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Printheads: What's Up With Wizard?

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  1.  (6903.1)
    I was all set to write a post asking for opinions on new comics mags to check out, as my Wizard subscription has run out and I've slowly grown unhappy with the way they're doing things now. And then I went over to Bleeding Cool and saw this.

    So now, I want to know, does anyone know what's up with (or the veracity behind)the negative view of Wizard in the industry? And going back to my original question, are there any comics magazines worth checking out besides internet-based? I like Bleeding Cool, but I have a hard enough time getting to Whitechapel enough, and there's something about holding a physical thing with previews of interesting new things spanning all genres and publishers, and Wizard's not really cutting it for me anymore.
    • CommentAuthorWakefield
    • CommentTimeSep 29th 2009 edited
     (6903.2)
    I stopped reading Wizard when I turned 16. I dunno, after a while, you stop lusting after cartoon women--which made the magazine irrelevant.
    •  
      CommentAuthorbrittanica
    • CommentTimeSep 29th 2009
     (6903.3)
    I noticed quite recently, now that a good chunk of the books I read come from Avatar, that Wizard barely mentions our lovely hosts.
    Wizard is definitely NOT the place to turn to if you want anything but fanboy fawning over the big 3 (Marvel, DC/Vertigo, Image), and occasionally an indie (which more than likely publishes Scott Pilgrim).
    That said, I still read it. I love magazines, and that's the most available comic-related one there is.
  4.  (6903.4)
    Comics Journal is still the standout in terms of comics journalism.
    • CommentAuthorThe Brad
    • CommentTimeSep 29th 2009
     (6903.5)
    God I haven't bought one of those in a long time. I was all about wizard as a kid. It also was the reason I got into Warren's work. I read some letter he sent to the editor threatening, and I'm paraphrasing here, to throw some wizard staffer like a lawn dart and stuff the other one's backside with rabid ferrets and sow him shut.

    I don't know. Maybe Wizard's audience is much younger than they write for, and that people just grow out of it. Like I did with Maxim.
  6.  (6903.6)
    I mean seriously, this is the level of discourse at Wizard:
    http://occasionalsuperheroine.blogspot.com/2009/09/wizard-implied-facepalm.html

    Seriously, it's a magazine for poorly-socialized 12-year-old boys.
  7.  (6903.7)
    i grew up with WIZARD, read it for years. it was always pretty juvenile, but you knew what you were getting into. then about 2 years ago, it seemed to me to just get worse rapidly. too much "humor", too much movie and tv coverage( a large chunk of which was only tangentially related to comics), ass-kissing overhyped creators from hollywood, and the fact that the internet had replaced the "news" portion for me are all solid factors of why i dont care anymore.

    i lloked at one recently in the comic store and it is too thin for the cost, and it seems like a totally different magazine than the one i used to like.
  8.  (6903.8)
    @joe: I wholeheartedly agree, that's the same problem I started having it. It was juvenile back when I was a juvenile, and I grew up. But at the same time, there has been a weird Maxim-quality change that essentially perpetuates the stereotypes the outside world believes about mainstream comics. This past issue was the worst: a complete mess, the entire magazine organized as a giant list counting down from fifty that is unnecessary and confusing. What happened to a letters page, a new features page, a news page? That's what a fucking magazine is! There's no reason to be "edgy" or "new"!

    A few years ago (maybe several), they would have two pages every month dedicated to indie comics. Then that became less frequent until it was gone. Movie coverage I understand what with the recent boom in comic-movie adaptations, but it's getting out of hand.


    @erico: wow, I missed that issue. God... I've heard Comics Journal accused of favoritism as well, but on the whole I've been interested in it for years and just never willing to drop the coin for it before. I may now... I think it's a sad state of affairs that these are the only two print magazines about comics, because I'm too much of a dumbfuck to properly figure out how to use online magazines.

    Thanks for the comments so far, all.
  9.  (6903.9)
    I think it's a sad state of affairs that these are the only two print magazines about

    Isn't COMICS INTERNATIONAL still running?
    •  
      CommentAuthortedcroland
    • CommentTimeSep 29th 2009
     (6903.10)
    ALTER EGO is still going, too.
    •  
      CommentAuthorPaul Sizer
    • CommentTimeSep 29th 2009
     (6903.11)
    I still light a candle every night for COMICS FOUNDRY. That magazine made me so happy, and watching it die was heart rending.
  12.  (6903.12)
    Isn't COMICS INTERNATIONAL still running?
    Barely, from what I've heard.


    Will
  13.  (6903.13)
    Yes good, that's what I originally wanted was more print mags to look into that weren't just fanzines self-printed by the scary hobo that works part-time at the local. True story, by the way.
  14.  (6903.14)
    In short: they failed to establish a web presence, trapped themselves in print, fired everyone who could have helped them through it and failed to maintain their primacy among contacts in comics and other media.

    As for the house style, it is what it's always been. Believe me, everybody at Wizard reads great comics, but you're not promoting the new cool find, you're promoting what Marvel or DC wants to push. Wolverine, and T&A are what boost their sales, though they're the same things that make it difficult to establish a long-term readership.
  15.  (6903.15)
    As far as other magazines, Alter Ego led me to TwoMorrows Publishing, who puts out Alter Ego and another mag called Back Issue Magazine, as well as used to put out Comic Book Artist which is now being handled by Top Shelf. All are currently still running (Comic Book Artist hasn't had an issue since 2005 but supposedly has two slated for '09), but all focus on comics of the 60's through 90's. Which is cool, but nothing or very little current-gen.

    Comics International's website is empty, "currently undergoing redevelopment" and apparently has been for some time. Wikipedia states issues have been increasingly sporadic, editing history suggests this was written in 2007.

    And I now have a burgeoning idea for a Transmet-killer.
    •  
      CommentAuthormister hex
    • CommentTimeSep 29th 2009
     (6903.16)
    "Wolverine and T&A" speaks volumes about the comics industry since about 1982.
  17.  (6903.17)
    @ mister hex

    Are you ready for the big crossover event coming in April:

    Ultimate Wolverine Overszied T&A: Dark Reigin #1*

    *With a Preview in December's WIZARD MAGAZINE!
    •  
      CommentAuthorhowyadoin
    • CommentTimeSep 29th 2009
     (6903.18)
    So now, I want to know, does anyone know what's up with (or the veracity behind)the negative view of Wizard in the industry?
    You wouldn't be new to comics, by any chance? They've been a joke for a long, long time.
  19.  (6903.19)
    "Wolverine and T&A" speaks volumes about the comics industry since about 1982.

    Not the comics industry I read. There's plenty of stuff out there that doesn't fit that description, and you still can come home with a decent haul every week while ignoring it on the racks.
  20.  (6903.20)
    actually the tagline for WOLVERINE AND T&A is "you cant ignore our racks"

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