Friday Comics Chat Open Thread - Best Friends Forever Edition!

Aaaannnd, here we are again - the weekly Friday Comics Chat Open Thread! What did you read this week? Was it good? Was it bad? Was it ugly? Tell us! This is YOUR forum to spout off about comics!

I'll get the ball rolling: ALL STAR SUPERMAN #3 was just plain GREAT! A funny and cool "Date With Lois" issue with some unexpected twists. BLUE BEETLE #1 is an intriguing start... lots of things happening, I'll be back for the next issue...

How about you guys? Talk to me.

My favorite day of the year is just over a month away... FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!

It's coming! The one day of the year that is truly the coolest day to be a comic book fan... FREE COMIC BOOK DAY! This year, Free Comic Book Day falls on Saturday, May 6th and Comix Connection will be there with bells on! We'll be participating in the giveaway as we have since the first FCBD, plus we will be having our usual assortment of special guests, sales and other cool stuff. Here's a preview of some of the comics that will be available... for FREE! I know it's still over a month away, but I just can't wait!









AND MORE! Stay tuned as we finalize the details... we'll keep you posted.

Oh, and we'll be giving out this cool HeroClix figure to the first 200 people at both stores, so stop in early!

Even more cool Batman Legos!

Check this out! Even more Batman-themed Lego construction kits! Click HERE for more info! These will be out in a couple of months... if you want any of them, please email me or let your friendly Comix Connection Counter Chimps™ know!

Cool EBAY find!

Check this out! An auction for Walt Disney's first business card! What a neat piece of history! From the auction listing:

This business card was found in a career scrapbook compiled by Bert Sylvester of Los Angeles, CA.

Mr. Sylvester founded one of the first electrical lighting companies in L.A. during the Silent period. Two of his proteges went on to found the Mole-Richardson Company, which is today one of the largest and most successful movie lighting companies in the world. Bert Sylvester was right in the center of moviemaking during the early Hollywood years and would very easily have known and worked with Walt Disney in any number of ways.

This card has been authenticated twice.

First, it was confirmed by a dealer in Disneyana who surmised that the handwriting on the card must be Walt Disney's own and that this is in fact, a contract by which Walt promised to produce title cards (or "banks") for some vendor (perhaps Bert himself) who wished to use them in a film or in a movie house, projected onscreen between films. Since the card still has Walt Disney's Kansas City address, it is likely that he handed this out when he first arrived in L.A. in 1922-1923.

The second authentication came in 2003 when Antiques Roadshow came to my hometown of San Francisco. I signed up for an appraisal just to see if this card was real.
The woman who appraises collectibles and sports memoribilia took a look at it and claimed that I had found Walt's "Rookie Card". They even filmed a short segment which she said was sure to make it on T.V. Alas, I wound up on the cutting room floor.

Wow. What a find! Final bid: $1802.77!

The greatest line in Star Wars ever.

(click here for awesome audio file)


Heh heh heh.

UPDATE: Here's a photo of the SNL muppets mentioned in the comments section... Skred is second from the left, above the Mayan/Tiki God muppet!

HYSTERIA RELEASE PARTY: A FINE TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

Wow. What can I say? What a great party! That was really really fun! All the guys were just a blast to talk to and were in great form.


I really enjoyed watching Brian Quinn (who I called "David"... sorry!) wield his neato "brush pens"... I'm a sucker for thick black ink, and I love your style. I gotta talk to you about that BATMAN/JOKER original...


And Andy Macdonald's attention to detail just continues to amaze me! I can't believe every publisher in the world isn't pounding on his door! Just incredible stuff.


What can I say about Mike Oeming? He's just a great guy who does great work... it'a always a pleasure to yak with him and watch him draw. Thanks, man and see you at the Baltimore ComiCon!


Chris Moreno's work needs wider exposure... his "retro-'70s-horror-comics" looking stuff was awesome... more of you should be reading his DRACULA VS. KING ARTHUR! Just do it already!

Alas, the Giganto Panel that Mike Hawthorne was working on is not quite completed... but when it is, it will be on display at the store in all it's glory!

Thanks guys, for the fun times and the jam drawing! Let's do it again next week! I will post pictures as soon as I get them developed...



And Ivan Brandon? Ivan... YOU'RE DEAD TO ME, MAN! YOU HEAR ME? DEAD!


Just kidding. We missed you, dude!

HYSTERIA RELEASE PARTY is TODAY!

HYSTERIA RELEASE PARTY
TODAY IN YORK
STARTING AT 1PM!
CLICK HERE FOR INFO!

Friday Comics Chat Open Thread - Kangaroos Gone Wild Edition!

You know the drill. What did you read this week? What did you like? Dislike? Why? Tell us all!

Airing the Linnen: Me and the Nodells

Guest post by Brian Linnen


A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Martin Nodell and his wife Carrie at the Pittsburgh Comicon. My wife and I had tickets to the Harvey Awards Dinner, and we were lucky enough to share a table with the Nodells.

Martin entertained us during the meal with stories of working on comics during what would come to be known as "The Golden Age", and Carrie gave us tidbits about their life together at the time. Being a huge fan of DC's Golden-Age Archives, I enjoyed these stories immensely!

While I knew that Martin had created the Green Lantern, it was Carrie who revealed to us that he had also created a popular character who is actually better-known throughout the world than ol' GL - the Pillsbury Doughboy!!! He may not be as powerful as Alan Scott, but we've all wanted to reach out and poke him in the tummy at one time or another. I was amazed to hear that these two long-time favorite characters sprang from the same imagination.

In the time since, Carrie has unfortunately passed away, but I think Martin still makes appearances with his son. If you ever get the opportunity to meet him, please do! The man is a legendary creator and a true gentleman - you'll be glad that you did!

Another Guest Artist added to the HYSTERIA Release party!

Mike Hawthorne just emailed me that another artist will be joining us for the faboo HYSTERIA Release Party that's happening in the York store THIS SATURDAY March 25th starting at 1PM... Brian Quinn!


He just did the Image book BLOOD RIVER with Mike Oeming, and is a regular contributor to WEIRD U.S., a line of books found at major chain bookstores.

The more, the merrier!

Top 100 comics for FEBRUARY

Here's your list of the first ten of the Top 100 comic books SOLD for the month of February 2006, according to Diamond Comics Distributors. See the article on the ICV2 website HERE for the full list...

1 - ASTONISHING X-MEN #13
2 - NEW AVENGERS #16
3 - JUSTICE #4
4 - SUPERGIRL #4
5 - ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS HULK #2
6 - AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #529
7 - GREEN LANTERN #8
8 - GREEN LANTERN #9
9 - SUPERGIRL #5
10 - UNCANNY X-MEN #469

Of interest is the fact that INFINITE CRISIS doesn't appear because February is a short month and no issue shipped during February...

Spider-man's Amazing New Costume!

Reader Craig M. sent me this... a look at Spidey's new costume... and some of the tricks it can do! (Click on the image to make it bigger!) See the article HERE at PopCultureShock.

Pretty durn cool, if you ask me. Makes up for the whole "stingers" thing I was fearing... I can't wait to read this!

Fantastic Four cartoon in the works!

Apparently the Cartoon Network is bringing a half-hour Fantastic Four animated series to the tube... and it looks great! Read the brief article from ICV2 HERE!

You're invited to a PARTY!

Mike Hawthorne's HYSTERIA RELEASE PARTY that is!

SATURDAY, MARCH 25th from 1:00PM until ?

At Comix Connection - YORK only!

*CAKE* *PUNCH* *ART FOR SALE*

*LIVE ART DEMONSTRATION by MIKE HAWTHORNE*

Gaze in wonder and amazement as Mike creates an enormous 4 foot by 8 foot comic panel WHILE YOU WATCH!

Meet all-star creators MIKE OEMING!


IVAN BRANDON and ANDY MACDONALD!


and the lovely and talented CHRIS MORENO!

Come on in and get some autographs, meet the creators, scarf up some cake, wash it down with some cheap fruit-like flavored punch, and observe Mr. Hawthorne as he creates a huge comic book panel! Woo-HOOOOO! Be there or be square!

Friday Comics Chat Open Thread - Bunnies in Corvettes Edition!

Hello again and welcome back! It's that time of the week... the Friday Comics Chat Open Thread! C'mon! Speak up! I can see you out there lurking! Just sign up and comment away! Let us know what you think... what was the best comic book you read this week? How 'bout them DC "One Year Laters"? Did you read Marvel's ANNIHILATION PROLOGUE?
I read the latest 100 BULLETS, and it was the best one in a couple of months... more intrigue, less violence. Still in my Top Ten...

Time, well... spent.

Now here's a show that I think you all might enjoy... WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO?

I'm not much of a television watcher and what I've heard and seen of those so-called "Reality Shows" leaves me cold... if I want to hear people whine, I'll tape me and my friends when we hang out together. But this just might get me to tune in... or at least borrow someone's recording of it!

Besides, with Stan "The Man" Lee on board, what could possibly go wrong?

Heh heh heh.

From the Vault, Part Five

Here's another blast from the past... COMIX CONNECTION BULLETIN #2 (January, 1991, Senwal Publishing). The second issue of this seminal newsletter features our "Grand Re-Opening" in which we moved to the third location within Delco Plaza (second spot was down that long hall into the "fallout shelter") and into the large space that we affectionately called "The Spaghetti Factory" or "The Archery Range" because it was 15 feet wide and 100 feet long. Boy those were the days, huh? That's when we were used as a shortcut for all the moviegoers heading to the UA Theatre across the hall. Good times. Anyway, as part of the celebration we had TIM TRUMAN (HAWKWORLD, SCOUT,GRIMJACK) and TOM LYLE (STARMAN, ROBIN) on hand to sign autographs and do sketches for fans, Uncle Igor of STARVIEW 92 FM live-broadcasted to add to the chaos, prizes were given away and everything in the entire store was 20% OFF! WOO-HOOO!

Of special interest was this notice:


HOLY MACKERAL, he's gonna be SIXTEEN YEARS OLD THIS YEAR! I remember when he was just 22 inches tall!

The Comix Connection T-shirts are here... and gone!

Well, we got the way-cool Comix Connection T-shirts on Thursday and... most of them are gone! Some sizes are completely sold out, but fear not, we will get another batch in soon. Looks like I underestimated the demand for Geek Chic Wear™! Everybody who previously requested specific sizes and colors should see notes in their subscriber boxes letting them know their shirts are in and waiting to be picked up! If we're currently out of your size/color combination, either leave a note of what you want here in the comments section of this post, email me directly, or let one of the friendly and helpful Comix Connection Counter Monkeys™ take your information. I'll keep you posted about when the second batch of shirts will be in...

Wake up your wonder world!

Long time box-holder and friend Michael Moppin is having a gallery showing of his artwork at The Mantis Collective in Harrisburg from April 7th through April 30th. Entitled "Wake up your wonder world!: Feel-good Art for Our Sunshine and Happy Times", the exhibit features Michael's idiosynchratic works of unique vision. Stop in sometime and check it out... Support Your Local Artist!

Opening Reception:
Friday April 7th - 8PM to 10PM
Free to the public - light refreshments and the sounds of Ill Cosby! < condsc.com >
Hours: th 3-6, f 3-7, s 12-7, su 12-4
Phone: (717) 236-2131 Web: themantiscollective.com

YAY! It's LEGO Batman!

OK, let's see... I love LEGOs and I love Batman... check out these new toys:

COOL BEANS!

I want the "Batman DRAGSTER!"

FLASH: HYSTERIA RELEASE PARTY IS ON!

Well this is short notice, but on SATURDAY, MARCH 25th at 2PM, Comix Connection in YORK will be sponsoring a Release Party for MIKE HAWTHORNE'S HYSTERIA: ONE MAN GANG! Mike will be painting a huge 4' by 8' panel with a scene from his just-released comic book, we will be serving punch and cake, pages of Mike Hawthorne's art will be on sale throughout the store, and Mike will be accompanied by Special Guests MIKE OEMING (of POWERS, ARES, RED SONJA, etc. fame), ANDY MACDONALD AND IVAN BRANDON of NYC MECH fame, and CHRIS MORENO, artist of the DRACULA VS. KING ARTHUR! Additional info will be provided as it becomes available!

Don't miss your chance to meet these three great creators! And come and get some cake already.

NOTE: I fixed an error on this post. For some reason I had written that Ivan Brandon of NYC MECH fame was gonna be here, when in reality ANDY MACDONALD is the guy to meet! Don't ask me.

A SECOND NOTE: OK, now BOTH IVAN BRANDON AND ANDY MACDONALD will be at the HYSTERIA Release Party! Yep, both. Ayup. Nothing else is gonna change. That's it. I swear.

Friday Comics Chat Open Thread - The Puppies Are Delicious - AND Nutritious Edition

Hey everyone! Here's the Friday Comics Chat Open Thread for this week... what did YOU read this week? How were the "One Year Later" titles from DC? Did everybody get their copy of Mike Hawthorne's HYSTERIA: ONE MAN GANG #1? What was cool? What was crap? Tell us how you really feel.

OK, now I wanna see Superman Returns.

Check out this great video teaser that encompasses many different aspects of Superman. It makes me realize how much I really like the mythos...

A truly great MAD magazine cover

I just find this incredibly hilarious for some reason...

MAD MAGAZINE #151 (June 1972, EC):


Funny funny schtuff.

The STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL (1978)

Here it is. The legendary Star Wars Holiday Special from 1978 in all it's cheesy glory can be found HERE! (Link to YouTube)

Wow. I'm stunned. I'd forgotten how truly crappy this was. Seriously stupid. Even as a big fan at 17 I thought it was drek, but YEESH. Go watch it. And then stop complaining about the new movies...


(What Do You Get a Wookie For Christmas When He Already Has A Comb?... Please just kill me now.)

Did you know...?

I just realized something the other day while talking to a customer. In the course of our chat I mentioned that he should check out a soon-to-be-shipping comic that was in our NEXT WEEK'S COMICS NOTEBOOK that rests at the end of the counter in both stores. He looked at me and said "What notebook?" and I realized that he didn't know we had such a thing! When I directed him to it, he was delighted and amazed that such a thing existed, and I agreed and told him that I thought it was one of the best things for a publisher to do - send us a copy of your comic book ahead of time to generate interest and so that you could actually hold the book in your hands and check it out! Granted, most of the "Preview Copies" are from Marvel and DC, who send them out on a regular basis, but we also put ANY comic that we get a preview copy of in those books for your perusal. So now you know.

You can also check out what is shipping from our main distributor, Diamond Comics by clicking HERE or by just going to the LINKS section on the right and clicking on the shipping linky there!

Wotta dress!

WOW! Check out this great cover to SECRET HEARTS #123 (October 1967, DC Comics):


I just love that Pop-Art fashion! The cover art is reprinted as the splash page for the inside story "Reach For Happiness" (which is part 14 of an on-going soap-opera type story)... the word balloon on the inside image has the smooth fella sayin to black-and-white-triangle-stripe girl "Go on, say it -- my kiss disgusted you, didn't it?"

Now that's a pickup line that will get RESULTS!

One way or another.

Simpsons for real?

I found this cool short film last night... the Simpsons intro done REAL! Check it out!

Tres cool!

Another one for the history books

Well, I was just taking down the sidebar link for Speakeasy Comics due to their recent sudden, yet not wholly unexpected demise and I got to thinking about all the publishers I've seen leave the stage in the past 18 years we've been around.

There's:

Blackthorne Comics
Pacific Comics
Innovation Comics
Now Comics
Crossgen
Kitchen Sink
Eclipse
Apple Comics
Broadway Comics
Caliber Comics
Comico
First Comics
Topps Comics
Voyager Comics
Renegade Press
Vortex Comics
Valiant Comics

in the majors and a whole slew of smaller publishes that remain just a listing in the yearly Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. Now, not everything published by all those companies was Pulitzer material, but there were a lot of gems amongst the silt... like GRIMJACK, MIRACLEMAN, MISTER X, VIETNAM JOURNAL, BAKER STREET, ARCHER & ARMSTRONG, ALIEN WORLDS, ELEMENTALS, RALPH SNART, and many, many more.

It's sad in a way, because with every publisher that goes under there is one less place from which to launch your comic book vision... and we are all a bit diminished by each one's passing.

Friday Comics Chat Open Thread - If Cats Had Thumbs We'd All Be Dead edition

True, that.
Anyway, here we go... what did you read this week? What was cool? What wasn't? How was INFINITE CRISIS? Ye gads, is that a great comic or what? Tell us!

Sneak Peek at some pages from DC's 52#1

I just got a note from DC Comics directing me to THIS... a sneak peek at DC's upcoming weekly comic book 52 #1.

Looks pretty durn cool...

MARVEL and TOP COW team-up?

Marvel and Top Cow have announced a joint publishing
agreement under which Top Cow artists, inkers and colorists will illustrate 36 Marvel comics (from Marvel scripts) over the next 2-3 years!

The scary part? This:

"...the deal, which also gives Top Cow the right to produce (with Marvel's approval) eight crossover issues featuring Marvel and Top Cow characters."

Yeesh. Is that necessary?

More HERE from ICV2's website...