Archive for the ‘Comics Industry’

THANK YOU RICHARD THOMPSON

July 28, 2016 By: Seth Peagler Category: Comics Industry, NEWS

Richard at HeroesCon 2011 by Heather Peagler

Richard at HeroesCon 2011 by Heather Peagler

We lost a dear member of the Heroes family yesterday when the great Richard Thompson passed away after his long battle with Parkinson’s disease. There will rightly be far more eloquent essays on the timeless brilliance of Richard’s Cul de Sac strip across the industry, but right now we simply mourn the loss of our friend. He entertained us with his art, and drew us into that world with his humility. When he was diagnosed with the disease, he inspired us with grace and humor even through the hardest days of struggle. Most importantly, he quietly lead us to start raising money alongside Team Cul de Sac and the Michael J. Fox foundation in their funding of Parkinson’s research.

The HeroesCon Drink and Draw has been an annual event for six years now, with our fundraising contributing to the nearly $225,000 raised by Team Cul de Sac during that time. We mention that because our fight against Parkinson’s disease is still going on, and we hope any of you who love Richard, Cul de Sac, HeroesCon, our Drink and Draw event, or the fine art of comic strips, and are able, will donate to Team Cul de Sac and the Michael J. Fox Foundation in Richard’s memory today at this link: http://bit.ly/DonateTeamCulDeSac . We loved Richard the artist and the man, and offer our sincere condolences to his family, friends, fans, and everyone in comics who celebrates his life and work. All of us at Heroes will continue to fight Parkinson’s disease in his memory every year at HeroesCon.
Please revisit Craig Fischer’s 2012 tribute to the greatness of Thompson here.
Share

R.I.P. JEREMY DALE

November 05, 2014 By: Shelton Drum Category: Comics Industry, NEWS, QuickDraw

This is one of the hardest posts I’ve ever had to write. It is with shock, disbelief and great sadness that I share the news that Jeremy Dale has passed away. Jeremy came to HeroesCon about 10 years ago and promptly won the quick-draw contest. The next year he was a working professional and a regular in artist alley. He and his wife Kelly became part of the extended Heroes family. He was talented, funny, supportive, hard-working and way too young. Linda and I, along with the entire Heroes crew, send love and hugs to Kelly and all of our comic family friends that knew and loved Jeremy. He will be missed. Rest in Peace Jeremy. – Shelton Drum
12191010354_a69be59789_z

Share

BANNED BOOK WEEK EVENTS :: HEROES DISCUSSIONS at CM LIBRARY BRANCHES

September 15, 2014 By: Andy Mansell Category: Comics Industry, EVENTS, Heroes Aren't Hard To Find, Looking Ahead, NEWS, Other Events, Out and About, This Just In

ABFFEAlong with the opening week of the Football season and the beginning of the new school term, each year September also brings us Banned Book Week. It is an annual reminder of our freedom to read.

Banned Book Week is officially scheduled Sept. 21 – 27 but there are a variety of events that will occur throughout the month. BBW is sponsored by local libraries, independent retailers along with a supportive legion of readers all over the world From the Banned Books Website: “BBW was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. More than 11,300 books have been challenged since 1982 according to the American Library Association. There were 307 challenges reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom in 2013, and many more go unreported.”

Each year, the American Library Association (ALA) publishes a Top Ten list of Frequently Challenged Books. This year’s list (published in April) includes the # 1 Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants series for offensive language, unsuited for age group, violence. The list is rounded off with Jeff Smith’s Bone series at #10 for political viewpoint, racism, and violence

“This year we spotlight graphic novels because, despite their serious literary merit and popularity as a genre, they are often subject to censorship,” said Judith Platt, chair of the Banned Books Week National Committee.

At this past summer’s HeroesCon, Prof. Craig Fischer created a panel that focused on the history of the Comic Book Defense League Fund as well as a roundtable about the local issues an NC school had with Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home. This will be posted at the Dollar Bin site later this month. www.thedollarbin.net

Locally, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Libraries are offering dozens of Banned Book Week events—everything from Art contests to Reading groups. To see all of the events in your area go to: www.cmlibrary.org/programs/

This year, Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find is doing their part to support this noble and important movement.  Warehouse Manager Seth Peagler and Heroes Discussion Group leader Andy Mansell will be appearing at a number of branches this month to discuss Banned Books:

Seth will join UNCC Professors Robert Campbell (Graphic Design) and Dr. Erik Waterkotte (Print Media) to discuss the importance of comics and graphic novels and how they are susceptible to censorship. Audience: Adults, Teens (12-18) 9/18/2014 at 6:00 PM: Morrison Regional near South Park.

Andy will lead discussions at the following branches on why comics are particularly vulnerable to challenges and focus on some of the more frequently challenged titles.

9/18/2014 at 6:00 PM: Scaleybark  Audience: Teens (12-18), Adults, Seniors

9/24/2014 at 2:30 PM: Independence Regional   Audience: Teens (12-18)

9/25/2014 at 5:00 PM: Mountain Island Audience: Teens (12-18), Adults, Seniors

We hope to see you there and remember, reading is one of our greatest gifts. Never take it for granted!

Share

Top Ten Reasons to Attend HeroesCon’s Drink and Draw

June 17, 2014 By: Heather Peagler Category: Comics Industry, DISCUSS, EVENTS, Heroes Aren't Hard To Find, HeroesCon, HeroesCon News, NEWS, Schedule, Special Offers

hc-logo no dates
hc-logo no dates
hc-logo_cmyk_new_colors
This year marks the fourth annual HeroesCon/Team Cul de Sac Drink and Draw.  This event has grown each year as has the amount of money you wonderful people contribute in the fight against Parkinson’s.  If you’ve never attended or it’s been awhile since you’ve made it, here are my Top Ten Reasons to Attend!
10.  What’s more relaxing after a first day on the con floor than having a few drinks in the swanky Hilton lobby? The staff at the Hilton was amazing last year.  They featured super hero drinks on special last year, and may have some new ones this year!
9.  Not only can you kick back with some delicious drinks, you can do so while enjoying some free live music by Raleigh, NC based Jack the Radio.  The guys were  great addition last year and I can’t wait to hear what their acoustic sets have to offer this year. You can get a preview of the guys here.
Jack the Radio at 2013 Drink and Draw

Jack the Radio at the 2013 Drink and Draw

8. Swag!! This year not only will you be able to purchase fabulous original art, but Limited Edition Drink and Draw prints with art by Alexis Ziritt and special Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find t-shirts will be available.  Team Cul de Sac’s Chris Sparks also has too many great auction items to list!
7.  It’s quite impressive for a group of people to put in a long day of work at the con and then extend that day into the late night in the name of a good cause.  Give your HeroesCon Drink and Draw crew a hand, and maybe a drink or two to thank them for all their hard work.  Seth will once again be emceeing this event and I will also be joining him on the mic this year!  This is a cause that is near and dear to both of our hearts, and the Heroes family as well.

Seth and Justin at the 2013 Drink and Draw

Seth and Justin at the 2013 Drink and Draw

6. Not only will there be Drink and Draw art created live while you watch in the Hilton, but artists from all over have sent in pieces for you to bid on! Some of these artists don’t normally sell sketches outside of their books so this is a great opportunity to own some amazing original art you will not be able to find anywhere else.  Not to drop names, but comics greats like Art Spiegelman and Stephan Pastis are sending art this year!
5.  All of the proceeds of the Drink and Draw go to Team Cul de Sac which raises money for Parkinson’s research.  TCDS was founded by Chris Sparks with Richard Thompson after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and Chris wanted to do something to help his friend.  This is an amazing cause and we are so happy to be a part of the fundraising efforts.
2013 Drink and Draw

2013 Drink and Draw

4.  You may have seen the article in the New York Post or the Press Release on this very blog, but in case you missed it, we will have on display the original Pearls Before Swine strips that Bill Watterson of Calvin and Hobbes fame did with Stephan Pastis this month.  The original art will also be on display behind the Art Stage all weekend during convention hours.
3.  Do you collect original art? The Drink and Draw presents the opportunity to pick up some very unique pieces at great prices.   Didn’t have a chance to chat with some of your favorite artists on the con floor? A growing number of the pros at HeroesCon are attending the Drink and Draw.  If your personal favorite isn’t there, maybe you’ll find a new one or two.
A sampling of original art!

A sampling of original art!

2.  The Drink and Draw is a much smaller venue than the con floor and it is a wonderful time to spend time with friends and make new ones.  The community and support that has grown around this event has been amazing.  What started as a small crowd at Fuel Pizza has expanded to the Hilton hotel bar featuring live music in just a few years time.
1.  I mentioned above that all the proceeds raised go to Parkinson’s research, but the number one reason to attend the Drink and Draw is to honor Richard Thompson.  Richard was actually in attendance at our very first Drink and Draw in 2011.  He has not been able to join us physically since, but we know he’s here with us in spirit and happy to see such a great art community of both artists and fans honor his contribution to comics.

Richard and Roger Langridge at the 2011 Drink and Draw.

Richard and Roger Langridge at the 2011 Drink and Draw.

 

 

Want to see more of past Drink and Draws? Here are photos from 2011, 2012, and 2013.

The HeroesCon Drink and Draw event takes place on Friday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hilton Center City atrium located at 222 E 3rd St, Charlotte, NC 28202. HeroesCon’s first Drink and Draw event was in 2011, modeled after the Drink and Draw Social Club founded by comic artists Dave Johnson, Dan Panosian and Jeff Johnson. That event and every one since has raised money for Team Cul de Sac, the organization founded in honor of Cul de Sac cartoonist Richard Thompson that raises money and awareness for Parkinson’s Research.

 

Share

HEROESCON 2014 & BILL WATTERSON IN THE NEWS!

June 09, 2014 By: Seth Peagler Category: Comics Industry, EVENTS, Guest List, Heroes Aren't Hard To Find, HeroesCon, HeroesCon News, NEWS, Schedule, Special Offers

Watterson - Team Cul De SacEarly Saturday morning we announced that HeroesCon will exhibit Bill Watterson and Stephan Pastis‘ three collaborative strips in Pearls Before Swine. While we knew that this would be huge news, we are thrilled that several national outlets covered the story. From the Washington Post, who broke the story, to TIME, CNN and Rolling Stone, the media seems rightly excited about Watterson’s return to the comic strip. Several comic sites, including CBR, Comics ReporterComics Alliance, Nerdist and The Beat also covered the story. And Stephan Pastis himself told the story of how his collaboration with Watterson came to be.

Remember, HeroesCon is the only place that anyone will be able to see this art before it is auctioned off. While the media coverage is nice to see, the most important aspect of this story is that all of the money collected from the auction will be donated to our friends at Team Cul de Sac and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. We’ve been working with TCDS for four years in their efforts to raise money for Parkinson’s Research, and are honored to be a part of their continuing efforts.

The Watterson and Pastis strips will be on display all weekend at HeroesCon, and we’ll have even more surprises on hand at Friday night’s Drink and Draw event. Don’t forget that you can hear all about how this art was produced and how it came to HeroesCon at our panel on Friday, June 20 at 5:30. If you haven’t ordered your tickets for HeroesCon, we’re just a few days away. Now’s the time!

Eventbrite - HEROES CONVENTION 2014 :: 3 DAY REGISTRATION

Share

HEROESCON TO DISPLAY NEW ART FROM BILL WATTERSON!

June 06, 2014 By: Seth Peagler Category: Comics Industry, DISCUSS, EVENTS, Guest List, Heroes Aren't Hard To Find, HeroesCon, HeroesCon Art Auction, HeroesCon News, Indie Island, NEWS, Now Read This!, QuickDraw, Schedule, Special Offers, This Just In

Watterson - Team Cul De Sac

This year HeroesCon is proud to display the first published comic strip art from Bill Watterson in nearly twenty years! Watterson completed his inimitable Calvin and Hobbes strip in 1995, and has since remained largely private in his life and art. If you happened to read Stephan Pastis popular Pearls Before Swine strip this week, you may have noticed that Pastis employed a guest artist, billed as a second grade girl named Libby, to help him with three strips. Astute readers speculated about the true identity of the guest artist, and today the Washington Post revealed it to be none other than the legendary Bill Watterson!

In conjunction with Chris Sparks and Team Cul de Sac, we are happy to be bringing all three Watterson and Pastis strips to Charlotte to display at HeroesCon, June 20 through 22 at the Charlotte Convention Center. The art will be displayed on the convention floor all weekend, at our Drink and Draw event on Friday night, and at Saturday night’s Art Auction.   We’ll also be hosting a panel on Friday, June 20 where fans will get to hear the story of how this remarkable art was produced, how it came to be featured in Charlotte, and the part that Cul de Sac cartoonist Richard Thompson plays in all of it.

The three strips produced by Watterson and Pastis will be auctioned off in the coming months, with all proceeds from the sale going to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. This charity works closely with our good friends at Team Cul de Sac, for whom we host our annual HeroesCon Drink and Draw charity event. More specifics regarding the auction of these pieces will be available at HeroesCon, here on our site and at Team Cul de Sac‘s page in the coming weeks.

HeroesCon is the only place anyone will be able to see the rare Watterson and Pastis original art in person before they are auctioned off. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for comic and art fans across the country, and we are humbled and honored to be bringing it to Charlotte.

HeroesCon takes place June 20 – 22 at the Charlotte Convention Center. The Bill Watterson and Cul de Sac panel takes place Friday, June 20 at 5:30 at the convention center.

Eventbrite - HEROES CONVENTION 2014 :: 3 DAY REGISTRATION

The HeroesCon Drink and Draw event takes place on Friday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hilton Center City atrium. HeroesCon’s first Drink and Draw event was in 2011, modeled after the Drink and Draw Social Club founded by comic artists Dave Johnson, Dan Panosian and Jeff Johnson. That event and every one since has raised money for Team Cul de Sac, the organization founded in honor of Cul de Sac cartoonist Richard Thompson that raises money and awareness for Parkinson’s Research.

The HeroesCon Art Auction will take place on Saturday, June 21 at 8 p.m. in the Providence Ballroom at the Westin.

For more information on all things HeroesCon, stayed tuned to www.heroesonline.com. If you have any questions regarding the Watterson and Pastis exhibit in Charlotte, contact Seth Peagler at seth@heroesonline.com or through the Heroes store at 704.375.7462. Additionally, you can contact Team Cul de Sac’s Chris Sparks at teamculdesac@gmail.com for further information.

 

 

 

Share

HEROES ANNOUNCES JUSTIN CROUSE AS STORE MANAGER!

July 26, 2013 By: Seth Peagler Category: Comics Industry, DISCUSS, Heroes Aren't Hard To Find, HeroesCon, HeroesCon News, NEWS, This Just In

Justin_square_420

Heroes is proud to welcome Justin Crouse to the position of Store Manager!  Justin has been a valuable staff member for the past three years.  Like many employees over the years, Justin was a customer for some fifteen years before he worked his way up from HeroesCon volunteer to full fledged staff member.  In addition to being an endless source of humor for staff and customers alike, Justin has a wide range of comic tastes – his favorites include  Howard the Duck, Savage Dragon, Bulletproof Coffin, Captain America, Asterios Polyp and Black Hole.  Justin’s also a talented artist, with his work appearing in several anthologies and self-published comics in recent years.  He values the aesthetics of the form, and, like the rest of us, unabashedly loves comics.

As store manager, Justin will handle all comic ordering, which means if you have any requests for specific items or variants, or would like to change your Previews orders, you’ll need to contact him at justin@heroesonline.com.  He will also be helping to coordinate volunteers for HeroesCon 2014.

We are very excited to have Justin as our new store manager, and hope you’ll also welcome him.  After the success of this year’s HeroesCon, we’re all reinvigorated and ready to bring you an even better comic shop and convention in the coming year.  Great things are happening at Heroes, and we hope you’ll continue to join us along the way.

 

Share

HEROESCON 2013: A LOOK BACK AT DRINK AND DRAW

June 13, 2013 By: Seth Peagler Category: Comics Industry, DISCUSS, EVENTS, Heroes Aren't Hard To Find, HeroesCon, HeroesCon Art Auction, HeroesCon News, NEWS, Now Read This!, Other Events, This Just In

This year marked my seventh year as a member of the capable HeroesCon management and organization team.  Every year there are countless little moments that make me (and the rest of the staff) happy to be a part of this incredible comics community.  This year, more than any other year, I was especially heartened and humbled by our 3rd Annual Drink and Draw.  It was at our first Drink and Draw back in 2011 that I met Richard Thompson, the genius cartoonist behind the award winning Cul de Sac comic strip.  It was Richard for whom Team Cul de Sac started, in an effort to raise money for Parkinson’s research.  And it is Richard’s humor, humility and general kindness that made us want to continue to do more to battle this disease.

This year, thanks in part to a spacious new venue (the Hilton), an appropriately Southern soundtrack from Jack the Radio, and the creativity of professional and amateur artists alike, we raised over $7,000 for Team Cul de Sac and the Michael J. Fox foundation!   The combined total from money raised in the first two years was under $3,000, so that alone should let you know the extent to which our fundraising increased this year.

Planning for this year’s Drink and Draw began earlier than ever before.  Team Cul de Sac founder Chris Sparks, my wife (and fellow Drink and Draw organizer) Heather and I had a few meals together in Asheville this past Spring, and talked at length about what we could do to bring even more money and awareness to Team Cul de Sac at HeroesCon’s Drink and Draw event.  Chris took those brainstorming sessions and turned them into original art from Patrick McDonnell (Mutts), Jim Borgman (Zits), Mark Tatulli (Lio), Roger Langridge (Snarked), and more, all for us to auction at the Drink and Draw.  In addition to these pieces, Chris brought an Art Spiegelman signed and sketched edition of Maus, and Bill Watterson signed editions of The Complete Calvin and Hobbes and Team Cul de Sac: Artists Draw the Line at Parkinson’s.

With all the art produced and auctioned off at the Drink and Draw, we not only raised a sizable donation for Parkinson’s research, but sent a strong message that the philanthropic efforts at HeroesCon have never been more vibrant than they were this year.   I look forward to working with Chris to bring even larger things to HeroesCon 2014’s Drink and Draw.

Thanks to all the fine volunteers who continue to come back every year to help us run the event (Heather Peagler, Brian Purvis and the rest), all the artists who still draw for us after a long day on the convention floor, and everyone who donated money for the various pieces produced that night. Thanks to Chris Sparks for his perseverance, Richard Thompson for his ever-present inspiration, and Shelton Drum for giving us so much time and space at HeroesCon to continue to raise money for this worthy cause.

If you’d like to continue to support Team Cul de Sac throughout the year, please visit them HERE.  The battle against Parkinson’s disease needs more than just our annual event to help fight it.  We hope to see you next year at Drink and Draw.  We’ve already started planning, so trust me when I tell you – HeroesCon 2014 is going to be bigger and better than ever!

Share

HEROES FOR HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF :: FRACTION SIGNS HAWKEYE #7

January 30, 2013 By: Seth Peagler Category: Charlotte Minicon, Comics Industry, DISCUSS, EVENTS, Guest List, Heroes Aren't Hard To Find, HeroesCon, NEWS, Special Offers, Store Signings

In case you missed hearing about this at our recent Charlotte MiniCon, Heroes is teaming with writer Matt Fraction for a special offer benefiting the American Red Cross and their Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.  Fraction wrote a special stand alone issue for Hawkeye #7 that directly deals with the hurricane.  In addition to writing the story, Fraction is donating all of his royalties from the issue to the Red Cross.  That means the more copies people buy, the more money the Red Cross will make.

In conjunction with Fraction and the Red Cross, Heroes is offering a special signed copy of Hawkeye #7 for $10.  As of this writing, there are less than 100 copies still available.  You can stop by the store and reserve your copy today.  All of the money we receive for this book will go entirely to the Red Cross, and each transaction will be kept separate from other store purchases.  Our costs for the book, shipping, and Matt’s time are all being handled by us and aren’t included in the $10 price of the book.  That means all of the money will go straight to the Red Cross and their relief efforts.  We’d also encourage you to donate more than $10 for the book if you’re able.

We applaud Fraction and his work to maintain awareness of the Red Cross and their work helping those afflicted by Hurricane Sandy.  Reserve your copy of Hawkeye #7 today and help us raise money for those who desperately need it.  

Share

HEROESCON 2013 :: 3-DAY PASSES & ARTISTS ALLEY TABLES ON SALE NOW!

December 04, 2012 By: Rico Renzi Category: Comics Industry, DISCUSS, Guest List, Heroes Aren't Hard To Find, HeroesCon, HeroesCon News, NEWS

Are you ready for some HeroesCon 2013 news? Let’s get to it! HeroesCon 2013 will be our biggest and best show yet. We’ve announced a few of our fantastic guests here.

3-Day Passes are on sale now. If you order before the end of 2012 you will save almost 50% off the regular price for daily admission at the door. So order today to make sure you get that sweet discount!

Eventbrite - HEROES CONVENTION 2013 :: 3 DAY REGISTRATION

We’ve also made Artists Alley tables available, these are first-come-first-served and they usually go fast! Reserve your space today!

Eventbrite - HEROESCON 2013 :: ARTISTS ALLEY TABLE

Sign up for the Heroes Hotline (our twice-a-week newsletter) and check our blog frequently for more announcements and details about HeroesCon 2013! Follow on Twitter and like us on Facebook and we will make sure you are in the loop!  Thanks!

Share



  • heroes on facebook heroes on twitter heroes on flicker




    Click Here To Help Support The Creators That Make Comics Possible!



  • www.flickr.com