Bob Wayne honored with ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award
DC's Bob Wayne at the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting in 2012, with the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award. Photo by Annette Price, for The Oklahoman
DALLAS — Bob Wayne, DC Entertainment’s Senior Vice President of Sales, was honored with the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award in an afternoon ceremony.
The crowd of retailers, publishers and industry figures stood for an extended standing ovation as Wayne was named the recipient of the award, which is intended to honor those who help bring comic books to market.
“I would venture to say that no one in this room knows more about comics or the comics industry than Bob Wayne,” said ComicsPRO president Joe Field in his introduction of Wayne. Given that executives from most of the larger comics publishers and more than 100 comic retail operations were in the room, that’s a nice compliment.
“With his 25 years at DC Comics, now DC Entertainment, we’ve seen tremendous things happen, in large part because of what Bob Wayne’s been instrumental in making happen for us,” Field said.
The other nominees for the award were Cindy Fournier of Diamond; David Gabriel of Marvel; Robert Kirkman of Image and Eric Stephenson of Image.
The 2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Memorial Award was awarded to the late Phil Seuling, who founded the direct-market method of comic-book sales. Bill Schanes of Diamond Comics Distributors, a former customer of Seuling, accepted the award on his behalf. Julius Schwartz of DC Comics was the other nominee in this category.
Wayne was classy, funny and at times emotional in his acceptance of the award, which is voted on by the comic book retailers who are members of ComicsPRO, the national comics retail organization.
“I’d like to thank all of the members of ComicsPRO for your continued support,” Wayne said in accepting the award. “Many of you are friends, and, I think, extended family.”
Wayne graciously thanked his bosses and co-workers through his years at DC.
He recounted his years in the industry, including starting to sell comics in 1973 at comic-book conventions.
“Yes, I know that was before some of you were born,” he said. “There’s no need to come up later and point that out to me.”
Wayne opened a comic-book store in 1980, which he ran for seven years. He joined DC Comics in August of 1987.
“The people who placed bets 25 years ago as to how many weeks or months I’d last in corporate America … no one asked me for odds.”
In closing, Wayne gave recognition to a special family member.
“When you work in a comic shop, when you work in comics, you hear a lot of people say, ‘Oh, they still make comics? My mother threw mine out.’ And my mother did not throw mine out.”
- Matt Price
ComicsPRO update: Thief of Thieves starts strong; Smallville gets comics series; Avengers to battle X-Men
Kyle Roberts talks to Matt Price from the ComicsPRO meeting in Dallas. Expected topics of discussion include the Image Comics resurgence, including “Thief of Thieves”; the new Smallville comic book series; and the Marvel Comics Avengers vs. X-Men comics.
ComicsPRO Annual Meeting 2012 first thoughts
DALLAS — How will the rest of the comics market strike back?
That was one of the questions being asked around tables and in small groups at an informal meet-and-greet prior to the kickoff of the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting.
Since last year’s ComicsPRO meeting, DC Comics has shaken up the sales charts with its Sept. 2011 relaunch. In January, 5 months into the relaunch, DC Comics claimed all 10 of the top 10 comics in Diamond Comic Distributors monthly sales charts.
Because the comics market is often reactive, some retailers at the meeting openly wondered how DC’s competition might react to DC’s 2011 moves.
In early 2012, one company already seems to be shaking things up: Image Comics. Retailers reported very strong sales for the Image title “Fatale” and also for “Thief of Thieves,” released in comic shops today.
“Thief of Thieves” is co-written by Robert Kirkman and Nick Spencer. Kirkman is the co-creator of “The Walking Dead” comic-book series, which has had great success adapted for television on AMC. Some have suggested there’s a “Walking Dead” spillover effect that’s helping the entire Image line, especially those properties tied to Kirkman.
There was also talk about Marvel’s upcoming “Avengers vs. X-Men” promotion, and the promotional idea allowing stores to sign up as supporting the Avengers or the X-Men.
At last year’s preview night, stores said some of the major problems facing the market were generating excitement, late-shipping books, and the still-lagging economy. This year, many of those problems have been addressed. While the economy overall is still recovering, DC’s relaunch helped generate excitement and prove that a major publisher could stick to a largely on-time schedule. Retailers remain interested in DC’s upcoming plans, including those about DC Comics’ just-announced “Before Watchmen” program. Many retailers are curious about how the series will be marketed in comic-book stores.
Thursday at the meeting will be a day of programming from DC Comics; other sponsors will share their programming on Friday and Saturday, in addition to retail-focused discussion and programming. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund will hold the First Annual Retailer Auction, at the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting at 9 p.m. Friday.
With even more stores expected to attend the meeting than last year, it’s up to the gathered sponsors to get these decision-makers on board with their upcoming projects. With many stores feeling on firmer footing than in 2011, they’re actively looking for the new product or title that will get more people in the door and their money in the register.
- Matt Price
Top 10 Super Bowl 2012 commercials
This seemed like a good year for Super Bowl commercials — there weren’t nearly as many that I actively hated, and there were quite a few that I liked. When the biggest complaints seem to come from childhood icons selling out (Ferris Bueller, Voltron), well, to me that’s a big improvement over some of the past years’ rampant misogynist tendencies.
GoDaddy of course still went with titillating and lowbrow; eTrade still has the horrific talking babies; but besides that I wasn’t too disgusted by anything.
Here are my top 10 commercials for Super Bowl 46 in 2012.
1. Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood tells everybody how to come back and pull together. Loved it! Great placement at halftime, as well, tying in with the commercial’s theme. Well-done all around.
2. Avengers movie spot
“I still believe in heroes.” How cool was this? I’m already predisposed to like this movie, but I thought the commercial was a home run.
3. The Dog Strikes Back
You can argue it’s trying too hard, you can argue it’s selling out a childhood icon. And while I didn’t like it better than Vader Kid, I did laugh.
4. Kia “A Dream Car for Real Life.”
An overdose of the Sandman’s dust has a man’s dreams going over the top. Maybe the funniest commercial this year.
5. Audi vampires
Clever twist on the Twilight frenzy!
6. Chevy Apocalypse
Good way to play into the Mayan 2012 apocalypse zeitgeist with a car commercial, I thought. Ford apparently was upset about this ad; the whole thing seems so fantastical that it’s an odd choice to me of something to get worked up over.
7. Matthew’s Day Off
I’m ranking this here for memorability, even though I have mixed feelings about both the idea and execution. And no Alan Ruck? Matthew Broderick can still pull off a Ferris-like charm, though, can’t he?
8. Hyundai – Cheetah
Gets across the idea of the car being fast, and gets a little violent humor in, generally a plus for Super Bowl commercials
9. Seinfeld Acura “Transactions”
Jerry Seinfeld really wants the first Acura NSX.
10. MetLife, Everyone
I get that He-Man probably doesn’t need insurance, nor does Voltron, and I get all the sellout arguments that can and maybe should be made. But He-Man’s in a Super Bowl commercial!
Which commercials did you like most and least?
- Matt Price
Christmas Countdown: Marvel Team-Up #1 (1972)
Peter Parker’s been assigned to take photos of the local Polar Bear club on Christmas Eve, as they plan a quick swim in the frigid temperatures. But they’re interrupted by a disturbance in the sand — the Sandman is back! Peter changes to Spidey to track the villain down, but Sandman slips through his grasp.
Spidey still hopes to make his date, so he swings by to warn the Fantastic Four that the Sandman is back. But the only hero on hand is the somewhat Scroogelike Johnny Storm, who isn’t feeling in the Christmas spirit.
Still, Spidey joins Johnny, dressed in some swingin’ ’70s threads, to search for the Sandman. The pair stop to help make some citizens’ Christmases more merry along the way, by averting a traffic accident and stopping an attempted robbery.
They eventually catch up with the Sandman, and there’s a Christmas twist of sorts to the tale’s final third. Johnny eventually comes around on the season, as well.
Roy Thomas and Ross Andru are the creative team for a charming first issue. The series, featuring Spider-Man teaming with various Marvel superheroes, ran through issue No. 150 in 1985. Trivia note: The woman who Johnny and Spider-Man save from a mugging was later revealed to be Misty Knight, later girlfriend to Iron Fist and a private detective in the Marvel Universe.
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1981. Still to go: 30
“Daytripper” is gorgeous, thought-provoking graphic novel
Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba create the story of the life of Bras de Olivias Dominguez, in the graphic novel “Daytripper,” originally released as 10 individual issues. Each issue follows a day in the life of Bras, with each ending the same — he dies. The following story picks up at a different point in Bras’ life, unconnected to his previous death. Bras is the son of a famous author, a “miracle child” struggling to find his place and his way, as told through each separate vignette. The beauty of Brazil and the fragility of life play key roles in this highly recommended graphic novel. It’s beautiful, challenging and at times heartbreaking.
Also read recently:
Fathom vol. 2: Beginnings, Prelude, 0-11
Admiral Maylander attacks an underwater city of the Blue. Political intrigue and action are heavy in this volume, as marine biologist Aspen Matthews finds out more about her true identity. Written by J.T. Krul.
Fathom Vol. 3, 0-10
The deep-sea-living the Black declare war upon the humans as the Blue must determine if they will be humanity’s enemy or ally. Killian joins with Siphon to negotiate with the humans, though Kiani wants to part of a peaceful settlement. Aspen again finds herself torn among worlds she has a history with as she attempts to prevent full-scale destruction, and save her long-lost brother. Written by J.T. Krul.
Who is Jake Ellis? The collection of this 5-issue miniseries features former spy Jon Moore, now a mercenary. He’s able to escape capture in part because of the voice in his head — the voice of Jake Ellis. But who is Jake Ellis? He’s a man that only Jon can see, providing information on safe escapes and possible threats. The mystery of Ellis, and Jon’s quest to discover the secrets behind it, are what writer Nathan Edmondson and artist Tonci Zonjic have laid out in this fast-paced espionage thriller from Image Comics.
GI Joe Operation HISS #1: Set in the continuity of the G.I. Joe live-action movie, this issue sees Snake Eyes and Scarlett raid a M.A.R.S. facility in China, where they cross paths with Storm Shadow. The art is by Alex Cal and Agustin Padilla; the book is written by Brian Reed. Decent action throughout.
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1976. Still to go: 35.
“Fathom” delivers brilliant underwater vistas
Comics recently read in my 2,011 in 2011 comic book challenge include the first volume of Michael Turner’s “Fathom,” which debuted in1998 from Top Cow.
“Fathom” Vol 1, 0-14, 1/2, preview, Against All Odds #1: Marine biologist Aspen Matthews has always been drawn to the sea, but when she is attached to a top-secret undersea mission, she finds out there’s more to her past than she realizes. She also is among the first to discover there are two “worlds” on earth — the one we know, and the one below.
Van Williams-Bruce Lee TV series inspired 1960s “Green Hornet” comics from Gold Key
Green Hornet (Gold Key) 1-3
Created to tie in with the 1966-1967 TV show, these three “Green Hornet” issues feature Britt Reid and his valet Kato, who pretend to be criminals in order to fight crime. District Attorney Frank Scanlon and secretary “Casey” Case are in on Britt Reid’s secret. Mike Axford, a police beat reporter working for Reid’s newspaper, is constantly after the Green Hornet, but he falls into humorous mishaps that prevent any true discovery. Van Williams and Bruce Lee are featured on the covers, with photos from the show also appearing in the interior covers. The stories are roughly comparable to the TV show of the time, and are relatively enjoyable, if dated stylistically.
Other comics recently read:
Star Wars Legacy, Archie among reading for comic-book challenge
Catching up on a few more comics read recently as I’m trying to reach 2,011 comics read in 2011.
Archie #30 (1948): If Betty can sew a patch onto Archie’s pants, she can take him to the dance. Did people really do things like this in the 1940s?
Betty and Veronica #192 (Dec. 1971) Veronica ditches the gang, who are cleaning up the river in Riverdale, when she has a chance to appear in a fashion shoot.
Star Wars Legacy vol. 2: Shards: This second volume of “Legacy” does a lot to set up the world of the “Star Wars” universe, 125 years after “Return of the Jedi.” Cade Skywalker, Luke’s grandson, is the series’ main character, though he’s less active in this volume than the first. Collects issues 8, 4, 9, 10, 13, 11, and 12 of the series, originally published in 2007.
The Unknown 1-4 and The Unknown Devil Made Flesh 1-4: Two supernatural-style mysteries by writer Mark Waid and artist Minck Oosterveer. Oosterveer sadly died earlier this year.
In “The Unknown,” from Boom! Studios, master detective Catherine Allingham learns she only has months to live. She chooses to use that remaining time examining seemingly unsolvable mysteries with her ex-bouncer apprentice, James Doyle.
Sanctuary #1: Stephen Coughlin’s digital comic from SLG features a sanctuary for animals with a dark mystery behind it — it reminded me somewhat of “Lost.”
Batman: No Man’s Land Vol. 1: Batman must deal with Gotham City after a terrible earthquake leads to the evacuation of most of the city. This volume includes Batman: No Man’s Land #1, Batman #563-564, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #83-84, Detective Comics #730-731 and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #116. While the story is in some ways unbelievable, the storytellers do a good job making this altered Gotham and its residents part of a compelling story of Batman and his allies in a new, difficult circumstance.
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,847. Still to go: 164.
Astro City: The Dark Age is a modern classic
Astro City: The Dark Age
Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson look at the 1970s and 1980s through the prism of the superhero world of Astro City, in a 16-part storyline. Four four-issue miniseries (“Astro City: The Dark Age” Books 1-4) follow Charles and Royal Williams as they seek the man who murdered their parents. Their lives are intertwined with that of the Silver Agent, who is traveling through time in an attempt to avert a coming disaster.
Busiek and Anderson are taking apart the grittier comics of the 1970s and 1980s and exploring them from the point of view of characters who are living it. It recreates the feel of reading comics as a younger person in the late 70s and early 1980s, but with a story that works on multiple levels. Any superhero fan should take a look at The Dark Age, which probably suffered from its extended shipping schedule as far as sales. But with two collections containing all 16 issues, there’s no reason not to read this modern classic. Alex Ross remains active with the book as a character designer and cover artist.
Also read recently:
Grifter 2-3 (2011) Nathan Edmondson continues his slow burn in revealing who exactly Cole Cash, aka Grifter, is in this new unified DC Comics universe, but it’s an intriguing read with beautiful art by CAFU.
Planet Terry 1-4 (1985)Lennie Herman and Warren Kremer were the creative team for “Planet Terry” (a pun on “Planetary”), which featured young Terry, sort of a Richie Rich of space, on a quest to find his parents, with the help of his robot, Robota, and a gruff alien, Omnus.
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,821 Still to go: 190.
