House Fire Leaves Heroes’ Friend, and Beloved Member of the Comics Community, Hospitalized
David Gomien
David Gomien originally came to Charlotte in the early 1980’s, at Shelton’s request, to work part-time and help out at shows with Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find.
During that time Diamond Distributors opened a warehouse in Charlotte, and David ended up working there part-time as well. He quickly became the manager of their Charlotte office, and would spend the next decade plus building relationships with comic stores and comic retailers all throughout the Southeast.
Last Saturday, March 16, David was severely injured in a house fire that destroyed his family’s home of 28 years. He sustained 3rd degree burns covering 60% of his body, and was airlifted to the Burn Center in Augusta, GA.
Currently, David is under full-time sedation due to the severity of his injuries and will not be awake for the next several weeks. He will be recovering in the Burn Center ICU over the next several months, and his road to recovery will not be an easy one. There will be several surgeries and months of rehabilitation over the days to come.
David’s pups
David’s wife, son, and two dogs are currently staying in a pet-friendly hotel, but they will need to relocate to a more permanent solution while David recovers and they try rebuild what they have lost.
At 64, David was still working a full-time job with no plans to retire.
As Shelton has stated many times this week, “David is one of us”.
He’s a hard worker. He loves comic books, music, dogs, and his family. He also has a grandson who desperately needs him to get better soon, so that they can get back to reading comics and eating cookies.
Heroes will be accepting donations on behalf of the Gomien family, in-person, this Sunday, March 24 at the Charlotte Comicon if you would like to make any donation to help the Gomien family through this difficult time. All donations collected will be given directly to the family after the show.
If you would like to send anything – cards, money, checks, gift cards, etc – directly to the family, but you will not be at the Charlotte Comicon this Sunday, you can drop off or mail donations to Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find and we will send them directly to David’s daughter Maria.
You may send items to our PO Box: Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find PO Box 9181 Charlotte, NC 28299 You may also email us at [email protected] to request Maria Gomien’s mailing address, but we would prefer not to post her address online.
We know that times are tough for everyone, and anything you can spare, no matter how small, would mean so much to his family and ours.
We appreciate you all, and send all our love to the Gomien Family!
Get better David!! Shelton has a Sub-Mariner comic with your name on it!
Shelton (a.k.a. “Savitar”) and his partner, and VERY FIRST EMPLOYEE, Chuck Joyner (a.k.a. “Sprint”) will be manning the Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find booth this weekend at the Power Comicon in Florence, SC! Don’t miss these two Super-Heroes in action, doing what they do best…slinging FUNNY BOOKS!
RODNEY BARNES | AA-TABLE #TBD Killadelphia, Monarch, Star Wars Mandalorian JOHN BEATTY | AA-TABLE #TBD Secret Wars, Punisher, Batman, Thanos Quest JOHN BURGIN | ii-TABLE #TBD Frogboy JIM CALAFIORE | AA-TABLE #TBD Aquaman, Exiles, Gotham Underground, Red Lanterns, Secret Six CHRIS CAMPANA | AA-TABLE #TBD Spiderman, Ghost Rider, Red Goblin, Gi-Joe, TMNT, Spawn, Tellos RICH CASE | AA-TABLE #TBD Doom Patrol, Sandman, Spider-man HOWARD CHAYKIN | AA-TABLE #TBD American Flagg!, Black Kiss, Hey Kids! Comics!, Star Wars, Sunshine Patriots CHRIS CLAREMONT | AA-TABLE #TBD Gambit, New Mutants, Uncanny X-Men, X-Men STEVE CONLEY | AA-TABLE #TBD The Middle Age, Astounding Space Thrills, Star Trek AMANDA CONNOR | AA-TABLE #TBD Harley Quinn, Powergirl, Vampirella, Silk Spectre, The PRO J. ROBERT DEANS | ii-TABLE #TBD Shakes the Cow, The Bear From AUNT, Mighty Hippofartamus SAM “KIDLET” DEANS | ii-TABLE #TBD Deans Family Productions TOM DeFALCO | AA-TABLE #TBD The Amazing Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Machine Man, Spider-girl, Thor JEFF DEKAL | AA-TABLE #TBD Catwoman, Thanos, Iron Fist, Kingpin, Wonder Woman TODD DEZAGO | AA-TABLE #TBD Tellos, Perhapanauts, Spider-Man JENNY FRISON | AA-TABLE #TBD Wonder Woman, X-Men, Revival, Red Sonja, Vampirella JOSÉ LUÍS GARCIA-LÓPEZ | AA-TABLE #TBD Wonder Woman, Batman, Deadman, Twilight, Atari Force MICHAEL GOLDEN | AA-TABLE #TBD The Nam, Punisher, Micronauts SANFORD GREENE | AA-TABLE #TBD BitterRoot, Black Manta, Justice League Annual, Power-Man and Iron Fist DUSTIN HARBIN | ii-TABLE #TBD NY Times, BEHOLD! The Dinosaurs, DIARY COMICS, Nutted! ADAM HUGHES | AA-TABLE #TBD Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan, Cover Run: The DC Comics Art of Adam Hughes, Catwoman, Rocketeer, Fairest, Wonder Woman, Zatanna DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON | AA-TABLE #TBD Transformers (Image), Extremity, Murder Falcon, Space-Mullet JOE JUSKO | AA-TABLE #TBD Marvel Masterpieces, Heavy Metal, Vampirella CHRIS KEMPLE | AA-TABLE #TBD Red Vengeance, Negative Burn, Artist Alley Comics MAHDI KHENE | ii-TABLE #TBD Steel Streets, Zuperhero Comics Presents, Ink On Paper, Bootleg Spider-Man JAE LEE | AA-TABLE #TBD Batman/Superman, Inhumans, Dark Tower, Fantastic Four RICK LEONARDI | AA-TABLE #TBD Cloak and Dagger, X-Men, Spider-Man 2099 HOWARD MACKIE | AA-TABLE #TBD Ghost Rider, Ghost Rider: Return of Vengeance, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Batman LAURA MARTIN | AA-TABLE #TBD Color Artist for Beta Ray Bill, Plastic: Li’l Birdie, Star Wars Annual, Nubia #1 MIKE McKONE | AA-TABLE #TBD Amazing Spider-Man, Teen Titans, Fantastic Four BOB McLEOD | AA-TABLE #TBD New Mutants, Spider-Man, Kraven’s Last Hunt JARRETT MELENDEZ | HE/THEY | ii-TABLE #TBD Chef’s Kiss, My Pokémon Baking Book, All We Ever Wanted, Young Men in Love BILL MORRISON | AA-TABLE #TBD The Simpsons, Former Editor-in-Chief at MAD Magazine and Bongo Comics SARAH MYER | THEY/THEM | AA-TABLE #TBD Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story, TMNT: Saturday Morning Adventures STEVE OLIFF | HE/HIM | AA-TABLE #TBD Akira, Spawn,The Maxx, Dark Knight, Swamp Thing JIMMY PALMIOTTI | AA-TABLE #TBD Harley Quinn, Jonah Hex, Painkiller Jane, Batwing, Paperfilms PAUL PELLETIER | AA-TABLE #TBD Aquaman, Batgirl, Guardians of the Galaxy, Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four DAVID PETERSEN | ii-TABLE #TBD Mouse Guard, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dark Crystal, Wind in the Willows KHOI PHAM | AA-TABLE #TBD Duo, Marvel and DC Artist ED PISKOR | ii-TABLE #TBD Red Room, X-Men: Grand Design, Hip Hop Family Tree, Wizzywig CARL POTTS | AA-TABLE #TBD Alien Legion, Punisher War Journal, former Marvel & Epic Exec. Editor, SVA professor RICO RENZI | AA-TABLE #TBD Goddess Mode, Bitter Root, Spider-Gwen, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl BUDD ROOT | AA-TABLE #TBD Cavewoman DON ROSA | AA-TABLE #TBD The Life and Times of Uncle Scrooge, Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories JOHN ROSE | AA-TABLE #TBD Barney Google And Snuffy Smith Comic Strip CRAIG ROUSSEAU | AA-TABLE #TBD Harley Quinn, Tellos, The Perhapanauts, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane JIM RUGG | ii-TABLE #TBD Hulk: Grand Design, Street Angel, Supermag, Afrodisiac STEVE SAFFEL | NO TABLE CAN HOLD STEVE Joe Simon My Life in Comics, Spider-Man The Icon ALEX SAVIUK | AA-TABLE #TBD Spider-Man newspaper strip, Web of Spider-Man, The Phantom, Green Lantern SECNCS – NATIONAL CARTOONIST SOCIETY | AA-TABLE #TBD Southeast Chapter of the National Cartoonish Society – Jon Vaughn JIM SHOOTER | AA-TABLE #TBD Former Editor in Chief of Marvel Comics, Founder of Valiant, Defiant and Broadway Comics, Current Editor in Chief of Illustrated Media ANDY SMITH | AA-TABLE #TBD Demi-God, Thanos, X-Men, Wolverine, Superman, Batman ALLISON SOHN | AA-TABLE #TBD Star Wars, Indiana Jones, LOTR, Women of Marvel, DC themed trading card sets CHRIS SPARKS | AA-TABLE #TBD Team Cul de Sac KYLE STARKS | AA-TABLE #TBD Peacemaker, Old Head, Rock Candy Mountain, Rick and Morty JOE STATON | AA-TABLE #TBD Green Lantern, E-Man, Dick Tracy, Scooby Doo BRIAN STELFREEZE | AA-TABLE #TBD Black Panther, Day Men, Wednesday Comics, Batman JIM STERANKO | AA-201-205, 211-212 Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., History of Comics, Prevue Magazine ROY THOMAS | SATURDAY ONLY | AA-TABLE #TBD Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Morbius, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Black Knight GLENN URIETA | ii-TABLE #TBD Fil-Am funny book generator and professional doodler WAYNE VANSANT | AA-TABLE #TBD Katusha: Girl Soldier of the Great Patriotic War STEPHANIE WILLIAMS | AA-TABLE #TBD Nubia Coronation, Nubia and the Amazons, Marvel Voices: Legacy #1 RON WILSON | AA-TABLE #TBD The Thing, Marvel Two-In-One, Masters of the Universe, Super Boxers RENÉE WITTERSTAETTER | AA-TABLE #TBD Excess: The Art of Michael Golden, Joe Jusko: Savage Beauty JOHN WORKMAN | AA-TABLE #TBD Art director for Heavy Metal 1977-1983, artist/ letterer/colorist and-or writer for DC. Marvel, Archie, Disney, Image IDW, Dark Horse JOHN “WAKI” WYCOUGH | AA-TABLE #TBD Star Wars, G.I.Joe, Doctor Who, Transformers, Fear Itself, Chaos War KELLY YATES | AA-TABLE #TBD Doctor Who, Amber Atoms, MonstHer SKOTTIE YOUNG | AA-TABLE #TBD Bully Wars, I Hate Fairyland, Middlewest, Oz, Rocket Racoon, Strange Academy, The Me You Love In The Dark, TWIG THOM ZAHLER | AA-TABLE #TBD Cupid’s Arrows, Time and Vine, Love and Capes, Warning Label, My Little Pony
The Charlotte Mini-Con returns for its 47th Anniversary Show with a stellar list of Featured Guests, a FULL Artist Annex, and outstanding comic-book dealers!
See our full list of Artist Annex participants and Exhibitors on our website at
The GRADY COLE CENTER will charge a $15 PARKING FEE, payable by cash or card. We recommend carpooling, using a ride-share, or utilizing the CATS CityLYNX Gold Line. The Grady Cole Center is a 5 minute walk from the CPCC station located off the CityLYNX Gold Line.
The Grady Cole Center has FIVE steps to the main entrance at the front of the building, and no ramp. (It’s an OLD building.) If you require ADA access you may enter around the back of the facility for access to the main Convention Floor.
Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find wishes you all a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We will be open on Sunday, December 31 from 1pm-6pm, and on New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1 from 10am-6pm.
We look forward to seeing you all at the Charlotte Mini-Con on Saturday, February 3 at the Grady Cole Center, and at the 42nd Anniversary Heroes Convention, June 14-16!
First Round Featured Guest Announcements + Tickets Available NOW!!
The Heroes Convention will return to the Charlotte Convention Center Father’s Day Weekend, June 14-16, 2024!
As we prepare for 42nd Anniversary Event, we look forward to filling our halls with the BEST and BRIGHTEST Comic Creators and Exhibitors in the Comic’s Industry!
VIP* 3-DAY ADVANCE PASS ARE LIMITED TO 500 TICKETS and will include the following: • 30 Minute Early Entry All Three Days • 2024 HeroesCon T-Shirt in Size of Their Choosing (S-4X) • 2024 HeroesCon Commemorative Badge w/Lanyard • 2024 HeroesCon VIP Wristband • 2024 HeroesCon Collectible and Reusable Tote Bag • Exclusive 11″x 17″ HeroesCon 2024 Incentive Print • Other Potential Exclusive VIP Surprises!
**16 & Under FREE Admissions DO NOT include incentives.
3-DAY ADVANCE PASS will save $25 over 3 individual Day-of ticket purchase, and will be allowed in immediately after VIP* 3-Day Advance Pass holders and before Day-of ticket holders all three days. Also Includes: • 2024 HeroesCon Commemorative 3-Day Advance Badge w/Lanyard • 2024 HeroesCon 3-Day Advance Pass Wristband
**16 & Under FREE Admissions DO NOT include incentives.
SINGLE-DAY PASSES are only good for the selected day purchased. Single-Day tickets will include a branded, day-specific, medical-grade Tyvek wristband.
Attendees 16 years of age and younger get in FREE with a paying adult!
Guest Announcements for the Charlotte Mini-Con coming SOON!!
— THERE IS A $15 PARKING FEE AT THE GRADY COLE CENTER —
Parking fees are not included in ticket purchase
We recommend carpooling, or taking a Lyft or an Uber. You might also consider taking advantage of the Light Rail CityLynx Gold Line. There is a walkable stop located at CPCC: See More Info About the Gold Line Here
Tickets will be in the form of a 3/4″ Tyvek, water-proof, hypoallergenic, medical-grade wristband. You must wear the wristband to be admitted. Anyone who wishes to leave the show and return, will need to wear their wristband and go through security again to gain re-entry. Children 12 and Under may not be required to wear a wristband.
was established in 1980 by Shelton Drum. Since then Heroes has grown into one of the premier comics specialty shops in the country, with a diverse product line, dynamic store layout, and friendly, family-oriented atmosphere. We're also the organizers of the yearly Heroes Convention.
