Showing posts with label Big Planet Comics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big Planet Comics. Show all posts

Sunday, May 04, 2014

Big Planet Comic's Free Comic Book Day 2014

FCBD seems to have sunk into the public's conciousness.

Joel Pollack provided these pictures of the Bethesda store and notes, "...every BPC store had its best day ever. I'm guessing that's true for every participating store in the country. Photos by Stuart McIntire, a customer (box #6) and friend since day one (04/11/86)."

Darn, I'm box #45. It'll take me years to move up!

I'll have some more photographs soon.


Friday, March 28, 2014

The Post reviews Big Planet Comics' Greg Bennett's new (music) album

The Jet Age album review: ‘Jukebox Memoir’


D. Wade - The group The Jet Age will be performing in the Washington, DC area. Left to Right: Greg Bennett (bass); Eric Tischler (guitar, vocals); Pete Nuwayser (drums).

By Mark Jenkins, Washington Post March 28 2014


The band is playing in DC tomorrow night at Comet Ping Pong:

Saturday, March 29th
The Jet Age, The Caribbean and Early American 
$10, 10pm and All Ages at Comet Ping Pong 

Monday, March 24, 2014

Box Brown interviewed on BPC podcast

The Big Planet Comics podcast interviews comic booker Box Brown about wrestling and his upcoming graphic novel about Andre the Giant. (BPC co-publishes Brown's Retrofit Comics line of monthly floppies.)

Image: Box Brown

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Greg Benton sketches still available at Big Planet Comics Bethesda

Last month I reported on Gregory Benton's visit to Big Planet Comics in Bethesda. I was there yesterday, and the store still has six copies of B+F with large original illustrations in them. They look like this one. Get one before they're all gone!


Saturday, February 15, 2014

Gregory Benton at Big Planet Comics Bethesda

Greg Benton was signing his new book, B+F (Adhouse Books)  at Big Plant Comics in Bethesda. As you can see from the photo, he's doing a full-color two-page drawing in each book you buy. More pictures here.





Thursday, February 13, 2014

Friday, February 07, 2014

Feb 9: Yumi Sakugawa at Big Planet Comics DC

February 9 – Yumi Sakugawa signing

ITHINKIAMBig Planet Comics is proud to welcome Yumi Sakugawa for a signing and reading from her brand new graphic novel, I Think I Am in Friend-Love With You!


Yumi Sakugawa is a comic book artist and illustrator based in Southern California and a regular contributor to The Rumpus and Wonderhowto.


“Look around. You won’t find anything sweeter than this lonely little book anywhere in your immediate vicinity. Unless for some reason there’s, like, a bunny knitting a scarf for a puppy. That might be sweeter. Aside from that, this book is definitely your best bet.” –Avery Monsen, coauthor of K is for Knifeball and All My Friends Are Dead


“This is one of my favorite comics ever, a sweet ode to platonic love that will echo through the ages.” –MariNaomi, author of Kiss & Tell


“Funny and beautifully drawn, I Think I Am In Friend-Love With You is the bittersweet tale of friendships in the age of social media in which many can relate.” –Esther Pearl Watson, author of Unlovable


“The warmth of Yumi’s soft brushstrokes and vulnerability of her words make me feel less alone in this weird world. I think I am in book-love.” –Lisa Hanawalt, author of My Dirty Dumb Eyes


Yumi Sakugawa’s website: http://www.yumisakugawa.com


3pm-5pm
Big Planet Comics of Washington DC
1520 U St. NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-342-1961
dc@bigplanetcomics.com

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

A retailer’s tips on selling minicomics

Jared Smith of D.C.-area comics retailer Big Planet Comics (which co-publishes the minicomics line Retrofit Comics) offers tips on how self-publishers can get their minicomics in comics shops.

"As a store, we love selling minicomics! They are far more diverse than comics put out by big publishers and showcase an amazing array of talent. But, as a comics retailer, we’ve also noticed a lot of things that make it hard for minicomic creators to sell us comics, and for us to sell minicomics to customers. Here are some of our tips!" (Read the rest on the Big Planet Comics blog)

Photo courtesy of Big Planet Comics

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Jan 22 (Tonight): Trading Blows! at Black Cat in DC

Trading Blows!, billed as a “nerdy swap meet and wrestling watching party,” will be held Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. at the Black Cat on 14th Street in D.C. Here’s what the event’s Facebook page says: 

"If you're like us, your room is overflowing with too many comic books, action figures, and old wrestling tapes. We encourage you bring all your unwanted nerd swag to the Red Room and trade it with other like minded collectors. Also, our friends around the corner at Big Planet Comics will be selling stuff!

We'll also be showing old wrestling matches on our projector screen on the backstage. This month will be the top 8 Japanese wrestling matches of the 90's as chosen by Highspots dot com, featuring the likes of Jushin Liger, Great Sasuke, Ultimo Dragon, Eddie Guerrero, and (gulp) Chris Benoit."

Friday, January 03, 2014

Jef Thompson let go from Big Planet Comics Bethesda (revised)

I'm updating this as some of the material I tried to quote from Facebook didn't appear, nor did other material that I had in the draft version. My apologies to my readers.

Jef Thompson has reported on Facebook that he's been let go from Big Planet Comics Bethesda, after working there for sixteen years. The decision is purely a financial one according to the store's owners. Jef was the most recognizable employee behind the counter since former employee Peter Casazza purchased Liberty Comics & Books (nee Closet of Comics) and turned it into Big Planet Comics College Park. Joel Pollack, founder and co-owner of the store with Greg Bennett, said on Jef's Facebook page, "I assure you, it was a sad day for me. A simple"thank you" cannot express my gratitude for all you did for Big Planet and for me personally. This wasn't an easy decision." The store will be solely staffed by the two owners for the near future.

Both Joel and Greg have assured me that Big Planet Bethesda is financially healthy, and making a profit, but noted they're both taking a salary from it. Joel also needs to plan for the future as he approaches retirement age -- which is hard for me to believe, but when I think about it, I've been going to his store for over 25 years now.

Jef works as a professional illustrator and his website is http://www.jefthompson.com/ - you can also buy his original artwork online from him on Etsy. He noted that the job "gave me a cushion cash wise to earn money as an artist." I've got some of his art decorating my office and home, and will be buying more now, I'm sure.

All three people in this posting are friends of mine, but I feel this was worth noting both because Jef's been a regular presence at the store for so long on comic book day (aka Wednesday) and will be missed. The long-term viability of comic book stores is regularly debated, but Newsrama reported today that some stores are reporting that sales are up. Assumptions are dangerous, but the federal government's sequestration and the following shut-down affected salaries in the area, and may very well have affected sales at the store; I know that I cut back on my personal spending in the summer and fall due to those events.

In any event, my best wishes go to everyone involved.

-- Mike Rhode

Thursday, January 02, 2014

Trading Blows! on Jan. 22

Trading Blows!, billed as a “nerdy swap meet and wrestling watching party,” will be held Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. at the Black Cat on 14th Street in D.C. Here’s what the event’s Facebook page says: 

"If you're like us, your room is overflowing with too many comic books, action figures, and old wrestling tapes. We encourage you bring all your unwanted nerd swag to the Red Room and trade it with other like minded collectors. Also, our friends around the corner at Big Planet Comics will be selling stuff!


We'll also be showing old wrestling matches on our projector screen on the backstage. This month will be the top 8 Japanese wrestling matches of the 90's as chosen by Highspots dot com, featuring the likes of Jushin Liger, Great Sasuke, Ultimo Dragon, Eddie Guerrero, and (gulp) Chris Benoit."

Big Planet Comics Bethesda's January hardcover sale

Friday, December 27, 2013

Feb 9: Sakugawa at Big Planet DC

February 9 – Yumi Sakugawa signing

ITHINKIAMBig Planet Comics is proud to welcome Yumi Sakugawa for a signing and reading from her brand new graphic novel, I Think I Am in Friend-Love With You!


Yumi Sakugawa is a comic book artist and illustrator based in Southern California and a regular contributor to The Rumpus and Wonderhowto.


“Look around. You won’t find anything sweeter than this lonely little book anywhere in your immediate vicinity. Unless for some reason there’s, like, a bunny knitting a scarf for a puppy. That might be sweeter. Aside from that, this book is definitely your best bet.” –Avery Monsen, coauthor of K is for Knifeball and All My Friends Are Dead


“This is one of my favorite comics ever, a sweet ode to platonic love that will echo through the ages.” –MariNaomi, author of Kiss & Tell


“Funny and beautifully drawn, I Think I Am In Friend-Love With You is the bittersweet tale of friendships in the age of social media in which many can relate.” –Esther Pearl Watson, author of Unlovable


“The warmth of Yumi’s soft brushstrokes and vulnerability of her words make me feel less alone in this weird world. I think I am in book-love.” –Lisa Hanawalt, author of My Dirty Dumb Eyes


Yumi Sakugawa’s website: http://www.yumisakugawa.com


3pm-5pm
Big Planet Comics of Washington DC
1520 U St. NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-342-1961
dc@bigplanetcomics.com

Jan 1: Big Planet Comics annual sale


Thursday, November 14, 2013

Dec. 6: Live Big Planet Comics podcast 100th episode

To celebrate the 100th episode of its (mostly) weekly podcast, Big Planet Comics will record it live at its store in D.C. on Dec. 6 at 8:30 p.m. It's an open invitation to be in the audience. BPC doesn't have details yet on any special activities, but it notes its live 50th episode included trivia contests, audience questions and more. If you're not familiar with the podcast, check recent episodes at bigplanetcomics.com or through iTunes.

Art by Paulina Ganucheau

Friday, October 18, 2013

Friday, October 11, 2013

BPC podcast #95

After a few weeks off for things like the Small Press Expo, Big Planet Comics is back with its podcast. Kevin Panetta, Jared Smith and Nick Liappis talk about horror movies for Halloween and review some mighty fine comics, such as Paul Pope's Battle Boy, Jason's Lost Cat and Geof Darrow's Shaolin Cowboy #1. This podcast is No. 95. Will there be something special for No. 100?

Art: Paulina Ganucheau

Tuesday, October 08, 2013

Afterlife With Archie special variant cover at Big Planet Comics


Big Planet Comics has an Archie exclusive comic book with their logo on the cover.... it's the new book Afterlife with Archie that features a zombie Jughead also on the cover.

I shop at the one at

Big Planet Comics
4849 Cordell Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814

Monday, September 30, 2013

Yonder at Big Planet Oct. 5

Local artist Carl Yonder, artist and co-creator of Pirate Eye (Action Lab Entertainment), will be signing at Big Planet Comics at its Vienna, Va., store on Oct. 5 from 1-3 p.m. Pirate Eye is a "new spin on crime drama told through a series of one-shot adventures for pirates and noir detective fans," according to BPC.