Midtown Comics Monday Podcast: Matt Fraction

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Midtown Comics Monday Podcast: Jeff Lemire

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Midtown Comics Monday Podcast: Was Superman A Spy?, JSA Smallville

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Midtown Comics Monday Podcast: Brian Michael Bendis

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Midtown Comics Monday Podcast: Fred Van Lente

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This whole bit comes out (no pun intended) as the hosts are going through their books of the week, prior to talking to the podcast guest, New York Comic Con founder Greg Topalian at NYCC’s “One Year Out” party. Greg discusses next year’s show (Octoboer 2010), which for those who don’t know, is combining the NYCC and NYAF shows. Kind of early for hyping that show, but an undeniable deal for con-goers seeing how you get two shows for the price of one.

Check out Midtown’s podcast & video page to listen to the entire podcast, as well as check out episode #1 (with Brian Azzarello) and #2 (with Brahm Revel).

Here’s the trailer for Project Runway’s S6 debut (now on Lifetime, which may take some getting used to):

In related news, Heidi Klum was at Midtown Comics a couple Sundays ago. Unfortunately I work on Saturdays! Although this probably prevented me some embarrassment as they said one brave young man spoke German to Heidi and she responded with something that had him hanging his head and scampering with his tail between his legs. They said it was a playful exchange but even so, I’m glad it wasn’t me trying to sling any of my schlecht German. Co-workers also mentioned Heidi was very pregnant and bought a lot of stuff.

Of course, now that Project Runway is filming in LA, that’s probably the first and last time we’ll see Heidi in Midtown Comics, NYC. Ah well. At least this means I won’t be tempted to watch any more of The Fashion Show.

Now remember, to get at that Midtown gift certificate (that’s twenty bucks towards comic goodies!), please post a comment to June’s Kickoff Contest blog entry below by July 1st. And do read the actual entry– psst, it explains how to win!

Send me comic recommendations by way of comments below for an issue, a story-arc, a mini-series, or an independent book. Explain why you think I might like it, what I should look for when I read it, etc. I will read the more interesting sounding titles and as I read, I will post reviews of what struck me the hardest. To have a bit of a thematic oomph, I will announce a general prompt at the first of each month, and at the beginning of the next month, I will announce my favorite.

This month, we are all about the classics. Newly graduated and under-employed, I am all about figuring out how I can keep writing about comic books. I remain optimistic, and as I look for open doors and windows, I will keep strengthening my foundations. For this month, please suggest something that you have found to be particularly innovative use of the medium, representative of a particular trend, a radical departure from what’s been down before… or simply KICK-ASS… that I would be a fraud of a comic critic without have read it forward and back. This month, I am asking your help in building my comic book foundations—

June’s prompt: “You cannot write seriously about comics without having read…”

(Here’s a hint, kids. I have probably read the more obvious must-reads; Neil Gaiman and Alan Moore have become old hat. Go for something you have read, and are surprised that it’s not a bigger deal.)

For extra motivation, this discerning reader that suggested my favorite will receive a $20.00 gift certificate to Midtown Comics—yay! To participate in this contest, please post your suggestion by July 1st. During this condensed suggestion period, I will practically live in the comic aisle and perform a blitzkrieg of reviews, announcing a winner on July 6th. Please keep recommendations to one per person, per month. In the event that more than one reader submits the winning title, the first person send it in will win, early birds and worms and all that.

Quick summary! You tell me what to read by July 1st—suggestions welcomed via posting comments to this entry. I read it and tell you what I thought. Pick really well this month, and win something. Ta-da!

Anyway, here’s the in-store poster I made:

Actually they made me add the Buffy logo, which didn’t turn out as bad as I thought it might — see final version here)

Amber Benson will be at Midtown Comics Times Square on Saturday, June 27th 3-5pm, signing her new book Death’s Daughter. For more info, visit Midtown Comics

LARRY HAMA, CLIFF CHIANG, & CHRISTINE NORRIE TO HEADLINE SPECIAL “SECRET IDENTITIES” EVENT AT NYC’S MIDTOWN COMICS ON MAY 23!

May 12, 2009 – SIUniverse Media and Midtown Comics in New York City are proud to present a special book signing event featuring the editors and contributors of the groundbreaking SECRET IDENTITIES: The Asian American Superhero Anthology at the Midtown Comics Time Square location on Saturday, May 23 at 3:00pm.

Joining Secret Identities Editor-at-Large KEITH CHOW, Art Director JERRY MA, and Senior Artist JEF CASTRO are three of the biggest names in the comic book industry:

- LARRY HAMA: The legendary writer/artist of Wolverine, Bucky O’Hare and Batman and creator of the G.I. Joe universe is currently writing G.I. Joe: Origins for IDW Publishing. In Secret Identities, Hama is the subject of Tak Toyoshima’s interview piece “S.A.M. Meets Larry Hama” and contributed a one-page teaser for a story called “Her.”

- CLIFF CHIANG: Hailed for his fluid and confident storytelling and sweeping line work and nuanced style, Chiang has worked as an artist on several high-profile projects including Batman, Human Target, Green Arrow & Black Canary, and Grendel: Red, White, and Black. He is currently working on the Neil Young graphic novel Greendale for DC/Vertigo. In Secret Identities, Chiang illustrated “Jia,” a character concept by X-Men 2 actress Kelly Hu.

- CHRISTINE NORRIE: Dubbed a natural storyteller by Publisher?s Weekly, Norrie has earned two Eisner nominations, a Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Nomination, and a 9th Panel and New York City Comic Book Museum Award. Her most noted works include her original graphic novel Cheat, the Oni Press series Hopeless Savages, the Scholastic/Graphix teen drama Breaking Up, and DC Comics? Green Arrow/Black Canary Wedding Special. Along with writer John Kuramoto, Norrie contributed the story “David Kim” to Secret Identities.

So I guess Obama is providing an economic boost already — just slapping his name on stuff is driving people into stores…

Midtown also has the 2nd printing for $5 and 3rd printing for cover price:

http://www.midtowncomics.com/Neshop/SearchResult.asp?chkshowthum=1&WhereFrom=SeriesSearchResult&txtTitle=Obama

Please note: the guy holding multiple copies is a Midtown employee playing hype man. Midtown had a strict 1 COPY PER PERSON policy. I had to reiterate this in numerous over the past week — which I tried to lighten by saying “Even if Obama himself shows up, he can only get 1 copy”, probably to no effect.

Beyond the fact that Marvel didn’t print anywhere near enough copies for the demand, there are a couple other things that strike me as crazy about this whole media circus:

1) Obama only appears in the five page back-up.

2) OBAMA DOES NOT EVEN LOOK LIKE OBAMA. I realize this was probably a last minute idea on Marvel’s part — and a fairly brilliant one at that — but could they not find someone who could do 5 pages AND draw Obama?? Sorry Todd Nauck, but that is NOT cutting it. This is one time when it would’ve been better to have somebody do severe photo-referencing or even Greg Land style tracing. I mean, now you’re gonna have tons of casual fans pick the book up and see this unrecognizable Barack Obama. I’d be embarrassed.

3) The first guy in line was apparently there at 6AM! And it was probably like under 20 degrees at that time!

Also FYI, the 2nd printing will be available January 21st.

CNN was already at the store shooting a piece earlier this week. Meanwhile (or should I say months prior to this) Savage Dragon put Obama on the cover was greeted by crickets.

2nd printing should arrive later this month (21st or 29th).

Jason Aaron
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Lee Bermejo
Simone Bianchi
Dennis Calero
Keith R.A. DeCandido
Phil Jimenez
JG Jones
Ron Marz
Tony Moore
Rick Remender
Eduardo Risso
Brian Wood

Also, 25% Off All Graphic Novels, plus variant covers for those who care about such things: Dark Avengers #1 by Adi Granov and Witchblade #124 by Tyler Kirkham

Check http://www.midtowncomics.com/custompages/nycc-2009.asp for updates

Jason Aaron
Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Lee Bermejo
Simone Bianchi
Dennis Calero
Keith R.A. DeCandido
Phil Jimenez
JG Jones
Ron Marz
Tony Moore
Rick Remender
Eduardo Risso
Brian Wood

Also, 25% Off All Graphic Novels, plus variant covers for those who care about such things: Dark Avengers #1 by Adi Granov and Witchblade #124 by Tyler Kirkham

Check http://www.midtowncomics.com/custompages/nycc-2009.asp for updates

COMIC BOOK ARTIST ROB LIEFELD AND WRITER PHIL HOTSENPILLER PROMOTE NEW GRAPHIC NOVEL ARMAGEDDON NOW: WORLD WAR III

Thursday, December 11, from 5:00 to 7:00PM
Midtown Comics Times Square location
200 W. 40th Street, Corner 7th Avenue, NYC

MIDTOWNCOMICS.COM
NYC Store Locations:
Times Square: 200 W. 40th Street, corner 7th Avenue.
Grand Central: 459 Lexington Avenue, corner 45th Street.
Contact: Gerry Gladston
gerry@midtowncomics.com

New York, NY, USA, December 8, 2008- Midtown Comics in New York City is proud to present legendary comic book artist and publisher Rob Liefeld, and writer Phil Hotsenpiller, signing their collaborative work Armageddon Now: World War III.

Rob Liefeld’s first major break came from DC Comics, illustrating Hawk & Dove. He then skyrocketed to fame in the early 1990’s as an artist for Marvel Comics, working on X-Men related titles The New Mutants and X-Force, and co-creating characters Cable and Deadpool. In 1992 Mr. Liefeld, along with six other top name creators that included Jim Lee and Todd MacFarlane, left Marvel to form Image Comics, the first major company to cater to creator-owned comic books. Liefeld’s Youngblood #1 was the first comic book published by Image, becoming the highest selling independent ever at the time. He also managed to convince writer Alan Moore to put a fresh spin on his own Supreme book and write a critically acclaimed run on the series, telling his own version of the Superman mythos.

In the years since, Rob Liefeld has come full circle, leaving Image in 1996, starting new publishing venture Awesome Comics in 1997 (reviving Joe Simon’s and Jack Kirby’s classic Fighting American character with Jeph Loeb), going back to Marvel to work on the fan favorite Heroes Reborn/Onslaught stories, working on Teen Titans for DC, and has more recently returned to Image with an all new Youngblood series.

Phil Hotsenpiller is the teaching pastor of Yorba Linda Friends, a Mega Church in Southern California. He is the founder and President of New York Executive Coaching Group, and co-author of a seven part business series entitled Passionate Lives and Leaders. Phil is one of the founding partners of 12 GATES Productions and is the writer of Armageddon Now!

Midtown Comics opened its first store in 1997, and is now the industry’s leading retailer of comic books, graphic novels and Manga, with its online store as well as two landmark NYC locations in Times Square and Grand Central.

More information available online at: http://www.midtowncomics.com

Saturday, November 15, from 2:00 to 4:00PM
Midtown Comics Times Square location
200 W. 40th Street, Corner 7th Avenue, NYC

MIDTOWNCOMICS.COM
NYC Store Locations:
Times Square: 200 W. 40th Street, corner 7th Avenue.
Grand Central: 459 Lexington Avenue, corner 45th Street.
Contact: Gerry Gladston
gerry@midtowncomics.com

New York, NY, USA, November 5, 2008- Midtown Comics in New York City is proud to announce a signing event with acclaimed comic book writer Matt Fraction, author of some of Marvel Comics’ hottest titles including Invincible Iron Man, The Immortal Iron Fist, Punisher War Journal, and The Uncanny X-Men, just to name a few.

Matt Fraction got his start working on projects such as Last of The Independents (AiT/PlanetLar), 30 Days of Night: Bloodsucker Tales (IDW Publishing) and The Five Fists of Science (Image Comics), before creating the mind-bending spy series Casanova (Image Comics). Along the way he has collaborated with some of the most talented creators in the business, penning scripts for artists like Ben Templesmith, Barry Kitson, Alan Davis, Gabriel Bá, Fábio Moon, Ariel Olivetti, Salvador Larroca, Terry Dodson, and Greg Land, as well as coauthoring comics with Ed Brubaker.

Mr. Fraction has been nominated for two Eisner awards: one for his work on the Sensational Spider-Man Annual Vol. 2 #1, and another that he shares with Ed Brubaker and David Aja for their work on The Immortal Iron Fist. He’s also won the 2007 Eagle Award for “Favourite Newcomer Writer”.

As an advocate for the decidedly non-mainstream, Mr. Fraction, along with his wife Kelly Sue DeConnick, were co-founders and staff writers for Warren Ellis’ Artbomb.net, a treasured source of alternative comics, graphic novels, news and reviews.

Midtown Comics opened its first store in 1997, and is now the industry’s leading retailer of comic books, graphic novels and Manga, with its online store as well as two landmark NYC locations in Times Square and Grand Central.

More information available online at: http://www.midtowncomics.com