"Flashpoint" Last Week "Fear Itself" This Week....YAWN

Dear Marvel and DC....I love you guys but if you want my money give me something worth my time and $$$.

I really don't want to get into a lengthy review but this week Fear Itself 5 came out....nothing happened. Thor fought Hulk and Iron Man asked for Odin's keys to to the warehouse.

That's it.

This is what fans have issues with. Don't give me a long running "event" book unless each issue has something to say.

Flashpoint is another book. Most of issue four took place in a kitchen....A KITCHEN. And to make it worse...we already know what happens to the DCU.

DC if you are going to change just about EVERYTHING make each issue count.

Just saying.

Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuiness: Marvel Man??

On today's announcement that Loeb and McGuinness are back together again, working on a major Marvel (yet to titled) book, I have to ask?

Who at Marvel is presently dead or missing or NOT BEING USED that could use a major come back and could provide fans with  BIG OVER THE TOP stories?

Who at Marvel could benefit from the creative team behind Superman/Batman and the Hulk?

So what do we think?

The Sentry?
Scarlet Witch?
Bucky (too soon?)
Johnny Storm?
Captain Marvel?
Howard the Duck?

My money is on Marvel Man. Think about that true believers.

Stay tuned

Where to Begin? Marvel's 'Point One' Initiative

Marvel has a head for business.

First, I love that I can pick up just about any Marvel comic book and immediately catch up on the story because they’ve smartly included a summary page at the beginning of each issue (with a chapter number so I can pick up the rest of the books in the back-issue bin if I feel so inclined). I love me some DC, but they really need to follow suit.

Yesterday came news of Marvel Point One. This is to help new readers and avid readers who are looking for a jumping on point to certain titles by adding a “.1” to the book's number. This a fantastic idea for anyone intimidated by a book that is numbered six hundred and anything.

From Marvel.com:
Geared for new and long-time readers alike, the all-new Marvel: Point One initiative delivers the perfect jumping on points for the biggest super hero series in the world! Beginning in February 2011, select Marvel comic series marked with a “.1” after the issue number feature full-length, self-contained stories by Marvel’s top creators, laying the groundwork for the next year of storylines. From Invincible Iron Man to Avengers to Amazing Spider-Man, each Marvel: Point One issue of the associated series not only begin major new storylines, but also seamlessly introduces new readers into the dynamic Marvel Universe and its popular super heroes.

Below is a full list of Marvel: Point One titles:

February 2011
Amazing Spider-Man #654.1
Invincible Iron Man #500.1
Wolverine #5.1

March 2011
Captain America #615.1
Deadpool #32.1
Hulk #30.1
Thor #620.Uncanny
X-Force #5.1

April 2011
Avengers #12.1
Secret Avengers #11.1
Uncanny X-Men #534.1

Money, Money, Money! DC and Marvel Lower their Prices!

Usually when announcements start to come out of one of the major Comic-Cons, it's about an exciting new title, an amazing new creative team on a popular book, or an official announcement of oft-gossiped about upcoming movies.  But the big news to come out of the New York Comic-Con today is that both DC and Marvel are going to reduce their $3.99 ongoing titles back down to a $2.99 price point beginning in January 2011.  The deciding factor is that the two powerhouses of the comic industry plan to recoup the money from digital downloads.  This is fantastic, fantastic news! At this time, when we are all trying to put as much away as possible, it's nice to see a bold move like this.

Now I can buy more comics!

Dear DC, Please Stop Asking Me to Use My Memory

Is DC worried about stealing from Marvel by adding a recap page to their comic books?  They can easily justify a little five-fingered discount.  After all, aren't Hawkeye and Mockingbird the House of Ideas' carbon copies of Green Arrow and Black Canary?  I'm tired of trying to remember all the details of a story arc by the fifth issue.  Clearly, if Supergirl is beating down Bizarro Supergirl at the open of a story I can pick up pretty quickly.  But issue #603 Wonder Woman begins with Diana and a troupe of Amazons walking through the desert and I couldn't immediately recall where last we left our buxom warrior.  Did their car break down on their way to Vegas?

Let's face it, sometimes these books can have some convoluted plots and it wouldn't hurt to be reminded of where we are three or four months in.  And don't get me started about books that come out months late.  So come on DC, Marvel is just using a little common sense, they didn't reinvent the wheel.  Get on board!

Editor's Note: I totally love Hawkeye and Mockingbird.