SETH’S PICK :: UNCANNY X-FORCE #1: I know there’s a substantial fanbase of Rick Remender’s Uncanny X-force among our blog readers, and I happily count myself among you.  We all know and respect the work Remender, Opena and Ribic did on the title, but it’s understandable to be a little skeptical about this new version.  Since I haven’t read much of his previous work, I can’t tell you much about new writer Sam Humphries, but the team he has assembled (including Spiral, Storm, Psylocke, Fantomex-ish Cluster and Puck) seems like an interesting way to start.  It’s also interesting to me that the always reliable Ron Garney will be working on this series, and that he’s moving away from his recent pencil-driven work on books like Wolverine: Weapon X to now work with an inker.  Most of the new Marvel Now books have been enjoyable, and this one has the potential for that as well.  I should also mention that Young Avengers #1 also hits shelves this week.  Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie are a consistently entertaining collaborative team, and they should work wonders with these characters. 

MATT’S PICK :: DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS ARCHIVES BOOK 05: 9 OLD MEN FLIPBOOK:

ANDY’S PICK :: BOOKS OF MAGIC DELUXE EDITION HC : Timothy Hunter is a 12 year old boy who just maybe the most powerfully magician in the DC Universe. So the magical powers that be–namely, The Phantom Stranger, John Constantine, Doctor Occult and Mister E take Tim on a “tutorial” through the Magical past of the DC Universe, then into the current state of magical affairs, then make a side-line trip to DC’s other dimensions (Faerie, Gem World et.al) and culminates with a glimpse into some possible futures. Will Tim accept his magical role? Neil Gaiman along artists John Bolton, Scott Hampton, Charles Vess and Paul Johnson lead us lucky readers on quite a memorable journey. This is a series I re-read every few years. And it never ceases to amaze me. If you have never read it, you are in for a treat.

Charlotte Mini-Con is fast approaching, and with all the “AMAZING” things we have in store for you, we’d also like to direct your attention to some of the wonderful charities that we will be hosting at Sunday’s show.

Here’s a direct link for a FREE pass!

The Charlotte Chapter of the American Red Cross will be on site raising funds for Hurricane Sandy Relief as well as for various other disaster relief causes. For a minimum donation of $10.00 to the American Red Cross attendees can reserve a copy of Hawkeye #7 signed by writer Matt Fraction. Read the rest of this entry →

RICO’S PICK :: ONE TRICK RIP OFF/DEEP CUTS HC: Whoa! New/old Paul Pope comics! For the first time in color by Jamie Grant (All-Star Superman).  ONE TRICK RIP-OFF/DEEP-CUTS is 288 pages comics by Pope, of which over 150 pages are comprised of new, rare, and never before seen stories created during Pope’s time traveling the world in the ’90s. Included also, Pope’s work created for Kodansha in Japan, appearing here in print for the first time. 

Charlotte MiniCon is just a few days away now! Sunday January 20th from 11am to 5pm the Grady Cole Center will be filled with great comic creators, comic book vendors, cosplayers and much more! It’s going to be a comic book lovers’ paradise. There is still time to register for FREE admission, just click the button! We are expecting a big crowd and pre-registered attendees will be able to walk right in without doing any paperwork at the door. So register, print your pass and bring it to the show for fast entry!

Parking is also free the day of the event. We encourage you to give generously to one of two very worthwhile charities who will be on hand to collect your donations.

Second Harvest Food Bank will be accepting non-perishable food items and monetary donations.

American Red Cross will be accepting monetary donations.

Here is an updated list and a floor plan featuring all the creators and vendors attending MiniCon this year!

Charlotte MiniCon 2013_floor plan

CREATORS:

• Rich Barrett
• Thomas Boatwright
• Chris Brunner
• J. Chris Campbell
• Billy Fowler
• Sanford Greene
• John Hairston Jr.
• Chris Hamer
• Dustin Harbin
• Cassie Hart Kelly
• Tom King
• Jason Latour
• Lost Story Studios (Brockton McKinney & Bo Fader)
• Kevin Mellon
• Don Monroe
• Drew Moss
• Eraklis Petmezas
• Jay Potts
• Buddy Prince
• Riddle
• Budd Root
• Andy Smith
• Matthew D. Smith
• Spandex Splinters
• Brian Stelfreeze
• Rob Ullman
• Lee Weeks
• John Wycough

Rich Case has had to cancel his appearance due to other obligations.

VENDORS:

• 501st Legion/Carolina Garrison
• Apocalypse
• Art Institute of Charlotte
• Black Dog Collectibles
• Borderlands
• Burke Street Comics
• Carolina Ghostbusters
• Columbia Comics
• Comic Lock
• Comics Whiz
• Cunningham’s Comics
• Dave’s Comics
• David Burns
• David Shankle
• Fine Print Shoppe
• Frame Monkey
• God City
• Grant Merrill
• Heroes and Dragons
• Hudson Comic Art
• Jason Hamlin
• Jim Walls
• Klingon Assault Group
• Lost Story Studios
• Lyn Anderson
• Mario’s Comics
• Mark Bowers
• Out of Step Arts
• Outer Rim Collectibles
• Painted Visions
• PopCycled Baubles
• Rebel Base
• Reggie’s Comics and Collectibles
• Rick Fortenberry
• RoseWoolls
• Sam Finley
• Ssalefish
• Steve Smith
• Stormcrow Comics
• Supah! Comics
• The Further Adventures of Heroes Past
• TNT Comics
• Trey Alexander
• Ultimate Comics

JUSTIN’S PICK :: DAREDEVIL #22 : Mark Waid continues his seminal run on Marvel’s Man Without Fear, ably abetted by the inimitable art of Chris Samnee. This issue finds ol’ Hornhead face-to-face with the Marvel U’s newest contender, the Superior Spider-Man. Matt Murdock is sure to sense something amiss with his old cohort, but the reappearance of a souped-up Stilt-Man might put those suspicions on the back burner. Tightly plotted and wonderfully drawn, Daredevil remains one of Marvel’s most premium offerings.

SETH’S PICK :: BLACK BEETLE #1: It’s true that our Charlotte MiniCon will take place on Sunday, January 20, but first we’ll  be spending Tuesday and Wednesday working on new comic arrivals.  Black Beetle is my pick of the week for a few different reasons.  One, it’s a mini series written and illustrated by Eisner award winning Franceseco Francavilla.  He’s done cover work for just about every company, and I bet there are at least 3 or 4 of his covers still on our stands.  Two, it’s a simple, direct pulp/adventure comic done out of love for the genre.  You still get Francavilla’s art, but you also get a new world full of mobsters, mysteries and monsters.  How Francavilla found time to produce this series with his already full plate is baffling, but I’m happy that he did. Finally, it’s also a good palate-cleansing comic if you’ve been reading lots of mainstream super hero or indie comics lately.  Black Beetle #0 is one I’ve returned to on several occasions since it debuted a few weeks ago, and I’m sure you will too.