Extensive series limit reader opportunities


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I often hear from non-comic book readers that they don’t read comics not out of a lack of interest, but out of intimidation over where to begin. This complaint isn’t completely unwarranted. Narrative arcs within various series can be complex and many people don’t want to just jump into the middle of a story. After all, […]

Small plates skyrocket in consumer popularity


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Jewelry, iPods, that new key-lime flavored gum. The best things come in small packages. Joining those esteemed ranks is the small plates menu, evidenced in the food industry’s growing appreciation for it. Los Angeles is proudly participating in the trend. Small plates, referring to small portions of food served with much variety, first entered American […]

TV programs exclude middlebrow audience


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Talk of the shrinking middle class has gotten plenty of lip service in the U.S. political arena for several years. Some say the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, and there seem to be fewer opportunities for those who would be content finding a comfortable life in the middle class. TV […]

The Last Bookstore preserves paperback in style


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If you look hard enough in Los Angeles, you can find almost anything. The city and the surrounding area are known for obvious landmarks, such as the Hollywood sign, but there are smaller, more hidden destinations that are also worth a visit. If you venture into the smaller parts of the city, or simply keep […]

Artists strategize TV appearances


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Many of us forget about the musical guests on late-night talk shows. There is, of course, the omnipresent house band that provides a soundtrack for the show, but every program needs a good guest performance to cap things off. How each late-night show handles their guests, though, is worth discussing. Statistically speaking, musical guest performances […]

Graphic artist suggests innovative career path


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It’s difficult to rise to fame in the comic book industry with hundreds of writers, artists, designers and editors trying to break in and hit the big time, even when the ultimate success rate isn’t that high. There’s a perception that a graphic artist can just shop around some work, get on a smaller title […]

Cooking at home reclaims its appeal


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For years, the restaurant industry has trended toward wholesome dining: locally sourced foods with rustic presentations. The effect is meant to comfort the diner through “organic” eating, a reminder of a simpler era of literal farm-to-table meals that most diners have probably not experienced. And nothing gets much more wholesome, or comforting, than a true […]

Vinyl revitalize music industry


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Vinyl records are not just for DJs to spin any more. These hunky, 12-inch pieces of wax are quickly becoming the physical medium of choice among music fans. In an age when thousands of songs can be stored on a miniscule device like an iPod Nano, younger consumers are discovering that perhaps their grandparents were […]

Comics adapt to revolutionary digital age


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Like many other old school mediums, comic books are being forced to adapt to the digital age. In the last year, comics have jumped onto the digital bandwagon rather than just awkwardly putting one foot in. The major companies have adopted day and date digital releases, meaning all readers get their issues at the same […]