JUSTIN’S PICK :: THE BOJEFFRIES SAGA GN: Alan Moore is a pretty divisive presence in the funnybook sphere nowadays; the only people more vociferous than his fans seem to be his detractors. So I – fish nor foul – often feel a little lonely, being a moderate fan of the guy (i.e. I love his work, could care less about his personality). This book collects some old Warrior strips with Steve Parkhouse (plus a new installment to bring the family’s exploits into the present day). The Bojeffries Saga is billed as a mash-up of the Addams Family and Coronation Street, creepy, quintessentially British, all at once. Anglophiles note.

BONUS PICK :: INSECT BATH #1: This Fantagraphics anthology had me at the word “insect”. Ever since childhood, bugs have been a consistent fount of fascination. Combined with a healthy appreciation for the horror genre, well, it’s easy to see why I’m losing four bucks to this one. Dig that nutso cover.

Two weeks in a row of a new strong female centered book!! Go Marvel! I’m quite excited to read a comic about an attorney written by an attorney as well.  Being in the profession myself, I sometimes find myself banging my head on inanimate objects when legal concepts are written so terribly wrong (how hard is it to google the Bill of Rights?!?) Color me Shulkie green that I can’t crack a conference room table in half with a single finger.  Talk about ending your argument on a strong note!

SETH’S PICK :: THE MERCENARY SEA #1: The past few years have been a new golden age of sorts if you happen to be a fan of classic adventure and pulp comics.  We’ve seen the return of The Rocketeer alongside quality new series like Half Past Danger and Black Beetle.  Image gets in on the fun this week with a new adventure series of their own called The Mercenary Sea.  Set in the late ’30s, the series focuses on a ragtag group of mercenaries working odd jobs around the South Seas in a U-boat stolen by their captain.  Against the backdrop of impending war, the series promises everything from spies and pirates, to old fashioned war elements.  Though I’m not all that familiar with the previous works of creators Kel Symons and Matthew Reynolds, the previews I’ve seen of this new book suggest it’s a book well worth your investment this week.

Bonus Pick of the Week:  Lobster Johnson: Satan Smells a Rat TPB.  This latest collection starring Mike Mignola’s pulp wonder features art contributions from the likes of Kevin Nowlan, Wilfredo Torres, and Tonci Zonjic.  Aside from being yet another reliably good story of pulpy goodness that we’ve come to expect from these creators, this is a rare book where the title alone (“Satan Smells a Rat”) is enough to warrant a look. 

Thanks to everyone who came out to the “HEROES AREN’T HARD TO FIND :: THE COMIC ART COLLECTION OF SHELTON DRUM” opening reception! The exhibit is open until June 29th, don’t miss it! Thanks to Neil Bramlette and the great staff at the William King Museum in Abingdon, Virgina!

We’ve posted some photos to our Facebook page but you really need to see this show in person! More information is available here!

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!