Augie De Blieck Jr.
I started reading comics at the ripe old age of 13, well after most of my peers got hooked by that "G.I. Joe" commercial. But I haven't stopped reading since. I gave up counting how many comics sit in longboxes throughout the house years ago. Someday soon, I hope to count my comics by the megabyte.
My entrée into the world of writing about comics was in the letters columns of the 1990s, most prominently in "Savage Dragon" and DC's "Star Trek" series. I entered the on-line world -- well, back in 1986 on Q-Link, but I wasn't reading or talking about comics yet at that point, so nevermind. I started up on USENET and CompuServe in the mid-1990s, and eventually tried writing my own review column (creatively titled "Augie's Reviews"), which eventually became Pipeline in 1998. Pipeline has run every week since, without a break, and even ran twice a week for a couple of years, and alongside the first comic book podcast for nearly six years. I was the original editor of CBR's "The Commentary Track" feature, and now edit the CBR Reviews section.
I'm a computer programmer by trade, and a photographic enthusiast in addition to my sequential narrative habit. My wife enjoys Tom Beland's "True Story, Swear to God," while my daughter enjoys the works of Sandra Boynton, Dr. Seuss, and a tattered copy of "Little Lulu."
FIRST COMIC: "Amazing Spider-Man" #318
FAVORITE CHARACTER: Savage Dragon, Ultimate Spider-Man, Oracle, Jubilee, Asterix, Largo Winch
Articles By Augie De Blieck Jr.
Showing results 1-20 of 1163
Pipeline - 6/18
Tue, June 18th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Augie pulls Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti's "Ash" out of his longbox archives and is transported back to a garish time in computer production, as well as a series that didn't quite live up to its hype.
Pipeline - 6/11
Tue, June 11th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Augie is confused by Marvel's Ultimate Comics Universe and locates the problem with the publishing program. Also, can DC repeat Marvel's lessons from their late 90s comeback?
Pipeline - 6/04
Tue, June 4th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Augie dissects a couple pages of Darwyn Cooke's "Catwoman" artwork to discover how cinematic storytelling can blend together with comic book idioms to make for great comics.
Pipeline - 5/28
Tue, May 28th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Augie casts a fresh eye on an old favorite, "Herobear and the Kid," and while the art still charms, he finds a lot of shortcomings he didn't expect in the storytelling, lettering and a few more places.
Pipeline - 5/21
Tue, May 21st, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
This week, Augie likes a new graphic novel about a cowgirl in a bikini wandering the old west with her surfboard. Also, a look back at Chuck Dixon's "Marvel Knights" and Rob Liefeld's storytelling in "X-Force."
Pipeline - 5/14
Tue, May 14th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
This week, it's a pair of blasts from the past as Augie dives into his growing digital comics collection and comes up with Robert Kirkman's "Irredeemable Ant-Man" and the opening chapter of Marvel's "AvX."
Pipeline - 5/07
Tue, May 7th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Augie saw "Iron Man 3" and rather enjoyed himself; as a roller coaster movie, it's a fun ride. Also, some thoughts on 3D and movie trailers, the future of the franchise and more.
Pipeline - 4/30
Tue, April 30th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
25 years ago, John Byrne rebooted Superman. Today, Augie reviews "Superman" #1 and looks at the generational differences in comics storytelling. Plus, how Apple is like CCI, why "Jupiter’s Legacy" is unreadable, and more.
Pipeline - 4/23
Tue, April 23rd, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Augie looks back on the first issue of Chris Claremont's "X-Men Forever!" Plus, how can we make comics "special" again, where is Frank Miller's "300" sequel and more!
Pipeline - 4/16
Tue, April 16th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Augie looks at the week in "Saga" news to see where the competition was, how digital comics work and who made sense of it all. And then, remember "Mayhem"? Or WizardWorld NJ?
Pipeline - 4/09
Tue, April 9th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Augie appreciates the scale of Marcos Martin's art in "The Private Eye," asks if we have too many comics or not enough and wonders if digital comics will breed a new kind of fan.
Pipeline - 4/02
Tue, April 2nd, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Augie hits the highlights of WonderCon 2013, checks in on Jimmie Robinson's "Five Weapons" #2, and looks back at some Image second printing predictions from December.
Pipeline - 3/26
Tue, March 26th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
It was the opposite of a slow news week, so Augie covers the highlights, including DC's hiring and retention practices, Marvel's Marvelman (lack of) plans, Quantum and Woody's return and more.
Pipeline - 3/19
Tue, March 19th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Augie wonders if last week's comic site outages portend a future of DRM-free comics. Also, Sean Wang's "Runners" makes a return via Kickstarter, and the end result is even better than the first book.
Pipeline - 3/12
Tue, March 12th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Augie recaps the weekend's Marvel/ComiXology free comics meltdown with a trip down memory lane, catches up on James Stokoe's wonderful "Orc Stain" and takes a quick look at the week in comic news.
Pipeline - 3/05
Tue, March 5th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Augie dishes out career advice to comic creators, shares his plan for when he runs DC, discusses the topic of streaming conventions and purges nearly a thousand comics from his collection.
Pipeline - 2/26
Tue, February 26th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Augie looks at Warren Ellis' recently-collected "Secret Avengers" run and loves the mix of stories and artists. Plus, digital "Previews," lettering in "Saga," a Rob Liefeld TMNT/Deadpool mashup and lots more!
Pipeline - 2/19
Tue, February 19th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Terry Dodson's "Muse" finally reaches American shores from France, and Augie has an early review of this beautiful full-size book. Also, an early look at Moebius' fill-in work in the "XIII" series from Cinebook.
Ryan Ottley Looks Back on the "Invincible" Centennial
Fri, February 15th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Longtime "Invincible" artist Ryan Ottley spoke with CBR News about his history with the title, how writer Robert Kirkman discovered him, his impressive output and much more.
Pipeline - 2/12
Tue, February 12th, 2013 | Category: Comic Books
Augie notices an unfortunate pattern in the pages of Garth Ennis' new series, "Red Team" #1. Also, a deposition shows lawyers having a hard time dealing with comics, comics will break your heart, bounding asterisks, and more.
Invincible Universe #3
Mon, June 10th, 2013 | Category: Review
In a single-issue story, Phil Hester and Todd Nauck focus on El Chupacabra. He's off to Serbia to apologize to a family whose son died defending him -- and then things go wrong.
The Activity #13
Mon, May 27th, 2013 | Category: Review
"The Activity" #13 is a good introductory issue from Nathan Edmondson and Mitch Gerards, with two complete short stories that stand well on their own, plus a solid tease for what is coming up next.
Sex #3
Thu, May 23rd, 2013 | Category: Review
"Sex" finds it groove with this issue, as Joe Casey and Piotr Kowalski's tale of superhero libido settles into its plot.
Epic Kill #10
Thu, May 2nd, 2013 | Category: Review
Raffaele Ienco's "Epic Kill" comes to its natural conclusion in a way that answers all questions, including some readers didn't know they had. Whether you're happy with the answers, though, is the big question.
Witch Doctor: Mal Practice #6
Wed, April 24th, 2013 | Category: Review
The frantic oddball adventures of horror's greatest doctor wraps up another mini-series, as Doctor Vincent Morrow fights an eclectic cast from Brandon Seifert, Lukas Ketner, and Image Comics. While there's a lot to keep track of, it's never
Invincible #102
Wed, April 24th, 2013 | Category: Review
Image Comics' "Invincible" #102 changes another status quo in the series, and that's the life and leadership of the Viltrumites on Earth. A solid issue for long-time readers looking to close up a couple of teased plots from Robert Kirk
Invincible #101
Wed, March 20th, 2013 | Category: Review
Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley return from their month off with the repercussions of the 100th issue of "Invincible," as the characters deal with the consequences of their previous actions.
Comeback #5
Wed, March 20th, 2013 | Category: Review
Image Comics' time travelling FBI action drama from Ed Brisson and Michael Walsh finishes strongly this month, paying off on everything the main character has learned in the four previous issues while maintaining a few surprises.
The Manhattan Projects #10
Wed, March 13th, 2013 | Category: Review
"The Manhattan Projects" #10 kicks off a new storyline inside the mind of Joseph Oppenheimer. Jonathan Hickman and guest artist Ryan Browne present another new world filled with craziness and bloodlust in the process.
Glory #33
Wed, March 6th, 2013 | Category: Review
The battle is on in "Glory" #33, as Joe Keatinge and Ross Campbell present the battle of the ages that Glory is here to save Earth from. The entire Extreme Universe is present and it's a bloody mess.
Comeback #4
Wed, February 27th, 2013 | Category: Review
"Comeback" #4 from Ed Brisson and Michael Walsh brings the time traveling Reconnect agents to the end of their rope, as events in the past and present collide, and the FBI plays its hand. It's time travelling drama without the headaches.
The Manhattan Projects #9
Thu, February 14th, 2013 | Category: Review
"The Manhattan Projects" finishes its storyline as the main character methodically tear into their opposition. Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, Wernher Von Braun, and friends find creative ways to take care of the bad guys while setting themsel
Epic Kill #8
Wed, February 6th, 2013 | Category: Review
Normally just a pretty action comic, Raffaele Ienco's "Epic Kill" turns things up a notch this month at Image Comics, leading to the most gloriously ludicrous action scene in recent memory.
Glory #32
Wed, January 30th, 2013 | Category: Review
"Glory" takes a breather for an issue, with the characters mentally preparing themselves for war with a slew of guest artists to show us the way. It's a quiet issue, but one loaded with great characterization and some nice fill-in art.
Witch Doctor: Mal Practice #3
Wed, January 23rd, 2013 | Category: Review
Brandon Seifert and Lukas Ketner's "Witch Doctor: Mal Practice" reaches its halfway point with an issue that zips by, offering a nice mix of character elements and larger plot ramifications.
Todd the Ugliest Kid on Earth #1
Wed, January 16th, 2013 | Category: Review
Ken Kristensen and M.K. Perker bring readers "Todd the Ugliest Kid on Earth", a new four-issue humor series set in an ugly world with lots of belligerent characters who do and say bad things to one another. If you can stomach all that,
Chew #30
Wed, November 28th, 2012 | Category: Review
"Chew" hits its halfway point, with John Layman and Rob Guillory teaming up once again to put the readers through a funny sort of hell, as Toni Chu prepares for her wedding day.
Epic Kill #6
Wed, November 7th, 2012 | Category: Review
Raffaele Ienco's tale of the ultimate fighting machine returns to Image, as "Epic Kill" attempts to do the impossible: Bring its lead character back to life. It doesn't happen here, but it's a lot of fun in the process.
Debris #4
Fri, October 26th, 2012 | Category: Review
Another mini-series at Image Comics concludes, as Kurtis J. Wiebe and Riley Rossmo's tale of a "punk junk" warrior maiden trying to save her people comes to a dramatic final battle and an unlikely end. It's a great end for a beautiful
Guarding the Globe #1
Thu, September 6th, 2012 | Category: Review
"Guarding the Globe" has a lot of good elements in it, but the first issue doesn't give a strong hook. For fans of "Invincible," though, there's a strong potential worth reading here.
