Looking for something to do this Sunday the first day of August? We have the answer for you! Join Shelton at the Charlotte Comicon from 10 am to 4 pm at the Crown Plaza Hotel in uptown Charlotte. Our good buddies Rick Fortenberry and Dave Hinson put on a great show and it is always a perfect convention for digging through comics. Plus their guest list is full of Heroes regulars like Andy Smith, Tom Davidson, Eraklis Petmezas, James McGee, Bridgit Scheide and more! Noel Neill had to cancel due to health reasons but while you’re there you can sign a “get well” card for her. What a sweet gesture! These guys are all class!

Charlotte Comicon
August 1, 2010
10 am to 4 pm
Crown Plaza Hotel
201 S. McDowell St
Charlotte, NC 28204

Shelley and I had a blast! I took a million pictures but condensed it down to the best and posted them on our Flickr page. There was so much to do and see and experience. I have never been to anything like that in my life. Shelley and I talked to a ton of people about the convention and gave Shelton a lot of leads to follow up on. So hopefully before too long we will be able to get the initial guest list up. There will be plenty of familiar faces but maybe there will also be some new ones. And we have some exciting events planned for fall.

San Diego is a beautiful town with beautiful weather! I sure was missing it when I stepped off the plane and immediately began melting. We got to see a little bit of the city and went to several restaurants in the area. I didn’t have a bad meal the whole week! I was really surprised by how friendly everyone was. You bump into a million people as you try to maneuver the convention floor but no one is angry or mean-spirited. I had a lot of people smile and apologize. And all the artists, writers and publishers I talked to were incredible friendly. Ted McKeever, Paul Dini, Bill Willingham, Scott Snyder were so nice! It is such a good feeling when creators you really like are friendly. And it was so good to get to talk to Cully Hamner and Steve Niles. I love those guys! Almost everywhere I went I ran into someone I knew. It is a strange feeling being in a town you have never been to and yet feeling like you know everyone there.

I was able to make it to several panels which is always fun. My favorite was the Big Bang Theory panel. It was moderated by Wil Wheaton and the Barenaked Ladies came out and sang the the theme song. But I also had fun at the Fables panel (which I only caught the end of the Q & A), the Hellboy/BPRD panel and the Scott Pilgrim vol 6 panel. Mike Mignola has some interesting storylines planned for Hellboy! And a word of advice, if you don’t want things spoiled for you don’t go into a panel about a book you haven’t had the chance to read yet.

I spent most of my time walking the floor. I did a little bit of shopping here and there. How could I pass up a Sgt Slaughter SDCC exclusive GI Joe action figure or an original He-Man animation cell (I found an awesome one with Skeletor and Orko)? There were so many booths to look at that even though I walked to floor for 4 and a half days I still don’t feel like I saw everything. A number of the booths were jaw-droppingly amazing. Especially DC‘s, Marvel‘s, Lucasfilm‘s, Hasbro‘s, Mattel‘s, Lego‘s, Walking Dead‘s (both Image‘s and AMC‘s), Dark Horse and Archaia‘s. And those are just the ones I can think of right off the top of my head! The video game companies all had demos of their games. You could play Rock Band or Just Dance among others. I liked all the diversity and even though it is call Comic-Con I am ok with it having evolved into something else. There are plenty of other conventions that cater to the comic crowd. And who knows maybe someone came to meet the cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and stayed to check out some comics. The only thing that really surprised me was the lack of new comics. I really didn’t see any of the past couple weeks new releases (or just about any books from the past decade). Some publishers like IDW and Dark Horse had new comics but DC and Marvel didn’t (except for the occasional freebie).

And the costumes were amazing. I tried to get pictures of some of the best ones but it is hard. I didn’t always have my camera readily available and it can be hard to get a good picture when you’ve got thousands of people in your immediate vicinity. But I did get a couple of good pictures of people in costumes. Just keep in mind the pictures I took aren’t even a drop in the bucket compared to everyone wearing a costume. It was crazy!

I highly recommend going to San Diego Comic-Con (or Comic-Con International as it is now being referred to) at least once in your life. As long as you are patient and friendly you will have a blast! For more pictures and stories visit my Flickr set! And stay tuned for Shelley’s pictures!

Speaking of pictures, if any of you have any Heroes related photos we would love to see them and possibly post them on our Flickr page. I am particularly looking for photos from FCBD 2010 and the Adam Hughes signing. So if you have any send them my way (either by email or drop them off by the store and I will pick them up next time I am in). And if I do post them I will be sure and attribute the photos to the proper photographer.

CBGB #1
Published by BOOM! Studios

Ask any ten people what “punk rock” is and you’re liable to get ten different answers. Any music nerd worth their salt are bound to mention the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Black Flag, the Dead Kennedys, or even bands like Minor Threat, all groups affiliated with a specific time, a specific region and a specific scene. What’s hard to debate, however, are actual dates. And by that token, New York has England, California and Washington, DC all beat to the punk rock punchbowl.

To prove it, BOOM! Studios has released issue one (of four) of CBGB (the comic!). This anthology comprises stories set around NY punk’s ground zero, the legendary (and now defunct) CBGB. Back in the 70s, when the Bowery was a legitimately dangerous place to be, proprietor Hilly Kristal opened his little bar, anticipating country music and bluegrass to be the next hot urban trend. He was way off, and in a last ditch effort to populate his establishment, he handed the stage over to pretty much anybody that walked through the door.

This is all explained nicely in the first story of CBGB #1, A NYC Punk Carol. Although mining the Charles Dickens standard is about the most trite maneuver a storyteller can make, writer Kieron Gillen and artist Marc Ellerby handle the adaptation with sufficient charm. Drawn in something of an Adult Swim style, the short centers on Stooge, the front man of a band he’s deemed too technically proficient to satisfy his purist agenda. After downing a bottle of brown liquor, Stooge is given a crash course in CBGB and punk rock’s shared history by the spirits of Past, Present and Future, all at once. The spirits’ bickering is a highlight, and the story culminates in the most succinct and accurate summation of punk rock I’ve ever seen. You’ll know it when you see it.

Next up, eight pages of The Helsinki Syndrome. When a young punk rocker dresses inappropriately for his uncle’s funeral, his punishment is to clean out the deceased’s apartment for his parents. There he finds a strange connection between his uncle and the titular dive, which he investigates with a girlfriend. The only problem with this story is that it’s self-contained. Sam Humphries and Rob G have crafted an intriguing tale (not to mention a stunning stage presence with the uncle), one that seems to hint at more to come. It wastes a huge amount of potential, and would be better suited as the first chapter of a serial, not a one-off curiosity.

CBGB’s forays into marketing and merchandising seem at odds with the musical genre it helped to nurture, but it was always the most recognizable brand name in the scene. The first nest of punk rock in the Big Apple was clearly the Mercer Arts Center, where the likes of the New York Dolls and Suicide first stated biting the ankles of the rock establishment. But no New York punk rock institution – not even the venerable Max’s Kansas City – can ever hope to compete with those four iconic letters. CBGB might not have been there first, but it did stick around the longest. And to prove it, here’s a comic book.

After a few weeks of hoopla surrounding the comic and film announcements at San Diego Comic Con, it’s nice to know that another new comic day is upon us.  As usual, I can’t cover all of the new titles here so check our ‘new releases’ page for a complete listing.  Here are just a few of the new books I’d like you to be aware of this week:

1) American Vampire #5

Chances are good that if you’ve been in the store over the past several months you’ve heard me or one of my Heroes cohorts praising this title.  For those who think this might just be another of the many vampire books that have jumped on the undead bandwagon, you’d be wrong.  Author Scott Snyder offers a new take on the vampire mythology that returns the creatures to their dark and vicious origins.  Throw in the stylized art of Raphael Albuquerque who continues to illustrate the two sections of the book in two distinct art styles, and you have a really talented creative team working on a book that deserves every bit of the praise it’s receiving.  Another reason to give this book a try?  Stephen King has written the backup story in each of the issues thus far, marking perhaps the first time he’s written a serialized story based on characters he didn’t create!  Issue five wraps up the first story arc of the series and should tie up some loose ends and shine a light on the next storyline.

2) Artifacts #1

This series is being billed as an event 5 years in the making and one which is said to be remaking the characters in the Top Cow universe.  At the same time, early publicity is saying that this issue is a good jumping on point for new readers.  So if you’re a fan of older stories of Witchblade and the Darkness, or just curious about the characters in general you might have some interest in checking this one out.  Veteran writer Ron Marz is at the reins of this one, with artist Michael Broussard handling the art.  These characters remain popular properties, and it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if this one sells quickly.

3) Four Eyes TP vol. 1

This first collection from Joe Kelly and Max Fiumara collects the first four issues of their acclaimed and hard to find original series.  If you haven’t heard of this book, it has the unique premise of combining depression-era America with dragons!  That might sound a little strange to some, but this book came in under the radar and was a quick seller the first go round.  Aside from the acclaim the creators garnered on this title, they might be more recently recognized for their excellent work in introducing a new Rhino in Amazing Spider-man.  Kelly’s been around for a little while – remember he wrote a nice chunk of the first Deadpool ongoing series – and he’s gotten back to form recently.  Fiumara is definitely an up-and-comer whose art deserves appreciation.  You might have trouble finding all the Four Eyes individual issues, so this is the best place to jump on board this good book.

4) Thor: The Mighty Avenger #2

Roger Langridge and Chris Samnee return with the second issue of their excellent take on Thor.  The first issue was one of my favorite comics of recent weeks.  And while this is an all-ages title, don’t assume that means this reading of the character will be cute or silly. While it does appeal to younger readers, Langridge and Samnee bring some of the old Lee and Kirby fun back to the character, which adult readers should also appreciate.

5)  The Marvels Project: Birth of the Super Heroes HC

For those of you who didn’t pick up this series the first time around, here’s your chance to see one of Marvel’s best in a glorious hardcover format.  This book is worth adding to your library for a number of reasons.  Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting followed up their momentum on Captain America by taking on the early years of Marvel heroes and exploring new aspects that we hadn’t seen before.  Though the book has a large scope it’s successful because the creators don’t get lost in the scale, but focus on the individual characters as they deal with worldwide upheaval and their increasing self-awareness of their abilities.  We’ve seen several books in the past that deal with Marvels early days.  Some readers might have ignored this book for that very reason.  But Brubaker and Epting dug a little deeper into the characters themselves, while still linking Marvel’s history into a nice linear structure.  There’s no multiverses or alternate realities here, just two creators with respect for the past who tell a well-rounded tale that’s as reliant on history as it is nostalgia.

That’s the spotlight for this week!   As I said, this is only a few of the many new books released today.  Let us know what you read this week that you really enjoyed or were surprised by.  We on the Heroes Staff are a group that appreciates a wide variety of comics, but we like to hear what you’re reading too!

What happens when Hollywood decides to make a film based on one of the hottest comic series in recent years?  Scott Pilgrim vs. the World that’s WHAT! If you’ve followed any news from this past weekend’s San Diego Comic Con, you know Scott Pilgrim was the “Life of the Party!  The few fortunate fans to see the film in San Diego (including creator Bryan Lee O’Malley) were vocal in their praise of the film.  The final volume of the acclaimed graphic novel series SOLD OUT 100,000 copies in less that a week! EVERYBODY wants all the Scott Pilgrim they can get!

This special advanced sneak preview happens tomorrow night, July 28 at 7:00 p.m. That’s over two weeks before the film’s official release date of Friday, August 13!  How might you get one of these golden tickets?  Simply come in to the store today only, purchase all the items in your reserve bag and we’ll happily give you a pass which admits two people. We only have a very limited number of these coveted passes, so first come first serve and one per customer please!   When they’re gone, they’re gone.  If you’re a reserve customer who has already purchased everything in your reserve bag earlier in the week?  Just stop in today and mention that you read about this promotion on the blog, and you too will be on your way to the movies!  Remember, this is a Heroes Online Blog exclusive, and only applicable to our loyal reserve customers! Stop by the store today, grab your pass and see the film tomorrow night!

With all the controversy swirling around writer J. Michael Straczynski’s stint on Wonder Woman, it’s a little easy to overlook the fact that he’s also taken over writing chores on Superman.

Plus, the Wonder Woman hype aside, his story line on Supes — titled “Grounded,” about the Last Son of Krypton going for a walk around America — will undoubtedly feature a lot less explosions and punches than Princess Diana’s comic, so folks may be ready to sleep on the title. But, judging from the latest issue of the series (701), it would be in your best interest not to let Superman pass you by.

This month’s tale is the ultimate antithesis of everything Superman’s been about for the last few years; JMS has chucked all the Kryptonian crap (although he references those adventures) and instead surrounds Clark with normal people with normal problems. That sounds boring, I know. But if you read his stint on Thor, you know that JMS is one writer who knows how to handle quiet moments. As seen in his work on the God of Thunder, he’s able to deal with humanity without it coming off like “a very special episode of Superman.”

Every so many years, a superhero comic has to cleanse its palate of convoluted — and overly insular — garbage and get back to stories that are accessible to any reader off the street. It’s Supe’s time for a cleansing … and so far, so good.

 June 3-5, 2011 are the dates you need to block out right now, ‘cause Heroes Convention 2011 is on the calendar! Put in for those vacation days; don’t plan any weddings; graduation NEVER happens first week of June; Memorial Day and all of that NASCAR’s racin’ in Charlotte will be behind us…in other words…HeroesCon is IT! Nothing else can compete!

The Heroes Discussion Group meets tonight Tuesday, July 20th at 7 pm here at the store to discuss all 8 volumes of Pluto!

Pluto is the critically acclaimed manga series by Naoki Urasawa and Osamu Tezuka, who are arguably two of the greats. This is sure to be a stimulating night of conversation!

Even if you haven’t read Pluto this is a don’t miss Discussion Group. I have attended several groups despite not having read the book (or not having recently read the book) and I always get something out of the meeting. Andy Mansell is an amazing discussion leader! And if you have read Pluto then you double better show up! No excuses!

As we have mentioned several times, Shelley and I are headed to San Diego Comic-Con this week! I think I can speak for the both of us when I say that we are ridiculously excited to be going! Shelton is a wonderful boss for allowing us this opportunity. We will be leaving Wednesday morning at the crack of dawn because we wanted to get to San Diego with plenty of time to get our passes and make it to Preview Night so that we can get a lay of the land. Comic-Con’s schedule is packed full of crazy-fun panels and events and I am hoping to make it to at least one panel and the Eisner Awards. I will be taking my camera so be prepared for a full photo report when we get back!

Shelley and I have two requests of you, fine blog readers. One, if you are interested in any of the San Diego Comic-Con exclusives please email Shelley and let her know. Two, if you have any HeroesCon 2011 guest requests please email me. Please remember that Comic-Con exclusives are limited and you are not guaranteed to get the item you request. The same goes for guest list requests. That being said, we will do our best to make your requests a reality.

Don’t miss us too much! And be nice to the staff that we left behind. And most importantly, wish us luck as we prepare to stand in lines for the entire weekend!

UPDATE! In all my excitement I forgot to mention that Shelley and I might help answer questions during the I Can’t Write, I Can’t Draw, But I Love Comics! Panel. We aren’t an official part of the panel but we will be on hand to help answer retailer and convention questions. I seriously can’t believe I forgot about this! Here is the description from the Comic-Con website:

2:30-3:30 I Can’t Write, I Can’t Draw, But I Love Comics!— There are tons of jobs in the comics, animation, and gaming industries besides writing and illustration. Companies still need computer programmers, motion-capture actors, retailers, agents, development executives, and publishers. Learn how to get your foot in the door without spilling any ink. Panelists include Rudy Coby (Labman), Jacob Melvin (DreamWorks), Joseph Gatt (God of War), Derek Douglas (Digital Development Management), Steve Goldstein (Stubbs Alderton & Markiles), Matt Cohen (Killspace Entertainment), Jud Meyers (Earth 2 Comics), and Filip Sablik (Top Cow Productions). Moderated by science/tech journalist Susan Karlin (Discover). Room 24ABC

Heroes is busy with announcements this month! I guess we are making up for lost time due to HeroesCon. So away we go!

Jenny Bement helped us last year around convention time as an intern and we liked her so much we decided to hire her! She has been working for us for several months now and was an immense help with all of the build up to HeroesCon. If you came to the convention you may remember her as one of the many friendly faces at Pre-Registration. You may also recognize her as a barista at Starbucks where she works her magic with the coffee. She plans on regularly contributing to our blog so she can show off her fancy English degree. So everyone welcome Jenny to the team if you haven’t already done so!

And our newest hire is Justin Crouse. He also works at Lupie’s, which is one of our favorite restaurants. Monday is meatloaf night! You should get that some mashed potatoes and gravy, mac and cheese and finish it off with some banana pudding. Delicious! Justin was a volunteer at HeroesCon this year helping with the info booth and at the store and he impressed us with his hard work and enthusiasm. He helps us to process comics on new comics day, which is usually Wednesday.  So pick up your books on Wednesday and say “hi” and find out more about Justin!