The Bum’s Rush #21

Plea

I’ve been feeling a bit melancholy lately when it comes to the website and my weekly article. Perhaps that feeling stems from my current workload (both self-imposed and otherwise) and the pressure I’ve been dealing with because of that. But there’s also a bit of disappointment in there too. Mainly I’m a little concerned with the lack of feedback we’ve been receiving about the site and I have to wonder if we’re actually reaching any new readers. Are they sticking around? How do they feel about the site? Are we doing everything we can to make sure that people enjoy the site and are coming back on a regular basis?

We tried recently to implement a new column, which would consist of questions from our readers, questions that would then be answered, sometimes seriously, sometimes humorously, by each member of the Stumblebum Crew. That column idea was actually suggested by one of our very loyal readers. But when we put out a call for questions from readers we got … well, not much response at all really. About six questions total I think, most of which came from two people. I’d still like to try and do that column; I think it would be both fun and entertaining. Perhaps we’ll do it with the questions we have and if other people read and enjoy the column they may be inspired to send in their own questions.

Believe me, I’m not lashing out at anyone who visits our site. That would be a huge mistake on my part. I cherish every single person who comes here, whether they are regular visitors or not. It makes me feel proud of the work that I and others have done to know that someone would spend their time here, reading the columns, the reviews, the fiction and checking out the artwork and photos. Mostly what I’m feeling is a sense that maybe something isn’t being done. What is that special ingredient that Stumblebum is missing? What can I be doing to make the site better? To provoke more feedback? To make your visit even more enjoyable?

But in the end perhaps the missing ingredient is time, and a healthy dose of patience on my part. We are still relatively young as far as websites go. We do what we think works and we do it as best we can. And we hope that our audience will grow, not just in number, but also in voice. So do something for me, huh? If you only ever write to this site one time in your life, do it as soon as you finish reading this column. Let me know what you think of our little corner of the web. Let me know what you like. Let me know what you hate. Are you a new reader? And please, please, please don’t think, “Oh, it doesn’t matter if I write in, there will probably be a ton of other people sending emails.” Because if everyone thinks that, then I’ll get no emails at all. And I will cry. Like a little girl with her pigtails trapped in the trunk of a speeding car, oh how I will cry.

Quick Bits

1. Peter David’s Fallen Angel is returning in December from IDW. You can check out a preview of the first issue here.
2. It’s quite possible that Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof will be writing the Leinil Francis Yu drawn Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine mini-series.
3. Giant-Size X-Men #4? Didn’t they just put out a Giant-Size X-Men #3? Giant-Size Waste of Time and Money is more like it. Boo. Yah.
4. Who asked for a Captain Universe book? Nobody, that’s who.
5. Some people wondered why I didn’t buy Sin City when it came out on DVD recently:
   
   “Dimension Home Video has announced a Dec. 13 release for Sin City Recut & Extended, a two-disc set with a suggested price of $39.99.
   The package will include the original theatrical release, an expanded unrated version and bonus material.”
   
   That’s why.


6. Adam Hughes is definitely drawing All-Star Wonder Woman? Sweet. I’ll believe it when I see it … but still, sweet.

NEXT WEEK: Spotlight on Street Angel


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