Don MacPherson and Randy Lander of the well-respected and long-running comic review site The Fourth Rail announced today that they are closing down the site. The pair posted a final “Two-in-One” farewell message on their site and issued the following press release:
Online comics critics Don MacPherson and Randy Lander will no longer update TheFourthRail.com, their comics-reviews website.
The Fourth Rail was launched in August 2001, and both reviews felt it was time for a change, opting to end regular reviews on the site.
“So why break up the band now? In a word: evolution,” Lander wrote in the pair’s farewell column.
While closing this chapter in their online endeavors, both critics will begin new ones. Lander is joining three friends in a new review site — ComicPants.com — and MacPherson is working on developing a new one with a new format as well.
“I’m guessing that for longtime readers, this won’t come as much of a surprise,” MacPherson wrote.
“The regularity of updates has gradually slowed over the past year or two, and of course, Randy ‘semi-retired’ from the site a few months ago. The fact of the matter is that my life and Randy’s life have changed radically in recent years — for the better.”
That means they’ve had less time to devote to the reviews format they’ve been following for years and less time to collaborate on joint reviews as well.
Since both decided to change their reviewing schedules and formats, they decided it was time to start fresh with new websites.
The Fourth Rail won’t disappear right away. MacPherson and Lander have decided to keep the site and complete archives up and running until the end of the year so readers can still access the material for a few months.
But don’t think of it as losing a review site … think of it as gaining two review sites. Don will be launching his own review site, while Randy is joining the wonderfully named Comic Pants review site. Comic Pants will also feature reviews from Dave Farabee from Ain’t It Cool News and retailers David Martindale and Nick Budd.
(Comic Pants. Seriously, that makes my whole day).
August 28th, 2006 at 10:13 pm
Thanks for the kind words, both on the past endeavor and the present one.
Especially glad you enjoyed the new name so much… that’s *exactly* the reaction we were hoping for!
August 29th, 2006 at 2:26 am
Hey, I’m not a retailer… I’m a register monkey.
August 29th, 2006 at 6:30 am
I’ve been reading Randy & Don’s reviews since they were a part of Newsarama back in 2000. When things went haywire and everyone became scattered to the wind (I still miss the Joe Casey column, too) Randy & Don started The Fourth Rail and I’ve been a regular since.
Hate to see it go guys – but at least you’re moving forward – maturing your product as you mature.
August 29th, 2006 at 7:26 am
Wow! Has it really been *that* long? I’m sad to see the Fourth Rail go, despite the feeling that it was only a matter of time of late. BUT, I am looking forward to both Randy’s new column, as well as Don’s. All the best, guys, and thanks for some of the best, most honest reviews in a long time. Here’s to the future! Cheers..
August 29th, 2006 at 7:55 am
This is really sad for me… I love the fourthrail; they helped me get back into comics and helped me find some of the best comics out in the market.
August 29th, 2006 at 8:57 am
I’m another aided by the Fourth Rail when I decided to get back into comics about 5 years ago. I will continue to follow Randy & don around the ‘Net.
Excelsior!
August 29th, 2006 at 8:58 am
I meant Don, sorry about the small cap
August 29th, 2006 at 10:33 am
Like Firelight, I’ve been a Fourth Railer since their ‘Rama days. I told them a couple years ago how much I valued their reviews and Don said “that makes it worth doing” or something like that. Well, Don & Randy, thanks for all the reviews over the years. You guys definitely helped make my comics-reading a much better experience!
August 29th, 2006 at 10:39 am
I’ve been following the Fourth Rail since 1999. I’m not surprised to see it go, but I will miss Randy & Don’s shared efforts.
August 29th, 2006 at 11:20 am
Thanks for the kind words, all.
I’ve just posted my list of top 10 favorite reviews from the past five years, as well as Randy’s top 10. Links are on the front page of TheFourthRail.com
August 29th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
The kings is dead! Long live the kings!
Many years ago, Randy and Don set a standard for thoughtful online reviews that has been met by few. I have followed their work from Usenet to Psycomic to Fourth Rail, and look forward with eager anticipation to the new websites. It’s reassuring to know that even when the comics stink, the critics don’t.
August 29th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
Sad to see it go…
August 29th, 2006 at 4:17 pm
Sad to see go. I always looked forward to the end of the week to see what comics I should have picked up… making me spend more and more money! DANG YOU CORPORATE SELLOUTS!… HAHA kidding, I always like reading the critiques and opinions. Hope you guys have a great post-4th rail life
August 29th, 2006 at 5:44 pm
I’ll miss them.
The Fourth Rail was pretty much the top tier site for comic book reviews on the net. In a field that’s characterized by speed rather than quality, dominated by amateur fanboys spouting off whatever they feel like saying at the time, the Fourth Rail provided a welcome level of professionalism and consistency.
Here’s hoping the new sites quickly rise to that level as well.
August 30th, 2006 at 10:42 pm
Been reading The Fourth Rail since 2000 or so (think it was shortly after Psycomic closed up shop), sad to see it end but looking forward to Randy and Don’s new projects.
Best of luck!