Gen13 #25 Review

Writer: Scott Beatty
Artists: Mike Huddleston
Publisher: DC / Wildstorm Productions

In times past an issue #25 would be a high profile anniversary issue. A fanfare blazed across the front cover. Issue #25, in this case, is Gen13's fifth issue since the World's End remolding of Wildstorm universe, and while it has previously paled to the other of the current Wildstorm titles, this issue certainly moves in the right direction.

In a post apocalyptic shopping mall, Freefall and Grunge have been seperated from the rest of the team. Whereas titles Stormwatch: PHD and the Authority have veered in the very dark reaches of the Wildstorm Universe, Gen13 #25 manages to link aspects seen in those titles with a lighter vibe. Don't get me wrong though, Wildstorm's trademarked harsh reality is still definitely visible (Just watch Freefall use her gravity powers for proof of that).

An encouraging cliffhanger rounds off the issue, and Gen13 will definitely be higher up the read pile next month.

B

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Epilogue #3 Review

Writer: Steve Niles
Artists: Kyle Hotz
Publisher: IDW Publishing



His family were eviscerated by vampires, his escape and "turning" were accidental, his vengeance is brutal... not necessarily the most original of premises, admittedly, but it's the execution that counts.

If you're talking about "execution" in the "taking down the bad guys" sense of the word, then Kyle Hotz's trademarked style brings this murky world to life. His panels portray horror and violence like very few other artists can, shocking eyes with visceral glee.

If you're talking about "execution" in the "manner" sense of the word, then Steve Niles' humanizing of the lead character, even in his monstrous form, will leave you convinced that this may be a property to watch.

A

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Can Comics in the UK Survive 2 Price Rises?

According to Rich Johnston at CBR's Lying in the Gutters, when UK readers go in to the comic shop they may find they'll have to pay extra for their comics. Not due to a price rise by the publishers (which is slowly happening as seen in recent Avengers and Hulk solicitations by Marvel), but due to Diamond UK adjusting their Prices to compensate for the recent crash in the value of the pound.

In July 2008 £1 would buy you $2.00, Five months later £1.00 now buys you $1.48. A huge 25% drop in just 150 days.

Obviously Diamond UK could not sustain such a change in the prices without passing the extra costs on to their retail customer.

In my comic shop in Southampton, I've been used to paying £2.15 for a $2.99 comic. £2.45 for a $3.50 comic and £2.85 for a $3.99 comic. I'm guessing that from tomorrow it's going to be around £2.50, £2.80, and £3.25.

Now think of the British readers who have been reading New Avengers; they've been used to paying £2.15 for the comic. With the exchange rate change and Marvel's price increase (from $2.99 to $3.99), they'll now be be paying $3.25. Thats an incredible 50% increase.

ICV2 publish estimated figures for comic sales every month. These do not include sales in the UK, but it's been said before around the net that Diamond UK orders add an extra 10-15% on top of the ICV2 estimated numbers. I can only see these numbers deplete considerably over the next few years if the Pound does not recover.

For the first time since I've been reading comics, I genuinely fear for the sustainability of the industry in this UK, and can only plead with the Publishers and "Power's that Be" at the comics publishers to remember that there are 99 other price points between $2.99 and $3.99. PLEASE find a price point that benefits BOTH sides of the Atlantic.

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