Comic Book Journal

It’s been awhile again hasn’t it? Admittedly February didn’t go as planned and I didn’t get quite as many reviews completed as I wanted to, but it’s time to push onward. I have a day job and the demands of the workplace has been great for the past week or so. We now have “mandatory overtime” (what an oxymoron!) and it’s been cutting into my time to read, review, and of course impart all of my acquired wisdom on my adoring audience (lol). I’d like to start by showcasing a blog on fiction scribe, which is one of my favorites. This post should be required reading not just for new or novice authors, but seasoned veterans of the written word as well. Check out http://www.fictionscribe.com/pet-peeve-52-elitist-poets/
So how do do comic book writers pinpoint their audience? I think the great thing about comics, especially today’s comics which often transcend medium and genre, is the audience can never be isolated to one group. Today comic fans range in age, income, race, and class. Also, iconic heros tend to break down these barriers, we’ll take Superman or Batman, everyone knows these heros worldwide. If you ask a writer of any of these titles who he is writing for the response would have to be, “everyone.” Just some food for thought. Know your audience and more importantly, know thyself. So I’m glad to see you again and we’ll make it through March together.

Just thought I’d give a quick posting to my whereabouts for the past few days. I recently had a death in the family which required my attention elsewhere. With that said I’m back at the office now and expect Comic Book Journal to resume as normal from here on out with all the latest news, reviews, and commentary from Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, and all companies in between. I’ll be back tomorrow with more reviews.

Welcome to December!!! I have a special treat in store for my faithful readers this month. I’d like to start December by announcing my first contest. The best “Superhero Letter to Santa,” will win a terrific prize (more than likely a bagged and boarded book from my massive collection.) To win it’s simple, just submit the letter as a comment on this blog (so that it goes directly to my inbox.) Judging will begin midnight December 15th, and the winner will be announced on December 17th. Entries should be no longer than three hundred words and the characters can be based in any comic book universe. So get out the crayons and start writing already. Santa’s busy this year so hurry up! Also, looking for last minute gift ideas for comic book fans, see my list of great fan gifts at: http://www.comicbookjournal.net/top-ten-fanboyor-girl-gifts/.

I know this is the most abrupt departure ever . . . even for the Internet, but I have to leave.

I have just landed a steady job - something I’ve been struggling to do all through my tenure here - but the training leaves me with little time to update this site.

I knew for quite a while this rift was going to be coming. Somewhere once - don’t ask me for exact quotes - comic book historian Peter Sanderson commented on the difference between those who want to write about comic books and those who want to write comic books, no matter what the success level. I have always considered myself in the latter category. Even now, I’m looking forward to publishing Pierced in the December issue of Mysterious Visions Anthology. I’ve also just seen the first page of a script I wrote illustrated by the incomparable Nick Volkert, to be included in Demon Tweak Presents, an insert of the band of the same name. You can see the results to the right - and pick their CD to see the rest, whenever it debuts.

I want to send a big shout-out to fellow 451 bloggers like Paul at Toybender, Daniel Perez, Dave Parrack, Keith R., and the many other bloggers who made me feel welcome within the 451 community - a great place to work!

As for me, you can look forward to weekly Comics Rundown blog on Way of the Geek as well as a couple other places . . . though I don’t want to count any chickens before they hatch. Mainly, I just want to be thankful for the golden eggs this place has given me.

Thanks to everyone for making this blog a great place to read every day!

Welcome to the Comic Book Journal, the new blog for panels, pages and everything between from 451 Press.

My name’s Richard Pulfer, and to fall back on a cliche, I’ll be your host.

I’ve decided the best course for introducing myself is a great big unadulterated rant about my picks and faves in the comic book community. So here goes nothing:

I’ve Been Reading Comics Since: At least the fourth grade, but those were just some Dino-Riders I picked up at the drug store. I didn’t get the good stuff until the 7 or 8th Grade when my uncles gave me some 400 comics, including Larry Hama’s G.I. Joe, some Power Man and Iron Fist, and a treasure trove of Frank Miller’s Daredevil.

Favorite Superhero: I love Starman, and I’ve never been able to say it in public, as usually people get mixed up with a cheesy John Carpenter movie of the same name.

Favorite Supervillain: I’m tempted to say the Shade of Starman, but he’s really not a supervillian. Still, I like the conflicted villains the best. Captain Cold of the Flash. Spider-Man’s Sandman (Thomas Haden Church of late). And especially 52’s Black Adam (whom I’ll be dealing with specifically tomorrow).

I’m Reading: Scott McCloud’s Reinventing Comics. I’ve read the first and third book, leaving me only this penultimate installment to ponder.

I’m Playing: X-Men Legends II. Yes, I’m way out of date with video games - I only just got Marvel Ultimate Alliance for Christmas, leading me to consequently play the entire series in reverse order.

I’m Fuming Over: How something exceptionally bad has happened to virtually every character I liked in 52, and how DC had the nerve to try and get me to sign up for a Countdown subscription when I’m still several weeks behind in the 52 subscription.

Well, that’s enough out of me. I’d love to hear your responses to those few questions as we kick off this ink blot on the blogosphere.