National Comic Book Day

Coming up next Friday on Sept. 25th, 2009 is National Comic Book Day.

Not to be confused with Free Comic Book Day, NCBD is a chance to share your love for comics with friends who might not be into them. You could also pick up a couple of titles you've never read before and give 'em try.
Maybe you have some trade paperbacks that you've read and don't want to hang onto any longer. You could donate them to the library or pass them along to friends.
You might like to make a comic book-themed cake to celebrate the day.

Or, perhaps you could just dress up in a superhero costume and worry your family and scare the neighbors.

Whatever you decide to do or however you want to celebrate is up to you.

Robot Guardian

I'm not much of an anime fan, but this caught my attention:
Gundam! Mecha Monument Towers Over Tokyo


Check that bad boy out!

Standing over 50 feet tall, it was erected to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Gundam franchise.

It's only expected to be on display for a few months and then afterwords it's unknown what'll become of it.
So if you want to it in person, you'd best head on over to Japan right away.
In fact, in August they will be hosting a comic book convention and Gundam festival not too far from where the statue is located.

Whether or not you're a fan, it's certainly a sight to behold.

"ECHO" To Maybe Make the Big Screen

Author/artsist, Terry Moore, recently sold the screen rights to his self-published comic "ECHO" to producer Lloyd Levin (Watchmen, Hellboy, The Rocketeer)

The comic is about main character, Julie Martin, who is taking photos in the desert when a government test goes wrong and causes an expolsion and she is covered with a liquid metal that has unknown properties.
Soon afterwards, the government is looking for Julie but she's now on the run with the help of some friends.

Movie studios, looking to cash in on comic-related properties, are expanding their vision to non-super-powered or caped characters.
The sci-fi element of "ECHO" coupled with Terry's ability to write characters with a lot of depth to them, is ripe for the Hollywood film treatment.

If you still haven't read "ECHO", the second TPB came out a few weeks ago and should be available at the store. Vol. 1 is issues 1-5 and vol. 2 is issues 6-10.

Artist Mark Sable Detained By TSA in Los Angeles

Mark Sable, the artist for Boom! Studios title "Unthinkable" was detained by authorities during a recent flight.

Guards at the airport discovered the script for "Unthinkable" during a search and pulled him aside for 'extra screening'.
The story behind the mini-series is about a government think tank that plans for terrorist scenarios.

Mark says he "cooperated politely and tried to explain the irony of the situation" and that "in the end, I feel my privacy is a small price to pay for educating the government about the medium".

The Return Of Katchoo & Francine

Terry Moore is working on a one-shot with the characters from SiP.
No word on when it'll be coming out yet or what it'll be about... but it's Terry Moore and SiP, so who cares?!?

I'm so excited I think I just soiled myself.

And if you haven't been reading his latest creator-owned title, "ECHO", now's a good time to jump on.
He's only up to issue #11, but the story is getting big.

Get In On The "Action"

"Action Comics" that is!

And the very first issue to be specific.

A rare copy of Action Comics # 1 is going up for bid at an auction starting tomorrow.

The owner, who was not identified, bought the comic back in 1958 for only 10 cents and has held onto it for 58 years.

Now is your chance to try and buy it... bidding will start at only $ 1 and the auction will continue for 2 weeks.

He Is The Law!

Supposedly, a new Judge Dredd movie is in the works.

According the the 2000 A.D. news forums, DNA films (which produced Sunshine and 28 Weeks Later) has picked up the rights and is scheduling production for sometime in 2009.

(Or rather they might be, if everyone at DNA films was on board with the project.)

Not a whole lot more information about this other than a bunch of fan sites sharing this same information. Here, here, here, here.... oh and here.

If you're familiar with Judge Dredd and the denizens of Mega-City 1, this movie could have a lot of potential.

With all the stories available in the 30+ years run of the character, there is a lot to choose from to make a great movie.

Or... it could suck just as bad as last time.

Even with an impressive cast, a ginormous budget, and costumes designed by none other than Gianni Versace the previous effort did little more than fall flat on it's face.

But with a new production company taking up the helm, a global fanbase, and studios that are looking for comic books to bring to the silver screen.... this might just work a second time around.

Here's hoping anyway.

Mike Oeming & Kirby Krackle!

We have a double-header all lined up for you this time! Mike Avon Oeming has re-scheduled his appearance at the Comic Stop Lynnwood, followed by the debut of the world's first real Comic Rock Band, Kirby Krackle!

The store signing with Mike Avon Oeming (Powers, Bulletproof Monk, Hammer of The Gods, etc) will take place from 1pm to 4pm at the Lynnwood location, on Saturday, January 31st. besides showing off his awesome new book, Mice Templar, Mike is also celebrating his birthday with us, so make sure to say "Happy Birthday!"

Mike Oeming is best known for his artwork on Powers with co-creator Brian Michael Bendis, but he is also an accomplished writer whose work includes Omega Flight, Stormbreaker: The Sage of Beta Ray Bill, Ares, Thor: Blood Oath, and many more.

Immediately after the signing, Kirby Krackle shall hit the stage, debuting their self-titled debut CD.

Kirby Krackle is the brainchild of Comic Guru Jim Demonakos and Uber Musician Kyle Stevens, who have put together a unique sound of music with lyrics based off of the best that pop culture has to offer. Their style of music can be called Geek Rock, Nerd Core, Comic Rock, whatever you want to call it. To miss this show is to turn in your license to be a Geek.

Kirby Krackle will play from 4pm to 5pm. Afterwards, there will be an after-party with food and drinks. This will be good times, people. Be there.

UPDATE: The co-creator of Mice Templar, Bryan Glass, will be making an appearance at the Mike Oeming store signing, which gives everyone the perfect chance to get their new Mice Templar HC signed by both creators!

No New Comics for Christmas...

The sudden dropping of snow early this morning has had the unwanted, if not entirely unexpected, effect of delaying our new comics shipment today.

According to our UPS tracking numbers, the majority of our boxes are stuck on the Eastside. A few boxes made it through, but are actually still in transit to the Everett UPS Hub, where we pick up the boxes.

This means that all three shops are going to be without new comics today. However, all three stores will be open for the afternoon. Although I am personally snowed in, George should be opening the Lynnwood store, while Chris and Michael are opening the Everett and Redmond stores.

New Comics should be available on Friday, December 26th. However, thanks to the massive backlog at UPS, there is a chance we may not see them until next week.

Until then, be safe out there and have a good Christmas!

-Brian

Store Signing w/ Mike Oeming!

UPDATE: The store signing with Mike Oeming has been postponed until after the holidays. A new date will be announced at a later time.

The Comic Stop is excited to have comic book artist extraordinaire Mike Avon Oeming (Powers, Bulletproof Monk, Hammer of The Gods, etc) for a store signing on Saturday, December 13th. The signing will take place from 2pm to 5pm at the Lynnwood location.

Mike Oeming is promoting the release of his new Top Cow one-shot called Darkness Lodbrok's Hand and Trade Paperback collection of his creator-owned epic Mice Templar.

Mike Oeming is best known for his artwork on Powers with co-creator Brian Michael Bendis, but he is also an accomplished writer whose work includes Omega Flight, Stormbreaker: The Sage of Beta Ray Bill, Ares, Thor: Blood Oath, and many more.

Turkish Mayor Suing Batman Director

In a totally "You've GOT to be kidding me" kind of moment, a mayor in the town of Batman, Turkey is suing director Christopher Nolan for using the name of his town without permission.

They claim to have evidence that proves the town's origin predates the fictional character's origin and therefore they are entitled to royalties for using the name.
Mayor Huseyin Kalkan says, "There is only one Batman in the world. The American producers used the name of our city without informing us."

Oh really? So for over 65 years NOBODY in Turkey has complained about infringement of their town's name until now.
And they want to sue Christopher Nolan and not DC Comics?

I guess if you want to get some publicity, this is as good a way as any.

Comic Release Party

Firstly, I want to say that I am a loyal Comic Stop customer.

I would in no way encourage you to "jump ship" to another store.

However, I wanted to let you know about a little happening that I'm sort of involved in.

On November 23rd at the Comics Dungeon in Seattle, Keith Curtis will be releasing volumes 1 & 2 of his self-published comic, "Crater on the Moon".

"Why should I care?", I hear you asking.

Well, it just so happens that yours truly is one of the characters in his book.

I play XT Space Marine, Mike Valera.

Here are a couple of my scenes from issue #7:

I'll be there to help Keith with the celebration, along with some of the other Space Marines from the story.

For more information, please hop over to my blog and check it out.

Please come out and help support a local publisher and watch me make a fool of myself in front of strangers (like usual).

I hope to see some of you there.

Vote For Us!

See that link over there for Evening Magazine's The Best of Western Washington? Yeah, that's it. Right under The Comic Stop logo and our bio. ----->

You need to click on it and vote for The Comic Stop as being the best comic shop in Washington! Or click on this link: THE COMIC STOP - BEST COMIC SHOP IN THE UNIVERSE!

We are currently in 5th place but I know the Comic Stop faithful will vote us into the #1 spot!And after you're done doing that, stop by and remember to pick up The Adventures of Doctor Zombie #1! It's awesome!!

Riddle Me This, Bird Brain...

There have been rumors of this, but a recent interview with Michael Caine lends some credibility.





It would seem the next Batman movie will have Johnny Depp stepping in as The Riddler, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Penguin.

I think, like Heath Ledger, these are brilliant choices. These are two of the best method actors in the business, and should continue the great tradition in casting that the first two movies started. Except for Joey Potter (ick). I think Nolan had a crush.

What do you think?

If At First You Don't Succeed...

...Fly, Fly Again?


Bryan Singer, Brandon Routh, and Co. are all out of a job. Warner Bros. is going to scrap the franchise and re-boot from scratch. I'm assuming this will mean that the continuity set forth by the Christopher Reeve films, and followed in Superman Returns will be left alone.

Thoughts? Reactions? I know that DC and WB are wanting to really compete with Marvel in the multiplex, and only the Batman films have been able to do that. With Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and various other DC/Vertigo properties in the works, is this a step in the right direction, or is this box office kryptonite?

The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth

Or at least $1MM? Go Team Geek!

SFX Wizard, Stan Winston Dead At 62

Stan Winston, who worked on a lot of the films us fanboys (and girls) really love, died on Sunday after a battle with multiple myeloma.

Some of the many films he worked on were:

Terminator 2

A.I.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Iron Man

Charlotte's Web

Big Fish

Constantine

Predator

Jurassic Park

Galaxy Quest

Batman Returns

Aliens

Edward Scissorhands

.... just to name a few.

Not to mention all the other projects he worked on in TV, commercials, and music videos.

When I was younger and wanted to do movie make-up and special effects as a career (which obviously got derailed along the way), I would read about how he did his effects and watch programs that spolighted him and fellow SFX creator, Rick Baker.

Stan, you will be missed.

Robin Flew the Coop

Chuck Dixon is "no longer employed by DC Comics in any capacity."

Oh, snap. What happened? TechnoGreek's got the hookup at DC...maybe he can find out?

He's baaaaaack...

Todd McFarlane returns to Spawn with issue #185, and is bringing Whilce Portacio and Brian Holguin with him.

Wonder Woman Still Makes News

It didn't require deflecting bullets with her bracelets or having to use her magic lasso to get the truth from some nefarious n'er-do-well, but Lynda Carter recently made news after discovering a body floating in the Potomac River.

No official cause of death has been determined by the coroner's office yet.

When asked about discovering the body, Lynda just said she "did what anybody would've done".