Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 - You hear a lot of people talking about the big events of 2006 and what lies ahead in 2007 for Marvel and DC. I don't know if you've noticed, but it really is an exciting time to be reading comics. These publisher-wide events aren't just throwaway stories anymore and I find that quite refreshing. Stories like Civil War, House of M, Decimation, 52, Infinite Crisis, Annihilation and the upcoming Countdown weekly are redefining and shuffling the characters, team line-ups and tales which we’ll see, read and enjoy for years to come.

That's a major shift from years past when you could miss a "summer event" and pick right up with your favorite title a month later not noticing a thing. How fondly do you remember Atlantis Attacks or Invasion (just picking two examples from Marvel and DC's past, respectively)? This kind of hit and run, low impact storytelling was fun (at times), but devalued the event and made me frustrated that I spent the money to pick up the story arc in the first place. Now, I feel more rewarded for that investment.  These books matter, sometimes as much as the original titles they impact and I think that will prove profitable for the industry as a whole.  For the average reader on the street, the industry has to respect the investment made by that reader.  If we loose that reader due to lackluster storytelling, we loose everything.

That leads to the obvious question… Is this kind of storytelling good for comics and comic readership? Only time will tell, but I'll stick my neck out and predict that it will bring in more readers than it costs. I think these events draw in fans, especially when you look at all the mainstream press coverage they've garnered over the last year. These stories strike me as a more mature form of storytelling that's more rewarding for the reader, more exemplary of what sequential art can achieve as a literary medium and in many ways long overdue.

I don’t think that any one of the series I mentioned above will prove to be the “big event” emerging out of 2006 and early 2007. From the Fantastic Four to the Justice Society of America to the Avengers, we don't see teams that look like what we've come to expect over the years. How refreshing!  I think that change itself was the “big event” of 2006 and ultimately 2007. The characters and stories are evolving, changing and that change is good.

It's nice to see an industry that that, for so many years, simply reshuffled the same old deck of stories break that mold and take a bold step in some very new directions. The end of Civil War and the victory of the meta-human registration act is the clearest example I have seen of an industry embracing change, setting aside fear and going where no one expects. My jaw dropped when M-Day struck down the mutants. I was bewindered by the return of DC's multiverse. I couldn't believe Spider-Man took off his mask. I felt that first punch between Iron Man and Captain America. My friends, change is good. Who would have guessed at the start of Civil War, the series would end this way? The Marvel Universe deck has been shuffled and I anxiously await the end of 52 to see how that particular 52 card pickup forever shuffles the face of the DCU.

It's easy to see how the industry has become much more event driven as one epic tale seems to roll into the next in today’s market. How far will the pendulum swing before we move back to the center? I'm hoping the shift is profitable enough that the stories stay event driven for quite some time. Why shouldn't we embrace the change? What is that you are saying? You disagree? I would offer up the simple fact that these are great stories and isn't that, at its most basic, what we want from comics? I've enjoyed the stories of 2006 and wait with baited breath for the stories of 2007.

Tuesday, February 6th, 2007 - Over on Whedonesque (which just happens to be our featured website for February), Joss Whedon shared all the details on his leaving the Wonder Woman film project. In his own words here's what he had to say...

We make no bones about the fact that we here at Comic Related follow just about any move Joss Whedon makes. From Buffy to Angel to Firefly to Serenity to Astonishing X-Men, we're fans of his work and look forward to any path he chooses to walk. Buffy the Vampire Slayer easily goes down in history as my favoriate television series of all time (with Northern Exposure running a distant second).

That said, I have to admit that I'm releived to see Joss walk away from the Wonder Woman film. I'm not saying I think it would have been a bad idea in any way for him to take on this project. I simply admit I'm selfish and would rather see him working on other projects. It would have been interesting to see his take on the character, but not something I was dying to see. Honestly, some kind of Buffyverse spin-off to a Serenity sequel or even an expansion of his work in comics would be the path I would like to see him pursue. This fan votes for his expanding on the solid history he's build in the field.

Even without Wonder Woman, Joss still has quite a few irons in the fire these days. From directing a few episodes of the Office to the upcoming Goners film to the rebirth of Buffy Season 8 over at Dark Horse or even his upcoming work on Runaways, the irons in the fire are many and they are each heating up quickly.

Jumping to a side note, are you curious about Cobie Smulders (referenced in Joss' ps moment)? You can get all the details on here career by following this link.

Recently, we were priviledged enough to get hold of a four page preview of the upcoming Dark Horse Buffy series. Here's a four page preview to wet your appetite...

Be sure to reserve your copy at your favorite comic retailer today!
Learn more about the series at Dark Horse Comics. Street date for release is 3/7/07.

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