Tuesday, November 16, 2010

1992 Comics Buyer's Guide #975 Cover



The Comics Buyer's Guide still exists. I wasn't aware of that fact, even though I probably scan past it in Previews every month. Published in some form since 1971, CBG was the industry standard for news throughout the '80s. The Comics Journal was our New Yorker, Amazing Heroes was our People, and CBG was Newsweek. The tabloid regularly reported on which artist was switching titles, what publisher had gone down the tubes, and so on. There were columns by industry names (Peter David, Tony Isabella, Cat Yronwode,) comic strips, and an infamous letters section where creators would discuss important issues of the day, or more entertainingly, engage in bitter public disputes. Since each weekly issue cost twice as much as a standard comic, I only followed it when I could score cheap out of date leftover copies, but I always enjoyed those rare opportunities. Wizard Magazine and its many imitators severely diminished CBG's presence in the industry, and the internet rendered them both moot. Yet, somehow, I still see Wizard on the newsstand in more places than I see actual comic books, and someone somewhere keeps The Comics Buyer's Guide in print.

The July 24, 1992 edition offered a cover feature on Martian Manhunter: American Secrets, enhancing the pulpy noir vibe of the series by employing the popular European technique of black and white art with a single color for contrast. I might have suggested the virtues of this approach on the actual book, but it was gorgeously colored by Steve Oliff, so never mind that. The big news of that week was Jim Shooter's having "left" Valiant Comics, a positively genteel interpretation of events.

13 comments:

LissBirds said...

Ooooooh....now I have something to spend my eBay bucks on!!

Tom Hartley said...

Is the article about "American Secrets" any good? Maybe you could scan it for us.

Diabolu Frank said...

Found on my eBay troll, but not purchased...

Tom Hartley said...

Frank, you've bought enough nerd for this month. Let Liss buy it, and she can email you the scans.

Diabolu Frank said...

Indeed...

Luke said...

I like that cover, but really wish J'Onn was wearing pants. It looks a little... awkward as it stands now.

rob! said...

Wow, CBG is still around?

LissBirds said...

Is that okay with you if I buy it, Frank? I'll certainly send you scans.

Diabolu Frank said...

Is it okay for you to bid on an eBay item I had no intention of buying and then feeding me material for a second easy post for me to mooch off of? Just this one time, I guess, but I really think I should get more out of this for being so awesome about it. :)

Diabolu Frank said...

P.S.

CBG feature articles like this fell squarely under the heading of "adequate." It'll probably be too short and heavy on "duh" expository materials. At some point in the far future, I'm sure I'll pick up and cover the Amazing Heroes issue that would be a far safer bet on the satisfaction front. Anybody know if The Comics Journal ever touched on American Secrets, maybe in a lengthy Gerard Jones interview?

LissBirds said...

I bought it and I'll let you know when it comes. "Economy" shipping was 9 bucks...*grumble*

I checked The Comics Journal archives for any Gerard Jones interviews but couldn't find anything...I don't think anything exists, unless someone knows otherwise?

Which issue of Amazing Heroes covers American Secrets? I couldn't find it.

Diabolu Frank said...

$9!!! That's highway robbery! I get a box of comics shipped every month for half that!

I'd be surprised if the Journal didn't talk to Gerry Jones a few times, between The Trouble With Girls and The Comic Book Heroes. I just figure tracking down the where and when would be murder, and the circulation on that book is piddling.

I can/will narrow down an Amazing Heroes search. That's doable...

LissBirds said...

I know!! I of course didn't see the shipping price until after I bought it, becuase eBay is getting sneakier by hiding that behind another tab. Ah, well. It better come bubble wrapped in a gigantic box now.

I did see a Gerard Jones interview listed but I don't remember what it was about. Definitely not American Secrets. The Comics Journal website/archives wasn't too bad to navigate, if you want me to send you a link to it, let me know.