As the year 2006 winds down...

my thoughts turn to the upcoming spectacle of

GEOSTATIONARY BANANA OVER TEXAS!


That's right... in this art project, organizers will float a giant banana over Texas. From Metafilter:

Geostationary Banana Over Texas is an art intervention that involves placing a gigantic banana over the Texas sky. This object will float between the high atmosphere & Earth's low orbit, being visible only from the state of Texas & its surroundings. From the ground, the banana will be clearly recognizable and visible day & night; it will stay up for approximately one month.

Read all about it HERE.

I for one, could use the sight of a giant banana floating in the sky this year...

National Toy Hall of Fame adds new entrant

And it's the CARDBOARD BOX. That's right. The National Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong Museum in Rochester, New York has selected the ubiquitous plain cardboard box to enshrine on it's list of influential toys!

HERE'S a link to an article in USA Today.

The toys inducted so far are: Alphabet Blocks, Barbie®, the Bicycle, Candy Land®, Cardboard Box, Checkers, Crayola® Crayons, Duncan® Yo-Yo, Erector® Set, Etch-A-Sketch®, Frisbee®, G.I. Joe™, Hula Hoop®, Jack-in-the-Box, Jacks, Jigsaw Puzzle, the Jump Rope, LEGO®, Lincoln Logs®, Marbles, Monopoly®, Mr. Potato Head®, Play-Doh®, Radio Flyer® Wagon, Raggedy Ann™, the Rocking Horse, Roller Skates, SCRABBLE®, Silly Putty®, Slinky®, the Teddy Bear, Tinkertoy®, Tonka® Trucks, and View-Master®. You can check them all out HERE.

Who among us hasn't converted that huge washing machine box to a spacecraft or submarine? I know I have! Pretty cool choice.

Bill's Self-Indulgent Post #873

Indulge me for a moment. I recently discovered these photos in my filing cabinet and I was struck by their similarity...

Exhibit A: The author as a youth astride his metallic-purple Sears Manta-Ray "muscle bike" ca. 1971...

Exhibit B: The author as a young man beside his fireapple red '61 Cadillac Sedan DeVille ca. 1986

It's all about the ride, man, all about the ride!
-

The Evolution of Speech Balloons

I recently ran across THIS AMAZING SITE that traces the evolution of speech or word balloons through history... go check it out. Also check out the collection of very early "comics" on this site. This stuff is just incredible. I am speechless. (Heh.)

Bill Crabtree, Colorist - THIS SATURDAY at the Mechanicsburg Store

Don't forget! Come by the Mechincsburg Comix Connection THIS SATURDAY, December 30th to meet colorist Bill Crabtree from 1:00PM to 4:00 PM!


Now, back to the Gamecube that Santa brought my 8-year-old son Maxwell... MarioCart Double Dash rules! Thanks, Santa!

R.I.P. Jack Burnley

I just read the following press release from DC Comics:

GOLDEN AGE ARTIST JACK BURNLEY DIES

Jack Burnley, the Golden Age artist who co-created Starman and illustrated numerous covers for DC Comics, has died at age 95.

"Jack was one of the finest illustrators in comics' Golden Age, and his beautiful early renditions of Superman and Starman were classic moments in DC's history," says Paul Levitz, DC's President & Publisher.

Born in 1911, Burnley began his artistic career in 1929 with King Features Syndicate, where he was the youngest artist ever to have his own syndicated feature. He began selling work to DC Comics in 1939, and contributed the cover to NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR COMICS in 1940 - the first cover ever to feature Superman and Batman together. Soon after, Burnley began illustrating Superman stories in ACTION COMICS, while also creating covers for ACTION COMICS, SUPERMAN, BATMAN, DETECTIVE COMICS, WORLD'S FINEST COMICS and others.

Working with writer Gardner Fox, he introduced Starman in ADVENTURE COMICS #61 (1941), and also drew chapters of Justice Society of America tales in ALL STAR COMICS. He went on to illustrate both the SUPERMAN and BATMAN AND ROBIN newspaper comic strips.

Burnley left comics in 1947 to return to sports cartooning, first with the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph and then with the San Francisco News. Burnley retired in 1976, and in 2000 wrote the introduction to THE GOLDEN AGE STARMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 1.

It's always a sad day when one of the "founders" passes on. Rest In Peace, Jack Burnley.

So How Was Your Christmas?

I got a weed-whacker and some underwear! Woo-HOO! Now if I can just figure out how to use both at the same. OK, bad idea. Anyway, tell us how your Christmas was! And chew on THIS STORY...

From all of us to all of you

Have a very very very

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thanks for everything, y'all... you are the best gift we could get. Thanks.

--The Comix Connection gang

You really should be checking Josh Moddleton's blog

Artist Joshua Middleton recently started a blog, as noted HERE. I check it fairly regularly, as Josh puts up all manner of interesting works-in-progress and incredible sketches, and writes well about the creative process as he draws. I just thought you guys would enjoy checking out THESE BATMAN SKETCHES he recently put up on the blog... man that boy's got some talent!

The Weekend Comics Chat open Thread - The Never Underestimate the Power of CAT Edition

Hey there! So what's on the reading agenda this week?


In addition to a bunch of other comics, I read IRON MAN #14, into which Marvel crams more CIVIL WAR tie-in plot elements than you can shake a stick at. What a great book, and pretty important if you're keeping up with CIVIL WAR...

What's on your plate?

A new twist - a convenience store-based economy?

OK. Remember THIS POST about a wonky Ebay auction? The One Dollar Bill for TWO DOLLARS? Well, check this out:


Josh got this in his change the other day... apparently it's some kind of coupon thingie where every dollar with the sticker will get you $1.25 worth of stuff at TOM's.

I guess next Wal-Mart will have it's own currency...

Well this sounds a lot like New Coke

I'm not really sure what the thought-process is here, but Archie Comics has decided to "update" their look:


Change is good and all that, but the "Archie look" is kind of part of their charm. I still read JUGHEAD, and will be checking these out, but my initial feeling is "meh".

(via Newsarama)

Blast from the past! Our original OPEN/CLOSED sign!

Courtesy of artist extraordinaire Steve Leach...



This was originally hung on the door in our first 333-square-foot Delco Plaza location back in 1988/89. When we had saved up the money, we replaced it with a $1.29 OPEN/CLOSED sign at a local office-supply store, but I thought it was too cool to just discard...

OK, this just makes my head hurt

I got this years ago at a Hallmark store, just for the tin. Check it out:


"SOCIALLY EXPRESSIVE MINTS"? What the heck does that even mean? That's like naming a car ALLIANCE or CELEBRITY or TUNDRA or FOCUS or or or... wait, those dumb names are already being used. Somebody help me out here. I'm starting to think that I'M the one who's nuts...

We are the coolest store in the universe

Well, at least we're the favorite store of reader Mike Finkelstein, who entered us in Dark Horse Comic's I LOVE MY COMIC SHOP Contest... AND WE WERE THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER! Click HERE for an incredibly brief "press release" from Dark Horse Comics about the contest. Here's what Mike (and we) won:

Grand Prize (1 winner):
- $200 gift certificate good toward the purchase of Dark Horse comics or products at your favorite retailer. Winning retail shop will also receive a $200 from Diamond for Dark Horse books and products.

Thanks for the honor, Mike, and enjoy your haul of goodies!

Acclaimed Horror Author Brian Keene to Make Store Appearances with Special Guest!

Acclaimed horror novelist Brian Keene is scheduled to make appearances at both Comix Connection locations on SATURDAY, JANUARY 13th 2007! Meet the acclaimed author of the classic horror novels CONQUEROR WORMS, TERMINAL, THE RISING, CITY OF THE DEAD and FEAR OF GRAVITY. Brian will be signing autographs and chatting with fans... make sure to reserve your copy of the graphic novel BRIAN KEENE's FEAR and have him write all over it! (Brian is also quite the expert on '70s Bronze Age comic books... just ask him about KAMANDI and he'll go on for a half an hour...) He will be joined by writer Mike Oliveri for this special one-day mini-tour. Come on out and meet the rising stars of horror at Comix Connection!


Saturday, January 13th
Comix Connection - Mechanicsburg
Artworks Building
6200 Carlisle Pike
Signing: 11am to 2pm (with special guest Michael Oliveri)

Saturday, January 13th
Comix Connection - York
West Manchester Mall
Signing: 4pm to 7pm (with special guest Michael Oliveri)


STAY TUNED FOR ADDITIONAL SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS!

The Weekend Comics Chat Open Thread - The Very Little Margin For Error In This Job Edition

Soooo... what did you read this week?


I read MELTDOWN #1 (of 2) from Image Comics, with story by DAVID SCHWARTZ, and art by SEAN WANG, with a cover by CHRIS BACHALO. This is the story of the super-hero Flare, who is breaking down physically and emotionally, and his desire to be a hero tempered by his failures in life... This is a great book, and I can't wait to see how it ends.

As the ad for MELTDOWN says: "A hero on the verge of burning out. Literally." Click HERE for more info.

So what's on your stack?

(PS: Next week's Wednesday shipment includes lots of CIVIL WAR goodness, like CIVIL WAR FRONT LINE #9, CIVIL WAR WAR CRIMES ONE SHOT, FANTASTIC FOUR #541, IRON MAN #14, IRON MAN CAPTAIN AMERICA CASUALTIES OF WAR ONE SHOT, and NEW AVENGERS ILLUMINATI #1.)

*whew*

Holiday shipping - a reminder

REMINDER: Diamond Holiday Shipping Schedule
Diamond News, Diamond Daily, 7/13/2006

Due to upcoming holidays, Diamond will deliver product the weeks of December 25 and January 1 according to the following schedule:

COMICS THE WEEK OF

CHRISTMAS will ship on Thursday, December 28

NEW YEAR'S DAY will ship on Thursday, January 4, 2007

Plan accordingly!

Colorist Bill Crabtree to make store appearance!

Harvey Award-nominated colorist Bill Crabtree will be making a store appearance in December!


Bill Crabtree began working in comics as a colorist in 2003. He has colored for Marvel, D.C., and Image Comics on such titles as "Firebreather", "Fantastic Four: Foes", and "Lobo Unbound". His work on INVINCIBLE, the title for which he is perhaps best known, has been nominated for both Harvey and CBG awards for best colorist. A Harrisburg native, Crabtree will be in the Mechanicsburg Comix Connection on Dec 30th from 1PM to 4PM to promote his current project "The Irredeemable Antman" from Marvel comics. Come on out and see how a real pro does it!

R.I.P. Martin Nodell

This is sad news. Marty Nodell was always a fixture at the Baltimore ComicCon... he was one of the friendliest creators I have ever met, just an all-around Nice Guy. Who was Martin Nodell? Well, he created the Green Lantern among other characters way back in the 1940s Golden Age. HERE'S a decent obituary on CNN. HERE'S his Wikipedia entry. He left quite a legacy, and he will be sorely missed.

R.I.P.

(A tip of the hat to all of you who sent me this news.)

Peanuts Meets Marvel!

I found this great thread over at Statueforum.com... go check out all the other awesome images these folks came up with!


Too cool!

Please buy Karen's Corvair

Here she is... my wife Karen's all-original 1961 Chevrolet Corvair. It's a 6-cylinder, dual carb, rear-engined 4-door sedan in blue with a white-painted hardtop. The interior and glass is good, with just a few minor trim details that need attention. The headliner and seats are in great shape for 45-year-old upholstery. The seatbelts are nonexistent, as cars back then didn't necessarily have them!

It has

• 44260 original miles on it
• an extra "crossover pipe" for future reference
  
• a "gas heater" accessory that can be installed if you're brave enough
  
• a vintage shop manual

It needs

• brake work
• engine work
• minor body work to take care of some scratches on the sides

It starts up but runs rough, and leaks oil. The seal needs replaced as it is probably the original cork gasket. I think the brakelines need replaced because the car pulls to the right.

It is definitely a "project car", but it's a really good place to start. The sheetmetal is all in great shape and there is only surface paint rust on the trunk, hood and roof (the horizontal surfaces) from sitting for the last couple of years. There is NO rust cancer, and no rust in the trunk or engine compartments. It's a sweet ride that I was hoping to keep around until my now-seven-year-old-son could help me restore in 5-10 years. I recently had the gas tank replaced, along with the float, sender and all fuel lines.

There are two places where I was getting NOS and aftermarket parts from, so finding parts is surprisingly not a problem, what with the internet and all.

I hate to see her go and will only part with her for $1500. The car, not Karen. Heh. I will throw in a complimentary fire extinguisher, as I think all cars should carry one. (You have one, don't you?)

If anyone is interested, see me at the store or email me...

When Superpets attack!

OK, this just cracked me right up. Check out this cover to ADVENTURE COMICS #364 and the story "The Revolt of the Super-Pets!":



The thing that gets me is that Streaky the Super-cat is behaving just like the way any normal cat would... by not actually getting involved in the fracas!

Anyway, hide. Crazed super-pets will just kill you.

(Actually this comic is pretty cool... it has the origins of all the Super-pets, even PROTY, the Super-protoplasmic Blob! Anyone interested?)

Worst Album Cover EVER?

You decide:


You're welcome.

The T-Shirts are in!

Well, they're finally here... the latest batch of ubercool COMIX CONNECTION Geek Chic Wear™ T-shirts. If you signed up for a shirt over the last couple of months, you should have a note in your Subscription Box alerting you to the fact that the SHIRTS ARE IN! They are still just a measly $10.00 each. We probably won't be doing the whole "pick any color you want" deal any time soon, so if you want a shirt in the future, let us know what color(s) you would like and we'll start making a list. I really like my "Ramones style" white logo on black shirt, but I have to admit some of the colors you folks picked look pretty darn cool too. PINK! ICE GREY! CARDINAL! IRISH GREEN! (And luckily there were only a few cases where we couldn't get a certain color in one of the larger sizes, so we substituted a similar color.)

Remember, if I ever see you in public (Not counting at or near the stores) wearing a COMIX CONNECTION T-SHIRT, I will hand you ONE DOLLAR cash American. No lie.

Surf's UPAAAAAAAAH!

GHOSTS #38 (DC Comics, May 1975) Comix Connection price: $4.50

Man, that is one freak wave. Looks like a real cruncher. Tough to find the Green Room in that Bombora. I always assumed the beach would be a place that was safe from hauntings. Shows what I know. I do know that the surfer on the cover is a GREMMIE by the dorky way he's standing on that surfboard.

(For more surfer lingo, click HERE...)

IT'S HERE IT'S HERE!

That's right, the highly-anticipated and eagerly-awaited EXTERMINATORS #12 starring BILL WAHL™ in his comic book debut will be on the racks TODAY! To avoid the long lines, please come in early to claim your copy while supplies last! GUARANTEED TO BE A COLLECTORS ITEM!*

EXTERMINATORS #12
Written by Simon Oliver; Art by Mike Hawthorne Cover by Philip Bond

Concluding the 2-part "Brother #38," featuring skin-crawling guest art by Mike Hawthorne. A chance encounter with an old associate threatens to destroy Saloth's romance with Professor Neal — and more importantly, his research into the world of vermin — by exposing painful truths about his past. To continue his life's work, Saloth must confront this interloper from another era and silence him — permanently.
FOR MATURE READERS.

(Autographs available upon request, depending on Mr. Wahl's schedule. He's a BUSY MAN, you know. Not much time for the little people any more what with the Hollywood offers and stuff... Yep, his star is really rising lately. Comic book appearances, website articles, --uhhhhh-- and other important things. Some day you'll look back and say "I remember him when..."

Or not.)

*On Earth-Bill™...


Here I am:



That is one FINE looking birthmark, if you ask me!

Thanks, MIKE!

SPORKMAN: The Comic!

Behold, puny mortals:



That's right! SPORKMAN will be in his own comic book for the very first time! Click HERE for the latest SPORKMAN news, merchandise, photos and where you can find him next! Reserve your copies today!

P.S.: And don't forget to ask for your SPORKMAN T-shirt at Comix Connection... it's what all the cool 45-year old arrested development geeks are wearing! Just ask me!

And now for some festive Holiday music

I recently found the great blog CHECK THE COOL WAX, which has just about every Christmas song you'd ever want... download a mix and make your very own weird Holiday Music CD!


Ye gads! Who bought that one?

NOTE: LINK FIXED! Go check it out!

From the Vault #918 YorkCon 4

Here's the flier for the fourth YorkCon (heh heh) that we organized, once again drawn by our pal Steve Leach. Guest artist Tom Lyle was great... he signed stuff and did sketches of Starman or Robin or whoever for anyone who asked. I think this was the YorkCon that I finally completed my run of RAW MAGAZINE, courtesy of one of the "amateur dealers" that had a table there. Good times.



You can almost smell the newsprint from here, can't you?

A new entrant in our Comix Connection T-Shirt No(Yes)-Prize Contest!

Check out these great photos, from Doris G.'s recent trip to fabulous Las Vegas:

At the FLAMINGO:



At CAESARS PALACE:



At HARRAH'S:



On the hood of some monstrosity called "The House Of Hendrix Mobile" or something:





With a Borg:



And in the hands of stand-up comic Mike Burton:



Very very cool, Doris! Let's see...

Level of difficulty: 7/10

Creativity and imagination: 7/10

Not getting bounced for draping our shirt on an expensive vehicle: +10 points


Your NO(YES)-PRIZE:

a TWENTY DOLLAR GIFT CERTIFICATE!

Thanks for playing!

CLICK HERE for more info about the Comix Connection T-shirt NO(YES)-PRIZE and submit your entry today!

I thought this was pretty cool

An animated tiger that's projected on the cityscape from a moving car that slows down or speeds up with the movement of the vehicle...

We are elevated from the everyday reality through this element of fantasy into a world with more dimensions, possibilities and perhaps beauty.

created by Karolina Sobecka