TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

As blogged before...Last October was the Long Beach Comic Con's 1st Annual Comic Con (LBCC). There were exhibitors there from as far away as the United Kingdom, including Andi Ewington who was at the the Com.x booth. (Click here for that story.)

Now, I've received the following email that the Com.x folks will be there once again; this time with Andi's newly published book and more. The poster attached to the email is published at the top right of this post. Here's part of the rest of the email: 

Hi there!

Com.x will be exhibiting at the Saturday only Long Beach Comic Convention on February 20th. We’ll have copies of our newest book, ‘45,’ at our booth, as well as several of the artists involved in the production.

Best,

Benjamin Shahrabani
Com.x Ltd

Okay... so what special guests besides the Com.x folks will be there at this one day Expo? After all, I did mention all the great comics creators I met there last October!
 

Well, here are just a few more that will be there:

Bernie Wrightson
Beth Sotelo
Brian Haberlin
Christian Beranek
Christian Meesey

 Dan Wickline - Click here for earlier blog post!
David Wohl

 Dawn and Clinton Wolf - Click here for earlier blog post! 
Dustin Nguyen
Eddie Nuñez
Eric Basaldua
Frank Mastromauro
Gus Vazquez
J.T. Krul
Jim Daly
JJ Kirby
Joe Benitez
Joshua Hale Fialkov
 Lauren Perry - Click here for earlier blog post! 
Livio Ramondelli
Lou Ferrigno
Mark Roslan
Michael Lopez
Peter Steigerwald

 Ray Anthony-Height - Click here for earlier blog post!
Rick Basaldua
Rob Levin
Stan Sakai
Tim Bradstreet
Todd Nauck
Tone Rodriguez
Trent Kaniuga
Stan Sakai
Vince Hernandez
 Whilce Portacio - click here for earlier blog post!

What else will this one day Expo have besides comics creators?

Retailers with cool goods (Golden Apple! Comic Madness! Terry's Comics! Amazing Comics! Ed Robertson's Comics! Harley Yee Comics! Tony Raiola Books! Geoffrey's Comics! Pulp Fiction! Scott Hudlow Comics! And more to come!)

Exhibitors to impress you (Aspen!, Top Cow!, Com.X!, High Tower!, Lions Gate! And more to come!)

Artist Alley to explore!  Portfolio Review with writer & editor Barbara Kesel! Pure comics love (as always!)

Tina and I are looking forward to attending again... and checking out the Artists Alley for more comics and comics creators to blog about here afterwards...

Here's the websites to check out for updates and buying tickets ahead of time:

To buy tickets: http://shop.longbeachcomiccon.com/Comic-Expo-2010-Ticket-p/comicexpo2010.htm

One Day Comic Expo is on:  Saturday, February 20th 2010

At the: Long Beach Convention Center
Promenade Ballroom
10am – 7pm

Cost of Admission: Only $10!

To join their Facebook Fan Page for this one day Expo and for updates on the Fall Con also:

http://www.facebook.com/LongBeachComicCon?ref=ts

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

I have blogged about several publications from Main Enterprises, both because they have been sent in to me for a possible mention or review, AND that they were publications that I enjoyed reading!

I would have to say the same thing about the above pictured comic book format publication that was a recent submittal! 

First, here is the promo about the magazine from Jim Main at Main Enterprises:

"Not a hoax...not an imaginary story...it's actually here! The publication that began as an idea back in 2003 is FINALLY here in all its retro sf/space adventure glory! Full color covers by Robert Sumner and Tim Tobolski...interior art by Jan Johnson, Miguel Guerra, Larry Tisch, Jim Pack, Jason Gillespie, Dan Taylor, Rene Blansette...strips by John Lambert and Robert Sumner...fiction by Sam Gafford. A 40 page comic book format publication...only 3.25 plus 1.70 shipping. Personal checks only...made out to Jim Main, or via paypal."

Okay, So what was actually in the publication, and what did I think?

Well, just from the cover alone, I knew I could be in for a real treat!  The cover was a homage to 'Woody', a.k.a. Wally Wood.  Great Cover to start this issue off!

The inside cover pin-up page was a good continuation by Jan Johnson.

Then the letter from the Editor:

FROM THE COLD, DARK VOID...
Welcome, at long last, to the first issue of STRANGE SPACE STORIES, a publication literally years in the making.
It began as an idea of mine back in 2003, when I hadwanted to add to my line up of roughly 3 other titles, a retro SF/Space publication of strips, fiction and illustrations, ultilizing the genres of action, adventure, drama, mystery and noir. I thensent out some feelers to those contributors I knew back then who may be interested in such a thing ...and a total of three talented folks responded.
 

Then, a couple years later, others sent me in material, but not enough for a full issue.As time went on, I had added to my list of talented contributors, and here we are at this point with the publication finally done and in your hands. I'd like to thank all involved in this endeavor, from the very patient folks who began since day one, up to those who just recently came aboard to finish it up, and all those in-between.

There are plans underway for a second issue and material is already in file for it. I promise that the wait will not be as long this time. Honest. In the meantime, it would be greatly appreciated if you, the reader, could send me a letter of comment on this issue for my planned letters page in issue #2. You can send it via email or snail mail at the contacts listed at the bottom of the page. Thanks in advance.
Transmission Ended...
"Grim" Jim Main

Pretty heartfelt there...

So what else was in this issue?

Here's the Table of Contents:

Front Cover by Robert "Floyd" Sumner
Inside Front Cover by Jan Johnson
Pg. 1..............Contents Page (illustrations by Larry Tisch)
Pg. 2..............Illustration by Marc Haines
Pg. 3.............."The Ark" by John Lambert, embellishments by Robert 'Floyd" Sumner
Pg. 9...............Illustration by Miguel Guerra
Pg. 11............."Bucket of Nerves" by Sam Gafford. Illustrations by Dan Taylor.
Pg. 24.............Illustration by Rene Blansette
Pg. 25............."Strange Frequencies", by Robert "Floyd" Sumner
Pg. 34.............Illustration by Miguel Guerra
Pg. 35.............Ilustration by Jason Gillespie
Inside Back Cover by Jim Pack
Back Cover by Tim Tobolski

Here are just a few of my thoughts on this issue:

I enjoyed "The Ark". Although it wasn't entirely a new concept, it entertained me, as well as being thought provoking.

The illustration on pg 9 by Miguel Guerra was an outstanding black and white illo pin-up!

Pg 24's illustration by Rene Blansette, although at first look, was a little 'simplistic' in style, turned into something that I looked at for a few minutes.  It was more detailed than I originally thought...

"Strange Frequencies" was exactly that!  Strange... BUT a Good Read!  Kinda reminded me of the Sci-Fi TV Shows of the late 1950's - 1960's in black & white!

Pg 34 was another one page pin-up by Miguel Guerra.  I hadn't seen this aspect of Miguel's work before.  I liked both of these pin-ups by Miguel in this issue!

This blog post is running a little long, so I'll stop here on commenting on this individual issue.

However, I haven't printed the below history of 'Main Enterprises' before, but thought I should mention it in this blog post today:

Main Enterprises has been publishing fanzines, comics and magazines since the early 1970's, but under different names. You may also know us as Flying Pig Publications, Spectrum Graphics, Padded Cell Press, Lightning Comics, Cat's Paw Comics and Main Publishing. Whew! Many different names, but overall, the same great quality!

My thanks to Jim Main for sending in this first issue for possible mention / review here in my Blog!

You can see how to order this publication by clicking here!

PLUS My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts!

Join us again soon, as we publish another 'Main Feature'.  And don't forget to check out the 'Featurette' shown below this 'Main Feature' article at the bottom right!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Comic books / graphic novels like the one mentioned above can be found at our own web site:

 http://www.comicbookscircus.com/ 

 

"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"     Note: If you are breaking into or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:   Make It So Marketing PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013   We also have an on-line exhibitor table at the virtual Facebook Comic Con. You can view the table by clicking this link.  If you are a Facebook member, please join our Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, and other wall posts!   If you are a Facebook member and would like to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

TODAY'S FEATURETTE: I wanted to mention an upcoming program that is NOT at a comic con. However, it is about "New York, the Super City"! Of course, with a program name like that, the odds are that it would be held in New York City and the program be about Super Heroes, right?! Here are the details that you would need to find and attend this special program: Host: New York Center for Independent Publishing Type: Education - Lecture Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm Location: 20 W. 44th Street, New York, NY 10036    Here is additional info as to what is going on there: Panel Event Featuring: Danny Fingeroth Gene Kannenberg, Jr. Frank Tieri Billy Tucci New York served as the model for Gotham City, inspired Will Eisner as he created the noirish adventures of The Spirit, and became a recurring character during the 1960s resurgence of Marvel in comics such as Spider-Man and Iron Man. ForeWord Magazine contributing editor Peter Gutiérrez will moderate a high-energy roundtable on the relationship between superheroes and their favorite hometown... and on how comics culture has promoted potent and memorable images of New York to readers worldwide. Tickets are $15, $10 for CIP Members, $5 for students - please email contact@nycip.org or call 212-764-7021 to reserve! For more info and updates on this Con check out this Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=293106500722 Pictured below is the Logo for the organization that is hosting this special program: BTW, the New York CIP has a Fan Page that you can join at Facebook, which you can see by clicking this link. --------------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed, which could either be published in the 'Main Feature' or 'Featurette' sections. ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768. All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

Back on Monday, December 21st, 2009, I reviewed the first issue of this series, as seen by clicking here...

Please note that there was also an issue #0, which I had not reviewed before in this blog, nor have I yet read it as of this new blog date.

As was the case with Issue #1, John B. Lai, Chief Operating Officer/Editor in Chief of the Ultimate Comics Group, LLC, was kind enough to send me a preview copy of the 2nd issue. 

PLUS My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts!

Join us again soon, as we publish another 'Main Feature'.  And don't forget to check out the 'Featurette' shown below this 'Main Feature' article at the bottom right!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Comic books / graphic novels like the ones mentioned above can be found at our own web site:

 http://www.comicbookscircus.com/ 

 

"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"     Note: If you are breaking into or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:   Make It So Marketing PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013       We also have an on-line exhibitor table at the virtual Facebook Comic Con. You can view the table by clicking this link.  If you are a Facebook member, please join our Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, and other wall posts!     If you are a Facebook member and would like to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

TODAY'S FEATURETTE: I wanted to mention another comic con that may be coming YOUR way if YOU live in the North East USA! That would be the upcoming North East Comic-Con! Here are the details that you would need to find and attend this con: Date:         Sunday, March 7, 2010 Time:         9:00am - 4:00pm Location:     Boston Radisson Hotel  Street:       200 Stuart Street, 6th Flr Ballroom City/Town:    Boston, MA    Here is additional info as to what is going on there: Comics, Original Art, Toys, Anime, Video Games, collectibles and Much, Much, More! PLUS: One (1) FREE PGX Graded - Original 1940 BATMAN #1 Comic Book Will Be Given as a Door Prize at the March 7th Show!!! Don't miss your chance to win a piece of History! (Fascimile of issue shown to the left above.) Food concession and eating area available. Admission $10 Wear a Costume or Children under 12 free Advance passes available $12 Allows admission at 8:30 Boston Radisson Hotel 200 STUART ST. BOSTON, 6TH Floor Ballroom In Boston's downtown entertainment district, near the MBTA's Boylston stop. For more info and updates on this Con check out this Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=302679619018 Pictured below is the reason I'm blogging about this con here today.  That would be the fact that George Burnett, who's 'White Rose' comic book came in 2nd Place in the 2009 Small Press Idol Contest, will be attending this One Day Con: BTW, George has a Group Page for 'White Rose' at Facebook, which you can see by clicking this link. --------------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed, which could either be published in the 'Main Feature' or 'Featurette' sections. ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768. All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

Last October was the Long Beach Comic Con's 1st Annual Comic Con (LBCC), and even the Zombies were out in force in attendance! (As seen at the above right photo with 'Zombie Ranch' creators Dawn Wolf and Clinton Wolf at their table in Artists Alley! Click here for their story in my earlier archived blog post about the October 2009 LBCC!)...

Plus Tina and myself attended the 1st Annual Con to check out all the artists alley attendees, etc. I blogged several times before, during, and after about all the comics creators that were there. 

Now, the organizers of the Long Beach Comic Con have decided to throw an xtra one day Comic Expo this month of February in addition to the Fall Con!

So here's their pitch for YOU to attend this one day expo on Saturday February 20th, 2010:

Why Wait to Love Comics More?

October's Long Beach Comic Con was so much fun, we can't wait a whole year to do it again!

So why not … have a Comic Expo 2010!

A one-day extravaganza of eclectic entertainment for everyone!

Saturday, February 20th 2010

Long Beach Convention Center
Promenade Ballroom
10am – 7pm

Only $10 of your Earth dollars!

Okay... so what special guests besides Dawn & Clinton Wolf will be there? After all, I did mention all the great comics creators I met there last October! 

Well, here are just a few more:

Bernie Wrightson
Beth Sotelo
Brian Haberlin
Christian Beranek
Christian Meesey

 Dan Wickline - Click here for earlier blog post!
David Wohl
Dustin Nguyen
Eddie Nuñez
Eric Basaldua
Frank Mastromauro
Gus Vazquez
J.T. Krul
Jim Daly
JJ Kirby
Joe Benitez
Joshua Hale Fialkov
Livio Ramondelli
Lou Ferrigno
Mark Roslan
Michael Lopez
Peter Steigerwald

 Ray Anthony-Height - Click here for earlier blog post!
Rick Basaldua
Rob Levin
Stan Sakai
Tim Bradstreet
Todd Nauck
Tone Rodriguez
Trent Kaniuga
Stan Sakai
Vince Hernandez
 Whilce Portacio - click here for earlier blog post!

What else will this one day Expo have?

Retailers with cool goods (Golden Apple! Comic Madness! Terry's Comics! Amazing Comics! Ed Robertson's Comics! Harley Yee Comics! Tony Raiola Books! Geoffrey's Comics! Pulp Fiction! Scott Hudlow Comics! And more to come!)

If YOU are going to be in the Los Angeles Metro Area on February 20th, 2010... Don't Miss It!  We won't!

Yeah, Tina and I are planning on being at this ONE DAY Only Comic Expo.  So if YOU see me in my blue polo shirt that says "ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com", feel free to stop me and say hello! 

 Unless I'm posing with 'Wonder Woman' for a photo... Three's a Crowd, you know!  ;)

And yes, I plan on hitting the Artists Alley again, PLUS the exhibitor booths as well... Should take Tina and myself the whole day into the early evening!

My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts! We usually blog on a daily basis during the 'work week' on comic book creators, comic book reviews, comic cons, book signings, and other pop culture news and events, such as the one blogged about here today.

Join us again soon, as we publish another 'Main Feature'.  And don't forget to check out the 'Featurette' shown below this article!

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

Last night I was catching up on emails, messages and sales made.  I had a busy week at a new client's office for the last three days and was getting a little behind in blogging, due to hours needed to get everything accomplished...

However, while using my laptop to do the above, I also watched the 2 Hour Season Premiere of the 20th Season of Survivor: Heroes Versus Villains on CBS TV with Tina.

I've been a fan since Season 1, while Tina starting watching the show after we were married.  As a side note she did see one show of Season 1, when she blogged about it for a business site, "Sometimes You Gotta Eat A Rat!".

So yeah, I really enjoy this TV Show.  And with remembering almost all of the 'Heroes' and 'Villains' cast from the earlier seasons, I can see this is going to be a 'Fun' Season!

If only this idea could be brought back to comics again... Marvel's Secret Wars is the closest thing I've seen to doing this ideas in comics...

Just a few short notes, as I want to get this posted, and get the shipping invoiced and packed for taking to the Post Office:

Obnoxious Villain Love:  The 'Black Widow' (Jeri), and the 'Dragon Slayer' (Coach) - per Tina.  I kinda think this is like a comic book scenario myself, a bad issue of Marvel Super-Villain Team-Up, actually!

Sugar 'losing' her top at the first challenge was kinda like an 'Adult' Comic book along with the flipping off, which was censored.

The Villains winning the first immunity challenge is kind of like the Villains winning at the beginning of a comic book mini-series, but ending up with the Heroes winning at the series finale...

Well, that's it for now... We no longer blog about each week of Survivor or other TV Shows ever since the last WGA Strike, but this Premiere Episode of Season 20 had the makings of a 'comic book' comparison, so I just had to do it!  And yeah, I do have three favorites already...but I'm keeping those choices to myself for now... UNLESS I blog about this Season again!

So in the meantime, you can check out their web site at: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor/!

My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts!

Join us again soon, as we publish another 'Main Feature'.  And don't forget to check out the 'Featurette' shown below this 'Main Feature' article!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Comic books / graphic novels like the ones mentioned above can be found at our own web site:

 http://www.comicbookscircus.com/ 

"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"   Note: If you are breaking into or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to: Make It So Marketing PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013   We also have an on-line exhibitor table at the virtual Facebook Comic Con. You can view the table by clicking this link.  If you are a Facebook member, please join our Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, and other wall posts! If you are a Facebook member and would like to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

TODAY'S FEATURETTE: I wanted to mention the below web site today. Why?  Well, so often there are younger people who wished they too could start a comic strip after seeing them in print or a web comic strip. And NOW they can!  Plus they can write in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portugese or Latin! They choose a character and emotion. Then use a talk or thought balloon, and then add more characters and talk.   The next process: you add objects and panel prompts. Finally you can edit and then print, OR email your comic stript to your friends... Looks pretty neat!  For You to take a look at this website and enjoy, just click the link below: http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/    Pictured below is the portal page to the web site itself.  The web site was created by Bill Zimmerman with art by Tom Bloom: BTW, Tom Bloom has a Fan Page at Facebook, which you can see by clicking this link. My thanks to Bill and Tom for setting this web site up!  After you or your friends or kids go through setting up your own strip, let me know what YOU think of the site! --------------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed, which could either be published in the 'Main Feature' or 'Featurette' sections. ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768. All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.