MAIL SHOOT

March 8, 2004

This is the place where we take a back-seat to you! That's right, we actually shut up long enough to give the readers a chance to speak out. So keep on e-mailing us with whatever's on your minds and you, too, can earn a chance at the anonymous "glory" that is seeing your name on a website. We promise not to mock you too mercilessly...

And now, as promised, we'll shut up and let you speak!

Comics 101 is in Session

Korey P. writes: I read your column from forever ago about Conventions, never thinking I'd go to one because I live so far away from all the big ones. This year however I got a chance and I'm going to the WW L.A.. Con for all three days.

Taking to heart all that you wrote in your column I was wondering about one thing that may sound stupid but I'm curious as can be regardless. There is a premiere night on Friday that I'll be going to, and there seems to be no info on what exactly goes on during the premiere. What DOES go on? Is it like a big party, or a circus event, or a sit down dinner? Only kidding, but you get my drift. The other question, since this is such a big Con, and there will be some of the best writers of the 80's on there and definitely the best artists, how many books per artist is graceful. For example....with Bendis..would you bring one or two of his more noteworthy books to sign, or new #1 issues of the ultimate series? With Alex Ross, which of his books would you bring? I have a grip on what I want Stan Lee to sign, and Kevin Smith, and Tim Bradstreet...but there are so many books out there up to today on some of these guys it gets confusing. I guess what I'm asking is how many books per artist and are older better than newer ... or does it even make a difference.

Tipton: I think Wizard's Premiere Night is much like San Diego's Preview Night, in which you can have a couple hours on the Dealer's Room floor before the big crowds come in on the weekend. I wouldn't expect much more than that.

I think generally, anywhere from 3 to 5 comics is perfectly fine to bring for a signing. I've always felt weird bringing up more than that. As for which books, that's entirely up to you. Some people bring the older, or more valuable books, thinking that a signature increases the value (although realistically it does not). Me, I always bring the books that mean the most to me, either the stories I enjoyed immensely or ones that had a great effect on me, or older books from my childhood that have some sort of significance. Case in point: my copy of ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS is practically shredded, I read it so much as a kid, held together now with Scotch tape and sheer force of will. Monetarily, it's worthless. But you better believe that Stan Lee, John Romita, Dick Ayers, and every other Silver Age Marvel creator I've ever met have signed it. (When I handed it to Stan for his signature a few years, he looked it over, with the dog-eared corners, cracked spine and torn cover, and said, “Now this is the kind of book I like to sign!”)

All depends on what's most important to you.

Have a good time at the show, and who knows, maybe I'll see you there.

Jesse W. writes: Maybe you've already answered this question at some point, but:

I vaguely remember reading some Fantastic Four comics as a kid in which there were actually 7 or 8 members of the group. Also, Mr. Fantastic had been replaced by some sort of anti-Mr. Fantastic from another dimension.

I missed both the beginning and the end of this storyline (I was reading a friend's magazines) and I was nine years old at the time, so you'll have to forgive me for being so foggy on the details. Assuming I didn't hallucinate the whole thing, who were those extra members of the Fantastic Four, how many were there, and what happened to them?

Tipton: I think you're thinking of an FF storyline from the 1970s when the Impossible Man, Tigra and Thundra were hanging around a lot. They never really joined up officially or anything, and eventually drifted away.

The evil Mr. Fantastic you're thinking of was the Reed Richards of Counter-Earth, a duplicate Earth which orbited the sun directly opposite from our own. He posed as Reed for a few issues after tossing the real Reed into the Negative Zone, during which time the real Reed was powerless and hanging around in his underwear with Annihilus.

It was an odd time for the FF.

Matt B. writes: To quote you in this week’s mail shoot "As much as I dislike the rich-man version of Luthor, I'll admit that the President Luthor bit was an inspired notion, although disappointing in its execution. Nothing exciting has really come of it to live up to its potential." To which, Mr. Tipton, I respectfully respond...

HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT LOEB AND MCGUINNESS ARE DOING ON SUPERMAN/BATMAN?!?

Read that and say nothing exciting has come out of Luthor's presidency.

Tipton: True enough. However, I must retort that, due to my being so backlogged with reader mail, at the time I wrote that, SUPERMAN/BATMAN hadn't started yet. (Case in point: as I type this, the date is December 15. Let’s see when this runs …[March 8, 2004—Ed.]) That being said, the story is pretty good, but I still say it was a long time in coming.

Pat B. writes: I have a few questions:

1) What's the difference between Uncanny X-Men and New X-Men? Is Uncanny just a different team now? If so, where are they located, if not at the mansion?

2)What do you think of the New X-Men?

3) Recommended X-Men reading? I have the Dark Phoenix Saga, Wolverine/Gambit: Victims, and the New X-Men Volume 1 hardback.

4) I love your column, but have you ever thought of going back and revising some of your older ones? The Daredevil one was not nearly as detailed as your later articles, and a lot more time should be spent on Spider-Man (perhaps when the next movie comes out?), IMO.

5) Doesn't that new Silver Surfer suck? Well, not suck, but doesn't it not fit?

The Batman articles that your doing are real cool. Keep em coming. I don't care how many weeks it takes, I want to know EVERYTHING about Batman.

P.S: after reading your Silver Surfer article, I went out and bought Masterworks Vol. 1 and he is now one of my favorite characters (After Batman, DD, and Spidey). Thanks! ,p. Tipton: 1) Two different casts of characters, but both based out of the mansion.

2) New X-Men has been quite good, although it’s lost me with the current Silvestri arc.

3) All the ESSENTIAL X-MEN books covering the Claremont run are a must.

4) I like the DD column fine (maybe just because it was the first), but I'll be doing more Spidey when the movie hits.

5) The new Surfer book is not that good, no.

Tensai writes: I know comics, not video games, is the topic of your column but I thought I might offer this bit of info for any interested parties.

The Infinity Gems were central to the "Marvel Super Heroes" video game, which came out around 1997. Leave it to the Japanese (specifically, CAPCOM, makers of Street Fighter) to take some of our favorite heroes and make them look cooler than we ever could have imagined them. Anyway, the gems were there, along with Thanos and his glove. Good times.

Tipton: Yeah, that was a good game.

Paul W. writes: Just read through your responses to mail shoot, and I think you missed one, there's a dog called Ace in Batman Of The Future, which looks a bit like the one pictured in your column. A bit older, but I think that's understandable. So anyway, yeah, cartoon dog.

Tipton: I mentioned that Ace in my response -- what you know as BATMAN OF THE FUTURE is called BATMAN BEYOND here in the States. That was a great, underrated series. TITANS is fun too. (And I know what you mean about the theme song. When I worked Wizard World Chicago last summer, we had the misfortune of having our booth located right next to the DC booth, and I spent the next three days hearing “T-E-E-N T-I-T-A-N-S TEEN TITAN LET’S GO!” over and over and over…I’m still recovering.)

Doug writes: First off, I really enjoy your column. I, like many people, took a hiatus from collecting comics (about 15 years) and recently have resumed collecting. Your column has helped me get reacquainted with old friends.

The question I have for you is this- can you explain to me what is up with the continuity of the different Marvel lines. I know the Ultimate stuff has their own continuity outside of the regular marvel universe, but what about Marvel Knights and Tsunami? I read recently the Knights stuff is actually handled by a separate company. It’s a bit confusing.

Tipton: The Tsunami stuff is kinda murky, continuity-wise. I don't think it’s based in the traditional Marvel Universe, although it plays off of Marvel Universe concepts. The Marvel Knights books are in-continuity. Initially they were all shopped out to Joe Quesada's studio, which was sort of another company, but once Joe was hired as Editor-in-Chief, the point became moot.

Rob B. writes: I have to ask (maybe you would know): if they have the Fantastic Four movie already made (that low budget one), why don't they at least release the thing onto video? it looks obvious to me that that they put a little money on it and you'd think they'd want to make some of that back. Surely if those old incredible Hulk Tv movies can be put onto to video then they should at least give this film a chance. I personally would like to see it.

Also I have to say that I love this column. It keeps me coming back week after week. (Although the X-men column was a bit short and weak.) I haven't collected comics in about ten years but I still love them and Comics 101 brings back great memories. I am currently a 6th grade math teacher (yuck I know) and I started to bring in some of those old comics for the kids to read and they have a surprising affect: some of my kids absolutely fight over the things. Some of these same kids that "hate to read" will sit for 20 minutes to half an hour at a time reading them. That alone is worth the price of comics to me. Thank you for your column and reminding me of what it feels like to be a kid again and helping share some of my own joy as a child (ok, teenager).

Tipton: I'm sure the actual producers would love to release that FF movie on video and get at least some money out of it, but there's no way Marvel would let that happen, and put the potential stink on their upcoming big-budget FF movie they're trying to get made.

Alex W. writes: I was just coming home from doing my groceries when I reminded myself I still wanted to search the web for a question I was wondering about regarding the Marvel V.2 Heroes reborn comics. That's how I stumbled over the Comics 101 and I have to say: what a great column! I kept reading and reading and before I knew it, it was midnight. Damn you :-)

I hope, bookmarking this page will result in me reading more interesting articles in the time coming.

Having said that (and I meant it), I have one question that shouldn't be a tough one for you: I kept reading about the CGC and a guide or a sort or some kind of book listing comics by date, numbers printed, today's worth and whatever. My problem is I just don't know the name of that book. I'm also quite sure there's a website to it but every effort finding it has so far amounted to nothing. Not that I had an comics to sell - I live in Europe and all I have is some crappy translated 2nd edition comics not worth the cover price but I'm kinda interested in the issue.I hope you can help me out!

Tipton: Are you referring to the Overstreet Guide, which tends to be the universal standard for pricing comics?

I'd be very careful when it comes to buying into this CGC graded-comics nonsense. It's this kind of investor's mentality that crippled the comics industry back in the '90s, and left a lot of "investors" sitting on stacks of worthless comics they can never sell.

Bill B. writes: I'm definitely enjoying your columns, and thanks for your responses to reader queries. I am a social studies teacher, and I just got a class approved for next year concerning popular culture in American history, and a lot of your work will inspire many a lesson for the students...oh yes, comic book history will be taught in high school if I have anything to say about it.

I do have one quick question about the recent hike in prices I've noticed, especially on Marvel books. I remember not too long ago when books went from $1.99 to $2.25 an issue, and I didn't bat an eye...but now paying $2.99 for really no more art or writing than I was getting two months ago is causing me to cut down seriously on the amount of titles I can pick up. What effect will this have on the industry, especially on a next generation of fans who won't be able to afford comics like I could as a kid?

I haven't read anything about the price hike in any comic news...I'm wondering if you or any other fans are grumbling as well? Also, I'd be interested in seeing if anyone has charted the rise of comic book prices and their corresponding with the general rise in cost of living, and inflationary conditions over the past few decades. I guess it may come down to paying three bucks for the next issue of Thanos may not be worth it.

Tipton: It's definitely a problem, which may be why the publishers are moving toward more of an emphasis on trade paperbacks. The other option is to drop paper quality, which I'd be happy with, but which is a move that publishers seem to fear.

Adam J. writes: Well I certainly picked the right time to start reading your column. First I got to see your overview of my favorite team book, the Avengers, and now you're tackling my favorite character. Let the good times roll.

As usual, your column has been excellent. I like that you are taking the time and column space to cover the many different facets of the Batman mythos. And also as usual, it seems that most of your favorite or most memorable stories are mine as well. This week's column is the exception to that last part though. I disagree with your opinions towards both the death of Robin and the Killing Joke. I admit that the beating of Robin by the Joker was incredibly sadistic and cruel, but that is exactly what the Joker is. As you pointed out, it helped further erase the old 50's style character. Maybe it was too extreme for some people, and I admit that I still find that image of the Joker holding the crowbar to be chilling, but that is part of the reason why the Joker is the Batman's greatest enemy. He's completely insane and completely without moral.

I also thought the Killing Joke was an excellent story. Granted, for me it didn't feel like yet another attempt at being dark and gritty, because I was still in my first year or two of collecting comics and I hadn't been too exposed to the dark and gritty titles. I hadn't read Watchmen or Dark Knight Returns yet. I read and reread the Killing Joke endlessly when it came out. It was one of the comics that made me realize that these things weren't just for kids, that a powerful story could be told with comics, and that not all comics were going to have a happy ending. Perhaps if I had already been exposed to more of the gritty stuff, this would have seemed gratuitous to me, but it didn't. I do agree with you in the fact that in the long run both these stories were very beneficial to the Batman storyline and characters. So I think even if a person didn't care for them, they did make the stories that followed better.

As always, keep up the great work. I can't wait to read more of your Batman columns. Or any of your columns, for that matter.

Tipton: Maybe I'm just in a different place now then I was when I first read it -- I was blown away by KILLING JOKE when it first came out, but now I find it somewhat hard to get through.

In Search of "Swifty" Lazar

Last week, Mark P. wrote: Since you are the closest thing we have to a "Hollywood Correspondent", perhaps you could shed some light on an odd discovery. Or rather, lack thereof.

Irving "Swifty" Lazar was famous for his large glasses and lavish post-Oscars parties.

Why can I not find any pictures of him on the internet? The photo of his gravesite is common, but none of the man himself.

Seems rather strange, given his very public presence.

Ryall: So far, no one has gotten to the bottom of this o-so-important mystery, so if anyone has any leads, please drop me a line. Of the respondents, we got this:

Doug D. responds: Sorry, wish I could help you out with a pic of the fabled Mr. Lazar.

Your mentioning of him did remind me of Mel Brooks' "History of the World (Part 1)", wherein Mr. Brooks in his role as the comedian 'Comicus', in ancient Rome, referred to his agent, 'Swiftus'.

Ryall: This IS a great HISTORY OF THE WORLD reference, yes, but I'm still no closer to figuring out where all of Swifty's pics went. Jason R. sent this:

Jason writes: c'mon dude! your research skills are slipping...

i found this pic of "Swifty" Lazar on eBay (cover of his autobiography...interesting title since he never liked the nickname).

Ryall: Granted, this is a picture of Swifty, but not what I mean. Photos or books on eBay is one thing, but there's not a site around that has his picture. Anything with his bio, or his memorial, or anything else, either just has that little red "X" where a picture should be, or his gravestone, or nothing at all. Which brings me back to the original mystery...where are the pictures of Swifty Lazar?

Caged Fist

Michael E. writes in regards to our news story I HEAR NICOLAS CAGE WANTS TO PLAY DANIEL RAND with this: Can you elaborate on Nic Cage's possible role?

Ryall: Hmm...not really a regular reader, are you?

One WORD Clapping

Gregg Brown, the writer/co-director and host of the Florida Film Festival selection WORDS, reviewed here last week, writes: Chris, you are a very talented writer, and I'm not just saying that because I love the review. OK, maybe I wouldn't have called you talented if the review was similar to the scathing piece I read today in the NY Post about The Passion of Christ - which I haven't seen yet. But, honestly words cannot express how much I like what you wrote. And you are a damn good writer!

GREAT PIECE. THANKS.

Hank III

Steven G. writes to Joshua Jabcuga: Your experience reminds me a little of seeing Hank's father, Hank Jr., approximately 20 years ago. At that show, Hank Jr. decided to do pretty much nothing but hardcore Southern Rock and even a cover of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way." I watched the little old ladies and their retired truck driver husbands head out the door when they realized it wasn't a set of Hank Sr. covers and the Honky Tonk stuff that Jr. was getting played on the radio.

Must be something in the genes.

Ryall: I think they call it "alcohol."

FAMILY Friendly?

Travis F. writes: I managed to get a early jump on the Thursday posting and noticed a headline concerning the "Family Guy"'s return to television. What I read shocked and horrified me. Both the headline and the byline lacked any derogatory comments concerning the show, the show's creators, or the show's fans. What happened? The Chris Ryall I thought I knew never missed the oppurtunity to spur and anger "Family Guy" fans, slinging barbs their way with every oppurtunity. Remember when the DVD set came out, and you mentioned that you needed a new set of coasters? Classic! Oh, the hate mail flowed like wine, but an entertaining hate wine nonetheless. But now, you just report on the story, without sarcasm or instigation, garnering no agitation amongst the ever-touchy "Family Guy" fans. Why have you decided to end such a beautiful flame war? Is this truly the End?

Ryall: Man, take the high road one time...it'll never happen again, I assure you. Especially not for such a crappy show as FAMILY GUY. The one good thing about it coming back is it'll give us lots more material for jokes at its derivative, tries-too-hard expense.

TRAILER PARK

Chris Gore, writer/producer of the upcoming MY BIG FAT INDEPENDENT MOVIE, writes: I can't thank you enough for that great write up. I think you will really dig the movie. You're right though, in this genre, some jokes go over as gold and others fill time. I am happy to report there are many gags involving anal sex -- always a crowd pleaser. And I have to admit that I am still a fan of the cheap fart joke. No matter how old I get, farts are still funny. Unless you crap your pants, then it's embarassing.

Nobody Loves RAYMOND

Al R. writes: kill this show! I stopped watching in the 2nd or 3rd season.

Ryall: What took you so long?

why does anyone still watch this show? it has horrible writing and brad garrett is being wasted on this show.

Ryall: Yeah, he is. Just ask him.

and another thing, what is with brad garett and the crappy host job for the TV LAND awards?

Ryall: Hey, those awards are actually pretty fun to attend (if not to watch). I actually went to the show last night, and it was amusing again. Garrett seems like an old-time TV actor, and he was pretty funny playing off some of those old talents. Plus, you gotta do the smaller shows first if you want to prove your worth as an awards show host for the bigger ones.

I mean,geez brad you need a better agent. i mean, cbs just sucks as a network. The tv movie they did on Lewis and Martin was horrible. I mean, they didnt even do any kind of makeup on Sean Hayes or Jeremy Northam to make them look like jerry Lewis and Dean Martin and then they didnt do any major noticeable press for the show.

I just hate cbs so much.

i got some rants about abc,nbc and fox...but thats pretty understandable since its those networks. (i would mention UPN and the WB but those im sure everyone agrees with. although, The WB has like maybe one good show that deserves attention:smallville. they always have really strong performances on that show.)

Who Cares?

Al R. writes: why are they coming out with a new cd as the who? why not just put out a cd as roger daltry and pete townsend and studio band members? dont these people have any respect for their passed band mates? are the beatles the only group who has any respect for their bandmates and their legacy?

Ryall: You know, I was just thinking how much respect the Beatles have for their legacy while I was listening to "Free As a Bird," the recent, shitty song where they put new music over vocals from the long-deceased John Lennon.

Shack-Shakin'

Alex B. writes to Joshua Jabcuga about his last SQUIB CENTRAL: I liked your quick little story about the Legendary Shack Shakers. They've been one of my favorite live acts for a while. I especially liked it when the Colonel JD air-hanky'd onto a monitor at a local club, then proceeded to rub it in, followed by pulling his underwear up onto his shoulders, and attempting to put his head through the jimmy-hole. All this was topped off by a stumbling sweaty hug bestowed upon me by one of the best frontmen of our time. Just though I'd share my story.

Onion-like Site of the Week

HumorGazette.com.

Photos of the Week

Ryall: Watch that first step near the volcano, Anny:

Also, the poster for FilmThreat founder Chris Gore's first movie, coming this summer:

Ryall: And then there's this. While the Religious Right makes a big stink about seeing a woman's breast at a sporting event, they seem to have no problem with people selling this, the worst movie tie-in in the history of movie tie-ins. This is even more offensive than the old "Human Jerky" that they sold when the movie ALIVE came out a few years ago:

Ryall: Here's Drew Struzan's new poster for HELLBOY:

Ryall: And coming this summer from the creators of Soda:

Costa Mesa, CA – March 4, 2004 – GeekPunk, publishers of the superhero comedy title Hero Happy Hour, is pleased to announce that a second title will now be published under the GeekPunk label. Beginning in July, Lionxor, written by James Patrick (Crackurz Super Special) with art by D.J. Coffman (Monkey Man Unleashed, Crackurz Super Special), will join Hero Happy Hour in offering readers a fresh and humorous alternative to everyday comic books.

According to Lionxor creator and writer James Patrick, "Lionxor is an absurd team/action book with a bit of 80's elements to flavor it. I definitely wouldn’t say Lionxor spoofs 80's titles as much as it takes some of their flavor, in all their absurdity, and creates a style for the book. And when I say absurdity, I mean the same way the Golden Age or the Silver Age were absurd in some ways, like a guy wearing a bright, red, white and blue costume out to war." "Lionxor is the perfect title to join Hero Happy Hour," according to Dan Taylor of GeekPunk. "The humor within Lionxor is right up the alley for fans of our first title. In fact, regular readers of Hero Happy Hour will recognize James Patrick and D.J. Coffman as the talented team behind the back up features within that very comic."

James Patrick adds, "I just hope Lionxor has the same success for Geekpunk that Hero Happy Hour has had. Unless that threatens Dan in some way, then I want it to do just a shade under the success that Hero Happy Hour has been."

Lionxor will be released on a bi-monthly schedule as a six-issue mini-series. Lionxor first appeared in the online comic strip Soda that ran on Kevin Smith's Movie Poop Shoot site. Lionxor #1 written by James Patrick with art by D.J. Coffman is scheduled for release in July 2004. Lionxor #1 (b/w 24 pages) will be available at comic book shops, or online at www.geekpunk.com.

About GeekPunk

First and foremost, GeekPunk is a publisher of comic books. We could be called small press, self-published, or independent. But, we prefer the term guerrilla publishers. Formed in order to publish the comic book Hero Happy Hour, GeekPunk will continue to publish additional issues of Hero Happy Hour as well as producing and publishing other entertaining comic books for those looking for something different. For additional information visit the GeekPunk web site at www.geekpunk.com.

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