The Comics Journal
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The Comics Journal is an American magazine of news and criticism pertaining to comic books and strips, renowned for its in-depth interviews, often scathing reviews, and an editorial ethos that views comics as a fine art deserving of broader cultural respect.
History
It started life as The Nostalgia Journal, and was a small adzine competing for space in the market against The Comics Buyers Guide. In 1976, Gary Groth and Mike Catron acquired the magazine, reportedly with no money changing hands. Their first issue was number 27, published in July 1976 under the title The New Nostalgia Journal. In January of 1977, the name was changed again to The Comics Journal, with Groth declaring it in his editorial "...a quality publication for the serious comics fan." Fantagraphics Books was founded in 1976 by Gary Groth and Mike Catron expressly to publish the Journal; only later did Fantagraphics become a comics publisher in its own right.
The Journal, often abbreviated TCJ, has been viewed with disdain by most mainstream, superhero comics publishers for its hardline non-mainstream editorial slant and insistence upon investigating industry news in the manner of a traditional journalistic enterprise — a practice that runs in sharp contrast to the uncritical and overtly fannish approach of such other publications as Comics Buyer's Guide and Wizard. Nevertheless the Journal has taken home multiple industry awards over the years.
However, TCJ has also been criticized for lapses in journalistic ethics. During a libel suit filed against it by comics writer Michael Fleisher, taunting comments about Fleisher were added to the back issues sales pages; when reporting on the trial itself, the Journal promised comprehensive coverage, but excluded Fleisher's own testimony without explanation. During the 1990s shakeup of the comics distribution industry, the Journal reported that Time Warner CEO Steve Ross had been involved in DC Comics' decisionmaking, relying on a apparently forged memorandum dated, and referring to events happening, months after Ross's death. TCJ also gave favorable coverage to a supposedly independent retailer's lawsuit against Marvel Comics' distribution practices, without revealing that the "independent" retailer was also the principal comics wholesaler to the Tower Records chain and one of Fantagraphics' largest customers at the time.
The Journal has also prevailed in a handful of intense lawsuits, one of which involved author and critic Harlan Ellison. Though co-defendants at the time, Groth and Ellison are now bitterly estranged.
Reference
Dean, Mike; Moore, Elizabeth Anne; & Silvie, Matt (July, 2001). "Timeline". The Comics Journal #235, p.82.
External site
The Comics Journal Online (http://www.tcj.com/)