SETH’S PICK :: COLLIDER #1:  Many of you have heard that Vertigo is launching several new titles over the next few months.  While this isn’t newsworthy in and of itself, what’s significant is that many of these new books bear little resemblance to the types of books Vertigo has produced in the past.  Think less grim and gritty, and a little more colorful.  Since it’s Vertigo, though, you can anticipate the same intelligent storytelling that you’ve come to expect.  While Collider isn’t the first of these new series to hit shelves (100 Bullets: Brother Lono and American Vampire are already out), it’s certainly the most obvious indicator of the publisher’s new direction.

Simon Oliver‘s thoughtful script deals with a scenario in which the concrete laws of physics we’ve all lived under start going haywire.  Reading the first issue, I could tell Oliver had done considerable research, but still wisely made it a character-driven story.  Oliver’s heady ideas are bolstered by the remarkable work of artist Robbi Rodriguez.  I’ve long been a fan of Robbi’s work, from Maintenance through his creator owned tour de force Frankie Get Your Gun.  In the past, I’ve used cliches like ‘kinetic, dynamic, fluid’ to describe his work.  Those words all still apply, but more than that, Collider reminded me of his strength as a storyteller.  None of the panels are wasted, and even when the script calls for a fairly mundane scene (like that cabby at the end of the first issue), there’s life in them, and a moving forward of the story, even if just in the gradual change of a character’s expression.

The other half of the art team is Heroes’ own Rico Renzi.  As with Loose Ends (his creator owned book with Jason Latour and Chris Brunner),  here Rico reminds you how important coloring can be to a book.  Like Loose Ends, Collider has its own defined palette, but one that is uniquely its own.  Aside from looking unlike any other Vertigo book you’ve ever seen, the colors in Collider are executed in a way that makes sense in a story where the laws of physics are no longer what they were.

It would be a mistake if I didn’t also include a mention of Nathan Fox‘s cover art.  It’s always frustrating when you see an incredible cover on a book where the interior art doesn’t remotely resemble it.  Fox succeeds on Collider because he’s creating pieces that fall right in line with the art and colors of the book’s creative team.  Not only does Fox maintain the aesthetic tone established by Rodriguez and Renzi, but he expounds on it.  On the first issue’s cover, you get an image that seamlessly fits into the story.  From script to art and colors to cover, Collider signifies how good comics can be when you have a creative team moving together in a unified, focused manner.  If Collider represents the new Vertigo, we’ll all be enjoying some quality new comics over the next year.

ANDY’S PICK :: Showcase Presents DC Comics Presents Number 2: Well that is quite a mouthful and this 500 page book is just loaded with goodies courtesy of the Superman team-up team.  This volume collects #27-50 and DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #1! Superman teams up with Black Canary, Wonder Woman, The Flash and at least a dozen more.  But most importantly, this volume includes the fabulous 5 issue story line that features Green Lantern,Martian Manhunter, Supergirl, The Spectre and depending on how you keep count, the fourth or fifth Starman (see below) and introduces that great villain Mongul the Merciless, ruler of WAR-WORLD!!!  If Mongol reminds you of anyone–oh let’s say Thanos– it is because both  were created by the triple threat creative team of Starlin/Starlin and Starlin. And this arch-villain is no push-over; it takes more than an exploding Candy Gram to defeat this Mongul (even though Mongul likes Candy!) Deep into this story arch, Superman has a memorable team-up with the Spectre as well as a cameo from one of the biggest surprise guest-stars in Comic book history. It is required reading for fans of late ’80s comic books–I swear to God.

Heroes is proud to welcome Justin Crouse to the position of Store Manager!  Justin has been a valuable staff member for the past three years.  Like many employees over the years, Justin was a customer for some fifteen years before he worked his way up from HeroesCon volunteer to full fledged staff member.  In addition to being an endless source of humor for staff and customers alike, Justin has a wide range of comic tastes – his favorites include  Howard the Duck, Savage Dragon, Bulletproof Coffin, Captain America, Asterios Polyp and Black Hole.  Justin’s also a talented artist, with his work appearing in several anthologies and self-published comics in recent years.  He values the aesthetics of the form, and, like the rest of us, unabashedly loves comics.

As store manager, Justin will handle all comic ordering, which means if you have any requests for specific items or variants, or would like to change your Previews orders, you’ll need to contact him at [email protected].  He will also be helping to coordinate volunteers for HeroesCon 2014.

We are very excited to have Justin as our new store manager, and hope you’ll also welcome him.  After the success of this year’s HeroesCon, we’re all reinvigorated and ready to bring you an even better comic shop and convention in the coming year.  Great things are happening at Heroes, and we hope you’ll continue to join us along the way.

JUSTIN’S PICK :: GAMMA ONE SHOT: Admittedly, I have no idea what this comic book is about. A peek at the solicitation makes it sound like a more adult take on Pokémon (“…Dusty thinks he can conjure up the man he once was – the greatest monster trainer in the world!”), but what really intrigues is the crazy iconography of that tasty, eye-sizzling, cover. It’s a veritable what’s what of why our beloved medium is so vibrant and singular. It’s always easy to pick up a one-shot when it’s so reasonably priced, as well, and I can think of several worse ways to spend a half-hour than perusing a charming periodical such as this. Gold stars for Ulises Farinas and Erick Freitas.

While our bossman Shelton Drum is off in San Diego hob-knobbing with celebrities like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (!!) and spreading the gospel of Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find to the masses, we are here holding down the fort, making sure you get the comics, statues and supplies you need!

We have another great HeroesCon 2014 Guest List announcement coming your way next week so look out for that. We’ll also be announcing our first big Warehouse Sale soon!

Time is running out to pre-order your HeroesCon 2013 Rocketeer shirts. Get yours here. Have a great weekend!

SETH’S PICK :: THE REASON FOR DRAGONS HC: I’ve been anticipating this new Archaia book since first hearing about it.  Chris Northrop and Jeff Stokely (of Boom’s excellent sci-fi/western Six Gun Gorilla) tell the story of a teenage loner who stumbles upon the ruins of a Renaissance Fair and meets an aging man in a knight’s garb.  The quixotic man believes himself to be a literal knight hunting a nearby dragon.  The book then takes on elements of ’80s coming-of-age tales.  There’s been a good bit of advanced buzz for this graphic novel, garnering comparisons to The Fisher King and interest from the film industry.  With its mix of literary writing and kinetic artwork, I’m betting that this will end up on at least a few ‘best of the year’ lists.

KARLA’S PICK :: PORCELAIN: A GOTHIC FAIRY TALE: What can I say? I’m a sucker for a creepy fairy tale. That’s why my pick this week is Porcelain: A Gothic Fairy Tale by Benjamin Read and Chris Wildgoose. As most classic fairy tales do, it starts off with an unfortunate soul. This time, the tale of woe begins with a young orphan girl referred to only as “Child” who lives off of the streets, and begs, steals and cheats to stay alive. Child attempts to steal from the wealthy Porcelain Maker, an alchemist who might be much more than he seems. From there, the story weaves a fascinating, and dark, fairy tale that I can’t wait to get my hands on! The art for this story is really quite stunning, which I was charmed to see from an artist who’s last name seems like it was plucked from the pages of a fairy tale in the first place! I mean, really? Wildgoose?? OF COURSE he should illustrate a fairy tale! It seems only fitting.

RICO’S PICK :: DAY MEN #1: I’ll be honest and admit that I’ve never read anything by either of the writers credited on Day Men but when artist Brian Stelfreeze draws the insides of a comic I pay attention. Vampires are nocturnal and they need someone to do stuff for them during the day like defend their lives and I dunno, do their banking and run their other errands . I’m positive it’s way more action-y than what I just described, let’s find out together.

>BONUS PICK! If you are a fan of Adam Warren’s Dirty Pair comics  (or Empowered for that matter) you need to check out A+X #10 this month! It features a story written and drawn by Warren starring Scarlet Witch and Domino in a science fiction adventure. The other story by B.Clay Moore and Kris Anka looks great too!