And while I did like the general tenor of the first issue of Johns & Lee’s JLA, I also immediately decided to wait for the trade and spend some pennies on other DCU #1 issues because, well, it’s clear that the story isn’t designed to be enjoyed issue by issue. It sets up a string of moments that are clearly going to be a lot more interesting if one reads them all in one sitting, and I’d rather only pay for all of those issues once. At one time.

No harm done, imho. DC will still get their money for their product from me, if not in the ideal fashion, and I’m willing to try, say, the Frankenstein title in the interim (which also managed to introduce all of the characters on the cover and more in the first issue).

Hey there, this is coming to you from Patrick Angus; I’m the Creative Director and book buyer – another weird mix – at Mario’s. Your blog entry was just sent to me from a contact at Taschen. I thought I would offer you my explanation as to how the worlds DC Comics and high end fashion collided in the windows at Mario’s. I’ve been responsible for the windows here at Mario’s for more than 10 years and even though a great deal of our clothing has serious prices we try not to take ourselves too seriously. Though our economic circumstances might vary, much of our pop culture backgrounds have the same foundation. This is especially true for Baby Boomers, of which I just barely can call myself. This pop culture past figured into my windows from the start when I teamed up with EC Comics to showcase Alfred E. Neuman and Mad Magazine through the decades. In the intervening years we’ve showcased The Beatle’s Yellow Submarine, Love is.., vintage records, classic candies, Andy Warhol’s soup can dress and everyone’s sentimental favorite toy, the sock monkey. We believe that we are a part of each city’s downtown landscape and we enjoy sharing our windows. No doubt that many viewers see DC and the like as kitsch. Those that took the time to look over the covers on display would quickly see how our world was indeed reflected in that amazing artwork – from the Second World War to the late 1960’s counter-culture. Our clothing is equally as ephemeral, but it to can say volumes about our society and how we both see and present ourselves. I’m glad we got your attention and you made it into the store. And just in case you haven’t obtained a copy, the book is indeed available for purchase. All the best.