This month’s topic: Sandman Volume 4: Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman and various .

The voting was close (and heated) but Sandman wins over Shazam by a nose. We are guaranteeing another exciting discussion this time around!

Potential topics will include:
• Is Sandman/Neil Gaiman over-rated?
• The concept of Hell and the devil as presented
• How well does the book hold up after two decades on the shelf
• Does the use of multiple artists enhance or detract from the storyline
• Who are the Endless– the two page spread in the first collected issue alone could fill two hours.
Example: What did Death look like in the Sixties?– what would she look like now? Why did Delight become Delirium?

The last three discussions were absolute love fests for the books we chose. we have a feeling this discussion will be a bit different. Whether you are a defender or detractor, please set aside some time to read (or re-read) Season of Mists and then plan on joining us in the back of of the Heroes store from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. It is your DESTINY to attend!

And just up over at the Rescued By Nerds blog, an interview by our own Rich Barrett, with ME, and an occasional chime-in from Dustin! All about the Heroes Discussion Group! Check it out!

I thought it would be fun to hear about interactions you’ve had with guests over the weekend. Okay, so you stood in line for an hour to meet Frank Cho, and beaming you try to explain the excitement of the experience to your co-workers or your spouse: “Oh, that’s nice, dear…now how much of Junior’s college fund did you blow through?”

Let’s hear those stories: ME FIRST!!

Al Feldstein— I was proud to carry the man’s bags (his oversized, 50 lb portfolio) for him. I told him he was a GOD. He looked at me and said, “Hey, I was just trying to earn a living!”
I pointed out that he–along with Monty Python and Saturday Night Live have shaped the comedy in this country for three generations. He didn’t argue with that!! What a guy!!

Colleen Doran–for the first time, I kept my composure and did NOT propose to her. I think she is this/close from having the restraining order against me lifted.

Jaime Hernandez–all I could mutter were thankful ramblings about his consistent body of work for 25 years. He was very down to earth.

Picturebox– Dan Nadel, Frank Santoro, Tim Hodler— these guys are the cutting edge of comics, publishing challenging and format busting work. I was expecting some really over-intelligent guys, but these are three guys that LOVE all comics and were a joy to talk to. BTW– Every comic strip aficionado should own Art Out of Time— it is THAT good and that essential!

Okay, your turn– Dustin was working me like a dog and I missed talking to almost everyone– (except when I was shoo-ing them to their panels) — so…

Let’s hear it!!!!

So what did YOU buy at HeroesCon?

While the staff is still getting back up to speed, I thought it would be fun to talk about the cool stuff we all bought at HeroesCon.

To me the very best thing about a terrific con is getting home with back, arms and legs hurting, sitting down and reveling in the bounty you’ve just acquired. I’ll start– most of mine is indie stuff but I want to know about ALL about your purchases. Did you finally get Amazing Spider-Man #215 to complete your collection? How long have you been looking for it? Lets hear about it!

so…..ME FIRST!!!!

• I got the Gary Panter two-volume omnibus from PictureBox signed (with a drawing!!) by Mr. Panter hisse’f!
• At the Heroes auction, I won a Gasoline Alley Sunday page (with the color guide on back!!!!) by Jim Scancarelli. The Sunday I bought was in the papers nationally the next day– whoa!!)
• Richard’s Poor Almanac by Richard (Cul-De-Sac) Thompson— laugh out loud funny!!
• I bought so much stuff from Roger Langridge, I will need a CPA to sort it all out for me,but Zoot Suit excites me the most!!
• I got the two issues of Jack Kirby‘s 2001: A Space Odyssey that completes the run for me (sweeet)

What about you? Let’s hear it!

What a fun night!!! On Monday we hunkered down and discussed Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli‘s Batman Year One. We covered a number of topics, but the majority of the entertainment-packed two+ hours revolved around the effects of the dual narrator on the flow of the story, the importance of Commissioner Gordon’s character in the Batman mythos, and most importantly (ok, arguably most importantly) the effect of the characters on Gotham and the effect of Gotham on the characters.

As an added bonus, Andy Smith, local penciller/storyteller extraordinaire (Stormwatch, 52, Red Sonja/Claw) went over Mazzuchelli’s page layout and demonstrated how certain graphic tricks work to lead the readers eye through a given page. OUTSTANDING!!! Thanks Andy!!!

We’ve posted a few new pictures from the night over in our Heroes Discussion Group set on our Flickr site, if you’d like to take a peek.

Of course the last fifteen minutes were spent on the battle royal to decide what the next book will be. We have it narrowed down to three and we would like ALL of your input as to what it should be:

SHAZAM: Monster Society of Evil by Jeff Smith
Sandman Volume 4: Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman
Astonishing X-Men Volume 1 by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday

These nights are fun and informative and can only improve if more of you join us. It’s VERY laid back, and a lot of fun! All you need to do is set the date aside– the next one will be after HeroesCon in July–we’ll announce it right here on the blog once we nail it down. Read the book and then join us! There is no pressure to speak, but if the past discussions are a harbinger for future meetings, we feel confident you will want to join in.

When did Batman stop being the campy fun loving superhero personified in the 1960s sitcom and become the Dark Knight we know and admire today (or fear, but only if you’re evil)?

Sure the metamorphosis began with Frank Robbins and Irv Novick on Batman #217 when Robin went off to college leaving the caped crusader to fight crime on his own. Some would argue that within a few short but brilliant years, Denny O’Neill and Neal Adams created the definitive story arc for “The Batman” (HEY!, where did that definite article “the” come from– sounds cool!) with the Ra’s Al Ghul epic. Many writers followed over the years and added their stamp to our brooding detective, but it was Frank Miller with his two pivotal mini-series–The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One that cemented the characters as we know and love them to this day.

The Dark Knight Returns is set in a not-to-distant future, that may or may not occur within the same universe as the monthly Batman comics; but Batman: Year One has become the anchor upon which all continuity follows.

This is truly a seminal work and well worth our time.

Possible topic for discussion:
• Who is the main character in the book? I can think of three off the top of my head who could be considered
• The use of humor in the book
• Why is David Mazzucchelli storytelling a cut above the rest (or if not, why not)?
• The purpose of Selina Kyle within the story’s framework
• How does the book hold up after 20 years?
• The old standby: Should ALL superhero stories be told in mini-series fashion instead of an on-going continuity?
• Dozens of other topics as well!!! Let us know what you want to discuss!

Lastly: Should Batman be an all ages book? On that particular topic, we hasten to add that this book is labeled “all ages”, but we strongly urge you read (or re-read) it before you decide if it is proper for your kids. It gets a bit rough in spots.

This month’s Heroes Discussion Group will happen in the store this Monday, May 19, at 7pm! And if you don’t already own Batman Year One, you can get it for 10% off by mentioning the Heroes Discussion Group discount, up until we meet!

See you there, we can hardly wait!!! We promise we will make it worth your while!!

ATTENTION ALL FANS of the Comic Strips!

The BEST magazine you may not be reading wants to amend the situation by offering a FREE COMIC BOOK DAY SPECIAL! HOGAN’S ALLEY is the bible for all things comic–whether vintage strips, current strips, comic books or cartoons. It is published once a year by our neighbor Tom Heintjes.

They are offering a free issue of their delightful magazine. The only catch is this–once you have read one issue of HA, you will want subscribe going forward and collect all 15 back issues (most of them are available at their website). Talk about a win-win!!

Here are the details from the editors:

“Mark your calendars for this Saturday, May 3: Free Comic Book Day! Send us an e-mail to [email protected] ON THAT DATE with your mailing address, and we’ll send you a FREE issue of Hogan’s Alley! No obligations, no strings attached; the only thing it will cost you is several hours as you enjoy the issue. This offer is valid for all U.S. residents, whether you’re a current subscriber or not. Remember the one condition–we must receive your e-mail request on Free Comic Book Day, not the day before or the day after.”

You can’t miss this offer! See you Saturday–but log on and send the email first!!!!!

Our next Monday night comics discussion group will focus on Morrison/Quitely’s best-selling All Star Superman Volume 1 hardcover, collecting issues 1-6 of the series. You can get it all month long at Heroes for 10% off of cover price–just mention the Discussion Group discount!

This is an exciting series which will spark some interesting debate. Last month, we spent a good deal of time examining literary references. This time around, I’d like to focus more on the structure and limitations (or lack thereof) inherent in the superhero genre. Possible topics for discussion can (but don’t necessarily have to be….)

—Is the mini-series a better venue than an on-going series?
—The importance of the cover (for anyone whose read issue 10, the cover of 1 sure seems quite a bit different….)
—How do old antiquated concepts and story lines succeed with a fresh perspective?
—Why are readers drawn to the archetype of superheroes in general and Superman in specific?

And in case anyone wants to get artsy– (down Dustin, down!) we can:
—Compare the mythology of Superman to Hercules— namely the 12 labors.
—Examine the relationship between Clark and Lois and Superman
—Do heroes create their own villains?

The topics are virtually endless, I want to start now! If you plan on joining us, let me know what you’d like to discuss via the comments section of this post. Please mark the date: April 28th, 7:00 pm to 9:00pm at the best comic shop in America located at the corner of 7th and Pecan. Note that this date has been changed from the announcement in last week’s Heroes Hotline.

See you there!

How often have you finished a really terrific comic or graphic novel and wished you had an opportunity to discuss the book in detail? For me it is a daily occurrence. By the time I get to Heroes on Wednesday for my weekly new releases, I am frothing at the mouth to discuss as many comics as possible in the shortest amount of time with a staff trying to counter all of my ideas and still assist all the other customers.

Well, now it is time we MAKE time! Presenting the Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find Discussion Group. The first meeting will be Monday, March 24th at 7:00pm in the store. We hope to meet on the third Monday of every month and discuss a different piece of graphic literature. Our first book will be Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill‘s League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume One, published by ABC Comics/DC and available at Heroes for 19.95.

The book has some mature content, so everyone mature enough to buy the book is invited to join in the discussion. All we ask is that you read the book before the meeting and come prepared with an opinion and an open mind. If you loved it, tell us why; if you were disappointed, explain why… Does it hold up to second reading and various other topics: and the last 15 minutes of the meeting will be a battle royale to decide what book will be discussed at the next meeting.

So come one, come all… We can hardly wait…

If you were to combine Carl Barks, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Frank Miller together into a single American artist, this amalgam would still fall far short from the influence this one man has had in the history of manga. Osamu Tezuka (1928-1989) was best known in this country for creating Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion. With the explosion of manga, American audiences have gotten a healthy taste of Tezuka’s work, offered in a dizzying array of genres and styles: Buddha: Tezuka–an Asian Christian–tells the life story of Siddhartha; Adolph: a five part novel dealing with Japan and Germany during WWII, and a fantasy told in realistic and brutal manner; and Phoenix: Tezuka’s unfinished masterpiece, a series of time spanning morality plays combining Asian folk tales and science fiction. With over 10,000 pages already translated into English, we still have over 150,000 pages left that we can look forward to. As the works continue to be translated, watch as Tezuka’s influence in THIS country grows. I would bet is that 10 years from now, Tezuka will be much higher on the list than 9.