JUSTIN’S PICK :: CAPTAIN AMERICA #2 : My personal favorite of the Marvel NOW! relaunch couldn’t get a second issue out soon enough. With a star-studded creative team like Remender, Romita Jr., and Janson (not to mention unsung hero Dean White), this book is getting Cap back to basics: frantic fisticuffs, scintillating sci-fi, and vile villains. If you missed issue one, fear not! Issue two is sure to deliver the same level of quality entertainment.

SETH’S PICK :: DJANGO UNCHAINED #1: December always brings lots of good comics, and this week is a good representation of that.  Everything from Hickman’s Avengers #2 to Francavilla’s Black Beetle #0 will be new on the shelves, with lots of other good books like Saga and Pogo along for the ride.  So why am I picking a movie adaptation?  First off, in addition to being published by Vertigo, the comic’s script is essentially Quentin Tarantino’s screenplay.  In fact, parts of the screenplay might not end up in the film, but will appear here, so that’s a plus for Tarantino fans.  Most significantly to me are the artists bringing the comic to life.  It’s the first major post-Scalped work from artist R.M. Guera, and each issue’s flashback sequences are provided by talented local writer/artist Jason Latour.  So you have a Tarantino-helmed comic about a vengeful slave-turned-bounty hunter trying to free his wife, and you have more-than-qualified artists bringing the screenplay to life in a way the movie won’t.  This is a no-brainer to me. 

Celebrate the holidays with us THIS WEEKEND, December 15th from 10 am to 9 pm and December 16th from 1 to 6 pm, at our Annual Holiday Sale! The sale is actually going on now but it will expand this weekend. Shelton has pulled out all the stops! We will have crazy discounts on back-issues, trades, and statues. In addition to that, Seth has been building a massive $1 25¢ stock of great comics. This is good stuff that would normally be in our $1 sale, hurry in for the best selection!

Plus, all new comics and trades will be at least 10% off! Shelley and the rest of the crew have been tirelessly cleaning and decorating in preparation for our big event and we will be ready to answer questions, help you locate items and give you recommendations. Be sure to stop by the store this weekend to stock up on presents for friends, family and yourself. You are not going to want to miss this sale!

Still not sure what to get that certain someone for Christmas? The holiday sale is a perfect time to pick up your 3-day pass for HeroesCon 2013! Still only $30, (until January 1st!) makes a great gift for that hard-to-shop-for comics fan.Buy them here!

Also, new comics will arrive Wednesday, December 26th with no holiday delay! Check the new releases list here. We can’t wait to see you this weekend!

The above features a teaser of the exclusive new 12.12.12 poster Brian Stelfreeze created for this event (FREE to all attendees tomorrow!) We’re starting our Big Holiday Sale tomorrow too! Get here early for the best selection!

RICO’S PICK :: IMAGE FIRSTS: Dollar comics! Brand new dollar comics! Image Firsts are new printings of the 1st issues of some of Image’s best books. CHEW, FATALE, MANHATTAN PROJECTS, REVIVAL, SAGA and a few more are being offered this week at a low $1 cover price. This is a great time to try a series that you’ve been hearing about without making a big investment.

JUSTIN’S PICK :: BODY BAGS TP VOL 02 : This Christmas, give the gift of outstanding action and cartoon violence with this collection of sundry one-shots by the inimitable Jason Pearson. Hitman Clownface always has a hard time managing his overly-enthusiastic daughter/protégé Panda, and hilarity subsequently ensues. A little John Woo, a little Michael Golden, and presto. And if you haven’t read volume one, by all means, be my guest.

ANDY’S PICK :: KAMANDI LAST BOY ON EARTH HC VOL 02 OMNIBUS: So back in 1972, DC tried to secure the comic publishing rights to Planet of the Apes, but they lost out to Marvel. So DC asked Jack Kirby to create a series that would be similar (but not too similar) to PoA. And as usual, Kirby not only delivered, he surpassed all expectations. Kirby wrote and drew a 40 issue masterpiece of bizarre concepts and fun to read stories that all take place in a post-nuclear-war earth of the future where mutated animals rule and humans struggles to survive. This Omnibus collects the final 20 issues of the series and includes the classic issue #29 where a cult has formed whose members celebrate the legend of Superman–the hero who tried (in vain) to prevent the Great Disaster. The followers worship at the feet of all that remains– Superman’s uniform. It is one of the great Superman stories of all time and oddly it is a story where the Man of Steel never even appears! Pure Kirby magic! Sorry to sound like a broken record, but these Kirby Omnibus are required reading. Get busy and enjoy–there will be a test!

SETH’S PICK :: RUST VOL. 2: If the Mayans were right and the world will end next Wednesday, why not pick up a good book to read while you wait for inevitable destruction?  Rust is an entertaining sepia-toned all ages book from animator/cartoonist Royden Lepp that deals with giant robots, strange jetpacks, and the fallout of a global war.  On paper, some of those elements don’t readily make for an all ages epic, but one of Lepp’s strengths is that he doesn’t talk down to a young audience.  If you never read Volume 1: Visitors in the Field, it’s probably wise to start there, but it’s a solid read that should grab you quickly.  I love all ages books that manage to appeal to adult readers as well as kids.  Rust is a prime example of this kind of comic at its best, and hopefully some of you out there will give this one a look.  These are also great gift ideas for young readers interested in comics beyond the super hero genre. 

Are you ready for some HeroesCon 2013 news? Let’s get to it! HeroesCon 2013 will be our biggest and best show yet. We’ve announced a few of our fantastic guests here.

3-Day Passes are on sale now. If you order before the end of 2012 you will save almost 50% off the regular price for daily admission at the door. So order today to make sure you get that sweet discount!

We’ve also made Artists Alley tables available, these are first-come-first-served and they usually go fast! Reserve your space today!

Sign up for the Heroes Hotline (our twice-a-week newsletter) and check our blog frequently for more announcements and details about HeroesCon 2013! Follow on Twitter and like us on Facebook and we will make sure you are in the loop!  Thanks!