5 Things I've Learned About Comics Blogging
In no particular order, save for the last item:
- There's no better way to recreate that "sitting around and talking about comics" feel I had when I was a kid than to do it with the comicsblogoweb. The general level of discourse is amazing here, light years beyond message boards, MySpaces, etc.
- Be watchful about who you take shots at, you never know who's reading (or commenting). I for one nearly soiled myself when I saw that Gail Simone and Jimmy Palmiotti were occasionally dropping by.
(And if you don't think I immediately went back and checked to see if I'd made any untoward remarks about their heritage, competence, or work to see if I'd made an ass of myself, well... let's just say you'd be wrong.) - Cultivate discussion, forge good relations, and keep things at a minimum level of courtesy towards your fellow bloggers. It goes a long way. It keeps people interested. It also doesn't hurt to occasionally do a hatchet piece on Marvel editorial or page-by-page ridicules of overhyped poorly written blockbuster comics. I'm just sayin'.
- The best blogs are those that have a distinctive voice, one where you can read a sentence or two, or three, and immediately recognize who's writing it. I'd like to think that I've done a pretty good job of that here.
- Which brings me to the last thing I've learned about comics blogging. And it's killing me to write this.
Namely, there's not going to be anymore "here", at least for the foreseeable future.
Having just squeaked past the much-ballyhooed one year anniversary, 2 Guys Buying Comics is shutting it down. It's not that I don't want to write more about comics, it's that I've reached a point where I can't write more about comics. At least not enough to continue to maintain a blog by myself, even on a twice-weekly basis.
It's been a solo show around here for awhile now, as Randy is swamped and rarely has time anymore, and I'm in essentially the same position now with family and work.
I'd like to take the high road here and say that it's because comics are leaving me cold lately, there's no more passion in the discussion, everything's bland, etc. But that couldn't be farther from the truth.
I still have the passion, I still love comics, I just have to make some life decisions. And rather than have you good people keep checking a stale site only to see a three-week old entry until you get fed up and leave with rotten memories of what used to be a pretty regular (and, I hope, entertaining) site, I'd rather just make a clean break and be up front about it.
So there.
That said, it's not like I'm dying or anything. I'll still be reading the comicsblogoweb and commenting regularly. Additionally, many of you are familiar with Ye Olde Comick Booke Blogge, run by my buddy Jake. Turns out I'm still on the team over there, so Jake's graciously allowed me to continue over there. My big plan is to contribute once a week or so, probably with reviews but the occasional "Fly On The Wall" piece as well, or if something strikes me as particularly blog-worthy.
Blogging somewhere I don't have to shoulder 95% of the content should make it quite a bit easier.
So thanks to Randy, my comics buying partner-in-crime for sticking with it when he could. And a big, wet, sloppy kiss to everyone I've met in the blogosphere since I started here. There's too many to name, so just check the sidebar; good people one and all.
If it seems like I'm making this out to be a bigger deal than it really is, it's because it's a tremendously big deal to me. 2GBC was where I stretched my writing skills and got to talk comics with a really cool bunch of people, even the ones that like Civil War.
The site will stay up for the time being--- who knows, maybe I'll relaunch it after a month or two if things calm down and I decide I just can't stay away. Also, I'd really like to figure out how to archive all this content.
Again, thanks to all of you who dropped by, read, commented, or mentioned us. It's truly been my pleasure. If you'd like to keep in touch, send me an e-mail (address found in the Blogger profile)!
See ya in the funny pages!
18 Comments:
Well that sucks, lol. Tis a shame you decided to stop. I hope you change your mind later on but, if not, I wish you all the best man.
*cry of anguish*
*quiet sobbing*
Sniff, well, at least you'll still be around. I'd be even more bummed if you werten't going to pop up every once in awhile to remind Marvel that 616 Iron Man is really screwed up.
See you when we see you.
See ya at the crossroads(crossroad, crossroads, crossroads).... so you won't be lonely.... See ya at the crossroads(crossroad, crossroads, crossroads).... so you won't be lonely....
AND I MISS MY FAVORITE BLOG, Y'ALL!!!
Thanks for all the entertainment value over these many months. I don't think I'll ever be able to think of editorial meetings the same way ever again. Best of luck with the future. :)
"...it's not goodbye - it's see you later."
2GBC has been one of my favorite blogs since it launched. I'll check for you over at Ye Olde, but thanks for the good times and great writing you've contributed here.
I'm surprised and saddened. But I know the incredible commitment to even posting ever few days; reading comics, analyzing, writing, adding images. I'll be reading you at YE.
You were the jackpot!
Your blog is still new to me. Im sad to see you go. Thanks for the great insight.
Hope to see more stuff from you over at Ye Olde. Better to take a break, then work until it's a grind. Thanks for everything, especially the Power Records stuff I picked up through here!
Hope to see you around the LOD. Best luck with everything.
Awww... I'll miss ya guys!
I'll add my voice to the understanding yet selfishly disappointed crowd.
Ah well, I go through the same sentiments about, um, quarterly or so. This hobby is meant to give you pleasure so when it starts to feel like a burden it's no longer pleasurable is it? Enjoy your time away.
I'll miss seeing you around these parts, Chris. I'm keeping 2GBC in my sidebar links just in case:
a) it turns out this post is "out-of-continuity".
b) you've been Space-Phantomed, whatever that is.
c) you get reeled back in, like everyone does at some point.
Best to you and yours.
Well, that's really disappointing. 2GBC was one of those blogs I could go to and count on a point of view I generally shared and always enjoyed. Your voices (mostly Chris's - sorry Randy) will be missed.
Thanks a lot for a great blog! I've always enjoyed your insights, but understand how real life can interfere with hobbies.
Take care. Hope we'll hear from you again!
I guess it's not goodbye... just see you somewhere else.
(me, I'm hoping for a big 2007 comeback.)
You will be sorely missed.
Man, I really have been off in my own l'il world.
I'm gonna miss you.
Let me say I was truly, TRULY honored that when you started your blog you singled mine out as one of your favorites.
It's been great watching you continuously funnier, weirder & better with each and every new post.
It's been fun and above all, don't stop writing!
Best to you all,
Devon
j really miss your blog...i've been checking in just to see if you'd changed your mind, unfortunetly you havent.
What? No. What?
You're closing down? Damnation. You guys hated Not Avengers too. Now I'm just alone.
Post a Comment
<< Home