Unless I miss my guess, lots of people will probably link to Tom Spurgeon’s collection of “Thoughts on the Year Thus Far” at The Comics Reporter. And they should, because it’s excellent, which should come as no surprise to anyone who visits TCR.
In his introduction, Tom talks about the state of on-line comics journalism:
“I’m an on-line reader, too. I’m just like everybody else in that I value being informed in a timely manner. My hope is that occasionally we can take a second look at some news stories, and try to come at them from a different angle, making news as well as breaking it.”
And that, to me, encapsulates why TCR is so essential, because that’s what Tom does every day. He looks at the breaking news in potent and thoughtful ways, and he covers an absolutely startling range of issues. He draws connections and poses important questions.
In fact, it’s almost… suspicious that Tom can do this so well. Hence, I have developed a handful of theories:
- “Tom Spurgeon” is actually an advanced and powerful super-computer that has developed artificial intelligence and a discerning eye for the comics medium.
- “Tom Spurgeon” is actually collaboration of Tom 1.0 and a group of meticulously created clones, because surely a single person couldn’t be responsible for a site so comprehensive.
- Tom Spurgeon just kicks ass.
While I know that the third theory is the most likely, I don’t think we can discount the first and second as possibilities.
Update: From the Depressing Coincidences Desk, Newsarama has handed over the editorial keys to Joe Quesada for a week. The first scoop arrives in part one of a five-part Q&A with Brian Bendis: Quesada and Bendis — BFF! I demand equal time for Larry Young.