I was going to do this response in the Diamond List thread; but, figured why get into a big discussion there, where it's not appropriate. So, for those who wish to discuss the cancellation of Wizard and Toybiz and anything else that comes to mind, here is a thread.
Anyway, this is the post JH made, and here is what I was going to respond to:
The last Wizard I ever bought and read was promoting Origin (the mini about Wolverine's origin) so it's not like I'll miss it, but it's sad that it won't be around if I ever get a wierd itch to buy a copy.
In "How times have changed"...I went to half-priced books today, and they had each issue of Origin for under 3 bucks. Remember when those issues were selling for $100.00 for that first issue???
Anyway, I still got Wizard, simply because it's a nice magazine to bring someplace when you are maybe waiting somewhere...like, when I have doctor visits with the kids, or have to sit while my daughter takes swimming lessons. Too bad they didn't look back to what used to work when the book first came out. Even taking out the VAST majority of their price guide was completely idiotic. People like to look at what their books are worth...not just the dang variants.
I think there is still a demand for a good magazine devoted to the comic industry. I'd have:
1) A price guide THAT'S NOT INFLATED, and doesn't just contain the variant issues. Most people want to know what the comics they own are worth; not the rare ones that are hard to find or already higher priced in their local comic shops.
2) Unbiased opinions!!! Sure, you are going to end up biting the hand that feeds you; but, I don't need a book that kisses everyone's butt. If a company is doing good, praise them. If there are things that can be improved, say it. Heck, we have movie critics in newspapers and magazines; let's have people actually review the comics that come out! (Sheesh, Dread alone could fill a few pages with the tomes he writes!)
3) Interviews you WANT to read. You don't just have to have the most popular, but go back to the classic writers. Give a real Director's Cut of a comic, giving the writer/artist a chance to dissect a classic book page by page. Don't just talk to Stan Lee about the state of comics today, but get the others that NOBODY talks to any longer.
4) Promote the Comic Cons better. We don't need single page ads; but, have a column each month that is devoted to some coming around, and highlight those people who'll be there...and those people who people SHOULD be meeting that they might not recognize. (Really, Comic Cons are filled with artists and writers who should have longer lines, but the big ones, like Brubaker and Bendis, get the majority of.)
5) Remember Wizard 1/2 comics? Sure, some you'd have to order; but, I LOVED the ones that came with the polybagged magazine. Plus, you'd get some cards and mini-posters. Promote the comic industry!
6) The comic industry is so much bigger than DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, and Image. I cannot remember when I saw an article about the great stuff Radical is putting out. Heck, is even Boom! mentioned in the magazine much?
Ok, I gotta go. My kid is home, and we gotta get some food in our bellies. I might respond more later.
