We just posted a MASSIVE Indie Island guest list update on our site! This update includes new creators who are knocking our socks off like Aaron Conley (Sabertooth Swordsman), James Callahan (The Auteur) to longtime heroes of  the indie scene like Jeff Smith (Bone), Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise). So go check it out and then get your HeroesCon 3 day passes so you don’t miss the fun!

CREATORS! Artists Alley tables are on sale now! These spaces are available first-come-first-served and they usually go fast! Reserve your space today!

Heroes Convention is in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 20-22 2014. Get your 3 day passes today! The full guest list (so far) is here.

HEATHER’S PICK :: MS MARVEL #1: I don’t have much prior knowledge of Ms. Marvel so I don’t have the concerns that fans of the Carol Danvers might bring to this new incarnation of the character.  I am just looking forward to reading this new female driven comic unburdened from any expectations of the former Ms. Marvel.  I like the dichotomy of a teenage girl dealing with both the expectations of her culture and balancing her super hero powers. I can’t help but adore her Avengers fanfic in the first issue that seems to have a snarky dose of My Little Pony intertwined.  (Poor Rainbow Toots!!) Just trust me and read it to find out that unicorn’s fate.

There’s been a lot of conversation of late about diversity in comics (both in the subject matter and the creators) so let’s take a moment to be happy about both a female writer and Pakistani American girl coming together for what looks like a fun and interesting title this month.

ANDY’S PICK :: BATMAN SILVER AGE NEWSPAPER COMICS HC: God bless those guys at IDW PUBLISHING.  In addition to all the other classic comic strips they offer–everything from Baron Bean (1916) to Goodwin and Williamson’s great run on Secret Agent Corrigan that ran through 1980, IDW is scheduled to publish all of the Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman newspaper strips.  So far they have released two volumes of Superman-dailies from the late 50s) and one Sunday collection from the late 40s.  With their third volume of DC reprints they are offering quite a rare gem indeed.  When ABC launched the Batman TV series in 1966, it was full speed ahead for any and all product tie-ins featuring the Dynamic Du o.  That included a newspaper strip  published from 1966 to 1972 and until now has never been reprinted!  If you are a fan of the mid-sixties Silver Age comics, this is the strip collection for you.  Volume 1 (of 3) includes stories featuring Catwoman, the Joker, the Penguin, Batgirl and Poison Ivy  written by Whitney Ellsworth with art by  Sheldon Moldoff, Joe Giella and Carmine Infantino; all with a stunning period inspired cover by the great Peter Poplaski.  The first volume, reprinting all B&W dailies and color Sundays from 1966 and 1967, features an all-star list of Batman and Robin characters, including Catwoman, the Penguin, the Joker, Poison Ivy, and Batgirl! In the months ahead they will alternate between Superman and Batman volumes, so be here when it happens, Same Bat-time, same Bat-publisher.

William King Museum in Abingdon, Virginia

January 24 through June 29, 2014
Opening Reception: February 6 from 6-8PM

From the William King Museum:

“Shelton Drum, owner of the Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find comic book store and founder of the renowned annual Heroes Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, brings William King Museum a vast array of original comic book art from his private collection. With the help of Neil Bramlette, founder of Bristol’s Out of Step Arts Collective, classic comics, private commissions, and original pages showcasing key artists from the 1950s and 60s as well as artists working today will be on display for the first time. Featuring comic arts past and present, this exhibit is full of recognizable characters that are sure to surprise and delight fans and newcomers alike.”

The exhibit features original art by Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, Wally Wood, Frank Frazetta, John Romita, Charles Vess, Mike Zeck, Darwyn Cooke and many more! Over 80 pieces on display!

Please join us for the opening reception on Thursday, February 6 from 6-8PM. Refreshments will be provided and there will be an optional cash bar. The event is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!

THANK YOU! Your generosity is making a difference in the lives of people in need. You donated over 7 tons of food to the Second Harvest Food Bank!

Thanks to all the fans, vendors and creators who came to MiniCon this year for making it our best yet! You guys are all awesome!

Check out some photos from the show on our Facebook page, we’d love to see yours too. Please share links on Facebook and Twitter, just tag them with #CLTMiniCon.

RICO’S PICK :: L’IL SONJA & FURIOUS: We’re still recovering from a great Charlotte MiniCon but I’ve got two quick ones for you this week. First up is L’il Sonja by MiniCon guest artist Joel Carroll and writer Jim Zub. Dynamite has really been surprising me with the level of talent they are recruiting to do these novelty books and this one is no exception! Give it a shot!

Next up is the first issue of Furious by creators Bryan J. L. Glass and Victor Santos. I’m a relatively new fan of Santos’ art and I think if you crack this book open you will be too!

ANDY’S PICK :: DEAD BOY DETECTIVES #2: Attention all fans of of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman and Bill Willingham’s Fables:  Mark Buckingham— the insanely talented artist of the latter takes charge (co-writing and drawing) of two of the most beloved supporting characters from the former. Our deceased yet upbeat and ever so polite British sleuths, Charles and Edwin formerly (and presently) of St. Hilarion’s School join forces with the young and lovely (can Buckingham draw women any other way?–I suggest–no, he cannot) Crystal as the three investigate look into the past to uncover the truth about the  one’s who (as Eliza Doolittle might say) ‘Done them in‘.  Don’t miss this series.

Charlotte’s longest running comic convention returns this weekend! Featuring great vendors and comic creators including: Skottie Young, Rich Case, Sanford Greene, Jason Latour, Andy Smith, Rob Ullman, & many more!

Register now for FREE admission and don’t forget to bring a non-perishable food item for Second Harvest Food Bank!

Guest List:

Natalie Andrewson
Duane Ballenger
Chad Bowers
J Chris Campbell
Joel Carroll
Rich Case
Sage Coffey
Jeremy Dale
Bo Fader
Billy Fowler
FRANK comics
Randy Green
Sanford Greene
John Hairston Jr
Dustin Harbin
Sandy Jarrell
Cassie Hart Kelly
Jason Latour
Jackie Lewis
Cara McGee
Chris McJunkin
Brockton McKinney
Kevin Mellon
Drew Moss
Out of Step Arts
Eraklis Petmezas
Buddy Prince
Pat Quinn
Budd Root
Bridgit Schiede
Hoyt Silva
Andy Smith
Rebel Stars Studio
Spandex Splinters
Ben Towle
Robert Ullman
Brittney Williams
Kelly Yates
Skottie Young

ANDY’S PICK :: PLANETARY is a super-group comprised of Elijah Snow, Jakita Wagner, and The Drummer. They are the greatest power trio since RUSH and perhaps  CREAM (but not GRAND FUNK— you got a problem with that?).  This is far and away my favorite superhero series from the past ten years.  There is more to think about, revel in and just plain enjoy than just about any other series I can think of.  And if the story by Warren Ellis, firing on all cylinders  isn’t enough– but it is–I swear– then how about 500 pages of art from John Cassaday?  A while back,   the Heroes Discussion Group focused on PLANETARY and it was one of the best round tables we’ve ever had. Archetypes Ahoy!! This is well work a Grant, a Jackson and a Lincoln (yet another famed power trio!).  This is a book you will read and re-read many times.This omnibus collects PLANETARY #1-27, PLANETARY/BATMAN #1, PLANETARY/JLA #1 and PLANETARY/AUTHORITY #1.

SETH’S PICK :: DEADLY CLASS #1: You’ve undoubtedly heard one or more Heroes staffers extolling the recent virtues of writer Rick Remender.  With quality work on titles like Captain America, Uncanny Avengers, and Black Science, Remender is approaching that sought after balance between writing big mainstream super hero comics and critically acclaimed creator-owned titles.  This week Remender returns with yet another new creator owned series for Image: Deadly Class.  Produced in collaboration with artist Wesley Craig, this series set in the ’80s features disaffected high school students who happen to study at a school for world class assassins.  It’s all the angst of high school combined with the frenetic energy of an action movie.  With yet another promising new series (Low) coming from Image later this year, Remender continues to reiterate his place among the comic writing elite.