The Dark Tower: The Long Road Home.
© Marvel
Mainstream Readers and Future Formats
By: Kurt AmackerDate: Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Marvel will adapt Stephen King’s 1978 post-apocalyptic novel, The Stand, into a 24-issue maxi series. Details remain scant, but we’ll know more soon enough. Dark Horse has signed a three-year “first look” deal with Universal that gives the studio the first opportunity to adapt any of their own properties—Hellboy, Concrete, Grendel, and the like—to film. The world watched the aftermath of Heath Ledger’s passing, curious if his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight had any hand in the tragedy. Maniacs, comics have arrived.
Though many have announced just that in the past year or two, give due credit to Steven Grant over at Comic Book Resources for his recent column on the same subject. Consider this another perspective on the matter, with due credit to inspiration. The notion of comics as a niche hobby pursued by maladjusted teenage virgins may linger in the minds of a few oafs. But, those same oafs undoubtedly took their girlfriends to Spider-Man 3 on opening weekend. Popular culture has entered an era in which not only superheroes—a la much of the 1990s boom—but the medium itself has achieved respectability. When Entertainment Weekly reviews graphic novels, it makes it difficult to argue for sequential art as an oppressed, marginalized medium. But, that success portends a number of possibilities for the future of both the medium and many of the quirks we Maniacs associate with it.
Consider the case of The Stand. For that matter, consider the relative success and mainstream attention brought by Marvel’s Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter miniseries and its continuing adaptations of King’s Dark Tower series—the second miniseries, The Long Road Home, having launched this month. Accord that same tribute to Dark Horse’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and any other property that’s dragged the formerly unwilling to their local comic shop. All of those works extend existing properties into comics and, most delightfully in the case of prose novels, give readers an opportunity to see their favorite characters rendered in glorious two-dimensional color. Buffy fans just needed to see how things panned out, and another visual medium serves that purpose better than prose novels or fan fiction ever could. But, as outside readers—the elusive mainstreamers that the industry so desperately covets—flock to comic shops for these titles, publishers may take notice and shift their focus a bit from superheroes. Don’t worry, dear Maniacs—your capes and tights remain safe for the time being. But, when Marvel and DC feel that popular focus has shifted away from both heroes and the industry’s worst trappings, things may change.
Don’t expect superheroes to fly away any time soon. They earn Marvel and DC entirely too much money, because every boy likes them. Then, the boys become young men and buy expensive video games, statues, and movie tickets. Rather, expect less emphasis on publishing yet another X-book in another disorganized crossover, and expect more on popular and classic subjects in formats that don’t confuse potential customers. Though The Stand may tie into King’s Dark Tower series by way of his own interconnected universe, forget seeing a crossover where one buys an issue from four different series and orders them to read a single story. Expect self-contained, non-superhero stories that fit into a single graphic novel. Individual issues will serve as the theatrical showing to the collection’s DVD release—complete with expensive “double-dips,” “director’s cuts,” and “ultimate editions.”
Despite an expanding choice of genres and an emphasis on collections, one shouldn’t write the eulogy for monthly comics just yet. Though the format has proven less-than-profitable for most publishers, comic fans—no skinflints themselves—so adore the format that they’d rather see newcomers pry 32 saddle-stitched pages from their cold, dead hands. But, some bands still release their music on vinyl records as well. While the old format may never truly die, fans may one day regard it as a nostalgic curiosity. Just imagine Marvel or DC using monthly comics as an over-hyped sales gimmick 100 years in the future—“We’re going old school with monthly comics again!”
The increasing emphasis on other genres and collected graphic novels becomes more interesting when one examines the other side of the fence. Marvel and DC have once again come to embrace most of the worst trends of the 1990s speculator boom. Crossovers and tie-in titles sprawl across their shared universes like a fat drunk passed out on a Futon—one wonders if anyone out there really buys all of those Countdown spin-offs. Advertisements for variant covers and manufactured collectibles scream from the pages of Wizard and Diamond’s Previews, assuring Maniacs that their lives will remain incomplete without a sketch cover variant of Captain America #34. Both Marvel and DC pack the shelves with mediocre miniseries, spin-offs, tie-ins, one-shots, and other filler—with a few exceptions, mostly sub par comics designed to part character-devoted readers from their money. All but the most obsessed readers practically need a flowchart just to figure out in which order to read a stack of crossed-over comics. Then, the inevitable wipe of the chalkboard occurs to clean up the mess for new readers. Witness the forthcoming DC Universe #0 that occurs between Countdown and Final Crisis. Fifty cents buys you, dear Maniacs, a 24-page comic book by Grant Morrison and Geoff Johns—a more than fair deal—that will clear the cobwebs of Countdown from the mind. Consider this a lifering thrown over board by the good folks at DC—except that it has the word “Titanic” written around its edge.
When new readers try comics, they’ll want the same subjects they enjoy everywhere else. Buffy, Stephen King’s work, and Anita Blake provide excellent examples. Mainstream readers may like superheroes just fine, but the logistical intricacies of reading about them—not to mention the continuity conundrums and unending stories—will keep many of them away from the monthly capes-and-tights books. At the very least, many will just wait for the trade. But, the end result will likely be an increased emphasis on other genres—including licenses unfamiliar to comics—along with self-contained stories easily collected into trade. Monthly comics may remain with us for the next several years, but the focus will shift to the collection one can purchase at a discount from Amazon.com. The age of messy crossovers, filler titles, and impenetrable continuity will end. Comics will move from speculative collectibility to increased respectability. A new age will dawn.
Make no mistake, the comics industry will experience its greatest nemesis yet in the coming years—change. It remains to be seen whether it will go quietly or fight for its traditions—for good or ill.
The Spinner Rack
By Ben Johnson and Kurt Amacker
Ben: It is important to note that I wrote these jokes under the influence of a brain-crushing St. Patrick’s Day hangover. This is as opposed to my standard brain-crushing Monday binge night hangover.
Kurt: I think there’s some kind of rule that anyone that writes for Mania.com has to drink any and all booze present in a given room.
DARK HORSE COMICS
Al Capps Complete Shmoo HC The Comic Books $49.95
Ben: I once had a complete Shmoo, but was forced to turn it over to the authorities upon moving to Alaska.
Classic Comic Book Characters #8 Grendel $49.99
Ben: Cause he’s right in there between Little Lulu and Archie.
Fear Agent #19 Hatchet Job (Pt 3 Of 5) $2.99
Grendel Behold The Devil #5 (Of 8) $3.50
The Devil: Right behind you.
Kurt: Dad! You’re home!
Lankhmar Book Vol 05 Swords Of Lankhmar $12.95
DC COMICS
100 Bullets #89 (MR) $2.99
Batman And The Outsiders #5 $2.99
Batman The Killing Joke Special Ed HC $17.99
Ben: I hope this includes the number to call to re-kill Jason Todd.
Kurt: I think you’re mistaking this for A Death in the Family. This is the one where the Joker shoots Barbara Gordon in the spine. So yeah, you’re an a—hole.
Birds Of Prey #116 $2.99
Brave And The Bold #11 $2.99
Catwoman #77 $2.99
Ben: It’s astounding that a book about my wife has lasted 77 issues.
Kurt: Dude, Little Lulu has been around a lot longer than that. Give her some credit.
Checkmate #24 $2.99
Countdown To Final Crisis 6 $2.99
Death Of The New Gods #7 (Of 8) $3.50
Ex Machina #35 (MR) $2.99
Fables #71 (MR) $2.99
Ben: In this issue: The War Begins!!! P.S. If you’re not reading Fables you are missing one of the most impressive works the industry has ever seen.
Flash #238 $2.99
Freddy Vs Jason Vs Ash #4 (Of 6) 2nd Ptg $2.99
Kurt: All right, I’ll own up. I love Evil Dead more than I love human life. But, I haven’t liked any of the Army of Darkness comics that have come out from Dynamite. I’ve tried. So, I haven’t read this because I’m afraid it’s going to be more of the same. Could someone please reassure me that this is, in fact, the most awesome thing ever? I want to believe.
Justice League Of America #19 $2.99
Legion Of Super Heroes In 31st Century TP Vol 01 $14.99
Mad Classics #21 $4.99
Mad Magazine #488 $4.99
Ben: SI Swimsuit issue… On the rag!!!
Kurt: Dear God, I hate you.
Moon Child Vol 10 $9.99
Ben: Volume 10? That’s a lot of butts.
Kurt: Somewhere, Aleister Crowley and Carl McCoy are having a cigarette together and shaking their heads at you. Let’s hear it for the Obscure Joke of the Week!
Musashi #9 Vol 14 $9.99
Outsiders Five Of A Kind TP $14.99
Programme #9 (Of 12) $2.99
Robin #172 $2.99
Sandman Mystery Theatre TP Vol 06 Hourman And Python (MR) $19.99
Scooby Doo #130 $2.25
Shadowpact #23 $2.99
Super Friends #1 $2.25
Ben: Nostalgia ahoy!
Kurt: Dear Hipsters: The Super-Friends suck. They sucked when we were kids, and they suck now. Liking them makes you neither hip, nor ironic, nor-post-ironic. It just means you have no taste. Let this beast die, please.
Superman Batman Annual #2 $3.99
Tangent Supermans Reign #1 (Of 12) $2.99
Ben: The Jurgen-verse returns.
Women Of The DCU Series 2 Starfire Bust $49.99
Ben: I can’t help but think this title is intentionally funny.
Kurt: Man, it’s been weeks since we made that particular boob joke!
Young Magician Vol 11 (MR) $9.99
IMAGE COMICS
Circle #5 $2.99
Dark Ivory #1 (Of 4) $2.99
Invincible #49 $2.99
Ben: Kirkman is really into anniversary numbers, evident by this title ramping up big time approaching #50.
Liberty Meadows 10th Anniversary Ed HC $24.99
Madame Mirage Greg Horn Ltd Ed Lithograph $29.99
Ben: The best boobs in comics just got a little better.
New World Order #2 $3.50
Ben: Sucks more than a $5 whore – Ben Johnson, Mania.com
Princess At Midnight GN $5.99
PVP #39 $3.50
Repo TP (MR) $15.99
Ben: Emilio Estevez sneaks into houses and takes back used toilet paper.
Spawn Godslayer #7 $1.99
Sword #6 $2.99
Witchblade #116 Sejic Cvr A $2.99
Youngblood #1 2nd Ptg (Pp #801) $2.99
MARVEL COMICS
Amazing Spider-Man #554 $2.99
Ben: The sales on this have been incredible, but it really feels more like an Ultimate Universe book now.
Kurt: I refuse, I refuse, I refuse, I REFUSE!
Avengers Classic #10 $2.99
Captain America #36 $2.99
Captain Marvel #3 (Of 5) 2nd Ptg Var (Pp #804) $2.99
Captain Marvel #4 (Of 5) Dodson Var SII (Pp #803) $2.99
Captain Marvel #4 (Of 5) SII$2.99
Kurt: I think my head just exploded.
Earth X TP Trilogy Companion $29.99
Ben: Magically turn your $30 into fire starter.
Kurt: I think an annotated version of the series would just be better. Real books have those sometimes.
Fantastic Four #554 2nd Ptg Hitch Var (Pp #805) $2.99
Foolkiller #4 (Of 5) (MR) $3.99
Kurt: When is a superhero a serial killer? Here you go. Eat your heart out, Frank Castle. Seriously, the Foolkiller just shoved it in your mouth. You’ll have to eat it out.
Franklin Richards Spring Break $2.99
Ben: Key West gets a little crazier as Franklin Richards boozes and parties on his quest to lose his virginity.
Kurt: Look for him to host a special edition of Girls Gone Wild.
Ghost Rider #21 $2.99
Immortal Iron Fist #13 $2.99
Incredible Hercules #115 $2.99
Kurt: Turning The Incredible Hulk into this is the most backwards-ass thing I’ve ever seen.
Iron Man #27 $2.99
Lords Of Avalon SOD #1 (Of 6) 2nd Ptg Var $2.99
Marvel Adventures Avengers #22 $2.99
Marvel Adventures Two-In-One #9 $4.99
Marvel Illustrated Iliad #4 (Of 8) $2.99
Mighty Avengers Prem HC Vol 01 Ultron Initiative $19.99
Ben: $20 worth of crappy thought balloons!
MMW Captain America HC Vol 04 $54.99
MMW Captain America HC Vol 04 Var Ed Vol 93 $54.99
Moon Knight TP Vol 02 Midnight Sun $14.99
New Avengers Prem HC Vol 07 Trust $24.99
New Exiles #2 2nd Ptg Grummett Var (Pp #805) $2.99
Order #9 $2.99
Punisher War Journal TP Vol 02 Goin Out West $17.99
Kurt: I love this book. Seriously, read it.
Spider-Man Reign TP $14.99
Ben: Actually pretty cool.
Thor #7 $2.99
Twelve #2 (Of 12) 2nd Ptg Weston Var (Pp #805) $2.99
Ben: I think I love this book.
Kurt: Waiting for the trade.
Ultimates 3 #1 Black And White Gatefold Var (Pp #804) $2.99
Kurt: If you buy this, you deserve a lifetime of suffering and misfortune.
Uncanny X-Men #495 2nd Ptg Choi Var (Pp #805) $2.99
War Is Hell First Flight Phantom Eagle #1 (Of 5) (MR) $3.99
Ben: Now get three titles for the price of one!!!
Kurt: Let’s hear it for my main men Garth Ennis.
Wolverine #62 2nd Ptg Garney Var (Pp #805) $2.99
Wolverine Origins #23 $2.99
World War Hulk Aftersmash Warbound #4 (Of 5) $2.99
Kurt: I haven’t heard this much milking since the last time I was at a farm.
X-Factor #28 2nd Ptg Raimondi Var (Pp #805) $2.99
X-Factor TP Vol 04 Heart Of Ice $17.99
X-Force #1 2nd Ptg Crain Var PP #805) $2.99
Kurt: I haven’t even read the second issue yet, so I can’t say much for this series yet. Anyone care to warn me?
Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think at comicscape@mania.com.
second keep refusing spidey cause i do, strength in numbers bro.
third i don't know why they made it incredible hercules, but i loves me some amadeus cho(not in the gay way, not that there's anything wrong with that but personally i prefer the furburgers over the fuzzy dogs). they could've done this storyline in a mini series but marvels been ass backwards since queefsada took over.
fourth and finally x-force is still in a gray area, probably won't get a good feel for it for a few months, it feels like marvel may be starting to spread wolvie a little too thin with all the books he's in right now.
edit-WOOOOOHOOOOO THOR 7!!!!!!