Spider-Island is here! With Manhattan spiraling into chaos as its inhabitants gain spider powers, it’s up to Spider-Man and Earth’s Mightiest to fix it!

To celebrate this momentous occasion, Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find and comic shops all around the world have participated in the chance to have their store featured on the cover to AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #666.

You can come to the store and get a copy of the Heroes variant or you can order yours online at the Heroes Web Store right here.

Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find is on the road again but this time we don’t have to go far! Sunday, July 31 is the Charlotte Comicon and this great one-day show is in our own backyard. The Charlotte Comicon is a fun, family-friendly show and Dave Hinson and Rick Fortenberry do a great job putting together this quarterly convention. This is the perfect place to dig for bargains and meet some local comic creators. They have a bunch of great guests in attendance, like

• Andy Smith
• Budd Root
• Bradd Parton
• John Aston
• John Hartness
• Al Bigley
• Elf
• Eraklis Petmezas
• Bridgit Scheide
• Buddy Prince
• Rick Ketcham
• John Wycough
• Brian Shearer
• & more!

Check out their website for the full list. The convention also provides free parking at the Cowne Plaza Hotel parking deck.

Charlotte Comicon
December 19, 2010
10 am to 4 pm
Admission is $3, Kids 12 and under get in FREE!
Crowne Plaza Hotel
201 S. McDowell St
Charlotte, NC 28204

Flashback with us to June 3-5 and HeroesCon 2011. John Carter and Carolina Camera take a stroll through opening day of our convention with head honcho, Shelton Drum. You’re sure to see some familiar faces! Our segment starts at the 8 minute mark but the opener is a doozy, featuring Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers. Enjoy!

1) Amazing Spider-man #666

The prelude to Dan Slott’s “Spider Island” storyline kicks off this issue, and features nice art from Avengers Initiative and Secret Warriors alum Stefano Caselli.  In a story where any and everyone starts manifesting spider powers, it’s going to be interesting to see how Spider-man reacts.  Also available is the ultra rare, Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find variant of this issue, which is only available at our store!

2) Captain America and Bucky #620

You know Cap recently relaunched with a new #1 issue courtesy of Ed Brubaker and Steve McNiven.  The old numbering continues this week with the old title focusing on World War II era stories features Cap and Bucky.  Brubaker teams with co-writer Marc Andreyko and Chris Samnee, artist of the acclaimed Thor: the Mighty Avenger series.  The idea that this series will focus on untold war tales of the classic characters makes this a very promising title, and Samnee’s art alone should make you want to check out this book.

3) League of Extraordinary Gentlemen III: Century 1969

Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill return with another volume of their modern classic.  Set against the backdrop of the drug-fueled culture of the late ’60’s, Moore and O’Neill clearly had a lot of fun crafting this volume of the series.  Moore’s literary knowledge and mystical leanings should especially lend themselves to an interesting take on this particular cultural era.

4) DC Retroactive ’70s: Green Lantern, Justice League of America, Superman

Unsure of how DC is changing all their titles and characters with their upcoming reboots and relaunches? Then these books are for you!  These books feature new and reprinted material focusing on characters as you might remember them from the ’70’s.  Among the talented creators working on these issues are: Martin Pasko, Eduardo Barreto, Dennis O’Neil, Mike Grell, Cary Bates, and Charlotte’s own Andy Smith, who contributes great art to the Justice League of America book.

5) Dave Stevens’ Complete Sketchbook

IDW collects all four of Dave Stevens’ Sketchbooks that he produced to sell at San Diego Comic Cons of years past.  There are also over 100 never before published pieces.  With new collections of Stevens’ classic Rocketeer series, and a new anthology featuring talented artists paying homage to his famous creation, it’s a great time to celebrate this legendary illustrator.

> Bonus Picks of the Week: The Mighty Thor #4, Batman: The Dark Knight #4, X-men: Schism #2, Action Comics #903, Fear Itself: The Worthy #1, American Vampire #17, and Wolverine/Deadpool: Decoy.

Toby Cypress has amassed a nice set of original work in recent years with acclaimed contributions to books like The Tourist, Popgun, Marvel’s Strange Tales II, and this year’s Blue Estate.  It was with the recent book Rodd Racer that I finally fully realized why he’s such a respected creator.  As one who processes and writes about new comics every week for this blog, I’m always looking for a new book to capture my attention and remind  me why I still love comics.  On a first read, Rodd Racer succeeds for me because it pays homage to racing strips of the fifties and sixties, with characters like Frank Frazetta’s Johnny Comet serving as one antecedent.  In the same way that Cypress respects the visual traditions of the racing strip, his narrative work doesn’t branch too far away from those original narrative structures.  The resulting effect is one of instant gratification, whereby readers can enjoy Cypress’ visual craft while remaining unencumbered by an overwrought story.

Sometimes a creator working within a specific sub-genre might be tempted to elaborate on certain elements of a story, thus taking away from some qualities that made those stories work in the first place.  Cypress’ story in Rodd Racer serves the purpose of this particular type of comic.  The framework suggests a clear, simple backstory of a murdered mentor and a vengeful pupil, a strong female support role, and the inevitable symbolic and literal victory over the immoral.  While there aren’t many unexpected plot twists, the natural progression and rhythm of the racing setting act as a wonderful palette for Cypress to explore elements of inky motion.

While Cypress clearly does a great job of achieving motion with his illustration skills, he also adds meter to the book’s momentum with his use of chapter headings.  Aside from being the book’s only inclusions of color, the musical and lyrical quotes are intentionally placed to add to the feeling of movement.  Aritists like The Misfits, Miles Davis, Beastie Boys, Television, and Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers are all mentioned or quoted.  The range from punk, to hip hop, jazz to rock signifies Cypress’ intelligent use of certain songs, genres, and musical forms to accompany the moods and tempos suggested by certain parts of the book.  Visual rhythms harmonize with musical time signatures, creating a natural, built-in soundtrack for the book.  At the same time, while operating seamlessly within the realm of comics, Cypress also shows us he has an awareness of the properties of film and storyboarding.

Cypress’ greatest achievement with Rodd Racer is that both he and his readers are knowingly cognizant of the multiple ways a comics artist might convey the action of movement.  In a way, the necessary sequential mannerisms of the comics form make it ideal for racing narratives.  Cypress allows himself to stretch out and play with the spatial relationships of vehicles at high speed, and the passage of time from panel to panel, page to page.

At the same time, Cypress turns the genre slightly on its ear by making the protagonist’s success dependent on the female lead character, thus subverting the damsel in distress or the strictly eye candy roles female characters were relegated to in the heyday of the racing strips. And while the book takes place in an unspecified time, the suggested dark, neon future portrayed reminds us that some stories might be cyclical, but don’t necessarily lose their entertainment value.  Rodd Racer is a clear presentation of an artist who, before our eyes, deftly melds the work of his craft with the innate joy of comics.  Check it out if you haven’t yet, and enjoy a solid stand alone volume from a talented creator.

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Loose Ends #1 release party on last Wednesday! Also, thanks to Chris Brunner and Jason Latour for coming out to the store and signing tons of books and prints for everyone! The event was such a success that we sold out of the regular edition of Loose Ends #1!

We have them back and stock now, so if you weren’t able to make it out to the event you can still get all the items we had on hand with the Loose Ends #1 “Neon Noir” 3-Pack now available in the Heroes Web Store!

The Loose Ends #1 “Neon Noir” 3-Pack includes 1 of each of the following:

• Loose Ends #1 Signed by all 3 creators
• Loose Ends #1 Signed, Black & White “Virgin” Cover
• 11″x 17″ Signed and Numbered,Limited Edition of 50, 2-Color Silk Screen Poster

Domestic Orders Only!

1) Daredevil #1

Daredevil gets a new relaunch courtesy of Mark Waid, Paolo Rivera, and Marcos Martin.  While DD has had his share of darker crime stories in recent years courtesy of writers like Bendis and Brubaker, it looks like this new series will at least kick off with a return to some of the character’s more swashbuckling tendencies.  Waid’s a good choice for this title, and honestly, who isn’t excited to see DD illustrated by Rivera and Martin?

2) Criminal Macabre/Goon: When Freaks Collide

A crossover featuring characters from Steve Niles and Eric Powell?  That should appeal to all kinds of horror fans.  Both creators co-write this one shot that also features art from Criminal Macabre artist Christopher Mitten.  Humor and horror should work together quite well in this one.

3) Sergio Aragones Funnies #1

Bongo Comics brings us a new series of previously unpublished Sergio Aragones strips.  The interesting thing about this particular series is that Sergio is writing the stories on his own, without the aid of his longtime collaborator Mark Evanier.  Come enjoy Sergio’s classic humor and art all presented from his own perspective.

4) Rocketeer Adventures #3

One of my favorite minseries of the year continues to feature modern artists paying respectful homage to Dave Stevens’ classic pulp character.  This issue is no exception, as contributers include Ryan Sook, Bruce Timm, Tommy Lee Edwards, and a beautful pin up from the talented Stephanie Buscema.

5) Overstreet Comic Price Guide vol. 41 HC/SC

Every year we get lots of questions about when the new price guides will be for sale.  For those who might be interested, it’s none other than this very week! And just like last year there are two covers to choose from, a Walt Simonson Thor, and an Amanda Conner Supergirl/Batgirl.  Both covers are available in both hard and softcover formats.

6) War of the Green Lanterns Aftermath #1

Building off the surprising cliffhanger in the last issue of Green Lantern, this week Tony Bedard and Miguel Sepulveda start a two part story that acts as both an epilogue for the War of the Green Lanterns story arc, and a prologue for that new Green Lantern reboot.  Green Lantern is still one of our biggest selling DC titles.  Come see how DC will start their next chapter for the popular character with this story.

> Bonus Picks of the Week: Batman: Gates of Gotham #3, Cinderella: Fables Are Forever #6, Invincible Iron Man #506, Misadventures of Adam West #1, Locke and Key: Clockworks #1, and Ultimate Comics: Fallout #2.

It’s that time again! San Diego Comic-Con is upon us and Shelton will be heading out first thing Wednesday morning to join the frenzy. He’s scouting for great guests for Heroes Convention’s big 30th anniversary show next year, June 22nd – 24th! If you have any sugestions for the boss be sure to let us know by e-mailing me here. If any of our loyal custies have any requests for comic-con exclusives they can e-mail me directly. Keep in mind that all requests are limited by availability and time constraints, so you might not get what you request even if you throw your hat in the ring first. But if you don’t ask you’ll never know! So be sure to send in any requests before Friday the 22nd and Shelton will do his best (assisted by the ever-gleeful Matt Knapik!) to fufill your wish lists. And don’t forget to wish our very own Bridgit “Good Luck!” while she’s at the convention promoting her web comic, Brother Nash.

In the post 9/11 world, what is more important freedom or safety?  Imagine how your attitude could change as you get older and have children? V for Vendetta tackles all of these tough concepts and does it in an extremely entertaining and exciting way. How does the Reagan/Thatcher era play out to today’s reading audiences? But let’s put politics aside (good luck with that) and just focus on the comic itself.  Writer Alan Moore and artist David Lloyd are both at the top of their game and it is up to us to examine this masterpiece of comic art.

• OK, for September (watch this space for scheduled dates and times) — we will sit down to discuss Dan Clowes’ fabulous coming-of-age graphic novel Ghost World. After we’ve dissected the book, we will re-group in the store and watch the movie adaptation.  We did this once before a few years ago for Persepolis and it resulted in one of our best discussions.

We look forward to seeing you.  If you’ve never been to one of the discussions, please consider joining us.  If you come, there is no pressure to participate.  All we ask is that you read the assigned book (and once in a while, see the assigned movie) before the meeting and as always bring an open mind.

 1) Loose Ends #1

By now you should know we’re having a signing/release party for this book featuring the creators today from 12-2 and again from 5-8.  Why else is Loose Ends being spotlighted this week? Simply put, creators Jason Latour, Chris Brunner, and Rico Renzi are all strong (and humble) talents who have been working in comics for years, and are really putting their individual and collective all into this book.  Beyond that, the first issue is a finely crafted example of crime comics, and showcases each creator’s unique strenghts.  Come by the store, buy a copy and get a FREE silk screen print, talk to the guys, and help us celebrate the accomplishement of some great local creators.

2) Captain America #1

Marvel has done a good job of offering jumping-on points for new readers that coincide with theatrical releases.  With the Cap film set to hit next week, Marvel offers up a new Cap title courtesy of regular series writer Ed Brubaker and artist Steve McNiven.  Brubaker’s Cap run has been consistently solid from the beginning, and I’m curious to see how McNiven’s style will lend itself to this new title.

3) Ultimate Comics Fallout #1

Are you a longtime fan of Marvel’s Ultimate line of books?  Were you shocked, stunned, or awed by their recent decision to kill Ultimate Spider-man?  Are you scratching  your head trying to figure out who will spin the webs as the new Ultimate Spider-man? Brian Bendis and Mark Bagley kick off this six issue miniseries that will answer lots of your questions and set the stage for the new Ultimate stories.

4) Batman: The Dark Knight #3

Writer/artist David Finch continues his popular Batman series this week that features not only the Dark Knight, but also Etrigan the Demon, and Ragman, always one of my favorite C-list characters.  Many Bat fans have taken to Finch’s dark interpretation of the character, so much so that DC will relaunch the book with Finch still at the helm as part of their upcoming company-wide reboot.

5) X-men: Schism #1

It’s been a few years since I’ve regularly read an X-men title, but Marvel is getting me and lots of other people to take a look at that corner of their universe with this new miniseries.  Featuring the reliable talent of writer Jason Aaron, the series’ five issues are illustrated by the likes of Carlos Pacheco, Frank Cho, Alan Davis, Adam Kubert, and Daniel Acuna.  Focusing on a dividing rift between the X-men, this series leads directly into two brand new X-titles, Uncanny X-men by Kieron Gillen and Carlos Pacheco, and Wolverine and the X-men by Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo.

> Bonus Picks of the Week: Jonathan Hickman’s The Red Wing #1, Dollhouse: Epitaphs #1, Ghost Rider #1, Batman HC: Bruce Wayne the Road Home, Hellboy: The Fury #2, Lady Mechanika #2, and Flashpoint titles galore (Citizen Cold #2, Deathstroke #2, Emporer Aquaman #2, and Frankenstein #2).