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 1065
Pipeline - 2/21
Tue, February 21st, 2012 | Category: Comic Books
Augie surveys the state of con sketches today and has a hard time recommending artists remain complacent, saying it's not Chicken Little; it's good business practice. Plus, coloring and lettering tips!
Pipeline - 2/14
Tue, February 14th, 2012 | Category: Comic Books
IDW re-discovered Chuck Jones' lost comic strip and made a book. Augie likes the book, even if the strip isn't so good. Also, is "Comic Book Men' any worse than "Big Bang Theory?"
Pipeline - 2/07
Tue, February 7th, 2012 | Category: Comic Books
This week's Pipeline begins with a look at "Joe the Barbarian," a 200-page low-blood sugar attack. Plus, an alternate vision for the comics industry, and what can the Wiggles teach comic creators?
Pipeline - 1/31
Tue, January 31st, 2012 | Category: Comic Books
Augie opens up the new "John Romita's The Amazing Spider-Man" and talks of is newfound appreciation for the art at large size. Also, Alan Moore did a funny "Spawn" spin-off once that's worth a second look
Pipeline - 1/24
Tue, January 24th, 2012 | Category: Comic Books
Augie's review of the recently-collected 'Wolverine and Jubilee' miniseries quickly turns into an appreciation of Tom Orzechowski's lettering.
Pipeline - 1/17
Tue, January 17th, 2012 | Category: Comic Books
"Modern Masters: Ron Garney" leads to a lot of talk about inking while Image Comics' "Screamland: Death of the Party" proves to be an enjoyable murder mystery.
Pipeline - 1/10
Tue, January 10th, 2012 | Category: Comic Books
Augie explains why 2012 will be the year of the creator with Image Comics set to be the publisher of the year. Also, "Rocketeer Adventures" is a great compilation of short stories by top comics talent.
Pipeline - 1/03
Tue, January 3rd, 2012 | Category: Comic Books
Augie looks at some pretty French comics, explains why no comics publisher will defend the internet against SOPA and has a new business model for digital comics to consider.
Pipeline - 12/27
Tue, December 27th, 2011 | Category: Comic Books
Basking in the post-Christmas glow, Augie raves about "A Tale of Sand," the new graphic novel from Archaia based on Jim Henson's lost screenplay as adapted by cartoonist Ramon Perez.
Pipeline - 12/20
Tue, December 20th, 2011 | Category: Comic Books
Augie looks at some of the hardcover titles recently solicited for March 2012, with special mention of the last Todd McFarlane "Spider-Man" collection and the first of Erik Larsen's new "Savage Dragon" hardcovers.
Pipeline - 12/13
Tue, December 13th, 2011 | Category: Comic Books
Augie has an idea that would keep comic prices down, promote regular creative teams and save publishing companies money. Also, a look back at Rob Liefeld's first issues of "New Mutants."
Pipeline - 12/06
Tue, December 6th, 2011 | Category: Comic Books
Tis the season, so Augie's looking back at "The Last Christmas" and some Santa Claus trading cards. Also this week, one company stops short of innovating digital comics while one creator takes a stance against digital.
Pipeline - 11/29
Tue, November 29th, 2011 | Category: Comic Books
Augie takes an early look at "Cow Boy," a funny new book from Nate Cosby and Chris Eliopoulos about a ten year old bounty hunter. Also, some thinking out loud over digital comics and this week's lack of new releases.
Pipeline - 11/22
Tue, November 22nd, 2011 | Category: Comic Books
Augie recommends "Reed Gunther," a comic book about a bear-riding cowboy. Also, how to completely misread a press event, why Augie waits for the trade and more digital thoughts.
Pipeline - 11/15
Tue, November 15th, 2011 | Category: Comic Books
Augie offers up a couple of business ideas to Diamond Distributors to keep up with the times. Plus, Norm Breyfogle returns to Batman, and a word of consolation for Frank Miller fans.
Pipeline - 11/08
Tue, November 8th, 2011 | Category: Comic Books
Augie wants to see the 99 cent digital comic grain a greater foothold. This week, he offers three ideas to help push that along, including new websites, apps and subscriptions.
Pipeline - 11/01
Tue, November 1st, 2011 | Category: Comic Books
Alan Davis draws pretty Avengers, Erik Larsen hits issue #175 of 'Savage Dragon and Augie wonders if Marvel pulled a bit of a bait-and-switch with regard to Marc Silvestri's run on "Incredible Hulk."
Pipeline - 10/25
Tue, October 25th, 2011 | Category: Comic Books
The true star of "Batman Hush Unwrapped" is the artist whose work isn't included in the book: inker Scott Williams. Take a look at some sample panels with Augie and see how much an inker adds to the final comic product.
Pipeline - 10/18
Tue, October 18th, 2011 | Category: Comic Books
Augie's not so worried about sexy heroes in comics today, finding inspiration for this attitude from an unlikely place. Also, early reviews of "Heart," "The Walking Dead" and more!
Pipeline - 10/11
Tue, October 11th, 2011 | Category: Comic Books
Joe Kubert's career is analyzed in a beautiful coffee table art book. Then, Fantagraphics begins reprinting the life's work of Carl Barks, including a story that hasn't appeared unedited in North America in 60 years.
Thief of Thieves #1
Wed, February 8th, 2012 | Category: Review
It's a new heist series, with snappy dialogue, a clever opening heist, and just enough cliffhanger to make you wonder what will happen next. And Shawn Martinbrough's art make widescreen storytelling come alive again.
Savage Dragon #177
Wed, December 21st, 2011 | Category: Review
Dragon's kids fight a Hulked-Out Osama Bin Laden, while the subplots keep rolling.
The Walking Dead #92
Thu, December 15th, 2011 | Category: Review
A cloaked figure fights it out with Michonne and Abraham. And his revelation could set up the next new status quo for the series.
Near Death #3
Wed, November 30th, 2011 | Category: Review
“Near Death” gets closer to fulfilling the promise of the series, but trips up on an ending that feels too simple.
Savage Dragon #176
Wed, November 30th, 2011 | Category: Review
A nice done-in-one issue that would be a good introduction to new readers.
The Walking Dead #91
Sun, November 20th, 2011 | Category: Review
Things settle down again, as a shortage of canned food causes worries, Carl misses his eye, Andrea talks to her hat, and somebody is watching. . .
The Walking Dead #88
Wed, August 17th, 2011 | Category: Review
Carl is up and talking, but is Rick prepared to handle it? Things start to break apart in the shadows as Rick and crew rebuild their neighborhood.
The Walking Dead #79
Mon, November 29th, 2010 | Category: Review
Robert Kirkman brings out some new writing tricks, as the current phase of the series begins to take its inevitable turn.
Fraggle Rock #1
Mon, May 3rd, 2010 | Category: Review
Jim Henson's creations arrive as a comic book, 25 years later. It's a three-story anthology that features a beautiful array of art, and stories that are on point for the series.
Usagi Yojimbo #128
Fri, April 30th, 2010 | Category: Review
It's not that this is a bad issue, but it's definitely not a good one for new readers.
Wall-E #5
Fri, April 23rd, 2010 | Category: Review
The second Wall-E story arc finally gets started, and it's a wondrous mix of animated art with the themes and style of the movie.
True Story, Swear to God #12
Sun, March 7th, 2010 | Category: Review
Tom Beland returns to Disney to marry Lily, but "where it all began" is not entirely what Tom remembered. And, yes, there are vows in this issue!
New Avengers #62
Mon, March 1st, 2010 | Category: Review
Spider-People fight in half the book. Captain America returns in the other half to fight the Living Laser. It's quite entertaining
Green Hornet #1
Sun, February 28th, 2010 | Category: Review
While the foundation from the movie script shows, this first issue is more than just set-up. It's a classic "Open on Action" comic story.
The Adventures of Blanche
Wed, December 30th, 2009 | Category: Review
Rick Geary goes the fiction route, but maintains his reputation for superb historical research and the visuals to back them up.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Wed, December 30th, 2009 | Category: Review
Oz has never looked better in the comics format.
Powers #1
Tue, November 24th, 2009 | Category: Review
"Powers" returns, and it hasn't lost a step. Walker has a new partner, and a new addition to his history as Bendis and Oeming take us to his "Rat Pack" days.
Beast
Mon, November 16th, 2009 | Category: Review
Marian Churchland's retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" is a completely new animal, with beautiful art and an open-ended story.
Donald Duck and Friends #347
Tue, November 10th, 2009 | Category: Review
Donald Duck goes James Bond on us, with some beautiful Italian art.
FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency #1
Fri, October 30th, 2009 | Category: Review
It's a high concept book trading on some of today's hottest high concepts, but it's a frustratingly slow start.
