Going through the Eagle Nominations from the post just below, I got to thinking about all the series which have gone missing in the past year. Normally, I’m sort of an apologist for delays, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that us comics fans are total suckers for abuse.
Of course, there’s the grandaddy, Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk. But I’m also trying to remember how long it’s been since I’ve seen an issue of Fell, The Trials of Shazam, The Eternals, among others I’m mentally blocking.
There must be others. What happened?
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Ya I’m still waiting for Wolverine vs Hulk
Compared to the wait for a second issue of Kevin Smith’s Daredevil/Bullseye: The Target, Lindeloff is frigging prompt with Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk.
I always just thought my comic shop never got the Ultimate Hulk/Wolvie book after issue 1. Guess I wasn’t the only one hung out to dry on that one huh? I just picked up the Trials of Shazam(still HATE it) issue 4 like 2 weeks ago. Did anyone read First Thunder? (It was the Superman/Captain Marvel mini last year that was about the first team up between Cap and Supes. It was exciting, beautiful, and very touching.. I actually teared up at one part..) I really wish the creative team behind that series was in charge of the Marvel Family stuff. I know I have complained about this before but what they are doing with the Marvels is pure blasphemy. If anyone read the First Thunder series you would know like me how much that team really understands the Marvels. Not only that but they are treated with respect instead of this joke of a series revamp. God I am so mad about this turn of events for them. Even in 52 they were treated with respect and then One Year Later we get an insane Billy Batson, a Mary Marvel powerless and in a coma (only shown in like one panel in 4 issues.. rediculous!)and a newly “urbanised” Freddy. Give them to Grant Morrison or something. Even his brand of quirky metaphysical nuttiness would be leaps and bounds above what we have now. ( I digress, I love Grant Morrison.. and I really do think he would do something interesting with them without totally tossing their history in the damned trash!)
Ok I will stop ranting now, or else it will be a new novella.
And waiting for the end of Kevin Smith’s “Spider-Man/Black Cat”.
I think the next Eternals is coming out this week, but they’ve since added a 7th issue. The delay has give me enough time to decide I don’t care enough to finish the series.
The one that gets me is Fell – there was so much positive buzz, it’s innovative price point and content. Then it just stopped. I’m not sure if Ellis got too caught up in other projects, or Templesmith is slow. I’m just treating it like I’ll be pleasantly surprised one week when it shows up again.
Smith actually finished Black Cat, but Lord I wish he’d let that go instead. That mini just got seriously disturbing. Fell I caught one issue of, and just decided to wait for trade. Wolverine vs. Hulk #3….eh, maybe someday.
Still waiting for the end of “411”. I was promised Tony Kushner, dammit.
Yeah, Spider-Man/Black Cat was eventually finished last year, but I took a stand and did not buy it. And as much as I loved the first two issues – one was a POW – I don’t think I will be buying Ultimate Wolverine vs. The Hulk, if it ever comes out.
Not sure what I’ll do about Fell. I will probably buy it. My standards are different for creator owned work.
I’ll probably look at it like:
Queen & Country! When’s the last time that came out?
Fell doesn’t bother me a whole lot since each book is a self-contained story so I don’t have to dig out old issues and try and remember what happened. I can just read it and enjoy it, which is one of the many reasons I love the book.
But then there are books like Daredevil: Father which had the last issue ship tremendously late , and by the time it came out, I didn’t care enough to dig through my boxes to find the issues and remember what happened earlier. Books like that are slowly convincing me to switch to trades.
Yeah, I got the end of Spidey/Black Cat after waiting for, what?, a year or two? You’re right. He should’ve just left it alone. The art seriously blew for the last couple of issues, and it was completely unsatisfying.
So what is the new release date of Miracleman #25? I’m still waiting for it…
I thought we got an issue of Eternals last month, am I wrong?
The only other delayed comic I am buying is Civil War, but I don’t think there is anything more to be said about that one. Maybe I am a sucker, but I don’t mind delays all that much. Obviously, I want to find out what happens next in the story and there are a whole lot of annoying issues along with Civil War being delayed. However as long as they deliver a decent issue whenever it comes out then I don’t mind it. Very rarely do I walk into a comic book store and not find anything that appeals to me, so when something I want isn’t there I get something else.
I don’t read it, but isn’t Wonder Woman wildly inconsistant with ship dates? It also seems to me that the Astro City books show up sporadically as well.
Rising Stars marks the longest I ever waited for a book to come out (and still cared enough to buy it when it did show up). I think it was almost a 2 year wait for that. I liked that series a lot until the last issue, which I thought sucked. Although, if Daredevil/Bullseye: The Target ever does show up, I’ll probably buy that.
Well, the Ultimates DID come out this year but… its up there (not as bad as Kevin Smith). When will the next issue come out?
allstar batman and robin
miracleman 25 will come out on the last day of life on earth
it’s not supossed to be the last day but it will be so badass that it will kill every living thing
Guhhhh, the Ultimates. It’s the symbol of my personal character flaws. I was so aggravated by all the delays for vol. 1 that I eBay’d all my issues and swore I’d never read it again. Then vol. 2 came out and I went, “Oh, well surely they learned from all their mistakes last time and have a nice issue reservoir ready before #1 comes out. And Mark Millar’s been eating a lot better. And he only hits me because he cares about me.” I am such a dumbass. Gah!
I don’t think you’re ever seeing that Kevin Smith Daredevil, but “Black Cat” was proof that sometimes it’s better if unfinished series remain unfinished. I wish Marty McFly could’ve told me I was waiting two years for the literal raping of the characters; would have saved me a lot of agita.
As a Marvel pseudo-zombie, it is my duty to remind everyone that All Star Batman and Robin put out a single issue last year.
I may finish Ultimate Hulk v. Wolverine in trade; I never did find out what happened to Daredevil: Father.
Man, does anybody else remember NYX? That started out so promising and then…. pfft! Another Quesada-penned battery drain. The artist got so tired of waiting he quit the company.
This is why I asked that question on the iFanboy voicemail last week: if I see that Quesada or Millar are writing a book, or one of the “name” artists is drawing it, that actually makes me a lot less likely to pick it up, rather than more.
I never did find out what happened to Daredevil: Father
SPOILERS
the dude he pushed out from in front of the truck at his origin was a child molestor and all the bad shit was being done by his daughter
;lidfsjljsdflkjsdlfkjldfsjlsdfjlkdfsjlfsdjlkj
off front page
I too waited for Rising Stars and was disappointed. However that comic started to go down hill very quickly after the first arc. When that last issue finally came, I bought it, but I wasn’t outraged over how much it sucked. My fault for sticking with a crappy comic. Ultimates I do buy, but I don’t expect it to come out monthly so I don’t really count it to be delayed. I guess technically it is delayed. Hmmm, it delivers when it finally does come in so I am not outraged about Ultimates either. I expect the higher profile creators to bring out higher quality work and I also expect that to take more time than the monthly schedule allows.
I have a question, how long do you give a comic before your dissatisfaction with it leads you to drop it? I will drop a limited series after one or two crappy issues. I will give a regular series more time to turn around. I wait until the end of an arc or even into the next. Fantastic Four has two more issues before I decide whether I am going to drop it.
I’m all over the map with that
FF though has until the new team is announced officially. If it sucks I’m gone
Did anyone read First Thunder? (It was the Superman/Captain Marvel mini last year that was about the first team up between Cap and Supes. It was exciting, beautiful, and very touching.. I actually teared up at one part..) I really wish the creative team behind that series was in charge of the Marvel Family stuff – Tolly
Uh, dude? Both have the same writer, one Judd Winneck… As for lateness on it, last time we got an issue was December 13th, so its not that bad. Just seems like forever since January is a 5 weeker. I really like the series tho, and this is from someone who dug through the full Showcase Shazam. Sometimes you just need to change things to make them work man.
Fell, I’ll be amazed if we ever get another issue. Theres one on the tentative listing for next week tho…
I wish The Ultimates would get a little more crap. We had all of 3 issues last year and the post arc annual. On top of that the entire thing had seen one gigantic fight scene. The lateness really kills the flow.
The Last Eternals issue was in November, but we have the next issue coming this week and the added on issue 7 is supposed to be shipping in February. I expect this one to hit since Romita’s normally very good about hitting dates.
On lateness in general, its really a issue by issue deal. With things like All Star Superman I couldn’t care less if its late since I know its an amazing read and isnt holding up any other books or spoiling things. With delays like Civil War or Wonder Woman where it makes other titles late as well or some books seem to spin their wheels till the storylines resolved it really gets under my skin.
If it ever feels like it’s a chore reading a book, I drop it. Recent examples: Ultimate Fantastic Four, Frontline, Uncanny X-Men. I finally noticed that I had a backlog of 3-4 issues for each book, and that I had absolutely no desire to read them. It’s nice to have a full run or a completed arc, but I’m trying to combat whatever is left of my collector’s mentality.
If I know a book is gonna be horribly late, I try to avoid it, even though I know it may be quality. Recent examples: Wonder Woman. I love the art, dig the writing, but for a serialized story, lateness is death.
Of course, there’s the grandaddy, Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk.
I believe I read recently that this book has been put on indefinite haitus because Damon Lindelof is too busy with Lost. Now if they finish Lost in 5 seasons like he and Carlton Cuse were talking about last week, that means he can start working on it again in approximately 2 years.
The one that gets me is Fell – there was so much positive buzz, it’s innovative price point and content. Then it just stopped.
On either this week or last week’s shipping update it said that orders for Fell #7 have been canceled and it will now come out “TBD”.
I don’t read it, but isn’t Wonder Woman wildly inconsistant with ship dates?
They have shipped 3 issues since OYL, which I believe took place last March. Which sucks because I like what Heinberg has done. But he’s only on for 2 more issues anyway and then someone else takes over.
Well, the Ultimates DID come out this year but… its up there (not as bad as Kevin Smith). When will the next issue come out?
I think I saw that it is tenatively scheduled for March 14? Bryan Hitch said he is done and that it is in the hands of the inkers and colorists now. He said it will be a 48 pager.
The lateness really kills the flow.
Maybe, but it reads so well when it is collected. I just don’t go in with the attitude of getting a monthly book. Then when the HC comes out I get that and am very satisfied.
allstar batman and robin
Yeah, but does anyone really care about this one? It blows. Although I think #4 was in the top 10 books of the year as far as sales, so I’m obviously wrong.
Anyone worried about Mighty Avengers? Frank Cho is a great artist, and I loved the preview pages I’ve seen, but he is slooow. Since Mighty Avengers and New Avengers will be tied up together, if one is late, both will be. At least Marvel have given him a huge lead-in.
I’m still waiting on Robert Kirkman’s last issue of his excellent but hugely delayed Superpatriot mini. #1 was out in July 2004, #2 in Jan/2005, #3 in Jan/2006, #4 … well.. who knows?
On the topic of delays, I have a conspiracy theory about Civil War’s delay, and I’m laying the blame at Mark Millar’s feet, not Steve McNiven’s. After Civil War 6 came out, there was an interview on Newsarama with Joe Q, where he said something along the lines of “well we have just finalised the page count for 7 today and youll be getting 28 pages for no extra cost!”… now forgive me if I’m wrong, but if they have ONLY JUST finalised the page count DAYS after 6 has hit the shelves, then that is a writing/editorial delay, rather than an art based one. I can think of a number of reasons as to why Marvel would persuade Steve McNiven to take the blame in place of Mark Millar too. Anyway, just thought I’d throw that out there.
Finally, All Star Wonder Woman is already giving me nightmares. No doubt it will be beautiful, but Adam Huges should not be writing, pencilling and inking an entire comic book. It will be a scheduling disaster. I guess he must have seen the rate the other All Star titles were coming out, and thought to himself that if he was ever going to do it, an All Star book would be the perfect vehicle.
The Last Eternals issue was in November, but we have the next issue coming this week and the added on issue 7 is supposed to be shipping in February. I expect this one to hit since Romita’s normally very good about hitting dates.
Also, the delay on #6 was due to it being an (unplanned) double-sized issue. #7 is normal sized.
I’m hoping BKV teaches that Lindeloff a few things about writing comics, so he may get off his butt and finish Hulky vs Wolvy thingy. Or… maybe that BK has got a neato TV gig, he will slack on YTLM… yikes! I get it in trades, so wtvr.
Y The Last Man only has 7 issues left, so I’m assuming he’ll have them done well in advance. BKV has never has a deadline problem.
You will NEVER see the finish of the Ultimate Wolvie Hulk.
Sounds like Trials of Shazam isn’t that delayed, but it does feel like a long time. Perhaps the same with Eternals.
Conor reminded me about Queen and Country. I mean, I might say I’ve been digging 52, but damned if I wouldn’t trade it for regular quality issues of Q&C.
Mighty Avengers…that’s EXACTLY what I thought. Again, Bendis’ books are usually pretty timely.
And finally Morley makes a good point about Millar, the fount from which all lateness spawns.
As for Astro City, this is just expected at this point, but I can only imagine that Brent Anderson is independently wealthy, and doesn’t need the money for drawing. Busiek puts out his paying work on
And finally, Rising Stars was the last time I allowed a book to do that to me. I bought every issue, and I’ll never forgive JMS for that.
The funny thing to me was when the end of the year came. Many comic related podcast had there “Best of…” episode. Some had report cards, like who had the best year, and delays played a big part in it. And I believe that DC is the over all winner by FAR.
DC: Biggest stands out are of course, Wonder Woman, All Star Batman, and Jim Lee work (World storm). But when you look at all DC has done this year on time. (52, most of One Year Later, the end of Crisis) all in the span of a year, and you rarely hear people complain about it’s timlyness. Maybe 12 issues didn’t come out for every series (Green Lantern). But enough came out to satisfy people.
Then…
Marvel: Ultimate Hulk/Wolverine, The last issue of Daredevil Father, the final issues of Spider-man/Black cat, And of course the granddaddy of them all Civil War, which is turn moved things like Mighty Avengers back, Alpha Flight, back, Thunderbolts back (Though we got that).
And the differance is…when DC slips up, you see them go out and try to fix it (getting a new writer for Wonder Woman, theratening to cancel All Star.)
When Marvel slips up, we get Tom Brevort telliing us to “Chill out! It’s coming.”
As far as delays go, DC is the better of the two, that’s why they got my Eagle vote, and I’m a self procalimed Marvel Zombie…:/
Ultimate Hulk/Wolverine
I’m totally getting it.
I think the only delayed book I’m buying (other than Civil War) is the Eternals.
I believe what happened was they added the 7th issue, then decided to delay 6 and combine it with 7 for the double size. And the solicitation for #7 is still on the Marvel site because their site sucks.
Issue 6: “The double-sized finale of NEIL GAIMAN and JOHN ROMITA JR.
It was kinda cute when they tied in Civil War at the beginning of Eternals, but they better not make that a focus, cuz that’s dumb.
Speak of the devil: Fell #7 has shown up on the Diamond list for next week.
I believe what happened was they added the 7th issue, then decided to delay 6 and combine it with 7 for the double size. And the solicitation for #7 is still on the Marvel site because their site sucks.
Actually I think that issue 6 is double-sized AND there will be a regular sized issue 7. I’m not 100%, but I believe that is the case. He tried to finish the story in 6 and even went double-sized but he still couldn’t finish.
Speak of the devil: Fell #7 has shown up on the Diamond list for next week.
This should be interesting to see what happens, because it was also on this week’s shipping update list as coming out “TBD”. I’ve found that the shipping update lists are usually far more accurate than next week’s shipping list.
This should be interesting to see what happens, because it was also on this week’s shipping update list as coming out “TBD”. I’ve found that the shipping update lists are usually far more accurate than next week’s shipping list.
Yeah, the shipping list changes radically up until it is finalized on Monday evening.
Fell is coming next week?! Awesome.
Does it make me a bad person if I buy trades/issues of horribly delayed series, despite the fact I routinely rant and wail about “chronic industry lateness?” Am I betraying my fellow fans?
I’m so weak. Please forgive me.
Also, when Miracleman #25 obliterates all life on Earth, life will THANK it for making its death so goddamned perfect.
Also, when Miracleman #25 obliterates all life on Earth, life will THANK it for making its death so goddamned perfect.
Miracleman destroyed me and all the people who live on me
thanks Miracleman
-the Earth
yet another testimonial to put on the website
I don’t care if The Ultimates is a year between issues I’m going to buy it and love it. How come it’s never been P.O.W.
How come it’s never been P.O.W.
http://www.ifanboy.com/archive/pickoftheweek/05252005_the_ul.html
http://www.ifanboy.com/archive/pickoftheweek/08102005_the_ul.html
Hell, now that I see the covers, I remember each podcast vividly. Superboy’s punch has erased part of my memory. Plus, I’m Hawkman now. (Thanks SB Prime!)
So how close was Absolute Authority to making it on one of your top TPB lists? If you don’t have it, get it. It’s exquisite.
So how close was Absolute Authority to making it on one of your top TPB lists? If you don’t have it, get it. It’s exquisite.
Easier said than done. I’m not paying $150 for it. Would you care to sell me yours for cover price?
Where do you find a shipping update report?
Where do you find a shipping update report?
Diamond Comics updates their final shipping list Monday after 5pm and then we update the shipping list here. But you won’t know what’s really coming out next Wednesday until next Monday night.
Civil War being late is really only a problem because it’s a huge crossover.
I was kinda pissed that Iron Man took forever between issue 12 and 13 (and we’ve just gotten over the same problem with Moon Knight between 6 and 7), but it seems to be running on time, now, and since it was between story arcs, it’s not that big a deal.
I think I’m at the point where I’m buying so many fuckin’ comics that it doesn’t matter if stuff is late ’cause I always got something to read. Of course, the amount of money and time I’m spending on comics is a direct result of Civil War and you lovely folks at iFanboy, who went and turned my newly re-acquired cocaine addiction into a full-blown crack habit.
Bastards.
Where do you find a shipping update report?
Actually, there is a weekly report that has all official shipping schedule changes on it that have been reported that week. It is not the same as the actual shipping lists, of which there are two (this week’s definite shipments and next week’s shipping estimate, which is subject to change) – which is what Conor is referring to.
They usually post the weekly shipping update list sometime over the weekend. I don’t know the actual source, it must be Diamond but I can’t find it on their website, but I always find it at the Millarworld boards. The most recent one can be found here:
http://forums.millarworld.tv/index.php?showtopic=67422
B.i. (Before iFanboy) I always got my shipping info for the next two weeks here:
http://www.diamondcomics.com/shipping.asp
Sometimes, with a little creative modification of the dates in the lists’ URLs, you can peer into the future. But be warned: these are only possible futures, hard to see. Always in motion is the future.
The thing about some delays , it becomes almost a spite type of situation..and i can sense it from the creators as well..the second half of spider man and black cat seemed almost like a big fuck you to the fans..writing himself into a corner and then showing us the hand of god as the escape. I truely think the buisness is best suited to the quarterly tpb volumes, 1 entire story arc collected and released a sa first run item.
Out of curiosity: when was the last time the Powers That Be said anything about the next issue of Ultimates? Is there a recent ETA?
I don’t know how many people are familiar with my favorite Kevin Smith Black Cat factoid: having forgotten to sign and send in some paperwork, he was never paid for the last three issues. At least according to a story he told last year.
I don’t know how many people are familiar with my favorite Kevin Smith Black Cat factoid: having forgotten to sign and send in some paperwork, he was never paid for the last three issues. At least according to a story he told last year.
that’s a great justice if its true, maybe he is trying to deflect any blame for the drop in quality by making it seem like he didn’t even get paid for it, therefor it wasn’t so bad for a freebee.
Out of curiosity: when was the last time the Powers That Be said anything about the next issue of Ultimates? Is there a recent ETA?
March 14. Follow that link I posted a couple of comments above this one to the shipping update. There is a message from Bryan Hitch there about the status of the book.
Doesn’t that sort of make Kevin Smith a prick?
I mean, there are fucking countless writers out there who would work their fingers off to deliver a good story on time, given the chance. And they would work for nothing. Then Smith, in his apathy, doesn’t bother filling out the paperwork, because he’s got enough cash that he’s not concerned…ha ha ha.
See, lateness like on Civil War is annoying…because they’re working on it, just not very fast, but they’re trying. But Smith agrees to do something, then doesn’t come through, because he places priority with something else. Looking at Heinberg and Lindeloff too.
I’m so self-righteous.
I think the least I should be able to expect from my hacks is that they finish their books for the paycheck. I mean, whatever else may be going on with your Hitches and and Millars, they want the money. This isn’t a hobby they can get bored with. Papa needs a new pair of sweatpants.
Smith a prick?…
I seem to remember him being interviewed and when asked about books he’s writing, he’d causally mention how he has some unfinished work he should get back to, obvious priority issues..and seeing how jersey girl and clerks 2 were the top priority, maybe he didn’t do so badly.
i also seem to remember a time when the name kevin smith was being mentioned in the same vien as tarantino and rodriquez, ahh how time exposes our ignorance..to be fair, I truely think that if he would simply write a good movie and hand it off to a serviceable director, it would be very good. And the original green arrow stories, top notch.
That DD run was awesome. Better than I ever thought him capable of. I remember when they announced him as the writer of…I think an ongoing Spider-Man title. Whoops.
Then they announced him as the writer of an ongoing Brave and the Bold.
Blew our trust completely.
By the way, Fell #7 is on this week’s confirmed shipping list from Diamond (in stores Feb 7).
I also seem to remember a time when the name kevin smith was being mentioned in the same vien as tarantino and rodriquez
I may just be an impressionable youngster, and a huge Smith fan as well, but I don’t think I’ve EVER seen Smith’s name in print next to Tarantino or Rodriquez unless it was talking about his friendship with them. And as much as I sit and worship by the altar of Smith (kidding, I’m not THAT huge a fan), I know he doesn’t really deserve that kind of praise (maybe…MAYBE his scripts do….but just because you can write great, witty dialoge does NOT mean you can write a great movie).
Clerks is fucking great, but it’s NO Reservior Dogs or Desperado.
Sounds like I’m bashing Smith….I’m not. I love everything he puts out. I’m just not a completely blind/biased fan.
You must be a youngster, because there definitely was a time in the late 90’s when Smith was mentioned in the same breath as Rodriguez and Tarrantino. They were all the new guard in the Miramax stable. At the time, it didn’t seem that odd, but since then, you can see how they differed slightly. But that was definitely the thought at the time. It’d been proven wrong.
I would recommend John Pierson’s Spike, Mike, Slackers and Dykes for more insight into how these directors measured up against one another back in the day.
When Clerks II was being made, I watched some of the video podcasts they did on the making of the film, and one of them was entirely about Smith showing the film to Tarantino and Rodriguez and the three of them jawing about it afterwards. So clearly someone somewhere is still trying to equate them. And… I guess… why not? Clerks II, Spy Kids III, one updated exploitation film every ten years… what do I care?