COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE #1610 [November; $5.99] showed up in the mailbox on Monday, so you can expect to find and hopefully buy it at better comic-book shops, bookstores, and newsstands in about a week. My contributions to the issue are my regular "Tony's Tips" column - with reviews of MATADOR #1, MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN AGE SUB-MARINER #1, NAT TURNER #1, MOSQUITO, and the premiere issue of SHOJO BEAT - and a "Tony's Back Page" sidebar on Bill Mantlo, who wrote hundreds of stories for Marvel Comics in the 1970s and 1980s. Since CBG is currently my only steady account, and since it always has lots of cool stuff besides what I write for it, I strongly urge you to buy the magazine.
For CBG subscription information and to visit the spanking new CBG forums, set a course for:
Today's TOT is, of necessity, less entertaining than I would like. Your friendly online tipster has hit a rough patch and this seems as good a place as any to ask for some help.
Virtually all of my non-CBG work has dried up...and this comes at a time when I am getting clobbered by medical bills, overages on repairs and renovations being done at Casa Isabella, and just plain day-to-day bills. I have two jobs to finish by the end of August and, after that, nada, nothing, zero, zip.
I don't like to push the TIP THE TIPSTER link too often, but, if you were thinking of making a donation, this would be a peachy keen time to do it.
I'll be available for writing gigs after Labor Day. For any number of reasons - and despite my apparent lack of success at it - my working as a writer remains the best and most reasonable option for myself and my family. All I ask from such work is decent pay, the ability to do it with clean hands, and the opportunity to do it as well as I possibly can.
If you're an editor or publisher, especially a comics editor or publisher, don't hesitate to call or e-mail me. I have written all kinds of things over the years and I'm confident we can do some terrific stuff together.
If you're a reader who has enjoyed my work over the years, by all means, let editors and publishers know you're ready to lay down your cash for my work. Even long shots have been known to hit the target now and again.
One more thing:
Don't concern yourself in the slightest about my health. I'm feeling better now than I have in YEARS. The only downside is that now I have to PAY those medical bills.
Just my luck.
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TONY POLLS
We haven't completely abandoned fun today. There are six new questions awaiting you on the TONY POLLS page and they go something like this:
1) This week, we bring you a BATTLE OF THE BIG TWO. At the present time, do you prefer DC or Marvel Comics?
2) Looking at your comic-book-reading life as a whole, do you prefer DC or Marvel Comics?
3) Do you think DC or Marvel Comics is more respectful of their readers?
4) Do you think DC or Marvel Comics is more respectful of their heroic characters?
5) Do you think DC or Marvel Comics is more respectful of their current creators (writers, artists, etc.)?
6) Do you think DC or Marvel Comics is more respectful of their former creators (writers, artists, etc.)?
I review The Amazing Adventures of Nate Banks #1: Secret Identity Crisis, Secret Identity Crisis: Comic Books and the Unmasking of Cold War America and The Walking Dead Volume 2: Miles Behind Us.
ZERO: Burn your money before buying any comic receiving this rating. It doesn't *necessarily* mean there's absolutely nothing of value here - though it *could* - but whatever value it might possess shrinks into insignificance before its overall awfulness.
ONE: Buy something else. Maybe I found something which wasn't completely dreadful in the item, but not enough for me to recommend it when there are better comics available. I only want what's best for you, my children.
TWO: Basic judgment call. I found some value, but not enough to recommend it. My review should give you enough info to decide if you want to take a chance on it. Are you feeling lucky today, punk? Well, are you?
THREE: This denotes something I find perfectly respectable. There are better books out there, but I wouldn't regret buying this item. Based on my review, you should be able to determine if it's of interest to you. Let the Force guide you.
FOUR: I recommend anything earning this rating. Unless you don't like the genre, subject matter, or past work of the creators, I believe you'll enjoy this item. Isn't it uncanny how I can look right into your soul that way?
FIVE: Anything getting this rating is among the best comicdom has to offer. You should buy/read this, even if the genre/subject matter doesn't appeal to you. It's for your own good. Me, I live for comics and books this good...but not in a pathetic "Comic-Book Guy" sort of way.
Please send material you would like me to review to:
Anything Goes Trivia
