Out With The Old & In With The Digital

Before I start my article about the differences between digital and hard copy comics, I must first mention that I am in no way promoting one or the other! Digital comics are the new thing lately and a lot of fans have flocked to this new form of reading comics. In my post this week, I will be looking at the advantages of both hard copies vs. digital comics.

The first aspect I'm going to analyze is the price, but this is where it gets a bit hard to determine. The reason I say this is because downloading contents on certain sites can be free, but for this argument, I will be referring specifically to paying for the digital comics. I have found from my trips to local comic shops that it's cheaper to pay online for books. There are factors as to why I believe this. For instance, transportation (driving, bus, cab fare) to get a comic(s) at your local store will cost you some change just to get there unless you're lucky enough to live near one. On the other side of the coin, digital comics can be bought without leaving the comforts of your very own home. I also found through looking online that it's cheaper to order a book than at your local shop just because some shops will charge more for a variant cover book which has the same material inside but with a different cover (which most readers can't afford or want).

One thing I will say that digital comics doesn't have is the experience of going to a comic store. For myself, comics shops are all unique and have their own personalities. I find that going to comic shops is nostalgic for me and the smell of the print is something digital comics can never replace. However, digital comics can be stored on your devices (computer, iPad/tablets, laptop) which saves way more space. I love my comics but the boxes, book shelves and endless piles of books on the floor make it difficult to keep my books in near mint condition.

Another aspect of this debate are the profits and support to the artist/writer. I know if we use the legal download point, then it's equal both ways. But in a day and age where people have bills to pay and there being sooo many free downloading sites, it seems like the poor creators get the short end of the stick.

This topic about which is better can go on forever but it's nice to have a look at how digital comics has changed the comic industry.

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This week's, On My Shelf item is Amazing Spider-Man # 300 (1988). With Fan Expo quickly approaching, I thought it would be nice to feature an item of one of its guests. This book is not only the first appearance of Venom, but it marked the come out party for one Todd McFarlane!! If you don't know who McFarlane is, just look up Spawn (among other projects he's done). As one of the founders of Image Comics, McFarlane will be at Toronto Fan Expo this weekend. So if you get a rare chance to meet him, definitely take advantage of it!

A Paradox With Batman and Stan

Flashpoint Paradox

DC Comics recently released a DVD called, "Flashpoint Paradox." This is one of the best straight to DVD movies that DC has ever made. The basic plot of the movie surrounds The Flash (Barry Allen) and the consequences of his actions, which in turn throws the time stream for a loop and we are treated to an alternate look at a parallel universe. One of my favourite moments in this movie doesn't involve Flash, but actually Batman! For this universe, it's not Bruce that loses his parents but it's his parents that loses him. The incredible part of this story is that you see Thomas Wayne (Bruce's father) become Batman and Martha Wayne (Bruce's mother) become The Joker!! This movie has soo many twists and turns that it keeps your eyes glued to the screen until the very end. I highly recommend this movie for not only die hard DC fans, but for new fans as well.

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Character Profile: Batman: The Dark Knight 

 

Listed below are significant character specifications:

• Detective Comics # 27 - First appearance created by Bob Kane.
• Tragic origin (parents killed in an alley while Bruce was young) which led to his transformation of The Dark Knight.
• Bruce Wayne as Batman vowed to fight crime and avenge his parent's death.
• He is the original member of the Justice League of America (man amongst Gods).
• The Dark Knight is the only mortal that is respected as much as Superman.
• Bruce is so consumed with his alter ego that Batman is who he believes he is and Bruce Wayne is his disguise.
• His incredible detective skills is what makes him an elite hero.
• With rogues like The Joker, Two Face, Bane and Mr. Freeze, Batman is considered by many to have the best villain gallery ever.
• Throughout all the changes over the decades, Batman has still proven to be (in my opinion) the best character of all time.

Here are a few key storylines in The Dark Knight history that I recommend for reading:

1. Death In The Family
2. The Killing Joke
3. The Black Mirror

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This week's On My Shelf item is Amazing Spider-Man # 252 autographed by STAN LEE! I met Stan Lee at Fan Expo in 2012 and it was a great experience, one that many of you should one day experience yourself. I was fortunate to sit in a Q&A Session. Fans got to pick his brain and hear his stories from his humble beginnings at Marvel as writer to his iconic rise in the comic industry. This book has the first appearance of the black costume which has a significant value but not as significant as the sentimental worth for it will always remind me of the day I met the greatest creator of all time.

Wild WIld West

The Flash (Wally West)

This week, I will do a small character profile on the 3^rd Flash, Wally West. I know there’s a lot of people out there that think Barry Allen is the coolest Flash, but I have to say that Wally has been a favourite of mine since the Justice League animated series back in 2001. I believe that the former kid Flash is one of the coolest heroes in the DC universe for soooo many reasons. The first reason, I think Wally is great as the free spirit that he is and how he stands with earth’s mightiest super heroes and never lets the moment be too big for him. The second is that even though he’s Barry Allen’s nephew and his origin is similar, Wally is a fresh and exciting character that not only makes you laugh but keeps you wanting more of the Scarlet Speedster.

Notable Flash Episodes:

1. “A Better World” - Justice League (Nov 1, 2003): The death of the Flash from another dimension creates the Justice Lords.
2.  “The Ties That Bind” - Justice League Unlimited Season 2 (Feb 12, 2005): Flash travels to Apokolips to assist Mr. Miracle.
3. “Flash and Substance” - Justice League Unlimited Season 3 (Feb 11, 2006): Flash and Batman team up!! Nuff said.

Of Mice and Men

Welcome true believers to this week’s On My Shelf post: This week I’m going to focus on an indie book for the month, “Mouse Guard” by acclaimed artist/writer David Petersen since 2006. This book is one of my all-time favourites!! Mr. Petersen takes a concept like mice fighting for survival with a medieval twist. The artwork is amazing that even if you’re not aware of the book, it will still catch your eye. The story is well done and even though this book isn’t part of the 2 big companies, it can still hold its own in the market. Basically the low down on this book is that you have these mice who protect the land from predators and enemies from within. These mice are called Guard Mice and they wear cloaks to represent how many years they have served the monarchy. This book not only has cool art and great stories, it has a great shape as well!!! You see, this book is not your standard comic size in fact its 8” by 8” which makes it soooo cool and it stands out at your local comic shop. I highly recommend this book to new readers and if you want to take a break from the normal men in tights stories, you need to pick up Mouse Guard ASAP! Take my word for it, you won’t be disappointed.  

This week's "On My Shelf" items are my rare Mouse Guard black and white edition and sketchbook. The first item, the black and white edition is On My Shelf due to rarity and low print run. Only 200-250 copies were ever made. Wizard Magazine ranked this as one of the most rarest books in the last 20 years. The second item is a sketchbook from 2006. This book is just as valuable because of it's rarity as well. These two books were self published by David Petersen and thus making it a hard to find item and a great addition to any collector's collection.