Good ole CBR has a brand new interview up with the creator’s of the comic sleeper hit/flash in the pan, Chew. Did you actually think the CCW would be able to score that interview? Ya, right. Like comic-legends-in-the-making John Layman and Rob Guillory would ever be caught dead slumming it down here being interviewed by either Elliott or I. Though we may be King Makers(tm) we are alas just still lowly peasants in the greater scheme of it all.

Here’s but a small portion of the interview:

What did you expect or hope that readers might enjoy about the premise (of Chew)?

Guillory: As an artist and as a fan of the book myself, I really hoped they’d appreciate the amount of originality we were putting into it, and that they wouldn’t just write us off as “weird.”

Layman: I didn’t expect readers would enjoy it at all. I expected it to flop, or make a tiny ripple in that vast ocean that is comic book. I wrote it for myself, figuring a select few weirdos would “get it” and it would have some small cult appeal. I never, ever, ever thought it would be received with the amount of enthusiasm that it has. I’m very grateful, but even today still surprised.

I guess the CCW were lucky enough to be among the “select few weirdos”, huh? Do yourselves a favor and go read the rest of the interview by hitting the link down below.

J.

John Layman & Rob Guillory Chew on “Chew”/CBR

This week’s question:

Is Blackest Night living up to the hype?

I will admit that earlier this year I had some reservations about Blackest Night. I felt that the story sounded a bit to gimmicky. After success with the Sinestro Corps War DC needed a way to up the ante. So why not create 5 more Lantern Corps and have a huge war on a much grander scale? During the Agent Orange storyline in Green Lantern Geoff Johns was really starting to lose me but I was still very much enjoying Green Lantern Corps. In May Blackest Night #0 was released on Free Comic Book Day and I was really not impressed (as many of you saw in our video review). I really started to think that Geoff Johns was pulling a Bendis and just overextending himself.

Now that we are more or less half way through the Blackest Night miniseries I can safely say that my worrying was all for naught. I never would have thought I would be enjoying it as much as I am. Sure, most of the credit goes to Johns, Reis, Mahnke, Tomasi, Gleason (to name only a few) for making it so enjoyable but I have to throw the rest of the credit to DC as a whole.

DC is really handling this “event” exceptionally well. The editorial on all the books seem to be really tight and are keeping a nice, cohesive story on the rails. The 3-issue miniseries (Batman, Titans, Superman) and tie-ins(REBELS, Doom Patrol, Booster Gold) have added to the overall scope of Blackest Night without feeling at all like a cash grab. Most of the tie-ins and miniseries have been $2.99 while the books that are $3.99 actually have more pages and warrant the price.

DC running their Ring Promotion along with retailers is kind of the icing on the cake. DC didn’t have to do this but it really does make this event feel exciting and special. Add to that the fact that new customers have been making their way into comic shops just to see what all the hype is about and it’s all good.

Which brings me back to the question “Is Blackest Night living up to the hype?“

I would have to say yes. Yes it is.

J.

Felicia Day will be co-hosting Attack of the Show on G4 tomorrow.

That is all.

J.

But I guess apathy is all the rage with the kids these days, right?

Yes, this is exactly what I want in a superhero movie. For the hero to look like a sad sack homeless person who likes to take his shits in a dumpster. Sorry, Mark Millar. Will Smith already be ya to the punch on that one.

J.

What is going on? DC has the Top 6 best selling comics in October? Detective Comics moves up to the #19 spot from being #25 last month and it is now outselling Hulk? Are fanboys finally coming to their senses or is the CCW Nation just taking it to the streets and not tolerating shitty comics anymore?

“Ya, but there wasn’t an issue of Cap Reborn that shipped in October,” the Marvel Zombies will say. Well, you know what? If Marvel actually shipped their books on time maybe they would have cracked the Top 5. Just saying.

Feel that? A change is coming DC fans. Today the industry is in a better place but don’t be content with this small win. There is still much work to be done. We still have to get some more independents in the Top 100.

And yes, I noticed that Tony Daniel’s Batman #692 came in at the #12 spot. Gotta take the good with the bad.

J.

1. Blackest Night #4
2. Batman and Robin #5
3. Green Lantern #47 (Blackest Night)
4. Blackest Night: Batman #3
5. Green Lantern Corps #41 (Blackest Night)
6. Blackest Night: Superman #3
7. New Avengers #58
8. Dark Avengers #10
9. Uncanny X-Men #516
10. Amazing Spider-Man #608
11. Batman #691
12. Batman #692
13. Astonishing X-Men #31
14. Blackest Night: Titans #3
15. Ultimate Comics Avengers #3
16. Amazing Spider-Man #609
17. Justice League of America #38
18. Dark Wolverine #79
19. Detective Comics #858
20. Web of Spider-Man #1
21. Hulk #16
22. Justice League: Cry For Justice #4
23. X-Men: Legacy #228
24. Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #3
25. Mighty Avengers #30

Top 300 Comics for October 2009/ICv2

-I didn’t end up buying Punishermax #1 or Strange #1 today. Can’t afford to add two more $3.99 titles to my monthly pull. Marvel is just killing themselves (and me) with their prices. I’ll just wait for the trade on Strange.

-I did however end up getting Amazing Spider-Man #611. I had forgotten about this issue back when I was ranting about not buying Spidey again till January. It’s Joe Kelly’s chance to write Deadpool again, Eric Canete on the art and it’s pretty much a one and done story. Being that I am a fan of Kelly’s Deadpool run and Canete’s art I felt compelled to purchase it.

-Getting back to the subject of overpriced comics: Batman/Doc Savage Special was $4.99. I have yet to read it but that thing better be fucking golden…or bronzed as the case may be.

-There was a surprise(?) return of one of my favorite (mutant) characters today in Dark X-Men #1. Now if only Marvel could get Steve Skroce to come back and do another monthly with him. It’s really too bad Marvel somewhat ruined this surprise return with their shitty The Siege teasers last week.

-Captain America: Who Will Wield the Shield one-shot has now officially changed to Captain America REBORN: Who Will Wield the Shield making it seem very likely that fans will indeed have to buy it before Cap: Reborn #6 to know what the hell is going on.

-Finished reading REBELS #10. Awesome ending to an awesome issue. Hope everyone who is checking the book out for the first time enjoys it as much as I did. May have to review this one.

-Just saw the sales estimates for October and DC really handed Marvel their asses. I’m working on a post right now for it. Should be up in a bit.

J.

Fuck. I wasn’t expecting it to be such a big week for me but then again no one expects the Spanish Inquisition either so it all balances out. Here’s what I’m buying:

Batman Doc Savage Special
Booster Gold #26 (Orange Lantern Ring)
Daredevil #502
Deadpool #17
Green Lantern Corp #42
JSA vs Kobra #6
REBELS #10 (Indigo Lantern Ring)
Tank Girl: Skid Marks #1
The Unwritten #7

Ah, two more Lantern rings to add to my “nerd collection of useless things.” I’m on the fence about Strange #1 and Punishermax #1. I’ll let you know tomorrow if I actually picked those up.

Other books shipping on Wednesday: Batman #693 (Why so soon DC? Do you hate me?), Phonogram 2 #5 (Only like 6 months late), Do Android’s Dream of Electric Sheep Vol. 1 HC (I’ll be buying this in the next couple of weeks when I have more money) and Superman: Red Sun Deluxe Edition HC (Buy this if you have not read it. It is the only Mark Millar comic I will ever recommend).

And if you are a DC fan and have yet to find out how awesome REBELS is now is your chance to find out what those of us in the know already do.

So, tell me already what you’re getting this week. Please don’t make me beg.

J.