Don’t forget that the next Heroes Discussion Group is this Saturday afternoon August 28^th at 4:00pm. We will be discussing Scott Pilgrim Volume 6 Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour by Bryan Lee O’Malley.

The primary focus of the discussion will be the sixth and final volume of the series but we will also discuss the previous volumes. It is recommended but not required that you be familiar with the entire series.

We plan on talking in depth about the storyline, pacing and character development and examine why this series has turned into such a phenomenon. We will likely discuss the film adaptation, Scott Pilgrim Versus the World comparing the comic series to the movie.

Scott Pilgrim Volume 6 Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour is available at Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find with a special 10% Discussion Group Discount; but be sure to mention the discount when you check out!

We hope you will be able to make it to what will surely be an exciting discussion group!

The Heroes Discussion Group is back in August to celebrate our finest hour. In a recent poll taken on this very site, the majority of folks voted for Saturday afternoon as their preferred time for Heroes Events. So, please plan to join us on Saturday afternoon August 28^th at 4:00pm where we will meet in the back of the store and sit down to discuss one of the most popular books of 2010—Scott Pilgrim Volume 6 Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour by Bryan Lee O’Malley.

We plan to discuss the entire series but our primary focus will be the final volume of the series. It is recommended but not required that you be familiar with the entire series.

We plan to talk in depth about the story-line, the pacing, the art-work, the page lay-out and the wild characterization.

In other words, we will examine what it is about Scott Pilgrim that has turned the series into such a phenomenon?

We are making an educated guess that the majority (if not all) of those planning to attend the discussion group will have already seen the film adaptation, Scott Pilgrim Versus the World.

If that proves to be the case, we’d like to veer slightly off topic and discuss the adaptation of O’Malley comics into film—what worked and what didn’t?

Then we’d like to branch out even further and discuss comic adaptations in general.  This is one of our all-time favorite discussion topics

Finally we will spend the last fifteen minutes discussing upcoming Discussion Groups.  Hint: September’s Discussion Group will be a book you will definitely want to Reed. With more surprises just around the corner! Expect the unexpected!

This will prove to be a rather exciting two hours (or more if we are really rolling!)

And of course Scott Pilgrim Volume 6 Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour is available from Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find.  As usual we are offering the special 10% Discussion Group Discount; but be sure to mention the discount when you check out!

We can’t wait!  See you there!

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!

Some of you who may have been champing at the bit for the next meeting of the Heroes Discussion Group (I’m looking at you, Matt Plummer), especially considering Discussionator Andy Mansell‘s ambitious summer schedule, listen up! Due to tonight’s Adam Hughes super-cool party and tomorrow’s Adam Hughes super-cool signing, we’ve moved the next installment of the Discussion Group to Tuesday, July 20th at 7pm, so you have plenty of time to attend ALL of our special events! We know you are busy, after all.

PLUTO is super amazing, by the way. If you’ve never read a manga, this is an excellent one to start out on–an adult retelling of one of the “Greatest Robot” story from Astro Boy, Pluto is a nuanced genre tale that is manga at its finest. I enjoyed every minute of reading all 8 volumes, and looked forward to each breathlessly. There is SO MUCH stuff for Andy to talk about too, trust me–this is going to be one of the best Discussion Groups yet, even after Andy’s tour de force with Bill Willingham and the Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall discussion at HeroesCon. Don’t miss it!

The Heroes Discussion Group will meet again in the back of the store on Thursday (note the day) May 13th at 7:00 pm.
In order to wet our whistles for next month’s HeroesCon, we return once-again to the super-hero genre to discuss Astro City: Confession by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson.

This is the second Astro City trade paperback and it reprints the first multi-issue story-line.
We hope to attract a number of the Astro City faithful as well as some rookies sticking their toes in Busiek and Anderson’s rich trough for the first time.

Suggested topics will include:

* The consistency of having the same creative team on every issue
* How do super-heroes stories create a connection to the audience
* Are the allusions and homage to main stream comic characters consistently successful or do they become a distraction?

And that is just the tip of the iceberg.

For anyone who has not had the chance to read many super-hero comics, Astro City may prove to be a great place to dive in and see what all the fuss is about. Astro City: Confession is a graphic novel created by a writer and artist who really love superheroes. You can feel the affection on every page; in every panel.

Remember: Heroes is offering a special 10% discount on Astro City: Confession; be sure to mention the discount when you are checking out!
This will be big time fun.
See you there!

We hope you will join us on Tuesday April 6th when we will dissect and discuss the powerful and challenging Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb.

For anyone planning to attend the discussion group, we ask three things:

1) Please make sure you have read the Crumb version
2) Please take a few extra minutes and read Crumb’s introduction and End Notes
3) Most importantly, please bring an open mind to the discussion.

We plan to examine a rather bold and exciting interpretation of what is regarded to many as a sacred text. We plan to examine Crumb’s Genesis as a work of literature that has been reinterpreted for a modern audience.

Here are a list of just some of the topics we’ll be covering:

How well is the work serviced by the use of sequential art?
Does the stylized art of Crumb overwhelm the text?
Does this version of Genesis provoke an emotional response from the reader?
How does Crumb’s interpretation affect your personal beliefs?
A discussion of Crumb’s interpretation of the Serpent.
Do the “Crumb females” hamper the reading experience?

And that is just the tip of the iceberg. To prepare for the discussion I have been examining two books concerned with the Book of Genesis: “Genesis”— a roundtable discussion of the importance and influence of Genesis in today’s society edited by Bill Moyer; and Testament – an historical over-view that details the creation of the Old Testament written  by famed archeologist  and historian John Romer.

We look forward to seeing you! And as always, just mention the Heroes Discussion Group when you buy your copy at Heroes and you’ll get 10% off the cost of the book!

We hope you will join us on Tuesday April 6th when we will dissect and discuss the powerful and challenging Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb.

For anyone planning to attend the discussion group, we ask three things:

1) Please make sure you have read the Crumb version
2) Please take a few extra minutes and read Crumb’s introduction and End Notes
3) Most importantly, please bring an open mind to the discussion.

We plan to examine a rather bold and exciting interpretation of what is regarded to many as a sacred text. We plan to examine Crumb’s Genesis as a work of literature that has been reinterpreted for a modern audience.

Here are a list of just some of the topics we’ll be covering:

How well is the work serviced by the use of sequential art?
Does the stylized art of Crumb overwhelm the text?
Does this version of Genesis provoke an emotional response from the reader?
How does Crumb’s interpretation affect your personal beliefs?
A discussion of Crumb’s interpretation of the Serpent.
Do the “Crumb females” hamper the reading experience?

And that is just the tip of the iceberg. To prepare for the discussion I have been examining two books concerned with the Book of Genesis: “Genesis”— a roundtable discussion of the importance and influence of Genesis in today’s society edited by Bill Moyer; and Testament – an historical over-view that details the creation of the Old Testament written  by famed archeologist  and historian John Romer.

We look forward to seeing you! And as always, just mention the Heroes Discussion Group when you buy your copy at Heroes and you’ll get 10% off the cost of the book!

Oh yes, as Phil Collins said, “Tonight, tonight tonight! Oh-ohhh!” Yes Phil, tonight will indeed be alright, as Heroes Discussion Master Andy Mansell leads another book club discussion. This time we focus on Craig Thompson’s extraordinarily successful memoir Blankets. This is a book that’s not only a critical and market success, but a big entry-point for female readers into comics, which is always great.

Andy will be kicking some knowledge tonight, March 4, at 7.00 at our store. All you need to bring is yourself, a copy of the book if you have one handy, and a good attitude. Bonus points if you bring some questions, which will save some of Andy’s breath–after all, he’s got quite a slate of discussions to do throughout the spring!

With all the excitement surrounding Free Comic Book Day on May 1st and HeroesCon June 4th- June 6th, we wanted to make sure the old reliable Heroes Discussion Group didn’t fall off any of our already loaded plates

So we are doing something a little different and something that is rather exciting.

Today, we are announcing our next 5 Discussion Groups!

1) Blankets

Join us on Thursday (note the day of the week!!) March 4th as we sit down and discuss Blankets by Craig Thompson.

This is with a doubt one of the most popular and influential graphic novels of the past half decade. We know many of you have already read this wonderful story and we hope you will join us.

For anyone who has yet to tackle Thompson’s intimate story of first love, do not let the sheer size of the book intimidate you; it is a fast-moving enjoyable read with fabulous page design and clear-cut story-telling.

2) Book of Genesis by R. Crumb

One month later, we invite you to join us on Tuesday (note the day!) April 6th when we will dissect and discuss the powerful and challenging Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb. Moderator Andy Mansell is studying up on some Biblical History and we are certain this will be our most exciting and most talked about discussion group to date.

3) Astro City: Confession

Then on Thursday (note the day) May 13th– in order to wet your whistles for HeroesCon, we return to the super-hero genre to discuss Astro City: Confession by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson. Readers who visit Astro City never leave that wonderful town. We envy those of you who have never read any of these books; you are in for a big treat! These are super-hero comics created by artists who love superheroes. This will be big time fun.

4) Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall

Then we have an exciting surprise for you. We will be having a special meeting of the Discussion Group disguised as a Panel at HeroesCon. By popular demand, we will analyze and discuss the Anthology: Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall. And seeing as how it’s taking place in the middle of HeroesCon, don’t be surprised if a special guest or two shows up to join in the discussion!

5) The Complete Pluto Series

Lastly– and certainly not leastly–we have a special surprise for all manga fans. On Tuesday, (again, note the day) June 29th, we will get past our post-convention exhaustion by hunkering down to discuss the landmark Japanese series Pluto by Naoki Urasawa. No, not just the first volume; but rather we intend to discuss the 8 volume series in its entirety! More details as we get closer!

So here is a quick re-cap:

Thursday March 4 – Blankets

Tuesday April 6 – Genesis

Thursday May 13 – Astro City: The Confession

Heroes Con – Fables 1001 Nights

Tuesday June 29 – The Complete 8 Volume Pluto

All of these books are available from Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find for a Special 10% discount. But remember–in order to take advantage of the special price, you need to mention the Heroes Discussion Group Discount when you check out.

We look forward to seeing you! Watch this space for more details and reminders as each event gets nearer. In the meantime, pick up Blankets and Genesis; you’ll be glad you did!

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!!!

Unless the whole world is wiped away in the Continuing Great Blizzard of 2010, we will be hosting Afrodisiac co-creator and artist Jim Rugg this Sunday! NOTE that we’ve moved the time up an hour from the 3-6pm listed in the image above. To give you guys more time to get home and safely ensconced in your many sofas and Barca-loungers for the Super Bowl, we’ve changed the time to 2-5pm.

WHICH MEANS that you can come join in the event, which will not only be a signing, but a discussion of the book, which is drawing praise from every direction. Publisher Chris Pitzer will be in attendance as well, and the two will answer questions about the book, its design, sandwiches, whatever you want to ask! The discussion will be led by our own Heroes Discussion Group leader Andy Mansell, so it’s sure to be a lively one!

Hope to see you on Sunday–come support us before you throw corn chips at the TV that night!