With stagnating sales in the 70’s DC and Marvel were looking for ways to make extra revue, comics were still not in comic shops because they were not yet created. These periodicals were in Mom and Pop stores all across North America. Many didn’t want to carry them, there was not much money to be made on a 15 cent comic. Carmine Infantino then DC Comics president is credited in the creating this concept. It was attempted in the forties by Fawcett Comics, but fell on the wayside. The 70’s were just right and the "tabloid" or as they were know by many fans "treasuries" took off like gangbusters. The standard size of these books were 10" x 15" inches and as soaring costs of paper climbed, the format disappeared and is sought by many today. One main theory was that many stores did not know how to store them and most became damaged. Bob Kelly the self appointed guardian of of this period in comic publishing has a great site dedicated to the hallowed "treasury" and you can discover insightful stories behind the format with his blog. Read more >>

Out with the old, in with the new. A part of comic strip history died this week. How many people knew there was a  Dick Tracy Museum in Woodstock. Well not too many because they just closed their doors. It is reflective on the character who graced the papers and the radio waves in what seems like an eternity. The museum ran out of money so it had to close. The character waned since Warren Beatty and Madonna tried to give the old boy new life in 1990, but never jumped over that extra hurdle of fame. Not too many characters from the early 20th century have really basked in fame since they retired to the comic strip heaven in the sky. The only seniors still making an impact are Batman and Superman, but that had to go through many changes and have a vast history in story. Dick Tracy:CSI would pack them in if there was such a thing. Dick Tracy’s integrity and character has not changed that much and all those fancy gadgets are now a thing of the present. Kudos to IDW Publishing’s deluxe hardcover collection of Chester Gould’s Dick Tracy works in book form, this single outlet will burn bright the slim light that remains of this once prominent character.

Kingdom Comics is the newest imprint to hit the stands to exploit the Disney vault of past nuggets in the company. A constant staple for many generations, many characters are just gathering dust and relegated to grown adults dressed as the mascots of the Disney world parks. It only makes sense to bring back those characters in a new line of old and new strips. The formula works great in Europe and in other countries where Disney characters enjoy a wealth of fame in the printed form. Seems in the North American market the characters were sentenced to Golden Books or clones of that formula for early childhood to be exposed to the characters. This market was already flooded by Gladstone Comics in the past, but will it work with this new Kingdom imprint. If it comes down to anything, no matter what age, people what something well written and drawn to satisfy the masses. It is a mighty task, with the proper resources and muscle that Disney has and if exploited right this could be a winning formula all.

 

Gallery in Vancouver goes Krazy! Published to accompany the landmark exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery, KRAZY! is a dizzying introduction to the art forms that will dominate the new century. Krazy! The Delirious World of Anime + Comics + Video Games + Art is on at the Vancouver Art Gallery from May 17 to September 17, 2008. The Vancouver Art Gallery is displaying the cream of the crop of known comic book illustrators. The list includes, Harvey Kurtzman, Seth, Takashi Okazaki, Art Spiegelman, Chris Ware, Winsor McCay, Roy Lichtenstein, Raymond Pettibon. For those of you in Canada you can obtain a hard-copy of the magazine called Gallerieswest or read it online.

Organized into seven sections, one for each art form, the book highlights the greatest works of each genre, as chosen by seven great practitioners. The energy and intensity of the images leaps off every page, enhanced by behind-the-scenes commentary by such heavyweights as Art Spiegelman, Will Wright and Canadian comic book author and illustrator, Seth. Other contributors include Tim Johnson, director of Antz and Over the Hedge, Kiyoshi Kusumi, a global authority on manga, and Toshiya Ueno, a highly regarded media theorist and critic.

The art of simplicity is hard for some to achieve. Thoreau by John Porcellino is as the subject was in real life. Henry David Thoreau was a simple man in a world thrust in industrial revolution. John Porcellino’s art is a back to basics and minimalist at best to tell the story of Thoreau’s self absorption into nature. John Porcellino’s book that examines Thoreau makes it easier to appreciate the man and the message for those not wanting to go into complex studies. The fundamental message is sown and the fruit is rewarding in exploring the journey back into Eden. 

Sergio Leone’s trilogy spawned a whole new rebirth of the Western with his "The Man With No Name". The movies were regarded by many to be comic-book related with the plot and various head shots in the film. The perfect anti-hero now has his own comic by Dynamite and it’s about time. Why let Jonah Hex and bunch of other rip-off characters bask in the glory. This is great news for the spaghetti western fans who want to further examine the extended exploits of Clint Eastwood’s famous character. The cover is amazing and the art inside by Wellington Dias and writer Christos Gage are going to win over many fans.

Scholastic is a winner with many parents with their imprint Graphix books since they first published Jeff Smith’s Bone. They acquired hot artist Kazu Kibuishi’s webcomic Copper. Fans of Kazu Kibuishi will find his work from the Flight anthologies who collect some of the media’s top talent, some either forgotten or undiscovered all ages artists.

Scholastic is making strides in the domain of all ages illustrated graphic novels and has hit the trifecta with this acquisition. Their other properties Bone and Kibuishi’s Amulet series also published by Scholastic will be translated into the big screen in the near future.  Just this bonus will add more revenues to their coffers and expand the line at Graphix with new publicity at the big screen. See the making of Copper >>

The death of the graphic novel? Have you noticed as of late the sheer volume of new graphic novels and reprints of old newspaper strips collected in book form. Seems anybody who can get a hold of a printer can put out any old reprint property out there. Alternative comics are one thing, but some of the sluggish stories or lack of stories just don’t cut it lately. Some alternative companies are gambling with some real bad choices of reprinted material. There was a time when there very little to pick from when graphic novels came out.  Sure they are making oodles of money on them right now. For every good book coming out, there will be another four that will gather dust on the shelves and the numbers will grow. Bargain bin anybody?

Manga, don’t get me going about that, there is so much rubbish out there and nobody says anything. Why should they these books have replaced Harlequin books for young girls and many parents are not even aware of the content inside. Why ring the death knell?  This fast growing part in the book industry has shades of the comic boom in the 90’s. Case example, many collectors pay top buck for the Peanuts anthologies from Fantagraphics and a few months later they end up at Costco at bargain prices. Now everybody is flooding the market and these publishers don’t have a clue what’s going on. I am scared for the graphic novel, it is starting to lose luster in my opinion. It will peak in two years and from there the numbers will dwindle. How many anthologies will commit to all the volumes they promise to print?

The graphic novel has saved the alternative imprints and exposed their stable of talent to the masses and given them new venues for their artists for freelance work. I see the signs already, there are books in the graphic novel section that are not moving. Many of these volumes start at a price of 20.00 and over 100.00, that is a fair chunk of change. Recession, that word will frighten many people from buying books such as these. It remains to be seen, but there are already graphic novels in bargain bins at the big box stores already. A rare site in the past. The more that end up there, the less stores will order in the future.