KC COLUMN: LOOKING ahead (OR NOT LOOKING FORWARD?)

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KC Carlson

by KC Carlson

Well, as they utilized to say: That Was The Year That Was. And. It. Was. A. Year. Period. I can state no more.

Since I discovered much of 2011 in comics especially difficult (and sometimes depressing) to look back at — as well as likewise since everybody else is looking back this week — I though it may be fun/illuminating/excruciating to look at a few of what we already understand about 2012.

SOME “MOVING” STORIES

Avengers movie poster

The biggest battle in comics this coming summertime may not have anything to do with comic books — or may have whatever to do with comic books. as well as assumption what? The fight ain’t happening in comics!!! Nope, it’s going to be the box office battle of the Titans of Comic book movies — The Avengers (scheduled release date: may 4, 2012) vs. Batman: The Dark Knight Rises (July 20, 2012). The Avengers is the underdog in this fight, since this is the very first installment of the superhero team-up — although the film has been in advancement since 2005 as well as many of the element parts (Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, Black Widow, as well as Hawkeye) have been carefully coordinated as well as released slowly over the past few years. Besides the firepower on screen, The Avengers’ trick weapon may be fan-favorite director Joss Whedon, who’s likewise no complete stranger to excellent comic book scripting.

Batman: The Dark Knight Rises movie poster

Batman is an old hand in the movie biz, very first appearing on screen in 1943 in a 15-chapter self-titled film serial. contemporary fans only begin thinking about “serious” Bat-films beginning with 1989’s Tim Burton-directed Batman. (Sorry, Adam as well as Burt. You’re as well 1966!) All told, Batman: The Dark Knight Rises is the Dark night Detective’s 8th live-action function film (not counting the two serials as well as lots of non-theatrical animated films). This one’s hot-on-the-heels (relatively speaking) of two mega-box office as well as important hits, Batman begins (2005) as well as The Dark Knight (2008), both directed (and co-written) by Christopher Nolan, who’s three-peating on Batman: The Dark Knight Rises. (I likewise wouldn’t be surprised to discover out that there may be some serious money riding on the side with people wondering if Batman: The Dark Knight Rises will be the very first “3rd film” in a DC franchise to not suck. seems like a great bet to beat the long odds!)

I’m sure I’m not alone in believing beyond choosing which one to see. You understand we’re all going to see both of them. The genuine concern is: exactly how many times each?!

Taking a cue from a not-always-great comic book trope is the very first of two major comic book movie franchise reboots. July 3, 2012, is the arranged date for The amazing Spider-Man — the fourth theatrical film featuring Web-Head, however the very first in a rebooted series. It stars Andrew Garfield as Spidey, Emma stone as Gwen Stacy, as well as Rhys Ifans as Dr. Curt Connors (guess who?). The release date puts this up against Batman: The Dark Knight Rises (they’re arranged to debut 17 days apart), however thematically, The amazing Spider-Man’s closest competition will most likely be 2013’s guy of Steel, Warner Bros.’ attempt to when once again reboot the Superman movie franchise. That film has an all-star cast, director Zack Snyder (Watchman), as well as Christopher Nolan credited as a producer, in addition to co-story with screenwriter David S. Goyer. “You’ll believe a guy can fly — over as well as over once again up until we get it right!”

I’m likewise somewhat amused by the upcoming guy in Black/Jonah Hex crossover. (Not really, however both star Josh Brolin.) as well as marvel just canceled the comic book, so it must be time for a new Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance movie. anybody not believe there won’t be a different Ghost Rider comic out in time for the film — one more like the film?

MEANWHILE, BACK IN THE COMICS… A MARVELOUS YEAR

Avengers Vs. X-Men

In situation you haven’t noticed, there’s been a “down” economic climate (or at least “iffy”) for a while now, as well as last year, it lastly started hitting comics relatively hard. All comics sales are down, although the traditional strong sellers are much better off than lower-selling comics — which are the more “fan-favorite” titles. Also, while the core titles of event jobs are doing fairly okay, the far-off tie-in books, not so much. It most likely didn’t assist that both of 2011’s biggest events (Fear Itself, Flashpoint) each had over 50 comic books comprising the event. That’s just method as well many — as well as perhaps marvel as well as DC are lastly figuring that out. preliminary reports suggest that the upcoming Avengers vs. X-Men event may only spill into a little number of core tie-in books — althoughthere currently is a prelude miniseries (Avengers: X-Sanction), which so far seems to be playing a waiting game for other series to wrap up, notably Avengers: The Children’s Crusade. It, in addition to X-Men: Schism as well as fear Itself, are most likely going to be important to what’s going to occur in Avengers vs. X-Men, according to the old Magic 8-Ball.

Anyway, with economic problems as well as discretionary earnings stretched thin, watch for comics (especially the huge Two) to publish fewer non-commercial, experimental series as well as characters as well as stick quite carefully to “Big Gun” projects. particularly with present movie tie-ins. If your preferred characters are Avengers, Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, as well as the X-Men (no movie, however the franchise is being overhauled in Regenesis branding), then this is your year, bucko!

Depending on exactly how you look at it, the story of marvel in 2012 may be having to do without. Brian Michael Bendis is leaving his function of long-lasting “Architect” of the Avengers titles for more than seven years. Although even a few of his biggest fans have been getting restless of late with Bendis on the books — I want to somehow reach into the books as well as throttle Bendis’s version of the MU Spider-Man. Who. Just. Won’t. Shut. Up. — you still have to admit that it’s been a remarkable accomplishment of longevity, in addition to reclaiming the Avengers franchise as one of Marvel’s best. however what’s going to occur when Bendis steps aside after his part of Avengers vs. X-Men is finished?

Wolverine #302

You may ask the exact same thing of Jason Aaron’s soon-to-be-done run on Wolverine. Although, there, the strike is somewhat softened by his development of Wolverine as well as the X-Men, the extremely askew new mutant-team book (and my present fave superhero title). There is going to be some musical chairs with creators as well as long-running titles at marvel later this year. As always, this might be truly exhilarating… or truly scary!

Captain America as well as Wolverine Monster Trucks!

Finally, all you Monster truck fans will be delighted to understand that brand-new Captain America as well as Wolverine Monster Trucks will make their debut in 2012, joining the existing Spider-Man as well as Iron guy (two different models!) on the Monster Jam circuit! (Now waiting on the inevitable crossover with Truck-o-Saurus! Yee-HAW!!!)

NOT much DC 4 ME

At DC, they don’t truly have any type of specific upcoming huge event lined up (or at least announced) — although the new 52 was huge sufficient to hold everybody’s interest for a few months. Inevitably, something will come up. perhaps their new version of Crisis, since they sorta stated that the original dilemma never occurred in the new 52 — although I’m not sure that everybody got the memo about that. Otherwise, DC’s been quite mum on upcoming new projects, other than a new Justice society book by James Robinson, which I would have been excited about, except that I checked out his Justice league as well as Superman series last year. I’m not taking everything that personally, however I’m quite sure that DC Comics doesn’t want old visitors like me reading their books any type of more. Which is fine for me, since there are a couple of other publishers available right now doing some jobs that I’d like to be economically supporting more than DC’s present efforts. I’m not going away mad — there are still a few characters/creators/titles that I’ll continue to comply with — however with almost 50 years of DC reading as well as collecting behind me, most of this new stuff is just not the same. Sadly, DC provided a jumping off point for me with the new 52.

One upcoming DC effort that I won’t go near is their rumored new Watchmen-related project. I’m kind of afraid that most people are going to believe that it’s some kind of sequel to the original acclaimed Watchmen by Alan Moore as well as Dave Gibbons. (Although anyone who was truly paying interest would recognize that there couldn’t potentially be a genuine sequel without totally destroying the integrity of the original story. Not that this would matter much to DC. the time Warner legal department as well as DC advertising as well as Editorial would most likely refer to this as “a piffle”.) No, what they’re most likely working on is a “prequel” to the original — meaning a story revolving around the pre-Watchmen superhero team The Minutemen, which beyond the anxiety as well as depravity surrounding this group, should be about as gripping as an old Justice society or Invaders story — except without the enjoyment of world war II. There will most likely be some great toys as well as an eye-melting video game. as well as perhaps an authentic total face-covering Rorschach mask — guaranteed to smother all those already brain-dead fans who don’t provide a lick about creator rights. Hey, perhaps they won’t bother with a comic book at all. Those goofy Time Warners (and their sister, Dot)!

If I have to buy an Alan Moore job in 2012, I hope it will be the long-awaited The Bojeffries Saga collection from top Shelf. This wonderful whacked material, illustrated by Steve Parkhouse, has been out of print for far as well long!

WHAT will I BE BUYING?

Berkeley Breathed’s Outland total Collection

A great deal of the money that I won’t be costs on the new 52 or the “new” Watchmen will be dedicated to recent series of traditional comic strips as well as vintage comic books collections. I was already buying the continuous Peanuts reprints (Fantagraphics). Bloom region (IDW) is done, however there’s still more Breathed to find in Outland as well as Opus this year. Plus, I’m getting most of the vintage Archie Comics material from both IDW (artist best-ofs as well as traditional series retrospectives) as well as Dark equine (Archie Archives, collecting Archie’s golden Age period).

Dell four color #386

Recently started are new series of the traditional Mickey mouse newspaper strip by Floyd Gottfredson (Fantagraphics), Pogo by Walt Kelly (Fantagraphics again), as well as the new Donald Duck by Carl Barks collections (Fantagraphics for the hat trick) — paired with the new series collecting Barks’ Uncle Scrooge, which will be starting later this spring. I noticed that IDW is lastly putting a few of their long out-of-print collections back into print — like Dick Tracy — so I’ll be looking at potentially getting back to that series after drifting away. Plus, I still have two more excellent volumes about Alex Toth coming ultimately from IDW.

Sugar as well as Spike Archives

DC may still be getting a few of my money if they keep on their recent pattern of lastly getting to some traditional (if esoteric) material in their DC Archives line, like Sugar as well as Spike as well as Lois Lane by Kurt Schaffenberger, or tasty obscura in their showcase provides series, such as The Losers war series or DC’s romance comics line. I’m even up for getting high quality books of material I already own — like the recent Jim Aparo take on & strong Batman (Legends of the Dark Knight: Jim Aparo) collection, since the originals were printed on paper so thin that not even Kleenex might strike its nose on it.

Same goes for Marvel. I’m still choosing up Sgt. Fury or marvel western heroes as marvel Masterworks whenever they’re published, however what I truly want (and will most likely never get) is Dan DeCarlo’s 1950s marvel work — primarily Millie the Model, however likewise lost gems like Sherry the Showgirl as well as My good friend Irma. Both the huge two have wonderful stuff locked away in their archives as well as vaults, however the prominent youngsters (and moneymakers) like Batman as well as Spider-Man must always get reprinted first. I comprehend as well as am okay with that. since the more Batman collections that get sold, there’s a much better possibility that DC may spring for the occasional off-the-wall treat. exact same goes for Marvel.

Crime Does Not Pay Archives

If you haven’t noticed lately, this is a wonderful time for fans of traditional newspaper strips, in addition to excellent kids’ comics. Also, Dark equine has been publishing SF/vintage heroes from Gold key comics (Magnus, Robot Fighter, physician Solar, etc.), traditional horror series weird as well as Eerie, as well as is about to begin collecting the vintage criminal offense Does Not Pay. later this year, Fantagraphics takes over publishing rights to the traditional E.C. library of horror, SF, as well as war comics. It’s always nice to be reminded that comic books utilized to be so much more than just superheroes.

AND MORE…?

This is just the tip of the comic book iceberg. who understands what trick 2012 jobs publishers are sitting on to expose at the major comics conventions this year? Maybe, just maybe, this may be the very first year that comics fans don’t have to illegally download Miracleman/Marvelman comics! (Although, I wouldn’t hold my breath…)

KC CARLSON: reading comic books since 1960. And, boy, are my eyes tired.

WESTFIELD COMICS is not accountable for the stupid things that KC says. particularly that thing that truly irritated you.

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