You will believe a dog can fly!

You're welcome.

Atomic Batteries to Power! Turbines to Speed! Batmobile up for auction!

Check THIS out! One of the six (or so) Batmobiles from the 1966 TV show is up for grabs in England! Cool beans!

And here's something I didn't know:

In the DC comics of the 1950's Batman suffers a broken leg, and to enable him protect the good people of Gotham City, The 'Batmobile' is devised. Robin, his trusty side kick is shown building the car whilst the superhero recuperates- A boy-wonder indeed.

Can anybody verify this?

I once had my picture taken in a 1966 Batmobile when it was at the West Manchester Mall... the interior was a little beat, but the BatPhone was still intact. Pretty cool.

Oh, and HERE'S a history of the car itself for your perusal. Enjoy!

Gorilla Olsen!

(SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN #116, December 1968)

"Jimmy... what's got into you? Why are you acting like an APE?"

Why indeed.

This Silver Age classic can be yours for six and a half bananas!

WONDER WOMAN #5 GETS NEW CONTENTS

From a DC Comics press release:

WONDER WOMAN #5, which was previously slated to feature the final chapter of the 5-part story "Who Is Wonder Woman," will feature a new story when it arrives in stores on March 14.

This new story is by Will Pfeifer (CATWOMAN, AMAZONS ATTACK), with art by Jean Diaz, Geraldo Borges and Wellington Diaz and a cover by Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson. In it, Wonder Woman learns that a new women's movement has begun, inspired by her killing of Max Lord - and leaving Diana torn between the good intentions of the movement and the validation it gives her violent act. Worse yet, she's ordered to investigate a possible connection between Wonder Woman and this movement by Sarge Steel and the department of Metahuman Affairs!

Chapter five of "Who Is Wonder Woman" will be rescheduled at a future date.

Also, orders for the WONDER WOMAN: WHO IS WONDER WOMAN? HC have been cancelled. This title will be resolicited at a future date.

Way to relaunch a major character's book!

I think this is actually a good thing. If the creators can't keep a reasonable deadline, then the publishers should move on. At this point I don't care who finishes this story, just that it gets finished.

Another lesson: Don't publish stories by guys that work in television unless you have all issues IN HAND. I'm sure the better paying TV jobs get priority over comic work, and I understand that. Just have the comic stuff finished before soliciting it to avoid delays or in this case non-completion. (See also ULTIMATE HULK VS. WOLVERINE, stuff by Kevin Smith, etc. etc.)

Toots Vs. Pee-wee Face-off

I recently got this email and photo from our old pal Charlie Roberts of his wife Joan "Toots" Roberts and a friend...

(click on photo to embiggen)

Chollie sez: "Photos were taken last Friday Feb. 15 at the "Hollywood Collector's Show" in Burbank."

Those Californians have all the fun! Too bad she isn't wearing a swell COMIX CONNECTION T-shirt. And now I want to watch Pee-Wee's Playhouse. And live in California where it's warm. And eat shrimp with Charlie and Joanie. *sigh*

I'm curious...

So what did you all think of CIVIL WAR #7? There has been more than the usual rash of whining and complaining on the internet about how this issue "ends"... what was your take on it? Is some of the disappointment due to the fact that the series was plagued by delays, so the expectations were pumped up high? What do you think?

To avoid giving any spoilers away to those of you who haven't read CIVIL WAR #7, I will not list any plot points out here on the page. For those of you who want to discuss, I'll see you in the comments section of this post!

WARNING! CLICKING ON "COMMENTS" FOR THIS POST WILL EXPOSE YOU TO *SPOILERS* FOR CIVIL WAR #7! IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE ISSUE YET AND DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS AHEAD OF TIME, DO NOT LOOK!

Pretend you're watching this on your television

Here it comes:





Mark your calendar!

This just in...

CIVIL WAR #7

and

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #538

'Nuff said.

Kids Love Comics Day and Art Contest

I just got the following email from the Gownleys (of AMELIA RULES! fame) and thought I'd pass it on:


Mark your calendars! Kids Love Comics is proud to announce the first- ever Kids Love Comics Day at Whitaker Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Saturday March 3 10am-3pm Free in AMP Grand Lobby

The event will showcase the new face of Comic Books and the joy of reading a good story! Guests can learn what it takes to get their ideas into the page by the authors of some of the most popular graphic novels now available.

Programs include interactive workshops, book signings, opportunities for fans of all ages to interact with the guest artists and authors, and an Amelia Rules book launch.

Presentations:

John Gallagher, cartoonist, BUZZBOY

* Learn how to create your own superhero with this step-by-step guide to comic book creation. John will discuss every aspect of superhero cartooning, from coming up with an original idea through every step of the process, including writing, pencilling, inking, lettering, and coloring.
ages 8 & up

Jane Fisher-Smith, writer, WJHC

* Turning your real-life experiences into comics. Jane will discuss how she came up with the memorable characters and hilarious gags in her comic, WJHC. She’ll get you started on creating your very own comic during the presentation. Selected stories will be posted on the Kids Love Comics website.
ages 6 & up

Jimmy Gownley, cartoonist, AMELIA RULES!
* Getting your comic book published. Jimmy will ‘draw’ on his 15+ years in the comic book industry to discuss the nuts & bolts of getting your work published. Topics covered will include comic book creation, copyright & trademark, and careers in cartooning and comic book writing. Whether you want to self-publish or create stories for major publishers, Jimmy can provide helpful insight and tips on this competitive business.
ages 12 & up

Harold Buchholz, cartoonist, APATHY KAT

Harold Buchholz, creator of the adroable comic Apathy Kat, will demonstrate how to create loveable, fun characters with wide appeal.
ages 8 & up.

For more information, check the Whitaker Center's website

Kids Love Comics Day Comic Book Contest

Are you an aspiring cartoonist? Do you have an idea that you know would make a great comic book? Kids Love Comics Day at Whitaker Center is your chance to get your work published!

What to do:
Bring a one-page sample (4 or more panels) of your story idea , along with a one-paragraph description of the rest of the story to Kids Love Comics Day at Whitaker Center on March 3rd 10am-3pm, AMP Grand Lobby (admission is free).

How the contest works:
Kids Love Comics members will review all submissions within 4 weeks and name winners in two categories:
Ages 13 & up
Ages 12 & under
One winner in each category will be contacted and announced on the Kids Love Comics website.

Winners will receive:
Kids Love Comics will publish one winning book in both categories, printing 100 copies of each book, and giving them to the winner to do sell or distribute as he or she wishes.
The winning books will debut at the Baltimore Comic-Con (September 8th & 9th). Winners are invited to appear at the Kids Love Comics booth and do a book signing at that show.
Winners will also have the opportunity to appear in the upcoming documentary Pure Imagination, which tells the story of where cartoonists get their ideas.


Nuts & bolts:
-Completed stories cannot exceed 8 pages.
-Only original material will be considered. No established and copyrighted stories or characters can be accepted (for example, we cannot publish a Superman or Spiderman comic, even if the story is original).
-Material should be all-age appropriate.
-Winning stories will be printed in black & white with a color cover.
-Winners will be responsible for their own transportation and costs to attend Baltimore Comic-Con. (Attendance at Baltimore Comic-con is not mandatory).
-Creators will retain all rights. Kids Love Comics will make no claims to copyright of stories or characters.

Sounds GREAT! Bring it on, kids!

Just a reminder

If you haven't yet signed up for our fabulous Emailing List, do so today! Where else can you get the odd tidbit of info, shipping updates, announcements of events and the occasional coupon, but in the Comix Connection Weekly-ish Email?

All you need to do is go to the bottom right-hand side of this page and fill in the blanks on the "Email Aces" form. Email Aces will respond by sending you a CONFIRMATION EMAIL, which you will have to reply to to confirm your desire to receive the Weekly-ish Email. If you do not receive a confirmation email from Email Aces, then it might have gotten snared by your SPAM filter. Please feel free to contact me at bill@comixconnection.com if you have any problems and I'll see what I can do!

Just so you know, I sent out the last emailing on Sunday, February 18th... if you think you're signed up but didn't get one, let me know...

Worst Superpower Ever In The Entire Universe

This is one of my favorite comics:

FLY MAN #35 (Mighty Comics Group, Jan. 1966)

"PHANTASMON THE TERRIBLE AND HIS ALIEOG-LABOIDS VS. FLY MAN & FLY GIRL"

"Alieog-Laboids"? What the heck? I think my uncle had his alieog-laboids removed...

Beneath this rather bizarre cover lurks the Worst Superpower Ever. Are you sitting down? Good. Deep breath. Here you go:

"Behold... Lightning-bolts... crashing out of my nostrils!"

I surrender.

Though I do think that would make a really cool T-shirt.

Don't they know Batman is a good guy?

I recently ran across this:

Batman Sighting Puts Schools On Lockdown

What is going on out there in Arizona?

*snicker*

For the man (or woman) who has everything...


Crack.
Me.
Up.

Gotham Public Works

Once again, Mike B. comes through with a neat site... check out Gotham Public Works, where you can see some of the best amateur (?) costumes EVER. These folks are GOOD.





That's talent!

SNOW CLOSINGS!

Welp, we were completely closed in the Mechanicsburg store and only open in York from 1PM to 5 PM! Sorry about that, y'all but it was pretty tough to get to UPS to get the books...

We got the weekly shipment all pulled and put out in York, but we'll be working on the Mechanicsburg stuff early tomorrow morning. We may run a little slow tomorrow in Mechanicsburg, as most of the Wednesday Comix Connection Counter Monkeys won't be in on Thursday, so bear with us.

We should be open normal hours tomorrow (Thursday), so come on in if you dare! But please drive very carefully... the comics will wait for you. No rush.

Cute Candy Heart Generator

Just in time for the St. Valentine's Day holiday, I give you this Candy Heart Generator! Type in your own words... don't be vulgar!

Enjoy!

Bill's Fan Fascination #87

Here's another gem from the World's Premiere Electric Fan Cover Comic Book Collection:

BEETLE BAILEY #61 (Harvey, August 1967)

Sadly, there were no fan-related stories on the inside... just that awe-inspiring ELECTRIC FAN gag on the cover.

*sigh*

Let it snow let it snow let it snow

Well, here it is... the best snowfall of the season so far! My boy Max will be home early from school, and we'll be watching the three neighbor kids, so I guess that means

SNOWBALL FIGHT!

I can't wait to ambush them all at the BUS STOP! (heh heh)

(A side note: What kind of world do we live in where someone can sell THIS?)

I'm not sure how long the stores will stay open today, so call before coming in! Also, tomorrow will be... interesting at the very least... you may want to give us a call before coming any distance.

Now go outside and run around!

MARVEL ZOMBIES ACTION FIGURES!

Holy mackerel! According to THIS article on ICV2, Diamond Select Toys will be releasing action figures based on the popular and gruesome MARVEL ZOMBIES mini-series, complete with "BREAKAWAY FEATURES" like a removable leg on the Spidey pictured above! Cool beans.

Give me a ZOMBIE CAPTAIN AMERICA, since he IS dying in CIVIL WAR soon! Heh heh heh.

UPDATE: Ask and you shall receive, courtesy of old pal Mike B.:



Thanks, man!

ARRRRGH! I know this is late... please don't clothesline me

Rats! I didn't realize this was coming up so soon... behold:


And here's the rest of the schedule:


Sorry, twins! Support your local Roller Derby Team!

Have you ever smelled a burning Pop-Tart?

I have. And so has everyone else who was in the Mechanicsburg Comix Connection yesterday. Why? Well, maybe BECAUSE JOSH SET ONE ON FIRE IN THE MICROWAVE! Yes, that's right, the MICROWAVE! I have never seen smoke coming out of a microwave. I'm sorry I missed it. But I did get to SMELL it. Yeesh. I think the only other time I smelled something like that was when I was outside of a Tropicana bottling plant and smelled BURNING ORANGE JUICE! It makes me gag just thinking about it.

So, thanks, Josh, for introducing me to a new smell.


Of course, Josh isn't the first one to do this.

All principles of gravity are negated by fear.

Cartoon Law III - Any body passing through solid matter will leave a perforation conforming to its perimeter.


Check out this Cartoon Laws of Physics site... too funny!

I wish I could do this

Ned sent me a link to this awesome YouTube video... SPIDER-MAN for REAL!



I am slightly less athletic than that guy. And less brave. Etc.

A Part of Comics History

WOW! What can I say? THANKS to everyone who showed up for our Stephen King's Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born Midnight Release Party! You are all now part of Comic Book History - a participant in the FIRST EVER midnight comic book release! Let's do this again sometime!

Special thanks go out to:

• EVAN and family for bringing us some donuts... that hit the spot!
  
• the Tuesday Family Board Game Night Gang (the gum sculpture was... interesting!)
  
• Carol Boyce for bringing in those delicious chocolate/peanut clusters (****** is apparently the trick!*)
• Dave, Phil and the Heroclix Crew... I still think the Heroclix Trailer idea would work!
  
• the nice lady who brought us the yummy Valentine's cookies!
• Comix Connection Counter Monkeys Josh, Triple-G, Tony and Dave (sorry about the frisbee accident, Tony... you'll heal eventually!)
• ALL THE CUSTOMERS who braved the cold and late hour to make this Midnight Release a successful event! Seriously, thanks.

TO EVERYONE WHO SHOWED UP: DON'T FORGET TO USE YOUR SUPER-SPECIAL 20% OFF COUPON!

And last but not least, here's the list of Variant Cover Prize Drawing Winners:

• CIVIL WAR THE RETURN variant cover - Kim Shoppe
• CIVIL WAR THE RETURN variant cover - Paul Saccente
• WOLVERINE ORIGINS #10 "third claw" variant - Dean Michaels
• WOLVERINE ORIGINS #10 "third claw" variant - Chad Prosser
• ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #104 red variant - Sam Miller
• ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #104 red variant - Brian Linnen
• DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER BORN #1 Quesada cover variant - Daniel Acri
• DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER BORN #1 Quesada cover variant - Shadow Ronemus
• DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER BORN #1 Quesada cover variant - Paul Gethovas
• DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER BORN #1 Jae Lee SKETCH cover variant - Jesse Miller

Thanks again, everyone. That sure was a blast!

*edited so I don't get killed.

Tonight in the Mechanicsburg Comix Connection

Well, you know. The thing. With the stuff.

A late-night sale.
A Midnight Release.
Footie pajamas.
Goldenberg's Peanut Chews.
Bargains galore.
Open until 1AM.
Prize drawings.
Be there.

(For more info, see the previous couple of days' posts.)

TOMORROW IN MECHANICSBURG!

Is the super-cool Stephen King's Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born Midnight Release Party and SALE!

From 9PM to 1AM we will be having a special 15% OFF EVERYTHING IN THE STORE SALE at our Mechanicsburg location only! Stop on in for loads of bargains! We will also be having drawings for some super-rare Variant Cover comics provided by Marvel Comics (THANKS, GUYS!) (No purchase necessary, one entry per person please!)

We just added a couple of these:


CIVIL WAR: THE RETURN #1 Retailer Incentive Variant Cover

And then, at the stroke of MIDNIGHT, we will release the long-awaited, first-ever ORIGIN of the Gunslinger from Stephen King's magnum opus! WOO-HOOO!


An additional bonus: FREE Pretzels and GOLDENBERG'S PEANUT CHEWS! Because you're worth it!

A CLARIFICATION

THE DARK TOWER: GUNSLINGER BORN RELEASE PARTY that Comix Connection is participating in is ONLY HAPPENING AT OUR MECHANICSBURG LOCATION!

Marvel has us listed as participating at the York store also, but this is untrue! I am working very hard to get them to change the listing, but so far no luck!

Remember: THE STEPHEN KING'S DARK TOWER: THE GUNSLINGER BORN RELEASE PARTY IS ONLY AT THE MECHANICSBURG COMIX CONNECTION ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6th, FROM 9:00PM to 1:00AM!

I apologize for the confusion, but getting Marvel to change their website has gotten NO result so far...

TWO MORE DAYS...

...until the fabulous Stephen King's Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born Midnight Release Event!

That's right, only two more days until Comix Connection-Mechancsburg joins 120 other shops nationwide by participating in the first-ever comic book midnight release! Stay up late from 9:00PM until 1:00AM THIS TUESDAY, February 6th and scoop up some goodies during our store-wide 15% OFF EVERYTHING SALE! PLUS, we are holding drawings for various Variant Cover comic books, and there may be snacks involved! Stop on in and be part of a historic first-time comic industry event. Oh, and get a copy of the VERY VERY cool STEPHEN KING'S DARK TOWER: THE GUNSLINGER BORN #1 comic book... it's possibly the best work Jae Lee has ever done - simply beautiful!

I'll be the one in the Superman PJs:


(Please be aware that the Midnight Release Party is ONLY BEING HELD IN OUR MECHANICSBURG STORE! Our York store will NOT BE OPEN LATE, nor is it having an after-hours sale! Sorry, guys. It just didn't work out.)

The Weekend Comics Chat open Thread - The I Work in a Cubicle in the Soul-crushing Barcode Building Edition

Hey! What's new? What did you read this week? I read WALKING DEAD #34... and what can I say but:

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! What NOW? Holy mackerel! They're ALL DOOMED! EEEEEK!

*ahem*


Seriously, WALKING DEAD is one of the best comics out there... just when you get complacent, writer Robert Kirkman yanks the rug right out from under you. And Charlie Adlard's art fits the book perfectly. This book is ALWAYS in my Personal Top Ten. If you get a chance, check it out!

So what did you read?

WHITEOUT comes to the silver screen!

One of the coolest comic books of the last decade is Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber's WHITEOUT, published by ONI PRESS. The plot? One of the research scientists in Antarctica is murdered, so U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko is in sent to solve the killing. In an environment where, unprotected, you can die in minutes.
Well, according to this article over on ICV2, WHITEOUT is being made into a movie starring Kate Beckinsale! Pretty cool. It's always nice to see great comics get wider exposure, even if it is through a different medium...

RIPOVs Invade Harrisburg!

Wooo-HOOOOO! Check this out! My old pal Mike Smith of one of the coolest bands in the entire universe ( The RIPOVs ) recently wrote:

Just wanted to let you know that we're doing a "mini-tour" of PA:

On Saturday, February 17, we'll be playing a show at Small's on 2nd Street in Harrisburg as part of the big Millennium Music Conference, with Death by Sexy, a really first-rate new rock band from DC:

http://www.myspace.com/smallscapcity
http://www.myspace.com/deathbysexy

Best,

Mike

(Above sites contain language not for the faint of heart.)

So what are all you kids doing on Saturday, February 17th?