Labels: Kyle Rayner

No one knows its cause and as yet, there is no cure but the syptoms of Chaykin-itis are easy to recognize.

Labels: Kyle Rayner

I've been reading this young lady's blog alot lately. Interesting things going on over there.

Today, I come at you as a man who runs a comic book shop. I have come to tell you that despite our collective best efforts...


Not just that "big-eyed- boys-flirting-with boys-Manga" stuff that many a comic book stores thinks make the gals go crazy for the comics. No, my feminine clientele they like...y'know... comics. Comics like...


"Wha...?" "HUH?!? How did this happen?" I'll tell you how this happened. They make it happen. Everyday. I help it along by saying "Hi." as they walk through my door. Regardless of whether or not, they walk through the door first or behind their "boyfriends." I find saying that puts people at ease and all that.

I find that if you stock a store with variety, women manage to find their own way to what's good. Me? I just get out of the way. I found the ladies, they don't like "girl ghettos." You know, the corners where Manga trades are kept. They weren't selling at my store so we got rid of the Manga, freeing up more money for other things like... comics.

I find that women will ask for help if they need it. When they do ask, ask them what they like to read. Don't go into "girl/comics" mode and start dragging her to the "Vertigo: Sandman and Y: The Last Man" section. They're fine books but not required reading for all "girls." Retailers, please stop creating "PINK" sections.

Instead, do something revolutionary. Ask her what she likes to read. If it sounds anything like Jonah Hex, do something revolutionary. Look her in the eyes, like you would, say a man and ask, "Have you read Jonah Hex?" Women are incredible. They have the ability to shock you.

If they don't like the suggestion, don't act like she turned you down for the prom. Move on to the next suggestion.

You want a woman to read a comic? Do something revolutionary. Respect her. Don't put her in the box, you, not the comics publisher created for her. Look her in the eyes, speak to her and treat the lady as if she has balls. In other words, treat her as you would anyone else.

Labels: Kyle Rayner

Tom at The Great Curve has posed an interesting question to the blogosphere, "Who are DC's 50 Greatest Characters?"
While putting together the list, two things surprised me:
One: How quickly it all came together and two, exact it all felt in its completion so, enjoy!

While reading Newsarama yesterday, guess which part of this article caught my beady little eye:

"Asked what DC book they aren't writing that they would love to write, Geoff Johns said he wants write Nightwing."

Oh, crap. Please let that happen. I need for this to happen. I'm losing Manhunter and I'm missing Nightwing already.

I need for this to happen so... I've decided to do something about it.

DC, if Geoff Johns says he wants to write Nightwing, then let the man write Nightwing. So today, I'm sending an e-mail to Nightwing's editor (Nachie Castro is Nightwing's editor, by the way) and asking him to look into making this happen along with my commitment to buying at least one year's worth of a Geoff Johns (or soomeone's) written Nightwing.

OK, let me change that. I'll commit to one year of almost anyone but Mr. Jones' Nightwing. Robin's Adam Beechen would be wonderful. Just... someone else.

So to all of Nightwing's fans I say this to you: money talks, b.s. walks. If you think one of comics' greatest creations deserves better than what he's been getting lately, write. Put your money where your mouth is. Let someone who can do something about it know.

Listen, I'm not trying to be pushy but I involuntarily stopped reading Nightwing. I wanna come back and I'm willing to pay the cost to do so. I'm gonna spend it somewhere. Why not Nightwing?

I'm beginning to think anything with the character Chase in it is destined to be cursed with cancellation. Needless to say, I'm going to miss this title. It's true draw for me was this incredibly flawed character. Kate Spencer smoked, she cursed and never had enough time for her kid but with that writer Marc Andreyko, made these her greatest assets. She was not perfect. You could see her working. You could see her putting in the work. In this polished DC Universe, she was a breath of fresh air. Marc Andreyko gave us a woman who sometimes acted like a broad but always, always was a lady. She was beautiful in her imperfection.
DC, I beg of you, let her story continue. Somewhere. Anywhere. She'd be brilliant in Checkmate. She'd be wonderful in Justice Society of America.
In a universe where characters shine 24/7, we need a character who isn't afraid to get some dirt under her fingernails. The good fight could always use someone like her.

Marvel has a new comic called "Agents of Atlas" coming soon. It's about 5 Golden Age heroes who held the line between the disappearance of Captain America and the emergence of The Fantastic Four.

This line from this interview on Comic Book Resources made me laugh out loud:

"We were both looking at the cover online and he started giving me this 'Doom Patrol' meets 'JSA' take - which was spot on."

You know your comic might be good when your Marvel editor looks at the book he's working on and thinks it's good enough for The DC Universe.

It happened. After the purchase of 119 issues, 796 artistic changes, a really "ghetto" Sopranos schtick & his rooftop rape, I just could not bring myself to pick up this month's Nightwing #120.

I blame Scip. Never has anyone nailed anything so on the head. I feel as though a fog has been lifted. The problem with Nightwing is "Nightwing."


Sound familar? Dick Grayson, that boy who danced across giant typewriters, has become a joyless bitch of a man. Lately, Nightwing seems to be channeling his inner Spider-Man.

I thought one of the ideas behind Infinite Crisis was to shine some light on Dick Grayson, return him to greatness, let him feel some warmth on his face again. So far, all I've seen him do is lay down with the first woman who flashes him some red & lets Jason Todd piss on his legacy as Robin & Nightwing.

Look, I realize that Dick Grayson is a man but part of being a man is remembering what it is to laugh. That means remembering what it was like to be Robin. We're getting too much of this: Nightwing, fighting a gang of thugs in a shopping mall, reciting inane inner monologue.

*bleh*

What should happen: Nightwing, fighting a gang of thugs in a shopping mall, somersaults in smiling, kicking ass & looking for the biggest prop he can bound from... and well, the comic should write itself from there.

When that guy shows up in a Nightwing comic, someone please, let me know. I know it'll be safe to come out again.

Labels: Kyle Rayner

Iron Man, created in May of 1976 in DC's now defunct 1st Issue Special #14. After a piece of shrapnel lodged near his heart, millionaire industrialist Tony Stark created a superpowered suit of armor to keep his heart beating. 1st Issue Special #14 was The Invincible Iron Man's first and last DC appearance.
[Ed. Note] It was pointed out to me today that Tony Stark recently returned in Crisis Aftermath: The Battle For Bludhaven #3 as a member of The Atomic Knights.



Ted (Wildcat) Grant created in 1969, was inspired to become a superhero by following the exploits of Thomas Halloway, The original Angel. Ted Grant only had the one adventure and hasn't been seen since.
[Ed. Note] It was pointed out that Ted Grant was recently brought back by Brian Michael Bendis in the pages of Daredevil as a former opponent of Daredevil's father, ex-heavyweight boxer, Battlin' Jack Murdock. It was revealed that Grant went on to become a henchman for The Kingpin. Grant was recently found dead after snorting MGH off of a hooker's hindquarters. The hooker is still at-large.

Also, did you know that Bart Allen, formerly known as Impulse and currently known as... Bart Allen, served a brief tour as a Teen Titan in the mid-90's. No? Well, how else could a scene like this have happened...

Yes, people. That is Impulse, the superhero poster child for irresponsibility, imparting upon an adult the importance of personal responsibility.
You have seen everything.

Labels: Kyle Rayner

Devon (dialing) : "I'm calling because I'd like to reserve this space for a "flame war."

Blogosphere (answering) : "And what would be the nature of this "flame war" of yours."

Devon: "Oh, it's not my "flame war," per se but, it's gonna happen anyway so, I figure why not let it happen here at "Seven Hells!"

Blogosphere: "Again, sir. What would be the nat..."

Devon: "Oh, yeah. I just peeked at the ending of Outsiders #36. The blogosphere's gonna go Gorilla Grodd/apesh*t crazy!!!"

Blogosphere: "Over Outsiders #36? I don't see..."

Devon: "Judd Winick grabbed for the Pope's balls."

Blogosphere: "Wha...?!?

Devon (hanging up, giggling his ass off) : *click*

# posted by Devon Sanders @ 1:25 PM 7 comments