Two titans of the comic book world to visit Central Pennsylvania this week!

Boy, it's a banner week for comic fans... look who's coming to Dickinson College on Thursday! Art Spiegelman!

Thanks to artists like Spiegelman, comics have moved beyond red-headed stepchild status into a grudging respectability. What’s more, the number of comics being published in a given year — from superheroes to manga to art books to reprints of classic strips to online comics — is staggering.

That sea change and how it came about will be one of the main topics of discussion when the cartoonist comes to speak at Dickinson College's Anita Tuvin Schlechter Auditorium in Carlisle at 7 p.m. on Thursday. The event is free. For more information, visit www.clarkeforum.org or call 245-1875

Spiegelman is best known for “Maus,” a memoir of both his father’s experiences in Auchwitz concentration camp and the pair’s own difficult relationship.

Spiegelman’s talk, entitled “Comix 101.1” will also look what the art form has to offer readers and why it shouldn’t be ignored.

Read Chris Mautner's entire article at pennlive.com.

And also on Thursday, there's Chip Kidd at the Whittaker Center in Harrisburg!

Recognized as an American master of contemporary book design, USA Today describes Kidd as “the closest thing to a rock star” in graphic design today.” His book jacket designs for Alfred A. Knopf have helped spawn a revolution in the art of American book packaging. His work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Eye, Print, Entertainment Weekly, The New Republic, Time, Graphis, New York, and ID magazines, and he is a regular contributor of visual commentary to the Op-Ed page of The New York Times.

For more info, read the listing HERE!

Isn't it funny how they're both in town on Thursday? Wouldn't it be cool if they met at a diner after their respective speeches? And wouldn't it be cool to sit in on that conversation?

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

Comix Connection will be holding it's LAST SALE OF THE DECADE from Monday, December 28th through Thursday December 31st 2009!

Both stores will feature:


1) The PROGRESSIVE YELLOW DOT SALE! All back issues in the bins, plus TONS of select YELLLOW DOT-stickered merchandise will be on sale as follows:

MONDAY, DECEMBER 28th - All bin comics and YELLOW DOT stuff --> 40% OFF!
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29th - All bin comics and YELLOW DOT stuff --> 50% OFF!
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30th - All bin comics and YELLOW DOT stuff --> 60% OFF!
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31st - All bin comics and YELLOW DOT stuff --> 70% OFF!

2) SUPPORT the Pennsylvania Food Bank and the York Rescue Mission:

FOR EVERY CANNED FOOD ITEM YOU BRING IN TO DONATE TO THESE WORTHY CAUSES, PICK ONE BLACKEST NIGHT PROMOTIONAL RING ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Bring as many cans as you want - bring in ten cans of food, get ten rings from our supply ABSOLUTELY FREE! Help fight hunger here at home and score some cool rings while doing so!

(Some ring colors are not available or in short supply! Free rings to be chosen from the rings we have!)

3) Available on Wednesday, December 30th
ABSOLUTELY FREE --> ORIGINS OF SIEGE 32-page comic featuring an ALL-NEW prologue by Brian Michael Bendis, exclusive origin pages and more!
ABSOLUTELY FREE --> Marvel 2010 Calendar!
ABSOLUTELY FREE --> Avengers ID cards!


4) Also available on Wednesday, December 30th, BLACKEST NIGHT #6 goes on sale!

So come help us bid the "Oughts" farewell with a bang for the New Year 2010, and enter the TWENTY TEENS in style!

(All free items and sales items are in limited supply and will be given away or sold while supplies last!)

Thanksgiving Day!

Rub-a-dub-dub, time to grub!

Favorite Thanksgiving foods: Mr Tom himself of course, Mamaw's oyster stuffing, Oma's creamed onions and pumpkin pie! Ooh, and mulled cider.

Worst Thanksgiving food: that weird cranberry/orange relish stuff. Yeesh. Can't even pass that junk off on the dog.

SEE YOU ALL BETWEEN 6AM AND NOON FOR THE AWESOME COMIX CONNECTION BLACK FRIDAY BUY-TWO-GET-ONE-FREE SALE!

PRESENTING THE SOON-TO-BE-LEGENDARY COMIX CONNECTION BLACK FRIDAY EARLY-BIRD SALE!

ANNOUNCING COMIX CONNECTION'S
SPECTACULAR BLACK FRIDAY EARLY BIRD
GET-YOUR-HOLIDAY-SHOPPING-OUT-OF-THE-WAY-BY-NOON SALE!

SIX HOURS ONLY!

On Black Friday, November 27th 2009
at both Comix Connection-York and Comix Connection-Mechanicsburg
from 6:00 AM UNTIL 12:00 NOON

EVERYTHING IN BOTH STORES WILL BE

BUY TWO OF ANYTHING IN STOCK, GET ONE ITEM
(of equal or lesser value)
ABSOLUTELY FREE!*

(*DOES NOT INCLUDE NEW COMICS/UNBAGGED COMICS or GIFT CARDS! This sale cannot be combined with any other sales offers, discounts or coupons!)

That's right, ALL books, graphic novels, collected editions, T-shirts, toys, trading cards, collector supplies, posters, statues, busts, lead figures, pub glasses, board games, back issues, nearly EVERYTHING will be

BUY TWO, GET ONE
(of equal or lesser value)
ABSOLUTELY FREE!*

(*DOES NOT INCLUDE NEW COMICS/UNBAGGED COMICS or GIFT CARDS! This sale cannot be combined with any other sales offers, discounts or coupons!)

Get your favorite fanboy or fangirl's shopping done early this year! Take advantage of Comix Connection's Spectacular Black Friday Early Bird Sale!

SEE YOU THERE!

Bring coffee.

STAND BY FOR URGENT INFORMATION

We hope to see you all on Black Friday, because we've got a great big sale coming!

Here's the only information we can give out at this point:

BOTH STORES WILL BE RUNNING A SPECIAL BLACK FRIDAY EARLY BIRD SALE on Friday, November 27th from 6:00 AM UNTIL 12:00 NOON!

What will be the sale? You'll all find out very soon. STAY TUNED! Information will be released shortly via this website, via our sporadic-ish direct emailing (sign up at the bottom right side of this page in the "Email Aces" box), and via FACEBOOK! You are a fan of us on Facebook aren't you? Join today!

Photos from the Comix Connection Halloween Sale 2009!

Well, the Halloween Sale this year was quite a blast! A ton of you showed up in costume and got TEN FREE COMICS OUT OF THE BINS! It was really fun to see everyone come by and score some great deals too! HERE'S an album of the photos (so far) on the Comix Connection facebook page! I'll post more as they come in. Thanks everyone!

DO NOT FORGET!

During the upcoming Comix Connection Halloween Sale 2009 (this Saturday and Sunday, all day, both stores) there will be a special reward for anyone who arrives in costume:

YOU GET TEN COMICS OUT OF THE BINS ABSOLUTELY FREE, YOUR CHOICE, no strings attached!

That's right. Come to either store in costume, take ten comics out of the bins... and they're yours, absolutely free! Also grab a Goldenberg's Peanut Chew, and check out the great sales that we're having all weekend, including ALL COMIC BOOKS IN THE BINS --> ONE DOLLAR EACH!

CLICK HERE for more information about Comix Connection Halloween Sale 2009!

Comix Connection's Annual Halloween Sale offers a harvest of values!

That's right, reap a harvest of incredible bargain values! Scare up the savings at this spooktacular yearly event! Something something holiday-themed pun! Treat yourself to the trick pumpkin witch black cat graveyard oh forget it.

Just make sure you come in for this:

TWO DAYS, ALL DAY, BOTH STORES!

Saturday, October 31st 10AM - 9PM
Sunday, November 1st 12 Noon - 5PM

ALL BACK ISSUE COMICS IN THE BINS - $1.00 EACH!
ALL 2/99¢ COMICS - 10¢ EACH!
ALL COLLECTED EDITIONS, GRAPHIC NOVELS AND BOOKS - 20% OFF!
ALL STATUES, TOYS ...T-SHIRTS AND POSTERS - 20% OFF!
ALL OLDER BACK ISSUES ON THE WALL - 25% OFF!

Special costume offer - Show up in costume and get 10 comic books (your choice) out of the bins ABSOLUTELY FREE!

FREE GOLDENBERG'S PEANUT CHEWS! (The official Snack Candy of Comix Connection!)

Another Comix Connection No(YES)-Prize winner!

Looks like we have another winner!

(Wearing a Comix Connection Geek Chic Wear™ T-shirt someplace famous could win you a a coveted No(Yes)-Prize and a Comix Connection Gift Certificate!)

Behold these awesome images I just got via email from Bill Hannah at the Chicago Comic-Con several weeks ago:

With artist Gene Ha!

With artist Geoff Darrow!

With artist Skottie Young!

With artist Richard Starkings!

That is very cool, Bill! Thanks for sending these in! Looks like you had a lot of fun!

Let's see...

Level of difficulty: 7/10

Creativity and imagination: 6/10

GEOFF DARROW!: +10 POINTS

Your NO(YES)-PRIZE:

a TEN DOLLAR GIFT CERTIFICATE!


Thanks, Bill!

CLICK HERE to real all about the Comix Connection No(Yes)-Prize and how you can win!

Baltimore Comic-Con 2009 - Day Two: The Quickening

Yikes! What a crazy day! Lots of shoppers, lots of artists and writers milling around, lots of costumed people, lots of fun:

Bill was trapped on the escalator for almost two hours until convention hall staff finally heard his pleas for help.

Where's Bill? Josh: "Bill who?"

Finally rescued by Henchman 21! Thanks, Henchman 21!

I LOVE COMICAL FUNNY BOOKS!

The unwary victim.

The anonymous threat!
Was it carried out?

Just another day at the fantastic Baltimore Comic-Con!

Well, that's it for now... we're all pretty beat and are tired of hauling 1200 pounds of comic books around two states. Tomorrow begins a two-day series of seminars at the Diamond Retailer Summit, so there may be delayed posting... we will report back soon with what we learn about upcoming projects and whatnot!

(Oh and this Wednesday, come in and check out samples of ALL THE AWESOME GREEN LANTERN RINGS! They're not for sale yet, DC Comics just sent one of each of them for us to show all of you!)

Baltimore Comic-Con 2009 - Day One

Here we go:

The Comix Connection booth at the Baltimore Comic-Con 2009! Behold the mighty comic book goodness!

There are no words to explain this. Just ... absorb...

This had my dander up for the first few hours. Joe rescued the dolly, much to my appreciation. The cost: Ten dollars and a heartfelt hug. Thanks, Joe!

Stuart Schreck of DC Comics shows us where the power lies... holy mackerel, that is the coolest thing I've seen in a very long time. THANKS, DC COMICS!

Some Dead Guy: Ten Bucks
In a GAP bag?
Same price.

Sometimes things are hazy.

Sometimes it's completely crazy.

Max and a wa(h)ll of comic books.

When the Green Flash does the paperwork, it's all a blur.

Joe and his old comic book store boss Calum Johnston of STRANGE ADVENTURES in Halifax, Nova Scotia! It was a real pleasure for me to meet Calum!

I'd just like to thank all of you who came out today! It was great seeing so many of you making the trek to Baltimore to wallow in so much comic book goodness. Very cool, y'all! Thanks to every one of you, especially Tom and Olivia (kudos for the costume Olivia, and the Green Lantern love you give, Tom), Kel (first time! WOOT!), Mark Herr (you will always be The Man), Jason for the cool postcards (I'm gonna put a couple of them up here once I scan them, but not THAT one!), Albert (good to see you dude, I can't believe your son is in his second year of college!), Steve (for bringing Master Wahl to the con in his sleek white sports car), Evilkitty36 and hubby and son (for making the trek, by the way remind me I forgot to give all three of you your Special 20% Off Baltimore Comic-Con Discount Coupons!), and anyone else I may have forgotten at this point. Thanks to all of you who wore your Comix Connection T-shirt and I really hope we remembered to give your your FREE DOLLAR! Special thanks to Mrs. Boyce for the treats, you're ACES!

I guess we'll see the rest of you tomorrow, right?

Baltimore Comic-Con: Friday Set-up

Well, it begins... Comix Connection's TENTH annual Baltimore Comic-Con! Here's some pictures from today with Joe and Josh at "load-in" for the Baltimore Comic-Con!

NINTH IN LINE! WOOOO-HOOOO! Even with Bill's usual round-the-block detour. You would think he'd know how to get to the convention center by now...

The crew, eagerly awaiting set-up!

Into the Concrete Canyon of No Return!

In the BELLY OF THE THUNDERDOMEDOMEDOMEOMEOME!

After much hard work, the booth is primed and ready to go. Who knows what delicious comic book goodies will be displayed for the multitudes tomorrow? Stop by and see! We are booth number One-Double-Oh-Seven, naturally.

What magical place is this? Baltimore truly IS full of wonders!

More tomorrow! Stop by our booth for your free dollar!

Baltimore Comic-Con: The Place To Be This Weekend

As you probably know, the TENTH Annual Baltimore Comic-Con will be held this weekend (Saturday October 10th and Sunday October 11th) at the Baltimore Convention Center, which is located between Oriole Park at Camden Yards and Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The guestlist is HUUUUGE this year and there are many scheduled panels and programs where you can sit in and join the discussions of various comic book related topics! There will also be a first-ever Costume Contest with a $1000 Grand Prize on Sunday!

Some tips from this longtime Baltimore Comic-Con veteran:

1) BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE AHEAD OF TIME! This will save you from waiting in very long lines to get in. Seriously BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE AHEAD OF TIME!

2) If you are coming from Pennsylvania, USE THE LIGHT RAIL! Most exits along I-83 have Maryland Light Rail stations that you park for free at, then hop the light rail train that takes you to a stop at Camden Yards which is literally right across the street from the Baltimore Convention Center! HERE'S the schedule if you're coming down I-83! A train comes along every 15 minutes, so don't sweat it if one is pulling out as you are pulling in... another will be along soon! Oh, and I'm pretty sure a ROUND-TRIP TICKET IS ONLY $3.20! So you would save the hassle of trying to find parking in Baltimore, paying $15-$20 for said parking, and having to negotiate Baltimore city traffic! Win-win-win!

3) WEAR COMFORTABLE, SOFT-SOLED SHOES! You will be doing quite a bit of standing and walking about, so bring your most supportive, comfortable shoes! And nice comfy socks. And pants. Don't forget your pants.

4) WEAR YOUR COMIX CONNECTION T-SHIRT and I will hand you ONE DOLLAR CASH AMERICAN no strings attached! A free dollar! By golly, that's what America is all about! Don't be shy, get yours!

5) Also, ask for your SPECIAL CONVENTION-GOERS 20% OFF ANY PURCHASE COUPON that is redeemable in either store for when you get back home! It's just our way of showing appreciation to those adventurous customers who travel to Baltimore to see us and the guest artists and writers and the millions of dollars worth of comic books and the four dollar pretzels! Take some of that excitement home with you and get 20% OFF your next purchase at Comix Connection!

6) This one is critical: BRING THE COMIX CONNECTION GUYS CRABCAKE SANDWICHES! You must all bring Bill, Joe and Josh hot and tasty Maryland crabcake sandwiches. Or candy apples. Either one.

7) As a courtesy to you, we invite everyone to drop their stuff off at our booth so that you don't have to lug around that 40-pound WALKING DEAD OMNIBUS that you want author Robert Kirkman to sign. We will gladly stash your stash under our tables (WITHIN REASON, FOLKS!) so that you can be free to roam the convention floor without a paper anchor.

8) Enjoy Baltimore and especially the Inner Harbor (museums! aquarium! shops! food!) which is just a few blocks away by aerial walkway. If you really want some fun, take a short trip to Fell's Point and stop in Bertha's for the mussels or Sound Garden or any number of cool shops, pubs and restaurants in that hip little neighborhood. Or pop over to Little Italy for some great Italian Cuisine... I recommend a stop at Vaccaro's Bakery for dessert treats.

9) BRING STUFF TO HAVE SIGNED! Most creators will sign stuff for free or for a small charity donation. If you want fully-rendered sketches or drawings, you may have to wait a while and of course pay for your commission. There will also be comics and stuff done by the visiting creators that you can purchase from some of the vendors, like US! Or bring a blank sketchpad like a lot of folks do and have creators do a quick sketch for you! It's easy and fun and you can build a collection of one-of-a-kind artwork!

10) Mostly BE PATIENT and enjoy yourself! You will be amongst thousands of folks just like you! There are literally hundreds of thousands of comic books to look at, and hundreds of creators to see and chat with. HAVE FUN!

TOM MAKES A GOOD POINT IN THE COMMENTS, SO I'll PUT IT UP HERE:

Definitely take the light rail if you go on Saturday. Saturday is also the running of the Baltimore Marathon, and many downtown streets will be closed on and off throughout the day, making traffic and parking even more of a nightmare.

SEE YOU THERE!

BOO!

CLICK ON IMAGE TO EMBIGGEN!

Plan your costumes now!

Baltimore Comic-Con Panels announced!

1:30-2:30 Comic Rewind: The '70s
The 1970s were an exciting time in comics as a team of mutants gained new life, a muck monster rose from the swamp, fish laughed, mystic defenders faced trippy threats, a hunter of men met a bat, and much more. It was a time of amazing creativity and excitement. Join creators Chris Claremont, Steve Englehart, Walter Simonson, Len Wein, and Bernie Wrightson along with moderator Mark Waid as they take a look back at the comics of the '70s.

Check out the just-released schedule of panels at the Baltimore Comic-Con HERE! Looks to be a ton of fun!

Have you seen the amazing Guest List? Highlights include: Jason Aaron, Mike Allred, Dick Ayers, Nick Cardy, Frank Cho, Chris Claremont, Evan Dorkin, Greg Horn, Adam Hughes, JG Jones, Robert Kirkman, Joe Kubert, Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, David Mack, Terry Moore, George Perez, Tim Sale, Marc Silvestri, Walter Simonson, Herb Trimpe, Mark Waid, Len Wein, Bernie Wrightson and many many more! HERE'S the complete list! It's crazy!

Oh and if you're heading to the Baltimore Comic-Con from up north here in Pennsylvania and don't feel like fighting Baltimore city traffic or trying to find an expensive parking space, try Maryland Transit's Light Rail! You just park your car at one of several lots along I-83, and for a small fee (something like $3.00 round-trip!), you can hop on the Light Rail Train, which takes you to a station RIGHT BESIDE THE CONVENTION CENTER! It's awesome! Click HERE to see where you can board the train!

And you can buy your advance tickets HERE!

Comix Connection will be set up at our usual booth as we have been for all ten years of the fabulous Baltimore Comic-Con. Stop by and get a FREE ONE DOLLAR BILL CASH AMERICAN by simply wearing your Comix Connection T-shirt! There may even be a special con-goers coupon for you to use at the stores when you get back home! Or just stop by and say "HI" to Bill and the Comix Connection Convention Monkeys. Crabcake sandwiches gladly accepted!