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

Check out all the new items available in our online store! If you missed these things at HeroesCon 2012 now is your chance to get them!

Astonishing X-Men #51 :: HeroesCon 30th Anniversary Variant

Phil Noto was kind enough to create an image of Heroes owner Shelton Drum and his wife Linda for our very special Astonishing X-Men #51 variant cover. The image was professionally printed on label stock and placed on the blank area of the cover.

Available unsigned and signed by Shelton Drum and Linda d’Olivat

Adventure Time #5 HeroesCon Variant by Dave Cooper

Ultra-rare HeroesCon 2012 variant of Adventure Time #5!

This striking image of Finn and Jake went viral when it was posted online a few weeks before HeroesCon 2012. Now you can own it! Adventure Time #5 also features a guest story by Paul Pope!

Cover art by Dave Cooper

Only 500 on the planet!

New Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find Store T-shirt

Heroes logo 1 color (pale blue) screenprint on a dark grey heather, tri-blend t-shirt.

This shirt is so soft you won’t want to take it off!

Available in:

Unisex Fashion Fit: XS-XL

Standard Fit: 2XL-3XL

Spider-Men #1 :: HeroesCon 30th Anniversary Variant

SPIDER-MEN #1
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by SARA PICHELLI
Variant Cover by MARK BAGLEY

You need a program if you want to know all the players! Here’s your guide to the FREE COMICS we’ll have on hand this Saturday, May 5th at our FCBD event! Doors open at 10AM; get here early to make sure you get the books you want! Our creator signings begin at 1PM, more info on that here. We’ll see you Saturday!

*Please be respectful of others when making your selections, supplies are limited and we want make sure as many people as possible get the comics they want. Taking multiple copies of one title is not nice! Be nice and we will all have a great time!

FCBD :: THE COMICS:

Ah Free Comic Book Day—not just a day of avarice, it is also a day of trying new things and taking advantage of Shelton and Shelley Drum’s good nature and keen merchant instincts.

So what’s my point?  Beats me, but if you are still reading you will know that there are dozens of books on the shelf just begging to be read.  This is the time to take advantage of deep discounts and give some books a whirl…

Outside of our protected 4-color world, are you a fan of History? Horror Movies?  Classic Comedy?  Of course you are and FCBD is a day made just for you.

If you are like me (and if so, medication helps—I swear!) you catch yourself engrossed in programs on The Military Channel, The Science Channel, The Travel Channel and History International.  Well sir (or madam), there are a number of terrific graphic novels sitting on the IKEA Billy brand[TM]  shelves in the back right hand corner of the store.  Head over there—go on–I’ll wait.  OK, now take a look at any book by Joe Sacco—Palestine, Safe Haven Gorazde or Footprints from Gaza.  All are award winning and are gripping fusions of comics and journalism.

For a more intimate take on world travel try any one of Guy Delisle’s excellent travelogues:  Shenzhen (China), Pyongyang (North Korea), the Burma Chronicles and the most recent Jerusalem.   Any of these books can be read on its own and I promise they are all worth your time and money.

Horror fans stand tall and rejoice —remember there is more to life than young brooding hunkish vampires.  Try any graphic novel collection of John Constantine: Hellblazer.  They are self-contained, really entertaining and above all as scary as the back of the crisper in my refrigerator.  Try any of the collections written by comic heavy-hitters like Jamie Delano, Garth Ennis, Warren Ellis or Brian Azzarello.  My absolute favorites are The Fear Machine, Rare Cuts, Dangerous Habits, Haunted and Hard Time.

And don’t forget Hellboy/BPRD.  It is first and foremost a horror series. If you have not tried these titles, you need to get in there and start reading—you won’t stop at one.  Hellboy creator Mike Mignola is as good as you’ve heard.  For recommendations, why not ask Heroes own Seth and Phil—they will guide you well my son (or my daughter)

So now we’ve got you geographically informed and scared out of your wits– what about something funny—I mean really funny– to cleanse the old palette?   Earlier this year, I recommended Snarked by Roger Langridge and Sergio Aragones Funnies—those suggestions still stand– but let me also offer up any collection of Aragones masterwork, Groo, any volume of Little Lulu by John Stanley and above all else, Carl Bark’s Donald Duck—Lost in the Andes or The Barks Bear Book. We had a great discussion about Barks last week and I cannot recommend these comics more.  The Duck man’s life work improves with age.

So remember—FCBD is really an acronym for Try Something New—Something Different!

Heroes prides itself on the variety they offer at any given time.  Take advantage of the sale prices– You will be surprised and delighted by what you uncover.

We bought a huge statue collection and we are selling them to you at crazy low prices because we are out of room! This is your chance to get some great statues for your collection that you may have missed the first time around. Prices start as low as $9.95! Get down here now!

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…..

Celebrate the holidays with us THIS WEEKEND on December 3rd from 10 am to 9 pm and December 4th from 1 to 6 pm at our Annual Holiday Sale! Shelton has pulled out all the stops! We will have crazy discounts on back-issues, trades, manga and statues. In addition to that, Seth has been building a massive $1 stock of awesome comics. Plus, all new comics and trades will be at least 10% off! Shelley and the rest of the crew have been tirelessly cleaning and decorating in preparation for our big event and we will be ready to answer questions, help you locate items and give you recommendations. Be sure to stop by the store this weekend to stock up on presents for friends, family and yourself. You are not going to want to miss this sale!

Still not sure what to get that certain someone for Christmas? The holiday sale is a perfect time to pick up your 3-day pass for HeroesCon 2012! Still only $30, it makes a great gift for that hard-to-shop-for comics fan. We will be giving away an exclusive Neal Adams Green Lantern/ Green Arrow print with the purchase of a 3-day pass. We can’t wait to see you Saturday and Sunday!

Also, new comics will arrive Wednesday as usual this week with no holiday delay! Check the new releases list here.

We’re wishing everyone an early Happy Thanksgiving and letting you know that new books will be shipping on schedule this Wednesday. So make sure to drop by the store for your pre-Thanksgiving comic book shopping needs! Check out the New Releases page to see what we’ll have for you (Fantastic Four #600! Wolverine and the X-Men #2!).

We will be closed on Thursday, November 24th for the holiday and the store will open at it’s normal time on Friday at 10 am, and observe its regular hours for the duration of the holiday weekend. If you have some out-of-town family visiting and need to get out of the house, bring them over, we’d love to meet them!

Keep an eye out for details concerning our great BIG holiday sale in December! Seth has been working hard on a brand new dollar stock and more to debut at the sale. We’ll be posting full details here on the blog for you soon!

The Heroes Pop Swap :: Charlotte’s Pop Culture Swap Meet takes place outside our store on Saturday, October 29th from 10 AM until at least 4 PM. There will be local artists selling their arts and crafts as well as local collectors selling great items from their collections. Available items include original art, comic books, graphic novels, hardcovers, novels, magazines, t-shirts, records & compact discs, video games, Star Wars toys, Transformers, action figures, statues, wooden carvings, and lots of other collectibles! Trick-or-treating and costumes are encouraged!  This is a fun Halloween event for the entire family and a great place to do some early Christmas shopping!

Local Artists in attendance include:

• Dustin Harbin
• Cassie Hart Kelly
• Dan Willner (Spandex Splinters)
• Jared Moraitis (Beast Wreck Shirts & Stuff)
• Bradd Parton
• Brandon Padgett
• Henry Eudy
• Jason Folkes

Free comics to kids in costume while supplies last!

We hope you’re having a great holiday! To celebrate, Heroes is opening our shiny new web store for you, our loyal blog readers. Click the image above to visit the store now. Today we are offering items that were previously only available at HeroesCon 2011! Why not purchase a Fighting American T-Shirt for yourself or a friend to celebrate our nation’s independence? Check it out, let us know what you think, and please let us know if there are other items you’d like to see in the web store. Have a good one and don’t blow your fingers off people!