank you's" regarding the anime. Hard to believe this all started as a webcomic, then it went viral with over a million hits, and then began appearing in print in Shonen Jump (which is the best-selling comic in Japan), before being collected as paperbacks, and eventually translated to English -- and that whole journey was remarkably short. That sort of makes the whole Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles thing back in the 80s look like a mere fluke by comparison, because the webmanga was a huge success BEFORE anything else, the print version OR the anime got made. I'll probably just wait and get the whole anime series on DVD when it comes out.

???  Future Quest #4 came out at the end of July, so I'm not sure which issue you're talking about. I read that a couple of weeks ago, and there hasn't been a new one since then. It was on my list back at the top of Page 39 of this thread. #5 isn't due out until the first week in October.

For some strange reason, all of those DC Rebirth titles that I still read ALL come out the same week. Except maybe for Titans and Hellblazer, I think. I know I don't have any DCs on my "to read" list for next week, and some weeks I have no Marvels to read. Sometimes just one like this week (Gods of War #4, which is really a continuation of Hercules) or two or three, like next week (Ant-Man #12, Patsy Walker #10 and Punisher #5). Normally I just borrow the Marvels to read (and get the trade paperbacks later), except for Patsy Walker. I don't know if I'll be getting any of those DC Rebirth titles as trade paperbacks. I kind of doubt it. Maybe Detective Comics, or possibly Hellblazer (haven't read enough issues yet to decide) if anything. The only DCs I buy now as floppy comics are Batman '66, Wonder Woman '77, Scooby-Doo Team-Up and Future Quest, and I still get the trade paperbacks (hardcover in the case of Batman '66) later!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on September 15, 2016, 03:52:32 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 15, 2016, 10:15:57 AM
Quote from: SAGG on September 15, 2016, 10:09:01 AM
One Punch Man is awesome,dude!! :P Have you seen the anime yet? Hmmm--no Future Quest, buddy. I thought it was your favorite DC comic.... :)

One-Punch Man is indeed awesome! It's practically a re-invention of the whole superhero genre. I haven't seen the anime yet, but this volume has a couple of "congrats" and "thank you's" regarding the anime. Hard to believe this all started as a webcomic, then it went viral with over a million hits, and then began appearing in print in Shonen Jump (which is the best-selling comic in Japan), before being collected as paperbacks, and eventually translated to English -- and that whole journey was remarkably short. That sort of makes the whole Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles thing back in the 80s look like a mere fluke by comparison, because the webmanga was a huge success BEFORE anything else, the print version OR the anime got made. I'll probably just wait and get the whole anime series on DVD when it comes out.

???  Future Quest #4 came out at the end of July, so I'm not sure which issue you're talking about. I read that a couple of weeks ago, and there hasn't been a new one since then. It was on my list back at the top of Page 39 of this thread. #5 isn't due out until the first week in October.

For some strange reason, all of those DC Rebirth titles that I still read ALL come out the same week. Except maybe for Titans and Hellblazer, I think. I know I don't have any DCs on my "to read" list for next week, and some weeks I have no Marvels to read. Sometimes just one like this week (Gods of War #4, which is really a continuation of Hercules) or two or three, like next week (Ant-Man #12, Patsy Walker #10 and Punisher #5). Normally I just borrow the Marvels to read (and get the trade paperbacks later), except for Patsy Walker. I don't know if I'll be getting any of those DC Rebirth titles as trade paperbacks. I kind of doubt it. Maybe Detective Comics, or possibly Hellblazer (haven't read enough issues yet to decide) if anything. The only DCs I buy now as floppy comics are Batman '66, Wonder Woman '77, Scooby-Doo Team-Up and Future Quest, and I still get the trade paperbacks (hardcover in the case of Batman '66) later!
I responded because you didn't have FQ on your favorite comics list at all. :)  Meanwhile, I'm reading OPM on my computer, catching up on it. In case you're interested, or don't know, it comes on Saturday night/Sunday mornings on Adult Swim...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 15, 2016, 04:22:26 PM
Quote from: SAGG on September 15, 2016, 03:52:32 PM
I responded because you didn't have FQ on your favorite comics list at all. :) 

"Favorite comics list"? Where are we doing that? This thread is just for "What comics have you been reading?", so I normally list them as I read them, with the bulk of the non-graphic novel/trade collections occurring every Wednesday. As I mentioned, I listed Future Quest #4 among the comics I read back a couple of weeks ago, at the top of Page 39 of this thread. SteveInTheCity recently started a "Favorite Comics Genres" thread, but that's not the same as "Favorite Comics", so it wouldn't be listing individual titles.

Quote from: SAGG on September 15, 2016, 03:52:32 PMMeanwhile, I'm reading OPM on my computer, catching up on it. In case you're interested, or don't know, it comes on Saturday night/Sunday mornings on Adult Swim...

I prefer marathon-watching an entire series (or at least an entire season of a series). I find I enjoy it more and it's easier to connect bits and pieces from individual episodes, if it's a continuing story. Even if the episodes are basically self-contained, I just like immersing myself in a show for hours at a time. So like I said, I'll just wait until the entire thing comes out on DVD and buy it. There's no way I'm not going to like it, unless it's completely different from the manga. I mean yes, I expect there will be some differences in the story between the manga and the anime, that's pretty common, but as long as it's faithful in the main points, I'm good with that.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on September 15, 2016, 07:25:08 PM
Quote from: SAGG on September 15, 2016, 10:09:01 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 14, 2016, 11:50:18 PM
CIVIL WAR II: GODS OF WAR #4 (of 4)
DOOM PATROL #1
DETECTIVE COMICS #940
ACTION COMICS #963
WONDER WOMAN #6
HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #4
SUPERWOMAN #2
ASTRO CITY #38
POWER RANGERS: PINK #3 (of 6)
THE SHADOW: THE DEATH OF MARGO LANE #4 (of 5)
BATMAN '66 MEETS STEED AND MRS PEEL #3 (of 6)
ROCHELLE #2 (of 3)
ONE-PUNCH MAN GN VOL 08
SPIRIT OF WONDER #1-5
(Dark Horse, 1996)
One Punch Man is awesome,dude!! :P Have you seen the anime yet? Hmmm--no Future Quest, buddy. I thought it was your favorite DC comic.... :)

How's Spirit of Wonder? I picked these up for cheap based on your recommendation and the fact that I loved his recent graphic novel Wandering Island despite the non ending. Haven't had time to read them yet.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on September 15, 2016, 11:32:48 PM
Well, DR, I  assumed FQ was one of your favorite comics, so I added it. 😆
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 16, 2016, 12:02:57 AM
Quote from: SAGG on September 15, 2016, 11:32:48 PM
Well, DR, I  assumed FQ was one of your favorite comics, so I added it. 😆

Still confused, SAGG. What do you mean you added it? Where did you add it? Was there an old thread here somewhere about "Your favorite comics" that I somehow forgot about? On THIS thread, I just list all the comics I read, whether they're my favorites or not.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 16, 2016, 01:00:29 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on September 15, 2016, 07:25:08 PM
How's Spirit of Wonder? I picked these up for cheap based on your recommendation and the fact that I loved his recent graphic novel Wandering Island despite the non ending. Haven't had time to read them yet.

Spirit of Wonder left me wondering if that's all there was to it, just the 5 issues that Dark Horse published in 1996. I mean, it's okay, and I liked the art, but it's kind of a little thing, a piece of fluff. A little steampunk thing where the eccentric genius scientist (Dr. Breckenridge) was obviously inspired by Lionel Jeffries, who played the part of Mr. Cavor, the scientist who invents the anti-gravity substance named "Cavorite" and takes trip to become one of THE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON (in the 1964 film directed by Nathan Juran, based on H.G. Wells' 1901 novel of the same title).

The first two issues tell a complete story, then the third issue is a standalone story, then the last two issues tell another complete story. So it's a bit episodic, and doesn't really go anywhere in particular. It's a nice little character piece for Miss China, the main character, and it left me wanting to read more about her, but is that all there is? I had to seach the web for answers, and now I'm even more confused. Apparently the Dark Horse translation of Spirit of Wonder is actually Volume TWO. You can read that online here:

http://www.mangareader.net/spirit-of-wonder/2 (http://www.mangareader.net/spirit-of-wonder/2)

I wonder what you might think of Miss China (who is never given another name in the story). In some ways, she's stereotypical -- a young Chinese girl living in Bristol, England around the turn of the 20th Century, who speaks in pidgin English (hard to say how much of that is the translators' -Studio Proteus- fault, since in the original version she would have been speaking Japanese -- and I have no idea if there's such a thing as a stereotyped 'pidgin Japanese'), she wears traditional Chinese clothing, runs a Chinese restaurant that she inherited from her father at 18, and practices some kind of Chinese martial arts. She also has a short temper, and is hopelessly smitten with "Doctor Breckinlidge's" (as she calls him) handsome young assistant, Jim Floyd, which is why she puts up with Dr. Breckinridge's habitually late rent payments (he usually has Jim spend the money for needed parts and supplies at Lily's, a local flower shop whose proprietress also functions as a source of black market scientific parts, and is Miss China's rival for Jim's affections) and allows him and Jim to remain as boarders on the second floor of the Ten-Kai Chinese restaurant. She also has to put up with the somewhat pervy old Doctor's attempts to grope her boobs at least once in every story (but that's seinen manga of the mid-1990s for you -- typical fanservice). If you can't get past those kind of racial stereotypes and sexism, you may reject this altogether, but to me Miss China came across as a realistic character, for this particular time and place, even if the basic premise of the story here is more of a gentle science-fantasy. By way of contrast, Lily didn't come across as realistic to me, because she seemed like an anachronistic character, out of place in that time period, and far too 'modern' as a character. Doctor Breckinridge and Jim Floyd came across as only the sketchiest of character archetypes, the elder eccentric genius scientist and his equally gifted handsome young assistant. That accounts for all the characters in the series, so the whole thing stands or falls on your impression of Miss China. I wouldn't exactly call this manga a work of genius or anything, and the artwork is good, but not remarkably so. It's a pleasant enough read, just a few little vignette episodes in a hazily-conceived story setting.

But there was a Volume ONE (not translated by Dark Horse, or at least not published), and although those stories were originally published in Japan beginning in 1986, it seems to take place in the present (1986) in Japan, unlike Vol. 2 which was taking place in Victorian England. I haven't read it yet, but I browsed it a bit and there seems to be a backstory connection with the scientist characters in Vol. 2 (the Dark Horse/Studio Proteus-translated Spirit of Wonder). You can read Volume One here:

http://www.mangareader.net/spirit-of-wonder/1 (http://www.mangareader.net/spirit-of-wonder/1)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on September 16, 2016, 04:21:42 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 16, 2016, 12:02:57 AM
Quote from: SAGG on September 15, 2016, 11:32:48 PM
Well, DR, I  assumed FQ was one of your favorite comics, so I added it. 😆

Still confused, SAGG. What do you mean you added it? Where did you add it? Was there an old thread here somewhere about "Your favorite comics" that I somehow forgot about? On THIS thread, I just list all the comics I read, whether they're my favorites or not.
Urg. Just--we'll let it go, buddy... 🤔
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 17, 2016, 01:03:36 AM
Just finished reading Osamu Tezuka's PHOENIX, which he considered his life's work. Still missing one volume (Vol. 9, Strange Beings/Life). The volumes, in the order they were first published, veer back and forth from the distant past to the far future, but I chose to read them in the chronological order of when they were taking place (although "Sun", in particular, tells a story that alternates back and forth from the past to the future). Even though each of the individual stories stands alone on its own, they're all connected thematically, and also by reoccurring characters who are either reincarnated or have descendants or ancestors in future or past time periods. The past-set volumes (Dawn, Yamato, Sun, Karma, Civil War) all deal with Japanese myth or history.

PHOENIX Vol. 12         EARLY WORKS (Egypt/Greece/Rome)
PHOENIX Vol. 01         DAWN
PHOENIX Vol. 03         YAMATO/
PHOENIX Vol. 10-11      SUN (Part 1 & 2)
PHOENIX Vol. 04         KARMA
PHOENIX Vol. 07-08      CIVIL WAR (Part 1 & 2)
PHOENIX Vol. 06         NOSTALGIA
PHOENIX Vol. 05         RESURRECTION
PHOENIX Vol. 03         /SPACE
PHOENIX Vol. 02         FUTURE
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 19, 2016, 10:46:06 AM
I finished Free Comic Book Day-World Of Archie Digest #1
And read these for 12 minutes each
Archie Double Digest #221
Jughead Double Digest #173
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World-Book #2
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 20, 2016, 04:38:53 PM
No reading for me today. I have a headache. I will read my digital copy of Archie #12 in the morning.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 21, 2016, 04:42:07 AM
I read my digital copy of Archie #12. I loved it. I love the art. Sayid is really hot. I hope sticks around. But sadly no Reggie. I hope he's in the next issue.
Later I read each of these for 12 minutes
Archie #11-Anwar
Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
Archie 1000 Page Comics Explosion
Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #20
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 21, 2016, 10:41:22 PM
I read some Digital Comics
Reggie-King Of April Fool's-Volume #2
Archie #12
Saga #37
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 22, 2016, 12:05:44 AM
ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #12
PUNISHER #5
UNCANNY X-MEN #13
MICRONAUTS #6
KINGSWAY WEST #2
EMPRESS #6 (of 7)
UNCLE SCROOGE #18
SAVAGE DRAGON #216
BLACK HAMMER #3
PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #10
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND #3 (of 6)
KAIJUMAX SEASON 2 #4 (of 6)
SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN: FALL OF MAN #3 (of 5)
SUPERF*CKERS FOREVER #2 (of 5)
LOST IN SPACE: THE LOST EPISODES #4 (of 6)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 22, 2016, 07:51:35 PM
No reading for me today, I was busying coloring in my new stress free coloring book most of the day.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 23, 2016, 05:36:41 AM
ROM #3
REVOLUTION #1 (of 5)
ROM: REVOLUTION #1 (one-shot)
WONDER WOMAN '77 SPECIAL #4
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 23, 2016, 09:22:38 AM
I'm going read each of these books for 12 minutes each
💖 Archie Comics Spectacular-Summer Daze
🍕 Archie Comics Spectacular-Food Fight
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on September 24, 2016, 12:17:18 AM
Kull The Conqueror #8 (1973)
Len Wein-script/John & Marie Severin-art
While lost in a stormy sea, Kull and his followers are shipwrecked on an island believed to be inhabited by the "Cult Of The Leopard". A self-contained story including mysterious murders, villager rebellion, a mad ruler-type, lycanthropy, and swordplay.  All in all a pretty decent representation of the Sword and Sorcery genre in early 70's comics.
Ad pick: "Train at home to be a veterinary assistant". Training can lead to a career as a Lab Aide, Kennel Owner, or as a ZooKeeper!

Rawhide Kid #143 (1977)
Story and art by Larry Lieber
Reprints Rawhide Kid #45 and tells the origin of the Kid.  We also meet his previously unknown two brothers.  Simplistic, but entertaining backstory.
Ad pick: "Poster Bonanza"!  For only $2 you get five full color posters featuring such 70's idols as KISS, Hardy Boys, Farrah Fawcett, Grizzly Adams, Baretta, etc.
Hostess Ad: "Thor In The Ding-A-Ling Family". Hillbillies in a trailer floating randomly through Asgardian orbit encounter Thor and his allies.  As one hillbilly is about to bring down Thor with his "Atomic Shotgun" Sif distracts the baddie with delicious Hostess fruit pies. The drama now averted, Volstagg in a wildly out of character moment suggests they bring the remaining fruit pies back to Odin(rather than eat the snacks himself).

Rawhide Kid #144 (1977)
Story and Pencils - Larry Lieber, inks- George Roussos.  Reprints a story from RK #112.  Run of the mill western fare.  Single young woman is approached by the local baddie to sell her ranch, she refuses, bad guy starts killing her ranch hands.  A spurned romantic advance and several gunfights follow with the bad guy eveventually getting put down and the young woman agreeing to marry the gunslinger that helped Kid save her ranch. A back up story from Two Gun Kid #68 by Stan Lee and Jack Keller had an interesting twist ending.
Ad pick: Heroes World selling a "Marvel Collector's Set" for $5.50 post paid that consisted of 2001 #1, What If #1, Black Panther #1, Red Sonja #2, and Peter Parker #3.

Hostess Ad: "Spider-Man Spoils A Snatch".  While out with MJ (as Pete), Spidey foils an unnamed villain who's projected multiple images of himself during a museum jewel robbery to confuse onlookers.  The quick thinking Spidey tosses delicious devil's food chocolate cupcakes on the floor to draw out the real villain who can't resist the temptation to eat the snacks.

Chili #22 (1973)
Indicia shows copyright date from '69, so these are apparently all reprints.  Five short stories by Stan Lee and Stan Goldberg plus one uncredited single page strip.  The usual Chili fare with Chili trying to outsmart or one-up her rival Millie with her efforts often backfiring.  I find the later Chili's mostly unremarkable when compared to the Millie's of the early 60's or before.
Ad pick:  A company called Adolph's from Minneapolis, Minnesota is selling reproduction German Army helmets with swastika decals. Decals come in your choice of red, blue, or orange!  :P
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 24, 2016, 11:41:13 AM
I read
AfterLife With Archie #10
Saga #37
Jughead #10- Audrey Mok
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 25, 2016, 12:23:21 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Archie Comics Spectacular Summer Daze
World Of Archie Christmas Annual #53
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 26, 2016, 10:00:27 AM
I read
Betty & Veronica #1-Hack
Jughead #9-Fish & Mok
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 26, 2016, 05:33:52 PM
ASTRO BOY - Reading the manga paperbacks, beginning with the earliest stories and following along in the chronological sequence of how the stories were originally published -- which is NOT the order in which they're printed in the 23-volume English language translation from Dark Horse Comics. So far I've read the stories originally published from 1951 through 1953 (out of the 5000+ pages that comprise the entire series). Which isn't much, really... maybe about 1 and a half books out of the 23 (but I cheated and read the 2 volumes of stories that were random 1-shot appearances in various publications, not considered part of the continuity, first).

Another thing that's slowing me down in reading the stories is that I'm pausing to watch those stories which were adapted into anime, just to see how they were adapted, what they changed or left out, etc. There were three different Astro Boy anime series, the first from 1963-1966 (only 104 of those 193 episodes were translated into English, and I don't have the Japanese DVD set), the second from 1980-1981 (51 episodes in English, missing one of the Japanese episodes), and a third series from 2003-2004 (another 52 episodes). As it turns out, the 1963 series adapted a lot of the original manga stories, but not all of those episodes made it into the English-dubbed series, and less than half the total episodes were adapted from the original manga. In the 1980 series, most of those episodes were adapted from the manga stories, and in the 2003 series, very few of the episodes were straight adaptations of the manga (they tended to mostly just mix bits and pieces of different manga stories into a new plot). But even so, a lot of the manga stories got adapted in one series or another, sometimes with the same story adapted as episodes of both the 1963 and 1980 anime. Naturally the anime series episodes' order doesn't follow the manga series order, so I'm skipping all over the place swapping out discs. It's interesting reading a manga story written and drawn in the 1950s, and then seeing how it was adapted into anime made 10, 30, or 50 years later though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 27, 2016, 08:06:41 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes
1-B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #233
2-B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #250
3-Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #235
4- Betty & Veronica Halloween Annual #237
5-Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #266
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on September 28, 2016, 01:51:21 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on September 27, 2016, 08:06:41 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes
1-B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #233
2-B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #250
3-Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #235
4- Betty & Veronica Halloween Annual #237
5-Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #266
When it comes to the digests and their short, random stories, why not just read through one for an hour instead of five for twelve minutes each?

Inquiring minds want to know.  ???
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 28, 2016, 07:32:36 AM
That's my style. I like doing that way. Just with digests I use book marks in my books. But I read a whole comic through.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 28, 2016, 08:19:41 AM
Yesterday I received Archie #12 Fish & Bilquis Evely issues. I'll read them today. I just love Thomas Pitilli's art. He's the best. I'll hang in my comic frames soon.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 29, 2016, 12:52:54 AM
ARCHIE #12 - Just read the reprint in back, "MOOSE!". That's from 1990, written by Waid, which is what I suggested to Waid that they should reprint in the back of ARCHIE when I saw him at Boston Comic Con back in August -- so thanks for the quick response. Hopefully we'll get to see the rest of those half-dozen shorts he wrote back then.

JOSIE #1 - Ugh. Worse than I feared, a real snooze-fest. It's all talk, talk, talk, nothing much happens... it's boring. Halfway through the story I was already skimming the dialogue (which wasn't interesting or funny) to get to the end. Pepper is brought back, but this version of the character is pretty dull and uninteresting, lacking the witty and sarcastic observations of the classic Pepper. Melody just isn't the same Melody, either. I felt pretty neutral about the artwork, didn't love it or hate it. Last issue for me, at least until they get a new writer.

GARTH ENNIS' RED TEAM: DOUBLE TAP #3 (of 9)
RICK AND MORTY: LI'L POOPY SUPERSTAR #3 (of 5)
INVADER ZIM #13
BATMAN BEYOND REBIRTH #1
ACTION COMICS #964
WONDER WOMAN #7
DONALD DUCK #17
WALT DISNEY'S COMICS & STORIES #734
HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D. 1954: BLACK SUN #1 (of 2)
WEIRD DETECTIVE #4
TARZAN ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #1 (of 5)
LONE RANGER/GREEN HORNET #3 (of 5)
ASTRO CITY #39
APOLLO'S SONG by Osamu Tezuka VOL. 2 TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Bluto on September 29, 2016, 10:09:46 AM
At the present time, I'm reading back issues of the old Marvel series WHAT THE..?! Issue #4 has an Archie parody.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 30, 2016, 12:46:21 PM
I will be reading my Archie Meets The Ramones which just came from www.archiecomics.com
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on September 30, 2016, 03:14:03 PM
Quote from: Bluto on September 29, 2016, 10:09:46 AM
At the present time, I'm reading back issues of the old Marvel series WHAT THE..?! Issue #4 has an Archie parody.


Post it. Would love to read this.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 30, 2016, 04:55:25 PM
I read Gisele's Archie Meets The Ramones. I loved it. It was so colorful. Everybody looked great even the crowds in the audience. There was even characters from Gisele's other comics which was cool.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 30, 2016, 05:16:05 PM
I 'm going read Veronica Fish's tomorrow. I'm giving my brother the Gisele one because I preorder another Gisele from midtown comics.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 30, 2016, 08:19:40 PM
I read Veronica's Archie Meets The Ramones. Reggie is awesome in this issue, he looks hot. He even looked Tan.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 01, 2016, 09:51:53 AM
I read Archie Meets The Ramones-Gisele's issue. I just love it. I think it's better than those Kiss issues. Even though I'm a huge fan of Kiss. I have seen them in concert twice.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Jingles on October 01, 2016, 10:01:12 AM
I am currently reading Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics #247 and Archie Comics DD #272.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 02, 2016, 10:14:13 AM
I have a lot catch up on with all my digests. I 'll read some.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on October 02, 2016, 01:50:45 PM
The later Cheryl Blossom issues. Surprisingly they weren't up on comics.org so I'm trying to add them.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 02, 2016, 04:52:15 PM
I finished Archie 1000 Page Comics Explosion & also read these for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Anniversary Bash
Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #20
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #266
Betty & Veronica Comics Digest #235
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 03, 2016, 08:24:24 AM
I'm going read each of these books for 12 minutes each but I'm sure which ones yet, I'll fill you in later.
I read these digital comics
Jughead In Love
Betty's Garden Variety
Betty & Veronica Sleep Over Special
Reggie & Me
Reggie King Of April Fool's #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 05, 2016, 11:20:41 AM
ASTRO BOY TPs (Dark Horse) - Skipping around various volumes, reading stories in chronological order (I'm up to 1957).
WONDER WOMAN '77 SPECIAL #4
ACTION MAN #4 (of 4)
REVOLUTION: MICRONAUTS #1 (one-shot)
REVOLUTION: M.A.S.K. #1 (one-shot)
SPEED RACER TP (2007, Seven Seas) - An OEL (original English-language) manga, done-in-one volume.
MONSTER MUSUME VOL. 1 TP
SQUADRON SUPREME #12
HELLBLAZER #2
SIXPACK AND DOGWELDER: HARD-TRAVELIN' HEROZ #2 (of 6)
RICK AND MORTY #18
LOONEY TUNES #233
UNCLE SCROOGE #19
ARCHIE MEETS RAMONES #1 - Totally awesome.
BETTY BOOP #1 (Dynamite) - ALSO totally awesome.
DEATH OF HAWKMAN #1 (of 6)
TITANS #3
UNCANNY X-MEN #14
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP #18 - So much fun!
FUTURE QUEST #5 - Still good, but beginning to stray a bit farther from the original cartoons...
BATMAN '66 MEETS STEED AND MRS. PEEL #4 (of 6)
REVOLUTION #2 (of 5)
SUPER F*CKERS FOREVER #3 (of 5) - Hilarious.
BETTY AND VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #247 - Fun new lead story by Dan Parent!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on October 05, 2016, 02:33:39 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 05, 2016, 11:20:41 AM
ASTRO BOY TPs (Dark Horse) - Skipping around various volumes, reading stories in chronological order (I'm up to 1957).
WONDER WOMAN '77 SPECIAL #4
ACTION MAN #4 (of 4)
REVOLUTION: MICRONAUTS #1 (one-shot)
REVOLUTION: M.A.S.K. #1 (one-shot)
SPEED RACER TP (2007, Seven Seas) - An OEL (original English-language) manga, done-in-one volume.
MONSTER MUSUME VOL. 1 TP
SQUADRON SUPREME #12
HELLBLAZER #2
SIXPACK AND DOGWELDER: HARD-TRAVELIN' HEROZ #2 (of 6)
RICK AND MORTY #18
LOONEY TUNES #233
UNCLE SCROOGE #19
ARCHIE MEETS RAMONES #1 - Totally awesome.
BETTY BOOP #1 (Dynamite) - ALSO totally awesome.
DEATH OF HAWKMAN #1 (of 6)
TITANS #3
UNCANNY X-MEN #14
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP #18 - So much fun!
FUTURE QUEST #5 - Still good, but beginning to stray a bit farther from the original cartoons...
BATMAN '66 MEETS STEED AND MRS. PEEL #4 (of 6)
REVOLUTION #2 (of 5)
SUPER F*CKERS FOREVER #3 (of 5) - Hilarious.
BETTY AND VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #247 - Fun new lead story by Dan Parent!


Do you take every Wednesday off to read comics? Lucky.


Looking forward to your reviews on the Ramones and Betty Boop. How was monster musume?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 05, 2016, 03:30:12 PM
I read Saga #38 & Josie & The Pussycats #1-Gisele's issue.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 05, 2016, 03:42:43 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on October 05, 2016, 02:33:39 PM

Do you take every Wednesday off to read comics? Lucky.

Looking forward to your reviews on the Ramones and Betty Boop. How was monster musume?

HaHa! I don't have to take every Wednesday off, because back when I was given the option of arranging my work schedule, I opted to take Tuesdays and Wednesdays off -- so my regular work week is Thursday through Monday.

This week is jam-packed though, so I'm not sure when I can get around to those reviews. I wanted to review those two though, so hopefully I'll find some time to squeeze those in before next week.

What to say about Monster Musume, (subtitled "Everyday Life With Monster Girls")? Not my usual type of thing, but I was able to borrow it to read (actually I was thinking it might be something like Eerie Cuties... but no, not really). That resulted in my spending hours on the internet researching various specialized subgenres (and terminology) of manga & anime, in order to understand the context of this particular specialized manga genre. I should mention that I'd not read much manga in the past 20 years or so prior to just the past few months (and I'm pretty sure this particular subgenre didn't exist then, at least not in any English translations), and I had mostly kept to my usual genres of shonen and seinin manga up to this point. That said, Monster Musume turned out to be all of the following: ecchi manga, also part of the "harem" subgenre, and to have as two of its three main characters the character archetypes of lolicon and yandere. It's also helpful to understand the concept of moe (MO-eh) in manga and anime characters. If any of the foregoing means anything to you. Basically, Monster Musume is an R-rated sex comedy, with some nudity (but no genitalia). It may or may not be offensive to women depending on how you feel about the nudity and/or stereotypes. The girls seem to have a hard time keeping their clothes on. It could be related to Archie only in the sense that the main character is a typical 'nice guy' who is surrounded by beautiful girls who insist on throwing themselves at him, yet issues of interspecies legality and strict rules involved in hosting 'monster girl' exchange students create barriers to following his natural impulses. Also, his "interspecies exchange coordinator" (who he may also have the hots for) has set up a situation in which this single young guy is playing "host family" to three different monster girl exchange students (a lamia, a harpy, and a centaur), all of whom are attracted to him, but rivals to each other, seemingly for the specific purpose of torturing him. I personally don't think it's worth the time for me to follow up with future volumes of this.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 06, 2016, 08:26:24 AM
I still have plenty to read from yesterday. I only read one of my Josie & The Pussycats #1, I have a Deadly Class to read plus those Ramones issues.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 07, 2016, 07:27:33 AM

I'm definitely go read those issues in my room today because I want to change my wall. I'm going keep that commission from Gisele on the wall because that Reggie was inspired by the Archie Meets Ramones, when I saw a picture of it last year. I asked her draw Reggie similar to that picture.
I still have plenty to read from yesterday. I only read one of my Josie & The Pussycats #1, I have a Deadly Class to read plus those Ramones issues.
On Friday I read
Deadly Class #22
Josie & The  Pussycats #1-Derek Charm
Archie Meets Ramones-Gisele, the issue that I got free from Archie Comics.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 08, 2016, 12:14:32 PM
BETTY AND VERONICA JUMBO COMICS #247
B&V FRIENDS HALLOWEEN ANNUAL #251
BETTY AND VERONICA SPECTACULAR #30 (July 1998)
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH (1997) #5, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31
RAGNAROK #10
EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS' THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT #2
TANK GIRL: GOLD #1 (of 4)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 09, 2016, 09:39:41 AM

I have those 2 books I picked up yesterday at Forbidden Planet Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics #247 & Betty & Veronica- Girls Rule. I'll probably read them in a while.

I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Comics Pages 75th Anniversary Bash
Betty & Veronica-Girls Rule
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #247
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 09, 2016, 05:53:56 PM
I read
Josie & The Pussycats #1-Hack
Archie Meets Ramones-Veronica Fish
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on October 10, 2016, 02:55:34 PM
Betty Boop # 1 - cute art but I didn't really get the story. Maybe it's because I'm not that familiar with Betty Boop.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 10, 2016, 08:43:21 PM

I took a break from reading anything today. My mom & I went out instead.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 11, 2016, 11:57:54 AM
I read Josie & The Pussycats #1-Veronica Fish's issue
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 11, 2016, 06:24:01 PM
I read each of these for 12 minutes
Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #247
Betty & Veronica-Girls Rule
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 12, 2016, 11:45:19 AM
HCF 2016 ARCHIE'S MADHOUSE

HOWARD THE DUCK #11 - Final issue. I'll miss this, one of my favorite Marvel titles.
PUNISHER #6
MOON KNIGHT #7
GREAT LAKES AVENGERS #1


ACTION COMICS #965
HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #6
DOOM PATROL #2
MIDNIGHTER AND APOLLO #1
(of 6) - I think I'm pretty much giving up on all of these DC comics.

REVOLUTION #3 (of 5)
KILL OR BE KILLED #3
JONESY #7 - Better than the last one I read.
HENCHGIRL #11 - Apparently the final issue. I didn't understand the ending.
THE SHADOW: THE DEATH OF MARGO LANE #5 (of 5) - Good ending. Can't say I was surprised to find out that she wasn't really dead after all, but I liked the way it was handled.
GODZILLA: RAGE ACROSS TIME #2 (of 5) - A lot weaker than the first issue, which was great, but they're all stand-alone stories set in different time periods.
SPAWN #266 - Only read it because it was a crossover story with SAVAGE DRAGON.
ASTRO BOY - Various stories: "Black Lux", "The Mysterious Ball", "Super Cyclone", closing out the year 1956.
HOTEL HARBOR VIEW (Viz, 1990) - A one-shot trade paperback, seinin manga. Pretty good hard-boiled noir stuff.
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA/ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK #1 (of 6) - Turns out that Jack Burton and Snake Plisskin are actually parallel-universe counterparts of each other. Interesting concept based on the fact that they were both portrayed on film by the same actor, Kurt Russell.
MOONSHINE #1 - By Brian Azarrello & Eduardo Rizzo. The "100 BULLETS" team together again on a story set in the Prohibition-era 1920s, with backwoods hillbillies, a New York bootlegging mobster, G-Men, and (unless I miss my guess) werewolves, all in the mix. Very atmospheric. I liked it quite a bit.
REBORN #1 - By Mark Millar and Greg Capulo. I usually like Millar's stuff, but both EMPRESS and this aren't really doing it for me. I'll probably pass on future issues of this. Never been a big fan of Capulo to begin with.
DUCK AVENGER #1





Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on October 12, 2016, 08:32:24 PM
Donald Duck, Timeless Tales
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 13, 2016, 11:19:40 AM
I read
Archie #12, Fish- the issue that came from subscription.
Saga #37
Jem & The Holograms #18
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 13, 2016, 05:49:42 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Digest #233
Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #235
Betty & Veronica Halloween Annual #237
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 15, 2016, 11:47:39 AM
I read these for 12 minutes each
Betty & Veronica-Girls Rule
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #247
Archie's Favorite High School Comics
Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #20
World Of Archie Christmas Annual #53








Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 16, 2016, 09:58:07 PM
I skipped reading any comics today because my brother came over & we hanged out. So there was no time for reading any comics.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 17, 2016, 07:56:45 AM
I'll read later
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 18, 2016, 06:10:09 PM
ASTRO BOY - "Crucifix Island", "Fortress of the Centaurs", "The Mad Machine", "Count Bat" (bringing me up to January 1959)

A few one-shot manga floppies: (these FCBD & HCF freebies are about the only manga left to be found in the traditional comic format)
GEKIGA! Drawn & Quarterly FCBD 2008
UZUMAKI Viz HCF 2013
RESIDENT EVIL Viz HCF 2014


SOLARLORD 83 (includes DRAGONMAN Vol.011) - An oddity found in the fifty-cent boxes, this is a standard-size/page-count comic with a cardboard cover, with a smaller (same width, but an inch and a half shorter) comic book stapled into the center. This was published in Hong Kong, so technically it's known as "manhwa". It was in Chinese, so I couldn't really read it, just follow the story through the pictures (if you're curious, it reads from right to left, the opposite of US comics). The art style looked to be about equally influenced by both US/European and Japanese styles of comic art, while having a unique style that seems distinct to HK comics.

train_man : densha otoko - Volumes 1, 2, and 3 (the complete story) - A love story (allegedly true) based on posts found on a thread on 2Channel, a popular internet forum in Japan. Interesting concept, but as a result the characters seem pretty 2-dimensional, and at 3 volumes, the story seems more than slightly padded-out. Given the lack of detail about the characters, one volume would have sufficed, and probably have given the story (such as it is) a little better pacing and more impact. Either that, or they should have decided to take the liberty to fictionalize and provide a little more background detail to make the characters seem more realistic. That same bulletin board thread is the basis for 3 different manga adaptations, as well as both a feature film and a television series in Japan. It seems likely that the latter would have had to take some liberties to fictionalize more to the story. I haven't read or seen any of the other adaptations, but I'd be curious to, if only to compare with this one. The film has been released on DVD with English subtitles, but is based on the manga. The story concerns a nerdy guy in a chance encounter with a pretty woman on a train, and his subsequent posting about his experience on an internet forum, which garners all sorts of comments, reactions, and advice from other forum users.

CHERYL BLOSSOM #2 [of 3] (Oct. 1995) - "Tough Turf" - Good one. I hadn't read this story before. Pencils were credited to both Dan DeCarlo and Dan Parent, so I'm curious exactly how that division of labor worked.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 18, 2016, 10:21:03 PM
At Midnight I will be getting Archie #13 on my phone. I can't wait to read it.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 19, 2016, 04:44:22 AM
I just finished reading Archie #13. It was great, Mr. Lodge moved the family to Switzerland. Wow, you would think that would be hard but Veronica misses Archie terribly. Now it seems like Veronica is the be the outcast but she becomes friends with Cheryl Bossom who is not what she seems. But that's not going happen, Cheryl plans a party for another student who not as rich as either Veronica or Cheryl but sadly that was all Cheryl's plan to start the fireworks. The party was just a mean joke that Veronica would be butt of & also that poor girl in their class. Jason Blossom even made apperance at the end. I hope to see more of him in future issues.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 19, 2016, 05:04:21 PM
DARK HORSE PRESENTS #26 - Only read the "Once and Future Tarzan" story.
ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #13 - The ending of this storyline seemed to indicate this might be the final issue? I'm not sure. I'll miss it if it is.
STAR TREK: BOLDLY GO #1 - The post-Star Trek Beyond universe adventures. Don't think I'll continue with this title.
POWER RANGERS: PINK #4 (of 6)
EVIL DEAD 2: DARK ONES RISING #1 (of 3)
EVIL DEAD 2: REVENGE OF DRACULA (one-shot)
EVIL DEAD 2: REVENGE OF THE MARTIANS (one-shot)
WEIRD DETECTIVE #5 (of 5)
SPELL ON WHEELS #1 (of 5)
- Bit of a disappointment. Couldn't get into it. Won't be continuing.
PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #11
ASTRO CITY #40
BLACK HAMMER #4
KAIJUMAX SEASON 2 #5
GODZILLA RAGE ACROSS TIME #3 (of 5)
LONE RANGER/GREEN HORNET #4 (of 5)
LOST IN SPACE: THE LOST EPISODES #5 (of 6)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 19, 2016, 07:27:31 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each.
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #266
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #247
I finished Archie's Jumbo Comics Digest #20
I also read Archie #13, the one from my subscription.
While in bed later tonight I'm going catch up on my digital comics so I'll be back later tonight.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on October 20, 2016, 02:26:01 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 19, 2016, 05:04:21 PM
ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #13 - The ending of this storyline seemed to indicate this might be the final issue? I'm not sure. I'll miss it if it is.
Yeah, Ant-Man is done, Spidey is scrapped as of #12, and there's at least a dozen more on the chopping block. I know Avengers and Captain Marvel will be starting over with new #1's, but that's about all the specifics I remember.  I'm quite weary from all these stops/starts/relaunches.   :-\
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 20, 2016, 05:46:16 AM
I read my digital copies of Life With Kevin #1 & Archie #7 & Betty's Diary.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 20, 2016, 07:04:13 AM
Quote from: steveinthecity on October 20, 2016, 02:26:01 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 19, 2016, 05:04:21 PM
ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #13 - The ending of this storyline seemed to indicate this might be the final issue? I'm not sure. I'll miss it if it is.
Yeah, Ant-Man is done, Spidey is scrapped as of #12, and there's at least a dozen more on the chopping block. I know Avengers and Captain Marvel will be starting over with new #1's, but that's about all the specifics I remember.  I'm quite weary from all these stops/starts/relaunches.   :-\

I guess I could hope that (as seemed to be indicated at the end of the story) it might get relaunched with a new "NOW" #1 as ANT-MAN AND STINGER. While nowhere close to one of Marvel's better sellers, it was more of a middle-ish seller, along with titles like SILVER SURFER and SQUADRON SUPREME.

It sold better than things like PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT, SQUIRREL GIRL, and MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR, which seem to be continuing... or are they? Can't say that the end of SPIDEY was a shock, as it was really at the bottom end of Marvel's sales, but those others I mentioned can't be that far ahead of it, either.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 20, 2016, 07:56:30 AM
I have to catch up on my issues. Yesterday I got Archie #13 & Archie Meets Ramones-Veronica Fish's issue. which Archie Comics just sent me.  I didn't buy it.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Jugman on October 20, 2016, 10:17:43 AM
Just got Archie Double Digest 273 so I started getting into that.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 21, 2016, 09:34:09 AM
I plan to read some comics that I got from Archie Subscription.
💌 Archie # 11 -Fish
🎈 Archie #12- Fish
🚲 Archie #13- Fish

And in my comfy chair in room I read
Archie Vs Sharknado - Hack
Betty & Veronica #1-Zullo
Jughead #9- Fish
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 21, 2016, 03:33:25 PM
WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS #63 came in the mail today and I read it. It has a great Halloween party-themed cover by Dan Parent (originally slated to appear on the Halloween issue of ARCHIE' FUNHOUSE DOUBLE DIGEST from last year, before that title was downgraded from 10 times per year to 6 times per year -- so it's good it finally got to see the light of day). NO new lead story in this issue. Instead, the issue leads off with a decent Dan Parent-written (and Dan DeCarlo-pencilled) Veronica story that sort of fits into the Halloween theme. There's also the conclusion of the 4-part DeFalco/Ruiz "Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E." story, and another 22-pager both written and drawn by Fernando, which has a Halloween theme, too (I swear I've read this one somewhere before, but I can't recall where), and another Halloween-themed story where Chuck Clayton creates a new comic feature for the school paper called Monster High (years before the multi-million dollar franchise was a gleam in the eye of toy designers at Mattel). Apart from a couple of stories that only vaguely fit the seasonal theme, that's about it. Surprisingly, after so many months of being absent from the Jumbo Comics, the "From the Vault" section makes a return appearance with reprints of Archie stories from the fifties (both the time frame of original publication, and the issue numbers reprinted). Also of note, I think I counted something like 13 or 14 pages of Reggie stories (all one-pagers, apart from a single 6-page story) spread throughout the issue. The rest of the issue was fairly mediocre, and percentage-wise, this didn't feel all that Halloween-y either.

I'm thinking of letting my subscriptions to both the ARCHIE and WORLD OF ARCHIE digests run out, rather than renewing. I'm just growing bored with them lately. I guess I'll keep going with the JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE and ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE digests, since they're only bi-monthly, and of course both B&V digests.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 22, 2016, 05:33:57 AM
CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #1
DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE #6 (of 8 )
ROGER RABBIT #14 & 15 (1991)
THE INFERIOR FIVE #3 (July-Aug. 1967)
METAMORPHO, THE ELEMENT MAN #14  (Sept-Oct. 1967)
SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #119 (April 1969)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on October 22, 2016, 09:40:09 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 21, 2016, 03:33:25 PM
WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS #63 came in the mail today and I read it. It has a great Halloween party-themed cover by Dan Parent (originally slated to appear on the Halloween issue of ARCHIE' FUNHOUSE DOUBLE DIGEST from last year, before that title was downgraded from 10 times per year to 6 times per year -- so it's good it finally got to see the light of day). NO new lead story in this issue. Instead, the issue leads off with a decent Dan Parent-written (and Dan DeCarlo-pencilled) Veronica story that sort of fits into the Halloween theme. There's also the conclusion of the 4-part DeFalco/Ruiz "Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E." story, and another 22-pager both written and drawn by Fernando, which has a Halloween theme, too (I swear I've read this one somewhere before, but I can't recall where), and another Halloween-themed story where Chuck Clayton creates a new comic feature for the school paper called Monster High (years before the multi-million dollar franchise was a gleam in the eye of toy designers at Mattel). Apart from a couple of stories that only vaguely fit the seasonal theme, that's about it. Surprisingly, after so many months of being absent from the Jumbo Comics, the "From the Vault" section makes a return appearance with reprints of Archie stories from the fifties (both the time frame of original publication, and the issue numbers reprinted). Also of note, I think I counted something like 13 or 14 pages of Reggie stories (all one-pagers, apart from a single 6-page story) spread throughout the issue. The rest of the issue was fairly mediocre, and percentage-wise, this didn't feel all that Halloween-y either.

I'm thinking of letting my subscriptions to both the ARCHIE and WORLD OF ARCHIE digests run out, rather than renewing. I'm just growing bored with them lately. I guess I'll keep going with the JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE and ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE digests, since they're only bi-monthly, and of course both B&V digests.


What happened to the Life With Archie reprints in WOA?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on October 22, 2016, 12:25:55 PM
Archie #13 - this series is taking a new turn. I really like the boarding school/Mean Girls storyline with Cheryl.



Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 22, 2016, 08:13:48 PM
Even the style of how the pages are laid out are different. The only disappointment was there was no Reggie. But at the e nd we get a small picture of Jason Blossom 💝.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 23, 2016, 10:04:45 AM
I read all 3 of the Archie #13's & Archie Meets Ramones-Dan Parent variant. I put them all in my comic frames & I will post the picture on Twitter.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 23, 2016, 11:44:33 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on October 22, 2016, 09:40:09 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 21, 2016, 03:33:25 PM
WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS #63 came in the mail today and I read it. It has a great Halloween party-themed cover by Dan Parent (originally slated to appear on the Halloween issue of ARCHIE' FUNHOUSE DOUBLE DIGEST from last year, before that title was downgraded from 10 times per year to 6 times per year -- so it's good it finally got to see the light of day). NO new lead story in this issue. Instead, the issue leads off with a decent Dan Parent-written (and Dan DeCarlo-pencilled) Veronica story that sort of fits into the Halloween theme. There's also the conclusion of the 4-part DeFalco/Ruiz "Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E." story, and another 22-pager both written and drawn by Fernando, which has a Halloween theme, too (I swear I've read this one somewhere before, but I can't recall where), and another Halloween-themed story where Chuck Clayton creates a new comic feature for the school paper called Monster High (years before the multi-million dollar franchise was a gleam in the eye of toy designers at Mattel). Apart from a couple of stories that only vaguely fit the seasonal theme, that's about it. Surprisingly, after so many months of being absent from the Jumbo Comics, the "From the Vault" section makes a return appearance with reprints of Archie stories from the fifties (both the time frame of original publication, and the issue numbers reprinted). Also of note, I think I counted something like 13 or 14 pages of Reggie stories (all one-pagers, apart from a single 6-page story) spread throughout the issue. The rest of the issue was fairly mediocre, and percentage-wise, this didn't feel all that Halloween-y either.

I'm thinking of letting my subscriptions to both the ARCHIE and WORLD OF ARCHIE digests run out, rather than renewing. I'm just growing bored with them lately. I guess I'll keep going with the JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE and ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE digests, since they're only bi-monthly, and of course both B&V digests.


What happened to the Life With Archie reprints in WOA?

Good question. Another good one would be, what happened to the Archie 1 reprints in WOA? Last month I was asking myself where the Cheryl Blossom reprints in B&V Friends digest went... a year ago, where the From the Vault reprints went to in the Jumbo digests. A year before that, what happened to the That Wilkin Boy reprints in the Jughead digest.

I can tell you exactly where the Little Archie reprints are, though. They're not in EVERY SINGLE ISSUE of EVERY SINGLE DIGEST... but they are pretty close.  DAMMIT!  :tickedoff:

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 23, 2016, 06:09:41 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each in my comfy chair in my room
💎 Scott Pilgrim Vs The World-Volume #2
🍬 Jughead Double Digest #173
🎈  Archie Giant Comics Festival
🎄  Archie's Favorite Christmas Comics
🎱 World Of Archie Double Digest #6
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 24, 2016, 07:51:33 AM
I have to catch up on my issues. I read some books instead. I read each of these for 12 minutes each.
Betty & Veronica-Girls Rule
Archie-The Married Life- Book #5
Bad Houses
A For Better Or For Worse Collection- Middle Age Spread
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 25, 2016, 08:22:06 AM

I'm not sure if I read anything today because I feel sick with a cold.
I did read these books for 12 minutes each
A For Better Or For Worse Collection-Middle Age Spread
Bad Houses
Archie-The Married Life-Book #5
The Best Of Archie Comics-75 Years 75 Stories
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 26, 2016, 02:57:09 PM
I read each of these for 12 minutes
🎃 Betty & Veronica Halloween Annual #237
🎉 Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #235
🌄 Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #233
🍎 B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #250
📷 Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 26, 2016, 04:24:28 PM
I gave in & bought the digital copy of Jughead #10. I love it. Especially when Sabrina does spells on Jughead for ruining their date. She did a spell to make Reggie & Jughead friends, they hate each other.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 27, 2016, 12:54:08 AM
EVIL DEAD 2: DARK ONES RISING #2 (of 3)
RED TEAM: DOUBLE TAP #4 (of 9)
SILVER SURFER #7
SIXPACK & DOGWELDER: HARD-TRAVELIN HEROZ #3 (of 6)
JUGHEAD #10
KISS #1
SAVAGE DRAGON #217
BATMAN BEYOND #1
TITANS #4
DETECTIVE COMICS #943
WONDER WOMAN #9
SPIDER-MAN / DEADPOOL #10
ACTION MAN: REVOLUTION #1
DOCTOR STRANGE: MYSTIC APPRENTICE #1
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP #19
FUTURE QUEST #6
WONDER WOMAN 75th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1
TARZAN ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #2 (of 5)
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND #4 (of 6)
ROCHELLE #3 (of 3)
DISNEY GIANT HALLOWEEN HEX #1
LOVE & ROCKETS (VOL 4) #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on October 27, 2016, 12:50:33 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 27, 2016, 12:54:08 AM
EVIL DEAD 2: DARK ONES RISING #2 (of 3)
RED TEAM: DOUBLE TAP #4 (of 9)
SILVER SURFER #7
SIXPACK & DOGWELDER: HARD-TRAVELIN HEROZ #3 (of 6)
JUGHEAD #10
KISS #1
SAVAGE DRAGON #217
BATMAN BEYOND #1
TITANS #4
DETECTIVE COMICS #943
WONDER WOMAN #9
SPIDER-MAN / DEADPOOL #10
ACTION MAN: REVOLUTION #1
DOCTOR STRANGE: MYSTIC APPRENTICE #1
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP #19
FUTURE QUEST #6
WONDER WOMAN 75th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1
TARZAN ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #2 (of 5)
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND #4 (of 6)
ROCHELLE #3 (of 3)
DISNEY GIANT HALLOWEEN HEX #1
LOVE & ROCKETS (VOL 4) #1



What did you think of Jughead, Kiss, and Halloween Hex.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 27, 2016, 04:02:34 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on October 27, 2016, 12:50:33 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 27, 2016, 12:54:08 AM
EVIL DEAD 2: DARK ONES RISING #2 (of 3)
RED TEAM: DOUBLE TAP #4 (of 9)
SILVER SURFER #7
SIXPACK & DOGWELDER: HARD-TRAVELIN HEROZ #3 (of 6)
JUGHEAD #10
KISS #1
SAVAGE DRAGON #217
BATMAN BEYOND #1
TITANS #4
DETECTIVE COMICS #943
WONDER WOMAN #9
SPIDER-MAN / DEADPOOL #10
ACTION MAN: REVOLUTION #1
DOCTOR STRANGE: MYSTIC APPRENTICE #1
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP #19
FUTURE QUEST #6
WONDER WOMAN 75th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1
TARZAN ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #2 (of 5)
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND #4 (of 6)
ROCHELLE #3 (of 3)
DISNEY GIANT HALLOWEEN HEX #1
LOVE & ROCKETS (VOL 4) #1



What did you think of Jughead, Kiss, and Halloween Hex.

JUGHEAD #10 was good, the best so far of all the New Riverdale comics, IMO. I was pleased to see that my theory about what exactly was going on in Jughead's mind in the previous issue when he made the date was spelled out in so many words when Jughead admitted that on some level, he just wanted to hang out with a talking hamburger. On the other hand, I was wrong about him trying to back out of the date, but maybe he'd have been better off if he had -- since his obvious lack of enthusiasm resulted in a pissed-off Sabrina (which I also predicted). One frustrating bit occurred in the scene where Jughead was about to explain something to Sabrina, but she cut him off -- I wonder, just exactly, what he was going to say to her? One small niggling thing annoyed me, and that's how Sabrina showed up dressed for her date. Surely she's more fashionable than that? She's wearing a dress that looks like something a woman a couple of decades (or more) older would wear. Wouldn't she want to look her best to make a good impression on Jughead? Okay, not that it's going to matter to Jughead, but she couldn't know that beforehand. I was pleased by Derek Charm's interpretation of Salem, it's a different look, but I like it.

KISS #1 is a miss. I only got it because of the variant cover by Fernando, and I was curious, having enjoyed ARCHIE MEETS KISS by Dan Parent (otherwise, I've never been a huge Kiss fan). It was pretty ho-hum compared to that, and Kiss only appears on the last page or two.

DISNEY GIANT HALLOWEEN HEX #1 was an extra-length special starring Scrooge McDuck's perennial nemesis, Magica De Spell. Magica, in case you're not familiar, is a sorceress who constantly plots to steal "Old Number One", the very first dime that Scrooge ever made, and Scrooge obsessively fears that if he ever lost possession of it, all his worldly fortune would soon follow. Because Scrooge is the world's richest duck, and he's touched the dime so many times, it has a special quality whereby Magica hopes to acquire it, melt it down in the fires of Mt. Vesuvius, and turn it into a mystic amulet to give her a Midas touch, thereby making her the world's most wealthy duck. Here she's the main character (and we get to meet her kooky family for the first time), and Scrooge is barely in the story at all, except for a few pages at the end. Big thumbs up on this one.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 27, 2016, 05:35:54 PM
My mom came home with goodies from the Thift Store. She got me Archie & Friends #112 & Archie #600 & 602 & 603 & 604 & 605. I'll read them tomorrow.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 28, 2016, 07:40:24 AM
I read these last night & I put them in my comic frames. Archie & Friends #112 & Archie #600 & 602 & 603 & 604 & 605. I'll take picture of wall later today.
I read these for 12 minutes each
Betty & Veronica-Girls Rule
Archie-The Married Life-Book #5
A For Better Or From Worse Collection-Middle Life Spread.
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #17
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #233
Betty & Veronica Halloween Annual #237
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #247
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 29, 2016, 01:55:57 AM
BLACK JACK VOL. 1 by Osamu Tezuka
THE BEST OF ARCHIE COMICS: DELUXE EDITION HC
MONKEY KING VOL. 1: BIRTH OF THE STONE MONKEY by Wei Dong Chen & Chao Peng
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 29, 2016, 06:47:18 AM
I just read my digital copy of Jughead #10. I give it an A Plus.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 29, 2016, 11:31:09 AM
POPEYE CLASSICS VOL. 7 & 8 by Bud Sagendorf (Those two volumes of the hardcover collect issues 30-39 of the comic book. I stopped buying the floppies because I prefer reading a bunch of them together anyway, and I like the larger size of the hardcover. A fast and fun read every time.)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 30, 2016, 03:51:07 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
A For Better Or For Worse Collection-Middle Age Spread
The Best Of Betty & Veronica
Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #247
Archie's Funhouse Jumbo Comics Digest #17
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 30, 2016, 05:13:03 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 31, 2016, 11:25:32 AM
Maybe I'll read later tonight.
I read 3 of my digital comics
Jughead #7
Jughead #8
Sunstone-Volume #4
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 02, 2016, 08:13:25 AM
I'm going read in my room & sit in my chair. I want read
I read
Saga #36 & #37 & #38
Invincible #127 & #128 & #129 & #130
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 03, 2016, 12:44:21 AM
ASTRO BOY - Most of the stories from 1959, including "The Eyes of Christ", "Ivan the Fool", "The Secret of the Egyptian Conspirators", "S.O.S. From a Satellite", "Gademu" and "Subterranean Tank", as well as watching the associated stories (where applicable) adapted into episodes of the 1963 anime.
BETTY AND VERONICA HOLIDAY ANNUAL #248
JOSIE & THE PUSSYCATS #2
- Meh. Good classic reprint in the back, though.
EVIL DEAD 2: REVENGE OF JACK THE RIPPER (one-shot)
RICK AND MORTY #19
MOON KNIGHT #8
SOUTHERN B@STARDS #15

DEATH OF HAWKMAN #2 (of 6)
CATWOMAN: ELECTION NIGHT #1 (one-shot)
2000 AD PROG 2000
ROM #4
TRANSFORMERS TILL ALL ARE ONE: REVOLUTION #1
(one-shot)
TRANSFORMERS: REVOLUTION #1 (one-shot)
REVOLUTION #4 (of 5)
CBLD LIBERTY ANNUAL 2016
SPOOKHOUSE #1


Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 03, 2016, 08:17:34 AM
Will you keep buying Josie & Pussycats DeCarlo Rules?  Out of all the reboots that they have it's my least favorite.   
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 03, 2016, 12:52:46 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on November 03, 2016, 08:17:34 AM
Will you keep buying Josie & Pussycats DeCarlo Rules?  Out of all the reboots that they have it's my least favorite.   

I didn't even buy #2, I just borrowed a copy. I only spent the money on Josie #1 to get the Gisele cover variant. I may or may not read future issues, or just check out the back of the book (like I do with Archie) to see what the reprint is - the last issue of Archie that I actually read the main story was issue #2, though I've read every issue of Jughead, and B&V #1. I've been friends with the owner of my LCS for over 20 years, and I spend enough money with him that he lets me borrow stuff and bring it back, or just read it in the store, so everything on that list above between JOSIE #2 and CATWOMAN: ELECTION NIGHT #1 was just read in the store or borrowed (but the rest of that stuff isn't a complete list of the books I purchased this week, either).

I could probably warm up to Audrey Mok's artwork (it's not bad) over time, but I just don't care for the writing. Other than getting that Gisele cover on Josie #1, the only other New Riverdale comic books that I actually bought and paid for were Jughead #9 and 10 (and I plan on getting #11, to complete the Sabrina story, as well). After that, who knows.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 03, 2016, 04:52:57 PM
GEN 13: BOOTLEG #8, 9, & 10 - I'm not really a fan of Gen 13, but I found these in a 50-cent box, and they were written and drawn by Adam Warren (who is the best of the American manga writer/artists, and previously worked on Dark Horse's DIRTY PAIR and BUBBLEGUM CRISIS Ameri-manga spinoffs), so I picked them up. It was a fun read, if a little light on anything but crazy action and comedy, but that's fine for a fast-reading 3-part story. I'd read more Gen 13 stories drawn by him if I could find them cheap.
BATMAN '66 MEETS STEED AND MRS. PEEL #5 (of 6)
HALLOWEEN COMIC FEST 2016 DC SUPER HERO GIRLS - Can't beat the price ($0.00). ;D
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 03, 2016, 06:16:37 PM
I read each of books for 12 minutes
Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #235
B & V Jumbo Comics Digest #250
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #247
I finished Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #233
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 05, 2016, 09:57:41 AM
I have to check up on some comics which I'll do later.
I read
Archie Meets Glee -#644-Variant with boy in the wheelchair.
Betty #138 & #145
Archie #385 & #415 & #640 & #649
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 05, 2016, 12:46:06 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on November 03, 2016, 06:16:37 PM
I read each of books for 12 minutes
Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #235
B & V Jumbo Comics Digest #250
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #247
I finished Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #233


Have you ever tried to figure out approximately how many pages (of classic Archie comics) you can read in 12 minutes? I realize other comics (including New Riverdale) take longer to read, but I seem to be able to breeze through a Jumbo Comics digest (skipping the ads and Little Archie) in say, somewhere around an hour or two, depending on whether I'm pausing to notice certain things about the writing or artwork.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 05, 2016, 01:10:32 PM
I just like using bookmarks in the digests. So that's why I time my readings. I don't time my regular comics though. Sometimes though I try to see how many comics I can read in a hour.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 05, 2016, 10:28:58 PM
BLACK JACK, VOL. 2 by Osamu Tezuka
THE THREE STOOGES: CURSE OF FRANKENSTOOGE (cover says #1, but indicia states that it's Vol. 1, #4) - There's an 8-page story, "Scaredy Stooge" (written by S.A. Check) with artwork by former Archie creator Bill Galvan in this one (there was a Bill Galvan story in the first issue, as well).


Found a stack of older Archie comics (variable condition, mostly "uncollectable") in the 50-cent boxes this week, and I'll be commenting on some of those over in my "Some reviews..." thread as I have the time. Here's a few that I've read so far. Let's start with a few of those Giant Size 48-Page Specials that they published a dozen or so of, back about 20 years ago. These are all mixtures of new stories and reprints (proportions of each vary with the specific issues).

REGGIE'S REVENGE #3 (1995) - This one's actually in decent enough condition to warrant checking it off my Want List. Now if I can just find #2 (same for SABRINA'S HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR) I'll have the complete set of three. Some minor discoloration on the mostly white background of the cover, but I can live with that. Nothing particularly notable about this one, and most of the stories have been reprinted again later, since I'd already read several of them.
BETTY AND VERONICA SUMMER FUN #3 (1996) - It's just too bad the cover had tears at the top and bottom of the spine and about 2 inches into the logo (no pieces missing, but writing on some of the ad page coupons and checklists). Not too obvious, looks OK at first glance. I'll be reviewing this one.
ARCHIE'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING #3 (1995) - I'd previously read most of the reprinted stories in this one, but there are a couple of key stories (one featuring Jingles, the other featuring Sugar Plum) that I just have to comment on (see my "Some reviews..." thread).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 06, 2016, 11:23:00 AM
I read that free Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. I hated it. I was awful. And I read 2 other free Halloween comics.
I also read these for 15 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Archie's Favorite High School Comics
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 07, 2016, 04:23:56 AM
Just some random old Archie comics I found in the 50-cent boxes.

(ARCHIE GIANT SERIES) SABRINA'S CHRISTMAS MAGIC # 243 - Xmas 1975

(ARCHIE GIANT SERIES) BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR # 548 - June 1985

ARCHIE'S GIRLS BETTY & VERONICA #264 - Dec. 1977

BETTY AND ME  #78 - Sept. 1976

JUGHEAD #293 - Oct. 1979

ARCHIE'S JOKE BOOK #221 - June 1976

LIFE WITH ARCHIE #148 - Aug. 1974

ARCHIE AND ME #113 - Sept. 1979

EVERYTHING'S ARCHIE #33 - June 1974

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 08, 2016, 07:00:24 PM
I preorder the digital copy of  Betty & Veronica #2 so I will looking forward to read that later.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 09, 2016, 01:14:33 AM
More comics I found in the 50-cent boxes at my LCS...

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #6, 10, & 12
BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #13 & 20

(I'm noticing that most issues of A&F and B&V Spec. have Dan Parent stories, so I always look out for those titles in particular. Those books seem to have been mostly his ongoing assignment in the '90s, along with VERONICA and SABRINA...)
BETTY & VERONICA #72, 74, 79, 101,106, 107, 217

I picked up a bunch of issues of VERONICA, and some issues of BETTY, too. I'll be reading those sometime later this week.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 09, 2016, 05:20:17 AM
I did read my digital copy of B & V #2. It was worth the wait. It was strange when they were fighting in the boxing ring their measurements were not the same. Betty weighs 116 while Veronica is 120 pounds. Veronica is taller than Betty. And their fight at the park with Veronica selling alcohol is something is never see in a comic. And at the car wash Cheryl Blossom makes a appearance which is something I never thought I see. I would it give A. Plus I can't see Kevin being on Veronica's side . He is too sweet .
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 09, 2016, 12:45:19 PM
It's pretty weird to see a story where Cheryl Blossom just happily does whatever Veronica wants her to, even if it means washing cars in a bikini in 50-degree weather. It's the sort of thing that makes you question whether Adam Hughes had ever actually read an Archie comic book before getting the B&V assignment.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 09, 2016, 01:52:51 PM
It's a little weird Cheryl & Veronica that now they seem be buddy buddy. The only time the ever seem to get along was in Life With Archie when Cheryl had breast cancer. Veronica seems to just be so nice & caring to her because she felt so bad because she was sick.
I also read these today
Archie #3 -Staples Variant
Archie #4 -Joe Quiones Variant
Archie #7- Marguerite Sauvage Variant
Archie #3000 #15
Love & Rockets #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 10, 2016, 01:51:42 PM
I read my Archie Meets Ramones Convention Cover which I just got in the mail today. I put in one of my comic frames.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 10, 2016, 02:18:37 PM
BETTY & VERONICA #2
AVENGERS #1.1
UNCANNY X-MEN #15
ACTION COMICS #967
WONDER WOMAN #10
DETECTIVE COMICS #944
BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ADVENTURES #1 (OF 6)
DONALD DUCK #18
JONESY #8
BETTY AND VERONICA FAIRY TALES TP
ASTRO BOY - "The Artificial Sun" & "Space Snow Leopard"
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 11, 2016, 09:37:13 AM
💘 🎀 👓 💄 👜 👛 🌂 💅I  read my digital copy of Betty & Veronica #2.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 11, 2016, 10:32:06 AM
VERONICA #29, 37, 41, 44, 45, 46, 48, 56, 58, 84 (August 1993-February 1999)














New sig... too much? Still mulling it over, might have been a tweak or two too many in manipulating the bits'n'pieces.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on November 11, 2016, 11:12:44 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 11, 2016, 10:32:06 AM

New sig... too much? Still mulling it over, might have been a tweak or two too many in manipulating the bits'n'pieces.
The coloring makes me think of Mr. Goodbar candy. Your mentioning "bits'n'pieces" then makes me think of Sugar Babies.   :)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 11, 2016, 11:59:11 PM
Quote from: steveinthecity on November 11, 2016, 11:12:44 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 11, 2016, 10:32:06 AM

New sig... too much? Still mulling it over, might have been a tweak or two too many in manipulating the bits'n'pieces.
The coloring makes me think of Mr. Goodbar candy. Your mentioning "bits'n'pieces" then makes me think of Sugar Babies.   :)

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages6.fanpop.com%2Fimage%2Fphotos%2F36600000%2FSugarbaby15-image-sugarbaby15-36634110-500-279.jpg&hash=975fb6c8c8ae5ba1b8b05990da44f7aa52b0803b)

Hmm... I see what you mean. I was looking for an effect similar to a brightly-colored comic book title logo with an equally-bright contrasting background, but I may have overdone it. That yellow is a little intense. I may experiment with some other colors, but will probably keep the red lettering.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 12, 2016, 12:01:32 PM

I read
Jughead #5-Thomas Pitilli
Jughead #7-Derek Charm
Archie #657
Betty & Veronica #1-Alitha Martinez
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 12, 2016, 03:32:27 PM
BETTY #38, 39, 43, 45, 48 - Not too much to say about these. I'd read a few of these issues before, including #45 (which has the ultimate Betty/Reggie story, "For One Brief Moment"), and oh, those crazy Bob Bolling 'Betty Cooper, Super Sleuther' stories! I always keep an eye out in these BETTY issues for the Kathleen Webb stories, since I consider her to be the defining writer for Betty (at least since the late 1980s). Doug Crane seems to be the artist most consistently assigned to draw Betty stories. On average, the VERONICA comic is a much stronger series, but that last batch of issues I read was closer to what I've grown to expect from typical issues of BETTY. I'm thinking of ordering a bunch of BETTY'S DIARY issues, as that title seems (based on the few issues I have read so far) to be a much better book on average than BETTY for Betty stories.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on November 12, 2016, 04:47:59 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 12, 2016, 03:32:27 PM
I'm thinking of ordering a bunch of BETTY'S DIARY issues, as that title seems (based on the few issues I have read so far) to be a much better book on average than BETTY for Betty stories.
I don't recall off the top of my head, but was there a more consistent writer for Betty's Diary?  Those issues do seem to standout when compared to the Betty solo title.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 12, 2016, 05:21:11 PM
Quote from: steveinthecity on November 12, 2016, 04:47:59 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 12, 2016, 03:32:27 PM
I'm thinking of ordering a bunch of BETTY'S DIARY issues, as that title seems (based on the few issues I have read so far) to be a much better book on average than BETTY for Betty stories.
I don't recall off the top of my head, but was there a more consistent writer for Betty's Diary?  Those issues do seem to standout when compared to the Betty solo title.

Kathleen Webb. She is pretty consistent with at least one  story (more often 2, sometimes even 3 or 4... but I don't know if some of the latter are really longer stories with shorter chapters) in nearly every issue of Betty's Diary in GCDb that is indexed so far.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 12, 2016, 07:51:45 PM
Maybe tonight I'll read some digital comics. I can't wait to get the digital copy of Reggie & Me #1
I'll read these
💝 Reggie King Of April Fool's #1
🚌 Archie Explores Of The Unknown
💙 Betty & Veronica-Rival Cheryl Blossom High School Royalty
😸 Betty's Garden Variety
🍒 Jughead's Time Police
🍼  Jughead's Baby Tales
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 14, 2016, 07:26:36 AM
I have some reading to do .
I read each of for 12 minutes each
B & V Friends Jumbo Comics #250
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #247
Archie Giant Comics Party
Last Look
Middle Age Spread-A For Better Or For Worse Collection
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 15, 2016, 07:29:32 AM
I have to catch up on what I'm reading in my room.
I read these for 12 minutes each
🍉 Jughead Double Digest #173
🍩 Archie Giant Comics Festival
❄ World Of Archie Double Digest #6
🎅 Archie's Favorite Christmas Comics
🐻 Scott Pilgrim Vs The World-Volume #2
And also these comics
Archie #666-Zip Comics with Kevin Keller on the cover
Everything's Kevin Keller #1
Kevin Keller #1
Kevin Keller #2
Kevin Keller #2-The Prom Special

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 15, 2016, 01:45:30 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on November 15, 2016, 07:29:32 AM
Everything's Kevin Keller #1
Kevin Keller #1
Kevin Keller #2
Kevin Keller #2-The Prom Special

Not trying to be too nit-picky here, and if you want to list whatever cover variants you happen to own, that's fine. I'm not sure what that has to do with reading the comics, though. Did you really read Kevin Keller #1 with the "Everything's Kevin" variant cover for 12 minutes, and then pick up Kevin Keller #1 with the regular cover, and read that one for 12 minutes also? (Same applies to KK#2 and the two covers.) Maybe that's not what you meant, but that's what it sounds like when you list them that way. So essentially you'd be reading the same story for 12 minutes twice in a row, unless maybe you just looked at the cover for 12 minutes (doesn't seem likely that that's what you meant).

I mean, I noticed earlier that you'd list whatever variant covers you happened to own, and say you read this one or that one, but I just thought "Well, I guess she just likes reading the same story over multiple times, even if she already read that issue with a different cover a few days or a couple of weeks ago." But now when I just see you listing cover variants of the same issue at the same time, I'm not sure if that's what you're really doing or what.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 15, 2016, 02:23:58 PM
I don't time the comics but I only see how many I read in a hour. I time my digests.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 15, 2016, 03:05:58 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on November 15, 2016, 02:23:58 PM
I don't time the comics but I only see how many I read in a hour. I time my digests.

That's not what I'm asking though. I mean when you list Everthing's Kevin #1 and Kevin Keller #1, those are the same comic book issue with two different covers. So did you read the same interior story twice?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 15, 2016, 03:19:01 PM
Each Kevin #1 was different stories, one was about meeting Kevin & the other was Kevin & the gang at a parade. Jughead & Kevin stuffed their faces with pies & threw up. And we met Wendy & William in that issue Kevin's childhood friends.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 15, 2016, 03:51:04 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on November 15, 2016, 03:19:01 PM
Each Kevin #1 was different stories, one was about meeting Kevin & the other was Kevin & the gang at a parade. Jughead & Kevin stuffed their faces with pies & threw up. And we met Wendy & William in that issue Kevin's childhood friends.

Since you seem determined to dodge the question, just forget it then.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 15, 2016, 05:18:38 PM
At Midnight Archie #14 comes out digitally. I read these
Archie #1-NYCC variant, The one with them sitting on the lawn
Archie #5-Thomas Pitilli
Archie #8-Faith Erin Hicks
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 16, 2016, 05:16:25 AM
I read my digital copy of Archie #14 which was good but I think the one before it was better. I thought we would see Jason Blossom again but he wasn't in it. But in this issue Veronica has the upperhand & puts Cheryl in her place for now. There's no Betty or Reggie in the issue.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 16, 2016, 08:48:05 AM
ASTRO BOY - Stories from 1960.
BETTY #19 - All stories written by Mike Pellowski. Unremarkable.
SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN: FALL OF MAN #4 (of 5)
SQUADRON SUPREME #13
THANOS #1
PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #12
CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #2
WALT DISNEY'S COMICS & STORIES #735
UNCLE SCROOGE #20
KILL OR BE KILLED #4
MOONSHINE #2
ONE PUNCH MAN VOL. 9 TP
BETTY BOOP #2
(of 4) - Review of #1 & 2 to follow at some point.
LONE RANGER / GREEN HORNET #5 (of 5)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on November 16, 2016, 11:41:08 AM
I read the Archie reboot: issues 12 and 13
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 17, 2016, 07:46:09 AM
I'm not sure what I'll read but I have lot to choose from. I'll do it in a while.
So I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie Giant Comics Party
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics #247
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 17, 2016, 03:53:31 PM
REVOLUTION: G.I. JOE #1 (one-shot)
MICRONAUTS #7
GODZILLA: RAGE AGAINST TIME #4
(of 5)
STAR TREK: WAYPOINT #2 (of 6)
BLACK HAMMER #5
EVIL DEAD 2: REVENGE OF KRAMPUS #1
(one-shot)
SKYBOURNE #2 (of 5)
THE MUMMY: PALIMSEST #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on November 18, 2016, 04:15:39 PM
Issues 9 and 10 from the Jughead reboot.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 18, 2016, 07:26:34 PM
No reading for me today, I was at the doctor's office all day today.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 19, 2016, 01:12:58 AM
ARCHIE'S STORY & GAME DIGEST #16
JUGHEAD DOUBLE DIGEST #16
LAUGH COMICS DIGEST #16


After I found those first two digests at my LCS, I noticed that they were both #16, and pulled the third one out of my collection (one of the oldest digests I own, and I don't really collect LAUGH digest, it's the only one I have). That made me wonder how many other #16 issues of digests I own so I checked and here are the ones I found:

ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #16
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE DOUBLE DIGEST #16
JUGHEAD & ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #16
JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #16
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #16

That is the longest list of digest titles that I own the same issue number of, and it will probably be a long time until I own more digest titles of a different issue number.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 19, 2016, 03:19:11 PM

I read
Saga #39
Josie & Pussycats #2 -Zullo variant.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 19, 2016, 04:52:05 PM
I just read
Archie #14-Derek Charm's variant
Betty & Veronica #2-Kevin Wada's Variant
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on November 19, 2016, 06:56:03 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 19, 2016, 01:12:58 AM
ARCHIE'S STORY & GAME DIGEST #16
JUGHEAD DOUBLE DIGEST #16
LAUGH COMICS DIGEST #16


After I found those first two digests at my LCS, I noticed that they were both #16, and pulled the third one out of my collection (one of the oldest digests I own, and I don't really collect LAUGH digest, it's the only one I have). That made me wonder how many other #16 issues of digests I own so I checked and here are the ones I found:

ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #16
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE DOUBLE DIGEST #16
JUGHEAD & ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #16
JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #16
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #16

That is the longest list of digest titles that I own the same issue number of, and it will probably be a long time until I own more digest titles of a different issue number.


Is #16 the last issue of the series?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 19, 2016, 07:56:46 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on November 19, 2016, 06:56:03 PM
Is #16 the last issue of the series?

No.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 20, 2016, 11:03:58 AM
I'll read some books after lunch
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 20, 2016, 12:37:16 PM
Catching up on some Pixie Trix webcomics. Reading DANGEROUSLY CHLOE Vol. 2 (Chapters 11-16) right now on the computer (I save them all first to  make it easier to read -- I figure it's worth the extra time/work to save it before reading it, because I'll probably want to re-read it again sometime), and ASTRO BOY (1960-61 stories) in paperback. After I finish those stories I'll have to see if I can get caught up on other Pixie Trix comics I haven't read in months, like EERIE CUTIES and MAGICK CHICKS, and maybe save all of Kristin Gudsnuk's HENCHGIRL webcomics and re-read the whole thing (it concluded with the 10th issue of the print comic). I kind of like waiting a few months until I can save complete chapters of the webcomic series. I just enjoy it more that way than checking it every few weeks just to read a few pages.

Sure wish there would be a new print issue of Darin Henry and Jeff Schultz' SUPER SUCKERS soon.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on November 20, 2016, 01:48:06 PM
Archie Comics Super Special #7 - not as many Christmas stories as I was hoping. Lots of snow stories.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 21, 2016, 07:17:14 AM

I going read those comics I got in the mail recently so I put them on my wall.
I read these
Archie #14- Joe Eisma
Betty & Veronica #2 -Rachael Stott
Jughead Vol 3 #10 -Fiona Staples
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 21, 2016, 02:42:24 PM
I finished reading
World Of Archie Double Digest #6
Jughead Double Digest #173
And I also read these for 12 minutes each
Archie Giant Comics Festival
Archie's Favorite Christmas Comics
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World-Volume #2
And I read these comics
Jughead #5-Thomas Pitilli
Archie #11-Veronica Fish
Betty & Veronica #2-Adam Hughes
Betty & Veronica #2 -Allison Sohn

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 22, 2016, 07:27:42 AM

I'll read in a while. I'm going read each of these for 12 minutes each
📦 1-Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #235
🎃 2-Betty & Veronica-Halloween Annual #237
💾 3-Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #238
💛 4-Betty & Veronica Comics Annual #240

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 22, 2016, 04:35:12 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on November 20, 2016, 01:48:06 PM
Archie Comics Super Special #7 - not as many Christmas stories as I was hoping. Lots of snow stories.

I count 9 Christmas stories, which is pretty good relative to a double digest Xmas issue. That's not counting one-page gags and pin-up pages. You're right, there are a lot of "snow stories" as well. I was kind of happy to see that there was a good mix of older and newer stories in this, more older stories than would be the case with one of those double digest Xmas issues.

They could really enhance the desirability of these Super Specials by putting a new 20 (+/-) page lead story in each issue.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 23, 2016, 07:38:51 AM
I want to catch up on Last Look by Charles Burns.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 23, 2016, 07:36:28 PM
RICK AND MORTY: L'IL POOPY SUPERSTAR #5 (of 5)
RED TEAM: DOUBLE TAP # 5 (of 9)
EMPRESS #7 (of 7)
HELLBOY & THE B.P.R.D.: THE UNREASONING BEAST, Part 1 (of 2), or whole #13
ROM #5
MICKEY MOUSE #323
SIXPACK & DOGWELDER: HARD-TRAVELIN' HEROZ #4 (of 6)
BATMAN BEYOND #2
DETECTIVE COMICS #945
WONDER WOMAN #11
ACTION COMICS #968
TITANS #5
SUPERF*CKERS FOREVER #4 (of 5)
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP #20 (featuring Space Ghost)
SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #74
FUTURE QUEST #7
SUPER POWERS! #1 (of 6)
DARK HORSE PRESENTS #28
TRUE PATRIOT PRESENTS #1
KAIJUMAX SEASON 2 #6 (of 6)
GODZILLA: RAGE ACROSS TIME #5 (of 5)
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND # 5 (of 6)
ARCHIE COMICS SUPER SPECIAL #7


Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 24, 2016, 09:30:09 AM

I want read these again because I put all my commissions back on my wall
Jughead #10 -Fiona Staples
Saga #39
Josie & Pussycats #2 -Zullo variant.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 25, 2016, 12:28:08 AM
📖 📓 📚 📓 📖 📚 📓No reading for me today 📖 📓 📚 📓 📖 📓 📚 📓.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 26, 2016, 11:26:52 AM
I read these for 12 minutes each
🍎 Archie-Giant Comics Party
🎅 Archie Comic Super Special
⚡ For Better Or For Worse-Middle Age Spread
💞 Last Look
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 26, 2016, 02:25:00 PM
I read
Reggie & Me #1- Sandy Jarell cover
I loved it. The comic is so colorful. Reggie looks awesome in it. It seems like Midge is kinda friendly with Reggie. She & Moose are at Reggie's party. And Veronica is also having a party the same night & everyone heads to it. So Reggie has to get revenge on Veronica & Archie for ruining his party. There's no way in old comics that would ever happen that Midge would even talk to Reggie.  Midge is even happy when Reggie says he going get s dog but he wants her help him pick one out but she has a Study Date with Moose which makes Reggie angry. He just want to spend some time with her.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 26, 2016, 03:43:44 PM
Now I read all of these & I'm going put them in my comic frames. I'll take a picture & put it on my Twitter page.
Reggie & Me #1-The Blank Variant
Reggie & Me #1-Ryan Jampole Variant
Reggie & Me #1-Ron Frenz Variant
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on November 26, 2016, 05:12:43 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on November 26, 2016, 02:25:00 PM
I read
Reggie & Me #1- Sandy Jarell cover
I loved it. The comic is so colorful. Reggie looks awesome in it. It seems like Midge is kinda friendly with Reggie. She & Moose are at Reggie's party. And Veronica is also having a party the same night & everyone heads to it. So Reggie has to get revenge on Veronica & Archie for ruining his party. There's no way in old comics that would ever happen that Midge would even talk to Reggie.  Midge is even happy when Reggie says he going get s dog but he wants her help him pick one out but she has a Study Date with Moose which makes Reggie angry. He just want to spend some time with her.



So who's the Me in Reggie and Me?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on November 26, 2016, 05:14:03 PM
White #1 - a comic about a shipwrecked girl surrounded by sharks. I loved it! Very compelling. The artwork is photorealistic. More comics like this please!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 26, 2016, 05:49:16 PM
Vader, who is Reggie's dog is me in the comic. Its sweet how Reggie got the dog. Jughead was playing with Hot Dog & that made Reggie want to get a dog. Jughead seemed Happy that Hot Dog & Jughead were so happy together. Reggie was lonely & wanted a friend.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 26, 2016, 08:01:52 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on November 26, 2016, 05:49:16 PM
Vader, who is Reggie's dog is me in the comic. Its sweet how Reggie got the dog. Jughead was playing with Hot Dog & that made Reggie want to get a dog. Jughead seemed Happy that Hot Dog & Jughead were so happy together. Reggie was lonely & wanted a friend.

Did he get a dog just because it would help him meet cute girls? That's the way he got Runty (from an animal shelter) in the other (digital exclusive) REGGIE AND ME miniseries.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 26, 2016, 08:29:59 PM
In this series, I only think Reggie got the dog because he was sad & lonely. He is only interested in Midge . Vadar actually says Reggie could have his choice of any girl but Reggie only wants Midge.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 26, 2016, 10:39:26 PM
ASTRO BOY - "The White-Hot Being", "Plant People", "The Hot Dog Corps", "The Blast Furnace Mystery", "The Third Magician" (all stories from 1961)

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #70 (Oct. 2000) - Not much to say about this one, except that this issue had not one, not two, but three of those 1-page "KNOW YOUR HEROES!" 1 or 2 page features that ran randomly as fillers in both floppy and digest comics between 1999 and 2002, all of them written by Paul Castiglia: "The Legacy of The Black Hood", "The Origin of The Jaguar", and "The Origin of Steel Sterling". I've rarely seen even 2 of these in a single comic, and here there are three of them. I've been able to identify 10 different instances of this feature (a few of which were in the form of Public Service Announcements about Bicycle Safety, In-Line Skating Safety, or Fire Safety; the rest were origin story recaps of the various MLJ heroes: Black Hood, Black Jack, Mr. Justice, The Shield, Steel Sterling, The Comet, The Jaguar, and The Web).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 26, 2016, 10:41:39 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on November 26, 2016, 08:29:59 PM
In this series, I only think Reggie got the dog because he was sad & lonely. He is only interested in Midge . Vadar actually says Reggie could have his choice of any girl but Reggie only wants Midge.

Vadar is another talking dog like Hot Dog in B&V?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 27, 2016, 04:18:33 AM
Yes Vader is the narrator of the story.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 27, 2016, 10:45:50 PM
I read some digital comics for 12 minutes each tonight
🍼 Jughead's Baby Tales
💝 Reggie King Of April Fool's #2
💎 Reggie & Me -Archie's 75 Series
🍹 Betty's Diary-Archie's 75 Series
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 28, 2016, 07:15:29 AM
ASTRO BOY - "Space Parasites", "Robot Land", "Astro vs. Garon", "White Planet", "Demon Bees", and "The Robot Spaceship" (stories from 1962-1963).
TRANSFORMERS: 'TIL ALL ARE ONE # 1-5
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 29, 2016, 07:44:11 AM

Yesterday I got Archie #14 in the mail which is from my 24 Archie issue subscription. I'll read it later.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 29, 2016, 05:50:55 PM
I read
Archie #14, The one from my 24 Archie subscription
Invincible #131
Saga #39
And Tonight I will be reading my digital copy of Jughead #11.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 29, 2016, 06:16:06 PM
SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #75
GREAT LAKES AVENGERS #2
JUGHEAD #11 - More to say about this later, on my reviews thread.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 29, 2016, 09:09:06 PM
And I will be reading my digital copy of Jughead #11 sometime in the morning.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 30, 2016, 06:09:01 AM
I just read my digital copy of Jughead #11. I liked it & I didn't liked it. The reason I liked is the art . Derek's Jughead & Reggie are adorable. I think they both look so cute. The colors in the book are amazing . I didn't think I like North's style of writing. It's very strange. It doesn't fit the Jughead I used to know. What he writes is hard to understand.  I don't care for the quotes at the bottom of page. I would give this comic a B if I was grading it. I miss Chip Zdarsky's writing the book.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 30, 2016, 03:51:37 PM
I'm going read all my Reggie & Me #1's again when I sit my room & read.
Reggie & Me #1-Sandy Jarell
Reggie & Me #1-Blank Variant
Reggie & Me #1-Ryan Jampole
Reggie & Me #1-Ron Frenz

AfterLife With Archie #9 & #10

I'll read some digital comics tomorrow, I'm too tired now.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 01, 2016, 10:55:28 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on November 30, 2016, 06:09:01 AM
I just read my digital copy of Jughead #11. I liked it & I didn't liked it. The reason I liked is the art . Derek's Jughead & Reggie are adorable. I think they both look so cute. The colors in the book are amazing . I didn't think I like North's style of writing. It's very strange. It doesn't fit the Jughead I used to know. What he writes is hard to understand.  I don't care for the quotes at the bottom of page. I would give this comic a B if I was grading it. I miss Chip Zdarsky's writing the book.

They have the same names, but they are not the same characters. They talk differently (Betty even swears) and they act differently. And they are certainly drawn differently. That's not just Ryan North. That's ALL the New Riverdale comics, and all the characters in them. Oh, they do have a few similar characteristics, but it's only a vague-ish resemblance.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 01, 2016, 10:58:55 AM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Last Look
Archie's Favorite High School Comics
Archie Giant Comics Party
World Of Archie Christmas Annual #53
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 02, 2016, 12:10:34 AM
REVOLUTION #5 (of 5)
M.A.S.K. #1
RICK AND MORTY #20
SPOOK HOUSE #2
TALES FROM THE CRYPT #1 (Supergenius Comics, 2016)
JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS #23
TANK GIRL: GOLD #2 (of 4)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 02, 2016, 09:58:56 AM
I'll read later today
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 02, 2016, 01:21:36 PM

51NKaj+78JL. SX323 BO1,204,203,200
I got this today & I'm going read it & put in one of my comic frames.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 03, 2016, 05:31:34 AM
Started to read Gisele's webcomic MA3 again, from the beginning. I think I got as far as partway through February 2009.

Only another 1,200 pages to go.

Hard to say if I'll be able to make it that far, as I can't really read these during my idle moments at work.

also read:
TARZAN ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #3 (of 5)
Edgar Rice Burroughs' THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT #3
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 03, 2016, 03:32:49 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
💝 Last Look
🔦 Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
🐰 Archie 1000 Page Comics Extravaganza
📷 World Of Archie Christmas Annual #53
💎 Betty & Veronica Comics Double Digest #235
🐯 Betty & Veronica Halloween Annual #237
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 03, 2016, 04:22:48 PM
What's LAST LOOK about?

Today I read part of ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS #274 - Man, they could fill ten of those 1000 Page Comics Digests with just Mike Pellowski stories. Sometimes I think he must have written more stories than Frank Doyle and George Gladir combined in the 1990s and 2000s. There's another lead story in here by the Kennedy brothers. I guess those guys must have been fast, and they really stockpiled a backlog of stories from them, because it seems like every new lead story that isn't a Dan Parent story is one that's been drawn by the Kennedys (not a bad thing, though). Y'know, I never noticed this before, but some of the figure drawings and panel compositions in the Kennedy brothers' stories remind me a little of Samm Schwartz. It's a little hard to recognize his influence at first, because Schwartz would never have drawn the characters with the styles of clothing that the K-bros give them, and they put a ton of background details in, while Schwartz' backgrounds were so sparse that they're austere. But a couple of the panels in this new lead story, "In Olden Days" (written by James Gartler, who was pretty new to ACP as a writer, even before they stopped buying new stories from anyone but Dan Parent) really have the look of a Samm Schwartz drawing, if you ignore the backgrounds.

Also today, I read ASTRO BOY "The Greatest Robot In The World". It's a 180-page epic (takes up almost an entire paperback volume of the series) about a giant robot named Pluto who appears and goes around challenging all the most powerful robots from different countries, destroying them one by one, just to prove that he's "the greatest robot in the world". He turns out to be not all bad, though, because he's been built only for the purpose of fighting other robots and has to obey the orders of his master, but eventually he turns against him and refuses to obey him any more. He battles Astro several times during the course of the story, but there's always something that happens to cut the battle short before the winner is decided. Then there's a big epic showdown at the end where a new mystery robot called Bora shows up, who is twice as powerful as even Pluto. It's a fun story, and there's a moral in there about robots not being created to fight, but to help humans (and each other), and that the true greatness of a robot isn't judged by the amount of horsepower he has or who he can beat in a fight.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 03, 2016, 04:37:50 PM

Last Look
The epic trilogy that began with X'ed Out, continued in The Hive, and concluded in Sugar Skull—now in one book.
51k07xiUVWL. SX381 BO1,204,203,200
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 03, 2016, 04:53:03 PM
Somehow I never managed to read much of Charles' Burns work, and I never seem to see his books on the shelves at my LCS, but I'll have to check him out some time.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 04, 2016, 07:16:03 PM
No reading for me today, Maybe tomorrow. AcI did read some Archie 75 Year-Betty's Diary.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 05, 2016, 07:47:10 AM
I'll read later
I read each of these books for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
The Best Of Archie Comics 75 Years 75 Stories
Betty & Veronica-Girls Rule
Nameless City
Friends With Boys
Last Look
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 06, 2016, 10:49:21 AM
I read some comic as in my comfy chair in my room.
I read
Reggie & Me #1-Sandy Jarell,I read it twice
Reggie's Revenge #1 & #2 & #3
Josie & The Pussycats #2-Chrissie Zullo variant
Archie #13-Veronica Fish variant
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 06, 2016, 06:34:35 PM
DEATH OF HAWKMAN #3 (of 6)
TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE REVOLUTION #1 (one-shot)
REGGIE AND ME #1 (of 5)
JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS #3
MOON KNIGHT #9
SAVAGE DRAGON #218
MICKEY MOUSE #324
DEADMAN: DARK MANSION OF FORBIDDEN LOVE #2 (of 3)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on December 06, 2016, 06:50:49 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on December 06, 2016, 06:34:35 PM
DEATH OF HAWKMAN #3 (of 6)
TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE REVOLUTION #1 (one-shot)
REGGIE AND ME #1 (of 5)
JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS #3
MOON KNIGHT #9
SAVAGE DRAGON #218
MICKEY MOUSE #324
DEADMAN: DARK MANSION OF FORBIDDEN LOVE #2 (of 3)


How was Josie and Reggie?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 06, 2016, 07:34:33 PM
Reggie & Me #1 was awesome. Vader Reggie's dog is the narrator of the book. Reggie gets Vader from the dog pound because he sees how happy Hot Dog makes Jughead. Which was so sweet. All the new kids are involved in the story.Sherry, that gothic girl, Chunk, Lawrence. I was surprised because I haven't seen since the other story line where they all introduced to RiverDale High School a few years ago. And since all these kids left Reggie's party to go Veronica's Bash Reggie played tricks on them.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 07, 2016, 12:27:47 AM
I just read my digital copy of Reggie & Me #1, I loved it. It was awesome.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 07, 2016, 03:58:44 AM
MICKEY'S CRAZIEST ADVENTURES HC
GUNS OF THE BLACK BAT #3 (of 3)
BATMAN '66 MEETS STEED & MRS. PEEL #6 (of 6)
SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN: FALL OF MAN #5 (of 5)
MICRONAUTS #8
PREDATOR VS. JUDGE DREDD VS. ALIENS #3 (of 6)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 07, 2016, 03:05:44 PM
I read
Sex Criminals #12
The Beauty #6
Morning Glories #50

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 08, 2016, 04:02:29 PM
THE ROOK VOL. 2: DESPERATE TIMES TP
RESIDENT ALIEN VOL. 3: THE SAM HAIN MYSTERY TP
STAR TREK: NEW VISIONS #13 - THE HIDDEN FACE
PLUTO: URASAWA X TEZUKA VOLS. 1, 2, 3, & 4
(of 8 )
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 08, 2016, 10:17:33 PM
Today I skipped reading anything today.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 09, 2016, 07:53:16 AM


I plan to check on comics I just got recently from tfaw. I will change my wall & hang them up later today
Sex Criminals #13
Sex  Criminals #14
Sex Criminals #15
Jughead #11
Morning Glories #50

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 09, 2016, 10:49:22 AM
I read a bunch of beat-up, uncollectable comics (mostly from the '60s and '70s) that I found in the bins at my LCS:

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #13

ARCHIE'S GIRLS BETTY AND VERONICA #154

MADHOUSE GLADS #81
- Interesting story - "When Johnny Comes Marching Home": Clyde Didit joins the Army Reserves (thereby paying for his college tuition whilst simultaneously avoiding being drafted and sent to Vietnam) and goes off to boot camp, where he has a typical 'generation gap' experience dealing with his drill sergeant, trying to explain why he doesn't dig the whole 'learn how to kill your fellow man' scene. Luckily for him, Clyde fractures his leg while heroically pushing the sarge out of the way of a bunch of falling oil drums, so he gets off the hook from having to spend two whole weeks in Camp Hell. (huh. I guess "When Clyde Comes Hobbling Home" just didn't have the right ring to it...) Another story's in here where Bippy the Hippie 'sells out' and joins The Establishment, gets a haircut and wears a suit and tie so he can rake in the simoleans working for The Man (but he was only doing it because his father lost his job). Fran the Fan saves Bippy from dropping out of school when she asks her dad (a well-connected dude with some pull) to help Bippy's dad get a new (and better) job, so Bippy can go back to being the loveable freaky laid-back poster boy for peace, love, nonconformity, and happily-adjusted unemployment. Far out, man. I was a little bummed out that fab Fran didn't get a bigger part in the stories (unrecognized by los hermanos Didit, she's a brainy bird who usually outsmarts them), but at least these ones were a little different. Then there's a more typical one, where Rod the Mod buys a brand new chopper (apparently he'd just seen Easy Rider, as his bike's a copy of the one Peter Fonda rode in that movie) just for the purpose of showing up Clyde in front of Fran by challenging him to an off-road race, and making him look bad. Naturally, Rod's dirty tricks of rigging the race course wind up backfiring on him (hmm... this guy reminds me of someone...)

(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_iv/600/820655.jpg)

I've got more of these, but it'll have to wait for a bit.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 09, 2016, 06:18:25 PM
I read some comics while sitting in my comfy chair in my room
🐯 1-Phonogram-The Immaterial Girl #6
🎡 2-Archie #5-David Williams
💜 3-Archie #6-Veronica Fish
🐑 4-Archie #12-Veronica Fish
And I read these books for 12 minutes each
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World-Volume #2
Archie Giant Comics Festival
Archie's Favorite Christmas Comics
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 10, 2016, 11:52:45 AM
More well-worn funnybooks from the bins at my LCS. I don't see many Harvey Comics in there, and when I do, they're almost invariably either RICHIE RICH, CASPER, or SAD SACK, all of which seem to have had a ton of spinoff titles, and none of which particularly interest me. It's the second-tier titles from Harvey that I like... BABY HUEY, LITTLE DOT, STUMBO THE GIANT, and HOT STUFF, and I hardly ever see any of those. So I was happy to find these random issues from the '60s & '70s:

HOT STUFF #131 & 143
HOT STUFF CREEPY CAVES #3 & 7
DEVIL KIDS STARRING HOT STUFF # 35 & 71


There also existed another spinoff title called HOT STUFF SIZZLERS, but I didn't find any of those. I never really thought about it before, but I wonder what the deal was with Harvey Comics having SO many spinoff titles for its various characters, even ones like Hot Stuff who weren't the company's real breadwinners like Richie Rich, Casper, and Sad Sack? I mean, HOT STUFF CREEPY CAVES does not, as you might imagine, contain any stories featuring any caves apart from the one that Hot Stuff usually lives in. Nor do the stories in DEVIL KIDS feature any other kid devils, with the exception of Hot Stuff himself. In other words, the contents of both spinoff titles were completely indistinguishable from any random issue of the main HOT STUFF title... so WHY, then, did those spinoff titles exist at all? They were all published bi-monthly, so if there was enough of an audience to support spinoff titles for those characters, why not just make the regular HOT STUFF title monthly instead, or even every-three-weeks, since the contents of all of the spinoffs was interchangeable? The best I can come up with is that retailers were likely to leave a bimonthly title displayed for sale longer, until a new issue arrived to replace it, so the title would have a better chance of actually selling to a reader than a monthly title that got removed from display sooner, if still unsold. That, and I guess maybe Harvey Comics liked to project some kind of illusion that they were a larger publisher in the comic book industry than they actually were, and publishing three or four bi-monthly titles instead of one or two monthly titles helped create that illusion, because...  it's just more different titles that they can say they publish, even though in any given year it would be the same total number of comics published as if they had half as many monthly titles.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 10, 2016, 04:41:34 PM
I finished reading
Last Look
And I also read these for 12 minutes each
No Mercy
Invincible-Still Standing-Volume #12
Archie 1000 Page-75Th Anniversary Bash
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 10, 2016, 09:10:50 PM
I plan to read any digital comic that I have that involves Reggie 💝 🔥 💘 💋 💖 💌.
I read
Reggie & Me #1
Reggie & Me -75th Year
Archie Meets Ramones
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 11, 2016, 08:30:57 AM
I'll probably read in a little while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 12, 2016, 06:18:31 AM
PLUTO: URASAWA x TEZUKA VOL. 5, 6, 7, & 8 (of 8 ) - That was great. One of the best manga series I've ever read. Really impressed. Five stars *****!
REGGIE'S WISE GUY JOKES #13, 24, 30, 34 - IMO, this is the best of all the Joke Book titles. Why? I dunno, maybe the one-page gag just suits Reggie better than Archie or Jughead. Here you find more one-page gags with Reggie dating Midge again, and also more of his insults and put-downs aimed at Ethel (but mostly, Archie is the victim of his zingers more than anyone else).
MOTOR CRUSH #1
DUCK AVENGER #2


Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 13, 2016, 07:48:13 AM
My mom got me Archie Double Digest #273 from the Thrift Store yesterday. I'll start to read it today.
I read these in my room while sitting in my comfy chair while reading each book for 12 minutes each 
Archie's Favorite Christmas Comics
Archie Giant Comics Festival
The Best Of Archie Comics-Book #3
And I finished
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World-Volume #2
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 13, 2016, 06:03:28 PM
Now I'm starting to read
Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Sadness-Volume #3
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on December 13, 2016, 11:54:33 PM
Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck: The Richest Duck In The World (The Don Rosa Library, Vol. 5)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 14, 2016, 02:34:23 PM
Lots of stuff over the last week or so, not all of which I've been writing down, so here's where I catch up.

ASTRO BOY - Beginning with the first story from 1965, and continuing through to Feb. 1967:
"Roboids", "Robio and Robiette", "The Blue Knight", "Astro Boy Reborn", "The Melanin Tribe", "Meeva", and "The Faceless Robot".
I'm just about a year away from the end of the original serialized run of Mighty Atom in Shonen Magazine (about one and a half volumes in paperback). After that there are three paperback collections of the Mighty Atom newspaper strip that ran from 1966-1969, and I'm done. I think I may re-read the whole run (minus the 2 crossovers with Sonic the Hedgehog) of MEGA MAN after this.

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #95 (Aug. 2003) - Not bad, but nothing very notable worth mentioning.

JUGHEAD'S JOKES (3 random issues) - At this point I've forgotten the issue numbers, but the gags were just as forgettable. I definitely liked the 4 issues of REGGIE'S WISE GUY JOKES I read a couple of days earlier better.

EVIL DEAD 2: MERRY DEADITE XMAS #1
BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ADVENTURES #2 (of 6)
UNCLE SCROOGE #425
SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #76
HAWKEYE #1
DETECTIVE COMICS #946
WONDER WOMAN #12
MOONSHINE #3

ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE CHRISTMAS ANNUAL #23 - Arrived on 12/12, but I didn't read it all right away. I just finished it yesterday. The best thing in there was a longish Xmas story by Dan Parent, "The ELFth Day of Christmas" which is kind of like the movie Groundhog Day, with the day before Christmas repeating over and over, due to Jingles, of course. That and some B&V Christmas Fashions pages by Dan DeCarlo. The lead story is by Dan too, and it's okay, but not one of his best. It must be kind of hard to come up with new material for these 5-page Xmas stories when you're doing so many of them, so they can't all be his best.

HILLBILLY #4 - Enjoying this series quite a bit.

LIFE WITH ARCHIE #122 (June 1972) - There's a Bob Bolling story in here that's about Betty helping Veronica get her evening gown just perfect for a big awards presentation that she has to give that evening at the Yacht Club, a very swank blueblood affair, and Ronnie's going on and on, condescending to Betty, about how she wouldn't fit in with that crowd, wouldn't know how to act, and so on. At one point, as she's just about to hop into the limo with Archie, she actually pats Betty on the head! And there's even a little 'pat-pat' sound FX there. Then just as the limo speeds off, Mr. Lodge comes running down with the award plaque that she was supposed to present, but it's too late, Veronica's gone. Mr. Lodge grabs Betty, tells her she has to go to the club and bring the award to Veronica, drags her up to Veronica's room, and tells her to pick something out of Ronnie's wardrobe (they're the same size) but to hurry. He sees her all dolled up in one of Veronica's gowns, hands her the plaque, and gives her the keys to one of his cars to speed over there. Betty doesn't feel comfortable taking one of Mr. Lodge's cars, so she takes Archie's jalopy (a.k.a. "Ol' Betsy") instead. She gets to the club, but parks the car on the street where it won't be seen, and runs into the club, where she immediately catches the eyes of all the guys in her (actually Veronica's) stunning dress. All of sudden there's a big hubbub, she's the center of attention, and the guys won't let her go to bring the award to Veronica. One of them grabs it, and tells her he'll make sure it gets to her, but then hands it off to another guy. While it finally does make its way to Veronica's hands, by that time the stuffy old fogey who was supposed to be the one being honored that night with the award is so captivated by Betty that he's got no interest in receiving the award, he just wants to keep dancing with Betty. When they put him on the spot, he basically just grabs the award, saying to himself "Who cares about some silly old award, anyway?" leaving Veronica (literally) speechless. She's seething because presenting the award was her big moment, she had a nice introductory speech all prepared and memorized, and now it seems like her being there at all was just a big waste of her time. In all that's going on, she never noticed that Betty was there (she was too far away with all the guys crowded around Betty, so she couldn't recognize her, or her own dress that Betty was wearing). She leaves the club, fit to be tied, and goes home to tell Daddykins about it. Meanwhile, Betty finally manages to make her escape from all the attention, runs out of the Yacht Club, and hops in Archie's car to drive away. As Veronica sits at home, steaming about how her entire evening was ruined, she mentions some 'new blonde girl' that had all the guys distracted, and Mr. Lodge suddenly realizes that it was Betty, and his fault that he sent her. A nice little update of the Cinderella story by Bob Bolling. Most of his best stories have some kind of fantasy/fairytale feel to them.

LOST IN SPACE: THE LOST ADVENTURES #6 (of 6)

JUGHEAD #240, 243 (both from 1975)

THE THREE STOOGES: MERRY STOOGEMAS #1 - Another story by Bill Galvan is in this issue.

SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN #84 (April 1965) - "Jimmy's a good kid, but he's always getting into trouble." That's what Superman is thinking to himself in this issue. Yup, that's our Archie, all right... I mean, Jimmy. Must be the red hair and freckles. You know, if Dan Parent or Dan DeCarlo had drawn this story, it would probably be just as funny as a typical Archie comic, too. Because of all his weird and wacky adventures, Jimmy promises to make a monster movie that breaks all box office records for monster movies. He's got access to nutty Professor Potter's time-space transporter machine, and summons up Titano the Super-Ape (old foe of the Man of Steel who has kryptonite vision) to battle against the Flame Dragon from Krypton (yeah, they had some strange megafauna on that planet), but everything goes wrong (just as well, since he'd probably have been sued by Toho Studios & Universal Pictures for ripping off their earlier film, King Kong vs. Godzilla). Oh that Jimmy! In the second story, JO disguises himself as a girl, in order to fool the members of his own adoring Jimmy Olsen Fan Club. For some reason, this seems to happen in Jimmy Olsen stories almost as much as it did to Bugs Bunny. That's when he's not changing into a Giant Turtle Boy, a werewolf, a human porcupine, or his superhero identity of Elastic Lad. Great cover (falling off, no backcover on my copy) on this issue.

(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_iv/600/681077.jpg)

BETTY BOOP #3 (of 4) - I wish this was an ongoing series. Too bad it has to end with #4.

WONDER WOMAN '77 MEETS THE BIONIC WOMAN #1 - This was better written and drawn than most of the previous WW77 specials, and I liked the story and art better than the last BATMAN '66 miniseries. I got both of the regular cover variants (Alex Ross & Cat Staggs), but didn't know until I looked at the back pages that Dan Parent drew a Retailer Exclusive variant cover for UltimateComics.com. They cost $10 plus shipping, though. Here's Dan's cover:
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fultimatecomics.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F11%2FWW-BW-cover-Dan-parent-color-final-1-low-res-1.jpg&hash=e53f1f796afbea55f8215a1004be9da5585817e8)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on December 14, 2016, 08:49:04 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on December 12, 2016, 06:18:31 AM
PLUTO: URASAWA x TEZUKA VOL. 5, 6, 7, & 8 (of 8 ) - That was great. One of the best manga series I've ever read. Really impressed. Five stars *****!
REGGIE'S WISE GUY JOKES #13, 24, 30, 34 - IMO, this is the best of all the Joke Book titles. Why? I dunno, maybe the one-page gag just suits Reggie better than Archie or Jughead. Here you find more one-page gags with Reggie dating Midge again, and also more of his insults and put-downs aimed at Ethel (but mostly, Archie is the victim of his zingers more than anyone else).
MOTOR CRUSH #1
DUCK AVENGER #2



How was Motor Crush? Would I like it? Is it girlie?


Would I like Duck Avenger if I like the Duck Tales movie from the 90s?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 15, 2016, 05:08:29 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on December 14, 2016, 08:49:04 PM
How was Motor Crush? Would I like it? Is it girlie?

Would I like Duck Avenger if I like the Duck Tales movie from the 90s?

No and no.

Motor Crush is kind of some alternate universe Speed Racer thing with motorcycles instead of cars, with a female drug-addicted protagonist.

Duck Avenger is Donald as a superhero, but in a 60-page story it gets a little tedious.

I'm not going to continue reading either of those.

If you want a recommendation of something that seems girlie to check out, try SPELL ON WHEELS by Kate Leth & Megan Levins, a 5-issue miniseries from Dark Horse Comics. It's about 3 witches trying to recover their stolen magical items from a thief, and while the story didn't interest me enough to continue beyond the first issue, it's competently enough written and drawn, and I had no problem following what was going on. The character interaction between the three main protagonists may be enough to hold your interest.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on December 15, 2016, 12:43:16 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on December 15, 2016, 05:08:29 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on December 14, 2016, 08:49:04 PM
How was Motor Crush? Would I like it? Is it girlie?

Would I like Duck Avenger if I like the Duck Tales movie from the 90s?

No and no.

Motor Crush is kind of some alternate universe Speed Racer thing with motorcycles instead of cars, with a female drug-addicted protagonist.

Duck Avenger is Donald as a superhero, but in a 60-page story it gets a little tedious.

I'm not going to continue reading either of those.

If you want a recommendation of something that seems girlie to check out, try SPELL ON WHEELS by Kate Leth & Megan Levins, a 5-issue miniseries from Dark Horse Comics. It's about 3 witches trying to recover their stolen magical items from a thief, and while the story didn't interest me enough to continue beyond the first issue, it's competently enough written and drawn, and I had no problem following what was going on. The character interaction between the three main protagonists may be enough to hold your interest.


I read the beginnings of Duck Avenger in one of those Don Rosa Uncle Scrooge and Donald volumes and  it was alright, it was funny. But I have not read the other comics that are only about the Avenger. Is Scrooge and/or his nephews in those comics?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 15, 2016, 12:46:00 PM
I'll read later
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 15, 2016, 02:22:57 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on December 15, 2016, 12:43:16 PM
I read the beginnings of Duck Avenger in one of those Don Rosa Uncle Scrooge and Donald volumes and  it was alright, it was funny. But I have not read the other comics that are only about the Avenger. Is Scrooge and/or his nephews in those comics?

I wasn't aware that Duck Avenger was used in any of Don Rosa's stories, but I've missed a lot of them. I've been meaning to catch up with Fantagraphics' complete Don Rosa Library collections, but have fallen a little behind on that series in particular. There is just a LOT of Disney stuff coming out right now, with IDW's regular comics, trade paperback collections of same, and the Library of American Comics hardcover reprint collections of the Donald Duck, Silly Symphonies, and Walt Disney's Treasury of Classic Stories newspaper strips, and then Fantagraphics' Mickey Mouse newspaper strip collections and Carl Barks Library and Don Rosa Library hardcovers. It's hard to keep up with it all, since all these hardcover books tend to be somewhere in the $30-$50 price range (except for IDW's reprinting of the European stories in trade paperback).

Duck Avenger is actually a creation of the Italian Disney comics artists. IDW reprinted the earliest appearances (short stories, including his origin) in some of their regular DONALD DUCK comic books not too long ago. My objection to the DUCK AVENGER comic book is that the stories are far too long at 60 pages, not very humorous (it's more like a regular superhero comic book that way), and I don't particularly like the artist (whose name I've forgotten now). His style is a little off the standard Disney character model and style.

But to answer your question, Uncle Scrooge was in the first issue (actually, DUCK AVENGER #0) briefly, but he didn't play a big part in the story. I didn't notice the nephews in any of the 3 issues I read. In fact, this series tries to give an entirely new setup than Donald's usual one. Here he's hired by Uncle Scrooge to manage a new skyscraper that Scrooge purchased, that formerly belonged to an eccentric billionaire scientist who disappeared. Donald discovers a completely hidden floor in the building that houses an artificially-intelligent computer called One, and this become's the Duck Avenger's new secret headquarters (there are other high-tech gadgets that the scientist left behind when he disappeared, also), and One becomes his aide-de-camp as the Duck Avenger, stays constantly in contact with him, and is able to help him out of especially tough scrapes. In the second issue (actually #1) the building is rented (or leased, I forget which) to a muckraking TV news station, whose obnoxious star reporter has a vendetta against the Duck Avenger, and there's a mysterious woman who works there that turns out to be time traveller from the future who figures out Donald's secret, and aids him for reasons known only to herself. In issue #0, Donald battles an invasion from the conquest-minded alien race known as the Evronians, and they return again in issue #2. In issue #1 he had to stop a time traveller from the future from changing history. Very non-standard for a Disney comic.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 15, 2016, 03:12:37 PM
I read the 2 of the 3 comics that I got at Unique. Someone brought gave those comics to the Thift store . And they were brand new because they were still in the plastic. And they left their name on them. They were mailed to Ryan Jampole.
Reggie & Me #1-Sandy Jarell cover
Jughead #10-Derek Charm cover
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on December 15, 2016, 08:15:36 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on December 15, 2016, 05:08:29 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on December 14, 2016, 08:49:04 PM
How was Motor Crush? Would I like it? Is it girlie?

Would I like Duck Avenger if I like the Duck Tales movie from the 90s?

No and no.

Motor Crush is kind of some alternate universe Speed Racer thing with motorcycles instead of cars, with a female drug-addicted protagonist.

Duck Avenger is Donald as a superhero, but in a 60-page story it gets a little tedious.

I'm not going to continue reading either of those.

If you want a recommendation of something that seems girlie to check out, try SPELL ON WHEELS by Kate Leth & Megan Levins, a 5-issue miniseries from Dark Horse Comics. It's about 3 witches trying to recover their stolen magical items from a thief, and while the story didn't interest me enough to continue beyond the first issue, it's competently enough written and drawn, and I had no problem following what was going on. The character interaction between the three main protagonists may be enough to hold your interest.


Thanks. I've read the 1st 2 issues of Spell on Wheels. It was ok. Maybe I'll reread them to see if they grow on me.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 17, 2016, 01:23:09 PM
I finished Archie's Favorite High School Comics
And also I read these for 12 minutes
Archie Double Digest #273
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 17, 2016, 04:52:57 PM
I read
Josie & Pussycats #3-Mok
I read all of my Reggie & Me #1's & I put them in my comic frames. I put a picture on my Twitter Page.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 18, 2016, 03:27:35 PM
I'll read some digital comics later when I'm in bed.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 20, 2016, 08:37:07 PM
PUNISHER #7 - The last issue to be drawn by artist Steve Dillon before his untimely death. Since that was really the big attraction to me with this new series, I'll probably wind up dropping it soon.
AVENGERS #2.1 - Seems kind of like an arbitrary numbering sequence, as this story is really taking place shortly after the events of AVENGERS Vol. 1 #16, so shouldn't this be #16.02 ? Whatever. Now THIS is really Mark Waid's forte.
SQUADRON SUPREME #14
SILVER SURFER #8
THANOS #2
STAR TREK/GREEN LANTERN VOL 2 #1
(of 6)
CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #3
GREEN HORNET: REIGN OF THE DEMON #1
(of 4)
JEM AND THE MISFITS #1 - Very talky and slow-moving. Doesn't make me want to continue.
TANK GIRL: GOLD #3 (of 4)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 20, 2016, 09:15:07 PM
At midnight I will getting Archie #15 from the Google Play Store.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 21, 2016, 06:02:12 AM
I just finished reading my digital copy of Archie #15. This was a great issue. Reggie is even in it. Only at the party Archie is throwing for his Parents Anniversary. Archie only can make this party happen with help from his friends. Veronica is still fighting with Cheryl & MR. Lodge winds up buying Blossom's industries. But that means Cheryl & her family are broke. And the Blossom wind up moving to RiverDale, which is awful for Veronica & the rest of RiverDale.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 21, 2016, 05:22:32 PM
PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #13
BETTY AND VERONICA SPECTACULAR (ARCHIE GIANT SERIES) #458
- All good stories. All Dan DeCarlo stories.
BLACK HAMMER #6
ART & BEAUTY MAGAZINE #3
- Robert Crumb's drawings of various women taken from photographs.
SUPERF*CKERS FOREVER #5 (of 5) - Also has the hilarious bonus flip-book twisted Christmas Special SUPERF*CKERS SAVE CHRISTMAS!
DARK HORSE PRESENTS #29
GUMBALLS #1
DONALD DUCK ALBUM (DELL FOUR COLOR) #1182
(May 1961)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 21, 2016, 07:16:19 PM
I'll probably read some digital comics tonight while in bed.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 22, 2016, 08:22:02 PM
🍇 🍒 🍉 🍍 🍓 🍎 🌽 🍇I read my digital copy of Archie #15🍇 🍒 🍍 🍉 🍓 🌽 🍎 🍇
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on December 23, 2016, 04:35:29 AM
Lots of Archie's Holiday Fun digests. I'm trying to add them as I go to comics.org. I already have a ton of the Christmas Giant Series issues and I thought these would be a repeat but so far the stories are mostly from elsewhere. Though I have read a lot of these stories before, probably in the digital Pep comics.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 24, 2016, 03:45:57 PM
I read each of these for 12 minutes
🌟 1-Last Look
🎈 2-Middle Age Spread-A For Better Or For Worse Collection
🐻  3-Archie 1000 Page Comics Extravaganza
🏯 4-Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 24, 2016, 11:52:25 PM
I read some digital comics while in bed.
Life With Kevin #2
Archie #15
Morning Glories-Volume #1
SunStone-Volume #4
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: grubhead on December 25, 2016, 08:13:27 PM
My Pull List

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 26, 2016, 02:26:10 PM
I read the 2 books that I got for Christmas from my brother. I read each of them for 20 minutes.
1-Black Hole
2-Blankets
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 27, 2016, 07:42:06 AM
I'm not sure what I'll read today. I just pre-order Reggie & Me #2 from The Google Play Store.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on December 27, 2016, 12:49:50 PM
Finished reading: Archie 1000 Page Comics Spree!
and I am currently reading: The Best of Archie Comics Book Two and Book Four
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 27, 2016, 10:23:12 PM
I will be reading my copy of Life With Kevin #2 from the Google Play Store.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 28, 2016, 12:53:20 AM
JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #95 (Aug 2003), #97 (Oct 2003), #100 (Mar 2004)
ARCHIE ANNUAL COMICS DIGEST #47 (1985), #48 (1986), #68 (Apr 1997)
ARCHIE COMICS DIGEST #97 (Aug 1989)
EVIL DEAD 2: DARK ONES RISING #3 (of 3)
RED TEAM: DOUBLE TAP #6 (of 9)
SIXPACK & DOGWELDER: HARD-TRAVELIN' HEROZ #5 (of 6)
DARK KNIGHT III: MASTER RACE #7 (of 8 )
DETECTIVE COMICS #947
WONDER WOMAN #13
GREAT LAKES AVENGERS #3
ROM #6
G.I. JOE (2016) #1
SUPER POWERS #2 (of 6)
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP #21
FUTURE QUEST #8
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 28, 2016, 05:13:09 AM
I just read my digital copy of Life With Kevin #3. It was adorable. I love this version of Kevin. I love that the comic is done in blue. I hope they keep it that way & not change the color of the comic.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 28, 2016, 07:47:21 AM
I'll read later
I read
Reggie & Me #1-Sandy Jarell
Archie #14-Joe Eisma
Halloween Comic Fest -After Life With Archie-Season #2
Sex Criminals #12
New Romancer #6
The Beauty #6
Invincible #131
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 28, 2016, 01:50:52 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on December 28, 2016, 05:13:09 AM
I just read my digital copy of Life With Kevin #3. It was adorable. I love this version of Kevin. I love that the comic is done in blue. I hope they keep it that way & not change the color of the comic.

I hope that if this story is ever offered in a print format it is in full color. Either that or just print it as a coloring book, and I'll do it myself. Not that it looks like it will ever be offered in a paper version, so I'm just rambling. Archie Comics really doesn't want MY money anyway.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 28, 2016, 03:04:01 PM
I read each of these books for 15 minutes
Blankets
Black Hole
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 29, 2016, 09:58:32 AM
Today I want to take a break from reading anything Archie related. I have many other comics from
BatGirl
Black Canary
New Romancer
I'm going start with 3 titles.
BatGirl #35 & #38 & #47 & #48 & #50 & & #51& #52
Black Canary #1 & #2 & #3 & #5 & # 6
New Romancer #1 & #2 & #3





Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 29, 2016, 10:58:46 AM
I read these BatGirl issues #35 & #38 & #47 & #48
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 29, 2016, 03:58:34 PM
I read in my comfy chair in my room & read a lot .
I read each of books for 12 minutes each
🎄1-Archie's Favorite Christmas Comics
🐵 2-The Best Of Archie Comics-Book #3
🐞 3-Archie Giant Comics Festival
💔 4-Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Sadness-Volume #3
I also read these comics
Archie #657
Archie #666-The Betty Cover
Archie #1-It is a variant that I bought from Acme Comics
And I also read 3 digital comics
Life With Kevin #1 & #2 & #3
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 30, 2016, 02:39:18 AM
BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #249 - Fun new lead 5-page story by Dan Parent. Seems like it barely got started before it was over. Lately I've been craving some longer stories. I don't think there were any other stories in here (apart from the Sabrina reprint section) that I hadn't read before.

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #106 (Oct. 2004), #114 (Sept. 2005), #115 (Oct. 2005), #118 (Feb. 2006) - Nothing too notable in these, but I like seeing the then-recent (possibly even new at the time) Jughead stories drawn by Fernando Ruiz. There always seems to be at least 2 or 3 of those in every issue. I think Jughead is the character I most associate with Fernando. While I would probably admit to preferring the Craig Boldman/Rex Lindsey team on Jughead (they are pretty difficult to beat in my estimation), the short stories both written and drawn by Fernando are a close second. I would say that he seems to have written only about half (or less) of the Jughead stories he drew, so there are all sorts of other writers, George Gladir probably being the most prominent.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 30, 2016, 07:49:18 AM
I'll probably read some books later. I read Archie #15-Joe Eisma issue. It was one from my subscription.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 30, 2016, 02:45:32 PM
JUGHEAD & ARCHIE WINTER ANNUAL #24
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on December 30, 2016, 09:43:36 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on December 30, 2016, 02:45:32 PM
JUGHEAD & ARCHIE WINTER ANNUAL #24


Any good stories ie Boldman? I'm debating on whether to buy this or not. The last Jughead digest was really good.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 31, 2016, 12:17:52 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on December 30, 2016, 09:43:36 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on December 30, 2016, 02:45:32 PM
JUGHEAD & ARCHIE WINTER ANNUAL #24


Any good stories ie Boldman? I'm debating on whether to buy this or not. The last Jughead digest was really good.

There are several Boldman/Lindsey Jughead stories in this one (I didn't count them, but I don't have it here right now; I'll go back and look and let you know later), and several Fernando Ruiz-drawn stories too, as well as the usual expected older Samm Schwartz stories, and a mish-mosh of others.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 31, 2016, 12:16:17 PM
B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS #252 came in the mail today. I'll be reading that later tonight and tomorrow. Already read the new lead story by Dan Parent. Very unusual theme to this one, entitled "OWL Be Seeing You!". Seems B & V are very concerned about birds flying into the large glass windowpanes of the Lodge mansion, due to a flock of migrating owls passing through Riverdale. Can't say I've ever seen any sort of variation on this particular plot before. I guess Dan just reads things in the news or sees them on television, and decides to write a story about it. He did that last year with a Jughead story about 'hoverboards' (which actually look like some kind of spinoff of the Segway technology) being unsafe and prone to malfunctions. Oh well, I guess he must get bored doing variations of the same typical plots we've seen dozens of times already.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on December 31, 2016, 02:38:37 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on December 31, 2016, 12:16:17 PM
B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS #252 came in the mail today. I'll be reading that later tonight and tomorrow. Already read the new lead story by Dan Parent. Very unusual theme to this one, entitled "OWL Be Seeing You!". Seems B & V are very concerned about birds flying into the large glass windowpanes of the Lodge mansion, due to a flock of migrating owls passing through Riverdale. Can't say I've ever seen any sort of variation on this particular plot before. I guess Dan just reads things in the news or sees them on television, and decides to write a story about it. He did that last year with a Jughead story about 'hoverboards' (which actually look like some kind of spinoff of the Segway technology) being unsafe and prone to malfunctions. Oh well, I guess he must get bored doing variations of the same typical plots we've seen dozens of times already.


Yeah I was curious where the inspiration for this one came from as well. Who knows?? At least we're getting something different.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 31, 2016, 10:21:41 PM
I read a few digital comics
🌟 Jughead In Love
🎈 Archie Explores Of The Unknown
🎄 Betty & Veronica Christmas Shopping
👑 Betty & Veronica-Cheryl Blossom High School Royalty
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 01, 2017, 01:01:12 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on December 31, 2016, 02:38:37 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on December 31, 2016, 12:16:17 PM
B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS #252 came in the mail today. I'll be reading that later tonight and tomorrow. Already read the new lead story by Dan Parent. Very unusual theme to this one, entitled "OWL Be Seeing You!". Seems B & V are very concerned about birds flying into the large glass windowpanes of the Lodge mansion, due to a flock of migrating owls passing through Riverdale. Can't say I've ever seen any sort of variation on this particular plot before. I guess Dan just reads things in the news or sees them on television, and decides to write a story about it. He did that last year with a Jughead story about 'hoverboards' (which actually look like some kind of spinoff of the Segway technology) being unsafe and prone to malfunctions. Oh well, I guess he must get bored doing variations of the same typical plots we've seen dozens of times already.

Yeah I was curious where the inspiration for this one came from as well. Who knows?? At least we're getting something different.

Yeah, and it fits with the general trend towards more stories demonstrating a pro-social awareness that seem to be a more common theme for B&V stories than for Archie and Jughead stories. The girls always seem to get involved in raising money for charity, and at one time they formed the Green Girls as a club to promote positive eco-action in the community. Those are just a couple of examples that come to mind off the top of my head, but I'm sure you could probably add half-a-dozen more if you really thought about it, or browsed through a dozen or so B&V digests, so promoting awareness of how human communities impact wildlife isn't much of a stretch. I think I'm gonna say that ACP has a bigger awareness of how much more B&V are role models for young female readers, as opposed to say, Archie and Jughead for young male readers.

That probably has something to do with the softening of Veronica's less-admirable personality traits in the 2000s as well, now that I think about it -- although it certainly has as much to do with keeping her as a likeable protagonist starring in her own title for a couple of decades, too. Cheryl certainly became more likeable as the protagonist of her own series during the years when she had one, and since she lost it and went back to being a mere supporting character, she gets cast in the villain role more often than not.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 01, 2017, 01:23:55 AM
Trying to slog through the mid 2000s Betty and Veronica stories (Issue 200 or so) to complete Betty and Veronica on comics.org. Poor Jeff Shultz. The stories aren't that great plot wise. Most of them just feature Betty and Veronica without any other characters.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 01, 2017, 01:35:05 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 01, 2017, 01:23:55 AM
Trying to slog through the mid 2000s Betty and Veronica stories (Issue 200 or so) to complete Betty and Veronica on comics.org. Poor Jeff Shultz. The stories aren't that great plot wise. Most of them just feature Betty and Veronica without any other characters.

Well, I've read #200. That was a pretty good story, I thought (Kathleen Webb, IIRC). I would say if they begin to get boring and repetitious after that... good possibility that they're Mike Pellowski stories?

Fun Fact: If you're reading an uncredited ACP story from the 1990s or early 2000s, and there's some minor incidental character in it named "Melanie" or "_______ Morgan", chances are pretty good that it's a Mike Pellowski story. Pellowski also wrote the Riverdale High prose novel series from 1992-1993, and adapted a bunch of them (under different titles) as the "New Look Archie Series", writing under the pseudonym Melanie J. Morgan. Since by this time he'd already written hundreds of comic stories for ACP, it's unknown why he employed a nom de plume for that series. Unless he was wary of the potential fan backlash, which in fact is exactly what ensued.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 01, 2017, 04:25:48 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on December 30, 2016, 09:43:36 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on December 30, 2016, 02:45:32 PM
JUGHEAD & ARCHIE WINTER ANNUAL #24
Any good stories ie Boldman? I'm debating on whether to buy this or not. The last Jughead digest was really good.

Here's a list of some of the better stories in this issue (about half of them - Boldman stories in bold):

"Oh, Brother... or Sister" (Parent/Parent, 5 pages, NEW) - Jughead, Archie, Reggie & Jellybean in a 'Snow Day' story.

"The Ice Breaker" (Doyle/DeCarlo Jr.-J. DeCarlo, 5 pages) - Archie volunteers to do a favor for Mr. Lodge during an ice storm.

"Snow Day" (Boldman/Lindsey, 6 pages) - Jughead proves to Reggie that he can throw snowballs at people without them getting mad at him.

"Snow Bored" (Pellowski/Ruiz, 6 pages) - Archie's helps Mr. Lodge demonstrate the new Lodge 'Sno-Scoot', a powered snowboard, to prospective buyers.

"Hot Lips" (Doyle/Crane, 5 pages) - Jughead saves a little girl stuck in a snow drift, and is rewarded as a hero by her grateful older sister.

"Resolution Solution!!" (Golliher/Golliher, 6 pages) - Jughead makes himself sick by trying to eat healthy to set an example for Jellybean.

"=Garbage In=> <=Garbage Out=" (Boldman/Lindsey, 11 pages) - Jughead's dad assigns him the simple chore of taking out the garbage, but when Juggie fails to get it to the curb in time for the pickup, then tries to hide the evidence of his failure, a series of comedic consequences result.

"Bored Dumb!" (Pellowski/Ruiz, 5 pages) - Jughead & Archie are having a tough time making it through Study Hall without annoying The Bee.

"Nose Job" (Doyle/Goldberg, 6 pages) - When Betty tells Archie how her dad used to put her to sleep by rubbing her nose as a baby, Archie tries it on her, and she goes into a deep, unwakeable sleep, standing in the hallway of Riverdale High.

"Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Go Back Inside... GNAWS!" (Margopoulis/Goldberg, 11 pages) - Archie & Jughead hire themselves out to Mr. Lodge for the weekend as mice exterminators at his mountain cabin.

"Hideaway" (Boldman/Lindsey, 5 pages) - Jughead is delighted to accidentally discover that his favorite old couch has hidden a fold-out bed all along.

"Cafeteria Crisis" (Golliher/Ruiz, 6 pages) - When Ms. Beazley goes on strike, the only people freaking out are Jughead and Mr. Weatherbee.

"Turn the Other Chick!" (Boldman/Lindsey, 6 pages) - Ethel is dismayed by all the attention Jughead is getting from other girls like Debbie Dalton and Joani Jumpp, but turnabout is fair play.

"Battling Butlers" (Boldman/Lindsey, 6 pages) - Reggie visits Veronica's house with his own butler in tow - Jughead, which leads to some confusion on the part of an important client of Mr. Lodge's as to who's butlering for whom.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 01, 2017, 03:31:15 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 01, 2017, 01:35:05 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 01, 2017, 01:23:55 AM
Trying to slog through the mid 2000s Betty and Veronica stories (Issue 200 or so) to complete Betty and Veronica on comics.org. Poor Jeff Shultz. The stories aren't that great plot wise. Most of them just feature Betty and Veronica without any other characters.

Well, I've read #200. That was a pretty good story, I thought (Kathleen Webb, IIRC). I would say if they begin to get boring and repetitious after that... good possibility that they're Mike Pellowski stories?

Fun Fact: If you're reading an uncredited ACP story from the 1990s or early 2000s, and there's some minor incidental character in it named "Melanie" or "_______ Morgan", chances are pretty good that it's a Mike Pellowski story. Pellowski also wrote the Riverdale High prose novel series from 1992-1993, and adapted a bunch of them (under different titles) as the "New Look Archie Series", writing under the pseudonym Melanie J. Morgan. Since by this time he'd already written hundreds of comic stories for ACP, it's unknown why he employed a nom de plume for that series. Unless he was wary of the potential fan backlash, which in fact is exactly what ensued.


Most of them are by Barbara Slate.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 02, 2017, 03:17:01 PM
I read these books for 15 minutes each
💝 Blankets
💋 Black Hole
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 03, 2017, 07:08:17 AM
I'll read in a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 03, 2017, 03:54:08 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 01, 2017, 03:31:15 PM
Most of them are by Barbara Slate.

Can't say that I've read enough of Barbara Slate's stories for Archie Comics to have formed an opinion about her writing one way or the other. I've read more than just a few, but none of them ever struck me as especially outstanding in some way, or particularly bad either. I guess you could say the same about Mike Pellowski's stories... most of them aren't really bad per se, just run of the mill. Some of the scripts can be taken up or down a notch or two depending on the artwork.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 03, 2017, 03:56:54 PM

I read
Kevin #4 , #5 ,# 6, #7, #8 , #9 ,#10 , #11, #12, #13 , # 14 , #15.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 03, 2017, 04:42:23 PM
I read
Life With Kevin #3
I read each of books for 12 minutes
Archie's Favorite Christmas Comics
The Best Of Archie Comics-Book #3
Archie Giant Comics Festival
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World-Volume #3
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 03, 2017, 07:37:47 PM
THE FALL AND RISE OF CAPTAIN ATOM #1 (of 3)
UNCLE SCROOGE #426
MICKEY MOUSE #325
RICK AND MORTY #21
SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #77
HAWKEYE #2
MOON KNIGHT #10
WORLD WAR X #1
CAGE #1, 2 & 3 (of 4)
WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #65
ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #275
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 04, 2017, 09:54:23 AM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes each
🎈 Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
💞 Archie 1000 Page Comics 75Th Anniversary Bash
📀 Archie 1000 Page Comics Extravaganza
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 04, 2017, 07:56:21 PM
I'll probably read some digital comics in bed later tonight.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 06, 2017, 08:10:53 AM
I'll read in a while. I  read eachof these for 12 minutes each
🎁 Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
🐸 Black Hole
⚡ Blankets
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Deb on January 06, 2017, 08:36:17 AM
Mickey's Craziest Adventures, a 44-page album sized comic https://www.idwpublishing.com/product/mickeys-craziest-adventures/
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on January 06, 2017, 01:39:10 PM
Quote from: Deb on January 06, 2017, 08:36:17 AM
Mickey's Craziest Adventures, a 44-page album sized comic https://www.idwpublishing.com/product/mickeys-craziest-adventures/ (https://www.idwpublishing.com/product/mickeys-craziest-adventures/)


That one looks like fun! I'll put in on my to-read list.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on January 07, 2017, 10:10:16 AM

Outside of Archie, I've caught up a bit on Superman, which is quite interesting. He's the Superman of the previous incarnation, not the current one who just died recently. He's also older, married to Lois, and has a kid, who's developing superpowers.


And then, there's Harley Quinn. Man, I kind of like her character, and what they're doing with her. I sort of like her in her anti-hero role, and not as a mere sexy psycho sidekick girlfriend to the Joker. There's more to her than meets the eye, and she's quite the looker, too...  :smitten: :D
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on January 07, 2017, 10:39:08 AM
Finished reading Donald Duck: Sheriff of Bullet Valley by Carl Barks.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 07, 2017, 11:50:56 AM
Maybe I'll read some later, I just focused on my library books today.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on January 07, 2017, 12:01:43 PM


Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on January 07, 2017, 10:39:08 AM
Finished reading Donald Duck: Sheriff of Bullet Valley by Carl Barks.
"Carl Barks was to Donald Duck what Bob Bolling was to Little Archie." I recall reading that somewhere....  :coolsmiley:
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on January 07, 2017, 12:32:07 PM
Quote from: SAGG on January 07, 2017, 12:01:43 PM


Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on January 07, 2017, 10:39:08 AM
Finished reading Donald Duck: Sheriff of Bullet Valley by Carl Barks.
"Carl Barks was to Donald Duck what Bob Bolling was to Little Archie." I recall reading that somewhere....  :coolsmiley:


I like that! And just like Dexter Taylor (If you like Dexter's work, I know I do) Don Rosa is pretty damn good too, hehe  :)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 07, 2017, 02:27:14 PM
Quote from: SAGG on January 07, 2017, 12:01:43 PM

Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on January 07, 2017, 10:39:08 AM
Finished reading Donald Duck: Sheriff of Bullet Valley by Carl Barks.
"Carl Barks was to Donald Duck what Bob Bolling was to Little Archie." I recall reading that somewhere....  :coolsmiley:

That doesn't seem quite right to me. Carl Barks was brilliant, no question. But he didn't create Donald Duck or his nephews. He did create a lot of other important characters like Uncle Scrooge, Gyro Gearloose, and Gladstone Gander, to name just three of the most important ones.

I may be mistaken about this, but didn't Bob Bolling create Little Archie? Granted, I guess it would be more analogous to creating Superboy where Superman already existed beforehand, but to put it more accurately I guess, Little Archie would not exist if it were not for Bob Bolling. Or if he did somehow, eventually, come into existence, then he would have turned out to be a significantly different character under a different creator's hands. However, Donald Duck would still exist if Carl Barks had never written or drawn him, because he already existed before Carl Barks ever worked on his stories, and he'd still be essentially the same Donald... just with far less good stories about him.

So it would probably be more accurate to say "Bob Bolling was to Little Archie what Carl Barks was to Uncle Scrooge", since Uncle Scooge can be considered a derivative character of Donald Duck. Scrooge McDuck could not have come into existence if Donald Duck had not existed first, which is the same situation as with Bob Bolling's Little Archie and Bob Montana's Archie.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on January 07, 2017, 02:57:59 PM

Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 07, 2017, 02:27:14 PM
Quote from: SAGG on January 07, 2017, 12:01:43 PM

Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on January 07, 2017, 10:39:08 AM
Finished reading Donald Duck: Sheriff of Bullet Valley by Carl Barks.
"Carl Barks was to Donald Duck what Bob Bolling was to Little Archie." I recall reading that somewhere....  :coolsmiley:

That doesn't seem quite right to me. Carl Barks was brilliant, no question. But he didn't create Donald Duck or his nephews. He did create a lot of other important characters like Uncle Scrooge, Gyro Gearloose, and Gladstone Gander, to name just three of the most important ones.

I may be mistaken about this, but didn't Bob Bolling create Little Archie? Granted, I guess it would be more analogous to creating Superboy where Superman already existed beforehand, but to put it more accurately I guess, Little Archie would not exist if it were not for Bob Bolling. Or if he did somehow, eventually, come into existence, then he would have turned out to be a significantly different character under a different creator's hands. However, Donald Duck would still exist if Carl Barks had never written or drawn him, because he already existed before Carl Barks ever worked on his stories, and he'd still be essentially the same Donald... just with far less good stories about him.

So it would probably be more accurate to say "Bob Bolling was to Little Archie what Carl Barks was to Uncle Scrooge", since Uncle Scooge can be considered a derivative character of Donald Duck. Scrooge McDuck could not have come into existence if Donald Duck had not existed first, which is the same situation as with Bob Bolling's Little Archie and Bob Montana's Archie.


Okay, I was wrong after I did a little checking. I only thought I heard that saying. This may have been the article I got it from when I compared Barks and Bolling on their works. Plucked from Bolling's entry on Wikipedia:


"Bolling's work on Little Archie has earned him comparisons to Carl Barks (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Barks) for the wide emotional and stylistic range of his work. Scott Shaw! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Shaw_(artist)) has written that "Bolling's clever, sometimes surprisingly emotional writing, his imaginative storytelling and staging and his dramatic, Will Eisner-ish inking" make Little Archie "add up to a comic book series unlike any other ever published by Archie Comics.""


My bad...  :-[
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 08, 2017, 09:32:07 AM
I'm going read again after my shower. I read a few digital comics
Archie 75 Series-Reggie & Me
Archie & Friends-Sibling Rivalry
Betty & Veronica-Go Green
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 09, 2017, 02:55:46 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie Comics Double Digest #273
The Best Of Archie Comics 75 Years 75 Comics
Archie's Giant Comic Party
Betty & Veronica-Girls Rule
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 10, 2017, 08:13:10 AM
I'll read in a little while
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 10, 2017, 04:13:08 PM
Quote from: SAGG on January 07, 2017, 02:57:59 PM
"Bolling's work on Little Archie has earned him comparisons to Carl Barks (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Barks) for the wide emotional and stylistic range of his work. Scott Shaw! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Shaw_(artist)) has written that "Bolling's clever, sometimes surprisingly emotional writing, his imaginative storytelling and staging and his dramatic, Will Eisner-ish inking" make Little Archie "add up to a comic book series unlike any other ever published by Archie Comics.""

Little Archie isn't like any other series published by ACP, because Bob Bolling wasn't in charge of any other series. Other stories he worked on for ACP appeared in many different titles, not just a few specific ones. And everything Scott Shaw has to say about Bolling's Little Archie pretty much applies to all the other stories Bolling wrote for ACP, too. It's harder to see, because those stories appeared all over the place, as opposed to regularly in a single title. But when Bolling wrote a story about regular teenage Archie and his friends, or Sabrina, pretty much all of those things apply. Bolling's stories are just different from a lot of the other regular writers' handling of those characters. Those stories really should appear in an all-Bob Bolling collection of (regular) Archie stories sometime. It would make that fact more obvious. However, unlike the Best of Archie artists hardcover collections published by IDW, it's not ACP's thing to spotlight the writer or artist as somehow more important an attraction than the company-owned characters. If they did that, the artists and writers might start thinking they were important somehow, and not replaceable like cogs in a machine.

This might sound confusing coming from me, as I've gone on record many times as having no interest in Little Archie (or any other "Little" versions of ACP's main teenage cast), but it isn't because I don't like Bob Bolling's writing. I find him to be much more interesting as writer than as an artist for ACP, to the degree that his later artwork on the standard Archie characters looks very 'off-model' in terms of adhering to the ACP house style (and his earlier artwork actually seems pretty consistent with the house style, although you can still tell it's him... even if I sometimes I confuse his earlier artwork with Dick Malmgren's though, because they looked awfully similar). As a writer, he definitely displays a unique viewpoint and interesting take on the characters (particularly his use of fantasy or supernatural elements in the story), compared to most of ACP's writers, which I appreciate. I simply have no interest in whatever Archie and his friends were doing at age six (or whatever), in terms of a basic premise for a story.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 10, 2017, 07:12:23 PM
At midnight the digital copy of Reggie & Me #2 comes out. I can't wait.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 11, 2017, 04:37:19 AM
I just finished my digital copy of Reggie & Me #2. It was really good. It explored Reggie & Archie's relationship & the reason why Reggie can't be trusted. Betty hates him. I loved how made look when she is in High School. Moose actually wants a Friendship with Reggie which is odd but maybe he not as dumb as he looks.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 11, 2017, 06:59:37 PM
I just read my digital copy of Jughead #12 . I liked it a lot. It was very colorful. Reggie & Jughead are so cute. I liked the story.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Thestereotypebuster on January 11, 2017, 09:34:38 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on January 11, 2017, 06:59:37 PM
I just read my digital copy of Jughead #12 . I liked it a lot. It was very colorful. Reggie & Jughead are so cute. I liked the story.
I loved this issue! I love the art and and the writing is so good I can practically hear the characters voices  :smitten:
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 11, 2017, 10:29:38 PM
Me too, but you should all go see what Mike Pellrito, he draw s picture of Jughead. And it's beautiful. That guy can draw.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 12, 2017, 07:09:17 AM
I'll probably read in a little while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 12, 2017, 09:13:17 AM
I've been reading a bunch of stuff, but not posting that much, so consequently this list goes back a few days, maybe almost a week, is probably somewhat out of the order in which I read things, and may be missing a few things as well.

Holly G's SCHOOL BITES (digital) - It's a webcomic, so I'm going to call what I read "issues #1-7 (of 8 )" (some of these have a print version, but not all of them are printed as individual stories/comics). I might review this later on my review thread.

LOVEBUNNY & MR. HELL TP (Devil's Due Publishing, 2004) - This was a small (thin) manga-size TP in black & white, but it's not manga or even Amerimanga, just regular comics. It's a superhero parody. Not sure where the contents (short stories) were reprinted from... possibly a webcomic? It wasn't bad, so I'll probably try to figure out whether other comics with these same characters exist somewhere.

SAVAGE DRAGON #219

JUGHEAD #12
- Better than I thought it would be. I may review this later also.

REGGIE & ME #2 (of 5) - I just guess it goes to prove that even a talented writer like Tom DeFalco is capable of producing a dud, if he sets out to avoid writing an ACP story that has too much comedy in it. Pretty boring, sad to say, and this is coming from someone who enjoyed most of his non-comedy writing over at Marvel. Can't win them all, I guess.

MOONSHINE #4
SOUTHERN BASTARDS #16
DETECTIVE COMICS #948
WONDER WOMAN #14
TITANS #7
JLA VIXEN REBIRTH #1
JUSTICE LEAGUE / POWER RANGERS #1 (of 6)
SUPERMAN ANNUAL #1 (2016)
SUPERMAN #14
GREAT LAKES AVENGERS #4
SPIDER-MAN #12
LOBSTER JOHNSON (#27): GARDEN OF BONES
TARZAN ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #4 (of 5)
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND #6

MICKEY MOUSE: A MYSTERIOUS MELODY (or, How Mickey Met Minnie)
HC GN - A large size, thin hardcover story of 60 pages, drawn in an interesting retro-Euro style, the story is set circa 1930, and has Mickey in the role of a scriptwriter chronicling the silver screen adventures of a dog named Rover (who will later be re-named Pluto, and this story explains why). The graphic novel co-stars Goofy with many other early Disney characters in smaller parts, and leads up to (as the title says) how Mickey and Minnie first met. While this was in many ways a loose and non-canonical re-interpretation of the classic Disney characters in a psuedo-classic style (Mickey has his classic red shorts, white face, and big black ovals for eyes), it was highly enjoyable nonetheless.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 12, 2017, 08:05:22 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 12, 2017, 09:13:17 AM

Holly G's SCHOOL BITES (digital) - It's a webcomic, so I'm going to call what I read "issues #1-7 (of 8 )" (some of these have a print version, but not all of them are printed as individual stories/comics). I might review this later on my review thread.



I'd like to see a review of this! And how it compares to Eerie Cuties.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 13, 2017, 05:34:02 AM
I just read my digital copy of Reggie & Me #2.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 13, 2017, 08:43:17 AM
SCOOTER GIRL #1, 3 & 6 (Because those were the only issues I could find.) This was originally published by Oni Press in the early 2000s (in black & white). It's supposed to be coming out as a TP from Image next month (and, IIRC, in color - at least I hope so). I kinda feel bad that I read the ending (#6) before reading the entire series. I don't know if I was quite satisfied with the way it ended, but I'm not sure if it was the actual ending itself, or the fact that I'd missed issues #2, 4, and 5 that made me feel that way. I'll give this a proper review once I get the chance to read the whole thing in trade (already ordered a copy).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 13, 2017, 12:50:14 PM
I'll probably read in a little while.
I read
Archie #14-Eisma
Archie #15-Eisma
Reggie & Me #1-Blank issue
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 14, 2017, 12:00:35 PM
I'm going catch up on reading all the comics that Gisele did. So I'll be back in a while.
I read
Archie Meets Ramones-Dan Parent's Cover
Archie Vs Predtor #3-Gisele's cover
Archie #635 -Gisele's Occupy RiverDale cover
Archie #636-Gisele's Cover with Archie & Veronica fighting
Archie #637-Gisele's Christmas Cover
Archie #646-Gisele's Cover with Archie's face in The Moon.
I still have few more to read which I'll do tomorrow


Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 14, 2017, 08:51:17 PM
I'll probably read some digital comics in bed later. I read each of these for 12 minutes
Betty's Garden Variety
Jughead's Time Police
Jughead Baby Tales
Archie At The Chocklit Shoppe
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 15, 2017, 02:35:55 PM
Holly G's SCHOOL BITES: NIGHT CLASSES Part 1 - "Just Desserts" (digital) - Completed (after more than a year) back in 2014, this 22 page story is the final SB story has done to date (and also the only story she did that was printed as a floppy comic book). Doesn't look as though there will be any continuation at this point, I'm guessing. So many unresolved plot threads left hanging. It feels like the readers had barely gotten to know the large cast of characters, and it makes me wonder where (if she'd even planned it out that much in advance) Holly G thought she was heading with the story. She drew around 380 pages of this webcomic before abandoning it, and there's nothing like a real ending. Ah, well.

I'd like to see her reboot it as a regular print comic, and go for shorter, done-in-one-issue stories (although she could keep the connecting subplot threads), concentrating more on comedy situations. I think she was possibly overly ambitious with this series, and shouldn't have introduced so many new characters, and planted so many plot threads that never came to any sort of fruition - or maybe that's just the nature of an ongoing webcomic that posts new pages once or twice a week. I guess the fact that this last story, a 22-pager, took her so long to complete (where her earlier, and longer, stories had posted new pages far more frequently) was a big hint that she was running out of steam. SCHOOL BITES had been around as early as 2004 in a print digest format (I'm pretty sure it was initially a Kickstarter project) before having the first two printed stories (about 125 pages) serialized as a webcomic (3 times weekly) beginning in 2009, and after which she continued with new stories online (and later funded print versions of the webcomic pages again through Kickstarter). You could tell at one point she couldn't devote the time to it, because she began to frequently post sketches, pin-ups or 1-page gag strips (and even some of those were done by guest artists) instead of new pages of the current storyline, and even began an ongoing once-a-week 'backup feature' on Fridays called "Life With Prince Pangur Ban the Fluffy" (supposedly based on the real-life antics of her cat). Maybe she should have just slowed down and dropped the frequency of posting back, and not wasted her precious energy trying to draw pin-ups or gags, solely to maintain the relentless grind of a 3-times-weekly schedule. Apparently Prince Pangur Ban had his fans though, because that also went on to become a successful Kickstarter campaign that resulted in a collected print edition. It was cute, but I'd rather have seen more pages of SCHOOL BITES to move the story forward with all those plot threads.

Now see, I already spent a couple of hundred words talking about SCHOOL BITES without even giving one hint about the characters, storyline, or... anything, really. But it's weird because the comic has a lot of things I like, and a lot of things I don't like about it -- or rather, let's put it this way... there were some aspects of it that definitely need work and possibly a little re-thinking. I can't help but feel that some of those latter problems had a lot to do with the fact that it was being created as a webcomic though, as opposed to the normal sort of schedule that a writer/artist needs to maintain to create a regularly-published comic book.

And you might be asking what does Holly G do all day that she can't find the time to draw 3 finished pages of a webcomic in a week, since she isn't committed to drawing any other comics? Well, the answer there is that her "day job" is helping her husband, Jim Balent, run his little self-publishing comic book company, Broadsword Comics. Balent publishes his own title, TAROT: Witch of the Black Rose (not really my cup of tea, but just to put Holly's world in context here), and Holly is not only his wife, she's his VP of operations, which means she deals with the business and production end of running a one-comic-book publishing operation, while Jim spends the majority of his time doing the writing and drawing of TAROT (which is how the couple really pay their rent). Plus, of course, Holly has her own fanbase and takes on commission work for her own fans, and always seems to be putting together another Kickstarter project, some sort of ancilliary merchandising (prints, limited edition variant covers, buttons, magnets, stickers, etc.), either for TAROT or for SCHOOL BITES, and of course, they both maintain a heavy convention appearance schedule, because it's all about promotion, keeping in touch with their fans, and selling that ancilliary merchandise and getting new private commissions work. Ya gotta hustle to be a self-employed entrepreneur. Holly also maintains a bunch of other interests like cosplay, glamor photography, and burlesque. What I'm leading up to here though is that I think she put a lot of energy into promoting SCHOOL BITES at first, hoping that it would get a little more well-known, and thus generate a lot more income for the couple, but for whatever reason, when that didn't happen and it didn't really "take off", as it were, for her (she was doing it for ten years, believe it or not), she got a little burnt out on it, as I think the energy she was putting into it was taking more out of her than it was really worth. I think at one point she had hoped it might be optioned for animation or something. I can see why there weren't any takers, because it's not (in its current form) an all-ages property. It could be re-worked that way, or at least as a PG-rated thing, but maybe she isn't interested in doing it that way as a webcomic or a print comic. There's a few mild adult situations and some minor nudity, but that's about it. In its current form it would have to have a fairly narrow audience range, because it's reflective of Holly's tastes and not really "mainstream".

Anyway, I think what it is, is that for Holly to really focus her energy on SCHOOL BITES and address some of the weaknesses I mentioned, she'd need to be free to spend the majority of her time "in the zone" of creating that comic, which is what her husband needs to do to get TAROT (which is supporting the both of them) done on a timely basis and make it a consistent product. And he can only focus on that because he has her there to support him and do a lot of the grunt work of running a one-comic-book publishing operation. And it's equally true that she'd need someone to do all the same stuff for her that needs getting done, for her to really put the same level of energy into SCHOOL BITES and make that something that generates a living wage for her, but I don't think she can do it. It's kind of like a Catch-22 thing, where they'd need to be successful enough each on their own comics that they could afford to hire someone else to free up both of their time, knowing that all the important stuff was still getting done while the two of them were spending most of their time just writing and drawing comic books.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 15, 2017, 02:57:45 PM

I read
Saga #41
Deadly Class #25
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 15, 2017, 04:41:06 PM
I read
Archie #15-Zullo's
Jughead #12-Charm's
Reggie & Me #2-Jarelll's & Zdarsky's
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 16, 2017, 10:48:12 AM
I finished Betty & Veronica Comics Annual #240
And read these for 12 minutes each
Blankets
World Of Archie Winter Annual #56
B & V Friends Comics Double Digest #243
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 16, 2017, 02:32:51 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 15, 2017, 02:35:55 PM
Holly G's SCHOOL BITES: NIGHT CLASSES Part 1 - "Just Desserts" (digital) - Completed (after more than a year) back in 2014, this 22 page story is the final SB story has done to date (and also the only story she did that was printed as a floppy comic book). Doesn't look as though there will be any continuation at this point, I'm guessing. So many unresolved plot threads left hanging. It feels like the readers had barely gotten to know the large cast of characters, and it makes me wonder where (if she'd even planned it out that much in advance) Holly G thought she was heading with the story. She drew around 380 pages of this webcomic before abandoning it, and there's nothing like a real ending. Ah, well.

I'd like to see her reboot it as a regular print comic, and go for shorter, done-in-one-issue stories (although she could keep the connecting subplot threads), concentrating more on comedy situations. I think she was possibly overly ambitious with this series, and shouldn't have introduced so many new characters, and planted so many plot threads that never came to any sort of fruition - or maybe that's just the nature of an ongoing webcomic that posts new pages once or twice a week. I guess the fact that this last story, a 22-pager, took her so long to complete (where her earlier, and longer, stories had posted new pages far more frequently) was a big hint that she was running out of steam. SCHOOL BITES had been around as early as 2004 in a print digest format (I'm pretty sure it was initially a Kickstarter project) before having the first two printed stories (about 125 pages) serialized as a webcomic (3 times weekly) beginning in 2009, and after which she continued with new stories online (and later funded print versions of the webcomic pages again through Kickstarter). You could tell at one point she couldn't devote the time to it, because she began to frequently post sketches, pin-ups or 1-page gag strips (and even some of those were done by guest artists) instead of new pages of the current storyline, and even began an ongoing once-a-week 'backup feature' on Fridays called "Life With Prince Pangur Ban the Fluffy" (supposedly based on the real-life antics of her cat). Maybe she should have just slowed down and dropped the frequency of posting back, and not wasted her precious energy trying to draw pin-ups or gags, solely to maintain the relentless grind of a 3-times-weekly schedule. Apparently Prince Pangur Ban had his fans though, because that also went on to become a successful Kickstarter campaign that resulted in a collected print edition. It was cute, but I'd rather have seen more pages of SCHOOL BITES to move the story forward with all those plot threads.

Now see, I already spent a couple of hundred words talking about SCHOOL BITES without even giving one hint about the characters, storyline, or... anything, really. But it's weird because the comic has a lot of things I like, and a lot of things I don't like about it -- or rather, let's put it this way... there were some aspects of it that definitely need work and possibly a little re-thinking. I can't help but feel that some of those latter problems had a lot to do with the fact that it was being created as a webcomic though, as opposed to the normal sort of schedule that a writer/artist needs to maintain to create a regularly-published comic book.

And you might be asking what does Holly G do all day that she can't find the time to draw 3 finished pages of a webcomic in a week, since she isn't committed to drawing any other comics? Well, the answer there is that her "day job" is helping her husband, Jim Balent, run his little self-publishing comic book company, Broadsword Comics. Balent publishes his own title, TAROT: Witch of the Black Rose (not really my cup of tea, but just to put Holly's world in context here), and Holly is not only his wife, she's his VP of operations, which means she deals with the business and production end of running a one-comic-book publishing operation, while Jim spends the majority of his time doing the writing and drawing of TAROT (which is how the couple really pay their rent). Plus, of course, Holly has her own fanbase and takes on commission work for her own fans, and always seems to be putting together another Kickstarter project, some sort of ancilliary merchandising (prints, limited edition variant covers, buttons, magnets, stickers, etc.), either for TAROT or for SCHOOL BITES, and of course, they both maintain a heavy convention appearance schedule, because it's all about promotion, keeping in touch with their fans, and selling that ancilliary merchandise and getting new private commissions work. Ya gotta hustle to be a self-employed entrepreneur. Holly also maintains a bunch of other interests like cosplay, glamor photography, and burlesque. What I'm leading up to here though is that I think she put a lot of energy into promoting SCHOOL BITES at first, hoping that it would get a little more well-known, and thus generate a lot more income for the couple, but for whatever reason, when that didn't happen and it didn't really "take off", as it were, for her (she was doing it for ten years, believe it or not), she got a little burnt out on it, as I think the energy she was putting into it was taking more out of her than it was really worth. I think at one point she had hoped it might be optioned for animation or something. I can see why there weren't any takers, because it's not (in its current form) an all-ages property. It could be re-worked that way, or at least as a PG-rated thing, but maybe she isn't interested in doing it that way as a webcomic or a print comic. There's a few mild adult situations and some minor nudity, but that's about it. In its current form it would have to have a fairly narrow audience range, because it's reflective of Holly's tastes and not really "mainstream".

Anyway, I think what it is, is that for Holly to really focus her energy on SCHOOL BITES and address some of the weaknesses I mentioned, she'd need to be free to spend the majority of her time "in the zone" of creating that comic, which is what her husband needs to do to get TAROT (which is supporting the both of them) done on a timely basis and make it a consistent product. And he can only focus on that because he has her there to support him and do a lot of the grunt work of running a one-comic-book publishing operation. And it's equally true that she'd need someone to do all the same stuff for her that needs getting done, for her to really put the same level of energy into SCHOOL BITES and make that something that generates a living wage for her, but I don't think she can do it. It's kind of like a Catch-22 thing, where they'd need to be successful enough each on their own comics that they could afford to hire someone else to free up both of their time, knowing that all the important stuff was still getting done while the two of them were spending most of their time just writing and drawing comic books.


Is it entirely collected in print form? Or did you read some of it online?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 16, 2017, 04:32:43 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 16, 2017, 02:32:51 PM
Is it entirely collected in print form? Or did you read some of it online?

I THINK every single webcomic page she did eventually got collected in a print version funded through Kickstarter (although the last one, Night Classes, was a standard format 32-page floppy comic (it was only 22 pages of story in webcomic form). Most of the printed versions were filled out with some sort of extra material to even out the page counts.

The way I read it was this. I literally spent hours and hours paging through every webcomic page she had posted from 2009 through 2014 (three times a week, as I mentioned), so even though I say the webcomic pages amounted to about 380, that was 380 pages of SCHOOL BITES alone, but the actual number of posts in the archives during that period, paging through one at a time, was more like 500-something, because a lot of the posts were "filler". But I wasn't actually reading the story while I was doing that. No, at that point my only objective was to right-click on every SB webcomic page, choose "Save Image As", and file it in a folder somewhere. At some point when I saw how frequently she was starting to post non-SB pages, I started saving those too (figuring that it would be easier to sort them into different folders as I went along, rather than go back if I decided I wanted to find them later). There's no drop-down menu that identifies the individual archive pages by title or page number either, just bookmarks at the first page for each new story arc. So I spent a few nights doing that for a couple of hours a night, and wound up with 1 folder for each of the different SB stories (8 "issues" of different lengths, although on her drop-down menu she calls them "Chapters" and there are 11 (because she split a few of the stories into Part 1 and Part 2). I sorted special 1-page gags into a different folder, "Life With Prince Pangur Ban" strips into another, sketches and pin-ups into another. Some of the odd non-story pages I just wound up deleting later after I'd really looked at them, but I figured it was easier to save the images and throw away the ones I didn't need later, rather than go back and try to find something I wished I'd saved but didn't. Some of the page images I had to crop later on to remove ad banners at the bottom for Kickstarters when she happened to be running those.

After all that was done, I opened up the folders one at a time, beginning with issue #1, Chapter 1: "Orientation, Part 1", and was then able to read through it like it was a normal comic story instead of a webcomic.  So essentially I just made my own digital version by saving all the story page images as JPGs, so I could read it offline by just clicking through one image at a time. Basically I just used the same method I did for reading all of the Pixie Trix Comix and Henchgirl (although I discovered the latter as a print comic first). It's too labor-intensive a way of getting a digital comic out of a bunch of webpages for most sane people to consider, but I'm obsessed enough with my comics that I want to optimize the reading experience, and webcomics really aren't an optimal way of reading long-form comic stories, unless they're gag-a-day strips (which I guess sort of works for MA3, but my criticisms of MA3 would fall into a different category).

She still sells the printed versions (and also a digital version) on the Broadsword Comics website, but I haven't actually seen them yet, so I can't compare and tell you if she added, subtracted, or revised or altered any of the webcomic pages as they remain now posted in her archives. "SCHOOL BITES Vol. 1" is the "Orientation" story (Parts 1 & 2) and "SCHOOL BITES Vol. 2" is the story "Blood Drinking 101" (Parts 1 & 2), and she sells those (approx. 64 pages, manga size paperback) for $10 each. Those existed before she started the webcomic (Diamond Comics distributed them in 2004 and 2005), so the print version came before the webcomic. After those 2 stories she posted all the stories as webcomic pages first, and then later ran Kickstarters to fund the print versions. After the first two volumes comes the print collection SCHOOL BITES: SPECIAL SEMESTER COLLECTION, which contains the stories "Phys Ed", "Music Theory" and "DETENTION" (which I'm calling issues #3, 4, & 5) and is 128 pages for $20, same physical dimensions as the first 2 volumes. The next print comic is called SCHOOL BITES: INDEPENDENT STUDIES and contains the stories "Private Lessons" and "Home Ec" (Parts 1 & 2), which I'm calling issues #6 & 7, also 128 pages for $20, and the last one is the 32-page floppy comic, SCHOOL BITES: NIGHT CLASSES, Part 1 ($5). There are also some art & pinup books she sells. The 128-page books have some extra short stories that weren't posted as webcomic pages to even out the page counts.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Deb on January 16, 2017, 07:16:29 PM
I've been reading lots of Al Taliaferro Donald Duck comic strips, thanks to the IDW/Library of American Comics collections, as well as the 1980's Celestial Arts book "Uncle Scrooge McDuck: His Life and Times" which is composed of 11 classic Carl Barks Scrooge comics painted with watercolor, acrylic and airbrush techniques, with some colored pencil here and there.  The art looks amazing this way.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 17, 2017, 07:44:02 PM
At midnight the digital copy of Archie #16 comes out.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 18, 2017, 07:07:15 AM

I woke up so late & kind of forgot about the comic. So then I read it. The story is basically about Dilton. He makes a app that Reggie steals. And Reggie does what he does. And Dilton is one who gets blamed. Dilton makes a lot of enemies. The app rates everyone & it hurts their feelings. Jason & Cheryl both come to Riverdale. Cheryl is in their school but I don't see Jason introduced in the class. Wouldn't they be in the same class, since they are twins so they would be the same age & in the same grade. 
Cheryl meets Betty in the Lunchroom & Cheryl & Jason met Sayid at Pop's. I wonder what will come of that meeting? Will Sayid bad mouth Betty & the others to The Blossoms & be friends with them.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 18, 2017, 02:53:10 PM
I read my digital copy of Archie #16 again.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 19, 2017, 08:06:46 AM
I'll read in a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 19, 2017, 07:58:14 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
No Mercy-Volume #1
Last Look
Invincible-Volume #12-Still Standing
Archie-Comics Spectacular-Christmas Spectacular
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 20, 2017, 12:24:25 AM
AVENGERS #3.1
KILL OR BE KILLED #5
ARCHIE #16 - It didn't change my opinion.
REVOLUTIONARIES #1
SUPERMAN #15
SUPER POWERS #3 (of 6)
JLA THE RAY: REBIRTH #1
CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #4
CAGE #4 (of 4)
BLACK WIDOW #10
WALT DISNEY'S COMICS & STORIES #736
BLACK HAMMER GIANT SIZED ANNUAL #1
COUGAR AND CUB #1
DOLLFACE #1
CURSE WORDS #1
STAR TREK: WAYPOINT #3 (of 6)
KAMANDI CHALLENGE SPECIAL #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 20, 2017, 06:58:04 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 20, 2017, 12:24:25 AM
AVENGERS #3.1
KILL OR BE KILLED #5
ARCHIE #16 - It didn't change my opinion.
REVOLUTIONARIES #1
SUPERMAN #15
SUPER POWERS #3 (of 6)
JLA THE RAY: REBIRTH #1
CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #4
CAGE #4 (of 4)
BLACK WIDOW #10
WALT DISNEY'S COMICS & STORIES #736
BLACK HAMMER GIANT SIZED ANNUAL #1
COUGAR AND CUB #1
DOLLFACE #1
CURSE WORDS #1
STAR TREK: WAYPOINT #3 (of 6)
KAMANDI CHALLENGE SPECIAL #1


How's Dollface?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 20, 2017, 07:42:38 PM
I'll probably read some digital comics tonight while in bed.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 21, 2017, 12:24:16 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 20, 2017, 06:58:04 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 20, 2017, 12:24:25 AM
AVENGERS #3.1
KILL OR BE KILLED #5
ARCHIE #16 - It didn't change my opinion.
REVOLUTIONARIES #1
SUPERMAN #15
SUPER POWERS #3 (of 6)
JLA THE RAY: REBIRTH #1
CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #4
CAGE #4 (of 4)
BLACK WIDOW #10
WALT DISNEY'S COMICS & STORIES #736
BLACK HAMMER GIANT SIZED ANNUAL #1
COUGAR AND CUB #1
DOLLFACE #1
CURSE WORDS #1
STAR TREK: WAYPOINT #3 (of 6)
KAMANDI CHALLENGE SPECIAL #1


How's Dollface?

By the same creative team as Zombie Tramp (which I haven't read, but the character appears in this first issue). Action Lab publishes some interesting stuff, but it's all over the map. Some of it is bottom-of-the-barrel crap, and some of it has an interesting alt/UG vibe. This is one of their "Danger Zone" (Mature Readers) titles, but they also publish a lot of kid-friendly stuff too. I may read a couple more issues of this to see if there's anything to it, but I'm undecided at this point. The first issue didn't seem to have a lot of depth to it, but a didn't get much of a sense of where (if anywhere) the story was going. Cougar and Cub #1 (also published by Action Lab/Danger Zone) was the more interesting (and funny) of the two titles I read by that company this week.

Link to the company's website: http://www.actionlabcomics.com/ (http://www.actionlabcomics.com/) Looking over their other titles, I'd imagine that there are other things they publish that might interest you a lot more than Dollface. I've only read a scant few of their titles.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 21, 2017, 10:20:29 AM
ONE-PUNCH MAN, Vol. 10 - Started reading this, but got interrupted by other stuff before finishing. But I've just been enjoying the heck out of this series since I discovered it. Then I checked the mailbox this morning (which I forgot to do yesterday) and found...

BETTY AND VERONICA JUMBO COMICS #250 - So I sat down, planning to just read the new Dan Parent story, but then started flipping through it, looking at the credits for all the stories, and wound up reading another dozen or more of them. I think I counted about half a dozen Frank Doyle/Dan DeCarlo stories in here, and just as many Dan Parent stories (in addition to the new one). One of those FD/DDC stories was a winter skating story that had more funny slapstick gags with Veronica than I think I've ever seen in a single story. There are a few Bob Bolling stories too (apart from the Little Betty and Veronica stories, which I don't read). Also, (at least) half a dozen Mike Pellowski stories, but I guess if they just stopped reprinting those then they'd have to go back to 1980s and earlier stories to fill all those pages in the digests (not that I'd be complaining if they actually DID that). Man, it seems like Pellowski wrote at least twice as many stories as anybody else writing for ACP in the 90s and 00s. There's also another whole issue of SABRINA reprinted here (continuing the sequential reprints of Holly G's run on the title) that I hadn't read before. The new story by Dan P. has an appearance by Harper (only two panels, though :(). It seemed a little shorter than usual (the last 2 pages only had 2 big panels per page) and the ending wasn't as funny as usual for Dan, but there are some decent funny bits leading up to that.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 21, 2017, 12:41:00 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 21, 2017, 12:24:16 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 20, 2017, 06:58:04 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 20, 2017, 12:24:25 AM
AVENGERS #3.1
KILL OR BE KILLED #5
ARCHIE #16 - It didn't change my opinion.
REVOLUTIONARIES #1
SUPERMAN #15
SUPER POWERS #3 (of 6)
JLA THE RAY: REBIRTH #1
CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #4
CAGE #4 (of 4)
BLACK WIDOW #10
WALT DISNEY'S COMICS & STORIES #736
BLACK HAMMER GIANT SIZED ANNUAL #1
COUGAR AND CUB #1
DOLLFACE #1
CURSE WORDS #1
STAR TREK: WAYPOINT #3 (of 6)
KAMANDI CHALLENGE SPECIAL #1


How's Dollface?

By the same creative team as Zombie Tramp (which I haven't read, but the character appears in this first issue). Action Lab publishes some interesting stuff, but it's all over the map. Some of it is bottom-of-the-barrel crap, and some of it has an interesting alt/UG vibe. This is one of their "Danger Zone" (Mature Readers) titles, but they also publish a lot of kid-friendly stuff too. I may read a couple more issues of this to see if there's anything to it, but I'm undecided at this point. The first issue didn't seem to have a lot of depth to it, but a didn't get much of a sense of where (if anywhere) the story was going. Cougar and Cub #1 (also published by Action Lab/Danger Zone) was the more interesting (and funny) of the two titles I read by that company this week.

Link to the company's website: http://www.actionlabcomics.com/ (http://www.actionlabcomics.com/) Looking over their other titles, I'd imagine that there are other things they publish that might interest you a lot more than Dollface. I've only read a scant few of their titles.


I like Action Lab Dog of Wonder, Princeless, and Ghoul Scouts. I've read others like Nutmeg, Vamplets, Mishka, and Hero Cats but they were just ok. They seem to have long stretches between issues though. I read the FCBD of Doll Face. The art kinda reminds me of Sky Doll.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 21, 2017, 03:52:52 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 21, 2017, 12:41:00 PM
I like Action Lab Dog of Wonder, Princeless, and Ghoul Scouts. I've read others like Nutmeg, Vamplets, Mishka, and Hero Cats but they were just ok. They seem to have long stretches between issues though. I read the FCBD of Doll Face. The art kinda reminds me of Sky Doll.

I never saw the FCBD Dollface issue, so I don't know if it's actually the same comic as #1 or not (that's one common use of an FCBD comic, as kind of a free preview of an upcoming series). I only picked it up on a whim because the art looked kind of interesting. Never read Sky Doll either, although I've seen it - but isn't that some kind of Euro-manga thing? Even though this is supposed to be some kind of origin story, I didn't completely understand the plot. I guess Dollface is some kind of robot, but she has a name ("Lila") and doesn't really seem like a robot, more like her personality was transplanted from someone (dead?) or something. There was some kind of techobabble stuff about using the Necronomicon to program her, but I didn't really get it -- and it seemed like the readers were assumed to be familiar with Zombie Tramp already, so I was lost there. Maybe there's some shared-universe background stuff from the Zombie Tramp comic that they assume readers already knew as well. Doesn't seem like the best approach for a new series.

EDIT: Okay, tried looking up that FCBD issue and couldn't find it, so I'm guessing that this is the one you meant. (Not sure which of these covers actually appeared on the printed book, but note the difference in titles - "ZT vs DOLLFACE" or "ZT vs The Doll-Faced Witch Hunter".):
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F3728030.jpg&hash=aeba40c6536ebbaa0201609733440e305fc8c2c5)[(https://retailerservices.diamondcomics.com/Image/Resource/2/STL017222.jpg)
...and the solicitation description on this one mentions "What happens when a witch hunter's soul from 17th-century Salem, Massachusetts gets infused into a life-sized, ball-jointed, 3D printed, sexbot in present time?" and while the latter part was clear enough in issue #1, I saw nothing in there identifying how exactly this witch hunter Lila from the 17th century's soul got grafted onto the Dollface body. While I did see Dollface referred to as a "witch hunter" by Zombie Tramp (again, since I never read that character's series -- isn't she a zombie, not a witch?), it wasn't made clear what happened when Dollface was programmed at all (except the technobabble bit about using the Necronomicon to program her tipped the reader off that something weird was going on). It seems like they assumed at a minimum that all the readers picking up #1 would already have read the ComicFest preview comic (which appears to be an entirely different story, possibly taking place sometime in-between the pages of this first issue of Dollface). I like the basic concept, but the execution as far as this single issue in terms of writing could have been a lot better. Maybe I should see if I can find a copy of that FCBD issue somewhere, but I'm not going to expend much effort on it.

Yet another EDIT: So I just found an online preview of what is referred to as "HCF 2016 ZOMBIE TRAMP VS THE DOLL-FACED WITCH HUNTER", and the 3 pages previewed of the HCF giveaway are the same as 3 of the pages I read in DOLLFACE #1, so maybe they are the same comic book story, after all.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 21, 2017, 03:56:34 PM
I read a couple comics in my room while in my comfy chair
Archie #7- Marguerite Sauvage's
Archie #10- Eliot Fernandaz's
The New Archies #11
Archie Meets Ramones-Gisele's variant of Archie & the gang on stage with The Ramones
Reggie & Me #2-Zdarsky's
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 22, 2017, 10:11:24 PM
I read some Digital Comics
🐭 Archie #16
🐣 Life With Kevin #3
🎁 Archie's 75Th Series-Reggie & Me
🍉 Jughead's Cousin Bingo Wilkin
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 23, 2017, 08:14:04 AM
I'm going read in my room in a while. I read each of these for 12 minutes
Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Sadness-Volume #3
Archie & Friends Double Digest #1
Jughead & Archie Double Digest #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on January 23, 2017, 06:01:23 PM
- Donald Duck: Tycoonraker
- Donald and Mickey, The Walt Disney's Comics and Stories 75th Anniversary Collection
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 24, 2017, 07:52:25 AM
I'll read in a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 25, 2017, 03:35:47 AM
THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST Vol. 3: THE BOOK OF THE IRON FIST TP
GREEN HORNET: REIGN OF THE DEMON #2 (of 4)
PUNISHER #8
SQUADRON SUPREME #15 (final issue)
DEATH OF HAWKMAN #4 (of 6)
STAR TREK/GREEN LANTERN Vol. 2 #2 (of 6)
BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLE ADVENTURES #3 (of 6)
SIXPACK & DOGWELDER: HARD-TRAVELIN' HEROZ #6 (of 6)
THANOS #3
DETECTIVE COMICS #949
ODYSSEY OF THE AMAZONS #1 (of 6)
WONDER WOMAN #15
JLA: KILLER FROST REBIRTH #1 (one-shot)
SHE-WOLF #5
SKYBOURNE #3 (of 5)
LOOSE ENDS #1 (of 4)
DARK HORSE PRESENTS #30
PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #14
HILLBILLY #5
TARZAN ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #5 (of 5)
BETTY BOOP #4 (of 4)
BATMAN '66 MEETS WONDER WOMAN '77 #1 (of 6)
WONDER WOMAN '77 MEETS THE BIONIC WOMAN #2 (of 6)
FUTURE QUEST #9
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #1 (of 12)
MICRONAUTS #9
BLUE MONDAY Vol. 2: ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS TP
THE LOST BOOKS OF EVE Vol. 1 TP (2008)

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 25, 2017, 06:34:02 PM
I'll read some digital comics tonight while in bed.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 26, 2017, 10:39:08 AM

I read
Saga #41
Reggie & Me #2-Jarrell's
Jughead #12-Charm's
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 26, 2017, 03:19:34 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 25, 2017, 03:35:47 AM
THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST Vol. 3: THE BOOK OF THE IRON FIST TP
GREEN HORNET: REIGN OF THE DEMON #2 (of 4)
PUNISHER #8
SQUADRON SUPREME #15 (final issue)
DEATH OF HAWKMAN #4 (of 6)
STAR TREK/GREEN LANTERN Vol. 2 #2 (of 6)
BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLE ADVENTURES #3 (of 6)
SIXPACK & DOGWELDER: HARD-TRAVELIN' HEROZ #6 (of 6)
THANOS #3
DETECTIVE COMICS #949
ODYSSEY OF THE AMAZONS #1 (of 6)
WONDER WOMAN #15
JLA: KILLER FROST REBIRTH #1 (one-shot)
SHE-WOLF #5
SKYBOURNE #3 (of 5)
LOOSE ENDS #1 (of 4)
DARK HORSE PRESENTS #30
PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #14
HILLBILLY #5
TARZAN ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #5 (of 5)
BETTY BOOP #4 (of 4)
BATMAN '66 MEETS WONDER WOMAN '77 #1 (of 6)
WONDER WOMAN '77 MEETS THE BIONIC WOMAN #2 (of 6)
FUTURE QUEST #9
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #1 (of 12)
MICRONAUTS #9
BLUE MONDAY Vol. 2: ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS TP
THE LOST BOOKS OF EVE Vol. 1 TP (2008)



Wow how much do you spend on comics every week? Any standout funny comics here?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 26, 2017, 03:51:49 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 26, 2017, 03:19:34 PM
Wow how much do you spend on comics every week? Any standout funny comics here?

If I told you you wouldn't believe me. Or think I was crazy. I admit it -- I'm an addict. But I guess I could be addicted to worse things.

BLUE MONDAY was the absolute standout as far as comedy goes. I take it you've already read that, though. If not you should do so immediately. Heck, it couldn't hurt to get the new collected editions even if you've already read the black and white singles, since the trades are in color.

I'm thinking of reading these again after the whole series is out. I want to make an MP3 soundtrack for it, after I go through and make a list of all the songs.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 27, 2017, 03:58:35 PM
ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #276 - Reviewed it on my review thread.

SCARLET TRACES, Vol. 1 TP - The first 60 pages is a straightforward adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, and the next 60 pages picks up a decade later after the failed Martian invasion, showing that the British Empire rebuilt its infrastructure with knowledge gleaned from reverse-engineered extraterrestrial technology. The advanced tech results in widespread automated factories putting a huge percentage of the population out of work, and there is a mystery with girls disappearing to be solved, which leads to the discovery of a secret conspiracy within the upper echelons of the government. The first volume ends as a British invasion fleet launches into space to conquer Mars itself. Very interesting, and I hope for further volumes to continue this fascinating story.

ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE COMICS ANNUAL #24 - Most of the stories in here seem to feature Reggie, Dilton, or Moose in major roles (the new story by Dan Parent revolves around Reggie's attempt to avoid doing volunteer work to raise money for the school). The real jaw-dropper was seeing a Little Chuck story, though. There's a Craig Boldman/Rex Lindsey story in here titled "That Tears It" that was part of an ongoing series of stories by Boldman, in which the story involves a word which Jughead repeats several times, in an attempt to expand his vocabulary. He attempts to explain the concept of this week's word (in this particular instance it's more of an expression - "on a tear") to Moose, who figures heavily in this particular episode, and in so doing, outlines the basic concept of this ongoing series of stories for the reader. Because the major plot of this episode has Jughead explaining things to Moose, it's a bit of an anomaly in the series. Normally the vocabulary word or expression is mentioned a few times (and defined), but other that that the plot of the story doesn't revolve around the word chosen, and the inclusion of the word is more of a side bit to the main plot of the story. More typically, when Jughead uses the word it's a lot less intrusive in the story -- perhaps only a panel where Archie repeats the word quizzically, after which Jughead will say something like "It's my word of the week. I'm trying to expand my vocabulary" and then define the meaning of the word. It might seem like this would be a little forced in the story, but Boldman always chooses a new word which is somehow apropos (and funny at the moment when Jughead picks to interject it) to whatever the situation going on in the story is. (Hey, "apropos" might even have been one of the words!) The idea of Jughead just tossing an uncommon word into his conversation totally worked for me in these stories, because it fit in the context of a whole host of new eccentricities that Boldman was constantly having Jughead come up with. A collection of these Jughead stories (for a while, one of these shorts appeared in almost every issue of Jughead for a couple of years or so) called something like "Jughead's Vocabulary" or "Words to the Wise" wouldn't make a bad trade paperback or digital exclusive.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 27, 2017, 10:16:21 PM
No reading for me today. I was in city, hanging with my brother.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 27, 2017, 10:36:06 PM
Y the last man - really really good
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 28, 2017, 10:18:50 PM
Jughead - trying to read all the Craig Boldman stories I can find starting with issue #109 which is the earliest issue available digitally.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 29, 2017, 03:02:14 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 28, 2017, 10:18:50 PM
Jughead - trying to read all the Craig Boldman stories I can find starting with issue #109 which is the earliest issue available digitally.

If ACP were anything like a normal comic book publisher, they would offer all the Boldman/Lindsey Jughead stories in a series of TP collections (or digital collections). Same goes for comics like Cheryl Blossom, Josie, and Sabrina, because they're harder to find as back issues. But ACP never does anything normal or logical like that. The basic thinking of ACP's reprint collections editor seems to be that no adult reader could possibly be interested in purchasing anything like that (never mind that a lot of kids would like it too). Yet when they do things like THE BEST OF ARCHIE COMICS, it turns into one of their best-selling TPs ever, prompting a whole series of further volumes. That's obviously because it's a little closer to what adults who have the money to spend on these collections want. Despite this, they've steadfastly avoided doing anything resembling complete chronological collections of stories by a particular writer/artist, or by character or by title. The only thing they've done that fits that description is THE MARRIED LIFE series of TPs. Oh, and that was also one of their best sellers. Can't find any clues there, though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 29, 2017, 04:00:20 PM

I read these books for 12 minutes each
Road To Riverdale
No Mercy -Volume #1
Last Look
And I also read
Jem & The Holograms #22-Gisele's cover
Deadly Class #25
Archie #15-Zullo's cover
Archie #16 -Eisma's cover
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 29, 2017, 08:59:43 PM
Betty Boop 2-4. For some reason I wasn't that into the first issue. Maybe it was just my mood when I read it. But I spead through these last 3 this weekend. The art for some reason reminds me of Kennel Block Blues. I loved the humor and old fashioned vocab. Anyone have any recs with similar type of humor? How do these compare to the old Betty Boop comics?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 30, 2017, 12:58:30 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 29, 2017, 08:59:43 PM
Betty Boop 2-4. For some reason I wasn't that into the first issue. Maybe it was just my mood when I read it. But I spead through these last 3 this weekend. The art for some reason reminds me of Kennel Block Blues. I loved the humor and old fashioned vocab. Anyone have any recs with similar type of humor? How do these compare to the old Betty Boop comics?

Never heard of Kennel Block Blues.

?? 'recs' ??
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 30, 2017, 06:51:31 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 30, 2017, 12:58:30 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 29, 2017, 08:59:43 PM
Betty Boop 2-4. For some reason I wasn't that into the first issue. Maybe it was just my mood when I read it. But I spead through these last 3 this weekend. The art for some reason reminds me of Kennel Block Blues. I loved the humor and old fashioned vocab. Anyone have any recs with similar type of humor? How do these compare to the old Betty Boop comics?

Never heard of Kennel Block Blues.

?? 'recs' ??


Recommendations for comics similar to Betty Boop.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 31, 2017, 07:19:32 AM
I'll read later today.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 31, 2017, 11:06:23 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 30, 2017, 06:51:31 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 30, 2017, 12:58:30 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 29, 2017, 08:59:43 PM
Betty Boop 2-4. For some reason I wasn't that into the first issue. Maybe it was just my mood when I read it. But I spead through these last 3 this weekend. The art for some reason reminds me of Kennel Block Blues. I loved the humor and old fashioned vocab. Anyone have any recs with similar type of humor? How do these compare to the old Betty Boop comics?

Never heard of Kennel Block Blues.

?? 'recs' ??


Recommendations for comics similar to Betty Boop.

You could try Roger Langridge's Popeye from IDW. Nothing else remotely similar to BB in the comic book market that I'm aware of.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 31, 2017, 03:35:01 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 31, 2017, 11:06:23 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 30, 2017, 06:51:31 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 30, 2017, 12:58:30 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 29, 2017, 08:59:43 PM
Betty Boop 2-4. For some reason I wasn't that into the first issue. Maybe it was just my mood when I read it. But I spead through these last 3 this weekend. The art for some reason reminds me of Kennel Block Blues. I loved the humor and old fashioned vocab. Anyone have any recs with similar type of humor? How do these compare to the old Betty Boop comics?

Never heard of Kennel Block Blues.

?? 'recs' ??


Recommendations for comics similar to Betty Boop.

You could try Roger Langridge's Popeye from IDW. Nothing else remotely similar to BB in the comic book market that I'm aware of.


I have some of those. I'll give them a go. I had a feeling you would say Popeye because of the similar time period.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 31, 2017, 08:47:52 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 31, 2017, 03:35:01 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 31, 2017, 11:06:23 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 30, 2017, 06:51:31 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 30, 2017, 12:58:30 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 29, 2017, 08:59:43 PM
Betty Boop 2-4. For some reason I wasn't that into the first issue. Maybe it was just my mood when I read it. But I spead through these last 3 this weekend. The art for some reason reminds me of Kennel Block Blues. I loved the humor and old fashioned vocab. Anyone have any recs with similar type of humor? How do these compare to the old Betty Boop comics?

Never heard of Kennel Block Blues.

?? 'recs' ??


Recommendations for comics similar to Betty Boop.

You could try Roger Langridge's Popeye from IDW. Nothing else remotely similar to BB in the comic book market that I'm aware of.


I have some of those. I'll give them a go. I had a feeling you would say Popeye because of the similar time period.

Not so much that, as for the fact that both DE's Betty Boop and IDW's Popeye comic books were written by Roger Langridge - and of course both characters were originally animated cartoon stars from the Fleischer Brothers studio, even though Popeye originated as a newspaper comic strip character. The Fleischer animators had an urban, "New York" sensibility, unlike the other major animation studios like Disney and Warner Brothers, which were California based.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 01, 2017, 12:07:36 AM
JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #120, 128
DEATH OF HAWKMAN #5 (of 6)
THE FALL AND RISE OF CAPTAIN ATOM #2 (of 6)
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP #22
SUPER POWERS #4 (of 6)
SUPERMAN #16
PLANET OF THE APES/GREEN LANTERN #1 (of 6)
BULLSEYE #1
MOON KNIGHT #11
RICK AND MORTY #22
RED TEAM: DOUBLE TAP #7 (of 9)
VAMPIRELLA #0
KISS: THE DEMON #1
DEBBI'S DATES #2 (July, 1969)
UNCLE SCROOGE #427
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on February 01, 2017, 07:39:07 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on February 01, 2017, 12:07:36 AM
JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #120, 128
DEATH OF HAWKMAN #5 (of 6)
THE FALL AND RISE OF CAPTAIN ATOM #2 (of 6)
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP #22
SUPER POWERS #4 (of 6)
SUPERMAN #16
PLANET OF THE APES/GREEN LANTERN #1 (of 6)
BULLSEYE #1
MOON KNIGHT #11
RICK AND MORTY #22
RED TEAM: DOUBLE TAP #7 (of 9)
VAMPIRELLA #0
KISS: THE DEMON #1
DEBBI'S DATES #2 (July, 1969)
UNCLE SCROOGE #427


How was Kiss? I enjoyed the other Kiss series that come
Out recently.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 01, 2017, 08:00:54 PM
KISS: The Demon had the same writer (possibly the same artist, too) as the other KISS #1, and is a prequel to the earlier series. Neither one did much for me, so I won't be continuing on this one either.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 02, 2017, 06:19:51 AM
MICRONAUTS ANNUAL #1 (2017)
STAR TREK: NEW VISIONS #14 - "Sam"
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND #7
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 03, 2017, 07:49:19 AM
I have been slacking when coming to reading. I'm going try to do it today.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 04, 2017, 05:57:49 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes
Archie' Pals & Gals Double Digest #135
Betty & Veronica Girls Rule
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 05, 2017, 09:08:24 PM
Maybe I read some digital comics tonight. I read
Reggie & Me #2 💘
Jughead In Love 💝
Jughead's Baby Tales 🍼
Betty & Veronica-Holiday Shopping 🎄 🎁 🎄 🎁
Archie At The Chocklit Shoppe 🍦 🍩 🍫 🍟 🍔
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on February 05, 2017, 11:33:40 PM
School Bites chapter 1 and 2. A bit disappointed. The art and writing is better in Holly G's turn in Sabrina and Cheryl Blossom. Reminded me a lot of Eerie Cuties.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 06, 2017, 12:05:56 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on February 05, 2017, 11:33:40 PM
School Bites chapter 1 and 2. A bit disappointed. The art and writing is better in Holly G's turn in Sabrina and Cheryl Blossom. Reminded me a lot of Eerie Cuties.

The storyline is a bit disjointed and meandering, sort of a loosely connected series of scenes. Worse still is that there are no character design templates, and Holly is constantly shifting her style of drawing. Cherri Creeper and her friends never quite look the same from one scene to the next, almost as if Holly's drawing style was reflecting her mood the day she drew that page. I'm not a fan of the chibi style in particular. There were a lot of times when I became momentarily confused about which character I was looking at, and the fact that all the characters are usually wearing their school uniforms wasn't helping.

It's great that she's so talented that she's able to draw well in such a wide variety of styles, but visual identification of the characters is one of the primary means of reader identification with the characters. She should have picked one style and stuck with it, because she can't assume the readers are going to like all the different styles equally. It's annoying, like having an Archie story drawn in the styles of Little Archie, New Look Archie, Classic Archie, and New Riverdale Archie on random pages within the same continuing story.

Vampire Cheerleaders (Zoom Comics; I followed the link from the Pixie Trix site) is another webcomic series I've been checking out that bears a lot of similarities to School Bites, Eerie Cuties, and Monster High (or for that matter, Darin Henry's Super Suckers). The artwork in the first couple of volumes of VC is by Shiei, whose style reminds me of Shouri's art for Pixie Trix Comix. VC even has a companion series, Paranormal Mystery Squad, with shared characters, just like Eerie Cuties and Magick Chicks. VC/PMS might even share the same universe with EC, MC & Dangerously Chloe, as there were a couple of short guest strips where (in a flashback to childhood scene) Layla from EC gave the main character from VC the same skull-shaped hairpin that she wears. (VC and PMS are both also available in digital and paperback).

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vampirecheerleaders.net%2Fcomics%2Fvc1-000.png&hash=4e0a282a6b1f11bce920e91feb7c0748e6131dbd)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Rebirth Gaming on February 06, 2017, 11:53:12 AM
Sonic the Hedgehog, Archie, and Dragon Ball Z is what I've been reading lately.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 06, 2017, 01:20:35 PM
Quote from: Rebirth Gaming on February 06, 2017, 11:53:12 AM
Sonic the Hedgehog, Archie, and Dragon Ball Z is what I've been reading lately.

Dragonball Z isn't still going in Japan, is it? Those are old ones, right?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 07, 2017, 07:48:16 AM

I have my shipment from Midtown Comics that came yesterday & I'm going read them . I'll put them in my comic frames too.
Archie Vol 2 #16 Marguerite Sauvage & Dean Trippe
Josie And The Pussycats #4 Michael Walsh
Invincible #132
Saga #42
I just got Jem & The Holograms #23. The one that Gisele did with Fox on the cover. I'll read it soon.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 08, 2017, 10:18:33 AM
I finished reading
Archie's Favorite Comics From The Vault
No Mercy-Volume #1
And I read each of these for 12 minutes
Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
Road To RiverDale
Blankets
Black Hole
Last Look
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 09, 2017, 09:32:46 AM
Today's a good day to stay home & read. I'll read later
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 12, 2017, 08:59:38 AM
I took these off of my wall & read them
Archie #16-Marguerite Sauvage
Reggie & Me #2-Sandy Jarell
Invincible #132
Saga #42

Now I'm reading these books for 12 minutes
B & V Friends Comics Double Digest #2
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #238
Road To RiverDale-Volume #1
Black Hole
I finished reading
Archie Jumbo Comics #268
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 13, 2017, 12:52:18 PM
I'll read in a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: JonInIowaCity on February 13, 2017, 08:51:55 PM
I was reading IVX #4 and Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #17 this weekend. Fun stuff. :)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 15, 2017, 01:31:14 AM
I just read my digital copy of Archie #17. And there was lot of Jason Blossom in it. He's adorable. So is the last issue from Joe Eisma. I love his art. I love his work in Morning Glories.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Vegan Jughead on February 15, 2017, 06:02:38 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on February 15, 2017, 01:31:14 AM
I just read my digital copy of Archie #17. And there was lot of Jason Blossom in it. He's adorable. So is the last issue from Joe Eisma. I love his art. I love his work in Morning Glories.


I know.  I wish he wasn't leaving the Archie title, but at least he'll be doing the art for RIVERDALE
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on February 15, 2017, 12:32:29 PM
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 15, 2017, 06:09:31 PM
I got Archie #17 in the mail today from 24 Archie issue subscription
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: VintageJon on February 16, 2017, 09:53:08 AM
I just finished the new Archie (Mark Waid/Fiona Staples) trade paperback.  It certainly has a different feel, but I found it entertaining.  I also picked up the new Jughead trade from the library and have to say it was better. It was a lot more fun, with all sorts of fantasy sequences interweaving with the story.  'Slackbeard' was especially inspired.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 16, 2017, 02:36:49 PM
I got Jem & The Holograms #20 today so I read with Archie #17 later.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 16, 2017, 06:44:51 PM
I read in my comfy chair in my room
I read
Archie #17- which is from 24 Archie Issue Subscription
Jem & The Holograms #20
And I read each these books for 12 minutes each
Jughead & Archie Double Digest #1
Archie's Funhouse Double Digest #1
The Best Of Archie Comics 75 Years 75 Stories
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
The Best Of Archie Comics-Book #3
Archie's Favorite Christmas Comics
Archie Giant Comics Festival
Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Sadness- Volume #3

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 17, 2017, 12:55:43 AM
Haven't posted on this thread in a couple of weeks, but I've been busy reading.

Last week:
MICKEY MOUSE #326
DEADMAN DARK MANSION OF FORBIDDEN LOVE #3 (of 3)
DETECTIVE COMICS #950
WONDER WOMAN #16
DOLLFACE #2
GREEN HORNET: REIGN OF THE DEMON #3 (of 4)
JOHN CARTER: THE END #1
WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT: THE CORPSE MAKERS #1 (of 5)
JONESY #10
MOONSHINE #5
SAVAGE DRAGON #220
EMPOWERED & THE SOLDIER OF LOVE #1 (of 3)

DEAD@17: BLOOD OF SAINTS TP
DEAD@17: REVOLUTION TP
DEAD@17: THE 13TH BROTHER TP
DEAD@17: AFTERBIRTH TP
DEAD@17: THE WITCH QUEEN TP
DEAD@17: THE BLASPHEMY THRONE TP

This week:
PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #15
BATMAN TMNT ADVENTURES #4 (of 6)
BATWOMAN: REBIRTH #1
CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #5
THE WILD STORM #1
KILL OR BE KILLED #6
ROM ANNUAL #1 (2017)
THE FOREVER WAR #1 (adapted from the 1974 Joe Haldeman Nebula & Hugo-winning novel)
SLAM #1-3 (Girlie comic about roller girls. It was okay, but I don't think it interested me enough to continue.)

Junji Ito's DISSOLVING CLASSROOM TP - Great collection of short weird horror tales linked by 2 reoccurring characters, a brother and sister.

Junji Ito's FRAGMENTS OF HORROR HC - Another collection of short horror stories, no connections between these.

Junji Ito's TOMIE HC  - 700 pages, but a real page-turner. I read it in 2 days. Weird, surreal, grotesque, disturbing, fascinating. Ito's horror manga is different than any kind of horror I've ever read.

SCOOTER GIRL TP - Love the style and the setting, but I have mixed feelings about it because I hate the core idea of the story.

BETTY AND VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #251  - Never thought I'd see Bridgett again in a new story. It was funny, though.

WORLD OF ARCHIE WINTER ANNUAL #66  - Dan Parent's new 5-pager is a funny Reggie & Betty story.



Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on February 17, 2017, 10:29:34 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on February 17, 2017, 12:55:43 AM
Haven't posted on this thread in a couple of weeks, but I've been busy reading.

Last week:
MICKEY MOUSE #326
DEADMAN DARK MANSION OF FORBIDDEN LOVE #3 (of 3)
DETECTIVE COMICS #950
WONDER WOMAN #16
DOLLFACE #2
GREEN HORNET: REIGN OF THE DEMON #3 (of 4)
JOHN CARTER: THE END #1
WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT: THE CORPSE MAKERS #1 (of 5)
JONESY #10
MOONSHINE #5
SAVAGE DRAGON #220
EMPOWERED & THE SOLDIER OF LOVE #1 (of 3)

DEAD@17: BLOOD OF SAINTS TP
DEAD@17: REVOLUTION TP
DEAD@17: THE 13TH BROTHER TP
DEAD@17: AFTERBIRTH TP
DEAD@17: THE WITCH QUEEN TP
DEAD@17: THE BLASPHEMY THRONE TP

This week:
PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #15
BATMAN TMNT ADVENTURES #4 (of 6)
BATWOMAN: REBIRTH #1
CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #5
THE WILD STORM #1
KILL OR BE KILLED #6
ROM ANNUAL #1 (2017)
THE FOREVER WAR #1 (adapted from the 1974 Joe Haldeman Nebula & Hugo-winning novel)
SLAM #1-3 (Girlie comic about roller girls. It was okay, but I don't think it interested me enough to continue.)

Junji Ito's DISSOLVING CLASSROOM TP - Great collection of short weird horror tales linked by 2 reoccurring characters, a brother and sister.

Junji Ito's FRAGMENTS OF HORROR HC - Another collection of short horror stories, no connections between these.

Junji Ito's TOMIE HC  - 700 pages, but a real page-turner. I read it in 2 days. Weird, surreal, grotesque, disturbing, fascinating. Ito's horror manga is different than any kind of horror I've ever read.

SCOOTER GIRL TP - Love the style and the setting, but I have mixed feelings about it because I hate the core idea of the story.

BETTY AND VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #251  - Never thought I'd see Bridgett again in a new story. It was funny, though.

WORLD OF ARCHIE WINTER ANNUAL #66  - Dan Parent's new 5-pager is a funny Reggie & Betty story.


Would I like Dead@17?


I liked the art in Slam but the story was hard to follow with so many characters. Maybe it would make more sense if I read them back to back instead of a month apart.


I found some random Scooter Girl B&W issues in the 25cent bin once. Liked the art, not the story. Maybe I would like it better in color. Like Blue Monday.


You're back to reading Jonesy? I thought you gave up on the series.


Let me know if Patsy Walker ever goes back to the girlie story it was for the first few issues of the comic.


I might try some of those Ito comics. I'm slowly getting into horror. But I like more ghost than gore.


Did you check out the Jem Annual? It has Gisele art in it. 



Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 18, 2017, 06:18:57 AM
I read some of favorites on my phone
Archie #11 & #12 the ones with art from Thomas Pitilli 💝
Archie #17-which had a ton of Jason Blossom. He's adorable
Jughead #7 & #8.I think those were best issues of the new Jughead title.
Betty & Veronica #2, I wanted to check up. I haven't read new reboot of B & V in a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Smurf on February 18, 2017, 02:29:34 PM
Just about to finish Jughead and Archie Jumbo #25.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 18, 2017, 07:27:57 PM
I read
Jem & The Holograms #17
Giant Days #18
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 18, 2017, 09:33:30 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on February 17, 2017, 10:29:34 PM
Would I like Dead@17?

... I'm going to say probably not. It's not girlie at all, even though most of the main characters are girls. This is more like a fantasy action-movie (though looking more like a Cartoon Network action cartoon) based loosely on the biblical Book of Revelations. There's a lot of violence, but that tends to be blunted somewhat by the simple cartoon style of drawing, so I wouldn't quite call it gore. I wouldn't exactly call it horror, but if it were a live action movie it might seem that way.

Quote from: irishmoxie on February 17, 2017, 10:29:34 PM
I found some random Scooter Girl B&W issues in the 25cent bin once. Liked the art, not the story. Maybe I would like it better in color. Like Blue Monday.

That's where I first found it too, as random issues in the cheap boxes. I like Blue Monday better as well. The main thing I didn't like about it is that contrary to what you'd expect, the title character, Margaret Sheldon, isn't really the main character of the story, and we never really get to know that much about her, apart from one scene in the final chapter. That, and one other thing too complicated to get into.

Quote from: irishmoxie on February 17, 2017, 10:29:34 PMYou're back to reading Jonesy? I thought you gave up on the series.

It's borrowed. I probably wouldn't bother if there were more current comics coming out that I liked. The later issues definitely aren't as good as the earlier ones.

Quote from: irishmoxie on February 17, 2017, 10:29:34 PM
Let me know if Patsy Walker ever goes back to the girlie story it was for the first few issues of the comic. 

I don't know that it's changed all that much. The nature of this being published at Marvel means that there are always going to be a lot of appearances by other Marvel characters like She-Hulk, Jubilee, and Howard the Duck. That, and they need to get her into the costume at least once in most issues. Otherwise, it probably wouldn't continue to be published. I do kind of wish it would concentrate a little bit more on the Patsy Walker side, and less on the Hellcat side of the character, and maybe get her out of New York. I liked the earlier stuff where she was being recognized as the star of the old comic books, but they seem to have dropped that angle.

Quote from: irishmoxie on February 17, 2017, 10:29:34 PMI might try some of those Ito comics. I'm slowly getting into horror. But I like more ghost than gore.

Ito's stuff isn't ghost stories, they are "strange" stories. There's some gore, violence, and a lot of grotesque imagery, but it has this Twilight Zone/surreal weirdness quality to it. Ito rarely gives any rationale for how the paranormal elements come to exist, they're just there. There always seems to be some odd angle to the story, something that most people wouldn't imagine, yet the stories seem grounded in a fairly realistic style - but there is still some room for blackly comedic moments on occasion. He's good at drawing faces and conveying subtle expressions. He gets a lot of mileage out of the contrast between that convincing realism/normality and the more grotesque moments.


Quote from: irishmoxie on February 17, 2017, 10:29:34 PMDid you check out the Jem Annual? It has Gisele art in it.

I didn't know she was in there. There was nothing in the solicitation copy about it, and this seemed like a one-off alternate universe/fanfic take on the characters. I will check it out, though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on February 18, 2017, 10:27:30 PM
I've been reading some romance comics. I especially like Career Girl Romances. The slang is hilarious. It's amazing to think how different the world was back then.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 18, 2017, 10:38:06 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on February 18, 2017, 10:27:30 PM
I've been reading some romance comics. I especially like Career Girl Romances. The slang is hilarious. It's amazing to think how different the world was back then.

I like the romance reprints in IDW/YoeBooks' WEIRD LOVE. I also have a couple of trade paperback collections of romance stories where they've whited out all the dialogue balloons and captions, and completely rewritten the stories, to hilarious effect. Dan Parent's hard-to-find TP collection LOVE-O-RAMA 2000 is a modern comedic take on romance comics. The WEIRD LOVE stories are 100% genuine, unaltered, and re-presented exactly as they first appeared, but almost as bizarre. In a few instances, even more so.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on February 18, 2017, 11:33:19 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on February 18, 2017, 10:38:06 PM
I also have a couple of trade paperback collections of romance stories where they've whited out all the dialogue balloons and captions, and completely rewritten the stories, to hilarious effect.


Do you remember what these are called?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 19, 2017, 12:41:30 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on February 18, 2017, 11:33:19 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on February 18, 2017, 10:38:06 PM
I also have a couple of trade paperback collections of romance stories where they've whited out all the dialogue balloons and captions, and completely rewritten the stories, to hilarious effect.


Do you remember what these are called?

TRUER THAN TRUE ROMANCE: Classic Love Stories Retold by Jeanne Martinet (Watson-Guptill, June 2001)

MARVEL ROMANCE REDUX: Another Kind of Love (by various) (Marvel, Feb. 2007)


A few other collections of (unaltered) romance comics have been published in this century, too:

ROMANCE WITHOUT TEARS: '50s Love Comics - With A Twist! by John Benson (Fantagraphics, Jan. 2003)

AGONIZING LOVE: The Golden Era of Romance Comics by Michael Barson (Harper Design, May 2011)

YOUNG ROMANCE (Jan. 2012) and YOUNG ROMANCE 2 (Mar. 2014) are two hardcover collections from Fantagraphics that reprint the Joe Simon and Jack Kirby romance stories that began the entire genre in comics. (Yes, the romance comics genre was invented by the same two men responsible for creating Captain America and ACP's Adventures of The Fly).

And of course, the aforementioned Craig Yoe's collections of WEIRD LOVE in hardcover format from IDW and YoeBooks (3 so far). The Weird Love and Young Romance collections are available in digital format as well, from Amazon and ComiXology.


The history of the genre has been chronicled in a couple of books, as well:

CONFESSIONS, ROMANCES, SECRETS, AND TEMPTATIONS: Archer St. John and the St. John Romance Comics by John Benson (Fantagraphics, May 2007) is a text history companion to Benson's earlier collection of St. John romance comics reprints, Romance Without Tears.

LOVE ON THE RACKS: A History of American Romance Comics by Michelle Nolan (McFarland, Apr. 2008) takes a broader view and encompasses the entire publishing history of the genre, from Simon & Kirby's seminal YOUNG ROMANCE in 1947, the title that started it all, to the last gasps of Marvel and DC's romance comics in the 1970s.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 19, 2017, 12:06:50 PM
I'll read in a bit.
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Sacred Heart
My Friend Jeffrey Dahmer
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #238
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #242
B & V Friends Comics Annual #246
Saga #42
Invincible #132

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 20, 2017, 03:16:45 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on February 19, 2017, 12:41:30 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on February 18, 2017, 11:33:19 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on February 18, 2017, 10:38:06 PM
I also have a couple of trade paperback collections of romance stories where they've whited out all the dialogue balloons and captions, and completely rewritten the stories, to hilarious effect.


Do you remember what these are called?

TRUER THAN TRUE ROMANCE: Classic Love Stories Retold by Jeanne Martinet (Watson-Guptill, June 2001)

MARVEL ROMANCE REDUX: Another Kind of Love (by various) (Marvel, Feb. 2007)

On a related note, I feel it's pertinent to point out that Jeanne Martinet was not the first to conceive the idea of repurposing reprints of older romance comics with newly-written, satrirical or ironic dialogue. That dubious honor belongs to John Lustig's LAST KISS.

Lustig bought the copyrights to various of the Charlton Comics Group's romance stories (among them, the comic book First Kiss) for a pittance in the 1980s, when the defunct publisher sold off its copyrights to characters and stories piecemeal. Since absolutely no market for straight romance comics reprints existed at that time, LAST KISS first began appearing as an ongoing semi-regular feature in the (also now-defunct) COMICS BUYERS' GUIDE in the late 1980s. Unlike the above trade paperbacks, LAST KISS was conceived as a humorous feature that excerpted 1-4 panels from those old Charlton romance comics with the addition of rewritten dialogue. The only time Lustig re-dialogued complete stories (and the only print appearance of LAST KISS outside of the CBG feature) was in a 4-issue series published by the obscure indy company Shanda Fantasy Arts between 2001-2003 (hard to find now, but keep an eye out as you're scouring those cheapie boxes).

You can find a complete archive of John Lustig's LAST KISS panels at http://www.lastkissinc.com/ (http://www.lastkissinc.com/).
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lastkisscomics.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F02%2Flk20170215.jpg&hash=e58ab64076769108546a9487b8240081c9503b7c)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 20, 2017, 04:38:52 PM
POPEYE CLASSICS VOL. 9 HC (IDW) - reprints Popeye (Dell Comics) #40-44

JUGHEAD & ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #25

BEN 10 CLASSICS VOL. 1: BEN HERE BEFORE TP (IDW) - reprints short stories from Cartoon Network Action Pack (DC) #2-18
BEN 10 CLASSICS VOL. 2: IT'S BEN A PLEASURE TP (IDW) - reprints short stories from Cartoon Network Action Pack (DC) #19-26

BEN 10 [Alien Force] CLASSICS VOL. 3: BLAST FROM THE PAST TP (IDW) - reprints short stories from Cartoon Network Action Pack (DC) #27-46
BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE: DOOM DIMENSION VOL. 1 MMPB (Del Rey) - original graphic novel/Part 1 of 2
BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE: DOOM DIMENSION VOL. 2 MMPB (Del Rey) - original graphic novel/Part 2 of 2

BEN 10 [Ultimate Alien] CLASSICS VOL. 4: BEAUTY AND THE BEN TP (IDW) - reprints short stories from Cartoon Network Action Pack (DC) #48-56
BEN 10 [Ultimate Alien] CLASSICS VOL. 5: POWERLESS TP (IDW) - reprints short stories from Cartoon Network Action Pack (DC) #57-67

BEN 10 [Omniverse]: DEEP TROUBLE TP (IDW) - reprints Ben 10 (IDW) #1-4
BEN 10 OMNIVERSE VOL. 1: GHOST SHIP (Viz Media) - original graphic novel
BEN 10 OMNIVERSE (HCF 2013) HALLOWEEN SPECIAL (Viz Media) - minicomic
BEN 10 OMNIVERSE VOL. 2: JOYRIDES (Viz Media) - original graphic novel
BEN 10 OMNIVERSE VOL. 3: PARALLEL PARADOX (Viz Media) - original graphic novel
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 20, 2017, 06:09:35 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
🎃 Archie Comics Double Digest #273
🐯 Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
💕 Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
🐤 Archie Giant Comics Party
⛵ Blue Is The Warmest Color
🎭 My Friend Jeffrey Dahmer
💐 Sacred Heart
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on February 20, 2017, 08:44:35 PM
Quote from: BettyReggie on February 20, 2017, 06:09:35 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
🎃 Archie Comics Double Digest #273
🐯 Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
💕 Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
🐤 Archie Giant Comics Party
⛵ Blue Is The Warmest Color
🎭 My Friend Jeffrey Dahmer
💐 Sacred Heart


How is My Friend Jeffrey Dahmer? He grew up near where I'm from.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 20, 2017, 09:42:30 PM
It's a crazy book, my brother got for me on my birthday on the 18th 2017.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 21, 2017, 05:43:59 PM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes each
1-Blue Is The Warmest Color
2-Sacred Heart
3-My Friend Dahmer
4-Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #242
5-Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 22, 2017, 04:34:19 AM
AVENGERS #4.1 (of 5)
THANOS #4
GREAT LAKES AVENGERS #5
STAR TREK/GREEN LANTERN VOL. 2 #3 (of 6)
DETECTIVE COMICS #951
WONDER WOMAN #17
JUGHEAD #13
ASTRO CITY #41
SHE-WOLF #6
TANK GIRL: GOLD #4 (of 4)
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP #23
BATMAN '66 MEETS WONDER WOMAN '77 #2 (of 6)
FUTURE QUEST #10 (of 12)
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #2 (of 12)
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND #8
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on February 22, 2017, 08:55:28 PM
Archie #17 - Classic Cheryl shenanigans. A favorite issue that could be read as a standalone. I only wish there was a Cheryl reprint in the back instead of Riverdale character bios.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 23, 2017, 07:40:40 AM
I'll read in a while
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on February 23, 2017, 01:33:11 PM
I read the reboot  Reggie and Me #2.
Why is the storyline so boring? It's sad 'cause he is my favorite character but so far this  reboot is not doing it for me.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: carrotz on February 23, 2017, 02:03:49 PM

The new Reggie and Me has too much Midge. She is the most boring Archie character. The new wrinkles they try to add for her are too hard to believe. Betty and Veronica have both been much nicer to Reggie than Midge ever was, but this series says she's the only one who was ever nice to him. I do not believe in changed premises just for their own sake, even in new timelines. They have to win me over with smart approach that make it worth changing. A talking dog does not qualify.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 23, 2017, 02:44:24 PM
I got RiverDale One Shot & Archie Comics sent me one that I didn't order. It's the main cover, I really wanted that one. Plus Invincible #133 came today.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 23, 2017, 07:10:23 PM

I read
Invincible #133
Riverdale One Shot- Alintha Martinez, I love this issue.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Vegan Jughead on February 24, 2017, 07:09:31 AM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on February 23, 2017, 01:33:11 PM
I read the reboot  Reggie and Me #2.
Why is the storyline so boring? It's sad 'cause he is my favorite character but so far this  reboot is not doing it for me.


I read Reggie and Me #3 yesterday. It's MUCH better than #2. 
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 24, 2017, 07:26:12 AM
I'll read in while. I didn't read, I put new plastics on a lot of comics-Invincible & Archie & various others.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on February 24, 2017, 11:41:54 AM
Quote from: Vegan Jughead on February 24, 2017, 07:09:31 AM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on February 23, 2017, 01:33:11 PM
I read the reboot  Reggie and Me #2.
Why is the storyline so boring? It's sad 'cause he is my favorite character but so far this  reboot is not doing it for me.


I read Reggie and Me #3 yesterday. It's MUCH better than #2.


Thanks. I really hope so because those two issues so far haven't been interesting nor funny  :(
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Vegan Jughead on February 24, 2017, 12:21:52 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on February 24, 2017, 11:41:54 AM
Quote from: Vegan Jughead on February 24, 2017, 07:09:31 AM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on February 23, 2017, 01:33:11 PM
I read the reboot  Reggie and Me #2.
Why is the storyline so boring? It's sad 'cause he is my favorite character but so far this  reboot is not doing it for me.


I read Reggie and Me #3 yesterday. It's MUCH better than #2.


Thanks. I really hope so because those two issues so far haven't been interesting nor funny  :(

I thought the first 2 were OK, not bad, but this one was a huge improvement, IMO.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: JonInIowaCity on February 24, 2017, 01:55:11 PM
I'm way behind on my Reggie & Me reading. They're all lying on my pile waiting for me to set aside the time!

Last night, I read the latest "IVX" (yay!) and "Extraordinary X-Men" & "Uncanny Avengers" (yawn...).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 24, 2017, 05:07:33 PM
Quote from: JonInIowaCity on February 24, 2017, 01:55:11 PM
Last night, I read the latest "IVX" (yay!) and "Extraordinary X-Men" & "Uncanny Avengers" (yawn...).

Marvel is generally so yawn-inducing to me these days that I have to confine my reading to just the "oddball" titles like Patsy Walker aka Hellcat and Silver Surfer. DC isn't much better, except that they publish a lot more non-DCU titles that make up the bulk of my DC reading, and for DCU titles I've got just Detective Comics, Wonder Woman, and The Death of Hawkman (one issue left). Feels like I could quit reading Detective and WW almost any time now, too, except that I'm able to borrow them.

Loving all the reading time and disposable income they're freeing up for me, though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 24, 2017, 05:16:05 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on February 23, 2017, 01:33:11 PM
I read the reboot  Reggie and Me #2.
Why is the storyline so boring? It's sad 'cause he is my favorite character but so far this  reboot is not doing it for me.

"I Can't Believe It's Tom DeFalco!"

How can he have written such good stories for traditional Archie titles over the last 5 or 10 years, yet turn out such a dud as Reggie & Me?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Vegan Jughead on February 24, 2017, 06:31:37 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on February 24, 2017, 05:16:05 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on February 23, 2017, 01:33:11 PM
I read the reboot  Reggie and Me #2.
Why is the storyline so boring? It's sad 'cause he is my favorite character but so far this  reboot is not doing it for me.

"I Can't Believe It's Tom DeFalco!"

How can he have written such good stories for traditional Archie titles over the last 5 or 10 years, yet turn out such a dud as Reggie & Me?

The third issue is much better. 
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 25, 2017, 12:11:43 AM
Quote from: Vegan Jughead on February 24, 2017, 06:31:37 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on February 24, 2017, 05:16:05 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on February 23, 2017, 01:33:11 PM
I read the reboot  Reggie and Me #2.
Why is the storyline so boring? It's sad 'cause he is my favorite character but so far this  reboot is not doing it for me.

"I Can't Believe It's Tom DeFalco!"

How can he have written such good stories for traditional Archie titles over the last 5 or 10 years, yet turn out such a dud as Reggie & Me?

The third issue is much better.

Okay, I'll give it a shot.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 25, 2017, 08:23:35 AM
I just read
Invincible #133
Jem & The Holograms #17 & #20 & #22 & #23
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 25, 2017, 01:21:11 PM
I put new plastics on all my Jem & The Holograms plus I read issues #1 & #2 & #3 & #4 & #5 & #6 & #7 & #8 & #9, & I still have more to read.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 25, 2017, 04:22:48 PM
Now I'm finished reading Jem & The Holograms #10 & #11 & #12 & #13 & #14 & #15 & #18.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 25, 2017, 10:36:30 PM
I read some Digital Comics
Archie #6
Jughead #5 & #6
Life With Kevin #1
Betty's Diary
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on February 25, 2017, 11:58:19 PM
The Deep #1 - Just awesome. Great 1st issue. More comics like this please.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 26, 2017, 04:26:33 PM
I'll read in a while, I read these books for 12 minutes each.
💎 Nothing Could Possibly Go Wrong
🎁 Sacred Heart
⚡ My Friend Dahmer
👗 Blue Is The Warmest Color
📞 Invincible- Volume #12-Still Standing
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 26, 2017, 08:01:19 PM
I'll probably read some digital comics in bed later. I was reading RiverDale One Shot, the main cover & It's actually a comic that Archie Comics sent but its not one I preordered.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 28, 2017, 07:36:04 AM
I'll read in a while
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on February 28, 2017, 09:34:40 PM
Mr. Crypt 1-3: Hilarious situational comedy kids' comics. I wish there were more modern comics like these. Humor like Pink Panther, Harvey comics.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 01, 2017, 07:06:55 AM
LONG HOT SUMMER TP
B & V FRIENDS COMICS ANNUAL #253
THE DEATH OF HAWKMAN #6 (of 6)
THE FALL & RISE OF CAPTAIN ATOM #3 (of 6)
MOON KNIGHT #12
RICK AND MORTY #23
SAVAGE DRAGON #221
SUPER POWERS #5 (of 6)
STREET FIGHTER VS. DARKSTALKERS #0
CRYPT OF SCREAMS #1
BEDTIME STORIES FOR IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDREN #1
ANIMAL NOIR #1
BLACK HARVEST TP
CADET ANDERSON: PSI DIVISION - TEENAGE KYX TP
THRILL-POWER OVERLOAD: 2000AD - THE FIRST 40 YEARS HC
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 01, 2017, 10:10:22 AM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes each
Blue Is The Warmest Color
Nothing Could Possibly Go Wrong
Road To RiverDale-Volume #1
Sacred Heart
My Friend Dahmer
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on March 01, 2017, 08:50:44 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on March 01, 2017, 07:06:55 AM
BEDTIME STORIES FOR IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDREN #1


I read this too but was disappointed in it. I liked Spook House better.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 01, 2017, 11:59:50 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on March 01, 2017, 08:50:44 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on March 01, 2017, 07:06:55 AM
BEDTIME STORIES FOR IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDREN #1


I read this too but was disappointed in it. I liked Spook House better.

Me too. I won't be getting further issues of BSFIC, but I continue to get Spook House. If you like Spook House, you should try HILLBILLY, also from creator Eric Powell.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 02, 2017, 07:52:16 AM
Last night I took Archie #16 & #17 off my wall & read them. I read the 2 comics that I got from The Thrift Store
Archie #473
Archie & Friends #29
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 03, 2017, 07:36:21 AM
I'll read in my room in my comfy chair in the morning in a while
🍎 I finished reading Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Sadness- Volume #3
And read these books for 12 minutes each
🎁 The Best Of Archie Comics-75 Years 75 Stories
💞 Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
😾 Jughead & Archie Double Digest #1
🎢 Archie's Funhouse Double Digest #1
💎 Archie Giant Comics Festival
I read Jem & The Holograms #21-Gisele's Cover
RiverDale -One Shot-Adam Gorham
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on March 03, 2017, 10:33:33 PM
I started reading Uncle Scrooge, Pure Viewing Satisfaction
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 04, 2017, 01:13:39 PM
I read each of books for 12 minutes each
💝Archie's Pals & Gals Double Digest #135
👟 World Of Archie Winter Annual #56
📺 Jughead & Archie Jumbo Comics #15
👔 Archie Comics Double Digest #273
🌈 Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
🌾 B & V Friends Comics Annual #246
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 05, 2017, 09:39:34 AM
I read RiverDale One Shot-Derek Charm issue
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on March 05, 2017, 12:35:10 PM
Brave Chef Brianna #1 - Cute food themed girlie comic. Boom is quickly becoming my favorite publisher. Hopefully it doesn't fall off the rails like Spacebattle Lunchtime.


Riverdale One Shot - I liked it. Better storytelling than the main series.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on March 05, 2017, 07:48:39 PM
I am now reading Uncle Scrooge: Ducktales, Like A Hurricane.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on March 05, 2017, 08:04:52 PM
Zana - a comic about if the South African apartheid had never ended.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Vegan Jughead on March 05, 2017, 08:11:02 PM
Riverdale One Shot.  I liked the stories but the art was lacking.  I didn't really like how washed out the colors looked. 
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 05, 2017, 08:17:36 PM
I loved the art especially Jughead story. He looked so Handsome. I would to see more that art style for Jughead.
I read some Digital Comics in bed
Jughead's Time Police
Reggie's King Of April Fool's #2
World Of Archie-Pals Vs Gals
Jughead's Cousin Bingo Wilkin
Betty & Veronica-Cheryl Blossom High School Royalty
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 06, 2017, 04:13:49 PM
I read
RiverDale One Shot-Francvilla's Coast To Coast Convention issue.Now I read my digital copies of Reggie & Me #1 & #2. So I can get ready for #3.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 07, 2017, 07:46:04 AM
I'll read later.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 08, 2017, 07:46:00 AM
FINK ANGEL: LEGACY - TP collecting 4 related story arcs from 2000 AD and JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE.
ROM #7
REGGIE AND ME #3
- Still not liking it, so this is the last one for me.
GREEN HORNET REIGN OF DEMON #4 (of 4)
JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS ANNUAL 2017 - Rats. Only 8 pages by Gisele, and it's a framing device, not a complete story on its own. Not a good intro point for new readers.
SILVER SURFER #9
HELLBOY AND BPRD 1954 GHOST MOON #1
("#14 in a series") - I never was really a reader of the regular BPRD series, and only off-and-on for HELLBOY, but I really like the retro-series set in the past.
STREET TIGER #1 (of 4) - A grindhouse action movie type story in an interesting cartooning style.
DETECTIVE COMICS #952
WONDER WOMAN #18
NURSE HITOMI'S MONSTER INFIRMARY VOL 1
- Just trying out a few different manga series looking for a good comedy. I liked this. Will review it later on my review thread.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 09, 2017, 11:30:46 AM
I finished reading My Friend Dahmer
And also read these books for 12 minutes each
Sacred Heart
Invincible-Volume #12-Still Standing
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 09, 2017, 01:57:12 PM
PLANET OF APES/GREEN LANTERN #2 (of 6)
STAR TREK WAYPOINT #4 (of 6)
ASTRO CITY #42                   
MICRONAUTS #10

ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE DOUBLE DIGEST #25 - Yay for fairy tale month! A funny spin on Hansel & Gretel from Dan P starring Archie and Betty (but Jughead gets the best jokes). Standout reprint is the classic Jughead short "Dream Boy", but we have a good balance here between 1-page gags, and shorts featuring different characters(Archie, Jughead, Betty & Veronica, Reggie, Moose), which makes this about the most varied of all the digest titles.

MAD presents GOODNIGHT BATCAVE HC - I don't know the children's book being parodied here, but it's MAD and it's a Batman parody, so it's all good. Pretty gentle as satire goes, but I enjoyed it. The text isn't particularly skewering Batman, and it could almost have been published (with less comically-exaggerated artwork) as a straight Batman children's book.

THE SIX 3-STOOGES #1 (a.k.a. FOX LEGENDS SERIES #1 [May 1993]) - An interesting and well-done unauthorized biography of the 6 men who were once part of the comedy trio known as The Three Stooges. This was apparently a co-publishing project (first in a series of celebrity bio-comics) between Fantagraphics and an Australian publisher, Fox Comics. Written and drawn by a cartoonist named Ian Eddy (whose previous work I was completely unfamiliar with), and very capably so, in an underground comix-ish style, printed in black & white. This done-in-one bio didn't really tell me much that I didn't already know about the Stooges, but it was a nice concise summary of their careers, as a group and as individuals.

DRAGONS RIOTING VOL 1 - Just trying out a few different manga series looking for a good comedy. Only about halfway through this one, and haven't made up my mind about it yet.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 10, 2017, 08:14:02 AM
I'll read in a while.
Archie #11-Thomas Pitilli
Reggie & Me #1-Thomas Pitilli
Archie Meets Ramones-Veronica Fish
Jughead #4-Erica Henderson
Jughead #10-Derek Charm

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on March 10, 2017, 08:49:01 PM
Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys: The Big Lie #1 - Not your grandma's Nancy Drew. Not too much Nancy in this issue either. Another murder mystery story.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 11, 2017, 07:48:27 AM
I read
Reggie & Me #2-Sandy Jarrell's issue.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 11, 2017, 05:20:37 PM

I read
Reggie & Me #3-Jarrell & Jughead #13-Dereck Charm
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 11, 2017, 08:29:59 PM
I read
Reggie & Me #3-Thomas Pitilli
RiverDale-One Shot-Thomas Pitilli
Josie & The Pussycats #5-Main cover which had pages stuck together.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 11, 2017, 09:15:29 PM
I read
RiverDale-One Shot-Dan Parent
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on March 11, 2017, 11:18:57 PM
Quote from: Vegan Jughead on February 24, 2017, 12:21:52 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on February 24, 2017, 11:41:54 AM
Quote from: Vegan Jughead on February 24, 2017, 07:09:31 AM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on February 23, 2017, 01:33:11 PM
I read the reboot  Reggie and Me #2.
Why is the storyline so boring? It's sad 'cause he is my favorite character but so far this  reboot is not doing it for me.


I read Reggie and Me #3 yesterday. It's MUCH better than #2.


Thanks. I really hope so because those two issues so far haven't been interesting nor funny  :(

I thought the first 2 were OK, not bad, but this one was a huge improvement, IMO.


I just finished reading Reggie and Me #3. it was a tad better than the first 2 issues. I liked that we got to see a bit more of Moose and how there's more to him than meets the eye. But it is still not funny or entertaining. Like I said, I'm only reading them cause Reggie's my favorite, I would like to see more of his family life and the real reason why he acts the way he does. I want deeper insight of him.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 12, 2017, 04:19:39 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on March 11, 2017, 11:18:57 PM
Quote from: Vegan Jughead on February 24, 2017, 12:21:52 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on February 24, 2017, 11:41:54 AM
Quote from: Vegan Jughead on February 24, 2017, 07:09:31 AM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on February 23, 2017, 01:33:11 PM
I read the reboot  Reggie and Me #2.
Why is the storyline so boring? It's sad 'cause he is my favorite character but so far this  reboot is not doing it for me.


I read Reggie and Me #3 yesterday. It's MUCH better than #2.


Thanks. I really hope so because those two issues so far haven't been interesting nor funny  :(

I thought the first 2 were OK, not bad, but this one was a huge improvement, IMO.


I just finished reading Reggie and Me #3. it was a tad better than the first 2 issues. I liked that we got to see a bit more of Moose and how there's more to him than meets the eye. But it is still not funny or entertaining. Like I said, I'm only reading them cause Reggie's my favorite, I would like to see more of his family life and the real reason why he acts the way he does. I want deeper insight of him.

Yeesh. I don't need any deep insight into either of them. Reggie and Moose are joke characters who just don't work when you try to expand them into more multi-dimensional realistic humans. I have even less empathy for this version of Reggie than I do for "comic foil" Reggie. The dog narrating everything and adding his own comments about how he sees things from his perspective has really gotten annoying at this point, and the character named "Moose" is some completely different character than the one I'm familiar with ("he's really just a sensitive artist"). Not funny, and boring.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 12, 2017, 05:14:48 PM
MAN-THING #1 (of 5) - The art's not bad at all, but I get the feeling R.L. Stine (yes, the Goosebumps one) had really never read a Man-Thing story before being drafted for this assignment. It's odd, to say the least, and the humor here seems out of place. Still hooked me enough to read #2, but I may have been seduced by the artwork.

COMPLETE TALES FROM THE CON TP - Concult webcom print collection. Humor in a conventional vein. I did get most of the jokes in these strips, but a few were even too inscrutable for me.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #11 (March 1998) - Pretty good DeCarlo art. Sabrina meets her evil opposite (Anirbas, what else?) from the mirror dimension, has a visit from Cousin Fern (another victim of Head Witch Enchantra's tempestuous wrath, like Salem - now an actual plant), and inadvertently transforms her teacher into a gorilla while drowsing in class during a zoology lecture. The only thing that annoyed me about this run of SABRINA was the bizarre sexually-ambiguous redesign of Aunt Zelda (the only visual cues connecting her to her former self being her green hair and glasses). At least she shed some excess weight, but looks like she went overboard, winding up with a figure more like Ethel's or Ms. Grundy's, and no fashion sense whatsoever (the big round spectacles and short green hair with a huge curl in front make her look like some sort of punk-rock Dilton). She's a witch, and she self-transformed at the start of the series, so I don't know what I'm supposed to make of that, since she could presumably have altered herself to look any way she wanted. At least they had the good sense to rethink that in the subsequent Holly G run, while Aunt Hilda carried on in the later run looking almost exactly the same (not bad) as here, which seemed to have considerably improved her formerly cranky disposition -- although when last seen in a Gisele digest story, she'd opted for an even younger sexy teenager look, while reverting to her bad-witchy ways.

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #123 (Sept. 2006) - Good selection of stories, but nothing remarkable. This comes from a brief time where they experimented with coloring in the gutters and borders in various hues in select stories, which gives them an interesting look, although I'm sure some must have hated it.

CLUBBING (OGN) by Andi Watson & Josh Howard - Small B&W trade (same size ACP formerly preferred with the Archie & Friends All-Stars collection) that was part of a DC line of girlie comics [minx] a decade ago - which oddly enough seem to all have been written and drawn by men (one was written by a married couple), even though they all featured young female protagonists. The back of the book has three previews for others: THE PLAIN JANES by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg, RE-GIFTERS by Mike Carey and Sonny Liew, GOOD AS LILY by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm, and a final page showing covers of three more then-upcoming: CONFESSIONS OF A BLABBERMOUTH, WATER BABY, and KIMMIE66. Whether the line ever got further than that, or even if all of those books were ever released, I don't know.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on March 12, 2017, 05:45:53 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on March 12, 2017, 04:19:39 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on March 11, 2017, 11:18:57 PM
Quote from: Vegan Jughead on February 24, 2017, 12:21:52 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on February 24, 2017, 11:41:54 AM
Quote from: Vegan Jughead on February 24, 2017, 07:09:31 AM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on February 23, 2017, 01:33:11 PM
I read the reboot  Reggie and Me #2.
Why is the storyline so boring? It's sad 'cause he is my favorite character but so far this  reboot is not doing it for me.


I read Reggie and Me #3 yesterday. It's MUCH better than #2.


Thanks. I really hope so because those two issues so far haven't been interesting nor funny  :(

I thought the first 2 were OK, not bad, but this one was a huge improvement, IMO.


I just finished reading Reggie and Me #3. it was a tad better than the first 2 issues. I liked that we got to see a bit more of Moose and how there's more to him than meets the eye. But it is still not funny or entertaining. Like I said, I'm only reading them cause Reggie's my favorite, I would like to see more of his family life and the real reason why he acts the way he does. I want deeper insight of him.

Yeesh. I don't need any deep insight into either of them. Reggie and Moose are joke characters who just don't work when you try to expand them into more multi-dimensional realistic humans. I have even less empathy for this version of Reggie than I do for "comic foil" Reggie. The dog narrating everything and adding his own comments about how he sees things from his perspective has really gotten annoying at this point, and the character named "Moose" is some completely different character than the one I'm familiar with ("he's really just a sensitive artist"). Not funny, and boring.


Well the way I see it is if we are not getting any comedy from this reboot at least give us some deep sh!t/insight  ;)  Something to keep us entertained! Anything.  So far there's been nothing!
I do agree with you on the whole dog-narrating thing. What is it with these new reboots and narrating dogs?? Whose idea was it? ::)  And all of a sudden Moose is into Geology and a History buff!? Ookay. What I liked was his home life, Moose taking care of his younger siblings. That part was nice.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 12, 2017, 06:07:01 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on March 12, 2017, 05:45:53 PM
Well the way I see it is if we are not getting any comedy from this reboot at least give us some deep sh!t/insight  ;)  Something to keep us entertained! Anything.  So far there's been nothing!
I do agree with you on the whole dog-narrating thing. What is it with these new reboots and narrating dogs?? Whose idea was it? ::)  And all of a sudden Moose is into Geology and a History buff!? Ookay. What I liked was his home life, Moose taking care of his younger siblings. That part was nice.

Yeah, it's puzzling though. We can assume he has some kind of learning disabilities that give him a reputation for being a real dumb-dumb, because nobody really knows him ... or actually, no we can't, on second thought. It's pretty hard to get far being interested in Geology and History without being able to read well and retain information... so -- ??

... and he looks about the same physically, more or less (somewhat more handsome, intentionally I think). But why would the whole school be sh*tting their pants in fear of him? Doesn't make any sense in light of the revelations.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on March 12, 2017, 09:26:44 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on March 12, 2017, 05:14:48 PM

CLUBBING (OGN) by Andi Watson & Josh Howard - Small B&W trade (same size ACP formerly preferred with the Archie & Friends All-Stars collection) that was part of a DC line of girlie comics [minx] a decade ago - which oddly enough seem to all have been written and drawn by men (one was written by a married couple), even though they all featured young female protagonists. The back of the book has three previews for others: THE PLAIN JANES by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg, RE-GIFTERS by Mike Carey and Sonny Liew, GOOD AS LILY by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm, and a final page showing covers of three more then-upcoming: CONFESSIONS OF A BLABBERMOUTH, WATER BABY, and KIMMIE66. Whether the line ever got further than that, or even if all of those books were ever released, I don't know.


I have all these. They are ok. They can't decide if they are manga or graphic novels.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 13, 2017, 09:54:10 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on March 12, 2017, 09:26:44 PM
I have all these. They are ok. They can't decide if they are manga or graphic novels.

Graphic novels. That's exactly what they refer to themselves as, on a text page included at the back that is introducing the imprint and (more or less, I guess) outlining their mission statement: "MINX is a line of graphic novels that's designed especially for you - someone who's a bit bored with straight fiction and is ready for stories that are visually exciting beyond words..." ??  (I don't know what they were imagining they were aiming at in terms of an age level, but clearly they're assuming readers who aren't comics-literate at all... and is it just me or does this sound incredibly condescending to their readers' presumed intelligence?)

These are all established indy artists, and I'm not seeing any more than the usual diffuse (hard to escape it after all these years) manga influence here common to artists of a generation when manga was commonly available for them growing up (which is to say, the late 1980s/early 1990s). No, these are more or less typical examples of different indy artists' styles, nothing here consciously aping real manga styles. I've seen what you're referring to much more often in mainstream comics, although it's abated somewhat since the late 1990s, when it seemed like it was everywhere you looked. Some of that was overt publisher-dictated "let's try to grab the manga fans" initiatives (Marvel Mangaverse, Tsunami, and other Marvel miniseries featuring Spider-Man or one of the X-Men, or to give a more recent example, DC's AmeComi Girls, based on a line of statues and action figures of redesigned bishoujo DC superheroines), and some of it was just new artists coming in on established mainstream titles who were heavily consciously influenced themselves, and were seeking some sort of 'fusion' in-your-face manga style merged with traditional American superhero comic art to grab attention as 'the new hotness' in comic book artists. Joe Madureira, Pop Mhan, Humberto Ramos, Todd Nauck, etc.

American comics artists have been influenced since at least the mid-80s by manga art, but that covered a wide spectrum from Frank Miller being influenced by Lone Wolf & Cub's Goseki Kojima (Dark Horse asked Miller to draw the covers for the American translation, which was, I think, only about the second or third manga to be published in English at that point) to Ninja High School's Ben Dunn being saturated by watching a lot of anime in the early 80s (he went on to draw the American licensed adaptations of Captain Harlock, Star Blazers, and Gigantor, but he was ahead of the curve. 15 years or so later, he was invited by Marvel to draw the bookend specials for the launch of a bunch of one-shots introducing the Marvel Mangaverse). The American who was most successful at cloning an absolutely authentic-looking manga art style was Adam Warren. Dark Horse hired him to draw adaptations of the anime Dirty Pair and Bubblegum Crisis in the 1980s, and that gained him enough of a following to draw various of his own projects, as well as be invited to draw a story arc for Image's Gen13 and much later, miniseries for Marvel such as Iron Man: Hypervelocity and LiveWires. He's been drawing his own manga/superhero webcomic, Empowered, for years now, which Dark Horse later issues in print collections. Far less slavish to authenticity but nevertheless wearing their influences on their sleeves are artists like Blue Monday's Chynna Clugston-whatever (Hey girl! If you're going to change husbands so often, stop hyphenating your surname! It's drawing too much attention!! ...and besides, it's a real bitch for comicbook databasists...) or Scott Pilgrim's Bryan Lee O'Malley (... or is it Brian Leo-Malley?, I can never remember... Actually, I'd always get confused and just call him Scott Pilgrim. Or is it SnotPilgrim? No wait, that's Scottgirl... er, Snotgirl).

At one point it seemed like there were a couple dozen of those "Yeah buddy! Manga, that's what I'm talkin' bout!" guys. They were all over the books at Marvel, and especially Image. It got to be pretty annoying, but I can't see that here at all. You'd think it would look more like shoujo art, wouldn't you, since that's the age demographic they seem to be going for here, or Rumiko Takahashi or CLAMP  ...? Kristin Gudsnuk's HENCHGIRL is a good example. I can see a lot of Rumiko Takahashi influence there, or in a more general way, something like JONESY or LUMBERJANES, which seem like they're aimed at approximately the same target.

But hey, it goes both ways, too. There have been a number of mangaka who've publicly acknowledged their love of superheroes, and not just the Ultramen, Kamen Riders, and Super Sentai costumed heroes that are a staple of Japanese broadcasting's kidvid fare. Even more so now, in the wake of Tim Burton's 1989 BATMAN, American superheroes have foreign fans, and many American-originated comics have influenced manga in Japan. One of mangaka Jiro Kuwata's earliest solo jobs as a teenage manga creator was a thing called Rocket Taro, which bears an uncanny resemblance in style to Superman -- but not just the character Superman, the very specific art style being used by American Superman artist Wayne Boring in the 1950s - comparing the two, it's pretty obvious that Kuwata-san had copies of those comics and studied the style until he could duplicate it nearly to a T (or should that be an S?). It sticks out as a stylistic oddity among other Japanese gekiga stories of the 50s. They did get the old George Reeves B&W Superman TV series in Japan, and I think it may have been adapted in some TV-themed manga magazine, of which their were many. The experience turned out to be good training for Kuwata, because by the time Japanese TV shows and movies began inventing their own superheroes, Kuwata-sensei became the go-to guy (it's not entirely clear whether Kuwata was specifically seeking to work in this genre, or publishers were seeking him in particular because of his prior experience with Rocket Taro (possibly it was a little of both), but whatever the case, he drew a slew of homeland supers in the late 50s/early 1960s, beginning with Moonlight Mask and SuperGiant, based on early TV shows. He then went on to create his own boy detective masked hero, Phantom Detective, and co-create 8 Man, considered to be the first cyborg hero in Japan (a murdered detective whose brain was transplanted into an android body), and drew the manga based on the anime series Mach-GO-GO-GO (known elsewhere in the world as Speed Racer). That same year (1967) he also got the job of drawing the first Japanese Batman manga (reprinted just about a year ago by DC in its entirety in 3 volumes, in English for the first time). The interesting thing about those is you might expect his Bat-Manga to look like the 1966 Batman television series, but it's clear that the Japanese publisher of Shonen King was sent copies of 1960s issues of DETECTIVE COMICS and BATMAN, and Kuwata chose to re-tell those stories in manga style -- significantly improving them in the process, IMO. The striking skeleton-costumed death-cheating villain of the American comic story "Death Knocks Three Times!", known in the American comic story as "Death Man", was re-named LORD Death Man in Kuwata's manga, and the American TV cartoon BATMAN: The Brave & The Bold adapted the manga story in a 10-minute animated homage looking for all the world as though Batman had suddenly taken over an episode of the classic 1967 anime, Speed Racer. While the American comic book villain Death Man never again made another appearance after his initial story in Detective Comics, somehow Lord Death Man has lived on, going from Kuwata's Bat-Manga to America's B:TB&TB cartoon, and then back into American mainstream comic books again in a BATMAN Incorporated story arc written by Grant Morrison.

I just love the weirdly multi-recursive idea of a contemporary American comic book based on an homage to a classic 1960s anime series' style, in a modern American animated spinoff cartoon, being based on a (until quite recently semi-obscure) 1967 Japanese manga story based on an American comic story from only a year or so earlier. But then I love it when you place 2 big mirrors facing each other and stand in between them and look back and forth from one to the other. Maybe it's not so weird though, because American comic books were around in Japan in 1945 with General MacArthur's Occupation Forces. It's been established that Osamu Tezuka (Manga No Kamisama, "The GOD of Manga") was influenced by post-war Disney comics given to him by an American serviceman. When asked about what influenced him to create the boy robot hero AstroBoy, he cited being a fan of both Walt Disney and Superman ("but by way of Mighty Mouse"). By forty years after Japan's defeat in WWII, it was Japanese culture that began influencing American culture, with the turning point considered to be the late-1980s release of anime feature films like AKIRA and GHOST IN THE SHELL (but "Japanimation" had its fans as far back as AstroBoy's appearance on American syndicated televison in 1964). When the 1980s New Wave band The Vapors sang "I'm turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so, think so, think so, think so", they probably didn't realize how literally right they were. While legend has it that the lyrics to the song are inspired by facial expression of someone in the act of sexual self-gratification (and that's all I'll say... just Google it) the song seems to be a fitting theme to a point in time when Japanese graphic pop culture returned to invade American culture, the same way that American culture had invaded Japanese culture 40 years earlier.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 14, 2017, 10:03:16 AM
I read
💝-💋 -💞 -💝 Reggie & Me #3-Sandy Jarrell issue
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 14, 2017, 12:09:17 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Tales From RiverDale Digest #26 & #29
Betty & Veronica Annual Digest Magazine #9
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on March 16, 2017, 12:17:29 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on March 12, 2017, 06:07:01 PM
... and he looks about the same physically, more or less (somewhat more handsome, intentionally I think). But why would the whole school be sh*tting their pants in fear of him? Doesn't make any sense in light of the revelations.


(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/archie252thin-ice.2640/preview/)


:D
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 16, 2017, 03:45:42 AM
DARK HORSE PRESENTS #32
WONDER WOMAN 77 BIONIC WOMAN #3 (of 6)
BATWOMAN #1                           
VAMPIRELLA #1                       
THE WILD STORM #2                         
CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #6 
GREAT LAKES AVENGERS #6
BETTY & VERONICA COMICS ANNUAL #252 - The Dan Parent fairy tales continue with "Thumbelonica". Loving it!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on March 16, 2017, 08:58:10 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on March 16, 2017, 03:45:42 AM
DARK HORSE PRESENTS #32
WONDER WOMAN 77 BIONIC WOMAN #3 (of 6)
BATWOMAN #1                           
VAMPIRELLA #1                       
THE WILD STORM #2                         
CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #6 
GREAT LAKES AVENGERS #6
BETTY & VERONICA COMICS ANNUAL #252 - The Dan Parent fairy tales continue with "Thumbelonica". Loving it!


Really liked the Hansel and Gretal story from Archie's Funhouse.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 16, 2017, 11:35:30 AM

Maybe I'll read later
I just Jughead Volume #2 from amazon yesterday.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 17, 2017, 02:21:32 PM

I read these books for 12 minutes each
Jughead Volume #2
Road To Riverdale
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 18, 2017, 05:08:42 PM
I read
Reggie & Me #3-Thomas Pitilli's issue
Archie #473
Archie & Friends #29
Betty & Veronica #272
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 19, 2017, 01:04:57 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
⚡ Archie Giant Comics Party
🌈 Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
🌊 Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 22, 2017, 10:22:51 AM
PLEASE TELL ME! GALKO-CHAN, VOL. 2 TP
WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS #67
ONE PUNCH MAN, VOL. 11 TP
THE FOREVER WAR #2
(of 6)
WALT DISNEY COMICS & STORIES #737
UNCLE SCROOGE #24
MICKEY MOUSE #327
SAVAGE DRAGON #222
KILL OR BE KILLED #7
ACTION COMICS #975
SUPERMAN #18
ACTION COMICS #976
SUPERMAN #19
DETECTIVE COMICS #953
WONDER WOMAN #19
BATMAN/TMNT ADVENTURES #5
(of 6)
STAR TREK/GREEN LANTERN VOL 2 #4 (of 6)
DOLLFACE #3
EMPOWERED & THE SOLDIER OF LOVE #2
(of 3)
INTERVIEWS WITH MONSTER GIRLS, VOL. 01 TP
SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #24
BATMAN '66 MEETS WONDER WOMAN '77 #3
(of 6)
FUTURE QUEST #11
WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT: THE CORPSE MAKERS #2
(of 5)
BLACK HAMMER #7
SPOOKHOUSE #3
NURSE HITOMI'S MONSTER INFIRMARY, VOL. 03 TP
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND #9
STAR TREK: DEVIATIONS
(one-shot)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 23, 2017, 07:33:28 AM
For the last few days I took a break from reading anything. But today I'll try to read.
I read
Archie #648-The one that has Veronica & Reggie on the cover too.
Archie #17- Aaron Lopresti's variant
Jughead #13-Derek Charm's variant
Josie & The Pussycats #5- Audrey Mok's variant
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 25, 2017, 08:02:24 AM
I read
💋 💖 💋 💞 💋 💓 Reggie & Me #3-Thomas Pitilli's issue
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 26, 2017, 07:12:52 PM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes each
😸 Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
🌃 Betty & Veronica Annual Digest Magazine #9
🐤 Archie Comics Double Digest #273
🎉 Archie Giant Comics Party
🐛 World Of Archie Winter Annual #56
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 26, 2017, 11:52:57 PM
JUDGE DREDD CRY OF THE WEREWOLF (one-shot)
JUDGE DREDD: DEVIATIONS (one-shot)
THE ART OF JUDGE DREDD HC
BAD COMPANY: GOODBYE, KROOL WORLD (VOL. 1) TP
BAD COMPANY: KANO (VOL. 2) TP
BAD COMPANY: FIRST CASUALTIES (VOL. 3) TP
JUDGE DREDD (IDW 2012) #17-30

DIE KITTY DIE! HOLLYWOOD OR BUST #2 (of 4) [digital] - I spy, with my little eye, a guest appearance by Eyeda! (She knows all the witches.)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 27, 2017, 09:46:38 PM
I did read Archie #18 & I didn't like it. The art was bad. And it was too strange, why was Betty hanging out with Dilton? It just seemed weird. Did she lose a bet? This was issue had beautiful cover but I give the issue a thumbs down. I hope the next one is better.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: VintageJon on March 28, 2017, 01:32:13 PM
I picked up the B&V Annual #252 at Shopper's Drug Mart the other day.  Pretty entertaining so far!  I was surprised to see how many digests they had on the racks.  I counted at least 6 different titles.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 28, 2017, 03:55:56 PM
Quote from: VintageJon on March 28, 2017, 01:32:13 PM
I picked up the B&V Annual #252 at Shopper's Drug Mart the other day.  Pretty entertaining so far!  I was surprised to see how many digests they had on the racks.  I counted at least 6 different titles.

That's 6 out of 7 titles that they currently publish (and not including the one-shot special Riverdale Digest#1, which shouldn't be on sale until next month). The regular titles are Archie, Archie's Funhouse, B&V Friends, Betty and Veronica, Jughead & Archie, and World of Archie. The full title of each ongoing digest changes from one issue number to the next -- a "regular" issue is titled Double Digest, and various extra-sized issues are titled Jumbo Comics Digest, Comics Annual, or various seasonal or holiday Annuals (the Annuals, by the way, are technically not true annuals in the sense that they're published more often than once per year). The remaining currently-published digest title is the 12-issue limited digest series Archie 75th Anniversary Jumbo Comics Digest, 7 issues of which have been published so far, with #8 due out on or around April 5th, 2017.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 28, 2017, 09:49:51 PM
No reading for me today but Jem & The Holograms #24 is coming from Tfaw. And it's a Gisele issue.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 29, 2017, 02:01:07 AM
JUDGE DREDD (IDW 2015) #1-8
JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS #24
- It was good. Gisele's art makes a big difference.
ROM #8
THANOS #5
AVENGERS #5.1 (of 5)
MAN-THING #2 (of 5)
TITANS ANNUAL #1
DARK KNIGHT III MASTER RACE #8 (OF 9)
ADAM STRANGE/FUTURE QUEST SPECIAL #1
BOOSTER GOLD/FLINTSTONES SPECIAL #1
GREEN LANTERN/SPACE GHOST SPECIAL #1
SUICIDE SQUAD/BANANA SPLITS SPECIAL #1
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #3 (of 12)
MOONSHINE #6
ANNO DRACULA #1 (of 5)
LOBSTER JOHNSON: THE PIRATE'S GHOST #1 (of 3)
THREE STOOGES: APRIL FOOLS DAY #1
TALES FROM THE CRYPT #2
ARCHIE COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #277
- "PinARCHIo" (gotta love it!), plus a couple of surprise Pureheart the Powerful stories, "The Knack of Time" and "Postage Due".
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on March 29, 2017, 02:23:42 PM
I finished reading Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck Treasure Under Glass
and some Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica (#130-134)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on March 29, 2017, 07:27:22 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on March 29, 2017, 02:23:42 PM
I finished reading Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck Treasure Under Glass
and some Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica (#130-134)


Where did you find the Archie's Girls?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on March 29, 2017, 11:38:49 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on March 29, 2017, 07:27:22 PM
Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on March 29, 2017, 02:23:42 PM
I finished reading Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck Treasure Under Glass
and some Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica (#130-134)


Where did you find the Archie's Girls?


I was lucky enough to find them at a flea market this past weekend!! :D  (They cost $1.50 each)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 30, 2017, 09:35:38 AM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
1-Scott Pilgrim-Gets It Together-Volume #4
2-Jughead & Archie Double Digest #1
3-Archie Giant Comics Festival
4-Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
5-Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
6-Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
7-The Best Of Archie Comics-Volume #3
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 30, 2017, 01:55:53 PM
I'm read 12 comics because I want change my 12 comic frames. I'll post what I read in a while.
I only read 6 comics
Archie & Friends #1 & #90 & #109
The New Archies #3 & #7 & #18
Now I'm going read these tomorrow so I can add those to my wall.
Archie. #654 & #656 &  #660 & #664 & # 665
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on March 30, 2017, 03:00:17 PM
Reggie and Me #4
Meh, and again it's back to being boring. No wonder it is only a mini-series. Storyline is just not enticing.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 30, 2017, 03:42:31 PM
I'm sorry to hear that about the latest Reggie & Me. I'm waiting for issues to come from Midtown Comics.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 01, 2017, 02:21:48 PM
I just got Jem & The Holograms #24-Gisele's issue. It was a great issue. I wish she was the artist for every issue. I just love her art.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 02, 2017, 09:51:45 AM
I read Jem & The Holograms #24 Gisele's cover with Kimber on the cover.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 02, 2017, 01:49:39 PM
JUDGE DREDD (IDW 2015) #9-12
JUDGE DREDD (IDW 2017) ANNUAL #1

NURSE HITOMI'S MONSTER INFIRMARY VOL. 5 TP

HEAVY METAL #285

ZAGOR VERSUS SUPERMIKE TP

RO-BUSTERS: THE COMPLETE NUTS & BOLTS VOL. 1 HC:
     - HAMMMER-STEIN'S WAR MEMOIRS
     - RO-JAWS' MEMOIRS

A.B.C. WARRIORS: THE MEK-FILES 01 HC:
     - THE MEK-NIFICENT SEVEN

A.B.C. WARRIORS: RETURN TO EARTH HC

RO-BUSTERS: THE COMPLETE NUTS & BOLTS VOL. 1 HC:
     - THE NORTH SEA TUNNEL
     - THE PREYING MANTIS
     - MIDPOINT
     - THE RITZ SPACE HOTEL
     - FARNBOROUGH DROID SHOW
     - MASSACRE ON THE MOON
     - THE TAX MAN COMETH!
     - untitled (Starlord Summer Special 1978)
     - DEATH ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 03, 2017, 07:42:26 AM
I'll read in awhile.
I read each of these books for 12 minutes
Jughead-Volume #2
Last Look
Black Hole

Also I read Archie #18-Woods Variant
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 03, 2017, 06:33:16 PM
I read RiverDale #1- Alitha Martinez
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 04, 2017, 10:43:23 AM
I'm going read these issues
🐱 RiverDale #1-Alintha Martinez
⛵ Giant Days #18
🍉 Betty & Veronica #273-Dan Parent
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 06, 2017, 03:30:52 AM
FALL AND RISE OF CAPTAIN ATOM #4 (of 6)
RICK & MORTY #24
GARTH ENNIS' RED TEAM: DOUBLE TAP #8 (of 9)
UNCLE SCROOGE #429
DONALD DUCK #386
MICKEY MOUSE #328
REVOLUTION AW YEAH #1
LITTLE ARCHIE #1 (one-shot)
JUGHEAD #14
TANK GIRL: WORLD WAR TANK GIRL #1 (of 4)
ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN #1
MIGHTY MAN #1 (one-shot?)
ZOMBIE TRAMP EASTER SPECIAL 2017 #1
SPACE RIDERS: GALAXY OF BRUTALITY #1
DOC SAVAGE: RING OF FIRE #1 (of 4)
RO-BUSTERS: THE COMPLETE NUTS & BOLTS VOL. 2 HC
A.B.C. WARRIORS: RETURN TO RO-BUSTERS HC
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 06, 2017, 07:00:24 AM
Was the Little Archie One Shot good? I can't wait for the Moose One Shot.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 06, 2017, 08:37:03 PM
I just read Reggie & Me #3-Thomas Pitilli's.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 07, 2017, 05:49:35 PM
I didn't do any reading today, maybe tomorrow.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Alexandra Cabot on April 07, 2017, 11:59:37 PM
I read some Archie Comics... from the 70's, none of that new garbage.   ;D
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 08, 2017, 04:28:04 PM
I received my monthly shipment from Midtown Comics Today. So I read
Deadly Class #27
Invincible #134

Jem & The Holograms #25- Jen Bartel
Little Archie & His Pals- Ryan Jampole
Reggie & Me #4-Jarelll's & Lopresti's & Prices'
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: JonInIowaCity on April 08, 2017, 04:33:25 PM
I was re-reading "Little Archie and his Pals" earlier today. I need to read the new Kitty-led "X-Men" team book that's sitting on my table today too.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 09, 2017, 08:44:16 AM
I read
Invincible #134
RiverDale #1-Martinez's
Reggie & Me #4-Jarelll's
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Deb on April 10, 2017, 12:29:32 AM
Little Archie and His Pals one-shot
Mickey Mouse #19
Donald Duck #19
Uncle Scrooge #25
Duck Avenger New Adventures trade paperback
(Not all in one day, though).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: 60sBettyandReggie on April 10, 2017, 12:39:09 AM
I read a couple of Uncle Scrooge's too.
Issues #285, #286
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Cosmo on April 10, 2017, 01:10:23 AM
Uncle Scrooge? Good stuff always and a natural for an Archie reader. Try Super Duck some time.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Deb on April 10, 2017, 05:57:30 AM
Quote from: Cosmo on April 10, 2017, 01:10:23 AM
Uncle Scrooge? Good stuff always and a natural for an Archie reader. Try Super Duck some time.
Super Duck is a fun series.  If Archie did a book of the best of Al Fagaly's Super Duck, I'd buy it.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 10, 2017, 07:56:20 AM
I'm going read in my room today, I'll write down what I read soon. I read these books for 15 minutes each
❤ Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
📺 Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
🎠 Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
Now I read these books for 12 minutes each
💿 The Best Of Archie Comics-75 Years 75 Stories
💕 The Best Of Archie Comics-Book #3
💦 Archie Giant Comics Festival
🐻 Jughead & Archie Double Digest #1
🎢 Archie's Funhouse Double Digest #1
🎈 Scott Pilgrim-Gets It Together-Volume #4
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 10, 2017, 09:45:21 PM
A.B.C. WARRIORS: RETURN TO EARTH HC
RO-BUSTERS: THE COMPLETE NUTS AND BOLTS VOL. 2 HC
A.B.C. WARRIORS: RETURN TO RO-BUSTERS HC
A.B.C. WARRIORS: THE MEK-FILES O2 HC
A.B.C. WARRIORS: RETURN TO MARS HC
A.B.C. WARRIORS: THE MEK-FILES O3 HC
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE SPRING ANNUAL #26
PLEASE TELL ME! GALKO-CHAN VOL. 1 TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 12, 2017, 11:47:04 PM
Catching up on Archie...


Surprised at how much I liked the Little Archie one shot considering I always skip those in the digests. Loved the Sabrina's magic aspect of it. The art had tons of movement like it was from a cartoon. Plus it was funny...brought the comical back to Archie comics. Really looking forward to Little Josie and Little Sabrina now.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: JonInIowaCity on April 13, 2017, 12:37:13 AM
Just read the latest Squirrel Girl comic.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Purgatori on April 13, 2017, 02:09:35 AM
Latest issues of:
    Lazarus
    Lumberjanes
    Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 13, 2017, 05:52:14 AM
JUDGE DREDD: THE CURSED EARTH UNCENSORED HC
SILVER SURFER #10
SUPER POWERS #6 (of 6)
DETECTIVE COMICS #954
WONDER WOMAN #20
PLANET OF THE APES/GREEN LANTERN #3
HELLBOY & THE B.P.R.D. 1954: GHOST MOON #2
RAGNAROK #12
JONESY #12
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 13, 2017, 08:23:07 PM
Quote from: Purgatori on April 13, 2017, 02:09:35 AM
Latest issues of:
    Lazarus
    Lumberjanes
    Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur


Yay another Lumberjanes fan!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on April 13, 2017, 08:23:49 PM
Michael Recycle #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Deb on April 13, 2017, 08:25:43 PM
Popeye Classics #57
Duck Avenger #4
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: steveinthecity on April 14, 2017, 02:27:13 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 13, 2017, 05:52:14 AM
JUDGE DREDD: THE CURSED EARTH UNCENSORED HC
SILVER SURFER #10
SUPER POWERS #6 (of 6)
DETECTIVE COMICS #954
WONDER WOMAN #20
PLANET OF THE APES/GREEN LANTERN #3
HELLBOY & THE B.P.R.D. 1954: GHOST MOON #2
RAGNAROK #12
JONESY #12
I've been liking Jonesy. 
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 14, 2017, 05:47:30 AM
I read some Digital Comics
💌 Team Betty
🐯 Betty vs Veronica-Sabotage
🎅 Betty & Veronica Holiday Shopping
🌻 Betty's Garden Variety
🌠 Archie 3000 -Teen Of The Future
🔎 Archie & Friends-Love Is Blind
🎭 Archie & Friends-Sibling Rivalry
😕 World Of Archie Pals VS Gals
💝 Jughead In Love
☎ Betty & Veronica Sleep Over
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 14, 2017, 11:55:04 AM
Quote from: steveinthecity on April 14, 2017, 02:27:13 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 13, 2017, 05:52:14 AM
JUDGE DREDD: THE CURSED EARTH UNCENSORED HC
SILVER SURFER #10
SUPER POWERS #6 (of 6)
DETECTIVE COMICS #954
WONDER WOMAN #20
PLANET OF THE APES/GREEN LANTERN #3
HELLBOY & THE B.P.R.D. 1954: GHOST MOON #2
RAGNAROK #12
JONESY #12
I've been liking Jonesy.

For a few issues in the middle there it felt like it was starting to go off-track, but recent issues have been more on-the-mark. The new one was good.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 14, 2017, 04:30:14 PM
I got Archie #19 today from my 24 Archie Issue Subscription . I liked better than issue #18.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 19, 2017, 08:03:20 PM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes each
🎉 Archie Giant Comics Party
💖 Archie Comics Double Digest #273
🔎 Tales From RiverDale #26 & #29
🐻 Archie 1000 Page 75th Anniversary Bash
🍦 Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics #238
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 20, 2017, 06:36:29 AM
DURHAM RED: BITCH TP
STRONTIUM DOG: THE EARLY CASES TP
DARK HORSE PRESENTS #33 (final issue)
JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS #25 (of 26)
MICRONAUTS #11
BATMAN #21
BATWOMAN #2
STAR TREK/GREEN LANTERN (VOL. 2) #5 (of 6)
ASTRO CITY #43
THE WILD STORM #3
EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS' THE GREATEST ADVENTURE #1 (of 6)
BLACK HAMMER #8
SHAOLIN COWBOY WHOLL STOP THE REIGN #1 (of 4)
SKULL ISLAND: BIRTH OF KONG #1 (of ?)
STAR TREK: NEW VISIONS #15: THE TRAVELER
RESIDENT ALIEN TP VOL. 04: THE MAN WITH NO NAME
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 20, 2017, 10:39:50 AM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes
🎠 Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics # 238
😽 Jughead & Archie Jumbo Comics #15
🐞 Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
💞 Archie 1000 Page 75Th Anniversary Bash
🐛 Archie Giant Comics Party
💫 And I finished reading Betty & Veronica Girls Rule
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 21, 2017, 07:23:50 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
1-Blankets
2-Last Look
3-Black Hole
4-Blue Is The Warmest Color
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 22, 2017, 07:36:40 AM
I read
Reggie & Me #4-Sandy's variant
RiverDale #1- Djibril Morissette-Phan's variant
Archie #19-Pete Woods variant
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 22, 2017, 01:17:51 PM

I got a package from tfaw today with these comics
Josie & The Pussycats #6 - Ben Caldwell
Invincible #135
Archie #19 -Woods & Lupacchino
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 24, 2017, 05:59:41 AM
I read these since I preordered the graphic novel yesterday.
Life With Kevin #1 & #2 & #3
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 27, 2017, 12:46:06 PM
I'm going read in room in while when my aide gets there. I have so much to read. I read each of books for 12 minutes each.
🎈 Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
💝 Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
🐵 Archie 10000 Page Comics Celebration
🐑 Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 27, 2017, 03:21:24 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each in my comfy chair in my room
💘Jughead & Archie Double Digest #1
🏠 The Best Of Archie Comics- Book #3
🐤 Archie's Funhouse Double Digest #1
🎢 Scott Pilgrim-Gets It Together- #4
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 27, 2017, 04:27:48 PM
WEEK OF 04-26-17:

JUDGE DREDD: JUDGMENT DAY TP
FLASH #21
DETECTIVE COMICS #955
WONDER WOMAN #21
THANOS #6
BEN REILLY THE SCARLET SPIDER #1
MAN-THING #3 (of 5)
DOOM PATROL #6
GREAT LAKES AVENGERS #7 (of 7)
KILL OR BE KILLED #8
SAVAGE DRAGON #223
DOLLFACE #4 (of 4)
FOREVER WAR #3 (of 6)
BATMAN THE SHADOW #1 (of 6)
BATMAN 66 MEETS WONDER WOMAN 77 #4 (of 6)
SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #25
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #4 (of 12)
PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #17 (of 17)
NICK FURY #1
X-MEN BLUE #1 & 2
SPOOKHOUSE #4
HILLBILLY #6
LOBSTER JOHNSON: THE PIRATE'S GHOST #2 (of 3)
ANNO DRACULA #2 (of 5)
MICRONAUTS: WRATH OF KARZA #1 (of 5)
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND #10 (of 12)
SPLITTING IMAGE! 80-PAGE GIANT (1-shot)
HONDO CITY LAW TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 28, 2017, 08:50:10 AM
I read
Reggie & Me #1 & #2 & #3 & #4 . All the main covers by Jarrell & Archie #10 Jarrell's cover. I put them all in my comic frames.

I finished Tales From RiverDale Digest #29
And Also read these books for 12 minutes
Tales From RiverDale Digest #26
Archie Comics Double Digest #273
Jughead & Archie Jumbo Comics #15
Archie Giant Comics Party
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 29, 2017, 09:01:40 AM
I read
Archie #13-Veronica Fish's variant
Archie #14-Eisma's variant
Archie #15-Eisma's variant
Archie #16-Eisma's variant
Archie #17-Eisma's variant
Archie #18-Pete Woods variant
Archie #19-Pete Woods variant
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 29, 2017, 04:38:16 PM
I read
RiverDale One Shot-Thomas Pitilli's
Big Moose One Shot- Thomas Pitilli's
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 01, 2017, 09:44:39 PM
I didn't read anything today. I needed a break.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 03, 2017, 06:20:20 PM
I finished Archie Comics Double Digest #273
And also read these for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
Archie 1000 Comics Page Gala
Archie Giant Comics Party
Jughead & Archie Jumbo Comics #15
And I also read RiverDale #2- Francesco Francavilla issue

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 04, 2017, 08:50:07 AM
I read Big Moose One Shot -Pitilli's & Reggie & Me #4 -Jarrell's
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 06, 2017, 05:01:17 PM
My Midtown Comics package just came with Reggie & Me #5 & Riverdale #2 . I can't wait to read them.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 06, 2017, 07:19:01 PM
I read Reggie & Me #5-Sandy Jarrell & Jim Towe's issues.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 06, 2017, 10:11:25 PM
I also read Reggie & Me #5 -Shawn McManus variant
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 07, 2017, 01:18:03 AM
Week of 05-03-17:

BATMAN #22 ("The Button", Pt. 3 of 4)
BANE CONQUEST #1 (of 12)
FALL AND RISE OF CAPTAIN ATOM #5 (of 6)
RICK & MORTY #25
UNCLE SCROOGE #430
IRON FIST #3
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: HERO KILLERS #1
(of ?)
DOC SAVAGE: THE RING OF FIRE #2 (of 4)
EMPOWERED & THE SOLDIER OF LOVE #3 (of 3)
PREDATOR: HUNTERS #1 (of 5)

VALERIAN (NN) free promo comic magazine - Not bad for free. 20+ page reprint excerpted from the beginning of "Ambassador of the Shadows" graphic novel, basis of the forthcoming (July 21) film Valerian: City of a Thousand Planets.

JUDGE DREDD: THE GARTH ENNIS COLLECTION TP - Notable mainly for reprinting the stories which introduced Judge-Sergeant Charlie Joyce of Murphyville (formerly the Republic of Ireland, but by the 22nd century, an Irish-theme park). Appropriate, since Garth Ennis is probably the most well-known Irish comic writer.  **** 4 out of 5 stars.

KIKAIDER CODE 02 VOL. 1 & 2 (of 6) - [CMX, 2006 tankobon] - A modern (2000) update of Shotaro (Cyborg 009, Kamen Rider) Ishinomori's 1973 tokusatsu hero TV series/manga. Not bad for its type. **** 4 out of 5 stars.

STRONTIUM DOG: TRAITOR TO HIS KIND TP
STRONTIUM DOG: BLOOD MOON TP - Here's a rarity that you hardly ever see in the world of comics publishing. These stories, which are reprinted from from the long-running British sci-fi comic 2000 AD (circa 2004-2009), show the original creators (writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra) still in top form, more than 30 years after first creating the character (1978). If anything, they've only honed their talents and aged like fine wine. *****5 out of 5 stars.

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #127 (Feb. 2007) - Another issue from the time when these digests usually contained multiple (some new) stories by Fernando Ruiz. Only a couple of Boldman/Lindsey 5-pages shorts in this one, and the usual complement of Samm Schwartz stories. There were 3 or 4 stories featuring The Archies, and a 1-page gag strip (not credited, but looks like Al Hartley) in which Sabrina makes a cameo appearance (with no dialogue) in a single panel. Only a slightly-above average issue for this time period. ***3 out of 5 stars.

JUDGE DREDD: MUTANTS IN MEGA-CITY ONE TP - A collection of shorter tales in which Dredd faces off against mutants. The first half of the book is a pretty weak, but the second half is particularly strong, especially the title story and a couple of follow-ups (all written by John Wagner with art by Colin MacNeil), in which Dredd proposes to change the law of Mega-City One forbidding mutants as citizens (and it turns out that Dredd has mutant cousins). ***4 out of 5 stars.

THE ROOK ARCHIVES VOL. 1 HC - My only disappointment is that it's so short (120 pages). Contains the first six installments of this series about the time-traveling hero Restin Dane (a descendant of the unnamed protagonist of H.G. Wells' The Time Machine), which ran in Warren Publishing's black & white horror comic book EERIE in the 1970s. The Rook later went on star in his own black & white comic magazine for 17 issues from 1979-1982, and I hope to see those reprinted by Dark Horse Comics as well. **** 4.5 out of 5 stars (had to subtract half-a-star only because of the number of pages).

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 07, 2017, 07:22:10 AM
I read Reggie & Me #5-Shawn McManus issue again. I put all the Reggie & Me issues done by Jarrell & also the commission that did for me. I'll take a picture & post it on my Twitter page later today.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 07, 2017, 01:52:06 PM
I read each of books for 12 minutes each
Jughead & Archie Jumbo Comics #5
The Best Of Archie Comics- Archie Jumbo Comics #260
Archie & Friends Jumbo Comics #15
Betty & Veronica Friends Comics Double Digest #243


Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 07, 2017, 05:08:02 PM
I read
RiverDale One Shot-Dan Parent's issue
RiverDale #2-Francesco's issue
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 08, 2017, 07:36:09 AM
I'll read in awhile.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 10, 2017, 05:56:41 PM
I read
Gotham Academy-Second Semester #3
The BackStagers#4 & #5
Oh Hell -Volume #1-#3
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 11, 2017, 06:10:16 PM
I read
Archie #19-Lupacchino's
Josie & Pussycats #6-Caldwell's
And I read these books for 12 minutes each
RiverDale Digest #1
The Death Of Archie-A Life Celebrated
Black Hole
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 12, 2017, 08:01:39 AM
I'll read later.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 13, 2017, 03:25:02 AM
WEEK OF 05-09-17:

THE DAMNED #1
TANK GIRL WORLD WAR TANK GIRL #2 (of 4)
STAR TREK GREEN LANTERN VOL 2 #6 (of 6)
SILVER SURFER #11
ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN #2
WONDER WOMAN #22
DETECTIVE COMICS #956
BATMAN TMNT ADVENTURES #6 (of 6)
PLANET OF APES GREEN LANTERN #4 (of 6)
X-MEN BLUE #3
ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE #1 (of 4)
FUTURE QUEST #12 (of 12)
FCBD DC SUPER HERO GIRLS SUMMER OLYMPUS
BUG: THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #1 (of 6)
THE CABINET OF DOCTOR CALIGARI #1 & 2 (of 2)
LOVE & ROCKETS MAGAZINE #2
THE COMIC BOOK HISTORY OF COMICS #1-6 (of 6)
FCBD 2017 FANTAGRAPHICS WORLD'S GREATEST CARTOONISTS

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #140
(July 2008) - This had Part 2 of "The Matchmakers", my most-disliked of the generally unliked New Look stories. Other than that, a nice mix of reprints - the usual quota of Schwartz and Ruiz, with a few more Boldman/Lindsey stories than average, including stories where Juggie contends with Googie Gilmore ("Good Neighbor") and Trula Twyst ("Notes to You").
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 13, 2017, 02:07:54 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 13, 2017, 03:25:02 AM
WEEK OF 05-09-17:

THE DAMNED #1
TANK GIRL WORLD WAR TANK GIRL #2 (of 4)
STAR TREK GREEN LANTERN VOL 2 #6 (of 6)
SILVER SURFER #11
ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN #2
WONDER WOMAN #22
DETECTIVE COMICS #956
BATMAN TMNT ADVENTURES #6 (of 6)
PLANET OF APES GREEN LANTERN #4 (of 6)
X-MEN BLUE #3
ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE #1 (of 4)
FUTURE QUEST #12 (of 12)
FCBD DC SUPER HERO GIRLS SUMMER OLYMPUS
BUG: THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #1 (of 6)
THE CABINET OF DOCTOR CALIGARI #1 & 2 (of 2)
LOVE & ROCKETS MAGAZINE #2
THE COMIC BOOK HISTORY OF COMICS #1-6 (of 6)
FCBD 2017 FANTAGRAPHICS WORLD'S GREATEST CARTOONISTS

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #140
(July 2008) - This had Part 2 of "The Matchmakers", my most-disliked of the generally unliked New Look stories. Other than that, a nice mix of reprints - the usual quota of Schwartz and Ruiz, with a few more Boldman/Lindsey stories than average, including stories where Juggie contends with Googie Gilmore ("Good Neighbor") and Trula Twyst ("Notes to You").


How was the history of comics? Worth reading?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 13, 2017, 05:22:29 PM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes
Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
Archie 1000 Page Comics Gala
The Best Of Archie Jumbo Comics #260
RiverDale Digest #1
B&V Friends Comics Double Digest #243



Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 13, 2017, 08:57:41 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 13, 2017, 02:07:54 PM
How was the history of comics? Worth reading?

This is not the first go-round for this particular story. It was originally (self-)published by Evil Twin Comics (a.k.a. Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey) circa 2008-2011 in black & white, under the title COMIC BOOK COMICS, which also ran 6 issues, and was subsequently compiled into a 2012 trade paperback collection re-titled COMIC BOOK HISTORY OF COMICS, which title it has retained in this newer, color edition from IDW (and also available mid-August 2017 as a trade collection in color). Van Lente admits in the comic that he realized later that his original title was highly un-Google-able -- just try typing "comic book comics" into a search engine and you won't get ANY relevant results.

I'm going to have to check this new IDW version against the earlier b&w Evil Twin Comics version, because some things about this color version (particularly the last couple of issues) seem to have been substantially re-worked (besides the fact that they've added a short backup feature, "The Comic Book HERstory of Comics", 1-2 pages for each of the six issues). For one thing, this version ends oddly with the rise of the underground comics in the late 1960s to early 1970s (what, there was no comic book history after 1974?), while the earlier version had some interesting things in issue #4 about various lawsuits from the Air Pirates vs. Disney, to Siegel & Shuster vs. DC, to Steve Gerber vs. Marvel and Jack Kirby vs. Marvel -- none of which were covered in the IDW version.

While this is pretty limited in details due to the small number of pages and the short amount of text (compared to more full-fledged comics histories, many of which I've read), it's still a good basic primer (at least up to the 1970s) for anyone who hasn't read the history of the medium extensively, done in a humorous and painless fashion for the kind of people who might be bored with something that goes into excruciating detail for endless pages.

But even having said that, there's still something to be found for those like me who are well-familiar with most of the material, as it does take a somewhat unique perspective on things. For example, the issue covering up to 1966 goes into some interesting background detail about the rise of the Pop Art movement (Roy Lichtenstein & Andy Warhol in particular), which directly related to comics as source material in the early-to-mid-1960s, and was reflected back by the comic books themselves by a self-awareness of Pop Art in various forms (including critical lampooning of the movement, something which can be easily found in 1960s issues published by Archie Comics).

I'll let you know when I check back on the older b&w version and compare it to the IDW color version what differences I find in content.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 13, 2017, 09:38:11 PM
I read
Moose One Shot-Thomas Pitilli's issue.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 14, 2017, 08:27:28 AM
I read
Archie Meets Ramones #1-Gisele's issue
Jughead #14-Charm's issue
Reggie & Me #5-McManus's issue
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 14, 2017, 02:40:22 PM
I read
Giant Days #21
Clean Room #14
Invincible #135
Jem & The Holograms #24
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 15, 2017, 11:39:29 AM
I finished
Archie's Funhouse Double Digest #1
Jughead & Archie Double Digest #1
And also read each of these books for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Archie Giant Comics Festival
The Best Of Archie Comics 75 Years 75 Stories
Scott Pilgrim-Gets It Together-Volume #4
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 16, 2017, 05:50:51 PM
I finished reading Blue Is The Warmest Color
And I also read these books for 12 minutes each
Black Hole
Last Look
Blankets
The Death Of Archie-A Life Celebrated
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 18, 2017, 07:24:09 AM
WEEK OF 05-17-17:
BETTY & VERONICA SUMMER ANNUAL DIGEST #253 - Hope to find time to review this later.
NEMESIS THE WARLOCK: DEVIANT EDITION HC
ARCHIE'S PALS 'N' GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #36 (Mar. 2002)
FLASH #22 (The Button, Pt. 4 of 4)
STAR TREK TNG: THE MIRROR BROKEN #1 (of 6)
ROM #10
JUGHEAD #15 - The first Mark Waid/Ian Flynn-written issue, guest-starring Sabrina & Josie and the Pussycats. Hope to find time to review this later.
ASTRO CITY #44
THE WILD STORM #4 (of 24)
INVINCIBLE #136 (of 144)
POWERS #8
FREEWAY FIGHTER #1 (of 4)
THE FOREVER WAR #4 (of 6)
WONDER WOMAN 77 MEETS THE BIONIC WOMAN #4 (of 6)
WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT: THE CORPSE MAKERS #3 (of 5)
ALIENS: DEAD ORBIT #1 (of 4)
BATWOMAN #3
ARCHIE'S PALS 'N' GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #77 (Sept. 2003)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 18, 2017, 10:56:57 AM
I read each of books for 12 minutes
Archie Book #1-The Married Life
Archie -Day By Day
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 18, 2017, 11:17:11 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 18, 2017, 07:24:09 AM
WEEK OF 05-17-17:
BETTY & VERONICA SUMMER ANNUAL DIGEST #253 - Hope to find time to review this later.
NEMESIS THE WARLOCK: DEVIANT EDITION HC
ARCHIE'S PALS 'N' GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #36 (Mar. 2002)
FLASH #22 (The Button, Pt. 4 of 4)
STAR TREK TNG: THE MIRROR BROKEN #1 (of 6)
ROM #10
JUGHEAD #15 - The first Mark Waid/Ian Flynn-written issue, guest-starring Sabrina & Josie and the Pussycats. Hope to find time to review this later.
ASTRO CITY #44
THE WILD STORM #4 (of 24)
INVINCIBLE #136 (of 144)
POWERS #8
FREEWAY FIGHTER #1 (of 4)
THE FOREVER WAR #4 (of 6)
WONDER WOMAN 77 MEETS THE BIONIC WOMAN #4 (of 6)
WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT: THE CORPSE MAKERS #3 (of 5)
ALIENS: DEAD ORBIT #1 (of 4)
BATWOMAN #3
ARCHIE'S PALS 'N' GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #77 (Sept. 2003)


Looking forward to those reviews.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 21, 2017, 08:12:49 AM
Last night I read some Free Comic Book Day Comics
RiverDale One Shot Free Comic
Betty & Veronica #1-Free Comic
Barbie Free Comic
And this morning I read
Betty & Veronica #2-Adam Hughes cover -[main issue]
Reggie & Me #5-Sandy Jarrell [ main issue]
Jughead #13-Derek Charm's [main issue ]
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 28, 2017, 05:48:49 AM
WEEK OF 05-24-17:

JUDGE DREDD CLASSICS: THE APOCALYPSE WAR HC
THE ARCHIES #1 (one-shot) - Pretty "meh" except for the nice art on the Jaime Hernandez cover variant. A real snooze-fest, in fact.
GARTH ENNIS RED TEAM DOUBLE TAP #9 (of 9)
MICKEY MOUSE #329
POWERPUFF GIRLS: TIME TIE #1
(of 3)
SAVAGE DRAGON #224
DETECTIVE COMICS #957
WONDER WOMAN #23
X-MEN BLUE #4
WONDERLAND: BIRTH OF MADNESS #1
(one-shot)
THE GARDEN OF FLESH by Gilbert Hernandez HC
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #5 (of 12)
BATMAN/THE SHADOW #2 (of 6)
BATMAN '66 MEETS WONDER WOMAN 77 #5 (of 6)
SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #26 (guest-starring Hong Kong Phooey)
BLACK HAMMER #9
THE GREATEST ADVENTURE #2
(of 6)
A.B.C. WARRIORS: THE VOLGAN WAR HC VOL. 1
A.B.C. WARRIORS: THE VOLGAN WAR HC VOL. 2
A.B.C. WARRIORS: THE VOLGAN WAR HC VOL. 3
A.B.C. WARRIORS: THE VOLGAN WAR HC VOL. 4
A.B.C. WARRIORS: RETURN TO EARTH HC
A.B.C. WARRIORS: RETURN TO MARS HC
A.B.C. WARRIORS: RETURN TO RO-BUSTERS HC
WORLD OF ARCHIE COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #68
- Has a WILBUR section with 3 stories by Frank Doyle & Dan DeCarlo: "Bubble Trouble" (6 pages), "Shadow Boxed" (6 pages), and "Stripped Gears" (1 page), plus one more Wilber story (6 pages) by Joe Edwards; also 2 6-page ARCHIE 3000 stories by Dan Parent.
SHAOLIN COWBOY: WHO'LL STOP THE REIGN #2 (of 4)
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA/ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK #1-6 (of 6)
STREET FIGHTER VS. DARKSTALKERS #1 (of 8)
JUGHEAD #9-14 (re-read) - Will review later.
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND #11 (of 12)
ARCHIE'S PALS 'N' GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #78 & 81 - Both contain a few Josie & the Pussycats stories, otherwise nothing notable.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 28, 2017, 06:28:20 AM
Almost forgot!

DIE KITTY DIE: HOLLYWOOD OR BUST #3 (of 4) [digital] - I'll review the whole miniseries after issue #4 is out.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 28, 2017, 06:00:26 PM
No reading for me today I colored pages in my Golden Girls Coloring book & watched My 600 Pound Life.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on May 28, 2017, 08:22:35 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 28, 2017, 06:28:20 AM
Almost forgot!

DIE KITTY DIE: HOLLYWOOD OR BUST #3 (of 4) [digital] - I'll review the whole miniseries after issue #4 is out.


Loved the TV show parodies in this.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 28, 2017, 09:35:13 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on May 28, 2017, 08:22:35 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on May 28, 2017, 06:28:20 AM
Almost forgot!

DIE KITTY DIE: HOLLYWOOD OR BUST #3 (of 4) [digital] - I'll review the whole miniseries after issue #4 is out.

Loved the TV show parodies in this.

It's SO good!

... I could almost forget about new Archie stories if DKD came out as a print comic every month. I'd vote for that (if I was allowed to vote) before Your Pal Archie. Nothing against the latter, but it couldn't possibly be as funny as DKD (because ACP wouldn't allow that kind of outrageousness).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 29, 2017, 07:19:16 AM
I read some Digital Comics for a Hour
Morning Glories-Volume #1-For A Better Future
Jughead's Cousin That Wilkin Boy
Archie & Friends Sibling Rivalry
Betty & Veronica #235 & #245
Team Betty
Betty & Veronica - Parks & Recreation
Archie #565
Archie At The Chocklit Shoppe
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 29, 2017, 09:30:34 PM
Tomorrow, I plan to organize my comics. I bought these dividers where I can write The Archie section, B&V Section, Reggie & Me Section etc. It's going take a long time.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 30, 2017, 08:03:45 AM
I'll probably read later
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 01, 2017, 03:10:45 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #247
B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #250
Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 01, 2017, 06:39:04 PM
I read some of my Jughead issues & I put new plastics on them.
Jughead-Volume #1 Number #6
Jughead Baby Tales #2
Jughead #12
Jughead #18
Jughead #19
Jughead #60
Jughead #71
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 03, 2017, 09:52:20 PM
I skipped reading anything today but I did get my monthly package from Midtown Comics Today.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 04, 2017, 12:13:55 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on May 29, 2017, 09:30:34 PM
Tomorrow, I plan to organize my comics. I bought these dividers where I can write The Archie section, B&V Section, Reggie & Me Section etc. It's going take a long time.

1. Did you get the white cardboard ones or the plastic ones? If you got the cardboard ones you can just print the names of the comic titles neatly, but if you got the plastic ones it's better to use one of those label-making machines to make them look really professional (just like in a comic shop with back-issue bins). The label-making machines are not that expensive, so it's not a bad idea if you plan to use divider cards to organize your whole collection.

2. Do you have a lot of issues of Reggie & Me (or are you just talking about the New Riverdale 5-issue miniseries)?

3. Have you ever noticed a regular artist, or one particular artist who appears on Reggie & Me stories more often than others? I've always wondered about that. Assuming, that is, that you're familiar enough with the different artists' styles to be able to identify them by sight, because I know back in the 60s/70s/80s when Reggie & Me was being published they didn't have credits on the stories. I don't have a lot of those issues myself.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 04, 2017, 10:37:38 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 04, 2017, 12:13:55 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on May 29, 2017, 09:30:34 PM
Tomorrow, I plan to organize my comics. I bought these dividers where I can write The Archie section, B&V Section, Reggie & Me Section etc. It's going take a long time.

1. Did you get the white cardboard ones or the plastic ones? If you got the cardboard ones you can just print the names of the comic titles neatly, but if you got the plastic ones it's better to use one of those label-making machines to make them look really professional (just like in a comic shop with back-issue bins). The label-making machines are not that expensive, so it's not a bad idea if you plan to use divider cards to organize your whole collection.

2. Do you have a lot of issues of Reggie & Me (or are you just talking about the New Riverdale 5-issue miniseries)?

3. Have you ever noticed a regular artist, or one particular artist who appears on Reggie & Me stories more often than others? I've always wondered about that. Assuming, that is, that you're familiar enough with the different artists' styles to be able to identify them by sight, because I know back in the 60s/70s/80s when Reggie & Me was being published they didn't have credits on the stories. I don't have a lot of those issues myself.


I often see label makers at thrift stores though I think it'd be more fun to design your own dividers with a picture of the character on there.


I used to have more Reggie and Me but I'm pretty sure I donated them to my local Half Price Books.


Anyone have any better ideas than long boxes to organize comics? I'm in the process of moving (again...ugh) and some of the plastic tubs I was storing my comics in got crushed in the last move. Thankfully the comics survived unharmed. I have them in those thick cardboard book boxes from U-Haul right now. I find those long/short boxes from comic book shops unwieldy. It's very difficult to flip through comics easily to find what you want if the box is overstuffed. And if it's not overstuffed the comics fall over. I'm asking more for my new place...how to display and easily find comics in a large collection.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 04, 2017, 11:28:32 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 04, 2017, 10:37:38 AM
Anyone have any better ideas than long boxes to organize comics? I'm in the process of moving (again...ugh) and some of the plastic tubs I was storing my comics in got crushed in the last move. Thankfully the comics survived unharmed. I have them in those thick cardboard book boxes from U-Haul right now. I find those long/short boxes from comic book shops unwieldy. It's very difficult to flip through comics easily to find what you want if the box is overstuffed. And if it's not overstuffed the comics fall over. I'm asking more for my new place...how to display and easily find comics in a large collection.

The long ones I can understand. But the SHORT ones? How much smaller can the box be and still be useful? There are a couple of solutions. You can make your own (you'll need LOTS of thick corrugated cardboard) spacers for the boxes. Simply take a BIG LONG piece of corrugated cardboard, and cut the height to a little shorter than comic book height, 8"-9"; but you need to leave plenty of length (how much is up to you and the thickness of the cardboard), because you are going to be folding the thing like a zigzag accordion, in sections the same approximate width of a comic (6"-7"), folding it back and forth in alternating directions. This works best with the really thick, double-corrugated cardboard, because you're depending on the cardboard wanting to spring back and expand from a flattened multi-folded zigzag, after you place it in the empty space behind the comics themselves. You'll have to experiment to see how many folds you need to make, depending on the resistance of the cardboard to staying flattened. Start taking groceries home in cardboard boxes instead of bags, and experiment with cutting those up. Those usually have to be pretty strong to hold liquid containers, glass jars, and metal cans. You can always add multiple pieces depending on the amount of space in the box you have to fill. Works pretty well with the short boxes, but they need to be at least half to 2/3rds full of comics. If the cardboard you use still isn't thick enough to be "springy", try overlapping the entire length on itself before you start folding the zigzags to give it a double-thickness to start with. Also, whenever it's feasible (depending how big a piece of cardboard you start with), don't align the folds with the direction of the corrugation -- fold "against the grain".

The other solution is to just to use the short boxes (personally, I gave up on the long ones ten years ago), but you'll have to give up on the idea of being able to flip through the comics. Fill them with comics laid FLAT, and then you don't need to make them any heavier (= "unwieldy") than you want them, but then you're going to need another empty box whenever you want to take them ALL out and look through them, just standing them on end for as long as you're playing around looking for something.

They make those corrugated plastic ones too (same
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 04, 2017, 09:46:56 PM
I only read The Archies One Shot. I liked it but Archie Meets The Ramones was much better.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 05, 2017, 12:59:08 AM
WEEK OF 05-30-17:

KILL OR BE KILLED #9
THANOS #7
DONALD DUCK #387
WALT DISNEY'S COMICS & STORIES #738


LOONEY TUNES #237 - A fun issue with stories featuring Duck Dodgers in the 24 & 1/2th Century and Eager Young Space Cadet Porky (who in this story gets promoted to Eager Young Space Commander, much to Dodgers' dismay); and Foghorn Leghorn is abducted by Marvin the Martian to help repopulate the birdlike Martian minions.

DC SUPER HERO GIRLS WONDER WOMAN DAY SPECIAL EDITION #1 - Only a month ago there was a FCBD issue with a chapter excerpted from the kids' graphic novel DC Super Hero Girls: Summer Olympus, and now here is another chapter. Of course you don't get to see how the young Wonder Woman's summer vacation from Super Hero High ends, but between the two free issues, that's an entire third of the 128-page graphic novel. TBH, I'm not that crazy about this version of the DC characters, so I'm not about to spend $10 for the graphic novels. It's a pleasant enough story for free, though.

WONDER WOMAN ANNUAL #1
MAN-THING #4 (of 5)
CABLE #1
DOLLFACE #5
JUDGE DREDD: FUNKO UNIVERSE #1 (one-shot)
KISS FOREVER 48-PAGE SPECIAL (one-shot)
ALIENS: DEAD ORBIT #2 (of 4)
LOBSTER JOHNSON: THE PIRATE'S GHOST #3 (of 3)
DOC SAVAGE: THE RING OF FIRE #3 (of 4)
ANNO DRACULA #3 (of 5)
MICRONAUTS: WRATH OF KARZA #2 (of 5)
STAR TREK: WAYPOINT #5 (of 6)
TRANSFORMERS VS GI JOE MOVIE ADAPTATION

CARtoons MAGAZINE #9
- From the revived magazine's website:
QuoteWhat is CARtoons Magazine?
CARtoons Magazine came out in the late 50's and was published/distributed bi-monthly up until the early 90's. The magazine was based on comic strip stories, how to draw and illustrations from various top name artists reflecting humour within the automotive industry. Basically your comic book for automotive enthusiasts worldwide.
I guess they just started publishing this again, after a few decades. Fun retro-toons about kustom kulture and Rockabilly/Surf vibes; cartooning with a 'Rat Fink' sensibility. Probably for old dudes only.  Pretty cool.

MISTY TP - Reprints two stories, "Moonchild" and "The Four Faces of Eve" from the supernatural gothic girls' British comic, MISTY.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 05, 2017, 08:14:42 AM
I'll try to read today. I read RiverDale #3, I'm happy that Thomas Pitilli conbriutes to this comic.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 11, 2017, 04:48:34 AM
WEEK OF 06-07-17:
THE SEARCHERS VOL. 01: THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME TP
ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN #3
RICK & MORTY #26
FALL AND RISE OF CAPTAIN ATOM #6 (of 6)
A BULLETPROOF COFFIN ONE-SHOT! THE 1000 YARD STARE
MIGHTY MOUSE #1
KISS/VAMPIRELLA #1 (of 5)
GWAR: ORGASMAGEDDON #1 (of 4)
ARCHIE COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #279
WONDER WOMAN: STEVE TREVOR SPECIAL #1
DARK KNIGHT III: MASTER RACE #9 (of 9)
IRON FIST #4
LOST FLEET: CORSAIR #1
BLOOD BOWL: MORE GUTS, MORE GLORY! #1 (of 4)
PLEASE TELL ME! GALKO-CHAN VOL 03 TP
BATMAN/WILDCAT TP
DC/LOONEY TUNES 100-PAGE SUPER SPECTACULAR: SUPERMAN & BUGS BUNNY #1 (Collects Superman & Bugs Bunny #1-4, 2000)
PREDATOR HUNTERS #2 (of 5)
STAR TREK NEW VISIONS #16: "TIME OUT OF JOINT"
ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE #2 (of 4)
ROM #11
THE DIVIDED STATES OF HYSTERIA #1
MISTER X: THE ARCHIVES VOL. 1 TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 11, 2017, 07:18:01 AM
I read some Digital Comics
Team Betty
Betty & Veronica #245
Reggie & Me 75 Years Archie series
Invincible #110
Sunstone-Volume #4
Jughead's Cousin Bingo Wilkin
B & V Friends Pool Party
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 11, 2017, 03:30:07 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 11, 2017, 04:48:34 AM
WEEK OF 06-07-17:
THE SEARCHERS VOL. 01: THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME TP
ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN #3
RICK & MORTY #26
FALL AND RISE OF CAPTAIN ATOM #6 (of 6)
A BULLETPROOF COFFIN ONE-SHOT! THE 1000 YARD STARE
MIGHTY MOUSE #1
KISS/VAMPIRELLA #1 (of 5)
GWAR: ORGASMAGEDDON #1 (of 4)
ARCHIE COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #279
WONDER WOMAN: STEVE TREVOR SPECIAL #1
DARK KNIGHT III: MASTER RACE #9 (of 9)
IRON FIST #4
LOST FLEET: CORSAIR #1
BLOOD BOWL: MORE GUTS, MORE GLORY! #1 (of 4)
PLEASE TELL ME! GALKO-CHAN VOL 03 TP
BATMAN/WILDCAT TP
DC/LOONEY TUNES 100-PAGE SUPER SPECTACULAR: SUPERMAN & BUGS BUNNY #1 (Collects Superman & Bugs Bunny #1-4, 2000)
PREDATOR HUNTERS #2 (of 5)
STAR TREK NEW VISIONS #16: "TIME OUT OF JOINT"
ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE #2 (of 4)
ROM #11
THE DIVIDED STATES OF HYSTERIA #1
MISTER X: THE ARCHIVES VOL. 1 TP



How's Mighty Mouse? And Looney Tunes? Would I like them? I want to start reading Looney Tunes and Simpsons comics since I like old fashioned humor but I don't know where to start. I liked the Simpsons and Mighty Mouse comics I got for FCBD but not the Sponge Bob one.


How's Kiss Vampirella? I liked the Kiss dystopian series that came out recently.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 12, 2017, 12:37:24 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 11, 2017, 03:30:07 PM
How's Mighty Mouse? And Looney Tunes? Would I like them? I want to start reading Looney Tunes and Simpsons comics since I like old fashioned humor but I don't know where to start. I liked the Simpsons and Mighty Mouse comics I got for FCBD but not the Sponge Bob one.

How's Kiss Vampirella? I liked the Kiss dystopian series that came out recently.

Dynamite's Mighty Mouse comic isn't a straightforward revival, like AMP's Underdog comic... it's a story where a real-world kid who is picked on by bullies but likes to draw and watch cartoons somehow brings the cartoon Mighty Mouse into the 'real' world. I liked it less when I discovered that, but I'm giving the story a chance because I like the writing of Sholly Fisch, who also writes Scooby-Doo Team-Up for DC, and he really impressed me with clever scripting on that book. I don't know that I'd recommend Mighty Mouse at this point, but I'm taking a wait-and-see attitude. I'll let you know how I feel about subsequent issues.

Like you, I'm late picking up on Looney Tunes. The 100-Page Super-Spec reprints a miniseries from 2000 which I'd ignored. I didn't like it as much as I'd hoped, despite Mark Evanier's writing it. Evanier's writing of animated comic book adaptations (mostly on Hanna-Barbera characters) goes all the way back to the 1970s comics published by Whitman/Western Publishing. It wasn't as funny as I'd hoped, so I hope those one-shot specials coming up (beginning next week) from DC crossing the Looney Tunes characters with the DC characters are better. The regular ongoing Looney Tunes comic book is a different story. The best place to start with those would just be to pick up any of the recent issues, or these two collections:

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.previewsworld.com%2FSiteImage%2FCatalogImage%2FSTL011243%3Ftype%3D1&hash=8b2e3c52a04434547381b3bf8a3429d40c6b3893)(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/cmx-images-prod/Item/491796/491796._SX1280_QL80_TTD_.jpg)

Volume 1 reprints Looney Tunes #34-40 (1997-98) and Vol. 2 reprints Looney Tunes #41-47 (1998). Judging by the page count, it looks like it more or less reprints those issues in their entirety. So why begin with #34, and why "greatest hits" if it's a straight collection of consecutive issues? Your guess is as good as mine. I have these and have flipped through them, read just a few of the short stories, but was hoping to get them read in the coming week. The stories look good at a glance-through.

Kiss/Vampirella has a story that takes place in the 1970s, and seems to be in continuity with the original b&w Warren magazine version of Vampirella, taking place for Vampi just a few years since she's arrived on Earth from the planet Drakulon (Vampirella #1, 1969), which I liked, and for Kiss it takes place just after they've recorded their album Hotter Than Hell. I really appreciate when writers pay attention to those kind of details to give the story a little verisimilitude. On the other hand, there are some odd bits like having Vampi be in a band ('Witchkraft') as a sort of an undercover ID for her searching out the usual sort of demonic/monstrous menaces she fights. She's out of her usual costume for most of this issue (except for some short flashbacks), which I didn't like, because she's not really recognizable without it. On the other hand, I like that Kiss in this comic is treated as an actual band and not some sort of superpowered demigods like they are in other Kiss comics. The title characters of the comic book do not actually meet in issue #1.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 12, 2017, 08:16:13 AM

I'll read soon. I read The Archies-Audrey Mok & Josie & The Pussycats #7-Jen Bartel & Jughead #15-Sandy Jarrell.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 15, 2017, 06:21:10 AM
WEEK OF 06-14-17:
THE COMPLEAT TERMINAL CITY TP
JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS #26 (of 26)*
THANOS #8
X-MEN BLUE #5
DONALD DUCK #388
BETTY & VERONICA #3*
JIMMY'S BASTARDS #1
KILL THE MINOTAUR #1
THE DAMNED #2
FREEWAY FIGHTER #2 (of 4)
SPACE RIDERS: GALAXY OF BRUTALITY #2
DARK DAYS: THE FORGE #1 (of 1)
DETECTIVE COMICS #958
WONDER WOMAN #24
WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #69*
ARCHIE'S COLORING BOOK*
HARVEY HITS #1*
BUG: THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #2 (of 6)
MARTIAN MANHUNTER/MARVIN THE MARTIAN SPECIAL #1 (of 1)*
LEGION OF SUPER HEROES/BUGS BUNNY SPECIAL #1 (of 1)*
PLANET OF APES/GREEN LANTERN #5 (of 6)
PREDATOR VS JUDGE DREDD VS ALIENS #4 (of 4)
STREET FIGHTER VS DARKSTALKERS #2 (of 8 )
SPOOKHOUSE #5
THE INFERNALS (1 of 1)
ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE #3 (of 4)
ALL TIME COMICS: ATLAS #1


*Reviews to follow later on my review thread.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 15, 2017, 07:24:02 AM
I have to go read some books in my room today, I haven't done that in a while.
I read each of books for 12 minutes each
The Best Of Archie Comics- Book #3
The Best Of Archie Comics 75 Years 75 Stories
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
Archie Giant Comics Festival
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 15, 2017, 08:12:52 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 15, 2017, 06:21:10 AM
WEEK OF 06-14-17:
THE COMPLEAT TERMINAL CITY TP
JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS #26 (of 26)*
THANOS #8
X-MEN BLUE #5
DONALD DUCK #388
BETTY & VERONICA #3*
JIMMY'S BASTARDS #1
KILL THE MINOTAUR #1
THE DAMNED #2
FREEWAY FIGHTER #2 (of 4)
SPACE RIDERS: GALAXY OF BRUTALITY #2
DARK DAYS: THE FORGE #1 (of 1)
DETECTIVE COMICS #958
WONDER WOMAN #24
WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #69*
ARCHIE'S COLORING BOOK*
HARVEY HITS #1*
BUG: THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #2 (of 6)
MARTIAN MANHUNTER/MARVIN THE MARTIAN SPECIAL #1 (of 1)*
LEGION OF SUPER HEROES/BUGS BUNNY SPECIAL #1 (of 1)*
PLANET OF APES/GREEN LANTERN #5 (of 6)
PREDATOR VS JUDGE DREDD VS ALIENS #4 (of 4)
STREET FIGHTER VS DARKSTALKERS #2 (of 8 )
SPOOKHOUSE #5
THE INFERNALS (1 of 1)
ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE #3 (of 4)
ALL TIME COMICS: ATLAS #1


*Reviews to follow later on my review thread.


Looking forward to your starred reviews. How are you going to review the coloring book? Did you buy some colored pencils?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 15, 2017, 08:51:06 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 15, 2017, 08:12:52 PM
Looking forward to your starred reviews. How are you going to review the coloring book? Did you buy some colored pencils?

Well, I can't review the interactive experience of coloring the pages, because that would be unique to each person who buys the book.

I can however, review what's IN the book, and the various choices that were made both in the selection of artwork, and what they DID with the artwork selected.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 16, 2017, 03:40:45 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 15, 2017, 08:51:06 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 15, 2017, 08:12:52 PM
Looking forward to your starred reviews. How are you going to review the coloring book? Did you buy some colored pencils?

Well, I can't review the interactive experience of coloring the pages, because that would be unique to each person who buys the book.

I can however, review what's IN the book, and the various choices that were made both in the selection of artwork, and what they DID with the artwork selected.


Are you planning on doing any coloring? And posting your artwork?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 16, 2017, 07:30:11 PM
I got Archie #21 in the mail today, I won't spoil it. But have tissues handy.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 18, 2017, 10:58:29 PM
I read Archie #21-Pete Woods & The Archies One Shot-Audrey Mok & The latest issues of Saga & Invincible.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 19, 2017, 03:40:17 AM
B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #254
BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #254
LOONEY TUNES GREATEST HITS VOL. 01 TP
LOONEY TUNES GREATEST HITS VOL. 02 TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 19, 2017, 06:28:35 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 19, 2017, 03:40:17 AM
B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #254
BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #254
LOONEY TUNES GREATEST HITS VOL. 01 TP
LOONEY TUNES GREATEST HITS VOL. 02 TP



How was Looney Tunes?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 20, 2017, 09:57:37 AM
I finished B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #250 & also read these books Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #247 & B & V Friends Comics Double Digest #243.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 20, 2017, 11:44:25 PM
Today I got the last Jem & The Holograms. I didn't have a chance to read it yet.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on June 23, 2017, 06:50:47 PM
I've been getting caught up on the comics that have piled up over the last 6 months or so.  I caught up with Oni, Action Lab and Joe Books and am now working my way through the various Archie titles.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: sqoimywoim on June 23, 2017, 08:25:14 PM
Jughead Issue 1-10, The original Reggie, Gals n Pals issue 1, Betty and Veronica issues 1-10, And I just finished the first 20 Original Archies, especially the one where he goes in the love boat with Veronica and Betty-- I found it under Catalineas on Ebay
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 24, 2017, 11:48:09 AM
I read each of these books for 12 Minutes each
Scott Pilgrim-Gets It Together-Volume #4
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
The Best Of Archie Comics Book #3
The Best Of Archie Comics-75 Years 75 Stories
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 24, 2017, 09:59:14 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on June 19, 2017, 06:28:35 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 19, 2017, 03:40:17 AM

LOONEY TUNES GREATEST HITS VOL. 01 TP
LOONEY TUNES GREATEST HITS VOL. 02 TP


How was Looney Tunes?

They're good stories. Most are shorts, like Archie Comics. The artists stayed on-model, and the writers stayed true to the characterization with all the characters, although some of the incidental characters are more modern-looking in design than what you'd see in classic Looney Tunes cartoons. The gags tried to stay true to the spirit of the original cartoons, even though some more modern-day humor appears. Not quite as effective as the actual cartoons in terms of the humor, but that's only because they lack the slapstick timing only possible in animation, and the character voices, sound effects, and BG music score of the original Looney Tunes cartoons -- but, to the extent that you can supply these yourself, these stories actually work pretty well. I haven't read a lot of the old Dell/Gold Key/Whitman Warner Brothers animated comics, but I'd guess the DC version is probably far superior.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 24, 2017, 10:02:21 PM
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH COMPLETE COLLECTION v1 (1962-1971) TP  :smitten:
reviewed: https://www.archiefans.com/reviews/some-reviews/?message=11203 (https://www.archiefans.com/reviews/some-reviews/?message=11203)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on June 26, 2017, 01:16:21 AM
Quote from: rusty on June 23, 2017, 06:50:47 PM
I've been getting caught up on the comics that have piled up over the last 6 months or so.  I caught up with Oni, Action Lab and Joe Books and am now working my way through the various Archie titles.


I read a lot of titles from these publishers as well.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 27, 2017, 10:21:23 AM
I'll read later
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 29, 2017, 03:44:44 AM
WEEK OF 06-28-17:
ARCHIE'S PALS 'N' GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #81, 82, 98, 126
JUGHEAD #16 (of 16) "...and thus ends my reading of 'The New Riverdale'..."
UNCLE SCROOGE #27
X-MEN BLUE #6
WONDER WOMAN #25
DETECTIVE COMICS #959
BATMAN/THE SHADOW #3
(of 6) - This is frankly pretty bad. Basically just getting it for the interesting variant covers now.
BATMAN '66 MEETS WONDER WOMAN '77 #6 (of 6) - This was possibly the most highly enjoyable Batman '66 crossover miniseries so far.
WONDER WOMAN '77 MEETS THE BIONIC WOMAN #5 (of 6) - Another great crossover which utilized villains who appeared in various episodes of both TV series. Lots of nice attention given to various details.
SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #27 (with PLASTIC MAN) - I just love Plastic Man.
WONDER WOMAN 100 PROJECT TP - Another in a series, showcasing 100 pieces of artwork donated by various pros (drawn on blank variant covers), and later auctioned off (after photographing) to benefit The Hero Initiative, an organization which lends aid to comic creators in need.
AMERICA VS. THE JUSTICE SOCIETY TP
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #6
(of 12)
JONAH HEX/YOSEMITE SAM SPECIAL #1
BATMAN/ELMER FUDD SPECIAL #1

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 01, 2017, 10:28:00 AM

I read all of these & put them in My comic frames.
Jem & The Holograms #24 & #25 & #26
The Big Moose One Shot -Thomas Pitlli
Reggie & Me #1 & #2 & #3 & #4 & #5- all Sandy Jarrell
Jughead #15 -Sandy Jarrell
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 01, 2017, 04:37:53 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Black Hole
Jughead-Volume #2
Road To RiverDale-Volume #1

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 02, 2017, 08:16:00 AM
I read The Best Of Jughead-Crowning Achievements, I read the whole because it's so good. Every story is a Rex Lindsey story.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 02, 2017, 12:48:52 PM
It's too bad they didn't do more Jughead trade collections, especially the Boldman/Lindsey stories.

Practically every other multi-part continued story got a trade collection except for that Jughead "Movin' In"/"A Jughead in the Family" story, and it was one of the best ones, too. That was pretty close to the end of Jughead's title, so I guess sales must have been bad.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 03, 2017, 07:23:15 AM
TOYBOX TIME MACHINE HC
STAR WARS: DROIDS UNPLUGGED #1 (one-shot)
ASTRO CITY #45
ANNO DRACULA #4 (of 5)
STAR TREK TNG: MIRROR BROKEN #2 (of 6)
THE COMPLETE DICK TRACY HC VOL. 21: 1962-64:  MOON MAID  | 52 GANG
THE COMPLETE DICK TRACY HC VOL. 22: 1964-65: MR. BRIBERY | UGLY CHRISTINE
FANBOY #1, 2, 3, & 6 (of 6)
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND #12 (of 12)
SKULL ISLAND: THE BIRTH OF KONG #2 (of 4)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 07, 2017, 03:38:33 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Scott Pilgrim-Volume #4-Gets It Together

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 08, 2017, 12:27:09 AM
I'm working my way through my Image Comics backlog now.

I caught up on Black Magick, Thief of Thieves, They're Not Like Us and a few others.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 08, 2017, 03:02:04 AM
I caught up on BLACK MAGICK too. I re-read the first 5 issues (reprinted in the first TP) and the newest one, issue #6.

WEEK OF 07-05-17:
MILLENNIUM: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO #1 - reviewed on my review thread.
ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN #4 (of 6)
RICK & MORTY #27

SAUCER COUNTRY TP VOL. 1: RUN (= issues #1-6)
SAUCER COUNTRY TP VOL. 2: THE RETICULAN CANDIDATE (= issues #7-14)
SAUCER STATE #1 & 2 (of 6) - An interesting series that asks the question "What if the new U.S. President was a UFO abductee?" The original series was published by Vertigo(DC) in 2012-13 and followed the election campaign of Arcadia Alvarado, the Mexican-American (and divorced) Democratic Governor of New Mexico, after she and her ex-husband are abducted the night before announcing her candidacy for President, and the new sequel series (now published by IDW) follows after Alvarado wins the election (after a series of odd turns of events that may have been manipulated) and takes charge of the Oval Office. In the sequel series a huge alien spacecraft now appears to be heading straight for Earth and the general public is made aware of it. President Alvarado recalls an alien who appeared to tell her "You are all property." It's a bit like West Wing meets The X-Files. Lots of intrigue and UFOlogy lore, a twisty plot and oddball characters.

BLACK MAGICK VOL 001 TP: THE AWAKENING (= issues #1-5)
BLACK MAGICK #6 - I'm SO much more interested in this right now than ChAoS. This issue is a standalone flashback interlude that constitutes an "origin story" of sorts for protagonist Rowan Black, and details her awakening as a witch on her 13th birthday. You'll have to read the story (no spoilers) to understand what 'awakening' means in this context. There is a powerful conspiracy (that we don't quite understand just yet) targeting Rowan in the main storyline, and in this story we discover that a character who had appeared briefly in an earlier group scene of the 'convocation of evil' (as I'm calling them) had played a key role in an event affecting the course of Rowan's life. Just a beautifully written comic with some absolutely amazing artwork. The series had taken an extended hiatus while the writer/artist team of Greg Rucka/Nicola Scott worked on the first 25 bi-weekly issues of the DC Rebirth WONDER WOMAN, but they seem to have left that title (for now at least), so hopefully we'll see new issues of BLACK MAGICK on a more regular basis beginning with issue #7 in August.

CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA #7 - Kind of starting to lose interest. Sabrina wasn't even IN this issue; instead it was all about her father, Edward Spellman (who looks just like Eddie Munster as a kid). Wait, wasn't that what I said about the issue that was all about Salem? But I did like that one issue that was all about Madame Satan. In fact, my favorite Archie Horror Sabrina story wasn't even an issue in this series, it was an issue of AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE. Now that I think about it, 4 issues out of 7 isn't a lot of panel time for a supposed 'main character' whose name appears in big letters in the title logo. In fact it's pretty hard to maintain much of any reader level of interest/anticipation for an imprint which releases no more than 2 or 3 issues per year (and that's including both ChAoS and AWA), so the idea that ACP even contemplated a third AH title (speculated to be based either on Vamperonica or some horror twist on Josie & the Pussycats) is sort of laughable.

WORLD OF ARCHIE SUMMER ANNUAL DIGEST #70 - I was disappointed to find NO Wilbur section in this WoA Annual, since a Wilbur section had appeared previously in issues 65, 67, 68 and 69.  :( This issue did have sections of Archie 1 and Archie 3000 stories and a couple of beach stories, but apart from those and the new lead story, a pretty ho-hum issue.

JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #26 - I'll review this later on my review thread.

ARCHIE SUMMER ANNUAL DIGEST #280 - A couple more beach stories; I liked the one (written by Dan Parent) where B&V compete as ice cream vendors on the beach by wearing different swimsuits and trying to outdo each other attracting male customers --  not much else to comment on here.

Edgar Rice Burroughs' THE GREATEST ADVENTURE #3 (of 9)
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: HERO KILLERS #2 (of 5)

KINGS QUEST TP
FLASH GORDON: KINGS CROSS TP
- Both of these TP collections were sequels to Jeff Parker's earlier KINGS WATCH, the first series which teamed up King Features adventure comic-strip characters Flash Gordon, The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician & Lothar, Jungle Jim, and Prince Valiant.

PREDATOR HUNTERS #3 (of 5)
STREET FIGHTER VS. DARKSTALKERS #3 (of 8 )
SKYBOURNE #4 (of 5)

DEATHSTROKE #21
IRON FIST #5
DEADPOOL KILLS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE AGAIN #1
- I found these 3 comics (which I borrowed) pretty boring, so I'm done reading them. Those were the only DC or Marvel titles I read this week!

ARCHIE CROSSOVER COLLECTION TP - Will review on my review thread later.

NURSE HITOMI'S MONSTER INFIRMARY TP VOL 06
Shigeru Mizuki's KITARO VOL 03: THE GREAT TANUKI WAR TP VOL 03

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 08, 2017, 07:39:57 AM
I just read these ,I haven't read any of Cheryl's comics in a while.
Cheryl Blossom Special #3 & #4.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 09, 2017, 12:16:16 PM
I'll read in a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 09, 2017, 04:42:06 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
The Best Of Archie Comics 75 Years 75 Stories
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
The Art Of Betty & Veronica
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 11, 2017, 10:10:14 PM
WEEK OF 07-12-17:
BIG BANG UNIVERSE #2 & 3
UNCLE SCROOGE #432
RICK & MORTY: POCKET LIKE YOU STOLE IT #1 (of 5)
KILL OR BE KILLED #10
X-MEN BLUE #7
DETECTIVE COMICS #960
DARK DAYS: THE CASTING #1 (one-shot)
GREEN LANTERN/PLANET OF THE APES #6 (of 6)
BUG: THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #2 (of 6)
GREEN HORNET '66 MEETS THE SPIRIT #1 (of 5)
DOC SAVAGE: THE RING OF FIRE #4 (of 4)
JUSTICE INC: FACES OF JUSTICE #1 (of 4)
KISS/VAMPIRELLA #2 (of 5)
GWAR: ORGASMAGEDDON #2 (of 4)
MIGHTY MOUSE #2
GUMBY #1
MICRONAUTS: WRATH OF KARZA #3 (of 5)
ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE #0

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 11, 2017, 10:55:08 PM
I caught up on:


Lake of Fire
Invincible
Invisible Republic
The Black Monday Murders
God Country
The Old Guard
Drifter
Descender
Birthright
Black Road
Copperhead


I also plan to work on Mayday and Manifest Destiny before going to bed.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 12, 2017, 10:16:57 AM
I sometimes wonder if Image isn't actually publishing more titles than DC. Most of them don't come out nearly as often, but they do publish a heck of a lot of titles.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 12, 2017, 03:31:59 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 12, 2017, 10:16:57 AM
I sometimes wonder if Image isn't actually publishing more titles than DC. Most of them don't come out nearly as often, but they do publish a heck of a lot of titles.


I buy more comics from Image than I do from Marvel.  I think that DC and Marvel publish more titles, but Image does have quite a few.


Today (and maybe tomorrow)


Moonshine
No Mercy
Paper Girls
Reborn
Saga
Shutter
Wicked + Divine
Horizon
Eclipse
The Fix
Green Valley
Southern Cross
Switch
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 12, 2017, 05:44:18 PM
Quote from: rusty on July 12, 2017, 03:31:59 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 12, 2017, 10:16:57 AM
I sometimes wonder if Image isn't actually publishing more titles than DC. Most of them don't come out nearly as often, but they do publish a heck of a lot of titles.


I buy more comics from Image than I do from Marvel.  I think that DC and Marvel publish more titles, but Image does have quite a few.


Today (and maybe tomorrow)


Moonshine
No Mercy
Paper Girls
Reborn
Saga
Shutter
Wicked + Divine
Horizon
Eclipse
The Fix
Green Valley
Southern Cross
Switch

I read about the same percentage of the titles Image publishes as I do Marvel and DC's... maybe about 05% of what they're publishing. That's probably true of most of the larger publishers. I think I might read a slightly better percentage of Dark Horse, IDW, Boom, and Oni Press titles, and probably a significantly higher percent of Dynamite titles. Hard to say with Archie, because things keep shifting in the titles being published. I read 6 digests, most classic Archie trade collections (except for the Giant Comics and 1000-pagers), and was reading Jughead until it was cancelled. I'll be reading Your Pal Archie when that comes out.

I'd say the hardest thing with most Image titles is trying to get some idea of what the book's about, just by skimming through one. Frequently the art isn't doing anything to pique my interest, and the covers rarely even attract me to pick one up and flip through it. The ones I've liked I've generally just discovered by accident. Oh, I could easily discover those things about various titles if I wanted to do the work in checking up on each title Image puts out, looking at reviews and so forth, but it's just more effort than I want to make. Many's the first issue I've read that just didn't grab me, so it's got to stand out in some way to get my attention. Then again even if I do make it past the first to a second, third and fourth issue, those titles tend to fall by the wayside pretty easily if something more interesting comes out to get my attention. Most Image titles I wind up reading don't have long runs anyway.

I honestly rarely even pay that much attention to what company is publishing the comic, although I might be more likely to try an otherwise unknown title from Dark Horse or IDW, simply because those companies have proven to be more sympatico with my tastes in the past. I'm more likely to be attracted by specific creators, a novel concept, a predisposition to genre or subject matter, or just artwork I like by a previously-unknown-to-me creator.

More and more my attention focuses on the really smaller publishers, and trade paperbacks or hardcovers, whether original or reprinting stuff recent or older.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 12, 2017, 09:24:05 PM
With Image, I can often tell by the description, cover and any sample pages whether or not I will like it.  I only rarely get one that I don't care for much.  Motor Crush is the only recent example I can think of.  I used to work on a comic store in addition to teaching and got into the habit of buying all sorts of comics from various publishers, including many from small publishers  I often purchase 35-40 comics or more in a given week.

I buy just about every DC comic, though some of these are for a friend of mine that I order for along with my own comics.  Right now, I have about 26 Marvel titles on my pull list plus various annuals and one shots.  Most of these fall into the Spider-Man family and Star Wars family where I get all of those books.  I also get Daredevil, Defenders, Jessica Jones, Ms. Marvel and Icon books such as Powers and Scarlet whenever they actually come out.

I've got 41 Image titles on my pull list, though some of these are miniseries like the recently concluded Green Valley.  With Image, though, you never know when they'll be back for another series.

I get all of the Archie comics and digests, but none of the trades, except for the Archie Archives from Dark Horse and occasional stuff like the Sabrina paperback.  I did not get the Sonic titles or Black Hood, though.

I've got around 25-30 Dark Horse titles on my pull list, but many of these are miniseries since Dark Horse really seems to like that format.  I've got around 20 titles from Dynamite and another 20 from IDW on my list.  I also get all of the Valiant titles and all of the Doctor Who titles from Titan plus a handful of other titles from Titan.

I also get titles from Abstract Studios, Action Lab, American Mythology, Boom, Aftershock, Antarctic Press, Blue Juice, Bongo, Cartoon Books, Chapter House, Devil's Due, Hermes Press, Joe Books, Keenspot, Oni, Red 5, Scout Comics and a few others.

I don't usually get very many trades for myself.  I'll buy some of the new Omnibus editions from DC if it is not just reprinting stuff from the Archives.  I get the Usagi Yojimbo hardcovers.  I also get some of the Cinebook reprints of European comics like Valerian and Survivors. i will also buy some original graphic novels and a few strip reprints.  I've also been buying the Disney reprints of the classic material from Carl Barks.  I don't buy any of the Archie 1000 page books or the like.

Finding time to read all of this is the biggest problem.  I may eventually cut back, but figure there will be time to read everything when I retire if necessary.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on July 12, 2017, 11:20:31 PM
There's one I'm just starting to read: Saga. Man, this is Dark Knight/Watchman level stuff....  :o
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 14, 2017, 06:49:50 AM
Quote from: rusty on July 12, 2017, 09:24:05 PM
Finding time to read all of this is the biggest problem.  I may eventually cut back, but figure there will be time to read everything when I retire if necessary.

That IS the problem. If you don't read them "hot off the press" the week they're released, I'm forced to wonder what's the point of accumulating floppy comics. I constantly see 90% of the floppy comics I bought just a few years ago when rifling through the 50 cent bins. Oh, they're still worth reading if you're interested in them, but it does beg the question of the reason people are collecting comic books in that format -- other than the weight of 50+ years of comic book readers for whom there was essentially no other choice available. Since we now are living in a time when we're disabused of the notion that collecting new comic books is an "investment", aren't we really only saving them so we can re-read the stories we particularly liked again later? In the meantime, there's vast amounts of energy to be expended on tracking titles and issues to be checked off lists, bagging/boarding, boxing and filing all those floppy comics. And they're so easily damaged by careless handling or storage when not protected by plastic and cardboard collecting supplies. I'm just lazy and I'm trying to cut down on the amount of effort I have to put into the collecting part of my library of comics. These days when I buy a floppy I'm probably buying it as much for the cover art as anything else, as I can always get the story at a later time in paperback or hardcover (or digitally, if that's what I preferred). Sometimes if it's a marginal-selling title I'll buy it just as a show of support for something I really like. Otherwise it's probably a title from one of those small publishers for whom a trade collection isn't guaranteed.

Nowadays comic books from all but the most marginal of publishers are virtually guaranteed to be available either as digital singles, or as trade paperbacks (usually both). So if you're not going to read them first, while they're still fresh, you might as well wait for the trade collection. Most of the current floppy comics I read now are just borrowed (usually on the day they're released, and returned in the same condition I got them within a week, if not the next day). The owner of my LCS is a personal friend.

Less than half of those floppy comics that I read I deem worthy of buying the trade collections of, but between recent stories and older material, I still manage to buy an average of 6 paperback or hardcover comics collections every week. I do have a particular weakness for Archives, Masterworks, Omnibus, Absolute, and other similar deluxe format comics (particularly comics from the 1930s through 1960s), as well as for hardcover newspaper strip collections from IDW's Library of American Comics and Hermes Press. Those hardcover collections tend to appear less frequently on my reading list, because they can sometimes sit for a long time before I get around to reading them. My priority is to read those borrowed floppy comics and return them quickly. Also, it can sometimes take me a long time (depending on how many comics are reprinted in a hardcover collection) to get through them, because I usually have a few different collected editions going at any one time that I sometimes put down for a little while, then read something else, then come back to it later -- sometimes much later. Depends on the nature of what's collected in the book and the overall length, unless it's one LONG story, then I usually try to read the whole thing contiguously. I guess that's one good thing about floppies, you can squeeze in a quick read of the whole comic when you don't have time to sit and read the whole of something lengthier that has 100-500 pages.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 14, 2017, 09:37:34 AM
I haven't read any in a while because I'm coloring a lot so today I will read.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 14, 2017, 09:46:18 AM
The floppy format is my preferred format and one that I've been collecting for 39 years so it does have that weight of history/habit on its side for me.  I don't like reading digital comics, though I do not begrudge those that do.  I don't really enjoy reading ebooks either, preferring to either listen to an audiobook or to hold an actual book in my hands.

I know a number of people who wait for the trade and I think that is not a bad idea, especially for mini series.  It also helps when there are major delays on titles since sometimes there are many months between issues of certain  titles.  I haven't made the switch to trades, except when I get into a title late occasionally like Outcast from Image, because I still prefer the floppies and not everything gets collected.

It is nice in this day and age that people generally have options in terms of how they want to collect.  I hope that digital sales go through the roof since that will help keep titles afloat.  I've read a number of predictions in recent years about the imminent death of the floppy, but I just don't see it in the near future.  Maybe some day.

I kind of enjoy the binge reading and don't mind the books piling up for a while during the school year.  For mini series, I often put them in a box until the series is complete anyway.  For Image  titles, I often wait until the first arc is completed to read them.  Yes, this could be done by buying the trade, but I'm good with my method.  I'm fortunate that I have a nice job and can afford to buy the number of comics and other things that I like.  It helps that I don't have student loans or a house payment to worry about and that I don't have extravagant tastes.

Back in 2005 when the comic shop I worked at closed, I gave serious consideration to stopping collecting all but a handful of titles.  After mulling it over for a while, I decided to continue as before and have been using a mail order store.  It has worked out pretty well.  I went a different route with paper books.  I now only purchase new books from my favorite authors or books in a handful of series.  The rest of the books that I read are either ones that I already had or ones that I check out from the library.  I make a lot of use of the library.  I know a few people who buy a lot of bluray or dvd copies of movies, though that is changing with Netflix and the like.  If I don't watch it on tv or see it in the theater, I'll wait until the movie or tv show is available to borrow (for free) from the library or until it is available on cable or Netflix.  Maybe I'll make the change with comics eventually, but not any time soon.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 14, 2017, 03:31:12 PM
I guess with floppy comics I always felt that the immediacy of "this week's comics" is what kept that format going. As in, there are tons of comics being published every month, so you can't read them all -- so every floppy comic you read is informing you about adjustments you need to make to your reading (and spending) patterns.

If you save up six issues of a new miniseries that you were pretty sure you were going to enjoy when you decided to buy it, then read the first issue and it stinks, now what do you do? What if the second issue stinks just as bad? Do you tough it out and read them all, even though it's now a chore because you obviously made a bad choice, but having spent the money already, you feel like you need to justify it? Even worse if you're reading a lot of Marvel and DC comics, when there's some line-wide event thing going on. Can you be sure you're reading them all in the correct order according to the week they were released? And what if, a few issues in (to a crossover that involves dozens of comics) you're not even liking the story?

I used to read about 75-80% of all the "universe" titles Marvel and DC published, but gimmick storylines and crossovers really burnt me out on those publishers. For Marvel, I essentially stopped buying floppies after Dark Reign ended with Siege. Those massive months-long stories just never seemed to have any real dramatic payoff, they just ground to a halt, while simultaneously planting a number of seeds for the next upcoming crossover event. TBH, that had already happened for me with the X-Men and Spider-Man titles back in the early 1990s. After Siege, I kept reading a few things like Ed Brubaker's Captain America, Matt Fraction's Iron Man, and Mark Waid's Daredevil, mainly because I'd been reading them since the beginnings of those runs, but eventually they got around to cancelling/renumbering or changing creative teams, and I stopped reading when the writers I liked stopped writing them. Other Marvel titles which I've read since that time usually got cancelled fairly quickly, running around 15 issues or less. As of right now I'm down to reading just Dan Slott and Mike Allred's Silver Surfer and Jeff Lemire and Mike Deodato's Thanos, Cullen Bunn's X-Men Blue (which I don't imagine will last long for me) and the occasional miniseries (R.L. Stein's Man-Thing was fun), plus I'll read some first issues here and there, just to check them out, but I'm finding fewer and fewer Marvels to read.

With DC, it was after Flashpoint (which was terrible) resulted in the New 52 reboot. Again, I stopped buying the floppies, but kept on reading the Geoff Johns/Peter Tomasi Green Lantern titles (until they quit writing them with issue #40), Paul Levitz' Legion of Super-Heroes (until it got cancelled), and Grant Morrison's Batman Incorporated (until that ended, too). For a while I read Justice League Dark, Charles Soule's Swamp Thing, Pandora, Phantom Stranger and Trinity of Sin, but they all got cancelled too. After DC Rebirth I tried a bunch of them, then settled down to reading just Greg Rucka's Wonder Woman and James Tynion IV's Detective Comics, but Rucka left WW with #25, so I'm down to just the one DC Universe title. I did read The Death of Hawkman miniseries and liked it, so I bought the TP. I do read a few other non-DCU titles like Astro City, Batman '66, Wonder Woman '77, Future Quest, Scooby-Doo Team-Up, and Looney Tunes (just started actually). The latter five are floppies I actually buy (even though I'll also get the trade collections of Astro City, Batman '66, Future Quest and Scooby-Doo Team-Up). Future Quest is concluded now and I think that Batman '66 is ending with next week's LSH team-up one-shot.

That's a huge drop from six or seven years ago, though. Fortunately it leaves me more time and money to read comics from other publishers!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 14, 2017, 03:44:05 PM
I read these books in my room for 12 minutes each
The Art Of Betty & Veronica
The Best Of Archie Comics 75 Years 75 Stories
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
I finshed Scott Pilgrim-Volume #4-Gets It Together


Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on July 14, 2017, 10:28:26 PM
Quote from: rusty on July 14, 2017, 09:46:18 AM
The floppy format is my preferred format and one that I've been collecting for 39 years so it does have that weight of history/habit on its side for me.  I don't like reading digital comics, though I do not begrudge those that do.  I don't really enjoy reading ebooks either, preferring to either listen to an audiobook or to hold an actual book in my hands.

I know a number of people who wait for the trade and I think that is not a bad idea, especially for mini series.  It also helps when there are major delays on titles since sometimes there are many months between issues of certain  titles.  I haven't made the switch to trades, except when I get into a title late occasionally like Outcast from Image, because I still prefer the floppies and not everything gets collected.

It is nice in this day and age that people generally have options in terms of how they want to collect.  I hope that digital sales go through the roof since that will help keep titles afloat.  I've read a number of predictions in recent years about the imminent death of the floppy, but I just don't see it in the near future.  Maybe some day.

I kind of enjoy the binge reading and don't mind the books piling up for a while during the school year.  For mini series, I often put them in a box until the series is complete anyway.  For Image  titles, I often wait until the first arc is completed to read them.  Yes, this could be done by buying the trade, but I'm good with my method.  I'm fortunate that I have a nice job and can afford to buy the number of comics and other things that I like.  It helps that I don't have student loans or a house payment to worry about and that I don't have extravagant tastes.

Back in 2005 when the comic shop I worked at closed, I gave serious consideration to stopping collecting all but a handful of titles.  After mulling it over for a while, I decided to continue as before and have been using a mail order store.  It has worked out pretty well.  I went a different route with paper books.  I now only purchase new books from my favorite authors or books in a handful of series.  The rest of the books that I read are either ones that I already had or ones that I check out from the library.  I make a lot of use of the library.  I know a few people who buy a lot of bluray or dvd copies of movies, though that is changing with Netflix and the like.  If I don't watch it on tv or see it in the theater, I'll wait until the movie or tv show is available to borrow (for free) from the library or until it is available on cable or Netflix.  Maybe I'll make the change with comics eventually, but not any time soon.


My main county library has floppy comics now! I went there and they had the latest issues of Jem. I also sometimes go to Books a Million to read comics for free.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 15, 2017, 04:43:00 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on July 14, 2017, 10:28:26 PM
My main county library has floppy comics now! I went there and they had the latest issues of Jem.

Interesting. You are the first person that I'm aware of to report this. Which makes me wonder -- were these comics that you could borrow and take home like a regular library book? I guess that would mean they'd need to have a little pocket with a card in it glued on in the back of the comic. I don't imagine that floppy comics could stand up to much handling under normal library usage.

If they could only be read on the premises of the library and not taken out, it would seem to make more sense for libraries to have subsciptions to digital comics which would be available to read on the library's computers. Then they wouldn't need to worry about damage to the comics, or storing and filing them.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 15, 2017, 10:47:06 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 14, 2017, 03:31:12 PM
If you save up six issues of a new miniseries that you were pretty sure you were going to enjoy when you decided to buy it, then read the first issue and it stinks, now what do you do? What if the second issue stinks just as bad? Do you tough it out and read them all, even though it's now a chore because you obviously made a bad choice, but having spent the money already, you feel like you need to justify it? Even worse if you're reading a lot of Marvel and DC comics, when there's some line-wide event thing going on. Can you be sure you're reading them all in the correct order according to the week they were released? And what if, a few issues in (to a crossover that involves dozens of comics) you're not even liking the story?


I'll give a series at least a couple of issues before giving up on it and even then I'll usually skim the rest.  If I made a bad purchase, then I made a bad purchase, but it could happen just as easily with a trade paperback collection.  It doesn't happen too often, though - maybe 1 or 2 series each year.  I'm usually able to turn around and sell the issues to a friend for about what I paid for them so no big loss.  There haven't been the line wide events where continuity is very important for a while.  There are crossovers like the Batman and Flash one not that long ago and they are usually numbered so reading order is easy to follow.  With the Civil War II storyline that Marvel had, I just stuck to reading the books that I normally collect - Ms. Marvel, Spider-Man, etc. and ignored the rest.  I only got part of the big picture, but that was okay.  I don't feel compelled  to buy every issue in an event like that.


I've seen a couple of libraries with floppies for people to read.  I think they stay in the library and don't circulate, though.  Trade paperbacks seem to be pretty popular, though.  A lot of the local libraries have a graphic novel section and many carry at least some manga in addition to the regular comic companies.  I don' t think digital would work too well for libraries with comics unless they had something like Overdrive and even then the logistics could be difficult.  Maybe some day.


I've caught up on Image and have moved on to Dark Horse.  Here are the titles from yesterday and lined up for this weekend:


Kingsway West
Resident Alien - I love this series
Mae - a nice first story arc
Groo
Usagi Yojimbo - a long running favorite
Tomb Raider
Serenity
Spell on Wheels
Briggs Land
Conan
World of Tanks
Dark Horse Presents
Tarzan on the Planet of the Apes
Judge Dredd vs Predators vs Aliens
Angel
Buffy
Aliens (various titles)
Hellboy
Lobster Johnson
Baltimore
Witchfinder
Rise of the Black Flame
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 15, 2017, 12:05:31 PM
Quote from: rusty on July 15, 2017, 10:47:06 AM
it could happen just as easily with a trade paperback collection.  It doesn't happen too often, though - maybe 1 or 2 series each year.

Nope, it never happens. All of the the material appearing in trade or hardcover has appeared before, unless it's an "OGN". Those are pretty rare in American comics publishing. Otherwise it's stuff I've already seen before, so I'm well aware of what I'm getting. In a few instances where I have absolute confidence in the creators of the material, I may defer reading it in the cheaper format before buying the trade because I want to wait to read it all together in one shot.

Some creators whose work I generally enjoy don't always hit a home run every time at bat though, and I generally know which ones those are. I've enjoyed most of the Millarworld comics up through MPH and Huck, but recent ones like Chrononauts, Empress, and Reborn just didn't do anything for me. I never finished Chrononauts and didn't even bother reading past #1 of Reborn because the concept just wasn't interesting me, so I won't be getting trades on those.

Conversely, I could pick up any new series Ed Brubaker writes (if I could stand to wait that long) in the Deluxe HC edition and never have to worry whether it was going to deliver or not. Somehow or other I had missed one of the floppies of Velvet and got behind on it, and I realized I was having a hard time following the twists of plot because of reading it serialized that way, so I just gave up on reading the floppies at that point and decided to wait for the hardcover collecting the entire 15 issues. It read a lot better and made more sense that way, even though I'd be a liar if I said I didn't enjoy reading the individual issues. It's just that I can't remember every detail from months earlier, so it was easier to follow the plot that way.

Resident Alien is also one of my favorites, and one where I just skip reading the floppies and wait for the trade because they read better that way. Lobster Johnson's another great title but I do like reading the singles as they come out, then I get the trade later to keep. I wish it could come out more often, but Tonci Zonjic is just a slow (but excellent) artist.

I enjoyed the Judge Dredd vs Predator vs Aliens (still waiting for the collection on that one) and the Tarzan/Planet of the Apes crossover. Unfortunately the Green Lantern/Planet of the Apes miniseries was pretty weak both story and art-wise, so I won't be getting that TP, even though I enjoyed both of the Star Trek/Green Lantern miniseries and the Star Trek/Planet of the Apes series. Nothing to do with Dark Horse I know, but most of the DC/IDW and IDW/Boom crossovers have been good up to now, so I don't know if they're starting to just "mail it in", confident that people will buy it no matter who writes and draws it. The problem with  Dark Horse's JDvPvA was that it took forever for all 4 issues to come out (just about a year, IIRC). Most of the Judge Dredd crossover stories have been good, and this one was no exception, but there's probably no excuse for taking that long between issues. I guess it's all relative, if we compared that to Afterlife With Archie, then it makes JDvPvA look like it was over and done in an eyeblink.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 15, 2017, 12:42:44 PM
Quote from: rusty on July 14, 2017, 09:46:18 AM
I hope that digital sales go through the roof since that will help keep titles afloat. I've read a number of predictions in recent years about the imminent death of the floppy, but I just don't see it in the near future. Maybe some day.

I'm not sure I follow that logic. It makes more sense to make a title digital-exclusive if it sells through the roof in that format, but the print sales are barely enough to recoup the publisher's bills from the printer. Seems to me in that situation it makes more sense to cancel the print comic (if I were the publisher) if it's barely breaking even or even costing the publisher money.

When you see all the titles barely selling a few thousand copies, you have to wonder about the future of floppy comics. It's different if you're selling a few thousand copies of a trade collection, because the cover price is something like 5 times that of a floppy comic.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 16, 2017, 05:06:34 PM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 17, 2017, 10:14:20 AM
Now on to Dynamite for the next few days:


Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica Gods and Monsters
Control
Flash  Gordon King's Cross
Gold Key Alliance
Green Hornet Reign of the Demon
James Bond Eidolon, Hammerhead and Felic Leiter
Dresden Files Wild Card
King's Quest
Lone Ranger Green Hornet
Lords of the Jungle
Mighty Mouse
Miss Fury
Pathfinder Worldscape
Red Sonja
Stargate Daniel Jackson and Vala Mal Doran (older series)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on July 17, 2017, 08:12:12 PM
Quote from: rusty on July 17, 2017, 10:14:20 AM
Now on to Dynamite for the next few days:


Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica Gods and Monsters
Control
Flash  Gordon King's Cross
Gold Key Alliance
Green Hornet Reign of the Demon
James Bond Eidolon, Hammerhead and Felic Leiter
Dresden Files Wild Card
King's Quest
Lone Ranger Green Hornet
Lords of the Jungle
Mighty Mouse
Miss Fury
Pathfinder Worldscape
Red Sonja
Stargate Daniel Jackson and Vala Mal Doran (older series)


No Boo the worlds cutest dog?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 18, 2017, 02:53:36 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on July 17, 2017, 08:12:12 PM
No Boo the worlds cutest dog?

I never had much interest in comics where animals are the main character, unless they're anthropomorphic animals like Bugs Bunny or the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who basically just talk and act like human beings. I guess there's a category where the animals are pets yet we know what they're thinking by reading their thoughts in balloons, like Hot Dog or Garfield, but I never had much interest in those, either. I guess the stories that might come closest that interested me were those with the Legion of Super-Pets or the Space Canine Patrol Agency, both of them teams of super-animals. But they all think and behave more or less like human minds with animal bodies, so I wonder if those even count. Then again, there is a hazy line between comics that are actually cute and those that are cloyingly/annoyingly cute. My saccharin advance-warning radar is certainly set off when they feel the need to TELL you it's cute. It might amount to an equal and opposite reaction to any perceived attempt at too-obviously manipulative marketing.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 18, 2017, 03:00:46 AM
07/12 - 07/17:
TARANTULA HC [AdHouse Books]
SPACE RIDERS TP [Black Mask Comics]

ALL TIME COMICS: ATLAS #1 [Fantagraphics]
ALL TIME COMICS: CRIME DESTROYER #1 [Fantagraphics]

GUNWITCH: OUTSKIRTS OF DOOM TP [Oni Press]
NOCTURNALS: SINISTER PATH TP VOL 01 [Big WoW]

VELVET: DELUXE EDITION HC [Image, collects issues #1-15]

THE SLEEPER OMNIBUS HC [DC, collects POINT BLANK #1-5, SLEEPER #1-12, & SLEEPER: SEASON TWO #1-12] - Ed Brubaker is probably my favorite writer working in mainstream comics right now, and he has a perfectly suited artistic collaborator in Sean Phillips. SLEEPER was the breakout series that put these two on the map. Holden Carver is a metahuman espionage double agent under deep cover, infiltrating a metahuman terrorist syndicate. On a covert mission to recover alien tech from a crashed spacecraft, Carver's entire team was killed. Carver alone survived to find an alien artifact somehow fused to his nervous system, one that allows him to absorb and heal any amount of physical damage without feeling pain, and to release that pain multiplied, simply by touching someone -- this makes him practically unkillable, but the downside is he can no longer FEEL anything. Manipulated into the undercover assignment by Lynch, his hated boss at I.O., and with falsified evidence of treason to create a cover for his entree into the syndicate, he's left with no means of exfiltration and no evidence of the truth of his loyalty when an assassin's shot to the head puts Lynch into a coma. That's just where the story begins. That's a slight oversimplification of the setup, but it gets more interesting from there. Carver kills members of his own agency (formerly those earmarked as 'expendable' by I.O., but now without Lynch controlling operations, inculpable government agents) with impunity both to save his own skin and to maintain his cover (which amounts to the same thing), but surrounded by both those he's being manipulated by, and those he's manipulating, and with no one to trust, he begins to question his true purpose and identity, and whether he's actually become the very "bad guy" he's pretending to be... and who is the worse manipulator, his agency boss Lynch, or Tao, the head of the terrorist syndicate. Things are further complicated by his relationship to other metahuman members of the terrorist syndicate with whom he must work, all of whom are interesting characters with a fleshed-out backstory, and the mind games he must play against Tao to remain in his good graces, constantly on guard that his true status as a double agent will be uncovered. Setting the story in the Wildstorm Universe of costumed metahuman heroes and villains, most of whom are viewed from a distance and from the perspective of a seedy underbelly world filled with moral gray tones, gives this series a unique ambiance.

ELEPHANTMEN #33 & 56 [Image Comics 2011, 2014] - I read these two issues because they were both drawn by Shaky Kane, one of my favorite current artists.

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES #1-6 (of 6)[IDW 2014] - Prequel to the 2014 film, which I also re-watched, before going to see War for the Planet of the Apes. The film was excellent, the comic merely okay.

FATMAN THE HUMAN FLYING SAUCER #3 [Lightning Comics 1967] - By Otto Binder & C.C. Beck. It did not catch on like their earlier work on Captain Marvel in the 1940s, and this was the final issue. Jughead would have liked this gourmand hero, who often has food-related plot devices in his stories, and a never-ending stream of food-based exclamatory phrases.

BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #255
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 18, 2017, 08:42:43 AM
I haven't read any in a while because I'm coloring a lot so today I will read.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 18, 2017, 09:51:26 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on July 17, 2017, 08:12:12 PM
No Boo the worlds cutest dog?

Sorry, that's not a title I'm interested in.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 19, 2017, 01:32:39 PM
WEEK OF 07-19-17:
ASH VS. THE ARMY OF DARKNESS #1
INVINCIBLE #138 (of 144)
THE WILDSTORM #6 (of 24)
JIMMY'S BASTARDS #2
KILL THE MINOTAUR #2 (of 6)
BATMAN 66 MEETS THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1 (one-shot)
BLUE MONDAY TP VOL 03: INBETWEEN DAYS
WALT DISNEY'S COMICS & STORIES #739
DUCKTALES #0
ROM VS TRANSFORMERS: SHINING ARMOR #1
THE FOREVER WAR #6 (of 6)
BETTIE PAGE #1
KAIJUMAX: SEASON 3 #1 (of 6)
THE SHAOLIN COWBOY: WHO'LL STOP THE REIGN #4 (of 4)
ALIENS: DEAD ORBIT #3 (of 4)
THE THREE STOOGES: TV TIME #1 (one-shot)
HOPELESS SAVAGES: GREATEST HITS 2000-2010 TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 20, 2017, 02:58:10 PM
07-20-17:

IT CAME FROM... THE 50-CENT BIN !!
I'm always looking for interesting-looking and weird comics (or comix, as the case may be). All of these ones were in B&W (almost always an indicator of small circulation, for these older comics).

BLACK HOLE #1 [Kitchen Sink Press 1995] - Okay, so not particularly obscure. Pretty weird though, and difficult to describe. It got me interested enough in Charles Burns to put this on my reading list of things to pick up when I get the time. While no explanations were forthcoming in this issue for the somewhat hallucinogenic goings-on, it still felt complete enough in itself as a single issue, and managed to evoke a certain ambiance.

URBAN LEGENDS #1 [Dark Horse 1993] - Interesting collection of one- and two-page strips by a variety of creators, some well-known, some not, just as with the various legends (such as "Babysitter and the Psycho Caller", "Earwig", and "Baby in a Microwave" which are familiar, while others are lesser-known or more obscure or just totally invented). Well worth the time.

DINOSAUR BOP #1 [Fantagraphics/Monster Comics 1991] - Some kind of post-apocalyptic caveman story done in a Kirbyesque (but not slavishly so) style, with kind of a 1950s-greaser influence. It's a continued story. Too bad I didn't find any subsequent issues, as I sort of got into the story before it ended with "to be continued".

SPIDER BABY COMIX #1 [Steve Bissette/SpiderBaby Grafix 1996] - A self-published collection of some of Steve Bissette's older stories and collaborations, with about 1/4 of the comic at the back devoted to text pages (which were just as interesting, if not more so). Bissette's an iconoclastic and uncompromising creator with definite ideas about the comics biz and what's wrong with it, and he's not afraid to spell it out. More than a little self-indulgent, but I guess when you self-publish that's your right. The stories themselves were enjoyable, if somewhat unmemorable, as shorts often are.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 20, 2017, 06:23:26 PM
Moving on to DC titles:


First, the Batman related titles


All Star Batman
Batgirl
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey
Batman
Batman and Elmer Fudd
Batman Beyond
Batman TMNT Adventures
Batwoman
Detective Comics
Nightwing

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 21, 2017, 10:33:17 AM
INCOGNITO: THE CLASSIFIED EDITION HC
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 23, 2017, 09:50:51 AM
I haven't read any in a while because I'm coloring a lot so today I will read.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 23, 2017, 01:41:04 PM
07/21-07/23:

CRIMINAL: THE DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 01 (collects the stories Coward, Lawless, and The Dead and the Dying)
CRIMINAL: THE DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 02 (collects the stories Bad Night, The Sinners and The Last of the Innocent)
SAVAGE SWORD OF CRIMINAL (magazine-format one-shot, 2015)
DEADLY HANDS OF CRIMINAL (magazine-format one-shot, 2016)

THE FADE OUT: THE DELUXE EDITION HC (collects issues #1-12)

CRIMINAL is a "Mature Audiences" crime noir series by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Except for the 2 magazine-size one-shots, I had not previously read any of the stories in floppy comic format. The 2 magazine one-shots are homages/metacomics stories that juxtapose a hard-boiled crime story taking place in the 1970s with pages out of a black & white magazine comic imitative of the style of comics published by Marvel (Savage Sword of Conan, Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu) in that same time period, by showing someone in the story reading the comic, then cutting to multi-page homages to comics done in that style. The two Deluxe Edition hardcovers also contain metacomics (a comic within the comic story that somehow relates to events in the framing story). Bad Night has as its main character a comic strip artist who draws a strip called "Frank Kafka", which is drawn in the style of Dick Tracy, but events in the strip continuity reflect the writing style of Franz Kafka.

The story that took me totally by surprise was The Last of the Innocent. It's a 4-issue story arc (originally published in 2011) that seems to take its inspiration from the "Archie Marries..." stories in LIFE WITH ARCHIE magazine that had debuted the year before. It is indeed a grim and gritty, dark and twisted tale of one "Riley Richards", who returns from the big city to his small-town home of "Brookvale" because of his father's impending death of stomach cancer. Flashbacks in the story are one-page sequences drawn in the simplified cartoony style of a teen humor comic book, which take place years earlier when Riley was in high school. This really requires a much more lengthy review which I promise to get to soon on my review page.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 24, 2017, 12:06:11 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Rehabilitating Mr. Wiggled -Volume#3
The Art Of Betty& Veronica
The Best Of Archie Comics-Book #3
Archie1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 25, 2017, 01:34:54 PM
Continuing with DC


DC/Looney Tunes crossovers - These were pretty well done
Blue Beetle
Gotham Academy
Harley Quinn
Hellblazer
Justice League
Justice League of America
Teen Titans
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman Odyssey of the Amazons
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 26, 2017, 11:55:47 AM
WEEK OF 07-26-17:
YOUR PAL ARCHIE #1
FANTOMAH #1
DETECTIVE COMICS #961
BATMAN/THE SHADOW #4 (of 6)
DOOM PATROL #7
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #7 (of 12)
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP #28
THANOS #9
X-MEN BLUE #8
SAVAGE DRAGON #225
B.P.R.D.: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW #1
THE DAMNED #3
ELEPHANTMEN #77
RICK AND MORTY #28
REVOLUTIONARIES #6
BLACK HAMMER #11
BLOOD BOWL: MORE GUTS, MORE GLORY! #2 (of 4)
MIRACULOUS: ADVENTURES OF LADYBUG & CAT NOIR #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 26, 2017, 03:21:05 PM
My purchases for the week:


DC
ACTION COMICS #984     
ALL STAR BATMAN #12   
BATGIRL #13   
BATMAN BEYOND #10
BATMAN THE SHADOW #4
BLUE BEETLE #11
DETECTIVE COMICS #961
DOOM PATROL #7
FLASH #27   
HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #25
HELLBLAZER #12   
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #11   
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #7
LOONEY TUNES #238
MOTHER PANIC #9
SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #28
SUICIDE SQUAD #22
TEEN TITANS #10
WONDER WOMAN #27

Marvel
BEN REILLY SCARLET SPIDER #5   
SPIDER-GWEN #22
STAR WARS DOCTOR APHRA #10

Action Lab
KID SHERLOCK #2
TOMBOY #12

Aftershock
NORMALS #3
ROUGH RIDERS RIDERS ON THE STORM #5

Archie
ARCHIE YOUR PAL ARCHIE #1
ARCHIE 75TH ANNIV DIGEST #12
BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #255

Dark Horse
BPRD DEVIL YOU KNOW #1   
CONAN THE SLAYER #11
JOE GOLEM OCCULT DETECTIVE OUTER DARK #3
MASS EFFECT DISCOVERY #3   
REBELS THESE FREE & INDEPENDENT STATES #5

Dynamite
NANCY DREW HARDY BOYS #5
PATHFINDER RUNESCARS #3

IDW
BACK TO THE FUTURE BIFF TO THE FUTURE #6
STAR TREK BOLDLY GO #10   

Image
PAKLIS #3
SAGA #45   
SHUTTER #30

Titan
DOCTOR WHO 10TH YEAR THREE #7   
DOCTOR WHO 11TH YEAR THREE #7   
DOCTOR WHO 9TH #14
ROBOTECH #1

Valiant
FAITH AND THE FUTURE FORCE #1
X-O MANOWAR #5

Other
DIE KITTY DIE HOLLYWOOD OR BUST SUMMER SPECIAL #1
Previews
SOLAR FLARE #4   
USAGI YOJIMBO SAGA LEGENDS LTD ED HC

Manga
ANONYMOUS NOISE GN VOL 03
HAIKYU GN VOL 13
NISEKOI FALSE LOVE GN VOL 22   
QUEEN EMERALDAS HC GN VOL 02
RIN-NE GN VOL 24
UQ HOLDER GN VOL 11   
WORLD TRIGGER GN VOL 16   

TMNT USAGI YOJIMBO    waiting for the hardcover
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on July 26, 2017, 07:48:44 PM
Quote from: rusty on July 26, 2017, 03:21:05 PM
My purchases for the week:


DC
ACTION COMICS #984     
ALL STAR BATMAN #12   
BATGIRL #13   
BATMAN BEYOND #10
BATMAN THE SHADOW #4
BLUE BEETLE #11
DETECTIVE COMICS #961
DOOM PATROL #7
FLASH #27   
HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #25
HELLBLAZER #12   
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #11   
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #7
LOONEY TUNES #238
MOTHER PANIC #9
SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #28
SUICIDE SQUAD #22
TEEN TITANS #10
WONDER WOMAN #27

Marvel
BEN REILLY SCARLET SPIDER #5   
SPIDER-GWEN #22
STAR WARS DOCTOR APHRA #10

Action Lab
KID SHERLOCK #2
TOMBOY #12

Aftershock
NORMALS #3
ROUGH RIDERS RIDERS ON THE STORM #5

Archie
ARCHIE YOUR PAL ARCHIE #1
ARCHIE 75TH ANNIV DIGEST #12
BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #255

Dark Horse
BPRD DEVIL YOU KNOW #1   
CONAN THE SLAYER #11
JOE GOLEM OCCULT DETECTIVE OUTER DARK #3
MASS EFFECT DISCOVERY #3   
REBELS THESE FREE & INDEPENDENT STATES #5

Dynamite
NANCY DREW HARDY BOYS #5
PATHFINDER RUNESCARS #3

IDW
BACK TO THE FUTURE BIFF TO THE FUTURE #6
STAR TREK BOLDLY GO #10   

Image
PAKLIS #3
SAGA #45   
SHUTTER #30

Titan
DOCTOR WHO 10TH YEAR THREE #7   
DOCTOR WHO 11TH YEAR THREE #7   
DOCTOR WHO 9TH #14
ROBOTECH #1

Valiant
FAITH AND THE FUTURE FORCE #1
X-O MANOWAR #5

Other
DIE KITTY DIE HOLLYWOOD OR BUST SUMMER SPECIAL #1
Previews
SOLAR FLARE #4   
USAGI YOJIMBO SAGA LEGENDS LTD ED HC

Manga
ANONYMOUS NOISE GN VOL 03
HAIKYU GN VOL 13
NISEKOI FALSE LOVE GN VOL 22   
QUEEN EMERALDAS HC GN VOL 02
RIN-NE GN VOL 24
UQ HOLDER GN VOL 11   
WORLD TRIGGER GN VOL 16   

TMNT USAGI YOJIMBO    waiting for the hardcover


Yay manga. I've been reading tons of that lately.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 26, 2017, 10:33:29 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on July 26, 2017, 07:48:44 PM

Yay manga. I've been reading tons of that lately.

I usually get anywhere from 10 to 20 volumes each month.  I'm way behind in my reading, but I plan to start getting caught up with the manga once I get caught up with the regular comics.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 27, 2017, 04:15:12 AM
I should have that second volume of Leiji Matsumoto's QUEEN EMERALDAS by next week. English-language translations of older manga are rare, so it's always an event when one comes along. So now we at least have a translation of Matsumoto's spinoff character from SPACE PIRATE CAPTAIN HARLOCK, but still no translation of Matsumoto's original Harlock manga that preceded it. I'll never be able to figure out the thinking of the companies doing these adaptations. It stands to reason that Harlock is the better-known character, so you'd think if a business agreement was reached between an English-language manga publisher (even if it is the Japanese publisher Kodansha) and Matsumoto, they'd begin with his best-known series in the English-speaking world, starting with Space Battleship Yamato and Space Pirate Captain Harlock. Viz reprinted 5 volumes of an English translation of Matsumoto's next best-known series, the 18-volume Galaxy Express 999, but that's been about it for English translations of his major works.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 27, 2017, 02:24:29 PM
Been reading some webcomics. DICK TRACY dailies and Sundays from 2012-2013 by Joe Staton and Mike Collins at gocomics.com/dicktracy, and EVIL INC. from 2006 (mostly daily) by Brad Guigar at evil-inc.com/archive/.

Yes, the pages are slow to load because of all the annoying ads. That's entirely by design. You get something for free, but you either get it in small, "wait-for-it" measured doses, or you decide it's worth paying for a "hurry-it-up" digital download collection. They're really meant to be read as they're posted, one per day. If you do it that way, you bookmark the page, and once a day you're in, you're out, you move on. I'm convinced that's entirely the right model for digital comics. Digital floppy singles are not. There's no incentive to buy those unless you're already a fan of them through prior reading, but there's no free bait, no lure to get you hooked. Online is free but slow, not conducive to immersive reading. If the comic you're reading hooks you, and starts reeling you in as a reader, you are a fish on a line, fighting the desire to read these webcomics faster, without annoying ads and waiting for pages to load, so you break down and spend a few bucks for a digitally-downloaded collection, or a few bucks more for a print copy. Or you're fine with the casual "read-a-few-then-call-it-quits-for-now" experience.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on July 27, 2017, 07:35:56 PM
Haven't been able to get into any webcomics. It feels like they're making it up as they go along. I prefer strong narratives. Like someone writes a page then passes it onto someone else and so on. It's too disjointed for me even when I read a bunch of days at once.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 28, 2017, 12:35:13 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on July 27, 2017, 07:35:56 PM
Haven't been able to get into any webcomics. It feels like they're making it up as they go along. I prefer strong narratives. Like someone writes a page then passes it onto someone else and so on. It's too disjointed for me even when I read a bunch of days at once.

That's because the rhythm of the daily (or X-times weekly) strip is a different discipline -- they're really not meant to be read in clumps. Each strip has to deliver something as a single unit, but to the degree that there's continuity there is some overlap where information gets repeated. There's nothing stopping someone from serializing a regular comic book story one-page-a-day, but you don't really get anything out of reading them that way. Regular comic books aren't written that way at all, so they usually read terribly that way, one page a day.

Daily strip continuities can have strong narratives if the story is planned and paced out in advance, but they still have to perform the double duty of delivering something with each daily strip. Because the reading experience is cheap (or free) and casual, the storyline has a chance to gradually draw a reader in and involve them in a more serious way. Regular comic books don't do that because there's no casual reading phase before committing your $3-4 for a 20-page chapter. You just roll the dice based on someone else's reviews and take a gamble, but the same criticism applies to serialized periodical comic books versus original graphic novels that are meant to be read as a complete unit, not in chapter installments. Stories have to be structured somewhat differently to be broken down into regular 20-page chapters where the reader doesn't get to move on to the next chapter until a month later.

Innumerable interviews with creators prove that the "making it up as you go along" principle largely applies to most series fiction (regardless of the frequency of publication) as well as to daily strips. It varies greatly from creator to creator, but many reveal that the story they set out to tell took unexpected turns over time during the process of writing and drawing that were never planned. Letting a story evolve organically during the process of working to a deadline can sometimes produce fortuitous results, and sometimes not. Some creators prefer to hold themselves to a well-organized structure of pre-planned story beats, while others have no more than a very general sense of direction and certain ideas they want to incorporate, and they prefer to let the story unfold during the actual scripting/drawing phase with more spontaneity. We often read anecdotes about characters "writing themselves" or continuities taking twists different that what the author originally had in mind, in the process of creating them.

Historically speaking (ignoring the current popularity of archival hardcover reprints) daily strips were always subjected to an editing process to read better when reprinted in a collected format. Panels were dropped to eliminate redundancies (or sometimes added, or the art was extended in an existing panel) or resized, text captions were dropped or added, dialogue in balloons sometimes altered. That's exactly what Brad Guigar does with his print collections of the EVIL INC. ANNUAL REPORT to make the story flow smoother in collected format.

The problem with serialized periodical comic books (whether in digital or print form) is the question of how do you get someone who's never read the comic to gamble $3-4 on it? If you're familiar with the creator(s') previous body of work, that's one thing, or if the characters are at least familiar to some degree, even if the particular story or creative team isn't. Then there are reviews. But there's still no means of mass exposure to create a desire for the product, a fact compounded when the creative team and/or characters are unfamiliar to the consumer. There's no "try before you buy", and even worse, you have to be looking for the comic (in a comic shop or online) in the first place. Webcomics share the latter problem to the degree of -- how do you discover them in the first place?, but once you do, at least you get to take it for a trial spin. It's a real problem with only about 2000 or so comic book stores in North America, and it's one of the things FCBD and Halloween ComicFest are trying to address, but those "free trial" comics are only available a couple of days a year out of 365, and not every series gets a freebie issue. Archie Comics has digital freebies, which is really helpful in conjunction with a small group of characters that share a "house style" of art and writing. The wider comics market has a real diversity of styles in art, writing and story concepts, but since comics aren't cheap, that makes blind sampling too risky for most consumers.

Dedicated comic shops and the non-returnable direct market came into existence as a haven for the cognoscenti, the experienced and pre-sold buyer, typically a knowledgeable reader/collector with distinct (if narrow) preferences and tastes who was willing to devote significant effort to the hobby. Once the mass-distributed, cheap & disposable comic book withdrew from exposure to the public in the retail establishments of the wider culture, casual readership of comics was decimated and the comics publishing industry changed in ways that made the medium less accessible and less welcoming to newcomers, particularly with the shrinking of the market for all-ages comics, which the comics publishing industry depended on for the seeding of the next generation of comic book consumers. The more typical neophyte entering the world of comics reading/collecting today is likely to need some sort of older or more experienced relative or friend as a mentor/guide if it's going to turn out to be more than a passing interest.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on July 28, 2017, 06:31:07 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on July 27, 2017, 07:35:56 PM
Haven't been able to get into any webcomics. It feels like they're making it up as they go along. I prefer strong narratives. Like someone writes a page then passes it onto someone else and so on. It's too disjointed for me even when I read a bunch of days at once.
Two that you might want to take a look at: Flipside, and Sandra and Woo. Very good, longstanding web comics to me. There's also GPF....
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 29, 2017, 03:39:16 AM
Quote from: SAGG on July 28, 2017, 06:31:07 PM
Very good, longstanding web comics to me. There's also GPF....

GPF? ???  Link?


As an aside, by FAR the biggest issue that I have with digital comics is that the basic page dimensions of a floppy comic were never designed for reading in a digital format. The default "real estate" of a true digital comic is the landscape-mode page/screen, the same as computer and television monitors. Print format comics are exactly the opposite, using portrait mode "display" for their page composition, so any page composition that stacks tiers of panels taller than they are wide is automatically crap by definition for reading on a monitor display. Tablets can compensate for portrait mode, but any screen display that is smaller diagonally than a standard-format floppy comic is automatically inferior. Desktop monitors can display the portrait mode page if they're at least as tall as a standard floppy, but either there's a lot of wasted screen real estate or the display needs to be 2 pages side by side. Either way the two formats are just plain incompatible for dividing into panels in such a way that they'll still read left-to-right, up-to-down in both the portrait and landscape format unless you adopt a very rigid, unvarying grid of same-sized rectangular panels that can be stacked in different ways for either format. I don't want wasted screen real estate, I don't want a 2-column (2 side-by-side pages) screen, and I don't want to pan, scroll or zoom the page, either -- just a single click or swipe to go on to the next page. The basic default layout of the single page is incompatible between the two mediums of floppy print comic and digital comic. Digital comics' natural analog to print comics is the Sunday newspaper comics section half-page format. There's nothing you can do with older comic book art that's just being scanned in the digital age, but newer comics being created now need to fit a landscape page format before I'll adopt them. In short, my disdain of digital comics is based on the fact that they are virtual "fake" floppy comics -- comics which were never created by design for their native display format, the landscape-mode monitor. Until that changes they'll always be inferior to comics that were designed for the printed page, and the only real use I'll have for digital comics are for those comics I essentially cannot get by any other means: webcomics, English-language scanslations of manga not otherwise available in English, and older public domain comics which would be prohibitively expensive (if you could even find them) to collect as back issues.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 29, 2017, 09:51:10 AM
GPF    http://www.gpf-comics.com


Moving on to the rest of the DC titles and then I'll be almost up to date.  Just the Free Comic Book Day titles and what has accumulated in the last couple of weeks will be left.


Astro City
Everafter
Frostbite
Red Thorn
Unfollow
Flintstones
Future Quest
Scooby Doo (several titles)
Batman '66 Meets Wonder Woman '77

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 29, 2017, 10:56:23 AM
Quote from: rusty on July 29, 2017, 09:51:10 AM
GPF    http://www.gpf-comics.com


Moving on to the rest of the DC titles and then I'll be almost up to date.  Just the Free Comic Book Day titles and what has accumulated in the last couple of weeks will be left.


Astro City
Everafter
Frostbite
Red Thorn
Unfollow
Flintstones
Future Quest
Scooby Doo (several titles)
Batman '66 Meets Wonder Woman '77

Thanks Rusty. After all of that, you still have time to read webcomics as well? I suppose it helps that you don't have to work during school vacations. Did you get Batman '66 Meets the Legion?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 29, 2017, 12:33:48 PM
I actually don't read any webcomics at this time, though I'd heard of GPF.  I have purchased a few kickstarter collections of webcomics such as The Meek, Sorcery 101 and Widdershins.


I did buy the Batman '66/Legion comic, but haven't read it yet.  That will be part of the catch up with comics that have come in over the past couple of weeks.  I usually get caught up with comics shortly before going back to school.  I also have a ton of manga volumes and graphic novels/trades that I"m way behind on and won't be caught up on any time soon.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on July 29, 2017, 08:51:09 PM

Quote from: rusty on July 29, 2017, 12:33:48 PM
I actually don't read any webcomics at this time, though I'd heard of GPF.  I have purchased a few kickstarter collections of webcomics such as The Meek, Sorcery 101 and Widdershins.


I did buy the Batman '66/Legion comic, but haven't read it yet.  That will be part of the catch up with comics that have come in over the past couple of weeks.  I usually get caught up with comics shortly before going back to school.  I also have a ton of manga volumes and graphic novels/trades that I"m way behind on and won't be caught up on any time soon.
Yes, thank you for providing the GPF link as well. I'm just now getting here.....
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 30, 2017, 02:39:00 AM
7/28-7/30:
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE BACK-TO-SCHOOL ANNUAL #27
THE SEARCHERS TP VOL 02: APOSTLES OF MERCY
TIME LINCOLN: FATE OF THE UNION TP
TRUMP VS. TIME LINCOLN #1 (one-shot)
VALERIAN: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION HC VOL 01
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 30, 2017, 09:24:46 AM
I haven't read any in a while because I'm coloring a lot so today I will read.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 31, 2017, 10:11:20 AM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #242 & #247
Jughead - Volume #2
Invincible- Volume #12- Still Standing
Blankets
And I finished Last Look
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 01, 2017, 06:30:51 PM
Today, August 1st:
STREET FIGHTER SWIMSUIT SPECIAL 2017 (one-shot)
LOBSTER JOHNSON: MANGEKYO (one-shot)
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: HERO KILLERS #3
SUPER SECRET ROBOT CLUB #1
GALAKTIKON #1
(of 6)
HILLBILLY #7 - in 3-D! (glasses not included)
NEW GODS SPECIAL #1 (one-shot)
LOONEY TUNES #238
STAR TREK: WAYPOINT #6
(of 6)
PREDATOR HUNTERS #4 (of 5)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 02, 2017, 09:44:44 AM
I'll read in a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 02, 2017, 12:35:57 PM
GHOST STATION ZERO #1 (of 4)
SLASHER #3
JOHN CARPENTER'S TALES OF SCIENCE FICTION: VAULT #1 (of 3)
QUEEN EMERALDAS HC GN VOL 01

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 08, 2017, 07:14:04 AM
QUEEN EMERALDAS HC GN VOL 02 (Kodansha 2017) Here's hoping for a reprint of the original Captain Harlock manga someday, although Kodansha doesn't have those rights.

Eternal Wanderer EMERALDAS: The Children of Eden #1-4 (Eternity Comics 1990) Not bad as Eternity titles go. This was one of their better ones.

MONSTERS: MARVEL MONSTERBUS HC VOL 01 (Marvel 2017) - Well, they've now reprinted every Jack Kirby pre-Marvel superhero SF/fantasy story in this (and a second volume) HC collection, but they did leave out a few giant monster stories which Kirby didn't draw. Hopefully someday Steve Ditko will get a similar comprehensive reprinting of SF/fantasy pre-superhero stories from Marvel. They did release a complete AMAZING FANTASY OMNIBUS a few years back, which was all Ditko stories, but that by no means represents the bulk of his contributions to the pre-Marvel Age fantasy titles.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 09, 2017, 07:21:00 AM
I'll try to read today because I already did my workout.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 09, 2017, 06:24:56 PM
I finished Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #242
And I also read these books for 12 minutes each
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #247
Archie & Pals & Gals Double Digest # 135
Reggie & Me #4 & #5
Rehabilitating Mr. Wiggled - Volume #3
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 09, 2017, 07:40:30 PM
08-09-17:
NEWSBOY LEGION & BOY COMMANDOS SPECIAL #1
MISTER MIRACLE #1 (of 12)
DETECTIVE COMICS #962
THE PHANTOM: PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S MISSION #1 (of 5)
THE SHADOW #1
GREEN HORNET '66 MEETS THE SPIRIT #2 (of 5)
THE GREATEST ADVENTURE #4 (of 9)
ASH VS. THE ARMY OF DARKNESS #2
KILL OR BE KILLED #11
VIOLENT LOVE #7
FREEWAY FIGHTER #4 (of 4)


Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 17, 2017, 05:32:19 AM
WEEK OF 08-16-17:
SILVER SURFER #13 (of 14)
X-MEN BLUE #9
SPY SEAL #1 (of 6)
UNCLE SCROOGE #433
ROM #12
INVINCIBLE #139
WORLD WAR TANK GIRL #4 (of 4)
KILL THE MINOTAUR #3 (of 6)
SOUTHERN BASTARDS #17
ASTRO CITY #46
DARK NIGHTS: METAL #1 (of 6)
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS SPACE GHOST #1 (of ?)
SANDMAN SPECIAL #1 (one-shot)
SHEENA #0
KISS/VAMPIRELLA #3 (of 5)
MIGHTY MOUSE #3
MICRONAUTS WRATH OF KARZA #4 (of 5)
STAR TREK TNG: THE MIRROR BROKEN #3 (of 6)
ANNO DRACULA #5 (of 5)
ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE 2 #1 (of 4)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 17, 2017, 05:45:15 PM
DANGEROUSLY CHLOE VOL. 1 (tankobon pb collection of the PixieTrix webcomic) By David Lumsdon (writer) and Cassandra Wedeking (artist) - This is my favorite of all the PixieTrix webcomics. It's a spinoff (as is Magick Chicks) of the earlier webcomic Eerie Cuties. Chloe Love is a cadet succubus, so it's her job to... collect or tempt new souls into Hell. But's she's kind of a softie at heart, so she just can't seem to bring herself to collect on a contract with a student named Teddy DeCarlo, and she decides to help him get out of his contract via the loophole of finding him a girlfriend. Well, she has good intentions, but you know what they say the road to Hell is paved with? Chloe's not the only supernatural being around, and a host of angelic characters, as well as her academy-mate succubi (BFF Pandora and arch-rival Lucretia Devotion) get involved in Teddy and his sister's life. Hardly a page goes by that there isn't some kind of joke or comical situation, and most of them are pretty damned darned funny too. Chloe's favorite expression when she's frustrated is "Oh, pitchforks!!", which I just love.

MENAGE A 3 VOL. 1 (tankobon pb collection of the PixieTrix webcomic) By David Lumsdon (writer) and Gisele Lagace (artist/co-writer) - Really too complicated to describe in just a few sentences, but this one's more down-to-earth with less of a fantastical angle. It's a little like "Three's Company", set in Montreal, but one of the characters, DiDi, is a French-Canadian (Quebecois) girl who reminds me a lot of Melody Valentine (although Gisele says she was inspired by Samantha Smyth, and she does have super-strength). I guess it was DiDi's fractured franglais that reminded me of how Melody mixes up her quotations and aphorisms. I found it a little hard to get into as a webcomic at first, and liked it better reading it in book form, but part of that might be because it's the second time around reading the strips in this first volume. I'll probably wind up getting the subsequent volumes sometime.

B & V FRIENDS FALL ANNUAL DIGEST #255 - What, no Josie stories?? And no Cheryl Blossom either!! There's 23 pages of Andrew Pepoy's post-millennial version of Katy Keene though, and a 5-page Suzie story by Samm Schwartz, and a 6-page Ginger story by Harry Lucey. There were a fair number of B&V stories by Kathleen Webb, which I always enjoy, plus another reprint of one of my favorite Dan Parent Veronica stories, "Drama Queen", where Ronnie takes on the Bard by rewriting Romeo and Juliet to update it for modern teens. "What a train wreck!! You want to leave, but you can't turn away!" The lead story by Dan P. and Bill Galvan, "Don't Test My Patience!" is pretty funny up to a point, but kind of left me hanging in the last two panels. Seems like it could have gone on another page or two.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 20, 2017, 12:16:18 AM
I read Riverdale #5. Are Reggie & Josie really gonna act like that on Riverdale? And why did they make Reggie have a car dealership, his dad always worked at a Newspaper.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 20, 2017, 01:11:38 PM
I read these books for 15 minutes each
The Art Of Betty & Veronica
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
World Of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #41
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on August 20, 2017, 11:31:27 PM
I've been catching up on manga for the past week:


Anonymous Noise 1-3
Platinum End 1-3
Your Name 1
Say I Love You 17
Boruto 1
My Love Story 12
My Neighbor Seki 9
Oresama Teacher 22
Skip-Beat 3
Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess 1
Food Wars 17-19
World Trigger 15-16
Haikyu 13-14
Ubel Blatt 8
Btooom 16-17
Attack on Titan 21-22
Kuroko's Basketball 13-14
The Crater
ERased 1-2
Under the Air
Tokyo  Ghoul 11-14
Cells at Work 3-4
Golden Kamuy 1
Ultraman 7-8
Blood Alone 7-8 (online)

I've still got quite a few more in my backlog, unfortunately, but I'm going to see what kind of progress I can make before school starts back up again.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 21, 2017, 03:24:24 AM
Quote from: rusty on August 20, 2017, 11:31:27 PM
I've been catching up on manga for the past week:


Anonymous Noise 1-3
Platinum End 1-3
Your Name 1
Say I Love You 17
Boruto 1
My Love Story 12
My Neighbor Seki 9
Oresama Teacher 22
Skip-Beat 3
Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess 1
Food Wars 17-19
World Trigger 15-16
Haikyu 13-14
Ubel Blatt 8
Btooom 16-17
Attack on Titan 21-22
Kuroko's Basketball 13-14
The Crater
ERased 1-2
Under the Air
Tokyo  Ghoul 11-14
Cells at Work 3-4
Golden Kamuy 1
Ultraman 7-8
Blood Alone 7-8 (online)

I've still got quite a few more in my backlog, unfortunately, but I'm going to see what kind of progress I can make before school starts back up again.

How's Cells At Work? I was thinking about trying that, since the art looked good and the concept seemed interesting.

Is the new Ultraman really that good? I'm a big fan of classic Ultraman, but after flipping through one of the early volumes of the reboot, it just seemed way too grim for me. Other people have told me it's good, though. On the other hand, I enjoyed Urusawa's PLUTO, which rebooted the classic Tezuka Astroboy story "The World's Greatest Robot" -- in fact it turned out to be one of the best seinin manga I've ever read -- so I don't know...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 21, 2017, 03:38:57 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on August 20, 2017, 12:16:18 AM
And why did they make Reggie have a car dealership, his dad always worked at a Newspaper.

Reggie had a car dealership in Life With Archie/The Married Life, in the Archie Marries Veronica timeline. I'd guess that's probably where they got the idea.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on August 21, 2017, 06:12:36 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 21, 2017, 03:24:24 AM

How's Cells At Work? I was thinking about trying that, since the art looked good and the concept seemed interesting.

Is the new Ultraman really that good? I'm a big fan of classic Ultraman, but after flipping through one of the early volumes of the reboot, it just seemed way too grim for me. Other people have told me it's good, though. On the other hand, I enjoyed Urusawa's PLUTO, which rebooted the classic Tezuka Astroboy story "The World's Greatest Robot" -- in fact it turned out to be one of the best seinin manga I've ever read -- so I don't know...


I was kind of indifferent toward Cells at Work after the first two volumes, but I'm enjoying it more now.  These two volumes were fun.  It isn't one of my favorites or anything like that, but the art is good and the story isn't too bad.  The main characters are a red blood cell who gets lost a lot when delivering oxygen and a white blood cell who isn't as mean/rough as some of the other white blood cells.


The art for Ultraman is kind of rough.  I've been enjoying the story, though.  It isn't nearly on the same level as Pluto which was great, but it isn't bad.  I've never watched the original Ultraman, but did read the various short comic series back in the 1990s.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 21, 2017, 07:31:03 AM
Quote from: rusty on August 21, 2017, 06:12:36 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 21, 2017, 03:24:24 AM

How's Cells At Work? I was thinking about trying that, since the art looked good and the concept seemed interesting.

Is the new Ultraman really that good? I'm a big fan of classic Ultraman, but after flipping through one of the early volumes of the reboot, it just seemed way too grim for me. Other people have told me it's good, though. On the other hand, I enjoyed Urusawa's PLUTO, which rebooted the classic Tezuka Astroboy story "The World's Greatest Robot" -- in fact it turned out to be one of the best seinin manga I've ever read -- so I don't know...


I was kind of indifferent toward Cells at Work after the first two volumes, but I'm enjoying it more now.  These two volumes were fun.  It isn't one of my favorites or anything like that, but the art is good and the story isn't too bad.  The main characters are a red blood cell who gets lost a lot when delivering oxygen and a white blood cell who isn't as mean/rough as some of the other white blood cells.


The art for Ultraman is kind of rough.  I've been enjoying the story, though.  It isn't nearly on the same level as Pluto which was great, but it isn't bad.  I've never watched the original Ultraman, but did read the various short comic series back in the 1990s.

Actually, now that I've taken a peek at it, Platinum End looks like a pretty good superhero-y manga. I haven't read Death Note yet, but would I like Platinum End if I like things like Saint Seiya, Devilman, Guyver, Zetman, Tiger & Bunny?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on August 21, 2017, 11:58:23 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 21, 2017, 07:31:03 AM
Actually, now that I've taken a peek at it, Platinum End looks like a pretty good superhero-y manga. I haven't read Death Note yet, but would I like Platinum End if I like things like Saint Seiya, Devilman, Guyver, Zetman, Tiger & Bunny?


I haven't read Saint Seiya, Devilman or Zetman and it has been a long time since I read Guyver.  I like Tiger & Bunny, but it doesn't really compare to Platinum End too much.  I think Platinum End is more serious, though it does have elements of humor at times.  God has decided to abdicate so 13 angels each pick a person who has given up on life and give them either wings (so they can fly really fast), red arrows (to make someone love them and follow their suggestions for 33 days) or white arrows (instant death).  Higher rank angels can give 2 or 3 of the above.  One of these candidates will be chosen to become  the new god in 999 days.


At least one of the chosen decides that killing off the other candidates is a good way to become the new god.  It isn't really a superhero manga, though a 'superhero' does play a role since one of the candidates sets himself up as one.  It isn't as intense as Death Note, but does have some of the same elements.  As for Death Note, I loved the first 6.5 volumes, didn't like it that much for a couple of volumes and then it got better again toward the end.  I thought the first 6.5 volumes were among the best manga that I've read.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 21, 2017, 01:17:11 PM
Quote from: rusty on August 21, 2017, 11:58:23 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 21, 2017, 07:31:03 AM
Actually, now that I've taken a peek at it, Platinum End looks like a pretty good superhero-y manga. I haven't read Death Note yet, but would I like Platinum End if I like things like Saint Seiya, Devilman, Guyver, Zetman, Tiger & Bunny?


I haven't read Saint Seiya, Devilman or Zetman and it has been a long time since I read Guyver.

Zetman hasn't had an authorized English translation as yet, and precious little of Go Nagai's Devilman (3 issues from Verotik in the 90s -- but more is on the way from Seven Seas). Saint Seiya had a long English tankobon series from Viz under its alternate English title Knights of the Zodiac, but all of these have been turned into anime movies, OVAs or series (some all three) so I thought you'd be familiar with at least some version of the stories. Masakazu Katsura's Zetman and T&B are both more recent and are more overt homages to American-style superheroes, but they are all some Japanese variant of standard superheroes.

Some aspects of Saint Seiya and Devilman don't sound too far off from Platinum End -- they're "superheroes" of the mythological/SF/cosmic variety, with powerful ancient forces vying against each other. Given your wide range of Japanese genres over several decades, I'm amazed that you wouldn't be familiar with the basic story concepts of at least most of them. Or do you not watch anime? I guess I'm surprised because it seems like you're reading about ten times the amount of manga I am, but maybe that doesn't leave much time for watching anime.

Platinum End sounds right up my alley, and the art passes my eyeball test, so it's on my list now. Thanks, Rusty.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on August 21, 2017, 02:14:42 PM
I'm familiar with the names of the titles you mentioned, but I just never was interested in reading them.  I did read Mazinger by Go Nagai when First published it in English.  I've seen the Knights of the Zodiac series plenty of times, but didn't try it out.  I don't really watch much in the way of anime outside of Studio Ghibli movies.  If you like superhero type stuff, have you watched Moldiver?  Tiger and Bunny reminded me a bit of Moldiver which had a 6 episode OVA run back in the early 1990s.  I enjoyed the series and it is one of the few anime series that I've watched.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 22, 2017, 03:36:12 PM
Quote from: rusty on August 21, 2017, 02:14:42 PM
If you like superhero type stuff, have you watched Moldiver?  Tiger and Bunny reminded me a bit of Moldiver which had a 6 episode OVA run back in the early 1990s.  I enjoyed the series and it is one of the few anime series that I've watched.

I'd heard the title, but didn't know anything about it. From what I just read on Wikipedia about it, it's more of a comedy/magical girl kind of thing, which probably explains why I hadn't caught it before. Up to recently I hadn't read/watched much of any comedy manga/anime. I pretty much stuck to shonen/seinin manga & anime of the action/adventure/SF type.

Because the PixieTrix webcomics were more or less my introduction to some manga & anime comedy genre tropes, I've been experimenting trying a few things, and found a couple that I like: Dragons Rioting (a self-described 'battle manga' and sex comedy), and Nurse Hitomi's Monster Infirmary (a rather more gentle high school comedy about a cyclops nurse at a school full of monsters, that compares somewhat with Eerie Cuties or Monster High, with some PG sexual humor). I still tend to remain picky about stuff (tried the popular Monster Musume manga, but it didn't really do anything for me), and art styles especially.

Now that I'm a little more familiar with the magical girl genre (into which I guess I could also place Go Nagai's Cutie Honey), and I see by checking that Moldiver is available on YouTube, I'll check it out.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 24, 2017, 06:39:55 AM
08-23-17:
EERIE CUTIES: THE COMIC STRIP COLLECTION
EERIE CUTIES & MAGICK CHICKS VOLS. 01-04
THE BEST OF JOSIE & PUSSYCATS TP
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP #29 (Top Cat)
MANHUNTER SPECIAL #1 (one-shot)
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #8 (of 12)
BATMAN/THE SHADOW #5 (of 6)
DETECTIVE COMICS #963
RICK & MORTY #29
BLACK HAMMER #12
STREET FIGHTER VS. DARKSTALKERS #4 (of 8 )
KAIJUMAX: SEASON 3 #2
BETTIE PAGE #2
JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE COMICS ANNUAL #27
BLOOD BOWL: MORE GUTS, MORE GLORY! #3 (of 4)
HERCULES: WRATH OF THE HEAVENS #1
DONALD & MICKEY #1
SAUCER STATE #3 (of 6)
ROM VS. TRANSFORMERS: SHINING ARMOR #2 (of 6)
STAR TREK: NEW VISIONS #17: ALL THE AGES FROZEN
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on August 24, 2017, 10:13:33 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 24, 2017, 06:39:55 AM
08-23-17:
EERIE CUTIES: THE COMIC STRIP COLLECTION
EERIE CUTIES & MAGICK CHICKS VOLS. 01-04
THE BEST OF JOSIE & PUSSYCATS TP
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP #29 (Top Cat)
MANHUNTER SPECIAL #1 (one-shot)
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #8 (of 12)
BATMAN/THE SHADOW #5 (of 6)
DETECTIVE COMICS #963
RICK & MORTY #29
BLACK HAMMER #12
STREET FIGHTER VS. DARKSTALKERS #4 (of 8 )
KAIJUMAX: SEASON 3 #2
BETTIE PAGE #2
JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE COMICS ANNUAL #27
BLOOD BOWL: MORE GUTS, MORE GLORY! #3 (of 4)
HERCULES: WRATH OF THE HEAVENS #1
DONALD & MICKEY #1
SAUCER STATE #3 (of 6)
ROM VS. TRANSFORMERS: SHINING ARMOR #2 (of 6)
STAR TREK: NEW VISIONS #17: ALL THE AGES FROZEN



How was Best of Josie? Was it reprints from the prior Best of Josie collections? Reprints from Music, Magic, and Mayhem?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 25, 2017, 01:52:40 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on August 24, 2017, 10:13:33 PM
How was Best of Josie? Was it reprints from the prior Best of Josie collections? Reprints from Music, Magic, and Mayhem?

Full review to follow in a day or two, with complete contents listing. I need some time to cross-reference the prior digital collections, but there's quite a bit of duplication of the 1969-1989 stories, including a fair number that just appeared in the ABB:MM&M collection, and 3 from the Josie & the Scaredy Cats digital collection. There are only a few stories collected here that I haven't seen reprinted before, most notably the infamous "Vengeance From the Crypt" by Frank Doyle & Stan Goldberg, from JOSIE & THE PUSSYCATS #72 (Oct. 1973)  -- unfortunately marred by having been shot directly from the actual printed comic book pages; it looks a little muddy by comparison -- and 2 stories, "Love & War" & "Maxim Mix-Up" from JOSIE & THE PUSSYCATS (1993) #2. Although reprinted before, there's a nice selection from the 2000s run of ARCHIE & FRIENDS (#52-55) of four complete stories by Holly G. The rest is filled with the usual run of Stan Goldberg & Rex Lindsey shorts (from TV LAUGH-OUT and the 2nd series of LAUGH, and later issues of A&F), plus (*sigh*) the obligatory advertisement complete reprint of JOSIE & THE PUSSYCATS #1 (2016). It was still worth the price ($9.99 cover price - cheap!) for me, to get them in print format and collected all in one place (as opposed to scattered through a digest run of B & V FRIENDS).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 26, 2017, 08:26:39 AM
I haven't read any in a while because I'm coloring a lot so today I will read.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 27, 2017, 02:43:42 PM
I haven't read any in a while because I'm coloring a lot so today I will read.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 27, 2017, 04:40:29 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie's Pals & Gals Double Digest #1
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 29, 2017, 02:40:19 AM
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY: MOTHER ENTROPY TP
MONSTER MASH: THE 1960s MONSTER CRAZE IN AMERICA HC
TIM SEELEY'S ACTION FIGURE COLLECTION TP
WHERE MONSTERS DWELL: THE PHANTOM EAGLE FLIES THE SAVAGE SKIES TP
LOONEY TUNES GREATEST HITS TP VOL 03: BEEP! BEEP!

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Ronny G on August 29, 2017, 07:22:46 AM
Sabrina Complete Collection Vol. 1 1962-1972 TP
Dark Horse's Archie Archives Prom Pranks TP Version
Various Random Archie Digests
Brenda Starr & Mary Perkins On Stage Comic Strip Reprints
Several 1970s Charlton Romance Comics I recently found at an antique mall
In the mail...
The Best of Josie and the Pussycats TP!!!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 29, 2017, 12:20:03 PM
I read
Archie #18 & #19 - Woods
The Archies One Shot- Hernandez
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 29, 2017, 06:16:24 PM
I read Archie #23 - Pitilli.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 30, 2017, 07:32:26 AM
I'll read later. I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
The Best Of Archie - 75 Years 75 Stories
Archie's Pals & Gals - Double Digest #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 30, 2017, 01:13:43 PM
08-30-17:
THANOS #10
X-MEN BLUE #10
SUPERGIRL #12
SUPERGIRL ANNUAL #1
YOUR PAL ARCHIE #2
CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA #8
BLACK MAGICK #7
SAVAGE DRAGON #226
SPACE RIDERS: GALAXY OF BRUTALITY #3 (of 4)
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: HERO KILLERS #4 (of 5)
THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT: TERROR FROM THE  EARTH'S CORE #1
DONT MEDDLE WITH MY DAUGHTER GN VOL 01 (of 3)
DARKSEID SPECIAL #1 (one-shot)
BLACK RACER & SHILO NORMAN SPECIAL #1 (one-shot)

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 03, 2017, 02:29:47 AM
TRUE BELIEVERS KIRBY 100TH BIRTHDAY $1 REPRINTS:
  GROOT!
(reprints TALES TO ASTONISH #13 & JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #63)
  THE MIGHTY THOR! (reprints JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #83 & 85)
  ANT-MAN & THE WASP (reprints TALES TO ASTONISH #27 & 44)
  IRON MAN (reprints TALES OF SUSPENSE #40 & 41)
  THOR VS. HULK! (reprints JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #112 & AVENGERS #3)   
  CAPTAIN AMERICA LIVES AGAIN! (reprints AVENGERS #4)
  THE ORIGIN OF CAPTAIN AMERICA! (reprints CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #1 & TALES OF SUSPENSE #63)
  NICK FURY, AGENT OF S.H.I.E.L.D. (reprints STRANGE TALES #135 & 141)
  THE INHUMANS! (reprints AMAZING ADVENTURES #1 & 2)
  BLACK PANTHER #1 (reprints BLACK PANTHER #1 & TALES OF SUSPENSE #98)
  ETERNALS #1
  DEVIL DINOSAUR #1


It's hard to believe that such important Marvel Kirby co-creations as the Fantastic Four and the Silver Surfer weren't represented in this series of $1 reprint comics showcasing some milestone story highlights from Jack Kirby's career, but Marvel has their own agenda for things it wants to promote, like the current Guardians of the Galaxy series and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. They refuse to even publish a Fantastic Four comic book any more, until they can get back the film rights from Fox Studios, so as a result they filled the gaps with reprints of some of Kirby's lesser oeuvre. It's all good, though. Earlier in August I'd read MONSTERS: THE MARVEL MONSTERBUS Vol. 1, an 800+ page hardcover omnibus filled with shorter (generally 8-16 pages) science fiction/giant monster stories Kirby had drawn in a flurry of creations between 1959 and 1961, any one of which could have been turned into a drive-in sci-fi movie classic. Just great, simple fun stories. Some half-dozen or so of those old Kirby monsters are still running amok in the Marvel Universe to this day (to say nothing of the Thing and the Hulk). To say that Kirby segued seamlessly from drawing monster menaces to monsters vs. superheroes (or super-monster-heroes) is no understatement. Particularly for the first few years, Stan Lee hedged his bets by including plenty of monsters in the early Marvel superhero stories, and romance subplots too, as the SF/mystery and romance comics began to give way to more and more superhero titles.

DC Comics, for its part, celebrated Jack Kirby's 100th birthday (August 28th, 1917) with a series of original 1-shot specials based on some of the characters Kirby had created during his tenure there:
NEW GODS SPECIAL #1
NEWSBOY LEGION & BOY COMMANDOS SPECIAL #1
SANDMAN SPECIAL #1
MANHUNTER SPECIAL #1
DARKSEID SPECIAL #1
BLACK RACER & SHILO NORMAN SPECIAL #1

-- Those were of varying quality, depending on the talents of the individual creators involved in the stories. My picks of the bunch were the Sandman Special, Manhunter Special, and Darkseid Special, which were more evocative of Kirby's own style of comics storytelling.

I'll be rounding out my weekend reading some lesser-known Jack Kirby works. I just cracked into The Art of Simon & Kirby HC and the Kirby 100 trade collection of art and essays yesterday, and will hopefully try to finish those off before next Wednesday's comics arrive.
JACK KIRBY'S IN THE DAYS OF THE MOB HC
JACK KIRBY'S SPIRIT WORLD HC
JACK KIRBY'S SILVER STAR HC
THE ART OF SIMON & KIRBY STUDIOS HC
KIRBY 100 SC
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on September 04, 2017, 04:24:30 AM
What I can't understand is why Marvel can't get Fantastic Four going movie-wise, the same for Silver Surfer. They seem to get the other Marvel characters well...  ???
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 04, 2017, 06:13:47 AM
Quote from: SAGG on September 04, 2017, 04:24:30 AM
What I can't understand is why Marvel can't get Fantastic Four going movie-wise, the same for Silver Surfer. They seem to get the other Marvel characters well...  ???

Why? Because they don't have the movie rights. And by "they" I mean the Walt Disney Corporation, Marvel Comics' parent company. Those rights were licensed to Fox Studios (which made a couple or three FF films in the last couple of decades) prior to Disney having purchased Marvel Comics. And believe me, they would LOVE to have those rights back NOW that Disney's Marvel Studios movie franchises of the Avengers, Iron Man, Thor, Ant-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy etc. are raking in megabucks for the Walt Disney Corporation. They're more than a little irked by the fact that they don't have those film rights. So much so, that there was a corporate directive issued "from upstairs" that directed Marvel Comics' editors to stop publishing any Fantastic Four comic books (except reprint collections), and to keep all the associated FF characters in low-profile storylines, because the parent corporation viewed that as a form of advertising a rival movie studio's product.  And that's the naked truth.

You know that Spider-Man movie that just came out a month or so back subtitled "Homecoming"? Do you know WHY it was called "Homecoming"?? Because the Walt Disney Company's Marvel Studios division just got those film rights back from the previous licensee, the Sony Corporation, which had produced all the previous Spider-Man movies. Spider-Man came "home" to Marvel's parent company, the Walt Disney Corporation, after those film rights had been locked up for years by the Sony Corporation. And that's why it's the first Spider-Man movie that characters from The Avengers can appear in.

But it makes the situation of the FF film rights even more irksome to the Walt Disney Corporation, because it's not just Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing that they're missing out on profits from, and their main associated villains like Doctor Doom. It's all of the FF's "associated characters" as stipulated in a list specified by that film rights contract -- the Silver Surfer, Galactus, and probably dozens more. When Marvel was divvying up its universe of characters for film franchise rights, they parceled them out by lists of what "family" they thought this or that character belonged to -- usually whatever comic book in which that character had made his or her first appearance, or the comic book in which the character most frequently appeared. With the Fantastic Four comic book, the first 50 or so issues were co-created by Jack Kirby, and Kirby just couldn't help creating new characters and concepts every couple of issues... so the "associated character" list of the FF family franchise is probably a lot more extensive than that of Spider-Man, at least in terms of valuable concepts that might conceivably be spun off into their own films or TV shows, or who might show up as supporting characters or villains in one of Marvel Studios' other franchise films.

And what ABOUT Fox Studios, anyway? Why can't THEY make a good Fantastic Four movie? Funny you should ask. I recently talked to Neal Adams at a comic book convention, and the topic of Fox's FF movies somehow (I can't recall how now) came up. Adams said that after Fox had made the first FF film and it flopped, someone at the studios had called him for a meeting. They wanted to solicit his opinion on what kind of story would make a good FF movie, and he told them. "There's really only ONE Fantastic Four story that anyone's going to be excited about or care about -- GALACTUS. Galactus, and the Silver Surfer. That's the only story you should be thinking about making." So they did think about it, and what resulted was the second FF movie, where Galactus is something like a giant space cloud. Adams said when he saw that, he was convinced that Fox will never make a good FF movie, because even with the comic books in their hands, no one at that studio has got a clue about what made the Fantastic Four a great comic.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on September 04, 2017, 08:29:31 AM
Sony actually still has the film rights for Spider-Man, but they are sharing them with Marvel as part of their deal, which is what allows Spider-Man to be in the Marvel cinematic universe.  The technicalities don't really mean much to the consumers/fans, but it is nice to see the two companies cooperating and the results - Spider-Man Homecoming and Spider-Mans appearance in Civil War - were pretty good.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 04, 2017, 09:19:01 AM
Quote from: rusty on September 04, 2017, 08:29:31 AM
Sony actually still has the film rights for Spider-Man, but they are sharing them with Marvel as part of their deal, which is what allows Spider-Man to be in the Marvel cinematic universe.  The technicalities don't really mean much to the consumers/fans, but it is nice to see the two companies cooperating and the results - Spider-Man Homecoming and Spider-Mans appearance in Civil War - were pretty good.

Okay, maybe I misunderstood what was going on there. So are you saying Sony produced the Spider-Man: Homecoming film, or Marvel Studios/Disney? And in either case, how does the other company make money off it, or is it some kind of profit-sharing percentage deal on paper?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 04, 2017, 10:19:02 AM
I haven't read any in a while because I'm coloring a lot so today I will read.
I finished The Best Of Archie Comics 75 Years 75 Stories
And I also read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on September 04, 2017, 06:52:53 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 04, 2017, 09:19:01 AM
Quote from: rusty on September 04, 2017, 08:29:31 AM
Sony actually still has the film rights for Spider-Man, but they are sharing them with Marvel as part of their deal, which is what allows Spider-Man to be in the Marvel cinematic universe.  The technicalities don't really mean much to the consumers/fans, but it is nice to see the two companies cooperating and the results - Spider-Man Homecoming and Spider-Mans appearance in Civil War - were pretty good.

Okay, maybe I misunderstood what was going on there. So are you saying Sony produced the Spider-Man: Homecoming film, or Marvel Studios/Disney? And in either case, how does the other company make money off it, or is it some kind of profit-sharing percentage deal on paper?


My understanding is that Sony put up the money for the film and paid Marvel Studios a fee to produce the movie.  Sony distributed the movie and kept the profits while Marvel Studios gets to use the Spider-Man character in Avengers, Captain America and other movies that are owned by Marvel.  Sony retains the rights which is why they are exploring movies for Venom, Black Cat and others.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 05, 2017, 03:08:52 PM
Quote from: rusty on September 04, 2017, 06:52:53 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 04, 2017, 09:19:01 AM
Quote from: rusty on September 04, 2017, 08:29:31 AM
Sony actually still has the film rights for Spider-Man, but they are sharing them with Marvel as part of their deal, which is what allows Spider-Man to be in the Marvel cinematic universe.  The technicalities don't really mean much to the consumers/fans, but it is nice to see the two companies cooperating and the results - Spider-Man Homecoming and Spider-Mans appearance in Civil War - were pretty good.

Okay, maybe I misunderstood what was going on there. So are you saying Sony produced the Spider-Man: Homecoming film, or Marvel Studios/Disney? And in either case, how does the other company make money off it, or is it some kind of profit-sharing percentage deal on paper?


My understanding is that Sony put up the money for the film and paid Marvel Studios a fee to produce the movie.  Sony distributed the movie and kept the profits while Marvel Studios gets to use the Spider-Man character in Avengers, Captain America and other movies that are owned by Marvel.  Sony retains the rights which is why they are exploring movies for Venom, Black Cat and others.

An interesting arrangement that would seem to benefit both companies. Seeing how Fox can't seem to figure out what to do to create a successful Fantastic Four movie franchise, perhaps they'll take a hint.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 06, 2017, 04:23:47 PM
06-06-17:
JIMMYS BASTARDS #3
KINGSMAN RED DIAMOND #1
(of 6)
STAR WARS ADVENTURES #1
ASTRO CITY #47
DASTARDLY AND MUTTLEY #1
ONE PUNCH MAN GN VOL 12
THE BLOODY CARDINAL
(OGN) by Richard Sala
CAPTAIN HARLOCK SPACE PIRATE: DIMENSIONAL VOYAGE GN VOL 01
THE BLACK BEETLE: KARA BOCEK HC
by Francesco Francavilla
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 08, 2017, 04:45:14 PM
I haven't read any in a while because I'm coloring a lot so today I will read.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 08, 2017, 06:44:09 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
The Best Of Archie Comics - Book #3
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Archie's Pals & Gals Double Digest #1

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 10, 2017, 07:13:11 AM
I took Archie #23- Thomas Pitilli's issue out of the comic frame so I just read it.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 12, 2017, 12:38:10 AM
I was hoping that maybe the latest BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST would come in the mail a few days early, but no such luck.  :(

So instead I pulled out an older 1000-Pager, ARCHIE 1000 PAGE COMICS CELEBRATION, and read that. I seem to recall that these things usually cut out out all the special character sections of the digest reprints, so I was actually kind of surprised to find that this one had a Josie and the Pussycats section reprinting both parts of "Music For the Masses", from ARCHIE & FRIENDS #48-49. That story and the 2-parter in the following two issues of A&F were the longest Josie stories (24 pages) since the 1960s, and still the longest ones to date.
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F2248328.jpg&hash=2e2e100dbf21fab2a611391ea61701b8abf68768)
...and then I had to laugh when I looked at this cover again. I mean, it's obviously a reprint of an older Dan DeCarlo gag from... who knows where.
But then someone decided to mess with the original drawing, so that the joke doesn't even make sense anymore. "What beach umbrella?", indeed? The real question here should be... "WHAT bikini???" since the girl sitting under the beach umbrella behind Archie ISN'T WEARING A BIKINI, but a one-piece swimsuit.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 12, 2017, 05:14:59 PM
09/09 - 09/12:
JUSTICE INC: FACES OF JUSTICE #2 (of 4)
TWELVE-CENT ARCHIE
GWAR ORGASMAGEDDON #3 (of 4)
PREDATOR HUNTERS #5 (of 5)
KILL OR BE KILLED #12
ASH VS. THE ARMY OF DARKNESS #3
SPY SEAL #2
UNCLE SCROOGE #434
BETTY & VERONICA COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #256*
ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #282*

*Will review later. B&VDD#256 contains yet another instance of more proof that the colorists never ever bother actually reading any of the stories they color. I've seen this happen so many times in stories that it's both embarrassing and irksome!  >:(
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 13, 2017, 01:49:14 AM
09-12-17:
SHEENA #1
THE GREATEST ADVENTURE #5 (of 9)
GREEN HORNET 66 MEETS SPIRIT #3 (of 5)
WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT: THE CORPSE MAKERS #4 (of 5)
KEVIN SMITH'S YOGA HOSERS (one-shot)
KISS/VAMPIRELLA #4 (of 5)
HELLBOY & THE B.P.R.D. 1955: OCCULT INTELLIGENCE #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 13, 2017, 02:24:02 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 12, 2017, 12:38:10 AM
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F2248328.jpg&hash=2e2e100dbf21fab2a611391ea61701b8abf68768)
...and then I had to laugh when I looked at this cover again. I mean, it's obviously a reprint of an older Dan DeCarlo gag from... who knows where.
But then someone decided to mess with the original drawing, so that the joke doesn't even make sense anymore. "What beach umbrella?", indeed? The real question here should be... "WHAT bikini???" since the girl sitting under the beach umbrella behind Archie ISN'T WEARING A BIKINI, but a one-piece swimsuit.

ANATOMY OF A JOKE GONE WRONG:

Since I located a previous use of that same cover gag where the girl under the umbrella is STILL wearing a bikini, let's compare them and try to figure out what might have happened here:
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fd1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net%2Fn_iv%2F600%2F2248328.jpg&hash=2e2e100dbf21fab2a611391ea61701b8abf68768)(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/archiedd230.888/)

On the left is the image as it was altered by the production department for use on the cover of that 1000 Page digest, and on the right is a previous appearance of the same Dan DeCarlo gag on the cover of ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #230, where the girl appears in a bikini as DeCarlo had originally drawn the gag.

However, someone decided that they needed to put a big banner across the cover of the 1000 Page digest, proclaiming "OVER 100 CLASSIC STORIES", and the placement of that banner happens to cover up umbrella girl's derriere, so someone probably looked at it and thought "If we leave it like this, it kind of looks like she might not be wearing any panties, because all you can see now is her bare belly and her bare leg. I guess maybe we should color in her bare midriff to make it look like a one-piece swimsuit." Except that colorists don't ever seem to actually READ what's on the page, so they didn't notice or care that THE JOKE HERE IS SPECIFIC TO A GIRL IN A BIKINI. If someone had noticed that, they could have still fixed it with another minute's work of alteration, like so:
(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/archie-1000-page-comics-celebration.3531/)
If you're going to remove the bikini from the girl that Veronica is referring to in the joke, then you've got to remove the word "bikini" from Veronica's dialogue balloon, or it makes it look like the people at ACP are idiots. It's still not quite as funny as the original version of the joke, though, because in the original version, the girl under the umbrella is wearing a more revealing swimsuit, a bikini, that gets Archie's attention, where Veronica is wearing a one-piece swimsuit that's less revealing. If the girl under the umbrella is also wearing a one-piece swimsuit, the same as Veronica is, there's less reason for Archie to stare at her lustily, although of course that's never stopped his wandering eyes before.


Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Ronny G on September 13, 2017, 06:48:32 PM
I thought maybe they changed the bikini to a one-piece so they wouldn't offend mothers who may buy it for their children, but you're right, do they actually read what it says?
I also got Betty and Veronica comic digest #256 in the mail today. I was happily surprised to see some classic Josie and the Pussycats stories in it since I thought they were just confined to the pages of B&V Friends, so maybe the rumors of B&V Friends ending are true and they moved Josie over. Also, happy to see some classic 70s Sabrina stories instead of the more modern (2000?) version.
Also, is it just me, or did they recently change the paper they're being printed on? The paper seems whiter and the colors "pop" more. I took a break from the digests for a few months, so this is the first one I received in a while so I don't know.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 14, 2017, 12:30:31 AM
Quote from: Ronny G on September 13, 2017, 06:48:32 PM
I thought maybe they changed the bikini to a one-piece so they wouldn't offend mothers who may buy it for their children, but you're right, do they actually read what it says?
I also got Betty and Veronica comic digest #256 in the mail today. I was happily surprised to see some classic Josie and the Pussycats stories in it since I thought they were just confined to the pages of B&V Friends, so maybe the rumors of B&V Friends ending are true and they moved Josie over. Also, happy to see some classic 70s Sabrina stories instead of the more modern (2000?) version.

I had the same initial thought. Then again, as I remarked here when I read it last month, the most recent B&V FRIENDS (#255) didn't have Josie (or Cheryl) reprints in it, as it usually had up to this point -- and in fact, Josie reprints had been a regular feature of B&V FRIENDS going all the way back to when the title was changed from BETTY AND VERONICA DIGEST back in 2011 with issue #209. The next issue of B&V FRIENDS (JUMBO COMICS), #256, the Halloween-themed issue, is scheduled to ship in 2 weeks (09/27), so maybe we'll see if it has Josie (or Cheryl) reprints in it again.

It does seem a little odd that they're trying to squeeze both Josie and Cheryl reprints into the regular BETTY AND VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST, which has always carried Sabrina reprints (in this issue, revisionist-logo'ed as HILDA and ZELDA stories). I laughed because while it's fair to say that Hilda was the focus of the first Sabrina story, she's also the focus of the second story, despite the fact that it's Zelda who appears most prominently in the 1st panel of the story. I don't think there really are any Sabrina stories revolving mostly around Zelda until we get to Sabrina's series from the 1990s. There's more proof that they didn't actually READ the story... just looked at Zelda prominently featured in the 1st panel, and decided to slap a ZELDA logo on the story.

Further proof that the production department colorists don't read what it says on the page occurs in the story where B&V participate as contestants on the TV game show "Race Around the World". In a panel introducing the other pairs of competing players, we're introduced to Lisa and Lana, who are described (in a caption appearing right above their figures in the panel) as twin sisters -- yet the colorist chose these particular incidental characters as an opportunity to "diversify" the cast of a reprinted story, and Lisa and Lana not only have different hairstyles and different-colored hair (explainable), but one twin is Caucasian, and the other twin African-American! Talk about embarassing...!! And then, it seems as though the colorist has realized his goof (but not corrected it), as Lisa and Lana both appear in the rest of the story with the same hair and (Caucasian) skin coloring.

Now, in the instance of the cover gag featuring the "umbrella girl" on the beach, I've no doubt that if I were to try finding the original appearance of that Dan DeCarlo gag, the umbrella girl, as she originally appeared, would have been Caucasian. I didn't bring it up in my prior post about the colorists altering the cover for that gag because it's completely irrelevant to the joke. The only points relevant would be that the girl on the beach under the umbrella is pretty and shapely, and that she's wearing a bikini (which might be considered the most salient point of the joke, since Veronica considers that worthy of mentioning). Her ethnicity doesn't matter to the nature of the joke -- it's exactly as relevant as whether her bikini is white with blue polka-dots, or purple with yellow polka-dots.

I have no problem at all with the idea of the production department diversifying the cast of incidental characters by choosing some of them as representatives of people of color, because I agree with the intent in principle. These digest reprints are aimed at audience of contemporary pre-teens, and I applaud ACP for wanting to make those stories more inclusive and accessible to kids of all ethnicities. All I ask is that they actually read the stories first, and apply those changes judiciously, so that the end results don't stick out like a sore thumb as obvious alterations of the original story that don't fit -- the alteration of the umbrella girl to a person of color is a good example (and the alteration of her bathing suit a poor one), while the alteration of Lisa and Lana is a bad example (in fact, one of the worst, counterproductive to the intent of including people of color). Kids are not stupid, and it's an embarassment and makes the whole company look bad when they screw it up.

In the case of archival-type reprints that are aimed at an audience of collectors, many if not most of them adults, the source material should be adhered to as originally published, for reasons of historical accuracy. A blanket disclaimer somewhere in the front of the book advising that "These stories were originally created during a time... yadda-yadda-yadda" is sufficient explanation.

For the same reason, it's dismaying when I see a reprint like "Off to a Good Start" (from JOSIE #45, Dec. 1969) in the recent BEST OF JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS trade paperback, but it's been reprinted from a later digest reprint altered by the production department so that the original text of Alexandra's dialogue balloon was re-lettered to change it -- instead of referring to her magic powers, Alexandra makes reference to having studied hypnosis on a website.

At any rate, those reprints of other girl humor features ARE the "friends" of the title B&V FRIENDS, so without them, it's just Betty and Veronica stories. I do hope they keep reprinting them, regardless of the eventual fate of B&V FRIENDS, but I'd hate to see only one B&V digest title being published.

Quote from: Ronny G on September 13, 2017, 06:48:32 PM
Also, is it just me, or did they recently change the paper they're being printed on? The paper seems whiter and the colors "pop" more. I took a break from the digests for a few months, so this is the first one I received in a while so I don't know.

Can't say that I noticed any difference in the paper quality or printing in recent months.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Ronny G on September 14, 2017, 08:09:40 AM
That reminds me of a Little Archie story I read the other day in World of Archie #53. In the story, a frustrated department store Santa Claus takes off his red hat and puts it on Veronica's head, but then the color of the hat changes to green! LOL I know its just a little nitpicky thing, but people really do notice these things!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 14, 2017, 09:41:59 AM
Quote from: Ronny G on September 14, 2017, 08:09:40 AM
That reminds me of a Little Archie story I read the other day in World of Archie #53. In the story, a frustrated department store Santa Claus takes off his red hat and puts it on Veronica's head, but then the color of the hat changes to green!

It's some kind of magical mind-control thing. Pretty sure that's how he enslaves his "helpers" to his will. Didn't you ever notice all the helpers seem to wear green hats? What's up with that?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 17, 2017, 04:18:14 PM
9/14 - 9/17:
X-MEN BLUE #11
ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE 2 #2
(of 4)
Sax Rohmer's DOPE HC (adapted by Trina Robbins)
THE ROCKY & BULLWINKLE SHOW #1
SCOOBY-DOO WHERE ARE YOU? #85
SUPERGIRL #13
DETECTIVE COMICS #964
HARLEY QUINN 25TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1
(one-shot)
BATMAN: MAD LOVE AND OTHER STORIES TP*
BATMAN: HARLEY & IVY - DELUXE EDITION HC*


*both of these include a reprint of the same 4-page (mostly) wordless story "24 Hours", written by Paul Dini, pencilled by Dan DeCarlo, and inked by Bruce Timm, in which Harley Quinn is released from Arkham Asylum, only to be returned again exactly 24 hours after her release. I think this may be the only story DeCarlo ever drew for DC Comics. Bruce Timm commented that he was so overwhelmed by the prospect of inking (one of his personal heroes) Dan DeCarlo's pencilled pages that he lightboxed the original pencil work onto new blank vellum pages while inking so he wouldn't screw them up. When he showed the finished inked pages to Dan at a convention years later, DeCarlo complimented him on what a nice job he'd done inking his pencilled work, which pleased Timm to no end.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 18, 2017, 10:26:08 AM
The Best Of Archie Comics Book #3
Archie's Pals & Gals Double Digest #1
Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 20, 2017, 04:47:14 PM
I haven't read any in a while because I'm coloring a lot so today I will read.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 21, 2017, 01:49:23 AM
09-20-17:
BUG: THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #4 (of 6)
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS SPACE GHOST #2 (of ?)
WONDER WOMAN '77/BIONIC WOMAN #6 (of 6)
WONDER WOMAN/CONAN #1 (of 6)
ACTION COMICS #987
DARK NIGHTS: METAL #2 (of 6)
DARK NIGHTS: BATMAN THE RED DEATH #1 (one-shot)
BATMAN: BATMAN DAY 2017 SPECIAL EDITION #1
HARLEY QUINN: BATMAN DAY 2017 SPECIAL EDITION #1
DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: BATMAN DAY 2017 SPECIAL EDITION #1
RICK & MORTY: POCKET LIKE YOU STOLE IT #3 (of 5)
BLACK HAMMER #13
MICRONAUTS: WRATH OF KARZA #5 (of 5)
STREET FIGHTER VS DARKSTALKERS #5 (of 8 )
KAIJUMAX: SEASON 3 #3 (of 6)
BLOOD BOWL: MORE GUTS, MORE GLORY #4 (of 4)
WOLFENSTEIN #1 (of 2)
INFINI-T FORCE GN VOL 01: ARC TO THE FUTURE
DRAGONS RIOTING GN VOL 01-07
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on September 22, 2017, 07:22:18 PM
Check this one out, DR. It's on a future issue. And the story behind it is quite interesting. The Galaxy Trio apparently started out as villains, but Space Ghost turned them into good guys! I like the new subplots the writers are giving the HB superheroes....
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 28, 2017, 01:56:55 AM
09-27-17:
THANOS #11
WONDER WOMAN #31
ACTION COMICS #988
DETECTIVE COMICS #965
BATMAN/THE SHADOW #6 (of 6)
BATMAN IN NOIR ALLEY (one-shot)
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #9 (of 12)
SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #30
LOONEY TUNES #239
MIGHTY MOUSE #4 (of 5)


Still wondering when my last issue of ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE DOUBLE DIGEST #28 will arrive to complete my subscription to that title...  :-\
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 29, 2017, 07:47:40 AM
I'll read soon. I read these books for 12 minutes each
Riverdale Digest #1
Betty & Veronica Double Digest #214
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #247
B & V Friends Double Digest #233
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 07, 2017, 12:33:14 AM
WEEK OF 10-04-17:
PUNISHER: PLATOON #1 (of 6)
SPIRITS OF VENGEANCE #1 (of 5)
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: HERO KILLERS #5 (of 5)
HACK/SLASH VS VAMPIRELLA #1 (of 5)
THE SHADOW/BATMAN #1 (of 6)
BATMAN THE MURDER MACHINE #1 (one-shot)
BATMAN THE DAWNBREAKER #1 (one-shot)
HILLBILLY #8
THREE STOOGES HALLOWEEN STOOGETACULAR (one-shot)
PINK PANTHER PINK ANNIVERSARY (one-shot)
THE DAMNED #4
BLACK MAGICK #8
SOUTHERN BASTARDS #18
RICK & MORTY #30
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA: OLD MAN JACK #1
CAPTAIN KRONOS, VAMPIRE HUNTER #1
SAUCER STATE #4 (OF 6)
SKULL ISLAND BIRTH OF KONG #3

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on October 07, 2017, 03:43:49 PM

Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 28, 2017, 01:56:55 AM
09-27-17:
THANOS #11
WONDER WOMAN #31
ACTION COMICS #988
DETECTIVE COMICS #965
BATMAN/THE SHADOW #6 (of 6)
BATMAN IN NOIR ALLEY (one-shot)
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #9 (of 12)
SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #30
LOONEY TUNES #239
MIGHTY MOUSE #4 (of 5)


Still wondering when my last issue of ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE DOUBLE DIGEST #28 will arrive to complete my subscription to that title...  :-\
And on that note, I noticed that the newest World of Archie and Jughead with Archie double digests are already out at the grocery store ahead of the digital site. Interesting....
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 08, 2017, 05:58:52 AM
Quote from: SAGG on October 07, 2017, 03:43:49 PM
And on that note, I noticed that the newest World of Archie and Jughead with Archie double digests are already out at the grocery store ahead of the digital site.

You know, I can't remember when I've actually seen them anywhere for sale in a grocery store. Nowhere in recent memory, although I seem to have some distant recollection of seeing them there sometime when I was much younger. Or maybe I'm just not shopping at the right food chains.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 09, 2017, 07:28:14 AM
NURSE HITOMI'S MONSTER INFIRMARY GN VOL. 2 & 4
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 09, 2017, 04:43:34 PM
I finally read The Entertainment Weekly with Riverdale on the cover & The TV Guide Comic Con issue with the Riverdale issue that came inside. I also read Jughead Volume #2 & Archie Day By Day & Rehabilitating Mr. Wiggles - Volume #3
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on October 09, 2017, 05:45:10 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 08, 2017, 05:58:52 AM
Quote from: SAGG on October 07, 2017, 03:43:49 PM
And on that note, I noticed that the newest World of Archie and Jughead with Archie double digests are already out at the grocery store ahead of the digital site.

You know, I can't remember when I've actually seen them anywhere for sale in a grocery store. Nowhere in recent memory, although I seem to have some distant recollection of seeing them there sometime when I was much younger. Or maybe I'm just not shopping at the right food chains.
I shopped at Harris Teeter....
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on October 11, 2017, 07:43:37 PM
B&V Friends #256 - Hardly any Halloween stories. Boooo.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 16, 2017, 08:27:11 AM
I have start reading again. I'll read in a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 17, 2017, 09:52:13 PM
WEEK OF 10-11-17 to 10-17-17
WALT DISNEY COMICS & STORIES #740
BEST OF ARCHIE COMICS DLX ED HC VOL 02
WORLD OF ARCHIE COMIC DOUBLE DIGEST #72
HARLEY & IVY MEET BETTY & VERONICA #1 (of 6)
YOUR PAL ARCHIE #3 (of 5)
ARCHIE HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR #1
HCF 2017 ARCHIE'S MADHOUSE MINICOMIC
HCF 2017 DONALD DUCK'S HALLOWEEN SCREAM #2 MINICOMIC
HCF 2017 CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST MINICOMIC
ATOMAHAWK #0
FIGHTING AMERICAN #1
THE TREMENDOUS TRUMP #1 (one-shot)
WONDER WOMAN #32
DETECTIVE COMICS #966
ACTION COMICS #989
RAGMAN #1 (of 6)
HCF 2017 DC SUPER HERO GIRLS SPEC ED
HCF 2017 JUNJI ITO SHIVER
HCF 2017 BATTLE ANGEL ALITA
ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE 2 #3 (of 4)
KINGSMAN RED DIAMOND #2 (of 6)
JIMMY'S BASTARDS #4
SPY SEAL #3 (of 4)
THE VISITOR: HOW AND WHY HE STAYED TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 17, 2017, 10:41:37 PM
Today (10-17):
Both of these digests have a cover price of $6.99 -- but the B&V Halloween Annual has 192 pages, and Archie & Me Digest #1 has only 128 pages.

BETTY & VERONICA HALLOWEEN ANNUAL #257 - Despite irishmoxie's complaint over the low incidence of true Halloween stories in the B&V Annual (which is a fair assessment), the overall quality of most of these story pages is pretty high, and I'd rate the contents as being between 70-80% "above average" stories. There's a fair amount of pages of Dan DeCarlo artwork, and a fair amount of pages of Dan Parent artwork, probably a higher percentageof those two artists than found in any other digest title (and seeing as how they are among my favorite of all the regular Archie artists, that is a very good thing). Of course there are also some Stan Goldberg and Jeff Shultz stories, as you would pretty much expect in any B&V digest. It has a good amount of variety too, with Sabrina, Josie, and Cheryl Blossom stories (by Holly G) in addition to the B&V stories, and Veronica and Betty solo stories. I don't have a clue why they moved the Josie and Cheryl stories from B&V Friends, where they formerly appeared regularly, to the regular B&V title, but it only makes this a better digest title. It's true that of the 192 pages in the digest, 14 of them are advertising pages, so that leaves 178 - and out of those, 2 of them are puzzle pages, which I just glance at briefly and skip over. There's also a 2-page Halloween Quiz (from one of the old B&V Spectacular magazine-style comics) -- but I actually enjoyed reading that -- and a 5-page feature on ideas for throwing a Halloween party, illustrated by Dan Parent (again, from one of those old B&V Spec's) that actually has some pretty good ideas, if you were thinking of throwing a Halloween Bash. Ironically, the few pages of Halloween-themed stories contained here are among the weakest stories in this issue. There were 2 or 3 of the older classic reprints that I'd rate as absolute gems, however. And best of all, no pages wasted on "Little" B&V stories by Dexter Taylor - those I always skip, so this digest contains virtually no wasted pages, apart from the obligatory ads and those 2 puzzle pages (that's actually a pretty low number of puzzle pages by Annual standards).

ARCHIE AND ME COMICS DIGEST #1 - Vegan Jughead was right about this one. It's among the worst digests Archie Comics has ever published. Oh, the new 5-pager written by Dan Parent and drawn by Jeff Shultz (nice to see new stories by him, BTW) is great. When Dan writes a classic Archie story, he's on-target 90% of the time or better, and all of the returning former classic Archie artists are turning in great work, in most cases some of the best art they've ever done. It's all downhill after those first 5 pages, though. This digest had, out of its 128 pages, 10 pages of ads, so that leaves 118 pages of stories. AND 23 of those pages were devoted to "Archie Babies" -- which I flipped through and didn't read. Hey, here's an idea... why not devote 15 to 24 pages in a digest title to stories about "Octogenarian Archie & Friends"?? Sound like something you'd want to read, eh? Well, frankly... even THAT would be more interesting to me than any of the reprints involving Baby, Little, or "The New Archies" versions of the characters. It's a complete waste of paper, as far as I'm concerned. That left me with 95 pages of story, and of those, most of them are pretty run-of-the-mill. I'd say LESS THAN HALF of those pages were above average stories, so considering the cover price here, and the lack of anything compelling me to buy this, I'd rate it as an absolute "NOT BUY". About the nicest thing I can say about the reprint pages is that at least they had the courtesy to skip the puzzle pages (but they could have put 23 of them in here instead of Archie Babies, and it wouldn't have made a difference to me). If I hadn't already pre-ordered issues #2 & #3, I'd probably skip them -- and if things follow the usual pattern, I'm pretty sure those issues will ALSO be filled with 23-page "Archie Babies" sections! Am I ever glad I didn't subscribe to this! UGH!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on October 19, 2017, 03:37:27 PM
I was also disappointed in the Archie Halloween Spectacular. All recently reprinted Halloween stories I'd read before and only about 22 pages I believe. It should've been a freebie for FCBD.


Btw DeCarloRules, how did you get to read those FCBD books early?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 20, 2017, 01:50:45 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on October 19, 2017, 03:37:27 PM
I was also disappointed in the Archie Halloween Spectacular. All recently reprinted Halloween stories I'd read before and only about 22 pages I believe. It should've been a freebie for FCBD.

Btw DeCarloRules, how did you get to read those FCBD books early?

Retailers get those Halloween ComicFest books shipped to them a couple of weeks before the week of Halloween. I have an inside connection since my LCS owner is a personal friend whom I've known for 20+ years, and I help him out on a regular basis by managing his subscribers' list and pulling all the product for them, logging re-orders, and handling special requests (which amounts to less than a day's work, added up over the course of the week, with everything except the weekly folder-filling being done online from wherever I am) in exchange for getting all my comics at store cost -- which is pretty much the only reason I can afford to consume the dangerously high volume of comic-related product that I do.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on October 20, 2017, 02:14:31 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 20, 2017, 01:50:45 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on October 19, 2017, 03:37:27 PM
I was also disappointed in the Archie Halloween Spectacular. All recently reprinted Halloween stories I'd read before and only about 22 pages I believe. It should've been a freebie for FCBD.

Btw DeCarloRules, how did you get to read those FCBD books early?

Retailers get those Halloween ComicFest books shipped to them a couple of weeks before the week of Halloween. I have an inside connection since my LCS owner is a personal friend whom I've known for 20+ years, and I help him out on a regular basis by managing his subscribers' list and pulling all the product for them, logging re-orders, and handling special requests (which amounts to less than a day's work, added up over the course of the week, with everything except the weekly folder-filling being done online from wherever I am) in exchange for getting all my comics at store cost -- which is pretty much the only reason I can afford to consume the dangerously high volume of comic-related product that I do.


Now we know. Sounds like a fun job.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 20, 2017, 05:16:57 PM
My aide & I went to The Thift Store . And they had Archies #1- Joe Eisma's issue. It was still in the plastic. I bought it. I just read it.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 23, 2017, 03:39:36 AM
WEEK OF 10-18-17 to 10-23-17:
JIMMY'S BASTARDS #4
THE KINGSMAN: THE RED DIAMOND # 2
(of 6)
SPY SEAL #3 (of 4)
THE VISITOR: HOW & WHY HE STAYED TP
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS: SPACE GHOST #3
SCOOBY-DOO! WHERE ARE YOU? #86
UNDERDOG #2
SAVAGE DRAGON #227
ASTRO CITY #48
SHERLOCK FRANKENSTEIN & THE LEGION OF EVIL #1
(of 4)
HELLBOY & THE B.P.R.D. 1953 HCF 2017
GREEN HORNET '66 MEETS THE SPIRIT #4 (of 5)
THE GREATEST ADVENTURE #6 (of 8 )
SHEENA #2
KISS/VAMPIRELLA #5
(of 5)
THE CHARLTON ARROW #1
2000 AD
FCBD 2017
THE SIMPSONS' TREEHOUSE OF HORROR #23
THE TICK
FCBD 2017
THE TICK HCF 2017
GRIMM TALES OF TERROR HCF 2017
KONG: GODS OF SKULL ISLAND #1 (one-shot)
STAR TREK: NEW VISIONS #18: WHAT PAIN IT IS TO DROWN
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on October 24, 2017, 03:08:29 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 17, 2017, 10:41:37 PM
Today (10-17):
Both of these digests have a cover price of $6.99 -- but the B&V Halloween Annual has 192 pages, and Archie & Me Digest #1 has only 128 pages.

BETTY & VERONICA HALLOWEEN ANNUAL #257 - Despite irishmoxie's complaint over the low incidence of true Halloween stories in the B&V Annual (which is a fair assessment), the overall quality of most of these story pages is pretty high, and I'd rate the contents as being between 70-80% "above average" stories. There's a fair amount of pages of Dan DeCarlo artwork, and a fair amount of pages of Dan Parent artwork, probably a higher percentageof those two artists than found in any other digest title (and seeing as how they are among my favorite of all the regular Archie artists, that is a very good thing). Of course there are also some Stan Goldberg and Jeff Shultz stories, as you would pretty much expect in any B&V digest. It has a good amount of variety too, with Sabrina, Josie, and Cheryl Blossom stories (by Holly G) in addition to the B&V stories, and Veronica and Betty solo stories. I don't have a clue why they moved the Josie and Cheryl stories from B&V Friends, where they formerly appeared regularly, to the regular B&V title, but it only makes this a better digest title. It's true that of the 192 pages in the digest, 14 of them are advertising pages, so that leaves 178 - and out of those, 2 of them are puzzle pages, which I just glance at briefly and skip over. There's also a 2-page Halloween Quiz (from one of the old B&V Spectacular magazine-style comics) -- but I actually enjoyed reading that -- and a 5-page feature on ideas for throwing a Halloween party, illustrated by Dan Parent (again, from one of those old B&V Spec's) that actually has some pretty good ideas, if you were thinking of throwing a Halloween Bash. Ironically, the few pages of Halloween-themed stories contained here are among the weakest stories in this issue. There were 2 or 3 of the older classic reprints that I'd rate as absolute gems, however. And best of all, no pages wasted on "Little" B&V stories by Dexter Taylor - those I always skip, so this digest contains virtually no wasted pages, apart from the obligatory ads and those 2 puzzle pages (that's actually a pretty low number of puzzle pages by Annual standards).

ARCHIE AND ME COMICS DIGEST #1 - Vegan Jughead was right about this one. It's among the worst digests Archie Comics has ever published. Oh, the new 5-pager written by Dan Parent and drawn by Jeff Shultz (nice to see new stories by him, BTW) is great. When Dan writes a classic Archie story, he's on-target 90% of the time or better, and all of the returning former classic Archie artists are turning in great work, in most cases some of the best art they've ever done. It's all downhill after those first 5 pages, though. This digest had, out of its 128 pages, 10 pages of ads, so that leaves 118 pages of stories. AND 23 of those pages were devoted to "Archie Babies" -- which I flipped through and didn't read. Hey, here's an idea... why not devote 15 to 24 pages in a digest title to stories about "Octogenarian Archie & Friends"?? Sound like something you'd want to read, eh? Well, frankly... even THAT would be more interesting to me than any of the reprints involving Baby, Little, or "The New Archies" versions of the characters. It's a complete waste of paper, as far as I'm concerned. That left me with 95 pages of story, and of those, most of them are pretty run-of-the-mill. I'd say LESS THAN HALF of those pages were above average stories, so considering the cover price here, and the lack of anything compelling me to buy this, I'd rate it as an absolute "NOT BUY". About the nicest thing I can say about the reprint pages is that at least they had the courtesy to skip the puzzle pages (but they could have put 23 of them in here instead of Archie Babies, and it wouldn't have made a difference to me). If I hadn't already pre-ordered issues #2 & #3, I'd probably skip them -- and if things follow the usual pattern, I'm pretty sure those issues will ALSO be filled with 23-page "Archie Babies" sections! Am I ever glad I didn't subscribe to this! UGH!
Yep. Baby Archie is a joke. I think those stories were added as filler....
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 25, 2017, 06:15:32 PM
I read
Lumberjanes #29, it's their comic con issue
Deadly Class #27
Invincible #137 & #138 & #139 & # 140 & # 141
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 28, 2017, 02:36:21 PM
I read
Riverdale #1 & #2 & #3 & #4 & #5
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 02, 2017, 01:48:48 AM
10-25-17 to 11-01-17:
ARCHIE FUNHOUSE COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #28
ARCHIE HOLIDAY ANNUAL DIGEST #283
- (Includes a 6-page Doyle/DeCarlo WILBUR reprint, "Prank and File")
KILL OR BE KILLED #13
UNCLE SCROOGE #31
U.S. AVENGERS #11
SILVER SURFER #14
(final issue)
THANOS #12
PUNISHER: PLATOON #2 (of 6)
DETECTIVE COMICS #967
WONDER WOMAN #33
ACTION COMICS #990
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #10 (of 12)
SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #31
MIGHTY MOUSE #5 (of 5)
JUSTICE, INC: FACES OF JUSTICE #3 (of 4)
GWAR: ORGASMAGEDDON #4 (of 4)
GALACTIKON #2
STAR TREK TNG: THE MIRROR BROKEN #4 (of 6)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #695
WORLD OF ARCHIE CHRISTMAS ANNUAL DIGEST #73
- (Notable contents include Jughead's Time Police, Pipsqueak, & Pat the Brat.)
DEADMAN #1 (of 6)
THE JETSONS #1 (of 6)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 08, 2017, 07:04:25 AM
PLEASE TELL ME GALKO CHAN GN VOL 04
KAIJUMAX SEASON 3 #4 (of 6)
STREET FIGHTER VS DARKSTALKERS #6 (OF 8 )
THE X-FILES: JFK DISCLOSURE #1 (of 2)
DIE KITTY DIE: HOLLYWOOD OR BUST #3 (of 4)
ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN #5
HACK/SLASH VS. VAMPIRELLA #2 (of 5)
KINGSMAN: THE RED DIAMOND #3 (of 6)
FIGHTING AMERICAN #2
DETECTIVE COMICS #968
WONDER WOMAN #34
ACTION COMICS #991
MASTER OF KUNG FU #126
MOON KNIGHT #188
ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE 2 #4 (of 4)
COMIC SHOP TALES BOOK ONE: GRAND OPENING TP
DEVILMAN GRIMOIRE VOL. 1 TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 09, 2017, 05:46:34 AM
RECENT & CURRENT MANGA SERIES THAT I'M GETTING: (including some I've pre-ordered or haven't finished reading yet)

   BATTLE ANGEL ALITA (Kodansha Comics)
   CAPTAIN HARLOCK: DIMENSIONAL VOYAGE (Seven Seas)
   CUTIE HONEY A-GO-GO! (Seven Seas)
   DEATH NOTE ALL-IN-ONE EDITION (VIZ Media)
   DEVILMAN Grimiore (Seven Seas)
   DEVILMAN VS. HADES (Seven Seas)
   DON'T MEDDLE WITH MY DAUGHTER (Seven Seas)
   DRAGONS RIOTING (Yen Press)
   FRANKEN-FRAN (Seven Seas)
   INFINI-T FORCE (Udon Entertainment)
   LONE WOLF & CUB OMNIBUS (Dark Horse Manga)
   KITARO (Drawn & Quarterly)
   MEGA MAN MASTERMIX (Udon Entertainment)
   NEW LONE WOLF & CUB (Dark Horse Manga)
   NURSE HITOMI'S MONSTER INFIRMARY (Seven Seas)
   ONE PUNCH MAN (Jump Comics)
   PLEASE TELL ME! GALKO-CHAN (Seven Seas)
   SAINT SEIYA: SAINTIA SHO (Seven Seas)
   STREET FIGHTER (Udon Entertainment)
   TIGER & BUNNY (VIZ Media)
   ULTRA KAIJU ANTROPOMORPHIC PROJECT (Seven Seas)
   ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE (Marvel Comics)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 09, 2017, 10:04:05 AM
I have to start reading again. I'll read in a while. I read Archie #25 -Albuquerque
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on November 10, 2017, 12:35:20 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 09, 2017, 05:46:34 AM
RECENT & CURRENT MANGA SERIES THAT I'M GETTING: (including some I've pre-ordered or haven't finished reading yet)

   BATTLE ANGEL ALITA (Kodansha Comics)
   CAPTAIN HARLOCK: DIMENSIONAL VOYAGE (Seven Seas)
   CUTIE HONEY A-GO-GO! (Seven Seas)
   DEATH NOTE ALL-IN-ONE EDITION (VIZ Media)
   DEVILMAN Grimiore (Seven Seas)
   DEVILMAN VS. HADES (Seven Seas)
   DON'T MEDDLE WITH MY DAUGHTER (Seven Seas)
   DRAGONS RIOTING (Yen Press)
   FRANKEN-FRAN (Seven Seas)
   INFINI-T FORCE (Udon Entertainment)
   LONE WOLF & CUB OMNIBUS (Dark Horse Manga)
   KITARO (Drawn & Quarterly)
   MEGA MAN MASTERMIX (Udon Entertainment)
   NEW LONE WOLF & CUB (Dark Horse Manga)
   NURSE HITOMI'S MONSTER INFIRMARY (Seven Seas)
   ONE PUNCH MAN (Jump Comics)
   PLEASE TELL ME! GALKO-CHAN (Seven Seas)
   SAINT SEIYA: SAINTIA SHO (Seven Seas)
   STREET FIGHTER (Udon Entertainment)
   TIGER & BUNNY (VIZ Media)
   ULTRA KAIJU ANTROPOMORPHIC PROJECT (Seven Seas)
   ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE (Marvel Comics)


Manga I'm reading that's still publishing:
Princess Jellyfish
Tokyo Tarareba Girls
The Full Time Wife Escapist
Hotaru's Way
LDK



Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 12, 2017, 04:54:59 PM
I read
Adventure Time #8
Die Kitty Die #4
Jem & The Misfits #2
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers - Pink- #1
The Woods #28
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 15, 2017, 09:26:39 AM
SCARLET TRACES VOL 02 TP
THE ROOK ARCHIVES VOL 02 HC
THE ROOK ARCHIVES VOL 03 HC
THE ART OF THE PULPS HC
FICTION HOUSE: FROM PULPS TO PANELS, FROM JUNGLES TO SPACE HC
ROM #13 & 14
FIRST STRIKE #0-6 (of 6)
FIRST STRIKE: MICRONAUTS #1 (one-shot)
FIRST STRIKE: ROM #1 (one-shot)
NOT BRAND ECHH #14 (one-shot)
THE HARVEY COMICS COMPANION by Mark Arnold TP
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS: THE GALAXY TRIO VS. SPACE GHOST #4
BUG: THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #5  (of 6)
CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST #2
GREEN HORNET '66 MEETS THE SPIRIT #5 (of 5)
RASPUTIN: VOICE OF THE DRAGON #1 (of 5)
KONG ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #1 (of 6)
SIMPSONS COMICS #241
COUGAR AND CUB TP
SHIGERU MIZUKI'S KITARO VOL 04: KITARO'S STRANGE ADVENTURES TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 17, 2017, 04:35:57 PM
I have to start reading again. I'll read in a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 17, 2017, 06:22:34 PM
I finished Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration
And also read these books for 12 minutes
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on November 18, 2017, 09:09:08 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 15, 2017, 09:26:39 AM
SCARLET TRACES VOL 02 TP
THE ROOK ARCHIVES VOL 02 HC
THE ROOK ARCHIVES VOL 03 HC
THE ART OF THE PULPS HC
FICTION HOUSE: FROM PULPS TO PANELS, FROM JUNGLES TO SPACE HC
ROM #13 & 14
FIRST STRIKE #0-6 (of 6)
FIRST STRIKE: MICRONAUTS #1 (one-shot)
FIRST STRIKE: ROM #1 (one-shot)
NOT BRAND ECHH #14 (one-shot)
THE HARVEY COMICS COMPANION by Mark Arnold TP
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS: THE GALAXY TRIO VS. SPACE GHOST #4
BUG: THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #5  (of 6)
CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST #2
GREEN HORNET '66 MEETS THE SPIRIT #5 (of 5)
RASPUTIN: VOICE OF THE DRAGON #1 (of 5)
KONG ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #1 (of 6)
SIMPSONS COMICS #241
COUGAR AND CUB TP
SHIGERU MIZUKI'S KITARO VOL 04: KITARO'S STRANGE ADVENTURES TP



I'm loving the Casper series. I wish they had more available.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on November 18, 2017, 09:15:05 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on November 18, 2017, 09:09:08 AM
I'm loving the Casper series. I wish they had more available.


Have you read the original Casper comics from the 1940s-1990s?  There are plenty of those available.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 18, 2017, 01:37:56 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on November 18, 2017, 09:09:08 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 15, 2017, 09:26:39 AM
SCARLET TRACES VOL 02 TP
THE ROOK ARCHIVES VOL 02 HC
THE ROOK ARCHIVES VOL 03 HC
THE ART OF THE PULPS HC
FICTION HOUSE: FROM PULPS TO PANELS, FROM JUNGLES TO SPACE HC
ROM #13 & 14
FIRST STRIKE #0-6 (of 6)
FIRST STRIKE: MICRONAUTS #1 (one-shot)
FIRST STRIKE: ROM #1 (one-shot)
NOT BRAND ECHH #14 (one-shot)
THE HARVEY COMICS COMPANION by Mark Arnold TP
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS: THE GALAXY TRIO VS. SPACE GHOST #4
BUG: THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #5  (of 6)
CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST #2
GREEN HORNET '66 MEETS THE SPIRIT #5 (of 5)
RASPUTIN: VOICE OF THE DRAGON #1 (of 5)
KONG ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #1 (of 6)
SIMPSONS COMICS #241
COUGAR AND CUB TP
SHIGERU MIZUKI'S KITARO VOL 04: KITARO'S STRANGE ADVENTURES TP



I'm loving the Casper series. I wish they had more available.

It was all right. I primarily got it for the Hot Stuff story, where he almost (but not quite) meets Wendy the Good Little Witch.

Much more fascinating to me this week was reading the whole story behind the story of the company that published Casper's comic books for more than 30 years, Harvey Comics, in THE HARVEY COMICS COMPANION. From its start in 1941 to 1958, when it acquired the rights to the Casper character from its original owners Famous Studios/Paramount (for essentially nothing, and the reasons why are complicated but interesting), along with the rights to other former Paramount-owned characters like Little Audrey, Baby Huey, Buzzy the Crow, and Herman & Katnip, Harvey Comics went from being a general publisher of many types and genres of comic books, to a publisher which invested its entire future in those characters and others of a similar type. In the short run, it turned out to be an immensely profitable decision, but in the long run, it's the very reason why Harvey Comics no longer exists today. 25 years later, family strife and legal complications ultimately shut the company down, but it's still easy to see that they were fighting a losing battle because they invested everything in this one limited genre of comic book publishing. They put ALL their intellectual property eggs in ONE basket.

Ultimately the company, then calling itself Harvey Classics, was sold to Classic Media (then owned by Hallmark), which in turn was acquired by Dreamworks SKG, and rebranded itself Dreamworks Classics, until Dreamworks SKG was acquired by NBC Universal (which is now owned by Comcast).

It's easy to see some pretty interesting parallels between Harvey Comics and Archie Comics, on many levels -- both in terms of the product they are marketing and to whom, the family ownership situation, and various mismanagement difficulties. Ultimately, I think ACP will wind up with a similar fate. They're unlikely to sell out to another comic book company, but more likely to sell out to a media conglomerate interested in exploiting the nostalgia potential of their intellectual properties for merchandising profits and newer media re-imaginings.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 18, 2017, 03:53:09 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie's Pals & Gals Double Digest #1
The Best Of Archie Comics Book #3
Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 19, 2017, 11:31:12 AM
STAR TREK: DISCOVERY - OFFICIAL COLLECTOR'S EDITION MAGAZINE HC - I've not seen the streaming series yet. Looks interesting.

POPEYE CLASSICS VOL 10 HC - A quick read and super-enjoyable, as always. Bud Sagendorf's Popeye is the one I'm most familiar with. He was a former assistant to E.C. Segar, Popeye's creator, and drew the comic book stories from #1 (published by Dell Comics in 1948) until #72 (published by Gold Key Comics in 1964), and the Popeye newspaper strip from 1959 (which is where this volume ends, with issue #49) until 1986. Sagendorf's Popeye combined the Segar version with the more familiar and popular Fleischer Brothers animated version from the 1930s. The stories are brilliantly inventive, stream-of-consciousness little epics. As an example, in issue #46, we get the complete story of Swee'pea, when he asks Popeye to fill him in on who he is and how he became Popeye's "adoptik boy-kid". Hopefully Craig Yoe and IDW can continue this series (should be another 4 or 5 hardcover volumes) until the conclusion of Sagendorf's run on the comic. The single-issue reprint series (entitled Classic Popeye) is already up to issue #65, so only another dozen issues to go until the end of Sagendorf's comic book version.

BETTY AND VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #258 - Still has the highest page count of classic Dan DeCarlo stories. Nice to see a new Jeff Shultz B&V story (and the return of Noelle Claus). Cramming more special sections into this digest is kind of a trade-off, because now they're as short as 11 pages. In this issue we get Li'l Jinx (eh...), Josie, Sabrina plus 2 classic Doyle/DeCarlo Betty & Me stories, in addition to the more usual recent stuff.

MY FRIEND DAHMER by Derf Backderf (OGN) - It's now been made into a indy film adaptation, so they did a new printing with a movie photo cover. Been meaning to read this for ages. Outstanding. The creator of the graphic novel was a fellow classmate of Jeffrey Dahmer's who knew him in high school, and he details his weird behavior even then. In addition to Derf's own memories and those of his friends, he also draws material from interviews with Dahmer himself, his parents, and on investigative news reports at the time of Dahmer's arrest in 1991, when Derf's then-girlfriend was a local reporter who was covering the story. Creepy and chilling -- yet the author also presents Dahmer as human, a monster-in-the-making that didn't have to be if he had gotten the help he needed in time to avert his later more extreme behavior.  Some of the scenes from Dahmer's life are bizarre - like an incident where, while on a class field trip to Washington D.C., Dahmer used his persuasiveness by making a blind call from a pay phone to the office of then-Vice President Walter Mondale to secure an invite for a meet-and-greet with himself and his classmates. Incredibly, the Vice President of the U.S. met with students from his class and Dahmer in was in the same office (as was national syndicated columnist Art Buchwald) only feet away.

THE MONSTER OF FRANKENSTEIN TP - This reprints both the color comic book series (1970s Marvel), plus the black & white comics from MONSTERS UNLEASHED magazine.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 20, 2017, 11:17:02 AM
I read
Reggie & Me #3- Howard Chaykin
Jughead #13-  Ryan Jampole
Jughead #16 - Dereck Charm
Betty & Veronica #3- Adam Hughes- The Betty Cover
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on November 20, 2017, 03:13:39 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 19, 2017, 11:31:12 AM
STAR TREK: DISCOVERY - OFFICIAL COLLECTOR'S EDITION MAGAZINE HC - I've not seen the streaming series yet. Looks interesting.

POPEYE CLASSICS VOL 10 HC - A quick read and super-enjoyable, as always. Bud Sagendorf's Popeye is the one I'm most familiar with. He was a former assistant to E.C. Segar, Popeye's creator, and drew the comic book stories from #1 (published by Dell Comics in 1948) until #72 (published by Gold Key Comics in 1964), and the Popeye newspaper strip from 1959 (which is where this volume ends, with issue #49) until 1986. Sagendorf's Popeye combined the Segar version with the more familiar and popular Fleischer Brothers animated version from the 1930s. The stories are brilliantly inventive, stream-of-consciousness little epics. As an example, in issue #46, we get the complete story of Swee'pea, when he asks Popeye to fill him in on who he is and how he became Popeye's "adoptik boy-kid". Hopefully Craig Yoe and IDW can continue this series (should be another 4 or 5 hardcover volumes) until the conclusion of Sagendorf's run on the comic. The single-issue reprint series (entitled Classic Popeye) is already up to issue #65, so only another dozen issues to go until the end of Sagendorf's comic book version.

BETTY AND VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #258 - Still has the highest page count of classic Dan DeCarlo stories. Nice to see a new Jeff Shultz B&V story (and the return of Noelle Claus). Cramming more special sections into this digest is kind of a trade-off, because now they're as short as 11 pages. In this issue we get Li'l Jinx (eh...), Josie, Sabrina plus 2 classic Doyle/DeCarlo Betty & Me stories, in addition to the more usual recent stuff.

MY FRIEND DAHMER by Derf Backderf (OGN) - It's now been made into a indy film adaptation, so they did a new printing with a movie photo cover. Been meaning to read this for ages. Outstanding. The creator of the graphic novel was a fellow classmate of Jeffrey Dahmer's who knew him in high school, and he details his weird behavior even then. In addition to Derf's own memories and those of his friends, he also draws material from interviews with Dahmer himself, his parents, and on investigative news reports at the time of Dahmer's arrest in 1991, when Derf's then-girlfriend was a local reporter who was covering the story. Creepy and chilling -- yet the author also presents Dahmer as human, a monster-in-the-making that didn't have to be if he had gotten the help he needed in time to avert his later more extreme behavior.  Some of the scenes from Dahmer's life are bizarre - like an incident where, while on a class field trip to Washington D.C., Dahmer used his persuasiveness by making a blind call from a pay phone to the office of then-Vice President Walter Mondale to secure an invite for a meet-and-greet with himself and his classmates. Incredibly, the Vice President of the U.S. met with students from his class and Dahmer in was in the same office (as was national syndicated columnist Art Buchwald) only feet away.

THE MONSTER OF FRANKENSTEIN TP - This reprints both the color comic book series (1970s Marvel), plus the black & white comics from MONSTERS UNLEASHED magazine.


I've been reading My Friend Dahmer too. It's extra creepy as he grew up one town over from me and is around my mom's age.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 20, 2017, 05:59:49 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 22, 2017, 08:53:26 AM
ASH VS. THE ARMY OF DARKNESS #5 (of 5)
PUNISHER: PLATOON #3 (of 6)
THANOS #13
SAVAGE DRAGON #228
RICK AND MORTY: POCKET LIKE YOU STOLE IT #5 (of 5)
DETECTIVE COMICS #969
WONDER WOMAN #35
THE DEMON: HELL IS EARTH #1 (of 6)
DOOMSDAY CLOCK #1 (of 12)
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #11 (of 12)
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP #32
LOONEY TUNES #240
THE GREATEST ADVENTURE #7 (of 9)
SHEENA #3
DIE KITTY DIE: HOLLYWOOD OR BUST #4 (of 4)
YOUR PAL ARCHIE #4 (of 5)
BETTY & VERONICA: VIXENS #1
ARCHIE AND ME COMICS DIGEST #2
THAT WILKIN BOY #27 (APR 1974)
JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS #75 (APR 1974)
JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS #76 (JUN 1974)
ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT #24 (MAY 1974)
ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT #32 (JUL 1975)
ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT #83 (OCT 1981)
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #50 (DEC 1978)
CHILI #19 (OCT 1972)
LAUGH #270 (SEP 1973)
LAUGH #306 (SEP 1976)
PEP #283 (NOV 1973)
PEP #380 (DEC 1981)
ARCHIE'S GIRLS BETTY AND VERONICA #154 (OCT 1968)
ARCHIE'S GIRLS BETTY AND VERONICA #310 (OCT 1981)
ARCHIE'S GIRLS BETTY AND VERONICA #319 (AUG 1982)
ARCHIE GIANT SERIES (BETTY AND VERONICA SPECTACULAR) #246 (JUN 1976)
ARCHIE GIANT SERIES (BETTY AND VERONICA SPECTACULAR) #510 (OCT 1981)
BETTY AND ME #30 (SEP 1970)
BETTY AND ME #68 (AUG 1975)
BETTY AND ME #124 (OCT 1981)
Spire Christian Comics:
    ARCHIE'S CLEAN SLATE (1973)
    ARCHIE'S WORLD (1976)
    ARCHIE GETS A JOB! (1977)
    JUGHEAD'S SOUL FOOD (1979)
    ARCHIE'S FESTIVAL (1980)
    ARCHIE AND MR. WEATHERBEE (1980)
ARCHIE GIANT SERIES (WORLD OF ARCHIE) #509 (SEP 1981)
ARCHIE GIANT SERIES (WORLD OF JUGHEAD) #511 (OCT 1981)
JUGHEAD #223 (DEC 1973)
JUGHEAD #317 (OCT 1981)
JUGHEAD'S JOKES #43 (APR 1975)
REGGIE'S JOKES #29 (MAY 1974)
REGGIE AND ME #79 (JUL 1975)
MADHOUSE COMICS #126 (OCT 1981)
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #84 (APR 1969)
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #139 (NOV 1973)
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #144 (APR 1974)
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #227 (NOV 1981)
ARCHIE #245 (JUL 1975)
ARCHIE #246 (AUG 1975)
ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH #11 (OCT 1973)
ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH #15 (APR 1974)
ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH #82 (OCT 1981)
ARCHIE AND ME #65 (JUN 1974)
ARCHIE AND ME #130 (OCT 1951)
EVERYTHING'S ARCHIE #35 (SEP 1974)
EVERYTHING'S ARCHIE #40 (JUN 1974)


(... All binge-read in about 12 hours. Whew!! ...)




Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on November 23, 2017, 12:58:38 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 22, 2017, 08:53:26 AM
ASH VS. THE ARMY OF DARKNESS #5 (of 5)
PUNISHER: PLATOON #3 (of 6)
THANOS #13
SAVAGE DRAGON #228
RICK AND MORTY: POCKET LIKE YOU STOLE IT #5 (of 5)
DETECTIVE COMICS #969
WONDER WOMAN #35
THE DEMON: HELL IS EARTH #1 (of 6)
DOOMSDAY CLOCK #1 (of 12)
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #11 (of 12)
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP #32
LOONEY TUNES #240
THE GREATEST ADVENTURE #7 (of 9)
SHEENA #3
DIE KITTY DIE: HOLLYWOOD OR BUST #4 (of 4)
YOUR PAL ARCHIE #4 (of 5)
BETTY & VERONICA: VIXENS #1
ARCHIE AND ME COMICS DIGEST #2
THAT WILKIN BOY #27 (APR 1974)
JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS #75 (APR 1974)
JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS #76 (JUN 1974)
ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT #24 (MAY 1974)
ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT #32 (JUL 1975)
ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT #83 (OCT 1981)
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #50 (DEC 1978)
CHILI #19 (OCT 1972)
LAUGH #270 (SEP 1973)
LAUGH #306 (SEP 1976)
PEP #283 (NOV 1973)
PEP #380 (DEC 1981)
ARCHIE'S GIRLS BETTY AND VERONICA #154 (OCT 1968)
ARCHIE'S GIRLS BETTY AND VERONICA #310 (OCT 1981)
ARCHIE'S GIRLS BETTY AND VERONICA #319 (AUG 1982)
ARCHIE GIANT SERIES (BETTY AND VERONICA SPECTACULAR) #246 (JUN 1976)
ARCHIE GIANT SERIES (BETTY AND VERONICA SPECTACULAR) #510 (OCT 1981)
BETTY AND ME #30 (SEP 1970)
BETTY AND ME #68 (AUG 1975)
BETTY AND ME #124 (OCT 1981)
Spire Christian Comics:
    ARCHIE'S CLEAN SLATE (1973)
    ARCHIE'S WORLD (1976)
    ARCHIE GETS A JOB! (1977)
    JUGHEAD'S SOUL FOOD (1979)
    ARCHIE'S FESTIVAL (1980)
    ARCHIE AND MR. WEATHERBEE (1980)
ARCHIE GIANT SERIES (WORLD OF ARCHIE) #509 (SEP 1981)
ARCHIE GIANT SERIES (WORLD OF JUGHEAD) #511 (OCT 1981)
JUGHEAD #223 (DEC 1973)
JUGHEAD #317 (OCT 1981)
JUGHEAD'S JOKES #43 (APR 1975)
REGGIE'S JOKES #29 (MAY 1974)
REGGIE AND ME #79 (JUL 1975)
MADHOUSE COMICS #126 (OCT 1981)
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #84 (APR 1969)
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #139 (NOV 1973)
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #144 (APR 1974)
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #227 (NOV 1981)
ARCHIE #245 (JUL 1975)
ARCHIE #246 (AUG 1975)
ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH #11 (OCT 1973)
ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH #15 (APR 1974)
ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH #82 (OCT 1981)
ARCHIE AND ME #65 (JUN 1974)
ARCHIE AND ME #130 (OCT 1951)
EVERYTHING'S ARCHIE #35 (SEP 1974)
EVERYTHING'S ARCHIE #40 (JUN 1974)


(... All binge-read in about 12 hours. Whew!! ...)


How did you enjoy Betty and Veronica Vixens?


How was the Sugarplum story in Archie and Me?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 23, 2017, 10:40:39 AM
I'll read in awhile.I read Your Pal Archie #1 & #2 & #3
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 24, 2017, 04:43:32 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on November 23, 2017, 12:58:38 AMHow did you enjoy Betty and Veronica Vixens?
I was a little underwhelmed by it. I still have more interest in it than things like the New Riverdale ARCHIE or B&V by Adam Hughes, but I didn't like it as much as JUGHEAD #8-16, though I'll give it a few more issues. I don't really expect it to run more than 6 or 8 issues, anyway.


Quote from: irishmoxie on November 23, 2017, 12:58:38 AMHow was the Sugarplum story in Archie and Me?

It's not really what I'd call a Sugarplum story. She's IN it, briefly, but it's really another Jingles story. The gist of the plot here is that Sugarplum used her magic powers to remove Jingles' own magical abilities as a brownie, so now he has to mooch off Archie until he figures out some way that he can get Sugarplum to restore his powers. As for why Sugarplum would do that to Jingles, he says it's because he was dating a friend of Sugarplum's, but then he started dating someone else, and Sugarplum found out about it. There's no reference made to those stories from less than a decade ago, where Sugarplum and Jingles (in their human guises as Susan and Jimmy) actually dated each other.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 25, 2017, 12:50:10 PM
I'll read in awhile
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 28, 2017, 07:35:25 AM
I'll read in awhile
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 01, 2017, 01:04:57 PM
WEEK OF 11-29-17:

FRANKENSTEIN [by Dick Briefer], in:
* PRIZE COMICS #7 (Dec 1940) to #44 (Aug 1944) [8 pages each = 288 pages]
* FRANKENSTEIN #18 (Mar 1952) to #33 (Nov 1954) [230 pages]

Wow, what a wild ride. Frankenstein... the novel, the movies, the creator of life OR the monster he created, have always fascinated me, and every few years I find myself returning to the Frankenstein mythos with renewed enthusiasm. Frankenstein's monster would seem like an unlikely protagonist for an ongoing comic book feature, especially since in both of Briefer's versions he's an unrelenting murdererous maniac with a deep-rooted hatred for all mankind. Those were two completely unrelated different versions of Frankenstein's Monster (and Briefer also did a third, humorous version as well -- which appeared in both Prize Comics #45 to #68, and concurrently in the first 17 issues of Frankenstein, from mid-1944 to the end of 1948). Hard to decide which one I liked better, but the WWII version was possibly a little more outrageous and surprising in its inventiveness. In the later early-1950s self-titled comic book, the monster never speaks, like his Universal Pictures counterpart, but in the Prize Comics series, he's an articulate and intelligent fiend, like the monster in Mary Shelley's original novel. Unlike most comics of the era, there's actually a loose continuity connecting the Frankenstein stories in Prize Comics. From 1943 to 1944, the Prize Comics Frankenstein feature took some strange turns. Finally captured and put on trial for his crimes against humanity in the August 1943 issue, the case for the Frankenstein monster is argued by a scientist, one Professor Carrol, who successfully pleads his case and is allowed to reform the monster in a social experiment using drugs and therapy; the monster is given new clothes, plastic surgery, and even attends grade school briefly, before becoming a wartime production factory worker -- but all of this is just a prelude to the Monster being kidnapped and brainwashed by the Nazis and turned into a Gestapo SS enforcer! My mind boggles at the thought of Universal Pictures' Frankenstein's Monster ever taking such an original tangent. But the whole thing with the arch-evil villain reforming... how often did that happen in 1940s comics (or any other decade's, for that matter)?? As an odd ending to his career in comics, after the Comics Code Authority put the kibosh on the '50s horror-comics boom, artist/writer Dick Briefer found new work for a couple of years in the mid-50s drawing dozens of Jughead stories for Archie Comics, before moving on, more or less permanently, to the more lucrative (or at least more stable) world of advertising art for the rest of his life.

JIMMYS BASTARDS #5
SPY SEAL #4 (of 4)
BLACK MAGICK #9
MYSTIK U #1 (of 3)
MOON KNIGHT #189
KILL OR BE KILLED #14
SHERLOCK FRANKENSTEIN & THE LEGION OF EVIL #2 (of 4)
B & V FRIENDS WINTER ANNUAL #257
ARCHIE COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #284
RICK & MORTY #32
POWERPUFF GIRLS: BUREAU OF BAD #1 (of 3)
UNCLE SCROOGE #32     
BABY HUEY #90 (Aug 1970)
DEVIL KIDS starring HOT STUFF #18 (1964)
CAPTAIN HARLOCK SPACE PIRATE: DIMENSIONAL VOYAGE VOL 02 TP
SAUCER STATE #5 (of 6)
X-FILES: JFK DISCLOSURE #2 (of 2)
STAR TREK: DISCOVERY #1
STAR WARS ADVENTURES #1-4
HAPPY HOUR IN AMERICA #1
DR. RADAR #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 04, 2017, 09:20:25 AM
I'll read in awhile. I have new comics to read.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 07, 2017, 02:25:33 AM
12-06-17:
MIGHTY CRUSADERS #1
STAR TREK: BOLDLY GO #14
STAR TREK TNG: THE MIRROR BROKEN #5 (of 6)
SAVAGE DRAGON #229
ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN #6 (of 8 )
RASPUTIN VOICE OF DRAGON #2 (of 5)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #696 LEG
BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #1 (of 6)
DEADMAN #2 (of 6)
JUSTICE INC: FACES OF JUSTICE #4 (of 4)
STREET FIGHTER VS DARKSTALKERS #7 (of 8 )
STREET FIGHTER RELOADED #1 & 2 (of 6)
JUNJI ITO'S SHIVER HC
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 08, 2017, 03:34:33 PM
I finished reading Archie's Pals & Gals Double Digest #1 & Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout. And also  Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 18, 2017, 08:54:27 AM
I'll read in a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 19, 2017, 08:53:53 AM
I'm actually reading Archie Meets Ramones- The Veronica Fish issue. I haven't read that in a long time.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 19, 2017, 09:57:41 AM
Now I read Archie #635 & #636 & #639. I love these issues that Gisele did. I wish she make another one but one with another band. Archie Meets Ramones is best comic Archie ever did.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 20, 2017, 07:45:06 PM
I read Archie #26 - Thomas Pitilli & The Archies #3
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 27, 2017, 12:31:13 PM
I'm reading books that I got for Christmas
I read these books for 12 minutes
Deadly Class -Book # 1- Noise Noise Noise
Reggie & Me - Volume #1
The Archies & Other Stories
But I also got these for Christmas, I didn't read these books yet.
Betty & Veronica - Volume #1-Adam Hughes
Jughead - Volume #3- Dereck Charm
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 28, 2017, 03:50:58 AM
12-13-17 to 12-27-17:
KINGSMAN: RED DIAMOND #4 (of 6)
BUG: THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #6 (of 6)
ACTION COMICS #993
DETECTIVE COMICS #970
X-MEN BLUE #16 & 17
THE DAMNDED #6
ROCKY & BULLWINKLE SHOW #2
HACK/SLASH VS VAMPIRELLA #3 (of 5)
SHEENA #4 (of ?)
THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT: TERROR FROM THE FROM EARTH'S CORE #2 (of 3)
FIGHTING AMERICAN #3 (of ?)
ALIENS: DEAD ORBIT #4 (of 4)
GALAKTIKON #3 (of 6)
CAPTAIN CANUCK YEAR ONE #1 (of 3)
TRUE BELIEVERS: PHOENIX PRESENTS CYCLOPS & MARVEL GIRL #1
TRUE BELIEVERS: ENTER THE PHOENIX #1
TRUE BELIEVERS: PHOENIX BIZARRE ADVENTURES #1
TRUE BELIEVERS: PHOENIX RETURNS #1
TRUE BELIEVERS: PHOENIX CLASSIC #1
ARCHIE CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR #1
DIE KITTY DIE! CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 2017
WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #74
YOUR PAL ARCHIE #5 (of 5)
ARCHIE'S GIRLS BETTY AND VERONICA #340 [Feb 1986]
BETTY & VERONICA: VIXENS #2 (of ?)
DONALD & MICKEY #2
The Little Book of CAPTAIN AMERICA
MARVEL 2-IN-ONE: THE THING & HUMAN TORCH #1
X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN #1 (of 2)
The Little Book of THE AVENGERS
BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #2 (of 6)
WONDER WOMAN #36
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS: BIRDMAN #5
POPEYE Classic Newspaper Comics VOL 2 [1989-1992] by Bobby London
HELLBOY: KRAMPUSNACHT #1 (one-shot)
SHERLOCK FRANKENSTEIN & THE LEGION OF EVIL #3 (of 4)
EMPOWERED & SISTAH SPOOKY'S HIGH SCHOOL HELL #1 (of ?)
ASSASSINISTAS #1 (of ?)
The Little Book of THE FANTASTIC FOUR
ROM & THE MICRONAUTS #1 (of 5)
PELLUCIDAR: AT THE EARTH'S CORE TP
TARZAN THE WARRIOR [1992] #1-5 (of 5)
TARZAN: LOVE, LIES & THE LOST CITY [1992] #1-3 (of 3)
LIFE WITH KEVIN TP VOL 01
ARCHIE AND ME COMICS DIGEST #3
MICKEY & DONALD CHRISTMAS PARADE #3
THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT: TERROR FROM THE EARTH'S CORE #3 (of 3)
KONG ON THE PLANET OF APES #2 (of 6)
KAMANDI CHALLENGE #12 (of 12)
DOOMSDAY CLOCK #2 (of 12)
ACTION COMICS #994
DETECTIVE COMICS #971
HAWKMAN FOUND #1 (of 6)
WONDER WOMAN #37
TARZAN/JOHN CARTER: WARLORDS OF MARS [1996] #1-4 (of 4)
PUNISHER: PLATOON #4 (of 6)
THANOS #14
MOON KNIGHT #190
X-MEN BLUE #18
PHOENIX RESURRECTION #1 (of 5)
SAVAGE DRAGON #230
MARK TWAIN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 1910-2010 (by Michael Kupperman)
TARZAN: THE BECKONING TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 29, 2017, 09:02:58 AM
I have to start reading again. I'll read in a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 30, 2017, 09:12:06 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
The Archies & Other Stories
Reggie & Me Volume #1
Deadly Class Volume #1- Noise Noise Noise
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 09, 2018, 09:35:14 AM
1-03-18 to 1-09-18:
DONT MEDDLE WITH MY DAUGHTER VOL 02 (of 3)
DRAGONS RIOTING VOL 09 (of 9)
RASPUTIN: VOICE OF DRAGON #3 (of 5)
RICK & MORTY #33
3D ADVENTURE #1
3D DESTROY!! #1
ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN #7
CAPTAIN AMERICA #697
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #150
PHOENIX RESURRECTION #2 (of 5)
X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN #2 (of 2)
UNDERDOG 1975
NURSE HITOMI'S MONSTER INFIRMARY VOL 07
ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #285

COSMO #1
(of 5)  (Not bad, but seems to be aimed at a younger age reader than even the former Archie Action line. My primary complaint would be that very little actually happens in the issue-length story for $3... ironically, the same complaint I have for New Riverdale titles. The artwork is attractive though, and the story seems vaguely inspired by Cosmo-creator Bob White's original plotline for the series, while taking quite a few liberties.)

MYSTERYMEN COLLECTED ANTHOLOGY No. 1 TP
MYSTERYMEN STORIES No. 1 (1996)

TAKE THAT, ADOLF! The Fighting Comic Books of the Second World War TP
by Mark Fertig (Great images and insightful textual examination into the historical influences that shaped the comic book industry in its earliest years.)

ACTION! MYSTERY! THRILLS! Comic Book Covers of the Golden Age 1933-1945 TP by Greg Sadowski (Also has some excellent notes about the earliest developments, particularly the pre-War comic books.)

SUPERMEN! The First Wave of Comic Book Heroes 1936-1941 TP (Just the actual stories this time.)

THE GOLDEN AGE OF DC COMICS: 365 DAYS HC by Les Daniels, Chip Kidd & Geoff Spears (Good supplement to the above books -- showing the developments at DC during the pre-Comics Code era, the first 20 years of DC Comics from 1935-1955. 365 images with accompanying commentary.)

AMAZING 3-D COMICS! HC (reprints 3D TOR, THREE STOOGES, SHEENA, FELIX, WHACK!, TRUE 3-D, JIGGS & MAGGIE and others, mostly from St. John and Harvey Comics, all from 1953-54. The success of the 3D effect really varies according to the comics reprinted. Some are really good, with a lot of planes of depth, while others are a bit blurry or hard to focus on the effect. In general, the best 3D comics here were original, created specifically to take advantage of the effect. Pre-existing stories which were merely converted to the 3D process aren't nearly so effective, although certain individual story panels can stand out as being impressive. It's unfortunate that a wider representation of 3D stories from 1953-54 probably couldn't appear in this collection due to still-copyrighted stories and characters, of which some examples -- KATY KEENE was ACP's only 3D comic book -- which would have made the assembly of such a collection prohibitively expensive.)

CHILLING ADVENTURES IN SORCERY TP (In black & white, alas. All of the original comics reprinted from the 1970s -- issues #1-7 -- were in color. Reproduction of line art on issues #1 and 2 is terrible, although the following issues look fine. For completists only.)

X-MEN BLUE #19
KINGSMAN: RED DIAMOND #5 (of 6)
THE GREATEST ADVENTURE #8 (of 9)
DEJAH THORIS #0
MIGHTY CRUSADERS #2
ACTION COMICS #995
DETECTIVE COMICS #972
WONDER WOMAN #38
TITANS #19
DEADMAN #3 (of 6)
SAUCER STATE #6
UNCLE $CROOGE #437
WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS #75

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 10, 2018, 09:21:42 AM
I have to start reading again. I'll read in a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 10, 2018, 03:36:35 PM
I think I'm going to quit reading the Archie digests (not the B&V digests, just the Archie ones). There's this real feeling of blandness about them right now, like they're just in a holding pattern, waiting for their time to inevitably run out. That's probably true, to a lesser extent, of the B&V digests as well, but it's less apparent to me because those digest stories seem to have a greater aggregation of my favorite artists in each issue.

They seem to be done with any pretense of growth or evolution (while maintaining faithfulness to the core style), even in the new stories -- there's a real feeling of "just keep it average and homogenized, according to what sold in the past", so there's no real "trying" on the part of the digest editors -- they've basically given up, and aren't going to bother making ANY effort. There's a real contrast there to the period between the late '90s Archie Comics (both floppies and digests) up to 2015, when they were introducing new characters, trying new things, new kinds of stories (out of that came cousin Marcy, New Kids, Kevin Keller, Harper Lodge, and a lot of fun 'what if' variant stories, and even LIFE WITH ARCHIE). All that seems to be over now, and 'classic Archie style' just seems to be in a short period of maintenance until the final shutdown.

:'(
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 10, 2018, 06:05:51 PM
I read
Your Pal Archie #1
Betty #99 & #100
Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica #1- Sandy Jarrel issue
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 11, 2018, 10:26:12 AM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes each
Reggie & Me - Volume #1
The Archies & Other Stories
Deadly Class - Volume #1- Noise Noise Noise
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 12, 2018, 06:54:55 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 10, 2018, 03:36:35 PM
I think I'm going to quit reading the Archie digests (not the B&V digests, just the Archie ones). There's this real feeling of blandness about them right now, like they're just in a holding pattern, waiting for their time to inevitably run out. That's probably true, to a lesser extent, of the B&V digests as well, but it's less apparent to me because those digest stories seem to have a greater aggregation of my favorite artists in each issue.

They seem to be done with any pretense of growth or evolution (while maintaining faithfulness to the core style), even in the new stories -- there's a real feeling of "just keep it average and homogenized, according to what sold in the past", so there's no real "trying" on the part of the digest editors -- they've basically given up, and aren't going to bother making ANY effort. There's a real contrast there to the period between the late '90s Archie Comics (both floppies and digests) up to 2015, when they were introducing new characters, trying new things, new kinds of stories (out of that came cousin Marcy, New Kids, Kevin Keller, Harper Lodge, and a lot of fun 'what if' variant stories, and even LIFE WITH ARCHIE). All that seems to be over now, and 'classic Archie style' just seems to be in a short period of maintenance until the final shutdown.

:'(


Do you mean the new stories at the beginning or that they just keep reprinting the same stories over and over?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 12, 2018, 10:23:57 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 12, 2018, 06:54:55 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 10, 2018, 03:36:35 PM
I think I'm going to quit reading the Archie digests (not the B&V digests, just the Archie ones). There's this real feeling of blandness about them right now, like they're just in a holding pattern, waiting for their time to inevitably run out. That's probably true, to a lesser extent, of the B&V digests as well, but it's less apparent to me because those digest stories seem to have a greater aggregation of my favorite artists in each issue.

They seem to be done with any pretense of growth or evolution (while maintaining faithfulness to the core style), even in the new stories -- there's a real feeling of "just keep it average and homogenized, according to what sold in the past", so there's no real "trying" on the part of the digest editors -- they've basically given up, and aren't going to bother making ANY effort. There's a real contrast there to the period between the late '90s Archie Comics (both floppies and digests) up to 2015, when they were introducing new characters, trying new things, new kinds of stories (out of that came cousin Marcy, New Kids, Kevin Keller, Harper Lodge, and a lot of fun 'what if' variant stories, and even LIFE WITH ARCHIE). All that seems to be over now, and 'classic Archie style' just seems to be in a short period of maintenance until the final shutdown.

:'(


Do you mean the new stories at the beginning or that they just keep reprinting the same stories over and over?

The new stories are fine, but 5 pages per issue just isn't compelling enough for me to want to buy them solely for that. Maybe if there were some annual compilation of all the new 5-page lead stories from a year or two earlier, it would make it worth the price of a typical digest. Even having said that, the 5-page shorts feel lacking compared to some of the longer stories by Dan Parent (or some of the recently-returned classic artists) from just 5 or 10 years ago. You can only develop a plot and characters so much in the space of a mere 5 pages.

My main complaint with the 3 Archie digests is the lack of variety of the reprints -- both in terms of spanning six or seven decades of available stories, and in terms of the lack of non-Archie stories. Yes, clearly most of the stories reprinted in those titles HAVE to be Archie stories, but not ALL of them.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 13, 2018, 03:14:27 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 12, 2018, 10:23:57 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 12, 2018, 06:54:55 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 10, 2018, 03:36:35 PM
I think I'm going to quit reading the Archie digests (not the B&V digests, just the Archie ones). There's this real feeling of blandness about them right now, like they're just in a holding pattern, waiting for their time to inevitably run out. That's probably true, to a lesser extent, of the B&V digests as well, but it's less apparent to me because those digest stories seem to have a greater aggregation of my favorite artists in each issue.

They seem to be done with any pretense of growth or evolution (while maintaining faithfulness to the core style), even in the new stories -- there's a real feeling of "just keep it average and homogenized, according to what sold in the past", so there's no real "trying" on the part of the digest editors -- they've basically given up, and aren't going to bother making ANY effort. There's a real contrast there to the period between the late '90s Archie Comics (both floppies and digests) up to 2015, when they were introducing new characters, trying new things, new kinds of stories (out of that came cousin Marcy, New Kids, Kevin Keller, Harper Lodge, and a lot of fun 'what if' variant stories, and even LIFE WITH ARCHIE). All that seems to be over now, and 'classic Archie style' just seems to be in a short period of maintenance until the final shutdown.

:'(


Do you mean the new stories at the beginning or that they just keep reprinting the same stories over and over?

The new stories are fine, but 5 pages per issue just isn't compelling enough for me to want to buy them solely for that. Maybe if there were some annual compilation of all the new 5-page lead stories from a year or two earlier, it would make it worth the price of a typical digest. Even having said that, the 5-page shorts feel lacking compared to some of the longer stories by Dan Parent (or some of the recently-returned classic artists) from just 5 or 10 years ago. You can only develop a plot and characters so much in the space of a mere 5 pages.

My main complaint with the 3 Archie digests is the lack of variety of the reprints -- both in terms of spanning six or seven decades of available stories, and in terms of the lack of non-Archie stories. Yes, clearly most of the stories reprinted in those titles HAVE to be Archie stories, but not ALL of them.


They have annual compilations of the new stories but they are digital only.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 13, 2018, 03:31:55 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on January 13, 2018, 03:14:27 AM
They have annual compilations of the new stories but they are digital only.

Well, I have all the digests from 2014 through 2016, so I've already read all of those new stories already. I would buy them again as a print collection, but it seems superfluous as a digital collection, unless I haven't actually read the stories at all. Maybe when/if they get around to a digital collection of the 2018 new lead 5-pagers I'll get it, since I'm giving up on the three Archie-centric digest titles as of this month.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 13, 2018, 06:48:04 AM
I finally got my subscription copy of BETTY AND VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #259 -- two weeks late, but then it went on sale at retailers the day after a big Xmas snowstorm, so I'll let it slide. (I imagine the mail carriers were swamped this holiday season.) It's still a good read, since you always get Betty stories, and Veronica stories, in addition to the Betty AND Veronica stories, and apart from those, this title still reprints Sabrina stories regularly, so there's enough variety to satisfy me.

I'll just note a few of the outstanding stories here. A pair of stories by Barbara Slate (with art by Jeff Shultz and Al Milgrom), "The Right Thing" and "The Right Thing Too", show different views of the V/A\B love triangle from both Veronica's POV, and Betty's POV, respectively -- paralleling each other, a clever idea -- and they both end on a twist. A Kathleen Webb BETTY'S DIARY story, "Kiss and Try to Tell", reveals the surprising (to me) fact that Betty owns not just ONE diary, but (at least) THREE, when she discovers that she's somehow lost the special diary which she reserves for chronicling her most precious moments spent with Archie. A Dan Parent 11-page two-parter, "Archie Andrews Where Are You?" has a neat unexpected ending (which includes it as one of a very small group of similar stories) -- more I can't say without spoiling it. Another Dan Parent 11-page two-part story, "Do You Believe In Magic?', was also pretty good.

I think my favorite story in this issue was the 6-page Betty story, "Scheme Theme", by George Gladir. It's one of that small subset of stories (usually written by Frank Doyle, so I was surprised to see Gladir's name on the writing credits) that explains the character dynamics of Archie Comics stories in a very direct, matter-of-fact way. Here you will see the universal truths of "Archie reality" stated outright by the omniscient narrator, like in the following caption: [ALACK AND ALAS, AT TIMES ARCHIE CAN BE AN UNGRATEFUL AND INCONSIDERATE SCOUNDREL.] SURE, we all know that already, because we've seen it dramatized innumerable times in Archie stories. It still never fails to tickle my funnybone when Doyle (or in this case, Gladir) cuts right to the point and states these facts point-blank in bald-faced text to the reader.

The new lead story by Dan Parent, "O Canada" (the first new artwork by Dan I've seen in the digests in months, BTW), is yet another story that falls into the category of a distinct group of stories (although a much larger group of stories than either of the other two I mentioned above). It's a nice example of the kind of occasional friendly wave and by-way-of-saying "thank you" to the Canadian readers who down through several decades, have been among the staunchest of Archie Comics supporters. Which is a good thing, actually, I think. I wouldn't mind seeing a whole collection of those Canadian-themed stories published one of these days. I bet the Canadian readers would buy one. So would I, even though I'm not Canadian.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on January 13, 2018, 11:28:56 AM
Archie Jumbo Double Digest 285 has an interesting story called "Snowbound". It's what I call an "Action Archie" story, you know, the adventure ones that have Goldberg illustrating where Archie is in danger, or fighting some really nasty bad guys who want to off him, those stories. Here, however, it's done by DeCarlo....
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 13, 2018, 04:45:53 PM
Quote from: SAGG on January 13, 2018, 11:28:56 AM
Archie Jumbo Double Digest 285 has an interesting story called "Snowbound". It's what I call an "Action Archie" story, you know, the adventure ones that have Goldberg illustrating where Archie is in danger, or fighting some really nasty bad guys who want to off him, those stories. Here, however, it's done by DeCarlo....

Well, it's an oddity, I'll grant you that much, but it seems like a waste of DeCarlo's real talent. "Snowbound" is another of those seemingly endless mild variations on the exact same plot which appeared far too frequently in stories from both ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH (with Chuck sometimes taking the role of the main, endangered, hero), and LIFE WITH ARCHIE. Because the plot always attempts to highlight the element of danger, the stories are totally humor-free. In fact, the plot at its most basic level is a variation of the old "Reggie attempts to trip up Archie using a variety of dirty tricks", but at least those stories are played to slapstick violence, so the essential humor element is maintained.

In the LWA version of the same plot, it usually involves a wider competition in which Archie is a main favored competitor, and introduces a new character (or two) -- unsavory, underhanded types who will stoop to any level to win by cheating, and usually endangering Archie's life in the bargain. The new character(s) are most often students at Central High, or some other rival high school to Riverdale (and will never be seen again after this story, either). Despite enduring multiple hazards along the way, we KNOW Archie's intrinsic goodness and fairplay are going to triumph over the dirty tricks and pitfalls laid by his nasty rival, and he'll expose the blackhearted cheater for his dishonest deeds. The stories are never really long enough for the plot to become TOO complicated either, so there's not even an element of "how will he do it?" for the reader to challenge the writer by guessing some mystery either. The main element that changes in these stories is the sport involved (skiing, hiking, running a marathon, mountain biking, etc.) and the nature of the obstacles to be overcome -- but it's the same plot every time. If you've read one, you've basically read them all.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Archie Comics Collector(Kalell) on January 15, 2018, 11:50:12 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 10, 2018, 03:36:35 PM
I think I'm going to quit reading the Archie digests (not the B&V digests, just the Archie ones). There's this real feeling of blandness about them right now, like they're just in a holding pattern, waiting for their time to inevitably run out. That's probably true, to a lesser extent, of the B&V digests as well, but it's less apparent to me because those digest stories seem to have a greater aggregation of my favorite artists in each issue.

They seem to be done with any pretense of growth or evolution (while maintaining faithfulness to the core style), even in the new stories -- there's a real feeling of "just keep it average and homogenized, according to what sold in the past", so there's no real "trying" on the part of the digest editors -- they've basically given up, and aren't going to bother making ANY effort. There's a real contrast there to the period between the late '90s Archie Comics (both floppies and digests) up to 2015, when they were introducing new characters, trying new things, new kinds of stories (out of that came cousin Marcy, New Kids, Kevin Keller, Harper Lodge, and a lot of fun 'what if' variant stories, and even LIFE WITH ARCHIE). All that seems to be over now, and 'classic Archie style' just seems to be in a short period of maintenance until the final shutdown.

:'(

Sorry to hear your going to quit buying some of the Digests. I received super stellar deals on Digest subscriptions in the past so I pay about 1.50 per Digest. That's at least a 75% markdown on the current cover price.  I can't find any other deal with color comics for that price point.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 15, 2018, 01:00:35 PM
Quote from: Archie Comics Collector(Kalell) on January 15, 2018, 11:50:12 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 10, 2018, 03:36:35 PM
I think I'm going to quit reading the Archie digests (not the B&V digests, just the Archie ones). There's this real feeling of blandness about them right now, like they're just in a holding pattern, waiting for their time to inevitably run out. That's probably true, to a lesser extent, of the B&V digests as well, but it's less apparent to me because those digest stories seem to have a greater aggregation of my favorite artists in each issue.

They seem to be done with any pretense of growth or evolution (while maintaining faithfulness to the core style), even in the new stories -- there's a real feeling of "just keep it average and homogenized, according to what sold in the past", so there's no real "trying" on the part of the digest editors -- they've basically given up, and aren't going to bother making ANY effort. There's a real contrast there to the period between the late '90s Archie Comics (both floppies and digests) up to 2015, when they were introducing new characters, trying new things, new kinds of stories (out of that came cousin Marcy, New Kids, Kevin Keller, Harper Lodge, and a lot of fun 'what if' variant stories, and even LIFE WITH ARCHIE). All that seems to be over now, and 'classic Archie style' just seems to be in a short period of maintenance until the final shutdown.

:'(

Sorry to hear your going to quit buying some of the Digests. I received super stellar deals on Digest subscriptions in the past so I pay about 1.50 per Digest. That's at least a 75% markdown on the current cover price.  I can't find any other deal with color comics for that price point.

It took me quite a while to get a handle on the history of the digests (your online article helped a lot). But you really need to spend a lot of time analyzing exactly how they evolved over the last decade or so, which means looking at the subtle changes in content over time.

IMO the high point in digest history begins somewhere around 2008. You can tell by looking at the covers. Most of the digest titles received a makeover with new logos at that time. This was a short time (about a year or so) after the "New Look" stories were first introduced. They also started putting the little logos in the corners highlighting a new semi-regular reprint series being featured in all the titles. I've noticed this is the era where the covers become less oriented around the generic gag, and more story-based... and this was because for the next 3 or 4 years, all the digest titles began featuring more pages of new stories than ever before, somewhere between 10 to 20 pages of new stories (but usually more like 12-15) in every title. The variety of the reprints seemed to increase at the same time (as indicated by those little corner logos I mentioned).

I'm not entirely sure, but I think this coincides with a time where Nelson Ribeiro was the editor of the digests, and he seemed to take a real interest in trying to improve them. He had been around as an editor for awhile, at least since the time when they cancelled both Laugh Comics Digest and Jughead With Archie Comics Digest, and replaced those two titles with Tales From Riverdale Digest and Jughead and Friends Comics Digest. The new titles were both great improvements IMO, and always carried new stories in every issue. Alas, they only lasted 38 issues. I'm still missing 8 or 9 issues from both runs.

During that period I mentioned between 2008 and 2012 (which seemed to kick off around the same time that those special "Past Meets Present" stories appeared in Archie, Betty and Veronica, Jughead, and Archie's Pals 'n' Gals Double Digest) there were a lot of changes, but a lot of the new digests that appeared were good ones -- the early World of Archie Double Digest, Archie and Friends Double Digest, Jughead Double Digest (from around #144-200), and B & V Friends Double Digest replacing the old 96-page Betty and Veronica Digest with issue #209. Then for some reason they just dropped the idea of promoting an ongoing reprint feature in those digests with the little corner logos, and sometime towards the end of 2012 or 2013, the new stories stopped altogether. I don't know why. Then they started up again midway through 2014, and stayed regular, in all the titles, but rarely if ever going even one page over the 5-page rule. For a while there seemed to still be a fairly decent variety to the reprint mix (and World of Archie is the best barometer for the overall diversity of content across the digest line), but now things have just gotten too bland and middle-of-the-road, too plain vanilla.

On studying what went on (since I didn't start buying the digests myself until 2014), and comparing them to the contents of the most current issues of Archie, World of Archie, and Archie and Me Comics Digest, I simply concluded that I'm better off spending my money on trying to collect those back issues I missed from the 2008-2013 period, and a few other older digest runs (like Tales From Riverdale and Jughead and Friends).


Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 16, 2018, 10:42:40 AM
I read
Die Kitty Die #4
The Beauty #7 & #12 & #13 & #14 & #15
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 16, 2018, 04:02:53 PM
I just got The Life With Kevin Book. I skimmed through it. I can't wait to read it.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 16, 2018, 06:40:12 PM
01-11 to 11-16-18:
The Little Book of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
The Little Book of BATMAN
The Little Book of SUPERMAN
The Little Book of WONDER WOMAN
MANGA CLASSIC READERS: MOBY DICK TP
MANGA CLASSIC READERS: WAR OF THE WORLDS TP
H.P. LOVECRAFT'S THE HOUND and Other Stories
(adapted by Gou Tanabe)
JIMMY'S BASTARDS #6
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP (with the Legion of Super-Heroes) #33
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS: BIRDMAN #6
BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #3
(of 6)
BUGS BUNNY (1990) #2 - Strangely enough, of the 3 stories in this issue, NONE of them was a Bugs Bunny story!
WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT: THE CORPSE MAKERS #5 (of 5)
SHEENA #5
KILL OR BE KILLED #15
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF NICK WILSON #1
ICE CREAM MAN #1
FIGHTING AMERICAN #4
KONG ON PLANET OF APES #3
(of 6)
ASSASSINISTAS #2 (of ?)
NEMO HC (adapted by Bruno)
20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA HC (adapted by Gary Gianni)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on January 17, 2018, 05:31:43 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 16, 2018, 06:40:12 PM
01-11 to 11-16-18:
The Little Book of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
The Little Book of BATMAN
The Little Book of SUPERMAN
The Little Book of WONDER WOMAN
MANGA CLASSIC READERS: MOBY DICK TP
MANGA CLASSIC READERS: WAR OF THE WORLDS TP
H.P. LOVECRAFT'S THE HOUND and Other Stories
(adapted by Gou Tanabe)
JIMMY'S BASTARDS #6
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP (with the Legion of Super-Heroes) #33
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS: BIRDMAN #6
BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #3
(of 6)
BUGS BUNNY (1990) #2 - Strangely enough, of the 3 stories in this issue, NONE of them was a Bugs Bunny story!
WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT: THE CORPSE MAKERS #5 (of 5)
SHEENA #5
KILL OR BE KILLED #15
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF NICK WILSON #1
ICE CREAM MAN #1
FIGHTING AMERICAN #4
KONG ON PLANET OF APES #3
(of 6)
ASSASSINISTAS #2 (of ?)
NEMO HC (adapted by Bruno)
20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA HC (adapted by Gary Gianni)
What in the world is a "Little "Book"?   ???  And what did you think about the Birdman book, DR? I  liked the part about Avenger being able to understand Birdman....
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 17, 2018, 10:49:51 AM
Quote from: SAGG on January 17, 2018, 05:31:43 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 16, 2018, 06:40:12 PM
01-11 to 11-16-18:
The Little Book of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
The Little Book of BATMAN
The Little Book of SUPERMAN
The Little Book of WONDER WOMAN
MANGA CLASSIC READERS: MOBY DICK TP
MANGA CLASSIC READERS: WAR OF THE WORLDS TP
H.P. LOVECRAFT'S THE HOUND and Other Stories
(adapted by Gou Tanabe)
JIMMY'S BASTARDS #6
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP (with the Legion of Super-Heroes) #33
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS: BIRDMAN #6
BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #3
(of 6)
BUGS BUNNY (1990) #2 - Strangely enough, of the 3 stories in this issue, NONE of them was a Bugs Bunny story!
WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT: THE CORPSE MAKERS #5 (of 5)
SHEENA #5
KILL OR BE KILLED #15
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF NICK WILSON #1
ICE CREAM MAN #1
FIGHTING AMERICAN #4
KONG ON PLANET OF APES #3
(of 6)
ASSASSINISTAS #2 (of ?)
NEMO HC (adapted by Bruno)
20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA HC (adapted by Gary Gianni)
What in the world is a "Little "Book"?   ???  And what did you think about the Birdman book, DR? I  liked the part about Avenger being able to understand Birdman....

The Little Books are small (Flexicover, 4.7 x 6.5 in., 192 pages) books by Taschen, a German publisher specializing in highly graphic books about art, photography, and popular culture. The Little Books are like character histories told through graphic images and captions. They actually derive their content from larger, more expensive hardcover histories of comics written by Paul Levitz (DC) and Roy Thomas (Marvel). There were images in some of these books that even I hadn't seen before. I've provided links to the Taschen site for each of the comic-related Little Books so you can get an idea. Considering that the cover price of a floppy comic is $4, these Little Books are an absolute steal at $10 SRP.

The Little Book of AVENGERS https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/48614/facts.the_little_book_of_avengers.htm (https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/48614/facts.the_little_book_of_avengers.htm)
The Little Book of CAPTAIN AMERICA https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/48617/facts.the_little_book_of_captain_america.htm (https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/48617/facts.the_little_book_of_captain_america.htm)
The Little Book of FANTASTIC FOUR https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/48616/facts.the_little_book_of_fantastic_four.htm (https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/48616/facts.the_little_book_of_fantastic_four.htm)
The Little Book of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/48615/facts.the_little_book_of_spider_man.htm (https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/48615/facts.the_little_book_of_spider_man.htm)
The Little Book of BATMAN https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/48602/facts.the_little_book_of_batman_tm.htm (https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/48602/facts.the_little_book_of_batman_tm.htm)
The Little Book of SUPERMAN  https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/48601/facts.the_little_book_of_superman_tm.htm (https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/48601/facts.the_little_book_of_superman_tm.htm)
The Little Book of WONDER WOMAN https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/48603/facts.the_little_book_of_wonder_woman_tm.htm (https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/48603/facts.the_little_book_of_wonder_woman_tm.htm)



The FUTURE QUEST Birdman was good. I pretty much buy whatever comics Steve Rude draws anyway. He's a genius.

I'm not so much looking forward to the upcoming Mightor issue(s)... that character was a little too rebooted. Taking him out of his prehistoric world (and changing the simple costume) is a bad idea. At least Space Ghost hinted that the Galaxy Trio is still alive out there somewhere, and that he's going to find them (the previous Galaxy Trio stories were flashbacks).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 17, 2018, 12:07:22 PM
I read each of books for 12 minutes
Deadly Class - Book # 1 - Noise Noise Noise
Life With Kevin
Reggie & Me - Volume #1
The Archies & Other Stories
Archie's FunHouse - Back To School Annual # 27
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 18, 2018, 10:37:44 AM
I read
Invincible #136 & #137 & #138 & #139 & #140 & #141 & # 142 & #143
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on January 18, 2018, 12:17:58 PM
Re-reading Super 'Suckers, Die Kitty Die, and Life with Kevin. Remember when comics were funny?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: PTF on January 19, 2018, 03:02:32 AM
Catching up on Sitcomics. They have the first issue of each of their titles for free download (well Z-people later today)

https://sitcomics.net/
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 24, 2018, 12:14:09 PM
WEEK OF 01-24-18 (so far):
BLACK MAGICK #10
X-MEN BLUE #20

BETTY AND VERONICA: VIXENS #3
- There are a few things that bug me about this book, starting with the fact that overall it seems like it's set in the fifties or early sixties, yet they have smartphones and computers. I'm liking it a little better as of this issue, but only in anticipating that there's an actual story here which has an ending.

ARCHIE'S BIG BOOK VOL 02: FANTASY TP - All but about 18 pages here are reprinted from ACP comics published in the last decade. I mention that not as a detraction, but as a matter of interest in pointing out how the past decade (particular the half-decade between 2010-2014) was one of the most interesting and creative in the entire 75-year history of the characters. Nearly ALL the stories here are reprinted from issues of ARCHIE between #418 and #464, a span of about 46 months. And they're all pretty good stories. The weakest stories here are those 18 pages I mentioned earlier, which reprint "The Mighty Archie Art Players" shorts from issues of LAUGH (2nd series) from the late 1980. Those stories could (and should) have been left out, as there were several other good issue-length stories from the last decade that they could have squeezed in instead.

B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS #248 - They seem to have swapped the lead stories (as solicited) between this issue and BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS #249 (which I assume will have the Marcy story which was solicited as appearing in this issue, since this issue has the Harper story promised for that issue).

JUGHEAD: THE HUNGER #1 & 2 - So, everyone seems to think Jughead's a werewolf (including Jughead)... but I saw no proof of it in these two issues. So... probably not. Bingo Wilkin is a werewolf, though, and unless I misread things, Reggie is too. I'm not too enthused, but I might check out one or two more issues.

SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP (with Birds of Prey) #34
LOONEY TUNES #241
SHERLOCK FRANKENSTEIN & THE LEGION OF EVIL #4 (of 4)
EMPOWERED & SISTAH SPOOKY'S HIGH SCHOOL HELL #2 (of 6)
MEGA MAN: MASTERMIX #1
(of ?) - 80 pages of Megaman manga in color for $8. This is old material previously appearing in a UDON translation in the standard b&w paperback format. It looks good in the larger size with color. Makes me want to re-read the Archie Action Megaman run, at least to compare, because it really is the same story.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 25, 2018, 07:26:29 AM
I'll read in a while. I got these 2 comics at the Thift Store - Betty & Veronica #227 & Veronica #227 & Veronica #176 which I just read.
I also read
Jughead #16
Archie #26- SANDY Harrell
Jem & The Holograms #24- Rian Gonzalez

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 26, 2018, 07:57:29 AM
I'll read in a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 30, 2018, 09:32:07 AM
01-25 to 01-30:
MARVEL 2-IN-ONE #2
THANOS #15
PHOENIX RESURRECTION #3 & 4
(of 5)
DOOMSDAY CLOCK #3 (of 12)
ACTION COMICS #996
DETECTIVE COMICS #973
WONDER WOMAN #39
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #22 & 23
THE DEMON: HELL IS EARTH #3
(of 6)
CALIFORNIA GIRLS #1 (June 1987)
SOUTHERN BASTARDS #19
BETTY PAGE #7
BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS #260
DOCTOR STRANGE #281-284
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on January 30, 2018, 11:13:58 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 30, 2018, 09:32:07 AM
01-25 to 01-30:
MARVEL 2-IN-ONE #2
THANOS #15
PHOENIX RESURRECTION #3 & 4
(of 5)
DOOMSDAY CLOCK #3 (of 12)
ACTION COMICS #996
DETECTIVE COMICS #973
WONDER WOMAN #39
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #22 & 23
THE DEMON: HELL IS EARTH #3
(of 6)
CALIFORNIA GIRLS #1 (June 1987)
SOUTHERN BASTARDS #19
BETTY PAGE #7
BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS #260
DOCTOR STRANGE #281-284

Doomsday Clock is an interesting series. What do you think of the fusion of the classic "Watchmen" and the DC characters, DR? They're certainly allowing profanity in it like the original....
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 30, 2018, 07:00:41 PM
Quote from: SAGG on January 30, 2018, 11:13:58 AM
Doomsday Clock is an interesting series. What do you think of the fusion of the classic "Watchmen" and the DC characters, DR? They're certainly allowing profanity in it like the original...

I've been enjoying it so far (as I did parts of Before Watchmen). But where's it's all going, and will it ultimately mean anything when it gets there? That's usually the biggest question involved in any major comics event or story arc today. They seem to have gotten the "keep the reader hooked" part down to a science... what isn't so well practiced in comics today is the denouement -- the climax or payoff of the story. The last thing I read that was written by Geoff Johns was a long multipart Justice League story that brought back (for the first time since the 2011 DC reboot) the Crime Syndicate (the evil JLA counterparts from Earth-3), which was a great story right up until the end -- which was a big letdown. It just doesn't seem like there can be any permanent fusion of the Watchmen and DC universes, or any lasting impact on the classic DC heroes. But they've got me for 12 issues, anyway.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 30, 2018, 07:33:20 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
The Archies & Other Stories
Blankets
Life With Kevin
Suburban Glamour
Deadly Class - Noise Noise Noise
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 31, 2018, 01:12:13 PM
01-31-18:
JUGHEAD: THE HUNGER #3
THE ARCHIES #4
RICK & MORTY #34
STRETCH ARMSTRONG AND THE FLEX FIGHTERS #1 (of 3)
GALAKTIKON #4
PUNISHER: PLATOON #5 (of 6)
MOON KNIGHT #191
PHOENIX RESURRECTION #5 (of 5)
DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #1
MYSTIK U #2 (of 3)
JLA DOOM PATROL SPECIAL #1
ASTRO CITY #50
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on January 31, 2018, 11:51:52 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 31, 2018, 01:12:13 PM
01-31-18:
JUGHEAD: THE HUNGER #3
THE ARCHIES #4
RICK & MORTY #34
STRETCH ARMSTRONG AND THE FLEX FIGHTERS #1 (of 3)
GALAKTIKON #4
PUNISHER: PLATOON #5 (of 6)
MOON KNIGHT #191
PHOENIX RESURRECTION #5 (of 5)
DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #1
MYSTIK U #2 (of 3)
JLA DOOM PATROL SPECIAL #1
ASTRO CITY #50

Interesting that you're reading the Archies. I thought you had misgivings about the New Archie universe, DR. What's your take? 😊
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 01, 2018, 04:08:59 AM
Quote from: SAGG on January 31, 2018, 11:51:52 PM
Interesting that you're reading the Archies. I thought you had misgivings about the New Archie universe, DR. What's your take? 😊

I just picked up THE ARCHIES #4 for the variant cover by Mike Allred. I'll sometimes pick up a book for the variant cover if it's a piece of art I really like, by one of a handful of my favorite artists (Allred, Steve Rude, Alex Ross, Dan Parent, Gisele, a few others). It's hard to stick to any absolute rules about this, but I try to limit my purchasing of variants, because there are just so MANY of them. In general, I try to avoid the "limited" type variant covers (1-in-10/25/50/100) that cost 10 bucks or more, but succumb to the temptation if it's a regular-priced book.

The guest-stars in this issue being the Monkees was a factor, too -- so I figured I might as well read it (I was wondering how they'd do that, given the timewarp factor). Interesting that the regular artist Joe Eisma here adopted a pseudo-classic style for the main "dream sequence" part of the story. He doesn't quite have the cartooning chops to pull it off (as opposed to Derek Charm, when he drew the in-game "cartoon" versions of Jughead & the gang in JUGHEAD). It might have worked if they'd let Rich Koslowski ink those pages. Still, I think it would have been a much better story if they'd just gotten Gisele or Dan Parent to draw those pages. I got the impression that Alex Segura's story was aiming to reflect the same 'off-the-wall' style of story that Frank Doyle used (possibly inspired by the Monkees TV series) when doing those earliest Archies stories with Bob White in LIFE WITH ARCHIE. There is a neat little in-joke reference to the supposed fact that the Monkees passed on recording the song "Sugar, Sugar" when it was offered to them by producer Don Kirshner (in the story, it's claimed to be a rumor -- don't know if that's the actual case). Doesn't make me want to follow the title regularly... but once again, I'll be picking up THE ARCHIES #6 specifically to get Dan Parent's variant cover with Blondie. It just occurs to me that this current series of THE ARCHIES is spinning off the sales success of Alex Segura's previous collaborations with Dan Parent on ARCHIE MEETS KISS and with Gisele on ARCHIE MEETS RAMONES (but the artwork makes a big difference to me).

As for JUGHEAD: THE HUNGER, I'd say that #3 (a loaner copy) is the last issue I'll read. I've satisfied whatever curiosity I had about that series, so no need for me to continue.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 06, 2018, 09:57:41 PM
THE SIMON & KIRBY LIBRARY: SCIENCE FICTION HC
SKY MASTERS OF THE SPACE FORCE: THE COMPLETE DAILIES HC
THE SIMON & KIRBY LIBRARY: HORROR! HC
THE STRANGE WORLD OF YOUR DREAMS HC
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 09, 2018, 05:07:02 AM
WEEK OF 02-07-18:
SAVAGE DRAGON #231
DEJAH THORIS #1
KINGSMAN: RED DIAMOND #6
(of 6)
WALT DISNEY SHOWCASE #1
Drew Friedman`s CHOSEN PEOPLE HC
POPEYE CLASSICS HC VOL 11
(reprints POPEYE #50-54)
COSMO #2 (of 5)
THE GREATEST ADVENTURE #9 (of 9)
INFINITY COUNTDOWN: ADAM WARLOCK #1 (one-shot)
X-MEN RED #1
TWISTED ROMANCE #1
(of 4)
YOUNG MONSTERS IN LOVE 80-PAGE GIANT #1 (one-shot) - A Valentine's Day Special featuring ten short stories of DC's monsters (Man-Bat, Frankenstein, Solomon Grundy, Raven, Deadman, Swamp Thing, Monsieur Mallah & The Brain, Andrew "I, Vampire" Bennett, Etrigan the Demon, and the Creature Commandos) in love. Obviously conceived as a fun experiment in creating a mashup of the monster comics and romance comics genres, I suspected that there might be a tendency on the writers' part to indulge in parodying or poking fun at the characters, but the stories here all seem to take on the challenge of the premise while keeping all these stand-alone stories in-continuity with their current regular stories -- they're mostly bittersweet little 8-page episodes. Not bad, really, although I think I'd have been happier seeing the opposite approach -- just throwing continuity to the wind in favor of a bunch of funny/happy ending-type throwaway shorts. DC Comics could use a little bit of humor (which you pretty much only get in SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP) once in a while, and this would have been a perfect opportunity for that. The cover seems like a tongue-in-cheek riff on a typical old-school romance comic book, but that's about as lighthearted as it gets here. I guess the typical DC reader doesn't have much indulgence for that sort of thing.

SWAMP THING WINTER SPECIAL 80-PAGE GIANT #1 (one-shot)
MOTHER PANIC/BATMAN SPECIAL #1 ("MILK WARS" Part 2)
ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN #8 (of 8 )
SPACE RIDERS: GALAXY OF BRUTALITY #4 (of 4)
RASPUTIN: VOICE OF DRAGON #4 (of 5)
THREE STOOGES SHEMPTASTIC SHEMPTACULAR #1 (one-shot)
KAIJUMAX: SEASON 3 #6 (of 6)
STAR TREK: NEW VISIONS #20: ISOLATION
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 09, 2018, 06:32:33 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Deadly Class - Book #1- Noise Noise Noise
Life With Kevin- Volume #1
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #260
And I finished The Archies & Other Stories
I also read
The Archie #5- Eisma's
Archie #27
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 16, 2018, 06:38:43 AM
02-09-18 to 02-15-18:
KYRRA: ALIEN JUNGLE GIRL TP
Akihiro Yamada's LOST CONTINENT #1-6 (of 6)  [Eclipse Comics, 1990]
Yukito Kishiro's BATTLE ANGEL ALITA Deluxe Edition HC VOL 01
Shigeru Mizuki's KITARO VOL 05: KITARO THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
DRAGONS RIOTING VOL 08 (of 9)
SAINT SEIYA: SAINTIA SHO VOL 01
ACTION COMICS #997
TITANS #20
WONDER WOMAN #40
DEADMAN #4
(of 6)
DETECTIVE COMICS #974
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 16, 2018, 10:11:06 AM
I read
The Archies #1 - Pitilli
Your Pal Archie #1
Betty & Veronica Vixens #1- Staples
Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica #1- Conner
And these books for 12 minutes each
The Best Of Archie - Book #3
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 18, 2018, 07:21:59 AM
02-16-18 to 02-18-18:
SHADE THE CHANGING GIRL/WONDER WOMAN SPECIAL #1 ("MILK WARS" Part 3 of 5)
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #24
CAPTAIN AMERICA #698
MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #3
DOCTOR STRANGE #385
KILL OR BE KILLED #16
- Just an amazingly well-told, interesting story with a 'high-concept' premise that keeps you guessing all the way along. One of the absolute best comics on the market right now. It could be one of those Showtime, Netflix, or HBO series in terms of realism... but part of the idea is that we're never quite sure what is real here and what is not.

KICK-ASS #1 (of 6) - Surprisingly, this had no connection (the only tenuous connection is the protagonist's costume) with the previous KICK-ASS series that was adapted into a couple of films. Feels a little like a bait-and-switch scheme, but I guess I'll wait another issue or two until I can figure out where this one is actually headed.

SKYBOURNE #5 (of 5)
COMIC BOOK CREATOR Magazine #16 (Interview with Dan Parent!)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 21, 2018, 04:50:51 AM
02-21-18:
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF NICK WILSON #2 (of 5)
TWISTED ROMANCE #2 & 3 (of 4)
HELLBOY & THE B.P.R.D. 1955 #20
EMPOWERED & SISTAH SPOOKY'S HIGH SCHOOL HELL #3 (of 6)
HIT-GIRL IN COLUMBIA #1 (of 4)
ICE CREAM MAN #2
MOONSHINE #7
KONG ON THE PLANET OF APES #4 (of 6)
INFINITY COUNTDOWN: PRIME #1
PUNISHER: THE PLATOON #6 (of 6)
BATMAN: SINS OF THE FATHER #1 (of ?)
BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #4 (of 6)
CAVE CARSON/SWAMP THING SPECIAL #1 ("MILK WARS" Part 4)
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS: BIRDMAN #7
COMPULSIVE COMICS bY Eric Haven TP
DEVILMAN GRIMOIRE VOL 02
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 25, 2018, 01:08:46 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie Comics Double Digest #281
Invincible - Friends - Volume #20
We Can Never Go Home - What We Do Is Secret
Phonogram - The Singles Club - Volume #2
Colder - Omnibus
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 04, 2018, 06:14:46 AM
02-22-18 to 03-04-18:
SKULL ISLAND: THE BIRTH OF KONG #4 (of 4)
JUNGLE TALES OF TARZAN HC OGN
TARZAN: THE COMPLETE JOE KUBERT YEARS TP
THE BEST OF ARCHIE COMICS starring BETTY & VERONICA VOL 02 TP
B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #260
BETTY & VERONICA: VIXENS #1-4
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP #35 (with Yogi Bear)
ACTION COMICS #998
DETECTIVE COMICS #975
WONDER WOMAN #41
MERA, QUEEN OF ATLANTIS #1 (of 6)
THE DEMON: HELL IS EARTH #4 (of 6)
THE TERRIFICS #1
DOOM PATROL/JLA SPECIAL #1 ("MILK WARS" Part 5 of 5)
THANOS #16
INFINI-T FORCE: ARC TO THE FUTURE VOL 02 TP
THE BEEF #1 (of 5)
G.I. JOE Vs The SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN #1 (of ?)
KISS/ARMY OF DARKNESS #1 (of 5)
RICK & MORTY #35
THE BEEF #1 (of 4)
DOCTOR STAR & THE KINGDOM OF LOST TOMORROWS #1 (of ?)
TAARNA #1
KRUSTY THE CLOWN #1 (one-shot)

Art books I've read recently:
  THE LITTLE BOOK OF PIN-UP - DRIBEN TP
  THE LITTLE BOOK OF PIN-UP - ELVGREN TP
  THE LITTLE BOOK OF PIN-UP - VARGAS TP
  UNCOVERED: THE HIDDEN ART OF THE GIRLIE PULPS HC by Doug Ellis
  DIAN HANSON'S HISTORY OF PIN-UP MAGAZINES VOL. 1-3 HC
  THE GREAT AMERICAN PIN-UP HC by Charles G. Martignette/Louis K. Meisel
  Peter Driben - 1000 PIN-UP GIRLS HC
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 07, 2018, 06:30:30 PM
I read
Betty & Veronica Vixens #4
The Archies #5 - Featuring Tegan & Sara - Eisma
Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica #5
Saga #49
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 10, 2018, 12:15:28 PM
I finished Reggie & Me - Volume #1
And I also read these books for 12 minutes
Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
Archie Comics Double Digest #281
Life With Kevin - Volume #1
The Best Of Archie Comics Starring Betty & Veronica - Book #2
Blankets
Colder -Omnibus
Deadly Class - Noise Noise Noise - Book #1
Suburban Glamour

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 11, 2018, 10:57:47 AM
03-04-18 to 03-11-18:
STREET FIGHTER VS DARKSTALKERS #8 (of 8 )
STREET FIGHTER SHADALOO SPECIAL #1
STREET FIGHTER RELOADED #1-6 (of 6)
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP PRELUDE #1 (of 2)
INFINITY COUNTDOWN #1 (of 5)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #699
MOON KNIGHT #192
FIGHTING AMERICAN: THE TIES THAT BIND #1
(of 4)
DEJAH THORIS #2
SAVAGE DRAGON #232
RICK & MORTY PRESENTS THE VINDICATORS #1
(one-shot)
TWISTED ROMANCE #4 (of 4)
GALAKTIKON #5 (of 6)
ASSASSINISTAS #3 (of ?)
ONE PUNCH MAN VOL 13 tankobon
ASTRA: LOST IN SPACE VOL 1 & 2 tankobon
BATTLE ANGEL ALITA DELUXE ED HC VOL 02
MÈNAGE Á 3 VOL 01 (omnibus) - A newer, bigger collection of the webcomic from Udon; Same contents as the tankobon (5"x7") volumes 1 & 2.
SUPER 'SUCKERS (Binge Books) #1-4 - I freakin' LOVE this comic book!
BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #261 - Wow, I just realized there haven't been any Josie reprints in the last three issues... OR in the last five issues of B&V FRIENDS. We still get a regular fix of Sabrina and Cheryl (and in the last 5 issues of B&V FRIENDS, Katy Keene). Occasionally they'll toss in a Ginger, Suzie, or Li'l Jinx reprint (or *ugh* "Little Betty & Veronica"). We even got a couple of classic BETTY & ME stories (more of those, please!)... but the Josie reprints stopped cold a couple of months after the big reprint collections THE BEST OF JOSIE and ARCHIE'S BIG BOOK VOL 1: MAGIC, MUSIC & MISCHIEF. I may go into withdrawal if this condition lasts all year.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 14, 2018, 09:04:17 AM
03-12-18 to 03-14-18:
FRANKENSTEIN: ALIVE, ALIVE! #1-4 (of 4)
BEST OF THE ROCKETEER ADVENTURES (one-shot)
TITANS #21
WONDER WOMAN #42
DETECTIVE COMICS #976
ACTION COMICS #999
MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #4
DRY COUNTY #1
(of ?)
MIGHTY CRUSADERS #3 (of 4)
COSMO #3 (of 5)
VAMPIRONICA #1
KONG ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #5
(of 6)
FIRE PUNCH VOL 01 (manga)
IT RHYMES WITH LUST OGN (reprint of 1948 graphic novel)
TRON: ORIGINAL MOVIE ADAPTATION TP
STAR TREK GOLD KEY 100-PAGE SPECTACULAR
THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 16, 2018, 06:22:56 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
The Best Of Archie Comics - Book #3
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 19, 2018, 04:17:15 PM
Riverdale #11 just came & I'm going read it.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 21, 2018, 01:24:19 PM
03-15-18 to 03-21-18:
THE PIN-UP ART OF HUMORAMA TP
CHERRY #1-22 (1982-2000)
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF NICK WILSON #3 (of 5)
KILL OR BE KILLED #17
KICK-ASS #2
THANOS #17
ICE CREAM MAN #3
MOONSHINE #8
BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #5 (of 6)
BATMAN: SINS OF THE FATHER #2 (of 6)
DEADMAN #5 (of 6)
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS: MIGHTOR #8
INFINITY 8 #1
MIGHTY CRUSADERS #4 (of 4)
THE UNQUOTABLE TRUMP GN
DON'T MEDDLE WITH MY DAUGHTER VOL 03 (of 3) tankobon

ARCHIE'S GIRLS BETTY AND VERONICA #37, 128, 154, 155, 156
BETTY AND VERONICA SPECTACULAR #42
BETTY'S DIARY #28
BETTY #87, 89, 92
JUGHEAD (V2) #134
LAUGH COMICS #326
PEP COMICS #257
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #101, 107, 275
ARCHIE'S PALS'N'GALS #159, 211
ARCHIE #498, 502, 503, 504, 505
ARCHIE AND ME #24
ARCHIE'S JOKE BOOK #176, 244
JUGHEAD'S JOKES #75
LI'L JINX GIANT LAUGH-OUT (ARCHIE GIANT SERIES) #33

JUGHEAD #134 had a good example of how Jug obsesses over Trula, in the story "Do the Write Thing" (Trula doesn't actually DO anything in the story; Jughead just *thinks* she's up to something). AGB&V #156 had another Sugar Plum story, "Some Things Never Change" by Kathleen Webb & Jeff Shultz. Issue #37 of AGB&V (from 1958) was in such poor shape that both covers were detached and the covers and pages' edges were literally flaking off in my hands as I handled it. Good stories, though! PEP #257 has a story which *might* (I haven't checked into it yet) be the first Chuck Clayton story... his initial character design looks a little different than later became standard, and he does introduce himself to Moose (it's actually a "Big Moose" story). Also in the story, Chuck uses judo to toss Moose around like a rag doll (several times), and says that his father, the new assistant coach at Riverdale, taught it to him.

BETTY #87 had the first appearance of Adam Chisolm, in a 5-page story by George Gladir and Stan Goldberg titled "Dilemma". The final panel of page 5 is a response coupon for the reader to cut out and mail back to the editor, telling how the reader felt about Adam. The following multiple choice checkboxes were given:

DEAR EDITOR,
   
  BETTY SHOULD:


[ ]  DUMP ARCHIE                      [ ]  PLAY THE FIELD

[ ]  SAY SAYONARA TO ADAM    [ ]  DATE ARCHIE AND ADAM

[ ]  OR_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Various ACP floppy comics contain stories which for one reason or another you just know are never going to be reprinted in a digest. This is a good example, because the story only existed to get the readers' response on whether they should proceed with the idea of Adam, a character representing a rival to Archie for Betty's affection (and thus adding a second romantic triangle). I'm always glad to find these type of stories in a back issue. Given the nature of this story, I would have been sure to recognize this as Adam's introduction, so if the coupon had already been cut out it would have been very frustrating to wonder what had been in that final panel! By the way, a later "From the Editor" column which ran in all the Archie titles that month mentioned that the response to that request for reader feedback in BETTY #87 had been very good, and that they were working on a 2-part follow-up story featuring Adam and Betty. That story didn't appear until BETTY #99 & 100 (cover-dated July & August of 2001), "The Big Break-Up!", but those who voted to "Dump Archie" got their wish (temporarily), while later on after the conclusion of the two-parter, those who voted for Betty to "Date Archie AND Adam" also got their wish.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 23, 2018, 05:19:38 AM
I checked into the first appearance of Chuck Clayton and found that it was actually in "The New Generation", an Archies story written by Dick Malmgren and drawn by Bob Bolling, from LIFE WITH ARCHIE #110 (Chuck also appeared in LWA#111, 112, and 113). In the story, the Archies meet up with a depressed and disillusioned Vietnam veteran, and the example of how all the Riverdale teens get along (regardless of differences of race) gives the veteran new hope for future generations.

LIFE WITH ARCHIE #113 came out the same month (September 1971) as PEP #257, with the Big Moose story "My Reputation" where Chuck manhandles the terror of Riverdale High by tossing him around using judo throws which his father taught him. LWA #113 that same month had a story where Chuck became The Archies' business manager. I can recall other early Chuck stories which portrayed him as a hypochondriac and as being particularly inept with girls (which causes him to seek advice from Archie and Reggie), and a couple where he acts like an egotistical braggart (including one I read just recently). It seems as though having introduced Chuck by editorial mandate, early on the writers at ACP really didn't have much of a grasp on exactly what sort of character he was, and were experimenting with a lot of different personality traits and quirks in those early stories.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 25, 2018, 11:32:36 AM
I read each of books for 12 minutes
Colder - Omnibus
Suburban Glamour
Nameless City
Pushing 40- A Better Or Worse Collection
The Best Of Archie Comics - Betty & Veronica - Book #2
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on March 28, 2018, 05:05:01 AM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Bonanza
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
The Best Of Archie Comics - Book #3
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on March 28, 2018, 10:12:44 AM
03-22 to 03-28-18:
NEIL GAIMAN'S HANSEL & GRETEL HC OGN
JIMMY'S BASTARDS #7
BLACK MAGICK #11
HIT-GIRL IN COLUMBIA #2 (of 4)
KISS/ARMY OF DARKNESS #2 (of 5)
FACTORY #1
RICK & MORTY #36
DOOMSDAY CLOCK #4 (of 12)
DETECTIVE COMICS #977
WONDER WOMAN #43
THE TERRIFICS #2
THE DEMON: HELL IS EARTH #5 (of 6)
MYSTIK U #3 (of 3)
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM UP #36
LOONEY TUNES #242
LOONEY TUNES #159 (Apr. 2000)
BUGS BUNNY #1 (Jun. 1990)
THE BEEF #2 (of 5)
THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT: SEE-TA THE SAVAGE #1 (of 2)
SHEENA #6 & 7
GALAKTIKON #6 (of 6)
LOCKJAW #1 & 2
PEP COMICS FCBD 2011
SILVER AGE: DIAL H FOR HERO #1 (Jul. 2000)
WONDER WOMAN: FORGOTTEN LEGENDS TP
THE LEGEND OF AQUAMAN TP
MANN AND SUPERMAN (2000)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: darkmark on April 01, 2018, 07:27:33 PM
Keeping up with Waid's ARCHIE (I knew Mark when) and ASTRO CITY whenever it comes out.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 02, 2018, 01:32:22 AM
03-29 to 04-01-18:
MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN: FRED FREDERICKS SUNDAYS HC VOL 01 [1965-1969]
MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN: FRED FREDERICKS DAILIES HC VOL 01 [1965-1967]
MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN: LEE FALK & PHIL DAVIS DAILIES HC VOL 01 [1934-1936]
MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN: LEE FALK & PHIL DAVIS SUNDAYS HC VOL 01 [1935-1937]


Lee Falk created Mandrake (the first comics superhero with magic powers) in 1934, when he was a 19 year-old college sophomore, and continued to write the strip until his death in 1999. In the early years Mandrake had true mystical abilities, although as time went on, all these fantastic manifestations began to be explained as powerful illusions created by Mandrake through a form of instant super-hypnosis. "MANDRAKE GESTURES HYPNOTICALLY" was a caption oft-repeated. Telepathy, telekinesis, teleportation, levitation, psychometry, astral projection, invisibility, and metamorphosis were only a basic selection of Mandrake's vast array of powers. Mandrake was trained in the mystic arts at the Collegium Magikos, hidden in the Tibetan Himalayas, presided over by Headmaster Theron (who was later revealed as both Mandrake's father, and the father of Luciphor [unbeknown to Mandrake, he was his half-brother, who later became his arch-enemy the Cobra]), yet Mandrake's powers always seemed to be somewhere between true magick and parapsychological talents, plus having mastered all the standard craft of traditional stage magicians. Whether mystical or psychic in nature, Mandrake's abilities served him well as he travelled the globe, opposing criminals and all forms of injustice. He, together with his constant companions, the faithful aide Lothar (an African prince of immense strength who forsook his throne for a life of adventure), and the exotically beautiful Princess Narda of the tiny kingdom of Cockaigne (whom Mandrake finally married in 1997 after a 62-year courtship) endured in newspapers for nearly 80 years.

For the first 30 years, Phil Davis was the artist. Fred Fredericks took over the strip in 1965 (both dailies and Sundays) after Davis' death, and drew it until his retirement in 2013 (and he did double-duty after Lee Falk's death by writing the strip from 1999 until the end). Mandrake survives in reruns, but the Phantom, Lee Falk's other comic strip superhero (the first to wear a colorful form-fitting costume and mask, although without any superpowers) goes on and on.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 02, 2018, 10:47:21 PM
No reading today but I got a package from Midtown Comics which I will open tomorrow.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 04, 2018, 01:12:04 PM
04-04-18:
FIGHTING AMERICAN: THE TIES THAT BIND #2 (of 4)
DEJAH THORIS #3
ASTRO CITY #51
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP PRELUDE #2 (of 2)
AVENGERS: SHARDS OF INFINITY #1 (one-shot)
MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #5
CABLE #155
JOHNNY BLAZE: GHOST RIDER #1 (one-shot)
DEATHSTROKE #30
XERXES: THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF DARIUS #1 (of 5)
DOCTOR STAR & THE KINGDOM OF LOST TOMORROWS #2 (of ?)
BRUCE LEE: WALK OF THE DRAGON #1 (one-shot)
THE TREMENDOUS TRUMP: WORLD WAR T #1 (one-shot)
BETTY AND VERONICA: VIXENS #5
THANOS: THE INFINITY SIBLINGS OGN HC
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #65 (Feb. 1981)
ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT #96 (Aug. 1984)
ARCHIE'S GIRLS BETTY AND VERONICA #298 (Oct. 1980)
BETTY AND VERONICA SPECTACULAR (ARCHIE GIANT SERIES) #530 (Sept. 1983)
BETTY AND VERONICA SPECTACULAR (ARCHIE GIANT SERIES) #613 (Oct. 1990)
BETTY AND ME #79 (Oct. 1976)
BETTY AND ME #124 (Oct. 1981)
BETTY AND ME #129 (Jul. 1982)
LAUGH #263 (Feb. 1973)
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #112 (Aug. 1971)
MADHOUSE COMICS #124 (May 1981)
PEP #317 (Sept. 1976)
REGGIE AND ME #81 (Sept. 1975)
JUGHEAD'S TIME POLICE TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 12, 2018, 02:33:22 AM
04-05 to 04-11-18:
HEART THROBS #1, 2, & 4 (of 4) [Vertigo 1999]
MY TERRIBLE ROMANCE #1 [Apr. 1994]
COWBOY LOVE nn [1998]
THRILLING LOVE 3-D [3-D ZONE #17, 1989]
CONFESSIONS, ROMANCES, SECRETS and TEMPTATIONS TP by John Benson [May 2008]
TRUER THAN TRUE ROMANCE:  Classic Love Comics Retold! TP by Jeanne Martinet [Jun. 2001]
MARVEL ROMANCE REDUX: Another Kind of Love TP [Feb. 2007]
WELCOME TO THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS #1 (of 3) [1995]
B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS #260
BETTY AND VERONICA JUMBO COMICS #262
THE ARCHIES #6
(of 7)
ARCHIE'S BIG BOOK VOL 03: ROCK 'N' ROLL TP
ANGEL LOVE #5, 8
(1986)
BINKY'S BUDDIES #6 (Dec. 1969)
THAT WILKIN BOY #14 (Sept. 1971)
MADHOUSE GLADS #80 (Sept. 1971)
JUGHEAD #7 (Aug. 1988)
LAUGH #284 (Dec. 1974)
BETTY AND VERONICA #35 (Nov. 1990)
BETTY AND VERONICA #90 (Aug. 1995)
BETTY #14 (Jun. 1994)
ARCHIE 3000! #10 (Aug. 1990)
TITANS #22
WONDER WOMAN #44
DETECTIVE COMICS #978
BATMAN #44
THANOS #18
CAPTAIN AMERICA #700
RESIDENT ALIEN: ALIEN IN NEW YORK #1
(of 4)
DRY COUNTY #2 (of ?)
GIDEON FALLS # 1 & 2
MARS ATTACKS KISS
(one-shot) [Jan. 2013]
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on April 13, 2018, 07:44:41 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 12, 2018, 02:33:22 AM
04-05 to 04-11-18:
HEART THROBS #1, 2, & 4 (of 4) [Vertigo 1999]
MY TERRIBLE ROMANCE #1 [Apr. 1994]
COWBOY LOVE nn [1998]
THRILLING LOVE 3-D [3-D ZONE #17, 1989]
CONFESSIONS, ROMANCES, SECRETS and TEMPTATIONS TP by John Benson [May 2008]
TRUER THAN TRUE ROMANCE:  Classic Love Comics Retold! TP by Jeanne Martinet [Jun. 2001]
MARVEL ROMANCE REDUX: Another Kind of Love TP [Feb. 2007]
WELCOME TO THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS #1 (of 3) [1995]
B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS #260
BETTY AND VERONICA JUMBO COMICS #262
THE ARCHIES #6
(of 7)
ARCHIE'S BIG BOOK VOL 03: ROCK 'N' ROLL TP
ANGEL LOVE #5, 8
(1986)
BINKY'S BUDDIES #6 (Dec. 1969)
THAT WILKIN BOY #14 (Sept. 1971)
MADHOUSE GLADS #80 (Sept. 1971)
JUGHEAD #7 (Aug. 1988)
LAUGH #284 (Dec. 1974)
BETTY AND VERONICA #35 (Nov. 1990)
BETTY AND VERONICA #90 (Aug. 1995)
BETTY #14 (Jun. 1994)
ARCHIE 3000! #10 (Aug. 1990)
TITANS #22
WONDER WOMAN #44
DETECTIVE COMICS #978
BATMAN #44
THANOS #18
CAPTAIN AMERICA #700
RESIDENT ALIEN: ALIEN IN NEW YORK #1
(of 4)
DRY COUNTY #2 (of ?)
GIDEON FALLS # 1 & 2
MARS ATTACKS KISS
(one-shot) [Jan. 2013]
Quick question, DR: Where are you getting these comics, from print, digital, or both?  ???
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 14, 2018, 01:11:22 AM
Quote from: SAGG on April 13, 2018, 07:44:41 PM
Quick question, DR: Where are you getting these comics, from print, digital, or both?  ???

Mostly NOT digital, unless you see me list a title that's pre-Code, and public domain (those are available for free browsing and downloads at such sites as the Digital Comic Museum and Comic Book Plus).

Generally, these are just a result of my rummaging through the longboxes of 50-cent comics at my LCS. Every few weeks it seems like new acquisitions from somebody's collection make their way into the store. If I had more time, and was better organized and systematic in my sifting through these boxes, I could undoubtedly find more old comics than I do; but as it is, a lot of my time is taken up looking through and reading this week's new comics. I'm always keeping an eye out for comic book obscura, those titles that are short-lived, from tiny (sometimes unheard-of) publishers or self-published, and genres generally unpopular with comic book collectors (like teen humor or romance comics), or just anything oddball or retro-looking. You have to sift through hundreds, if not thousands, of titles from Marvel, DC, Image, and other well-known publishers to find the off-trail titles, the ones collected only by the rare few. Mostly what I find are comics that have been READ (in fact, often "read to death"), but not COLLECTED by anyone per se... merely saved, but in a casual manner that indicates that the last owner didn't place much value on them (unless they're pretty recent, from the last few decades, and so didn't receive much handling; read but once, and stuck in a box somewhere). Often they are falling apart, crumbling with age and flaking apart if 40 or more years old; with tears, folded corners, rips and hand-written on by kids (often kids would write their names on the covers, or doodle on the cover or interior pages using pens of various colors).

If I happen upon Archie titles (or ANY teen humor title), it's always worth at least flipping through to see what's in it. Since I know the owner of the store and have been friends with him for many years, I often take a stack home to read, then return most of them a few days or a week later (except the maybe 10-20% that may be of particular interest, and in better than 'fair' condition). Since other customers rarely seek these kind of titles, it's NBD if they disappear from those 50-cent boxes for a week or so. Rarely, if it's an older one even in the most beat-up condition, I may keep it (bagging and boarding it to prevent it falling into even worse condition, even though it's practically worthless as a collectible) if it contains some stories I haven't seen reprinted elsewhere.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on April 14, 2018, 04:57:46 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 14, 2018, 01:11:22 AM
Quote from: SAGG on April 13, 2018, 07:44:41 PM
Quick question, DR: Where are you getting these comics, from print, digital, or both?  ???

Mostly NOT digital, unless you see me list a title that's pre-Code, and public domain (those are available for free browsing and downloads at such sites as the Digital Comic Museum and Comic Book Plus).

Generally, these are just a result of my rummaging through the longboxes of 50-cent comics at my LCS. Every few weeks it seems like new acquisitions from somebody's collection make their way into the store. If I had more time, and was better organized and systematic in my sifting through these boxes, I could undoubtedly find more old comics than I do; but as it is, a lot of my time is taken up looking through and reading this week's new comics. I'm always keeping an eye out for comic book obscura, those titles that are short-lived, from tiny (sometimes unheard-of) publishers or self-published, and genres generally unpopular with comic book collectors (like teen humor or romance comics), or just anything oddball or retro-looking. You have to sift through hundreds, if not thousands, of titles from Marvel, DC, Image, and other well-known publishers to find the off-trail titles, the ones collected only by the rare few. Mostly what I find are comics that have been READ (in fact, often "read to death"), but not COLLECTED by anyone per se... merely saved, but in a casual manner that indicates that the last owner didn't place much value on them (unless they're pretty recent, from the last few decades, and so didn't receive much handling; read but once, and stuck in a box somewhere). Often they are falling apart, crumbling with age and flaking apart if 40 or more years old; with tears, folded corners, rips and hand-written on by kids (often kids would write their names on the covers, or doodle on the cover or interior pages using pens of various colors).

If I happen upon Archie titles (or ANY teen humor title), it's always worth at least flipping through to see what's in it. Since I know the owner of the store and have been friends with him for many years, I often take a stack home to read, then return most of them a few days or a week later (except the maybe 10-20% that may be of particular interest, and in better than 'fair' condition). Since other customers rarely seek these kind of titles, it's NBD if they disappear from those 50-cent boxes for a week or so. Rarely, if it's an older one even in the most beat-up condition, I may keep it (bagging and boarding it to prevent it falling into even worse condition, even though it's practically worthless as a collectible) if it contains some stories I haven't seen reprinted elsewhere.
When I want to read any old comics on Comixology, I use the Unlimited subscription package. When I finish a book, I just return it. Very practical for me....
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 14, 2018, 06:42:42 AM
Quote from: SAGG on April 14, 2018, 04:57:46 AM
When I want to read any old comics on Comixology, I use the Unlimited subscription package. When I finish a book, I just return it. Very practical for me....

Not very practical if what you're looking to read is an issue of BINKY'S BUDDIES, DEBBI'S DATES, or ANGEL LOVE... or THAT WILKIN BOY or MADHOUSE GLADS from the late 1960s or early 1970s. Obscure older titles just don't attract enough readers to be viable candidates to be digitized, unless they're so old that the copyrights have entered public domain. There are torrents, I guess, if issues about piracy don't bother you.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on April 14, 2018, 11:18:22 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 14, 2018, 06:42:42 AM
Quote from: SAGG on April 14, 2018, 04:57:46 AM
When I want to read any old comics on Comixology, I use the Unlimited subscription package. When I finish a book, I just return it. Very practical for me....

Not very practical if what you're looking to read is an issue of BINKY'S BUDDIES, DEBBI'S DATES, or ANGEL LOVE... or THAT WILKIN BOY or MADHOUSE GLADS from the late 1960s or early 1970s. Obscure older titles just don't attract enough readers to be viable candidates to be digitized, unless they're so old that the copyrights have entered public domain. There are torrents, I guess, if issues about piracy don't bother you.
Torrents? Please.  :D I'm aiming for more generalized comics in the mainstream, like DC or Marvel. Many old titles come out on occasion. As for Archie, it's old digests that can be borrowed as well...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 15, 2018, 12:18:55 AM
Quote from: SAGG on April 14, 2018, 11:18:22 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 14, 2018, 06:42:42 AM
Quote from: SAGG on April 14, 2018, 04:57:46 AM
When I want to read any old comics on Comixology, I use the Unlimited subscription package. When I finish a book, I just return it. Very practical for me....

Not very practical if what you're looking to read is an issue of BINKY'S BUDDIES, DEBBI'S DATES, or ANGEL LOVE... or THAT WILKIN BOY or MADHOUSE GLADS from the late 1960s or early 1970s. Obscure older titles just don't attract enough readers to be viable candidates to be digitized, unless they're so old that the copyrights have entered public domain. There are torrents, I guess, if issues about piracy don't bother you.
Torrents? Please.  :D I'm aiming for more generalized comics in the mainstream, like DC or Marvel. Many old titles come out on occasion. As for Archie, it's old digests that can be borrowed as well...

The thing about a back issue is that you know that it was published, so it has to exist somewhere. Not so for digital comics, which only exist if the companies who hold the copyrights to a printed comic book consider it worthwhile digitizing... if they think there's a market for it from which the publisher can generate some extra profit. It's incredibly frustrating to me that I'll never be able to read hundreds of pages of comics that Dan DeCarlo drew for Marvel in the 1950s (MILLIE THE MODEL, SHERRY THE SHOWGIRL, MY FRIEND IRMA, and on and on), because nobody at Marvel considers those issues worth making available in digital format. You might think that anything Marvel or DC ever published that was worth reading would have been reprinted or digitized by now, but only a small fraction of what they've published over 80 years or so has been.

Ditto for Archie Comics, which still hasn't digitized hundreds of its published comics from the 1960s, like JOSIE. Only a scant few of the published stories are available in digital format, appearing in digests or collections. As back issues, many of those JOSIEs are extremely difficult to find or prohibitively expensive as collectibles for all but the most well-heeled of comic book collectors.

When it comes to public domain material, where the copyright on the original comics has expired, it only takes ONE person with a copy of that comic book and a desire to share his or her love of the stories with other readers to scan it and upload it to one of the existing public domain comic book websites, as a labor of love.

I could sit here and make lists of hundreds of comic books (or just individual stories) that I know exist and would love to read, but I will never be able to read or own, due to the relatively few copies of the printed comics still in existence, most of them locked away in private collections, or too expensive for me to ever afford as collectibles. It's incredibly frustrating, so I have to make due with what I can find in lesser conditions, catch as catch can, while rifling though longboxes of cheap old back issues. At least those comics you can see and examine, to discover what the contents of the comic book are. Unless you know that a particular comic contains stories or work by a particular artist that you want to read, you'd never even look for or at it.

My feeling is that I'm never going to prefer a digital comic if it's just something that's commonly available as a print comic. If they both cost the same and are just as available, why would I want the digital version? It's only attractive to me if it's something I can't otherwise get as a real book, or a cheap replica of an otherwise expensive or hard-to-find collectible. Public domain Golden Age comics that have been scanned and are FREE are a major attraction by comparison to expensive, uncommonly found, and physically fragile paper collectibles from the 1940s or 50s, and so are Japanese manga scanned and translated by otaku, that wouldn't otherwise be available to read in English. Other than those type of things it's hard for me to see where they have any superiority over print comics.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on April 15, 2018, 03:13:40 PM

Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 15, 2018, 12:18:55 AM
Quote from: SAGG on April 14, 2018, 11:18:22 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 14, 2018, 06:42:42 AM
Quote from: SAGG on April 14, 2018, 04:57:46 AM
When I want to read any old comics on Comixology, I use the Unlimited subscription package. When I finish a book, I just return it. Very practical for me....

Not very practical if what you're looking to read is an issue of BINKY'S BUDDIES, DEBBI'S DATES, or ANGEL LOVE... or THAT WILKIN BOY or MADHOUSE GLADS from the late 1960s or early 1970s. Obscure older titles just don't attract enough readers to be viable candidates to be digitized, unless they're so old that the copyrights have entered public domain. There are torrents, I guess, if issues about piracy don't bother you.
Torrents? Please.  :D I'm aiming for more generalized comics in the mainstream, like DC or Marvel. Many old titles come out on occasion. As for Archie, it's old digests that can be borrowed as well...

The thing about a back issue is that you know that it was published, so it has to exist somewhere. Not so for digital comics, which only exist if the companies who hold the copyrights to a printed comic book consider it worthwhile digitizing... if they think there's a market for it from which the publisher can generate some extra profit. It's incredibly frustrating to me that I'll never be able to read hundreds of pages of comics that Dan DeCarlo drew for Marvel in the 1950s (MILLIE THE MODEL, SHERRY THE SHOWGIRL, MY FRIEND IRMA, and on and on), because nobody at Marvel considers those issues worth making available in digital format. You might think that anything Marvel or DC ever published that was worth reading would have been reprinted or digitized by now, but only a small fraction of what they've published over 80 years or so has been.

Ditto for Archie Comics, which still hasn't digitized hundreds of its published comics from the 1960s, like JOSIE. Only a scant few of the published stories are available in digital format, appearing in digests or collections. As back issues, many of those JOSIEs are extremely difficult to find or prohibitively expensive as collectibles for all but the most well-heeled of comic book collectors.

When it comes to public domain material, where the copyright on the original comics has expired, it only takes ONE person with a copy of that comic book and a desire to share his or her love of the stories with other readers to scan it and upload it to one of the existing public domain comic book websites, as a labor of love.

I could sit here and make lists of hundreds of comic books (or just individual stories) that I know exist and would love to read, but I will never be able to read or own, due to the relatively few copies of the printed comics still in existence, most of them locked away in private collections, or too expensive for me to ever afford as collectibles. It's incredibly frustrating, so I have to make due with what I can find in lesser conditions, catch as catch can, while rifling though longboxes of cheap old back issues. At least those comics you can see and examine, to discover what the contents of the comic book are. Unless you know that a particular comic contains stories or work by a particular artist that you want to read, you'd never even look for or at it.

My feeling is that I'm never going to prefer a digital comic if it's just something that's commonly available as a print comic. If they both cost the same and are just as available, why would I want the digital version? It's only attractive to me if it's something I can't otherwise get as a real book, or a cheap replica of an otherwise expensive or hard-to-find collectible. Public domain Golden Age comics that have been scanned and are FREE are a major attraction by comparison to expensive, uncommonly found, and physically fragile paper collectibles from the 1940s or 50s, and so are Japanese manga scanned and translated by otaku, that wouldn't otherwise be available to read in English. Other than those type of things it's hard for me to see where they have any superiority over print comics.
Got something for you:
https://www.comixology.com/search?search=Millie+the+Model
Couldn't find the other two, but at least it has one....
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 16, 2018, 07:40:53 AM
Quote from: SAGG on April 15, 2018, 03:13:40 PM
Got something for you:
https://www.comixology.com/search?search=Millie+the+Model
Couldn't find the other two, but at least it has one....

Interesting, but this is perhaps some proof of my point. The first thing that strikes you there is "Why those particular issues, and ONLY those?"'

It's because Millie the Model #100 was reprinted as a floppy comic (together with a Patsy Walker story), in  Marvel Milestones: Millie the Model & Patsy Walker, in 2006 (which I own).

(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_iv/600/592875.jpg)

And Modeling With Millie #44 was reprinted in the 2006 hardcover collection, Marvel Visionaries: Roy Thomas (because the lead story in that issue, "Whom Can I Turn To?", was the very first story Roy Thomas ever wrote for Marvel Comics, back in 1965 (he eventually became editor-in-chief there, from 1972-1975, before going freelance, then eventually defecting to rival DC Comics in 1981-1990 as a writer-editor). While I don't own that particular hardcover yet, I've been keeping an eye out for remaindered discounted Marvel hardcover collections, so it's one I'm watching for. Too bad it's one of the later, soap-opera drama issues (with Stan Goldberg in his more realist style), instead of one of the earlier 'girl-humor' genre issues.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/cmx-images-prod/Item/660766/660766._SX1280_QL80_TTD_.jpg)(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_iv/600/928421.jpg)

Since any reprinting in recent decades involves scanning and cleaning up pages of original line-art, and recoloring, why not add those stories as digital singles just so they can squeeze a few extra dollars out of the effort to reprint them in the first place? Ah, now we can see the method to the madness of random digital comics.

Not trying to be snide here, SAGG, and I do appreciate the thought. It's just that the big companies rarely do anything without some reason.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 16, 2018, 03:04:59 PM
But oh, what digital delights are out there on the interwebs, just waiting to be found for FREE!
Takes a little work, but OH so worth it!!!

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.furycomics.com%2Fviewer%2Fc4%2Fc4909f89f6813f3f8386f6f206709435%2F22.jpg&hash=ff2ebebb3ae75a35892b39f80e97e5e2ba177bf0)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.furycomics.com%2Fviewer%2Fc4%2Fc4909f89f6813f3f8386f6f206709435%2F23.jpg&hash=8ef2926d15dbc1482fdcde269b57507ec9354b01)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.furycomics.com%2Fviewer%2Fc4%2Fc4909f89f6813f3f8386f6f206709435%2F24.jpg&hash=4aa08b87503df0d09d2c2cdc52b449f31784c47c)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.furycomics.com%2Fviewer%2Fc4%2Fc4909f89f6813f3f8386f6f206709435%2F25.jpg&hash=ac43f3d4dc0d819ba3f84ae18b40b63b626630a0)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.furycomics.com%2Fviewer%2Fc4%2Fc4909f89f6813f3f8386f6f206709435%2F26.jpg&hash=fb40e5c2e1a13a290ea742b9931ff01da4c189c5)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 16, 2018, 04:04:52 PM
And speaking of MY FRIEND IRMA, as I was a couple of posts back, I found an incredibly rare example of Dan DeCarlo's first comic strip work (together with Stan Lee as writer) - a single month's worth of daily newspaper strips that were syndicated way back in July of 1952. At this point in time, DDC had only been working professionally in the comics industry for about four years, but his work is amazingly polished and he has the artistic confidence of a seasoned veteran cartoonist many years his senior.

And who was Irma? Irma Peterson was one of the first multimedia superstars, from 1948 to 1954, as portrayed (on radio, film, and TV) by Marie Wilson. And here's Marie, the world's smartest dumb blonde...

(https://i.imgur.com/b3c5OpV.jpg)
:o   :o   :o :o   :o :o :o   :o :o   :o   :o   :o

Beginning as a radio series in 1948, MY FRIEND IRMA spun off into two feature films (which gave the comedy team of Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis their first big break to movie stardom), and then a television series in 1953 and 1954. By then, it had already been translated into an Atlas (Marvel) comic book written by Stan Lee and drawn (mostly) by Dan DeCarlo (which eventually ran for 46 issues from 1950-55), and finally in 1951 it was turned into newspaper comic strip... with absolutely terrible artwork. Too late, once the strip was really struggling for subscriber newspapers, the creators of Irma took a look at the comic book stories, and said "Why don't we get THOSE guys to do the newspaper strip??" Alas, it was probably too late by then, as the syndicated comic had just lurched along for a year or so, losing papers left and right, despite high initial interest by subscribing papers, and the ongoing popularity of the radio series, movies, and comic book. Stan and Dan did a great job for the last year, but... it was just not to be. They couldn't reverse the damage done by the initial artist on the strip. If only the creators of the show had been smart enough to hire them in the first place!

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcartoonician.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F02%2Fbw-irma_1lo1.jpg&hash=f790deacf09ac0d9609bae9ba0a33704f14714a6)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcartoonician.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F02%2Fbw-irma_2lo1.jpg&hash=a539548dee46d243fb3eb3e94f370895290db3d4)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcartoonician.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F02%2Fbw-irma_3lo1.jpg&hash=fb97547cac71d6f6c5bfa646a8985abfa8489640)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcartoonician.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F02%2Fbw-irma_4lo1.jpg&hash=2323d214742053e2539f8f57f90cb9db5a78abb1)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcartoonician.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F02%2Fbw-irma_5lo1.jpg&hash=d8b95abbd7fb73d5d1ac606bc5409881518b8a25)
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcartoonician.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F02%2Fbw-irma_6lo1.jpg&hash=eed415a3c8be1d396f0ca5699cc6895ff865470a)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Vermontf on April 17, 2018, 12:43:57 AM
We understand that your information is quite difficult, we would encourage you to distribute it further.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 19, 2018, 12:15:57 PM
Sometimes the things you see when flipping through the pages of an old pre-Code comic book are just too bizarre for words...

(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/scoopy.3623/)

[Found in UNITED COMICS No. 8 (featuring FRITZI RITZ, Ernie Bushmiller's strip that actually morphed into NANCY in 1938... but somehow the Sunday strip version of Fritzi Ritz kept going under its own title, while a separate Sunday page was created for Nancy). The above strip is actually a half-page advertisment for another United Features comic book, COMICS ON PARADE No. 69. If I hadn't found this myself, I'd think it was doctored and someone's idea of a surreal gag. It does seem pretty strange, even for 1950.]
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 25, 2018, 07:28:56 AM
WEEK OF 04-18 to 4-24:
COSMO #4 (of 5)
UNCLE SCROOGE #438
WALT DISNEY SHOWCASE #2
: MICKEY MOUSE IN THE SECRET OF GOLD CITY
INFINITY COUNTDOWN #2 (of 5)
CABLE #156
IRON FIST #80
BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #6
(of 6)
BATMAN: SINS OF THE FATHER #3 (of 6)
DEADMAN #6 (of 6)
ACTION COMICS #1000
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS: HERCULOIDS #9
KICK-ASS #3
MOONSHINE #9
STELLAR #1
SUPERMANSION #1
(of 2)
KONG ON PLANET OF APES #6 (of 6)
BLACK HAMMER: AGE OF DOOM #1
EMPOWERED & SISTAH SPOOKY'S HIGH SCHOOL HELL #4
(of 6)
ASSASSINISTAS #4
AGONIZING LOVE: The Golden Era of Romance Comics TP [May 2011] Edited by Michael Barson
LOVE ON THE RACKS: A History of American Romance Comics HC [Apr. 2008] by Michelle Nolan
ROMANCE WITHOUT TEARS: '50s Love Comics - With A Twist! TP [Nov. 2003] Edited by John Benson
MARVEL ROMANCE [Feb. 2006]
MARVEL ROMANCE REDUX: A Different Kind of Love [Feb. 2007]
Little Book of Vintage LOVE TP [2012] by Tim Pilcher
Little Book of Vintage ROMANCE TP [2012] by Tim Pilcher
Little Book of Vintage SAUCINESS TP [2012] by Tim Pilcher
Little Book of Vintage SPACE TP [2012] by Tim Pilcher
Little Book of Vintage SCI-FI TP [2012] by Tim Pilcher
HAUNTED LOVE #1-3 (of 3) [Feb/Mar/Apr 2016]
WORLD'S END HAREM VOL 01 TP
CUTIE HONEY a Go Go! TP
BATTLE ANGEL ALITA Deluxe Edition HC VOL 03
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 26, 2018, 03:14:14 AM
04-25-18:
UNCLE SCROOGE #439
TITANS ANNUAL #2
DETECTIVE COMICS #979
WONDER WOMAN #45
THE TERRIFICS #3
THE DEMON: HELL IS EARTH #6
(of 6)
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP [with SUPERGIRL] #37
KILL OR BE KILLED #18
SAVAGE DRAGON #233
THE BEEF #3
(of 5)
SHEENA #8
LOCKJAW #3
(of 4)
THANOS ANNUAL #1
RICK & MORTY #37
G.I. JOE VS. THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN #3
(of 4)
ICE CREAM MAN #4
HIT-GIRL IN COLUMBIA #3
(of 4)
MEGA MAN: MASTERMIX #2
APAMA: THE UNDISCOVERED ANIMAL #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 27, 2018, 02:43:51 PM
I read
Saga #50
Vampironica #1
Reggie & Me #5
Archie #28 & #29
Little Archie & His Pals - One Shot
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on April 28, 2018, 08:01:49 PM
My monthly package from midtown comics came & I read these comics
Betty & Veronica Vixens #5
The Archies #6.- Dan Parent
Archie #30 - Sandy Jarrell
Saga #51
And I also got Jughead's Time Police

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 02, 2018, 11:36:57 AM
05-02-18
STAR TREK TNG: THROUGH THE MIRROR #1 (of 5)
ACTION COMICS SPECIAL #1
INFINITY COUNTDOWN #3
(of 5)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #701
AVENGERS #1 (actually #691)
HARLEY LOVES JOKER #1 (of 2)
DC NATION #0
HILLBILLY #9
DOCTOR STAR & THE KINGDOM OF LOST TOMORROWS #3
RED SONJA/TARZAN #1
XERXES: THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF DARIUS #2
(of 5)
ALIENS: DUST TO DUST #1 (of 4)
Marvel Masterworks: Atlas Era: VENUS HC VOL 01 (reprints issue #1-9)
Marvel Masterworks: SUB-MARINER HC VOL 07 (reprints issue #50-60)
GOOD NEWS BIBLE: The Complete Deadline Strips of Shaky Kane 1988-1995 TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 06, 2018, 06:15:52 PM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes each
Archie 1000 Page Comics Shindig
Archie Christmas Stocking
Betty & Veronica Prom Princesses
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 07, 2018, 09:25:45 AM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes
Archie's FunHouse Back To School Annual #27
Archie Comics Double Digest #269
Menage a 3
Invincible #144
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 09, 2018, 03:46:17 PM
05-03 to 05-09-18:
LOVE-O-RAMA 2000: Romance Stories That Will Touch You in a Special Place! TP by Dan Parent & various
DIE KITTY DIE VOL 01 HC
DIE KITTY DIE SUMMER VACATION SPECIAL #1
DIE KITTY DIE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL #1
DIE KITTY DIE VOL 02: HOLLYWOOD OR BUST! HC
DIE KITTY DIE: I Love You to Death! FCBD 2018
LIFE WITH KEVIN TP
YOUR PAL ARCHIE TP
THE BEST OF ARCHIE AMERICANA VOL 02: SILVER AGE [1960s-1970s] TP
BETTY AND VERONICA: FRIENDS FOREVER #1

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #67 (Jun. 1981)
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #228 (Dec. 1981)
PEP #276 (Apr. 1973)
DETECTIVE COMICS #980
WONDER WOMAN #46
JUSTICE LEAGUE: NO JUSTICE #1
(of 4)
BATMAN AND HARLEY QUINN HC
BETTY AND VERONICA: VIXENS #6 - I read it. Didn't like it, so I didn't buy it. I'm bored with this.
FIGHTING AMERICAN: THE TIES THAT BIND #3 (of 4)
WORLD OF TANKS: CITADEL #1 (of 5)
SOUTHERN BASTARDS #20
AVENGERS FCBD 2108
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN FCBD 2018
DEADPOOL #300
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 10, 2018, 06:01:47 PM
I read Archie Comics Double Digest # 269 & Menage A 3- Volume #1.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 14, 2018, 10:06:43 AM
I read
Archie's FunHouse - Back To School Annual #27
Menage A 3- Volume #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 15, 2018, 12:03:51 PM
I read Menage A 3 Volume #1.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 18, 2018, 09:06:04 AM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes
Deadly Class - Noise Noise Noise -Book #1
Menage A 3 - Volume #1
The Nameless City- Book #1
The Best Of Archie Comics starring Betty & Veronica - Book #2.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 19, 2018, 06:15:23 PM
I read
The Best Of Archie Comics - Betty & Veronica- Book #2

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 21, 2018, 03:41:02 AM
Last week:
BATMAN: SINS OF THE FATHER #4 (of 6)
JUSTICE LEAGUE: NO JUSTICE #2 (of 4)
HARLEY LOVES JOKER #2 (of 2)
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS: THE HERCULOIDS #10
SUPERMAN SPECIAL #1 (one-shot)
CABLE #157
CAPTAIN AMERICA #702
AVENGERS #2
(actually #692)
THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT: SEE-TA THE SAVAGE #2 (of 2)
SAVAGE TALES VAMPIRELLA #1 (one-shot) - I was surprised to see that Fernando Ruiz drew the last half of the lead Vampirella story. Looks good!
ASSASSINISTAS #5
DRY COUNTY #3
THREE STOOGES SLAPTASTIC SPECIAL #1
KICK-ASS #4
MOONSHINE #10
GIDEON FALLS #3
SUPERMANSION #2
(of 2)
THE ARTIST BEHIND SUPERMAN: THE JOE SHUSTER STORY OGN TP
DISNEY MASTERS VOL 01: MICKEY MOUSE IN THE DELTA DIMENSION HC


Picked up about 30 Archie Comics back issues from the 50c boxes last week. Don't know when I'll get around to reading them, but some of those are actually in pretty good condition, for ACP comics from the late 1980s. Some early issues of VERONICA, DILTON'S STRANGE SCIENCE, LAUGH (Vol. 2), plus BETTY AND ME, BETTY AND VERONICA, and a couple of Archie Giant Series B&V SPECTACULARs.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 24, 2018, 07:33:58 AM
I just read
Archie Vs Sharknado #1- Hack cover
Betty & Veronica #1- Zdarsky cover
Jughead #1- Zdarsky cover
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on May 25, 2018, 03:50:50 AM
05-17 to 05-24-18:
JIMMYS BASTARDS #8
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF NICK WILSON #5 (of 5)
G.I. JOE VS THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN #4 (of 4)
HIT-GIRL #4

COSMO #5 (of 5) - Sorry to see it go. Along with YOUR PAL ARCHIE and MIGHTY CRUSADERS, it's one of a very few floppy comics ACP has published in the last year or two that I really enjoyed. There's still SUPERTEENS VS CRUSADERS upcoming, but that's a mere 2-issue microseries, and then ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN '66 (which I'm not sure how many issues there are supposed to be of... probably somewhere between 4 and 6). And then there's the upcoming DIE KITTY DIE: HEAVEN & HELL from AstroComix and (hopefully) more of SUPER SUCKERS from Darin Henry's SitComics.

SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP (with Blue Falcon & Dynomutt) #38 - It's officially my favorite DC comic book right now (with Future Quest Presents in 2nd place). Writer Sholly Fisch does a great job of working in Easter eggs and in-jokes for long-time DC fans, and handles the humor deftly with a light touch, and I'm loving the variety of DC and Hanna-Barbera guest-stars.

LOONEY TUNES #243 - It's good, but the writing tends to be variable from story to story.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: NO JUSTICE #3 (of 4) - DC heroes and villains reconfigured into new Justice League teams to battle 4 giant cosmic beings (somewhat like Marvel's Galactus in that they feed on the energies of entire planets)

FLASH #47 ("Flash War", Part 1) - Not sure if I'll stick with this, or if it's really going anywhere in particular with this story of Wally West's pre-Flashpoint/New 52 reboot memories.

DETECTIVE COMICS #981 - "Batmen Eternal" Conclusion. Looks like they're breaking up the Bat-family team that starred in this title since the first Rebirth issue (#934, which restored the legacy numbering) and changing the writer, so this might be my last issue. I enjoy the Batman-inspired protege characters, and liked seeing them interact as a regular team, and James Tynion IV was one of the few of the more recent crop of writers at DC whose work I liked. The new writer Bryan Hill, is an unknown to me, and the solicitations for #982 and beyond don't really interest me.

WONDER WOMAN #47 - I haven't been enjoying this as much the last couple of issues, but I guess I'll keep following it through issue #50, which appears to be the last written by James Robinson (an old favorite of mine). Looks like I'm dropping most of the few DC in-universe titles which I still read. (I'm not thrilled with the idea of Brian Michael Bendis taking over on Superman, either. He pretty much ruined Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy for me, over at Marvel.)

THE TERRIFICS #4
- Still reading this (for a while, at least) because I enjoy Jeff Lemire's work, especially on Dark Horse's BLACK HAMMER and its various spinoff miniseries).

INFINITY COUNTDOWN: DARKHAWK #1 (of 4)
THE BEEF #4 (of 5)
BLACK HAMMER: AGE OF DOOM #2
PELLUCIDAR: AT THE EARTH'S CORE #1
(one-shot)
STAR TREK: NEW VISIONS #21: "THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY"
THE SEASON OF THE SNAKE #1 & 2

Millenium Edition: Superman's Girl Friend LOIS LANE #1 (1958/2000 reprint)
Millenium Edition: Superman's Pal JIMMY OLSEN #1 (1954/2000 reprint)
Millenium Edition: Tales Calculated to Drive You MAD #1 (1952/2000 reprint)

WORLD'S FINEST COMICS #166 (May 1967) - This was the first and only appearance of Bron Wayn E7705, the 20th direct descendant of Bruce Wayne and the future Batman of 2967. In this story, "The Danger of the Deadly Duo" written by then-High School student Jim Shooter (later to become the editor-in-chief at Marvel Comics in the 1980s), he first teams up with the Superman of 2967 [Klar Ken T5477] to battle their two archenemies, the future Joker and Superman's arch-foe Muto (a yellow-skinned hyperencephalic mutant with advanced telekinetic powers). The story was a sequel to previous appearances of the Superman of the 30th Century in SUPERMAN #181 and ACTION COMICS #338-39 (all written by Edmond Hamilton, who also wrote many of the early Legion of Super-Heroes stories). Unlike some other occasional diversions from the normal Superman continuity of the time, this one was not labeled as an "Imaginary Story" that "may or may not ever happen someday", but this was the final story in this sequence of future Superman tales. I loved searching out and discovering these oddball "special" stories as a young comic book collector. All of them were reprinted in the 2008 trade paperback collection, SUPERMAN: PAST AND FUTURE.

(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/superman-of-2965-superman-181.3624/)(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/superman-of-2966-action-comics-338.3625/)(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/superman-of-2966-action-comics-339.3626/)(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/superman-of-2967-worlds-finest-166.3627/)(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/superman-past-and-future-tp.3628/)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on May 30, 2018, 05:18:07 PM
I read
Deadly Class - Noise Noise Noise - Volume #1
Menage A 3- Volume #1
The Best Of Archie Comics starring Betty & Veronica - Volume #2

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 01, 2018, 02:46:18 AM
ARCHIE 3000! #2 (Jul 1989)
JUGHEAD #4 (Feb 1988)
JUGHEAD'S DINER (1990) #5, 7
DILTON'S STRANGE SCIENCE (1989-90) #2, #4
VERONICA (1989) #2, 3, 4, 5
ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT #77
(Jul 1980)
LAUGH (Vol. 2, 1988-90) #3, 6, 12, 16, 19 - You know, I never really cared for the first volume of LAUGH. While you can undoubtedly find some issues in the run that contain some notable stories, there was never anything that stood out as a regular feature to distinguish that title -- just a mostly-bland hodge-podge of run-of-the-mill stories featuring Archie and the gang. Same goes for PEP, except for issues from a few years in the 1960s, where you could find some Josie, The Fly, Fly-Girl, or Jaguar stories. On the other hand, I always loved ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT (and pick them up whenever I can find them) because it consistently featured both Sabrina and Josie stories. It finally dawned on me after reading enough issues that the second volume of LAUGH was really more of a continuation of T.V. LAUGH-OUT (even though that title had ended its run an entire year earlier, and Volume 1 of LAUGH had then picked up a few Sabrina stories in some issues during the interim) than it was of the first volume of LAUGH, because LAUGH Vol. 2 consistently featured both Sabrina and Josie stories, just as T.V. LAUGH-OUT had. The T.V. LAUGH-OUT title had launched in 1969 when The Archies, Sabrina, and Josie were all starring in animated series on television, but the name of the comic, having been originally inspired as a take-off on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, must have seemed really dated by 1986 when it was cancelled.  The other consistent feature in every issue of LAUGH Volume 2 (never an ongoing feature in any other title) is "The Mighty Archie Art Players". This feature had appeared sporadically in a few random issues of other titles (the earliest I could find is in REGGIE AND ME #68, Jan. 1974), and was really just a way of grouping all those random Archie stories which took place in other times and places under one heading, with a slight skew towards literary or film parodies. Some similar concepts like Archie 1 (the gang as prehistoric cave-people), Archie the Barbarian, or Starship Rivdale had made strings of appearances elsewhere (in LIFE WITH ARCHIE or EVERYTHING'S ARCHIE) before, as well. But in The Mighty Archie Art Players we never really see any framing device to the stories where our "players" appear out of character and/or behind the scenes as actors, so they could all have been stand-alone stories appearing randomly in different titles, rather than a "series" connected by nothing more than a loose concept. Still, some of these are kind of fun. Volume 2 of LAUGH had a fairly short run of only 29 issues, so I'm going to see how many of this run I can manage to collect. They seem a lot less scarce than older issues of JOSIE or SABRINA, or even T.V. LAUGH-OUT.

BETTY AND ME #111, 112, 153, 162, 170, 176
BETTY'S DIARY #3
(Aug 1986)
BETTY AND VERONICA SPECTACULAR (Archie Giant Series) #559 (Jun 1986), #575 (Oct 1987)
Archie's Girls BETTY AND VERONICA (1950) #290, 296, 299 (1980); #343, 344 (1986)
BETTY AND VERONICA (1987) #23 (Sep 1989)

BETTY AND VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #263 - Good issue. Notable stories include 1990s Sabrina by DeCarlo, classic 1960s Doyle/DeCarlo BETTY AND ME stories, Part 1 (of 5) of the reader-voted "And The Winner Is..." where Cheryl appears on the TV dating game show Lonely Hearts Club (no appearance by the band, too bad), and weirdly, two different Dan Parent stories where Veronica attempts to go from home to school (one just a normal school day, the second for the prom) in the private Lodge helicopter. [Spoilers: she doesn't make it.] Too bad this issue arrived in the mail two weeks late.


FLEX ARMSTRONG & THE FLEX FIGHTERS #1-3 (of 3)
KILL OR BE KILLED #19 (of 20)
SAVAGE DRAGON #234
RICK & MORTY #38
VAMPIRONICA #2
- I have to admit I liked the second issue better than the first. There was a lot less action, but a lot more story, and somewhat intelligently scripted, in addition to being well-drawn, by the Smallwoods. As much as I have a natural resistance to the idea of totally reinventing the Archie characters in this genre, I would probably have to admit that this could be the best of the Archie Horror titles so far. It even manages to be a better female vampire heroine story than the last couple of attempts by Dynamite at presenting Vampirella in a series. If it manages to to actually ship on a regular, consistent basis this could become one of ACP's best selling, and longest-running titles.

JUDGE DREDD: UNDER SIEGE #1
INFINITY COUNTDOWN: CAPTAIN MARVEL #1
(one-shot)
MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #6
LOCKJAW #4
(of 4)

DOOMSDAY CLOCK #5 (of 12)
JUSTICE LEAGUE: NO JUSTICE #4 (of 4) - It was really odd reading these two titles (both of which supposedly take place in the 'mainstream' DC universe) back to back, because it really highlights the contrast. The two titles just don't feel like they take place in the same universe, despite them featuring a lot of the same DC characters. I mean, yes, it's obvious that if they were taking place in the same universe, the two stories couldn't be taking place concurrent to each other -- one would have to begin and end prior to the other. Yet because of the nature of the backstory connections and what No Justice leads immediately into, it feels like it's more part of the current DC mainstream universe (three new ongoing JUSTICE LEAGUE series will spin off the events of NO JUSTICE). It seemed to start off great from a conceptual POV, with the introduction of a big cosmic menace to the whole universe, which can only be defeated by disassembling the all of the current DC hero teams, and dividing them up again into four new Justice League teams with key supervillains as part of the line-ups -- all overseen with the help of Brainiac, the only one smart enough to figure things out, and how to defeat the big cosmic threat.  And of course, there's immediate chaos among the heroes and conflict over the "but can we trust him?" factor. The first three issues of No Justice were all a build-up in tension, whereas the last one just seems like the threat was resolved far too easily -- a real deus ex machina ending. We are assured by the characters in the story, however, that the universe has been irrevocably changed and will never be the same after these events. It didn't feel too convincing to me. By where it left off at the end of issue #3, it seems like the plot/storyline hadn't even quite reached the half-point of development, and it felt like the series should have taken its time to play things out over at least 6 issues, if not 8 or 12. Events were set into motion by something (the breaking of the Source Wall) which occurred in the earlier event series METAL (which I didn't read past the first couple of issues because it was so convoluted). I blame Scott Snyder, who masterminded both METAL and this (although DC employed other writers to actually script from Snyder's plot). I didn't care for Snyder's take on Batman, and I don't care for the idea of DC making him the 'architect' of its universe.

DOOMSDAY CLOCK, on the other hand, is a sequel to WATCHMEN (1986), DC's most-reprinted graphic novel collection, and is written by Geoff Johns. For a number of years prior to the 2011 New 52 DC reboot, Johns had been the mastermind behind revitalizing a number of DC's character franchises that had gone fallow, including JSA/Justice Society of America, Hawkman, Teen Titans, Green Lantern (with GL: Rebirth), Flash (beginning with FLASH: Rebirth, that brought back the dead-since-CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS Barry Allen Flash), Superman (with SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN and a run in ACTION COMICS), Booster Gold (in collaboration with BG's creator, Dan Jurgens), and the CRISIS sequel INFINTE CRISIS, as well as the line-wide GL-centric big event series DARKEST NIGHT and its sequel BRIGHTEST DAY. Despite also being the writer of the execrable (but best-selling) editorially-concocted FLASHPOINT, which destroyed the remnants of the old DCU and led into the New 52 reboot, Johns was then promoted to the position of DC's Chief Creative Officer, and given the flagship New 52 JUSTICE LEAGUE to insure a strong backbone series for the N52 relaunch -- but since giving it up the writing on JL last year, it's not surprising that last year's relaunch/refresh (but not a reBOOT, per se) of DC's main universe was rolled out under the REBIRTH banner for all their main universe titles. Johns wrote the introductory one-shot REBIRTH issue, which hinted at the arrival in the mainstream DCU of survivors from the WATCHMEN universe, and followed up last year with a four-part crossover in BATMAN and FLASH tying together plot threads from FLASHPOINT with both WATCHMEN and the general scheme of the current state of reality across the DC Multiverse. Which brings us to DOOMSDAY CLOCK, with a handful of Watchmen refugees (Ozymandias, Dr. Manhattan, Nite-Owl, Rorschach, and The Comedian, as well as a few minor characters) appearing to shake things up in the regular DCU. It feels carefully written, and evocative of the general tone and style of the original WATCHMEN, but somehow seems at odds with the general feel of DC's current line. Things here, as in WATCHMEN, are handled in more of a real-world way, with the rise of a populist backlash to superheroes in general, according to a belief in what is called "The Superman Theory", a conspiracy claim that the vast numbers of superheroes (in the U.S., particularly) is attributable to the fact that most superheroes are, in fact, products of a secret government plan to create a metahuman army, stimulating metagene-positive individuals by exposure to various traumatic conditions in order to activate their latent superpowers. All well and good, but it really doesn't seem to fit with the general ethos of the DCU. Why would the public suddenly become suspicious and hostile towards superheroes after years of them being around? The lesson to be learned from the orignal WATCHMEN is that too much grim and gritty reality undermines the basic fantasy element necessary for the suspension of disbelief that allows an entire fantastic genre of superheroes to exist in ongoing monthly adventures; if there is change in the DCU, it is mostly of the illusory sort -- i.e., the changes are temporary and reversible, according to the whims of editors, writers, and consumer reactions. In the Watchmen universe, designed to adhere more closely to the real world as its basic premise, consequences of actions and the impact on the status quo is permanent and irreversible. Dead is dead, if you saw the body buried. In the DCU, Superman, Batman, Robin, Green Lantern, Flash, Hawkman, and Wonder Woman have all died at least once (and in some cases, multiple times) but are still around, and none the worse for wear, still ready to do their jobs of selling more comic book stories every month, even if they sometimes got a temporary time-out to be replaced by someone else carrying the names and wearing the costumes. Since we know that, unlike the original Watchmen, the DCU characters must go on and on in monthly adventures, after the conclusion of this series, rather than being irrevocably altered by the impact of events in this self-contained storyline, one might wonder what exactly is the point of the plot, here? Well, to sell comic books, obviously -- but can there ever be any really satisfying conclusion to this story? One wonders, too, where are the original Charlton Comics characters (owned by DC Comics since 1985) on whom the Watchmen were based -- Captain Atom (Dr. Manhattan), The Blue Beetle (Nite-Owl), The Question (Rorschach), Peacemaker (The Comedian), and Thunderbolt (Ozymandias)? While they have kept a relatively low profile in the DCU since 1985 as second-string heroes, it would be fascinating to see them by comparison and contrast to their darker/more realist counterparts from Watchmen. Little things about the DCU just seem kind of "off" in DOOMSDAY CLOCK, like the former villainess Killer Frost (as recent as a couple of months ago, now a member of the Justice League of America) making an appearance, looking totally different (in fact, her appearance in DOOMSDAY CLOCK goes back to her original look created for FIRESTORM in the 1980s, while her current DCU appearance is quite a bit altered since then). Batman is wearing the yellow-circled bat-emblem on his costume that he hasn't worn in years now. Superman already has his red shorts back, even before Brian Michael Bendis arrived at DC to restore them in the new MAN OF STEEL miniseries. None of that will matter to the many readers who'll be reading this story in a later collected edition -- readers who've read Watchmen but are not regular followers of the current DC line. And perhaps the series was designed to be so, as opposed to seamlessly blending with the current stream of DC's mainstream universe reality.

Manga:
  SAINT SEIYA: SAINTIA SHO VOL 02 [tankobon Pb] - This is another manga which is a cosmic/mythological science-fantasy action saga (a spinoff of the popular 1980s/90s Shonen Jump series Saint Seiya, known in translation as KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC) in the general vein of Jack Kirby's THOR or THE NEW GODS, or Jim Starlin's various cosmic superhero sagas with Thanos. The goddess Athena has been reborn on earth after many centuries, and is beginning her process of 'awakening' in the body of a young Japanese woman, in anticipation of the coming Galaxian Wars. The evil Eris, goddess of discord, has also been similarly reborn into the body of an earthwoman and is awakening to her full power. Athena is dedicated to preserving justice, and devoted to protecting mankind from the machinations of the gods, and so a cadre of guardian-warriors have been recruited to wear special metallic 'cloth', a kind of body armor capable of reconfiguring itself independently of its user, and become Athena's "Saints", her personal bodyguards until she awakens fully to her powers, and afterwards her private army to defeat the evil being sown among humans on earth by Eris and her confederates. Saints must develop their innate 'cosmo' which is a kind of psychically-deployed means of transmuting matter and energy, in order to wear the sacred cloths based on various zodiacal signs, and best serve Athena in her battle to protect humanity from destruction.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 02, 2018, 10:35:35 AM
I read
Betty & Veronica Vixens Hunted Part #1. I didn't like it. The art is terrible. I'm not going buy the rest of the series.
I also read
Betty & Veronica Friends Forever At The Movies #1
The Archies #7-  Final Curtain - Staples cover
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 06, 2018, 09:25:56 AM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes each
The Best Of Archie Comics - Betty & Veronica- Book #2
Menage A 3- Volume #1
The Nameless City
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 06, 2018, 02:05:11 PM

SUPER-SONS/DYNOMUTT #1 (one-shot)
AQUAMAN/JABBERJAW #1 (one-shot)
FLASH/SPEED BUGGY #1 (one-shot)
BLACK LIGHTNING/HONG KONG PHOOEY #1 (one-shot)

Manga:
  Go Nagai's DEVILMAN: THE CLASSIC COLLECTION VOL 01 HC
  Shintaro Kago's SUPER-DIMENSIONAL LOVE GUN TP (short stories)
  Baron Yoshimoto's THE TROUBLEMAKERS TP (short stories)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 08, 2018, 07:25:51 PM
WEEK OF 06-06-18 (so far):
True Believers: ANT-MAN & THE WASP: THE BIRTH OF GIANT-MAN #1 [reprints Tales To Astonish #35 & 49]

ANT-MAN & THE WASP: LIVING LEGENDS #1 - The story turned out to be a sequel to Tales To Astonish #49! Pretty good old-school superhero one-shot.
-- Well, they gotta push Ant-Man & Wasp, 'cause they got a movie out now. The original Ant-Man (Hank Pym) & Wasp have long been among my favorite characters in the Marvel U, so it's nice to see them getting some attention, after decades of relative neglect. Even if most of it is focused on Scott Lang (Ant-Man II), who I also like, although not as much as Pym. Pym's history has taken so many twists and turns, and he wound up creating new heroes left and right. First he became Ant-Man; then he turned his girlfriend into the Wasp. Then he became GIAnt-Man, and then after getting stuck at 12' tall, changed his name to Goliath. Then he regained control of his size, and then he went a little split-personality and became the (normal-sized) superhero Yellowjacket. But then he couldn't decide which superhero identity he wanted, and became Ant-Man again... and then Goliath again. Along the way, he kept passing along his old identities and powers to other characters: for a while, Hawkeye became the new Goliath, and then Hank Pym's old lab partner Bill Foster became Black Goliath. Then Scott Lang became the second Ant-Man, and then Rita DeMara became the second Yellowjacket. When the original Wasp was thought dead after Secret Invasion, Hank Pym himself took on the Wasp identity to honor his dead wife's memory, and even teamed up with a third Ant-Man. And now it seems like Hank Pym is the one currently thought dead (yeah, like that'll ever last), and it was discovered that Pym has a Russian daughter by his previous marriage (his former wife was killed by "Commies"... it was a Cold War thing, you had to be there), and she (Nadia Pym) has become the new Wasp, who teams up with Scott Lang (Ant-Man II; it seems like the third one retired) in the following Mark Waid-written miniseries:

ANT-MAN & THE WASP #1 (of 5) - It was okay. Art was acceptable, nothing really special though. Hard to know where Waid is going with this story of Scott Lang (A-M 2) and Nadia Pym (Wasp 2). There wasn't really anything wrong with the story, about the two accidentally getting stuck in the Microverse (or one of the microverses, there seem to be several), but I guess I'll just have to see how it plays out, since it's only five issues. If I like it at the end, I'll buy the trade paperback as a keeper.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #703 - The penultimate issue of Waid's last arc on the series. At first I was overjoyed, having loved his previous run on Cap, plus his more recent, very long run on DAREDEVIL which ended a few years back. The first arc, which pitted Cap against the familiar Spider-Man foe Kraven the Hunter, was great. And then it all got weird in the second arc, with Captain American thrust into some dystopian future U.S. The third arc is similar to the second, but this time it's a seeming utopia, instead. Only... Captain America isn't IN the story. It supposedly about his future descendents, and there's no one in the future running around in a Captain America costume. The triumphant return of Waid just doesn't FEEL like a Cap story, so it's a kind of q big letdown after the first arc.

DOCTOR STRANGE #1 - Dr. Strange... without his magic. In outer space. Don't know what Waid's thinking on this one, but it seems like he's grasping at straws in an attempt to find something never done with the character before.

INFINITY COUNTDOWN #4 (of 5) - Okay, I'm KINDA following this with vagueish interest, because it involves a few of my long-time favorite 'cosmic' Marvel heroes. Probably a good idea that they left Thanos OUT of this one.

IMMORTAL HULK #1 - NO. Sorry, I'm done. They just can't stop trying to reinvent the wheel. Just leave it alone.

B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #263 - Good stuff. Josie stories always welcome. I know I had mpre stuff to say about the stories, but now I've waited too long to write this, and thinking about some other comics I read just crowded it out of my head. Maybe if I have time, I'll flip through it again and revisit those thoughts.

WONDER WOMAN ANNUAL #2 - Okay. I've only got a couple more issues to go on the current WW story arc. then I'll drop it.

MAN OF STEEL #1 & 2 (of 6) - 2 out of 6 was all I needed to make a decision. At least it was a quick read. With the usual trademarked Bendis plot-hook gimmicks. I'll bail out before I start and save myself the frustration later.

DC NATION #1 - I had a rant about DC's recent line-wide shakeup all ready in my head, but now I'm too tired. I'll save it for next week or something.

FIGHTING AMERICAN: THE TIES THAT BIND #4 (of 4)
XERXES: THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF DARIUS #3 (of 5)
DOCTOR STAR & THE KINGDOM OF LOST TOMORROWS #4 (of 4)
SHEENA #9
KONG OF SKULL ISLAND 2018 SPECIAL #1

Still have a bunch of manga tankobon and some Ant-Man trade pb collections in my stack for later.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 11, 2018, 01:59:08 PM
I read Menage A 3 - Volume #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 13, 2018, 05:12:10 PM
06-13-18:
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #793-800
MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE ANNUAL #1
TITANS SPECIAL #1
WONDER WOMAN #48
FLASH #48
HAWKMAN #1
PLASTIC MAN #1 (of 6)
KICK-ASS #5
WORLD OF TANKS: CITADEL #2 (of 5)
STELLAR #1
RED SONJA/TARZAN #2

THE CARNEYS #1
- Awesome find! I loved it! May do a more detailed review later, time permitting.
CHERYL BLOSSOM #27 - Cheryl is trapped in a hedge maze with Veronica! One of the fairly rare stories where it's just the two of them, without Betty or Archie. Cheryl and Jason crash a Halloween party wearing the same costumes as Veronica and Archie (oh yeah, it's NOT a coincidence).
ARCHIE & FRIENDS #11 - Chuck gets a pet iguana, but Nancy is NOT thrilled. Sabrina has problems taking care of Cleara's invisible dog.
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #281
JUGHEAD #53, 137
VERONICA #20, 21, 45, 70
- What was up with that weird "Whimsical Rich Girl" period (as it says over the cover logo masthead of #20 & 21) where the word "whimsy" is referred to often in dialogue, and oddball characters like Sassy Thrasher, Aerobic Liz, and New Age Crystal show up?
BETTY AND ME #119, 199, 200
BETTY #3, 59, 86
BETTY AND VERONICA SPECTACULAR #44
- Another one of those "Archie's Angels" stories. I've lost track of how many of these there are... at least four, I think, counting the one(s) from the 1970s. The most often reprinted one is that story "Melvin's Angels" from AGB&V #277 (Jan. 1979). That's the one where B&V go to investigate a health spa and really get worked over by the head masseuse, the muscle-y Olga (only to discover that Melvin sent them to the wrong spa by mistake). Then there's this one from B&V Spec 44, inspired by the movie remake of the old TV series, which was followed up by a direct sequel in B&V Spec 59 (in #44, Brigette Reilly is the 3rd "Angel"... in #59, she's replaced by a much more logical candidate for 3rd Angel... Ginger Lopez). I could swear that there's at least one more of these that had Tomoko Yoshida (or was it Kumi Tamura?) as the 3rd Angel. I also kind of vaguely recall another older story (not connected to the one-shot "Melvin's Angels") that parodied the original TV series.

...and on top of all those, I still have another 10 issues of BETTY AND VERONICA (from both series) that I haven't read yet! Conditions on these were mostly VG to Fine+, so not bad. Can't believe I found a copy of THE CARNEYS at last! All these for 50 cents each.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 15, 2018, 08:49:58 AM
I read
Riverdale #9
The Archies #3
Your Pal Archie #2
Archie #21
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 19, 2018, 09:17:39 AM
Manga:
  Go Nagai's DEVILMAN VS HADES VOL 01 (of 3 tankobon) by Team Moon
  ASTRA: LOST IN SPACE VOL 03 (of 5 tankobon) by Kenta Shinohara
  Shotaro Ishinomori's KIKAIKER 02[CODE: ZERO TWO] VOLS 3-7 (of 7 tankobon) by Meimu
  CAPTAIN HARLOCK: THE CLASSIC COLLECTION VOL O1 HC by Leiji Matsumoto
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 20, 2018, 01:27:42 AM
ARCHIE'S SUPERTEENS VS CRUSADERS #1 (of 2) - Originally I was really disappointed to discover that Archie & friends would not be drawn in the traditional style. That aside, the artwork is some of the best I've seen on the characters since everything went "New Riverdale", and more importantly, the story has the saving grace of humor on its side. I guess I have to not think too much about stuff like Jughead carrying around an issue of MIGHTY CRUSADERS #1 from 1966 and handling it casually (it's not even bagged or boarded) like it was this week's issue or something (yet I know the story is taking place in the present time, because there are references to cell phones and videogames). The Crusaders, for their part, appear pretty much as they did back in 1966, costumes and all. I still think the story would have been funnier if they'd contrasted the styles of artwork between the Superteens (cartoon-style) and the Crusaders (adventure-style), but it looks like they went for a middle-ground modern (but still slightly retro) art style, which worked okay for what is was... all in all, taking into consideration what I've seen of the art styles in other recent Archie comics, I'd have to say things could have turned out a lot worse on the art front, so I was generally pretty happy with it. Ian Flynn's story is lighthearted, with some tongue-in-cheek dialogue, which seemed like a reasonable compromise. (I shudder to think of what it might have been like a couple of years ago when they were so editorially enamored with the whole "Dark Circle" approach.)

If I had one gripe about this, it's that it was all over with so fast. It seemed like the story had barely gotten started, when all of a sudden I'd reached the last page and "TO BE CONTINUED", leaving me hanging and frustrated until issue #2. Seeing as how it was only a 2-issue series, it would have been a lot more satisfying to see this as a double-sized one-shot special. I'm guessing those decisions all involve the marketing department, and questions like "How many variant covers can we squeeze out of this thing?". Not that I can really blame them, as variant covers seem to be the only thing keeping the floppy comic format afloat for ACP. I guess that neatly solved my dilemma of whether to file this with my Archie's Superteens comics or my Mighty Crusaders comics (they're in 2 different boxes), since I've now got 2 different covers and I can file one copy in each different box.

And there's a full page ad in the back of this comic for the upcoming ARCHIE 1941 series. Which I'm just going to pass on, unless when it comes out someone can convince me is actually funny.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 21, 2018, 01:14:33 AM
Archie's Girls BETTY AND VERONICA #305, 310, 345
BETTY AND VERONICA (1987) #47, 56, 59, 61, 63, 72, 80, 104
CHERRY'S JUBILEE #1, 3, & 4 (of 4)
CHERRY DELUXE #1 (one-shot)
JUGHEAD #119 (Aug 1999)
FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS: THE HERCULOIDS #11 (of 12)
BATMAN: SINS OF THE FATHER #5 (of 6)
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP #2 (of 5)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #704
TONY STARK IRON MAN #1
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #801
AVENGERS #3
CABLE #158
THE BEEF #5
(of 5)
HIT-GIRL #5
MOONSHINE #11
(of 12)
KAIJUMAX SEASON 4 #1 (of 6)
TANK GIRL ALL-STARS #1 (of 4)
RICK & MORTY PRESENTS: KROMBOPULOUS MICHAEL #1 (one-shot)
GIDEON FALLS #4
EVIL, INC. AFTER DARK VOL 1: LIVE FAST, THWART HARD TP
THE RED HOOK VOL 01: NEW BROOKLYN TP by Dean Haspiel
DISNEY MASTERS VOL 02: DONALD DUCK & UNCLE SCROOGE'S MONEY ROCKET HC

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 22, 2018, 05:08:13 PM
I read
Archie 1000 Page Shindig
Archie's Christmas Stocking
The Best Of Archie Comics - Volume #3
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on June 23, 2018, 11:07:38 AM
I read
Vampironica #2
Betty & Veronica Vixens Hunted #7
Saga #52
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 27, 2018, 11:14:50 AM
BETTY AND VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #264
WONDER WOMAN: EARTH ONE OGN HC
ROM & THE MICRONAUTS #1-5
(of 5)
Marvel Masterworks: ANT-MAN/GIANT-MAN HC VOL 1-3 (of 3)
AVENGERS: THE MANY FACES OF HENRY PYM TP
Marvel Universe ANT-MAN DIGEST TP
ANT-MAN & THE WASP ADVENTURES DIGEST TP
MARVEL COMICS DIGEST #7
- ANT-MAN
ANT-MAN: SEASON ONE HC
Marvel's ANT-MAN PRELUDE TP
Marvel's ANT-MAN & THE WASP PRELUDE TP
ANT-MAN & WASP: SMALL WORLD TP
ANT-MAN: SCOTT LANG TP
AVENGERS: THE TRIAL OF YELLOWJACKET TP
Archie's Girls BETTY AND VERONICA #315
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 30, 2018, 06:01:17 AM
June 30th:
KILL OR BE KILLED #20 (of 20) - An unfortunately unsatisfying conclusion to this otherwise excellently-written series.
THE SENTRY #1 (of 5) - I may read a couple more issues, but I found it slightly disappointing.
MULTIPLE MAN #1 (of 5) - One issue was enough. Not for me.
MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #7 - Doesn't seem to be really going anywhere, just spinning those wheels while awaiting the return of the Fantastic Four. This issue might be my last.
RICK & MORTY #39 - Always a fun read.
WONDER WOMAN #49 ("The Dark Gods" Part 4 of 5) - Not a bad story, but I'll be dropping this book when the creative team changes after issue 50.
THE FLASH #49 ("Flash War" Part 3 of 4) - Not too impressed with the story (it's just average), but I guess I'll finish reading it with #50.
THE TERRIFICS #5 - This might be the best DC Universe title right now.
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP [with The Justice Society of America] #39 - Still my absolute favorite DC read every month, and I especially liked seeing the classic JSA in a story again.
ASTRO CITY #52
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 04, 2018, 06:53:12 AM
JIMMYS BASTARDS #9 (of 9)
VALIANT HIGH #3 (of 4) - Y'know, I NEVER read Valiant titles. I just never cared for any of the characters, or that universe. Decided to give this one a try because the artwork here is by Derek Charm, whose work on STARLEET ACADEMY, STAR WARS ADVENTURES (both IDW titles) and JUGHEAD I had previously admired. The story here is another one of those "Superhero High" kind of things -- I suspect it may not actually be part of the continuity of the "Valiant Universe", as it would seem a little far-fetched to suddenly reveal that all of their main lead characters are more or less the same age and had gone to the same high school together. It wasn't bad, even though these are teenaged versions of characters I essentially know nothing about. I missed the earlier issues, so I may just get the trade collection when that comes out.
DONALD & MICKEY QUARTERLY: TREASURE MENACE IN VENICE
GREEN LANTERNS #50; BATMAN #50; CATWOMAN #1 - I'm giving DC's latest "Creative Refresh" (as they're calling it in-house) a chance... just trying a few things I don't normally read. Didn't find any of these books to be particularly creative or refreshing, though. :(
XERXES: THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF DARIUS #4 (of 5)
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP #3 (of 5) - Ant-Man (in this case Ant-Man II, Scott Lang) is a character I'm predisposed to like, but 3 issues into this, I'm enjoying it less than I'd hoped to.
EMPOWERED & SISTAH SPOOKY'S HIGH SCHOOL HELL #5 (of 6)
[FROM THE WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER] THE QUANTUM AGE #1 (of 4) - I've enjoyed all of the series related to Jeff Lemire's BLACK HAMMER, and this one (which takes place in the 31st Century) was no exception.
RED SONJA/TARZAN #3
VAMPIRELLA: ROSES FOR THE DEAD #1 (of 5)
ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF DARK #1
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #0
TAARNA #1 & 2
INFINITY 8 VOL 1 (of 8 ): LOVE AND MUMMIES #1-3 (of 3)
BY NIGHT #1 (Boom); UNNATURAL #1 (Image); NEW LIEUTENANTS OF METAL #1 (Image) - Again, just trying some new things to see if I like them. I liked each of these new series enough to at least read the next issues, and maybe more, we'll see.
ASSASSINISTAS #6 (of 6)
JUDGE DREDD: UNDER SIEGE #2 (of 4)
STAR TREK: NEW VISIONS #22 "AN UNEXPECTED YESTERDAY"
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 05, 2018, 04:13:16 PM
My monthly shipments from DCBS and Mycomicshop should be arriving within the next few days.  Meanwhile I have been catching up on various manga, reading around 50 volumes over the past couple of weeks:

Abandoned Sacred Beasts
Anonymous Noise
Astra Lost in Space
Attack on Titan Lost Girls
Children of Whales
Dimension W
Food Wars
Golden Kamuy
Haikyu
Kuroko's Basketball
Oresama Teacher
Platinum End
Promised Neverland
Skip-Beat
Yowamushi Pedal

and others
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 09, 2018, 07:14:38 AM
I've also been reading a few manga:
  DEVILMAN G[Grimoir] VOL 03 (of 5 tankobon) by Go Nagai & Rui Takato
  ONE-PUNCH MAN VOL 14: THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR (tankobon) by ONE & Yusuke Murata
  TOKYO TARAREBA GIRLS VOL 01 (of 9 tankobon) by Akiko Higashimura
  BATTLE ANGEL ALITA: DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 04 (of 5) by Yukito Kishiro
  Go Nagai & Ken Ishikawa's GETTER ROBO DEVOLUTION VOL 01 (of 5 tankobon) by Eiichi Shimizu & Tomohiro Shimoguchi - I was looking forward to reading this one, Seven Seas' first release in the Getter Robo franchise since getting rights to Dynamic Pro's manga, but it was disappointing. DEVILMAN G is also a modern reboot/reimagining like this one, but it was so much better. Didn't care for the art style in DEVOLUTION at all, which seems sketchy and undetailed. I'm not too keen on the mecha redesigns, either. Although this is the most recent manga in the franchise, it's a poor choice to introduce the characters to American readers, and unless I'm reading the situation wrongly, it appears in this story that Professor Saotome (who's supposed to be one of the good guys) actually shoots an innocent man (or had his goons do it, I forget now) because "he knows too much". The sensationalized, over-the-top violent/gory stuff on display here (which is entirely appropriate in a horror-hero manga like DEVILMAN) just doesn't sit right -- trying to 'grim&gritty'-up a cornerstone franchise in the super robot genre just doesn't work for me.

And finishing off my reading of the various ANT-MAN/GIANT-MAN collected trades:
ANT-MAN/GIANT-MAN: GROWING PAINS TP
ASTONISHING ANT-MAN: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION TP
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on July 09, 2018, 10:23:54 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 09, 2018, 07:14:38 AM
I've also been reading a few manga:
   ONE-PUNCH MAN VOL 14: THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR (tankobon) by ONE & Yusuke Murata
   BATTLE ANGEL ALITA: DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 04 (of 5) by Yukito Kishiro
One Punch Man is a series that I've heard mentioned a lot and will probably try out eventually.  What do you think of it?

I love Battle Angel Alita.  I first collected it in regular comics and continued as they switched to the volume format.  I wasn't going to get the deluxe editions, but when I saw how nice they were, I went ahead and bought them even though I have the earlier editions.  I'm behind on reading Mars Chronicle, but will get to those eventually.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 11, 2018, 09:27:29 AM
Quote from: rusty on July 09, 2018, 10:23:54 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 09, 2018, 07:14:38 AM
I've also been reading a few manga:
   ONE-PUNCH MAN VOL 14: THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR (tankobon) by ONE & Yusuke Murata
   BATTLE ANGEL ALITA: DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 04 (of 5) by Yukito Kishiro
One Punch Man is a series that I've heard mentioned a lot and will probably try out eventually.  What do you think of it?

I love Battle Angel Alita.  I first collected it in regular comics and continued as they switched to the volume format.  I wasn't going to get the deluxe editions, but when I saw how nice they were, I went ahead and bought them even though I have the earlier editions.  I'm behind on reading Mars Chronicle, but will get to those eventually.

I somehow completely missed out on Battle Angel Alita the first time around. I mean, I was aware that it existed, because I'd seen it around here and there, but for whatever reason, I'd just never picked it up and given it a try. Now after I'd read the first couple of hardcover volumes, I liked it so much that I went and ordered all five omnibus editions of Battle Angel Alita: The Last Order, and have been getting the Mars Chronicle tankobon volumes as they've come out. I've held off on reading the latter two series for reasons of not wanting any spoilers revealed until I've read the last volume of the hardcover collection of the original series. Kodansha will also be releasing a standalone Battle Angel Alita: Homecoming volume in hardcover that collects some shorter, self-contained stories set during the same time frame as the original series (there's a Halloween Comic Fest giveaway comic scheduled to preview that).

The spoiler thing kind of bugs me, because Seven Seas Entertainment completely spoiled the original Devilman for me by releasing two later series in translation earlier, Devilman G (which is a modern retelling with some differences) and Devilman vs Hades (a fairly recent sequel to the original Devilman which also crosses over with characters from Mazinger Z). Since I'd just been reading those as they came out in overlapped releases, the first volume of Devilman vs Hades completely ruins a couple of major plot reveals from the ending of Devilman: The Classic Collection (the second volume of which hasn't come out yet in translation from Seven Seas).

ONE-PUNCH MAN is just amazing! I mean, on the surface it just seems like a bunch of fights and hyperviolence, but it's got humor and even some deeper commentary on what it means to be a hero. Saitama is the one-punch man of the title. He's a short, bald-headed guy whose slightly-built physique and blank expression leads everyone to overlook him and underestimate him, but somehow Saitama possesses the power to defeat any opponent with a single punch. It's mostly over so quickly that any witnesses don't even realize what happened or how. So what Saitama really wants to do is be a hero for fun, helping people while he seeks an adversary that can give him a challenge and won't be defeated so easily. To do this, he joins up with the Heroes Association, a kind of national infrastructure for superheroes, to facilitate dispatching heroes to the scene of emergencies. Since his power isn't really measured easily, and is over with in the time it takes for him to deliver a single punch, people tend not to believe what they've seen (or are distracted by something else, not realizing what exactly happened); Saitama starts out as a lowly-rated Class C hero. Genos, a teenage cyborg hero who is rated as Class S (that's above Class A, by the way) is one of the few that sees Saitama in action and believes. Since Genos is an earnest young hero he immediately begs Saitama to become his sensei and train him. We are also introduced to many other heroes in the ranks of the Heroes Association. Some are not really heroes at all, but are out for their own personal celebrity or glory, or are just feeding their own inflated egos every time they defeat an opponent in combat. Monsters are also rated by their threat levels - Threat Level Dragon is more dangerous than Threat Level Tiger. It later turns out that there is also a Monsters Association to support the monsters, and things really get interesting.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 11, 2018, 09:55:08 AM
SAVAGE DRAGON #235
ARCHIE #32
KISS ARMY OF DARKNESS #5
(of 5)
UNCLE SCROOGE #440
TITANS #23
WONDER WOMAN #50
FLASH #50
HAWKMAN #2
PLASTIC MAN #2
(of 6)
WORLD OF TANKS: CITADEL #3 (of 5)
SHE COULD FLY #1
AVENGERS #4 (694)
DOCTOR STRANGE #2 & 3 (392 & 393)
HILLBILLY #11
SHEENA #10
CASPER AND HOT STUFF #1
WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #80
WALT DISNEY SHOWCASE #3: THE BEAGLE BOYS
FF VOL 1 TP: FANTASTIC FAUX
FF VOL 2 TP: FAMILY FREAKOUT
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 18, 2018, 09:07:52 AM
07-18-18:
TRUE BELIEVERS: FANTASTIC FOUR VS DOCTOR DOOM #1
TRUE BELIEVERS: FANTASTIC FOUR WEDDING #1
TRUE BELIEVERS: FANTASTIC FOUR THE COMING OF GALACTUS #1
TRUE BELIEVERS: FANTASTIC FOUR HULK VS THING #1
INFINITY COUNTDOWN #5
(of 5)
THE UNSTOPPABLE WASP VOL 01: UNSTOPPABLE TP
THE UNSTOPPABLE WASP VOL 02: AGENTS OF G.I.R.L. TP
WORLD'S END HAREM VOL 02
tankobon
CABLE #159
ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN '66 #1
(of 6)
BETTY AND VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER: TRAVEL TALES #1
ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH VOL 1 TP
HILLBILLY #10
INFINITY 8 VOL 2 #1
(of 3)
STELLAR #2 (of 6)
KICK-ASS #6
GIDEON FALLS #5
ICE CREAM MAN #5
AMAZING FANTASTIC INCREDIBLE: A Marvelous Memoir by Stan Lee OGN
by Peter David & Colleen Doran
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 19, 2018, 08:06:26 PM
I read Eerie Cuties presents Freaky Frights.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on July 20, 2018, 10:13:31 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 18, 2018, 09:07:52 AM
ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN '66 #1
(of 6)


Debating on whether this is worth a purchase or not.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 21, 2018, 01:38:05 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on July 20, 2018, 10:13:31 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on July 18, 2018, 09:07:52 AM
ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN '66 #1
(of 6)


Debating on whether this is worth a purchase or not.

I LOVED it! (but what else would you expect?)  It's worth mentioning that it really should be ARCHIE '66 Meets Batman '66. So when you see Mrs. Lodge (who didn't have a first name in 1966), it's the 1966 version of Mrs. Lodge (i.e. a stout, matronly woman, with a hair bun). Veronica is wearing a minidress with a style similar to what you'd have seen her wearing in a 1966 Archie story. And it's really remarkable how much Mr. Lodge and Alfred (Batman's butler) resemble each other, but then that makes complete sense when you think about the actor that played Alfred on the 1966 Batman television series, and how he would look translated into the traditional Archie style. It's all those little touches of detail that make the story stand out from the POV of a fan of Archie comics. But then I guess it would depend on how you felt about the Batman TV series. At any rate, this is probably the last opportunity to read a long-form Dan Parent Archie story that we'll have for a while.

****

Since you asked about it before in the Shoutbox, I'll mention ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH VOL 1 again. Originally, I was going to pass on picking this one up, and after reading it, I have to conclude that my initial gut impressions were correct. I relented in my initial conviction to skip it because I had a moment of doubt where I questioned whether my subjective impressions of that title might have been wrong. First off, this is not, as I might have expected, a complete chronological reprinting of the stories proceeding from ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH #1. It reprints stories from issue #1 through 33, but at 224 pages, obviously not ALL of the stories from those issues. Most curious of all is the fact that none of the stories reprinted features Chuck Clayton in a starring or co-starring role (in fact, I don't remember him having a significant part in any of the stories reprinted here). That's decidedly odd when you look at those 1970s issues of A@RH, because this title was the place that stories with Chuck most frequently appeared. Perhaps they purposely left those out, because the company's well-meaning attempts to promote racial/ethnic equality at the time might seem patronizing today without any contextual hindsight. The quality of the artwork is certainly on a par with other Archie stories from this same time period (1973-76), but storywise...

All of the stories are little didactic lessons in which Archie sees a problem and solves it. Nearly all the stories downplay or outright ignore the typical Archie situation comedy format. The stories all present Archie as sort of a role model for emulation by the young readers who would have picked up this comic in the early 1970s. It's hard to imagine Archie Comics publishing a title like this in the 1950s or early 1960s, but I chalk it up to the mass exposure Archie and friends were getting at the time in the Filmation animated cartoons on TV. Like the A@RH stories, the television stories ignored the rom-com and slapstick situations that were the main strength of the original comic books. Those stories as well as these are safe, squeaky-clean pro-social message stories like the few plots that television broadcast standards and practices censors of the time could find no fault with, and let pass for Saturday morning kid-vid. That's fine for the less-demanding childrens' audience, but not for adult comic readers looking purely for entertainment value.

The worst sin of these stories is that few if any of them derive the impetus for their plots from the standard character flaws, relationships, or motivations that are the hallmark of the best Archie stories. Jughead does nothing of any importance, nothing remotely Jughead-like, with the exception of lending support to Archie as a best friend, and even that plays into very few of the stories. Betty and Veronica don't display any traits of best-friendship or of competitive rivalry. The plots don't turn on the characters' motivations of jealousy, covetousness, selfishness, or ego competition. Only Reggie is allowed to maintain a small portion of his vanity and jerkiness in a few stories (again, reflecting the situation of the plots of the Filmation TV cartoons).

Taken as merely one of a dozen or so Archie-related titles that ACP published at the time, A@RH can be seen as simply providing some variety to the lineup of titles published by ACP, and having its own distinct flavor so that the stories appearing in each title seemed less totally interchangeable. Spread out as reprints in the digests, these stories merely seem like the raisins in an oatmeal cookie, which is fine -- but reading 224 pages of them at a sitting wears thin awfully fast. There are only a half-dozen or so basic plots in A@RH stories, the rest being merely slight variations or embellishment; Archie motivates the baseball/football/basketball/hockey team to win through teamwork or school spirit, Archie recognizes a problem and helps organize the students to pitch in to help the school or the community, and few basic others. They're a little obvious and repetitive, especially when read one after another in a collection this size. In short, boring! It's equally true that can also be said of the comedic situations in most Archie stories, but the variations on the same basic tropes seemed more like a challenge to the writers' inventiveness in many of those stories. There are maybe half-a-dozen stories in the whole collection that stick out or are memorable in any way.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 23, 2018, 05:15:02 AM
CAPTAIN HARLOCK #1-13 [Eternity 1989-91]
EMERALDAS The Pirate Queen #1-4 [Eternity 1990-91]
CAPTAIN HARLOCK: DEATHSHADOW RISING #1-6 [Eternity 1991]
CAPTAIN HARLOCK CHRISTMAS SPECIAL #1 [Eternity 1991]
CAPTAIN HARLOCK: FALL OF THE EMPIRE #1-4 [Eternity 1992]
CAPTAIN HARLOCK: THE MACHINE PEOPLE #1-4 [Eternity 1993]

BETTY AND VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #265 - Always enjoyable. I've been looking forward to each new issue recently to read the Cheryl Blossom serial "And the Winner Is...", (originally published in B&V Double Digest #161-165) which I'd never had a chance to read before (even though I know who the winner turned out to be). Part 3 of 5 was in this issue. I hope they continue to reprint the remaining Cheryl stories in the same chronological order in which they first appeared.

GOLGO 13 (Graphic Novel Series) No. 1: INTO THE WOLVES' LAIR The Fall of the Fourth Reich TP (1987) by Takao Saito
GOLGO 13 (standard comic format) No. 1: THE IMPOSSIBLE HIT (1989) by Takeo Saito
GOLGO 13 (standard comic format) No. 2: THE BORDER HOPPER (1990) by Takeo Saito (story title on cover & page 1 hilariously mis-translated as "Hopper the Border")
BLACK MAGIC TP by Masamune Shirow
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 26, 2018, 01:13:12 AM
UNCLE SCROOGE #441
B&V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #263
ARCHIES BIG BOOK VOL 04: FAIRY TALES TP
ARCHIE'S SUPERTEENS VS CRUSADERS #2
(of 2)
SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP #40
BATMAN: SINS OF THE FATHER #6
(of 6)
DC BEACH BLANKET BAD GUYS SPECIAL #1
THE TERRIFICS #6
THE FLASH #51
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1
DOOMSDAY CLOCK #6
(of 12)
INFINITY WARS PRIME #1 (one-shot)
THE SENTRY #2
X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN: SECOND GENESIS #1
  (of 2)
HIT-GIRL #6
MOONSHINE #12
SAVAGE DRAGON #236
TANK GIRL ALL STARS #2
(of 4)
RICK & MORTY #40
STAR WARS ADVENTURES #12
JUDGE DREDD: UNDER SIEGE #3
(of 4)
TRUE BELIEVERS: FANTASTIC FOUR - GALACTUS HUNGERS #1
TRUE BELIEVERS: FANTASTIC FOUR - THE COMING OF HERBIE #1
TRUE BELIEVERS: FANTASTIC FOUR BY JOHN BYRNE #1
TRUE BELIEVERS: FANTASTIC FOUR - WHAT IF? #1
STAR TREK: BOLDLY GO TP VOL 3: I.D.I.C.
STAR TREK: NEW VISIONS #19: THE HUNGER
MAZINGER
OGN (First Comics 1988) by Go Nagai
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 28, 2018, 04:10:42 PM
I haven't read anything Archie related in while. I have been too busy.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on July 28, 2018, 11:25:18 PM
I did wind up reading some comics before it was my latest midtown comics .
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 03, 2018, 05:01:41 AM
XERXES: THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF DARIUS #5 (of 5)
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS [2018] #1
From the World of Black Hammer: THE QUANTUM AGE #2 (of ?)
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP #4 (of 5)
INFINITY WARS #1 (of 6)
The Little Book of THE INCREDIBLE HULK
The Little Book of IRON MAN
The Little Book of X-MEN
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 06, 2018, 01:52:40 AM
Manga:
GHOST IN THE SHELL TP by Shirow Masamune
GHOST IN THE SHELL 1.5: HUMAN-ERROR PROCESSOR TP by Shirow Masamune
GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: MAN-MACHINE INTERFACE TP by Shirow Masamune

GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX by Yu Kinutani (tankobon volumes):
  EPISODE 001: SECTION 9 (adapts TV episode 01)
  EPISODE 002: TESTATION (adapts TV episode 02)
  EPISODE 003: IDOLATER (adapts TV episode 07)
  EPISODE 004: ¥€$ (adapts TV episode 14)
  EPISODE 005: NOT EQUAL (adapts TV episode 13)

I'd bought the above tankobon volumes (approx. 250 pages each) as they'd been released by Kodansha Comics back in 2011-2014, but had never actually gotten around to reading them. I was a little disappointed to find that they were just straight adaptations of the episode scripts, scene-for-scene and dialogue-for-dialogue (I'd been hoping that they were original stories set in the same world as the GitS S.A.C. TV series). They do a good job (artwork and story all read well as manga) for what they intended, but add or subtract nothing from the anime episodes, so if someone already has the anime episodes in their collection, they're somewhat disposable.

GHOST IN THE SHELL README: 1995-2017 HC - History and background info of the GiTS franchise in anime films & TV series, profusely illustrated with cel frames, designs and character model sheets, up to and including the 2017 live-action feature film. I also watched the first five of the anime films: Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell (1995) and his sequel Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004), and Kenji Kamiyama's three Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex features: The Laughing Man (2003), The Individual Eleven (2005), and Solid State Society (2006). I haven't yet seen the 10-episode 2013 OVA series Arise or the spinoff anime 'New Movie' which caps off that series' storyline (I've been waiting for all ten OVA episodes to be offered in some sort of 'Complete Collection' on DVD, and I don't want to watch the feature film spinoff until I've seen the OVA series that preceded it). Shirow Masamune's original manga, the 2 Oshii anime films, the TV series Stand Alone Complex, and OVA series Arise all have their separate continuities, with some details in storylines agreeing and others contradicting those of the other versions. Comparing and contrasting the different versions helps in grasping some of the vaguer or harder to understand details of the SF concepts and metaphysical/philosophical ideas being explored.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 07, 2018, 03:36:01 PM
PLATINUM END VOL 01 (tankobon) - I loved this! It just totally turns all those superhero elements on their head and defies expectations as to how they are usually applied in a story. Yet all the same basic elements are worked in. Orphaned kid granted superpowers by magical being/cosmic alien (in this case, in the guise of a cutesy teen angel girl). Almost seems like it's going in the same direction as Spider-Man, with a theme of "with great power there must also be great responsibility", but also seems like it won't be a quickly learned lesson, as it was in the case of the teenaged Peter Parker, but a much more torturous pathway. The angel characters are somewhat creepy, and in the case of the main one, Nasse, I believe she'll turn out to be not what she appears, or at any rate, there's a lot she's not telling our young hero. The reconfiguration of religious/mythological ideas into pseudo-science fantasy terms reminded me of SAINT SEIYA (Knights of the Zodiac). I just immediately ordered tankobon Volumes 02 through 06. Extremely pleased to have discovered this one, can't wait to read the whole thing.

PRECARIOUS WOMAN EXECUTIVE MISS BLACK GENERAL (tankobon) by JIN - A pretty funny superhero parody. Took me a little while to decipher the cartooning style here (extremely reductive, and the appearance of characters tends to morph a lot according to their emotional state), but some bits are reminiscent of Viewtiful Joe, while other bits remind me of Ben Edlund's The Tick.

You can just NEVER really tell what a manga's about by its title. In this case I suspect that the author (who goes by the pseudonym 'jin') intended it to try to capture the same sort of effect of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", in other words, just to tickle people's curiosity when they heard or read it. I'm not sure about the translation of the word precarious in the title; it seems like they missed something about the sense of it. If I had to guess I think the meaning of precarious as "risky" was somehow assumed to be the same as the word risqué (which actually means improper/indecent/suggestive) -- so I think the meaning which was intended to be conferred was Risqué Lady eXecutive BLACK GENERAL. The 'Miss' in the title translation is just an honorific of '-san' appended to the name Black General. We could really just call it RX Black General.

She's supposed to be the field marshal of the secret evil organization 'RX', whose ultimate goal is total world domination, and tries to look the part, dressed in her military cap and pseudo-Nazi-type uniform with an X armband, and an eyepatch (which she admits is just because 'it looks cool!'). Really she's just a superhero fangirl who gets the whimwhams whenever she encounters the hero Braveman (who looks a little like Batman, but is really nothing like him). She took the job with the evil RX organization just so she could get up close to her idol, the secret object of her obsession (she's a lot like Betty Cooper that way), but all she's succeeded in doing so far is becoming an irritating annoyance and king-size headache for Braveman. The evil RX organization is headed up by the overly-polite and afraid-to-offend Boss (who is a supervillain with telekinetic powers), but so far the organization hasn't done a single evil thing except to declare their intent of world domination and call out Braveman to challenge him. The rest of the organization consists of Secretary, Scientist, and Minion #1, #2, and #3 --  but they're still keen to recruit new followers (even though they've completely blown through their cash reserves). Good satirical treatment of superhero cliches, and about as different as night from day, when compared to PLATINUM END, even though they're both playing with some of the same well-established tropes.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 08, 2018, 11:12:57 AM
I just finished reading some of my graphic novels
Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong
The Best Of Archie Comics - Betty & Veronica - Book #2
Jughead - Volume #1
Menage A 3- Volume #1
Swing #1

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 09, 2018, 01:46:13 AM
Quote from: BettyReggie on August 08, 2018, 11:12:57 AM
I just finished reading some of my graphic novels
Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong
The Best Of Archie Comics - Betty & Veronica - Book #2
Jughead - Volume #1
Menage A 3- Volume #1
Swing #1

I don't know if you read Vol 1 of Menage A 3 in the smaller paperback (tankobon) size published by Pixie Trix, or the slightly larger format (same approximate size as The Best of Archie Comics trade paperbacks), published by Udon Entertainment, which collects 2 of the smaller paperback volumes. I have both versions of volume 1, and I really like the larger page size of Udon trade collection. I just ordered the second volume of that series (which collects volumes 3 & 4 originally published by Pixie Trix). I think I'm going to stick with that format because the artwork looks so much better printed at the larger size, even though at the current rate Udon is publishing them, it will take quite a while for them to catch up to the Pixie Trix volumes.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 09, 2018, 01:47:42 AM
LOST IN SPACE: THE ART OF JUAN ORTIZ HC
FANTASTIC FOUR (2018) #1
SAVAGE DRAGON #237
TITANS #24
HAWKMAN #3
PLASTIC MAN #3
(of 6)
WONDER WOMAN #52
UNNATURAL #2
(of 12)
PREDATOR HUNTERS II #1 (of 5)
WORLD OF TANKS: CITADEL #4 (of 5)
CARSON OF VENUS #1: FEAR ON FOUR WORLDS Part 1 (of 4)
NEW LIEUTENANTS OF METAL #2 (of 4)
HEY KIDS! COMICS #1 (of ?)
LOONEY TUNES #244
UNCLE SCROOGE #38
DONALD & MICKEY QUARTERLY
WALT DISNEY SHOWCASE #4: GOOFY
WALT DISNEY SHOWCASE #5: DONALD DUCK FAMILY
DISNEY MASTERS HC VOL 03: MICKEY MOUSE and THE VANISHING BANDIT
DISNEY MASTERS HC VOL 04: DONALD DUCK in THE GREAT SURVIVAL TEST


... and on the e-comix front...
DIE KITTY DIE: HEAVEN & HELL #2 (of 4) - Ahh! ... "Good things come to he that waits", as the saying goes. DKD never fails to give me a little thrill of delight at the sly little in-jokes and quirky humor. Not to mention how much I'm loving the artwork. The boys really put their hearts & souls into this, and you can feel it in the resulting product. Li'l Satan has kind of a big supporting role in this issue, and it's always nice to see more of him. There's a brief appearance by Kitty's cousin Katty in the flashback story preceding the present-day main story, and as usual, we check in with Rudy, Mara, and Jim at the comic shop to see how Kitty's death is impacting the world of comic fandom. Sweet.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 13, 2018, 01:10:08 AM
Ménage à ZOMBIES (one-shot) - Floppy comic spinoff of Ménage à 3, by Dave Lumsdon and Fernando Ruiz. The injection of zombies into the otherwise more real-world universe of Ménage à 3 makes this an out-of-continuity flight-of-fantasy. Possibly the idea was a tongue-in-cheek poke at ACP's Afterlife With Archie. The story was originally created as bonus content for the most recent Ménage à 3 tankobon collection, but is presented here as a standalone one-shot in color.

BETTY AND VERONICA DIGEST (1990s) #56, 57, 62, 68, 69, 80 - Purchased for a buck each. Most of the stories were ones I'd previously read, reprinted in more recent B&V digest issues. I'll pick these older digests up if they're cheap, but they're not really on my want list, per se. I'm really only focusing on collecting certain digest titles that I missed from around 2005 to present (varies according to each title): Betty and Veronica, Betty and Veronica Double, B&V Friends Double, Tales From Riverdale, Jughead & Friends, Jughead Double, Archie & Friends Double, World of Archie Double. Many or most of these had at least some new (at the time) stories besides the usual reprints.

manga:
THE BIG O, Vol. 1-6 tankobon (2002-2004) by Hitoshi Ariga - This was another manga series (like GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX by Yu Kinutani) that was based on an anime TV series, rather than the other way around. Unlike that other series though, these stories weren't just straight adaptations of the TV episodes, but new stories based on the TV characters. The anime and character designs have the same sort of 'dark deco' sensibility as Batman The Animated Series, because it was a co-production between Sunrise Studios in Japan and Cartoon Network in America. There's a lot of homages to older Japanese anime and tokusatsu TV shows, as well as retro design homages to 1960s style. Hitoshi Ariga (who also did the manga based on MegaMan in Japan, which Udon studios is currently reprinting in thick, standard-format color comics) did a good job on this, even though he was feeling his way along at first, having started serializing the manga in MAGAZINE Z in Japan 3 months prior to the on-air debut of the anime. The TV series eventually ran 26 episodes, so it was nice to get some new stories featuring those characters in the manga series.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 15, 2018, 02:38:01 AM
I read Fence #4 & Saga #54.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 15, 2018, 11:59:55 PM
WALT DISNEY SHOWCASE #6: THE PHANTOM BLOT
ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN '66 #2
(of 6)
BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR VOL 01 TP
BEST OF ARCHIE AMERICANA VOL 03 TP: THE BRONZE AGE 1980s-1990s
STREET FIGHTER SUMMER SPORTS SPECIAL
INFINITY 8 VOL 2 #2
(of 3)
INFINITY WARS #2 (of 6)
STELLAR #3 (of 6)
TERMINATOR: SECTOR WAR #1 (of 4)
ICE CREAM MAN #6
GIDEON FALLS #6
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 16, 2018, 02:39:09 AM
Review: BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR VOL 01 TP

(https://media.dcbservice.com/xlarge/JUN181448.jpg)

While I was hoping that this collection might start out by reprinting the older ARCHIE GIANT SERIES issue numbers which fell under the B&V Spectacular title logo - begininng with #11 (June 1961) and ending with #632 (July 1992), which was in fact the final issue of the entire AGS run - it actually begins with the #1 issue cover-dated October 1992. After the cancellation of the Archie Giant Series, it was replaced by a number of different ongoing titles, all of which had previously appeared under the AGS numbering. World of Archie and Betty and Veronica Spectacular were initially published quarterly, which was approximately the same schedule under which the titles had appeared in rotation under the AGS numbering. The other two titles (Archie's Christmas Stocking and Betty and Veronica Summer Fun) were published annually.

WORLD OF ARCHIE #1 (August 1992) - #22 (March 1999)
BETTY AND VERONICA SPECTACULAR #1 (October 1992) - #90 (September 2009)
ARCHIE'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING #1 [48-Page Giant] (November 1993) - #7 (November 1999)
BETTY AND VERONICA SUMMER FUN #1 [48-Page Giant] (July 1994) - #6 (July 1999)

Of the four ongoing titles born out of the former Archie Giant Series, B&V Spectacular was by far the most successful, lasting seventeen years - ten years longer than the other three titles. Just for reference, here are the issue numbers of the Archie Giant Series which were Betty and Veronica Spectacular issues:

11   21   26   32   [here the AGS title jumped 100 issue numbers]
138   145   153   162   173   184   197   201   214   221   226   234   238   246   250
[here the AGS title jumped another 200 issue numbers] 458   462   470   474   482   486   494   498   501   506   510   518   522   526   530   537   541   548   552   559   563   569   575   582   588   595   600   608   613   620   623   632

Okay, with that preamble out of the way, this is a pretty good collection. Compared to the previous volume in the "Archie Comics Presents..." series, ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH, which attempted to compile stories from issues #1-33, BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR VOL 01 TP only reprints stories from issues #1-11, so it is far more complete. The JUGHEAD'S TIME POLICE and COSMO trade collections were indeed "complete" in the truest sense, even reprinting the covers of the issues whose stories were contained therein. Here, unfortunately, we don't get the covers (which is a shame, because for the most part, they are great covers). However, we DO get MOST of the stories from issues #1-11 reprinted. Here's a listing of the contents of Volume 1 (number of pages follows the story title):

#1  Run For Glory   22
#2  This Looks Like A Job For Sugarplum!   21
#3  Genie Hi-Jinx   11
#3  BETTY in "The Big Slice"   1
#3  Flee This Market   5
#3  "Clothes" Minded!   5
#4  Fashion Fiasco   11
#4  Go Fly a Kite   5
#4  Triangle Trouble   5
#5  Wiener Wars   11
#6  Princess and the Pauper   11
#6  Chances Are...   5
#7  Love Notions   11
#7  Jersey City 07303   5
#7  Too Much Infomercial   5
#8  Fitness Fiasco   11
#8  Moody & Snooty   5
#9  Look Who's Watching   11
#9  Paper Route   5
#9  Yard Sale Of The Century!   6
#10  Here's Sand in Your Face   11
#10  S'more Trouble   5
#10  Vests For All Occasions (Veronica fashions)   1
#10  Boxer Boom!   5
#11  Teacher Torture   11
#11  Picture This!   5
#11  The Prodigal Daughter   5

Just to see what didn't get reprinted from those issues, I consulted the Grand Comics Database. Here's what's missing from those issues (excepting ads, letters pages, editorial pages, and puzzle pages):
#1-11  covers
#3  BETTY's Fantasy: The Music Maker (pin-up)   2
#5  No Contest   5
#5  The 60's In The 90's (B&V fashions)    1
#5  Opposites Detract   5
#6  A Fowl Scent   5
#6  Hot Roddin' in the "Fifties" (pin-up) 1
#8  Hold the Phone   5
#9  Rad Fad   1

So essentially, what BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR VOL 01 TP contains is "almost" the complete contents of issues #1-11 of that title, with the exception of all the covers and 25 pages of other stories or features. It could have been a little more perfect, but given that they had to fit it into a 224-page trade collection, not bad. If I had been the editor, I'd have left issue #11 for Volume 2, and reprinted the four 5-page stories from issues #5, 6 & 8 that they skipped, plus a 1-page feature. Or the two best 5-page stories, plus all 10 covers from issues #1-10. But that's me. All in all, not too bad. I rate it a "buy".

One small irksome point. There is a 1-page text introduction which had me wondering whether the (uncredited) writer of that page even read the stories in this collection. Said writer claims in the intro that "As time went on, the series introduced a few new female characters - one of which you'll see in this particular collection is Sugarplum, the teenage daughter of Santa Claus".

Okay, that's just plain wrong on two counts. Apparently the writer confused Sugar Plum with Noelle Claus (the teenage daughter of Santa Claus), a much later Dan Parent creation. They're two entirely different characters. And B&V Spectacular did NOT introduce the character of Sugar Plum (seen here in a story from B&V Spectacular #2, "This Looks Like A Job For Sugar Plum!", which is in fact her fourth appearance). Her FIRST appearance was in ARCHIE GIANT SERIES #580 (January 1988), which wasn't even a B&V Spectacular issue of AGS... it was a BETTY AND VERONICA CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR (a separate annual title) issue. You wouldn't necessarily have to know these details to realize that Betty and Veronica Spectacular #2 wasn't Sugar Plum's first appearance -- all you'd need to do is read the story. In the first panel of that story, where Sugar Plum appears, it's obvious that Betty and Veronica already know her. Since she wasn't in the previous issue of B&V Spectacular, it's easy to deduce that she couldn't have been introduced in that series. That makes the writer of the introduction look pretty dumb, even to a 10 year-old kid of average intelligence.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Vegan Jughead on August 17, 2018, 03:52:48 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 16, 2018, 02:39:09 AM
Review: BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR VOL 01 TP

(https://media.dcbservice.com/xlarge/JUN181448.jpg)

While I was hoping that this collection might start out by reprinting the older ARCHIE GIANT SERIES issue numbers which fell under the B&V Spectacular title logo - begininng with #11 (June 1961) and ending with #632 (July 1992), which was in fact the final issue of the entire AGS run - it actually begins with the #1 issue cover-dated October 1992. After the cancellation of the Archie Giant Series, it was replaced by a number of different ongoing titles, all of which had previously appeared under the AGS numbering. World of Archie and Betty and Veronica Spectacular were initially published quarterly, which was approximately the same schedule under which the titles had appeared in rotation under the AGS numbering. The other two titles (Archie's Christmas Stocking and Betty and Veronica Summer Fun) were published annually.

WORLD OF ARCHIE #1 (August 1992) - #22 (March 1999)
BETTY AND VERONICA SPECTACULAR #1 (October 1992) - #90 (September 2009)
ARCHIE'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING #1 [48-Page Giant] (November 1993) - #7 (November 1999)
BETTY AND VERONICA SUMMER FUN #1 [48-Page Giant] (July 1994) - #6 (July 1999)

Of the four ongoing titles born out of the former Archie Giant Series, B&V Spectacular was by far the most successful, lasting seventeen years - ten years longer than the other three titles. Just for reference, here are the issue numbers of the Archie Giant Series which were Betty and Veronica Spectacular issues:

11   21   26   32   [here the AGS title jumped 100 issue numbers]
138   145   153   162   173   184   197   201   214   221   226   234   238   246   250
[here the AGS title jumped another 200 issue numbers] 458   462   470   474   482   486   494   498   501   506   510   518   522   526   530   537   541   548   552   559   563   569   575   582   588   595   600   608   613   620   623   632

Okay, with that preamble out of the way, this is a pretty good collection. Compared to the previous volume in the "Archie Comics Presents..." series, ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH, which attempted to compile stories from issues #1-33, BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR VOL 01 TP only reprints stories from issues #1-11, so it is far more complete. The JUGHEAD'S TIME POLICE and COSMO trade collections were indeed "complete" in the truest sense, even reprinting the covers of the issues whose stories were contained therein. Here, unfortunately, we don't get the covers (which is a shame, because for the most part, they are great covers). However, we DO get MOST of the stories from issues #1-11 reprinted. Here's a listing of the contents of Volume 1 (number of pages follows the story title):

#1  Run For Glory   22
#2  This Looks Like A Job For Sugarplum!   21
#3  Genie Hi-Jinx   11
#3  BETTY in "The Big Slice"   1
#3  Flee This Market   5
#3  "Clothes" Minded!   5
#4  Fashion Fiasco   11
#4  Go Fly a Kite   5
#4  Triangle Trouble   5
#5  Wiener Wars   11
#6  Princess and the Pauper   11
#6  Chances Are...   5
#7  Love Notions   11
#7  Jersey City 07303   5
#7  Too Much Infomercial   5
#8  Fitness Fiasco   11
#8  Moody & Snooty   5
#9  Look Who's Watching   11
#9  Paper Route   5
#9  Yard Sale Of The Century!   6
#10  Here's Sand in Your Face   11
#10  S'more Trouble   5
#10  Vests For All Occasions (Veronica fashions)   1
#10  Boxer Boom!   5
#11  Teacher Torture   11
#11  Picture This!   5
#11  The Prodigal Daughter   5

Just to see what didn't get reprinted from those issues, I consulted the Grand Comics Database. Here's what's missing from those issues (excepting ads, letters pages, editorial pages, and puzzle pages):
#1-11  covers
#3  BETTY's Fantasy: The Music Maker (pin-up)   2
#5  No Contest   5
#5  The 60's In The 90's (B&V fashions)    1
#5  Opposites Detract   5
#6  A Fowl Scent   5
#6  Hot Roddin' in the "Fifties" (pin-up) 1
#8  Hold the Phone   5
#9  Rad Fad   1

So essentially, what BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR VOL 01 TP contains is "almost" the complete contents of issues #1-11 of that title, with the exception of all the covers and 25 pages of other stories or features. It could have been a little more perfect, but given that they had to fit it into a 224-page trade collection, not bad. If I had been the editor, I'd have left issue #11 for Volume 2, and reprinted the four 5-page stories from issues #5, 6 & 8 that they skipped, plus a 1-page feature. Or the two best 5-page stories, plus all 10 covers from issues #1-10. But that's me. All in all, not too bad. I rate it a "buy".

One small irksome point. There is a 1-page text introduction which had me wondering whether the (uncredited) writer of that page even read the stories in this collection. Said writer claims in the intro that "As time went on, the series introduced a few new female characters - one of which you'll see in this particular collection is Sugarplum, the teenage daughter of Santa Claus".

Okay, that's just plain wrong on two counts. Apparently the writer confused Sugar Plum with Noelle Claus (the teenage daughter of Santa Claus), a much later Dan Parent creation. They're two entirely different characters. And B&V Spectacular did NOT introduce the character of Sugar Plum (seen here in a story from B&V Spectacular #2, "This Looks Like A Job For Sugar Plum!", which is in fact her fourth appearance). Her FIRST appearance was in ARCHIE GIANT SERIES #580 (January 1988), which wasn't even a B&V Spectacular issue of AGS... it was a BETTY AND VERONICA CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR (a separate annual title) issue. You wouldn't necessarily have to know these details to realize that Betty and Veronica Spectacular #2 wasn't Sugar Plum's first appearance -- all you'd need to do is read the story. In the first panel of that story, where Sugar Plum appears, it's obvious that Betty and Veronica already know her. Since she wasn't in the previous issue of B&V Spectacular, it's easy to deduce that she couldn't have been introduced in that series. That makes the writer of the introduction look pretty dumb, even to a 10 year-old kid of average intelligence.
j


Thanks for the review, DCR!  I have all of the books (except Cosmo) in this new format so far and haven't gotten to them yet.  I'm looking forward to it, but I wish they were complete chronological runs.  Still, compared to some of the other things ACP is doing, these are a cool idea IMO. 
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 19, 2018, 11:13:22 AM
I just read Slam -The Next Jam #2 & #3 #4
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 20, 2018, 08:35:09 PM
None. I've decided to give up reading comics. It's gotten too expensive.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on August 20, 2018, 09:36:31 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 20, 2018, 08:35:09 PM
None. I've decided to give up reading comics. It's gotten too expensive.


No way!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 21, 2018, 03:14:18 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on August 20, 2018, 09:36:31 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 20, 2018, 08:35:09 PM
None. I've decided to give up reading comics. It's gotten too expensive.


No way!


Yeah, as IF !   :2funny:

Even if I was able, or was forced to, stop buying them, I'd never stop reading them. If I never bought another comic from this day on, I have enough comics in my house right NOW that if I were to read each one only ONCE again, I'd still never be able finish reading them all before I died. So not only would I have to have NO money before I stopped buying them, I'd also need to lose my house and everything in it, and become a homeless person before I stopped reading comics -- and I'm not sure even THAT would stop me completely. If I were homeless and jobless, then I guess I'd also have plenty of free time for hanging around the public library, and if I could use their computers as well, then I'd be able to find even MORE comics to read online. So I'd say that the only way that I could EVER stop reading comics is if I was dead or totally blind, or all the comics in the world somehow permanently disappeared overnight.

I just stopped reading them for a few hours today so I could read this instead:

(https://www.expertcomics.com/images/products/Comics/69351-big.jpg)

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on August 22, 2018, 06:15:45 PM
I read
Snot Girl #2 & #4 & #8
Jim Henson's Labyrinth Coronation #4- Staples Cover
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 23, 2018, 12:40:40 AM
BACK ISSUE #107 - Archie Comics in the Bronze Age!
SCOOBY-DOO! TEAM-UP #41 (with Penelope Pitstop)
THE TERRIFICS #7
BLACK HAMMER: AGE OF DOOM #4
THE SENTRY #3
PUNISHER (2018) #1
RED SONJA/TARZAN #4
HIT-GIRL #7
MANGA:
  TOKYO TARAREBA GIRLS VOL 02
  DEVILMAN VS HADES VOL 02
  PLATINUM END VOLS 2-6
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Vegan Jughead on August 23, 2018, 07:59:40 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 23, 2018, 12:40:40 AM
BACK ISSUE #107 - Archie Comics in the Bronze Age!



I got this one too. Just starting on it.  Cool stuff!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 23, 2018, 08:43:13 AM
Quote from: Vegan Jughead on August 23, 2018, 07:59:40 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 23, 2018, 12:40:40 AM
BACK ISSUE #107 - Archie Comics in the Bronze Age!

3

I got this one too. Just starting on it.  Cool stuff!

It is indeed an awesome magazine! TBH, I was expecting that maybe about 1/3 to 1/2 of the issue would focus on Archie-related articles, and the rest on the usual hodgepodge of different features. Was I pleasantly surprised to discover that the entire 75-page magazine was devoted to Archie Comics, and nothing else! My mind was boggled JUST by the amount of surprising (and unknown to me) information in the very first article. Things I didn't know, and in some cases, hadn't even thought to wonder about -- truly a treasure-trove of ACP data. I hope everyone here will buy the magazine -- they will NOT be disappointed -- because I can envision the possibility that if that issue were to sell particularly well, TwoMorrows might decide to use it as the basis for an expanded trade paperback (they usually run somewhere in the neighborhood of 250-300 pages) with even more critical information, articles, and data. For example, they could have listed all the album tracks from The Archies' albums, and all the NEW episodes in each of the various Filmation animated incarnations of Archie and Sabrina. They definitely could have included an article on Josie and the Pussycats, perhaps even one about the Madhouse Glads, and maybe they could have even dug up an older interview with Dan DeCarlo that had been published years ago in some more obscure, little-seen fanzine. They should definitely include a more detailed article focusing on the publishing history of the Archie digests, as well as one on Archie collectibles. It would not be the first time TwoMorrows has expanded on a single-issue magazine focus on one particular publisher, in a later-published, greatly expanded trade paperback collection.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 23, 2018, 04:07:22 PM
One other thing I noticed was that ACP had two full-page ads in that issue, but I guess they just love to flush an opportunity to make some money right down the drain. What are the ads for? The New Riverdale trades and the Riverdale TV series. Uh... yeah, thanks for bringing those to our attention, we somehow just spaced out and plain didn't realize they existed.

Apparently they don't bother targeting the ads to the consumer base of the magazine they're advertising in. It's for fans of BRONZE AGE comics, you dummies!!! Instead of trying to target the ads to spotlight the creme-de-la-creme of their existing trade collections of classic Archie material (and oh, as long as they're at it... how about selling some of those Red/Dark Circle trades in a magazine whose usual readership is superhero fans?). What about selling some digest subscriptions and 1000-Page Comics bricks? No, they waste the ad space on something pretty much everyone already knows about. If they care about such things (in itself doubtful), BACK ISSUE's readers have already bought the comics or trades, and watched the show, but what they might NOT be aware of is the digests are still being published (because you don't really SEE them much in comic book stores), and that ACP has an extensive line of material targeted towards readers who already LOVE the old classic stories from the 1970s and 1980s. The Best of Archie Comics Deluxe HCs? "Archie Comics Presents..."? Archie Americana? They could easily have squeezed the covers of 25 different TP collections onto a single magazine-sized ad page. Nah, just toss 'em the same old ads we run in the digests and regular floppy comics we publish. It's not the same audience, you idiots!!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 26, 2018, 05:09:07 AM
Jiro Kuwata's WORLD OF MEMORIES: Boys' Manga Theater 1957-1963 [deluxe softcover collection, Kodansha 2009/import (Japanese text only)]

  An interesting retrospective of some of "Mr. Bat-manga" Kuwata-san's earliest and most significant works in the superhero manga genre, all of which were adapted to (or from) tokusatsu hero or anime TV series. Included are the earliest appearances of the characters Phantom Detective (1957), Moonlight Mask (a.k.a. Gekko Kamen, 1958, adapted from a live-action TV superhero) and, most importantly to me, 8 Man (1963, and known to U.S. audiences as Tobor the 8th MAN). The last of these accounts for approximately 1/2 the comic pages in the book. 8 Man, created by Kuwata in collaboration with established SF prose author Kazumasa Hirai, was the first Japanese cyborg superhero, narrowly beating out Shotaro Ishinomori's CYBORG 009 (1964, and bearing remarkable similarities with Marvel's X-MEN which debuted that same year) for the honor of that distinction, and being adapted into an anime series as well in 1963. In this book we can see a rapid compression of the evolution of Kuwata's art style over a short period of 5 years. The earliest Phantom Detective story here from 1957 is drawn firmly in the popularly established style pioneered by manga no kamisama ("God of Manga") Osamu Tezuka, a style carried on by two of Tezuka's former assistants, the aforementioned Mr. Ishinomori, and Mitsuteru Yokoyama (creator of Tetsujin 28 -- a.k.a. Gigantor -- and Giant Robo, among many others). By the 1963 debut of 8 Man, Kuwata's style appeared less rounded and cartoony, and (though still simplified) very dynamic and fashion-forward in its design aesthetics. It seems impossible to conclude anything else but that Kuwata-san was studying the artwork of his American contemporaries, particular Jack Kirby, and adapting a sort of fusion of the sensibilities of both Western and Eastern superheroes. There is a notable influence of Kirby's signature foreshortening of anatomical perspective on display here, lending power and grace, as well as a boldness to the figure drawing. Kuwata's style would go on to become a major influence on the anime studio Tatsunoko Productions, which later produced the very popular series MACH GO-GO-GO (known internationally as Speed Racer) and GATCHAMAN (adapted for Western audiences as Battle of the Planets). Also included are many color pages displaying artwork (mostly covers) from a dozen or so more series from Mr. Kuwata's oevre of the 1960s-1970s -- a profusion of very interesting-looking and diverse home-grown superheroes little seen outside Japan.

PHANTOM DETECTIVE - Boy heroes (as opposed to sidekicks) have always been popular protagonists in the shonen manga magazines. Phantom Detective is one such boy, a gifted amateur sleuth who dresses entirely in black (save for a red cap and yellow scarf), rides a motorcycle, knows karate, and not only carries a gun, but TWO of them! All in good fun, and PD never actually kills, but is one of those expert marksmen who can shoot a pistol out of a gangster's hand without blinking an eye. Japanese boys were indeed made of stern stuff in those days (or would love to imagine themselves as so).

MOONLIGHT MASK - Based on a previously-created (or not, it isn't quite clear whether Kuwata-san had any hand in the show's conception or character design) TV series, the inspiration for Gekko Kamen seems to have come from airings in Japan of old 1940s movie serials, and a successful run on Japan TV of the Clayton Moore Lone Ranger series. Japan's homegrown masked man swaps the horse for a motorcycle, but carries guns in the best tradition of both western lone gunfighter heroes and Republic serial heroes. He dresses all in white, with a long gold scarf (as consistent a design aesthetic for superheroes in Japan as capes are for U.S. superheroes), gold boots and gloves, dark goggles and white turban (!) with a gold crescent moon symbol, making him look a bit like an urban desert bandit. Once again, the motorcycle seems inspired by the old motorcycle chases seen in occidental Saturday matinee serials. Moonlight Mask, being the first of the "tokusatu" genre of TV superheroes, left an enormous impression. Only Golden Bat (the equivalent of a Japanese 'mystery man' pulp hero from the 1930s) was older and more influential in that respect.

8 MAN - A detective is murdered by criminals, only to have his dying body recovered and hauled to the secret home laboratory of a well-meaning 'good' mad scientist, who after seven attempts at imprinting an android body with the recorded thoughts and memories of a human brain, finally succeeds on his 8th attempt, and so 8 Man is born. The wonderfully bold use of black-and-white for a design aesthetic is again observed by Mr. Kuwata, resulting in a strikingly modern-looking hero by the standards of 1963 Japan. As with Tezuka's AstroBoy, resurrected detective-turned-superhero 8 Man spends the majority of his time fighting against rogue robots and cyborg criminals (as well as the occasional monster or alien) -- an interesting-looking gallery of arch-villains in cross-section. An ingenious innovation is the way that 8 Man is able to change his outward appearance from normal human to superhero, with a vertical line passing across his body in a 'wipe-effect' to complete the transition. When his android body runs low on energy, our hero is able to recharge by seemingly nonchalantly smoking a cigarette -- in reality a cleverly-disguised battery-booster! This makes Jiro Kuwata the co-creator of the idea of the electric cigarette! It's also worth noting that long before GHOST IN THE SHELL, Kuwata portrayed brainwaves-converted-to-digital data and housed in an entirely prosthetic cybernetic body.

In looking at Mr. Kuwata's simple but very appealing cartooning style, it's easy to 'read' these comics (in the visual sense). I'm struck by the similar quality inherent in the character designs of the great American cartoonist, Alex Toth, in designing so many heroes, villains, and incidental characters and props for Hanna-Barbara's adventure cartoons of the late 1960s, or Bruce Timm's DC animated cartoons of the 1990s-early 2000s. It is my fervent wish that in the wake of DC Comics' successful translations of Jiro Kuwata's Batman manga, that some enterprising U.S. publisher (Dark Horse, Kodansha, Seven Seas, or Viz would be the likeliest prospects) would take a chance and translate more of Kuwata-san's work into English for U.S. readers. Especially to be hoped for are the groundbreaking characters of 8 Man and Moonlight Mask.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on August 26, 2018, 05:22:22 PM
GIGANTOR Vol. 1 (of 1) by Ben Dunn, Ted Nomura, & David Hutchinson [Sentai Studios, 2006] - Reprints issues 1-12 of the Ameri-manga adapted from the US-translated (by Fred Ladd) anime published by Antarctic Press. Antarctic had issued the same collection earlier in a slightly smaller-sized "Pocket Manga" collection (same size as Japanese tankobon paperback). It adapts a few episodes of the TV series, but is mainly interesting for giving the first American version of Gigantor's origin story. Tetsujin 28 (or Ironman No. 28) in the Japanese version was the 28th iteration of a robot secret weapon project begun by the Japanese army prior to the end of WWII. The original robot was never activated, as the laboratory was bombed by American B-29s before the robot could be completed. However, the creator continued to work on the project himself after the war ended, with the idea of dedicating the new weapon to be used not for war, but to uphold justice and secure world peace. Ben Dunn's version incorporates that basic storyline, but is a little vague on why "Dr. Sparks" (the Americanized translated name of a character who was originally a Japanese scientist) would have been working for Japan during WWII. At any rate, Dunn adds a lot of interesting new characters, like Lord Jim and Emma East (obviously an homage to John Steed and Emma Peel, England's The Avengers). In his version, Lord Jim wears a bowler derby like John Steed, but also a mask. Emma East is a female spy who looks and dresses a lot like Jackie Kennedy in the early 1960s. Also seen were avatars for Marvel's Fantastic Four, and a certain General Reese (who looks exactly like THE HULK's General "Thunderbolt" Ross), and treats scientist Bob Brilliant with the same disdain and disrespect that Ross treated Bruce Banner. One panel even featured a cameo from a certain "Captain Franco" who looks exactly like Space Pirate Captain Phantom F. Harlock. He had real fun with the three-part origin story, but the later issues which are straight episode adaptations lose a lot of their liveliness. Still, all in all, one of the better series adapted by American creators from a Japanese animated show. Dunn had previously worked on the first 11 issues of Eternity Comics' CAPTAIN HARLOCK (also very good work), and a two-issue crossover of his own creator-owned NINJA HIGH SCHOOL with Now Comics' SPEED RACER. Later he'd work with Marvel Comics to try to establish the MARVEL MANGAVERSE in a couple of one-shots and a 6-issue miniseries.

THE OFFICIAL GIGANTOR EPISODE GUIDE AND COMPENDIUM by Fred Ladd [Antarctic Press, 2000]

TETSUJIN 28 DE LUXE by Mitsuteru Yokoyama (appears to be Volume 1 of the series, though un-numbered), published by Kobunsha in -- I think -- 1996. Import title, Japanese text. This was a  "best of" collection of Ironman No. 28 at full manga magazine size, sort of a facsimile edition that reprinted some of the earliest highlights of the giant robot's manga career, although as originally seen here in the very first story, it begins without any origin as such, and Tetsujin is merely a threatening giant robot being controlled by a criminal gang. It's nice to view it (though on better paper) in full size as printed the same way it appeared in manga magazines in the 1950s, with some pages in different colored inks, some with tones, some two-color or even full-color, along with the original chapter 'splash' or 'title' page (many of these were photo covers, as well). It's surprising how many of those early chapters don't even feature the giant robot on the title page, as I guess Yokoyama-san must have thought it was going to be either a one-time deal for that first story, or a minor backup plot device that he could pull out from time to time as sort of a "Hail Mary play" to save the day. From the later stories, it's clearer that readers were giving feedback and warming to the fact that the giant robot Tetsujin was the main draw to the ongoing feature.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 04, 2018, 06:35:01 PM
UNCLE SCROOGE #443
CYBORG 009
HC OGN [Archaia, 2013] by F.J. DeSanto & Marcus To
ULTRA KAIJU HUMANIZATION PROJECT VOL 01 tankobon
SAINT SEIYA: SAINTIA SHO VOL 03
tankobon
CAPTAIN HARLOCK Space Pirate: DIMENSIONAL VOYAGE VOL 05
tankobon
GANTZ OMNIBUS TP VOL 01
(= Vols. 1-3 tankobon)
HILLBILLY: RED EYED WITCHERY FROM BEYOND #1 (of 4)
HACK/SLASH RESURRECTION #8 & 1O
RICK & MORTY #41
RICK & MORTY VS DUNGEONS & DRAGONS #1
(of 4)
X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN: SECOND GENESIS #2 (of 2)
JUDGE DREDD: UNDER SIEGE #4 (of 4)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 07, 2018, 06:01:31 AM
MARVEL MANGAVERSE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION TP by Ben Dunn, Udon, C.B. Cebulski & Tommy Ohtsuka & various
MARVEL NEW MANGAVERSE: THE RINGS OF FATE (2006 digest/tankobon) by C.B. Cebulski & Tommy Ohtsuka

ASTRA: LOST IN SPACE VOL 04 tankobon - This is an amazing series. I originally picked it up knowing next to nothing about it, just taking a chance. It's been great so far, a nice balance of drama/sci-fi with more personality interaction and humor. At first it seems to set up huge mysteries based on seemingly improbable coincidences, but in this volume most of the mysteries are explained and all the pieces fall together in a neat way that I didn't exactly predict, and the answers are shocking, but just when you (and the protagonists) are getting used to this major revelation, a new HUGE plot twist is added as a cliffhanger ending to this volume (although in fairness, it's something that had some foreshadowing in previous volumes). It's a neat surprise to see how imaginative this series turned out to be.

VALIANT HIGH TP - I'm not a fan of Valiant Comics. Never really cared for that universe of characters. I followed the first version of the company, back in the 1990s, when they licensed the old Gold Key Comics characters Solar, Magnus, and Turok... but only for the first couple of years, until they fired Jim Shooter, who had been responsible for starting the whole thing (and writing the key titles SOLAR and MAGNUS) in the first place. After that (with the exception of Tim Truman's later work on the TUROK Dinosaur Hunter title) I pretty much lost all interest in Valiant. The first incarnation of the company folded up sometime in the late 1990s. When Valiant resurrected itself in the 2000s, it was run by completely different people, and they didn't license the old GK characters any more. I'd never been interested much in the newer characters created in the 1990s, which are all the IPs that the new version of the company retained. I'm vaguely familar with the ones who headlined their own titles back in the 1990s, but that's all. It's hard to tell whether "Valiant High" is just them having some fun with the characters, or if this is really supposed to be in-continuity as far as their mainline universe is concerned. It didn't matter to me, as the main characters in this four-issue miniseries were all ones I wasn't familiar with anyway. But it works, largely on the charm (you should excuse the pun) of Derek Charm's artwork, which is the thing that attracted me to read this in the first place. I kind of liked it, but am a little disappointed that that's all there is to is, just the four issues. Hopefully if it sold well enough it could become an ongoing title, or at least a once-every-so-often series of miniseries. It was fun, and not afraid to be humorous.

VAMPIRONICA #3 - Greg Smallwood's artwork on this title is pretty amazing. I'm not sure what medium he's using, but all the lines look really textured, like some kind of charcoal pencil shading, or maybe a grease pencil -- or maybe it's even a Photoshop effect created after scanning in the original raw pencils. I'd be curious to know how he does it. Anyway, it's a unique effect I can't really recall ever seeing in another comic artist's work. The story is pretty decent, too... I'm kind of mind-boggled by this short text piece in the "Riverdale Gazette" in this issue that gives a very concise (2/3rds of a page) textual summary of the of the very real historical personage Prince Vlad Tepes III, a.k.a. "Vlad the Impaler", otherwise known as Dracula (and it explains where that name came from). He may not have been an actual vampire in real life, but he was just as scary, if not more so, for all of that. Definitely the best of Archie's Horror titles so far.

PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #2
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP #5 (of 5)
ASGARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1
SILVER SURFER ANNUAL #1


GIANT ROBOT WARRIOR MAINTENANCE CREW TP - Collecting a short (3-issue) miniseries from 2014 about the trials and tribulations of maintaining the operating capabilities of a giant robot mecha. Funny.

NEW LIEUTENANTS OF METAL #3 (of 4)
UNNATURAL #3 (of 12)
BY NIGHT #2 & 3
UNITED STATES VS MURDER INC #1 (of 6)

MANGAMAN OGN TP (2011 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) by Barry Lyga & Colleen Doran - An interesting concept, where a manga character is sucked through a dimensional portal to become a character in a western-style comic book, and dealing with all the cultural differences between Japanese and western-style comics, to comedic effect. Colleen Doran has always been a talented artist, and it's too bad you don't see her drawing more mainstream projects for the bigger publishers.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Vegan Jughead on September 07, 2018, 09:20:38 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 07, 2018, 06:01:31 AM
MARVEL MANGAVERSE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION TP by Ben Dunn, Udon, C.B. Cebulski & Tommy Ohtsuka & various
MARVEL NEW MANGAVERSE: THE RINGS OF FATE (2006 digest/tankobon) by C.B. Cebulski & Tommy Ohtsuka

ASTRA: LOST IN SPACE VOL 04 tankobon - This is an amazing series. I originally picked it up knowing next to nothing about it, just taking a chance. It's been great so far, a nice balance of drama/sci-fi with more personality interaction and humor. At first it seems to set up huge mysteries based on seemingly improbable coincidences, but in this volume most of the mysteries are explained and all the pieces fall together in a neat way that I didn't exactly predict, and the answers are shocking, but just when you (and the protagonists) are getting used to this major revelation, a new HUGE plot twist is added as a cliffhanger ending to this volume (although in fairness, it's something that had some foreshadowing in previous volumes). It's a neat surprise to see how imaginative this series turned out to be.

VALIANT HIGH TP - I'm not a fan of Valiant Comics. Never really cared for that universe of characters. I followed the first version of the company, back in the 1990s, when they licensed the old Gold Key Comics characters Solar, Magnus, and Turok... but only for the first couple of years, until they fired Jim Shooter, who had been responsible for starting the whole thing (and writing the key titles SOLAR and MAGNUS) in the first place. After that (with the exception of Tim Truman's later work on the TUROK Dinosaur Hunter title) I pretty much lost all interest in Valiant. The first incarnation of the company folded up sometime in the late 1990s. When Valiant resurrected itself in the 2000s, it was run by completely different people, and they didn't license the old GK characters any more. I'd never been interested much in the newer characters created in the 1990s, which are all the IPs that the new version of the company retained. I'm vaguely familar with the ones who headlined their own titles back in the 1990s, but that's all. It's hard to tell whether "Valiant High" is just them having some fun with the characters, or if this is really supposed to be in-continuity as far as their mainline universe is concerned. It didn't matter to me, as the main characters in this four-issue miniseries were all ones I wasn't familiar with anyway. But it works, largely on the charm (you should excuse the pun) of Derek Charm's artwork, which is the thing that attracted me to read this in the first place. I kind of liked it, but am a little disappointed that that's all there is to is, just the four issues. Hopefully if it sold well enough it could become an ongoing title, or at least a once-every-so-often series of miniseries. It was fun, and not afraid to be humorous.

VAMPIRONICA #3 - Greg Smallwood's artwork on this title is pretty amazing. I'm not sure what medium he's using, but all the lines look really textured, like some kind of charcoal pencil shading, or maybe a grease pencil -- or maybe it's even a Photoshop effect created after scanning in the original raw pencils. I'd be curious to know how he does it. Anyway, it's a unique effect I can't really recall ever seeing in another comic artist's work. The story is pretty decent, too... I'm kind of mind-boggled by this short text piece in the "Riverdale Gazette" in this issue that gives a very concise (2/3rds of a page) textual summary of the of the very real historical personage Prince Vlad Tepes III, a.k.a. "Vlad the Impaler", otherwise known as Dracula (and it explains where that name came from). He may not have been an actual vampire in real life, but he was just as scary, if not more so, for all of that. Definitely the best of Archie's Horror titles so far.

PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #2
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP #5 (of 5)
ASGARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1
SILVER SURFER ANNUAL #1


GIANT ROBOT WARRIOR MAINTENANCE CREW TP - Collecting a short (3-issue) miniseries from 2014 about the trials and tribulations of maintaining the operating capabilities of a giant robot mecha. Funny.

NEW LIEUTENANTS OF METAL #3 (of 4)
UNNATURAL #3 (of 12)
BY NIGHT #2 & 3
UNITED STATES VS MURDER INC #1 (of 6)

MANGAMAN OGN TP (2011 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) by Barry Lyga & Colleen Doran - An interesting concept, where a manga character is sucked through a dimensional portal to become a character in a western-style comic book, and dealing with all the cultural differences between Japanese and western-style comics, to comedic effect. Colleen Doran has always been a talented artist, and it's too bad you don't see her drawing more mainstream projects for the bigger publishers.


I'm waiting for the graphic novel of "Vampironica" but I'm glad to see you like the art. I thought Afterlife With Archie was an absolute masterpiece and I say this as someone who is not a horror fan at all. Issue 10 about the origin of Josie and the Pussycats is one of my favorite issues of any comic EVER.


The fact that Archie Comics dropped the ball on Afterlife and CHAOS when they were their best selling titles is ridiculous. I can't imagine any other comic company being so horribly managed.  I admit I know next to nothing about other comic companies, but to not milk your best properties is just mind boggling.   
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 07, 2018, 03:36:50 PM
Quote from: Vegan Jughead on September 07, 2018, 09:20:38 AM
I'm waiting for the graphic novel of "Vampironica" but I'm glad to see you like the art. I thought Afterlife With Archie was an absolute masterpiece and I say this as someone who is not a horror fan at all. Issue 10 about the origin of Josie and the Pussycats is one of my favorite issues of any comic EVER.


The fact that Archie Comics dropped the ball on Afterlife and CHAOS when they were their best selling titles is ridiculous. I can't imagine any other comic company being so horribly managed.  I admit I know next to nothing about other comic companies, but to not milk your best properties is just mind boggling.

Well, what can they do? Those titles aren't going to sell worth a hill of beans if all of a sudden someone else takes over Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's storylines and starts taking them in their own direction. Unfortunately or not, their sales are pretty much dependent on the fact that he's been the writer. Those are HIS stories, not someone else's.

And where are RAS's talents arguably being put to use that's of the most value to ACP?  Um, RIVERDALE, you think maybe?

That said, it's apparent that Greg Smallwood (who both draws and co-writes VAMPIRONICA) is putting a great deal of care into the title from both ends of the process. He's researched his subject matter, and lets us know it with those short "Riverdale Gazette" text pieces, which show he's not just knocking these issues out, like "What's to know about vampires? Anyone can write a vampire story" --- which may be true enough, but not everyone can write a GOOD one. Another thing I like here is his making some unusual choices, like when push comes to shove, who stands up to become the first of Riverdale's "fearless vampire hunters"? The easy choice would have been Betty Cooper, or (boring old) Archie Andrews... yawn. Nope, the one who "hero's up" first is Dilton Doiley! Good show, Mr. Smallwood! That said, this title seems to come out once every three months (still a lot better than AwA or ChAoS), so you may be waiting a while still until they get 4 or 5 issues out that it takes to make up a TPB.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 10, 2018, 03:47:46 AM
manga:
UROTSUKIDOJI: LEGEND OF THE OVERFIEND TP VOL 1 (of 4)
BATMAN: THE JIRO KUWATA BATMANGA VOL 1-3 (of 3) DC 2014
SPIDER-MAN J VOL 1: JAPANESE KNIGHT (2008 digest/tankobon) by Akira Yamanaka
SPIDER-MAN J VOL 2: JAPANESE DAZE (2009 digest/tankobon) by Akira Yamanaka
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 13, 2018, 02:44:09 AM
BETTY AND VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #266 - BOO!!!  Although otherwise another good issue, I have to blow a big raspberry at ACP for their editorial alteration of the reprint of the story "Art Gal Awry!" (original dialogue by Rod Ollerenshaw, art by Dan DeCarlo). It's only a 3-pager. Normally, the editorial alterations don't bug me that much, but in this case, the motive behind it was venal and self-serving for ACP. This is the story where Veronica drags Betty along to a fine arts gallery show, then rambles on about her knowledge of fine art. Betty has no appreciation of the world of fine art (which after all, amounts to some collective judgment by supposed experts). In the original story, this is all leading up to a punch line where one of Veronica's friends asks Betty who her favorite artist is. Her answer is "My favorite artist is Dan DeCarlo! After all, where would this story be without him?" Here, the dialogue has been altered to the friend asking Betty "Who are your favorite artistS?" and Betty's reply is "My favorite artists are the Archie Comics staff!" Shame on ACP for being so low and self-serving as to alter the original story. Yes, the point is not that there was any outstanding artist. According to ACP philosophy, the names and individual talents of the artists are unimportant -- the only thing important is that they were deemed worthy of employment by ACP. Apart from that, they are each and every one of them equally talented, with none standing out. The point here is that Dan DeCarlo and Thomas Pitilli are the same and equal, because Archie deemed both worthy of employment at one time. Pay no attention to those credits, because the important thing is that they all drew stories featuring characters that the company owns. That is LOW and rotten.

BETTY AND ME #101 (Apr-79)

ARCHIE'S PALS 'n' GALS #136 (Oct-79) - Although this is from the pre-credits era, all stories here appear to be by Bob Bolling (although writing credits are harder to guess). There's one story in here "Games People Play", which is labeled as a Big Moose story, but really seems to be as much about Midge. The unlikely premise here is that while at the beach, Midge is engaged in a game of chess with Archie, which frustrates Moose because he doesn't understand the game, and there's nobody he can punch out to satisfy his frustration. So here's Midge lying on a blanket wearing a black bikini playing chess at the beach (seems pretty unlikely). Now the most interesting thing is that in the next panel, Dilton says he'll play the winner of this game, so if Midge wins, she has another game coming up. Moose wanders off, forlornly. When he comes back, Midge is playing another game, this time a word game where the players all yell out letters (I wasn't familiar with the game, and they don't go into further detail, other than it's just another frustration for Moose). He's informed by Archie that they finished playing chess, and that "Midge is the champ". Now, Dilton doesn't appear in the next few panels here or have any comment on what Archie just said, but the implication here is that Midge beat Archie (not too difficult to believe), and then played Dilton and beat him at chess also. Of course this is the Bolling-Archiverse, where oddball things happen which never seem to happen in the 'regular' Archiverse, but the ramifications of the revelation of Midge Klump being smart enough to beat Dilton Doiley at chess are mind-boggling, and call into question what exactly is Midge's deal, and why does she date Moose? I guess maybe you could infer something like trying to concentrate on playing chess while staring at Midge sitting so close wearing that black bikini was beyond even Dilton's ability to stay focused, but it seems more reasonable to suppose that the likelier implication is Midge really does have an unexpectedly keen intelligence. Something to think about.

PEP #348 (Apr-79)

ARCHIE 1941 #1 (of 5) - I read it to satisfy my curiosity. Can't say it motivated me to read issue #2.

ROCKY & BULLWINKLE SHOW #3
MOON MAID #1
(Fear on Four Worlds, Part II)
ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK #2
KAIJUMAX SEASON 4 #2 (of 6)
TITANS #25
HAWKMAN #4
PLASTIC MAN #4
(of 6)
WRONG EARTH #1
MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 #1

manga:
  CUTIE HONEY CLASSIC COLLECTION HC
  DEMENTIA 21 GN
  PRISON SCHOOL GN VOL 1 & 2
(of 10)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 16, 2018, 04:11:30 AM
Last night I read Betty & Veronica Spectular Book that just came out. I also read Deadly Class Deluxe Edition & Last Look.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 19, 2018, 02:34:21 PM
THE COMPLETE ALICE IN WONDERLAND HC (Dynamite)
B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #264
DICK TRACY: DEAD OR ALIVE #1
(of 4)
THE LONG CON #1
BLACK HAMMER: AGE OF DOOM #5
INFINITY 8 VOL 2 #3
(of 3)
CAPTAIN AMERICA ANNUAL 2018
UNCLE SCROOGE #444
STELLAR #4
HIT-GIRL #8
KICK-ASS #7
ICE CREAM MAN #7
HACK/SLASH RESURRECTION #11
BURNOUTS #1
BY NIGHT #4
RICK & MORTY PRESENT SLEEPY GARY #1
DEVILMAN GRIMOIRE VOL 04
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 22, 2018, 10:02:55 AM
I took some my commissions off the wall & I read
Archie #1- the one where Dan Parent drew Archie on the cover for me.
Betty & Veronica #1- where Gabbie Gross drew Betty & Reggie kissing on the cover for me
Jughead #1- where Gabbie Gross where she drew Jughead having a bag of Pop's for me.
Reggie & Me #1- where Gisele Lagace drew Reggie for me where he has long beautiful hair playing his green bass.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 23, 2018, 12:00:43 PM
I read
Love Is Love
New Romancer - Volume #1
Deadly Class - Deluxe Edition- Volume #1
Betty & Veronica #260 Jumbo Comics Digest
Betty & Veronica Book#2
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 24, 2018, 06:07:05 AM
MEGA MAN by Ian Flynn (w), Ben Bates & various artists:
MEGA MAN #01-04 - Let the Games Begin
MEGA MAN #05-08 - Time Keeps Slipping
MEGA MAN #09-12 - The Return of Dr. Wily
MEGA MAN #13-16 - Spiritus Ex Machina
MEGA MAN #17-18 - Proto-Type
MEGA MAN #19-20 - Roll With It + Rock of Ages
MEGA MAN #21-23 - Countdown
  - At this point, I quit buying Mega Man from issues #24-27 until the crossover with the Sonic titles ended. I wasn't going to buy all those extra comics with characters that didn't interest me (which would have amounted to 4 issues of Sonic the Hedgehog plus 4 issues of Sonic Universe) just to follow the story in those four issues of Mega Man.
MEGA MAN #28-33 - Blackout: The Curse of Ra Moon
MEGA MAN #34-36 - Shadow of Ra Moon + The Trial of Dr. Wily
MEGA MAN X FCDB 2014 - The X Factor
MEGA MAN #37-40 - Dawn of X
MEGA MAN #41-44 - Legends of the Blue Bomber
MEGA MAN #45-48 - The Ultimate Betrayal
MEGA MAN    #49 - Prisoners of War
MEGA MAN FCBD 2015 Worlds Unite Prelude
MEGA MAN: WORLDS UNITE BATTLES #1
  - Once again, I skipped buying Mega Man #50-52 because the story was a crossover with the Sonic titles.)
MEGA MAN    #54 - Red Shift (story takes place before issue #53)
MEGA MAN    #53 - Blue Shift
MEGA MAN    #55 - Everlasting Peace
- Unfortunately, the final story arc of MEGA MAN never concluded due to the interruption of the plot by the "Worlds Unite" crossover with Sonic in issues #50-52. The final MEGA MAN story's plot had Proto Man tricked by Dr. Wily into kidnapping Dr. Cossack's daughter Kalinka, and Wily holding her hostage as leverage to coerce Dr. Cossack into attacking Mega Man with a new group of Robot Masters. After unburdening himself to Dr. Noele LaLinde and discovering Wily's deception, Proto Man vowed to correct his mistake and rescue Kalinka from Wily's clutches, but we never got to see that, or Mega Man's battle against Dr. Cossack's Robot Masters. The crossovers with Sonic really were an annoying interruption, because in both cases all the characters involved are returned to their respective universes moments after they left, with no memory of the events which had transpired, picking up the plot exactly where they'd left it prior to the crossover. As it was, it looks like the decision to end the title was made at the last moment, and knowing there was no way of squeezing a hurried confrontation and climax into the single issue #55, instead that issue's story was sort of a hallucinatory homage where Dr. Light has visions of the future -- which were all full-page panels showing the characters from the many Mega Man sequels in the franchise, along with minimal caption text boxes -- as a tribute/send-off of the title. Had those four issues (50, 51, 52, and 55) also been devoted to advancing the plot begun in issue #49, Ian Flynn could easily have wrapped up the series and ended on a satisfying conclusion, and Dr. Light's final vision of the future could have been condensed down to a half-dozen pages or so with smaller panels.

MEGA MAN was the comic book title that made me a regular customer of ACP for the first time since THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS in the 1980s. In retrospect, I wish that ACP had gotten the license to the character 15 or 20 years earlier. It might have made me more aware of what was going on in other ACP titles being published at that time ("Love Showdown", CHERYL BLOSSOM, SABRINA, JOSIE (in ARCHIE & FRIENDS), BETTY & VERONICA/SPECTACULAR, Craig Boldman & Rex Lindsey's JUGHEAD, etc.), and resulted in me becoming an Archie Comics fan much earlier. That, and the fact that I wish I could have read 250+ issues of this title like SONIC THE HEDGEHOG racked up.

I am not a gamer; never have been. What attracted me to MEGA MAN (known as ROCKMAN in Japan) were the appealing character designs and the ongoing theme of robots. I knew virtually nothing about the characters of this franchise prior to having read Ian Flynn's comic stories. As far as the robot theme goes, MEGA MAN carries on where one of my favorite mangas, Osamu Tezuka's ASTRO BOY, left off. Not only are the themes identical, but the character of Mega Man (a boy robot hero who fights bad robots, and feels bad about fighting them because he's pacifistic by nature) has many similarities to Astro Boy himself. Rock (Mega Man's real name) was made to be a helper robot, and it's part of his basic programming to be helpful. He was never meant to be a fighting robot, and in many ways he embodies the innocence, virtue and naivete of a real boy whose age he appears to be. This could have been a very simple comic book with a good robot hero fighting bad robots with varied appearances and special abilities, but Ian Flynn put a lot into making the large cast of robot characters all individuals who act & react differently. Even the evil archenemy Dr. Wily, while still your basic megalomanical villain, is given nuances not necessarily required by the story. He really did a fantastic job writing this, and put much more into it than "just a job" -- you could feel he had real enthusiasm to be working with these characters. Additionally, Ian Flynn added some original characters to the mix that did not appear in the Japanese videogames: Federal agents Rosalyn Krantz and Gil D. Stern, roboticist Dr. Noele LaLinde and her robotic creations Tempo/Quake Woman and Vesper Woman. The addition of new female characters was especially appreciated, since the original Japanese game has very few female characters (being a videogame marketed mainly to younger boys, that's to be expected). As much as I like Mega Man himself, I think my favorite storyline turned out to be "Dawn of X" (and I fervently wished that there had been a MEGAMAN X spinoff series other than the one-shot FCBD 2014 giveaway), and my favorite ongoing character, Proto Man (a.k.a. Blues or Break Man).

MEGA MAN by Hitoshi Ariga:
MEGA MAN MASTERMIX #1-3 (Udon/Capcom, 80 pages)
MEGA MAN MEGAMIX TP VOL 1-3 (Udon/Capcom)
MEGA MAN GIGAMIX TP VOL 1-3 (Udon/Capcom)

MEGA MAN ROBOT MASTER FIELD GUIDE TP (Udon/Capcom, Jan 2012)
MEGA MAN & MEGA MAN X: OFFICIAL COMPLETE WORKS TP (Udon/Capcom)

Just like with Ian Flynn's American comics, you could feel the love that Hitoshi Ariga possesses for the MEGA MAN characters. Hitoshi Ariga's manga version spans the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s, but it's hard to tell if Ian Flynn read or was influenced by any of those stories (all had appeared in these translated collections from Udon Studios prior to the beginning of Ian Flynn's ACP comic series). Some of the stories have similar elements to ACP's comic book, but the characters often appear in far different situations, and the specifics of the stories vary greatly. Both authors tell completely different stories based on the game MEGA MAN 4, with the major threat being Ra Moon (in Ian Flynn's version) and Dark Moon (in Hitoshi Ariga's version) -- they have identical appearances -- but the two stories themselves having almost nothing else in common, except that they are both excellent stories. Hitoshi Ariga's manga had greater range (or a less consistent tone, depending on how you wanted to look at it, as a positive or a negative) in that while some of the longer stories (like the aforementioned Dark Moon/To A Shining Tomorrow, which takes up the latter half of Gigamix Vol. 2 and the entirety of Vol. 3) tended towards the ultra-dramatic, some shorter stories in Megamix Vol. 1 & 2, and Gigamix Vol. 1 & 2, were definitely more on the lighthearted, comedic side of things. At the extreme end of the comedy range, some of them were merely a series of short 4-panel gag strips. I didn't perceive this to be a bad thing at all, and enjoyed both types of stories. MASTERMIX (in the traditional floppy comics format, but reading from right-to-left, manga-style) presents the more dramatic stories from both the Gigamix and Megamix volumes at a larger size, and in color for the first time.


Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 25, 2018, 05:14:57 PM
ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN '66 #3 - Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson insinuate themselves among the Riverdale teens to try to discover clues to the United Underworld's dastardly plot. (Cue those hearts in the eyes of Archie and Betty for the new arrivals, respectively.) The United Underworld (as seen in the 1966 Batman movie) consists of The Joker, The Penguin, The Riddler, and Catwoman. In this series they are joined by The Siren (portrayed in the TV series by Joan Collins) because they need the power of her hypnotic siren song to control Hiram Lodge and the other Riverdale adults. Meanwhile back in Gotham City, Batman tracks down The Bookworm (played by Roddy McDowell), who is also somehow involved in the plot. The Siren's hypnotic song has Riverdale's adults under the UU's control, but they won't be satisfied until those pesky teens are also brought under control (although Riddler has already succeeded in making Reggie Mantle his new henchman). A curious (and hungry) Jughead attempts to sneak into Pop's (closed by Pop Tate on the UU's orders so they can use it as their HQ in Riverdale), only to be captured by The Joker. Holy hamburgers! Is this the end of Forsythe P. Jones?!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on September 26, 2018, 02:37:47 PM
Didn't like Archie Meets Batman #1. The Archie story was terribly drawn. Dan P must've been focusing on Batman which had good art I thought but I wasn't interested in the story.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on September 26, 2018, 02:43:53 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 23, 2018, 12:40:40 AM
BACK ISSUE #107 - Archie Comics in the Bronze Age!
SCOOBY-DOO! TEAM-UP #41 (with Penelope Pitstop)
THE TERRIFICS #7
BLACK HAMMER: AGE OF DOOM #4
THE SENTRY #3
PUNISHER (2018) #1
RED SONJA/TARZAN #4
HIT-GIRL #7
MANGA:
  TOKYO TARAREBA GIRLS VOL 02
  DEVILMAN VS HADES VOL 02
  PLATINUM END VOLS 2-6



Love Tokyo Tarareba Girls! Did you like it?


I have that Back Issue #107 but I haven't started it yet because it seems so overwhelming with information. From what I read of it I didn't understand the older non-Archie comic book references but I'll get to finishing it eventually. I really liked that Dan Parent interview in that other comic book store magazine you recommended. I didn't know he was bisexual.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 27, 2018, 01:16:06 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on September 26, 2018, 02:43:53 PM

Love Tokyo Tarareba Girls! Did you like it?

[...] Mixed feelings. There is something I like about it, but it does seem weirdly 30-something angsty, and as a result of that feels somewhat emotionally exhausting to read.

The other thing I noted here is that while on the one hand, the author wants to maintain a certain degree of realism/verisimilitude, on the other hand, she's cast her main character into a role as the heroine of the kind of romantic soap-opera (with a much younger male model pursuing her), which is the exact opposite of a realistic scenario -- it's exactly the romantic fantasy that is being critiqued (via the screenplays of the main character as a writer). It's confusing to me whether the author has some ultimate purpose in these clashing elements, or if it's more of a commercial concession to the perceived audience, sort of a "have your cake and eat it too" thing.

Quote from: irishmoxie on September 26, 2018, 02:43:53 PM
I have that Back Issue #107 but I haven't started it yet because it seems so overwhelming with information. From what I read of it I didn't understand the older non-Archie comic book references but I'll get to finishing it eventually. I really liked that Dan Parent interview in that other comic book store magazine you recommended. I didn't know he was bisexual.

Me neither!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 27, 2018, 01:46:00 AM
X-MEN BLUE #36 (final issue)
THE SENTRY #4
THE TERRIFICS #8
DOOMSDAY CLOCK #7
(of 12)
HEROES IN CRISIS #1 (of 9)
LOONEY TUNES #245
UNCLE SCROOGE: MY FIRST MILLIONS #1
(of 4)
IMPOSSIBLE INC #1 (of 5)
VAMPIRELLA/DEJAH THORIS #1
HILLBILLY: RED EYED WITCHERY FROM BEYOND #2
(of 4)
RICK & MORTY #42
RICK & MORTY VS DUNGEONS & DRAGONS #2
(of 4)

manga:
  ALL YOU NEED IS KILL TP by Hiroshi Sakurazaka & Takeshi Obata
  WORLD'S END HAREM VOL 03 [tankobon] by LINK & Kotaro Shono
  PRECARIOUS WOMAN EXECUTIVE MISS BLACK GENERAL VOL 02 [tankobon] by JIN
  20th CENTURY BOYS: The Perfect Edition TP VOL 01 by Naoki Urasawa
  GOLGO 13 VOL 01: SUPERGUN [tankobon] by Takeo Saito
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on September 27, 2018, 09:05:33 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 27, 2018, 01:16:06 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on September 26, 2018, 02:43:53 PM

Love Tokyo Tarareba Girls! Did you like it?

[...] Mixed feelings. There is something I like about it, but it does seem weirdly 30-something angsty, and as a result of that feels somewhat emotionally exhausting to read.

The other thing I noted here is that while on the one hand, the author wants to maintain a certain degree of realism/verisimilitude, on the other hand, she's cast her main character into a role as the heroine of the kind of romantic soap-opera (with a much younger male model pursuing her), which is the exact opposite of a realistic scenario -- it's exactly the romantic fantasy that is being critiqued (via the screenplays of the main character as a writer). It's confusing to me whether the author has some ultimate purpose in these clashing elements, or if it's more of a commercial concession to the perceived audience, sort of a "have your cake and eat it too" thing.


I loved it because of all the Sex and the City spoofs. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and it did. The younger male "fantasy" is very popular in Asia particularly in K-dramas known as "noona dramas."




Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 28, 2018, 05:28:56 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on September 27, 2018, 09:05:33 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on September 27, 2018, 01:16:06 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on September 26, 2018, 02:43:53 PM

Love Tokyo Tarareba Girls! Did you like it?

[...] Mixed feelings. There is something I like about it, but it does seem weirdly 30-something angsty, and as a result of that feels somewhat emotionally exhausting to read.

The other thing I noted here is that while on the one hand, the author wants to maintain a certain degree of realism/verisimilitude, on the other hand, she's cast her main character into a role as the heroine of the kind of romantic soap-opera (with a much younger male model pursuing her), which is the exact opposite of a realistic scenario -- it's exactly the romantic fantasy that is being critiqued (via the screenplays of the main character as a writer). It's confusing to me whether the author has some ultimate purpose in these clashing elements, or if it's more of a commercial concession to the perceived audience, sort of a "have your cake and eat it too" thing.


I loved it because of all the Sex and the City spoofs. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and it did. The younger male "fantasy" is very popular in Asia particularly in K-dramas known as "noona dramas."

Tokyo Tarareba Girls is, in fact, the very first josei manga I've read. My confusion here stems from trying to decipher whether the manga is intending to be a "realistic slice-of-life dramedy" or a traditional romantic fantasy story, because it has elements of both. In diametric opposition to the fantasy of Rinko, an unmarried older woman (possibly) finding love with a younger, idealized fantasy lover, the unrealism of the romantic fantasy is pointed out by the "what if" duo of Tara and Reba, and the direct critical comments of "Key", the fantasy lover himself. Also directly contrasting the romantic fantasy are the (incipient) relationships of Rinko's friends, Kaori (possibly rediscovering a lost lover she regrets having broken up with... but I foresee complications) and Koyuki (who finds her ideal type, who seems like a nice guy... but he's married). These seem like more realistic relationships where everything isn't so perfect, not like in romance comics. So it seems to me as though there are mixed messages in this manga, but the manga seems to lean a little more heavily on the side of "realistic slice-of-life", so maybe the Rinko/Key fantasy-romance angle won't work out after all. It feels to me like if it does, it kind of betrays the other side of what's going on here. What I'd like to see instead is that it doesn't work out, but instead Rinko discovers something about herself, that allows her to become more aware/open to a more realistic type of romantic relationship. The major point being made here so far, it seems to me, is that these women aren't giving themselves a chance for realistic relationships by cloistering themselves off together in a small bar, gossiping, and commiserating "O, woe is us" and getting drunk to escape dealing with living life.

I've never seen Sex in the City, so that whole subtext was lost on me.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on September 30, 2018, 03:52:48 AM
BIO-BOOSTER ARMOR GUYVER by Yoshiki Takaya (Viz, 1993-1997):
  BIO-BOOSTER ARMOR GUYVER (VOL. 1)
  REVENGE OF CHRONOS (VOL. 2)
  DARK MASTERS (VOL. 3)
  ESCAPE FROM CHRONOS (VOL. 4)
  GUYVER REBORN (VOL. 5)
  HEART OF CHRONOS (VOL. 6)
  ARMAGEDDON (VOL. 7)

That was a great action/SF/superhero manga. Too bad the translated version had to end just when things were really getting good. The Japanese version began running in 1985, and apart from a couple of breaks in continuous publication (1997-99 and 2002-07), is still running today (compiled into 32 tankobon reprint volumes so far). Sure would like to have been able to read more of it in English.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on September 30, 2018, 08:33:58 PM
I read Archie #699.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on September 30, 2018, 09:49:30 PM
During the past week, I've read Xxxholic volumes 1-16.  I am missing #17 so I will finish the series after that volume shows up at the library.
I also read Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle volumes 1-28 which crosses over with Xxxholic.
I am currently working on getting caught up with My Hero Academia and have read volumes 1-12 so far.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 02, 2018, 11:14:57 AM
BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #267 - Got this one in the mail yesterday, a week early. Usually I'm anticipating getting the newest B&V digest in the mail, so I'm hoping to see it every day when I look in the mailbox, but this time it was so early that I wasn't even thinking about it - a nice surprise. Nice Halloween cover by Jeff Shultz. Too bad there were only three reprints in here that were Halloween stories. One is "Monsterbash", a 12-page B&V story from one of those Halloween Comic Fest giveaways from some years back. The second one's a Sabrina story from the 90s, and the last one's a Cheryl Blossom story from the 00s (both 6-pagers). I'd read all of those before. The new lead story by Dan Parent didn't have a Halloween theme (drat!). In it, Betty gets a part-time job working for Lodge Industries. Mr. Lodge is impressed with Betty's work and gives her a raise the first week. Mr. Lodge really seems to like Betty (but why wouldn't he). Is it my imagination, or does she look like she's drawn a little bustier than usual in this story? Maybe it's that white shirt and tie. There are few stories that stood out from the rest, but I don't have it right in front of me at the moment. I always look forward to stories written by Kathleen Webb, and there were a few of those. In one of the best ones, she explains to the readers the differences between girls and boys (get your mind out of the gutter) and it's pretty funny. Apart from the handful of stories that were standouts, it's a fairly average issue. It came at a good time, because I really needed a fix of classic B&V.

DEATH NOTE [ALL-IN-ONE EDITION] - Started reading it yesterday, and read the first 22 chapters or 518 pages. This is a huge brick of paper with over 2600 pages. I don't think I have any other comic book with this many pages. It's kind of heavy, and because of the smaller paperback book page size, I have to hold it up closer to read it, because the artwork isn't as simple and the text is smaller than an Archie 1000 Page Comics digest. I'm going to see how much more of it I can get read today. A lot happens just the first 100 pages. It starts when a super-smart high school student named Light Yagami finds a notebook, which turns out to belong to Ryuk, one of the Japanese death gods. Anyone's name whose face he can think of when when he writes it in the notebook will die of a heart attack within 40 seconds - unless he specifically writes some other method of death. It gets more interesting from there, as he decides to make the world a better place by killing off known and/or convicted criminals. All of these criminals suddenly dying of heart attacks does not go unnoticed by law enforcement agencies, and soon he's the object of an intense manhunt, and becomes drawn into a cat-and-mouse game of moves and countermoves by "L", another teen genius detective who's assisting law enforcement by running the task force hunting "Kira" (sounds the same as "killer" in Japanese). It's a real page-turner, I have to admit.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Vegan Jughead on October 03, 2018, 03:47:07 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 02, 2018, 11:14:57 AM
BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #267 - Got this one in the mail yesterday, a week early. Usually I'm anticipating getting the newest B&V digest in the mail, so I'm hoping to see it every day when I look in the mailbox, but this time it was so early that I wasn't even thinking about it - a nice surprise. Nice Halloween cover by Jeff Shultz. Too bad there were only three reprints in here that were Halloween stories. One is "Monsterbash", a 12-page B&V story from one of those Halloween Comic Fest giveaways from some years back. The second one's a Sabrina story from the 90s, and the last one's a Cheryl Blossom story from the 00s (both 6-pagers). I'd read all of those before. The new lead story by Dan Parent didn't have a Halloween theme (drat!). In it, Betty gets a part-time job working for Lodge Industries. Mr. Lodge is impressed with Betty's work and gives her a raise the first week. Mr. Lodge really seems to like Betty (but why wouldn't he). Is it my imagination, or does she look like she's drawn a little bustier than usual in this story? Maybe it's that white shirt and tie. There are few stories that stood out from the rest, but I don't have it right in front of me at the moment. I always look forward to stories written by Kathleen Webb, and there were a few of those. In one of the best ones, she explains to the readers the differences between girls and boys (get your mind out of the gutter) and it's pretty funny. Apart from the handful of stories that were standouts, it's a fairly average issue. It came at a good time, because I really needed a fix of classic B&V.

DEATH NOTE [ALL-IN-ONE EDITION] - Started reading it yesterday, and read the first 22 chapters or 518 pages. This is a huge brick of paper with over 2600 pages. I don't think I have any other comic book with this many pages. It's kind of heavy, and because of the smaller paperback book page size, I have to hold it up closer to read it, because the artwork isn't as simple and the text is smaller than an Archie 1000 Page Comics digest. I'm going to see how much more of it I can get read today. A lot happens just the first 100 pages. It starts when a super-smart high school student named Light Yagami finds a notebook, which turns out to belong to Ryuk, one of the Japanese death gods. Anyone's name whose face he can think of when when he writes it in the notebook will die of a heart attack within 40 seconds - unless he specifically writes some other method of death. It gets more interesting from there, as he decides to make the world a better place by killing off known and/or convicted criminals. All of these criminals suddenly dying of heart attacks does not go unnoticed by law enforcement agencies, and soon he's the object of an intense manhunt, and becomes drawn into a cat-and-mouse game of moves and countermoves by "L", another teen genius detective who's assisting law enforcement by running the task force hunting "Kira" (sounds the same as "killer" in Japanese). It's a real page-turner, I have to admit.


Betty and Veronica is the last digest I'm subscribed to and I'm not sure why.  My subscription has another 10 issues or so and I'll probably renew it, assuming they're stiil publishing it, just to have a digest coming in.  I can't quite cut the cord all the way for some reason even though I've seen most of what's in all of them. 
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 03, 2018, 05:22:41 PM
Quote from: Vegan Jughead on October 03, 2018, 03:47:07 PM
Betty and Veronica is the last digest I'm subscribed to and I'm not sure why.  My subscription has another 10 issues or so and I'll probably renew it, assuming they're still publishing it, just to have a digest coming in.  I can't quite cut the cord all the way for some reason even though I've seen most of what's in all of them.

Same for me, I let all the other digest subs expire. I figure it's still worthwhile even if I've read half the stories before. The reason I let my sub for B&V Friends expire was, for some reason I don't quite understand, it seems to be mailed from some place different than the regular B&V digest. I've noticed even the plastic bags and the labels are slightly different. That alone wouldn't cause me to let the sub expire, but for some reason it always seems to arrive a week or more late (probably because it's mailed from somewhere else), and more frequently suffers damage from P.O. handling as a result. The regular B&V digest always seems to arrive on time (or at most a day or two later than comic shops), and if anything, is likely to arrive even earlier than in comic shops. So I just let the B&V Friends sub expire, and now order it through my LCS.

I let all three Archie digest subs expire even earlier (well, Funhouse was just cancelled on me, and I never subbed to Archie and Me), but I'm thinking of maybe starting to get the 1000 Page Comics bricks again. One thing I noticed about those is that they don't reprint any of the non-Archie/B&V/Jughead/Archie & Friends stories, so I feel like I still want to get both B&V digest because of the Sabrina and Josie stories (and possibly Cheryl; I don't know if those make it into the 1000-pagers). But it seems like anything non-Archie (like Wilbur or That Wilkin Boy) had stopped being printed in the three Archie digest titles some while back, so it wouldn't be a concern, and at least that way I'd get to (eventually) read the new lead stories from the Archie digests.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 04, 2018, 01:48:32 AM
ARCHIE #699 - So now I know what happened in ARCHIE #1-32. Of those, I'd only read #1, 2, 20-22 and 32 prior to this, and it seems like more pages of this condensed reprint were devoted to that issue #32 than to any other single issue. It was a little "the story so far"/"previously in ARCHIE...", but I bet you could have shrunk the essential stories of those first 32 issues of ARCHIE down to about 8 issues, and they'd have read perfectly fine as normal comics. I already ordered #700 (more to get the Mike Allred variant cover than anything else).

DISNEY COMICS AND STORIES #1 - They're just dropping "Walt" and the possessive 's from the title and renumbering it. Otherwise the same as the previous WDC&S.

ASGARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #2 - Kinda bored with this; it might be my last issue.

    A bunch of this year's Halloween Comic Fest issues (these ship to comic shops weeks in advance of the actual week of Halloween, so I got to read them earlier than most people):

APOSIMZ SAMPLER - HCF 2018 - Not sure if it was enough to convince me totally, but I took a chance and ordered the first volume of the TP collection.

SHIBUYA GOLDFISH #1 - HCF 2018 - I think this is the first horror manga I've read that's drawn in a traditional shonen manga ("boys' comics") style. Most horror manga I've seen has been in the generally less-cartoony/more realistically-drawn seinin manga ("young men's comics") style. It's a weird contrast, with high school sophomores as the main protagonists. The plot is simple enough: on an afternoon daytrip to Shibuya (a trendy shopping district), all of a sudden monstrously huge goldfish appear, swimming in thin air, attacking people and eating them, and talking. A weird premise for sure. Not sure how I feel about this one. The art style is just "okay". May have to think about it a while before ordering the TP collection.

JUNJI ITO'S FRANKENSTEIN - HCF 2018 - I've been a fan of Junji Ito's work for a while now. Already pre-ordered the hardcover collection that this is a preview of. His art style looks a little different here. It might be an earlier work of his, before he quite refined his current style, or maybe it's just that this work is set in the late 1700s, while most of his other horror manga is set in modern-day Japan. And of course, the style of horror (since it's an adaptation of Mary Shelley's book) is different than the type of stories that Ito writes for himself. I must own at least a half-dozen comic adaptations of the original novel, but I never seem to tire of reading the story again, as long as I like the artwork. Each adaptation tends to focus on different things from the original story, to a certain extent, so they're all different to some degree.

BATTLE ANGEL ALITA: HOMECOMING - HCF 2018 - I've already been getting all the ALITA deluxe hardcover collections, so this one is a no-brainer. (I'd already pre-ordered the HC). The full version is also a deluxe HC collection of four stories which haven't previously been translated into English.

EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS UNIVERSE: GENESIS #0 - HCF 2018 - This one was just sample pages from earlier-published American Mythology ERB comics, no new material.

PELLUCIDAR: FEAR ON FOUR WORLDS #1 (Part 3 of 4)
ZORRO: THE SWORDS OF HELL #1 (of 4)
LONE RANGER VOL 3 #1
NEW LIEUTENANTS OF METAL #4 (of 4)
GAMMA #1 (of 4)
TANK GIRL ALL STARS #4 (of 4)

Other stuff I got which haven't read yet:
THE BEST OF ARCHIE COMICS DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 03 - I've only had time to skim it quickly. They added more recent reprints of the complete stories from COSMO #1, BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER - AT THE MOVIES #1, and ARCHIE #32 (one of the half-dozen issues I'd actually read before) at the end of the book. Other than that, I can't say exactly what might have been added, or more importantly, omitted,  from the prior Best of Archie Comics Book 3 TP collection just yet, until I do a page-by-page comparison. Full review to follow sometime within a week or so. At any rate, there are few (if any) hardcover collections of comics you can buy with comparable page count, for a cover price of only $20. Similar items from most other publishers can run anywhere in the $40 to $75 cover price range (usually depending on the anticipated number of copies they will sell, and how "deluxe" the book is). Even some of the larger trade paperback collections of older comics now retail for $35-40.

THE COMPLETE COSMO THE MERRY MARTIAN TP and COSMO VOL 01: SPACE ACES TP - I actually got the first of these a while ago when it first came out, but I thought (since I'd already read the whole thing in digital format a few years back) I'd wait until the rebooted COSMO came out in trade collection and review them together. Not sure how long it'll take me to get to these, but I guess it'll depend on which of this stuff I decide to read first. Also, at this writing, I'm about 1/4 of the way through the complete 26XX-page DEATH NOTE, and I'm sure I'll be wanting to read more of that this week as well.

MENAGE A 3 GN VOL 02 (by Dave Lumsden and Gisele Lagace) - Reprinting volumes 3 and 4 of the earlier, smaller-sized paperbacks at about twice the former page size. I like seeing Gisele's art at the larger size.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 05, 2018, 06:46:11 AM
THE BEST OF ARCHIE COMICS Deluxe Edition HC - The short and dirty (and somewhat peeved) review:

Here's the contents listing of the new HC edition:
key   DECADE   
SOURCE, title, writer, pencil artist
reprints NEW to this edition in BLUE

   1940s
PEP 36   The 3-11 Club   Bob Montana   Bob Montana
ARCHIE 4   Spring Fever   Ed Goggin   Harry Sahle
ARCHIE 16   Monkey Shines   Bob Montana   Bob Montana
ARCHIE 7   Time for Trouble   Harry Sahle   Harry Sahle
PEP 48   Camera Bugs   Ed Goggin   Harry Sahle
   1950s
LITTLE ARCHIE 2   The Cook-Off   Bob Bolling   Bob Bolling
JUGHEAD'S FOLLY 1   no title   Joe Edwards   Joe Edwards
   1960s
LIFE WITH ARCHIE 16 Hi-Jinx and Deep Divers   Sy Reit   Bob White
ARCHIE'S PALS N GALS 29   Beetlemania   Frank Doyle   Samm Schwartz
JOSIE 19   The Hold Up   Frank Doyle   Dan DeCarlo
JUGHEAD 119   Pardon My Computer   George Gladir   Samm Schwartz
EVERYTHING'S ARCHIE   Visit to a Small Panic   George Gladir   Harry Lucey
   1970s
LAUGH 276   The Bye Bye Blues   Frank Doyle   Harry Lucey
RIVERDALE HIGH 18   Kong Phoo   Frank Doyle   Harry Lucey
ARCHIE 264   Minding a Star   Frank Doyle   Dan DeCarlo
REGGIE AND ME 104   Costume Caper   Frank Doyle   Dan DeCarlo
B&V v1 277   Melvin's Angels   Frank Doyle   Dan DeCarlo
   1980s
ARCHIE 292   Verve to Conserve   George Gladir   Dan DeCarlo Jr.
ARCHIE 331   Saturday's Child   Frank Doyle   Dan DeCarlo Jr.
BETTY'S DIARY 1   The Art Lesson   Kathleen Webb   Dan DeCarlo
GIANT SERIES 590   Back From the Future   Rich Margopoulis   Rex Lindsey
   1990s
NEW ARCHIES DIGEST 10   Mystery of the Mummy's Curse   Mike Pellowski   Henry Scarpelli
CHERYL BLOSSOM 15   Cheryl's Beach Bash   Dan Parent   Dan Parent
   2000s
ARCHIE'S WEIRD MYSTERIES 6   A Familiar Old Haunt   Paul Castiglia   Fernando Ruiz
SABRINA 70   Spell It Out   Tania Del Rio   Tania Del Rio
   2010s
JUGHEAD 200   Something Ventured, Something Gained   Tom Root   Rex Lindsey
ARCHIE 636   The Great Switcheroo!   Tania Del Rio   Gisele Lagace
COSMO 1   no title   Ian Flynn   Tracy Yardley
BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER - AT THE MOVIES 1
   Riot on the Set!   Bill Golliher   Dan Parent
   Movie Mix-Up!   Bill Golliher   Dan Parent
ARCHIE v2 32   no title   Mark Waid & Ian Flynn   Audrey Mok

And now, the BURN -
(Stories from the 2013 Best of Archie Comics TP edition which were dropped from the new HC edition in order to make way for those reprinted stories listed above in blue)
ARCHIE 2    Sir Archibald of the Round Table   Bob Montana   Bob Montana
PEP 37   Oscar   Bob Montana   Bob Montana
ARCHIE ANNUAL 8   Poor Little Rich Whirl   George Frese   George Frese
ARCHIE 123   Over-Joyed   Frank Doyle   Harry Lucey
JUGHEAD 120   Voice Control   Frank Doyle   Samm Schwartz
ARCHIE 178   Stick With It   Frank Doyle   Harry Lucey
TV LAUGH-OUT 86   (JOSIE in) Scratch One Clown   unknown   Dan DeCarlo Jr.
ARCHIE AND ME 144      Plight of the Perilous Pike   Bob Bolling   Bob Bolling

Well, they sacrificed quite a few GOOD stories in there in order to utilize the newly-added pages as an advertising tool. And not just those pages, either. There were several other stories that WERE included again, that COULD have been dropped because they appear in other collections like Archie Americana, etc. But no... if ACP still has those TPs in stock, then the stories still might function to sell some dusty old copies of Sabrina manga collections or something. In other words, what's included or not included in this "Deluxe Edition" isn't being determined on a basis of what is best or NOT best, but what best functions to sell you other Archie Comics trade collections. That's how "The BEST of Archie Comics" is determined by ACP. So when it came to cutting stories from the older edition, rather than keep in reprints that were unique to that volume and appear in no other collections, they left in stories like "Kong Phoo" (recently reprinted in the ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH TP collection), and "Costume Caper" (which also appears in ARCHIE AMERICANA: THE BRONZE AGE - along with "Kong Phoo" again). And you know, even before the cutting began, THE BEST OF ARCHIE COMICS 3 was not as strong a collection of stories as the previous two books. Now, they've made it even worse. And I DID expect them to include recent reprints at the end (no gripes about COSMO or B&V), but an issue of ARCHIE (#32) from two months ago, plus the same 5-page preview of ARCHIE 1941 #1 that we've already seen in ALL their floppy comics? >:(  >:(  >:(

Keep your old TP edition, if you have it.  I'm not inclined to buy a Deluxe Edition Vol. 4 HC, if there ever is one.

As an aside, there's a quote in the book from Victor Gorelick in reference to ARCHIE 1941 as being "... one of the best things Archie Comics has ever done. In fact, it may be the best thing." That is either complete BS snake-oil salesmanship, or jf he really believes that, VG has completely lost it.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on October 05, 2018, 08:01:55 PM
I finished up My Hero Academia 13-15 and My Hero Academia Vigilantes 1-2 earlier this week.  It is a fun series where just about everybody has a superpower (called a quirk), though only some are licensed to use them.
I read Soul Eater Not 1-5 and while it was okay, I decided to pass on reading the regular Soul Eater series after looking through the first volume.
Over the last couple of days, I read Black Butler 1-25.  In Victorian times, a young boy whose parents are slaughtered is kidnapped and tortured.  He escapes by making a deal for his soul with a devil who will help him get revenge.  He also happens to be the heir to an Earldom where the Earl works directly for Queen Victoria.  The devil (Sebastian) becomes the boy's butler and helps him in any number of ways.  I enjoyed this series quite a bit.  I wasn't really sure in reading the description, but the art is decent and the stories have been pretty good for the most part.
I also read Telepathic Wanderers 1-3 today and am waiting on the fourth (and final) book to arrive at my library.  This is an older Tokyopop series, but it has been very good.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 06, 2018, 01:16:31 AM
Quote from: rusty on October 05, 2018, 08:01:55 PM
I finished up My Hero Academia 13-15 and My Hero Academia Vigilantes 1-2 earlier this week.  It is a fun series where just about everybody has a superpower (called a quirk), though only some are licensed to use them.

How would you rate those on a scale of 1 to 10? I remember reading one of those FCBD preview books of MHA, back when it had just come out from Viz. My thoughts at the time were that it seemed like a definite reaction to the breakout popularity of One-Punch Man (which began as a webmanga in 2009, and was then remade as a print manga in 2012, a couple of years prior to MHA's debut). I mean that MHA seemed to follow a similar general pattern as far as how its superhero universe was set up (as opposed to most superhero manga, which tend to either follow the Japanese model of the 'henshin hero' genre, or the American superhero model, or some combination of the two). One-Punch Man has nothing to do with the 'hero high'-type training academy trope, but that could easily have been influenced by a lot of earlier things (including the original X-Men, New Mutants, Avengers Academy, or movies like Disney's 2005 film Sky High). The FCBD preview floppy comic was enough to give me the general premise of how the universe worked, but I didn't like the art style (which reminded me a little of Yu-Gi-Oh) anywhere near as much as One-Punch Man, and the FCBD preview comic didn't have nearly enough pages to get a true flavor of it, so I kind of just shrugged MHA off as a One-Punch Man bandwagon jumper, I guess. I never imagined that it would become as successful as it seems to have (and if it gets both an anime adaptation AND a spinoff manga series so soon, it must be pretty popular; then again, I don't always tend to like what's most popular in anime/manga).

Black Butler sounds interesting too, so I'll probably check out the first volume of that, if it's still easy to order a copy through Diamond.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 06, 2018, 01:51:45 AM
SPACE PIRATE CAPTAIN HARLOCK: The Classic Collection HC Vol. 2 (of 3) by Leiji Matsumoto - This 1977 manga sounds like it would be a simple space opera adventure, and it is, in part -- but there's a surprising depth to its powerful themes and sometimes-moving characterization.

KAFKAESQUE: Fourteen Stories OGN HC (adapted from Franz Kafka) by Peter Kuper - Didn't realize it at the time I ordered it, but 9 of these stories had been in the earlier Kafka/Kuper collection GIVE IT UP! and Other Short Stories, which I already own. Still, the remaining five new adaptations were definitely worth having, so I guess I would have bought it anyway. Standouts among the newer ones were the longer adaptations of "The Burrow" and "In the Penal Colony".

MÉNAGE À 3 VOL 02 TP (Udon Entertainment) by Gisèle Lagacé & David Lumsdon - I'd love to give this a full critique, both positive and negative, but I can't... here, without discussing its adult themes (if anyone's that interested, just PM me). So I'll just say I have mixed feelings about some aspects of it, but I absolutely adore Gisèle's artwork. (Not to be TOO mysterious about it, but let's just say that if the reader were really clueless, they'd have to conclude upon reading this that most of Montreal's population was bisexual, with a definite leaning in the gay direction, because that's the theme this comedy relies most heavily on.) I only wish it could be in full color, though Gisèle makes great use of spotting her blacks and applying gray tones and patterns.

DEATH NOTE [All-In-One Edition] TP by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata - Chapters 23 to 40 (of 108 + bonus chapter); pages 515 to 900 (of 2398). As I stated earlier, this continues to be a real page-turner, with new plot twists coming at the reader all the time.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 08, 2018, 06:56:24 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on August 23, 2018, 04:07:22 PM
One other thing I noticed was that ACP had two full-page ads in that issue, but I guess they just love to flush an opportunity to make some money right down the drain. What are the ads for? The New Riverdale trades and the Riverdale TV series. Uh... yeah, thanks for bringing those to our attention, we somehow just spaced out and plain didn't realize they existed.

Apparently they don't bother targeting the ads to the consumer base of the magazine they're advertising in. It's for fans of BRONZE AGE comics, you dummies!!! Instead of trying to target the ads to spotlight the creme-de-la-creme of their existing trade collections of classic Archie material (and oh, as long as they're at it... how about selling some of those Red/Dark Circle trades in a magazine whose usual readership is superhero fans?). What about selling some digest subscriptions and 1000-Page Comics bricks? No, they waste the ad space on something pretty much everyone already knows about. If they care about such things (in itself doubtful), BACK ISSUE's readers have already bought the comics or trades, and watched the show, but what they might NOT be aware of is the digests are still being published (because you don't really SEE them much in comic book stores), and that ACP has an extensive line of material targeted towards readers who already LOVE the old classic stories from the 1970s and 1980s. The Best of Archie Comics Deluxe HCs? "Archie Comics Presents..."? Archie Americana? They could easily have squeezed the covers of 25 different TP collections onto a single magazine-sized ad page. Nah, just toss 'em the same old ads we run in the digests and regular floppy comics we publish. It's not the same audience, you idiots!!

It's funny -- I was just flipping through my copy of COSMO Vol. 1: SPACE ACES trade collection, and there's an ad on the inside back cover for classic Archie trade paperbacks that's nearly exactly what I was picturing in my mind for what ACP should have used for one of those ad pages in BACK ISSUE #107 for. It only pictures 20 collected editions (but this ad is appearing on a page sized 6"x 9", not the larger magazine-size 8.5"x 11" page), but they're almost precisely the ones I'd have chosen to try to sell to readers of a comic book fanzine dedicated to Bronze Age comics.

Pictured were the covers of:
Row 1 - The Best of Archie Comics Deluxe Edition HC Vols. 1 & 2; Archie Americana Vols. 1-3 TP (Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age)
Row 2 - The Best of Archie Comics: BETTY & VERONICA Vols. 1 & 2 TP; Sabrina the Teenage Witch: Complete Collection v1 TP; Betty & Veronica Spectacular TP; Archie at Riverdale High TP
Row 3 - ARCHIE'S BIG BOOK Vols. 1-4 TP; Jughead's Time Police TP
Row 4 - Archie Giant Comics Roll TP; Archie Giant Comics Surprise TP; The Best of JOSIE and the Pussycats TP; Archie's Coloring Book; YOUR PAL ARCHIE TP

I bet they could have sold some of those collections to readers of BACK ISSUE, too.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 08, 2018, 10:06:00 AM
I think I would have replaced the two Archie Giant Comics trades they showed in that COSMO TP ad page with the hardcovers The Art of Betty & Veronica and The Art of Archie Comics: The Covers, and added another row showing the covers of the five most recent Archie 1000 Page Comics digests, but other than that, the collections shown in the COSMO TP ad were the ones I'd have included in an ad aimed at BACK ISSUE's readers. And maybe replace the Archie at Riverdale High TP (I don't think it's really that good a collection, despite the appropriate vintage) with... ARCHIE MEETS KISS. Hey, they're Bronze Age fans, so some of them are bound to like KISS, right?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 08, 2018, 05:39:58 PM
I read each of these digests for 12 minutes each
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #292
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #260 & #262
B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #260 & #264
World Of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #82
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on October 08, 2018, 09:35:09 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 06, 2018, 01:16:31 AM
Quote from: rusty on October 05, 2018, 08:01:55 PM
I finished up My Hero Academia 13-15 and My Hero Academia Vigilantes 1-2 earlier this week.  It is a fun series where just about everybody has a superpower (called a quirk), though only some are licensed to use them.

How would you rate those on a scale of 1 to 10? I remember reading one of those FCBD preview books of MHA, back when it had just come out from Viz. My thoughts at the time were that it seemed like a definite reaction to the breakout popularity of One-Punch Man (which began as a webmanga in 2009, and was then remade as a print manga in 2012, a couple of years prior to MHA's debut).
Black Butler sounds interesting too, so I'll probably check out the first volume of that, if it's still easy to order a copy through Diamond.
I've enjoyed My Hero Academia quite a bit.  I had two friends recommend the series to me within the last couple of months.  I also helped out at a graphic novel booth part time at the Chicago Comic Con in August and the My Hero Academia volumes were very popular.  MHA does have a focus of the training academy plus there is a tournament or two mixed in, but they are done in a pretty interesting way and the tournament doesn't drag on as many tend to do.  There is also a mentoring aspect involved with the main character being mentored by the hero who gave him his powers.  Students at the academy also end up interning at superhero agencies.  All in all, I would give the series 8/10 and I think it is worth checking out.
There are actually two spinoff series.  Vigilantes is the first one and it focuses on several people who hunt down bad guys and do other good deeds while outside the law since they are not licensed heroes.  It crosses over with the main series tangentially, but can be read on its own.  I've enjoyed the first two volumes as much as the main series.  The second spinoff is due in the U.S. next spring.
I haven't read One Punch Man yet, though I do have a copy of the first volume and plan to give it a try.
If you do give Black Butler a try, let me know what you think.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 09, 2018, 02:43:42 AM
Quote from: rusty on October 08, 2018, 09:35:09 PM
I've enjoyed My Hero Academia quite a bit.  I had two friends recommend the series to me within the last couple of months.  I also helped out at a graphic novel booth part time at the Chicago Comic Con in August and the My Hero Academia volumes were very popular.  MHA does have a focus of the training academy plus there is a tournament or two mixed in, but they are done in a pretty interesting way and the tournament doesn't drag on as many tend to do.  There is also a mentoring aspect involved with the main character being mentored by the hero who gave him his powers.  Students at the academy also end up interning at superhero agencies.  All in all, I would give the series 8/10 and I think it is worth checking out.
There are actually two spinoff series.  Vigilantes is the first one and it focuses on several people who hunt down bad guys and do other good deeds while outside the law since they are not licensed heroes.  It crosses over with the main series tangentially, but can be read on its own.  I've enjoyed the first two volumes as much as the main series.  The second spinoff is due in the U.S. next spring.
I haven't read One Punch Man yet, though I do have a copy of the first volume and plan to give it a try.
If you do give Black Butler a try, let me know what you think.

Thanks, rusty!  I was actually thinking I might start with the MHA Vigilantes spinoff because it would be easier to catch up on that one sooner, then proceed back to the main series, if I liked the spinoff well enough. I'll definitely do that now.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 10, 2018, 08:15:29 AM
DEATH NOTE [All-In-One Edition] TP by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata - Chapters 41 to 80 (of 108 + bonus chapter); pages 901 to 1762 (of 2398). There are so many rules for humans using the Death Note that I'm starting to get confused about whether some of those rules were already broken prior to being made known to the reader. I wasn't originally thinking of it as such, but it occurs to me that this is a supervillain story. A guy who gets supernatural powers and uses them to kill and manipulate people through fear, whose true identity is kept secret, and whose ultimate goal is to rule the world is a supervillain story, right? Even if he is a young, good-looking guy whose goal is to murder criminals in order to make the world a better place, he's a just a cunning sociopath. And he's the main protagonist. If the main antagonist opposing him (whose true identity is also secret) had superpowers as well, then I guess this would be a superhero story, but a supervillain story isn't so different.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 11, 2018, 03:43:04 PM
I read each of these for 12 minutes .
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #260
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #292
World Of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #82
B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #264
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 12, 2018, 12:14:21 AM
DEATH NOTE [All-In-One Edition] TP by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata - Chapters 81 to 108+bonus chapter (of 108 + bonus chapter); pages 1763 to 2398 (of 2398). That was ONE long read! ... but interesting all the way through. It ended just how it HAD to end, because we know almost from the beginning of the story how it was going to end -- the shinigami (Japanese death god) Ryuk told Light Yagami (the protagonist-villain of the story) how it would end, and indeed that's exactly how it ends. Hope that's not too big of a spoiler, because it's in there almost from the start. I really enjoyed this.

This was originally published as 12 tankobon (regular-sized paperback books) which would have cost $9.99 per volume SRP, so $119.88 total before any discount. Or I could have purchased a complete boxed set of all 12 original volumes for $114.99 SRP, that included a special 13th volume, "Death Note: How To Read" which contains all of the shinigami rules for humans using the Death Note, plus a character guide and detailed plot summary of the series. It's not strictly needed as part of the main story, but it did originally contain the bonus chapter which was later reprinted in the All-In-One Edition. The All-In-One Edition had a SRP of $39.99, so it was a huge savings over buying each of the individual tankobon volumes separately, or buying the boxed set. The "How To Read" extra Volume 13 is also available separately, and I was interested enough in the series as a whole to order a copy of that (SRP $14.99). So as a result of having 'missed the boat' when the series was first running and kind of a hot item (manga-wise), I wind up paying less than half what it would have cost me otherwise to read the whole series -- and I think it was probably better as a result of my having read it over a very short period of time. This is one time where the old saying "you snooze you lose" proved to be untrue. I guess my next move is to buy (or watch streaming somewhere online) the anime adaptation (not so interested in the live-action films) of Death Note which spun off from the manga.

The downside of saving money in reading the All-In-One Edition of Death Note was that at 2400 (5"x7") pages, the book was over 3 inches thick, and rather heavy (I didn't actually weigh it), and to try to hold it in your hands for any length of time at a comfortable enough distance for optimal viewing was somewhat awkward and tiring. I found myself, on several occasions of prolonged reading sessions, propping the book up on a small empty box on a desk (or on a lap desk) so I wouldn't need to actually hold it up close enough to read the pages for hours on end. The extreme thickness of the book also tends to make it want to close itself unless your thumb is inserted between the pages you're reading or you have some heavier piece of cardboard to lie across the top or bottom of both pages to keep it from closing. I wouldn't want to own another book of this size, I think. It's somewhat of a problem already with the Archie 1000 Page Comics collections, although those are more easily viewable from a somewhat greater distance and are less than half the number of pages -- plus they're much faster to read than 1000 pages of something like Death Note. The Archie Giant Comics collections are actually more of the ideal digest-sized format in terms of thickness and page count, but when you compare them to the 1000-pagers in terms of cost-per-page, nowhere near as good of a bang-for-your-buck bargain... so it's a trade off, sacrificing the ease-of-reading experience for getting more for your dollar. The Giant Comics digest format recently reduced its original page-count without reducing the cover price, while it seems that the 1000 Page Comics are pretty much locked into the page count they have -- they'd have to change the title, which would be too obvious. I suppose they could increase the cover price, but people tend to notice things like that immediately, while page-count is something you wouldn't probably notice before making the decision to purchase.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 12, 2018, 03:52:54 AM
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81EJr9j%2BSSL.jpg)

THE COMPLETE COSMO THE MERRY MARTIAN TP by Sy Reit and Bob White - This was a fun six issue series (the trade collection also includes "Good Guys of the Galaxy", a Tom DeFalco/Fernando Ruiz semiparody of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy from ARCHIE 655, which happens to be my personal favorite of their collaborations, and a 5-page ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST story written & drawn by Fernando, both stories featuring guest appearances by Cosmo, plus a couple more only-tangentially-related 5-pagers written by Dan Parent, and a complete reprint of the 1st issue of the new COSMO series). The Sy Reit/Bob White collaboration on COSMO, which originally appeared in 1958-59, was unusual in style, as well as in being essentially one long (if episodic) story, continued from issue to issue. It's hard to think of any other standard comic books that were doing that at the time. Absurdity and gags are the main focus here, plus just a teensy amount of actual factual science educating readers on the basics of what was known about the Moon, Mars, Venus and Saturn at the time. Characterization is fairly minimal, with the standout character being Orbi, a likeable but devout coward, who's always getting into trouble (and thus helping drive the plot, such as it is, forward). The basic plot of the series is a travelogue around the solar system, discovering what life exists on other worlds. It has a certain goofy nostalgic charm that amuses me, however, particularly in the way it's drawn. Martians as drawn by Bob White look a lot like Al Capp's schmoos (from Li'l Abner) or slightly overweight bowling pins. The body proportions vary a little otherwise, as drawn by Fernando Ruiz in the two more modern stories.



(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91vpJnZdQ3L.jpg)

COSMO VOL 01: SPACE ACES TP by Ian Flynn and Tracy Yardley - I really liked this reboot, despite its lack of strict adherence to the earlier versions of the characters by Reit & White. Given that there wasn't a lot of characterization in the original to begin with, that was probably a good decision. I'm not sure a straight-up modern version of the earlier Cosmo would have really worked. The character that survives the transition mostly intact is Orbi, who retains his character as a dedicated coward but a nice guy. Cosmo is somewhat younger, more of an adventurous/heroic sort of space explorer, and Astra (Cosmo's girlfriend and sometimes damsel-in-distress in the original series) is given a more active role as the pilot of Cosmo's spaceship, the "Ufo" (pronounced "You-foe"), and there's a friendly rivalry/romantic tension between her and Cosmo. Orbi's doglike Martian pet Jojo in the original series becomes a metamorphic alien pet, giving him in effect a superpower the rest of the crew don't have, and making him very useful to have around. The elderly bearded Martian scientist-inventor Prof. Thimk from the original series is missing from the rebooted version altogether, replaced by the much younger female Martian scientist-inventor Dr. Medulla. It was a good idea to add more (and more proactive) female characters to the updated COSMO. The final new addition to the cast is Max Strongjaw, an American astronaut of the near future who is rescued by Cosmo & Co. when his ship has technical difficulties on the first earth-mission to Mars. Max is more or less a parody of the usual square-jawed, typical American space-hero type. Not too bright, and more than a little xenophobic, but with a heart-of-gold, who gradually comes to a grudging friendship/rivalry of sorts with Cosmo and his crew. This was a good cast, and the series as a whole was a valiant attempt to launch a new series which would have been a ACP-owned IP replacement for the loss of the SONIC and MEGA MAN Archie Action imprint titles. At least they were willing to give this a shot, for which I applaud them. Who knows, maybe the graphic novel could be discovered by someone interested in turning the characters into an animated series. Tracy Yardley is a very talented artist, working in a pleasant, attractive modern style that would not be out of place among cartoons aired somewhere like Nickelodeon (or is it just Nick now?) or Cartoon Network (or is it just CN now?). One could but hope. The collection also includes all of the variant covers of the floppy comic from issues #1-5, along with character profile pages offering more background tidbits of information, and some sketch pages showing Yardley's design development for the series. At least you should buy the trade collection, if you didn't give the 5 individual issues of the floppy comic version a try.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 13, 2018, 10:52:32 AM
MARVEL KNIGHTS (2000) #1-15
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 14, 2018, 03:44:59 AM
FIST OF THE NORTH STAR: Master Edition Vol. 1-9 by Buronson & Tetsuo Hara [Raijin Comics, 2004] - Great story, and the single best presentation of any manga I've seen in English translation. Each volume was 196 pages, 7"x10" (same page size as a golden age comic book, or Shonen Jump, but on heavy glossy paper and digitally colored), with a b&w cardboard cover wrapped in a color dustjacket, and contains some extras. These were originally priced at $17.95 cover price, but I got them on sale about 10 years ago for $11 per volume. The same story had an earlier, different translation (with reversed pages) by Viz, in both the 'prestige format' standard comic size, and as 4 smaller b&w trade paperback volumes, but covered less than half the story contained in Raijin's 9 volume set. Unfortunately, those 9 volumes still barely scratch the surface of the complete Japanese saga, which ran for 5 years (245 chapters serialized in Shonen Jump) and was collected in 27 tankobon volumes, while the Master Edition only got as far as reprinting the first 74 chapters, so there are still 18 1/2 volumes in the saga of Fist of the North Star that I'll probably never get to read. An anime TV series which originally ran for 152 episodes from 1984 to 1988 (and is a fairly faithful adaptation of the manga) is available on an American DVD release with English subtitles, and even that doesn't adapt all the events of the manga's 245 chapters, but I guess it's the best I'll be able to do unless I learn to read Japanese.

The real point I'm getting at here is that I wish some of the current English-localized manga publishers would do something in a format exactly like these deluxe editions.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on October 14, 2018, 10:45:16 PM
Berlin by Jason Lutes - This hardcover is over 500 pages and collects the entire 22 issue run which has taken since 1996 to complete.  I've been reading the series since it began, but purchased the hardcover as well.   It takes place in Berlin from 1928-1933 and utilizes a lot of characters who are not necessarily important historically - Marthe Muller, an art student who comes to the city at least in part to get away from her father - Kurt Severing, a journalist who writes for a paper read by poets and intellectuals - Silvia Braun, a young girl whose father is a National Socialist and whose mother is a Communist - The Cocoa Kids, an African-American jazz quintet in town playing at a jazz club - and others as well.  The unrest in the city is shown and the gradual buildup of power for the National Socialists (Nazis) plus the battles with the Reds (Communists) and the anti-Semitism as well.  This is a well researched and entertaining story that is well worth checking out.

Edited to add - One thing that I should note is that the font size used in the word balloons is kind of small which may make it difficult for some people to read.  It is still worth it, though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 16, 2018, 06:58:57 PM
ARCHIE'S MADHOUSE MAYHEM (HCF 2018) minicomic - This year's ACP Halloween ComicFest offering reprints two 6-pagers, Betty in "Scaredy Cat" by Angelo Decesare & Stan Goldberg, and Archie in "The Halloween Scene" by George Gladir & Fernando Ruiz. Apart from the relative rarity of ACP Halloween stories, neither of these two stories are particularly noteworthy, but on the whole, I enjoyed this minicomic more than either of ACP's previous two HCF Archie's Madhouse minicomic reprints.

ARCHIE HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR (Dec. 2018 issue) - Unlike the above free giveaway minicomic, this one's a regular-format floppy comic with a $2.99 cover price. It contains reprints of four 5-pagers, all of which were written by Dan Parent: Archie in "Something Is Missing" (with art by Bill Golliher); B&V in "They're Creepy and They're Kooky" (art by Jeff Shultz); B&V in "A Bewitching Tale" (art by Bill Galvan), and B&V present "The Ultimate Halloween Bash!" (art by Dan Parent). The last of those was more of a "special feature" than a story per se, being mainly instructional in nature, but it contains some relevant tips on how to throw a Halloween-themed party, and even though it isn't really a story, Dan P. remembered to end the feature with a final-panel gag to wrap everything up nicely in the Archie Comics tradition. The special feature originally appeared in BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #85, back when it was given a face-lift by Dan P. to be styled more like a magazine, and each issue featured at least one special feature (usually fashions, sometimes quizzes, but sometimes other things, depending on the season and theme of the individual issue). I really liked the idea of special features, and never felt like those were robbing the reader of the equivalent number of pages of story, simply because they added variety and were usually interesting in and of themselves. All of them were the work of Dan Parent (showing off his design talents using computer graphics software), and they always had an attractive look to them.

I think I've read all of these stories previously somewhere before, although it's hard to say definitely in some cases. One oddity struck me in the story "They're Creepy and They're Kooky", in which Archie, Betty & Veronica meet the Addams Family-like Plumley family and their daughter Monica (whom of course, B&V are immediately suspicious of because of Archie's interest in her), who have just moved into a reputed haunted house that's been abandoned for years. When Archie goes inside the Plumleys' house to visit, B&V are sure that the family is up to something no good (because, of course, they've SEEN The Addams Family), and start freaking out. Wandering away, they discuss what they should do to extricate Archie from the family's (and especially Monica's) clutches, and they recruit Jughead to help them. Veronica works her dander up to the point where by the time they've returned to the house, she bangs on the door. When Monica answers the door, Veronica demands to see Archie, and she responds that she doesn't know any Archie, and that they've just moved to the neighborhood, and slams the door in her face. While B&V and Jughead are still standing in front of the house discussing what to do now, Archie approaches from behind them and surprises them. B&V are overjoyed to see he's just fine, but then Monica shows up again, seemingly from nowhere, and invites them all into the house for some snacks, in an attempt, I guess, to allay their fears that there's just something weird about her family. I was a little confused because Monica never attempts to justify her earlier behavior when she answered the door -- I'd already decided that Monica must have a twin sister whom none of the gang had seen before, who had arrived home after Archie & Monica left, but it's never mentioned one way or the other, so I was left scratching my head about why Monica answered the door earlier and claimed she didn't know anyone named Archie. Not only that, but B&V and Jughead had never left the front of the house, while trying to decide what to do, before Archie and Monica reappeared, and Monica didn't come out the front door of the house, either, but seems to have followed Archie (from wherever, but not from inside the house). Or is it possible that the story, as it originally appeared, was longer than the 5 pages reprinted here?  ???
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 17, 2018, 03:23:06 PM
FIST OF THE BLUE SKY VOL. 1-4 by Tetsuo Hara
MEGA MAN TRIBUTE HC (art book)
INFINITY WARS #4 (of 6)
BLACK HAMMER: THE QUANTUM AGE #3
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #3
RED SONJA/TARZAN #5
(of 6)
A WALK THROUGH HELL HCF 2018 #1
ALBERT EINSTEIN: TIME MASON #1
DETECTIVE COMICS #888-890
PLASTIC MAN #5
(of 6)
HAWKMAN #5
SWAMP THING HALLOWEEN HORROR 100-PAGE COMIC GIANT #1
- One new 12-page story, the rest reprints, but not bad for $5. A Walmart exclusive.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: PTF on October 18, 2018, 01:57:49 PM
Just my usual Power Rangers, Transformers, dropped TMNT to get Amazing Spider-Man and I really like it.

But good news is that I got some money back from my healthcare insurance so I actually have extra money. So I'm probably going to get Vamperonica because, eh, it's October. I haven't heard much about it, but the covers look good.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on October 20, 2018, 03:04:02 PM
I've started getting caught up on the new comics from the past year or so that I fell behind on - probably around 1800 comics total.  My goal is to be caught up before Christmas so we'll see how that goes.

Today I read Motor Girl #1-10 by  Terry Moore.  It is about an Iraq war veteran who survived two bombings and torture during a year of captivity and new runs a junkyard in the desert.  Very well done.

I also read around a dozen comics from Joe Books.   Their output is nonexistent now so I am wondering if they have financial problems.
Bongo Comics is next and then I will move on to other publishers.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 21, 2018, 07:44:14 PM
I read each of books for 12 minutes each
Menage A 3 - Volume #1
The Secret Loves Of Geeks - Volume #2
Love Is Love
New Romancer - Volume #1
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #292
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #266 & #267

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on October 21, 2018, 10:46:22 PM
I read:

Bill and Ted Save the Universe #1-5 - another entertaining entry in the Bill and Ted universe.

Lucy Dreaming #1-5 - a girl finds that she has the power to enter other worlds when she is dreaming due to her parents scientific experiments.  It was fun.

Mech Cadet Yu #1-12 - Every four years, three giant mecha come down to Earth to bond with cadets at the academy so that they can aid in the fight against the alien Sharg.  Something unexpected happens with the latest bonding ceremony.  I enjoyed the series.

Misfit City #1-8 - Not much happens in the coastal town of Cannon Cove, except for the occasional fan of the 1980s kids movie The Gloomies which was filmed there shows up (guess which movie this is based on).   Then a pirate map turns up with bad guys trying to steal it from a group of kids who are trying to figure the map out.  A decent if somewhat predictable series.

Skybourne #1-5 - A Frank Cho series about the children of Lazarus who are immortals with great strength and other abilities.  Bloody but good.The Woods #33-36 - The end of a series about a group of high school students and their teachers who were kidnapped to an alien moon along with their school building and then had to survive for a few years. 


I'm all caught up with Boom now.  On to Titan Books.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 22, 2018, 10:29:38 AM
CUTIE HONEY '90 Vol. 1 Part 1-6; Vol. 2 Part 1-6 (Studio Ironcat 1998) by Go Nagai - A sequel manga set 30 years after Go Nagai's original (1973) Cutie Honey series. It has nothing to do with the 8-part anime OAV series (usually called New Cutie Honey to distinguish it from the original anime series); that was set 100 years after the original series, so I guess neither the manga nor the anime invalidates the other. Unfortunately, just as the story was beginning to take on some coherence, it's quickly wrapped up in the space of just a few pages and brought to a hurried conclusion.

CRUSHER JOE #1-6 (Studio Ironcat 1998)

PLANETES Vol. 1-4.2 - For reasons that completely escape me, what should have been volumes 4 and 5 were instead marked as volumes 4.1 and 4.2 ... ? I don't know why; it's not like thematically they comprised a particular story arc together. Maybe in the original Japanese publication order Volume 4 was a single volume that (for whatever reason) had twice as many pages as the previous three volumes, and ToykoPop just split it in half for the English translation? It's a bit of a disappointment for the series to end as soon as it does, because it really doesn't feel like there's any sense of resolution, and many characters' plotlines are simply left dangling. I was also surprised to learn that there was a anime series adapted from the manga, since I'd never heard of it. There were a lot of side characters whose stories didn't really reach any satisfying ending. This could have been better-focused and a little less rambling off on tangents, but in general, it's a good kind of near-future hard-science based type of sci-fi that I enjoy a lot. ASTRA: LOST IN SPACE is another such similar series. Wish I could find more manga like this. It's SO near-future that much of the underlying backstory historical context has probably already been invalidated since the books were published by TokyoPop in 2004.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on October 22, 2018, 12:18:05 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 22, 2018, 10:29:38 AM
CRUSHER JOE #1-6 (Studio Ironcat 1998)

PLANETES Vol. 1-4.2 - For reasons that completely escape me, what should have been volumes 4 and 5 were instead marked as volumes 4.1 and 4.2 ... ? I don't know why; it's not like thematically they comprised a particular story arc together. Maybe in the original Japanese publication order Volume 4 was a single volume that (for whatever reason) had twice as many pages as the previous three volumes, and ToykoPop just split it in half for the English translation? It's a bit of a disappointment for the series to end as soon as it does, because it really doesn't feel like there's any sense of resolution, and many characters' plotlines are simply left dangling. I was also surprised to learn that there was a anime series adapted from the manga, since I'd never heard of it. There were a lot of side characters whose stories didn't really reach any satisfying ending. This could have been better-focused and a little less rambling off on tangents, but in general, it's a good kind of near-future hard-science based type of sci-fi that I enjoy a lot. ASTRA: LOST IN SPACE is another such similar series. Wish I could find more manga like this. It's SO near-future that much of the underlying backstory historical context has probably already been invalidated since the books were published by TokyoPop in 2004.


I enjoyed Crusher Joe.  I wonder if any company will license and publish the new Crusher Joe: Rebirth series.   


Planetes is a series that I love.  The fourth volume was double sized in Japan so it was understandable that it was split in two for English release, though it came across a bit strange.  I wish the series had been longer.  I also enjoyed Astra and finished reading it recently.


Have you tried Space Brothers and Twin Spica?  I have really enjoyed each of these.  Space Brothers is only available digitally, unfortunately, and certain volumes of Twin Spica can be a little more difficult to find/expensive these days.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 22, 2018, 02:21:24 PM
Quote from: rusty on October 22, 2018, 12:18:05 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 22, 2018, 10:29:38 AM
CRUSHER JOE #1-6 (Studio Ironcat 1998)

PLANETES Vol. 1-4.2 - For reasons that completely escape me, what should have been volumes 4 and 5 were instead marked as volumes 4.1 and 4.2 ... ? I don't know why; it's not like thematically they comprised a particular story arc together. Maybe in the original Japanese publication order Volume 4 was a single volume that (for whatever reason) had twice as many pages as the previous three volumes, and ToykoPop just split it in half for the English translation? It's a bit of a disappointment for the series to end as soon as it does, because it really doesn't feel like there's any sense of resolution, and many characters' plotlines are simply left dangling. I was also surprised to learn that there was a anime series adapted from the manga, since I'd never heard of it. There were a lot of side characters whose stories didn't really reach any satisfying ending. This could have been better-focused and a little less rambling off on tangents, but in general, it's a good kind of near-future hard-science based type of sci-fi that I enjoy a lot. ASTRA: LOST IN SPACE is another such similar series. Wish I could find more manga like this. It's SO near-future that much of the underlying backstory historical context has probably already been invalidated since the books were published by TokyoPop in 2004.


I enjoyed Crusher Joe.  I wonder if any company will license and publish the new Crusher Joe: Rebirth series.   


Planetes is a series that I love.  The fourth volume was double sized in Japan so it was understandable that it was split in two for English release, though it came across a bit strange.  I wish the series had been longer.  I also enjoyed Astra and finished reading it recently.


Have you tried Space Brothers and Twin Spica?  I have really enjoyed each of these.  Space Brothers is only available digitally, unfortunately, and certain volumes of Twin Spica can be a little more difficult to find/expensive these days.

I looked up SPACE BROTHERS, and that seems to be just the type of thing I was asking about, so I will probably check out the anime film adaptation to get a flavor for it -- after I get through watching the anime version of PLANETES (seems quite different so far). What I have on hand right now in that genre that I will probably read fairly soon is Yukinobu Hoshino's 2001 NIGHTS (which will be a re-read for the first time since I read it when it was originally published in 1990-91), along with Hoshino's follow-up to that, a 1997-98 Dark Horse adaptation of James P. Hogan's THE TWO FACES OF TOMORROW.

I don't know about this trend to just release stuff digitally and forget about doing print version, but it seems it's the way things are going now, so I'll have to get used to it. I'll look into finding Space Brothers that way. Seems like they're releasing some of Osamu Tezuka's early classic stuff that way too, like AMBASSADOR MAGMA. Or who knows... Digital Manga did a Kickstarter for WONDER 3 and seven others of Tezuka' works in 2017 that was successfully backed, but it seems like the backers are still waiting for print copies, while in the meantime DMP's webstore is selling Ambassador Magma in digital-only format? Something's not right here, and the Kickstarter backers seem restless for their promised rewards.

TWIN SPICA seems like a bit of an oddity there, in that it doesn't really focus on the realistic hardware and science, but is more a story of a girl growing up to realize her dream of going into space. Certainly the art style sets a very different tone for the story than I expect for a typical hard-SF. Maybe I can find it at the library to sample it.

You never know about Crusher Joe: Rebirth. Unless it has someone at a publisher really backing it, it probably won't happen. CJ was a well-known and regarded property once, but doesn't seem as well-remembered these days (you rarely hear anything much about Haruka Takachiho's Dirty Pair these days, either). There are certainly any number of remake/sequels to classic manga (or anime) icons that just never get picked up for US translation. It's very spotty.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on October 22, 2018, 11:13:44 PM
I realized after I replied that Twin Spica isn't really the same type of SF manga, but it is pretty good.
I am a backer for DMP's Kimagure Orange Road and Wonder 3 kickstarters.  I have backed a couple other things from them as well and they have been really bad with these last few.  I think that they ran into some serious financial problems.  I have been much more patient than many, though one of the biggest problems has been a lack of communication.  They have gotten things turned around on the KOR kickstarter and I should get my books within the next month or two - only a couple of years late.  After that, I think there is one other backed up kickstarter before they get to the Wonder 3 books.  Hopefully we will get them by next summer.  I think that I ordered 6 or 7 manga with the add ons.
I'm not a fan of the digital only releases, but I can understand it if they are anticipating low print sales.  I would think that Space Brothers would sell pretty well, though.
One other thing I don't like, but can understand, is when the publisher publishes part of the series to sort of test the waters and skips around without publishing the entire series or even making the attempt.   This is what happened with Golgo 13 from Viz with a best of series that barely scratched the surface.  Same thing with Oishinbo from Viz and Drops of God from Vertical, though Vertical did start from the beginning before jumping ahead to try and increase sales.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on October 24, 2018, 01:08:59 AM
I'm caught up on Titan Comics for now.


Assassin's Creed #1-14 - I've never played the games, but enjoyed the movie so I thought I'd check out the comics.  This first series from Titan was a lot of fun.  I plan to check out the other series from Titan and other publishers.


Dan Dare #1-4 - A good modern version of Dan Dare as the supertreen Mekon is now a prisoner and seems to be reformed.  Entertaining science fiction.


Forever War #1-6 and Forever Free #1-3 - These are pretty good adaptations of the Joe Haldeman science fiction novels.


Lost Fleet: Corsair #1-5 - I am a fan of Jack Campbell's various series - The Lost Fleet, The Lost Stars, Pillars of Reality, etc.  This is a nice side story in the Lost Fleet universe telling what happened to Black Jack Geary's great nephew and his escape from the Syndics.  More Lost Fleet comics would not be a bad thing.


Robotech #1-12 - I was a fan of the various comic series from Comico back in the 1980s.  I never watched the anime, though, and lost interest in the comics during the Sentinels run.  This updated version has been pretty good so far.


Torchwood The Culling #1-4 - Not as good as some of the other Torchwood series, but okay.  None of the comics measure up to the first two tv seasons, but that is likely an unreasonable expectation.




Up next is Valiant.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 25, 2018, 12:06:07 AM
Quote from: rusty on October 20, 2018, 03:04:02 PM
I also read around a dozen comics from Joe Books.   Their output is nonexistent now so I am wondering if they have financial problems.

I haven't paid too much attention to JoeBooks, but they're still soliciting new product for January 2019 shipping (Disney Cinestory graphic novels). Only two items for that month's solicitation, but they're still in business.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on October 25, 2018, 01:01:19 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 25, 2018, 12:06:07 AM
Quote from: rusty on October 20, 2018, 03:04:02 PM
I also read around a dozen comics from Joe Books.   Their output is nonexistent now so I am wondering if they have financial problems.

I haven't paid too much attention to JoeBooks, but they're still soliciting new product for January 2019 shipping (Disney Cinestory graphic novels). Only two items for that month's solicitation, but they're still in business.
Were these in the November Previews?  If so, I haven't received it yet.  I didn't see anything in the October Previews and the only item in the September Previews was a Wreck it Ralph activity book.  Their monthly comic titles stopped coming out earlier this year so maybe they are focusing on areas that sell better or make them more of a profit like the Cinestory books.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 25, 2018, 02:13:43 AM
Quote from: rusty on October 25, 2018, 01:01:19 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on October 25, 2018, 12:06:07 AM
Quote from: rusty on October 20, 2018, 03:04:02 PM
I also read around a dozen comics from Joe Books.   Their output is nonexistent now so I am wondering if they have financial problems.

I haven't paid too much attention to JoeBooks, but they're still soliciting new product for January 2019 shipping (Disney Cinestory graphic novels). Only two items for that month's solicitation, but they're still in business.
Were these in the November Previews?  If so, I haven't received it yet.  I didn't see anything in the October Previews and the only item in the September Previews was a Wreck it Ralph activity book.  Their monthly comic titles stopped coming out earlier this year so maybe they are focusing on areas that sell better or make them more of a profit like the Cinestory books.

https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog?pub=JOE%20BOOKS%20INC. (https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog?pub=JOE%20BOOKS%20INC.)

They've kind of made the Diamond Previews printed catalog almost obsolete now -- not only can you download a PDF version of both the catalog and the order form from Previewsworld.com, but all the catalog listings are online (usually on the Thursday prior to the week when the printed catalog ships to comic shops). And that's coming from a guy who Previews was like The Bible to. I don't even bother downloading the PDFs, because that's just a hassle to page through all the listings, match up the Previews page numbers with the order code numbers listed in the PDF of the same month's order form, and so forth. I just go straight to www.previewsworld.com/catalog every Thursday before the last Wednesday of the month to check the newest solicitations. Don't ask me why, but this month the November Previews solicits were online by 10-18-18, even though it's a month with 5 comic-shipping Wednesdays (although the printed PREVIEWS did arrive in comic shops yesterday, 10/24).

Every month I spend a busy few hours going through all the listings and copying & pasting Diamond order codes of products I plan to order (or am at least considering ordering). I just paste the order codes, product title, price, and projected shipping dates into an Excel spreadsheet, and use that to keep track of what I have or haven't placed an order for yet. I have a color-coding scheme to let me see at a glance whether or not I've already ordered it, and I don't delete those listings until I've actually received the products. It works for me, anyway. I wish it were organized by product type (comics & graphic novels, magazines & books, merchandise & apparel, games) like the physical catalog, since that would make it easier than looking through the listings for each individual company, but... oh, well, so I have to do SOME work. It's always good for me to start working on that new online Previewsworld catalog ASAP, since having a list in Excel lets me sort products by ship dates, or add up prices to see how my monthly comic budget is looking. Sometimes I need to add up the overall totals, then decide whether or not I want some of the more expensive items that badly or not. (Those IDW Artist Editions put a serious dent in things sometimes.) Then again, the more expensive the item, the more likely it is to be advance-solicited (and sometimes, the more likely it is to ship later than scheduled).

Apart from having the Previews catalog listings online, there are other good reasons to use Previewsworld, because you can get lists of everything that shipped to comic shop retailers from DCD's warehouses this week, and what's confirmed as being received by DCD from publishers and planned to ship to retailers NEXT week. You can also get Product Updates (changes in price, format, contents, shipping date), and listings of Cancelled product solicitations. Like, for example, going back through the last 5 months of cancellation listings, I don't see any products from JoeBooks that were cancelled, which might be a good indicator if they were in some sort of financial trouble. Since they're actually shipping the products they're soliciting*, even though there might not be a lot of them, they can't be as bad off as you seem to think.

(Well... apart from that unfortunate failure to ship HARVEY HITS #2, 3 & 4 that they solicited last year... )
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on October 26, 2018, 07:52:07 PM
I'm been using Previewsworld and its predecessor for the Weekly Releases lists since 2005.  It is pretty useful and each week I use it to make up a list of what I am expecting in my orders from that week, even though my shipments are monthly now.  I will also occasionally peak at the next week list.  I'll stick with the printed Previews catalog, though.  It only costs me 99 cents and I don't mind waiting until it shows up in my order the first week of the month.  The preorder setup at Mycomicshop comes in pretty handy as well and their layout tends to be a decent match for the printed book.  Plus you can only look at new material or graphic novels etc.


I've finished catching up on Valiant over the past few days.


Armstrong and the Vault of Spirits - Every year on Armstrong's birthday, Ivar opens up a vault with one bottle of wine (or other spirits) for each year Armstrong has been alive.  Funny and entertaining.  Archer and Armstrong was one of my favorite Valiant titles.


Bloodshot Salvation 1-12 - Bloodshot is living off the grid with his wife and daughter until he learns of Magic's crazy father and family and heads off to try and put a stop to it before trouble arises.  It doesn't quite go as planned.  This is a pretty good series.


Britannia We Who are About to Die 3-4 and Lost Eagles of Rome 1-4 - A nice historical series (of miniseries) about a Roman era detective.


Divinity 0 and Eternity 1-4 - I didn't really care for these as most Valiant series.


Faith and the Future Force 1-4, Faith Dreamside 1, Faith's Winter Wonderland Special 1 - Faith is a fun character.  The miniseries sees her having to assemble a team to help the Timewalker defeat an alien bent on killing off humanity in the distant past.  Plenty of humor as well.


Harbinger Renegades 5-8,0, Harbinger Wars Prelude 1-4 Aftermath - Hard Corps has been attacking and killing psiots including many children.  This eventually leads to a war.  The Hard Corps approach is kind of repulsive and I don't think is very convincing.  The stories were decent, but I don't like the setup.


Ninjak Shadowman Rapture 3-4, Ninjak vs the Valiant Universe 1-4, Ninja-K 1-11 - The first two series were pretty good, but the ongoing series is even better.  That one deals with the history of Britain's Ninja program, starting with Ninja-A during World War I, Ninja-B and so on.


Quantum and Woody 1-10 - This series has always been pretty funny and entertaining.  Eric Henderson continues to be the serious one trying to be a hero (Quantum) and his adopted brother Woody continues to be a goofball.  Then there is the goat...


Secret Weapons 2-4, 0, 0 Owen's Story - A group of people who gain abilities of questionable usefulness are now on the run from Hard Corps and are being aided by Livewire.  One member can talk to birds, another can make things appear out of thin air, but has little control over it and another can turn to stone.  This series was pretty good.


Shadowman Rae Sremmurd, ongoing 1-7 - The one shot deals with two young men who sell their souls to the devil in exchange for five years of fame and success.  The ongoing features the return to Earth from the Deadside of Shadowman after a long absence.  He has to deal with Baron Samedi and the history of the various Shadowmen is covered as well.  Shadowman has never been one of my favorite Valiant characters, but I liked these a lot.


Valiant High 1-4 - An interesting alternate take where the Valiant heroes are teenagers attending Valiant High with Harada as Principal.  It is sort of like the John Hughes films from the 1980s and is perhaps not the most original, but was fun.


War Mother 1-4 - In the distant future, groups of humans try to survive in a hostile environment.  The leader of one group is a woman who has a talent for survival.  It wasn't bad, but didn't feel necessary.


XO Manowar 5-19 - Aric is trying to make a life on a distant planet, but has been forced to join one side in a three way battle for supremacy.  He tries to make things better, but his plans don't really work out as he hoped.  He is also trying to deal with trauma from his past.   This series is pretty consistent and entertaining.




Aftershock is next.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on October 27, 2018, 12:30:14 AM
Quote from: rusty on October 26, 2018, 07:52:07 PM
I'm been using Previewsworld and its predecessor for the Weekly Releases lists since 2005.  It is pretty useful and each week I use it to make up a list of what I am expecting in my orders from that week, even though my shipments are monthly now.  I will also occasionally peak at the next week list.  I'll stick with the printed Previews catalog, though.  It only costs me 99 cents and I don't mind waiting until it shows up in my order the first week of the month.  The preorder setup at Mycomicshop comes in pretty handy as well and their layout tends to be a decent match for the printed book.  Plus you can only look at new material or graphic novels etc.

I have to admit Mycomicshop has one of the best online comic stores I've ever seen. I often use it as a kind of mini-database, because it's easier to navigate and faster loading than either comics.org or comicbookdb.com !  The catalog section of Previewsworld is pretty easy to use once you figure it out, and you can choose to view "comics", "graphic novels/trade paperbacks", "books", "magazines", "apparel", "toys & models" etc. to further narrow the product listing, including the list within any one publisher/vendor. I just like it because I can copy and paste the information directly from that into a document or spreadsheet, once I've located a product of interest. Also, Previewsworld tends to have the complete monthly solicitation information earlier than any other site. I just can't deal with reading the comic newssites like Newsarama, etc. any more... all those popup ads and extraneous graphics & animation make any of those sites slow and painful to use these days.

Quote from: rusty on October 26, 2018, 07:52:07 PM

I've finished catching up on Valiant over the past few days.

Valiant High 1-4 - An interesting alternate take where the Valiant heroes are teenagers attending Valiant High with Harada as Principal.  It is sort of like the John Hughes films from the 1980s and is perhaps not the most original, but was fun.

I've never been a Valiant fan. Well, okay, actually I was a Valiant fan back when Jim Shooter was the Editor-in-chief. I think that was for the first year-and-a-half, two years... something like that, back in the early 1990s. I really only read them for Solar, Magnus, and Turok. Never really cared much for any of their original characters. So I only picked up VALIANT HIGH because it was Derek Charm's work (which I'd previously enjoyed on both IDW's STARFLEET ACADEMY and ACP's JUGHEAD). I liked it, but I didn't imagine that high school setting could be part of the real in-continuity backstory of the Valiant Universe. Too bad it was so short; I'd love to see a continuation of that, as long as Derek Charm continued to be the artist.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 27, 2018, 04:51:58 PM
Deadly Class - Book #1- Noise Noise Noise
Last Look
Colder - Omnibus
The Secret Loves Of Geeks - Volume #2
Fence - Volume #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on October 27, 2018, 06:43:49 PM
I'm caught up on Aftershock now:


Animosity 8-15, World of Animosity 1, Animosity The Rise 2-3, Animosity Evolution 1-7 - One day, the animals of the world suddenly gain the power of speech and they have an intelligence equal to humans.  A lot of death follows with various groups battling.  Various groups are formed as well - some are only human, some only animal and some a partnership between the two.  In the main title, 11 year old Jessie survives the Wake in New York City, but her parents die.  Her loyal bloodhound Sandor and other friends that she make try to get her across the country to California where her half brother Adam live.  The last two titles focus on Adam, a veterinarian in San Francisco where animals run things, but humans are allowed with an animal guard.   Each of these series is pretty entertaining and well written.


Brilliant Trash 1-6 - Superpowers are now secretly available, but they are controlled by the government and a few private companies.  The world at large is mostly unaware of these abilities which come at the cost of the user's lifespan.  I thought the series was okay, but could have been better.


Jackpot 1-6 - What starts as a sort of con series along the lines of Oceans 11 turns into something else when one of the characters develops the ability to control probabilities through an innate understanding of the underlying calculus of the world.  I think the grifting storyline would have been more interesting.  The end result falls a bit flat, but wasn't bad.


The Normals 1-6 - The Normals are a fairly normal family - father, mother, teenage son and teenage daughter.  When the son falls and hits is head it leads the family to return to where the parents grew up, but things take a few unexpected turns.  I thought this series was pretty well done.  I would like to see a second series.


Rough Riders Riders on the Storm 1-6 - When President McKinley is shot, Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Houdini, Jack Johnson, Thomas Edison, Annie Oakley and Monk Eastman reunite to try and foil the secret society that seems to be trying to kill the President and wreak more havoc.  I thought this was just as much fun as the first series.


Rough Riders Ride or Die 1-4 - This series takes us to 1906 when Alice Roosevelt is getting married.  The gang reunites for another adventure involving the supernatural.  I didn't think it was quite as good as the previous series.


World Reader 1-6 - A group of astronauts are searching distant planets that once held civilizations.  Among them is a woman who has psychic abilities and can see and communicate with the dead civilizations.  She discovers that a being seems to be going from world to world snuffing out life and she tries to find out why.  I thought the series was pretty good at the start, but fizzled a bit at the end.  Still a decent read.




IDW is next.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on October 30, 2018, 02:14:28 PM
I read
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #260 & #267
World Of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #82

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 01, 2018, 04:02:23 AM
FROM HELL: MASTER EDITION #1 (of 10)
SCOOBY-DOO! TEAM-UP #43 (with The Doom Patrol)
EXORSISTERS #1 - This may be my favorite of Gisele's creator-owned series yet. Cate & Kate Harrow are the Patty & Cathy of supernatural investigators (sort of, but not quite... to explain further would be spoiler-y). BUY IT! READ IT! You won't be sorry!
EMPOWERED & SISTAH SPOOKY'S HIGH SCHOOL HELL #6 (of 6)
BLACK HAMMER: AGE OF DOOM #6
BETTY & VERONICA: FRIENDS FOREVER - STORYBOOK TALES #1
(#3 in a series of #1s)
VAMPIRONICA #4
VAMPIRELLA: ROSES FOR THE DEAD #2
(of 4)
VAMPIRELLA/DEJAH THORIS #2 (of 4)
VAMPIRELLA HALLOWEEN SPECIAL (one-shot)
BETTIE PAGE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL (one-shot)
ARMY OF DARKNESS HALLOWEEN SPECIAL (one-shot)
  -- The above were the not-so-special examples of DE's 2018 Halloween one-shots. What I want to know is where's the one I was REALLY looking forward to as something special, the ELVIRA HALLOWEEN SPECIAL by Dan Parent and Fernando Ruiz? Fernando had an 8-page backup story in the Bettie Page special, but it wasn't anything to compare with his work on DKD (probably would have been funnier if he wrote it himself, or Dan P did).
MARS ATTACKS #1 (Dynamite 2018) - I was expecting more of a direct continuation of the series as it existed as published by IDW, but this was something different. More alt/indy, and more interesting, I thought.
THREE STOOGES: MONSTERS & MAYHEM #1 (#11 in a series of #1s)
ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN '66 #4 (of 6) - Happy/sad. Happy for what it is, but sad when I think we're only two issues away from the end of what is probably the last Batman '66 series, as well as the last long-form (issue-length stories, as well as the last longer story arc) of classic Archie. Of course there are still the five-page digest stories, but it just isn't the same.
PLANET OF THE APES: THE TIME OF MAN #1 (one-shot)

manga:
   SLUM WOLF by Tadao Tsuge - "Alternative" Japanese comix, mostly stories from the 1970s.

   STREET FIGHTER II VOL I-III (of 3) by Masaome Kanzaki - Not bad, but you could tell it was an older manga by the limited number of SF characters.

   PLUS-SIZED ELF VOL 01 by Synecdoche - No idea why I picked this up (must have been the cover), but it was fun. I'll read more volumes unless it becomes boring.

   NURSE HITOMI'S MONSTER INFIRMARY VOL 08 by Shake-O - Haven't really gotten into the last couple of volumes as much as the earlier ones. I wish the stories would go back to focusing on Nurse Hitomi more. Also, the student cast is large and varied, and it's hard to remember everything about all the characters, so there should be a little two-page "cast" intro for each volume, at least reminding us what was already known about the characters spotlighted in this volume. The other thing was the whole volume took place on a class camping trip outside the school, and was a sort-of parody of horror/slasher movies (not really my thing, but whatever). One amusing bit had a recognizably-drawn Danny Trejo (from Machete, and a bunch of other Robert Rodriguez movies) in a guest-starring role.

   MOB PSYCHO 100 TP VOL 01 by ONE - Not what one would expect from the title, but very similar in premise to The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., although told in a style that has common points with ONE's One-Punch Man.

   PRISON SCHOOL TP VOL 03 (of 10) by Akira Hiramoto - Never fails to make me chuckle out loud. There are aspects of this that remind me of Gisele's Menage A 3, as far as the sex comedy goes. The plot, however, is as intricately constructed as that of Death Note, but with all sorts of references to R-rated women-in-prison exploitation flicks (with role reversal) and even war movies like The Great Escape or Stalag 17. Obviously there's a level where the entire situation is just too over-the-top to be believable, but on the other hand, like the fantasy aspects of Death Note, if you accept those premises as given, within its own context there's a level of realism to at least some of the characters. We don't get much in the way of insight into the motivations or thoughts of the (all-girl) Shadow Student Council (Underground Student Council in the anime), but then again, the story isn't from their POV, it's from the POV of the five male "prison inmates" of the school. The Shadow Student Council are the antagonists, so you don't get a balanced perspective on things from both sexes. Oddly enough, at the heart of this is a love story (and maybe more than one).

   FRANKENSTEIN: JUNJI ITO'S STORY COLLECTION HC - It's a fairly straightforward adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel right up to the point where Frankenstein strikes a bargain with his creation to make a mate for him. Then things take an unexpected diversion from the novel, with Henry Clerval discovering Frankenstein's secret and aiding him in his creation of The Bride. When Victor is unable to obtain a useable female head in good condition, the monster provides one himself -- the guillotined head of Justine Moritz, unjustly convicted of the murder of young William Frankenstein (apparently in Switzerland at this time, it's possible to convict a murder suspect on mere circumstantial evidence, a weakness of Shelley's novel). In the novel, Justine was hanged, not guillotined, after being convicted, and Frankenstein in fact destroys the body of the monster's mate before ever bringing her to life. Here, as in Universal's The Bride of Frankenstein, there is a much more elaborate scene (with an argument from Henry Clerval that it's Frankenstein's duty to restore Justine to life -- even though earlier in the story it's made clear that Frankenstein is somehow creating the brain of the creature himself, not merely restoring a dead brain to working condition). The end result is the same, with the monster feeling himself betrayed by Frankenstein and vowing his vengeance when (as in Universal's film) he's rejected by his bride-to-be and she tries to kill him. Still, the difference from the book here is that Frankenstein acts in good faith to fulfill his end of the agreement... but he can't be held responsible when the mate he creates rejects the original monster (somehow the monster doesn't see it that way, even though he's in most respects reasonable). The adaptation takes up about half the book, with the balance a collection of modern horror stories focusing on junior high school student Oshikiri.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on November 02, 2018, 08:56:50 PM
I'm all caught up with IDW now.

Atomic Robo The Spectre of Tomorrow 1-5
Real Science Adventures 1-6 - The Atomic Robo books have been consistently entertaining for quite a while now.  The Atomic Robo series has plenty of humor and not as much adventure this time, though Robo does have to combat and defeat a long time nemesis.  The Real Science series takes place just after WWII and has a long aerial chase by pirates trying to recover one of their planes after being taken by the Flying She-Devils.  This series fills in some of the history of Robo's world.


Back to the Future 21-25
BTTF Biff to the Future 1-6
BTTF Tales from the Time Train 1-6 - These Back to the Future series have been a lot of fun.  I think they do a decent job capturing the feel of the movies.  The Biff series explores the world created by Biff taking the Sports Almanac back to the 1950s.  The Time Train series has the professor and his family visiting the New York World's Fair in 1939.

Donald and Mickey 1-4
DuckTales 0-13
Mickey and Donald Christmas Parade 3
Uncle Scrooge 28-40 and My First Millions 1
Walt Disney's Comics & Stories 739-744
Walt Disney Showcase 1-6 - These books mostly reprint stories from Europe that have never been published in the USA (except for the DuckTales series which I think is all new).  The tone is often a bit different than the classic Ducks (and Mouse) tales, but they are usually still pretty good.  There are a lot of stories available from Europe that have never been seen here and it is nice that IDW is putting a lot of them out.

Half Past Danger 2 #1-5 - A decent sequel in the Indiana Jones vein.  I enjoyed it and would read a third series.

Judge Dredd Blessed Earth 1-8
Judge Dredd Under Siege 1-4 - Blessed Earth takes place 10 years after Mega City Zero and a thousand years after the original Judge Dredd books.  It wasn't my favorite Dredd series, but it was okay.  I liked Under Siege a lot more which deals with mutants trying to take over a residential block near the edge of Mega City One.

Orphan Black Deviations 1-6 and Crazy Science 1 - The Deviations series is a 'What if Beth didn't jump in front of the subway train' story and I thought it was pretty entertaining.  The Crazy Science series got canceled after one issue due to low sales and hopefully it will be completed some day in a trade.

Saucer State 1-6 - This series continues Vertigo's Saucer Country series from a few years ago.  The President and a few others see aliens on occasion and the question is whether the aliens are real or just the product of microwave technology.  First contact may be on the horizon.  One more series is being kickstarted soon to finish off the story.  I've enjoyed it.

Star Trek Boldly Go 10-18
Star Trek Discovery The Light of Kahless 1-4, Succession 1-4 and Annual 1
Star Trek TNG Mirror Broken 1-5 and Through the Mirror 1-6 - Boldly Go continues the adventures of the reboot Enterprise crew.  I hope that their adventures continue in comic form since this was a good series.  Light of Kahless shows how the reunification of the Klingon Empire came about and was good.  Succession is a Mirror Universe series and I didn't find it as interesting, though it wasn't bad.  Mirror Broken shows how Picard gets the newly built Enterprise and holds on to it while Through the Mirror is a crossover between the Mirror Universe Enterprise and the regular universe Enterprise.  Both series were pretty good.

Star Wars Adventures FCBD 2017 2018 1-14 Annual 1 Tales from Vader's Castle 1
Star Wars Forces of Destiny (five one shots) - The Star Wars Adventures books feature two stories per issue from throughout the Star Wars timeline.  The characters change from issue to issue except for the occasional two parter.  They tend to be lighter in nature, but are fun.  The Forces of Destiny books focus on some of the female Star Wars characters (Ahsoka, Padme, Hera, Leia, Rey, Rose, Paige) and are pretty decent stories.

Tangled the Series 1-3 - About what you would expect, but decent Disney fare.

The Highest House 1-6 - In the beginning, Moth is a young boy sold into slavery by his mother.  He is taken to one of the most important houses in the realm where he will serve the family as a roofer and later in other ways.  This is a fantasy series by Mike Carey and Peter Gross and is very well done.  It is done in magazine size which I think suits the story well.  It looks like this will be told over many miniseries and I'm looking forward to the next one.



Dynamite is next
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 03, 2018, 02:23:43 AM
Quote from: rusty on November 02, 2018, 08:56:50 PM
Donald and Mickey 1-4
DuckTales 0-13
Mickey and Donald Christmas Parade 3
Uncle Scrooge 28-40 and My First Millions 1
Walt Disney's Comics & Stories 739-744
Walt Disney Showcase 1-6 - These books mostly reprint stories from Europe that have never been published in the USA (except for the DuckTales series which I think is all new).  The tone is often a bit different than the classic Ducks (and Mouse) tales, but they are usually still pretty good.  There are a lot of stories available from Europe that have never been seen here and it is nice that IDW is putting a lot of them out.

I'm getting all these IDW Disney comics (except for the new DuckTales; I only get the "classic" DuckTales) in TP collections, but I mostly get to pre-read the floppy comics by borrowing them. I've fallen a little behind and am trying to figure out what TP collections I might have missed (so far I've identified one Mickey Mouse TP  and one Uncle Scrooge TP). In addition to that, I've been getting the Carl Barks Library, Don Rosa Library, and Disney Masters hardcover collections from Fantagraphics, and now I see Dark Horse is soliciting some new "classic" Disney graphic novels (Mickey Mouse starring in Treasure Island, Uncle Scrooge starring in Moby Dick) -- I haven't seen these as of yet (they're due soon, though) so I'm not sure if the source of these is from one the various European Disney publishers, or if these are Dark Horse originals. I know Papercutz and JoeBooks Inc have done some licensed Disney comics (although those seem more directly aimed at kids than at general audiences, and tend to skew to the modern Disney properties), and I don't know what other American publishers may be doing Disney-licensed comics right now. Not sure if Papercutz may be done with licensing Disney characters now. Marvel also had a fling at doing some for a few years, but that seems to have ended now.

Quote from: rusty on November 02, 2018, 08:56:50 PM
Half Past Danger 2 #1-5 - A decent sequel in the Indiana Jones vein.  I enjoyed it and would read a third series.

I remember the first one, with elements of ERB's The Land That Time Forgot (or DC's War That Time Forgot/Dinosaur Island if you prefer) and a character who was an analog for Captain America, and enjoyed it. For some reason I didn't get this one (was it by the same artist as the first series?), but perhaps I'll pick up the trade collection somewhere later down the road.

Quote from: rusty on November 02, 2018, 08:56:50 PM
Judge Dredd Blessed Earth 1-8
Judge Dredd Under Siege 1-4 - Blessed Earth takes place 10 years after Mega City Zero and a thousand years after the original Judge Dredd books.  It wasn't my favorite Dredd series, but it was okay.  I liked Under Siege a lot more which deals with mutants trying to take over a residential block near the edge of Mega City One.

I'm a big fan of Dredd, and of the other long-runnning 2000 AD characters like Judge Anderson, Strontium Dog, Rogue Trooper, RoBusters/A.B.C. Warriors, etc. I have to say that IDW totally lost me with Mega City Zero and The Blessed Earth. I can appreciate the bind they're in here, because if you do something too off-trail, like those series, you lose the feeling of the original -- it's too great a departure. On the other hand, stuff like IDW's first ongoing Dredd series and Under Siege seem almost too much like "business as usual", but with a little bit less of the 'genuine flavor' you'd get from the actual 2000 AD/Rebellion strips written & drawn by British creators -- resulting in them feeling somewhat like "Judge Dredd lite". The most successful IDW Judge Dredd offerings so far, it seems to me, have been the out-of-continuity (or continuity implant) limited series like Year One, Mega City Two, and the PSI Judge Anderson miniseries -- somewhat outside the normal continuity, but 'filling in the blanks' as it were, on lesser-known aspects of the characters' backstories. Those and the crossovers with other properties (I particularly loved the MARS ATTACKS JUDGE DREDD miniseries, and Dark Horse's more recent ALIENS vs JUDGE DREDD vs PREDATOR miniseries).

Quote from: rusty on November 02, 2018, 08:56:50 PM
Saucer State 1-6 - This series continues Vertigo's Saucer Country series from a few years ago.  The President and a few others see aliens on occasion and the question is whether the aliens are real or just the product of microwave technology.  First contact may be on the horizon.  One more series is being kickstarted soon to finish off the story.  I've enjoyed it.

UFOlogy lore is an interest of mine, and as such, I loved both the original Vertigo series and IDW's sequel of Paul Cornell's SAUCER COUNTRY. There are a lot of details of the plot where it shows Cornell really did his homework, touching on all sorts of established aspects of the lore. I really hope this story gets a conclusion.

Quote from: rusty on November 02, 2018, 08:56:50 PM
Star Trek Boldly Go 10-18
Star Trek Discovery The Light of Kahless 1-4, Succession 1-4 and Annual 1
Star Trek TNG Mirror Broken 1-5 and Through the Mirror 1-6 - Boldly Go continues the adventures of the reboot Enterprise crew.  I hope that their adventures continue in comic form since this was a good series.  Light of Kahless shows how the reunification of the Klingon Empire came about and was good.  Succession is a Mirror Universe series and I didn't find it as interesting, though it wasn't bad.  Mirror Broken shows how Picard gets the newly built Enterprise and holds on to it while Through the Mirror is a crossover between the Mirror Universe Enterprise and the regular universe Enterprise.  Both series were pretty good.

I enjoyed the first two J.J. Abrams Star Trek films, but I have to admit I gave up on the ST "Kelvin universe" after the third Star Trek film (not directed by Abrams);  I hated it so much that I walked out of the theater about 1/2 hour into it. So I never did continue with the monthly IDW comic after it was renumbered as ST Boldly Go #1. Nevertheless I did read the trade collection of "I.D.I.C." (Boldly Go #13-18) and enjoyed it somewhat, if a little less than the original IDW ongoing ST series. I haven't caught up on the latest TNG mirror-universe crossovers yet, but I expect to get them in trade collections as well (they do seem to read better that way). I'm holding off on ST Discovery for a while. I haven't decided how I feel about the rebooted Klingons (and apparently they are claiming it IS part of the ST 'Prime universe' timeline, set about 10 years after the events of Enterprise), but I won't subscribe to a new Paramount channel on the hopes of a single show. I've talked to a few people (all avowed Trek fans) who feel the same way.

Quote from: rusty on November 02, 2018, 08:56:50 PM
Star Wars Adventures FCBD 2017 2018 1-14 Annual 1 Tales from Vader's Castle 1
Star Wars Forces of Destiny (five one shots) - The Star Wars Adventures books feature two stories per issue from throughout the Star Wars timeline.  The characters change from issue to issue except for the occasional two parter.  They tend to be lighter in nature, but are fun.  The Forces of Destiny books focus on some of the female Star Wars characters (Ahsoka, Padme, Hera, Leia, Rey, Rose, Paige) and are pretty decent stories.

I've sampled a few of the new IDW 'young reader'-aimed Star Wars series, but haven't been a regular reader. I did note the semi-regular participation of Derek Charm as an artist on these kid-friendly SW stories, and would love to have a trade collection of just those stories, but it doesn't seem like he's associated with any particular subset of characters or storyline within this franchise. Are these based on an animated SW spinoff currently running on Cartoon Network? I'm a little curious why Marvel isn't handling this series themselves, unless they've outright admitted they're out of their depth when it comes to targeting the young reader demographic. I guess if it would fall under IDW's general license to adapt Cartoon Network product, that would explain it. I have to admit that the whole Star Wars franchise has gotten away from me in recent years. I haven't paid as close attention to it since the CN series Clone Wars ended and the first film of the new sequel cycle, so there are newer characters who've been introduced since that time that I'm unfamiliar with.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on November 03, 2018, 09:19:45 AM
Stephen Mooney wrote and drew each of the issues for Half Past Danger and its sequel.  He did most of the covers, too.
I won't subscribe to the CBS service (or the DC service for that matter).  Discovery is coming to BluRay and DVD in a couple of weeks and a friend of mine who is getting it will let me borrow it to watch.  The same will probably happen for Titans and the other DC streaming originals eventually.  I have a Netflix subscription that I share with my niece and may give Hulu a trial some day in the distant future, but I don't like how all of these pay streaming services are popping up.  I will give the Apple one a try since it should be free for me to watch their content on my phone, though watching things on my phone is not ideal.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 03, 2018, 04:43:12 PM
Quote from: rusty on November 03, 2018, 09:19:45 AM
watching things on my phone is not ideal.

I've come to the conclusion that it must be some sort of generational thing, since large numbers of people seem to have absolutely no problem with the idea. That goes for reading comics or e-books, as well. Then again, if a video is not being displayed in its correct aspect ratio it's immediately apparent to me (and annoying to the point where I just can't watch it), but apparently what's annoying to other people that they just can't stand is an area of their screen that isn't being used where nothing but black bars appear.

But that's coming from a guy who has no idea why anyone would want to text on a phone using a tiny keyboard when they could just call (even if it's just to leave a voicemail) or email someone. People not only seem to enjoy but actually prefer texting, though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on November 03, 2018, 06:31:24 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 03, 2018, 04:43:12 PM
I've come to the conclusion that it must be some sort of generational thing, since large numbers of people seem to have absolutely no problem with the idea. That goes for reading comics or e-books, as well. Then again, if a video is not being displayed in its correct aspect ratio it's immediately apparent to me (and annoying to the point where I just can't watch it), but apparently what's annoying to other people that they just can't stand is an area of their screen that isn't being used where nothing but black bars appear.

But that's coming from a guy who has no idea why anyone would want to text on a phone using a tiny keyboard when they could just call (even if it's just to leave a voicemail) or email someone. People not only seem to enjoy but actually prefer texting, though.


I've gotten used to reading ebooks on my phone, though usually it is when I am waiting somewhere and it helps pass the time.  I've started texting more since I got my iPhone a few years ago, but still prefer the phone call and actual talking.  I've adapted somewhat, though, as it had become clear that some of my friends are much easier to reach via text since they tend to respond to that more than a voicemail.  I will sometimes make use of the speech to text option with my texts where I just have to tap the microphone button and then dictate my text message, making sure to read it over for any errors.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 03, 2018, 08:00:15 PM
I read
The Best Of Archie Comics - Betty & Veronica - Book #2
Betty & Veronica Spectular - Volume #1
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #292
Menage A 3 - Volume #1
Secret Loves Of GeeKs - Book #2
Fence - Volume #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 04, 2018, 12:26:03 AM
Quote from: rusty on November 03, 2018, 06:31:24 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 03, 2018, 04:43:12 PM
I've come to the conclusion that it must be some sort of generational thing, since large numbers of people seem to have absolutely no problem with the idea. That goes for reading comics or e-books, as well. Then again, if a video is not being displayed in its correct aspect ratio it's immediately apparent to me (and annoying to the point where I just can't watch it), but apparently what's annoying to other people that they just can't stand is an area of their screen that isn't being used where nothing but black bars appear.

But that's coming from a guy who has no idea why anyone would want to text on a phone using a tiny keyboard when they could just call (even if it's just to leave a voicemail) or email someone. People not only seem to enjoy but actually prefer texting, though.


I've gotten used to reading ebooks on my phone, though usually it is when I am waiting somewhere and it helps pass the time.  I've started texting more since I got my iPhone a few years ago, but still prefer the phone call and actual talking.  I've adapted somewhat, though, as it had become clear that some of my friends are much easier to reach via text since they tend to respond to that more than a voicemail.  I will sometimes make use of the speech to text option with my texts where I just have to tap the microphone button and then dictate my text message, making sure to read it over for any errors.

E-books are less of a problem, I admit. If you have options to control  text wrapping, size and font, it's barely an issue except in terms of the number of swipes or toggles relative to a larger-sized screen. I've never had one with the text-to-voice feature (so I'm not sure how 'robotic' it might sound), but it seems to me the way to go is just to download the audio version from Audible.com or wherever. I must admit it's convenient to listen to a book while driving and helps you utilize the time spent.

Regarding texting with speech-to-text, that seems to be the way to go, but it does seem like it's jumping through hoops in a technological sense.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 06, 2018, 10:28:08 AM
MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 #2 (of 4)
SAVAGE DRAGON #239
STELLAR #5
ICE CREAM MAN #8
RICK & MORTY #43
THE UNSTOPPABLE WASP (2018) #1
MARVEL ZOMBIE #1
(one-shot)
THE SENTRY #5 (of 5)
THE TERRIFICS #9
TERRIFICS ANNUAL #1
HEROES IN CRISIS #2
(of 9)
DETECTIVE COMICS #991
BATMAN SECRET FILES 2018 #1
SCOOBY-DOO! TEAM-UP #42
(Gorilla Warfare!)
THE GREEN LANTERN #1
INFINITY WARS #5
(of 6)
TRUE BELIEVERS: WHAT IF THE SILVER SURFER POSSESSED THE INFINITY GAUNTLET? #1
MARVEL HEARTBREAKERS #1
(2010/one-shot)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on November 08, 2018, 10:11:03 AM
I'm caught up on Dynamite now.


Classic Battlestar Galactica 0
BSG vs BSG 1-6 - I enjoyed the preview issue for the classic series and the crossover between old school and new school Galactica was pretty cool.


Doc Savage: Ring of Fire 1-4 - This was a nice miniseries with action in the Pacific.  Good art and story.  Pat Savage plays a bit larger role in this series.


Dresden Files: Dog Men 1-6 - Harry is suffering lots of rage from his recent encounters with various supernatural entities.  In this original story, one of the council members enlists his aid for a road trip to a town where a family has been attacked by creatures from the woods, but it turns out that there are two possibilities, not just one.  I liked the Dresden Files tv show and plan to read the novels some day.  The comics are fun.


Green Hornet 1-5
Green Hornet '66 Meets Will Eisner's Spirit 1-5 - The Green Hornet mini series starts with Britt missing and the newspaper in danger of a takeover.  A new Green Hornet has to step up and the action eventually shifts to other cities in the search for what happened to Britt.   In the Spirit miniseries, Spirit has been missing since the early-mid 1950s.  Britt Reid is demonstrating the Newspaper of the Future (a computer that makes predictions) at the Chicago World Expo.  The computer predicts that Spirit will resurface that night and this is the start of a battle against Kid Kraken and his crew which involves missing astronauts and more.  Both series were fun.


James Bond Black Box 1-6
James Bond The Body 1-6
James Bond Kill Chain 1-6
James Bond M, Moneypenny and Solstice one shots - All are fairly typical Bond adventures, though M and Moneypenny take center stage in their one shots.  Good stuff if you are a Bond fan.


Legenderry Red Sonja 1-5
Red Sonja 7-21 - The Legenderry series features a steam punk era Red Sonja and was pretty good.  The regular series has a time displaced Red Sonja traveling through the present day U.S. trying to find a way home.  Lots of fun.  I thought it became a bit less interesting when she got back to her own time, but it was still good.


Librarians 1-4 - Kind of pedestrian, but it was okay.


Lone Ranger 1 - The new series is off to a decent start.


Magnus 2-5
Sovereigns 0-5
Turok 1-5 - I'm not really a fan of this iteration of these characters.  Hopefully they reboot it again.


Mighty Mouse 3-5 - This was a fun miniseries where Mighty Mouse and his cartoon physics cross over into our world.


Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys: The Big Lie 1-6 - Frank Hardy has been murdered and his sons are the suspects.  While it was interesting having all the classic characters at least mentioned here like the Bobbsey Twins, Rover Boys, Tom Swift, etc., I didn't like the way most of these characters were used.  I think I would have enjoyed this series more if they had used original characters.


Project Superpowers 0-2 - So far, so good, though perhaps not quite as good as the original series.


Red Rising Sons of Ares 1-6 - Kind of a slow start, but it got better.  A knowledge of the Red Rising world is kind of needed for this.

Sherlock Holmes Vanishing Man 1-4 - A good adventure with Professor Moriarty pulling the strings.


Spirit: The Corpse Makers 1-5 - A fast paced adventure involving people going missing leading to Spirit investigating.  It was a decent series.


I have a few trades to read and then on to Image Comics which will take a while.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 09, 2018, 01:30:00 AM
Quote from: rusty on November 08, 2018, 10:11:03 AM
I'm caught up on Dynamite now.

I don't know what to say about Dynamite. I wish they'd give as much attention to the stories and interior artwork as they do to the covers. I buy a fair number of their titles, just based on my liking the characters, but sometimes it seems like I'm just getting them for the covers.

There are some examples of good stuff, where they're at the top of their game (The Shadow: The Death of Margo Lane, Doc Savage: Ring of Fire, Will Eisner's The Spirit: The Corpse Makers, Edgar Rice Burroughs' The Greatest Adventure, Sherlock Holmes, Vampirella: Roses For the Dead, Dawn/Vampirella, and Vampirella (2014, Volume 2, the one written by Nancy Collins). And the recent Sheena was better than expected and the new Elvira: Mistress of the Dark is pretty good so far (my expectations were kind of low at this point, so it's a pleasant surprise). Unfortunately, they just seem to be too few and far between, considering all the titles they put out.

And then there are far too many instances where they're really a letdown: Green Hornet '66 Meets Will Eisner's Spirit (not even the real Spirit), the Gold Key stuff, Bettie Page, that most recent wave of reboots of The Shadow, Green Hornet, Vampirella, and Dejah Thoris, and (turning out to be a big disappointment for me) the long-awaited return of Project Superpowers. Mighty Mouse didn't quite click for me -- I think it was because, while it seemed like a fun spin on the character, the artwork just didn't cut it. They needed someone who could draw the story in a way that would have made it funnier to read. I say that as a guy who absolutely loves what Sholly Fisch is doing every month writing Scooby-Doo Team-Up. Anyway, it always feels like (barring well-known talent) most Dynamite series are going to be a real crap shoot when you pick them up. And then a lot of them are just middling-fair, like Red Sonja/Tarzan (but then I'm not really a Gail Simone fan).

They also publish a bunch of licensed properties that I don't read (Battlestar Galactica, Charlie's Angels, Dresden Files, James Bond, John Wick, Nancy Drew, Red Sonja) that I can't comment on. I'd kind of like to read James Bond, but since they're not doing the movie Bond, I'll wait until they actually adapt one of Fleming's books, or at least do an original story set in continuity in that time period. I can see why they update 007 for movie audiences (which makes it a different character), but to me the real Bond is set during the height of the Cold War, and he's a character of that time.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 10, 2018, 01:32:20 AM
DETECTIVE COMICS: THE COMPLETE COVERS MINI-HC VOL 01 - Reprints the covers of the first 300 issues of Detective Comics, one per page. Not quite what I was expecting when I ordered it... I think I thought it would be about the size of a Big Little Book (typically about 3.5" x 4.5" and 1.5" thick, 432 pages, although the page count may vary). This turned out to be only about the size of a deck of playing cards or a pack of cigarettes (2.5" x 3.5"), which didn't exactly make reading the cover text (which is close to the only text in this book) easy on the eyes, when you consider that the actual cover images are even smaller than the page size. And the cover price is $11.99! Abbeville Press published a similar series of 'Tiny Folio' books documenting the cover history of DC icons (2 volumes each of Batman in Detective Comics, and Superman in Action Comics, 300 covers per volume) back in 1993-94, and those books were approximately 4" x 4.5" and 320 pages (although they were softcovers). These are still available on Amazon, so I'd recommend anyone interested to purchase those instead.

ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF DARK #3 (of ?)- Written by David Avallone and drawn by Dave Acosta (the same team that produced previous Dynamite series Twilight Zone: The Shadow, and Doc Savage: Ring of Fire, both of which were excellent, if much less funny), and it captures the humor of Elvira quite well. Very 'meta' and 4th-wall breaking-y. The plot, such as it is, concerns Elvira lost in time, meeting up with such horror icons as Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Edgar Allen Poe, and (in this issue) Bram Stoker -- all the while being pursued through time by Vlad the Impaler. How this came to be is revealed in this issue and involves another famous icon of gothic fiction.

MAGICA DE SPELL GIANT HALLOWEEN HEX #2 - Like last year's Halloween Special, this one features Magica's family, and is a sequel to last year's. Nothing in particular to do with Halloween per se, but a good Magica De Spell story.

UNCLE SCROOGE: MY FIRST MILLIONS #2 (OF 4) - I don't know if it's me, but this feels sort of out of place, continuity-wise. That might seem odd to talk about continuity in a Disney comic, but Don Rosa's The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, following up on a lot of bits and pieces of continuity introduced by Carl Barks in earlier Scrooge stories, fairly well defines Scrooge's early years (while still leaving plenty of open spots for further stories). This just doesn't feel like it fits with that at all. The story in this issue, which covers how Scrooge made his second million, has to do with him building the world's first transcontinental railroad . It's established in the story that this took place in times when the telegraph had been invented, but not telephones or radio. In the real world, the transcontinental railroad happened in 1869. Along the way, Scrooge invents the Super Bowl Championship game (which didn't happen in the real world until 1967). IIRC, in Don Rosa's earlier 'Life and Times' story (elaborating on things first established by Barks), Scrooge made his first million during the Klondike Gold Rush (which in the real world took place between 1896 and 1899). The stories in this series are okay in and of themselves, but I'm a little disappointed that they don't seem to square with the previously-established history of Scrooge McDuck.

STAR WARS ADVENTURES: DESTROYER DOWN #1 (of 3) - The IDW Star Wars Adventures series is kind of frustrating me. On the one hand, it's nominally more accessible than, say, Marvel's Star Wars comics, with stories that don't just go on forever (although admittedly, that's exactly what some people want in a Star Wars comic). For me, though, the main attraction (or potential attraction) is not just stories set in the Star Wars universe and featuring Star Wars characters, it's stories drawn by Derek Charm featuring Star Wars characters. I'll admit I'm probably unusual here, in that I've been a growing fan of Charm's work since first encountering it on IDW's earlier Starfleet Academy (which I would have fervently wished to become an ongoing series). The frustration happens for me because I cannot get a single longer Star Wars Adventures story arc drawn entirely by Derek Charm, which is what it's going to take to commit me to this IDW franchise of miniseries. To the average buyer, it doesn't matter: "Oh, it's a Star Wars comic book. I LIKE Star Wars; I like comics; therefore I'll buy it." For me, it's... "Well, there are tons of Star Wars comics; I like Star Wars, but not enough to buy ALL of them, especially when I'm already getting tons of other comics." So what makes one Star Wars comic book different from another? For me, it's a creator whose work I really like, working in that universe. But at best, it seems I can only get from 1/3 to 1/2 of each issue's allotted story pages drawn by Derek Charm. This issue is no different, with the first half (Destroyer Down, Episode 1) drawn by Derek Charm, and the last half (The Ghost Ship, Part 1) drawn Jon Sommariva. That's not to say that the artwork of Jon Sommariva is bad; it's not. The latter story, 'Ghost Ship' functions as kind of a prequel to the former, 'Destroyer Down'. No idea how this will look in a collected edition, but continuity-wise, it should probably be ordered as Ghost Ship, Parts 1-3, followed by Destroyer Down, Parts 1-3. No idea why IDW chooses to tell the story in serialized form the way they are. Both stories are written by Scott Beatty (who I've always liked as a writer), and really, when you get down to it, the main feature and backup story are really a single story. Can't I just get to read one longer, self-contained story arc drawn by Derek Charm? Please, IDW, I'm begging you!

OUTER DARKNESS #1 - A promising start to this new science-fiction/horror hybrid series that has a Starfleet-like setup of 'continuing mission', combined with the cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft. I've previously enjoyed the work of writer John Layman on Mars Attacks (IDW) and DC's Detective Comics, so I figure I'll give this series a one-arc trial at least. Too soon to say for sure, but it looks like it could be interesting, and the art style is unique and bold. Here's hoping.

KICK-ASS #9 - I'm just kind of losing interest in this one, and in its companion title HIT-GIRL. They're getting too far away from the original premise, which was the idea of the RLSH (Real-Life SuperHero) subculture. The execution is still fairly good, but this new Kick-Ass is a different character entirely wearing the same costume (and no other connection to Dave Liszewski, the original Kick-Ass).

JUGHEAD #184 (Sept 1970)
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #101 (Sept 1970)
ARCHIE #219 (July 1972)
ARCHIE'S JOKES [ARCHIE GIANT SERIES] #198 (Aug 1972)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 11, 2018, 04:22:06 AM
(https://www.acghs.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Dagwood_Comic_Book_MFoster.png)

DAGWOOD SPLITS THE ATOM! (1949)
  Story, art and cover by Joe Musial. King Features Syndicate comic strip characters star in an educational story about nuclear physics (expanded from a 1948 article that appeared in Popular Science magazine).
(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weirduniverse.net%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fdagwood_thumb.jpg&hash=53e4af6ed787a4cb498f92f1f9e13ec0db336f9f)
Mandrake the Magician takes the scientific position, explaining to Dagwood and Blondie the basics of atomic power. Numerous other characters appear as well, including Jiggs and Maggie from Bringing Up Father, the Katzenjammer Kids, Henry, Snuffy Smith, and Popeye, Olive Oyl, and Wimpy. The upper 3/5ths of each page consists of a single comic panel with word balloons, while the bottom 2/5ths of each page contains text elaborating on the idea presented in detail. Page 28 consists of a multiple-choice quiz (18 questions) to test what you've learned by reading (correct answers provided inside back cover).
Back in 2012, the genesis of the special comic, which was published by Harvey Comics and distributed to schools for free, and was also included as an item in A.C. Gilbert Co.'s No. U-238 Atomic Energy Lab Kit in 1950, was explained by the anonymous "Archivist" at the KFS website (http://comicskingdom.com):
Quote
The how and why of atom-splitting was explained many times in many ways, but mostly, a lot of people were confused or unsure about just how that energy was created or what were the prospects for usage. General Leslie Groves, who had lead the Manhattan Project during the War, and now in retirement, was a respected expert on all things atomic. He first developed an idea for presenting the atomic story for laypeople with cartoons, and approached Joe Musial with this concept.

Joe Musial was an all-around utility player for the syndicate. He could write stories, do ghost work on any number of strips and comic books in different styles, even outside the Hearst realm.

As the head of "King Features Educational Division," he first created an exhibit for the atomic show at the New York Golden Jubilee exhibition in 1948, explaining the workings of atomic power with King Features' cartoon stars. This led to the comic book version.

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Y5r7GE_epfM%2FUY0gArXlEAI%2FAAAAAAAARVk%2FaTH3LtYIT7w%2Fs1600%2FAmerican%2BMuseum%2BAtomic%2BEnergy%2BBrochure%2B02.jpg&hash=6e62dac00a29aa37fa2402e9f15ef8dda8a83425)

General Groves wrote a preface in the finished book, and other contributors included Hearst columnist, Bob Considine, as well as several physicists and a quote from Bernard Baruch.

The most popular strip stars during that era were the Bumsteads, so naturally they would be the leads in the book. The "story" inside was that Blondie and Dagwood, accompanied by the rest of the King characters, attend a public lecture given by Mandrake on just what atoms are made of, how they get pulled apart, and what causes them to detonate.  The Bumsteads  are magically transported to atomic size so they can inspect the various neutrons, protons and electrons doing their stuff up close while a scientific explanation narrates the pages below the cartoons. Though Chic Young's photo is inserted in the opening of the book, doubtless no one else but Musial drew the illustrations.

The story begins, "THIS BOOK TELLS what an atom is, how it can be split and what happens when it is split. Here, therefore, is a comic book that is different from any you have ever seen." You might think that a comic book such as this produced in 1949 would be viewed in hindsight as hokey, naive and oversimplifing a complex topic, but nothing could be further from the truth. Still as relevant today as it was nearly 70 years ago.

(https://i1.wp.com/www.sparehed.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/dagwood/dagwoodatom06.jpg)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on November 11, 2018, 10:31:46 PM
Since I have over 300 Image comics to catch up on, I'm breaking it up a bit.   B-F to start


Barrier 1-5 - This book touches upon the barriers to understanding that are thrown up by differences in language, race, species, experience, etc.   The main characters are Liddy, a widowed young rancher near the Mexican border and Oscar, a man from Honduras who is trying to escape gang violence and reach the United States in hopes of a better life.  They get thrown together by 'circumstances'.  It was a decent series, but I wouldn't rank it near the top of my favorites from Vaughan.


Birthright 26-31 - We learn more about the Nevermind and the world of Terenos as Mike's family tries to find a way to free him from the Nevermind's influence.  This is a pretty good fantasy series and I think that it has gotten a little bit better as it has progressed.


Black Cloud 1-10 - Zelda is of the Old Blood, but has been living in the normal world in exile for quite some time.  Her return to her homeland with a spoiled young man in tow disrupts things in many ways.  Zelda has always been a good talker, but her decisions haven't had good results.  I enjoyed this series and it reached a fairly decent conclusion.


Black Magick 7-11 - Rowan Black is a police detective who also happens to be a powerful witch.  She doesn't use her powers for evil, but is hunted by a couple of groups nevertheless.  A very nice series touching upon the occult and fantasy elements.


Black Monday Murders 7-8 - A number of groups have profited for a long time through their dealings with the god Mammon.  A police detective investigating a murder and a professor uncover more info in these issues.  This series is pretty good, but comes out too infrequently like many Hickman books.


Copperhead 15-19 - The sheriff has disappeared thanks to her late sister's husband and his current girlfriend.  The mayor appoints an interim sheriff and deputy to try and find her while also protecting her son.  This science fiction western has a few interesting turns here as we find out the background of the sheriff and what brought her to the planet. I have been enjoying the series.


Descender 22-32 - The time for the battle between the robots and the UGC arrives and we find out a lot more about the Harvesters who attacked the UGC years earlier.  Tim-21 is the key to everything and all the groups want him, but he only wants to be reunited with his friend Andy.  It all comes to a conclusion here in a fast paced story that also sets the stage for the sequel, Ascender, which I am looking forward to.


The Dying and the Dead 4-6 - Another enjoyable Hickman book that comes out far too infrequently.  The story advances a bit as a group of soldiers are detailed on a special mission to Miyajima in August 1945.  Hirohito wants to live forever and plans to make a trade with the Spear of Destiny to achieve his goal.


Eclipse 9-11 - The sun changed years ago and now kills anybody who goes out there unprotected, except for a few daywalkers who are immune.  Solarity is a company that runs things now and is killing off all of these daywalkers in order to stay in power.  I've enjoyed the book so far.


Elsewhere 1-8 - Amelia Earhart fell through a bright light when she parachuted away from her failing plane and ended up..Elsewhere.  She befriends the natives, helps defeat an evil warlord, goes on an adventure to return home and finds that a lot of time has passed.  This is a decent adventure story, though I found it kind of lacking in complexity.  It was stil entertaining enough, but kind of predictable.


Eternal Empire 1-10 - The Eternal Empress has been conquering the lands of Saia for 120 years and is getting close to having the whole continent under her control.  Tair is a female slave in a snowy region of Saia who has finally had enough and makes her escape soon after having visions of a land of warmth.  Rion is a male slave from a different part of Saia who also has visions.  These visions lead to the two meeting and discovering that when they are close to each other, they gain some ability to control fire.  They only want to find a place where they can live in peace, but are drawn into trying to defeat the Empress since there will soon be no place outside of her reach.  I like Luna's art and the story was pretty decent as well.


Evolution 1-10 - I thought that this series would be a bit more science fiction, but is more in the horror genre.  A number of people are getting infected with something that can cause great changes in their body and make them look like monsters, but it may just be an advanced case of evolution hitting in a short period of time.  Throw in a mysterious group and a cult and it is a decent story, though the art style employed here is a bit muddled and can make the characters difficult to differentiate.


The Fix 9-12 - This is a fun, but crazy series.  It also comes out far too infrequently.  Corrupt cops, a brothel, a plucky dog and lots of wild humor.



Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 12, 2018, 01:42:27 AM
Quote from: rusty on November 11, 2018, 10:31:46 PM
Since I have over 300 Image comics to catch up on, I'm breaking it up a bit.   B-F to start

Wow, that is a lot of titles (considering it's just B through F), Rusty. Do you have (in your head, or can you approximate by some rough figuring) how many different titles (in progress, ongoing or limited series) you're reading at any given time, including all publishers? I mean the things that actually do get published on some sort of semi-regular schedule, not those things that are once-in-a-blue-moon (like for example, the various comic strip reprint series from IDW's Library of American Comics, which are probably no more often than annual at best).

What I really wanted to ask though, is did you not get Ian Boothby and Gisèle Lagacé's new Image series EXORSISTERS? (Begins with an E, right?) If not, you should really check that one out. Twin sisters (but not really) Cate and Kate Harrow are supernatural investigators and as close as can be (spoilers again, not really twins), but totally different in personality. Like Betty and Veronica, or more apropos, like Patty and Cathy Lane in The Patty Duke Show. Fun-filled supernatural situation comedy ensues. I like Gisèle's other stuff with Dave Lumsdon -- Ménage à 3, Eerie Cuties and Magick Chicks (in increasing order of how much I like them) but I feel like Exorsisters has the potential to be even funnier, and it's already off to a great start. I really hope it's an ongoing series from Image and not just a limited series.

(https://imagecomics.com/images/made/uploads/news/ExorSisters-01_cvrA_356_540.jpg)

[SPOILER: A lot of the covers seem to have this split-image or mirror-reflection motif, and that's a clue about the true nature of the Exorsisters.]

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on November 12, 2018, 08:29:47 AM
I remember debating picking up Exorsisters, but ultimately decided to pass based on the preview.  Since you are recommending it, I will plan on checking the trade out when it eventually is released.  Even if I was collecting it, though, I wouldn't be reading it.  My policy on many new series, especially from Image and smaller companies or miniseries, is to keep the books in a box as they are released and to read the title when it is complete or when four or five issues are out. 

As for the number of titles I have going, it is hard to say with the frequency that various titles are published.  Looking at my latest orders from DCBS and Mycomicshop (which is where I get my new comics and graphic novels), there are about 150 different ongoing or limited series, leaving out specials, annuals and so on.  There are probably another 20-30 titles or more that just didn't have an issue during that month.

When I was teaching, I would start falling behind in my reading around the end of September/beginning of October and it would get worse as the school year progressed.  When school got out in June, there would often be 800-1000 comics to get caught up on and it would take me a month or so to get caught up.  Due to a variety of circumstances, I never got caught up during the summer of 2017 so my pile this year was even bigger.  I spent time getting caught up on the manga backlog and am now getting caught up on the comics.  Since I am retired, though, I should be able to stay fairly caught up.  I get my comics during the first week or two of each month so that means each month I will have a large stack to work through, but nothing like what built up over the past 16 months.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 12, 2018, 08:54:30 AM
Quote from: rusty on November 12, 2018, 08:29:47 AM
I remember debating picking up Exorsisters, but ultimately decided to pass based on the preview.  Since you are recommending it, I will plan on checking the trade out when it eventually is released.  Even if I was collecting it, though, I wouldn't be reading it.  My policy on many new series, especially from Image and smaller companies or miniseries, is to keep the books in a box as they are released and to read the title when it is complete or when four or five issues are out. 

Well, if you are retired I guess it explains how you have so much time to read all those comics.

Given that you're saying you might check out Exorsisters in trade, I wonder (based on your reading habits of waiting months to read 5 issues or so of any given title) why you're not just getting the trade collections of all those other titles to begin with. I mean I can see it where some people just want (theoretically at least, presuming that they can find the time) to read things while they're still "fresh", and not wait on a gap of several months until the trade collection is released, but it seems like by the time you're getting around to those particular issue numbers, the TP collection must already be available or at least imminent within the next month or so. It seems like next to nothing (getting to the real fringe publishers otherwise) that isn't getting that trade collection, almost like clockwork in today's comic publishing world.

For myself, I know there are a few titles where I'd start off buying the individual issues, then for one reason or another, never get around to catching up on the title until the trade collection was out or due out soon. When that happens I just sort of scratch my head and wonder what I was thinking. If I was going to wait that long to read those comics, then why didn't I just wait for the trade in the first place?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on November 12, 2018, 12:08:07 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 12, 2018, 08:54:30 AM
Well, if you are retired I guess it explains how you have so much time to read all those comics.

Given that you're saying you might check out Exorsisters in trade, I wonder (based on your reading habits of waiting months to read 5 issues or so of any given title) why you're not just getting the trade collections of all those other titles to begin with. I mean I can see it where some people just want (theoretically at least, presuming that they can find the time) to read things while they're still "fresh", and not wait on a gap of several months until the trade collection is released, but it seems like by the time you're getting around to those particular issue numbers, the TP collection must already be available or at least imminent within the next month or so. It seems like next to nothing (getting to the real fringe publishers otherwise) that isn't getting that trade collection, almost like clockwork in today's comic publishing world.
I have been reading/collecting a lot of titles since since my early teens.  It increased when I started working at a comic book store when I was 16 (in 1986) and has stayed that way even after the store closed in 2005.  I also read 100-200 books each year, though more have them have been audiobooks in recent years.
I like the individual comic format more than the trade is one of the main reasons that I stick with it.  I will often save up a bunch of issues to read early in the run, but then will read them as they come out (assuming that I have the time) after that.  I don't mind reading trades for series that I didn't buy as individual issues, but will usually just check them out of the library instead of buying them.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 12, 2018, 12:32:20 PM
Quote from: rusty on November 12, 2018, 12:08:07 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 12, 2018, 08:54:30 AM
Well, if you are retired I guess it explains how you have so much time to read all those comics.

Given that you're saying you might check out Exorsisters in trade, I wonder (based on your reading habits of waiting months to read 5 issues or so of any given title) why you're not just getting the trade collections of all those other titles to begin with. I mean I can see it where some people just want (theoretically at least, presuming that they can find the time) to read things while they're still "fresh", and not wait on a gap of several months until the trade collection is released, but it seems like by the time you're getting around to those particular issue numbers, the TP collection must already be available or at least imminent within the next month or so. It seems like next to nothing (getting to the real fringe publishers otherwise) that isn't getting that trade collection, almost like clockwork in today's comic publishing world.

I have been reading/collecting a lot of titles since since my early teens.  It increased when I started working at a comic book store when I was 16 (in 1986) and has stayed that way even after the store closed in 2005.  I also read 100-200 books each year, though more have them have been audiobooks in recent years.
I like the individual comic format more than the trade is one of the main reasons that I stick with it.  I will often save up a bunch of issues to read early in the run, but then will read them as they come out (assuming that I have the time) after that.  I don't mind reading trades for series that I didn't buy as individual issues, but will usually just check them out of the library instead of buying them.

I've largely gone the other way. If I can stand to wait until it's released, I prefer reading (and collecting, and owning) the trade collection. All of that bagging/boarding and (if we're talking about something older that I'm re-reading after a long time) UN-bagging or RE-bagging/boarding (depending on age) gets tedious after a while and the trades just seem much more convenient, more durable, and less susceptible to damage through routine handling. That's truer than ever of comic stories published in the last couple of decades, because the stories are being designed to fit the collected edition format.

As a side note, I'll make the observation that manga stories, whose individual chapters as anthologized in various Japanese manga periodicals (mostly weekly or bi-weekly, sometimes monthly) are basically analogous to an American floppy comic book, could be (and used to be) published first in English translation in the U.S. standard popular periodical format, but now they're going straight to collected editions of 200 or more pages, and they read much better that way. I really think U.S. comic publishing would have been much better off if it stuck to a disposable first-publication format (CHEAP! ... as MAD Magazine used to say...) instead of making an expensive, computer-colored, slick-paper 'disposable' comic that no one is ever going to dispose of, but which requires post-publication protection (in the form of bags and boards) from normal handling.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on November 12, 2018, 08:39:49 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 12, 2018, 12:32:20 PM

I've largely gone the other way. If I can stand to wait until it's released, I prefer reading (and collecting, and owning) the trade collection. All of that bagging/boarding and (if we're talking about something older that I'm re-reading after a long time) UN-bagging or RE-bagging/boarding (depending on age) gets tedious after a while and the trades just seem much more convenient, more durable, and less susceptible to damage through routine handling. That's truer than ever of comic stories published in the last couple of decades, because the stories are being designed to fit the collected edition format.

As a side note, I'll make the observation that manga stories, whose individual chapters as anthologized in various Japanese manga periodicals (mostly weekly or bi-weekly, sometimes monthly) are basically analogous to an American floppy comic book, could be (and used to be) published first in English translation in the U.S. standard popular periodical format, but now they're going straight to collected editions of 200 or more pages, and they read much better that way. I really think U.S. comic publishing would have been much better off if it stuck to a disposable first-publication format (CHEAP! ... as MAD Magazine used to say...) instead of making an expensive, computer-colored, slick-paper 'disposable' comic that no one is ever going to dispose of, but which requires post-publication protection (in the form of bags and boards) from normal handling.
I don't use bags and boards, except on older, more valuable comics so that isn't an issue for me as much.  I do prefer the collected editions for manga.  if the U.S. publishers were to switch to that format, though, I would probably drastically decrease what I buy and just use the library for many things I wanted to read.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 14, 2018, 01:54:00 PM
The Nameless City - Volume #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on November 15, 2018, 12:59:56 AM
Image Comics H to M


Hadrian's Wall 1-8 - A science fiction murder mystery on a spaceship.  A detective is hired for what is said to be a routine check into an accidental death.  However, it turns out to be a much bigger deal and not just because the dead guy was married to the detective's ex-wife and shot him four times years earlier.   This was a pretty decent story.


Hit-Girl 1-9 - I didn't really like the first arc that much, but I did enjoy the second arc in Canada.  The art was much better and Lemire's story was more interesting.  The third arc is off to a decent start.


Horizon 13-18 - We learn a lot more about Lincoln here and this science fiction tale is brought to a premature end since it was canceled, but they had enough time to wrap up a number of things.  I enjoyed it while it lasted.


invincible 138-144 - The End of All Things did wrap things up nicely and then we get a peak at the future.  I was on board this series from the first issue and it has been consistently entertaining.  I'm glad it went out on its own terms.


Jupiter's Legacy 2 1-5 - How do you take on a group of superhero kids who murdered the parents and now essentially rule the world?  Recruit a bunch of supervillains to take them on.  A fun series that sets up the final series next year.


Kick-Ass 1-9 - I'm actually enjoying the new Kick-Ass, a former marine sergeant trying to earn some money to provide for her family.


Kill or Be Killed 1-20 - A man tries to commit suicide, but fails and starts seeing a demon who forces him to kill at least one person a month or die.  He becomes a vigilante and targets bad people.  I've been a fan of Brubaker and Phillips since Sleeper came out 15 years ago though I enjoyed other works like Lowlife from Brubaker before that.  This series is entertaining as expected.


Kingsman The Red Diamond 1-6 - I didn't think this was as much fun as the first two series (or the movies either), but it was okay.  I liked Kwaito, the South African agent.


Lazarus X+66 1-6
Lazarus Sourcebook vol.3 Vassalovka
Lazarus 27-28 - The miniseries does a nice job giving us background on some of the other families and some of the minor  characters from the main book like Casey Solomon.  It was a fun series.  The ongoing series returned with a two parter about Jonah Carlyle and sets the stage for the next major arc.  Unfortunately, that arc, which was supposed to start in September, has not even been solicited yet.  Lazarus has been a very good series about a future world taken over by a small number of families.


Maestros 1-7 - I wasn't sure about this series after the first issue, but it grew on me and I enjoyed it.  The Maestro is a big and powerful magician who rules most of the magic realm.  He is also kind of cruel, though with a mean sense of humor.  When he and almost all of his wives and children are killed, Will's mother comes to find him and inform him that he is the new Maestro.  He had been raised on Earth and never quite fit in with the people in the magic realm and he now institutes a bunch of reforms.  This was a funny series that told a decent story, too.


Manifest Destiny 30-35 - What if the Lewis and Clark expedition found tons of weird and supernatural stuff.  Strange animal, plant life and a bunch more.  This has been a pretty strange, but enjoyable series.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on November 19, 2018, 12:09:14 AM
I'm finally caught up with Image. 


Image Comics O-W


Oblivion Song 1-8 - One day 10 years ago, part of Philadelphia traded places with part of an alien world with monsters that ended up killing lots of people, not to mention those who were gone to this other world.  A scientist developed a method to change frequencies and reach this other world to rescue people in the hopes of finding his brother.  This has been a pretty decent series so far from Robert Kirkman.


Paklis 1-5 - This is a science fiction anthology which I hoped would be better, but I didn't enjoy that much, though the art wasn't bad.


Paper Girls 16-25 - A time traveling adventure with a group of paper girls from the 1980s.  This series has been really good.


Pisces 1-3 - A science fiction/horror series that was canceled early.  It was okay, but hadn't found its stride yet.


Port of Earth 1-8 - Aliens show up one day and work out an agreement to build a port just off of San Francisco in exchange for technology to convert water to energy.  However, humans are not allowed at the port.  I found the art rather dull with the choice of color palette.  The story wasn't much better at first, but did pick up over the last few issues.  I don't think I will continue with year two.


Realm 1-10 - Kind of a D&D type adventure.  The world has changed and computer chips and devices that use them no longer work.  Magic and monsters now roam the lands as well.  A man is hired to escort a small group from Chicago to Kansas City.  I've been enjoying this series so far.


Rocket Girl 8-10 - Lots of delays in this title, but the final three issues wrapped things up.  I liked the series quite a bit and hope they return to it some day.


Rose 1-13 - This is a decent, if somewhat average fantasy series.


Royal City 1-14 - I like most books from Jeff Lemire.  This one is certainly no exception.  It deals with a father who spends most of his time working on old radios, a mother who snipes all the time and is having an affair, the oldest son who had one hit novel, but has writer's block, a daughter who is a realtor and is trying to close down a plant as part of a big deal and a younger son who is an alcoholic, a drug addict and not very trustworthy.  All are still haunted by the death of the youngest son back in 1993.  A very well done series.


Sacred Creatures 1-6 - The seven deadly sins are all real and have been around for thousands of years along with their opposites, kept in check by the archangel Naviel.  They hatch a plot to kill Naviel and free themselves to do whatever they want.  I thought this was very good and I loo forward to the next part.


Saga 45-54 - An excellent series as usual, though a bit brutal toward the end.  It will be a long break before the next part.


Sleepless 1-8 - Those knights who take the Sleepless vow remain awake and hard to injure for years on end until their minds start to drift and then they fall asleep until death claims them.  One such knight is pledged to Poppy, the illegitimate daughter of the late king.  He has to work to protect her from those who would do her harm after her uncle takes the throne.  A very nice series so far that wraps up in a few months.


Snowfall 1-9 - Climate change and the work of one scientist have caused snow to become extremely rare.  Society is a bit different in 2045 now as a result.  I didn't enjoy this series as much as I had hoped.  I didn't really buy the premise and found most of the characters kind of dull and the story a bit muddled.


Southern Cross 13-14 - A science fiction/horror series that I like, but has suffered massive delays for some reason.


Thief of Thieves 38-41 - This series started out as an Oceans 11 type series, but has evolved somewhat.  I still enjoy it a lot and there are only a couple of issues left.


Void Trip 1-5 - Ana and Gabriel are the last two humans and they travel around in a space camper high on space froot.  This is kind of a trippy series, but I thought it was fun.


Wicked + Divine 30-39, Christmas Annual, The Funnies, 1373AD, 1923AD - Every 90 years, 12 young people ascend to godhood.  They shine brightly, but are dead within two years.  This has been going on for about 6000 years.  There is a lot more to it and we learn more of the backstory here.  One more arc until this enjoyable series ends.



Wytches Bad Egg Halloween Special - It has been a while since the Wytches miniseries.  This is a good horror special and I am looking forward to the next miniseries, which may come out in 2019.




Dark Horse is next.



Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 21, 2018, 05:55:59 PM
I read 🍌 Banana Fish 🐟 - Volume #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on November 26, 2018, 09:53:36 AM
Banana Fish is a really good series.


I am all caught up with Dark Horse now.


Aliens Dead Orbit 1-4 - This was a rather pedestrian Aliens series.  It wasn't bad, but it wasn't all that great either.


American Gods 1-9
American Gods My Ainsel 1-7 - They are adapting Neil Gaiman's American Gods book in three parts and are doing a very nice job of it so far.


Angel 7-12
Buffy TVS Season 11 9-12 Season 12 1-4 Giles 1-4 - Dark Horse has done a pretty nice job on the various Buffy universe books and they wrap everything up nicely here.  I liked the idea they had with doing extra 'seasons' of the tv show.  The license is moving over to Boom and hopefully they do a nice job, too.


Beasts of Burden Wise Dogs and Eldritch Men 1-3 - This has been another good miniseries about a place where some dogs have gained magical powers and work in conjunction with a human wizard or two to keep an eye on supernatural events.


Blackwood 1-4 - A small college with a secret college within that teaches people magic.  Now it is under attack from someone.  A pretty good miniseries with art by Veronica and Andy Fish.


Mignola books - These make up a large part of Dark Horse's books and are pretty good
BPRD The Devil You Know 1-10 - Everybody is still dealing with all of the losses from Hell On Earth and a few new problems start to emerge.  Very entertaining.


Hellboy Krampusnacht
Hellboy and the BPRD Secret Nature - Occult Intelligence 1-3 - Burning Season - These one shots and miniseries do a nice job filling in the long gaps in Hellboy's history from the time he came into our world in the 1940s until his stories started appearing in the 1990s.


Jenny Finn 1-4 - A monster comes ashore in the form of a small girl and dooms a town.  This reprints an older series and is good.


Joe Golem Occult Detective The Outer Dark 1-5 - We learn a bit more about Joe's past as both a golem and a human.


Koschei the Deathless 1-6 - A man in the 1400s is adopted by a dragon, gains powers and near immortality.  Pretty good.


Lobster Johnson Mangekyo - An ongoing Lobster Johnson series would be nice, but I'll take the one shots and miniseries if that is all we can get.


Rasputin the Voice of the Dragon 1-5 - Rasputin is recruited by the Nazis for occult purposes, though much of this story deals with a younger Trevor Bruttenholm in 1941 before he starts working for the special branch that deals with weird bollocks.


The Visitor How and Why He Stayed 1-5 - An alien was sent to assassinate Hellboy when he arrived on Earth because of the danger he posed, but couldn't because Hellboy was an innocent child at arrival.  He stays on Earth and observes Hellboy's growth to make sure he does not become a threat and the Visitor also builds a life for himself, too. 


Witchfinder The Gates of Heaven 1-5 - Sir Edward Grey continues to fight monsters in Victorian England. Not the best Mignola series, but okay.


------


Briggs Land Lone Wolves 1-6 - Continuing the story of the Briggs family, which has a compound and tons of land in New York.  The family is armed to the teeth and is viewed as a cult by the government.  Nicely done.


Conan the Slayer 11-12 - This wraps up the Dark Horse Conan books since the license is with Marvel now.  This was a somewhat weak series, but the Conan books overall were very good, especially the first 5 or 6 years.


Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows 1-4 - Jeff Lemire explores a scientist who discovers how to tap a new form of energy and which allows him to become a superhero.  He spends all his time with this and neglects his family.


Dragon Age Knight Errant 1-5 - Another good entry in this fantasy series.


Elfquest the Final Quest 1-24 - I didn't think the story was quite as entertaining as the original quest and the various series that came out in the 1990s, but the art was nice and it was decent.


Incredibles 2 1-3
Frozen 1-3 - Dark Horse has done a nice job with these Disney series.  I would like. to see more series and more frequently as well.


Groo Play of the Gods 1-4 - Many of Groo's stories have interchangeable or familiar parts, but they still continue to entertain after 30+ years.  Groo travels with explorers and clergy to the New World where they are in search of gold and Groo is in search of cheese dip.


Incognegro Renaissance 1-5 - The sequel to the excellent book Incognegro continues the tale of a young black reporter in the 1920s who could pass as white, though he does not like to do so.  When a man dies at a party and it is quickly ruled a suicide, he disagrees and investigates to. try and solve the case.  Very well done.


Mass Effect Discovery 1-4 - The latest entry in this science fiction series was okay, though not as good as previous ones.


The Once and Future Queen 1-2 - This series about King Arthur reborn as a young woman from Portland of Indian and British descent was off to a good start when it was canceled.  Fortunately Dark Horse completed the series in book form so I will be checking that out.  From the same people who put out Amelia Cole.


Predator Hunters 1-5 - A group recruits another survivor to hunt and kill predators and they pursue a lead on a remote island in the South Pacific.


Rebels These Free and Independent States 1-8 - More tales from the Revolutionary era and just before/after.  The main story is about a man with autistic traits who is a master with building ships.  It is a good series, though I did not like the George Washington story as much.


Resident Alien An Alien in New York 1-4 - The doctor sees images of artwork from a New York artist who went missing 20 years earlier.  The artwork is excellent, but it is the phone number in alien script that draws his attention and he follows the lead to New York.  I have really enjoyed the various Resident Alien books.  I guess the series concludes with the next miniseries.


Tomb Raider Inferno 1-4 and Survivor's Crusade 1-4 - These adventures of Lara Croft have been good, but not as good as the previous series that Dark Horse has published.


Usagi Yojimbo 161-172
TMNT/Usagi Yojimbo - Usagi has been one of my favorites since the 1980s and continues to entertain.  The TMNT crossover seemed kind of pointless, but at least the artwork was up to the usual standard.




Archie is next.



Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on November 26, 2018, 11:12:57 AM
I read
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #292
World Of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #82
B&V Friends Jumbo Comic Digest #260 & #264
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest # 260 & #264 & #267
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 28, 2018, 08:32:04 AM
Quote from: rusty on November 26, 2018, 09:53:36 AM

I am all caught up with Dark Horse now.

Aliens Dead Orbit 1-4 - This was a rather pedestrian Aliens series.  It wasn't bad, but it wasn't all that great either.

I liked it simply because of the superior artwork of James Stokoe. Too often the Aliens and Predator miniseries are decent enough stories, but the lackluster, pedestrian artwork is what drags them down.

Quote from: rusty on November 26, 2018, 09:53:36 AMMignola books - These make up a large part of Dark Horse's books and are pretty good

Hellboy Krampusnacht

Koschei the Deathless 1-6 - A man in the 1400s is adopted by a dragon, gains powers and near immortality.  Pretty good.

Lobster Johnson Mangekyo - An ongoing Lobster Johnson series would be nice, but I'll take the one shots and miniseries if that is all we can get.

Rasputin the Voice of the Dragon 1-5 - Rasputin is recruited by the Nazis for occult purposes, though much of this story deals with a younger Trevor Bruttenholm in 1941 before he starts working for the special branch that deals with weird bollocks.

The Visitor How and Why He Stayed 1-5 - An alien was sent to assassinate Hellboy when he arrived on Earth because of the danger he posed, but couldn't because Hellboy was an innocent child at arrival.  He stays on Earth and observes Hellboy's growth to make sure he does not become a threat and the Visitor also builds a life for himself, too.

I don't get every single one of them by any means, but I do enjoy Mignola's Hellboy-verse. My favorites are (by far) LOBSTER JOHNSON, and HELLBOY & THE B.P.R.D. (starting with 1952, now up to 1956), although I'll usually try to read any of the one-shots (some of those, like Krampusnacht, are among the best stories). Sometimes I'll read the first issue of a stand-alone miniseries like KOSCHEI or RASPUTIN and decide I like it, but to wait for the trade paperback collection to read the whole thing. I read at least part of all the ones you mentioned above, and liked them all. I have all of the main HELLBOY story arcs in trade collections now, although I didn't read any of the BPRD ongoing series up to this point, or any of the more peripheral ones like Witchfinder or Jenny Finn. The Lobster Johnson one-shot you mentioned is over a year old (and the last miniseries, over a year-and-a-half old), and I'm chomping at the bit for more of Tonci Zonjic's version of LJ. There's a peripherally-related spinoff miniseries of the LJ one-shot Mangekyo, THE CRIMSON LOTUS, that just came out last week, but it's not actually a Lobster Johnson story, so it's not quite the same.

Quote from: rusty on November 26, 2018, 09:53:36 AMDoctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows 1-4 - Jeff Lemire explores a scientist who discovers how to tap a new form of energy and which allows him to become a superhero.  He spends all his time with this and neglects his family.

Jeff Lemire's BLACK HAMMER universe is one of the best things to come along in years. I've enjoyed every single one of the related miniseries.

Quote from: rusty on November 26, 2018, 09:53:36 AMResident Alien An Alien in New York 1-4 - The doctor sees images of artwork from a New York artist who went missing 20 years earlier.  The artwork is excellent, but it is the phone number in alien script that draws his attention and he follows the lead to New York.  I have really enjoyed the various Resident Alien books.  I guess the series concludes with the next miniseries.

I've loved Peter Hogan's RESIDENT ALIEN from the beginning. Such a good concept, and excellently executed. The last few of them I've just waited for the trade collection, since they read much better that way. I just picked up the An Alien In New York trade last week, but haven't gotten to it yet.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on November 29, 2018, 12:10:47 AM
I've got Crimson Lotus on my pull list.  I'm sure that I will enjoy it.  I haven't been getting Black Hammer, but I checked the first two trades out of the library this week and will read them pretty soon.


I am all caught up on the regular size Archie titles now.  I am going through the digests now and then I will move on to Marvel.  I have around 300 Marvels to read and then the last group is DC, which has about twice as many.  By the time I am caught up with these, though, I will have a pile of books from my November and December shipments to read.  I'm still hoping to get caught up by Christmas, but we'll see.


Archie 23-32,699 - This has been a pretty good title. 


Archie Christmas Spectacular 2017
Archie Halloween Spectacular 2017,2018 - A decent assortment of stories.


Archie 1941 1-2 - Kind of a somber period piece, but I think it has been decent so far.


The Archies 1-7 - The Archies go on tour with the Bingos. This was a good series that focused on a different aspect of the Archieverse.


Archie's SuperTeens versus Crusaders 1-2 - The title is a bit misleading, but the two issues were okay.


Betty and Veronica Friends Forever 1-3 - Themed stories in each issue.  They were okay.


Betty and Veronica Vixens 1-10 - Betty and Veronica form a motorcycle gang with other girls to combat the Serpents and to do good deeds, but end up on the run.  I liked this series a lot.


Chilling Adventures of Sabrina 7-8 - I like this series quite a bit, but wish it came out more frequently.


Cosmo 1-5 - This was a fun new take on the character.  I hope they bring it back for another miniseries.


Harley and Ivy meet Betty and Veronica 1-6 - Betty and Veronica go to a costume party dressed as Harley and Ivy only to have the real Harley and Ivy show up.  Lots of hijinx and hilarity ensue.  I thought this was pretty well executed.


Josie and the Pussycats 8-9 - These last two issues take place in Tokyo with the Archies opening a show at the Tokyo Dome for the Pussycats.  I appreciated these more since I spent a couple of weeks in Japan back in September.  I wish that this series had done better so that it had continued.


Jughead the Hunger 1-7 - Jughead discovers that his family has a long history of becoming werewolves and that the Cooper family are werewolf hunters.  He inadvertently attacks a few others before going on the run to try and get it under control.  I enjoyed this take on the Archie characters.


Mighty Crusaders 1-4 - This series was okay, but nothing special.


Riverdale 4-12 - I like how each issue tends to focus on a different character. The stories tended to be pretty good.


Vampironica 1-4 - Veronica becomes a vampire due to one of her father's clients and has to get help to defeat the bad vampires.  Another nice take on the characters.


Your Pal Archie 1-5 - Fun stories in a slightly different style.


Now to finish the digests and move on to Marvel. 
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 29, 2018, 06:31:36 AM
Wow, when you save them up for a year or more like that, it almost seems like ACP has a full-fledged publishing operation going on, while the reality if you look at the solicitations is more like 1 or 2 (at most 3) floppy format comic books in any given month, 3 or 4 digest titles, and 2 or 3 trade collections.

Recently, I read these -

BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #268
B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #265
-- These are the only regular digest titles I'm getting at this point. Recently I picked up a couple of the more recent Giant Comics digest collections, and ARCHIE 1000 PAGE COMICS ROMP, but haven't done more that read a couple hundred pages of the 1000 Page collection.

ARCHIE #700 - Theoretically, I'd say it's an improvement on the original reboot by Waid and Staples, but that doesn't mean I'll be buying it now. I only purchased this one because of the Mike Allred variant cover. It's still about as pointless to me as doing a reboot of Dilbert or Zippy using the same writer and artist.

ARCHIE AND ME TP VOL 01 - Issue 1 has artwork by Harry Lucey; 3 through 9 by Bob Bolling, the balance of the stories are written and drawn by Joe Edwards. It astounds me that this title managed to run for 161 issues. None of the stories are worse than average, but they could have appeared in almost any Archie-centric comic title. Was Mr. Weatherbee, as a character, that big of a draw? Why not Ms. Grundy? Or for that matter, what would have seemed to make much more sense to me (well I thought he was funnier, anyway) would have been Mr. Lodge.
EVERYTHING'S ARCHIE TP VOL 01 - Not as many Archies (the band) stories as you might expect. This one's all over the place in terms of artists, but the latter half of the book is heavy with Al Hartley written-&-drawn stories, which you hardly ever see much of a concentration of in random collections.

On the whole, the "Archie Comics Presents..." series of trade collections seems like a good idea, and I guess it's better than spending the same money on digest issues. It's just that the Archie-centric titles like the above (and the previous trade collections of ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH and LIFE WITH ARCHIE) don't seem all that distinctive in any way. Like you could have put the same stories into any random issue of World of Archie or Archie Jumbo Comics Digest and nobody would really have noticed that much, apart from the suspicious nature of them obviously being very close in vintage to each other. So once again, ACP continues to zig in mirror-reflection to my zag, frustrating me by not giving me what I really want. Maybe it's because they led off with unusual collections like JUGHEAD'S TIME POLICE and COSMO THE MERRY MARTIAN, which might have given me the impression we'd be seeing a much more eclectic selection, concentrating stories which had been thinly-distributed as reprints through the digests in the past. And now I'm stuck with them working their way through a long list of fairly long-running but otherwise unremarkable titles. **Deep sigh**

For the record, here's my "most wanted" wish list of titles that would fit in this series:

She's JOSIE (from #1, 1963)
THAT WILKIN BOY (from #1, 1969)
The MADHOUSE GLADS (from their 1st appearance in Madhouse Ma-ad #67, into #73-93 of their own title)
Tales Calculated to Drive You BATS (all 8 issues, complete)
Archie's MADHOUSE (from the earliest issues)
BETTY AND ME (from #1, 1965)
REGGIE AND ME (from #19, 1966)
CHERYL BLOSSOM (from the beginning)
JUGHEAD'S FANTASY (#1-3 complete + JUGHEAD'S FOLLY, the 1957 one-shot that served as a prototype)
The New WILBUR (#80-87, by Doyle & DeCarlo, 1958-59, complete)
BETTY'S DIARY (including the AGS one-shot that preceded the regular run)
VERONICA (#1-17, the "Veronica Around the World" issues)

I'd say Sabrina, but they've really already done exactly the collection I want, except that it's in black & white. Now that Sabrina's profile has been raised due to the Netfilx series, let's work on getting a deluxe hardcover edition of the exact same stories in color now, m'kay, ACP?


Just some random older floppies I found in the back issue bins:
THAT WILKIN BOY #11 (Oct-78)
ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT #63 (Dec-78), #67 (Jun-79)
PEP #342 (Oct-78), #345 (Jan-79)
REGGIE AND ME #342 (Dec-77)
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #45 (Jan 66), #85 (May-69), #188 (Dec-77)
ARCHIE'S CHRISTMAS LOVE-IN [AGS] #478 (Jan-79)
JUGHEAD #282 (Nov-78), #285 (Feb-79)

It's gotten to the point where some of the run-of-the-mill issues of Archie titles from the 70s or 80s, if it's a title that doesn't feature B&V, Josie, Sabrina, Bingo Wilkin, or Madhouse Glads (-- those are the ones I'll actually collect) I'll just give it a quick flip-through, and unless I see something out of the ordinary, I won't even bother to read it.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on November 29, 2018, 09:59:48 AM
I was disappointed with the new reprint lines since they are essentially 'best of' collections rather than being a complete reprint series.  When  they were announced, I thought that they would be starting a comprehensive reprint line with perhaps Archie and Me #1-10 in volume 1, 11-20 in volume 2 and so on, but I must have misunderstood them somewhere.  I'll just stick to my complete runs of all those titles.  If they had done it the other way, I probably would have purchased them to support the line anyway.  The few books that I don't already have were mostly covered in the Dark Horse Archives, at least for the Archie stories.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on November 30, 2018, 01:59:44 AM
Quote from: rusty on November 29, 2018, 09:59:48 AM
I was disappointed with the new reprint lines since they are essentially 'best of' collections rather than being a complete reprint series.  When  they were announced, I thought that they would be starting a comprehensive reprint line with perhaps Archie and Me #1-10 in volume 1, 11-20 in volume 2 and so on, but I must have misunderstood them somewhere.  I'll just stick to my complete runs of all those titles.  If they had done it the other way, I probably would have purchased them to support the line anyway.  The few books that I don't already have were mostly covered in the Dark Horse Archives, at least for the Archie stories.

I'm convinced it's less a function of "best of" than of "what we have on hand already digitized". If people just scratched their heads wondering why SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH Complete Collection v1 was in black & white (the only such "Archie Complete Comics Collection" b&w collection that ACP has produced to date), it's because it was an experiment. That required them to do some actual work in terms of locating older Sabrina stories that hadn't yet been digitized, and the trade-off of the cost of that production work in digitizing previously undigitized stories for the first time was that the whole thing was printed in black & white to save ACP the cost of paying for full-color printing. The same economics applied to the trade paperback collection CHILLING TALES IN SORCERY VOL. 1.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 03, 2018, 02:01:32 AM
THE UNSTOPPABLE WASP #2 - One of the very few Marvel comics that interests me at the moment. Maybe the only one (haven't made up my mind about the whole INFINITY WARS thing), apart from the Thanos original graphic novels of Jim Starlin. I like that it's a comic featuring a teenage character, but that it's essentially upbeat and positive (none of the teenage angst traditionally associated with Marvel since Spider-Man and the X-Men). Also that it's promoting STEM (science/technology/engineering/math) for girls -- good for them! I almost missed out on this character (the first series went by without me reading it until it came out in TP). The new Wasp is Nadia Pym (daughter of the original Ant-Man/Giant-Man/Goliath/Yellowjacket, Henry Pym - who just happens to be one of my favorite Marvel characters), who was raised in secret in Russia by "The Red Room", a covert intel/black ops division left over from the Soviet days (where the Black Widow was previously trained). I automatically assumed from this brief sketchy info that the character would be angst-y (when she was initially introduced in AVENGERS), but as it turned out, nothing could be further from the case. For the sake of any kind of logic or realism, it's getting harder and harder to justify the Cold War origins of some Marvel adversaries. After all, the Cold War ended officially with the fall of the Berlin Wall, so we're now going on almost 3 decades without an 'evil Soviet regime' to justify the origins of characters (especially Iron Man villains) like Titanium Man, Crimson Dynamo, and of course, the Black Widow (who defected from the Communist Bloc to become a SHIELD agent and an Avenger). As far as how this relates to the current teenage version of the Wasp, supposedly Maria Pym (the first wife of the hero who would become the original Ant-Man) was kidnapped while the married couple were visiting her homeland (an un-named nation under Communist rule) and was never seen alive again. Details were sketchy, but this is the supposed motivation for Pym becoming a hero. How Nadia Pym was born in Russia without Henry Pym ever having been aware his that wife was pregnant at the time of her kidnapping is a mystery, as is how long she survived after her abduction and what eventually became of her. But since Nadia Pym is merely a teenager, these events could not have occurred more than about a decade and a half ago (since she is now about 15 or 16). Communist agents kidnapped Pym's first wife circa 2002-2003?? Best not to think too hard about it, I guess.

ELECTRIC WARRIORS #1 (of 6)
DETECTIVE COMICS #992
HAWKMAN #6
PLASTIC MAN #6
(of 6)
- Not really feeling anything for the DCs, either. I'll probably stick with Detective Comics at least until it reaches issue #1000 (under incoming writer Peter Tomasi, whose previous Batman stories I've liked); after that, we'll see. Other than Detective, let's see... There's DOOMSDAY CLOCK, which I'll see through to the end (#12), and I'll probably check out the new Geoff Johns SHAZAM series too (despite not being really keen on the initial backup miniseries from JUSTICE LEAGUE a few years back); the new GREEN LANTERN by Grant Morrison (the first issue wasn't bad), and FREEDOM FIGHTERS (a 12-issue limited series) sounds like it might be interesting, so I'll be checking that one out. I think that's about it, except for SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP and LOONEY TUNES.

WILLIAM GIBSON'S ALIEN 3 #1 - Sunk by pedestrian artwork. I'll pass on the rest of the story, which wasn't bad as far as it went.
DR. HORRIBLE BEST FRIENDS FOREVER #0 (one-shot) - An unexpected sequel to a previous one-shot from 2009!
BLACK HAMMER: THE QUANTUM AGE #4
BLACK HAMMER: AGE OF DOOM #7
DICK TRACY: DEAD OR ALIVE #2
(of 4) - Now here's the kind of reboot I actually like.
LONE RANGER VOL 3 #2 - It's just okay. Not as good as the previous version.
MARS ATTACKS #2 - I may actually like Dynamite's version better than the previous (IDW) version, or the original (1990s) Topps Comics version.
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #4 - Sorry, I'm just not into it. For one thing, this seems to ignore the original PSP series' revelation that when released from their imprisonment in Pandora's urn, the 1940s superheroes had been transformed into the avatars of the mythical Greek pantheon. This version of the story gives an entirely different explanation for the origin of the urn, and its source of power. I'll probably ride it out though, unless it goes beyond 12 issues with no sign of improvement.
THE THREE STOOGES: MATINEE MADNESS #1 - Now in black & white (just like the original Stooges shorts!), and set in the 1930s/40s. It's an improvement, as is the more cartoon-style artwork by Eric Shanower (!!)
STELLAR #6 (of 6) - It was interesting at first, but it just seemed to... stop. Not sure I understood the ending, or if they were just leaving things hanging in hopes of a possible sequel.
LIGHTSTEP #1 (of 5) - Incomprehensible... at least to me.
GO-BOTS #1 - Only picked it up because I've enjoyed Tom Scioli's previous work (GØDLAND, AMERICAN BARBARIAN, G.I. JOE vs TRANSFORMERS). I don't even like Transformers that much, and this is just a pale knockoff of that. So... no.
SAVAGE DRAGON #240
CRIMSON LOTUS #1
(of 5) - It was okay. A little hard to get into because I wasn't totally familiar with the historical context of what (exactly) was happening in China at the time of the story. I'll probably wait and just pick up the trade collection later.
SUKEBAN TURBO #1 (of 4) - Just an ugly, terrible story about gang girls whom I couldn't possibly care about. Nice artwork fooled me into reading it.
RICK & MORTY PRESENT: PICKLE RICK #1 (one-shot)
EXORSISTERS #2 - Not quite as funny as the first issue (more backstory-ish), but I enjoyed it.
HEDY LAMARR: AN INCREDIBLE LIFE OGN TP - Interesting, but I felt like I was missing something. I wish there was more in it about Hedy Lamarr's inventions and technical interests; it feels like they just scratched the surface of that aspect of her personality.
COMICS COMICS QUARTERLY #1 - Graphic stories written by comedians. Not as good as it sounds. Can't win 'em all.
HELLBOY & THE B.P.R.D. 1956 #1 (of 5)
VAMPIRELLA/DEJAH THORIS #3
SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #44
LOONEY TUNES #246
THE TERRIFICS #10
TITANS #29 & 30
- Essentially DC tricked me into reading these by using a retro/flashback-y type misleading cover on issue #30. Cheap trick, DC.
DC NUCLEAR WINTER SPECIAL #1
DETECTIVE COMICS #993

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 04, 2018, 10:31:42 AM
I read
Die Kitty Die #4
Jem & The Holograms #25 & #26
Bighead #13
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on December 04, 2018, 12:08:46 PM
I checked the first two Black Hammer trades out of the library and enjoyed them.  I plan to continue following the series in trade form.


I divided the Marvel titles into three roughly equal categories - Star Wars, Spider-Man related and the rest of the Marvel titles that I collect.  I started with Star Wars.


Beckett 1 - a tie in to the Solo movie giving background on Beckett.  It was good.


Captain Phasma 1-4 - This follows Phasma from the end of The Force Awakens up toward the beginning of The Last Jedi.  I enjoyed it.


Cassian and K-2SO Rogue One 1 - We find out how the two Rogue One characters first came together.  Plenty of humor and entertaining.


DJ: Most Wanted 1 - We find out how DJ ended up in jail.  Sort of an Oceans 11 feel.


Droids Unplugged 1 - Short stories by Chris Eliopoulos.  I wouldn't mind seeing this as a regular series.


Han Solo Imperial Cadet 1 - This fills in some of the gaps in Solo.  It seems a bit unnecessary, but is okay.


Lando Double or Nothing 1-5 - I thought this miniseries was kind of dull and the art wasn't that great either.


Mace Windu 1-5 - It wasn't bad.


The Storms of Crait 1 - This seemed like a story that could have gone in the regular Star Wars series.  It was a decent story, but nothing special.


Thrawn 1-6 - I liked this series quite a bit.  It is an adaptation of the novel by Timothy Zahn.


Star Wars 33-56 Annual 3-4 - This series focuses on stories set between Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back and are pretty entertaining.


Darth Vader 3-22 Annual 2 - These stories are set after Revenge of the Sith and see Darth Vader establishing his position in the Empire.  Pretty good overall.


Doctor Aphra 9-25 Annual 1-2 - Aphra is sort of a combination of Han Solo and Lara Croft.  I enjoy the series, but it seems a bit odd that Marvel would give a comics only character her own book.  I'm not complaining, though.


Poe Dameron 17-31 Annual 2 - Most of this series takes place before A Force Awakens with the last arc taking place after The Last Jedi, though with some flashbacks.  The series wasn't bad, though not quite as interesting as some of the others.  It is completed now.


I'll start working on the Spider-Man related books soon.  I also have four Street Angel trades that I checked out of the library.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 04, 2018, 06:18:28 PM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes each
Banana Fish #1
The Best O Archie Comics Starring Betty & Veronica - Book #2
Archie Comics Presents Betty & Veronica Spectacular
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #260
World Of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #82

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 09, 2018, 12:39:55 PM
I finished Banana Fish #1
And I also read
Unnatural - Volume #1- Awakening
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #267

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 13, 2018, 06:41:49 PM
I read Banana Fish #3 & Unnatural -Volume #1- Awakening
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on December 16, 2018, 03:35:47 PM
I am caught up on the Spider-Man titles now.


Amazing Spider-Man 29-32,789-801, Annual 42 - The end of the Slott era was pretty good.  The last Norman Osborn story seemed a bit off, though.  Norman didn't seem that effective, even with the Carnage symbiote.


Amazing Spider-Man 1-10, Annual 1 - The new series blew up the status quo a bit more, though I generally like where things are heading.


Amazing Spider-Man Renew Your Vows 9-23 - I like the adventures of the Spider-Family with Peter, MJ and their daughter Annie.  The time jump was kind of abrupt, but worked okay.  I hope the series returns after Spider-Geddon.


Ben Reilly The Scarlet Spider 5-25 - This series was okay, though I wouldn't miss it too much if it is done now that Spider-Geddon started.


Peter Parker The Spectacular Spider-Man 2-6,297-310, Annual 1 - A pretty decent series.  Maybe not quite as good as Amazing, but not bad.

Spider-Man 18-21,234-240 Annual 1 - I've enjoyed the Miles Morales series and expect that he gets another book eventually.  Bendis finished up his run before moving on to DC


Spider-Gwen 22-34 - I like this series and its alternate take.  Gwen is now tied up in the Spider-Geddon events and has a new series in Ghost Spider.  Hopefully that continues for a while.


Spider-Men II 1-6 - This answers the question as to whether there was a Miles Morales in the 616 universe before the merger.  It was a decent series.


Edge of Spider-Geddon 1-4, Spider-Geddon 0-4 and crossovers - This event has been okay and it is interesting seeing the various iterations interact, though I would probably have preferred that they just kept their adventures going in their regular books without the big crossover.


plus some misc. Spidey books.


Next is Daredevil, FF, Marvel Two in One and the rest of the Marvel books.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on December 18, 2018, 06:05:40 PM
I'm all caught up with Marvel now:


Daredevil 23-28, 595-612, Annual 1, Infinity Countdown 1 - I've really been enjoying the Daredevil series.  We've seen Matt Murdock in action in the courtroom.  He travels to China to try and aid Blindspot.  He deals with Kingpin becoming Mayor of New York. Mike Murdock magically reappears.  Lots of fun.


Defenders 2-10 - Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Daredevil and Iron Fist make a pretty good team. This was a good book, though Bendis has since moved on to DC.


Fantastic Four 1-4 - The long awaited return has been okay so far.  It will be interesting seeing an older Franklin and Valeria and how they fit into the stories now.  Valeria in particular can be pretty entertaining with her super intelligence.


Jessica Jones 10-18 - I loved the original Alias series and this book has a lot of that flavor.  Jessica deals with a kill order on Maria Hill and also the return of the Purple Man, though this encounter is a bit different.


Marvel Team-Up 1-12, Annual 1 - I liked the stories with Ben and Johnny before the FF's return, though not as much as the original series.  It is another FF book now that they are book and has been okay.


Runaways 1-15 - I loved the original Runaways series, though it became less entertaining with each iteration.  This series has been a lot of fun, except that I'm not a big fan of the return of Alex in the last couple of issues.  We'll see where that goes.  The gang gets back together, but things aren't the same in the two years since they went their separate ways.  I liked the inclusion of Julie Power.


She-Hulk 159-163 - I loved the various She-Hulk series over the past decade or so, but these issues didn't really capture that feel.  They weren't nearly as good as I was hoping.




Now on to DC, though that will take a while since there are so many series.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 18, 2018, 08:28:49 PM
I read
Banana Fish #3
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #266
World Of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #82
Jughead Volume #2
Unnatural Volume #1- Awakening
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 20, 2018, 07:13:27 AM
Skipping over a ton of stuff, because I haven't posted anything here in a while and I don't have time to write much now.  I'll catch up (on 3 weeks or so of comics reading) later.

Right now, I'll just mention a couple of recent (this week's) Archie Comics.

(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_iv/600/4867805.jpg)

B & V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #266 - See if you can recognize this plot from some prior story. Mr. Lodge is angry with Veronica for charging up a storm in credit card bills, so he clamps down and forbids her from using her cards until she can find a way to contribute some money (like getting a job) to help pay for what she's already bought. Veronica's solution to this particular problem causes Mr. Lodge's well-intended attempt to teach her some responsibility to boomerang and he throws in the towel in frustration and gives Veronica her credit cards back, because ultimately that winds up costing him far less money. That's the lead story in a nutshell. The only problem with the 5-page shorts is that you can't get plots or situations too complex, and that limits the possibilities for uniqueness, or even the more interesting twists or variations on old standards. That, and the fact that Dan P. has to generate 48 of these 5-pagers a year, means that they can't all be absolute gems. Well, the artwork was nice, up to Dan's usual high standards. The usual good reprints, especially JOSIE.



(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_iv/600/4867222.jpg)

ARCHIE'S BIG BOOK VOLUME 5: ACTION ADVENTURE TP - Basically this is a 2-in-1 collection of ARCHIE'S CYBER ADVENTURES (under its longer, interior story title "Adventures in the Wonder Realm") and ARCHIE'S EXPLORERS OF THE UNKNOWN. Both series are reprinted complete, respectively, from ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #1-5 (Feb-Jul 2011) [and later released in December of that year as a TPB collection], and ARCHIE GIANT SERIES #587 & EXPLORERS OF THE UNKNOWN! #1-6. There are two undistiguished shorter adventure-ish stories filling out the rest of the page count. Personally, I already owned the CYBER ADVENTURES TP, so I'd have rather had just the complete ARCHIE'S EXPLORERS OF THE UNKNOWN in the "Archie Comics Presents ..." format, just like they did with JUGHEAD'S TIME POLICE. At least now I have all the stories (I only had about half of the original issues), so that's nice I guess.

ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #1-5 (Feb-Jul 2011)
(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_iv/600/1150539.jpg)
ARCHIE CYBER ADVENTURES TPB (Dec. 2011)
(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_iv/600/1047419.jpg)

ARCHIE GIANT SERIES #587
(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_iv/600/616081.jpg)
ARCHIE'S EXPLORERS OF THE UNKNOWN! #1-6
(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_iv/600/623039.jpg)

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on December 20, 2018, 08:23:11 PM
I am all caught up with the Superman family of titles now.  I wasn't as far behind with them as with most other books.


Action Comics 998-1005, Special 1
Superman 42-45, 1-5, Special 1
Man of Steel 1-6 - Bendis took over these books with the Man of Steel miniseries.  I didn't think that mini was all that great, but it was okay.  The series since the switch have been decent, though not any better than the pre-Bendis books.


Trinity 19-22 - This series mainly wanted to capitalize on DC's big 3 and was okay, though it seemed a bit of an odd fit sometimes.  This story dealt with Deimos, the Warlord and Skartaris.


New Superman 21-24 - I enjoyed this series featuring the Chinese Superman and the Justice League of China.  Too bad it ended.


Supergirl 19-24 - I didn't like it when they switched the Supergirl continuity to match the tv show.  I like the stories a lot more when they don't take place in National City with that cast of characters.  The latest story has her going into space looking for clues to the destruction of Krypton and it has been good so far.


Super Sons 14-16, Adventures 1-4 - Damian and Jon make a nice team and these stories have been fun.  I hope they continue beyond the maxiseries.


Super Sons/Dynomutt 1, Lex Luthor/Porky Pig 1, Superman/Top Cat 1 - These DC/Hanna Barbera crossovers have been good for the most part.  I liked the Super Sons crossover the most out of these three.




The Bat books are next.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 21, 2018, 01:16:51 AM
Quote from: rusty on December 20, 2018, 08:23:11 PM
I am all caught up with the Superman family of titles now.  I wasn't as far behind with them as with most other books.

I used to love the Superman comics. I'm not sure what happened exactly... I guess "reboot-itis". So many aspects of Superman's history and associated cast (and villains) have been rebooted, partially rebooted, and partially UNrebooted (or 'blenderized' with some pre-reboot version),  that I feel like I can never be sure of any particular character's status or the details of his or her backstory (Supergirl is probably the most problematic of all). Obviously, that was happening as far back as 1986 with the John Byrne reboot, and various "re-adjustments" that took place even before Flashpoint, but the worst of all was that thing a couple years back where somehow it's the old, pre-New52 Superman in the post-Flashpoint DCU, but then... they're actually one and the same, or the universes become (or somehow always were) one and the same? Or something like that... can't say I understood it. Something to do with Mxyzptlk? Or maybe it's Dr. Manhattan who's to blame, a possibility that seems to have been hinted at. It makes my brain hurt. Whatever; it's stuff that just won't go away magically by giving Supes back his red underpants and handing him over to Marvel's formerly biggest architect. I miss the Legion of Super-Heroes. Not really a fan of Jon Kent (or Damian Wayne), either. (Hard to say why exactly, since I was a big fan of the original, Pre-Crisis version of the Super-Sons.) Oh well, it's someone else's Superman now. The only one I'm currently buying is the hardcover newspaper strip reprints from IDW's Library of American Comics, and an occasional trade collection of older material from DC here and there.

The thing that makes me laugh is that DC's stated reasoning for the original Crisis on Infinite Earths was something like "the DC multiverse is too confusing". It was NEVER confusing. It was simplicity itself -- if you wanted to create a new variant DC Universe within the old multiverse, you could do it with a snap of your fingers (or if you were DC editor Murray Boltinoff, have your stories retroactively assigned to an alternate universe). It's everything else SINCE then that has grown increasingly, compoundedly confusing. And that includes Marvel, too -- everything since at least Heroes Reborn, but especially since Secret War.

My point here is that all this "wiggly continuity" undermines any suspension of disbelief I can mount to allow me to care about the characters or "get into" the story. The constant pulling out of rugs from beneath my feet destroys any sense that stories are building upon anything that came before; it's like being dumped on with a bucket of cold water, or a constant slap in the face, reminding you "it's not real, it's just a story, none of this matters, whether you like it or not -- it'll change again".
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on December 21, 2018, 02:37:11 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on December 21, 2018, 01:16:51 AM
The thing that makes me laugh is that DC's stated reasoning for the original Crisis on Infinite Earths was something like "the DC multiverse is too confusing". It was NEVER confusing. It was simplicity itself -- if you wanted to create a new variant DC Universe within the old multiverse, you could do it with a snap of your fingers (or if you were DC editor Murray Boltinoff, have your stories retroactively assigned to an alternate universe). It's everything else SINCE then that has grown increasingly, compoundedly confusing. And that includes Marvel, too -- everything since at least Heroes Reborn, but especially since Secret War.
I agree.  While Crisis on Infinite Earths was a pretty good story, I had no trouble undertanding the pre-Crisis DC Universe and wish that they had left it intact.  The John Byrne reboot could have been taking place on Earth 86 or whatever.   They've constantly been trying to 'fix' things ever since.

This isn't to say that I haven't enjoyed many of the stories since Crisis, but the simplification premise was kind of dumb.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 22, 2018, 11:12:35 AM
Quote from: rusty on December 21, 2018, 02:37:11 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on December 21, 2018, 01:16:51 AM
The thing that makes me laugh is that DC's stated reasoning for the original Crisis on Infinite Earths was something like "the DC multiverse is too confusing". It was NEVER confusing. It was simplicity itself -- if you wanted to create a new variant DC Universe within the old multiverse, you could do it with a snap of your fingers (or if you were DC editor Murray Boltinoff, have your stories retroactively assigned to an alternate universe). It's everything else SINCE then that has grown increasingly, compoundedly confusing. And that includes Marvel, too -- everything since at least Heroes Reborn, but especially since Secret War.
I agree.  While Crisis on Infinite Earths was a pretty good story, I had no trouble undertanding the pre-Crisis DC Universe and wish that they had left it intact.  The John Byrne reboot could have been taking place on Earth 86 or whatever.   They've constantly been trying to 'fix' things ever since.

This isn't to say that I haven't enjoyed many of the stories since Crisis, but the simplification premise was kind of dumb.

Y'know, I think it was Mark Waid (although it might possibly have been Grant Morrison) who came up with the back-pedalling concept of Hypertime -- which is a nutshell, can be described as "Was it printed in a comic book somewhere once? Then it really happened, and still exists, somewhere." Apparently, a subsequent DC editorial fiat deemed that as too apologist and wishy-washy, and by someone's mandated decree, it was ruled that "We shall never speak of this again."

And while I can't now recall if the ugly H-word ever reared its head again within the confines of Grant Morrison's MULTIVERSITY, that's certainly what I had in the back of my mind as I was reading it. A multiplicity of multiverses that come into existence, unfolding kaleidoscope-like, but can never really be erased or merged with any others... it only seems that way if you stop looking at them.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 23, 2018, 07:34:22 PM
I finished reading Archie & Friends All Star -Christmas Stocking
And I also read
Betty & Veronica Prom Princesses
Archie Giant Comics Surprise
The Nameless City Volume #1
Menage A 3 - Volume #1
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 29, 2018, 12:09:58 PM
ARCHIE #701 - Well, surprise. A surprise to me, too. Here I am reading a second issue (or third, if you count that 'Readers' Digest' cut-and-pasted issue #699) in a row of ARCHIE. And it dawns on me that time has finally begun moving forward in some sort of definite progression in Archie Comics. The renumbered ARCHIE series which began its first issue in 2015 (which was the beginning of a new school year for Archie and his friends) ran 32 issues, ending with the END of the school year (the prom), so the 32 issues of that series (of which the series continuing from issue #700 is a direct sequel) covered exactly one year in Archie's high school education. Between ARCHIE (2015) #32 and ARCHIE #700, they skipped over the events of the summer vacation, and with #701 here we are back again at the beginning of the new school year again.

But unlike the classic Archie comic books, for once it isn't the SAME school year (Junior year) starting all over again. I know this due to the fact that both ARCHIE and the new BETTY & VERONICA miniseries have cover banners saying "Archie Forever" (which I presume means that they're both part of a shared continuity), and BETTY & VERONICA #1's cover proclaims "SENIOR YEAR BEGINS HERE". So they're finally Seniors, at long last! Again, presuming that this new numbering sequence which began with #700 is successful enough, in another 30 issues or so, we should be seeing Senior Year come to its conclusion (which means... graduation ceremonies).

What comes after that (in a few years of "real time" for you and me) is anyone's guess. Will they proceed on to college? Or... another reboot?? (It's been just long enough that I've disabused myself of any fond and romantically-unrealistic notions that they might ever return to "classic Archie".)

So, without getting too spoiler-y here, I guess I'll admit to enough interest to at least finish out Nick Spencer's initial story arc to see where he's going with it. I will say it does appear that something (if on a rather modest scale compared to most modern comic books) is indeed at least happening in between pages 1 and 20 of the comic (which was not a feeling I'd gotten from Mark Waid's first two issues)... not a WHOLE lot, but now that I have some sense of scale (32 issues = 9 months of school), I guess the leisurely pacing seems to fit about right. Not that I was interested enough to give Jaime Rotante's B&V miniseries a try. I flipped through a copy of #1, but the artwork wasn't compelling me to ignore my instincts. Rotante's (IMO) badly-mischaracterized interpretations of B&V in the VIXENS series was enough to put me off anything she'd write forever.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on December 29, 2018, 04:43:46 PM
I don't think we'll see the Archie gang progress into their college years, though that would be interesting to explore before the inevitable reboot or return to high school years.


I am almost halfway through the bat books now.  I haven't made as much progress as I'd hoped, but I'm getting there.




Batman 28-59, Annual 2 - Tom King does a really nice job on this series.  I enjoyed the flashback War of Jokes and Riddles story, the proposal and run up to the wedding and the aftermath.  The latest stories with a slightly less arrogant Batman willing to work with Gordon instead of dictating terms is a nice change of pace.


Detective Comics 961-993, Annual 1 - I also enjoyed Tynion IV's run on Detective where we see the return of Tim Drake, his mania for control the Fall of the Batmen and so on.  James Robinson seems to have things well in hand now, but I didn't like the fill in issues between Tynion and Robinson quite as much.


Batgirl 13-29, Annual 2 - This series has been pretty consistently entertaining.  I like that the action mostly stays in Burnside.  I like that she is shown interacting with her father here as well and not just as a Batgirl/Commissioner sort of thing.


Batgirl and the Birds of Prey 13-22 - These stories weren't bad, but I won't particularly miss the title.  It wasn't as good as the main Batgirl book and seems a bit superfluous.


Batwoman 6-18 - This series wasn't bad, but I haven't really enjoyed Batwoman's solo book as much as some of the other series for some reason.  Her appearances in Detective and elsewhere have been more interesting.  I did like the look at the future Kate Kane that tied in with the future Tim Drake returning to the past.  The series was canceled, but I think it likely that she'll get another series if the tv show does well.  I liked the tv portrayal of Kate Kane in the Elseworlds crossover on the CW.



Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on December 30, 2018, 02:00:47 AM
Quote from: rusty on December 29, 2018, 04:43:46 PM
I don't think we'll see the Archie gang progress into their college years, though that would be interesting to explore before the inevitable reboot or return to high school years.

Never say never. It occurs to me that they're breaking MOST of the "old rules" of classic Archie comics, so you never know. I wouldn't discount the hoopla to be gained from a "Graduation Day" story arc. Whether that would be followed by a new collegiate take on Archie and his friends, or another "new direction" in stylistic terms (meaning: reboot) is a matter of conjecture, but it seems almost 100% likely it will be ONE of those two. The average audience demographic now has to be such that exploring the college years is now a definite viability.

Quote from: rusty on December 29, 2018, 04:43:46 PM
Detective Comics 961-993, Annual 1 - I also enjoyed Tynion IV's run on Detective where we see the return of Tim Drake, his mania for control the Fall of the Batmen and so on.  James Robinson seems to have things well in hand now, but I didn't like the fill in issues between Tynion and Robinson quite as much.

Detective Comics (the Bat-family team as written by James Tynion IV) had been the highlight of the entire Rebirth phase of DC's publishing for me. That was following up on a period when (after the phase which began with the New 52 reboot, through the Convergence event, which also coincided with a physical move of DC's editorial offices from NY City to LA California, and consequent managerial reorganization) DC had cancelled virtually ALL of the post-Flashpoint titles which I had been reading, which mainly involved -- after the end of Jimmy Palmiotti's All-Star Western/Jonah Hex, Paul Levitz' Legion of Super-Heroes, Geoff Johns' and Peter Tomasi's Green Lantern titles, and Grant Morrison & Peter Tomasi's Batman Incorporated and Batman & Robin, all of which carried over continuity from the old, pre-Flashpoint DCU  --  the subset of titles falling into "The Dark" corner of the DCU (i.e. the supernatural characters, many reabsorbed into the DCU from their prior careers as Vertigo characters). The latter group was mainly composed of characters like The Phantom Stranger, The Spectre, Deadman, Zatanna, John Constantine, Swamp Thing, and Frankenstein, that for the most part hadn't been spotlighted in any ongoing DC Universe series in many years, plus a few new ones like Pandora and G.I. Zombie. As an aside, while I enjoyed revisiting about half of the 2-issue microseries published as part of Convergence itself, the overall framing storyline made exactly NO sense whatsoever. After Convergence and before Rebirth, I was left with ZERO titles to read which were considered part of the DCU proper (since I don't think things like Before Watchmen and Multiversity counted as 'mainstream DCU').

I guess the irony of the Rebirth phase for me was that the only other DCU title I can say I enjoyed was James Robinson's run on Wonder Woman (which itself followed up on some continuity from the New 52, Geoff Johns-written Justice League -- a title I followed relatively briefly during its Crime Syndicate storyline, plus a followup arc where Lex Luthor joined the Justice League as a member and developed an interesting dynamic tension with Batman (and Bruce Wayne, since Luthor had discovered his secret ID) -- regarding the status of Darkseid in the post-Flashpoint DCU (which also tied into a story arc featuring Damian in Batman & Robin). I dropped Detective Comics like a hot potato once Tynion IV left as writer (never having warmed up to anything Steve Orlando has written), and only noticed that after Orlando's story arc in Detective, James Robinson took over for an arc. I guess you just never know, because the same James Robinson (his older JSA and Starman series for DC were big favorites of mine) whom I liked as a writer for Wonder Woman did absolutely nothing for me with his story arc in Detective featuring Two-Face. I've started reading the new Peter Tomasi run of Detective (artist Doug Mahnke is an older favorite as well), but so far have been underwhelmed by both the storyline (exceptionally contrived, it seems to me, so far) and the artwork (here Mahnke's pencils -- formerly inked by people like Christian Alamy and Patrick Gleason -- are inked by a newer inker, Jaime Mendoza, whose style I don't particularly care for).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on December 31, 2018, 03:32:56 PM
I read
Unnatural - Volume #1- Awakening
B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #264
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 01, 2019, 03:39:33 PM
I read each of these books for 12 minutes
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #262
Jughead's Time Police
Sabrina The Teenage Witch - The Complete Collection Volume #1
Scooter Girl
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 02, 2019, 02:42:35 PM
I read each of books for 12 minutes each
Jughead's Time Police
B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #262
Sabrina Teenage Witch - The Complete Volume #1
Husbands
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on January 03, 2019, 09:55:06 PM
I'm caught up with the Batman titles now:


Catwoman 1-5, Tweety & Sylvester - The new Catwoman series has been okay with Selina moving on to a new city.  I enjoyed her previous series more, but we'll see where this goes.  I liked the Tweety & Sylvester crossover.


Nightwing 26-53, Annual 1, Magilla Gorilla, New Order 1-6 - The Nightwing comic has been pretty good overall, though I didn't care for the Judge storyline.  I like the new direction that they have taken after he got shot in the head.  We'll see how long that lasts.  The Magilla Gorilla crossover was good and the New Order series which takes place in a potential future was entertaining.


Batman Prelude to the Wedding 1-5 - These were good, though seemed a bit unnecessary.  I did like the Joker getting upset about not being invited to the wedding.


Joker/Daffy Duck 1 - Another good crossover with the Hanna-Barbera characters.


Bane Conquest 1-12 - I didn't really care for this series all that much.  Bane isn't my favorite character and this could have been a lot better.


Brave and the Bold Batman and Wonder Woman 1-6 - The art was very good while the story was not quite as good.


Batman Creature of the Night 1-3 - A boy named Bruce who is a big Batman fan in the late 1960s has to deal with the murder of his parents.  He is educated in a boarding school and eventually joins a company set up by his great uncle.  He eventually realizes that there is a Bat Creature that he is connected with psychically who tries to protect and help him and he gets it to track down criminals.  This is a very nice series and I am looking forward to the final issue later this year.


Batman Kings of Fear 1-4 - I thought this series was good.  It features the Scarecrow of course.


Batman/Shadow 1-6 and Shadow/Batman 1-6 - I thought the second series was better than the first.  The biggest problem that I had with the first series is that Batman goes out of his way to keep Shadow from killing Joker.  This isn't the first time that Batman has saved Joker's life.  I can see not killing Joker himself, but think of how many people Joker has killed over the years and I think Batman bears responsibility for a lot of these deaths along with Joker as a result.


Batman Sins of the Father 1-6 - This series is based on a videogame where Thomas Wayne is exposed as a criminal who drugged some of his enemies to the point of insanity and was partnered with the Falcones.  It was a good series, though.


Batman/TMNT II 1-6 - Another good crossover between the two worlds.


Batman White Knight 1-8 - Batman has been increasingly out of control and Nightwing and Batgirl are unable to curb his violence.  Joker leads him on a merry chase at the beginning, but after being forced to ingest some unknown drugs, regains his sanity.  As Jack Napier, he gains his freedom and runs for city council.  Batman is unconvinced of his good intentions.  This was a very good series which makes sense since Sean Murphy wrote it.


Metal 1-6 plus one shots - I didn't really care for the miniseries, though a few of the one shots were decent.


Batman Beyond 10-26 - I have been enjoying this series a lot.  They have been going for longer arcs and the latest features the return of Joker.




The regular DC titles are next.  I may or may not finish them before my latest comic shipment arrives.  My new estimate of being caught up on new comics is the end of January.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on January 04, 2019, 05:01:57 AM
Crowded. Anybody read this comic? It involves a woman being targeted for assassination by a lottery type of method. Whoever kills her gets a LOT of money. Thing is, it's legal. 😳 She's being protected by a hired bodyguard, who is ranked low. The money continues to increase, by the way. Several people have already tried to do the deed, but have fail. This is a pretty good book so far...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on January 06, 2019, 10:31:50 PM
I haven't read Crowded, but I may check it out in TP eventually.


I've made a decent start on the rest of the DC books in my backlog.


Blue Beetle 11-18 - I enjoyed the Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle books.  Too bad they didn't sell very well.


DC Beach Blanket Bad Guys Summer Special 1, Holiday Special 2017 1, House of Horror 1, Nuclear Winter Special 1 - These 80 page giants are a lot more expensive than the ones from the 1960s.  Overall, pretty decent collections of short stories.


Deadman 1-6 - I enjoyed this series, but I think Neal Adams is better as an artist than as a writer.


Doomsday Clock 1-7 - This has been a pretty good sequel of sorts to Watchmen.  I've enjoyed the interaction between the DC Universe and the Watchmen Universe.


Harley Quinn 25-54, Gossamer 1, Be Careful What You Wish For 1, 25th Anniversary Special 1, Harley Loves Joker 1-2 - The Harley Quinn series has quite a bit of humor, much of it slapstick, but can be a bit more serious at times.  It won't be to everyone's tastes, but I like the series quite a bit.  I wasn't sure how it would be after Connor and Palmiotti left, but it continued to be pretty good.  The specials weren't bad either.  I like the variant covers on the main series as well.


Hellblazer, Heroes in Crisis, the Justice League books and so on are next.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on January 07, 2019, 01:52:08 AM
Yes, I like Harley Quinn as well, which is why I'm trying to understand why they're making her a killer in the Heroes in Crisis series. Harley's at the least an antihero, basically reformed. It doesn't make any sense... 🤔
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 07, 2019, 06:13:14 AM
Quote from: SAGG on January 07, 2019, 01:52:08 AM
Yes, I like Harley Quinn as well, which is why I'm trying to understand why they're making her a killer in the Heroes in Crisis series. Harley's at the least an antihero, basically reformed. It doesn't make any sense... 🤔

Disagree. Conspiracy to murder (or mass murder) at the very least, by virtue of her past associations with Joker and Poison Ivy. She's a habitual offender with multiple counts of felonious assault -- and I don't buy that Harley (unlike Batman) knows where the fine line between general egregious bodily mayhem and "attempted murder" (or at the very least "intent to maim/cause grave bodily injury") lies. "Antihero" encompasses guys like Deadshot and Deathstroke too, both definite unremittant killers (the Suicide Squad employs a lot of killers). For that matter, I wouldn't exactly call Amanda Waller a hero, either.

You can argue that some animated versions of Harley are slightly kinder, gentler versions... but that would usually be specific to a particular episode or film.

But nobody even blinked when they decided BOOSTER GOLD was a killer. Yeah, that's totally in character.

Good examples of why I have little use for most modern DCU comics these days.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 07, 2019, 06:27:29 AM
Quote from: rusty on January 03, 2019, 09:55:06 PMBatman/Shadow 1-6 and Shadow/Batman 1-6 - I thought the second series was better than the first.  The biggest problem that I had with the first series is that Batman goes out of his way to keep Shadow from killing Joker.  This isn't the first time that Batman has saved Joker's life.  I can see not killing Joker himself, but think of how many people Joker has killed over the years and I think Batman bears responsibility for a lot of these deaths along with Joker as a result.

My take on it is that Batman's deal is that he'll always do his level best to prevent ANYONE from killing ANYONE, with the very specific exceptions of legal state executions, or policemen discharging their weapons lawfully in the line of duty. There may have been a couple of warzone scenarios, but I can't recall specifically, so I'll leave out that possibility for the moment. Batman makes no distinctions between "attempted murder" whether the perpetrator is The Shadow or Deadshot, and whether the potential victim is The Joker or Dr. Leslie Thompkins.

I disliked the first (DC) Batman/Shadow series SO much, that I completely passed on Dynamite's Shadow/Batman when I discovered that the same writer (Steve Orlando) had been employed on the latter. That's rare for me to be that put off, because The Shadow is absolutely one of my all-time favorite characters (and I've had to put up with some pretty bad Shadow comic book stories). Relatively few comic book writers really seem to "get" what The Shadow is all about. I'd assume that's because relatively few of them have actually even read any of the original Shadow novels written by Walter Gibson ("Maxwell Grant"). Then again, the radio Shadow really isn't the same character either (even apart from having occult powers), so his character has been distorted for a good long while. Is IS possible to write a passably non-offensive amalgam of the prose and radio Shadows (but it needs to lean heavily in favor of the prose Shadow), but only a bare handful of writers have succeeded in doing so.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on January 07, 2019, 11:36:32 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 07, 2019, 06:13:14 AM
Quote from: SAGG on January 07, 2019, 01:52:08 AM
Yes, I like Harley Quinn as well, which is why I'm trying to understand why they're making her a killer in the Heroes in Crisis series. Harley's at the least an antihero, basically reformed. It doesn't make any sense... 🤔

Disagree. Conspiracy to murder (or mass murder) at the very least, by virtue of her past associations with Joker and Poison Ivy. She's a habitual offender with multiple counts of felonious assault -- and I don't buy that Harley (unlike Batman) knows where the fine line between general egregious bodily mayhem and "attempted murder" (or at the very least "intent to maim/cause grave bodily injury") lies. "Antihero" encompasses guys like Deadshot and Deathstroke too, both definite unremittant killers (the Suicide Squad employs a lot of killers). For that matter, I wouldn't exactly call Amanda Waller a hero, either.

You can argue that some animated versions of Harley are slightly kinder, gentler versions... but that would usually be specific to a particular episode or film.

But nobody even blinked when they decided BOOSTER GOLD was a killer. Yeah, that's totally in character.

Good examples of why I have little use for most modern DCU comics these days.
I'm not taking issue with what you're posting exactly, but in her book Harley's portrayed as WAY more benign than she is here. I think there's something else sinister going on here. Super villain mind control, perhaps? 🤔
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 09, 2019, 11:04:17 AM
Quote from: SAGG on January 07, 2019, 11:36:32 PM
I'm not taking issue with what you're posting exactly, but in her book Harley's portrayed as WAY more benign than she is here. I think there's something else sinister going on here. Super villain mind control, perhaps? 🤔

No, it's the same principle that applies to Archie Comics, as well as other publishers. When a character becomes popular enough to become the MAIN character, and the protagonist of her own title, her character is modified in the writing to become more sympathetic to readers (i.e. "nicer"), because sales on that title hinge on the readers LIKING the character. It happened to Veronica and Cheryl when they got their own titles at Archie, and the same applies to Harley. When you reverse that and she's no longer the main character, no longer the STAR of the comic, the character upon whom sales of the comic book hinge, you can go back in the other direction.

You're thinking too deep. Inconsistent characterization in comics is no longer an indicator of any particular plot device in action. Inconsistent characterization is just par for the course because of lazy editorial standards. The thinking seems to be "We don't want to hamper or reign in our superstar writers, so as long as their name on the comic is drawing in consumers, so just let them run with it and do what they want. (We can always reboot things later.)"
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 09, 2019, 02:49:16 PM
I read these books
B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #265
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #262
Husbands
Scooter Girl
Sabrina Teenage Witch - The Complete Volume #1
Jughead's Time Police

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 10, 2019, 05:52:13 AM
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #45 (May 1978)
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #50 (Dec 1978)
BETTY AND VERONICA #294 (June 1980) - Not much to say about these. Some random (but good) old issues. I think I'd read most of these stories in reprints somewhere in the digests before.

GIANT GRAB BAG COMICS (Dec. 1975) - Truth in advertising. What they did was, they took 5 random issues of unsold Archie Comics dated Sept. or Oct. 1975, side-stapled them together, glued on a cardboard cover, and trimmed the edges. All the interior pages (including ads and editorial pages) are just the same as the individual comics; the only thing missing are the original covers. And they (a company calling itself "Modern Promotions", with a New York City address) sold this thing (which was essentially a cheap, early example of a trade paperback) for $1.25. Or tried to, anyway. There were four different title/cover variations on this idea (all of which contained randomly-selected, unsold issues of Archie Comics), at least one of which was offered the following year with a 98c cover price. 25c would have been the cover price of the individual comics in 1975, so stapling 5 together for $1.25 amounted to no discount whatsoever as opposed to buying 5 Archie Comics individually. My particular copy of this book contained the following issues: ARCHIE'S T.V. LAUGH-OUT #34, REGGIE'S WISE-GUY JOKES #35, EVERYTHING'S ARCHIE #42, MADHOUSE #99, and ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH #28.

(https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_iv/600/875031.jpg)



BETTY AND ME TP - I'll keep this short and sweet. Unless you don't particularly care for Betty as a character, or for some reason don't particularly like stories by Frank Doyle & Dan DeCarlo, you should buy this trade collection. There are 36 stories here from 1966-1972 issues of BETTY AND ME, and out of those, 27 of the stories have artwork by Dan DeCarlo (and most of those were written by Frank Doyle). Of the remaining 9 non-DeCarlo stories, 4 were drawn by Bob Bolling, and 4 were drawn by Al Hartley (with a single story drawn by Samm Schwartz). IMO this is the single best volume they've done so far in the "Archie Comics Presents ..." trade paperback series. As expected by now, this does NOT reprint ALL the stories from consecutive early issues of BETTY AND ME, it's more of a "best of" collection. Included is "Heroes Are Made" from BETTY AND ME #18, which if I'm not mistaken, is actually the first comic book appearance of Hot Dog (the issue was on sale right around the time The Archie Show premiered in 1968), notable because in this story Hot Dog is Archie's dog, not Jughead's. I think one or two other stories where Hot Dog is Archie's dog got published before they decided that HD actually belonged to Jughead.

(https://www.previewsworld.com/SiteImage/CatalogImage/STL105046?type=1)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 11, 2019, 01:31:42 PM
I finished Unnatural -Volume # 1- Awakening
and I also read Banana Fish #2
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 11, 2019, 04:25:59 PM
Quote from: rusty on January 06, 2019, 10:31:50 PMDC Beach Blanket Bad Guys Summer Special 1, Holiday Special 2017 1, House of Horror 1, Nuclear Winter Special 1 - These 80 page giants are a lot more expensive than the ones from the 1960s.  Overall, pretty decent collections of short stories.
These things always strike me as the 'Chinese food' of comic books. As in, when next Wednesday rolls around, you won't remember a thing you read in them. I liked the Swamp Thing Winter Special, though. There was also a Walmart exclusive one-shot Swamp Thing Special, which was a good mix of classic reprints with a couple of new stories for (IIRC) $6.

Quote from: rusty on January 06, 2019, 10:31:50 PMDeadman 1-6 - I enjoyed this series, but I think Neal Adams is better as an artist than as a writer.
But it could still be argued that THIS series was better-written than the original Deadman series. At least it attempts to bring some logic and some background to a lot of the unanswered questions (or poorly-thought-out explanations) of the original series. Actually, I was surprised because I didn't know WHAT to make of Adams' BATMAN: ODYSSEY series. That was like some completely different Batman that I'd never read before. On the other hand, Neal Adams DID take over the writing of the original Deadman series from its 8th issue after Arnold Drake and Jack Miller, and wrote the last 5 issues, so my POV would be that he knows the character better than anyone at DC ever did. None of the post-Adams Deadman storylines ever amounted to anything. I thought Adams set up a very interesting premise in the miniseries, but was disappointed that the last issue ended with the storyline unresolved.

Quote from: rusty on January 06, 2019, 10:31:50 PMDoomsday Clock 1-7 - This has been a pretty good sequel of sorts to Watchmen.  I've enjoyed the interaction between the DC Universe and the Watchmen Universe.
If it were true to the original premise of Watchmen, the DC universe would end up irrevocably altered by the events of this story. But I think we all know that ISN'T going to happen, which makes me wonder if there's really any point. I'm enjoying the ride so far, but can there really ever be any sort of satisfying climax and resolution? It seems pretty doubtful.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 16, 2019, 05:48:38 PM
I just finished The Best of Archie Comics - Book #3 & I also read these books for 12 minutes each Husbands & Jughead's Time Police & Sabrina The Teenage Witch - Volume #1 & Scooter Girl & B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #265 & Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #262 & #268 & World Of Archie Comics Double Digest #74
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on January 17, 2019, 12:11:20 AM
I'm caught up on the mainstream DCs now, except for a few that arrived in my latest shipment.


Hellblazer 12-24 - I read the original Hellblazer series as it came out up through #65 before dropping the title.  I started collecting it again when it rebooted as Constantine with the New 52 and have been enjoying it since then.  It is cancelled again, but maybe it will be back again.  I have since picked up #66-300 of the original series and plan. to give the whole thing a read through eventually.


Heroes in Crisis 1-4 - I'm a bit conflicted on this series.  It hasn't been bad, but I don't really like some of the characterizations.  The deaths also seem kind of pointless.  We'll see where it goes and what the underlying secrets are behind the deaths.  It reminds me a bit of Sue Dibny's death way back when.


Justice League 26-43 - I liked the Legacy storyline.  The one where they are bickering all the time and lose their satellite, not quite as much.


Justice League of America 11-29 Annual 1 - I liked this series a bit more than the main JL title.  Overall, fairly entertaining.


Justice League 1-14, No Justice 1-4 - I'm not really a big fan of the Legion of Doom.  The new series has been so-so.  I wasn't a huge fan of No Justice either, though it had its moments.


Mystik U 1-3 - A younger Zatanna goes to magic school and meets John Constantine, Sargon and others.  I liked this miniseries quite a bit.


New Talent Showcase 2018 1 - This was a nice collection of stories.  I liked the original New Talent series from back in the 1980s.


Shazam 1 - A good start to the new series.  I like the new Marvel Family.


Teen Titans 10-25 Annual 1 - I've been enjoying this series, even after they changed the lineup.  Damian can be a jerk, but it looks like he is learning a bit.


Wonder Woman 25-61, Annual 2 - This series has been pretty solid.  I think the Robinson run was my favorite, but the others are good, too.  I think we'll see Diana's brother return at some point.  There is still a lot that can be explored there.


Wonder Woman Conan 1-6 - Diana has lost her memory and is fighting as a slave gladiator when Conan mistakes her for a childhood friend.  This was a pretty good adventure with time travel involved of course.


Jinxworld, Vertigo, the kids titles and other DC imprints are next.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 17, 2019, 04:32:19 AM
Quote from: rusty on January 17, 2019, 12:11:20 AM
I'm caught up on the mainstream DCs now, except for a few that arrived in my latest shipment.

Heroes in Crisis 1-4 - I'm a bit conflicted on this series.  It hasn't been bad, but I don't really like some of the characterizations.  The deaths also seem kind of pointless.  We'll see where it goes and what the underlying secrets are behind the deaths.  It reminds me a bit of Sue Dibny's death way back when.

DC's been going off the rails for a while now with their pointless, brutal deaths... seemingly just to prove they can. Y'know, all so they can erase that "squeaky clean heroes" DC image that they used to have, and be taken seriously as a purveyor of grim & gritty fiction as-you-like-it. Ya know, just because something worked a few times (The Dark Knight Returns, Watchmen, Hellblazer) doesn't mean you should keep trying to recapture that mood ad infinitum.

Quote from: rusty on January 17, 2019, 12:11:20 AM
Mystik U 1-3 - A younger Zatanna goes to magic school and meets John Constantine, Sargon and others.  I liked this miniseries quite a bit.
I didn't know what to make of it. Wait, Constantine was in this?? Are you sure? That wouldn't make much sense, even as a continuity implant or a parallel earth. I'm going to say it must have been some alternate, parallel DC earth; that's the only thing that makes any real sense. I really wanted to like it, but couldn't.


Quote from: rusty on January 17, 2019, 12:11:20 AM
Wonder Woman 25-61, Annual 2 - This series has been pretty solid.  I think the Robinson run was my favorite, but the others are good, too.  I think we'll see Diana's brother return at some point.  There is still a lot that can be explored there.
I wish. But I doubt it. I don't know if Robinson somehow burned bridges with the WW editor or if he was just the victim of a general line-wide reshuffling, but it seemed like the book took a pretty immediate change in direction following his departure. Too bad. Greg Rucka's New 52 WW had some interesting stuff, but was way too hard to follow (and it didn't help that it was essentially two different alternating storylines for its first year). Robinson's run was the first to make me feel like the character was back on track, and it was nice to see a follow-up to the whole Darkseid reborn thing in Justice League. Too bad he couldn't have stayed on WW for a few years.

Quote from: rusty on January 17, 2019, 12:11:20 AM
Jinxworld, Vertigo, the kids titles and other DC imprints are next.

Vertigo is like a whole 'nother imprint since the New 52 thing (and nowhere near as good). And now DC has a new one, Wonder Comics. Not sure what the aim is there, but it's another Bendis-spearheaded initiative that appears to be going for a slightly younger demographic (only *slightly*, mind you). Still haven't figured out if the new Young Justice is part of the regular DCU or some parallel earth.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on January 17, 2019, 08:04:11 PM
My mistake on Mystik U.  I read it a while ago and thought that Constantine was in the first issue, but it was Sebastian Faust.  Still a good book.




I read the Jinxworld books today and liked them.


Cover 1-4 - I'm not really a fan of David Mack's art, but it worked pretty well in this series about a comic book artist who gets recruited by the CIA to be a part time asset while using trips to comic conventions as cover.  I'm enjoying it a lot so far.


Pearl 1-5 - I think this series is even better than Cover.  The art is excellent and the story deals with an albino tattoo artist with mob ties.  She is intervenes in a gang fight to protect a guy that she just met and likes only to find that this could lead to a big gang war is she doesn't take care of the hit list given to her.


Scarlet 1-5 - This story continues from the previous books.  For once, it actually came out on time.  I enjoyed it, though not as much as the other two Jinxworld books mentioned above and not as much as the earlier Scarlet books.


United States of Murder Inc. 1-4 - This is another holdover from Icon and is about the first female assassin in a particular mob family.  I like the book more than Scarlet, though not as much as the other two series.  It has potential.


The move to DC seems to have done good things for Bendis and deadlines on his indie books so far.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 18, 2019, 02:21:44 AM
Quote from: rusty on January 17, 2019, 08:04:11 PM

United States of Murder Inc. 1-4 - This is another holdover from Icon and is about the first female assassin in a particular mob family.  I like the book more than Scarlet, though not as much as the other two series.  It has potential.


The move to DC seems to have done good things for Bendis and deadlines on his indie books so far.

I liked the first US of Murder Inc series, way back when, but missed the new one when it came out (probably will get the trade collection at some point, though). But where is POWERS? That's the only one I really wanted to see. Or is it over for good, after a few different hiatuses and publishers?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on January 18, 2019, 10:46:16 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 18, 2019, 02:21:44 AM
I liked the first US of Murder Inc series, way back when, but missed the new one when it came out (probably will get the trade collection at some point, though). But where is POWERS? That's the only one I really wanted to see. Or is it over for good, after a few different hiatuses and publishers?
They supposedly have a new Powers graphic novel completed.  There was talk of having it out in December, but I don't think it was ever solicited so it will probably be sometime in 2019.  It doesn't look like they will release it in single issues.  They are also supposed to bring back Takio and maybe other Bendis books.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on January 19, 2019, 02:29:50 PM
I'm caught up on Vertigo now.  It may not be as good as in its heyday, but they have a few books that are pretty good.


American Carnage 1-2 - A former FBI agent who is half black, but can pass for white is brought back to go undercover in a group with white supremacy ties.  This series is off to a very nice start.


American Way Those Above and Those Below 1-6 - I liked the first American Way series, but was surprised to see the sequel since it had been about a decade.  This series didn't disappoint and I liked it a lot.  Time has passed here as well and more people are getting superpowers. Some of the survivors from the first series find themselves in opposing camps.


Everafter 11-12 - This series was good, though I much preferred The Wolf Among Us and the original Fables series to this spinoff.  I'd like to see more Fables related series at some point.


Goddess Mode 1 - I'll have to see a few more issues to make up my mind.  It has some potential, but we'll see where it goes.


Hex Wives 1-3 - A coven of witches and the families who oppose them keep doing battle through the centuries with the witches being reincarnated and fighting/killing the next generation.  A different approach is attempted in modern days that is proving more effective.  So far I'm enjoying this series.


Astro City 46-52 - I've loved this series since it began.  It is too bad that the single issues are done, but hopefully the original graphic novel approach is successful.


Border Town 1-4 - I liked this series which takes place on the Mexican border in Arizona with a group of mixed minority kids dealing with creatures of myth.  Too bad the writer seems to be abusive and the book got canned.


Imaginary Fiends 1-6 - Melba has been in an institution since trying to kill her friend Brinke as a child.  She is now 18 and is recruited by a special FBI agent because she is one of the rare people who can see and interact with imaginary creatures, like Polly Peachpit, her childhood 'imaginary' friend.  This first series was very good and there are plans for at least two sequels.  I hope they get published.


Sandman Universe 1 - This issue sets up a new line of Sandman related books.  It was a decent introduction.


Books of Magic 1-3 - This book features Tim Hunter and has gone back to before his powers have activated.  I have enjoyed the series so far, though not as much as the original Books of Magic series.


Dreaming 1-4 - Dream has apparently abandoned his post with no signs that he will return.  Lucien is trying to keep things going, but there are cracks in the dreamscape and lots of problems are appearing.  This series has been decent.


House of Whispers 1-4 - This has a bit more of a voodoo background with ties to the dreamscape.  A young woman ends up in a coma and when she awakes thinks that she is dead and lacking in feeling.  She also is able to make others the same way.  I have liked parts of this series, but overall would rate it as so-so.


Lucifer 1-3 - I'm not really getting into this series at all.  I never collected the original series and this one just doesn't interest me much.


Overall I would say the new Sandman line is a bit of a disappointment, but there is some potential in three of the series.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on January 20, 2019, 03:16:39 PM
Planet of the Apes Green Lantern 1-6 - The 'universal ring' makes its way into the Planet of the Apes alternate timeline.  We get a nice mix of action among the Apes and the various color lanterns who follow, including Hal Jordan, Sinestro and others.  I enjoyed the series.


Wonder Woman '77 meets The Bionic Woman 1-6 - This was a decent crossover between the two tv show characters and takes place in the late 70s for the most part.  I thought the art was only so-so, but the story was okay.


Batman '66 meets The Legion of Super-Heroes 1 - A group of Legionnaires travel back in time to get help from Batman and Robin.  The issue is a bit campy, but was entertaining enough.


Batman '66 meets Wonder Woman '77 - This series was a lot better than the other two I just read.  The story takes place in the 1940s, in 1966 and in 1977.  The art is much better and the story is also really good, probably because it was written by Jeff Parker and Mark Andreyko.


Dastardly & Muttley 1-6 - Lt Col. Atcherly "Dick" and Captain Muller "Mutt" are air force pilots assigned to investigate a rogue drone over an area that recently suffered nuclear destruction.  Things get weird as the drone unleashes something which causes them to exhibit strange and sometimes cartoonish behavior.  The effect starts to spread and the two have to scramble to stay alive and try to find a solution.  The story is funny and well written (by Garth Ennis) and the art by Mauricet is pretty good.  It didn't quite stick the landing at the very end, but overall was a very good series.


The Ruff and Reddy Show 1-6 - Ruff and Reddy are washed up comics from the 1950s/60s who are recruited by a young talent agent to make a comeback.  They don't get along and there is plenty of tension throughout including with former rivals and associates.  The series is okay overall, but I've never been a big fan of Chaykin's writing and the story and art aren't nearly as good as the Dastardly series.


Exit Stage Left The Snagglepuss Chronicles 1-6 - Snagglepuss is a famous playwright in the early 1959s amidst the Red Scare.  He is somewhat openly gay, though he has a token marriage for cover.  The House plans to subpoena him to try and get him to name names and tries to get leverage on him.  Plenty of other characters appear such as Augie Doggie, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw and others.  Mark Russell writes a very nice tale in a very good series.


Jetsons 1-6 - In the future, the Earth has suffered a meteor strike that raised the ocean levels and killed off much of the life from the surface.  Earth is now an ocean world, but human survive in cities that float above the ocean surface.  They also have space stations.  Now another meteor is approaching and may finish off those who are left.  I really enjoyed this take on the Jetsons and the characterizations are all very good. 


The digital first books like Injustice are next in my pile.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 21, 2019, 03:11:12 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Deadly Class - Book. #1- Noise Noise Noise
Fence - Volume #1
Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #260
World of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #82
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 22, 2019, 06:56:12 PM
BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #269 - In the Sabrina section, there are two different stories featuring Head Witch Della, in which she's drawn very differently. In one (by Bob Bolling), Della looks almost like Marvel's Scarlet Witch (from The Avengers). In the following story, (drawn by Dan DeCarlo) while her costume looks about the same as always, her hairstyle (short) and facial features (especially the detailed way her eyes are drawn) make her look completely different than usual.

B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #267 - In addition to the usual Josie section, replacing the recently-seen Betty & Me section in this issue is "The Girl From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E." - a pleasant surprise to me.

BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER - GO TO WORK #1 (the indicia admits it's actually B&VFF#4, though)

ARCHIE MODERN CLASSICS VOLUME ONE - What exactly is in this, you might wonder? All of the new 5-page lead stories published in all of the ongoing Archie digest titles in 2018. For $10. The stories are so recent that it contains not only all four of the same stories reprinted from the B&V digests that were in BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER - GO TO WORK #1 (which is also out this week), but even the new lead story from BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #269 (which came out only two weeks ago!).

Previously (in 2016, 2017, and 2018 respectively) ACP had made available the digital-only collections ARCHIE: THE BEST OF 2015/2016/2017 DIGEST ANNUAL, which were pretty much the same thing (as far as I can tell -- I don't actually have them, because I own ALL the print digests that ACP published in those years). So in this volume you get ten 5-page lead stories from ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST, ten 5-page lead stories from BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST, ten 5-page lead stories from ARCHIE AND ME COMICS DIGEST, nine 5-page lead stories from B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS DIGEST (because that's all they published in 2018), and ten 5-page lead stories from WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST. Now, this worked out fortuitously for me, due to my earlier decision at the beginning of 2018 to stop getting the ARCHIE, ARCHIE AND ME, and WORLD OF ARCHIE digest titles. I had grown bored with the reprints in those titles, as there was nothing particularly noteworthy or interesting about them -- for the last half of 2017, I'd only been getting them for those new 5-page lead stories, but now that not all the stories were being drawn by Dan Parent, I decided to stop getting those titles. I figured I'd probably just have to break down and BUY a digital collection of ARCHIE: THE BEST OF 2018 DIGEST ANNUAL at some point later, but here ACP went and made things easy for me to get all those new Archie 5-page lead stories that I missed from the three Archie digests in 2018. So... Yay!! And remember, if you were thinking of buying BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER - GO TO WORK #1 for $2.99, all of those stories are in this collection as well as all of the stories from the previous three issues of BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER (for $9.99). I'm still going to keep on getting all the classic B&V titles that ACP publishes, because I like the reprints, as well as the new stories. But now I get to catch up on all those new 5-page lead Archie stories that I missed last year. On a side note, the book is physically larger than the normal digest page size (about the same width as those "Archie Comics Presents..." trade paperbacks, but for some reason, about half an inch shorter). I believe the last time they used this size paperback was back when they published ARCHIE'S EVEN FUNNIER KIDS' JOKE BOOK.

(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/archie-best-of-2018-digest-annual-modern-classics.3701/preview/)
(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/archie-best-of-2017-digest-annual.3700/preview/)
(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/archie-best-of-2016-digest-annual.3699/preview/)
(https://www.archiefans.com/index.php?media/file/archie-best-of-2015-digest-annual.3698/preview/)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on January 24, 2019, 09:02:58 PM
DC Comics Bombshells 32,33
Bombshells United 1-19 - These series are based on the statue line and take place during an alternate WWII where most of the active heroes are female.  I thought both series were very entertaining and fun to read.


Gotham City Garage 1-12 - This series was based on another statue line and takes place in a Mad Max type world where the Earth is now pretty barren, except for one surviving with the remnants of Gotham City.  It is run by Governor Lex Luthor and employs thought control to keep citizens 'happy' and under control.  Batman is a bad guy here and serves as one of Luthor's enforcers.  Kara Gordon lives as an adopted daughter of Jim Gordon and when she escape and meets up with female bikers in the outskirts, she learns who she really is.  Not as much fun as Bombshells, but a decent series.


Scooby Apocalypse 16-32 - Dr. Velma Dinkley was one of the scientists who caused the apocalypse with the release of a nanite plague that turned most people into monsters.  She travels around the country in the mystery machine with Fred, Daphne, Shaggy, Scooby and others (including Scrappy) to try and find a cure.  There is a lot of fun in the various adventures they have and it is a nice take on the Scooby world.  Scooby and Scrappy can talk because they were part of a 'smart dog' program from the same scientists that created the nanites.


Injustice 2 1-36, Annual 1,2 - This serves as a prequel to the new game and takes place after the various original Injustice books where Superman went mad and took over the world after Lois was killed.  There is plenty of action with Batman and his allies battling Ra's al Ghul, Gorilla Grodd and others.  Lots of different stories going on here with Hal Jordan, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Damian Wayne, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold and others.  I enjoyed this series a lot, which isn't surprising since I really liked the previous books, too.


Injustice vs Masters of the Universe 1-6 - He-Man is recruited to fight Superman and his allies.  Darkseid gets involved.  Lots of drama ensues.  I didn't like the art or the story anywhere near as much as the regular Injustice books.  Overall it was okay, but not that great.


Now on to the various DC Kids books that have piled up.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on January 26, 2019, 11:31:50 PM
Future Quest Presents 1-12 - These stories were a lot of fun.  I wouldn't mind seeing an ongoing series with some of these characters or another anthology series.  The Jeff Parker written  stories were probably my favorites here.  The Space Ghost three parter was nice in both art and story.


Looney Tunes 238-246 - This series is still fun, even if some of the stories are reprints.  They are from so long ago that they seem new.  I did see one funny accident, though, where they included the indicia from the issue that was being reprinted as part of the story page.  This series is now tied in terms of # of issues with the original Dell title.  That tie will be broken soon.


Scooby-Doo Team Up 20-45 - This series is a lot of fun with the Scooby Gang meeting a different DC or Hanna-Barbera character or group in each issue.  Sholly Fisch does a nice job writing this and even maintains some continuity.  The art is pretty good, too.


Scooby-Doo Where Are You? 76-96 - The stories in here aren't as much fun as in the other Scooby-Doo title, but they aren't bad.  They seem to use a lot of reprints here, though.  That wouldn't bother me too much except that they reprinted a story in #80 and then again in #86.  They did it again with a story in #89 and #96.  With as many stories as they have in their inventory, that is pretty bad.  It's like they hired somebody from Archie to take care of that.


Teen Titans Go! 19-31 - I don't watch the tv show and haven't seen the movie yet, but I do like the comic book quite a bit.  Silly, but fun.


I am now caught up with my major backlog, except for the comics that have accumulated over the past few months after I had caught up with that section.  This leaves about 200 books to get through before my next shipment arrives in a couple of weeks.  That shouldn't be a problem.  It will be nice to be caught up again and I should be able to stay caught up.


Of course, there are those boxes of graphic novels and collections that have accumulated plus 6000+ back issues yet to be read...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 27, 2019, 06:12:06 PM
I read these books for 12 minutes each
Banana Fish #2
Brain Camp
Archie's FunHouse Comics Double Digest #16
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 30, 2019, 03:42:41 PM
Quote from: rusty on January 26, 2019, 11:31:50 PM
Future Quest Presents 1-12 - These stories were a lot of fun.  I wouldn't mind seeing an ongoing series with some of these characters or another anthology series.  The Jeff Parker written stories were probably my favorites here.  The Space Ghost three parter was nice in both art and story.

Totally agree. I didn't particularly care for Parker's version of an update on Mightor, but aside from that, good work all around.

Quote from: rusty on January 26, 2019, 11:31:50 PM
Looney Tunes 238-246 - This series is still fun, even if some of the stories are reprints.  They are from so long ago that they seem new.  I did see one funny accident, though, where they included the indicia from the issue that was being reprinted as part of the story page.  This series is now tied in terms of # of issues with the original Dell title.  That tie will be broken soon.

I believe that makes Looney Tunes currently DC's longest-running contiguously-numbered title (since April 1994). By that I mean a title which you can actually find each of the 247 (as of this week) issues, numbered as such. As opposed to those titles that later revert to their original legacy numbering after having been re-numbered as #1 at some point. Of course DC has had many titles which numbered higher than 247 in its history prior to 2011, but Looney Tunes and Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? were the only titles to survive the New 52 reboot/renumber and are still continuing with their original numbering.

Quote from: rusty on January 26, 2019, 11:31:50 PM
Scooby-Doo Team Up 20-45 - This series is a lot of fun with the Scooby Gang meeting a different DC or Hanna-Barbera character or group in each issue.  Sholly Fisch does a nice job writing this and even maintains some continuity.  The art is pretty good, too.

Boy, do I EVER agree! Scooby-Doo Team-Up has been my favorite DC title for the last few years. What is more amazing than that is the fact that prior to this series, I was NOT that huge a fan of Scooby-Doo. If not for Sholly Fisch, this could have been a fairly ordinary kids title. And it hasn't gotten stale, either, not even after all this time.

Quote from: rusty on January 26, 2019, 11:31:50 PM
Of course, there are those boxes of graphic novels and collections that have accumulated plus 6000+ back issues yet to be read...

Same here. I don't know of an actual count on the back issues for me, but the boxes of graphic novels and collections are pretty staggering.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 31, 2019, 11:21:50 AM
MONICA ADVENTURES VOL. 1 & 2 (PapercutZ/CharmZ) - It's hard to describe exactly what this is, but I'll give it a shot. First of all, to call it by its correct (Brazilian) title, it's really MONICA TEEN; what that means is it's a 2008 spinoff of the long-running (since 1963) Brazilian (kid gang) comic MONICA. So, it's like if LITTLE ARCHIE had been the original, and they only thought up "Teen Archie" in 2008. The original MONICA strip is in the tradition of kid comics like L.A. or Peanuts or Dennis the Menace -- but extremely simply drawn. Monica Teen ages the characters into their (early, it looks like) teens, and completely changes the art style to something vaguely manga-esque (certain aspects of the style here actually remind me of Gisele's art -- not completely a manga style, but incorporating a lot of manga elements to it). The covers attracted me here, and while I don't think the interior artwork looks quite as good as the covers, it's still an attractive style. It's hard to say who the main artist(s) are here, because credits given on the books are... unusual, by American standards. At any rate, what we have here is a young teenage rom-com, with occasional callbacks to the original (kid version) strip, MONICA. These are a little over 100 pages for $8.99, BUT they're in black-and-white. Personally I'd rather have paid a couple bucks more retail cover price for color, but maybe the original had no color for them to pass along pre-made separations, so it would have made the books cost more like $12.99 to hire an American colorist to do that. For some odd reason, Papercutz opted to translate Monica Teen Volumes 3 and 7 from 2012 (and renumber them 1 and 2 in the MONICA ADVENTURES series). These are still basically comedic stories, despite the rom-com angle. There's an element of 'will they or won't they?' with a text afterword in the second volume in which the creator of Monica speculates about how romantic commitment seems to affect various famous comic strip couples. MONICA is credited as being one of the most successful and long-running comics in Brazil, and has been exported to other countries. I wonder if I don't get a slight impression that (like Archie) fading popularity of the original led to the creation of Monica Teen (in a completely different, more contemporary, style of cartooning) in 2008 (the original version still continues though). At any rate, it's this spinoff that interests me because of its similarities to Archie, not the original Monica strip. I would buy further volumes of this, if there are any, from Papercutz.

(https://i2.wp.com/papercutz.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/9781545802182_FC-1.jpg?w=1080)(https://i0.wp.com/papercutz.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Pages-from-monica2_ebook.jpg?fit=1815%2C2417)



REGGIE AND ME VOL. 1 TP - Or should I say, "Reggie and Me Classic", not to be confused with that piece of [censored] ACP published as a miniseries a couple of years back now. Of the 36 Reggie stories in this collection, 13 were drawn by Al Hartley; 8 were drawn by Bob Bolling; 8 were drawn by Bill Vigoda; 3 were drawn by Bob White; and one each was drawn by Harry Lucey, Samm Schwartz, Stan Goldberg, and Dick Malmgren. The usual mix of writers include Frank Doyle, Al Hartley, Bob Bolling, and George Gladir. Stories cover a span of over 50 issues, from #20 (Oct. 1966) to #73 (Sep. 1974). This is a good point to mention an awareness on my part that these stories are being specially selected (or de-selected) by the editor. That would be either Jaime Lee Rotante (credited as "Editor") or Carlos Antunes (credited as "Associate Editor"). One of THOSE people specifically chose to DIS-include the "Reggie as Evilheart" stories that lead off REGGIE AND ME issues 19 through 23, which kind of burns my butt. And I guess I could complain retroactively that the Superteen stories were left out of the BETTY & ME collection as well, and the Pureheart stories left out of the LIFE WITH ARCHIE volume. The latter two don't bother me as much, as those stories have been reprinted elsewhere... but the Evilheart stories are rarely ever reprinted. And I could say that the overall high quality of the stories in the BETTY AND ME volume made the lack of Superteen stories included less noticable. BUT I was really looking forward to seeing those Evilheart stories. There better be a couple of Archie superhero trade collections down the road somewhere. An "Archie 1" collection would be nice, too, seeing as how they left those stories out of the EVERYTHING'S ARCHIE volume altogether. You can bet dollars to donuts you won't be seeing a collection of "The Best of CHUCK CLAYTON" stories that they specifically sorted out of the ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH collection. That was pretty much the only opportunity C.C. would have had for a 'classic collection', but they decided to give him the bum's rush.

(https://www.archiefans.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.previewsworld.com%2FSiteImage%2FCatalogImage%2FSTL105048%3Ftype%3D1&hash=f7a81ac0e3e6e9b5aee14da600773822d23783bb)


BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #270 - This is the "Valentine's Day" issue, such as it is (only one story, alas). The BETTY & ME section is back, and I marvel and the number of Dan DeCarlo stories that they've been able to dredge up from that title (many of which are still fresh to me). My impression was that DDC didn't do all that many B&M stories after the earliest issues, as he quickly got busy as both the line-wide cover artist for ACP, double-duty on the B&V spinoff issues of Archie Giant Series, and (by the mid-1970s) taking over pencilling on the Archie newspaper strip. Cheryl Blossom's stories continue as reprints, in a chronological progression, towards the back of the issue, which is another feature I always look forward to.

(https://freshcomics.s3.amazonaws.com/issue_covers/NOV181547.jpg)


Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on January 31, 2019, 12:42:46 PM
ADDENDUM:  I was just scrounging around the net, looking for more info on this MONICA TEEN thing, and came across these images. Not to be outdone by Archie teaming up with KISS or BATMAN '66, Monica and her friends had crossovers with Astro Boy (and other Osamu Tezuka characters) and more recently, the Justice League. Seems doubtful that we'll ever get to see those reprinted in Papercutz' CHARMZ series, though.

(https://icv2.com/images/articles/1500x1500_a3d4d3629be8889d9a97b172b0ecd5a7a45a002bfd65487b8a138c07.jpg)(https://img.assinaja.com/assets/tZ/004/img/111259_900x900.jpg)

Also: "Summer Fun" issues are never a bad thing...

(https://img.assinaja.com/assets/tZ/004/img/78942_900x900.jpg)(https://img.assinaja.com/assets/tZ/004/img/47896_900x900.jpg)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on January 31, 2019, 04:24:48 PM
Lark's Killer 1-10 - Bill Willingham has started up a creator owned title about a young street girl from Los Angeles who suddenly finds herself on the run from people who want to kill her after she passes through a portal that takes her to a fantasy world with magic, dragons, assassins, mercenaries and more.  It has been pretty entertaining so far.  There is also the framing story where her adventures are being related from 100 years or so after they happened.


Night's Dominion Season 2 1-4 - The story from the first season continues here.  A city is on the brink of rebellion after the rich elite are slowly strangling the citizens financially.  I'm a fan of Ted Naifeh's work and have enjoyed this, though not as much as Courtney Crumrin.  A third season is underway, but apparently only in digital format.  Hopefully it will see release in trade paperback was completed.


Shadow Roads 1-5 - This series from Cullen Bunn takes place in the aftermath of his long running Sixth Gun series.  The Hunter seeks out those with magical ability and power and eats them.  A small group come together to battle him.  Nice fantasy elements and it has been pretty good so far.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on January 31, 2019, 07:03:29 PM
I read Archie 1000 Page Comics 75th Anniversary Bash
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on February 02, 2019, 04:53:30 AM
Anyone reads Webtoons? There are some terrific stories on there from South Kore (translated, of course), such as Lookism, True Beauty, Unordinary, and others...
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 02, 2019, 12:24:57 PM
Quote from: SAGG on February 02, 2019, 04:53:30 AM
Anyone reads Webtoons? There are some terrific stories on there from South Kore (translated, of course), such as Lookism, True Beauty, Unordinary, and others...

"Adventures of God" looks pretty good. How did THAT not get made into an Adult Swim or Comedy Central animated show?

Oh, and Dean Haspiel (THE FOX) is on there, too -- with his "New Brooklyn" superhero universe that includes The Red Hook (since issued in print as a graphic novel by Image), and the most recent sequel, Warcry.

On the technical side, you can tell Webtoons is aimed squarely at tablet and smartphone readers, because the reader interface works pretty crappy on a landscape-mode screen on a laptop or desktop (I can't even view a full panel vertically top-to-bottom without reducing it in size). Webtoons' vertical scrolling of panels might be fine for swiping in portrait mode on a smaller screen, but I find it annoying to have to keep scrolling, because it's a mouse button I have to keep holding down to keep moving the slider bar. Left-to-right horizontal panel progression with simple back-and-forward buttons to click would make the reading experience a lot less tedious. And THAT makes me not want to spend much time on the site.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on February 02, 2019, 08:09:27 PM
I prefer reading it on a smartphone. Much better for me...  :smitten:
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 03, 2019, 03:54:46 AM
Quote from: SAGG on February 02, 2019, 08:09:27 PM
I prefer reading it on a smartphone. Much better for me...  :smitten:

It's kind of an Apple design/control philosophy though... that sort of thinking of "let's reduce the number of user options or controls; we're not worried about flexibility or offering different choices for different users, let's just make a one-size-fits-all thing that fits the profile of the majority of users". If that doesn't happen to fit your preferences or type of use, too bad. It's obvious that the user interface is designed to fit a portrait mode screen, as opposed to a landscape mode one. So they're automatically dismissing potential readers using laptops or PCs as a statistically negligible audience. The print comic analog to this reading experience is... a roll of toilet paper, where the panels can take up any number of sheets. Okay then, there are other webcomics sites, too.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 04, 2019, 04:46:37 PM
I've been spending a lot of time over the past week or so sifting through scans of Golden Age, public-domain comic books. In this specific instance, it's the comics published by Harvey Comics between the years 1941 and 1951. I can't recall what started me on this little project, but somehow I was on the ComicBookPlus website, and I happened to notice that they had scans of the entire run of Harvey Comics' GREEN HORNET title. A few years back, all that was posted was the covers and the "backup features" of each issue of Green Hornet. I should mention that GREEN HORNET was not a title that consisted entirely of stories about the Green Hornet. Instead, it had between 16 and 24 pages (more often on the lower side) of GH stories, and some of those were text stories of from 1 to 3 pages. It was a 52-page comic (64 pages during WWII), yet less than half those pages were devoted to Green Hornet. I'd always wanted to read all those Golden Age Green Hornet comics, but there was no way I could afford to collect that run of 47 issues (the first 6 were actually published by a different publisher than Harvey Comics). They're reasonably-priced compared to DC or Marvel Golden Age comic books, but there's just so few pages of Green Hornet in each issue. Anyway, I guess The Green Hornet Incorporated (which owns the rights to the character) had formerly objected to sites like Digital Comic Museum and ComicBookPlus posting scans of the Green Hornet comic books, even though (legally speaking) the copyrights on those comics were never renewed and had expired. Those sites just don't want to piss off the rights-holders and get involved in some legal contentiousness, even if they're completely within their rights in posting those scans. Anyway... maybe it had something to do with Dynamite Entertainment's active license in publishing Green Hornet comic books. Activity on that character has died down quite a bit now, and maybe GH Inc had a change of heart and relented. SO here was an opportunity to finally read (and own digital copies of) all those stories. I like to sift through each book individually, saving only the specific pages I'm interested in, and sorting them all into file folders by character. To make a long story short, not only did I sift through issues 7 through 47 of Harvey's GH title, saving just the Green Hornet stories, but I decided to take the opportunity to do the same with another long-running Harvey superhero title, BLACK CAT (which ran 29 issues as a superhero title before changing to BLACK CAT MYSTIC, a horror/suspense comic which no longer featured the title character). Then I went on to research other Harvey anthology titles of the Golden Age like SPEED Comics, CHAMP Comics, ALL-NEW Comics, and others that had a variety of different characters in each issue, some of the features being superhero stories. I made a list of the superheroes and which issues they appeared in, and then saved all those stories in their own folders, a complete archival collection for each character. At least, aside from Black Cat and Green Hornet, all the superhero characters who made less than twenty or so appearances, which amounted to less than 20 characters. That leaves only half-a-dozen relatively long-running characters for me to sort through issues of SPEED and GREEN HORNET and save copies of their stories in their own folders: Shock Gibson and Captain Freedom from SPEED Comics, and Spirit of '76 & The Zebra (both of whom continued from the first 4 issues of POCKET Comics), and Blonde Bomber from GREEN HORNET. I'm not trying to save every feature that ran in every title, not even every non-humor feature. Just the superheroes, which account for maybe 20 to 25 percent of the story pages of a typical Harvey comic from the 1940s. There were a LOT of short-running superhero features, a few medium-length runs, and very few long-running superheroes -- just the six I mentioned, plus Blonde Bomber which wasn't really a superhero feature, but I can make up my own rules about what to save, so I'm doing it!

I'll also save any work I find (and I'm surprised by how many different companies this guy worked for) by cartoonist Ed Wheelan, simply because I like his style, and there's never EVER been a collection of ANY of his work, to my knowledge. Wheelan's best known (if at all) by collectors for his work on a parody/melodrama strip called Minute Movies (originally "Midget Movies") that seems to have been the prototype that E.C. Segar followed when creating Thimble Theater (which later became just POPEYE). Wheelan was super-talented, easily on a par with Segar, but never seemed to find that magical character to make one of his strips a big hit with the public.

I did something like this once before when I sifted through all the Golden Age MLJ titles and saved all the superhero stories in their own digital collections. It's kind of labor-intensive, but it interests me and I learn a lot about the company and characters in the process. I already started saving a few characters out of Crestwood Publications' PRIZE Comics (Dick Briefer's New Adventures of Frankenstein and Ken Crossen's Green Lama) and I may extend that to all of the other Crestwood superhero characters, too.

Another interesting phenomenon to note is that while many trademarked characters from long-running newspaper strips (like DICK TRACY) are not posted on these scan-sharing sites, many ARE, so you can read newspaper reprints like Milton Caniff's TERRY AND THE PIRATES or Ham Fisher's JOE PALOOKA (both of them published in a long-running series by Harvey Comics) on DCM or CB+. One such strip I found while sifting through Harvey's titles was INVISIBLE SCARLET O'NEIL, Russel Stamm's newspaper strip which I've long wished for a collection of. Now I have (a digital) one, because I made it myself!
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on February 06, 2019, 11:15:05 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 31, 2019, 11:21:50 AM
MONICA ADVENTURES VOL. 1 & 2 (PapercutZ/CharmZ)


I'm really intrigued by this. Too bad it doesn't come digitally. Is it similar in tone to B&V or too kiddish? I've read some things from Papercutz. The Barbie series was definitely for kids while I enjoyed Chloe (originally a French comic).
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 07, 2019, 10:15:33 AM
Quote from: irishmoxie on February 06, 2019, 11:15:05 AM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on January 31, 2019, 11:21:50 AM
MONICA ADVENTURES VOL. 1 & 2 (PapercutZ/CharmZ)


I'm really intrigued by this. Too bad it doesn't come digitally. Is it similar in tone to B&V or too kiddish? I've read some things from Papercutz. The Barbie series was definitely for kids while I enjoyed Chloe (originally a French comic).

Huh! Now THAT is weird. According to the Papercutz website, their books are available digitally on ComiXology, Amazon Kindle, iBooks, GooglePlay, Nook, etc. ... BUT no MONICA ADVENTURES to be found among the many other Papercutz titles available. I wonder why?  Monica is distributed by Panini (one of the world's largest publishers of comics internationally) in Brazil, and at one time there was an English-language version of Monica Teen (their preferred title; translation software calls it "Monica's Youth Group" or "Monica's Young Gang" or something like that) being produced by Panini for distribution in South America (*see below*), but apparently that is no longer the case (which may or may not have anything to do with Papercutz acquiring the North American rights). For some reason I'm guessing, digital distribution was not included in the rights granted to Papercutz. Either that or Papercutz does not do same-day-and-date digital releases with the print comic versions of their titles - which I thought was industry standard now, but I could be wrong (?)

You can browse the past editions (in Portuguese) in the Monica Teen series (Turma da Mônica Jovem in Portuguese) at Panini's Brazilian website (just ask your browser to translate the page; it seems to work fine in Chrome) at https://loja.panini.com.br//panini/vitrines/msp-revistas-turma-da-monica-jovem.aspx (https://loja.panini.com.br//panini/vitrines/msp-revistas-turma-da-monica-jovem.aspx)  just to get some idea of what the series is like. It seems there have been three separate series of Turma da Mônica Jovem in Brazil since 2008; the first series is now simply called "First series", and it was followed by a "Series 1" and a "Series 2". I don't know if that means that there was a little bit of a reboot after the initial series, but I can see that the character designs changed somewhat between "First series" and "Series 1". The characters seem to be extremely adaptable to either the standard high-school life/rom-com situations, or to more 'fantasy adventure'-type stories. Some issues are standalone stories, while others are part of multipart story arcs (and there does seem to be some continuity within each series that leads me to think the stories should be read in the order published). The crossover with the Justice League happened because Panini also distributes Portuguese-language versions of DC Comics (and Marvel's too... not surprising since they were once OWNED by Marvel -- long story). The Monica's Gang-related titles (kid version, teen version, and several individual character spinoff titles) had 8 separate titles or issues crossing over with the DC characters.


And oh yeah -- THAT happened, too.
(https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_small/0/3125/6659827-mon8.jpg)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 14, 2019, 05:42:55 AM
Out this week:
(https://previewsworld.com/SiteImage/CatalogImage/STL108045?type=1)
ARCHIE & FRIENDS MUSIC JAM #1

Apparently (I didn't think too hard about it at first, since I'm used to seeing seasonal one-shots for Xmas and Halloween) this is the start of a companion "ongoing" series of one shots, analogous to BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER, where they reprint 4 recent stories (this time from the ARCHIE digests instead of the B&V ones) of Archie & Friends, each issue having a different theme. All four stories in the first #1 issue are written & drawn by Dan Parent, but there is a teaser ad at the back of the book for the next forthcoming Archie & Friends one-shot, so I'd say it looks like another ongoing series (if people buy them) of one-shots. The stories all seemed mighty familiar (not surprisingly, since I read them all quite recently in the ARCHIE MODERN CLASSICS VOL. 1 TP), but presumably future issues in this series would be released before the "best of year" TP compilation.

I can't recall seeing any subscription ads anywhere for BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER, but they might just be waiting a while until the 'ongoing' status of these "one-shots" is firmly established before putting that option out there. Or maybe at $2.99 cover price, they can't really make a subscription price that seems attractive and still allow a decent profit, what with mailing costs for overhead. Then again, where are they going to place the ads... not in the digests, since that would tend to point out the obvious... that these stories are in fact recycled from VERY recent new digest lead stories. No, they should probably only advertise subscriptions for these titles in their floppy-format comics. It's a dilemma, but a subscription to the B&V FRIENDS FOREVER and ARCHIE & FRIENDS one-shots would solve the problem for those who like classic Archie stories, specifically in the floppy comic-book format, but don't necessarily care to spend $7 per issue on a reprint digest title, just to get ONE new 5-page story.


Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on February 14, 2019, 06:42:23 AM
Here's some classic early Dan DeCarlo, from KATHY #10 (Feb. 1952, Standard Comics). The basic formula for all teen humor gags is the same. "Janey" could be Veronica, and "Leroy" could be Archie, and "Jasper" could be Reggie.

(https://box00.comicbookplus.com/viewer/5a/5a983fc061562019bfb92f7e22078d84/11.jpg)
(https://box00.comicbookplus.com/viewer/5a/5a983fc061562019bfb92f7e22078d84/12.jpg)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: BettyReggie on February 15, 2019, 06:31:52 PM
I read each of the books for 12 minutes each
Banana Fish Volume #2
Egg Cream - Volume #1
The Prince & The Dressmaker

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on February 24, 2019, 07:43:52 PM
Anne Bonnie #7-9 - This pirate series from Blue Juice is fun.  A young girl with farsight is the main character.

Catalyst: Summit 10-12 - This continues to be a nice science fiction mystery series.  I've read a few other Catalyst books, but this is my favorite.

Nancy Drew: The Case of the Cold Case 1-5 - I liked this a lot more than the crossover with the Hardy Boys. I'd like to see more in the same vein.

Princeless vol. 1-7 - Adrienne Ashe is the youngest of King Ashe's seven daughters.  All of the daughters have been locked in towers with creatures to guard them until a prince comes along to rescue them.  Adrienne doesn't want to be there and eventually decides to rescue herself.  She befriends the dragon that guards her and also befriends a half human/half dwarf girl who is a master smith and sets out to rescue all of her older sisters.  Lots of stuff happens along the way and it is a nice series.

Raven the Pirate Princess vol. 1-5 - This is a spinoff of Princeless and deals with Raven, the daughter of the Pirate King who was talked into locking her in a tower by her two older brothers.  She initially teams up with Adrienne who helps her capture a pirate ship.  She then crews it with an all female crew and they set sail to take down her older brothers.  This is also a pretty good series.  Some may be turned off by the LGBT themes, but it doesn't bother me.

Sword of Ages 1-5 - Gabriel Rodriguez's new fantasy/sf series is pretty cool.  The art is excellent of course and the story is nice as well.  There are a variety of races, talking animals, battles and Arthurian aspects as well.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 04, 2019, 10:44:39 AM
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #1 - Well, what do you know. It's just a different version of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, by a different creative team. Still a horror comic, though. I guess it's one way to get out of the fact that they've got a hit Netflix Sabrina series, based on a comic book that they no longer publish. They can't publish it unless Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa makes the time to actually write it (and let's face it, if he's going to do work, that's the least profitable use of his time, for him). So ACP gives us someone else's alternate take on a horror version of Sabrina, because they can't afford to pass up the opportunity to cash in on the profile-raising character-awareness the video (almost said "TV" there) series is generating. Maybe I'd have liked it better if this one had come first.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: SAGG on April 23, 2019, 03:49:37 AM
I think the Netflix series is fantastic. I binged on season two when it came out... 😏
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on April 28, 2019, 11:50:21 PM
I've been reading the Treasure Chest series that ran from 1946-1972 in 27 volumes.  It was available at Catholic schools and features a lot of historical and religious content, but also has two adventure serials in each issue that aren't bad.  I just finished vol.16 and plan to finish the rest over the next couple of weeks.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on April 29, 2019, 10:35:14 AM
Quote from: rusty on April 28, 2019, 11:50:21 PMI've been reading the Treasure Chest series that ran from 1946-1972 in 27 volumes.  It was available at Catholic schools and features a lot of historical and religious content, but also has two adventure serials in each issue that aren't bad.  I just finished vol.16 and plan to finish the rest over the next couple of weeks.

I vaguely remember reading those growing up. Was there some sort of science fiction comic strip that ran in it fo a while? Or maybe I'm confabulating... recently I've been reading (online) old back issues of Boys' Life magazine. Well, not really reading it, per se... more like scouring through the run of issues from 1952 to the late 1990s. It had a comic strip (sometimes a single page, sometimes only half a page) called "Space Conquerors!" by Al Stenzl (actually ghosted for the most part by diverse hands) that ran in most issues between October 1952 and September 1972. I was able to save all of those pages and then read all 20 years worth of the strip. It was followed up on different occasions between the late 1970s and mid-1990s by some much shorter science fiction adaptations of stories by Robert Heinlein (Between Planets), James Blish (The Star Dwellers), John Christopher (the Tripods trilogy), and Janet & Isaac Asimov (Norby the Mixed-Up Robot). I seem to vaguely recall some adaptation (possibly of H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds) from Treasure Chest... this would have been somewhere in the mid-to-late 1960s issues.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on April 29, 2019, 02:59:20 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 29, 2019, 10:35:14 AM
Quote from: rusty on April 28, 2019, 11:50:21 PMI've been reading the Treasure Chest series that ran from 1946-1972 in 27 volumes.  It was available at Catholic schools and features a lot of historical and religious content, but also has two adventure serials in each issue that aren't bad.  I just finished vol.16 and plan to finish the rest over the next couple of weeks.

I vaguely remember reading those growing up. Was there some sort of science fiction comic strip that ran in it fo a while? Or maybe I'm confabulating... recently I've been reading (online) old back issues of Boys' Life magazine. Well, not really reading it, per se... more like scouring through the run of issues from 1952 to the late 1990s. It had a comic strip (sometimes a single page, sometimes only half a page) called "Space Conquerors!" by Al Stenzl (actually ghosted for the most part by diverse hands) that ran in most issues between October 1952 and September 1972. I was able to save all of those pages and then read all 20 years worth of the strip. It was followed up on different occasions between the late 1970s and mid-1990s by some much shorter science fiction adaptations of stories by Robert Heinlein (Between Planets), James Blish (The Star Dwellers), John Christopher (the Tripods trilogy), and Janet & Isaac Asimov (Norby the Mixed-Up Robot). I seem to vaguely recall some adaptation (possibly of H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds) from Treasure Chest... this would have been somewhere in the mid-to-late 1960s issues.
I'm up to around 1962 at the moment in my reading.  Chuck White has been in every issue and usually runs 6-8 pages.  There are 20 issues in each year and there is usually a second 6-8 page strip that runs for 10 issues with another story taking its place after that.  Occasionally there will be one that runs only 5 issues or so.  Other strips, stories and jokes fill out the issue.  A couple of these shorter stories have featured a science fiction theme.  One of them involved a new interplanetary spaceship that is stolen by the creator who was going to be left off of the first voyage.  A family is accidentally onboard when he steals it.  There are probably others later in the run.

It would be nice if the Boys' Life science fiction stories were collected in print.  I love the Heinlein juveniles and enjoyed the Norby books.  It would be nice to see adaptations of these and other stories.  The stories from 1952-1972 appear to be available online to read, though that isn't quite the same to me.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on May 15, 2019, 07:49:11 PM
I finally finished up the Treasure Chest series - all 508 issues.  Overall, they were fun.  Now I plan to work my way through the Classics Illustrated Special issues and the World Around Us issues that I haven't read yet.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on May 28, 2019, 11:15:56 PM
I've started reading my backlog of Four Color issues.  I started with five of them tonight

#21 Oswald the Rabbit - This one is a full length Easter story with egg swapping, a flood, a crazy Woody Woodpecker and more.  I thought it was good, but I prefer the later Oswald stories.

#25 Andy Panda - This starts out with Andy on a remote Pacific island where he befriends a shipwrecked sailor.  The sailor makes a raft and takes Andy back to civilization.  He is kidnapped and sold to a circus, but later escapes.  Like the Oswald comic, it was good, but I like the later stories more.

#28 Wash Tubbs - This was a long running comic strip and this comic features about 6 months worth of story.  Wash is engaged to a beautiful heiress, but a guy he works with will stop at nothing to discredit Wash and steal his girl.  I enjoyed it, even though I've never read Wash Tubbs before.

#30 Bambi's Children - Bambi is all grown up now and has a son and daughter.  This story is about the adventures of the animals in the forest.  There is a poacher out to kill animals, but there is also a good man out to save them if necessary.  Not bad.

#36 Smilin' Jack - This is an aviation comic strip.  I didn't really care for it much.  The series ran for almost 40 years in the papers, though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 13, 2019, 02:54:38 AM
I haven't posted anything regarding what I'm reading in a while, because it seems like there's always a list of things every week which I still haven't gotten around to reading, and any time I spend posting/reviewing is time I'm not spending catching up. So I'll just do a list of things I've been getting and trying to keep up with. I tend not to get so far behind on the floppy comics, but collected editions (like manga paperbacks, or original graphic novels) do sometimes have a tendency to sit awhile before I can get to them.

Stuff I've been getting or reading on a regular basis:

ARCHIE COMICS:
  Archie (ongoing), since #699 - I just borrow this comic and will probably stop reading it after the "Archie & Sabrina" 5-part story arc. Interest is kind of marginal, and I don't care much for the art, it's just bland.
  Sabrina the Teenage Witch (5 issue miniseries) - I just borrow this comic, and am only reading it because it's available to me. Meh. I won't be buying the trade.
  Jughead's Time Police (5 issues miniseries) - Pretty good first issue. I'm going to try to review this one, as well as ARCHIE #705, in a little bit.
  Archie The Married Life: 10 Years Later - I will definitely be getting this miniseries as well as the TP collection. Anything by Dan Parent is automatically on the list.
  Betty and Veronica (one-shots) - These are reprints of (very) recent new 5-pagers from the digests.
  Archie & Friends (one-shots) - These are reprints of (very) recent new 5-pagers from the digests.
  Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest - I've gotten every issue since 2014; no plans to quit.
  B & V Friends Jumbo Comics Digest - I've gotten every issue since 2014; no plans to quit.
  Archie Modern Classics TPs - Presumably, this will continue on an annual basis, compiling all the new 5-page digest stories from the previous year.
  Archie's Big Book TPs - I've gotten them all (so far...)
  Archie Comics Presents... TPs - I got all the Vol. 1 collections, but will be skipping some of the Vol.2's of the weaker series like ARCHIE & ME, ARCHIE AT RIVERDALE HIGH, and (maybe) EVERYTHING'S ARCHIE... looking forward to the KATY KEENE collection, and more B&V SPECTACULAR.
  ... and that's about it for Archie Comics.

AC COMICS:
  FemForce

ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT:
  Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir TPs

ALBATROSS FUNNYBOOKS:
  The Goon

ANTARCTIC PRESS:
  Exciting Comics
  Heroes At Large (miniseries)

AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY PRODUCTIONS:
  Carson of Venus
  The Land That Time Forgot
  Pellucidar
  The Moon Maid
  Zorro

BOOM STUDIOS:
  King Kong miniseries
  Planet of the Apes miniseries (usually)
  Robocop miniseries (usually)

CHAPTERHOUSE COMICS:
  Die Kitty Die (all minis & one-shots)

DARK HORSE:
  Hellboy & the B.P.R.D. - I get this series in trade collections
  Lobster Johnson - I get the single floppy issues and the trade collections.
  (Dark Horse manga will be listed in a separate post later)

DC COMICS:
Current series I'm getting:
  Scooby-Doo Team-Up - My favorite DC title! This one I actually buy the singles AND the TPs.
  Looney Tunes - Not nearly as good as SDTU, but I like it enough to keep buying the floppies.

These titles I just borrow the floppies to read, and only get the trade collections later if I decide I really liked it:
  Green Lantern (2018) - since issue #1 - It's not bad. I wouldn't say it's one of Grant Morrison's better works, but holding my interest enough so far. Haven't decided whether or not I'll get the trade collections later yet.
  Shazam - I thought I'd give it a fair chance (since I'm a big fan of the original Marvel Family), but I think I may quit reading it soon. It's really not clicking for me.
  Doomsday Clock (12 issues) - I'd rather not comment until I see how it all winds up in issue #12.
  Freedom Fighters (12 issues) - It's okay... I don't think I'd still read it if I weren't just borrowing it, though.
  Female Furies (6 issues) - This one I like, and may even get the trade collection later.
  Wonder Twins (6 issues) - This one I like, and may even get the trade collection later.
  Dial H for HERO (6 issues) - This one I like, and may even get the trade collection later.
... and that's it for DC, currently. I do get various reprint collections of classic DC stories.

DISNEY COMICS:
  The Carl Barks Library HCs (Fantagraphics)
  The Don Rosa Library HCs (Fantagraphics)
  Disney Masters HCs (Fantagraphics)
  Disney Classic Stories (Dark Horse) - TP originals, adapted like Classics Illustrated, but using the Disney characters.
  Silly Symphonies HCs (Library of American Comics/IDW) - Not sure if this series is completed or not.
  Walt Disney's Treasury of Classic Tales HCs (Library of American Comics/IDW)
  Uncle Scrooge (IDW) - trade paperback
  Mickey Mouse (IDW) - trade paperback
  Donald Duck (IDW) - trade paperback
  Mickey & Donald (IDW) - trade paperback

Other classic newspaper comic strip collections:
  Flash Gordon HCs (Titan Books) - I think these are pretty much ended, as there hasn't been a new one in a while.
  Mandrake the Magician HCs (Titan Books) - I think these are pretty much ended, as there hasn't been a new one in a while.
  The Phantom Dailies HCs (Hermes Press)
  The Phantom Sundays HCs (Hermes Press)
  Li'l Abner HCs (Library of American Comics/IDW)
  Dick Tracy HCs - I only got the 5 volumes covering 1964-1970, which were the ones I mainly wanted for the "Moon Era" Tracy. It's just too long a series.
  Superman Dailies HCs (Library of American Comics/IDW)
  Superman Sundays HCs (Library of American Comics/IDW)

DYNAMITE COMICS:
  Various things, but I'm going to be picky, depending on who's writing/drawing it.
  Barbarella
  Vampirella
  Elvira
  Sheena
  Dejah Thoris
  John Carter Warlord of Mars
  Mars Attacks
  Project Superpowers - Hated the last one, to be honest.
  The Shadow
  Doc Savage
  The Avenger
  The Spider
  Green Hornet - I think I skipped the last one of these.
  Lone Ranger

IDW:
  Dick Tracy - Got the first (Allred/Tomaso) miniseries, skipped the second (Michael Oeming).
  Star Trek: Year Five - A new classic Trek series. Haven't made up my mind about how I feel about it yet.
  Star Trek: The Next Generation - I usually trade-wait on this one.
  Planet of the Apes - I've gotten a few things by IDW, so I wonder if the license jumped from Boom to IDW. Seems like it.

IMAGE:
  Criminal (and anything else by Ed Brubaker)
  Exorsisters
  Outer Darkness
  -- plus various (but not all) miniseries by Mark Millar

MARVEL COMICS:
These I just borrow to read, and may get in trade later if I really liked them:
  The Unstoppable Wasp
  Invaders
  Spider-Man: Life Story (6 issue miniseries)
... and that's it for current Marvel Comics. I do buy TP or HC collections of classic Marvel reprints, though.

MAGAZINES:
  TWOMORROWS:
    Alter Ego
    Back Issue
    Comic Book Creator
    The Jack Kirby Collector
    RetroFan
    & various trade paperback books & hardcovers that TM puts out

  Famous Monsters of Filmland (only some issues, depending on content)
  Monster Bash
  Scary Monsters / Monster Memories Yearbook
  FilmFax
  THE CREEPS Magazine - Pretty much the same as the old Warren CREEPY or EERIE (which is to say, good).
  CARtoons Magazine - Automotive humor in comics form.


That's it for now, I'll cover the manga (the longest part of the list) later.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 13, 2019, 04:25:22 AM
Part Two: the manga list

DARK HORSE:
  Gantz Omnibus
  Gantz G
  Mob Psycho 100


DC COMICS:
  Batman & The Justice League (manga)

DRAWN & QUARTERLY:
  Kitaro
  -- anything else by Shigeru Mizuki

KODANSHA:
  Battle Angel Alita

LAST GASP:
  Barefoot Gen

SEVEN SEAS:
  Captain Harlock: Dimensional Voyage
  Nurse Hitomi's Monster Infirmary
  Please Tell Me, Galko-Chan!
  Plus-Sized Elf
  Precarious Woman Executive: Miss Black General
  Saint Seiya: Santia Sho
  Wonderland
  World's End Harem

  -- anything by Go Nagai
  -- anything by Reiji Matsumoto

UDON STUDIOS:
  Infini-T Force
  Megaman: Mastermix
  Menage A 3
  Street Fighter


VIZ MEDIA:
  Black Torch
  My Hero Academia: Vigilantes
-  I read one volume of the main MHA series that this spins off of, but didn't like it as much as the spinoff.
  One-Punch Man
  Platinum End
  20th Century Boys (Perfect Edition)
  Urusei Yatsura
(omnibus)
  -- anything by Junji Ito

YEN PRESS:
  Prison School (omnibus)
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 14, 2019, 12:18:51 PM
Quote from: rusty on April 28, 2019, 11:50:21 PMI've been reading the Treasure Chest series that ran from 1946-1972 in 27 volumes.  It was available at Catholic schools and features a lot of historical and religious content, but also has two adventure serials in each issue that aren't bad.  I just finished vol.16 and plan to finish the rest over the next couple of weeks.

Wow, little did I realize that nearly all the 1946-1963 issues of Treasure Chest are available for browsing and downloading here:
https://comicbookplus.com/?cid=407 (https://comicbookplus.com/?cid=407)

That's something like 350-ish issues of TC. Discovering things like this is why I get backlogged on so much reading of the print books I've purchased. I've already got several different search-and-download projects in various stages of completion, so here's another to add to the list.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on June 16, 2019, 09:38:18 PM
My manga books tend to sit for a while, too.  I caught up back in October, but fell behind again as I started getting caught up on new comics.  As I've been working on my back issue backlog lately, I've fallen behind on each of the other categories.  I plan to get caught up on all 3 eventually so that I can just keep up with new purchases.

To give you a good idea of the manga I read, here is a list of what I've purchased in 2019.

January 2019
A Certain Scientific Accelerator 8
Abandoned Sacred Beasts 7
After the Rain 2
Battle Angel Alita Mars Chronicle 5
Case Closed 69
Children of the Whales 8
Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction  4
Hayate the Combat Butler 33
Kimagure Orange Road Omnibus vol. 1-6
Ultraman 11
UQ Holder 15
Wandering Island 2
Xxholic Rei 3,4
Your Name Another Side Earthbound 1

February 2019
Ao Haru Ride 3
Aposimz 2
Black Butler 27
Black Clover 14
Btooom 23
Captain Harlock Dimensional Voyage 7
Certain Magical Index 16
Food Wars 28
Golden Kamuy 8
Kino's Journey The Beautiful World 1
Magi 34
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt 10
My Hero Academia 17
One Piece 89
Oresama Teacher 25
Promised Neverland 8
Ran and the Gray World 2
Seven Deadly Sins 30
Teasing Master Takagi-san 3
Tokyo Ghoul :re 9
Urusei Yatsura 1
Yona of the Dawn 16

March 2019
A Certain Scientific Railgun Astral Buddy 1
Anonymous Noise 16
Ao Haru Ride 4
Aria Masterpiece 1
Berserk Deluxe 1
Boruto 5
Children of Whales 9
Chi's Sweet Adventure 3
Dimension W 13
Food Wars 29
Haikyu 31
I Am a Hero Omnibus 9
In Spectre 9
Kaguya-sama 7
My Hero Academia 18
My Hero Academia School Briefs 1
My Hero Academia Vigilantes 4
Platinum End 8
Promised Neverland 9
Rin-Ne 29
Seraph of the End 16
Seven Deadly Sins 31
Skip Beat 42
Yona of the Dawn 17

April 2019 
After the Rain 3
Btooom 24
Case Closed 70
Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction  5
Gantz G 3
Golden Kamuy 9
Magi 35
Smashed
Tokyo Ghoul :re 10
UQ Holder 16

May 2019
A Certain Magical Index 17
Anonymous Noise 14
Attack on Titan 27
Batman and Justice League 2
Battle Angel Alita Mars Chronicle 6
Black Clover 15
Captain Harlock Dimensional Voyage 8
Children of the Whales 10
Dragonball Super 5
Haikyu 32
Kagerou Daze 12
Kaguya Sama 8
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt 11
One Piece 90
One Punch Man 16
Ooku 15
Ran and the Gray World 3
Snow White with the Red Hair 1
Teasing Master Takagi-san  4
Toppu GP  4
Urusei Yatsura 2
Yowamushi Pedal 11

June 2019
After Rain 4
Ao Haru Ride 5
Aria Masterpiece 2
Boruto 6
Chi's Sweet Adventure 4
Dimension W 14
Elfen Lied Omnibus 1
Emanon 1
Food Wars 30
Kino's Journey 2
Magi 36
My hero Academia 19
Promised Neverland 10
Queen's Quality 7
Seraph of the End 17
Seven Deadly Sins 32
Yona of the Dawn 18
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 17, 2019, 07:32:14 AM
That is a LOT of manga. On average, how many volumes of a brand-new tankobon series do you give a trial before deciding (assuming no prior commitment to the particular mangaka or characters from previous familiarity) to continue or not? I've always tried to force myself to decide within one volume or two. I just can't keep it on the list if I'm not particularly enthused from the get-go.

Was that MARS CHRONICLE Vol. 6 the final tankobon of that cycle or is there more to it? I peeked at the end to get an idea whether it seemed "to be continued..." and it does seem to end on kind of a lull in activity... whether that's just a pause before a new phase or that's the end of the "flashback" series I couldn't determine (I still haven't finished reading LAST ORDER). Haven't seen a new solicit for BAAMC since, though. I think I do remember reading somewhere it said that Mars Chronicle is the finale (even if it is a prequel) of the entire Alita series as a whole.

So, you mentioned APOSIMZ and that's another one where I'd gotten the first volume; but with one series and another I always seem to be 6 or more tankoban behind (not for a single series) in reading the manga I buy. So when I do have time, I look over the pile of what's been sitting there for a while, but I don't necessarily read them in the order I got them; I read them according to what I'm most interested in reading at the moment. With one thing and another, I just never got around to reading APOSIMZ. I bought it based on having read the FCBD floppy comic, which interested me enough to gamble on a single volume, and it seems like the kind of thing that's up my alley -- science fiction, but it's not straight SF, as it seems like there's a fantasy element mixed into the plot as well. But until I get around to reading the first volume, I'm not going to buy the second one just on faith.

Other times my timing just stinks. I didn't get on board and read JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE from the start, and now there's already dozens of volumes out there, and it's beginning to look more and more daunting (and with the continuing success of it, no end in sight, either). I do tend to prefer series that look as though they might go on for a finite number of volumes, progress through an arc (or several), and finally conclude, although I guess if I was fortunate enough to discover it at the very start of the series and kept up, it's not too much of a concern, unless the quality begins to wane. I would like to find a well-stocked online source for out-of-print manga books, though. Amazon z-shops is spotty (or extremely pricey) on older stuff (15+ years or so), and it kills you in shipping buying one tankobon here, one there.

BTOOOM! was another series that looked really good when I finally got a look at it, but again... that was when it was already 18 or 20 volumes down the road, so now the prospect of going back and getting them all is a little off-putting, because where am I going to find the time (assuming I can even find them all) while keeping up on all my other manga series? Like I said, I've already fallen behind. It looks like Battle Angel Alita is by far the longest (in toto) manga series I've gotten -- but as I mentioned, I haven't finished it yet, either. If indeed Mars Chronicle is now ended, I should eventually catch up on it. That one was very atypical for me because I started reading the Kodansha hardcover collection of the original series, and then trying to find all the omnibus volumes of Last Order, while Kodansha began releasing Mars Chronicle at the same time. No way was I going to start reading either of the two sequel series before I finished reading the complete hardcover run of the original series. But now I'm just starting on GANTZ, too, and from what I've heard that's quite long as well -- don't know the exact number of original volumes (30+?), but since I missed it in its first run, I'll just continue getting the Omnibuses (Omnibi?) which I think reprint 3 (or is it 4) of the original tankobon each. Enjoying it so far, but need to catch up to the current omni before diving into Gantz G.

That's nothing compared to One Piece's 90 volumes, but I wonder just how long any creator can maintain the interest level on something that extensive. A popular series may go for years, but doesn't there have to be some drop-off point in readership? How many manga readers are just deciding to pick up volume 42 and start reading from there? I can't imagine just starting to read a manga in the middle of a long, long run. The nature of storytelling in American comics is just so different, with lots of jumping-on points (and jumping-off points as well), but manga by nature seem to be more steady and consistent.

I guess if I had more time I'd keep up with the manga & anime news sites and try to catch every potentially interesting series when it was brand-new, but you can't always get a decently-long-enough preview to make a confident decision. I do find information-gathering to be much more difficult with manga than with American comics. Diamond's solicitations aren't a great help in sorting through each publisher's product, because all you're getting is a cover image and a paragraph description. That's usually fine for a floppy comic, but seems to fall far short of giving you the gist of a manga series. Titles aren't much help either. What the heck is BTOOOM supposed to be telling me? Something exploding, huh? Oh, great. The "exploding stuff" genre is one of my favorites. Pardon my sarcasm, just trying to make a point here. It's even worse when you have to use Japanese translation software to try to figure out what the words of the title mean (and usually the English translation isn't telling you much either).

There does seem to be a much more finite number of manga series I can follow while they're still ongoing, so I can't keep adding new ones willy-nilly even if they seem trial-worthy; I'd have to drop other things to make room for time to read them all. I've never found that to be much of a serious issue with American comics though. Maybe because a single floppy comic is usually so short, it seems easy to make snap decisions about what new to buy or what to drop, from month to month. With most manga, I only have sort of a vague idea of how often the new volumes are even being released.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 17, 2019, 01:39:12 PM
Hey, I forgot BLACK HAMMER! That's a good one, at least the main series. I've enjoyed most of the miniseries as well, with only BLACK HAMMER '45 (#1-4) turning out to be dud because of poor artwork. And since the story wasn't really even written by Jeff Lemire this time, it was less-than-riveting. It might still have gotten a passing grade with decent artwork. I mean, Matt Kindt did a good job of laying out the pages and telling the story in visual terms, but he's no draftsman (or craftsman). He needed a REAL artist to work over his pencil roughs. Somebody good at anatomy, facial expressions, and backgrounds. It just looks ugly and unfinished, maybe like something a talented 8th-grader would do. Dark Horse really dropped the ball on that one. Oh well, here's hoping it was just a fluke and not a sign that BH is about to start circling the drain.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 17, 2019, 02:39:24 PM
Regarding those search-and-download projects I mentioned, most of those are conducted over at the Comic Book Plus and Internet Archives websites. A recent one (not yet completed) involved compiling a list of science fiction stories (all public domain now) written by Otto Binder (one of the main writers on Captain Marvel and Family in the 40s/50s, and DC's Superman Family in the 50s/60s) published in the pulp magazines between 1932 and 1953, finding the relevant issues and pages, and labeling and filing them all in folders. I've gotten most of the longer novels and stories, as well as series stories, now I just need to to download about 3 dozen shorts of novella length or shorter.

Another (more recent project) was making a list of comic books featuring World War II aviator heroes (or 'mystery men') and going through various public domain comics online, sorting those features out into folders for the different series (which involves going through each comic online, viewing the pages one at a time, and downloading and labeling each story page into a particular folder).

So the list of folders I compiled was:

AIR FIGHTERS (Hillman, 21 issues) *ends in 1945, continues post-War as AIRBOY
- Airboy
- Bald Eagle
- Black Angel
- Flying Dutchman
- Iron Ace
- Sky Wolf
- The Heap

BIG SHOT Comics (Columbia Publ.) - Featuring SKYMAN (50+ issues); also in SKYMAN #1-4

CAPTAIN BATTLE, Jr. (Gleason/Comic House, 2 issues) - both issues also include THE CLAW in his own feature

CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT (Fawcett Comics, 40-something issues published with WWII-themed stories) - only the CM WWII stories

CONTACT Comics (Holyoke Publ., 11 issues)
- Black Venus
- Golden Eagle
- Tommy Tomahawk

MILITARY Comics (Quality Comics, 43 issues) *ends in 1945, replaced post-War by BLACKHAWK
- Blackhawk
- The Blue Tracer
- Miss America
- X of the Underground
- Choo-Choo and Cherry (girl humor strip; nothing to do with WWII or aviators, I just liked it)
(there were plenty of other features in those issues I just skipped)

SPY SMASHER (Fawcett Comics, 12 issues + in 63 issues of WHIZ Comics)

Air Fighters is the most complex (because I am sorting out 6 different features into their own individual folders, in every single issue). On the other hand, it's only 21 issues, while Captain Midnight and Spy Smasher in WHIZ have the greatest number of pages and issues, respectively. Later on I may compress some of these .jpg collections down to .cbr format for reading using the Comic Book Reader app. The rule of thumb I'm using if the feature was one that continued after 1945 is, it has to be a flashback to the War story, or I'm not saving it. I've gotten all of CAPTAIN BATTLE JR., CONTACT, MILITARY, and Spy Smasher from WHIZ sorted and saved so far, but still have about 12 issues of AIR FIGHTERS, 12 issues of SPY SMASHER, 40-something issues of CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT (only saving the wartime stories at this point) plus all of BIG SHOT (which will be the easiest anthology title since there is only a single feature in each issue that I'll be saving) and SKYMAN to go. So I guess it's about 1/3rd complete so far.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: rusty on June 17, 2019, 09:20:30 PM
Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 17, 2019, 07:32:14 AMThat is a LOT of manga. On average, how many volumes of a brand-new tankobon series do you give a trial before deciding (assuming no prior commitment to the particular mangaka or characters from previous familiarity) to continue or not? I've always tried to force myself to decide within one volume or two. I just can't keep it on the list if I'm not particularly enthused from the get-go.

I order Viz titles 4-7 months in advance so sometimes I will have 4 or 5 volumes on order before I've read the first one.  For non-Viz titles, it depends on how frequently they come out.  I'll usually give a series one or two volumes at least.

Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 17, 2019, 07:32:14 AMWas that MARS CHRONICLE Vol. 6 the final tankobon of that cycle or is there more to it? I peeked at the end to get an idea whether it seemed "to be continued..." and it does seem to end on kind of a lull in activity... whether that's just a pause before a new phase or that's the end of the "flashback" series I couldn't determine (I still haven't finished reading LAST ORDER). Haven't seen a new solicit for BAAMC since, though. I think I do remember reading somewhere it said that Mars Chronicle is the finale (even if it is a prequel) of the entire Alita series as a whole.
Mars Chronicle is still ongoing, though I don't know for how much longer.  It is supposed to be the last Battle Angel Alita series.


Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 17, 2019, 07:32:14 AMOther times my timing just stinks. I didn't get on board and read JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE from the start, and now there's already dozens of volumes out there, and it's beginning to look more and more daunting (and with the continuing success of it, no end in sight, either).

I tried JoJo's, but didn't like it so I stopped after one volume.  There have been other series where I've checked a volume out of the library before buying the series. 


Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 17, 2019, 07:32:14 AMBTOOOM! was another series that looked really good when I finally got a look at it, but again... that was when it was already 18 or 20 volumes down the road, so now the prospect of going back and getting them all is a little off-putting, because where am I going to find the time (assuming I can even find them all) while keeping up on all my other manga series?

But now I'm just starting on GANTZ, too, and from what I've heard that's quite long as well -- don't know the exact number of original volumes (30+?), but since I missed it in its first run, I'll just continue getting the Omnibuses (Omnibi?) which I think reprint 3 (or is it 4) of the original tankobon each. Enjoying it so far, but need to catch up to the current omni before diving into Gantz G.
Btooom has been a lot of fun.  The last volume is #26 which should probably come out sometime this fall.  I'd guess September or October.  I started this series when it first came out.


I was also on board Gantz from the beginning and it was a lot of fun.  The original series lasted 37 volumes with Gantz G adding 3 more.  Each volume reads pretty quickly.


Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 17, 2019, 07:32:14 AMThat's nothing compared to One Piece's 90 volumes, but I wonder just how long any creator can maintain the interest level on something that extensive. A popular series may go for years, but doesn't there have to be some drop-off point in readership?

I read Hajime no Ippo and it is over 120 volumes and I am still enjoying it a lot.  One Piece is a series that I loved in the beginning, but started to lose interest in after 50-60 volumes.  I still buy it because a friend of mine buys it from me when I'm done with it.  I mainly just skim through it now.  The same thing happened with Bleach, but I lost interest much earlier, around volume 21.

Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 17, 2019, 07:32:14 AMThere does seem to be a much more finite number of manga series I can follow while they're still ongoing, so I can't keep adding new ones willy-nilly even if they seem trial-worthy; I'd have to drop other things to make room for time to read them all. 

I usually buy whatever series interest me.  The friend that I buy for has requested that I pick up a few series for him that I have then become interested in such as My Hero Academia.  I have occasionally gotten into a series late, such as Black Butler and XXXholic.  In those cases, I try to pick up a run on ebay that contains the entire series up to that point at a reasonable price or at least close to the entire series.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 20, 2019, 11:07:25 AM
I guess it's me then. In the 10-20 years where I largely wasn't paying that close attention (I'd only get a few things from older creators whose names I recognized), everything about the manga market changed, starting with abandoning the floppy format altogether in favor of straight-to-tankobon releases, and a huge shift in the overall content. Once they got out of the comic shops into the bookstores and online, they were free to cater to an entirely new audience (and one mostly taking its cues from anime fandom). When I stopped following it closely, most manga being published was shonen or seinen manga... I don't think that's the case any more, or maybe it just isn't recognizable to me as such. That being the case, most manga published today is not for people like me at all. Basically the teenage girl audience seems to have taken over at some point, although they may be ageing out now. In addition to that, art styles have changed radically in that same time. Sometimes I take a chance and get lucky, other times not. There's a few things I'm reading now which I never would have read in the 80s or 90s, had they existed then. I still say the Diamond solicitation copy is fairly useless if you're not already familiar with the creators or the manga (or anime) in question, though. I did miss at least a few good series during that time that I've subsequently identified. I never seem to see the ones I'm looking for offered as complete runs, though.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 28, 2019, 03:02:15 AM
I was going to review Jughead's Time Police #1, but after reading it a second time, I think I'll wait for the second issue. The first issue barely sets up the premise and gets the plot going, with January McAndrews not making an appearance until the final page. I'll merely note that Dilton has been redesigned in a way which made him initially unrecognizable to me, and seemed completely unnecessary. Otherwise, the series seemed as though it could be a continuation of the previous Jughead title (last drawn by Derek Charm), but then it occurred to me that January McAndrews had made a brief appearance earlier in that series, and here again, she's been completely re-designed (much to the better, in my opinion). Preview pages which I've seen from issue #2 seem to indicate that the series will touch on various specific elements of the original Time Police story from Archie Giant Series.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on June 29, 2019, 01:16:11 PM
Today I read a couple of recent Archie TPBs, trying to get caught up.

ARCHIE'S SUPERTEENS & THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS - This was originally a mere 2-issue microseries. The story was written by Ian Flynn, who formerly wrote such titles as SONIC, MEGA MAN, NEW CRUSADERS, and the more recent MIGHTY CRUSADERS series. Unlike those latter two comics, this story featured the Silver Age Mighty Crusaders (except for Fly-Man and Fly-Girl), along with a few other MLJ superheroes. I generally liked the way the story was written, as it was sort of a throwback (along with the earlier Red Circle/Dark Circle THE FOX series) to earlier modes of superhero storytelling that seemed to best capture that feeling of the 1960s "Mighty Comics Group". Just for fun, and not taking the whole superhero genre too seriously (as was the case with BLACK HOOD, HANGMAN, and THE SHIELD, 3 of the overly-dark Dark Circle titles).

There were a few oddities of note about Flynn's treatment of Archie's Superteens. Unfortunately, Reggie as Evilheart was left out of the story altogether, and Veronica as "Ms. Vanity", who had only previously appeared in a single story prior to this, was put in. I think it would have been better if Veronica had appeared in a variation on her "Powerteen" identity (which had appeared in several issues of the old VERONICA series). In this story, Archie, Betty, and Veronica transform into their superheroic alter egos by holding up some emblem device (I got the feeling this was something from the old Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series, but I never followed that too closely). In the classic Archie superhero stories, all they had to do was say their own superhero names to be transformed. Jughead as Captain Hero was different from the classic stories, too. In the old stories, he'd recite a little poem invoking the powers of his "magic beanie" (kind of like Green Lantern when charging his ring) in order to gain superpowers and transform into Captain Hero. In this story, he not only had to change from his regular clothes into his Captain Hero outfit by himself, but he needed to eat a "magic Jinkie" (known in the real world as a "Twinkie") afterwards to gain his powers. When he finally did transform, his appearance changed into one of those impossibly overdeveloped musclebound heroes, only slightly less bulky than the Hulk. I suppose it was intended for comic effect, but that probably would have worked better if Archie and his friends were drawn in the classic style, as opposed to "new Archie"-style, as they were in this story. I'd have preferred the classic design for Captain Hero, though. Other than that, I thought the artwork in the story wasn't bad at all (though I've now forgotten the artist's name), and worked especially well for the Crusaders characters. Well, Ian Flynn had a ton of characters (including the main villain Doctor Vardox, and cameos from a few others, plus about ten Mighty Crusaders) to jam into a 40-page story, so it's remarkable that it all works as well as it does, even if it's slightly less than perfect.

The rest of the trade collection is filled out with classic Archie superhero reprints, and it seems like they chose some of the less-reprinted ones (like Superteen's second battle with The Consumer from BETTY AND ME #6, which I didn't recall reading before), so that was good. I'd have wished for an entire book in the "Archie Comics Presents..." series of trades, filled with Archie superhero reprints instead, but they made fairly good use of the limited number of pages they had to fill in this format of trade (which was one of the smaller-sized, 6 x 9 inch paperbacks like the old "Archie All-Stars" collections). All in all, a pleasant way to pass an hour or so.


ARCHIE'S BIG BOOK VOLUME 6 - This contained two different longer multi-part stories, "Freshman Year" (originally 5 issues), and "New Kids Off the Wall" (originally 6 issues), plus about 20 pages or so of miscellaneous shorts to fill out the page count (none of which were worthy of commenting on). I decided to skip "Freshman Year" for now and come back to it later, and just read "New Kids Off the Wall", which is one of my very favorites from among all the longer multi-part Archie stories. The story was written by Alex Simmons and was drawn entirely by Dan Parent.

The story: The Riverdale school system has a budget crunch, and the School Council makes the decision that one of the local high schools needs to be closed as a result. Fortunately, that school isn't Riverdale High, it's Pine Point High. The end result of this is that the existing Pine Point students and teachers all need to be transferred to new school districts, resulting in an influx of 50 new transfer students (hereafter referred to as "the New Kids") and 6 new teachers at Riverdale High. I really thought this was a great idea, and something to shake up the old status quo at RHS, by creating new character dynamics and conflict with the New Kids. The new students and teachers are all visually distinctive in their designs, which makes them instantly recognizable, a major plus in the simplified cartooning style of classic Archie.

Four of the new students seem to be created as direct rivals for the original classic Archie characters, which sets up potentially new interesting relationships. First there's Sheila Wu, who challenges Veronica's position of undisputed fashion queen of RHS. Although not rich, Sheila has a strong personality and trades put-downs on an equal level with Ronnie. She also designs her own clothes, and has her own unique style, very different that Veronica's, but just as fashionable in its own way. Then there's Chloe Mancuso, a real spitfire go-getter who outdoes Betty at the things she's best at: working as a reporter for the Blue and Gold, and playing sports (although the latter is only mentioned a few times in passing, and not illustrated in action). Betty's a writer for the B&G, and is used to being the star reporter who gets her byline on the front page, but Chloe's nose for sensational news and photography skills allow her to scoop Betty on several occasions, frustrating the 'golden girl' of RHS. Chloe always seems to be beat Betty out of the top story, but she's not a bad person, she's just a very competitive, high-achieving type-A personality. Next is a mystery student, the unknown prankster who signs himself Prankenstein. Who is he? Reggie would really like to know, and gets his nose out-of-joint by being the butt of most of Prankenstein's biggest pranks. Archie discovers who he is, but doesn't let Mantle the Magnificent know. Better that The Great One has to endure a little humiliation once in a while, so he can see how the other half lives. Prankenstein actually turns out to be Simon, a nerdy little brainiac into science, oceanography, and biology -- with a chip on his shoulder because he feels he's always been ignored. Moose meets his match in size and strength in Victor, the new student whose secret passion is that he's a master pastry chef (one of his pals nicknames him 'Captain Cupcake' just to needle him). Jughead finds himself with three new female fans who follow him wherever he goes, and have dug up all the information they can about him. Normally that might seem creepy, but the girls are all cute, sweet and smitten with Juggy, so no worse than Ethel or Trula, I guess.

The story kind of rambles around through different incidents over the course of 6 issues, so there's no real central theme, although there's the mystery of Prankenstein's identity, and Veronica's new obsession with discovering which of the new students is secretly super-rich, but hides that fact from his fellow students for some reason. There's lots of little bits of business with another 10 or so characters that I haven't even mentioned. Unfortunately there are so many introduced here that we barely get enough panel time with some of them to get to know them all that well. For once, Archie is not the main focus of a multi-part story, although he certainly appears enough throughout the story. It's just that Archie isn't the one being bugged by one of the New Kids, he has no direct new rival (although at least one of the New Kids, Sayid, seems romantically interested in Betty, and that interest is somewhat mutual).

I only wish this story had gotten another multi-parter following up with all the new characters, as some of them barely even get introduced, with no real room for development, like Chunk Charlston. Overall though, it felt like the new characters were set to really shake things up. The fact that that never really happened, and they didn't become more than occasional parts in a few random stories, with lots of extra roles and cameos, had more to do with bad timing. They were introduced just at a time when the remaining pages of new stories began to shrink. First ARCHIE & FRIENDS was cancelled. Then BETTY, then JUGHEAD, then VERONICA. With ARCHIE and B&V as the only ongoing titles left, there just weren't enough pages of new stories left to do the new characters justice; the stories had to keep focus on the main Gang of Five, plus the usual supporting cast of Chuck & Nancy, Ethel, Moose & Midge, and Dilton. Even with the ongoing 5-pagers in the six digest titles, there's rarely any opportunity to work them into stories with any sort of substantial role. A real missed opportunity.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: DeCarlo Rules on July 04, 2019, 06:23:55 AM
Continuing my catching up with recent Archie TPs, I read the other multi-part story from ARCHIE'S BIG BOOK VOLUME 6, "Freshman Year". I think I enjoyed the story more the second time around, and also read the trade collection of FRESHMAN YEAR - BOOK 2 (which was actually titled "The Missing Chapters" in its initial comic book serialization). The sequel is actually not a multi-part story per se, but 5 individual side stories that take place (some in flashback) during Freshman Year. The highlight by far of those was the Jughead story, which reveals what happened when the Jones family moved to Montana for 3 months from September through November during Freshman Year. It also explains the "S" on Jughead's shirt, which is actually from Silby High (in Silby, Montana) where Jughead met Sadie Cameron, who you might say was Jughead's first crush (but he never talks about it). S is for Silby, but also for Sadie (the fact that he still wears the shirt indicates that he he still remembers this brief time fondly). The rest of the missing chapters aren't bad, but definitely less memorable, and completely peripheral to the main Freshman Year story. It seems a shame though, that they didn't use the opportunity afforded by the BIG BOOK format to collect both FY stories into a single volume. Also revealed in FY is the fact that Dilton had a crush on Betty when he first met her in Freshman Year (and possibly still does). Other than that, FY introduced the new characters (rarely seen again) of Pencilneck G and Zane Zappen (sort of a Bizarro Jughead & Archie); they were both fun characters. One bit of discontinuity appears in the last missing chapter when Cheryl Blossom shows up on the final page. A caption at the bottom of the last page promises a "Cheryl Blossom: Freshman Year" story, "Coming Soon!". Obviously the story was never told, and just as well to my mind. Apart from that oddly jarring bit which violates Cheryl's previously-established continuity, Freshman Year was sort of a nice bridge between "Little Archie" (which is alluded to several times in dialogue, but mercifully we're spared from unnecessary flashback sequences), that didn't contain too many big dis-continuities.

Then I re-read ARCHIE MARRIES (the Abrams hardcover collected edition), which reprints ARCHIE #600-606; figuring it might be time to refresh my mind about this story in preparation for the upcoming Archie: The Married Life 10th Anniversary miniseries. On a side note, the Abrams hardcover edition contains interviews with all of the relevant parties: publisher Jon Goldwater, editor Victor Gorelick, writer Michael Uslan, penciler Stan Goldberg, inker Bob Smith, letterer Jack Morelli, and colorist Glen Whitmore. I found those all to be very interesting, both in the general sense, and regarding the specifics of this particular story. I'd just skipped those the first time I'd read the book, but now I'm glad I took the time.

Currently I'm working my way through the entire run of THE MARRIED LIFE (the trade collected editions of the LIFE WITH ARCHIE Magazine series), but reading them in a different way than I did the first time. I'm beginning by reading the entire run of Archie Marries Betty straight through; then I'll follow that up by reading the entire run of Archie Marries Veronica straight through. I've already got lots to say about that, but I'll leave it for another time as this is getting long enough. As I understand it, the Archie: The Married Life 10th Anniversary miniseries is a 10-years later sequel to the events of ARCHIE 600-606, and ignores all of the plotlines from the later LIFE WITH ARCHIE series. And just as well, as in both the "Bettyverse" and the "Veronicaverse" shown in LIFE WITH ARCHIE, Archie is dead before 10 years have passed since the wedding.

Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on September 19, 2019, 11:19:26 PM
Really enjoying graphic novels lately. Loved Pumpkinheads. Comics are just too short and unsatisfying.
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: irishmoxie on July 10, 2020, 10:52:50 PM
Finally got around to the newish Sabrina series by Kelly Thompson. I really liked it. Anyone else read it or the sequel series Something Wicked?
Title: Re: What comics have you been reading?
Post by: Tuxedo Mark on July 11, 2020, 12:46:15 PM
Quote from: irishmoxie on July 10, 2020, 10:52:50 PMFinally got around to the newish Sabrina series by Kelly Thompson. I really liked it. Anyone else read it or the sequel series Something Wicked?

I've read all except the final issue of the original miniseries and haven't read either issue of Something Wicked yet. I like it.

The series seems to be on pause, because Archie Comics refuses to put out digital issues of floppies without putting out the physical issues - in order to placate the comic shop owners.

The Archie title keeps delaying the release of its next issue, too. I can't help wondering if Archie would rather cancel its floppies than risk the wrath (and belly fat) of comic shop owners.

The new digests have been lacking new stories, too.