Variant Edition

By Alex Brown

You almost feel bad for Robert Kirkman.

If I had to judge him based solely on his video “editorial” that aired on Comic Book Resources on Aug. 13? I would think that this man is a far cry from the successful, brilliant writer who has the fans eating out of his hands; that dour look on his face makes the watcher feel the world-heavy weight on his shoulders. His eyes are downcast as he intones the many perils facing the comic business, and can’t even muster any enthusiasm for his own ideas on how to rectify said issues. He rambles and mumbles his way through this clip, sometimes hardly seeming coherent (to be fair there were obvious cuts and the clip was edited; perhaps that added to the confusion by cutting Kirkman off mid-idea).

But don‘t worry: Mr. Kirkman has seen the future, and has come to save the comic book industry.
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Today we’re introducing something new to Variant Edition. Well, to VariantEdition.com specifically. We’re beginning our third year of Variant Edition with the first of many expansions. We have a lot of well spoken viewers that send us their thoughts on different things. So we decided that we shouldn’t hoard it all to ourselves and share it with everyone! Consider this the first installment of our Guest Speaker column.

It’s simple. If you like comics and want to share some of your bigger picture ideas about comics, we want to hear them. This is open to anyone: fans, publishers, retailers, creators…anyone. Just be sure to send your column or column idea to Kevin@variantedition.com and if we think it’s a well thought out idea that should be shared…we’ll post it on VariantEdition.com. And don’t be surprised if we chime in on the columns on the show. We have to have the last word, afterall.

Our first column comes from a long time viewer and friend of the show, Alex. He’s never been shy about letting us know the good and bad of our latest episodes and often shares ideas with us for the show. So, he’s a good choice for helping us inaugurate our new column.

The Case Against Online Comics.
( Or, A Feeble Attempt To Salvage My Social Life )

Recently, the existence of online comics as a growing trend was called to my attention. I have heard plans for major comic companies - some have already jumped on the bandwagon, as a matter of fact - to begin releasing exclusive content on their websites, available only online. Along with the exlucive content, there’s talk of the regular periodicals becoming available online as well. I am well aware of several online comic strips, dailies that many would argue only belong in the medium in which they are released, i.e. the internet. Such strips - PVP, Penny Arcade, and the like - do indeed belong there. After all, the internet was their original forum, and due to the content of such strips, it’s only fitting that they be where they‘ve always been; why would we play around with the “natural order” of things? We’ve all seen (or read) Jurassic Park…

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By Luis Rojas

Top 10 Comics is a segment/column about what my top picks of today’s comics are and why. Along with what I think are some of today’s most important stories and great material there’s also the important matter of verbal exchange of opinion and fact’s between everyone else. That means I want feedback from YOU guy’s, that right anyone who watches the show or is on the forum or is a person that just likes to read is more than welcomed to send in and post what they’re top 10 picks are and have an all out debate as to what justifies they’re picks and makes them more well rounded than anyone else’s.
Now with that said and everyone knowing what the basic ground rules (see below) are let us begin our foray into the cut throat arena!

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By Luis Rojas

Top 10 Comics is a segment/column about what my top picks of today’s comics are and why. Along with what I think are some of today’s most important stories and great material there’s also the important matter of verbal exchange of opinion and fact’s between everyone else. That means I want feedback from YOU guy’s, that right anyone who watches the show or is on the forum or is a person that just likes to read is more than welcomed to send in and post what they’re top 10 picks are and have an all out debate as to what justifies they’re picks and makes them more well rounded than anyone else’s.
Now with that said and everyone knowing what the basic ground rules (see below) are let us begin our first foray into the cut throat arena!

Read the rest of this entry »