YAFQ: Create an Anthology

Yet Another Friday Question:

What kind of comics anthology would you create to attract a newsstand audience?

Archie have their digests, Disney & Nickelodian have occasional comics-only issues of their magazines, and Viz have done very well with their Shonen Jump & Shojo Beat anthologies. But still there is not much of an effort by comics publishers to target the newsstand--and by extension non-regular comics readers--with a thick value-priced anthology.

My recommendation would be for DC to put together an anthology for kids. They have a lot of reprint material to draw on from the past 10-15 years: Scooby-Doo, Bugs Bunny, Cartoon Network, and the animated Batman/Superman/Justice League. Add into that classic Sugar & Spike comics and they could easily put together a 128-page color monthly anthology in the $5-$6 range I should think.

Any other ideas out there?

Dave's Dozen: Collections/GNs

Concluding my look through the March Previews (for items supposedly shipping in May), here are a dozen collections and graphic novels that I feel are worth your attention:


Skrull Kill Crew
(Marvel, $16.99, p. M105)
Grant Morrison reunites with Aztek parter Mark Millar and Zenith artist Steve Yeowell for a story that takes a throw-away event from an old Fantastic Four comic and runs with it to its madcap violent conclusion.



De:Tales
(Dark Horse, $14.95, p. 36)

Two of my current favorite creators, brothers Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba, put together a collection of short stories. Easily one of the top picks of the month.



Wonder Woman: Destiny Calling
(DC, $19.99, p. 91)

The fourth collection of George Perez's now-classic post-Crisis Wonder Woman. Feature guest art by Art Adams, Brian Bolland, and others.



Five Fists of Science
(Image, $12.99, p. 138)

I've been waiting for this OGN to hit for what seems like forever. Mark Twain & Nikola Tesla team up to bring about world peace, but standing in their way is Thomas Edison and an evil science cabal. Pure steampunk joy.



Tezuka's Buddha vol. 1
(Del Rey, $14.95, p. 262)

Osamu Tezuka's masterpiece is now available in an affordable trade paperback, so now you have no excuse for not picking it up.



Gorilla Gorilla vol. 1
(Disney Press, $4.95, p. 279)

Art Baltazar's Gorilla Gorilla strips from Disney Adventures get collected into an kid-friendly affordable digest.



Castle Waiting
(Fantagraphics, $29.95, p. 284)

Yes $30 may seem like a bit much, but it's really a bargain for a hefty hardcover collection of Linda Medley's charming medieval fantasy. If you only buy one graphic novel this month, make it this one.



Alan Moore: The Complete Future Shocks
(Rebellion, $21.99, p. 315)

These stories from 2000 AD will give you a good look at the early work of a writer who would go on to become one of comics' top talents. Nothing deep here, but a good deal of fun.



Aoi House vol. 1
(Seven Seas, $10.99, p. 318)

A great high concept for a harem manga: two college boys are kicked out of their dorm, and end up living in a house with a bunch of yaoi-obsessed fangirls.



BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad vol. 4
(TokyoPop, $9.99, p. 332)

Rock 'n' Roll and teen angst. One of my current favorite manga series.



Oddly Normal vol. 1
(Viper Comics, $11.95, p. 349)

I enjoyeed the first issue and decided to wait for the trade, which is now here. Yay!



Phoenix vol. 7: Civil War
(Viz, $15.99, p. 358)

Anytime there's a new English edition of Tezuka's work, you should make a grab for it. Each volume in this, his magnum opus, is self-contained, so you don't need to worry about coming in on part 7--just dive right in!



That concludes Dave's Dozen for this month (previously I covered mainstream comics and indy comics). Come back next month for 36 (or so) picks.