The Post reviews 'Zorro' play

Constellation's 'Zorro': Gavigan gets to show his duel personality [online title: At Constellation Theatre, a dashing 'Zorro'].

By Peter Marks,

Washington Post January 31 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/at-constellation-theatre-a-dashing-zorro/2013/01/30/d06c6794-6b18-11e2-9a0b-db931670f35d_story.html

Feb 8-10: Fairfax High School production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”

Fairfax High School production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"

 Friday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children at http://www.fxplayers.org or, at the door, $15 for adults and $10 for children. Children ages 5 and under are free with adult purchase.

More information about the play and cast can be found in this article:

'Peanuts' Comic Strip Comes Alive
Fairfax High presents, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
By Bonnie Hobbs
Fairfax Connection January 30, 2013
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2013/jan/30/peanuts-comic-strip-comes-alive/

Exhibiting the gold in the Golden Age at the Jewish Museum of MD

This past weekend I was able to attend the members' preview for the exhibit "ZAP! POW! BAM! The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938-1950." The exhibit has arrived at the Jewish Museum of Maryland in downtown Baltimore and it's well-worth visiting.Curated by the late Jerry Robinson, this exhibit was put together in 2004 by the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum in Atlanta, which published a catalogue of the same name.

 Robinson had multiple careers in cartooning including writing a history of comics, being an editorial cartoonist, and starting a syndicate, but he began as a young man in comic books. As a seventeen-year old he began working on Batman as a letterer and inker in 1939. Eventually he became a penciller for the character, and as an employee of what became DC Comics, he met a lot of artists. And thankfully he saved examples of their work, at a time when that behavior wasn't very common.

Simon & Kirby cover to Adventure Comics #78

The exhibit is full of original golden age artwork. It contains art by Mort Meskin, Lou Fine, Robinson, Will Eisner, Marc Swayze, Simon & Kirby, Charles Biro, Fred Ray, CC Beck, Fred Ray, Will Eisner, HG Peter, Sheldon Modoff, Bob Fujitani, Lee Elias, Irwin Hasen, Arthur Peddy and Bernard Sachs, Dick Sprang and Charles Paris, Joe Kubert, Reed Crandall, Al Alvison, Carmine Infantino and Frank Frazetta. Many of these are prime pieces.

And many of the writers and artists were Jewish. As comics historian Arnold Blumberg noted in his remarks at the preview, "...it's a joy to see the exhibit come to a facility like this and to take a look at it from our unique perspective of what our culture, what our heritage, has given not just to itself, but to the world. The world owns Superman and Batman and all these characters now. Many of them may not have a clue where they came from, who were the kind of people who sat down and created them, but they are now owned by the entire world. They're heroes for everybody and they came from us."

Siegel & Shuster drawing dedicated to Robinson

The exhibit gives a basic history of comic books and characters and biographies of the creators, interspersed with now-priceless art and comic books. Particular attention is paid to World War II of course. Pages of an original Batman script by Bill Finger can be seen - Robinson's estate donated other examples of these to Columbia University this month. Historic highlights include Robinson's artwork for early Batman covers, his original Joker playing card sketch, and a Siegel & Shuster drawing of Superman dedicated to Robinson. A few cases examine the merchandising of Captain Marvel (aka Shazam) and Superman.

This version of the exhibit does have a tricky dichotomy to it. The uncolored, unfinished single pages of comic book artwork will appeal to a mature (elderly, if they bought the titles originally) viewer, while the idea of a superhero largely is aimed at male teens and younger children. This version of the exhibit caters to the very youngest viewers, with a set of tables, chairs and supplies for making cartoons, a replica of Superman's telephone booth with costumes set alongside it, a Batmobile kiddy ride, a newsstand with comics to read on it, and a piece of "Kryptonite"with a recording that warns one not to get to close.

 I was fortunate to be able to visit the exhibit with local cartoonists. Barbara Dale (of Baltimore), known for her humorous cartoons, fixated on the original Spirit page by Will Eisner and the Frank Frazetta that was next to it, and thought those two pieces made the entire exhibit worthwhile.

The Eisner Spirit page that impressed Barbara Dale...

...and the Frazetta cover that Dale also admired.

Note Wrightson's debt to Lou Fine.

Rafer Roberts (of Fredericksburg) pointed out several things to me - Moldoff's use of gouache to give white highlights on the legs of a monster on Moon Girl #4's cover for EC Comics, Bernie Wrightson's debt to Lou Fine (look at the skeletonized figure on the Hit Comics cover, and Bob Fujitane's use of the traditional iconography of Japanese monsters.

Bob Fujitane uses Japanese iconography.

I had seen a previous version of this exhibit in New York at the Jewish Museum there, but it was reworked as an addition to the massive "Masters of American Comics" show. Any fan of comic book history should take the opportunity to see this version of the show at the Jewish Museum of Maryland. The catalogue can be bought in the gift shop, along with Superman toothbrushes, Batman lunchboxes and hand-painted superhero yarmelkes. The Museum has produced two curriculum guides for schools and plans lectures throughout the exhibit which runs from January 27 - August 28, 2013, and costs $8 or less. More of my pictures can be seen here.

Lost Art Books Quarterly Newsletter #2

No. 2 -- Winter 2013 Praise for "The Lost Art of Heinrich Kley" Vols. 1 & 2 Since the release of The Lost Art of Heinrich Kley Vols. 1 and 2 last September, we've received many kind words and accolades. Here's a sampling of what folks are saying about these books: "Our highest recommendation…Here at last is a plethora of Kley at his wildest, superbly reproduced and well documented." —Bud Plant "I am overjoyed at the Kley books—Wow. Handsome, delicious, delirious!" —Stephen Bissette "These two volumes add a lot of new images and information that will satisfy both new and dedicated Kley fans." — James Gurney "I have both of these books, and Joe Procopio did a great job with them. The reproductions are excellent." —David Apatoff "Amazing job on the two Kley books. I have wished for books such as these since discovering Kley in the early 1960s." — Richard S. "There'll be a lot of excitement throughout the world once these books are available to the throng." —Michael Wm. Kaluta Thanks to all who have taken the time to write to let us know what you think about these books. Purchase both volumes here Guest blog on Kley at "Today's Inspiration" "Today's Inspiration" guest blog Back in October, we had the honor of serving as guest columnist for Leif Peng's amazing illustration blog, Today's Inspiration. I've been a fan since Peng launched the site in 2005, and it was wonderful to get to share some art (about a dozen images) and biographical information with his readers drawn from our new Heinrich Kley books. We also want to extend a special thanks to The Comics Journal, Heidi MacDonald's The Beat, and Tom Spurgeon's Comics Reporter for helping to spread the word. Read the blog here "Illustration" magazine on Kley It was equally exciting for us to contribute to the most recent issue of Illustration magazine (#39). Dan Zimmer's magazine is the premiere print source devoted to the art of illustration, the perfect venue for discussing Kley's life and work in an art-packed interview with scholar Alexander Kunkel excerpted from The Lost Art of Heinrich Kley Volume 2. We highly encourage you to seek out the current and any past issues of Illustration, one of the inspirations that paved the way for our very own Lost Art Books series. Lost Art Books in "Illustration" magazine! Road Trip with Lost Art Books Publishers Ellen Levy and Joe Procopio at SPX 2012 Lost Art Books took the show on the road on two different occasions last year, making many new friends along the way. In addition to debuting The Lost Art of Heinrich Kley Volumes 1 & 2 at the Small Press Expo in September 2012, we had on hand several limited-edition prints and both volumes in our convention-exclusive Lost Art Chapbook series. The lure of the open road called again in November when we were invited to exhibit at the Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival. It was our first time exhibiting at BCGF, and we couldn't have had a better time. Definitely add it to your calendar in 2013. Our hearty thanks to the organizers of these shows, two of the best we've attended as fan or publisher. To the left is a picture of Ellen and me manning the Lost Art Books booth! Annual Party! Earlier this month the Picture This Press World Headquarters hosted its second annual party as a way of expressing its gratitude for our many supporters. About 100 people came through our doors that evening to hoist a glass and celebrate another year of successful independent publishing with us. As a special thank you, we created a limited-edition print to give out exclusively for the party. We actually ended up with a few stray copies, so the first five people to respond to this email will get a free copy of the print mailed to them with our compliments. Limited-edition party print Facebook: Join us for exclusive content Want a peek behind the scenes at Lost Art Books? How about previews of art for upcoming books? The occasional giveaway? An opportunity to connect with other folks who enjoy great cartooning and illustration? If any of that sounds appealing, then please join our Facebook group, where we post a couple of times a week, and touch base with folks who are as excited about this stuff as us. Join us on Facebook Forthcoming from Lost Art Books The Lost Art of the Racy & Risqué A collection of hundreds of drawings from cartoonists and illustrators at their bawdiest, covering Jazz Age flappers to World War II-era cheesecake. Spring 2013 The Lost Art of Matt Baker: Canteen Kate Collecting every gorgeous episode that featured Baker's war-time good girl, Canteen Kate. Summer 2013 We Need Your help! Please help us spread the word by forwarding this email to any friends you think would be interested in knowing about our Lost Art Books. Thanks in advance for helping us connect in any way with others who appreciate these artists and their work! Picture This Press is dedicated to broadening the appreciation and awareness of artists who work in the fields of illustration, cartooning, graphic arts, photography, and poster design. Picture This Press founder Joseph Procopio and co-publisher Ellen Levy have a combined 40 years of publishing experience as writers, managing editors, and publications directors for a variety of organizations. Lost Art Books, the flagship series from Picture This Press, collects and preserves the works of illustrators and cartoonists from the first half of the 20th century. Too many of these artists have gone underappreciated for too long, with much of their work uncollected or unexamined for decades, if at all. The Lost Art Books series aims to preserve this cultural heritage by re-introducing these artists to new generations of working illustrators, historians, and admirers of things beautiful.      ©2013 Lost Art Books / Picture This Press | Silver Spring, Maryland

 

2012 RFK Journalism award winner Stephanie McMillan's crowdfunding book

Capitalism Must Die!

A short book of very simple, basic, accessible revolutionary theory with text, illustrations & comics: how capitalism works, why it's evil, how to crush it.

Ok, that's Stephanie's short take up there.

Personally, I'm fond of capitalism, although I think it needs to wear some fetters, but Stephanie does interesting work, and counts as part of the ComicsDC club due to her 2012 RFK Journalism Award win (and I was on the jury). As soon as I put this blog post up, I'm funding her campaign.

Kal on MPT tonight

From: Kevin Kallaugher 

 If you are near a TV tonight at 7:30 tune into Direct Connection with Jeff Salkin. I will be one of the interviewees on the show. We will be talking cartoons, my 35 years with The Economist and about my newest Kickstarter campaign.

If you haven't checked it out yet... visit my new project and pre-order a special edition copy of my newest book available for a limited time only to Kickstarter backers...

Here's the link:

http://kck.st/UZiPQP

Best

Kal

Kevin Kallaugher

kal@kaltoons.com

www.Kaltoons.com

The iKAL iPhone App is now available at the iTunes store.

May 11: ANS Con includes Frank Cho and other local cartoonists

LEGENDARY COMICS CREATOR TO HEADLINE

THE SECOND ANNUAL ANS SCI-FI & COMIC CON

On May 11, 2013, the ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con returns to Archbishop Neale School in La Plata, Maryland for their Second Annual benefit event!

Headlining a stellar variety of vendors and artists is legendary comic creator, writer and artist

FRANK CHO!

The ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con is proud to host the amazing Frank Cho! As the creator of the groundbreaking newspaper strip Liberty Meadows, Cho is well known for his incredible artistry and story writing talent.  Cho is currently the writer and artist behind Marvel Comics' hot, brand new title – "Savage Wolverine" – that debuted in January 2013.

The ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con is an ALL AGES fan and collector event benefiting Archbishop Neale School in La Plata, Maryland.  This year's event promises to be one of the most exciting and memorable events ever with an amazing array of vendors selling vintage and modern comics, collectible cards, sci-fi and pop culture toys and much more.

In addition to Cho, area artists working in a wide range of mediums will be represented including sculptors, pyro-artists, independent and online comic artists, writers and publishers. 

The Second Annual ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con is a fun-filled full day event for the whole family.  Art contests and prizes will keep kids entertained as well as plenty of playground space for them to have fun!  A charity Silent Auction with loads of collectibles and autographed items will keep parents and collectors on the edges of their seats!  There will also be panels, presentations and a unique film festival showing rare and unique films for sci-fi and comic fans!

The Second Annual ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con is Saturday, May 11, 2013, from 10-3pm. 

For more information, please visit anscomiccon.com  Contact event organizer Tom Boone at info@anscomiccon.com  And for more information about the school, visit archbishopnealeschool.org

New Flying Dog bottle with Ralph Steadman label

The Flying Dog brewery of Frederick, MD continues to commission labels for their beer bottles from British cartoonist Ralph Steadman (best known in the US for his collaboration with Hunter Thompson on Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas). I believe he's done at least 25 of them so far.

 

Here's the latest one, courtesy of ComicsDC friend Chris Ingram.

Smithsonian Magazine on superhero secret origins

The Psychology Behind Superhero Origin Stories: Superhero origin stories help us cope with adversity [in print as We Need A Hero: Superhero origin stories inspires us to cope with adversity (capes are optional]
By Robin Rosenberg
Smithsonian magazine, February 2013, p. 22
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/The-Psychology-Behind-Superhero-Origin-Stories-187938991.html

Thanks to Steve Artley for the tip.

OT: Dr. Who book published by local comics scholar

When I saw former Geppi's Entertainment Museum curator Arnold Blumberg last night, he told me that in addition to teaching courses on comics and popular culture at the University of Maryland, he's formed his own publishing house. Here's a press release on his company's first book.

RELEASE: 8/17/12

ATB Publishing is proud to announce its first publication: OUTSIDE IN: 160 New Perspectives on 160 Classic Doctor Who Stories by 160 Writers edited by Robert Smith? There are many books and websites that review all these Doctor Who stories – tales that fans know very well – but editor Robert Smith? (Who is the Doctor; Time, Unincorporated 2-3; Braaaiiinnnsss: From Academics to Zombies) set out to create an unprecedented archive of opinion from throughout the professional and fan communities, just in time for the 50th anniversary of the greatest television show in history! The results are inventive, provocative, and always surprising. Smith? himself says: "It's the biggest, wildest idea I ever had: as many reviews are there are classic series stories. That alone was a huge undertaking. But what really makes this shine is that I put in an additional requirement: say something different. In short, these aren't your father's reviews. What I wanted for OUTSIDE IN was takes on the classic series that make you go, 'Wow, I never thought of that.' Fortunately, that struck a chord with everyone and I mostly got to sit back and watch everybody bring their A-game to the table. Some reviews are thoughtful, some are funny, and some are utterly gonzo. I've had mock-angry letters to the BBC, transcripts of council meetings, even a recipe. There are flow charts, maps, TV scripts, timelines, Shakespearean plays... and, of course, intensely passionate and vocal opinions about the entirety of Doctor Who. You may not agree with everything that's said in this book – indeed, I hope you don't! – but the end result is something intensely personal that every Doctor Who fan will find resonates with them in some way. The watchword of the project is diversity. That's one of the great strengths of fandom: put ten fans in a room and you'll wind up with eleven opinions. And isn't that the great thing about Doctor Who? It's like the weather: endlessly discussable and if you don't like what's happening right now, there'll be something else along shortly. OUTSIDE IN captures that essence, both in terms of the show itself and also its many-splendoured fandom." OUTSIDE IN debuts on November 23, 2012 with a launch at Chicago TARDIS 2012 (www.chicagotardis.com). 5% of the full retail price of all sales of the book will be donated to Avert, a UK-based HIV/AIDS charity (www.avert.org).

Cover Price: $24.95 (p/b) Release Date: November 23, 2012 ISBN: 978-0-9882210-0-0 432 pages, 6" x 9"

Featuring contributions from: ANDREW CARTMEL (DOCTOR WHO script editor, 1987-1989) DAVID J. HOWE (DOCTOR WHO historian,  Telos Publishing co-founder) DEBORAH STANISH (co-editor, Chicks Unravel Time) GRAEME BURK (co-author, Who is the Doctor) JONATHAN BLUM (DOCTOR WHO novelist) KATE ORMAN (DOCTOR WHO novelist) KIM NEWMAN (author, Anno Dracula series and DOCTOR WHO novella Time and Relative) L.M. MYLES (co-editor, Chicks Unravel Time) SHAUN LYON (Program Director, Gallifrey One convention) TAMMY GARRISON (contributor, Chicks Dig Time Lords) & 150 more! ATB Publishing

P.O. Box 1863

Cockeysville, MD 21030

atbpublishing@gmail.com

OT: Matt Wagner and the Shadow

I'm posting this article because Matt's experiences eerily parallel mine - the 1970's DC Comic, buying back issues (Archie's abysmal Radio Comics series in my case), the LP records (bought at a used book/record store in Bergenfield, NJ), the Steranko-covered Pyramid novels (bought at the Garden State Plaza before its steroidal growth)....

Straight from the Source: Matt Wagner Casts Light on The Shadow: Year One
PREVIEWSworld January 2013
http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/977?articleID=130678

Unlike Matt, I didn't become a comic book creator though. And he's absolutely spot-on when he says "The process of collecting comics used to involve a certain sense of mystery that's missing from today's fandom, where a quick internet search can hook you up with pretty much anything your budget can afford."  Late last year I decided to read the 1960s Belmont novels which set the Shadow in then-present day. After 30 years of looking for them and finding 3 or 4 in used bookstores, I completed my set in a few minutes on the internet.

Jan 26: DENNIS HOPELESS and MIKE NORTON at Third Eye Comics

THIS SATURDAY 1/26/13   SIGNING FROM 11AM to 1PM First 20 in Line Receive a Very Special Free Gift of either: A REVIVAL #1 Third Eye variant ($80 dollar value!) or A REVIVAL #6 PHANTOM Variant Your Choice!
	Hello Third Eye Faithful! We've got a BIG signing for you this Saturday, featuring not just one major guest, but TWO major guests!  We're hosting the official ANSWER #1 launch party of creators DENNIS HOPELESS and MIKE NORTON's brand new creator-owned DARK HORSE COMICS series. Why're we so pumped about this one? Well, it features two major guests who've worked on some big-time Third Eye Favorite titles. Dennis wowed us last year with his creator-owned graphic novel LOVESTRUCK, and is currently impressing the heck out of us with his MARVEL NOW titles AVENGERS ARENA and CABLE AND THE X-FORCE. Mike has also been keeping us hooked with his smash hit IMAGE series REVIVAL, and blew us away with his work on this past Wednesday's YOUNG AVENGERS. As our last big signing of the winter season, we're hoping to make this one a great time, Third Eye Faithful.  We've got a TON of great events booked for Spring, so trust us; there's more on the way after this.  We've got two very special FREE gifts we're giving away to the first 20 folks in line; your choice of either a REVIVAL #1 Third Eye variant, which we thought had sold out ages ago, but unboxed a stash of recently, or the brand new REVIVAL #6 PHANTOM variant. So, folks, we'd be honored to have you join us for this event, and help us show Mike and Dennis why Third Eye has some of the BEST signings in the country.
What is THE ANSWER? A must-read for fans of series like HELLBOY, LOBSTER JOHNSON, MADMAN, and more, THE ANSWER is a fantastic new pulp hero book from DARK HORSE COMICS that really brings a modern edge to the superhero genre.    Written by AVENGERS ARENA and CABLE AND X-FORCE writer DENNIS HOPELESS, and illustrated by REVIVAL artist MIKE NORTON, the ANSWER features a woman named Devin McKenzie, who happens to be an insomniac librarian with a knack for solving puzzles.    And, The Answer!, is a masked crime fighter with a giant exclamation point on his face. Aside from a penchant for late nights, they share nothing in common... until both become embroiled in a deadly mystery surrounding a sinister motivational speaker.   Quirky, compelling, and well-done, this is exactly how you'd envision a creator-owned superhero book from the artist who's brought us the twisted crime/horror hybrid REVIVAL.   Make sure you snag yourself a copy tomorrow, and get it signed by Dennis and Mike!   ALSO from DENNIS HOPELESS AVENGERS ARENA    One of the many reasons why we're totally pumped about this in-store event is the fact that we've been totally loving Dennis's work on the controversial new MARVEL NOW series AVENGERS ARENA.    This series has really turned into a hit for Marvel, starting out as a cult favorite with a neat concept, and picking up steam into a truly unique, and cutting-edge take on the young heroes of the Marvel Universe.   What's the hook on this? Imagine BATTLE ROYALE or THE HUNGER GAMES, but set in the MARVEL UNIVERSE, with the kids of AVENGERS ACADEMY and THE RUNAWAYS being dropped on booby-trapped island by the murderous ARCADE.    Now, to survive, they must KILL EACH OTHER.    And, folks, we're not kidding, we've already seen character deaths galore, and it's only been three issues!    This is a must-read, and we're totally stoked to have the opportunity to have Dennis in store to sign copies of issues 1-3.   Wanna get caught up? We've got AVENGERS ARENA #1-3 in stock now, and available at the signing to get you up to speed.   ALSO BY MIKE NORTON: REVIVAL TPB VOL.1 YOU'RE AMONG FRIENDS        REVIVAL is one of our big store favorites here, Third Eye Faithful, and we're totally pumped to have artist MIKE NORTON in store to sign copies of both the single issues of REVIVAL, and the trade paperback, collecting issues 1-5. This incredible new IMAGE series came out of nowhere during the Summer of 2012, and totally took everyone by surprise, and now ranks as one of IMAGE's biggest hits of 2012. What's it all about? For one day in rural central Wisconsin, the dead came back to life. Now it's up to Officer Dana Cypress to deal with the media scrutiny, religious zealots, and government quarantine that has come with them.  In a town where the living have to learn to deal with those who are supposed to be dead, Officer Cypress must solve a brutal murder, and everyone, alive or undead, is a suspect.  Folks: this is a smart book. Imagine FARGO meets PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, it's an eerie, crime story with a fascinating look at the living dead that's never been before seen.  It's a great follow-up for those of you who're waiting on the next volume of WALKING DEAD, or if you just enjoy great comics, like Image's own SAGA, this is for you.  Mike's art on the series is killer, and really brings the story to life in a major way, that helps capture the isolation, and everyday creepiness of the small Wisconsin town it's set in.  Don't miss this great opportunity to get your copy of REVIVAL signed by the artist and co-creat of the series! ALSO BY DENNIS HOPELESS: CABLE AND X-FORCE   Not only is Dennis totally killing it for Marvel with their incredible AVENGERS ARENA series, but he's also kicking all kinds of ass on the nostalgia-heavy CABLE AND THE X-FORCE, which is the raddest take we've seen on CABLE in quite some time. In Dennis Hopeless's CABLE AND X-FORCE, Cable has returned, and he's got a new X-Force at his side to tackle the threats that nobody else can know about.  Who are Cable's new recruits? Domino. Forge. Dr. Nemesis. Colossus. I mean, this is a freakin' dream team for anyone who came up with X-Men comics in the '90s, right?  And, why are the new recruits of X-Force seen as public enemy number one? Caught red-handed at the scene of a terrorist attack on a major American corporation whose CEO expressed anti-mutant views, the X-Force is on the run, with none other than the Uncanny Avengers in hot pursuit.  This book is killer; it's got a great flow to it, and it recaptures everything you loved about the original X-Force way back in the day.  Plus: Salvador Larocca's artwork looks INCREDIBLE, and adds a great kinetic visual to the solid storytelling that Dennis lays out here. Dennis will be signing copies of CABLE AND X-FORCE tomorrow at Third Eye, and we've got plenty of issues 1-3 in stock and available now to get you all caught up.  ALSO BY MIKE NORTON: YOUNG AVENGERS  Not only does Mike have a huge book dropping this week with THE ANSWER, but he's also kicking off the brand new MARVEL NOW launch of THE YOUNG AVENGERS this week, and we couldn't be more pumped. Written by Third Eye favorite, JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY's KIERON GILLEN, the YOUNG AVENGERS is the kind of innovative, fresh MARVEL book that we think really demonstrates how killer their new MARVEL NOW direction is. It's the kind of book that you need to be reading if you're a major fan of series like SAGA, MORNING GLORIES, or Brian K. Vaughan's RUNAWAYS.  In YOUNG AVENGERS, legacy isn't a dirty word -- just an irrelevant one. It's not important what their parents did, it matters what THEY do. Someone has to save the world; they're someone. Do the math.  The critically acclaimed writing of KIERON GILLEN, who turned JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY into a major cult favorite featuring the exploits of KID LOKI, has reinvented the teen superhero comic for the 21st century, uniting Wiccan, Hulkling, and Hawkeye with Kid Loki, Marvel Boy, and Ms. America. No pressure. Young Avengers is a NOW! as the air in your lungs, and twice as vital. It's the book that serves up the hype, and then lives up to it tenfold.  Folks, this is a killer book, and is definitely on it's way to being the next big sleeper hit of the MARVEL U. You know you jumped onto Hawkeye and Daredevil late, don't make the mistake here. We're telling you right now: this is going to be one of the best new books of 2013.  Mike handles art chores on YOUNG AVENGERS, and will be in-store this Saturday signing copies of the book. We'll have plenty of copies in stock, and available to get you hooked up.  ALSO BY DENNIS HOPELESS: LOVESTRUCK We're huge fans of LOVESTRUCK, and consider it to be one of the raddest little books IMAGE has put out in the last few years. Admittedly, we have a soft spot for the book, as the release party for this last year with Dennis Hopeless and Kevin Mellon was one of our favorite in-store events.  But, seriously, if you've yet to give LOVESTRUCK a shot, folks, then definitely do yourselves a favor and check it out this weekend, so you can get Dennis to sign you a copy.  In LOVESTRUCK, there's no boy meets girl or star-crossed soulmates. Love is a billion-dollar industry. Cupid's the megalomaniac CEO. And Kali Monroe gets paid to break your heart. Love is all around us. And, these, Third Eye Faithful, are the jerks who control it.  LOVESTRUCK's a blast, folks. I mean, if you took Bill Willingham's FABLES, and ran it through CBGB's and Max's Kansas City circa the '70s, you'd get LOVESTRUCK.  A world where the Ramones are seen as spiritual figures; where old gods don't die, they just grow more and more jaded; and the lost mortals are caught in their crossfire. We'll have plenty of copies available tomorrow, and Dennis will be happy to sign one for you. BE ONE OF THE FIRST 20 IN LINE WHEN DOORS OPEN AND RECEIVE A FREE REVIVAL #1 THIRD EYE variant or REVIVAL #6 PHANTOM VARIANT (Your Choice!) Folks, our REVIVAL #1 variant that came out last July quickly turned into one of the most sought after editions of this red-hot IMAGE series. We sold out QUICK on this one, and the limited print run of only 1,000 was thought to be gone for good. And, then, just in time for our signing this Saturday, while organizing our warehouse, we stumbled upon a convention box with a handful of copies of what may be our rarest Third Eye exclusive.  We figured there's only one thing we could do with these: give them to you. :) The book routinely goes for up to $80, and is continuing to climb, but if you're one of the first 20 people in line tomorrow morning, you can get a copy totally free. Already got a REVIVAL #1 Third Eye variant? That's OK, 'cause we've got 20 copies of the elusive new REVIVAL #6 Phantom variant available to hook you up, in case you don't want the REVIVAL #1 Third Eye variant. Click here for the FACEBOOK event info.
SCORE THE BRAND NEW REVIVAL #1 & REVIVAL #6 PHANTOM VARIANTS TOMORROW! On hand for tomorrow's signing, we'll have a VERY limited quantity of the brand new limited edition PHANTOM VARIANTS of REVIVAL #1 and #6.  The PHANTOM VARIANTS are only available to 20 comic book stores worldwide, and are very sought after. We'll have copies of both available for sale at the signing tomorrow, so you can snag one or two to get signed by series artist MIKE NORTON.  There are plans to do a PHANTOM variant on future issues of REVIVAL, as well as re-issues of 2-5, which will assemble together to make one large picture of the cast. All right, Third Eye Faithful, lets send off the last signing of the Winter right, and bring a big turnout for this one. We've got two incredibly talented creators who're flying in from St. Louis and Chicago just to spend some time with you guys, and share their awesome work with us.  Let's show 'em how we do it here in Maryland, and remind them that Third Eye fans are the best fans in the country.  We'll look forward to seeing you all tomorrow for the signing, and getting a chance to turn you onto some great new reads!