'Here, in your .... Fortress of Solitude'

So, first up, the title. If you hadn't guessed, it's a line from Superman: the Movie (as spoken by the recording of Jor-El) which I thought was somewhat fitting given the situation the world currently finds itself in.

Like practically everyone else in the world, I am now working from home and, in essence, self-isolating from the worldwide pandemic of the Coronavirus. As this is being written, I'm on day four of my own solitude and am finding it a bit of a struggle. My routine is totally out of whack and things like lunch breaks and bus trips to work, which I totally took for granted, are now no more, meaning that comic reading has been majorly scaled back as I reprioritise my time to ensure almost all of it goes to caring for my family.

I'll confess that it's a tough choice to make, despite my knowledge that my wife and kids are the most important thing to me. However, a small part of me remembers that comics are a big part of my life, whether reading them or writing about them. Therefore, the knowledge that may not be writing even a fraction of what I normally do in the next few months remains ever present in my mind and a little disconcerting.

That said, it doesn't change the fact than something's are more important in life.

So, what am I saying here? Well, essentially, I guess I'm trying to justify the fact that I may not be around for a while. With my time being rearranged to cover more important priorities, I realize I will have to scale back both the reviews for Pipedream as well as the blog posts and I just don't know if I have the time (bizarrely). Meanwhile, all of my other plans are on hold until I can better balance the home/work/comic life under this new dynamic (I mean, to give some insight, this post took two days to write at whatever five minute periods I could squirrel away).

Of course, on Saturday evening I cleared through two issues of Wonder Woman and so it does mean that there is hope and that I'm just being overly cautious.

That said, only time will tell.

Reading recommendations in a self-insulated life

What I was originally going to write, with the vast majority of the world now locked up in their own homes, many of whom now lacking a stable income, I thought I'd make some great reading suggestions to pass the time which cost nothing to check out.

These recommendations are:

Breaks (Malin Ryden/Emma Vieceli) - https://tapas.io/series/BREAKS

Scurry (Mac Smith) - https://www.scurrycomic.com/

Vanguard (Dan Butcher) - https://vanguardcomic.com/

Curia Regis - https://www.whatido.co.uk/

The Sorrowful Life of Putto - http://www.theputto.com/comic/

Eimurian Tales (Mark Penman) - http://www.eimuriantales.co.uk/

Ghost of the Gulag - https://www.ghostofthegulag.com/

The Pale - http://thepalecomic.com/comics/first

All of the above have reviews that I wrote for Pipedream Comics which can be checked out to give some insight (check out the page with all my reviews to find them).

The last suggestion is the Comichaus App which, while not a webcomic, is essentially Netflix for comics. Not only that but Comichaus offer a two week free trial as well as an additional free month to help combat COVID-19 (which is also the code). - https://t.co/5OEudbbhAk

What I read - March 2020 (Week 3)

So, due to the changes to my lifestyle (as with all of us, my reading pile was significantly reduced. However, when you think about it, a 13 issue trade isn't actually a bad inclusion.

Anyway  here are the comics for March's third week.

London Horror Comic #8 - Another review for Pipedream Comics, I have to confess that London Horror Comic #8 was a really great read, far better than I was expecting it to be (based on my memory of the first 3 issues from long ago). The first story has some great humour while the second has a real horror vibe laced into it. I thought the characters and dialogue are really well written as well. Meanwhile, the artwork for the big stories is gorgeous, particularly for the second story, with each style looking unique but really bringing the tone of their respective story to life. The last story meanwhile felt like a fun little add on in both story and art. Given it's an anthology, I think this is as much a perfect jump on for people as any issue and something I'd recommend people check out past issues for similar magic, as I'm pretty sure I'm going to.

Wonder Woman: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 1 - A title I've had in my Comixology library for quite some time, Wonder Woman's first collected edition contains Greg Rucka's Lies and Truth arcs which sees Diana attempt to locate her home in the first arc while the second flashbacks to show her leaving it. Now, I'm a big fan of Greg Rucka (in case, via prior posts, that wasn't obvious) but I think I put this series on too much of a pedestal and gave it a wide berth in case it didn't live up to my expectations. This was certainly the case with the Rebirth special and the first issue proper, where I struggling to feel invested or entertained. However, upon beginning the second issue proper and the first of the Truth arc, Wonder Woman totally turned me around. This was such an engrossing story, both in the past and the present and it really sold me about the character being the most loving person in the DCU. This title also made me root for the supporting cast, particularly Etta and Barbara Ann, whose dynamic in the past very much intrigued me. Meanwhile, the art was (mostly) fantastic (a Sharp issue looked a little off), with Nicola Scott's arc being the art I (again) fell in love with. By the end, I was totally agreed in my mind to get the second book, because I need to know where everything goes next). I'll just remember not to put it off when I do get that book.

Total Reading Count: 14

There we go. Another week done and more comics to my 'one a day' reading list, bringing the total to 160 so far this year.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure if this is the end of such a run given all that is happening. However, there are always worse things in the world to suffer from beyond not reading comics.

So, for now, I'll do my job and if I get time to read then great but, if not, then it isn't the end of the world.

Because I can always read later, when the chaos has ended.

In the meantime though, to all who read this, stay safe, play it smart and don't put yourselves or anyone else in unnecessary risk from this virus.

My reaction to the Comixology Price Rise

The last week for me has been consumed by the overthinking of two specific topics.

The first, naturally, has been the Coronavirus. Like everyone else, I've found myself unnerved by the possibility of finding myself infected and what I would do as a result. What about my kids? How would I work? What am I going to do without (at least) two weeks wages? The questions posed between my wife and I have felt almost limitless. However, there is very little I can do beyond carry on as normal and cross that bridge when I come to it.

The other topic, however, is a little easier to deal with (and actually has a connection to the notion of comics, which is what I often talk about) and that is the recent price rise on Comixology.

As a bit of backstory, within the last two weeks (I can't remember the exact day) Comicdom's premiere digital comics seller and distributor increased the cost of purchasing their comics in the UK to be more in line of the £1=$1 exchange rate which is currently set.

Now, I originally had a lot of thoughts on this subject. How, despite opinions made online, this isn't about paying creators more. How, this is Comixology (and by extension, Amazon) simply wanting greater profits at the expense of readers. How, the consequence of this will undoubtedly be Comixology being shunned by UK readers.

And, of course, the first two points of this are most likely true (the latter I'm confident is, after having a rethink, not). But, after watching a video on YouTube about how fear and paranoia sell comics, I was helped to realise that none of it really matters. I'll still read comics regardless of price, though the only question is how my comic reading will change in a world where budgeting with what little I can afford is the norm.

And the truth is, it probably won't. At the moment, the comics I buy monthly are all physical copies, which are already at the price that Comixology titles will now be. In fact, the only titles I buy off of Amazon's comic selling subsidiary are trades and deluxe editions which I want and are on sale at the moment I buy them. I don't see that changing.

I guess the only change will be in regards to limited series, which I had previously planned to buy as singles on a digital basis. Of course, that might still happen if I can afford to in my budget or I will simply pick up the trade (or the singles) if and when they are available under a sale (and again I have the change to make the purchase).

Overall though, I now realise that, after a week of overthinking things, the decision by Comixology to raise their prices doesn't really affect me all that much (even if it initially appeared that way). I'll still read new comics, either by the few singles I pick up or by advance reviews, and even if I don't I have a whole collection to re-read or even an entire Comichaus database to peruse.

In the end, I think writing this has made me realise that I maybe react too quickly to announcements and things that happen when, in reality, they aren't that bad.

Because, like the video said, comics aren't going anywhere, so they'll always be a way for me to read them.

What I read - March 2020 (Week 2)

So, into the second week of March and, like the prior week, I figured I'd try this again as it felt like a good use of time/space. However, like the previous week, I seem to have (strangely) acquired an abundance of time without realising it because I've once again burned through a truly excessive number of comics, despite having no more free time than usual.

So, on that note, I'm just gonna crack on and ramble about them:
 

Black Bolt Vol. 2: Home Free - The second volume of Saladin Ahmed and Christian Ward's series sees the eponymous Inhuman King return to Earth to find much has changed and sets about keeping his promise to lost friends while old enemies seek him out for their own nefarious purposes. I have to confess, I struggled to find this as enjoyable as the first volume, with its predecessor connecting with me much more and feeling like a better paced arc. However, while I found the first couple of issues a bit of a chore to get through, the story then picked up and the remainder felt like a perfect continuation to what had came before. Meanwhile the art is much the same, looking a little off in the early issues but coming back towards the end and still looks fantastic. The finale is a beautiful end to this story and while this volume isn't as good as the first it's still a fun read and I'm glad I've gotten to read the end of the Midnight King's journey.

Afterlife Inc Vol. 5: Glory Days  - Here it is: My 200 review/article for Pipedream comics!!! Now, I'm not entirely sure what I can say about Afterlife Inc that I haven't already for the past four volumes throughout the ether. However, this volume was a little quieter than the last two, but it feels like a quiet moment to regroup the characters before something bigger happens next time. Still, I found it very intriguing, especially the second time around, and it really felt like Jon has tried to show a sort of 'Ultimate Power corrupts' vibe within his story, while also showing that when you become powerful, others ultimately want you to fail. Now I think about it, I wonder if this is a commentary on comic book creators in general and how, as they become more well known they earn greater ire. Anyway, the artists on this are numerous, but they all offer fantastic visuals which both contrast and compliment each other. And then there is the lettering by Mrs Lock which is another fantastic addition, giving the series another layer of personality and enhancing the epic feel this volume seems to be going for. After reading this twice now, I'm eager to see what comes next and how Jon intends to finish (as he told me he's planned to volume 7).

Road of Bones #1-4 - Rich Douek's horror-esque mini-series tells the story of Roman, a political prisoner of a Russian Gulag who, along with two fellow inmates, escape during a riot. However, in the cold, seemingly endless wastelands surrounding the prison, the three men who share this common goal continue to keep secrets from each other, including a vicious plan for survival and a terrifying mythical monster who appears to be following them. I remember back when I reviewed the first issue and thought that this was something special, leading me to pick up the entire run. Thankfully, my faith was not in vain as I thought the Road of Bones was a hauntingly addictive (I read 2 and a half issues in 20 minutes) read which look brutally gorgeous in its landscape thanks to Alex Cormack's style. The one thing which really hooked me and got me thinking though was whether the Domovik which Roman kept 'encountering' was actually real, as by the end I began to wonder if it was a figment of his imagination and/or a 'devil on his shoulder'. It wasn't perfect as I did have trouble telling the difference between the three characters and the story seemed to end abruptly but, beyond those slight quibbles, this was a really awesome read. I'm now already looking forward to Sea of Sorrow as, if it is anything like this story, Rich Douek can be rest assured he'll be getting my money.

Bad Luck Chuck - A comic I heard about, and subsequently picked up (obviously), on the Creator Talks podcast, Lela Gwenn and Matthew Dow Smith's four part series follows 'Chuck' Manchester, a young woman cursed with incredibly bad luck. However, rather than dwell on this 'problem', Chuck uses it to her advantage and offers her services to any who might need some bad luck of their own. But when a mob boss hires her to retrieve a runaway daughter, Chuck finds herself facing more bad luck than even she can handle. While I thought this to be a intriguing concept when I'd originally heard about it, Bad Luck Chuck ultimately left me in two minds after reading it. Not that it's a bad comic as I thought it to be quirky and exciting. However, the it's plot was just a little too bizarre for my tastes, although I wonder if I was expecting something entirely different. Still, it was a pleasant enough read, bettered by Dow Smith's almost David Mack-esque looking art (making me more excited for Star Trek Hell's Mirror) and something I may need to come back around to at a later date to see if it sticks with me better.

The Immortal Hulk Vol. 1: Or is he Both? - After hearing so much hype about this series, I picked up the first volume during a Comixology offer over Christmas. Or is he both has Bruce Banner back on the run with his angry alter ego. However, their dynamic has changed as while Bruce can die, the Hulk cannot, leading to the latter to be resurrected the night after his death as he continues to come face to face with other Gamma powered beings. I have to admit, I worried that the hype might have oversold this, but I'm glad to say this isn't the case. Al Ewing has put together a seriously engrossing story in this volume as I was totally hooked every time I picked it up (and burned through, that's how eager I was to know the whole story. Coupled that with solid art which reminded me of the Hulk's look during the JMS/McKone FF run and it's fair to say I'm sold on this. I look forward to reading more in the future.

Stumptown Vol. 1: The Case of the Girl who took her Shampoo (But left her Mini) - Another comic which came about a Comixology Christmas period offer, Stumptown follows Dex Pairos, a PI with a few bad habits who finds she may have bit off a little more than she could chew when she takes a case to find a missing girl in order to clear a debt. Now, having read Lazarus, the Old Guard, Black Magick and a handful of Renee Montoya-focused stories, it's fair to say that Greg Rucka is one of my favourite writers. However, despite not really hearing of this series until the tv adaptation became a thing, I must admit that Stumptown is up there as one of my favourite of his works. I thought this was such an enjoyable read, with the character of DeX, for all her flaws, written like a nice amalgam of Jessica Jones and Renee Montoya. The plot felt truly PI-esque, like I'm reading a Harlan Coben novel, while the art, although a little rough, perfectly encapsulated the world and story. Stumptown is such a fun read that I've got to make picking up its remaining volumes a top priority.

Total Reading Count - 32

So, a very good week as, not only did I read a bunch of titles which ranged on my enjoyment-meter from good to awesome, but all (except Afterlife Inc, which I'd read in December and only re-read for review purposes) were previously unread comics which can now be ticked off that particular list.

Next week, though, is my final week of travelling to work by bus and this means I significant drop in my reading time going forward. Hopefully, whatever I choose to read then can continue on from all the goodness of this past week.

For now though, I just need to find something to write about by then (although I have an idea).

Comic Books ARE Books!

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure why I'm writing this because anyone who actually reads this will not have a viewpoint which differs in any way. However, this is one of those things which has been praying on my mind and I thought not only would I try something a little different with this post and what it includes, but also just vent about what happened to but this thought in my head and why it upset me so.

So, this last Thursday (March the 5th 2020) was World Book Day. Now, as is tradition with schools in the U.K and probably throughout the world (I don't know for certain and so any confirmation would be nice), children would be allowed to attend their schools dressed up as their favourite literary character.

This is something I've never been a stranger to as both of my cousins kids have been part of this tradition for years and two of my nieces have also been taking part in the last few years. However, this year my son and my youngest niece were able to take part and while my niece's first WBD had little trouble, my son's brought up and interesting query for me.

You see, his pre-school decreed that there were to be no superheroes costumes allowed on world Book Day. Of course, while my children have been extensively conditioned to love superheroes (because, you know, it's me), this decision didn't have us majorly concerned because my eldest choose to go as a completely different character (the frog from 'Oi Dog'. Why not 'Oi Frog', I have no idea but there you go)

However, this did have me questioning in my head why my son's ore-school made this decision. I wasn't the one informed and so I couldn't ask right there and then (and nor have I submitted this question later because I fear my wife would consider me going too far over a non-important query), but  I optimistically presume that this is due to the ease and apparent popularity of parents to put their kids in superhero costumes (I mean, you can pick them up from three different supermarkets within 20 minutes of my house, and that's the minimal effort options).

But, while I hope that's the reason, I can't help but wonder if my son's pre-school simply believes that comic books are not real books. If this is the case, as my co-workers will attest, I'm not overly happy with this (surprise surprise). Maybe I'm biased because I've been reading them for nearly 20 years, but I genuinely believe that comics books are as much books as Shakespeare, the Brontes' and the Harry Potter series (just to lowbrow it).

I mean (just to argue the point) like books, comics have text in them to read, they (most of the time) use these words to tell a compelling story and they cover a multitude of genres. In fact, the only notable difference between books and comics is that the latter includes sequential art which assists in telling the story, but I don't believe this is exclusive to comics given that there are many books which also utilise artwork to compliment the writing. Examples of these in any book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Schaffer so if superheroes are being banned then the Gruffalo and Stick-Man needs to go right up there with them as costumes which cant be worn.

Also, it should be pointed out that, throughout the internet, there are sites which state how comic books help with literacy and reading skills. Therefore, I think that consider them anything but books is just ignorant.

Of course, this long rant simply comes from a place of conjecture because the pre-school probably didn't think this when the decision was made. However, it just gets my back up because, at the end of the day, comics are often giving short shrift by people, despite their influencing pop culture to a heavy degree in the 21st century.

In the end, I simply feel that Comic books are books and they deserve just as much respect.

But who am I to say that they currently don't?

What I read - March 2020: Week 1

So, like I said at the beginning, I'm trying something a little different and that's by consolidating my thoughts in general and my thoughts on the comics I read.

It probably helps to do this by breaking my reading list down to weeks, as the January 'review' and both the first and second halves of the February edition were fairly substantial in length. As such, this is now a little bit smaller and compressed, although not at all diminished in quality in my opinion.

Woodland Creatures Vol. 1: Wild Souls - The first review of the month for Pipedream Comics, Woodland Creatures was really enjoyable as it was a well told story and looked really gorgeous. However, the thing that got me (and maybe this is me seeing more than there is) is this sense of ethnic/racial/cultural stereotyping that's put on display, as though the characters are part of a religion of which some zealots have hurt people and therefore all must be punished. I think its this which the entire story is built around, even the relationship between characters, which I thought was very deep. Anyway, I've probably waffled a bit and I apologise for that but, in short, I found this a really interesting comic and would be tempted to come back for more.

Black Bolt Vol. 1: Hard Time - A re-read of the first volume in anticipation for the second of Ahmed Saladin and Christian Ward's assume series. This first volume saw Black Bolt, without his powers, attempting to break out of a deadly, intergalactic prison. I remember when I first read this volume that i found it to be a breathtakingly gorgeous and engrossing read. However, as I got underway this second time, I found it a bit of a struggle to get as engrossed in. Fortunately, time was the cure for this as I remembered what I loved about this series with each passing page. Still as poignant and beautiful as the first time I read it, Black Bolt volume 1 is still a tremendous read and makes me eager to get onto volume 2.

Afterlift #1 - 5 - My second review of the month (and 199th review/article overall) for Pipedream Comics, I was a little surprised to find that I really enjoyed Afterlift. Now, I should have expected that would given that this was a Chip Zdarsky book and he's got good stock with me after what he did on Marvel 2-in-1, but still I was hesitant. However, I'm glad I was proven wrong as Afterlift is such a well written title, which came across to me as having this real heartfelt message about both finding your place in the world and letting go of the past (which, of the latter, the finale actually states). I thought the story was incredibly well paced too, never feeling boring, and it had great art to match this, both in the feeling of speed and the brightness of Hell/look of the various parts of the Afterlife. After getting through all five issues, I have to confess that I'm kind of sad that it's all over, a testament to how good I found it (although, maybe they'll be a sequel).

Total Reading Count - 12

So, a good start to what will be my final bus travelling (and, as such, extensive comic reading) month of the 2019/20 winter. Hopefully, the next three (ish) weeks can keep up this top notch (well, I think so anyway beginning) and with my 200th review due as well as the completion of the Black Bolt series and beyond, I'm confident that this can happen.

But, we'll have to wait and see.