Comic Columns should be good

[stealthwise]

I'm wondering who here reads the columns on CBR? Not so much the CSBG stuff, but the columns on the main page.

I find that Eric Larsen is often entertaining, but never a "must read." Same with Grant's "Permanent Damage," as I preferred "Master of the Obvious," and I really miss Ellis's "Come in Alone" and Gail's "YABS."

But I really find that new column about Comic book publishing to be kind of pointless and unappealing, Kirkman's article just shilling, and "the Buy Pile" is... well, it's too easy, but it reads like a pile. We already have Pipeline, which is much better, imo, but mostly because it's lighter on the snark and I find Augie's reviews to be far more accurate regarding the content. Tabu seems to be smoking some strange stuff at times.

Then there's the ever-contentious "Lying in the Gutters," which I can't get enough of at times, although I can see why some people would get pissed off about it, especially comic pros.

How about you guys? What articles do you like? Dislike? Is there something else you'd like to see? Personally, I'd love to see some satire in the YABS vein come back, perhaps with guest writers each week.

[BizarroBeachHead]

For a while there the columns were looking pretty sad, at least half of them weren't being updated. I think actions are being taken to fix that now.

I like Permanent Damage and Pipeline, those are the two I make sure I read.

The Buy Pile is nice, but like you said, it's a quick read. I don't care much for the books that do make the Buy Pile, but I do enjoy reading it for the "no, just...no..." books. Heh heh.

Occasionally I check out LITG, but I dunno, I don't care too much for gossip, and if it's important I'll see it mentioned in a thread somewhere. Also, I think some people(not necessarily Rich) take that stuff way too seriously.

One Fan's Opinion is nice, but as you said, it's not always a must read. This last column is a good example. I mean, it's nice that Erik loves the format and all, but I didn't really get anything out of it. I prefer the columns where he talks about his personal experiences in the industry(or when he calls out other creators on their lack of creativity, that was awesome).

Buy My Books is pretty unnecessary. I get it, Kirkman's a shill always has been, but it's been updated, what, once in the last six months? Coincidentally, my love for Kirkman's books started dying down shortly before his column did.

I have almost no interest in Publishing Follies.

I do miss Come In Alone, The Basement Tapes, and Master of the Obvious.

[dan bailey]

I read The Buy Pile, Lying in the Gutters, Permanent Damage (though I usually skip large stretches of paragraphs, since I couldn't care less about what's on TV or what steroid addict dressed up as a pro wrestler is popular at the moment, at least until he kills his family, & I already know pretty much all I need to about the lunatic chimp & his illegal thug regime in Washington & the congressional eunuchs' unwillingness to do anything except wring their hands), occasionally Pipeline ... & that's it.

Interestingly, the CBR ads in the inside back covers of various (or all? I buy very few ...) Avatar Comics titles still list Scott Shaw!'s Oddball Comics as appearing regularly. That hasn't been the case since, when, 3/06? Geez.

[cactusmaac]

I read LITG. Permanent Damage I skip because most of what Grant had to say was done in the first ten MOBO columns.

[Dan Apodaca]

"Reflections" is the absolute worst one. I mean, if you want to have a "column" where you just kiss ass and plug the interviewee's latest project, that's your prerogative. But don't try to sell it as actual journalism, or advertise yourself as anything more than a fanboy shill.

[BillR]

I read LITG and I skim Permanent Damage. I find the new comic book publishing one quite interesting. I occasionally read the others.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

"Reflections" is the absolute worst one. I mean, if you want to have a "column" where you just kiss ass and plug the interviewee's latest project, that's your prerogative. But don't try to sell it as actual journalism, or advertise yourself as anything more than a fanboy shill.

But it's not even listed as a column where you'd expect to get gushing fan writers (Augie, Hannibal), it's in the 'news' section.
(Still not sure if it rivals one semi-regular CBR 'journalist', who you can occasionally here the sucking noises whilst reading their interviews).

I had more to write on the topic of the columns, and I wrote it. But then I quit Firefox before clicking post. I'm smart like that, so I'll write on topic when I can be bothered to do it again.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

I read LITG and I skim Permanent Damage. I find the new comic book publishing one quite interesting. I occasionally read the others.

But why's it called 'Publishing Follies' when the last two columns have been about 'how to get a job in comics'?
Is it follies because the column itself is a comment on how comic companies hire fans for cheap, instead of the best people for the job?

[Adem]

I just read Lying in the Gutters and Pipeline. One Fan's Opinion is too hit or miss for me.

[Jack Zodiac]

I read Rich's every week. Steve's and Augie's I skim, and I read Erik's and Kirman's from time to time. Really, the only column I don't read here is Hannibal's.

But if you wanna' check out one of the best comic blogs online, check out Chris's Invincible Super-Blog (http://www.the-isb.com/).

[Dan Apodaca]

I also read LITG each week. I can't believe some of the stuff that supposed adults do and say.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

I also read LITG each week. I can't believe some of the stuff that supposed adults do and say.

The Steve Niles phone message was pretty special.

[stealthwise]

The Steve Niles phone message was pretty special.

Steve Niles seems pretty "special," given his actions in that situation and his work in general.

[dancj]

I read:
Pipeline
One Fan's Opinion
Lying in the Gutters
Permanent Damage (though I tend to skip the political stuff - just because it's so America-centric I haven't a clue who these people are)
Comics Reel