This column will be on hiatus until Friday, August 1. Though our web-wizard Justin and I had hoped to bring you at least a few more full-length columns before he hit the road for San Diego and Comic-Con International, our respective schedules didn't allow for that. Justin is working away on his latest sketch-card assignment while I'm working on my new book.
TOT is a strictly reader-supported column, but, whether or not we receive sufficient Tip The Tipster donations to continue, it's my attention to produce full-length columns for each and every Monday through Friday in the month of August. Naturally, some of these will be reprints of my Comics Buyer's Guide writing, but just as many and likely more will feature all new or largely new material. As always, I'll only be charging the "Tip" account for the new material.
Since this particular column will be here for a couple weeks, let's cover some additional business before Justin heads off to San Diego and I dig in deeper at my office.
My "DC Challenge" - my mad attempt to read and review a whole month's worth of comics and books from that publisher - continues at the CBG online forum. Between now and the end of the month, you can expect to see eight "DC Challenge" editions of Tony's Other Online Tips. You can read those reviews here:
Come August, I'll be back to reviewing a wide range of comics and other things. For creators, editors, and publishers, the best way to get me to review something of yours is to send it to me. I can't guarantee I will review everything sent to me, or that I will review it favorably, but I will do my best to review as many items from as many publishers as I can.
Review items can be sent to me at:
Tony Isabella
P.O. Box 1502
Medina, OH 44258
My current Tony Polls will remain online until Tuesday, August 5. This time around, we're asking:
Would you like to see a change in editorial direction and management at DC Comics?
Would you like to see a change in editorial direction and management at Marvel Comics?
Which of these (15) companies would you most like to see knock Marvel or DC out of the two top spots?
Which of these (19) choices would you most like to see be the next job for Tony Isabella?
The last two come with a write-in option, but, to exercise it, you'll have to send your write-in vote to:
Though TOT will be on hiatus, you'll still me able to find me and some of the best conversation online by visiting the official Tony Isabella message board at:
I won't be accepting freelance gigs until I finish writing my book around the end of August or early September. After that, I'm hoping to get back into writing comics, but I wouldn't be adverse to other interesting paying assignments.
Comic books remain my first professional love, but I've also done some writing for major newspaper strips in recent years and found it to be both challenging and enjoyable. I'd be happy to provide samples of my comic-strip work to any syndicated cartoonist looking to hire me.
I'll also be developing several projects of my own, a "to do" list that includes new comic books, manga, novels, and even my own newspaper strip. I'm not sure if any of it will come to fruition, but, when and if I start looking for artists for the comics/manga stuff, I'll announce those searches online.
Sidebar. I suck at networking. Feel free to network for me. Please recommend me to anyone you think might have paying gigs for me. Although I've done my share of business, organizational, and political writing to pay the bills, I'd much rather write material more grounded in reality. I can believe a man can fly a lot easier than I can believe some of the things that come from businesses and organizations and especially politicians.
Even if I've written them.
In October, I will actually leave Casa Isabella to attend two conventions. This will give readers a chance to meet me, talk with me, get comics and books signed by me, and see first hand how badly I suck at networking. It's not pretty.
I'll be a special guest at Mid-Ohio-Con on October 4-5 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. I'll be appearing on and moderating a couple panels to be named later, but I won't be the show's program director, that torch having been quite happily passed to other capable hands. For the first time in years, I'll be able to spend more time with my friends and readers while perfecting my sucking at networking.
Whether you're a fan, am exhibitor, or a professional, you can find everything you need to know about this year's Mid-Ohio-Con by going to the event website:
Two weeks later, October 17-19, I'll be a guest at the 2008 Screaming TikiCon, a comics and pop culture convention being held at the Eastwood Expo Center in Niles, Ohio. For more info on that event, visit its website at:
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
