Visual Studio 2008 hits the streets one month early

Once again Microsoft redefines the concept of "launch," releasing today the retail edition of a suite that was said to have "launched" last November, though whose "launch party" remains scheduled for late February.

It's one of the guests of honor at a formal launch party still slated for February 27 in Los Angeles. But with one guest bowing out early -- specifically, SQL Server 2008, whose RTM may come as much as six months later -- Microsoft decided today to balance things out by moving up its retail release of Visual Studio 2008 to today.

The latest edition of the developers' suite was actually officially released for download last November, though boxed editions are now available starting today through retail channels.

Microsoft's marketing push for next month's launch party, whose theme is "Heroes Happen Here" (in what appears to be a stirring simultaneous tribute to both Stan Lee and Hubert Humphrey), now features its own comic strip. The first edition of the HHH comic strip was published today, featuring submissions from ideas taken from the company's own developers, and with art contributed from comic artists worldwide.