When we thought about doing a Dark Knight III store variant we asked our pal Brian Stelfreeze because we knew he would do an amazing job. We had no idea just how beautiful it would be though! Brian has pitted Frank Miller’s Carrie Kelly Robin against Superman, it’s a beautiful composition and it’s available in both color and black white. Pre-orders are open now! The books will start shipping at the end of November right after our in-store signing with Brian! You read that right! Brian will be at Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find on November 28th!

ANDY’S PICK :: SUPERMAN EARTH ONE VOL 02 HC: Two years ago at HeroesCon we had a Discussion Group about Superman Earth One HC with the books artist Shane Davis. Now, after being floored by our discussion of All-Star Superman the year before, I didn’t think I would ever be impressed or really care about any other Superman stories. Then I sat down to read and re-read Superman Earth One Volume 1 for the meeting with Mr. Davis and I was so taken in by the story and the art, I was genuinely disappointed that there was not a sequel forthcoming. But now it is two years later and here is Superman Earth One Volume 2–with art by Shane Davis and written by J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5 and Spider-man) and frankly I can’t wait. Do yourself a solid and pick up both Volume 1 and Volume 2. It is so chock full of little details about Superman/Clark Kent’s life that just makes it a special reading experience.

Excitement is building  for the Charlotte MiniCon on SUNDAY, January 22, 2012!  We already told you Cliff Chiang will be there but we didn’t tell you about the sweet poster we’ll be offering! Cliff and local hero Dustin Harbin have teamed up to create this gorgeous poster that will be available at the MiniCon. Did we mention it’s huge? 16 by 24 inches of glorious hand silk screened art on a nice heavy sheet of paper. Wait until you see these things! We will be offering them for a measly 10 bucks a piece! That’s a deal and a half! Get a friend to pick one up for you if you can’t make it to the show!

Besides Cliff Chiang and Dustin Harbin other great guests on hand will include:

• Rich Barrett
• J. Chris Campbell
• Sanford Greene
• Jason Latour
• Eraklis “Herc” Petmezas
• Bridgit Scheide
• Andy Smith
• Budd Root

We’ll take a closer look at all of these great creators (and maybe a couple more!) as we get closer to MiniCon time.

Not only will you find great comic creators at MiniCon, the show will also feature dealers selling comics from the Golden Age through today, along with other great collectibles. If you’ve never been to the MiniCon or enjoyed the nice environment of the Palmer Building before, there’s no better time than this year. Come help us celebrate the 35th anniversary of this classic event, and make sure to bring the whole family! It’s going to be a rockin’ good time!

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

David Lafuente– Like some sort of dynamite mix of Norm Breyfogle fluidity, manga-esque figure work, and exceptionally stylish dress design this newcomer is quickly growing into one of my favorites. Every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man lately had just become a feast for my eyes. Look at this

I have never seen Spider-Man move like that, most artists opt to show the malleability of his body but not the speed in his movements. Plus I love the dry brush effect on the motion lines that make it look like charcoal.  More stuff like this please.  Check out last five issues of Ultimate Spider-Man and the Patsy Walker: Hellcat trade.

Daredevil #270-276, 278-282– I picked these up when we had dollar boxes out during Halloween.  This was the year of material by Ann Nocenti and John Romita Jr.  that was mostly about Mephisto and Blackheart.  But within that framework the title dealt with issues of the conditions for animals in meat farming, human cloning, the strength and definition of the soul, the boundaries of feminism, Karnak and Gorgon of the Inhumans were there for some reason but it still made sense.  The entirety of the story is spent in rural areas and on backroads.  Hell’s Kitchen, Matt Murdock, Foggy Nelson, really any familiar element of the Daredevil mythology is NOT at play here.  It’s these things that make this run so compelling, it’s not an ode to Frank Miller or Born Again, as soooo many Daredevil stories have been.  Easy to find and worth reading.

Paul Tobin– He has pretty much become the man behind Marvel’s kid-friendly comics.  The wonderful thing is that there incredibly entertaining, smart comics that are truly ALL-ages.  Of particular note is Marvel Adventures Spider-Man which is effectively practicing the done-in-one with continuing sub-plot structure of classic Marvel.

Frankencastle-From Punisher #11.  I love comics.

Deathlok the Demolisher– The current mini series out now and I did a 180 on my opinion of it.  I dismissed it outright after the first issue but upon re-examination it’s actually a bit of B-Movie on Cable stupid/awesome piece of fun.  This is the hard strong stuff the sort of thing that you cleanse the palette with after reading like a Chris Ware book or something.  Man between this and the last thing I guess I’ve got a thing for cobbled together dead guys.  I probably need some help for that.

Mort Weisinger-era Superman– I’ve been inhaling Showcase Superman books lately(and you should too, there cheap and its like freebasing the superego AND the id at the same time.)  These stories are so mad, man.  The plots are nonsensical and often the scene transitions and mechanics of the story are choppy,but like, in a good way. Character speak and think in declarative existential woe.  What’s most impressive are the tableaus of psychological torture that Superman will put his friends through, like this

Fantastic.  He’s also good at doing a silent disapproving glance from behind the newspaper.