The Letters Page
As we've mentioned before, there's way too much mail for us to answer in the shows, so we'll be answering some of it right here on the blog. As always, thanks for sending in your questions, and please keep shooting them over to tips@pulpsecret.com, call them in to 888-841-7549, or post a video response on YouTube!
Casper asks:
Hey Guys! Great show! Allthough i live in Denmark, and can only pick up trades, since importing single issues is just too damn expensive. I was wondering which ones you thought were a 'must have' for any comic book reader?Ummm... Wow. That's totally wide open. I mean, I would say, it depends on what you normally like to read, and what you've liked before. But I guess the volumes that belong in any card carrying geek's collection are: Watchmen, Sandman, Dark Knight Returns, and Batman: Year One. Lots of DC, huh? Okay, how about we throw in: The Dark Phoenix Saga, Kraven's Last Hunt, and, just for good measure, the Fantastic Four Omnibus. Finally, you could probably throw in a little Invincible: Ultimate Collection, Box Office Poison, and Persepolis, for the indie cred. These are just the basics, mind you. What do you guys think are the "must have" trades in any collection?
David wonders:
Long time viewer, first time question-er. I've been disappointed lately with the number of comics that are spoiled through solicitations. I understand that publishers need to hype their books, but can't they do it without ruining what's currently happening in a title? Do we honestly need to know what books are coming out so far in advance? What do you guys think?Great question, David, and I agree, it is frustrating when the issues get spoiled by the solicitations. The fix is pretty simple, and I don't mean to be snide, but... Don't read the solicitations. I read 'em because I do this site, and want to stay abreast of what's going on. But if there's something I really, really don't want to know, I skip every advance glimpse, close my eyes and ears, and avoid it as best as I can. The reason they have solicitations is not even really for readers, it's for the comic book buyers, so they can judge how many of each issue to buy in advance. If you have something like, say the death of Captain America, a retailer will want to know before their ordering period is up to buy many, many more copies of CA than they usually would. Like-wise, they want advance warning if there's a fill in issue, so they can maybe downgrade their order a few copies. It's a bit more complex than that, but hope that gives you the general idea of why they exist.
Harlan from Manhattan, KS:
Just want to say that I enjoy the short format. I don't always get to the site, but I do subscribe to the podcast version and have enjoyed every episode. With four kids, I don't get to purchase my comics very often, so it's nice to have an additional avenue (besides websites including yours) to keep up to date in the comic book world... if only I could make enough money working in comic books... Enough rambling, here is my question: You and everyone else have been (justifiably) bashing "One More Day," what ret-con do you consider the best? I know there are plenty in the DC Universe (just about everyone in the DC Universe at one time or another has had one) do you have a favorite? Thanks for letting me enjoy 10-20 minutes of comic books every other day guys, keep it up!I don't know if it technically qualifies as a ret-con, and I don't think, in the long run it really panned out, but I rather liked (in retrospect) The Flash issues 200-204. For those of you who didn't read it, The Flash bargains with the Spectre to erase anyone ever knowing his identity, essentially protecting his wife and children, and taking away the memories of the hell Zoom put him through. The reason I think it works so well for me is that it was part of a limited story, came out logically from events and relationships that had happened before, and gave Geoff Johns a chance to play around with the look of the book. Alberto Dose brought a dark, noir atmosphere to the book that fans hated at the time, but was, purposefully, a stark contrast to Howard Porter's look for the book before and after the run.
Joe asks:
Hey dudes, big fan of the podcast/show, just found it on iTunes and cant say enough praise. Anyway I have a question for you three; who's a better writer Alan Moore or Frank Miller? Also is it just me or is All-Star Superman the best thing to happen to the character in years?Moore, and yes! Actually, just to expand on the first one, Miller has written some great stuff, but hasn't quite been the same in recent years. Though the same might be said for Moore, he's still experimenting, and creating new ways of deconstructing comics. Also, I just read Miracleman, and it rocks.
Satish wants to know:
I know you've already been discussing the Brand New Day Spider-man story, but i was curious about what your view is now that people have magnified what Mary Jane said to Mephisto, and have discovered that she said 'I will remember everything.' What impact do you think this will have on the retcon. Also, why are you guys always sitting in the same places? Have you ever thought of mixing it up a bit?Spoiler time, a little bit... In about a month or two, Mephisto is appearing again in Spider-Man. So what impact do I think it'll have? A BIG one. And we sit in the same places all the time because Pete and I can't stand to look at each other, unless it's through Justin.letters, page
