For the past several months, I've been contemplating the future of this blog. I've been working on it for the past five years now, providing weekly reviews and offering my own colorful insight into comics. And I've enjoyed it. It's been a fun ride, adding a humorous twist to reviewing comic books. But at the same time, I feel as though the quality of my work has stagnated. It shows in the declining traffic coming to this blog. Now some of that might be my fault in that I'm just not providing enough quality material. But it's gotten to the point where it feels like I'm putting a lot of work into these reviews and getting nothing out of them. So as of now, I will no longer be doing reviews in the mold of Scanned Thoughts.
I know this is disappointing to some. For that, I apologize. However, I get the sense now that most people read my reviews just for the scans and not the content. It makes for a lot of work and not a lot of reward. So for now, it makes sense to end these reviews until I can figure out a better way of using this blog.
I will continue to submit reviews to PopMatters.com and I'll be posting those reviews here. I'll also be providing extended previews of upcoming issues to X-men Supreme, at least for now. But until I figure out a better use of this blog, I will not be posting anymore Scanned Thoughts. To those who have supported this blog, I sincerely appreciate it. If anybody has any suggestions on how to best use this blog, I'd be happy to listen. But now, I think it's best that I stop for now and re-evaluate the best way to provide quality content to readers.
Jack
sad... but respect your decision... more power to you, jack!
ReplyDeleteDang, I came to the blog for the reviews. Really gonna miss them. Good luck in the future.
ReplyDeleteJack... i applaud you're passion for the X-men. It's rare that someone has such a profound understanding of these characters. Not to sound mean, but want to convey an honest opinion. I have very, very rarely read this blog for you're x-men stories or any of you're other stories. I tried for about a year, but was difficult to hold my interest. They simply have zero appeal for me. With that said, i have read you're scanned thoughts eagerly every day. Usually first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee and it was an awesome way to start the day. You have not only a profound understanding of X-men characters, but of Marvel Super Heroes as well. Will miss visiting you're page.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed your reviews but am glad you're letting your readers know that your stopping rather than just stopping and leaving us to wonder. Well until the next time thank you for your past reviews they often made the day just a little more awesome.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed your reviews but am glad you're letting your readers know that your stopping rather than just stopping and leaving us to wonder. Well until the next time thank you for your past reviews they often made the day just a little more awesome.
ReplyDeleteMan, that sux but i appreciated the work and ur reviews...i always looked foward to look at them but thank you for wat u did while it lasted. Also i was wondering 6 months ago how long u were gonna do this. ..well i know the answer man..
ReplyDeleteThank you
Delfierro006
I've often wondered how long you would keep this up as well (I was hoping it would at least be through to the end of "Secret Wars"). Thanks for doing it as long as you have. I tend to read your reviews even when it's of issues I've bought and read already, though I will say a little bit of your decreased traffic of late (on my part anyway) is due to starting a job a few months ago that keeps me at work 12 hours a day, and then my gf and I having a baby five weeks ago. A good chunk of the remaining deficit probably stems from school starting back up recently for a lot of folks.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to get caught up on everything I've missed, but, sadly, I will have to echo what some of the others said about bowing out after that if this is indeed the end of your reviews. I understand your decision, though. I haven't updated my own blog with any new reviews in several weeks, and mine aren't nearly as in-depth as yours.
You have my thanks for all you've given us. I've truly enjoyed your work and appreciated your efforts. Best of luck, sir.
Thanks for understanding, guys. Believe me, I've enjoyed writing these reviews. But lately, I feel as though they've become somewhat stale. That and the lack of traffic has made it harder to justify all the effort I put into them. I was hoping to hold out at least until the end of Secret Wars. But given the delays and the decline in traffic since then, I think this is best. I still want to try a few things because I know some people rely on this blog for updates on the happenings of Marvel and DC. Whether or not I run with it depends on the response I get.
ReplyDeleteJack
I'll really miss your reviews, you have such an interesting voice and all of your reviews were a blast to read.
ReplyDeleteFirst I'd like to thank you for all the time I've spent reading your reviews, but I'm really pissed there won't be more of them coming.
ReplyDeleteI have been checking your blog every Thursday for a few years now so imagine my disappointment now!
I was reading every fucking one of your reviews - even about books that I have not given fuck about or books that I have read earlier myself.
Your scanned thoughts was sometimes even better than books themselves, because many comics are so fucking weak like a spiders piss - but your reviews made reading about them worthwhile.
As a blogger myself I understand why you have decided to drop your weekly reviews, blog stats are a bitch - but i really DO hope that you won't close your blog altogether because it would be a fucking waste.
I hope that you won't quit like Cyclops in the Wolvie and the X-Men cartoon.
Don't give Hopes' fuckin' Summers' of the World the satisfaction.
'nuff said (but it's your line anyways)
And Beats will always be a douchebag!
Jack, I wanted to thank you for your efforts. I've thoroughly enjoyed your X-men reviews, updates and raunchy wit over the years -- never let it be said that a feminist doesn't have a good sense of humor! Take it easy and good luck!
ReplyDeleteHey Jack, I agree with all the other commenters here. This blog has been my sole way of keeping up with the Marvel/mutant universe for a long time. I really appreciate all your work. And since you've said the future of what this blog will bring depends on the response you get, I definitely wanted to add my appreciation and hope that it will continue to be a way for me to keep up somehow. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I read scanned thoughts I laugh. In fact when I first discovered this site I laughed till I cried. You have been a voice that the comicdom needed my friend. Thanks for the laughs but do what you need to, it would be selfish of me to ask you to continue and I have already gotten so much from this page.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck in the future good sir!
I enjoy your blog for the content. I look at the Scanned photos and to be perfectly honest, I would happily do without them. I'd rather reading your drunken drug induced musings than see the pretty pictures because your perspective is what makes it captivating.... plus the plot in today's comics has gotten so ridiculous that I pine for someone smart and brave enough to skewer the bullshit. All of this goes to say that if it is not personally rewarding for you, then God Speed and best of luck on your next endeavour. Whatever your path, I look forward to reading your future reviews.
ReplyDelete