A Wave from Long Box Mountain.

Morning.

It’s been a pretty busy time for reviewing comics and podcasting recently. Along with NIA and ACP podcasts I’ve been invited onto a few other great channels to talk comics – more on that soon.

Here’s a recent one with Eamonn Clarke all about Doctor Who comics.

Next month will be busy with trips to Baltimore Comic Con and SPX – all the same weekend so that will take some juggling. Sadly the same weekend as both N.I.C.E. in Bedford and Bridlington Comic Con. Both of which I’d have loved to have attended.

A short rant follows. Read on after it for some recommendations.

A rant about postage.

What is it with postage and Comics in the UK? I’ve documented over the last couple of years on here and the ACP podcast quite a few cases of comics that take months to reach you and are seriously taking the pee in what they charge for postage. I’ve had to politely chase people and had the ‘It must have got lost, give it another week and if it doesn’t arrive I’ll replace it’ excuse used more than once only to then receive it a few days later postage stamped with the date of my email or the following day.

There are the odd exceptions – the dude who realised he lived not far away and dropped the comic off with the postage fee enclosed. Or the crowdfunded comic that reaches you only days after the campaign closes. But they seem few and far between. Hats off to those good eggs.

Most people are aware of how much it costs to post a letter or an envelope. Yet £3.20 for a letter seems somewhat high? What do you think? I recently bought a comic online and the postage was in the double figures – the creator could have put it in a taxi to my house for less! C’mon guys, they ain’t cheap and we want to support your endeavours! I’m bending over backwards for you so pull your finger out. (yes that was a bum joke).

Recommendations.

I’ve been keeping a record of all the comics I have read this year and grading them through the pure enjoyment I get. Here are a couple of the recent 10/10s that I’ve logged.

Viz.

Surely by this point we have to admit that Viz is now the UK’s greatest comic? It lampoons everyone from everywhere. I’m now a subscriber and as soon as an issue arrives I’m straight on it and sending photos of funny moments out to buddies. I suppose it’s not for the easily offended, but that only improves it in my eyes. 

Fables.

Criminally ignored by mainstream comics news sites. It made my top 11 of last year and I can say with great confidence that it will be making a reappearance this year. Art and stories to die for! Highly recommended. Please, please don’t end!

Big Game.

Bringing together the strands and characters of the Millarverse feels like a crazy notion but Big Game issue 1 had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Nobody is safe and it rockets along at a pace you have to see to believe. You don’t have to have read all the runs, just jump in and enjoy. Promises have been made about fatalities in issue 2!!!

Worn Tuff Elbow.

The long awaited underground comic from Canadian cartoonist Marc Bell. I got this from the Third Bear UK Distro and it’s mind-fuck of a read in all the good ways. Hard to describe but glorious! Every page shows the mind-boggling level of skill and effort put in.

The New NIA Episode.

I got to sit down with comics creator and buddy Alan Henderson and talk about the two Superman issues that precede The Death of Superman storyline. Warnings – these deal with domestic abuse and we give out the contact number for Refuge in the opening. You can also find help by clicking here for the Refuge site.

Incredible comicing by all involved and two issues in the triangle period that I had missed when they came out. Well worth a listen.

Many thanks for reading.