Well, it took a lot longer than we thought, but we announced this morning through a special edition of the Heroes Hotline that we’ve signed a contract with the Hilton Charlotte Center City as this year’s HeroesCon host hotel!

Some longtime HeroesCon attendees will be scratching their heads and wondering, “But I thought it was the Westin”, but the reason it was taking so long is that the Westin just wouldn’t give us the LARGE number of rooms we would need for all of you, at a good price. The Hilton really stepped into the breach: the HeroesCon rate is just $99/night! You can reserve your rooms at the Hilton now by called 704.377.1500 or toll-free at 1.800.HILTONS.

The Hilton is going to be really great for us this year–for one thing, it’s a little closer: you can see the side entrance to the hotel from our Registration Booth in the Convention Center! Plus, last year they performed a 25 million dollar renovation to the hotel, upgrading all the rooms and beds, so it’s sure to be a sumptuous experience! And best of all (speaking as a reformed smoker), the entire hotel is non-smoking now. I understand that this might not be so good for you smokers, but I’m excited at least.

For those of you who really prefer the Westin, though, Shelton was able to negotiate a very small number of rooms there at the old $99/night rate, just as a courtesy. Those are sure to be gone super-fast. We’re encouraging those of you without a real preference to get your room at the Hilton, because that’s where all the hobnobbing is going to be!

I announced this through the Heroes Hotline several hours ago: if you’re not on our weekly newsletter list, you can sign up here. We’re happy to answer any questions you might have, but please realize that our phones are already ringing off the hook, AND it’s Wednesday, so we’re in the middle of getting all the new books counted and on the racks. I’ll be at my computer all day, so feel free to post questions in the Comments section, and I’ll answer them right away. Or if you just don’t like me at all, you can give us a call at 704.375.7462.

And that’s not all! More big news is coming–CRAZY news! But for now we wanted to let you know about the hotel, not to mention thank you all for your great patience as we worked to get you the best deal we could. Thanks!

As promised, we’re rolling out a ton of additions to the HeroesCon 08 Guest List this week. So many that I don’t have time to be too clever about it–let’s just dive right in!

Returning to HeroesCon this summer will be publisher Boom! Studios–while these guys have only been around for a few years, they’re long on experience, with veterans like Editor-In-Chief (and HeroesCon guest) Mark Waid and Keith Giffen on the payroll. Co-founder Ross Richie will be on hand to meet fans and talk about what’s coming up from Boom!, as well as writer Johanna Stokes (Zombie Tales, Cthulhu Tales). Welcome aboard!

Also new today is Blue Line Pro, the publisher of Sketch Magazine and maker of a whole host of comic art boards, sketchbooks, and art supplies! Not only that, but Blue Line will once again be sponsoring our Quickdraw Contests at the con this year, providing some huge prizes for the winners, as well as furnishing all the paper for the event! Last year the contest drew over 100 people each day, and we expect an even bigger turnout this year–you can read more about it on our HeroesCon Event Schedule page.

Holy cow, what can you say about this year’s Free Comic Book Day that isn’t in ALL CAPS? Even though we ordered way more books than ever before (12,000!), we gave nearly all of them away, to the HUNDREDS of fans who showed up, many of whom were lined up well before we opened the store at 10am!

Free Comic Book Day is always the biggest day of the year for us, but this year everything really came together just right. It was warm, but cloudy enough to not be really hot. It was cloudy, but the clouds never did open up and rain. We set up a giant tent in front of our store, and within minutes of our 9 special guests arrival, there were lines snaking all over the place, as they signed autographs and did FREE sketches! Literally, all day the space under that tent was crammed with fans and pros, just kinda hanging out and getting to know each other.

Inside there was a line snaking around the store for pretty much the entire day–we always do a lot of business on Free Comic Book Day, but it seemed like this year EVERYONE bought something, including all the kids who showed up. This is hugely gratifying for us–having kids come in to get some freebies is one thing, but when they come in and buy a bunch of comics, it means they’ve become comics readers. This year we definitely saw a HUGE increase in the number of kids actively buying comics, which is awesome.

Pretty much the whole staff was on deck and working hard all day long, with Seth and Shelton starting things at 7am! Phil, Rusty, and Adam shut things down, an even more unforgiving task, given that the rest of us had taken off for a party our friends Anne Geary and Scott Valeri threw for staff and guests. But don’t worry–the three last employees made it to the party after they closed the store down, and we all got to enjoy some delicious barbecue and some cold beverages.

All in all, this Free Comic Book Day might be this reporter’s favorite yet–just a general good vibe and a great time for everyone! But don’t trust me: I’ve put up a TON of photos on our Flickr site, most with some sort of unnecessary description. Check em out! But while you’re hear, please accept our earnest thanks for making this Free Comic Book Day the best ever! And thanks also to our staff, who really came through in a big way!

Alright! I told you we were going to have a ridiculous list of special guests for this year’s Free Comic Book Day, and I’m here to back that up. In case you can’t see the sweet flyer I just finished above, the list of special guests signing autographs and doing FREE sketches from 1-5pm on Saturday, May 3rd will include:

SHAWN CRYSTAL (BloodRed)
IAN FLYNN (Sonic the Hedgehog)
SANFORD GREENE (Method Man GN)
CULLY HAMNER (Blue Beetle)
JASON LATOUR (The Expatriate)
CHRIS SCHWEIZER (Crogan’s Vengeance)
TONY SHASTEEN (O.C.T.)
BRIAN STELFREEZE (The Ride: Die Valkyrie)
ETHAN VAN SCIVER (Justice League of America)
DOUG WAGNER (The Ride)
and MATT BRADY of Newsarama.com!

What?! Am I kidding you? No, friends–I am not kidding. This is going to be huge. And Todd informs me that we have over TWELVE THOUSAND comics to give away, although we’re going to try and limit it, as in past years, to one of everything per person–depending of course, on whether you’re old enough for some books. We like to give these books away throughout the year, too–it’s just how we roll, dawg. See you next Saturday: doors open at 10am, and the signing/sketching goes from 1-5pm.

EDIT: Belying the fab flyer art, Mark Brooks actually won’t be able to make it to the celebration due to a scheduling conflict–so you’ll have to save your Brooks-ian enthusiasm for HeroesCon! But there’ll still be stars a-plenty, including late addition JASON LATOUR, artist of the acclaimed The Expatriate!

UPDATE! As I repost, we are PACKED with people. Matt Brady of Newsarama is live-blogging next to me (which you can check out here), humbling my own efforts. Shelton is giving Brian Stelfreeze directions from 85, and all systems are go! Bring it on if you’re planning on enjoying Free Comic Book Day with us!

Man, things are really heating up for this year’s HeroesCon! Now that New York Comic Con has come and gone, we’re the next hot date on the con calendar, and we can’t keep up with the number of professionals wanting to get on the Guest List!

Today we’re pleased to announce the return to HeroesCon of DC Executive Editor Dan Didio and Coordinating Editor Jann Jones! This is their third straight HeroesCon, and they’ve become some of our most fan-favorite guests–especially when they hold forth on what’s new from DC in panels! I’m so busy during the convention that I usually don’t get to watch many panels, but last year I got to see a little of the DC Nation panel. I have to say I was pretty impressed–Dan is an intense dude, and was practically vibrating with energy as he paced back and forth in front of the packed room, answering questions and discussing DC properties. Jann’s no slouch, and took point on a lot of conversations, but it’s hard for anyone to get a word in when Didio has the floor!

Also new this week, and brand new to HeroesCon, is DC writer Matt Sturges. Besides partnering with Bill Willingham to write Jack of Fables, he also writes House of Mystery, Shadowpact, Salvation Run, and now Blue Beetle! We’re really happy to be expanding the number of quality writers at the con–while we’re known for our great artists, great art is pretty empty in comics without a great story.

Still a ton of updates to go, including another publisher, a big artists studio, and some classic newspaper artists! All next week, plus more updates on programming, incentives, and more!

–NOTE–I got that picture above from Dan’s MySpace page. Check out the comic book Who’s Who in the background! I think I see John Lucas, John Cassaday, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Phil Noto, although those could also all be doubles. You can never be too careful.

Man for serious–it’s crazy the number of calls and e-mails we’re getting with guests signing on. This is going to be one PACKED HeroesCon! Presenting the latest of the (at least) THREE HeroesCon 08 Guest List updates this week:

GARY FRIEDRICH! What? The co-creator of the iconic fiery motorcycler Ghost Rider? Yes it’s true–not to mention his work on Monster of Frankenstein, Sgt. Fury And His Howling Commandos, and probably a zillion others. Huge news for fans of Silver Age and 70’s comics, or just Ghost Rider fans in general!

ANDY KUHN! Returning for his second HeroesCon, Andy Kuhn is the artist behind the Firebreather series, which I believe is relaunching some time this spring! Not to mention a bunch of other work for pretty much every publisher, including the much-overlooked Mantooth, written by fellow guest Matt Fraction!

STEVE SCOTT! is the current artist of Marvel Adventures: Hulk and the forthcoming Indiana Jones & the Tomb of the Gods, coming this summer from Dark Horse! Plus another thing that’s still too secret to mention, but will probably be mentionable by the time of the con, so ask him then!

TOM FLEMING!, artist of boocoodles of trading cards and fantasy paintings, has also done covers for comics including Elektra, Captain Marvel, and Vampirella! He’s certainly no stranger to HeroesCon, having been a fixture for years now, as has–

BILL NEVILLE!, with a list of work for companies including Marvel, DC, Image, and New England Comics. Bill’s also the artist and co-creator of the critically acclaimed comic Explorers.

Whew!

But it’s not all wine and roses–as we get closer to the convention and people’s schedules start to tangle, we’ll inevitably have some cancellations. Now that I’ve softened you up with all the good news, I hate to kill the mood by announcing that our new buddy Christos Gage and our old buddies Jamal Igle and Eric Powell have been forced to cancel their appearances at HeroesCon this summer. All three assure us they’ll try their best to be back in 09, and express the most bottomless regret at missing what’s shaping up to be our biggest ever show here in 08!

First of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Andy Mansell, our Customer-In-Chief and the moderator of our Heroes Discussion Group! Andy turns, um, I forget–65? 75?–today. Or 47. One of those. Anyway, he’s one of our very favorite customers and a great friend, and we’re pleased as punch that he’s older today. If you have the time, leave good ole Andy Mansell a note of felicitation/commiseration in the Comments section.

But speaking of Andy, I wanted to post a brief report on Monday’s Heroes Discussion Group, which was predictably AWESOME! We held it in the back of the store this time, allowing Andy to address us from an ersatz pulpit, as you can see in the several photos we’ve posted to our Flickr page. The discussion ranged from mythology to sci-fi, and pretty much everywhere in between. Only one of us was not really crazy about the story, so we kept addressing ourselves to him, to try and convince him of the greatness. Shame on us for ganging up, but Ernie was a good sport about it–who doesn’t love to be the center of attention?

Anyway, you can read all about it on the Flickr pages. For next month’s subject of discussion, we thought we’d solicit some suggestions from our blog audience. At the end of the meeting we nominated the following (you guys who were there remind me if I’ve forgotten anything):

Batman: Year One
Sandman: Season of Mists
Marvel: 1602
Grendel

Batman: Year One was the clear favorite of the attending group members, but what do you think? Let us know between now and this Monday, May 5, when I’ll post what we all decide!

It seems like only yesterday I was packing to go to New York, but it’s almost been a whole week. Where does the time go? Last Wednesday Shelton, his daughter Shelley and I packed up a van full of comics and statues and headed to the Javits Center for the New York Comic-Con. It was my first non-Heroes related convention. And while nothing can compare to the friendly atmosphere of HeroesCon, I had a blast. We worked hard, but we also had plenty of time to take goofy pictures. Shelley had a lot of fun with my camera. Take a look at some of the best pictures from our adventures at the NYCC.

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!!!!!

In the first of at least THREE announcements this week regarding the HeroesCon 08 Guest List, today we’ve just added Brian Pulido and Joe Pekar to the list!

Brian Pulido was the co-founder and president of Chaos! Comics back during the 90’s, and himself created some of the company’s most popular characters, including Lady Death, Evil Ernie, and Purgatori. These days Brian’s still putting out new Lady Death stories, now through Avatar. He’s also working extensively in the film industry, and I has just begun production on a feature film, although I’m not sure what it is. But in his words it’s a “dream come true”–so be sure to ask him at this year’s convention!

Also new today is returning guest Joe Pekar, whose art books Strawberry and Naughty Girls are both published by fellow guest Alberto Ruiz‘s BrandStudio Press company. It’s a family affair!

Next up, an announcement brought to you by the letters “C” and “D”, and the word “Nation.” More I can’t say!