Vertigo has annouced that both Young Liars #1 and House of Mystery #1 have sold out at the distributor level, prompting the company to go back to press.  But instead of two reprints, Vertigo is combinging both issues into a 48-page flip book featuring the complete issues.  Best of all, Vertigo is keeping the price point at $2.99.  Smart move Vertigo!

“We’re thrilled to see that two of our new monthly series are in such demand,” says Karen Berger, Senior VP – Executive Editor, Vertigo. “Now you can get the first issue of two Vertigo staples for the price of one: the gritty crime fiction of YOUNG LIARS and HOUSE OF MYSTERY’s modern horror.”

The two-for-one issue arrives August 6, 2008.

via DC Comics

DC has announced a couple of changes that may alter your buying habits in the coming months.

First up is All Star Batman & Robin that has issues 11 and 12 being resolicited at a future date with current orders being canceled.  As good as the last couple of issues have been, I can’t remember when I held that previous issue in my hand, and it wouldn’t surprise me if we don’t see these hit the stands for another eight months.

The second change is an art issue as one of the short stories scheduled to appear in House of Mystery #3 by Bernie Wrightson is being bumped to future issue.  Replacing that story will be one featuring art by Sean Murphy.

via DC Comics

Or - “The Vertigo Problem.”

Recently, Gatekeeper Manager Deon (who doesn’t get Howard The Duck, but somehow loves XO: Manowar) explained to me his problem with Vertigo comics:  They’re just weird for weirdness’ sake.  I don’t know how true that assessment is, but I can clearly see the kernel of truth at the bottom of that statement.  I love classic Swamp Thing, I have read Hellblazer religiously since day one, I have all the Sandman trade paperbacks, I even loved Shade: The Changing Man.  But there came a point where Vertigo seemed to have found a niche, a hook, and that hook was “Get the weird Gothy types.”  House of Mystery is a very old-school Vertigo comic book, but is that necessarily a bad thing?

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