Comics Buyer's Guide - New Format

Slow going on the comic readings lately. Most of my new issues are now on order via a montly shipment on the web, so I don't have much to add. What I missed via my subscription vender, that I've been picking up hasn't moved me to write about so on to something that has.

I got the Fourth issue of the new format of CBG tonight in the mail and while I mostly like the new format, there are a few things that REALLY annoy me.

First and foremost is that every issue has and will have a Comic Book related movie on the cover. We've had two Spider-Man 2 covers, an AvP and now a Sky Captain cover, with the majority of the NEW color pages devoted to Sky Captain. I thought this was about comic books, NOT movies. I understand that they are trying to move this on the newsstands now, and that the average Joe will most likely pick it up if it has a Sky Captain cover rather than a "Green Lantern: Rebirth" cover, but guess which this subscriber would rather read about! It's getting a little much, but I think can guess what the next covers will most likely be:

#1599 - The Incredibles
#1600 - Blade: Trinity
#1601 - Elektra
#1602 - Constantine
#1603 - Batman Begins (but early, could be Smallville or something)
#1604 - Sin City

About the rest of the contents, it’s generally good to really good, but do we REALLY need another freaking price guide? I’m guessing it’s another tactic to entice Mr. Average Joe into a comic shop or onto eBay, but it’s a waste of space for the most part. Thankfully there are additional reviews on the price guide pages that doesn’t render that part of the book to a waste of tree pulp.

Finally, the CGC emphasis is pretty annoying, but again it’s presented to Mr. Average Joe that comic book INVESTMENT and collecting is now worry free thanks to the fine folks at CGC. Case in point is “The Basics” strip on pages 139 and 141 in the current issue, which is their rational while CGC is good. They follow up on page 143 is their Black and White grading section which is USELESS.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there is a lot to like in the current format. I think that overall I get A LOT more bang for the buck. Before I subscribed, it would pick it up at the comic shop about once a month anyhow. Also, there are so many comics reviewed in it from current issues to older silver and bronze books. The columns are for the most part really good. It’s just a little annoying that more attention is paid to the possible newsstand buyer, rather than the guy who’s actually picked up fairly regularly in the past.

Thoughts?

And can the NHL and NHLPA sit down and try to reach an agreement?