Heather's Comical Resolutions Revisited

Last year, I posted my resolutions for the comics in my life and as 2011 is coming to a close and 2012 is fast upon us, I thought this would be a good time to revisit how I did this year.  The original resolutions are posted just as I wrote them a whole LONG year ago with my evaluations in bold.

1. Step outside of my comic reading comfort zone. I admit it. I have a comic type. It involves cute animals and chick characters. Thor the Mighty Avenger was my toe in the water stepping out of my type and Marvel responded by cancelling it. (Yes, Ted, I’m still complaining about that. Damn it, people, put down the Deadpool and read TMA.) Thanks to the lending library of Brandon (Big Dog), I have read more comics outside by type, the Walking Dead for example. However my purchases for 2010 stayed clearly within my comfort zone. In 2011, I will make an effort to add different comics to my personal library.  I knocked this resolution out of the park.  It helps to be married to the warehouse manager of Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, who is always bringing home comics for me to read.  It also helps to have friends who are happy to reach into their own collections and lend me books like Blacksad by Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido (Thanks, Brunner, that book is awesome, in fact, so awesome I added it to my own collection).  I also picked up a lot of independent comics at Fluke and SPX this year. My pull list at Heroes has grown from just Buffy to include titles from DC's New 52, Roger Langridge's Snarked, as well as several Dark Horse titles. Wolverine and the X-Men is on Seth's pull list, but it is becoming one of my favorite titles. 

2. Write more reviews for the Dollar Bin. I read a number of comics in 2010 that I really enjoyed and fully intended to review so I could share stories that I enjoyed. Like Cragmore by Pat Lewis. I will finish that review and post it along with others this year. (I am revising this resolution to posting reviews here as well as the Dollar Bin.)  I didn't do quite as well on this resolution.  I did review a few books more on here and the Dollar Bin, but not as many I would have liked.  This just leaves more room for improvement in 2012 as there are a lot of comics I truly enjoy.    Look for new reviews here in 2012.  

3. Do more interviews. I love talking to artists and writers. Off the record, I have some truly ridiculous conversations with creative people. I want to channel that into interviews. Interviews get me interested in reading new comics which will be very helpful for resolution number one.  I totally bombed on this one, but I can blame Adam, right? He's the one with all the recording equipment! Of course, that doesn't mean that I couldn't have changed mediums to do written interviews like the great ones you can find over on the Heroes blog which feature artists and writers from the comic industry.  

4. Go to more conventions. To date, I have only been to Heroes Con and SPX. This year the Heroes Mini Con (January 22 in Charlotte, NC), Fluke (April 23 in Athens, GA) Fanaticon (May 21 in Asheville, NC) are all on my calendar. My con ventures are still on the smaller side, but perhaps I will attempt some of the larger cons as well. If this was an actual list with little boxes, it would be full of check marks.  I started the year the Heroes Mini Con which is a great one day show and followed it with Fluke, Fanaticon, Heroes Con, SPX, and ended the year with a one day hotel show in Atlanta, Georgia that I spent most of the day working at the Heroes booth.  It's a good experience to see shows from both sides of the table.  It's interesting to watch people dig through boxes looking for comic treasure.  I plan to hit all the above cons and maybe some new ones this year as well. 

5. Venture out to more comic shops. Granted this venture may have me scurrying back to Heroes, but it can’t hurt (or can it?) to check out some of the other shops. I did enjoy my visit to Richard’s in Greenville, SC for the Chrissie Zullo signing, but my few other non-Heroes experience have been less positive. I can’t possibly be the first chick in some of these places, right?  Heroes is still very much my home shop, but I did enjoy visiting a few new places this year.  Most of my visits were contained to the South.  If you're in North Carolina, you should check out Ssalefish Comics in Winston-Salem.  If you're in South Carolina, check out Borderlands and Apocalypse Comics.  In Georgia, do not miss Bizarro Wuxtry.  In Maryland, while it's not a just comic shop, hit Atomic Books. 

6. Write more lists. Who doesn’t love a good list? They have numbers and some times a heading. Everything is nice and orderly. My comic goals for 2011 are laid out for me to check off. I shall have a feeling of accomplishment come December.  There's no such thing as too many lists! The end of a year is the perfect time for lists like which comics you enjoyed the most, the events you're looking forward to in the coming year.  There are so many possibilities!

Heather's Resolution #1: My Reading List thus far

Until Buffy the Vampire Slayer made the leap from the small screen to the drawn page, my comics reading experience was limited to Archie digests I picked up at the grocery store as a teen. Between Buffy and Heroescon, I started reading more comics, but I tended to stick to comics involving adorable animals and female lead character. Taking part in the wonderful monthly discussion groups run by Andy Mansell for Heroes Aren't Hard To Find has helped me expand my reading and I decided for 2011 to make more of an effort to read outside my comfort zone.

1. Jimmy Corrigan by Chris Ware: This was the January Discussion Group selection and a daunting read, at least in the beginning. I got a very mixed reaction when people found out I was reading this book. They either love the book or hate it for being the most depressing book they've ever picked up. Surprisingly, I enjoyed Jimmy Corrigan. Ware's art is beautiful and his inclusion of nature is a wonderful treat. I came away feeling hopeful rather than depressed.
2. Blacksad by Juan Diaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido: A friend lent me this anamorphic crime noir hardcover. My non-graphic novel reading includes a lot of crime and suspense fiction so the subject matter of this book appealed to me. The art, particularly the cityscapes was absolutely gorgeous.
3. Daytripper by Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon: Another Heroes Discussion Group selection. Wow, they made some good choices. Beautiful art and a beautiful story that's hard to discuss without potential spoilers. With that, the overarching message I took away was to value everyday for the joys and sorrows that we all experience.
4. Ultimate Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley: I haven't read a lot of superhero comics and I happen to find the first trade of this series on my brother's bookshelf. This is a fun series. Most of my Spider-Man experiences are limited to the movies and while I really like the Toby McGuire version of Spidey (outside of the third movie), I am really enjoying getting to know teenaged Peter Parker as he balances being a super hero with his high school life of bullying, dating, and being grounded.  I've knocked out three volumes in no time and looking forward to starting volume four.   
5. Scenes from an Impending Marriage by Adrian Tomine: Originally written and drawn as a gift for his wedding guests, this little gem warmed by heart. Scenes gives the reader a peek into Tomine's life and what it's like for a normal loving couple to plan a wedding. For my complete review of this book, you can check it out at the Dollar Bin.
6. Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale: Batman, the mob, and the usual Rogues Gallery mixed in with the Holiday Killer? Color me intrigued.  I read a lot of crime novels in my non-graphic reading and I enjoyed the mix of super heroes and villains in this story.  I also liked the "will they/won't they" vibe between Batman and Catwoman as well as their alter egos. 

In addition to the books above, I'm continuing to read Zatanna monthly.  For the most part, it's a monthly I look forward to as it has had a good storyline, although the art has been a little inconsistent as no one has settled into a long arc as the sequentials artist.  The covers on this one have been beautiful, especially Stephane Roux and Adam Hughes.  #11 was Adam's first cover in the series and I hope it won't be the last as it was gorgeous. 

I've also been reading the second Cinderella mini-series in single issues.  Last time I waited for the trade.  Cinderella's life as a spy is very entertaining, especially as we are introduced to a beloved childhood Fable who is now a ruthless assassin.  Chrissie Zullo's covers are topping her beautiful efforts on the first run. 

I've been very lucky to have generous, comic reading friends who have shared their collections with me.  The stack in the above photo is only part of the books I'm currently working my way through.  I'm still open for suggestions so feel free to share your recommendations in the comments. 

Heather's Resolution #5: A Visit to Ssalefish Comics

Hitting Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem, North Carolina? You should take a short detour across the street from the mall to Ssalefish Comics. Opened by Bret Parks in 2006, Ssalefish is not only home to comics, but a number of wonderful toys that invoke childhood memories for anyone that grew up with He-Man, Transformers, and G.I. Joe.

Bret and his staff, particularly, Adam Casey, are friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. I suspect Bret’s personal toy collection rivals the one in the store based on his interaction with a customer buying a robot with working parts. In addition to their knowledge of comics and toys, regular customers were greeted by name and with suggestions based on their previous purchases.

Ssalefish has the usual collection of new comics, trades, and back issues, as well as special incentive comics like the Ssalefish Godzilla comics featuring the store being crushed by Godzilla’s foot. While this is a smaller shop, Ssalefish makes good use of the space in housing the comics and toys collections in a way that isn’t cluttered or crowded. I don’t envy whoever is tasked with dusting the toys, but they do a really great job of keeping the displays clean and dust-free.

Ssalefish Comics is located at 3242 Silas Creek Parkway, Suite 20, Winston Salem, North Carolina 27103. The phone number is (336) 499-3910 or (336) 760-9851. Ssalefish is closed on Mondays, but open Tuesday and Thursday 11:00 am -7:00 pm, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 11:00 am-8:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm-6:00 pm.

Want to see more of my visit to Ssalefish, check out my Flickr album. 

Heather's Resolution #5: A visit to Apocalypse Comics

In an attractive brick strip mall on Highway 9 leading into Myrtle Beach you will find Apocalypse Comics owned by Chad Hudson. It is hard to miss or resist the rainbow sign declaring “Comics” above his shop. Once inside you will find a well organized store with lots of options for comic fans and gamers.

The shelves and racks contain new issues, back issues (including some hard to find back issues and variants), statues, and a wide selection of comic-based toys. The rack by the entrance displays weekly picks and recommendations. In addition to comics, Apocalypse carries cards and pieces for games like Magic and Heroclix. Chad currently runs games in the back of the store several nights each week and expects to eventually move to running games every night to satisfy the area’s increasing number of gamers.

A lifelong collector and reader of comics, Chad carried his enthusiasm for this industry into adulthood. Before opening his store, Chad worked as a contractor who traveled throughout the United States. He would visit comic shops within 100 miles of his work site, often making notes of what he thought worked well in each store he encountered. His attention to detail and love of the products he carries is evident in how he runs his store. Not only is Chad very knowledgeable about the comics and games he carries, but he’s also very friendly and willing to chat with shoppers.

One of my hesitations in visiting new shops is how so many seem to be dusty and cluttered. Apocalypse is open and inviting, and maximizes the amount of products he carries while remaining clean and neat. The store caters to regular customers, but also welcomes vacationing readers looking for impulse buys to read on the beach. There’s even a couch in the front of the store to accommodate visitors or parents (or wives) who can comfortably wait while their children or husbands enjoy the selection. For children not yet of comic reading age, there is small children’s area with games and videos to allow parents time to shop.

If you’re in the Myrtle Beach, SC area, I recommend a visit to Apocalypse Comics. You’ll find a wide selection of trades and single issues to suit your reading needs. Apocalypse Comics is located at 2126 South Carol

ina 9 #2, Longs, SC 29568 and the phone number is (843) 399-4765. The store is open seven days a week from noon to at least 8pm (depending on if games are being run). ‎

Want to see more? Check out Apocalypse Comics on my flickr page.

Heather's Comical Resolutions for 2011

One of the subjects I plan to write about is my progress on my resolutions involving comics for 2011. I originally posted my resolutions on the site for the podcast I participate in as a contributor.

Reposted from The Dollar Bin:

1. Step outside of my comic reading comfort zone. I admit it. I have a comic type. It involves cute animals and chick characters. Thor the Mighty Avenger was my toe in the water stepping out of my type and Marvel responded by cancelling it. (Yes, Ted, I’m still complaining about that. Damn it, people, put down the Deadpool and read TMA.) Thanks to the lending library of Brandon (Big Dog), I have read more comics outside by type, the Walking Dead for example. However my purchases for 2010 stayed clearly within my comfort zone. In 2011, I will make an effort to add different comics to my personal library.

2. Write more reviews for the Dollar Bin. I read a number of comics in 2010 that I really enjoyed and fully intended to review so I could share stories that I enjoyed. Like Cragmore by Pat Lewis. I will finish that review and post it along with others this year. (I am revising this resolution to posting reviews here as well as the Dollar Bin.)

3. Do more interviews. I love talking to artists and writers. Off the record, I have some truly ridiculous conversations with creative people. I want to channel that into interviews. Interviews get me interested in reading new comics which will be very helpful for resolution number one.

4. Go to more conventions. To date, I have only been to Heroes Con and SPX. This year the Heroes Mini Con (January 22 in Charlotte, NC), Fluke (April 23 in Athens, GA) Fanaticon (May 21 in Asheville, NC) are all on my calendar. My con ventures are still on the smaller side, but perhaps I will attempt some of the larger cons as well.

5. Venture out to more comic shops. Granted this venture may have me scurrying back to Heroes, but it can’t hurt (or can it?) to check out some of the other shops. I did enjoy my visit to Richard’s in Greenville, SC for the Chrissie Zullo signing, but my few other non-Heroes experience have been less positive. I can’t possibly be the first chick in some of these places, right?

6. Write more lists. Who doesn’t love a good list? They have numbers and some times a heading. Everything is nice and orderly. My comic goals for 2011 are laid out for me to check off. I shall have a feeling of accomplishment come December.