Shawn Says: Spotlight on New Releases August 10, 2011

In which Shawn looks at the New Releases and lets you know which ones she is most excited about!

1) SpongeBob Comics #4

I was thrilled to find out that Joey Weiser, who is one of my favorite cartoonists, has a story in this issue of SpongeBob Comics. There have been some seriously talented people working on this book. I have really been enjoying the goofy and silly nature of the book. For me, it has captured the essence of the show. So SpongeBob fans out there should definitely be reading the comic!

3) Hellboy The Fury #3

Rumor has it this issue will have a shocking ending as Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo’s epic storyline concludes. So if you only keep up with Hellboy in trade or hardcover you might want to take notice of this issue. Or steer clear of it completely so that the story isn’t ruined for you. 

Speaking of Mignola, also out this week is Baltimore Curse Bells #1. It is written by Mignola and Christopher Golden with art by Ben Stenbeck. I really enjoyed the first Baltimore mini so I have high hopes for this one.

3) Detective Comics #881

Detective Comics, as we know it, comes to an end. This is the final issue before the re-launch when Detective will restart at issue #1. This latest story arc has been fantastic. I have especially enjoyed it because it has showcased the detective side of Batman. I particularly love the way Jock and Francesco Francavilla have taken turns on the art throughout this story. The two storylines come together in this issue and both Jock and Francavilla did an amazing job on the art. Scott Snyder’s writing has been creepily compelling. I wish Snyder luck as he takes over Batman next month with Batman #1.

Review: Batman: Brave and the Bold Season 1; Part 2

Comic fans are an extremely fickle lot.  Look on any message board and you’ll see page after page of concern among comic readers about the monthly decline in comic sales and how the reading demographic is gradually getting older and older and how we’re not grabbing the younger readers. 

Look a little further down on the same message board and you’ll hear those same fans complain about the latest Batman animated series Batman: The Brave and The Bold.  There will be a chorus of people complaining that it is too campy, that the stories are too light-weight, that Batman is too jokey, that he should work alone for the most part, and that *gasp* Kevin Conroy isn’t doing Batman’s voice! 

Is the dark, gritty, and oft-times depressing Batman: The Animated Series really the best way to introduce new younger readers still in single digits age-wise to Batman?  Wouldn’t a show with a lighter tone and brighter palette that pairs him up with characters from every corner of the DC universe be a better way to go?  Give the kids a taste of what DC has to offer in a fun way and like crack dealers where the first taste is free, the kids will come back and pay for the comics.

Even though this series is aimed at kids, I love it.  The 9 year old in me is has a towel pinned around his neck while jumping on the couch with joy when he hears the theme song and he cannot wait to see who the guest star is that week so getting my copy of Batman: The Brave and the Bold-Season One; Part Two made me a very happy 9 year old.  The adult in me who read the original comic series this cartoon is based on loves not knowing who the guest star that week will be and how Batman interacts with the different characters.  The mentor/apprentice relationship with Blue Beetle, the friendly rivalry with Green Arrow, or his exasperation with the over-enthusiastic Aquaman are all great.

Click to read more…

Click to read more ...

Interview with Derek Fridolfs

If you have been enjoying Batman: Streets of Gotham or Green Lantern Corps recently you have no doubt run across the work of Derek Fridolfs. While he may not be well-known yet he is that rare individual who can fill in as a writer, artist, or inker when needed. I had the opportunity to meet Derek at the Second Annual Bakersfield Super-Con recently and he was kind enough to to allow me to bother him with a few questions.

Where did you grow up?
In the Central Valley of California. Right in the hot middle area smack dab between LA and San Francisco.

What was your first introduction to comics?
The earliest I can remember was getting comics during road trips with the family. Like we would stop off at a convenience store or somewhere along the way, and I’d see some and get a few. Nothing too memorable, but something to pass the time in the car. It wasn’t until around the 3rd grade that I was introduced to GI JOE and Transformers comics (I was a kid of the ’80s). Those two properties hooked many of us from that generation. And that’s when I really got into comics…

Click to read more ...

The Nerdy Dozen : Batman's Greatest Foes

art by Jim AparoI enjoy lists. Making them, reading them and even disagreeing with them. From Dave’s famous top ten’s to the college football poll I have always liked ranking things. I’ve been thinking of starting a gimmick feature in the Dollar Bin’s articles in the hopes of generating some regular written content either by myself or others for awhile now and guess what I came up with? The Nerdy Dozen! With this article and any like it that follow the hope is to spark discussion, so even though my opinions are the correct ones feel free to share yours as well.

Credit for this 1st topic goes to our buddy Andrew for posting and then discussing a link to another site’s list of Batman’s Best Villains which of course I didn’t completely agree with. He asked what my issues with it were and Facebook didn’t seem like the place for a 2000 word essay so here we are with my top 12 (or Nerdy Dozen) greatest foes for Batman.

Click to read more ...

Bat-books Are Everywhere!

art by Gene Ha

As any trip to your local comic shop can tell you, there are a lot of comics featuring or related to Batman on the shelves. The competition is close but most months there are probably more “bat-books” available than for any other character in comics. Not to be limited just to comics, it also seems more than any other superhero, Batman attracts writers and publishers to create non-comic book literature about him as well. Part of this can be tied to the various animated projects, television shows, and movies that offer additional subject matter for these books. Since he has no superpowers, maybe he is just easier to relate to for non-comic readers and writers. But this isn’t about why there’s so many books about Batman on non-comic shelves; instead it is about some of the interesting ones you might find.

Click to read more ...