Wizard gets it right

I'm just one of those people who buys Wizard magazine every month knowing it's current state (vague, brief articles) and design (countdown) is pure heaping trash...but can't stop getting it for the usual 10-minutes of use I get on the treadmill.

This magazine used to be the bible of comic books.

Unfortunately, there aren't many options out there. So one day I was breezing through my collection of Wizards when I noticed I was missing an issue. Issue #220.

Now, while it does still have the crappy countdown style that has annoyed the piss out of many fanboys, I must say I heavily enjoyed their "Best Of" issue.

First, the Alex Ross cover of Bucky Cap is among the best I've seen in recent memory. It's trivial how I didn't notice this at my LCS. My only guess is that my LCS never received the issue considering it came out around the time he was supposed to receive Blackest Night #6, a free calender, free Siege: origins book, and Previews, and instead got nothing. I guess that all makes sense.

I'm glad I found this back issue for 30% off to boot. Why?

It actually took me 35-minutes to read. A heavy accomplishment considering I usually breeze through this magazine like the morning headlines. I agree with most of their awards:

2009 MVP: Geoff Johns - No brainer. But still.

Best Writer: Jason Aaron - considering it really means 2nd best writer to the MVP, I agree since I was so heavy on his Wolverine, Ghost Rider, and Scalped.

Best Ongoing: Invincible Iron Man - Word.

Best Heroes: Morrison's Grayson Batman & Damien Robin - No doubt.

Best Villain: Norman Osborn - Yes, the perfect followup to 2008's Joker.

Best Artist: J.H. Williams - Allelujah.

Best Fight: Thor vs. Bor - Yes!

Best Video Game: Arkham Asylum - It's the only game I play.

Best Colorist: Dave Stewart - The Marvel's Project.

Best Movie: Star Trek - My fav movie of '09 as well. Shame it misses an Oscar nomi while The Blind Side, An Education and Up recieve one.

Best Mini: Dark Reign: Elektra - Well, considering most of the DR mini's were surprisingly good, this is a fair representation of that notion. It's a surprisingly well thought out selection.

And I have to say the Justice League International, Supergirl and Captain America articles were pleasing to read.


I know I'm late, but since Wizard has been catching so much flack as of late, and rightfully so, I figured I'd give them some deserving props. It may be another 10 months before I can say this again.

You're not welcome here anymore.

Nice but why keep buying something you know sucks? For the one good issue that pops up as much as Haley's Comet?

There are no good comic magazines. No one can find that perfect balance between super snarky boring geek and blithering pop culture idiot. Just stick to the news and occasional interview at Newsarama and CBR. Anything and everything worth knowing goes through those websites.

Tomer, Don't overreact. I know used to work for Wizard. Freedom of speech?

And if I leave, will anyone else be here to talk to themselves like I do?


Metal Misfit, I agree wholeheartedly man. I gave you shit last night but what you say this time is true. I spend more time on POP now than anyother website (though I'm on IGN, CBR, and comicsbulletin frequently as well). But this is only forum I constantly lurk. As critics we're all biased, but when I get a chance to be humble for once I try to do it.

Oh well.

I haven't touched Wizard for about a year now, maybe longer. Totally agree. Wish there was an alternative out there, but, oh well. The only mag I read is GameInformer.

The internet makes Wizard dated and obsolete. Most of the stuff they report has already been reported on the internet a few weeks/months ago.

It reminds me of reading a daily newspaper once in awhile, then realizing I already read those news a few days ago on the web.

Loosecannon, if nothing else -- just think of the money you'll save per year.

I've tried IGN from time to time but they've never clicked with me. I can't quite put my finger on it. One thing that turns me off is their extremely wordy reviews but they snag some high profile interviews from time to time.

MM...if you're looking for extremely wordy reviews, look no further than my home, comicsbulletin. Some of my cohorts there will write until their fingers fall off. Just the same, they're easily the most intelligent reviews on the web...

As for IGN, check out newcomer Tyler Parker. I swear me and this guy have the same taste; more importantly he writes well without pulling out his Merriam-Webster Vocabulary Builder book.

And hey, I like the guy Debaser who reviews for POP, he's got the whole "Onion" thing going for him.

Tomer, thanks for not banning me. Yet. Someday we should just buy Wizard and wipe the mat with them.

I said their extremely wordy reviews were a turn off...

www.comicsbulletin.com ? You write there or just have friends there?

Write there, my real name is Travis Walecka...I got a few reviews there, they just "hired" me.

And yes, I know what you were referring too, I was being silly.

Those picks are pretty solid.

LOOSECANNON wrote:Best Fight: Thor vs. Bor - Yes!

Hells yeah!

I'm now considered the most hated comic book "critic" in the country since posting this in the IGN.com forums... If that's really the case, I don't see how Wizard is still in business.

LOOSECANNON wrote:I'm now considered the most hated comic book "critic" in the country since posting this in the IGN.com forums... If that's really the case, I don't see how Wizard is still in business.

Wizard exists, and has for some time, out of a reluctance of certain people to get comic book news off the internet. It's just every year, exponentially more people move on-line.

LOOSECANNON wrote:I'm now considered the most hated comic book "critic" in the country since posting this in the IGN.com forums... If that's really the case, I don't see how Wizard is still in business.

Don't you know by now? Wizard cannot be criticized, even if you agree with most of their articles. One negative word, and you're on their list forever, it seems. I've put comments on their con log that disappeared almost immediately, and they weren't even that critical. If you're not 'rah rah, Gareb is a genius, his conventions are the best ever, and his magazine makes me want to suck gently on his golden balls', they really have no use for you.

Just ask the WUMB...oh, wait. That's right.

That list is accurate. Even a broken douchebag clock can be right twice.

This is how they wanted it to be:
2009 MVP: Tie: Gareb Shamus/Gareb Shamus

Best Writer: That guy that wrote the "click here for tickets" ads on WizardWorld.com.

Best Ongoing: Wizard: The Guide to Comics

Best Heroes: The Shamus Brothers

Best Villain: Reed Exhibitions

Best Artist: Tie: William Shatner/Adam West (now appearing in Anaheim! Get tickets now!)

Best Fight: Big Apple Con's complete and holy victory over NYCC

Best Video Game: Convention Tycoon

Best Colorist: Spat

Best Movie: DVD Re-release of the Fred Savage smash-hit "The Wizard" (lots of internet hits on W-Universe)

Best Mini: Twisted Toyfare Theater

You guys are brutal. I promise you'll never see word Wiza... out of my mouth again.

Which wizard got it right? Gandalf, Saruman, Harry Dresden...the Dungeonmaster? inquiring minds want to know.

At least the Magizine most people here wrote for is still around. InQuest... RIP.

I still have an open invitation to have a cage match with Gareb Shameless.

The thing with this list is... uh going with common collective opinion isn't risky or amazing. They took no risks and didn't even explain their method of evaluation for the picks. The reson it has been such epic fail is because they were the best because they had the best in the industry writing for them. Every thing was a steam roller down hill from the moment they let pat go. You can't get rid of all you industry insiders and expect to have the same report that helped you become an industry leader. Then they can't even keep there website up to date, they don't even try anymore. Don't waste you money anymore and if you see Gareb tell him I want to fuck him up. They do cage matches a mile from my house 2 times a month... I would love to get him in there.

haha fights among comic fans rule...I used to do cage fighting (UFC) a couple years ago, but I retired that shit...the most I do is go to the gym every morning...I bet you I'm the only guy in the US of A who brings comics to the gym and reads them on the treadmill...

as for Wizard, I actually liked this month's issue with Kick Ass on it. Why? Good interviews. Do I need to explain myself? No, because I doubt too many of y'all will arm wrestle me at a con.

Thank you and good night (err, morning).

Wizard Magazine is stupid.

BlueMaxx wrote:Wizard Magazine is stupid.

I don't think they are stupid. I just don't think they are relevant anymore.

And that's stupid. Ba-dum peesh!

I just wish another mag would come along, but with the state of print media at this point, I doubt that would happen.