Tag Archives: politicians

Obama Boosts Comic Sales, Can Bo?

Posted on by

We’ve seen how President Obama can single handily increase sales on comic books.  Soon, we’ll see if the Presidental dog Bo has the same magic.  Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers #4 sees the President’s pet take on Thanos (no I’m not making this up).  The comic will be released on June 9th.

Here’s the actual solicit from Marvel.com, and a preview of Thanos taking on the Pet Avengers and Bo on the White House lawn.

It’s the final battle between Lockjaw’s Pet Avengers and the tyrannical Thanos for control of the Infinity Gems-and the life of the Puppy-In-Chief! We’ve got your first look inside LOCKJAW AND THE PET AVENGERS #4, from the critically acclaimed team of Chris Eliopolous and Ig Guara, as the greatest battle in super pet history reaches its conclusion!

pet avengers

Licensable BearTM Teams With The Hero Initiative With Barack Obama Edition

Posted on by

Official Press Release

Trying to squeeze a few more drops of sweet economic nectar from the well-squeezed stimulus package known as “Obama comics,” About Comics has created a special limited edition of Licensable BearTM #4 (Barack’s first comic book appearance) for the Hero Initiative. A mere 60 copies of the Obamaesque (is that an adjective already?) Shepard Fairley-inspired cover have been printed, with 50 copies hand-numbered and signed by Licensable BearTM creator Nat Gertler. The numbered copies are currently available via Hero’s eBay store.

“I’d like to take credit as President Barack Obama’s creator in comics as well,” said Gertler. “Four score and seven weeks ago (well, actually in the year score-zero-seven), it was Licensable Bear #4 that had Obama’s first comic appearance. If only I’d trademarked him!”

Detail-oriented collectors will want to note that this limited edition is getting more limited by the minute. “My seven-month-old baby got hold of one of these copies and chewed and/or gummed it up pretty good,” noted Hero Initiative President Jim McLauchlin. “We’re now down to a limited edition of 49. And I can attest that Licensable Bear #4 makes for a tasty baby snack; less the staples, of course.”

Staples and paper were provided by USA printer Ka-blam.com, whose comics print-on-demand service makes low runs such as these 50—wait, 49!—economically practical. “More money for me to waste on Peanuts books,” noted Gertler.

Copies are available at $25 per, with copies #1, #44 (the number of Obama’s presidency) and #50 being placed for auction via eBay. “I even circled #50 on that copy,” Gertler said. “It’s all part of my commitment to quality customer service.

The Limited Hero Initiative Edition Licensable BearTM #4 can be purchased and auctions found at:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZheroinitiativeQQhtZ-1

About The Hero Initiative
The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.

About About Comics
For over a decade, About Comics has been publishing things that ought to be published, ranging from obscure Charles Schulz work to 24 hour comics to superfolk adventures by popular creators. Now, in addition to publishing works like The Weasel Patrol, they also package comics for other publishers and provide comics creation and production services for those who need them. Head to www.AboutComics.com for more information.

Obama a Fan Favorite

Posted on by

Wizard Magazine every year prints a year in review. As I was perusing their site, reading up on the latest news, I noticed an ad for their fan favorite edition featuring a variant cover drawn by J. Scott Campbell featuring President Obama.

If there was one consistent thing this past year in comic books (other than price hikes) was President Obama was the go-to “character” to boost sales.  Amazing Spider-man went into umpteen reprints, Savage Dragon had multiple printings, and the President starred in his own biographical comic by IDW, resparking an interest in comic book bios.

I still argue his turn in Marvel comics’ Thunderbolts was his sleeper cameo of the year (though I didn’t get a chance to check out Youngblood).

Grant Morrison on Bush, Blair, and Obama

Posted on by

IGN this week sat down with writer Grant Morrison to discuss DC Comics’ Final Crisis.  I couldn’t help but notice in issue #7 there was a distinct look and feel to the black President/Superman, guess I wasn’t that far off:

IGN Comics: How about the African American Superman/President in Final Crisis #7? It seems like you’re having some fun with the idea of Barack Obama as this conglomeration of hero, leader and celebrity.

Morrison: Completely. What I was thinking, because I wrote that obviously last year, was that Obama was getting in in February, and I realized this comic would be out right around that time. I knew it was going to happen. And so Final Crisis #7 has Darkseid defeated, and the good guys have won and everything is bright and optimistic again, I knew that the feeling in America was going to be the same. When Final Crisis started, I wanted to talk about the kind of crushing horror of the George Bush/Tony Blair axis we all had to live through. Final Crisis was my fictional diary of how it felt to live through the early years of the 21st century.

By the end of that, there’s this wind-of-change feeling that Obama brings to America and by extension everyone else – as to whether things actually change, we’ll see. I wanted to open Final Crisis #7 with that feeling that the weather had changed. And it’s the DC Universe, where anything can happen so here’s a black President Superman and we’re off! I think this guy’s a little better looking than Obama, though. I mean, Obama’s a fine-looking fella, but I don’t think he could fill out that Superman suit. [laughs] This guy is more Muhammad Ali. So we have him, and we also have Beyonce as Wonder Woman. That’s Beyonce at the microphone. [laughs]

Choice Quotes

Posted on by

the Amazing Spider-Man #583

Spider-Man – Well, that was unpleasant.  I hope this doesn’t ruin the inauguration for you.

Barack Obama – Honestly, I’m more upset about the Chameleon’s shockingly deficient understanding of the electoral process.

and

Barack Obama – …. I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States….

Marvels: Eye of the Camera #3

Sheldon – … The X-Men are super heroes.  Super heroes.  Would they take part in a cover-up?

Urich – Nixon did.

Choice Quotes

Posted on by

Adam: Legend of the Blue Marvel #3

Gov’t Agent – I’ll be honest with you, Ms. Frazier, this is not an easy assignment.  It may challenge you in ways a proper southern woman like yourself has never had to consider.  How do you feel about coloreds?

Frazier – Never really though about it.

Gov’t Agent – They’re different than us, Agen Frazier.  Their values, their culture… Had I my druthers I’d rather not expose you to… Let’s just say American comes before personal comfort.

also

Blue Marvel – I don’t believe it — even here — forty thousand kilometers from Earth —  and the first thing I see is a giant alien white man with an attitude.

also

the Watcher – I know of a people called the Kree.  They built these ruins on which we stand millenia ago.  Same problems.  Blue skins against pink skins.  Brother versus brother.  All fools… all doomed.  Do not let that happen to this precious world.

Dark Avengers #1

Osborn – My name is Norman Osborn and I approve of these Avengers!!

Guardians of the Galaxy #9

Star Lord – Blastaar sent me in to talk terms.  You in charge?

Jack Flag – No one’s in charge.

Star Lord – But a few of the strongest personalities have floated to the top?

Jack Flag – It’s like living democracy.  It’s a beautiful thing.

Ruin

Washington, D.C. as it was, swallowed back up by its state now that the White House is gone.  I hate this city.  It’s here that the American dream decided it liked the taste of vomit it was choking on.  Just rolled over on its back and screamed for more drugs.  It didn’t die.

Thunderbolts # 128

President Obama – You see, the things is, Norman, I have misgivings.  Grave misgivings.  You’ve been granted unprecedented powers… More power perhaps, than should rightfully reside in the hands of one man in a Democratic society.

Osborn – With respect, that’s a little rich coming from the so-called leader of the free world.

also

Ant-man – Just like the man — always tryin’ ta step on the little guy!  I voted for Colbert anyway…

Step 1: Obama, Step 2:…, Step 3: Profit

Posted on by

Proving that slapping President-elect Obama on anything will sell issues, Marvel announced they will go to a third printing of Amazing Spider-Man #583.

Spidey/Obama Team for Third Printing
Marvel is going back to press with a third printing of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583 Third Printing Variant Cover

It’s the story you’ve seen everywhere from CNN to the New York Times to Fox News: Spider-Man and United States President-Elect Barack Obama meet for the first time—and to meet the unprecedented demand, Marvel is going back to press with AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583 THIRD PRINTING OBAMA VARIANT.

The first two printings sold out immediately and Marvel urges retailers to place their orders by Monday, January 19, using Diamond Code NOV088141.

Also: New York Times reports on lines for AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583 featuring the Spidey/Obama Team-Up and ABC’s Nightline features Spidey/Obama!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583 THIRD PRINTING OBAMA VARIANT (NOV088141)
Written by MARK WAID & ZEB WELLS
Pencils by BARRY KITSON & TODD NAUCK
Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
40 PGS./Rated A …$3.99
FOC—1/19/09, ON-SALE—1/28/09

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook

Check out the official Marvel Shop for everything Spider-Man!

Need a Comic Sales Boost? Feature Obama.

Posted on by

Today saw the release of Amazing Spider-Man #583 featuring President-elect Obama and coverage of the event like atmosphere that surrounded sales.  Comic Book Resources has some good coverage from across the country including long lines and the need for crowd control at some stores.  With a reprint of this issue already announced and the need for reprints of an earlier Savage Dragon issue featuring the President-elect it seems Obama is more of a draw than the comic characters themselves.

It should come as no surprise then that today brings the announcement of yet another comic book to feature President-elect Obama.  Youngblood #8 will feature Obama as he puts together a new Youngblood team.  The story leads into issue #9 where the White House is attacked and Obama gets to play action hero.  We’ll have to wait to see if there’s a sales boost to this series as well.

Presidents are nothing new to comic books.  George H.W. Bush, Clinton, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, and even Vice President Dan Quayle have made appearances in the past.

Youngblood #8 will be on sale in February.

Spider-Man Saves Barack Obama

Posted on by

Following in the steep tradition Marvel comics on January 14th brings the team up of Spider-man and President-elect Barack Obama in Amazing Spider-man #583.  According to USA Today:

It was a natural after we learned the new president is a Spider-Man fan,” says Marvel editor in chief Joe Quesada about reports that Obama once collected Spider-Man comics. “We thought, ‘Fantastic! We have a comic-book geek in the White House.’

We do our best to be completely non-partisan and treat presidents with respect,” Quesada told USA Today. “This is not so much a pro-Obama statement but a tip of the hat to having a Spider-Man fan in the White House.

In the story by Zeb Wells, Todd Nauck and Frank D’Armata, Spider-Man stops the Chameleon from spoiling Obama’s swearing-in.  At one point, Spider-Man says he mistook Vice President-elect Joe Biden for the Vulture.

The issue will retail for $3.99, with a 50/50 split of covers.

2008 Election in Graphic Novel Form

Posted on by

On January 27, from Three Rivers Press, Dan Goldman will be releasing a graphic novel recounting his experience during the 2008 Presidential campaign.  You can find a 20 page downloadable preview of the upcoming graphic diary at his website, http://dangoldman.net/08/.  The novel is up for pre-order on numerous sites.

From his site:

Beyond the pandering focus groups, the billion-dollar fund-raising machinery, and the relentless myopia of the 24-hour news cycle, it was clear that something deep in the American psyche was stirring as the rumblings of the 2008 election first began. 08 follows the epic 2008 presidential campaign from inside the press bubble: the inevitable former first lady with a terrible plan to win, the freshman African-American senator who skyrockets to the Democratic nomination, and a former POW’s hangdog campaign that overcomes both the Mormon governor and thrice-married (and occasionally cross-dressing) mayor.

Taking its cue from campaign classics like Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72 and The Making of the President series, 08 brings politico journalism into the graphic novel form. Reflect on all the single-issue candidates, the pundits, the meltdowns, the awkward missteps, and the ruthless maneuvers of the scorched-earth campaign trail as they knit themselves into a political tale of the present-day battle for the future of America.

« Older Entries Recent Entries »