Mood:
caffeinatedTopic: Comic Cons
TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3180: Yeah, believe it or not...I do read other printed matter than just 'floppy' comic books and graphic novels, LOL! I just finished reading the above book and thought about those of YOU that are coming to the Comic-Con International San Diego for either the first time, or a repeat visit, and have never had an In-N-Out Burger experience! I keep getting asked each year about good places to eat during the Comic-Con. Well, Tina and I don't really go out to eat during the comic-con days, as we are there from the wee hours of the morning (standing in line for Hall H a couple of days at least), and staying till late at night usually. I can't handle the all nighters any more, but then again, I started attending back in 1972 as a dealer when I was much younger! So when I'm asked about good food, the question is counter-questioned by 'fast food' or 'sit-down restaurant with friends'? If it's 'fast food' I usually think either 'Mexican Food' due to us being so close to the Mexican border, or burgers! You see, of the burger chains that are in our area of Metro San Diego, there are only two that I frequent. In-N-Out Burger and also the original Tommy's Burgers - home of the World's Best Chiliburgers! (And Yeah, I lived in LA Metro Area for a few years, where both of these burger chains started!) Well, Tommy's is a tale for another blog post, because I haven't found a book on that chain yet... But I have to tell YOU about this book and the chain, and the relationship to comic books! "Comic Books?" You say...? Yeah comic books. But first a quick mention of the book pictured above.
Stacy presents a well written and well researched story in her book. I was fascinated by it, quite honestly! The family that started this burger business did not want publicity for years, and only recently has the general public been privvy to some of what was going on there. The family wanted the product to speak for them, and did not have any spokesperson or character doing publicity for them.
That racing endorsement goes on to this day, (as of January 2010 at least), and that is why I chose to blog about this today. You see there is a small genre of 'hot rods' and 'car racing' comic books. The Hot Rod King #1 pictured at the top left of this post is from the Fall of 1952. So yeah, hot rods and comics do go back a ways! I've always stopped to read the hot rod racing comic books as they come in with collections that we buy from other dealers or those individuals that contact us to sell their collection. I don't go out of my way to buy them, but if I see that Jack Keller, who was my favorite artist on the Kid Colt, Outlaw comic book series drew it, then I stop to read them. Anyways, back to the book itself. Stacy does NOT do a tell-all 'yellow journalism' piece here. It is presented IMO without prejudice and without sensationalism of what has happened since the family first started in Baldwin Park, (Los Angeles Metro Area), of California. The book starts with husband-wife team, (Harry & Esther), that started the first location, and then on to the the two brothers, (Guy & Rich). It ends with the grand-daughter, (Lynsi), who has taken over the business. Sharp story telling, AND it actually has eight pages of photos! For those of YOU that are BIG Fans of this burger chain, (AND that includes my wife, Tina LoSasso!) this is a MUST Read for you!
Here's the link to the locations finder for In-N-Out Burger. There are six locations within 8 miles of the San Diego Convention Center! Just keypunch in 'San Diego CA' 92101 in the search bar. Here's the link to their 'Secret Menu' as discussed in the book. Oh, and Tina always orders a Double-Double with grilled onions, fries, and a soft drink, which is Not on the 'Secret Menu', but is actually pictured near the top of this blog post, just 3 photos above this paragraph! I believe I've covered everything that I wanted to, and why this topic is related to comic books! My thanks to Stacy Perman for writing this book! Great Read! If it was a Comic Book or Graphic Novel, I'd give it a Near Mint (NM) 9.4 out of a 10.0 grading scale!
We won't have any for sale in our own online store as it doesn't fit our usual sales niche, but here's a link to where we suggest YOU get a copy if you are wanting to purchase one after reading this blog! In Paperback format found here: In-N-Out Burger: A Behind-the-Counter Look at the Fast-Food Chain That Breaks All the Rules AND My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,175 total posts in number! ~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com
http://www.comicbookscircus.com/
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This book was first published April of 2009. Written by Stacy Perman, it just jumped out at me. Why? Because unlinke most other burger chains, this one fought off all kinds of efforts to go national via franchising.
The only real publicity in the early years was their endorsement of one of the sons' racing hobby, which turned out to be more than a hobby. 
For those of YOU that are just coming into San Diego for the San Diego Comic Con International (a.k.a. Comic-Con International: San Diego), then I suggest at least stopping in and checking out this burger chain. PLUS check this book out if your are driving / flying into our area.
UPDATE...As of 09-07-10 I just found that there is a paperback format of this book coming to print soon! 
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