Like most Shamelesss readers, I get really excited about a quality magazine. I have been devouring every issue of the stellar comics culture magazine, Comic Foundry. My heart broke when I saw that newest issue is the second-to-last issue.
Comic Foundry is all about balance—it does a great job of covering indie comics, mainstream stuff and web comics. A diverse range of creators are featured, from Marvel and DC heavy hitters, to hot new indie kids. It’s funny, it’s informative, and they clearly know a lot about comics. Mostly importantly, Comic Foundry recognises that—GASP—girls like comics too!
To fully understand why Comic Foundry is such an breath of fresh air in comics culture, you have to be familiar with Wizard Magazine. Yup, the same Wizard that’s being told to “suck it” on that cover. Wizard is THE comics magazine. It’s been around for 18 years, has a huge readership, and is available in most magazine shops, not just comics stores. It’s also really, really awful.
Here’s a fairly typical Wizard feature-match the butt to the super-heroine!
(thanks to comicsworthreading.com for the scan)
Real nice.
For a while, Wizard was calling itself “The #1 Men’s Pop Culture Magazine.”
Oh, I didn’t know I wasn’t invited to this party, Wizard. I mean, I like Superman, and I want to know the latest news about the Watchmen movie, and I want to read an interview with Ed Brubaker, and I want to match the rack.
Oh no. You’re right. This magazine isn’t for me.
I would say that Wizard likes to alienate half its potential audience, but they also alienate another huge subsection of comic readers—men who aren’t idiots
So imagine my delight when an issue of Comic Foundry came out and emblazoned across the top was “The #1 Men and Women’s Pop Culture Magazine”
YESSSSS!
Sadly, the next issue will be last. The magazine’s founders, Tim Leong and Laura Hudson are burnt out, and cite lack of time and energy as the primary reasons why the magazine won’t continue.
I’ll have to console myself with rereading the back issues over and over again. SOB!
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six comments
Boo that's sad. How long has this magazine been around?
Posted by Thea
February 24, 2009, 7:39 PM
Thank you.
Posted by Laura Hudson
February 25, 2009, 2:46 AM
Thea: about a year. One beautiful year. The last issue is the 5th issue.
Laura: thank YOU!
Posted by Tiina
February 25, 2009, 7:52 AM
That's such a bummer! Comic Foundry sounds awesome. And I can't believe those clips from Wizard are real! Geez!
Posted by D. Cole
February 25, 2009, 10:04 AM
Ugh, Wizard just makes me sad. Who knew there were enough men living in their mom's basements, jacking off to cartoon breasts, to sustain a magazine for almost two decades?
Was that too crude?
Boo, I am so sorry that I am just hearing about this magazine now. I wish it could continue at least as a website
Posted by Michelle
February 27, 2009, 10:17 AM
GAH! Why didn't I hear about this magazine sooner? It looks so much better than Wizard! The only good thing about Wizard, at all, would be the knock-off mag devoted to the collector toy industry, Toyfare. I feel tainted now by association.
Posted by Jess
February 27, 2009, 1:14 PM
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