Thanks to the ever-vigilant eyes of Dirk Deppey at the Journalista! blog, I can pass on to those of you who don’t already know that last week was Comics Week at the Onion AV Club, and besides Mr Bendis, there are also interviews with Bill Willingham, Joss Whedon, and more. However, if you’re of a sensitive nature, watch out–some of these guys are big on the swears. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Mom!

Quick note before lunch (I’m famished!): I just put up some more photos on our Flickr page: check em out!

Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: R.M. Guera

reviewed by Todd Harlan

I hate the word epiphany, so let’s just say I came to an understanding about myself when I read this book: I get uncomfortable reading about a character’s fictional circumstances that I understand to be typical of a great many people in reality, especially when those circumstances are the result of racial marginalization, extreme poverty, and a society—of which I am a part—that allows such things to continue in 2007. But that’s one thing good stories do—they confront and broaden the reader’s perception of his or herself, their values, or their perception of what’s going on around them, all while seducing them into turning to the next page—no easy feat.

Scalped does just that. It’s the story of “Rez Cop”, Dashiell Bad Horse and Tribal Leader, Lincoln Red Crow, set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation. Over the years, Red Crow has amassed an extraordinarily high body count to create an organized crime empire, culminating in the realization of his dream: the grand opening of the Crazy Horse Casino. Enter Dashiell Bad Horse, who, as a punk teenager, abandoned his mother and the reservation for parts unknown, and wound up as an agent for the FBI. His assignment: Infiltrate Red Crow’s organization and take it down.

Jason Aaron’s strengths lie in dialogue that allows his characters to transcend the panel—to get up and walk around on the page, and it’s these fully-realized characters that propel this mix of western and noir forward at a tight clip. But be warned: it’s not for the faint of heart. R.M Guera’s graphic depictions of squalor, sex, violence will leave a lasting impression. Too he’s one of those artists who can maintain a high degree of clarity while employing a busy line against a large amount of black space. It’s a perfect compliment to Aaron’s narrative.

And hey, if social commentary in your comics bores you, there’s plenty of story to be had. Best of all you can get the fist five issues for a measly ten bucks, so give it a try.

Have I ever steered you wrong?

Actually, I’m going to refer you to Tom Spurgeon‘s excellent Comics Reporter blog, where he reviews Jordan Crane‘s new Uptight #2. This came out last Wednesday (I think), and I loved it so much I’d planned to share my love with all of you; however, time is short, and Mr Spurgeon has done it better than I probably would have, and certainly with less words. Check it out!

Check it, all y’all:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/heroesonline
Now, I’m still working out all the kinks, as far as the order that photos should display in, labels, sets, blah-blah-blah, BUT the page is up, seems to be working, and took a million less years than it would have if I were doing it all the old way, by hand, coding each, etc. Of course, the photos currently up (all by the very generous Gary Corbin) are just the teensiest tip of the photo iceberg, but I’ll continue to update with more, and then gradually start working my way backwards through the history of the show, at least the history I have photo documentation of. And of course I’ll let you know here on the blog whenever I add anything. Enjoy!

Well, we’re seeing some good discussions break out on the blog here, and I have to assume that will only grow, as you guys notice this new vector of hours and start chiming in. And if there’s any way we can put our customers to work for us, we’re always on the lookout.

To that end: I’m in the middle of totally revamping our website, which will feature all sorts of new hotness, as well as some of the old coolness you’re used to. One of the newer features will be a long-demanded (by Shelton) Frequently Asked Questions page for the convention. Now, while it’ll probably be another month or so before this new website actually sees the light of day, I thought I’d go ahead and start gathering some Questions which may or may not be Frequently Asked right away, for when the time comes.

So: What is it you’re always Frequently Asking? Remember, we do have brains, so we’ll probably be able to figure out most of the obvious ones. What I’m looking for are the weird ones. For instance, “Does HeroesCon have a costume contest?” is one we get a lot. Another might be “Can I get a half-priced parents pass as an advance ticket?” (the answer is No). Et cetera. Lay it on me. And if you’re thinking of asking a “funny” question, no one ever asks those, so don’t bother. I’m talking to you, Daniel.

Now Discuss! (Frequently Asked Questions, not young Daniel.)

Thanks to Keven Gardner from 12 Gauge Comics for sending us this link to an interview at the San Diego Comicon (going on through Sunday) with our sweetheart Rosario Dawson, who briefly discusses her love of comics, Occult Crimes Taskforce, and even finds time to mention good old HeroesCon!