The lack in Indie Comics
Comic Reviews - Week Ending 02/13/2022
Good morning, my friend,
I had the pleasure of sitting in on the Comic Aficionados live-stream this past Saturday to talk about a myriad of comics topics from this past week (see video below). During the stream, a listener in the chat chimed in that they were working on fan fiction based on established characters from DC and Marvel, and it got me thinking.
Of course, I added my two cents on the stream but I’m offering an expanded thought that’s a call-to-action just for the fine readers of this newsletter. Only the best comic readers sign up for this newsletter, and that’s why you get the good stuff. ;)
Marvel and DC maintain their dominance in the comics market because they have one thing most small publishers and indie creators lack. They have an immersive and expansive superhero universe.
It’s no secret (based on recent ICV2 reports and Comichron numbers) that the monthly direct market is not in a healthy place and hasn’t been for a while. Lots of reasons why but the main reasons, in my opinion, are an absence of leadership with a vision and a lack of storytellers.
The point here is not to tell you my opinions about how Marvel and DC can fix their nonsense. The point here is to tell you that the market is RIPE for a small publisher or indie creator to start stealing that sweet, sweet, market presence away from DC and Marvel if you’re willing to put out something better. Looking at the quality of storytelling out right now from the Big 2, it should be child’s play to put out something just as good. Put out something better, and the world is your oyster.
This is my plea. My call to arms. My challenge placed directly at your feet, indie creators and small publishers.
Make some superheroes. Make them good. Stick to the basics. Follow the tried and true hero’s journey. Give them cool powers, cool identities, and cool gadgets.
The model has been around since Biblical times, and all you have to do is follow it. The opportunity is here. Seize it, make it yours, and be the next source of comic book greatness!
And now, on with the reviews…
SHELTER DIVISION #1 – Review
RISE OF DRACULA #2 – Review
GOOD BOY #3 – Review
YUKI VS. PANDA #6 – Review
DRACULINA #1 – Review
VAMPIRELLA VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL 2022 – Review
JENNIFER BLOOD (VOL. 2) #5 – Review
EVIL ERNIE (VOL. 4) #3 – Review
CULT OF IKARUS #1 – Review
DOCTOR WHO: EMPIRE OF THE WOLF #4 – Review
BLADE RUNNER 2029 #12 – Review
CRIME CAPITAL #1 – Indie Review
AMERICAN DREAMS #1 – Indie Review
BLOOD ON SUNSET #2 – Review
POSTMASTERS #1 – Review
TALES FROM THE DEAD ASTRONAUT #3 – Review
WILD BULLETS #3 – Review
Grimm Spotlight Gretel: Bloody Mary (Zenescope Entertainment)
Grimm Universe Presents: The Black Knight (Zenescope Entertainment)
James Bond: Himeros #5 (Dynamite Comics)
Nyx #4 (Dynamite Comics)
Red Sonja: Black, White, Red #7 (Dynamite Comics)
Vampiverse #6 (Dynamite Comics)
Fictionauts #1 (Red 5 Comics)
Download #2 (Red 5 Comics)
Blade Runner Origins #9 (Titan Comics)
King Conan #3 (Marvel Comics)
Hob’s Lane #1 (Indie Submission)
BiGS #1 (Indie Submission)
That’s the shortlist. We’ll add more as time and resources allow.
Again, thanks for your support. Please share (the handy dandy ‘Share’ button is down below) this newsletter with everyone you can. Your support ensures we can keep bringing you great content for a very long time.
Also, follow us on all the socials (FB, IG, TW, etc.) via @ComicalOpinions
Have a great day!