I didn't buy Wizard magazine's 200th issue, but a friend did and he loaned me his copy. The thing is, I am just not a fan of Wizard's style (or methods) of reporting, it's blatant self-aggrandizement, internal philosophy, etc, and I haven't regularly purchased any issues since it's first year in existence.
That's 1991 for those of you who aren't' aware of the passing of time.
Still, their 200th anniversary issue effectively trumpets all of the things about the magazine AND modern comics that I personally dislike. And, "Who'd a thunk it?", it is actually a fascinating read!
There really isn't anything wrong with Wizards taking a well-deserved look back at its publishing history or the industry that it has nurtured since its inception. The features in Wizard #200 include: Our Favorite Stories, The 200 Greatest Comics of Our History, Our Favorite Stuff and, well, you get the picture.
It's that "Our" aspect of the magazine that is what I found most fascinating about it. Wizard has certainly had a major impact on the comics genre during the past 17 years. They have always promoted "their" preferences - often at the exclusion of anything else and they have played an integral part in elevating certain artists and writers that they've deemed "hot." Brian Michael Bendis, Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Joe Quesada, Alex Ross, Michael Turner, Ed McGuinness, and Todd McFarlane should all pay commission to Wizard for the mighty boost this magazine has given each of them - their own individual talents notwithstanding.
There are also looks at unreleased art pieces that were commissioned, events that rocked comics over the years of the "Wizard Era" and memorials for those creators who have passed during their tenure.
Like it or lump it, Wizard magazine definitely reflects what comics have become these days and this issue is a testament to those somewhat irritating rascals who produce it.
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