Throughout the year, as part of our buildup to HeroesCon ’11 we’ve been shining a spotlight on several artists who will be guests at our show.

This week we’re proud to feature an interview with Chrissie Zullo, an artist who burst into the industry in recent years with several high profile gigs, most notably as the cover artist for two Fables spinoff Cinderella miniseries’.  Zullo has also branched beyond covers to provide interior art for books like Madame Xanadu #26 and Fables #100.  Zullo is also one of Charlotte’s many talented local creators, which adds a lot of hometown pride for all of us at Heroes.

Seth Peagler (SP): Chrissie, thank you for taking time to talk with me.  I’d like to first ask you about your background in art.  What kind of training have you had both academically and in your own private studies?  Who are some of the painters and illustrators both in and out of the comics industry that you’ve been particularly affected by? (more…)

What’s the best way to spend a rainy Saturday?? With plenty of cookies and comic books!

The Heroes Discussion Group met this past Saturday to discuss Daytripper– the ten issue mini-series by Brazilian twin superstars Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba.

God bless the ladies at the Sunflour Bakery…homemade fig newtons and snicker-doodles the size of your hand? Thank you sir, may I have another?

1) Venom #1

For those who think that Venom is just a murderous, slobbering thorn in Spider-man’s side, you might be genuinely surprised to see where Marvel is taking the character in this new series.  Directed by Rick Remender and Tony Moore, this new Venom twists the concept in a unique way, not only by giving the symbiote to Spider-man supporting cast mainstay Flash Thompson, but by incorporating more militaristic elements into the character’s new identity.  It’s Venom being used as a willing weapon by the U.S. Armed Forces, and Flash trying to control the living weapon’s baser tendencies.

2) Batman Incorporated #3

Batman Incorporated has had a solid, easily accessible start thus far.  It’s greatest success is that it doesn’t bog you down with continuity issues.  All you need to know is that Bruce Wayne is now an international Batman of sorts, and spends a lot of time traveling the globe setting up and interacting with a global cadre of Batmen.  This isn’t Grant Morrison’s most groundbreaking work, and I wouldn’t say he’s even trying to reinvent the wheel.  It is, however, a fun comic that so far has been worth the read.  A word should also be said for artist Yanick Paquette, whose art complements the global settings quite nicely.

3) Freeway GN

The Fantagraphics website (link to it here!) has done a fine job of late in posting video clips of their new titles.  That’s where I found out about this new graphic novel by animator/cartoonist Mark Kalesniko.  Occurring during a California traffic jam, Kalesniko uses the helplessness and restlessness of that setting to mirror his protagonist’s own internal frustrations.  The novel setting lends itself well to what looks to be a good existential story, but the quality of Kalesniko’s cartooning adds fluidity to a story where the character is stuck in literal and figurative ways.

4) Cinderella: Fables Are Forever #2

The second issue of the second Cinderella spinoff miniseries arrives this week.  Writer Chris Roberson and artist Shawn McManus helm the story of the Fables world’s espionage agent.  Also check out the awesome cover art from Charlotte artist Chrissie Zullo!

5) Stuff of Legend: the Jungle #4

This book has been slowly building a loyal readership base since it debuted last year.  Set in ’40’s era Brooklyn and featuring a cast of toys as protagonists against the villainous Boogeyman, Stuff of Legend reads like a darker version of Toy Story.  Writers Mike Raicht and Brian Smith wrap up their second miniseries this week alongside the fine and intricate line work of series artist Charles Paul Wilson III.

> Bonus Picks of the Week: Sigil #1, B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Gods #3, Superboy #5, Hawkeye: Blind Spot #2, Walking Dead #82, and Thor: The Mighty Avenger TP vol. 2.

It pays to be a reserve customer at Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find! We have passes for a Thursday night advanced screening of Battle: Los Angeles for the first 20 reserve customers that come by the store and ask for one. We also have other Battle: LA goodies while supplies last!

This Sunday you have another opportunity to win books from the amazing Savannah Pedigree Collection at Heritage Auctions. Bidding for this week’s Sunday Internet Comics Auction ends at 10 PM Central Time. Good luck!

Welcome to the latest installment of “Guess Who’s Coming to HeroesCon 2011”! Now with no guessing! We give you all the answers!

Mike Norton is in the top 3% of tallest comic artists that I have met. He is currently drawing Young Justice (based on the great Cartoon Network show of the same name) for DC Comics. He is also the co-creator of Gravity, who will play a major role in another new book he is drawing called Fear Itself: Youth In Revolt for Marvel Comics. Mike apparently had too much free time on his hands and decided to start a webcomic too. You can follow the adventures of Battlepug here.

Toby Cypress will be attending his first HeroesCon this year! I’ve been telling him how great it is and he decided to come and see for himself. Back me up and show him some love in June! Toby just released his first self-published OGN, Rodd Racer. The initial print run sold out quickly and he is going back to press in June with the help of Image Comics. He is also a part of the art super-team on the new Blue Estate from Image Comics. His past credits include Strange Tales II (Luke Cage!), Killing Girl, and The Tourist.

Tom Fleming has painted covers for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Heavy Metal, Vampirella, and Image. He has also been nominated for Chesley Awards  in Fantasy Art painting for World of Warcraft, Magic the Gathering, paperback covers, and more. Aside from his great fantasy covers, Tom has also worked in movies and television. Last year he released his very popular book Draw & Paint Fantasy Females, and this year his tutorial painting DVD!

Atlanta-based color artist Brian Reber began his comic career in 2001. He has worked on over 50 titles for Marvel, DC, and Image.   As one of the mainstay colorists in the X-Men line the past few years he has worked on every major X-title.  In the past year he has worked on Outsiders, Red Hood: The Lost Days of Jason Todd, Adventure Comics, New Mutants, Dark X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, and X-Men Legacy.

Wook-Jin Clark is a Savannah College of Art and Design alumn (they make lots of comic artists there in the Sequential Art Department). He is the artist for The Return of King Doug OGN from Oni Press. His work has also appeared in the dearly departed Nickelodeon Magazine. He is currently working on a new webcomic called Megagogo!

Join us in welcoming all these guests to HereosCon ’11!  Stay tuned for even more great guest list announcements every week!

Don’t forget that this Saturday, March 5 at 1:00 p.m., the Heroes Discussion Group will be meeting in the store to tackle one of 2010’s most acclaimed books, Daytripper.  Join discussion group coordinator Andy Mansell and the rest of us as we delve into this thought-provoking comic.  We always have a great time, and you’re guaranteed to walk away with a new perspective on the book.

1) Joe the Barbarian #8

This week’s ‘better late than never’ pick has to be this final issue from Grant Morrison and Sean Gordon Murphy.  While everybody hates when books ship late, I know there are lots of you out there who enjoyed this miniseries, so don’t pass up the chance to see how the acclaimed comic wraps up.  If you need another reason to purchase this one, yesterday artist Sean Murphy was just announced as a guest at HeroesCon ’11!  Read all about that announcement here!

2) 5 Ronin #1

As far as I can tell, this book focuses on Wolverine, Punisher, Deadpool, Psylocke, and Hulk in 17th century Japan.  Peter Milligan and Tomm Coker are the creators on this miniseries, and while I’m not sure either one of those names might be ones you’d typically associate with ninja stories, the previews look promising.   Who wouldn’t want to read a Wolverine in feudal Japan story?

3) Oz Primer

This handy primer of Marvel’s excellent Oz adaptations acts not only as a great introduction to their interpretations of the classic Frank Baum characters, but also catches readers up on some of the lesser known characters from the recent Marvelous Lands of Oz and Ozma of Oz miniseries.’  Also worth noting is that this primer contains interviews with Oz writer Eric Shanower and artist Skottie Young.

4) Batman Beyond #3

This series from Adam Beechen and Ryan Benjamin continues to impress fans of the animated series as well as readers looking for a Batman story that doesn’t heavily rely on modern continuity.  Issue three continues last issue’s appearance of the future Justice League, and also features the villainous Matter Master.  For fans of this series, don’t forget to check out my recent interview with artist Ryan Benjamin here!  Also this week is the release of the series’ first trade paperback.

5) Emma #1

Marvel has done a respectable job of adapting classics from literature for fans of funny books.  This adaptation of one of Jane Austen’s most famous works is adapted by the writer of the Sense and Sensibility comic, Nancy Butler, and illustratedby Janet Lee, an artist most of you should be familiar with for her recent book Return of the Dapper Men.  Both Sense and Sensibility and Return of the Dapper Men sold very quickly, with many non-comic readers taking interest.  If you’re a fan of Austen or either of these creators, make sure you pick up this one, as it’s likely to sell out.

> Bonus Picks of the Week: Annihilators #1 (Marvel’s latest cosmic miniseries), Popeye HC vol. 5, Secret Six #31, Captain America and Falcon #1, Green Lantern #63 (a prelude to the War of the Green Lanterns story), and Takio, the latest offering from Bendis and Oeming.

We are pleased to announce Sean Gordon Murphy will be returning to HeroesCon! Sean garnered a lot of attention in 2010 for his work on Joe the Barbarian with Grant Morrison. However, Joe isn’t Sean’s first time at the rodeo. In 2005 he published his first original graphic novel called Off Road, which went on to win an American Library Association award for young adults and was recently re-released by IDW.   Sean’s work can also be seen in the pages of  Hellblazer, Batman/Scarecrow: Year One, and Teen Titans: Cold Case.  The guest list for HeroesCon 2011 continues to expand with talented additions.  Stay tuned to the Heroes blog for further updates!