GRANT'S QUESTIONS/BEST RAMPAGE EVER

The always great Steven Grant asked these questions in one of his recent columns, and I have answered:

1) What's your favorite comic of 2004?

Tough one. As far as trades or graphic novels go, I’ll go off the beaten path and say EGG STORY, OWLY, and B. KRIEGSTEIN COMICS really floated my boat. Also the fine manga, REMOTE. As far as floppies go, Peter David’s MADROX and Mark Waid’s underappreciated EMPIRE both gave me much enjoyment.

2) What's your favorite comics related moment?

It happened on screen. Batman singing for the life of Wonder Woman in the JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED cartoon. Paul Dini’s sly and hilarious middle finger to the people who take Bats way too seriously, as he slipped out the door to write for the excellent LOST.

3) What's the worst thing to happen in comics in 2004?

Marvel is beginning to flood the market again. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

4) What's your most fervid hope for comics in 2005?

Innovation. More original graphic novels. Material that attempts to broaden the audience. An industry that appeals more to women and young girls.

5) What aspect of comics in 2005 are you most looking forward to?

Finding more quality works by unknown creators and small press entities. Every time I find a book like STYX TAXI, it gives me hope for comics’ future.

6) What's your worst fear for comics in 2005?

That we’ll continue to see more of the same shit. That comics will continue to be unfriendly towards the fairer sex. That we are headed for another market collapse.

I was also pondering the always outstanding Fanboy Rampage today when I had an epiphany about what the site really is:

It's BEST WEEK EVER for comics. The motley collection of folks who post and rant about the foibles of the comics industry and the stupidity of fans are the comics equals to Jessi Klein, Sherrod Small, Patton Oswalt and the rest. It puts the site into perfect context and explains why I love it so much.

/Mason