New Listener? New to Comics? Don't be afraid. Ask Away!

[Chris]

With the New DC 52 I've noticed a jump in AC downloads & plenty of new forum members & twitter followers.

I REALLY hope that these are new comic readers that are testing the waters of the online comics communities. In that spirit, I want anyone and everyone to know that no question about comics is too basic. Feel free to ask anything and the larger 11 O'Clock community will be here to help.

Promise!

[markamscientist]

Hey guys would appreciate if somebody could drop some knowledge on me regarding Jeff Lemire taking on Justice League Dark. Will I need to pick up the previous issues to know what's going on or is Jeff going to change the direction of the book and ignore what has come before? Thanks 

[David]

Will I need to pick up the previous issues to know what's going on or is Jeff going to change the direction of the book and ignore what has come before?

Will the core team remain largely intact when your rub begins?

No, it will not. The team is changing dramatically with my first issue. I don't want to say who is going to be on it right now but two members will leave and three new members will join.

Is it safe to assume Constantine is sticking around, at least?

Yes. And he's definitely the leader. During Pete's run, I didn't feel that there was a clear leader. By the nature of the story that he was telling, basically the team was still assembling. But you find out very quickly in "Justice League Dark" #9 that John is very much the leader of the team or at least the manipulator of this group.

With the roster rotating from mission to mission, will your stories -- at least early on -- be done-in-one adventures or more traditional, multi-part arcs?

My first storyline is four issues long, and it really sets up a much bigger storyline, just like I am doing with "Animal Man." It really is just one big story. I am approaching the two books exactly the same way. The first four-issue arc is really going to establish the team, why they do what they do and what their connections to the other Justice Leagues are. And that sets up a big story that will affect all the other Dark books moving forward.

Source.

[markamscientist]

Awesome, thanks David. Can't wait to get these as Lemire has a midas touch in my opinion

[markamscientist]

Sorry to be taking up this entire thread but I recently found two trades of Mage by Matt Wagner in a second hand store and since then have been looking into picking up the entire run but much to my dismay there are only two volumes out with no sign of the third.

Does anybody have any idea what is going on with this series?

Also did I hear correctly that Grendel is getting collected in an omnibus?

Thanks

[David]

Does anybody have any idea what is going on with this series?

Only The Hero Discovered and The Hero Defined have been collected.  Matt has not announced when the final part of the trilogy will be published.

Also did I hear correctly that Grendel is getting collected in an omnibus?

Dark Horse has solicited the first volume, clocking in around 600 pages.

[markamscientist]

Have some karma David cos you are all over this thread like a boss.

Do you think Matt will ever get around to the final part?

[Jeppe]

Dark Horse has solicited the first volume, clocking in around 600 pages.

NICE 

[David]

Do you think Matt will ever get around to the final part?

Absotively.

[Captain Russ]

Will Paul Pope's Battling Boy ever see the light of day?

[Captain Russ]

Aaaaaaaaand another thing: I've yet to test the con waters.

If one were to attend a comic convention, what would be the one to start off at?

[David]

If one were to attend a comic convention, what would be the one to start off at?

One close to you.

[bizreal1015]

While I've been reading comics for 2 years, I'm still fairly new to a lot of aspects, and I was curious on the topic of commissions. I have never purchased any art so I really don't know anything about the procedure/prices.

Also, as I am now really starting to branch out from big 2 comics, I started collecting Jamie's Love and Rockets collections when I discovered how impossible it is to get the second on, The Girl From H.O.P.P.E.R.S at a good price. I've done some fairly extensive searches but nothing at a decent price.  Any advice on where to look/what to do?

[Rowland Pearce]

Aaaaaaaaand another thing: I've yet to test the con waters.

If one were to attend a comic convention, what would be the one to start off at?

One close to you.

I guess I failed that one, hey David?

[David]

While I've been reading comics for 2 years, I'm still fairly new to a lot of aspects, and I was curious on the topic of commissions. I have never purchased any art so I really don't know anything about the procedure/prices.

Some artists here on the forum have their prices in the Artists' Alley board.

Commissions, as a topic, have been brought up here, here, and here.

Prices will vary from artist to artist.  You'll also have to find out if the artist is available for commissions.

[David]

I guess I failed that one, hey David?

 

And failed in a big way.  But you weren't only visiting to attend a convention.

Basically, more info from Captain Russ would be nice to have.  Do you like crowds?  Traveling?  Are you going with a group?  To meet creators?  Or old television stars?  To shop?

Different conventions will offer different experiences.

[Captain Russ]

Sorry to have been so vague, but to elaborate, the main attraction for me is visiting Artist's Alley. Meeting some of the mythical creative giants (and sometimes quite literal giants) has always been the goal.

Crowds can be daunting for me, but if it means navigating them to see creators in the flesh, then I'll throw some 'bows (not literally).

[David]

Sorry to have been so vague, but to elaborate, the main attraction for me is visiting Artist's Alley. Meeting some of the mythical creative giants (and sometimes quite literal giants) has always been the goal.

NYCC, C2E2, Emerald City, Heroes, WonderCon, next year's MegaCon.

The Wizard shows might be a good start, too, but they tend to focus on the pop culture stars and not so much on the comic side of things.

[Captain Russ]

All of those sound pretty fantastic, and after looking at the guest list for Heroes, I think I might throw down on a badge for that (it's the closest in terms of driving distance too).

Thanks again, DAP.

[Tim H]

All of those sound pretty fantastic, and after looking at the guest list for Heroes, I think I might throw down on a badge for that (it's the closest in terms of driving distance too).

Thanks again, DAP.

If you do make it to Heroes Con, I'll see you there.

[Brennok]

I can't seem to decide where I should really start reading beyond my personal collection. I am not brand new to comics, but only really read Image books in the early to late 90s when I was collecting. I completely skipped DC, Marvel, and Dark Horse mainly due to the art didn't grab me from what I remember. I want to say it might have also been the paper at the time since I don't think they had transitioned yet.

My current plan is to go back and reread what grabs me out of my long boxes which I still have 7 or so. I just picked up 5 of those from my parents house this weekend and have yet to open them up. This will really only cover old Image and stuff like Sirius though. I am sure some of it will be junk, but I know some of it I never read.

I think I just can't decide how to approach Marvel and DC which may have been another reason I avoided them.  I figure initially I will try to get some cheap trades or whatever I can from the local library so some suggestions would be appreciated. I am thinking more of stuff that would be required reading. I realize DC recently did their reboot with the new 52, but still would like some of the backstory especially if I can get it easily from my library.