Once Upon a Geek

In case you hadn’t noticed, the price of your monthly comics has been creeping up.  For the past few years, monthly comics from Marvel & DC have cost $2.99 each.  Rumors have been floating around about a price increase on the horizon.  Well, Marvel is starting to move up.  For example, both New Avengers and Dark Avengers are already priced at $3.99 with no additional pages added.  Most of Marvel’s new limited series are also priced at $3.99.  Both companies have been using the $3.99 price for a while on extra-sized comics (usually with an additional 8-pages), but the 22-page comics had remained $2.99 until now.  It’s worth noting that only Marvel has announced the price increase on 22-page comics at this time.  But don’t be fooled, both companies tend to match prices. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time until DC catches up.

Just a couple quick thoughts about this price increase:

• I realize that paper prices are increasing.  I deal with the increasing expense of paper every day in my job.  However, did Marvel really need to raise the price a whole dollar?  Couldn’t they have just gone to $3.25 or even $3.50?  $3.99 is a lot to pay for 22 pages of story – that’s 18 cents per page.  It’s quite possible Marvel has exceeded the threshold people are willing to pay for a monthly comic.
• Marvel is being inconsistent about the price increase.  Some 22-page comics remain $2.99, while others have been moved up to $3.99.  The only 22-page monthly comics at $3.99 so far are: Dark Avengers, New Avengers, Spider-Woman, Hulk, and Punisher (Max series). Why the difference in pricing?  Why is one comic more expensive than another?  Are they charging more for Bendis comics because they can get away with it?

Just a quick history lesson on price increases.  Here are the past few price increases, showing how much of an increase and when they happened.  I used Uncanny X-Men cover dates for this example:

• June 2000 went from $1.99 to $2.25
• August 2005 went from $2.25 to $2.50
• June 2006 went from $2.50 to $2.99

Some people have suggested that the “Big Two” should just drop the monthly comics and move to a trade paperback-only industry.  While that’s an interesting thought, neither of the “Big Two” is currently structured in such a way to support change like this.  From what I’ve heard, the monthly comics are paying the bills, while the trade industry is where the profit is.  As it stands right now, they can’t afford to pay their bills without the monthlies.

While only a handful of regular-sized comics are $3.99, it’s likely that Marvel & DC will begin to price all their regular-sized comics at that price.  So you gotta ask yourself, is $3.99 too much to pay for monthly 22-page comic?  I’m starting to think it might be.

You may have heard that ABC is developing Bill Willingham’s DC comic ‘Fables’ for television.  If you have not, you can read about it by clicking here.

Here is the first commercial.  Enjoy!

While I was in Colorado shopping for my new Netbook, I stumbled across these awesome DC Comics Sleep Pants!  I simply had to have them as I can never have too many sleep pants, and I’ll buy just about anything with Aquaman on it. 

The art features some great Bronze Age images of DC heroes; Superman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman.  My guess is that it was drawn by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, as he did much of the DC promotional stock art back then (but I’ll let Rob from the Aquaman Shrine correct me if necessary as he’s seems to be an expert on Garcia-Lopez artwork).

Here is the front and back of the packaging, just in case you go looking for some yourself.  I got mine at Wal-Mart, believe it or not.  Take good look at the image on the right.  See on the top part there is a group shot of characters. What, can’t you see that clearly?  Okay, how about I zoom in for you…

Here is a zoomed-in look at that group on the package.  Check out all the JLA characters!  How cool is this?!?!  You don’t find something in mainstream stores very often to feature images of Firestorm, Zatanna, Red Tornado, Hawkman, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Elongated Man, or Martian Manhunter!  I realize it’s only on the package and not on the pants, but it’s still cool to see the whole Satellite-era JLA.  Especially my man Firestorm! You don’t get to see him in DC stock art very often.

And just in case you doubted that I bought these on my vacation in Colorado, here is proof.  You can see the mountains and snow in the background.  You don’t find that laying around here in the flatlands of Florida.  … … Ummm, okay, you got me.  I really can’t explain why I took this photo either.  I think I was just excited about the pants and I thought it looked pretty outside our condo in Colorado.

Merry Christmas!  To help keep you in the spirit of things, please enjoy these Christmas-related comic book covers. To see yesterday’s Santa Claus comic book covers click here.  Merry Geekmas!

Merry Geekmas!

We here at ONCE UPON A GEEK wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Christmas Eve!  To help celebrate, please enjoy these comic book covers featuring Santa Claus.  Come back tomorrow for even more Christmas-related covers.

Crazy!  Who knew the Kryptonian and the Kringle were so tight?!?!?

“Don’t worry, Batman, I got this end.  Seriously, no worries.  You go ahead and take it easy.  I’m almost twelve now – I don’t mind helping this reclusive old man who sneaks into children’s homes at night.”

Giddy Up, Big Red Cheese!

“We’re sorry, Mr. Kringle.  It appears your dry cleaning got mixed up with Mr. Wayne’s.  If you can come back after Christmas, I’m sure we can get this sorted out.”

“Umm… Shazam, that suit isn’t really working for you.  Sorry to be the one to tell you.  I mean, I’m sure Santa appreciates the help and all.  I’m just saying a couple hours on the Ab-Rocket might do you some good.”

What exactly ARE they feeding Santa up at the North Pole?!?!?!  Miracle-Gro?

Every year it’s the same thing… the rest of the Justice League help Santa make the toys, while Superman gets smashed on Eggnog with the creepy looking elf.  Real nice, Kal.

Remember when special edition comics were expensively priced at $1?

Some comics think it’s funny to depict Santa as the victim of some horrible crime.  Dude, that’s not cool.  You don’t mess with the Claus.

And of course there are the Santa-as-a-villain stories…

And finally, my personal favorite.  A Rockwell-inspired JSA cover.  Gorgeous!

Merry Geekmas!

If you aren’t reading the current mini-series ‘Reign in Hell‘ and ‘Ambush Bug: Year None‘, then you are really missing out!  Keith Giffen is firing on all cylinders right now.

‘Reign in Hell’ covers a war between two factions for control of Hell. Blaze and Satanus have become the rulers of Purgatory and lead a rebellion against Hell by offering “hope to the hopeless”. They are opposed by Neron, and other demonic characters from the DCU.  Some of the main characters featured in the story include: Zatanna, Blue Devil, Doctor Fate, Black Alice, Ibis the Invincible, Sargon the Sorcerer, Zauriel, Doctor Occult, Etrigan, and at least one other surprise MAN who plays a MAIN role.

‘Ambush Bug: Year None’ is a brilliant parody that covers one recent major DC event per issue.  Across the six issues they are tackling: Identity Crisis, Countdown to Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis, 52, Countdown to Final Crisis, and Final Crisis.  This is lots of fun!  It can be enjoyed by someone who has never read an Ambush Bug comic or a long-time fan.  Definitely worth your time.

Keith Giffen is writing both these books, and penciling the Ambush Bug title.  It sort of feels like the late-1980s/early-1990s again with Giffen working on characters such as Ambush Bug, Doctor Fate, and this certain MAN who plays a MAIN role in ‘Reign in Hell’.  Am I being too vague?  I’m looking at you SGhoul.

‘Ambush Bug: Year None’ issue #5 and ‘Reign in Hell’ issue #6 are scheduled for December, but I’m sure you can pick up the previous issues at your local comic shop.  Check them out!

Until a few years ago, the terms “Pre-Crisis” and “Post-Crisis” were commonly understood and used frequently by DC comics fans.  Since the publication of Infinite Crisis in 2005, the definitions of these terms have become confusing.  Previously the term “Pre-Crisis” clearly described events that were published in DC comics prior to 1986.  The term “Post-Crisis” was used to describe any story published after the Crisis on Infinite Earths mini-series was finished in 1986.

While there were many changes from Pre-Crisis continuity to Post-Crisis continuity, there is one change that is considered to be the most significant.  In Pre-Crisis continuity, the stories took place in a “multiverse”; meaning that there were an infinite number of parallel worlds.  So you might read about the Justice League of America on Earth-1, and then read another story about the Justice Society of America that took place on a completely different (yet similar) world referred to as Earth-2.  Each Earth typically had their own version of Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, and other numerous characters.  In Post-Crisis continuity all stories took place in a shared universe; gone were the parallel Earths and duplicate characters.  So in this Post-Crisis universe, the Justice League of America and Justice Society of America both existed and often interacted, yet there was only one Superman.

The reason the terms are now confusing stems from the 2005 mini-series Infinite Crisis. During this mini-series the infinite Earths were re-introduced.  Many of the old concepts not seen since 1986 were brought back.  So with the return of the multiverse in a new mini-series with “Crisis” in the title, what exactly does Pre-Crisis and Post-Crisis mean nowadays?

I propose a new word be entered into the DC comics lexicon: Tween-Crisis.

The term “Tween-Crisis” describes the DC Universe continuity for comics published from 1986 – 2005.

For example, the Superman established in John Byrne’s mid-80s Man of Steel mini-series would be referred to as the “Tween-Crisis Superman”.  Personally, I used to describe myself as a “Post-Crisis” DC fan.  However, I haven’t been thrilled with the recent changes (or reversions) that DC has been doing.  So using this new definition, I would be considered a “Tween-Crisis” fan.  Following this logic, the term “Post-Crisis” could be redefined to mean stories published after Infinite Crisis or Final Crisis.

If you like the term, please feel free to use it and spread the word. Given my age, I never thought I’d refer to myself as a Tween, but with the current state of continuity in DC comics it just makes sense.

AQUAMAN WEEK concludes here at Once Upon a Geek.  To close out the week, I thought I would talk a little about the future of Aquaman.

CURRENT STATUS

Before we get into it, you should probably know that Aquaman is currently dead.  Yup, he’s sleeping with the fishes, literally and figuratively.  Well… to be exact, the original Aquaman is dead; the one we all grew up with on the Super Friends.  There is a new Aquaman that is alive and swimming, but he’s slightly different.  Rather than the Aquaman we know (a.k.a. Orin or Arthur Curry), the new Aquaman is Orin’s adopted cousin.  He’s the sword-and-sorcery Aquaman I’ve mentioned a few times this week.  There is a whole bunch of confusing origin-stuff I could cover, but I’ll skip to the bottom line.  The new Aquaman goes by the name Joseph and has inside him a piece of Orin’s soul.  He looks somewhat like Orin and even has some memories of the original.  So while he’s not the original, he makes a pretty good substitute.

I’m not really going to talk about it here, but the original Aquaman does appear in the ‘DC Kids’ comic book ‘Super Friends’.  In addition to the comic book, they also have some action figures.  This is a line for real little kids and doesn’t have any connection with regular continuity.

FUTURE TIDES – COMIC BOOKS

Geoff Johns has stated that the original Aquaman will make an appearance in the forthcoming ‘Green Lantern: Blackest Night’ storyline.  We know this storyline will feature many characters returning from the dead as ‘Black Lanterns’.  Now the real question is, what will happen to these characters after the storyline?  Will they return to the DCU proper, or return to the grave?  Based upon other conversations Johns and Sciver have had, it’s assumed by the fans that the original Aquaman will be back for good.

It’s also well known that Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver are interested in tackling  the original Aquaman.  These are the guys who did ‘Green Lantern: Rebirth’ which brought Hal Jordan back as the primary Green Lantern.  Next year they will be producing ‘Flash: Rebirth’ which will return Barry Allen as the primary Flash in the DCU.  So they’ve got a history of returning classic characters to greatness and pushing them forward into exciting new adventures.  So it’s quite possible we’ll be reading an ‘Aquaman: Rebirth’ in the next few years.  For further background on this click here.

So if we get an ‘Aquaman: Rebirth’ that returns Orin to the role of Aquaman, what happens to Joseph?  I for one hope they don’t get rid of him.  I think there is plenty of room for multiple aquatic heroes. If Geoff Johns can write a book with numerous Green Lanterns and at least three Flashes, then why can’t we have two Aquamen?

FUTURE TIDES – TELEVISION

Cartoon Network has a new show called “Batman: Brave and the Bold”.  It features Batman teaming up with other heroes each week.  On Friday, November 28, an episode is scheduled to air that features Batman teaming up with Aquaman. In this series Aquaman’s a bit different than he is in the comics.  This Aquaman has an enormous barrel-chest and sports a close-cropped beard.  Additionally, I believe he’s supposed to come off as extremely confident with the occasional corny one-liners.

The target demographic is ages 6 to 15, so it might be a little kiddie for us grown geeks, but I’m willing to give it a try. Feel free to check out either the Cartoon Network web site or the DC HeroZone web site.

FUTURE TIDES – TOYS

Aquaman has a handful of action figures scheduled for release in 2009.  There are two particular upcoming figures that I’m pretty excited about (pictured below).  Besides these two, there are also Aquaman action figures planned for the ‘Batman: Brave and the Bold’ line and for DC Direct action figures.

Here is Aquaman from Mattel in the blue camo suit.  I can’t wait for this figure!

DC Direct is putting out an Aquaman-Joseph figure in the Superman/Batman line.  Looks cool!

SURFING THE WEB

Looking for more Aquaman?  Be sure to check out these sites:

• The Aquaman Shrine – The single best Aquaman source on the web.  Rob does a great job sharing Aquaman-related news, displaying memorabilia, and writing about 14,000 other blogs.
• The Unofficial Aquaman Website - A good Aquaman news site
• Bloggity-Blog-Blog-Blog – A funny comic blog (often with Aquaman bits) from Laura “Tegan” Gjovaag and the Chamber of Bloggers
• The Comic Treadmill – A discussion about opinions on comics, comics-related materials, movies, and games. Lots of Aquaman support here on this site.

Thanks again for hanging out all week!  This will do it for AQUAMAN WEEK!  Well.. sort of.  I’m planning an addendum sometime next week to cover my Aquaman action figures.  So watch for that too!  Long live the King of the sea!

AQUAMAN WEEK continues here at Once Upon a Geek! Today we’re featuring Aquaman’s exploits on television!

First up is a scene from the original Aquaman cartoon (1967/1968).  You gotta love seeing Aquaman, Aqualad, and Mera all riding giant seahorses!  Plus Black Manta, Tusky the walrus, and Ted Knight doing the narrations!

Here is the opening to the Justice League of America cartoon (1967/1968).  These adventures ran as ‘guest star’ cartoons during The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure.

The original Super Friends opening (1973).

A later incarnation of the Super Friends cartoon, Super Powers: The Legendary Super Friends Show (1984).

Aquaman made an appearance in Superman: The Animated Series (1999).  This time he was voiced by Miguel Ferrer!  How cool is that!?!?!?  In this scene, we see why it’s good to be the King (and have your own personal army at your disposal).

Aquaman made several appearances in the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated series (2001-2004).  This video is a highlight reel of his various appearances in those cartoons.

Here is a recap of Aquaman’s (A.C.) appearance in the fifth season episode of Smallville entitled, ‘Aqua’.

Here is a trailer for the Aquaman pilot (2006) that was never picked up by the WB/CW.  For more information on this unaired pilot, please click here.

I thought we’d wrap things up with a video game trailer.  Here is the Justice League Heroes (2006) videogame trailer starring Aquaman.

Be sure to keep you eyes peeled for the new Brave and the Bold cartoon series!  Aquaman will be making a guest appearance soon.  I know I can’t wait!

Come back tomorrow for more Aquaman action!  Thanks for reading!  Don’t forget, be sure to check out THE AQUAMAN SHRINE. The best Aquaman site on the net!

AQUAMAN WEEK continues here at Once Upon a Geek…

Today we’re spotlighting some of my favorite Aquaman covers through the years.  As I mentioned on Monday, I didn’t start collecting Aquaman fanatically until 1990. However, I’ve gone back and picked up just about every major appearance of the character since the early 1960s. Here are a few of my favorite covers from all the various Aquaman series and appearances.

This Alan Davis drawing was used as the cover to Aquaman #17 (2004).  What an amazing piece!  The perspective is really striking and it truly demonstrates Aquaman’s super-strength.  One of my all-time favorites.

Here is Aquaman’s first appearance from More Fun Comics #73 (1941).  He didn’t get the cover since he was only a back-up feature.  Sorry for the size, it was the best image I could find of this page.  Notice that Aquaman’s gloves are yellow.  They were yellow through pretty much the entire Golden Age and changed to green in the Silver Age.

If you want to see more of the splash pages from the Golden Age Aquaman stories (or any Aquaman comic book cover), check out the fantastic Aquaman Cover Gallery.  What a great site!

Don’t piss off Golden Age Aquaman… he’ll throw a polar bear at your ass.  Seriously.  Here is the splash page from More Fun Comics #85 (1942).

Here is Aquaman’s first solo appearance from Showcase #30 (1961).

Shortly after his try-out in Showcase, Aquaman graduated to his own comic.  Here is the cover to Aquaman #1 (1962).  Look out tadpole!

Not a special issue, but simply a cover that I like – Aquaman #9 (1963).  I think the sea horse and waves look cool.

The wedding of Aquaman and Mera in Aquaman #18 (1964).

One of my favorite covers from the original Aquaman series – Aquaman #42 (1968).  Very creative layout and lighting from the brilliant Nick Cardy!

I love this Nick Cardy cover – Aquaman #56 (1971)!  It’s so ridiculous that it’s awe-to-the-sum!  This was actually the first Aquaman back-issue I purchased.  It also happens to be the last issue from the original series.

Adventure Comics #452 (1977). This is the issue where Black Manta murders Aquaman’s infant son.

I like the dual peril on this cover by the great Rick Buckler.  Nice way to show the dilemma. Adventure Comics #478 (1980).

I’m a real sucker for old plots that are dependent upon Aquaman’s need for water every hour.  My favorite bits are when they actually clock his dependency.  As if he would automatically keel over at exactly 60 minutes without water.  Hysterical!  Here is Aquaman #44 (1969).  While the premise is ridiculous, the perspective, faces, word balloons, and lighting are amazing in this cover by Nick Cardy.  One of my favorites.

Another great example of using Aquaman’s dependency on water as a plot device.  Check out the condensation coming off the pitcher!  Too funny!  Great Neal Adams cover here on Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #115 (1968).

Team-ups!  Team-ups!  Team-ups!  Here is Brave and the Bold #82 (1969).  Check out that zombie look on Aquaman’s face!

Brave and the Bold #142 (1978).  I’m digging the telepathic circles!

World’s Finest #203 (1971).  Great Neal Adams cover, but let’s be honest about this… If Superman lost his sight, would he really be this useless?  And even so, would he really turn to Aquaman for help?

You can always count on old-school fake-death stories to be fun.  Here is Aquaman’s funeral from Aquaman #30 (1966).  I love that Metamorpho is a pall-bearer.  What the funk is that about?

Another Aquaman death story, this time from Justice League of America #122 (1975).

Justice League of America Annual #2 (1984) was important because in the story Aquaman officially disbanded the Justice League.  He then reformed a new League with several young heroes-in-training.  It was a neat concept, but sadly the “Justice League Detroit” era is not fondly remembered by many.  For me, it was the first time I collected JLA on a regular basis, so I love this era!

Just a nice cover of Aquaman and Mera from the “Justice League Detroit” era.  I love it when they frame the cover with the team faces!  Justice League of America #242 (1985).

The first appearance of the blue suit – Aquaman mini-series #1 (1986).

The second Aquaman mini-series #1 (1989).  David Devaje created a very interesting cover for this issue.

Atlantis Chronicles (1990) was an outstanding mini-series by Peter David that explored the mythical origins of Atlantis.  This series created the foundation for Atlantis that is still used today.  Beautiful art by Esteban Maroto.

A nice Kevin Maguire cover from the second Aquaman ongoing series – Aquaman #3 (1992).

Another Kevin Maguire piece as Aquaman gets his revenge on Black Manta for killing his son – Aquaman #6 (1992).

Aquaman #0 (1994) from the third ongoing series drawn by Marty Egeland.  In the story by Peter David, Aquaman goes bat-sh!t crazy after losing his hand.  So what does he do? He shoves a harpoon into the pulpy-meaty stub of an arm that he’s left with.  Niiiiiiiiiice.

The return of Mera in this yummy cover by Marty Egeland – Aquaman #12 (1995).  It’s a shame she’s always crazy.

Cool cover by Jim Calafiore during Peter David’s tenure on the book – Aquaman #17 (1996).

Another great Marty Egeland cover – Aquaman #23 (1996).  This one features many of the superheroes with ties to Atlantis – (L to R) Tsunami, Aqualad, Aquaman, Power Girl (at the time she was thought to have come from Atlantis), Arion, and Neptune Perkins.

One last great Marty Egeland cover – Aquaman #24 (1996).  I just love the spinning hook aimed right at the exposed throat.  Totally bad ass.

Justice Leagues: Justice League Atlantis (2001). Not a great comic, but a neat idea forming a JLA with members solely from Atlantis.

JLA #75 (2003) – The conclusion of “The Obsidian Age”, subtitled “The Hunt for Aquaman”.  Nice imagery of Aquaman as a living water being.

Aquaman #7 (2003) from the fourth ongoing Aquaman series.  DC tried to take this series in a magical direction, but it didn’t stick with the fans.  Regardless, cool swashbuckler-like cover from Yvel Guichet.

A nice heroic Aquaman by Howard Porter – Aquaman #12 (2004).

A return to a more traditional Aquaman look and story – Aquaman #19 (2004).  Great Silver Age-like cover from Alan Davis!  I really enjoyed this particular run by Will Pfeifer.

I just thought this was a cool demonstration of what Aquaman could do with his water hand by Patrick Gleason – Aquaman #29 (2005).

A cool cover that symbolizes the storyline where Black Manta was using Aquaman’s DNA against him.  Another cover by Patrick Gleason – Aquaman #32 (2005).

The issue that changed everything – Aquaman #40 (2006)!  A new character took over the role of Aquaman in this Kurt Busiek-written issue.  This was the beginning of the Sword-and-Sorcery era.  Upon second reading, I really fell in love with these Busiek stories and Butch Guice’s art was perfect.

This image was used on the cover of Aquaman #54 (2007).  An attractive piece featuring the new Aquaman by Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson.

The new Aquaman schools the Man of Steel in this great cover by Shane Davis for Superman/Batman #45 (2008).

This next one is a really neat one.  It’s a cover recreation of IRON MAN #120 with Aquaman instead of Namor.  The drawing was done by the original artist, Bob Layton, and commissioned by Vincent P. Bartilucci (a HUGE Aquaman fan).  Check out Bob Layton’s official web site.

Come back tomorrow for more Aquaman action!  So seriously, have you checked out THE AQUAMAN SHRINE yet?  If not, why are you broken?  Just go visit the site and fall in love with it already!