Just a Planetar-reminder that the Heroes Discussion Group will meet this Saturday January 7th at 1:00pm to discuss Planetary— Warren Ellis and John Cassaday’s magnum opus of superhero archetypes and the team that investigates them.

As usual there are a myriad of topics to discuss, the two that come to mind first are:

Why make villains out of the 4? What does it say about–well, everything?

and

How much of the narrative is serious storytelling and how much is a self-parody?  And does it really matter?

I’d also like to discuss colorista extraordinaire and Heroescon regular Laura Martin and how her contributions affect the story-telling.

So remember, bring an open-mind and your sweet-tooth (if we end up at the bakery).

And as usual: All of the Planetary volumes including the enormous, beautiful omnibusseses  are available from Heroes with the 10% Discussion Group Discount.  As usual, be sure to mention the discount to your clerk as they are ringing up your order.

Santa must have been some-what disillusioned or at the very least pre-occupied this Holiday season, because I landed quite an unexpected haul this year.  My stocking runneth over with all kinds of comic book goodies.  Here is a just a brief summation of my first official time on the Nice List:

Marvel Masterworks The Inhumans Volume 1— a gorgeous reprinting of the Lee/Kirby Inhumans back-up series for Thor, followed by the short but fabulous Kirby and then Neal Adams(!) runs from the gone-but not-forgotten Amazing Adventures.

The Late, Great Joe Simon.

Simon and Kirby Library: The Superheroes-– this book– by itself– is a must have for all comic fans, The complete Fighting American, 3-D man and Stuntman (whoa!) are worth the price of admission.  But my copy was signed by the late, great Joe Simon, by our pal and series editor Steve Saffel (Happy Birthday, Steve!) and also by Neil Gaiman who wrote the Intro. Dang–I hope Santa isn’t on the Heroes mailing list because if he reads this he will realize his mistake and make a surprise January visit to replace this gem with some socks or maybe a nice scarf.

The 50 Greatest Cartoons of all-time.  This book is the result of a poll taken by over 1000 professional cartoonists.  It is a great book!  I have spent the last few days scouring Netflix and amazon in search of these celluloid classics. (#1 is What’s Opera, Doc)   Thank God that Heroes is the kind of Comic Shop that offers a variety of books like this in addition to their ample stock of Usual Suspects!

An Iron Man Spatula from Williams-Sonoma.  It makes Waffles that have Zero Trans(istor) Fats. Also, Captain America/Spider-man/Hulk Head cookies from Sur Le Table. My wife (a civilian!) claims all three cookie heads tasted the same, but I know the Cap Cookies were the tastiest!)

Christmas is always so much more fun when you get Comic related gifts!

So my question for Heroes United (sounds like a Soccer team doesn’t it?) is–

Share with us:  What did you get this Uncanny X-mas???

2011: What a great year for the Heroes Discussion Group! In one ten month period February to November, we tackled Death of Speedy, Sandman: Endless Nights, Ghost World, Superman Earth One, Parker: The Outfit, Wednesday Comics, Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love, Daytripper and Jimmy Corrigan!  It’s hard for me to to pick a personal favorite discussion but (after review) I am leaning towards the afternoon that Jimmy Corrigan reared his round head.

So, how do we start 2012?  On the weekend of the Feast of the Epiphany, let’s do the those star following Magi one better than Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh by presenting 4 gifts–The entire four volume Planetary by Warren Ellis and John Cassaday.  This is a book that creates some serious division amongst comic readers.

Many love Ellis’ work; many do not.

A large number of readers are intrigued by the conceit behind Planetary; some view it as an attack on some of our beloved superhero archetypes.

But there is more than one way to approach this world that Ellis and Cassaday have carefully constructed?

So, there is only one thing to do–talk about it.  I promise you this; it is an exciting read; even if your feathers get a bit ruffled, Planetary is certainly worth your time.

Serving Suggestion: Perhaps Planetary can be approached as a 20th Century Superhero take on  the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.  (And that incredible art alone is worth the price of admission).  Please plan to join us on Saturday January 7th at 1:00pm as we will tackle all four volumes of Planetary.  After the discussion, we want to hear your recommendations for the 2012 Discussion groups.  All of the Planetary volumes (including the enormous, beautiful omnibi (I know, I know)) are available from Heroes with the 10% Discussion Group Discount.  As usual, be sure to mention the discount to your clerk as they are ringing up your order.

We can’t wait to see you!

So what are the two best comic books on the market today? How the heck should I know? I only read a handful of monthly titles.  However, there are two that are out and about that you may not be reading, but you really, really should!

First up is SNARKED by our good friend from down-under (that’s New Zealand, not Greenville) Roger Langridge. This is an on-it’s-head retelling of the adventures of the Walrus and the Carpenter characters from Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass. In addition to being a well paced, fun, exciting comic adventure–it has something to do with a missing King, an eight year old Queen and of course, a map! Langridge is a master craftsman who is incapable of drawing a panel without adding a ton of funny details. Even the letter page is a hoot-and-a-half.  The Walrus is the best comic scoundrel since J. Wellington Wimpy and believe me, that is saying something! You’ve been hearing us rave about Roger for years. If you missed his version of The Muppets, or his Fin Fang Foom or his vastly underrated Thor the Mighty Avenger, please give SNARKED a try. You won’t be sorry.

As a cartoonist, Langridge is a tough act to follow, but I know of one other cartoonist who can. Sergio Aragonés, the man responsible for MAD Marginals and of course Groo the Wanderer, displays all of his comic talents in the monthly Sergio Aragonés Funnies. This is a great comic artist still in his prime. Each issue is packed with jokes, skits, puzzles and some surprisingly moving stories from his rather picaresque past. Five issues have been published so far and I can’t tell you which is my favorite.  It is a five way tie for first! You can pick up any issue and read it in any order. Please do so, you will be glad you did.

PS–Did I mention that Sergio will be at HeroesCon 2012?? To quote Syndrome (arch enemy of The Incredibles) “Oho man, this is just too good!”

It’s Christmas and we’ve all once again secured our spots on the “Good List” (except for Heroes’ own Phil Southern, but that’s a story for another day..).

There’s only one thing better than Christmas morning and that’s a Christmas with presents purchased from Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find.

But what to ask for? The ideal gift should be something you’d not readily purchase for yourself on any given Wednesday.

But what if you asked a family member or friend for that same comics-related item and…what if Heroes was having a HUGE SALE …what if that sale was THIS WEEKEND????

Well, this is the season of miracles and here are some items for you folks (to receive or give!) who have been pretty darn good this year (excluding of course the aforementioned Phil).

Parker Martini Edition by Darwyn Cooke

This edition contains both of the Parker Graphic Novels, The Hunter and The Outfit plus a new short story plus 70(!) pages of bonus material including bits by Ed Brubaker, Tom Spurgeon, and Abby Westlake! The Parker books are as good as you’ve heard–they are as good as it gets.You absolutely MUST read them and this gorgeous Martini Edition looks great on any bookshelf or coffee table.

Just take a gander inside:

Sadly, my copy is no longer in mint condition due to my excessive salivating.

The Walking Dead Omnibus

I know what you’re thinking–560 pages of Zombie Comics–no way. When we scheduled this book for the Discussion Group, I felt the same way UNTIL I READ the first 12 issues.
And the only thing better than reading a lot of The Walking Dead is reading the comic and then watching the AMC series as an accoutrement. Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard have created a horror masterpiece.

Literary note: If you purchase more than one omnibus, you are allowed (by law) to use the word omnibi even though it is not really a word, but hey, these are zombies we’re dealing with here.

Bone 20th Anniversary Full Color One Volume Collected Box Set

You know you want it. It is the complete collection one of the most fun, exciting comic-reading experiences around. Get it for the kids– it is a perfect starter comic for both boys and girls or use the kids as an excuse and get it for yourself. It is just a stunning piece of comic story telling. I envy any of you that have yet to read it and can experience it for the first time. And this Box Set is the perfect way to read it.

MAD Fold-In Collection

Every dang time (pardon my french!) I go into the store, I have a stare-down with this mammoth two volume set that contains every one of the great Al Jaffee’s fold-ins which ran on the back inside cover of every issue of MAD since LBJ was President. Each fold-in is presented in a before-and-after state so you can enjoy the book without having to trash it!.

You must buy this–you will buy this. (see? if you folded in that last sentence, it would say “You must buy this”)

Gahan Wilson 50 years of Playboy Cartoons

This is one of the best books of the past year (or so). Gahan Wilson is the true heir apparent to New Yorker comic weirdo Charles Addams. His comics are twisted, macabre, beautifully rendered and above all–laugh out loud funny. This 3 volume set belongs in every serious comic fan’s library. It contains over 1000 cartoons – here’s just one example of Wilson’s genius:

Rather smartly, I’m not going to try to make a joke after the master has spoken….

75 Years of DC Comics

Winner of the 2011 Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best Comics-Related Book of the Year!
We’ve all seen it in the back of the store; you know we all want it; and we all deserve it–even Phil!

Serving Suggestion: Author Paul Levitz not included

But wait….. there is still more!

STATUES! C’mon fess up– you know you want a statue, me too. And we all deserve a statue (Phil?–well, it’s a toss-up) and the statues will be discounted from 10 to 70 percent!!!! Shelton Drum (aka The Big Kahuna) loves to deal on these Sale weekends. Just don’t call him The Big Kahuna.These statues are priced to move — from the store shelf to under your tree.

If statues aren’t your thing (what –were you born in a barn??) howzabout Toon Tumblers. These terrific glasses will work for any potent (and non-potent) potables. Flavors include Superman,Teen Titans, Joker, Robin, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Captain America, Flash, Spider-Man, Deadpool and a JLA Pitcher.

So for goodness sake,visit Heroes this weekend–Saturday and Sunday December 3rd and 4th and if you buy a Toon Tumbler, for God’s sake use a coaster (unless you really were born in a barn, then, never mind!)

And have the decency not to mention coal around Phil Southern.

Be there…..

It was a brisk and clear Charlotte Autumn afternoon and a group of eleven met to discuss the comic work of Jaime Hernandez in general and The Girl From Hoppers collection in specific. We were lucky enough to have three local artists along with Craig Fischer from (the recently disbanded) The Panelists amongst our number of LOCAS enthusiasts. The biggest challenge with moderating is that you are always looking for a follow-up question and it is nigh impossible to take any kind of notes that could result in a coherent recap.

But here is the “10,000 Feet Above the Discussion Group” view:

• We took advantage of the artists in residence and discussed Jaime’s drawing technique and how he is able to use all of his skills to enhance the mise-en-scene (see Mom, that 20K you spent on my college education was a good investment!) of each panel.
• We deftly danced around the major events of the most recent L&R story since many in attendance had not read it yet. That was a real drag, but–as per our charter: We focused on how The Death of Speedy affected all subsequent stories in the collection.
• We delved into Jaime’s storytelling and how he is able to jump cut and change narrative focus throughout each story without using any kind of establishing shot and still provide solid, clear storytelling.
• We looked at the absence of Hopey from the Speedy story and how her presence may have altered the events that transpired (transpired!–see previous college note).
• We pondered how Speedy died and whether the ‘How’ was more important than the after-affects of his demise.
• We closely examined the 4 page Tear It Up, Terry Downe and how Jaime said volumes with what he chose to ignore or omit.
• We disagreed strongly on Jaime’s uses of genre trappings– super-heroes, Science fiction and pro-wrestling; were they integral parts of the LOCAS world or were they devices that Jaime outgrew as his talents matured?

In the same light, we discussed Maggie and Hopey’s relationship and sexuality, and how they changed over time as characters.
The conversation was exciting, intelligent and impassioned. I came away from the discussion feeling as though I were a bettter reader; I hope my fellow discussioneers felt the same way.
Regardless, I can’t wait to re-read Wig Wam Bam and the LOCAS II Hardcover.
My thanks to all in attendance; you guys are a joy to talk to.
For December– we are going to kick back and have some super-hero fun by discussing all four volumes of Ellis/Cassaday’s Planetary. We’ll announce a definite date after Thanksgiving and hope to see you there!

photographs provided by Heather Mobley

In 2000, The Comics Journal published a list of the Top 100 American Comics of the 20^th Century.  Coming in at # 24, 22 and 17 are three works by Jaime Hernandez.  Originally published in the Comic Magazine Love and Rockets in tandem with the comics of his superbly talented brother Gilbert, these three selections, Flies on the Ceiling, The Death of Speedy and Wig Wam Bam represent some of the most influential and critically lauded comics of the past few decades.

Plan to join the Heroes Discussion Group on Saturday November 19^th at 1:00pm as we tackle the second Jaime Hernández trade paperback The Girls from H.O.P.P.E.R.S. We will discuss the entire collection but we will concentrate onDeath of Speedy and Flies on the Ceiling. (Wig Wam Bam is in the following volume and we will just have to tackle it another day!)

For those of you who have read Jaime’s work, you know what to expect—wonderful art and rich rewarding story-telling.  In other words, it is sequential art at its best.  For those of you who are reading for the first time, I envy you.  One suggestion—read it slowly.  The fresh, clean line art and simple page construction makes it easy for the reader to fly through each page.  When you catch yourself sailing through, take a step back (or look again), as there is a lot there.  The fact that Jaime makes it seem effortless is part of the comic’s charm.

The Girls from H.O.P.P.E.R.S. is available from Heroes for $14.95 and don’t forget the Heroes Discussion Group 10% Discount—you must notify the clerk about the discount when you check out.

Note:  for anyone reading the stories in the LOCAS HC collection, start with House of Raging Women and continue on through Below My Window Lurks My Head.

See you tomorrow!

In 2000, The Comics Journal published a list of the Top 100 American Comics of the 20^th Century.  Coming in at # 24, 22 and 17 are three works by Jaime Hernandez.  Originally published in the Comic Magazine Love and Rockets in tandem with the comics of his superbly talented brother Gilbert, these three selections, Flies on the Ceiling, The Death of Speedy and Wig Wam Bam represent some of the most influential and critically lauded comics of the past few decades.

Plan to join the Heroes Discussion Group on Saturday November 19^th at 1:00pm as we tackle the second Jaime Hernández trade paperback The Girls from H.O.P.P.E.R.S. We will discuss the entire collection but we will concentrate on Death of Speedy and Flies on the Ceiling. (Wig Wam Bam is in the following volume and we will just have to tackle it another day!)

For those of you who have read Jaime’s work, you know what to expect—wonderful art and rich rewarding story-telling.  In other words, it is sequential art at its best.  For those of you who are reading for the first time, I envy you.  One suggestion—read it slowly.  The fresh, clean line art and simple page construction makes it easy for the reader to fly through each page.  When you catch yourself sailing through, take a step back (or look again), as there is a lot there.  The fact that Jaime makes it seem effortless is part of the comic’s charm.

The Girls from H.O.P.P.E.R.S. is available from Heroes for $14.95 and don’t forget the Heroes Discussion Group 10% Discount—you must notify the clerk about the discount when you check out.

Note:  for anyone reading the stories in the LOCAS HC collection, start with House of Raging Women and continue on through Below My Window Lurks My Head.

Enjoy! And we will see you on the 19^th!

Image by Alex Kropinak, text by Sean T. Collins, originally posted on Robot6

Sandman: Endless Nights

While I was preparing for our 6th Heroes Discussion Group which featured Sandman: Seasons of the Mist, I pondered whether Sandman was the most influential comic book of the last thirty years. Four years and twenty eight discussions later, I believe it to be true.  Do you agree?

For Halloween, please plan to join us for our 35^th Discussion group as we revisit Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series with the stand-alone anthology, Sandman: Endless Nights.

The afternoon will be rather exciting for a number of reasons, namely:

• This will be the first anthology we’ve tackled.
• We will examine the concept of comic book anthologies.
• Which stories worked and which did not.
• The differences (and similarities) between the realms of Despair and Delirium.
• How does Neil Gaiman adjust his storytelling to match the strengths of each artist he employs?
• Does this anthology work as a complete book or is it simply a group of stories about related characters?
• With a generation and a half of influence behind it, have Gaiman’s characters and concepts stood the test of time?

For those of you who have never read Sandman, I believe you are in for a treat.

Many love Gaiman’s comic work; but he has some very strong minded and vocal detractors.

Why not read the book, stop by the store on Saturday October 22^nd at 1:00pm and add your two cents to the mix?  We’d love to see you!

One thing is for certain; I promise you will not be bored.

And remember—just around the corner we have Love & Rockets followed by Planetary.

As usual, Heroes is offering a special 10% Discussion Group discount on Sandman: Endless Nights, but remember to mention it to the store clerk when you check out!

See you there!

A few years ago, the Heroes Discussion Group focused its insatiable energies on Persepolis—Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel about coming of age in Iran.  After we talked at length about the comic, we sat down in the back of the store, turned off the lights and watched the animated feature-length adaptation.

We were hoping to do the same thing with Dan Clowes‘ coming of age classic Ghost World.

HOWEVER…..

Unlike Persepolis, he 2001 film adaptation starring Thora Birch as the irrepressible Enid, Steve Buscemi as Seymour and Scarlett Johansson as Rebecca is a bit too R-Rated to show on the TV screens of a family-friendly store like Heroes–especially on a Saturday which is prime G and PG shopper time.

We apologize for this change in plans, but considering the overall situation, it is the only decision we can make.

So, please plan to join us on Saturday September 24^th at 1:00pm as we discuss  Daniel Clowes’ star-making Graphic Novel, Ghost World.

If you have seen the movie or plan to see the movie– fantastic. As we did with Scott Pilgrim, Walking Dead and V for Vendetta, if everyone has attending the discussion has seen the film, we will explore one of our favorite topics in Discussionland–adaptation.

But….

this is a Comic Discussion Group first and fore-most.  If you have not seen the film, but want to come to discuss the book, plan to attend.

Our topics will include:

• How is the story serviced by the medium of comics?
• Is Clowes’ depiction of teen age girls accurate and believable?
• Is the story universal or is it a product of its era?
• A discussion of the colors in the film versus the two tone world of the comic
• Clowes’ drawing style and how it affects the story and the readers

Fantagraphics has just published a Special Edition Hardcover Ghost World which Heroes is offering at the usual 10% Discussion Group discount.  Just don’t forget to mention the Discount when you check out.

We will see you on September 24^th at 1:00pm and remember to bring an open mind