Comics have changed drastically with the new millennium. The industry’s embrace of digitization has elevated the contributions of letterers and colorists to heights heretofore unseen. And while it has made these historically downplayed positions finally recognized as the arts they truly are, programs like Photoshop have also borne amateurish, ugly trends. Motion blurs. Digital inking. Stock fonts, typos, awkward balloon placement; foibles that are all the more obvious in context of the progress that enabled them.

I’ve always been wary of “colored pencils”, where pencil art skips the ink stage altogether – digital or analogue – in favor of colors filling the space, achieving the depth and mood of the story’s setting. This approach has yielded practically nil in enjoyable comics. Without the bold, dynamic lines of proper inking, the energy inherent in comic art is lost, leaving soft figures, muddied page layouts and set pieces. So then, I was also wary of Avenging Spider-Man #1. Joe Madureira + Spidey = no-brainer, but when I heard that the book was skimping on the inker, I was understandably skeptical. Mad’s work had always popped kinetic, but then his turn in Ultimates 3 was a far cry from the lushness of Battle Chasers. Color me unimpressed.

That is until I read Avenging Spider-Man #1.

Okay, even the title wasn’t so encouraging, but with an open mind and an appetite for something fun and easy, I read AvSM #1, and I felt like a kid again. The book’s team-up tack is a potent catalyst, conjuring a vibe akin to the old Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends TV show. Clearly, Joe Mad is (excuse the pun) the big draw here, but Zeb Wells is a workhorse writer, too, crafting simple, sensible plots and writing punchy, unobtrusive dialogue. His idea-man approach is perfectly suited to Madureira’s wild imagination.

It would seem Madureira is putting a little more elbow grease into his pencils this time out, too. The only spots that don’t play well are the lightly filled blacks, which could stand a little darkening somewhere along the line. Otherwise, colorist Ferran Daniel does an excellent job in maintaining the integrity of Madureira’s lines, adding shades and hues that enliven each and every page. His strong sense of texture roots his flashy palette in four-color reality, too, the solidity that was lacking crucially in Ultimates 3.

With issue 2, the story has clearly revealed itself as padded, but not in a negative way. Guest star Red Hulk is given plenty of scenery to chew alongside Spidey, and their character interplay is infectious, just like watching a couple of old pals argue. The involvement of J. Jonah Jameson is similar, and while it may seem repetitious or old hat, the plot’s simplicity is its charm. Nothing story-wise is overdone or overwrought; this book’s not here to make you think. Actually, quite the opposite: it’s pure entertainment, the kind of comic you read once, then again, then flip through languidly for another half-hour, basking in the afterglow.

Issue #2 ups the stakes by really playing to Madureira’s strengths as an artist. He and Wells’ variation on Mole Man and his Moloids – the Immovable Ra’ktar and the Molans – and the environs of Subterranea make Avenging Spider-Man look a bit like a Marvel crossover with Battle Chasers. These new villains are bulky and earthy, complete with chunky armor adorned in spikes and skulls (they speak in runes). Madureira was always billed as manga and anime influenced, as far back as his star-making days on Uncanny X-Men, but that’s always been somewhat overstated. It’s there in his proportions, his sense of motion and perspective, but the fundamentals of Mad’s work are as indebted to the likes of Jack Kirby and Art Adams as they are to anything from the Land of the Rising Sun (unless you wanna count video games).

Avenging Spider-Man is a perfect gift for any superhero fan, and a great book for new or young readers. With the holidays rapidly approaching, issues one and two of this exciting new series would make an ideal last minute gift idea, or just an extra stocking stuffer (but PLEASE don’t ROLL ‘em!) Each issue also includes a free download code, officially making it the gift that keeps on giving. If you’re in the market for good old-fashioned superhero fun, unencumbered by dense continuity and needless exposition, Avenging Spider-Man is the book for you. And the first two issues are available in ample supply at your friendly neighborhood Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find…whenever you’re ready…

Check out our sweet HeroesCon Variant cover for Avengers X-Sanction #1! It was announced this week that 2012’s big Marvel event will be Avengers vs X-Men (I loved that Marc Silvestri mini-series when I was a kid!) and this is where it starts! You can get yours at the store next Wednesday!

We’ve also created a listing on our eBay store for pre-sales.

Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find and Marvel Comics are offering a HeroesCon 2012 variant cover of this book that kicks off 2012’s Avengers VS X-Men Crossover!

This book is extremely limited and by ordering today you ensure you will have a copy of this book when it comes out next week.

All orders will ship Wednesday, December 14 when this book hits stands!

1) Defenders #1

Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson bring us a new incarnation of the Defenders this week.  This title has always been an odd one to grasp for some readers, but the creators and characters included on this launch suggest that Marvel is trying to raise the status of this brand.  There are classic Defenders like Doctor Strange, Silver Surfer and Namor around again, but this time there are also characters like Red She-Hulk and Iron Fist in the mix.  Suffice to say, this won’t be like the Secret Defenders title of the ’90’s.

2) Animal Man #4

Animal Man has quickly become one of the highest regarded of DC’s new 52 titles.  Though the book is quite horror-based for a mainstream DC book and could easily have been included among the Vertigo titles, it is maintaining its quality thus far because creators Jeff Lemire and Travel Foreman balance the literal horrors with the psychological stresses of parenthood and the need to protect your kids against all kinds of threats.  This juxtaposition has its drama increased by the fact that Animal Man’s young daughter has developed scary powers of her own.  The result is a multilayered story of a family struggling with numerous difficulties, all wrapped in the bright colored trappings of a superhero comic

3) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro Series #1 Raphael

IDW’s recent success with their new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic has paved the way for this first of several micro series.  The solo Raphael tale is told by Brian Lynch and Franco Urru, and sheds new light on the cantankerous Turtle, while also featuring cameos from other popular characters in the Turtle-verse.  Plus, check out that nice cover from Mouse Guard’s David Petersen!

4) Bad Doings and Big Ideas: A Bill Willingham Deluxe Edition HC

Fans of Fables might not realize that creator Bill Willingham had a lengthy career in comics long before he crafted that acclaimed series.  This 450+ page monster hardcover reprints lots of Willingham’s pre-Fables Vertigo work all in one handy collection.  In addition to the entire miniseries Proposition Player, featured here are several of Willingham’s minseries and oneshots set in the world of the Sandman, including Merv Pumpkinhead: Agent of D.R.E.A.M., which features art from his Fables collaborator Mark Buckingham.  Also worth mentioning are some of the other collaborators represented here, namely Bernie Wrightson and Kevin Nowlan.

Fun Fact: Beautiful cover painted James Bennett who illustrated the New York Times bestselling picture books “Tell Me A Scary Story… But Not Too Scary,” written by Carl Reiner and “Halloween,” written by Jerry Seinfeld. His conceptually humorous illustrations have appeared as covers and interiors for The New York Times, The L.A. Times, Forbes, Time, Sports Illustrated, Mad, Business Week, New York, Smithsonian, among others. -r.

5) Avenging Spider-man #2

Upon looking over issue one of Avenging Spider-man, several things stood out:  1) Zeb Wells is an underrated writer, and seems to have quietly developed a nice voice for himself in recent years. 2) Though I’m still not crazy about Joe Madureira’s pencils going straight to color without passing through the skilled hands of an inker, this book looks much better than the murky final product of Ultimates 3.  3) In addition to being a really fun read, this book at its best reminded me of the simple, direct entertainment of the old Marvel Team Up title, which is a great compliment.  It’s nice to have a Spider-man book on shelves that isn’t too bogged down with lots of continuity, and thus easily accessible.

> Bonus Picks of the Week: Swamp Thing #4, Johnny Hazard Dailies HC vol. 1, Strange Talent of Luther Strode #3, Superman Secret Origin TP, Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus TP vol. 1, Mega Man #8, and Detective Comics #4.

Get ready people, the Charlotte MiniCon is back! Shelton started the MiniCon waaaaay back in 1977 ( I was 5 but who’s counting ). We’re still talking to all our friendly nearby creators to see who can make it to the show but I wanted to let you know about a very special out-of-town guest who will be paying a visit to the Queen City just for this event! Cliff Chiang is going to be here to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the MiniCon! Cliff is currently turning out some of the best work of his career as the artist of DC’s Wonder Woman, but he’s also known for adding his distinctive style to books like Zatanna, Doctor 13, Neil Young’s Greendale, Human Target, and Green Arrow/Black Canary, among many others .  Meet Cliff Sunday, January 22, 2012 at this incredibly fun, family-friendly event! Mark your calendars and check back here for more details about the MiniCon or join our mailing list to make sure you hear about any events we have coming up.

Charlotte MiniCon
January 22, 2012
11 am to 5 pm
Admission is just $3!
Palmer Building at Fireman’s Hall
2601 E 7th St
Charlotte, NC 28204

It’s Christmas and we’ve all once again secured our spots on the “Good List” (except for Heroes’ own Phil Southern, but that’s a story for another day..).

There’s only one thing better than Christmas morning and that’s a Christmas with presents purchased from Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find.

But what to ask for? The ideal gift should be something you’d not readily purchase for yourself on any given Wednesday.

But what if you asked a family member or friend for that same comics-related item and…what if Heroes was having a HUGE SALE …what if that sale was THIS WEEKEND????

Well, this is the season of miracles and here are some items for you folks (to receive or give!) who have been pretty darn good this year (excluding of course the aforementioned Phil).

Parker Martini Edition by Darwyn Cooke

This edition contains both of the Parker Graphic Novels, The Hunter and The Outfit plus a new short story plus 70(!) pages of bonus material including bits by Ed Brubaker, Tom Spurgeon, and Abby Westlake! The Parker books are as good as you’ve heard–they are as good as it gets.You absolutely MUST read them and this gorgeous Martini Edition looks great on any bookshelf or coffee table.

Just take a gander inside:

Sadly, my copy is no longer in mint condition due to my excessive salivating.

The Walking Dead Omnibus

I know what you’re thinking–560 pages of Zombie Comics–no way. When we scheduled this book for the Discussion Group, I felt the same way UNTIL I READ the first 12 issues.
And the only thing better than reading a lot of The Walking Dead is reading the comic and then watching the AMC series as an accoutrement. Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard have created a horror masterpiece.

Literary note: If you purchase more than one omnibus, you are allowed (by law) to use the word omnibi even though it is not really a word, but hey, these are zombies we’re dealing with here.

Bone 20th Anniversary Full Color One Volume Collected Box Set

You know you want it. It is the complete collection one of the most fun, exciting comic-reading experiences around. Get it for the kids– it is a perfect starter comic for both boys and girls or use the kids as an excuse and get it for yourself. It is just a stunning piece of comic story telling. I envy any of you that have yet to read it and can experience it for the first time. And this Box Set is the perfect way to read it.

MAD Fold-In Collection

Every dang time (pardon my french!) I go into the store, I have a stare-down with this mammoth two volume set that contains every one of the great Al Jaffee’s fold-ins which ran on the back inside cover of every issue of MAD since LBJ was President. Each fold-in is presented in a before-and-after state so you can enjoy the book without having to trash it!.

You must buy this–you will buy this. (see? if you folded in that last sentence, it would say “You must buy this”)

Gahan Wilson 50 years of Playboy Cartoons

This is one of the best books of the past year (or so). Gahan Wilson is the true heir apparent to New Yorker comic weirdo Charles Addams. His comics are twisted, macabre, beautifully rendered and above all–laugh out loud funny. This 3 volume set belongs in every serious comic fan’s library. It contains over 1000 cartoons – here’s just one example of Wilson’s genius:

Rather smartly, I’m not going to try to make a joke after the master has spoken….

75 Years of DC Comics

Winner of the 2011 Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best Comics-Related Book of the Year!
We’ve all seen it in the back of the store; you know we all want it; and we all deserve it–even Phil!

Serving Suggestion: Author Paul Levitz not included

But wait….. there is still more!

STATUES! C’mon fess up– you know you want a statue, me too. And we all deserve a statue (Phil?–well, it’s a toss-up) and the statues will be discounted from 10 to 70 percent!!!! Shelton Drum (aka The Big Kahuna) loves to deal on these Sale weekends. Just don’t call him The Big Kahuna.These statues are priced to move — from the store shelf to under your tree.

If statues aren’t your thing (what –were you born in a barn??) howzabout Toon Tumblers. These terrific glasses will work for any potent (and non-potent) potables. Flavors include Superman,Teen Titans, Joker, Robin, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Captain America, Flash, Spider-Man, Deadpool and a JLA Pitcher.

So for goodness sake,visit Heroes this weekend–Saturday and Sunday December 3rd and 4th and if you buy a Toon Tumbler, for God’s sake use a coaster (unless you really were born in a barn, then, never mind!)

And have the decency not to mention coal around Phil Southern.

Be there…..