Thacher E. Cleveland is a contributing writer & columnist for PanelsOnPages.com, co-host of the Super-Fly Comics & Games PodCast, novelist & comic creator. Originally from New Jersey and previously from Yellow Springs, Ohio, he currently lives in Chicago. You can find him on Twitter (@demonweasel), tumblr, his personal website and even on Google+
Attendance was up and the show floor was packed, so we talked to retailers at the shop about their show experience, the Diamond Comic Retail Summit before the show and what they’ll be looking for next year.
The Counter Culture spotlight turns to the Wisconsin based Lost World of Wonders, the largest comic shop in Milwaukee and home to another member of the population, Last Week in PoP’s Kelly Harrass.
The Massive by Brian Wood and Dark Horse Comics give us a tale of adventure on the sea in the midst of a global environmental crisis and is one of the most original, thrilling and thought-provoking comics on the stands.
After a mind-bender of a wait, G.I. Joe Retaliation zaps into theaters. Panels on Pages gazes into its crystal ball and let’s you know if it’s a grand slam or a total shipwreck. Evidence shows that knowing is a certain percentage of the battle.
This month in the Counter Culture 6-Pack we talk about convention season, Age of Ultron, social media, ComiXology’s new submit program and how it (and digital comics) have affected the direct market, as well as how shops handled the mainstream media attention of this month’s major comic death.
As we say goodbye to one Robin we must ask ourselves the inevitable question: who will take his place? We’ve got some candidates and one answer that, given recent events, probably won’t shock anyone.
Winter is on it’s way out the door as we visit another Windy City comic shop in this month’s Counter Culture Spotlight, specifically First Aid Comics in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Pop in and see what the doctor has ordered for you…
We’re back talking to retailer across the country about what’s going on in their shops, from the apparent return of the speculator comic boom, increased shipping and whether or not it affects sales and dead scorpions hiding in the back issues.
Thacher talks about his reservations about Vibe’s new solo series and why he’ll eat a shoe if it reaches twenty issues. Yes, that’s right. He’ll eat a shoe.
The Counter Culture Spotlight turns its gaze to the Windy City, home of the Eisner Award nominated Challengers Comics + Conversation. Pull up a chair and join the discussion as we talk about the comic market, conventions, surprise best-sellers, and their new all-ages friendly section, Sidekicks.
The axe has finally fallen on the DC animated series Young Justice, but it’s cancellation leaves a void that DC Entertainment doesn’t seem to have a plan to fill and points out some things the New 52 could learn from this series.
We asked a group of comic retailers six questions about the state of comic industry, including the Marvel/DC reboots and relaunches, the classified Free Comic Book Day solicits from the Big Two, and upcoming creator-owned books you should keep an eye out for.
The latest series from indie comics trailblazer Terry Moore is a dark supernatural mystery about a young woman who’s trying to solve her own murder after she rises from the dead.
Introducing a new feature here at PoP! where we virtually sit down with a comic shop to leanr more about the comic retailing game. This month we’re talking to the official comic shop of Panels on Pages, Super-Fly Comics & Games of Yellow Springs Ohio.
2013 looks to be a banner year for creator owned comics and we’ve got six of them that you’ll most definitely want to make sure you get in on right out of the gate. Impress your friends by saying “Oh yeah, I knew all about those”
We take a look at the September Previews for super-hero jams, sci-fi action fests,the latest in Wookie fashion, a twofer from one of the best horror action writers the UK has produced and so much more.
Don’t call it a reboot, they’ve been renumbering for years. This October Marvel begins a new initiative to shake up titles and bring new & lapsed readers to the fold. Will it work or will Marvel NOW! just bring insanity later.
September is Back to School time so we take a look at some of stuff from the back of Previews shipping that month including books for kids, children’s stories for adults and the return of one of the best mystery series in comics.
This month Previews kicks off summer with teen drama, aquatic construction, anthropomorphic washing machines, classic manga & more…and that’s just the back half of the book! Come check out what you may have missed in this month’s Diamond Comics Previews catalog.
Announced at C2E2 this year, Thrillbent.com, Mark Waid’s home for his digital comic ventures has been up and running or just over a month now and we’re checking in to see if it makes good on what was promised.
We’re heading into the height of convention season, so here’s 6 things that we’re pretty sure you don’t need to ask when the Q & A microphone comes around. Believe us, your fellow panel-goers will appreciate it.
Archie may be confused about what side he’ll take as the Riverdale marches against the 1% but you don’t have to be confused about what the best (and weirdest) stuff in the back of the Previews catalog is this May.
Shia LaBeouf put in a surprise appearance at C2E2 and the comics internet began grumbling almost right away. At what point did we become so cynical, especially since LaBeouf teaches us an important point about making comics.
Rachel Deering and Chris Mooneyham team-up for a macabre lesbian werewolf horror story that will leave readers howling for more.
This April we shine our Fangirl spotlight on PoPulation Member, armed forces dog handler and zombie enthusiast Christina Reichl aka ZombieNightingale. Games, comics and movies, this lady has got it all in her sights.
It’s Free Comic Book Day month, and here are ten things you may have missed from the back of the March Previews catalog that will extend the joy of the day all month long.
Brandon Graham and Simon Roy have turned a shoulder-pad wearing, sword wielding Liefeld creation into a bizarre science fiction epic that’s a must read for anyone looking for something completely different.
In today’s cost-conscious world everyone is looking for the best value, and many folks have begun to wonder if the average comic is becoming too quick a read to be worth the price.
The February Diamond Previews catalog has zombies, pulp heroes, nerd rappers and blue haired second bananas, and that’s just four of the ten things we’ve plumbed its depths for.
We talk with Nate Cosby and Chris Eliopoulos about their all-ages original graphic novel Cow Boy available on-line now and in print this April.
There’s a whole host of new stuff in the first Previews of 2012, including new creator owned titles, licensed comics and original graphic novels that will surprise, delight and horrify you.
Dexter has been a PoP! favorite almost since day one, but Thacher takes a look at this past season and finds it a bit…lacking. Is Dexter circling the drain of mediocrity or is it headed for a return to greatness? HERE THERE BE SPOILERS.
The PoP!Stars have assembled into a Justice League of Judgement and have picked out the best and worst things from the past year.
They say 2012 may be the year the world ends, but will it be because we’ve reached the pinnacle of genre movies on the big screen or will we be crushed under the weight of our own disappointment?
In this new feature for PoP! Thacher takes a look at the back half of Diamond Comics’ December Previews magazine for ten items that might be overlooked.
The Latest from the PCN
