Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Dark Horse Presents

Hands down, the very best.


I've made no bones about my preference for Dark Horse Comics over every other company in the business today. Their books rock, they still have room for a letters page, they maintain the best web presence of any company out there and they are home to both Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. which happen to be my two favorite comic book titles. Today I'd like to take a look at what makes them the best web presence of any comic book company on the internet.

Dark Horse has taken the novel approach of using the internet to supplement their books instead of using it to supplant their books. The Dark Horse method seems to be one of integration instead of elimination with both components working together to compliment each other rather than compete against each other. Comic books and the internet working together to enhance the overall experience of each other? What a novel concept!

Until the day comes where comics are exclusive to the internet why shouldn't the two mediums work together? Two of my favorite comic book websites are D. H. P. and the Hellboy Zone. Both offer free material and both are updated on a regular basis. There's always something fresh online and I've numerous times found myself reading something there first before adding a new title to my pull file. (Rapture for one.) Yeah, I hear those voices asking the question that always comes up when talking about an internet website; How much money are you making from it?

Let me tell you a little secret about making money. (I think it's one Dark Horse knows very well.) Are you paying attention? Here it is. If the only thing you care about is the customer's money, it's the last thing you'll ever get out of him. Did you catch that? Dark Horse gets my comic book dollar because they make me feel as valuable as my money. Who else in comics today has a letters page? What other comic book company offers email addresses where fan questions and comments receive actual responses?

Go here, here, here and here. What do these websites all have in common? They all talk at you about their product, but they don't give you an address to talk to them about it. They don't care about the fan. All they care about is our money. The message is loud and clear. And most of these websites rarely update their content. Again, they just don't really care...

The Dark Horse message seems to be, "What do you think and what do you want?". They care about comic book readers like the big two used to do. Visit Dark Horse. Visit some of the zones and check out the reading material offered on Dark Horse Presents. You'll find a fan friendly environment that welcomes both you and your input. You'll find yourself part of a dialog where fans are encouraged to participate, give voice and not just told to shut up and purchase.

Dark Horse Comics earn my money, they don't expect it. I think there's a lot to be learned from the Dark Horse business model right now and I wish some other companies would take a long hard look at how they do things and learn from the way they treat their customers. Respect is a two way street. Dark Horse gives as good as they get.

Seriously, go give these guys a look. Do it for no cost on "Free Comic Book Day" this Saturday May 2nd, 2009 at a comic book store near you. Aliens versus predator! Good stuff.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Rapture - Dark Horse Comics

Rapture


The more I see of this project the more I like it. I'd normally give a comic book involving cannibals an inferior rating as the genre isn't one of my favorites, (Not to my taste.) however, I think this book has legs and will prove to be an interesting read.

Check out the preview at Dark Horse Presents, Rapture and I think you'll see what I mean. Also take a look at the sneak peeks of the art pages here too. See what I mean? Tasty goodness from the team of Michael Oeming and Taki Soma.

After a century of war between the great villains and the great champions of Earth they suddenly vanish. The planet is trashed and we the people are left to pick up the pieces. Two young lovers, Evelyn and Gil, are separated by the distance of a continent, but they'll do anything to reunite again. The situation gets complicated when a being called "The Word" turns Evelyn into a champion and gives her an angelic spear. Yeah, I like it too!

Love versus destiny, which one wins out? I guess we'll just have to read the series and find out.

C'mon, give these kids a break and buy the damn book!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Skaar, Son of Hulk - Marvel

"Have, Skarr?"

"Thanks, but no thanks, Hulk, no smoke!"



Really, this is the best the great house of ideas has to offer these days? Jack Kirby must be laughing in his grave.

Well, I've gotta run, there's a crew of guys putting in my new windows today.

Not those kind of windows! House windows...

God, what a bunch of geeks...