We all have certain creators whose work we habitually return to that remind us why we love comics so much.  For me, Mike Mignola, Dave Stevens, Eddie Campbell and Jacques Tardi all fall into that category.  There is another name I need to add to that list – Chris Ware.  This one might surprise some of you, if for no other reason than the notoriously tedious nature of his storytelling.  It’s no secret that Ware’s books require some dedication from readers.  Still, it’s hard to deny the level of skill that Ware employs in his cartooning, and the equally astronomical level of respect he has for the craft and history of comics.  One of my personal highlights of attending last week’s Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland was not only meet Ware and buy an advanced copy of his latest book, Building Stories, but to also attend a panel where he discussed his latest magnum opus at length.  Here are some initial thoughts following my first reading of Building Stories.

Walking through the halls of SPX with my new copy of Building Stories in tow, I felt not unlike I do whenever my wife wants to go to Ikea.  I usually end up carrying a box the size of a small table of something or other under my arm, and I know it’ll take some time to construct the piece, but it’ll end up being some form of functional furniture.  It’s really not until you crack Building Stories open that you really start to grasp the breadth of this project.  It’s a box full of various sized comics in numerous forms.  There are a few small folded strips, a larger hardcover (which reprints the original Building Stories found in Acme Novelty Library #18, a full newspaper full of comics, a folded game board complete with full diagrams of the building of the title, several large folded comics, and something that looks like a Golden Book that tells the building’s story in the building’s voice.  It’s even worth pointing out the beautiful design work on the box front and back.   I’m sure I left some items out, but needless to say it’s a lot of comics.  When we unpacked the box Sunday night, it took up the entirety of our king size bed.

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JUSTIN’S PICK :: V FOR VENDETTA BOOK AND MASK SET: Just in time for Halloween, you too can don the mask of everyone’s favorite anarchist dandy (just don’t wear it into the gas station). And to sweeten the deal, you get a copy of Alan Moore and David Lloyd’s masterful tale of poetic terrorism in totalitarian Britain. If you’ve only seen the film adaptation, you’re doing yourself a great disservice; V is truly one of Moore’s greatest accomplishments.

ANDY’S PICK :: V FOR VENDETTA BOOK AND MASK SET: Need a Halloween costume? Need to read one of the best graphic novels ever written (you heard me–EVER!!)?  Well then, look no further and do all your shopping with a single gift set. Vertigo is offering said gift set that includes V for Vendetta the graphic masterpiece written by Alan Moore and gorgeously drawn by David Lloyd along with a beautifully rendered Guy Fawkes mask just like the one worn by Vendetta’s main character V as he attempts to save a future Britain from itself.  Explosives sold separately. The time (to buy) is October 3rd. This is the voice of FATE. Heroesonline prevails!

The Heroes Pop Swap is back! Buy! Sell! Trade! Saturday, October 27th 10AM-4PM

We had so much fun with this event last time that we had to do it again! The Pop Swap is a great place to find a loving new home for your old collectibles that are taking up too much of your space. It’s also a great place to find great items for yourself or a unique gift for a friend! Since Pop Swap takes place right before Halloween, this is also a prime opportunity to test out your costume! Click the image to apply for space to sell your items and we’ll see you on Saturday, October 27th!

Click here to reserve your space today!

Heroes Head Honcho Shelton Drum on the creation of the Heroes Pop Swap from 2011:

Heroes Pop Swap is an idea that I had on the way back from a recent road trip. Before Heroes Convention and the Charlotte Mini-Con and even the Heroes store, local comics fans would gather and trade comics and talk about our hobby. It was usually something like a sidewalk sale put together by a local bookstore and/or newsstand. I remember going to similar events in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Raleigh and the famous Murray Brothers’ backyard and basement gatherings in Durham during the latter half of the 70’s. None of us “old-timers” were official dealers yet. None of us had stores. We just shared a common interest in collecting as well as buying and selling comic books and related stuff.

We thought we’d try to bring back that feeling from those events with the Heroes Pop Swap: Charlotte’s Pop Culture Swap Meet. For a nominal fee anyone can reserve space and sell items from their personal collection to other fans who are sure to give that item a good home. We are also encouraging local artists and artisans to come and sell their art, pop-culture related crafts and comics.

There will be no professional dealers. Professional will be defined by me personally. If you buy and sell comics regularly either at conventions or online you will be excluded from setting up, but I encourage you to come shop! I anticipate a lot cool items being offered.

We want to limit this event to local creators and comics and pop culture enthusiasts who have interesting items from their personal collections that they are willing to sell and self-produced comics and related products. People who are purchasing space are encouraged not only to bring comics but any items falling under the pop culture umbrella. That could be toys, games, music, movies and more.

Reservations are 1st come, 1st served. Click here for the application.

You can reserve 4 ft ($10)-6 ft ($15)-8 ft ($20) space.

We can provide a limited number of tables, if you have your own table you are encouraged to bring it. You will still be charged for the space.

We will provide chairs if needed while supply lasts and you are welcome to bring your own as well.

Set-up starts at 9am, please plan to stay set up until at least 4 PM but you are welcome to stay later if things are going well for you!

Since this event is so close to Halloween don’t be afraid to come in costume. Trick or treating will be part of our advertising for this event, please consider bringing a treat of some sort for the kids (candy, button, stickers, comics etc..).

We think this will be a fun event for everyone involved and if it is successful we’d like to make it something we do few times a year.

Thanks! I look forward to bringing back some of the “old school!”

Shelton Drum

Seth’s Pick :: Everything Together GN: If  you’ve ever seen a copy of the excellent anthology Kramer’s Ergot in the store, you have editor Sammy Harkham to thank for it. Not only is he adept at bringing together some of today’s greatest cartoonists for that book, but he’s a fine cartoonist in his own right.  Everything Together collects all of Harkham’s short stories, including must-reads like Poor Sailor and Somersaulting.  There are also bits of satire and musings on Jewish mysticism alongside Harkham’s observations of his life as a cartoonist. I picked this one up when it debuted at the Small Press Expo a few weeks ago, and it definitely warrants a look from you this week.  It’s a fine example of strong storytelling all around.

MATT’S PICK :: AMERICAN VAMPIRE #31: Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque produce the most consistently enjoyable comic on the shelves.  “The Blacklist” story line is the perfect reward for sticking with this title from the beginning.  The twist presented at the end of issue #30 would not have worked as well if it was revealed within the first twenty issues.  Because readers have gotten more familiar with Pearl and Skinner, the great “oh no!” moments really stick.  Throughout this series, Snyder and Albuquerque have never wasted a page or a single panel.  Everything is presented with clear direction and intent.  Perfection.

JUSTIN’S PICK :: ALL STAR WESTERN #0: DC’s “zero issues” are a good way to get acqauinted – or reacquainted – with the New 52. All Star Western has proven to be an intriguing book over the last year, fleshing out the history of Gotham City through the exploits of odd couple Jonah Hex and Amadeus Arkham. Writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti work wonderfully with gifted artist Moritat; in ASW #0 they promise to reveal some details of Hex’s mysterious past…including the origin of that trademark scar.

HEATHER’S PICK :: ANGEL & FAITH #14: I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the team-up book of Angel and Faith, both who have had their share of bad deeds in the past.  Christos Gage’s storytelling drew me right into this book making it my current favorite of the Buffyverse. The latest arc has featured a crossover with Willow which will be leading into her own mini-series.  Dark Horse is doing a great job of expanding Buffy as they give more characters their own titles.

RICO’S PICK :: HOLE OF TANK GIRL: SLIPCASED HC COLLECTION: This books collects all the original Jamie Hewlett and Alan Martin Tank Girl comics. It also includes tons of extras like sketch pages, a lost Tank Girl Story and the first new Hewlett Tank Girl art in over 15 years!

ANDY’S PICK :: GASOLINE ALLEY HC VOL 1: Usually, when the creator of comic strip retires or passes on, the strip continues on but fades into oblivion under less talented hands. When Frank King, the mastermind behind Gasoline Alley set down his pen after 40(!) years and turned it over to his assistant Dick Moores, the opposite occurred. Gasoline Alley was revitalized. Moores did more than just continue on with King’s vision of life in a Midwestern town where the characters all aged in real time–he made it his own and continued the successful strip for 20 exciting years before lightning miraculously struck a third time as he passed it off into the capable, talented hands of his assistant, Charlotte’s own Jim Scancarelli who continues the strip to this very day.

IDW presents the first two years of Dick Moore’s dailies. Moore’s comic stories are nothing short of delightful. It is everything a family strip should be and most often times is not. Funny, exciting, fast paced, but, very much like life itself, Gasoline Alley remembers to linger on and celebrate the quiet, ordinary moments.

Please give this volume a read– you will be in for the long haul. And if you like what you read–Heroes offers the D&Q Walt and Skeezix volumes that collect Gasoline Alley from 1921 to 1930!!