Monday Morning Grind 4/15/19

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This week I started mixing in some back issues. Many of you have not been at this as long as I have so I thought it might me nice to add an older story to the mix but these are not eligible for the blue dot award. Most can be found in graphic novel form but may just be single issue stories. Look for more formats to be added over the coming weeks.

The below Wonder Woman issues include to stories. The first, Hiketeia is a stand alone that deals with a cultural responsibility for Amazon people in the DC Universe which is much like religious sanctuary in our society. A woman pursued by Batman claims this boon as she reaches Wonder Woman’s home. The story covers the origin of the problem and adds some conflict and definition to the history between Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince. Having been out of print for a few years, it has been added to the first graphic novel in the Greg Rucka Wonder Woman Series. The remaining issues are included in it as well but cover the second act of the Gorgon story with the resurrection of Medusa by Circe.

My two picks for this week include Catwoman #1 which made me actually want to read issue #2 right after. The accurate emotional content in the artwork helped sell the start up story but Joëlle Jones does just fine keeping your interest. Being a fan of Lady Killer, I would suggest the title to anyone who like a story featuring an aggressive female lead. I had avoided the title until DC figured out whether or not the engagement would stick, but being a fan of the writer, I gave in.

The second pick goes to Warren Ellis and Cemetery Beach. This story is just plain fun. Try to imagine an information reconnaissance mission gone wrong, the ensuing escape, the help (a convicted murderess) and the worst luck ever. By the way, it is set in a world without order and a huge secret those in charge want to keep a secret. I can not wait to read issue 3, which obviously will be on next weeks list.

  • Wonder Women: Hiketeia
  • Wonder Woman #195
  • Wonder Woman #196
  • Wonder Woman #197
  • Wonder Woman #198
  • Wonder Woman #199
  • Wonder Woman #200
  • Wonder Woman #201
  • Wonder Woman #202
  • Wonder Woman #203
  • Wonder Woman #204
  • Wonder Woman #205
  • Punisher 2018 #1
  • Captain Marvel #4
  • Prodigy #5
  • Fairlady #1
  • Catwoman #1
  • Catwoman #2
  • War of the Realms Journey Into Mystery #1
  • Mr. & Mrs. X #9
  • Uncanny X-Men 2018 #1
  • Cover #5
  • Artifact One #2
  • Cemetery Beach #1
  • Cemetery Beach #2
  • Avengers No Road Home #4

Monday Morning Grind 4/8/19

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Short list this week. No excuse except the new catalog was loading and we had a few things to fix.

Because I cut 10 items off the list, only one blue dot this week to keep it fair. Cover continues to keep my attention in issue 4 and I do not see how this title has not gotten more attention. I would love for these issue to be 48 pages, more dialog detail and not rushed. Sounds enthusiastic, I know, but I read this and then I go back just to look at the pencils. The worst part, I will likely do it again.

No, Cover is not the best thing I have ever read, nor is it in the top 15 percentile. I believe Brian Michael Bendis could use a little more time and additional detail at points in the story. It is however, the most interesting thing on the rack right now. David Mack has always made me look at his work but this time he has two things going on and I am glad to spend the extra time and enjoy the body as a whole. I honestly hope these two guys work together on more projects.

  • Domino: Hots Shots #2
  • Major X #1
  • War of the Realms #1
  • X-Men Holiday Special
  • Prodigy #4
  • Artifact One #1
  • Cover #4
  • Pearl #7
  • Mr. & Mrs. X #8
  • Avengers: No Road Home #1
  • Avengers: No Road Home #2
  • Avengers: No Road Home #3
  • Section Zero #1
  • Marvel Team Up #1
  • Die #5

National Library Week

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The second week of April is National Library Week. For those who do not know about the event, the American Library Association (ALA) sponsors National Library Week to both raise awareness of reading and also to recognize those who serve the community by either working or volunteering in the library.

We at Modern Age Comics value and work with most of the local libraries in the area. You may think them to be old fashioned, full of dusty books or even irrelevant in today’s world. You have the right to think so, but if it is that way, I challenge that your lack of involvement only contributes to that perception. You can become part of it, help drive change, even learn from it.

To that point, bring in your library checkout slip dated between April 8th through April 14th and receive 35 percent off any non-subscription purchases. That means any graphic novel, comic back issue, clearance comics, and yes, even toys. The catch is, you have to have checked out, received a receipt for services or purchased something from the book sales at your local library.

To any volunteer, library staff or board members, thank you for your efforts and patience each day.

 

Monday Morning Grind 4/01/19

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This week my reading list had a few new titles and a visit from an old friend. Lazarus returned this week with Lazarus Risen, a long awaited continuance of the dystopian culture story started back in 2013. Some of you are aware this is one of my favorite recommendations and this latest release is no different. It made my blue dots primarily because of the fairly flawless continuance of the last story which took place nearly a year ago. World building, family dynamics and good old fashioned violence means you really should read it from the beginning.

The second blue dot goes to a new book, Bad Luck Chuck. This title combined good characters and the premise of inherently bad luck into to an exciting story. The main character is a woman named Charlene ”Chuck” Manchester who much like Jessica Jones from Alias is not quit normal. Charlene has a unique gift, bad luck, which she uses to make money. Jessica Jones crossed with a black cat, what could possibly go wrong?

On a positive note, I would read the next issue of everything on this list, I probably will not, but I would not mind if I had the time.

  • Harley & Batman: The Last Laugh
  • Lazarus Risen #1
  • Criminal #3
  • Bad Luck Chuck #1
  • Black Widow #3
  • Fantastic Four #8
  • Daredevil #3
  • Vader: Dark Visions 2
  • Heroes In Crisis #7
  • Prodigy #3
  • Artifact One #0
  • Wolverine: Infinity Watch #2
  • X-Force #1
  • Assassination #1
  • Cover #3
  • Captain America #8
  • Pearl #6

Monday Morning Grind 3/25/19

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Reads for the week ending 3/24/19

The list this week is back to normal, 25 comics. Ten of these were the Avengers: No Surrender story that I finally stood my ground on to get finished. For those who do not know, this was a weekly book that took place as part of the Legacy re-numbering of the core Marvel titles. This story has no link to the current  “No Road Home” which started with #708 but I still wanted to see if it was necessary to read the first story before the second or if you can skip it. More on this after I begin “No Road Home” in the week ahead.

The rest of the list is broken down below but I will talk about the two in blue text which is what I do in this post category.

Captain Marvel is obviously a favorite character of mine but that does not earn the title a blue dot. The only way to get it, is to make me want to read the next issue as soon as I finish the current one. For those who are not reading it, this title is obviously intended for long term readers but can be read by anyone with a little homework. Issue three continues to tender the relationships between Carol Danvers and other female characters held within the dome that the villains currently have them imprisoned in. This is what I am reading it for. Characters that have a history and actually care about the health and welfare of each other. I am in as long as they continue to add this basic necessity to story telling.

My second choice, High Level was actually on the cut list after issue one. This is why I have a rule about having to read past the first issue (painful as it can be) just in case the writer is having a cold open issue. Coda is another example of a title with that issue but it will not survive which is exactly the opposite for this title. High Level number 2 added a new character into the mix and gave emotion to the primary situation in issue one. It reminded me of how I felt when Han Solo appeared for the first time in Star Wars. ‘Hey I like this character’ and I kept reading.

Stay on the list

  • Captain Marvel #3
  • High Level #2
  • Meet The Skrulls #2 (story is worth reading people)
  • Guardians of The Galaxy #3
  • Naomi #3
  • MIddlewest #5
  • Captain America #8
  • Winter Soldier #3
  • Spider-man Life Story #1
  • Avengers #681-690
  • Pearl #5
  • Firefly Bad Company #1
  • Invisible Kingdom #1
  • Self Made #2

Off the list

  • Coda #2 (only made in this week as I had already taken it home)
  • Return of Wolverine #5

Monday Morning Grind 3/17/19

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The list is short this week, only 17. I do apologize, but the second issue of Cover made me want to stop reading and watch the 13 Assassins movie. Odd but true.

Anyway, I won’t go into each issue but the top two were Cover and Prodigy indicated in blue with a link to the item in the shop feature. Both series have good structure and good connection to other forms of entertainment. Cover as I mentioned had a fair amount of art centered around the characters comic book line and actually made me interested as to if it were an actual comic for it. That combined with the covert ops plot made the book worth reading a double (two issues back to back).

The second is Prodigy. This one got on the list of required reading as the main character is reminiscent of Lex Luthor. Brilliant, arrogant, but has a desire to feel involved.  The book is different, has energy, solid writing and again required a double. Honestly, if this were available in a trade, I would have just finished it in one sitting.

Stay on the list

  • Cover 1 (of 6)
  • Cover 2
  • Prodigy 1 (of 6)
  • Prodigy 2
  • Heroes in Crisis 3 (of 9)
  • Heroes in Crisis 4
  • Heroes in Crisis 5
  • Heroes in Crisis 6
  • Captain America 7
  • Fantastic Four 7
  • Winter Soldier 2 (of 5)
  • What if Thor (2018)

Off the list

  • Coda 1
  • Marvel Comics Presents 2
  • Goon 1 (2019)
  • Belit 1 (of 5)
  • Magnificent Ms. Marvel 1

 

Your Subscription Page is Now Called Shortlist

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We’ve decided to scrap the old Subscription page and replace it with a new system which we’ve named Shortlist. Think of it as parsed down issue of Previews.

The way the new Shortlist system works is easy. While shopping, click the ADD TO SHORTLIST button on any series you would like to keep track of in the future. Now when you load up your Shortlist page you’ll see upcoming releases from series that you’ve shortlisted. Easy peasey.

These titles will not automatically be added to your pull list. You can now use your Shortlist page to select and purchase your upcoming books.

We’ve also kept your the titles you were previously subscribed to on your Shortlist page. And guess what?! The Remove This Series button on in Shortlist actually works now! Whoo!

We also squashed some other lingering bugs, fixed some design issues, and did a whole bunch of behind the scenes work to make Jesse’s life easier. Because we’re cool like that.

Recommended Read – Life of Captain Marvel

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There are times where I just feel burnt and betrayed by Marvel mini series. Most of you are aware Carol Danvers is a favorite of mine and so you know I just have to read the five issue series currently arriving in our store. Issues 1 and 2 were very well done and any Avengers fans should give it a go. The covers are different than the interior (in this case the interior is better for myself) but do not give away the story. The origin is being updated, character depth is being added and I’m actually okay with it,

I give Marvel a little faith back, I recommend you do the same and try this one.

LIFE OF CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 (OF 5)

I’m interested in comics, where should I start? Presentation and Privilege.

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Tomorrow afternoon I will be traveling to the McHenry Public Library to give a presentation about collecting comics. Preparing for these is fairly routine as I do them often and talk with customers about it often. I thought before I step forward and do this one, I would write something for all of you.

“I am interested in comics. I’m not sure where to start, can you make some suggestions?”

I love to hear those words. I cannot begin to explain the feeling I get from someone entrusting me with such an important question.

Many of you have an idea of how you might answer the question. So many recommendations flood into your mind and you just want to hand them a pile and say, “Start here, welcome to the tribe!”. The answer you might have given is not wrong, but it isn’t fair. You may be putting experience into authority and removing the experience of the journey with the answer. Tomorrow I will again get asked that question, and again I will swell up with the sheer gratitude of being able to answer it once more.

My answer goes a little like this…

“Comic book reading is about finding the first chapter of a story that takes you away from your regular life for a short period of time. You have no bills, you have no annoying tasks, just adventure, or heroism as long as the pages last. Pick a type of story you like, pick several different ones if you want, and we will help you from there.”

It is important to let the person do most of the decision making about genre and initial character interest. You can sway them, but that will not change the initial interest. Almost everyone wants to be Batman, but which one? New readers usually ask a second wave of questions, details can sometimes overwhelm them, so I usually let the person talk out what they are really looking for. After those details, you discuss series codes, supplies, and proper ways to handle a comic.

Here is where I fail miserably as a retailer. I help a customer find their first comic. To read, not to collect.

Tomorrow I will once again give advice on how to enjoy selecting, reading, and taking care of comics with great amounts of hope and enthusiasm. (I just hope no one asks which comics should they purchase to make money. I am terrible at that answer.)

Owners and Patrons

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Today I am stopping the busy Wednesday work to write a note to both say goodbye to someone and a little more. A casual customer named Sam has moved away due to changes in his life. Though these are good reasons, it brings a sadness to me as another small piece of my life is leaving to.

I wanted to say thank you, wish him the best in his journey and also extend a hopeful welcome that he will visit again given the opportunity.

A little more… Comic Book Store workers are people. We often grow comfortable with customers and sometimes even consider them more friends or acquaintances than patrons. A tough line to walk as things can often change both for reasons like Sam’s, or instances happen that do not go so well. I mention this as Sam was kind enough to stop in during a busy day prior to departure just to say goodbye and thank you. That actually is very important to myself, the staff here and I think most small businesses in general.

I’ve been at this for 20 years, I like to think the service is only the beginning of our combined journey and that if it does end, for good or bad reasons, it isn’t with just a disappearance act. 39 people in the past 20 years have left without “goodbye, you s***! or I have to quit because…” and one has past away. I can tell you that number because I remember you all for who you are as I am sure Jon, Keith, Jaime or whoever your past or current Comic Dealer is.

Take care Sam! Hope to see you soon.

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