COMICBLOC: Sequential Defense

The rise of comics in Japan started after World War II GI’s left their books, then came back across and changed American media. Comics influencing comics is now relatively common place.

History as a subject in school was never fun. Does adding history to the panels of a comic give it more character? Or does the addition of reality wrong?

We are sexual beings, and sex permeates all aspects of our culture, even inserting itself into comic books. Does it belong here or are comics over sexualized? Lets explore.

Comics in the media, and the media in comics. The Bloc looks at fan perceptions and the face of media as presented in panel form.

Star, Idol, Icon or Heartthrob, whatever name you identify them with, celebrities capture our imaginations regardless of it they are real or characters in our favorite comics.

In arc 4 we will be examining parallels between the real world and comic universes, beginning with political intrigue. Actual politics are confusing enough, what happens when you mix them into the sequential?

It’s that time of year, when families become more important than comics (crazy we know). The Bloc writing staff has some time off, so please enjoy some reprinted articles from Christmas past…

Everyone starts at the beginning. From fans to actors the journey to success often begins with the simple love of comics. Nothing more is necessary. What people become once successful is entirely up to them.

Comic creators work on a different plane of existence, playing in infinite worlds of their own creation. Readers see only the results, but every character, every interaction is carefully planned and scripted to help add or hint at storytelling months, sometimes years, in advance.

Comics are mainstream now. Comic creators are being attracted to work on mainstream projects. Which, why, how? Is there a benefit? Does the work suffer? Does it translate?

In the digital age, its difficult for creators to hide from overly obsessed fans, dare we call them trolls? Is there a possible upside to the relentless pursuit of overly engaged fans? What hides beneath the bridge of this crazed fandom?

Every step involved in creating a comic has its own process surrounding it, from ideation to illustration and everything in between. Join us this week for an exploration of these processes.

Ownership. The thorny elephant or severed ear. How does ownership/lack-thereof influence creator work. Does it keep them from projects? Are creators willing to give up ownership to play in someone else’s sandbox?

The Comic Fan enjoys unparalleled access to the creators of their worlds, no other medium offers similar, but, is this a good or bad thing?

Names. We all have them. In comics some are more recognizable than others, what kind of impact are big name creators having on the industry? Will you hug them and pet them and squeeze them?

The Bloc has now been around for 10 years. We thought this week we would offer some Second Printings of some previous articles, to give the new audience a bit of flavor from the past. Don’t think we gave anyone the week off, a new arc is being dutifully prepared as you read this.

Comics seem to be getting more adult, along with their audience. While universe wide events and self imposed ratings are put forth to engage new readers, are they working?

The sophomore jinx is hard to avoid in most mediums. Will DCs new 52 prove to be an exception to this or will sales fall as fans reduce their scope of reading??

Sex sells, it always has, but is it being used properly in comics to move story’s forward, or does it just get in the way and keep people out of comic shops?

Comics are nothing new to the web, but recently are garnering more interest and popularity. Explore the digital future of comics with us further this week.

As the landscape of digital comic apps is expanding it gets harder to figure out not only what to read, but where to read it.

In the age of digital, could collectible comics rise again? Should they? This week we also explore the role of one of the longest running imprints, Vertigo in the coming future.

This issue starts our second arc, where we look at the implications and effects of digital on a printed world.

In the final issue of our reboot series, we look at series where a reboot has actually been better than what came before.

Let’s face it, despite the reboot, Batman will always be safe. Bat-mite on the other hand…? We’re looking at the supporting cast and and teams in a boot-reboot world and the effects they have on readers and characters alike.

This week we look at the mistakes of the past and toward the possible future of the comics industry – and hope we learn from history.

Love it or hate it, renumbering is a reality of the comics industry – and it seems to be the only industry that fans feel passionately about the numbers on the front.

All things change in a retcon, and most frequently that includes the relationships of the lead characters. Most often, starting over is the best place to tell the stories again, or so the publishers believe.

The first issue of our newly rebooted site. We hope you enjoy all that comes from starting over with a fresh perspective.