5 Reasons to Switch to Digital Comics

In a world where space, time and money is not an issue I still thoroughly enjoy physical paper comic books...as opposed to those mental paper comic books (brain paper-cuts...no thank you). Unfortunately, space, time and money are factors for myself and others, so I have been forced to make the shift to digital comic books.

The adjustment has been hardest in the area of comic shop owner pals. I absolutely enjoy stopping by my local comic shop (the Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach, CA) because the guys that work there are friendly and funny. I want them to do well as business people, but unfortunately my switch to digital comics will hurt them. For that...I am sorry. But with that said...I present...

5 Reasons to Switch to Digital Comics

5 Reasons to Switch to Digital Comics

5. You Forgot Again?

The convenience of a tablet is unquestionable. You can literally take your library of comic books anywhere! This can be quite useful when sharing comic books at work. When sharing your comics with co-workers it can be a bit annoying to remember to search through your boxes at home for the books they wanted to borrow and then bring the comic books into work. At my work in particular, when there is a little downtime or if it is a lunch break, some people enjoy reading a couple of comic books. I find it much easier to hand them my tablet to borrow at work then to remember and dig through my comics at home. The tablet helps avoid a minor hassle in this case, but any hassle avoided at work is worth it.


4. Take that, Nightlight!

Not everyone has a light or lamp right next to their bed. If one of these lamp-less people decides they want to read a physical comic book in bed they have to read their issue and then get out of bed to turn off the light. What if it's cold outside of the sheets?! This is a problem easily remedied by digital comics on a tablet. When one gets ready for bed they turn off the lights, hop into bed with their tablet and then simply turn their tablet on. Bam! Lit reading! When you're done you can either place the tablet on a table near your bed, or if a table doesn't exist near your bed, simply slip it under your bed so you do not step on it in the morning.

3. What Nerd Store Does our Grandchild Like, Again?

My grandparents and the rest of my extended family are amazing. This is a fact. They constantly give me great Christmas and birthday presents ever year, including presents I ask for. They aren't the type to buy things for me based on guessing. They do their homework! Unfortunately, for my family members (especially the non-locals) they tend to run into a problem if I want comic books. They find out I want comic books but are not always sure what exact ones to purchase. If they are not local to my shop they cannot simply buy me a gift certificate for that shop. Plus, if they got me a Barnes & Noble gift card then I am limited to their smaller selection of graphic novels and single issues (they do actually sell some single issues). For them, the convenience of me having an iPad is that they can simply give me an iTunes gift card and I am able to purchase comic books with iTunes credits: purchases I can make from my work, my home, the toilet...basically anywhere. No longer do I have to go to the shop to get comic books. Granted this option isn't available for non-apple iPad users, but enough people do use an iPad which makes this a valid point when it comes to comic book gift giving.

Digital Comics on the iPhone

2. More Than Just Rock Can Harm Paper.

Comic books are made with paper material properties which are found somewhere between a solid and gas state. I know this because all of my comic books' pages become wavy due to the high moisture in the air, in my city. Living in or near a beach city can really screw with the crispness of comic books. The paper is generally too thin to hold it's hard non-wavy form. But a few waves of pages isn't so bad...it's the over time color fade that gets me. Older books don't retain their colors they way digital ones do. The colors pop on tablets and digital readers while they sit waiting to fade, in physical comic books. Plus, the color is always a little off when the comic goes to print. Ask any graphic designer what happens when they try printing something at a place like Kinko's: the colors always turn-out slightly off. When the comics are mass produced the coloring may get slight changes. I want to see the true colors, and I feel like I can only get that with digital comic books.

1. Lots of Boxes That Don't Pay Rent

Lets be real. Not all of us are settled down and living in a house which may have storage. Not all of us can afford a habit like comic book collecting and paying for a storage unit just for our dozens of comic book boxes. Many of us do not have the space to store our physical comic books. Clearly digital comic books save space. This seems to be a major reason people are making the switch to digital comics. As a younger fellow who may move around a bunch, the transportation of nearly 20 comic book boxes becomes a huge pain in the ass, as well. You know what's easier than moving 20 comic book boxes? Not moving 20 comic book boxes. The mass amounts of physical comic books our suffocating me. Thankfully, digital comic books our setting me free.


There are plenty of other great reasons to switch to digital comics. What are you reasons for switching, or not switching?

Comic Book Gifts for the Kids

This weekend I stopped into my local comic shop, The Comic Bug, and searched for a few comic books to give as Christmas gifts. I was specifically looking for a couple of comic book tales for children. Two of my co-workers have a child who is starting to get into comic books, so as the office comic book authority I took it upon myself to their child some good reads. I already get their son the individual Reed Gunther comic book issues, but this is Christmas for Christ's sake (literally)! It's time for some trades.

Bad Island

Bad Island

The first trade I grabbed was a book I was not familiar with, however, Greg (a Comic Bug employee and friend) suggested some great books by the popular author Doug Tennapel. Tennapel may be best known for his character Earthworm Jim, who later starred in his own video game.

The Doug Tennapel selection I picked up was a trade titled, Bad Island. From what I could tell by looking through the wonderfully illustrated story, Bad Island features robots, monsters and of course...a bad island. I can't wait to hear how Bad Island turns out. Plus, I'm looking forward to asking a 9 year old if I can borrow his comic book.

The Incredibles - Family Matters

The Incredibles - "Family Matters"

The second trade I picked-up had to have some characters I assumed their young buck would recognize, so I went straight to the Disney section and grabbed the Mark Waid Incredibles story, "Family Matters." I had read somewhere that this little trade was highly entertaining, and that even older readers would enjoy Waid's story. Mark Waid is one of the premier comic writers in the industry, so I knew I couldn't go wrong with this second comic book trade selection.


I hope my co-worker's child enjoys these comic books and that one day, thanks to my contributions, he may enjoy comics as much as I do...if not more.


Were these pretty good selections for a 9 year old? What comics would you get a little guy or girl on your list?

5 Comic Book Gifts for X-Mas

Come Christmas time many comic book enthusiasts have a Hardcover or two on their gift lists. The list has the comic book items carefully typed-out and described in detail, so that dear old mom and pop won’t somehow come home with a Twighlight trade paperback.

“What? Isn’t this what the kids like…teenage vampires?”

Assuming you haven’t given your fifth Christmas list revision to your family and friends, I have come up with a list of 5 comic books you should ask for, for Christmas. Oh, and if you already have these, be a pal and get them for your friends.

Zombie DickHeads

Zombie Dickheads

The Walking Dead has thrust zombies into mainstream pop-culture in a way not seen since Michael Jackson’s thriller video. But rather than getting everyone to buy a sweet red leather jacket, The Walking Dead has gotten people to watch zombie media and buy zombie comic books. So what’s a Walking Dead TV show fan to do over the mid-season break? Simple. Buy a zombie comic book. I recommend buying the fun and inventive, Zombie Dickheads.

Written, illustrated and generally completely created by Chris Moreno, Zombie Dickheads follows a group of non-flesh eating zombies who have retained their intelligence and speech. The odd group of zombies has been forced into hiding, after the zombie Apocolypse, by humans who want to blow the heads off of ever zombie on Earth. Zombie Dickheads features vulgar language, hillbillies with guns and a zombie make-out that only adds to your adult brain’s begging to be devoured by Moreno’s world o’ zombie.

Recommended for Ages 16 and up – Cover Price $10: http://zombiedickheads.blogspot.com/

Thor: The Mighty Avenger

Thor: The Mighty Avenger: Volumes 1 & 2

Have you been nudging a non-comic book reading person into comic books? Is your friend a kind, slightly innocent, individual who enjoys Pixar films and light-hearted humor? Also…did they see the movie Thor? If you answered “Yes” to at least one of those questions than Thor: The Mighty Avenger: Volumes 1 & 2 are perfect for your pal, guy or gal!

Thor: The Mighty Avenger features illustrations by one of the best visual storytellers in the business, Chris Samnee. The Mighty Avenger tells the story of Thor, a fallen God of Thunder who must come to terms with his anger while banished to Earth. He discovers kindness, through goofy friends, romantic charity rides, and brawls with Britains in bars. Thor: The Mighty Avenger is a wonderful all ages adventure filled with multiple Marvel special guests and smile producing moments. Buy both volumes for the complete story!

Recommended for All Ages! – Cover Price $14.99 Each – Your Local Comic Shop may have these in-stock http://www.amazon.com/Thor-Mighty-Avenger-Vol-Earth/dp/0785141219

All-Star Superman

All-Star Superman TPB (The Complete Series)

Unlike in 1939, today’s comic books have a hard time giving readers a sense of wonder and awe. Superhero stories have been done to death by this point, and in some cases even stories about their deaths are unoriginal and without impact. For one character in particular, interesting original tales have been hard to come by since he is basically unmatched in strength, speed and hair. Superman has suffered through many a ridiculous and poor comic book adventure in his day, and unfortunately, the comic reader has suffered with the man of steel.

Suffer no longer, comic book fan! Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely breathe new life into a character who has seen and done it all. Morrison writes a story depicting why Superman is the world’s greatest hero by giving readers pages of super-powered feats; but more importantly, All-Star Superman shows readers that it is his heart and determination that makes him the legend he is today. Plus, Frank Quitely’s delightful character designs instantly pull eyes and minds into a universe where a man can fly. All-Star Superman made me feel like I was reading the first comic book I have ever read. And that wonder and awe that comes with reading a comic book in 1939…it suddenly feels obtainable, 70 plus years later.

Recommended for Ages 10 and up – Cover Price $29.99 - Your Local Comic Shop may have this in-stock http://www.amazon.com/All-Star-Superman-Grant-Morrison/dp/1401232051/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1323217498&sr=8-7

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Volume 1

New parents sometimes ask, “What do I use to shape a child into an awesome individual?” To this I simply respond with the items that shaped my childhood and crafted me into the radical dude I am today: a pair of sais, katana blades, nunchucks and one bow staff.

For anyone who has ever shouted cowabunga and enjoys comic books, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Volume 1 is the perfect gift. The original Ninja Turtle comic books have finely been reprinted and collected in a huge 300 page addition that lets us in on the phenomena of the Ninja Turtles before they were the Fab Four of children programming.

Recommended for Ages 18 and up – Cover Price $49.99 - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-kevin-eastman/1100403903?r=1&ean=9781613770078&cm_mmca2=pla&cm_mmc=GooglePLA-_-Book-_-Q000000633-_-9781613770078

Fear Agent

Fear Agent Volume 1: Re-Ignition TPB

With the final issue already printed and release in book stores, I’d say it’s about time you get your Fear Agent trade paperback collection started. Fear Agent comes from the mind of the extremely talented writer, Rick Remender, and follows the drunken Texan Heath Houston on an adventure filled with aliens, sexy women, jet packs and more comic gore and foul-mouthery than you can shake a stick like object at.

Readers may know Remender from his more recent Marvel runs on popular titles such as Uncanny X-Force and Venom, but Fear Agent is among one of his creator owned series that has sky-rocketed him to new heights on the list of current industry greats. Oh, and did I mention that Fear Agent Volume 1 was illustrated by the amazingly talented Tony Moore? Well, it is…and holy shit does Fear Agent look out of this world for it. Opena’s art is so unique and panel perfect that a motion to change the $100 dollar bill to just a Moore panel is often heard in the U.S. Congress. The only reason the motion doesn’t pass into law is because representatives feel the value of the Moore panels are much greater than a $100. Get this book for yourself, or buddy, today!

Recommended for Ages 16 and up – Cover Price $9.99…I think http://www.amazon.com/Fear-Agent-Re-Ignition-Rick-Remender/dp/1582406189

1 Comic. 1 Sentence. 1 Word. - Fear Itself #7

Fear Itself #7

The visually strong and content weak Marvel mini series, Fear Itself, concluded (kind of) in an uneventful climax which included the killing of a God who everyone knows will simply resurrect...again.

Whatevessss.

This Week in Walter Peck Bombardment

Those of you who picked up this past Wednesday's Ghostbusters #1 will instantly recall who Walter Peck is. The rest of you who didn't pick up the IDW comic book should now be able to remember the character Walter Peck because of the Ghostbusters mention in my first sentence. Walter Peck was the bad guy who arrests the Ghostbusters after he releases a ton of ghosts back to the streets of New York City, in the film.

Walter Peck will stare your ass down.

The IDW comic book, Ghostbusters #1, brings back the classic villain best known for his angry shouting as a ton of marshmallow gets dumped on him at the end of the film, Ghostbusters. The comic book closes-out with a city official placing Walter Peck in charge of holding the Ghostbusters crew accountable for their services, and once again making sure that the Ghostbusters team isn't actually responsible for the vast amounts of ghost. While it did seem a bit ridiculous that the city would bring Walter Peck back into the ghost-fold, it made for a fun reader moment that tied the comic to the film and created the reemergence of a known villain.

Ok, so Peck showed-up at the end of an obscure comic book...how is that bombardment? Well, that appearance alone would not call for this post. True. However, once the recognizable actor who played Walter Peck, William Atherton, showed up on ABC's "Castle" last night we were all officially Pecked at the eyes...in a good way!

Atherton did not play Peck on "Castle", but rather he played a doctor who worked at a facility in which people paid to have their bodies frozen and preserved. Atherton's lines still maintained their familiar cadence thus making it easy to instantly spot Walter Peck. Once you get past the old...visually he's there, too. Oh, and don't bother checking Atherton's IMDB. His "Castle" stats aren't listed...yet.

"Castle" viewers may have also caught the little shout-out to the classic Walter Peck character which was nicely worked into the show. A kid who was briefly interrogated in the episode had the last name, Peck. It can't be just a coincidence that the actor who played Walter Peck, a famous Peck in pop-culture, starred in an episode where another character had the Peck last name. A tip of the keyword to the writers of "Castle" is in order.

(Pause for keyboard tipping.)

So, is the Walter Peck bombardment over, or is it just beginning? My guess is we will see him this week in "Sons of Anarchy", "Community" and "Doctor Who."

1 Comic. 1 Sentence. 1 Word. - Aquaman #1

Aquaman #1

With genius moments like Aquaman getting lunch at a seafood restaurant after saving the day on land, Geoff Johns sets the sails for an interesting Aquaman run.

Buoyant.

1 Comic. 1 Sentence. 1 Word. - The Flash #1

The Flash #1

The fast paced Flash #1 is highlighted by the talented Francis Manapul's pencil skills and paneling ability.

Lively.

Guest Posting on Behold the Geek!

A fellow contributor to TheOuthousers.com, The Geek, recently asked me if I would write a guest post on his amazing blog, Behold the Geek! Since I am a fan of his website (the fun design makes mine look like garbage) I of course was willing to content-out a fellow blogger's page, and help out with a post.

Behold the Geek! is slightly different than 365 Days of Comics in that Geek deals with all things geek, not just comic related nerd gold. This meant I was given the opportunity to write about something other than comics! Finally! So what did I write about exactly? Well, if you follow the link, you will find a true tale about... A Gathering.

Enjoy!