November comedy thread is up.
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...er-2017-a.html
December Holiday
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...1-02-18-a.html

Not trying to create more work, but do we have any listing for the themes we've done for previous challenges, specifically the Marchs and Aprils?

So far, I haven't done any of that kind of work in this thread. The closest thing I've done is link each previous Challenge in each monthly thread. From those, you can scan for ideas/themes individuals have used.

But I'll probably spruce up and add charts here eventually.

Not a big deal. I'm just thinking it might be handy when we pick publishers and themes for those months next year.

Good call. For March's Company Challenge, we did DC the first year, then Marvel, then pick-your-own. I'm thinking that might be a good pattern to follow. We have awhile to decide.

For the three previous Aprils on the TBD month, we've chosen themes to correspond to blockbuster comic book films coming each May. We did Avengers, then the DC Trinity, then Cosmic. We could stick to that thinking, as I imagine May will have some big comic book film planned, but I'm open to anything. Again, plenty of time to decide.

I’m thinking of starting to take part in the comic book challenges. Is there one in January?

Cool! Yep, one every month, and we mostly mirror the DVD Challenges. January is TV/Movie/Book month. So any comic adapted from or into a TV show or movie or book allowed. So basically every comic book.

Edit to add: https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...ry-2018-a.html

Cool. This will give me a chance to read my Reign Of The Supermen TPB.

So March is obviously next, and is our rotating company month. Year one we did DC, then Marvel, then choose any other company last year. For year four, how about if we roll back to DC again? Seems like a good cycle to stay on, since most comic collectors are somewhat DC and/or Marvel centric, and the majority of us will never have enough of another company to cycle thru all the “independents”. Also, with the recent Ollie’s deals, many of us probably have a bunch of new DC to read.

March 2018 thread
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...ch-2018-a.html

DC would be good. I agree that while many of us will have lots of some independents (Image and Dark Horse would be likely bets), restricting it to one might leave someone out in the cold.

I have plenty of DC even though I'm not near an Ollie's.

Are you referring to the Ollie's closeout store? If so I didn't even know about them selling comic books. A few years ago, I got a bunch of DC Comics for Christmas, that my parents found at a local Christmas bazaar. Don't recall exactly what was in the lot, but I do recall a bunch of JSAs.

DC Comics just basically dumped their New 52 warehouse stock leftovers at the Ollie's chain. Every location has hundreds of DC trades and select hardcovers priced under $4.

I have an Ollie's in a town about 20 miles away. Next time I have to go to that town, I'll look them up. My dad is taking my Mom to a doctor appointment on Tuesday. I'll ask to have them pick me up some comic books then.

Ok, so what do we want to do for April, our To Be Determined Challenge?

Year one we did an Avengers month in preparation of the Avengers sequel coming in May. Year two we did the DC Trinity, as BvS was still in theaters. Year three we did Cosmic comics, which tied into the forthcoming Guardians sequel.

We don’t have to stick to that movie tie-in schedule/theme, but could do anything. The original premise was to use this month for themes that would be fun, but not necessarily something we’d want to do every year. So maybe a theme that’s a little narrow. I don’t have any good ideas at the moment.

Anyone?

I'll toss out the idea of women-centric titles in light of the current political climate. This actually occurred to me last year as a Wonder Woman tie-in, but we had already committed to the cosmic theme, which was just fine with me.

Sounds timely, and pretty inclusive, especially if we allow female characters and creators.

I made it so.

Edit a month later to add: May thread is also now up
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...ay-2018-a.html

And June 2018
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...ne-2018-a.html

And July 2018
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...ly-2018-a.html

And August 2018
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...st-2017-a.html

And September 2018
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...er-2018-a.html

And October 2018
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...er-2018-a.html

And November 2018
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...er-2018-a.html

And December 2018
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...1-02-19-a.html

And January 2019
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...ry-2019-a.html

And February 2019
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...ry-2019-a.html

And March 2019
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...ch-2019-a.html

And April 2019
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...il-2019-a.html

And May 2019
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...ay-2019-a.html

And June 2019
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...ne-2019-a.html

And July 2019
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...ly-2019-a.html

And August 2019
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...st-2019-a.html

And September 2019
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...er-2019-a.html

And October 2019
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...er-2019-a.html

And November 2019
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...er-2019-a.html

And (finally?) December 2019
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...1-02-20-a.html

Happy 5th anniversary to the 3-4 people following these threads!
https://forum.dvdtalk.com/comic-book...er-2018-a.html

This is the month I get serious and hit 100 books.

That is a lot of books.

Late notice, I apologize, but we need to choose what company or companies to focus on in the March rotating company Challenge. We did DC, then Marvel, then pick any non-big two, then DC again. So I guess Marvel again? Any objections or other thoughts?

So for next month, our random month of each year, any ideas?

I was thinking of something like (and I know there is better phrasing than this) a I’ve Been Meaning to Read That Challenge.

How about cartoon strip collections? Has that one ever been done for a challenge? Or maybe foreign comics? That would give me the excuse to finally start reading a couple light novels from Japan I've acquired.

Those are both good ideas. Strips might be a bit narrow/difficult and better for individuals in May MYOC? Or outside your comfort zone Septembers? I could see non-country of origin being a good April, although it could also be individually appropriate in Mays and Septembers.

Any other thoughts on April? I’m still leaning towards “I Can’t Believe I Still Haven’t Read.

Also, fwiw, I’m thinking about changing December from just Holiday to a combo Holiday and second Make-Your-Own month. I realize I’m probably in the very small minority that loves and collects Holiday comics, so this would open up things for the majority a bit.

Obviously, this whole comic book Challenge thing is a niche idea on a dying website, with very few participants. But if you all don’t mind I’ll keep posting these until/if the forum is completely gone. I like the motivation to dig things out of my colllection or find new-to-me things online to satisfy themes and my checklist.

I’m a bit behind but within a binge day of my 2019 goal: average about 60 comics read per month, one Justice League book chronologically per day, and one Challenge-themed item on my monthly checklist per day.