It’s time for a new Everything But Imaginary. 20 months in, is the “New 52” still new? Where are the good elements of “new?” What are some things that should be allowed to settle down and grow? This week I talk about some DC rumors and offer some suggestions.
Everything But Imaginary #484: How Long Can It Be New?
It’s finally here, friends… the Showcase crew goes through everything interesting in the world of comics and pop culture for the past 12 months! This mammoth podcast touches on Marvel Now!, the New 52, The Walking Dead, hit movies, not-so-hit movies, LEGO, Aquaman, Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, the Avengers, the X-Men, Hello Kitty and virtually everything else. And as always, the crew closes it out with their picks of the year. Go to the bathroom first, because this episode is a giant. Contact us with comments, suggestions, or anything else at Showcase@CXPulp.com!
Music provided by Music Alley from Mevio.
2 in 1 Showcase Episode 281: The 2012 Year in Review
Blake’s bringing in a new format for the occasional mini-episode, starting this week, the 2-in-1-Shot! When you see this, expect a quick rant on a single topic, then you can be on your way. In this first shot, Blake looks at the introduction of “Captain K’Rot” in DC’s upcoming Threshold title, then gives a quick recommendation for Jonathan Hickman‘s Avengers #1. Contact us with comments, suggestions, or anything else at Showcase@CXPulp.com!
Music provided by Music Alley from Mevio.
2-in-1-Shot Episode 1: K’Rot?
On the tenth anniversary of Free Comic Book Day, Blake and Kenny set up camp at BSI Comics in Metairie and chat with fans, pros, and fellow podcasters about everything! In this episode: a spoiler-free discussion of The Avengers, our thoughts on the DC Nation cartoon block including Green Lantern: The Animated Series and Young Justice, discussions of the free comics on sale, Kurt Amacker tells us about his new graphic novel Tad Caldwell and the Monster Kid, and we chat with the hosts of the Nola Nerd podcast and Adam from the Graphic Panels podcast. In the picks, Adam recommends Earth 2 #1 and Blake (surprising virtually no one) talks about the first issue of the new X-O Manowar. And the free stuff isn’t over — Blake is giving away free downloads of his superhero novel Other People’s Heroes! Just go to Smashwords.com, use the coupon code XG56X, and download the book in your preferred eReader format! (Coupon expires on May 20, 2012.) Contact us with comments, suggestions, or anything else at Showcase@CXPulp.com!
Music provided by Music Alley from Mevio.
Episode 265: Free Comic Book Day 2012
So this is interesting. Since DC Comics’s New 52 relaunch last year, there are a number of characters and concepts that we haven’t seen return yet. Even with 52 monthly series, there are thousands of characters in DC’s stable who haven’t had a chance to appear yet. (Especially when you consider that four of those 52 books star Batman.)
So in July, DC is reviving the Golden Age title National Comics. This book, DC says, will consist of single-issue stories by different creators showcasing a different character each month. Basically, just like their DC Universe Presents series is a way to do miniseries without calling them miniseries, National Comics will be a chance to do one-shots without calling them one-shots.
I’m really very much in favor of this. DC has so many great characters that haven’t been revived yet, and this is a fine chance to get to more of them in a short period of time. If reaction to a particular issue is very good, they can bring that character back in another issue, or a miniseries of his own, or even kick off a new ongoing. It’s a (slightly safer) way to test out characters, and while it’s true that anthology titles haven’t performed very well in the last few years, I still appreciate them as a chance to try new things.
Granted, DC will also be able to use this to renew trademarks on several characters, something that I’m sure hasn’t escaped their notice, but I’m going to be positive. This could be a great opportunity to tap into an enormous reservoir of characters, not just those that originated from DC Comics, but those libraries of other publishers that they’ve bought up over the years — Fawcett, Quality and Charlton Comics, and Jim Lee’s Wildstorm Studios are all eligible to be part of the DC Universe.
And what’s more, this could even be a good opportunity to try out new writers and artists. Guys who impress them at a convention portfolio review. Small press creators who have shown an interest in working in the mainstream. Maybe even humble internet reviewers and columnists who also happen to have authored a well-received superhero novel available for just $2.99 on the Amazon Kindle, not to mention two short stories and an upcoming prequel novel set in the same universe. Man, I would love to see a guy like that take a crack at an issue or two.
That would be sweet.
DC kicked off February with a big announcement: Before Watchmen, followed by some very interesting January sales numbers. This week, Blake and Erin discuss this news, some upcoming Marvel events like Spider-Men and Avengers Vs. X-Men, and Blake reveals his long-standing desire to be… a cosplayer! In the picks, Erin loves Morning Glories Vol. 2, and Blake doubles up with Avengers Academy #25 and Invincible #88. Contact us with comments, suggestions, or anything else at Showcase@CXPulp.com!
Music provided by Music Alley from Mevio.
Episode 256: The Changing Landscape of Comics
Blake and Heather get together for a mini-episode this week, looking into the new DC Logo. Heather offers the perspective of a graphic designer, they discuss the variants, and they give overall impressions of the new look for DC Comics. Contact us with comments, suggestions, or anything else at Showcase@CXPulp.com!
Music provided by Music Alley from Mevio.
The Showcase guys had a long weekend in Florida this week, but on the way back they find a few minutes to talk about some of the comic shops they found in Pensacola, this week’s announcements regarding the New (New) 52, and why it’s a bad idea to take a road trip with Mike. In the picks, Blake jumps in with The Ray #2 and X-Men: Legacy #260.1 Contact us with comments, suggestions, or anything else at Showcase@CXPulp.com!
Music provided by Music Alley from Mevio.
Episode 253: On the Long Road Home
This week we look into the announcements made this week regarding Avengers Vs. X-Men — the marketing and the miniseries. Plus — Blake begins tracking his effort to view as many 2011 movies as possible, and he gives props to Action Comics #5 and Rachel Rising #4. Contact us with comments, suggestions, or anything else at Showcase@CXPulp.com!
Music provided by Music Alley from Mevio.
Episode 252: Avengers Vs. X-Men Vs. Marketing
2011 is over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk it to death! In a ginormous Showcase special, Blake gets together with Kenny and Erin to run down all the big comic events of 2011, look ahead at what’s coming in 2012, and make our picks for the best of comics, movies, TV shows, books and more for the year we’ve put to bed. Contact us with comments, suggestions, or anything else at Showcase@CXPulp.com!
Music provided by Music Alley from Mevio.
Episode 251: The 2011 Year In Review Extravatacular
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