Variant 2nd Prints

OK, so I'm relatively new to pulling comics from the comic shop. Or, at least, I just got back from a 2-year hiatus.

I'm pulling "Dark Avengers." I get issue 1. Issue 2 doesn't show up, even though I know it's out.

Go back to the shop, I've got issue 2, "variant 2nd print," as well as regular-ol' issue 3. (enjoying the series, btw)

So, is this commonplace? To get 2nd prints as if nothing is amiss? Or should I be like, "Dude, I'm pulling this -- get me a first printing!"

Step Two? Or One point Five?

Finished the fourth story last night, The Receivers. I am working out the plot for a new, as-yet-untitled story about a House.

Bought www.jasonarnett.com and thinking about the layout, which will likely change before June. More to come. Here's the post I'm referencing.

Who's Watched The Watchmen?

I figure this as good a forum as any. Let the reviews begin.

For SUPER-FRIENDS Fans

The Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank has huge pictorals and ads for their TV shows and movies. I was over there the other day (on my way to an early screening of Watchmen!) and I saw their new project. On the side of one of the sound-stages (where they tape Ellen, actually) they've had a pictoral of all of their animated characters, including Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Batman, and Superman, for years. This is what they're doing now:
Note this close-up. This could be lingering from what was underneath it but part of the character is outlined in the new paint:

And I have no idea what it is. I thought Warner Bros. had already released all of the Super-Friends episodes on DVD and I don't know what this could be connected to. Obviously it's not finished. When it's done I'll post more pictures.

And a bonus. This is, of course, my local comics shop, the House of Secrets in Burbank. I don't know what the story is behind this. They tried putting a comics-related mural in this same spot a few years ago but the city shut it down: (Yeah, that's my bike.)

Singles

Hey, gang, got a question for you.

I'm thinking about putting my short stories up for sale on Lulu.com for a buck apiece, like iTunes or something. These would be the whole story you get to read in Pulp Legacy (and I'll still put them there first for you guys, you've been so good to me) but downloadable for a buck to whomever might like to read them as DRM-free pdf files. One story a month, for a buck, with a 1500 word text preview and maybe free audio. Whether that's a preview or the whole story, I don't know.

Would you guys help me promote it, even passively, by sending on emails to your friends who read? Does this seem like a decent idea? Self-publishing for the digital age.

Lemme know what you think.

How much Watchmen stuff do we need?

Is anyone else starting to get a little... overwhelmed... with all the Watchmen stuff?

It seems like every cast member has been interviewed ten times by every pop culture media outlet. The preview is everywhere. Watchmen has it's own endcap at the big book chain. CNN is asking, "Will fans watch the Watchmen?" as one of their main stories.

How much longer before I'm filling out the crossword puzzle on the back of my box of Rorschach cereal? (Flavor: sugar cubes. Free prize: mini-grappling gun.)

I think what pushed me over the edge was when I saw this book, pictured, at Border's this weekend. Do I really need oversized black and white portraits of every cast member -- from the Comedian to the Viet Cong Dr. Manhattan obliterates -- in a deluxe format book? For $50?

I wonder how much Watchmen stuff will be steeply discounted in three weeks from now. Would I want to buy this book for 50% off? For 75% off? The answer is no. But I'm not much into portrait photography, either, so maybe I just don't "get it."

I'm looking forward to the movie, but I'm also getting sick of seeing/hearing about it.