Michael D Hamersky On Comics Presents... The 2011 Long Beach Comic (& HoRRoR) Con Is Running October 29th - 30th! At the Long Beach Convention Center in Metro Los Angeles Area - Top Left Photo: The Long Beach Comic Con Logo. - Above Top Photo:  Since the Long Beach Comic Con keeps being scheduled during or near the Halloween Night... Why NOT add 'HoRRoR' to its promos & publicity?!  Good move, LBCC promoters!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3516:

It's that time of year in the Los Angeles Metro Area that one of the most fun comic cons that I attend is happening once again!

When I say 'happening' it actually takes shape months earlier in preparation for this weekend con, but the results of it take place usually just before or during Halloween Night on the 31st!

Which makes very good promotional sense that the promoters of this con have added 'Horror' to its name this year, as seen by the top right flyer published in this blog!

If the scheduling continues to have this convention occur during this time period, then I think it is a smart move on the part of the con's promoters!

So... I want YOU to definitely mark on your calendars that this con is taking place the two days just before Halloween this year, and attend, like Tina and I will be doing again!

Why?

Well here are just a few photos from the earlier cons, as uploaded at my Facebook Fan Page, Michael D Hamersky On Comics:

2009 LBCC

2010 LBCC 1 Day Expo

2010 LBCC

2011 LBCC 1 Day Expo

2011 LBC&HC (to be added to after the con is over)

So those are just a few of the reasons why this con is a 'MUST' for me to attend!  And you'll notice that I have been to all the LBCC events including the two 1 day Expos since this event started back in 2009.  It's that GOOD of a show to attend!

Plus here are NEW reasons for you to attend this 2 day con:

The 2011 Scheduled Guests

The 2011 Artist Alley Tables

The 2011 Exhibitors

The 2011 Programming Schedule Including 1st time Masquerade Ball

As I said above, when first starting blogging this post... There are many reasons why I haven't missed any of these Cons / Expos that the Long Beach Comic Con promoters have set up! And with the guests / exhibitors / programming for this year... I'm not going to miss this one either!

So about the only thing left is... How do YOU buy tickets?  Well... You could wait till you get there, but why not buy them online now?  At this link:

2011 Long Beach Comic & HoRRoR Con tickets!

Oh, and so that you don't miss any of the as yet unannounced Halloween Tricks or Treats... Here's the Facebook Fan Page for the LBCC, so that you can be interactive with the promoters / attendees for this year's Con and see what else they have in store for this year's Comic and HoRRoR Con!

See YOU there??!!

~Michael D Hamersky On Comics!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!  We currently have over 2,561 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.  Note:  As of Monday, June 27th, 2011, I'll be using my new laptop, where the default resolution is 'higher', so there may be some temporary glitches until I am used to the new resolution.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail 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 Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Looks Back & Reviews... COMIX: A History of Comic Books in America First Published in 1971 by Bonanza Books!   Written by Les Daniels with Graphics by Mad Peck Studios -

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3515:

Every so often in my travels I come across books on comics that I have read in the past. Today's blog is on one of those...

Most of this blog's readers will know Les Daniels best for his coffee table books that I have shared with you before, namely: 'Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics' (1991), and 'DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World’s Favorite Comic Book Heroes' (1995). 

Man, it doesn't seem that long ago that the 'Marvel history book' was published!  But it has been twenty years now!  I have bought and sold several copies of that book, as well as the 'DC history book' since the dates of those books being published!

One I haven't seen in a long time is this one from forty years ago!  Sheesh, it was when I hadn't yet set up as a comics dealer at the San Diego Comic Con at El Cortez Hotel in 1972!  (See bottom left of this blog post for my 1973 setup pic.)

So when I had an opportunity to pick this book up... I just had to!

The book could be considered kind of 'dated', in that the Fantastic Four had only recently reached issue #100 in numbers, and almost all of the comics inserts are all in black and white instead of color like the more recent books by Les... But this book is like a time capsule as to what comics & comix were all about at the start of the 1970's!

For those of you that weren't fortunate to grow up in those days... Or even if you were, but weren't reading or collecting at that time... This book is a fine presentation with several chapters of what 'Comic Books in America' had evolved to at that point in 1970.

There's even a section at the end on 'underground comix', with a brief history of where they had come from, which most comics readers today probably don't know!

Of course there is the now 'obligatory' chapters on 'The Coming of Comics', 'The Birth of the Comic Book', 'The E.C. Revolution', and 'The Comics Code Controversy', but I found that the writer's chapter on 'Mighty Marvel' was pretty much the way I felt back in 1970 also, having started with them in 1962.

The notes / bibliography section was well documented.  I would put this book right up there with  the very few others from this time period as ones to be placed in your personal library as a reference to the history of comics!

Please note though... Les Daniels was circa 28 years of age when he wrote this book.  At the time there was very little published on the history of comics.  Thus this book is written more by a fan of comics, than a scientific treatise.  It does make for easier reading though, and really is a 'snapshot' of what comics were thought of back in 1970 by enthusiastic fans like Les!

My comic book grade for this book is a VERY FINE / NEAR MINT (VF/NM) 9.0 out of a possible 10.0 comic book grading scale.  After forty years it still holds the test of time as a good reference book.

Here's the only problem for obtaining one for your personal library.  You will more than likely have to buy this from an online comics dealer like myself / or other online source, as it has long been OOP (Out of Print).  I do notice that it was reprinted back in 1988, so I'll give you the info on that edition:

Hardcover: 198 pages
Publisher: Random House Value Publishing (December 12, 1988)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0517110377
ISBN-13: 978-0517110379
Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds 

Last year I published a blog on what I would suggest as 2010 holiday gifts for either yourself or friends that enjoy reading / collecting comics.  I will be adding this book to my 2012 shopping list!

There isn't a Facebook fan page for Les Daniels, nor did I find any photos of Les during that 1970s time period, so I'm just going to post a link to his Wikipedia entry so that you can see what else Les has written!

~Michael D Hamersky On Comics!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!  We currently have over 2,561 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.  Note:  As of Monday, June 27th, 2011, I'll be using my new laptop, where the default resolution is 'higher', so there may be some temporary glitches until I am used to the new resolution.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail 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 Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews... The Fearless Zombie Hunters #3 A Manuel Rios Sarabia & Gared Campos Production Published by Sadhaka Studio - Top Left Photo: The Front Cover to The Fearless Zombie Hunters #3. - Above Top Photo:  Manuel Rios Sarabia at the Sadhaka Studio booth during the 2011 San Diego Comic Con International!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3514:

Two years ago this week, (September 26th of 2009), I review blogged 'The Fearless Zombie Hunters' issue #1. 

At the recent 2011 San Diego Comic Con, I saw Manuel Rios Sarabia at his booth, and we got to briefly talking about the SDCC, and what had happened since I last saw him at a comic con.

He gave me a copy of issue #3 which had just come out in time for sale at the SDCC.  It was among a stack of comics that I have read and want to review blog here, time and space permitting, as I am not blogging every day during this month, due to a special project at a client's site.

Manuel will be at the upcoming APE (Alternative Press Expo) this weekend in San Francisco, from October 1st - 2nd, at his Sadhaka Studio booth, table #607, where you can purchase this comic book, as well as other offerings from Sadhaka Studio. 

But first... What is this issue #3 of the comic book about?  Here's a description:

Writer / Creator Manuel Rios Sarabia Art Gared Campos

Standard Comic
Black & White
Page Count: 28
POD

The Fearless Zombie Hunters face off with the mysterious Boscarato and his undead "actors".

The Fearless Zombie Hunters is a black comedy about a trio of zombie slayers led by Professor Abronsius who is joined by the incompetent and disgraceful Angel, Son of El Angel, the greatest wrestler ever in Mexican history and Candy, the sassy, sexy, feminine balance between those two complete opposites. The three of them try to rid the world of the coming zombie plague. Enjoy!

The Fearless Zombie Hunters 3 TM and © Manuel Rios Sarabia. All rights reserved.."

Okay... I'm going to again give you a chance to read my review blog on issue #1, from two years ago...

...Back? Okay... Here's 'My Take' on issue #3.

Front Cover -  I like this front cover, because it is in the format of a movie one sheet, which fits the inside story very well.  However, if this was to be sold at a LCBS (Local Comic Book Shop) near you... The title of the comic book at the bottom would be hidden in most LCBS racks.  Which is good that this available through online purchase.

Inside Front Cover -  A little too much wasted space in presenting the title once again, and a very brief 'credits' section.   Having a 'what you have missed thus far' section here would have been helpful, or something to bring you, the new reader of this series up to speed... After all, this is the 3rd issue!

Splash Page -  There isn't one... As the first page is the 'first page' of the story.  Which BTW, features black & white artwork.

Interior Pages -  The artwork has greatly 'improved' over the two years since the first issue!  Kudos to the artist for 'growing artistically' in the two years since the first issue!

The storyline is running along smoothly, until the 'last page', which appears 'to be continued', although there is nothing on the page to tell you so. 

What follows is another 'credits page', in that 'You have been reading 'The Fearless Zombie Hunters.... with three links to check out.

But the comic book isn't done yet... there is a 'pin-up' page, and then the Inside Back Cover with yet another pin-up... But no explanations as to why, or when or what to expect the issue to come out or be about.

The Back Cover is the usual 'Ka-Blam Girl' ad for the printer that prints most of the indy comics that I am given or sent to possibly review blog.

So... I've listed the contents of this issue. Next are my thoughts on this comic book.

I was able to follow along with the storyline, and enjoyed viewing the improved art.  The black & white interior pages are fine for the genre this comic book is in.  It doesn't need color to get the points across to the reader.

The front cover is very stylistic, and made me want to turn the cover to start reading.  The lack of telling a new reader, or one that hasn't read an issue in two years or so, about what has happened previously is not good.  Neither is abruptly shutting down the storyline, and inserting another credits page and two pin-up pages.   The production phase of this comic book could have used more editing in the final presentation.

However, the storyline is a fine one... And even fun to read.  I'm hoping that the creators can work out the production kinks, which would make this a better series to follow. 

I'm giving this a VERY FINE MINUS (VF-) 7.5 out of a possible 10.0 comic book grade, because of what I just mentioned in regards to the publishing aspects.   The storyline itself would keep those interested in Zombie stories coming back for more...!

You can see more about this comic book company at their Facebook Fan Page: Sadhaka Studio.

There is also a Facebook Fan Page for The Fearless Zombie Hunters.

You can buy this issue #3 direct from Indy Planet if you aren't attending the upcoming APE this weekend.

My thanks to Manuel for bringing this latest issue of 'The Fearless Zombie Hunters' to my attention at the SDCC!

~Michael D Hamersky On Comics!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!  We currently have over 2,559 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.  Note:  As of Monday, June 27th, 2011, I'll be using my new laptop, where the default resolution is 'higher', so there may be some temporary glitches until I am used to the new resolution.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail 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 Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Presents...  A Preview Of An Upcoming One Woman Art Show Reception... Featuring: Barbara Marker!  Which Will Be Held At the Tierrasanta Public Library (San Diego, CA) Courtesy of BarbaraMarkerArtist.com   -   - Top Photo:  The San Diego Public Library, Tierrasanta Branch, where the October 15th Reception will be held! - Bottom Video:  A preview video of just one of the walls of Barbara Marker's artwork on display.  You are invited to view the artwork before, during, and after the reception! The room that contains the artwork will present these between September 8, 2011 through December 23, 2011. The regular Library hours are: Tuesday & Wednesday12:30 to 8:00. Thursday & Friday 9:30 to 5:30. Saturday 9:30 to 2:30. Closed Sunday and Monday! - Far Left Top Photo:  Photo of Barbara Marker, Artist!

 

 

 

The Art Show has already started, but the Reception isn't until Saturday, October 15th. Here's the details:

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,559 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky 

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:   ComicBooksCircus.com.

If it isn't available in my online 'Local Comic Book Shop, (LCBS), then you may be able find it in my Amazon affiiate link, as seen here:  Comics & Graphic Novels at Amazon!

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!!  (Note:  I don't list my email address here, due to 'spambots' gathering it and 'spamming' me. 

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013, USA

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to have sent me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages in my network already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' for myself so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Mentions That... The 2011 Shel Dorf Award For Comics Blogger Of The Year Goes To... Heidi MacDonald of The Beat! - Top Left Photo: The Shel Dorf Awards Logo! - Above Top Photo:  The Shel Dorf Award For '2011 Comic Blogger of the Year' Goes To: Heidi MacDonald - The Beat!  Congrats to Heidi!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3512:

I haven't seen a full list of the 2011 Shel Dorf Awards winners as of 6:15 AM this Monday morning when this blog goes to press...

However I did see on 'The Beat' that the winner of the category for 'Comics Blogger of the Year' was Heidi MacDonald of 'The Beat'.

Here is what was posted there just a short while ago, plus the photo used at the top right of this blog post:

"The Shel Dorf awards were given out this weekend at the Detroit Fanfare con, and while the complete winner list has not been posted anywhere we could find, we know we won for Best Comics Blogger! Woot! The competition was tough and to have prevailed is really humbling and gratifying. We don’t know who exactly voted on these wards, but whoever did — thank you so much."

Photo of award by Lauren Sankovich.

Congrats to Heidi from Michael D Hamersky 'On Comics'!

Other nominees in the category (with links to the blogs) for this year were:

COMIC BLOGGER OF THE YEAR
* Stefan Blitz (Forces of Geek)
* Michael Hamersky (Michael D. Hamersky On Comics)
* Rich Johnston (Bleeding Cool News)
* Heidi MacDonald (The Beat)
* Various Contributors (Robot 6)

As you can tell from the above, those are all 'heavy hitters' in this industry!

I appreciate those that nominated me for this category, and all those that voted for me in the voting process. It was an honor to be listed among the 'Top 5' in this category which covered the world of comics bloggers!

Again, congrats to Heidi MacDonald of 'The Beat'!

I'm sure that the other winners will be announced soon at the Facebook Fan Pages for both the 'Detroit Fanfare' & the 'Shel Dorf Awards', so please check out those links for the full list of the winners of each category after they are listed!

~Michael D Hamersky On Comics!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!  We currently have over 2,559 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.  Note:  As of Monday, June 27th, 2011, I'll be using my new laptop, where the default resolution is 'higher', so there may be some temporary glitches until I am used to the new resolution.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail 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 Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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