On Memorial Day

Let's all take a moment to remember the fallen who have given the greatest sacrifice possible so that you and I can enjoy all the rights and priveliges that make up life in America. Thank you, servicemen and women... we'll try to do the best we can with what you've given us.


(P.S.: New Comic Day is pushed back to THURSDAY this week due to the holiday.)

I think my brain broke

Ouchie.

We are experiencing some technical difficulties...

...so please stand by. Normal posting by Bill will resume once these problems are resolved.

Thank you for your patience. Please continue enjoying your normally scheduled Memorial Day Festivities!

There's still time

That's right, there's still time left in Comix Connection's fantastic AVENGERS SALE! From now until 5PM SUNDAY MAY 30th, ALL GRAPHIC NOVELS and COLLECTED EDITIONS WITH THE WORD 'AVENGERS' IN THE TITLE are 35% OFF!


Plus, the new AVENGERS #1 and SECRET AVENGERS #1 are on sale at almost 50% OFF or a measly TWO DOLLARS EACH until we sell out! Jump on to these two new Marvel flagship titles at a great price and of course let us know if you want to sign up to get the rest of them! Make Mine Marvel and make it an AVENGERS!

Keyboard Hijinx!

Hey all you cubicle workers, have I got something for you! Check THIS out! Just the thing for those midday naps... your co-workers and boss will think you're being highly productive while you catch a bit of shut-eye! Just set it to idle in the background and turn those speakers up! Use the above -pictured eyeball stickers and you're all set! You're welcome!

(And then there's THIS! I miss my old clickey keyboard. That thing had HEFT.)

Get SECRET AVENGERS #1 for only TWO BUCKS!

No not those kind! TWO DOLLARS!

That's right, Comix Connection is offering the first issue of SECRET AVENGERS (which is in stores TODAY) for the ridiculously low low price of only TWO DOLLARS!

Get your copy today!

Oh and we still have the new AVENGERS #1 at that same $2.00 price, but supplies are running low! Give them both a try, and please let us know if you liked either one and want to get subsequent issues held for you... your Friendly Neighborhood Comix Connection Counter Monkeys are at this very moment champing at the bit to assist you!

SIGN UP TODAY!

REMEMBER THAT THE SPECIAL "35% OFF ALL GRAPHIC NOVELS and COLLECTED EDITIONS WITH THE WORD 'AVENGERS' IN THE TITLE SALE" has been extended and is running until 5PM on SUNDAY MAY 30th! Stop in and have the Staff recommend a classic AVENGERS story, and get it for 35% OFF!

Manager Jared's Weekly Matchup Poll Playoffs #2

Gambit's Abilities: Manipulation of potential energy and kinetic energy,
Hypnotic charm, Empathy.

Deathstroke's Abilities: Enhanced physical and mental attributes, Regenerative healing factor, Expert martial artist, Skilled armed/unarmed combatant, Master tactician and strategist, Access to hi-tech equipment, Skillful manipulation.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Don't forget to tell us why you voted the way you did in the comments section! Its easy, free, and commitment free!

(Descriptions of characters powers retrieved from Wikipedia.)

THE WINNERS!

You ALL are winners in my book, but these folks won the awesome AVENGERS #1 VARIANTS that we were holding a drawing for this week:

COMIX CONNECTION-YORK:

Blank Cover Variant Winners:
Brian Grimes
Jim Goulette
Al Bittner
Darren Wildasin
Andy Totter

Heroic Age Variant Cover Winners:
Katie Payne
Dustin Breneman
Ray Ward
Tom Grob
Jessica Eisenhauer

Marko Djurdjevic Variant Cover Winners:
Nick Stough
Cleveland Foster
John Romita Jr. Variant Cover Winner:
James Rigney
John Romita Sr. Variant Cover Winner:
Mike Reichart

COMIX CONNECTION-MECHANICSBURG:

Blank Cover Variant Winners:
Brian Anthony
Lucas Colton
Scott Liebel
Ian McMaster
Ed Blust II

Heroic Age Cover Winners:
Graham Stahl
Addison Taliaferro
Edward Gundrum
Brian Fletcher
Brandy Blake
Jason Heaslet
Ed Phillips
Jon Fertenbaugh

Marko Djurdjevic Variant Cover Winners:
Andrew Bahajak
Rob Spangle
Jason Jones

John Romita Jr. Variant Cover Winner:
Meredith Kenyon

John Romita Sr. Variant Cover Winner:
Jeff Sanders

There you go! Winners will be contacted by phone or prizes will be safely ensconced in your pull/hold boxes until you come in to claim these rare and cool variant cover comics!

Thanks for coming in and entering, and I hope everyone grabbed a copy of AVENGERS #1 for the low low price of $2.00 (which you can still do while supplies last!)

Coming in this Wednesday: SECRET AVENGERS #1 for the same crazy low price of only $2.00, or almost 50% OFF!

Give them both a try, and LET US KNOW IF YOU WANT TO KEEP UP WITH FUTURE ISSUES... your Friendly Neighborhood Comix Connection Counter Monkeys are standing by to assist you! SIGN UP TODAY!

REMEMBER THAT THE SPECIAL "35% OFF ALL GRAPHIC NOVELS and COLLECTED EDITIONS WITH THE WORD 'AVENGERS' IN THE TITLE SALE" has been extended and is running until 5PM on SUNDAY MAY 30th!
Stop in and have the Staff recommend a classic AVENGERS story, and get it for 35% OFF!

The End

Tribune Media Services has announced that the Little Orphan Annie newspaper comic strip, which has enjoyed a tumultuous 86-year run, will end on June 13th. Created by Harold Gray in 1924, the controversial strip hit its peak of popularity in the 1930s and continued long after Gray’s death in 1968. The once mighty strip ended not with a bang, but with a whimper. It was syndicated in a mere 20 papers at the time of its demise.

Read the entire article on ICV2 HERE.

So long, Annie, Sandy, and Daddy Warbucks! That was quite a run.

We have a secret for you!

SECRET AVENGERS #1, that is!

Following hard on the heels of the release of Marvel Comics new AVENGERS #1, Comix Connection is following up their awesome 50% OFF deal on that groundbreaking comic with ANOTHER 50% OFF comic -->> SECRET AVENGERS #1!

Written by ED BRUBAKER Penciled by MIKE DEODATO, THE HEROIC AGE IS HERE! Who are the Secret Avengers? Are they a covert team of heroes working the darkest corners of the globe to stop disaster? Are they part-spy, part-superhero? Are they XXXXXXX's newest idea to save the world...or all they all of the above? A new era begins as Marvel's hottest team takes a 21st century twist!

That's right fanboys and fangirls, next Wednesday May 26th, Comix Connection will be featuring the release of SECRET AVENGERS #1 at the truly awesome 50% OFF price of ONLY TWO DOLLARS! This sale price is good until we sell out of all copies, just like AVENGERS #1 from this past Wednesday. (You DID pick up a copy of that, didn't you? It's only $2.00! Get 'em while they're hot!) We will also be holding a raffle for the rare variant cover comics we are getting so don't forget to sign up for the drawing too!

AND IF YOU LIKE THESE NUMBER ONE ISSUES, DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR SUBSEQUENT ISSUES! Your Friendly Neighborhood Comix Connection Counter Monkeys are standing by to assist you!

SPECIAL NOTE: WE ARE EXTENDING THE "AVENGERS SALE" ANOTHER WEEK UNTIL SUNDAY, MAY 30th, so come on in and grab some classic AVENGERS stories for 2/3rds of the regular price:

ALL GRAPHIC NOVELS, TRADE PAPERBACKS and BOOKS that have the word "AVENGERS" in the title are 35% OFF until Sunday, May 30th!

DON'T FORGET!

(L to R, top: John Romita, Jr. 1:75 Variant, John Romita, Sr. Variant; L to R, bottom: Djurdjevic 1:25 Variant, 1:15 Heroic Age Variant, Blank Cover Variant)

Hey folks! Don't forget to fill out an entry blank* to win the awesome AVENGERS #1 variant cover comics we're giving away to celebrate the release of the newly rebooted flagship Marvel title AVENGERS #1! Drawings will be held Monday afternoon, and winners will be posted here and on Facebook and notified by phone! And stay tuned for cool news tomorrow of MORE giveaways this coming week! How can we get any cooler? It's a secret... for now!

A REMINDER: ALL GRAPHIC NOVELS, TRADE PAPERBACKS and BOOKS that have the word "AVENGERS" in the title are currently 35% OFF! SCORE!

*One entry per person per day, no purchase necessary but always appreciated!

I am now the proud owner of

A GENUINE BOOTLEG COMIX CONNECTION T-SHIRT FROM HONG KONG!

See HERE and HERE for details about this ridiculous thing.

I ordered one of these for me and one for my pal Steve, and I just received them! What a hoot! I need to get this framed and hung on the wall of the store!


Notice how the bootleg T-shirt (L) has a slightly smaller logo, and is centered lower on the shirt. Very nice though and 100% cotton, and in better shape than my real shirt!

Crack me up.

AVENGERS PARTY TODAY!

To kick off the relaunch of Marvel's flagship title the AVENGERS, Comix Connection and Marvel Comics are teaming up to throw a gala bash on the release day of superstar creative team Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita Jr.’s AVENGERS #1, available for only TWO MEASLY DOLLARS!


In addition:

* From Wednesday, May 19th through Sunday, May 23rd, ALL COLLECTED EDITIONS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS WITH THE WORD "AVENGERS" IN THE TITLE WILL BE 35% OFF! Have the Staff point you towards classic AVENGERS stories to bring you up to speed... they're ALL 35% OFF for FIVE DAYS!

* Enter drawings for limited rare Variant Cover copies of AVENGERS #1! (One entry per day per person, from May 19th through May 23rd please!)

* DOUGHNUT HOLES ON TOOTHPICKS! 'Nuff said.


So come on in to Comix Connection and get your AVENGERS on!

Manager Jared's Weekly Matchup Poll Playoffs #1

THE PLAYOFFS START NOW!*

*Due to the Marvel characters winning a few more battles than the DC characters in the first set of match-ups I've dropped the last few regular battles in order to use the remaining DC characters that hadn't battled yet. They get a free trip to the playoffs!

Still with me?

So without further ado, THE BEST VS. THE BEST!



Batman's Abilities: "the most dangerous man on Earth"

Sub-Mariner's Abilities: Amphibious physiology, Superhuman strength, speed, agility, durability and longevity. Flight, telepathic and bioelectrical powers.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Don't forget to tell us why you voted the way you did in the comments section! Its easy, free, and commitment free!

(Descriptions of characters powers retrieved from Wikipedia.)

Sadly, no Legion Flight Ring... YET!

This Wednesday, Comix Connection will be receiving the newly revamped LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1:

Written by PAUL LEVITZ

Art and cover by YILDIRAY CINAR and WAYNE FAUCHER

Fan-favorite LEGION writer Paul Levitz returns to the 31st century super team he made supreme with an all-new intergalactic era! This exciting series picks up on threads from Geoff Johns's "Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes" storyline and creates its own all-new ones, including a Green Lantern Corps tie-in and the destruction of a major planet! Rocket on board here as Levitz and rising star artist Yildiray Cinar (TEEN TITANS) revitalize one of DC's most beloved franchises starting with an oversized first issue with a Variant cover by superstar artist Jim Lee!

HOWEVER, contrary to previous reports, there will be NO plastic chic geek accessory LEGION FLIGHT RING to go with this issue! But don't be too sad... there is a LEGION FLIGHT RING somewhere on the horizon. My pal Stuart at DC Comics has informed me that DC is saving that cool item for a future "awesome tie-in". Stuart and DC, we eagerly await its arrival!

FAIR WARNING

NOTICE: DUE TO THE SKYROCKETING PRICE OF DOMESTICALLY-PRODUCED SHEET CAKE, COMIX CONNECTION WILL BE PROVIDING DOUGHNUT HOLES ON FINELY-CRAFTED WOODEN TOOTHPICKS AS SUBSTITUTE MUNCHIES DURING THE UPCOMING AVENGERS #1 RELEASE PARTY THIS WEDNESDAY, MAY 19TH! WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE.

THE CAKE IS A LIE.

Did we mention that

this coming Wednesday is the AVENGERS DAY PARTY?

That's right! Behold the fun:


* AVENGERS #1 will be specially priced at 50% OFF, or only TWO DOLLARS!
* From Wednesday, May 19th through Sunday, May 23rd, ALL COLLECTED EDITIONS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS WITH THE WORD "AVENGERS" IN THE TITLE WILL BE 35% OFF! Have the Staff point you towards classic AVENGERS stories to bring you up to speed... they're ALL 35% OFF for FIVE DAYS!
* Enter drawings for limited rare Variant Cover copies of AVENGERS #1! (One entry per day per person, from May 19th through May 23rd please!)
* THE CAKE IS A LIE! Maybe doughnut holes, but a cake is RIGHT out.

Anyhoo, try the newly relaunched AVENGERS #1! It looks great! (Yes, we got a personally-inscribed copy already and we think you're gonna love it!)

Bookshelves!

BOOKSHELVES!

BOOKSHELVES!

BOOKSHELVES!

(Stolen from a thread over at METAFILTER)...

Next Wednesday is the AVENGERS DAY PARTY!

In less than a week, Comix Connection will be kicking off the relaunch of one of Marvel Comics' flagship titles... the AVENGERS! Brian Bendis and John Romita Jr.... what more could you ask for? Well, how about a party with special AVENGERS DAY PARTY DEALS?

* AVENGERS #1 will be specially priced at 50% OFF, or only TWO DOLLARS!
* From Wednesday, May 19th through Sunday, May 23rd, ALL COLLECTED EDITIONS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS WITH THE WORD "AVENGERS" IN THE TITLE WILL BE 35% OFF! Have the Staff point you towards classic AVENGERS stories to bring you up to speed... they're ALL 35% OFF for FIVE DAYS!
* Enter drawings for limited rare Variant Cover copies of AVENGERS #1! (One entry per day per person, from May 19th through May 23rd please!)
* The possibility of cake!

See you on the Wednesday, May 19th for the Marvel Avengers Day Party, and all week until Sunday the 23rd for the Special Avengers Sale!

A Tribute to Frank Frazetta

Comic art collector, fellow seafood lover and all-around swell pal Charlie Roberts sent me this fine tribute to the great Frank Frazetta... I asked him if it would be OK to pass along to all of you and Charlie graciously agreed. Here it is in it's entirety, with photos by Charlie:

As many of you may have heard, legendary fantasy artist Frank Frazetta passed away today at age 82. Frank was the "everyman's artist". His work wasn't written up in "The New York Times", expensive art magazines, nor covered by mainstream art critics, but many of us loved his art whether or not the elite cared. Frank was like Norman Rockwell: another great artist who was under-appreciated by art critics, but loved by the common man and woman. Frank was a nice guy with an easy smile and a sense of humor... who quite simply could draw or paint ANYTHING better than anyone else. I last saw Frank and his wife Ellie at the opening of Steve Geppi's wonderful "GEM" museum of pop culture collectibles in Baltimore in 2006. For me, seeing Frank there was "the icing on the collecting cake". Russ Cochran was with Frank and Ellie, and had brought along the cover art to "Weird Science-Fantasy" comic book #29. What an incredible event... rare one of a kind items, capped off by Frank Frazetta in person! May I say "Wowzer" and "Wowzer" again!!!!!!! Attached are photos I took that day of Frank with Martin Luther King Jr., Arnold Blumberg, and Steve Geppi; Ted and Jonell Hake with Ellie Frazetta, and Frank with the "WSF" #29 cover. (Frank is making a face due to my using a cheap camera... he always gave me a little s..t about using a cheap camera!) I first met Frank and Ellie and their young family with Frank's Dad at Phil Seuling's July 4, 1969 NYC Comic Art Convention. Attached are photos I took with an even cheaper Kodak Instamatic: including Bernie Wrightson admiring the trophy Frank had been presented by Jim Warren for being Warren Magazine's Artist of the Year; Frank's Dad; Frank and Jim Warren; Ellie with Frank Jr, Bill and Holly; and Frank talking to Al Williamson. In 1970-1971 Gary Groth put on a few comic-cons in Washington DC. Thanks to a phone call by fandom illustrator John Fantucchio, the Frazettas came to the second day of "MetroCon". They drove down in a black '49 Mercury (cool guy- cool car!) That Sunday Ellie sat in a chair in a hall trying to sell "Johnny Comet" comic strip originals for $ 25 each, while Frank gave a lengthy talk in an adjoining room. Afterward several of us went out to say goodbye, and they invited us to visit them at home anytime. Hmm... sounds like a plan to me! I visited the Frazettas in 1975, and spent a pleasant afternoon and evening with the whole family... and took more photos with the trusty Instamatic. Frank smoked cigarillos and played Frank Sinatra 78s while he worked. The true "Great woman behind the great man", Ellie ran the business end from home which included mail order posters. In 1976 my old friends Mark Feldman and John Taylor put on a "Maryland Funnybook Festival". Ellie came down with Frank Jr. and brought several paintings. I talked to Ellie about putting on a Frazetta exhibit at one of the "Lancaster Comic Art Conventions" Chuck Miller and I were putting on in Lancaster, Pa. Ellie said if we put on the show near their home in the Poconos it would be fine. "Frazetta 77", a two day exhibit was held in East Stroudsburg in September 1977: 30 paintings, original pen & inks including the "Famous Funnies" comic book covers, and more. Ellie had us insure the room for One Million Dollars, and hire a guard to sleep in the room. Frank didn't attend, but guests included Harvey Kurtzman (who had given Frank work on "Little Annie Fanny" in the early 1960's when Frank couldn't get work,) Bernie Wrightson, Mike Kaluta, Will Eisner, Jerry Robinson, Burne Hogarth, Charles Vess, book publishers Ian and Betty Ballantine, and two busloads of students from the Joe Kubert School of Art.

I like to think that Frank is with Ellie right now, looking as happy and healthy as they did in 1969. N.C. Wyeth, Howard Pyle, and Norman Rockwell are telling Frank how much they enjoyed seeing "The Egyptian Queen" and "Golden Girl"; and Jerry Bails, Shel Dorf and Phil Seuling are setting up a major comic-con for all of them near the Pearly Gates.

Bless you Frank, and Thank You for everything.
Respectfully, Charlie Roberts

Thank you, Charlie, for the reminisces. Rest in Peace, Frank Frazetta.

Manager Jared's Weekly Matchup Poll #32

Blood will fly, but who will spill more of the other's?


Robin's Abilities: Excellent athlete, exceptional martial artist, trained by the League of Assassins, access to high tech equipment, good detective skills, good business skills.

Bullseye's Abilities: Perfect accuracy. Expert martial artist and hand to hand combatant. Spinal column, along with various other bones, laced with adamantium.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Don't forget to tell us why you voted the way you did in the comments section! Its easy, free, and commitment free!

(Descriptions of characters powers retrieved from Wikipedia.)

We lost the best today

We lost one of the true giants of fantasy and comic art today... Frank Frazetta has passed away at age 82.


Thanks for the uncountable images of faraway worlds and times.



R.I.P. FRANK FRAZETTA



Thanks for showing us how a true artist can draw. Thanks for showing the way. There will never be another Frank Frazetta.

(By the way, that last image of Frank Frazetta was drawn by Kevin Graham, the artist featured on Free Comic Book Day 2010 in Mechanicsburg!)

Mother's Day

Sorry, nothing to add today, just want to send BEST WISHES out to all those Mothers out there! We always appreciate everything you do!

We're NOT taking Mom out to eat... it's too busy, but we'll go out in a few days.


We're doing FAMILY BOARD GAME DAY today with some old standbys like LIFE, REGATTA, and STAR REPORTER, plus some current favorites like BLOKUS, SQUINT, GIRO GALAPPO, WITS & WAGERS and THE DESTRUCTION OF POMPEII (that can all be found at Comix Connection!)


Just sayin'!

HIGH 5 etiquette

Another in a long line of helpful public service announcements we provide:



You're welcome.

Rummaging through the drawer

Longtime fan Todd Sheffer recently sent me this photo of our business card circa 1988:



Pretty cool. That brings back the memories. And I thought I was the only one who had one of these!

Manager Jared's Weekly Matchup Poll #31

Tough skin and lots of guts!
Luke Cage got too close to the sewer and Killer Croc got angry...who wins?

Online Surveys & Market Research

Luke Cage's Abilities: Superhuman strength, stamina, and durability. Accelerated healing factor, skilled street fighter.

Killer Croc's Abilities: Superhuman strength, speed, agility, reflexes, stamina, durability, and senses. Expert swimmer, hardened scale-like skin, razor-sharp claws and teeth. Regenerative healing factor and experienced alligator wrestler.



Don't forget to tell us why you voted the way you did in the comments section! Its easy, free, and commitment free!

(Descriptions of characters powers retrieved from Wikipedia.)

The NINTH and Final Blackest Night/Brightest Day RING now available!

It's a new Brightest Day rising, and with it comes the ninth and final ring for your Lantern Corps Ring Bling Collection... the WHITE LANTERN RING:


How do you get one? Simply purchase a copy of the just-received BRIGHTEST DAY #1 at either Comix Connection location and you get one White Lantern Ring ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Come on in and snag one today!

Marvel's AVENGERS DAY PARTY set for Wednesday, May 19th!

(Click on picture to embiggen!)

To kick off the relaunch of Marvel's flagship title the AVENGERS, Comix Connection and Marvel Comics are teaming up to throw a gala bash on the release day of superstar creative team Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita Jr.’s AVENGERS #1, Wednesday, May 19th!

Join us at both locations for these special AVENGERS DAY PARTY DEALS:

• AVENGERS #1 will be specially priced at 50% OFF, or only TWO DOLLARS! That's right, give this new AVENGERS #1 a shot for a measly TWO WASHINGTONS! We think you'll like it!
• From Wednesday, May 19th through Sunday, May 23rd, ALL COLLECTED EDITIONS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS WITH THE WORD "AVENGERS" IN THE TITLE WILL BE 35% OFF! Have the Staff point you towards classic AVENGERS stories to bring you up to speed... they're ALL 35% OFF for FIVE DAYS!
• Enter drawings for limited rare Variant Cover copies of AVENGERS #1! (One entry per day per person, from May 19th through May 23rd please!)
• More fun stuff to be announced!
  

See you on the 19th for the Marvel Avengers Day Party... there is the distinct possibility of CAKE!

Random pictures from FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2010 at Comix Connection - York

Ned Senft, you have the con.


Cartoonist John Kovaleski did indeed BRING THE FUN! And the monkey.


The line of fans waiting to get their FREE COMIC BOOKS!


Hey, did you know Comix Connection moved within the West Manchester Mall? We're between Bon-Ton and GameStop now!


The $1 back issues find new homes!


The full donation barrel and the huge overflow! THANK YOU EVERYONE!


Blue tongue? OH NO JIM'S GOT THE GUINEA WORM!

There are more pictures posted on our Facebook page... pop on over there and check them out! You can even post YOUR pictures to our wall, which would be awesome!

Random pictures from FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2010 at Comix Connection - Mechanicsburg

Behold the craziness:

Stormtrooper and a young fan.


The store fills up early and stays that way for a LONG TIME.


Counter Monkey Nicky is in Star Wars Geek Heaven!


Elements of Garrison Carida of the 501st Legion secure the premises.


The 10¢ comics take a beating all day!


The Wahl kids had a blast!


Fantasy artist Kevin Graham chats with fans about his work!


Triple-G and Captain Awesome deliver the FREE COMIC BOOKS!


One of two FULL donation barrels! THANKS EVERYONE!


Twilight...


The last of the bargain hunters.

Many more pictures can be found at our Facebook Page... go check them out, and add your own if you have any! We'd love to see them!