News for the Week of April 30, 2008
Rick’s Writin’s
A couple things Comic Shop items before we get to the comics themselves.
First, this next Saturday May 3rd, is Free Comic Book Day and as usual
we will be having a one day only BIG SALE on that day. I was going to
announce what that sale was going to be in this newsletter, but I decided
it would be better if I kept it a surprise. Just trust me when I say it
will be worth your while to come in and check it out, not even counting
the FREE bag of comics you'll get. The next item is our Secret Invasion
Customer art contest is back on. The first printing of the Secret Invasion
#1 convention sketch blank cover had a glossy card stock by mistake; one
that isn't good for sketches, so Marvel went be to press and produced
one with the proper paper. This contest is like the one we had for the
Death of Captain America last year. You buy a blank Secret Invasion comic,
draw what you want and submit it for entry. The deadline for entries is
May 17th, and then we'll display the finalists on the wall. Customers
will judge the final covers by voting through May 31st. We'll announce
the winners on June 1st. There will be three prizes with First prize being
a $25 Store gift certificate AND a Fantastic Four #18, a Silver Age goody
featuring the first appearance of the Super Skrull! So get your pencils
sharpened!
There's some interesting items this week and we'll lead off with Neil
Gaiman's new hard cover book of magic and mayhem titled: The Facts in
the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch. This story is illustrated with
painted art by Gaiman's frequent partner Michael Zulli (Sandman, Creatures
of the Night). It was originally only available in the UK version of Gaiman's
Smoke and Mirrors, so it's the first time US audiences have had a crack
at it. Another well known creator Dave Sim (Cerebus) has a new project
out this week called Glamourpuss. If you recall, I mentioned this book
a few months back when, from out of the blue, Mr. Sim himself called the
shop and told me about it. He was calling many shops, doing the hard work
of promoting his new title. He sent us a copy too, and we had it displayed
on the back shelf behind the register. The book looks great, and the art
will blow you away. It's a very different premise too, kind of difficult
to explain, though I can say the main character is a super-model. I admit
I've never quite seen a book like this before. It comes in both a comic’s
style cover and a fashion cover.
If you want to get an overview of DC comics history, this weeks DC Universe
Zero is just the book for you. Priced at only 50 cents, this is the book
that bridges the Countdown and up coming Final Crisis event. It's a great
starting point for you Marvel drones that have never read anything besides
Spider-Man, X-Men and Hulk. It doesn't always have to be "Make Mine
Marvel!", so this is a chance to try out the other guy. For you fellow
DC guys and gals I know this is just preaching to the choir, as you've
already experienced the DC charms. There are a few other books of note
but I'm tired as I'm writing this late Saturday night because I have a
journey to take tomorrow morning that my mom sprung on me at the last
moment. So, if you'd be so kind as to read the list below for your books
of interest this week, I'll be off to bed. And remember...Free Comic Book
Day and Secret Invasion Art Contest!! 'til next time!
Paula’s Picks
Like Rick mentioned, this coming Saturday is Free Comic Book Day. We’ve
got a lot of good books to give away! I also wanted to mention that we’ve
teamed up with the Puyallup Public Library (324 South Meridian) again
this year and they’ll be celebrating Free Comic Book Day with free
comics as well.
As you all know (or should know by now), Emerald City Comic Con is coming
up soon (the weekend after Free Comic Book Day). We still have tickets
for sale; $15 for one day and $25 for two days (cash only please). In
the past, we’ve closed the Sunday of the big convention, but this
year, we’ll be open both Saturday AND Sunday!
Well, the weather has taken a slight turn for the better. So you can put
back in your CFL bulbs, get out your re-usable grocery bags and replace
your SUV with a hybrid or bike. I’ve gotten some tomatoes planted
(for Barry) and mint (for my mojitos!) as well as parsley and oregano.
We’ll have to see if I inherited my mom’s not-so-green thumb
with these.
As for books, last week we got a mystery package with our shipment that
turned out to be Amazing Spider-Man #577. It turns out that the delay
was in shipping. The East Coast got their Spidey’s the previous
week, but they didn’t make it to the West Coast for some reason.
But they were shipped to us 2-day air so we got them in time for New Comic
Day last week.
We’ll be getting the Buffy Omnibus volume 4 trade paperback. These
omnibuses have been great! I’m enjoying reading more about the Buffy
universe and it works out well with the reruns I’ve been watching
on TV. They’re also a great price for how much book you get. We’re
also getting Jack of Fables #22 starring Smiling Jack Candle (another
Jack alias).