I’ve never quite understood why SPIDER-GIRL isn’t just as popular and successful as ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN.

Sure, May “Mayday” Parker isn’t a young Peter Parker– she’s the daughter of Peter and Mary Jane in a book set in the M2 Universe of the not too distant future. But to my eyes, that just makes her cooler. Instead of a ‘reboot’ of the SPIDER-MAN mythos, SPIDER-GIRL is an exciting extension of that concept. Like ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN, there are re-imaginings of the classic villains from the parent book (as well as lots of heroes)…. but in my opinion, these characters are a lot more imaginative and fun than they are in ULTIMATE. I think that if you’re a fan of straight-out superhero comics, SPIDER-GIRL is just about a perfect book. Not only is it a comic you can enjoy yourself (if you’re anywhere NEAR as old as I am), but it’s also a comic you can give to children without fearing that it’s too dark and adult for them to understand or enjoy. In today’s comic world, that’s a rarity.

SPIDER-GIRL has had a tumultuous ride during its run…. to say the least. The book’s been on the chopping block more than once, and now, it seems, it’s in peril of cancellation once again. I don’t understand the rationale for this, personally. I know that Marvel has had immense success with sales of SPIDER-GIRL digests in places like TARGET. And why is that…? Because SPIDER-GIRL is something that will appeal to such a wide audience. Boys, girls, women, men… they can all enjoy this comic as much as I do. That’s a cash cow, really… so this is kind of puzzling to me. SPIDER-GIRL has a very loyal and vocal fanbase, so perhaps if we all pull together, we can stop this cancellation from happening, because if you ask me, we can’t afford– as an industry– to lose a book like SPIDER-GIRL; a book that has the potential (and seems to be realizing that very potential) to reach a wider audience outside of the direct market.

I recently bought issue #11 of WRITE NOW!. from TOMORROWS PUBLISHING. It’s got a wonderful interview with Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz inside… and they talk extensively about their collaboration on the creation of SPIDER-GIRL and their recent work on the book. These guys love working on SPIDER-GIRL. It’s a concept they both enjoy immensely… and it shows in every issue of the book. If you want any proof of a couple of comic book creators who are at the height of their powers and loving what they’re doing, then seek this magazine out, read the interview, and perhaps it’ll make you a believer and prompt you to try SPIDER-GIRL. Some fans need to be convinced (for some reason) to even try a new book…. so maybe that would do the trick. Barring that– Marvel just released a trade paperback of the recent LAST HERO STANDING miniseries (written by Tom D. and drawn by the talented Pat Oliffe). It’ll give you a taste of what the M2 Universe is like. That, or one of the several recent SG trades that you can also find on AMAZON.COM will give you a sense of the thrill ride that is SPIDER-GIRL.

Let’s keep fun and imagination alive, shall we…?

OK.

This is Entry 186.

Mike

Who knew that BATGIRL was such a popular character? I don’t know who or what started it, but drawings of BATGIRL have started popping up all over the internet. And you can find a massive list of tons of them HERE. It looks as though the majority of folks getting into the swing are LIVEJOURNAL members. Maybe that’s why it’s so widespread…. but it certainly has become one of the most fun and interesting memes I’ve seen in a long time. It’s wonderful to see all the different designs that folks came up with. Who knew there were so many variations on a theme….?

There’s a 5 page preview of the first issue of the new LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS miniseries over at NEWSARAMA.. This is another book that deserves wider attention in line with the books I’ve been pointing out over the last few posts. LTB is one of those wonderful titles that an adult can enjoy for the great writing and sheer excitement of the story by Mike Bullock… and a kid can thrill to for those very reasons along with the amazingly imaginative premise and artwork by Jack Lawrence. I’m hoping that eventually these guys will get this book into major bookstore chains to give more folks a chance to see it.

This is Entry 185.

Mike

In March, the first issue of TRUTH, JUSTIN AND THE AMERICAN WAY will debut from IMAGE. It’s co-written by Scott Kurtz of PVP fame, Aaron Williams of NODWICK and PS 238 (and many OTHER things) fame and illustrated by Giuseppe Ferrario. Scott has honored me by giving me access to the JUSTIN pages as Giuseppe has been finishing them, and I’ve got to say that they are simply brilliant. As you’ll see if you follow the link to Giuseppe’s web site, his work is fun and animated– and he packs a stunning amount of detail into his backgrounds. And not only is he a demon with the pencil and the pen, but his color sense is fantastic as well. From an artist’s-eye point of view, I am so blown away by this guy’s talent. And the pairing of Giuseppe with Scott’s and Aaron’s writing is a perfect union. The script is truly funny. JUSTIN is a love ode to those TV shows of the 80’s that sparked the imaginations of children everywhere…. shows like THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN, KNIGHT RIDER, THE HULK, THE MASTER and yes, THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO. These shows were pure fantasy… and though we can look back at them now and see just how limited the budgets were and how limited the technology the creators of these shows had with which to weave their magic, they still bring back those nostalgic feelings that welled up in our chilhood hearts in those days when we think about them. Those shows helped inspire countless kids… and lots of those kids work in the comics industry today (like Scott and Aaron….!).

This book has simply got to be seen and read to be believed. It’s a humor book… and humor books have a hard time finding a place in this industry that is so married to it’s superheroes being dark, grim and completely serious– but you’re not going to find any of those types of books that have nearly the heart that TRUTH, JUSTIN AND THE AMERICAN WAY has. These guys truly love their subject matter– and it shows on every single page. Do them– and more importantly yourself– a favor and buy this book. You will love it as much as I do. If follow the link to Scott’s PVP ONLINE site, there’s a banner ad that will allow you to pre-order all 5 issues from MAYHEM COMICS, and you can have them delivered right to your door each and every month of the mini-series. It doesn’t get any better– or easier– than that.

HERE’S TO JUSTIN…!!!

This is entry 184.

Mike

Monday I wrote about how wonderful the SHE-HULK comic is… and I thought maybe I would start pointing out a few books here and there that I really enjoy that fall into the superhero genre that is still the predominant type of comic in terms of popularity– but are different enough from what’s most popular today because of either the uniqueness of the creator(s) or the stories or the premise… or all of those. JACK STAFF by Paul Grist is one of those books that encompasses all those criteria. From what I’ve heard, JACK STAFF began as a proposal to Marvel for a UNION JACK series that wasn’t accepted, and so rather than trash his ideas, Paul decided to launch the concept as his own character. I’ve been following Paul Grist’s work for years. The first time I saw his artwork, it was in collaboration with Grant Morrison on the one-shot ST. SWITHIN’S DAY. Immediately I recognized that this guy was a unique and singular talent. I didn’t see much more from him until he began self-publishing his KANE series through his own DANCING ELEPHANT PRESS imprint. Amazingly, not only had his illustration skills only increased… he was a damned good writer to boot, as it turns out. Then he began alternating between KANE and JACK STAFF in his publication schedule.

Most recently, he’s taken both properties to IMAGE COMICS to have them published. Now admittedly, Paul’s publication schedule is rather spotty. But when you’ve got a talent as special as Paul Grist, who’s every page is a study in storytelling, bold simplicity and design– and who’s stories are as interesting with their myriad interweaving story lines and sub plots…. it’s well worth the wait. JACK STAFF is populated with an array of fascinating and quirky characters– from the title character himself, to THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS (a wonderful team of heroes JACK was a part of who’s adventures are told in flashback sequences from WW II) to Becky Braddock: Vampire Reporter. There’s simply nothing like this book on the stands…! And for those of you not initiated in the wonders of Paul Grist and his works– not only has IMAGE collected his self-published JACK STAFF comics into one huge volume entitled EVERYTHING USED TO BE BLACK AND WHITE — but they’re also re-releasing his KANE trades under the IMAGE banner as well. And the new JACK STAFF series is in color, for those of you who might be B&W snobs.

There was a recent poll on, I believe THE PULSE, that asked the question “Who do you consider to be some totally under-rated comics creators?” Paul Grist certainly falls into that category. In my humble opinion, if there’s any independent creator out there that doesn’t get nearly enough due, it’s Paul.

So… GO BUY JACK STAFF…!

This is Entry 183.

Mike

In this present market filled with comics that go nowhere– comics that still employ that now-tired and overused method of ‘decompressed storytelling’, or –worse yet– filled with half-issue’s worth of characters with superpowers doing nothing more than standing around and talking about not much of anything worth reading… there’s a book that stands out to my mind. SHE-HULK, written by Dan Slott and illustrated by Juan Bobillo is that book. Dan’s writing is so intelligent and witty and packed with humor equally mixed with pathos (but not melodrama, mind you) and Bobillo’s unique artwork is the perfect compliment for Dan’s words. It’s hard to quantify or put a pat high-concept hollywood label on what Dan does with Bruce Banner’s cousin Jen Walters in this book. He seems to throw the kitchen sink into almost every plot… and he does a marvelous job of keeping things fascinating. Dan’s SHE-HULK will go from trying a case in court one moment to duking it out with THE CHAMPION in a cosmic boxing ring half a universe away the next. It’s always fun and always interesting. With Dan, Jen faces not only physical challenges but psychological and emotional ones as well. And Juan Bobillo’s wonderfully quirky art works so well with Dan’s stories that I simply can’t imagine anyone else drawing the book. When Juan doesn’t draw it.. I don’t buy it. These guys seem to be in perfect synch on this title… and it deserves to get more attention and recognition.

And sales.

It’s not in trouble by any means…. in fact it just began a second ‘season’ (the new term that’s in vogue for comics these days) and the sales for this run have improved over the last a bit. But when I see the sales for some of the stuff today that in my opinion can’t hold a candle to this book doubling and tripling the numbers that SHE-HULK does… it amazes and depresses me. In the superhero realm of comics, SHE-HULK should reign supreme. So do yourself a favor if you’re not already buying this comic…. give it a try. I’m pretty sure you’ll come to quickly love it.

That’s it for today.

This is Entry 182.

Mike