Editing Comics Buyer's Guide

{{Short description|American magazine}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox magazine
| title              = Comics Buyer's Guide
| image_file         = Cbg1600.png
| image_size         = 
| image_caption      = ''Comics Buyer's Guide'' #1600 (January 2005)
| editor             = [[Brent Frankenhoff]] (2006–2013)
| editor_title       = [[Editor]]
| editor2             = [[Maggie Thompson]] (from 2006)
| editor_title2       = [[Senior Editor]]
| previous_editor = [[Alan Light (comics)|Alan Light]] (1971–1983)<br />[[Maggie Thompson]] (1983–2006)
| editor3 =  [[John Jackson Miller]] (from 1998)
| editor_title3 = Managing Editor
| editor4 = [[Brent Frankenhoff]] (1998–2006)
| editor_title4 = Project Editor
| staff_writer = [[Murray Bishoff]], [[Peter David]], [[Shel Dorf]], [[Mark Evanier]], [[Martin L. Greim]], [[Tony Isabella]], [[Heidi MacDonald]], [[Catherine Yronwode]]
| frequency          = {{plainlist|monthly (Feb. 1971 – Aug. 1972)<br>twice-monthly (Aug. 1972 – July 1975)<br>weekly (July 1975 – June 2004)<br>monthly (June 2004 – Mar. 2013)}}
| category           = [[comic books]] news and criticism
| total_circulation  = 20,000
| circulation_year   = late 1980s
| company            = [[F+W Media]] (2002–2013)
| publisher          = Alan Light (1971–1983)<br />[[Krause Publications]] (1983–2013)
| founder = [[Alan Light (comics)|Alan Light]]
| firstdate          = March 1971
| lastdate           = March 2013
| finalnumber = 1,699
| country            = United States<!--no flag WP:ICONDECORATION-->
| based            = [[Iola, Wisconsin]] (from 1983)
| language           = English
| website            = {{URL|http://www.cbgxtra.com}}{{dead link|date=July 2022}}
| issn               = 0745-4570
}}
'''''Comics Buyer's Guide''''' ('''''CBG'''''; {{ISSN|0745-4570}}), established in 1971, was the longest-running English-language [[periodical]] reporting on the American [[comic book]] industry. It awarded its annual [[Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Awards]] from 1983 to circa 2010. The publication ceased with the March 2013 issue.<ref name="cbgxtra_20130109">Frankenhoff, Brent (January 9, 2013). [http://www.cbgxtra.com/comics-news-and-notes/fw-announces-closure-of-comics-buyers-guide "F+W Announces Closure of Comics Buyer’s Guide"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002220256/http://www.cbgxtra.com/comics-news-and-notes/fw-announces-closure-of-comics-buyers-guide |date=2015-10-02 }}. ''Comics Buyer’s Guide''</ref><ref name="comichron_20130109">Miller, John Jackson (January 9, 2013). [http://blog.comichron.com/2013/01/end-of-era-comics-buyers-guide-1971-2013.html "End of an era: Comics Buyer's Guide, 1971–2013"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111215820/http://blog.comichron.com/2013/01/end-of-era-comics-buyers-guide-1971-2013.html |date=2013-01-11 }}. ''The Comichron''</ref> The magazine was headquartered in [[Iola, Wisconsin]],<ref>{{cite book|first=Brent |last=Frankenhoff|title=The Greatest Comic Book Covers of All Time|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=StfJreNds4AC&pg=PA1|access-date=February 17, 2016|date=December 14, 2012|publisher=Krause Publications Craft|isbn=978-1-4402-3499-6|page=1}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> after originally being published in the [[Quad Cities]] region.

==History==

===Alan Light years: 1971–1983===
''CBG'' was founded in February 1971 by [[Alan Light (comics)|Alan Light]] under the title '''''The Buyer's Guide for Comic Fandom''''' ('''''TBG''''') as a monthly newspaper in a [[tabloid (newspaper format)|tabloid]] format. ''TBG'' began primarily as an advertising venue – known in comics fandom as an "adzine", i.e. a [[fanzine]] devoted to ads. Ron Frantz, in his book ''Fandom: Confidential'', traces the lineage of Light's endeavor to ''Stan's Weekly Express'' (aka ''WE''), a pioneering adzine published from 1969 to 1973, whose bare-bones approach was inspired by an "obscure journal of flower advertising known as ''Joe's Bulletin''".{{sfn|Frantz|2000|p=53}}  Frantz also provides background on Light's interaction with the [[WE Seal of approval program]], with which he cooperated in order to help combat mail fraud. Frantz in addition describes the infamous long-running feud between Light and ''[[Comics Journal]]'' founder [[Gary Groth]].{{sfn|Frantz|2000}}

''TBG''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s frequency was changed to twice-monthly with issue #18 (August 1, 1972). Besides occasional [[letter column]]s, beginning with issue #19 (Aug. 15, 1972), prominent fans Don and [[Maggie Thompson]] began a monthly column, "Beautiful Balloons." A news column, "What Now?" by [[Murray Bishoff]], was added with #26 (Dec. 1, 1972). These provided the editorial content required by the [[United States Postal Service]] to qualify for [[mail#First-Class|second class mail]] (along with paid subscriptions being instituted with issue #27, January 1, 1973).<ref>Groth, Gary. [http://archives.tcj.com/235/nostedit.html "Editorial"], {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531152151/http://archives.tcj.com/235/nostedit.html |date=2010-05-31 }} ''Nostalgia Journal'' #27 (July 1976).</ref> At this time, ''TBG''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s circulation was about 3,600 copies.<ref name=Miller />

''TBG'' went weekly with issue #86 (July 18, 1975). In 1977, ''TBG''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s circulation topped 10,000.<ref name=Miller /> [[Cat Yronwode]] succeeded Bishoff as news reporter with issue #329 (March 7, 1980), renaming the column "Fit to Print".

=== Krause Publications years: 1983–2002===
In 1983, ''The Buyer's Guide'' was purchased by [[Krause Publications]].<ref>"Light Sells ''Buyer's Guide'' to Krause Publications", ''The Comics Journal'' #80 (March 1983), p. 22.</ref> Columnists Don and Maggie Thompson were hired as editors. Krause changed the name with their first issue #482 (February 11, 1983) to '''''Comics Buyer's Guide'''''. At that time Krause instituted the controversial<ref>"''Comics Buyer's Guide'' Advertisement Criteria Draw Fire from Advertisers", ''The Comics Journal'' #91 (July 1984), pp. 8–10.</ref><ref>"''CBG'' Censors Ad Addressing Glenwood Distributors Accounts", ''The Comics Journal'' #115 (April 1987), p. 26.</ref><ref>"Comics Buyer's Guide Rejects Trident Ad", ''The Comics Journal'' #131 (September 1989), pp. 11–12.</ref> CBG Customer Service Award, the display of which signifies an advertiser had a "clean bill of health". By the late 1980s, the publication had more than 20,000 subscribers.<ref name=Miller />

Writer [[Peter David]]'s column, "But I Digress...", joined the publication in 1990.<ref>Greenberger, Robert (January 10, 2013). [http://www.comicmix.com/news/2013/01/10/the-comics-buyers-guide-1971-2013/ "The Comics Buyer’s Guide: 1971–2013"]. [[ComicMix]].</ref> The magazine added [[Mark Evanier]]'s column "P.O.V." in late 1994.

In 1992, the magazine spun off its distributor and retailer news into a separate periodical, ''[[Comics & Games Retailer]]'' (which ceased publication in 2007).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foliomag.com/2007/f-w-shutters-multiple-hobbyist-magazines |title=F+W Shutters Multiple Magazines |access-date=2008-01-24 |format=Folio |date=2007-12-19 }}</ref> Co-editor Don Thompson died on May 23, 1994.<ref>Butler, Don (July 1994). "CGB Co-Editor Don Thompson Dead at 58". ''[[Hero Illustrated]]''. pp. 16.</ref> In 1998, Krause brought on [[John Jackson Miller]] as managing editor and [[Brent Frankenhoff]] as projects editor, with Maggie Thompson remaining as editor.<ref>"News Watch: Krause Publications Names Editors", ''The Comics Journal'' #203 (April 1998), p. 30.</ref>

''CBG'' was named Best Comics Publication in the 1985 [[Kirby Awards]], and it was given the [[Eisner Award]] for Best Comics-Related Periodical/Publication in 1992 and 1993.

In July 2002, Krause was acquired by [[F+W Publications]].

===F+W Publications years: 2002–2013===
With issue #1595 (June 2004), ''CBG'' changed its format from a weekly tabloid to a monthly [[perfect bound]] magazine. In addition, in hopes of enhancing  [[newsstand]] sales, ''CBG'' added a [[price guide]] for contemporary comics as well as other new features intended to make the magazine more appealing to those with an avid interest in comic books as an investment. This marketing strategy was also tied to the yearly publication of the ''[[Standard Catalog of Comic Books]]'', produced in conjunction with Human Computing, the makers of the comic collectors’ software [[ComicBase]].

In July 2005, the magazine began archiving past features at its CBGXtra.com service. Brett Frankenhoff was promoted to ''CBG'' Editor in 2006, with Maggie Thompson assuming the title of Senior Editor. In late 2009, ''CBG''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s page count was reduced, the perfect binding ended, and some of the features changed, including the removal of the price guide listings.

==== Cancelation and legacy ====
On January 9, 2013, Krause Publications announced the cancellation of ''Comics Buyer’s Guide'' effective with issue #1699 (March 2013).<ref>McMillan, Graeme. [https://comicsalliance.com/comic-buyers-guide-canceled-42-years/ "Krause Cancels ‘Comic Buyer’s Guide’ After 42 Years,"] ''Comics Alliance'' (January 9, 2013).</ref> The website CBGXtra and its Facebook page continued as archived resources for a time but are no longer online, replaced by the website of the new owner ''[[Antique Trader]]''.<ref name="cbgxtra_20130109" /><ref name="comichron_20130109" />

''[[Alter Ego (magazine)|Alter Ego]]'' #122 (Jan. 2014) was a tribute issue devoted to ''Comics Buyer's Guide'', with features regarding what would have made the 1700th ''CBG'' issue if the magazine had continued.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://twomorrows.com/blog/tnt/alter-ego-bids-farewell-to-comics-buyers-guide-in-a-special-tribute-issue/ |title=Alter Ego bids farewell to Comics Buyer's Guide in a special tribute issue |author=Mr. Morrow |date=2013-12-05 |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007081320/http://twomorrows.com/blog/tnt/alter-ego-bids-farewell-to-comics-buyers-guide-in-a-special-tribute-issue/ |archive-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |access-date=January 14, 2014 }}</ref>

A complete collection of ''TBG''/''CBG'' is held by the [[Michigan State University Libraries#Comic Art Collection|Michigan State University Comic Art Collection]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lib.msu.edu/comics/rri/brri/bux.htm |title=Michigan State University Libraries Comic Art Collection: "Buxadé" to "Büyük Mavi"  |access-date=2008-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706024923/http://www.lib.msu.edu/comics/rri/brri/bux.htm |archive-date=2008-07-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lib.msu.edu/comics/rri/crri/comicsb.htm |title=Michigan State University Libraries Comic Art Collection: "Comics Ban" to "Comics Express" |access-date=2008-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709000148/http://www.lib.msu.edu/comics/rri/crri/comicsb.htm |archive-date=2008-07-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Columnists ==
''CBG'' hosted many columns over the years in addition to Don and Maggie Thompson's "Beautiful Balloons", Murray Bishoff's "What Now?", and Cat Yronwode's "Fit to Print".<ref name=AT>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbgxtra.com/cbg-index/1972-issues/cbg-index-26|title=Comics Buyer's Guide – Antique Trader|work=Antique Trader|access-date=19 April 2016|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923201019/http://www.cbgxtra.com/cbg-index/1972-issues/cbg-index-26|url-status=dead}}</ref> With issue #25 (Nov. 15, 1972) [[Martin L. Greim]], publisher of the fanzine ''The Comic Crusader'', began to contribute an occasional column initially titled "M. L. G. on Comics", that later would be known as "Crusader Comments".<ref name=AT /> With issue #162 in 1976 [[Shel Dorf]] began an occasional series "Shel Dorf and the Fantasy Makers" interviewing creators in comics, television and film.<ref>[http://archives.tcj.com/messboard/viewtopic.php?t=7089&highlight=&sid=6d5ed704a675994a5b8a4ac288480f36 Russ Maheras list of "Shel Dorf and the Fantasy Makers" interviewees] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309160125/http://archives.tcj.com/messboard/viewtopic.php?t=7089&highlight=&sid=6d5ed704a675994a5b8a4ac288480f36 |date=March 9, 2012 }}</ref> Another columnist in the 1970s was [[David Scroggy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sheldorftribute.com/2009/11/29/hal-scroggys-watercolor-portrait-of-shel/|title=Hal Scroggy's Watercolor Portrait of Shel|access-date=19 April 2016}}</ref>

Another column was Robert Ingersoll's "The Law is A{{sic}} Ass!". The column dealt with how comics writers erred in their depiction of the law, and what Ingersoll thought they should have done. It also dealt with procedural errors.<ref>Ingersoll, Bob. [http://www.worldfamouscomics.com/law/ "The Law Is an Ass"]. World Famous Comics. Retrieved May 3, 2014.</ref>

In the ''CBG'' era, the magazine has been noted for its letter column "Oh, So?", as well as columns by [[Peter David]], [[Tony Isabella]], [[Catherine Yronwode]], Rick Norwood, [[Mark Evanier]], [[John Jackson Miller]], [[Bob Ingersoll]], [[Heidi MacDonald]], [[Rik Offenberger]], [[Chuck Rozanski]] ("Tales from the Database"), Craig Shutt, [[Beau Smith]], Andrew Smith, and others. As part of the June 2004 switch to monthly publication, Maggie Thompson revived the "Beautiful Balloons" column.

== Cartoons and strips ==
Cartoonists whose work appeared in ''CBG'' include [[Marc Hansen (cartoonist)|Marc Hansen]], Chuck Fiala, Jim Engel, [[Dan Vebber]], [[Fred Hembeck]], Mark Engblom, Brian Douglas Ahern, Chris Smigliano, [[Mark Martin (cartoonist)|Mark Martin]], [[Batton Lash]], Brian Hayes, and others. For some years ''CBG'' reprinted installments of [[Spirit (comics character)|The Spirit]] comic strip by [[Will Eisner]]. The panel cartoon "Last Kiss" by [[John Lustig]] was also among the longtime fixtures. Professional comic book artists such as [[Jack Kirby]], [[C.C. Beck]] and [[Alex Toth]], as well as otherwise-unknown fan artists, regularly contributed covers along with headers and spot illustrations to the "Beautiful Balloons" and "Fit to Print" columns.

== Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Awards ==
''CBG'' administered the annual [[Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Awards]] from 1983 to circa 2010, with the first awards announced in issue #500 (June 17, 1983).

Upon taking over as ''CBG'' editors, Don and Maggie Thompson aspired to bring back a series of comic book fan awards like the [[Goethe Awards]], which they had administered in the first half of the 1970s. (The Goethe Award — later known as the Comic Fan Art Award — originated with the Thompsons' [[fanzine]] ''Newfangles'' and then shared close ties with ''The Buyer's Guide to Comics Fandom''.<ref name=Miller /><ref name=fanawards6170>Thompson, Maggie. [http://www.cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-fan-awards-1961-1970 "Comics Fan Awards 1961-1970"] ''Comics Buyer's Guide'' (August 19, 2005). {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914191950/http://www.cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-fan-awards-1961-1970 |date=September 14, 2015 }}</ref> Perhaps not coincidentally, ''TBG'' was given the Goethe Award for Favorite Fanzine in 1972.)<ref name=Goethe>Miller, John Jackson. [http://www.cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/goethecomic-fan-art-award-winners-1971-74 "GOETHE/COMIC FAN ART AWARD WINNERS, 1971-74,"] ''Comics Buyer's Guide'' (July 19, 2005).  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920035152/http://www.cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/goethecomic-fan-art-award-winners-1971-74 |date=September 20, 2010 }}</ref>

The format and balloting of the CBG Fan Awards were in many ways derived from the Goethe Award/Comic Fan Art Award. The awards were initially voted on by ''CBG'' subscribers; the voting was later opened up to everyone. As many as 5,000 votes were cast per year during the 1990s.<ref name=Miller />

The awards were often presented at the annual [[Chicago Comicon]]<ref name=Miller>Miller, John Jackson. [https://www.comichron.com/faq/comicsbuyersguidehistory.html "Comics Buyer's Guide: A Look Back: Launched as The Buyer's Guide for Comic Fandom, how a publication started by a teenager ran for nearly 1,700 issues,"] ''Comichron''. Accessed Jan. 22, 2020.</ref> until 1996 (when the [[Wizard Fan Awards]] moved in); from that point forward the CBG Award results were simply published in the magazine.

== Further reading ==
* {{cite magazine|first1=John Jackson |last1=Miller|first2=Maggie |last2=Thompson|first3= Brent |last3=Frankenhoff |title=Weeks of Wonder: The TBG Years. A Guide to ''The Buyer's Guide for Comic Fandom'' 1971–1983 |magazine=Comics Buyer's Guide 1997 Annual |pages=59–101|date=1997}}

==References==
=== Notes ===
{{Reflist|2}}

=== Sources ===
* {{cite book|first=Ron |last=Frantz |title=Fandom: Confidential |location=Mena, Arkansas|publisher= Midguard Publishing |date=2000 |page=53}}

==External links==
* [http://www.antiquetrader.com/comics-buyers-guide/ "Comics Buyer's Guide"]. Antique Trader.
* [http://comiccoverage.typepad.com/photos/cbg Mark Engblom's CBG cartoons]
* [http://www.milehighcomics.com/tales/main.html archive of Chuck Rozanski's "Tales From the Database" column]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100531152151/http://archives.tcj.com/235/nostedit.html ''Nostalgia Journal'' #27 (July 1976) interview with Alan Light and Murray Bishoff]

{{Comics information sources}}
{{F W Media}}
{{American Comic Book Industry Awards}}

[[Category:Bimonthly magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Comics awards in the United States]]
[[Category:Comic book collecting]]
[[Category:Defunct magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Eisner Award winners for Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism]]
[[Category:Magazines about comics]]
[[Category:Magazines established in 1971]]
[[Category:Magazines disestablished in 2013]]
[[Category:Magazines published in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Monthly magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Weekly magazines published in the United States]]