RIP Rory Root...

Difficult news today--- Rory Root, owner of Berkeley CA's COMIC RELIEF, has passed away.

At this time, I humbly ask for your good thoughts and prayers for Rory and his family.

Joe Field
ComicsPRO President



Photos--- Top: From 2007, with retailing friends and ComicsPRO members Jim Hanley, Mike Cresser, Ralph Mathieu and Derrick Taylor at Taylor's Comic oasis in Las Vegas.

Bottom: From 2008, Rory and fellow retailer Andrew Neal of Chapel Hill Comics at the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.

Slave Labor Graphics at Emerald City Comic Con

Retailers! Going to Emerald City Comic Con next weekend? Dan Vado, president of Slave Labor Graphics, wants to hear from you! Stop by the SLG booth to say hello and talk shop. Mention that you are a ComicsPRO member and receive a pack of graphic novels valued at $100!

Not a member yet? It's a great time to join! Stop by and pick up a membership application at the SLG booth. Take a step toward improving your business by joining the trade association for comic book retailers, AND get a free pack of SLG graphic novels, too!

(The packs are limited so stop by early. If you miss out on the available graphic novel packs, leave your business card and SLG will mail you your own set.)

Thank you, Mr. Vado, and thank you, Slave Labor Graphics, for supporting ComicsPRO!

Emerald City Comic Con, Seattle, Washington, May 10 & 11, 2008.

Great work on FCBD!

Congratulations to everyone who hosted a Free Comic Book Day event! Great work, retailers! Your efforts are building a stronger future for everyone.

Thank you, Diamond Comic Dist, for overseeing the event. Thank you to ALL of the great publishers and creators who help make Free Comic Book Day more successful by presenting comics which will bring our new readers back in for more!

Retailing 101 on Newsarama

Newsarama has a new column about the ins and outs of comic book retailing, and this week Vaneta Rogers talks to comic customers about the money and effort that retailers put into Free Comic Book Day. Thanks, Vaneta!

Read it at Newsarama.

Free Comic Book Day to Honor a Local Hero

From ComicsPRO Director Gary Dills, owner of the Laughing Ogre in Columbus, OH:

"This Free Comic Book Day is an especially important one in Columbus because it is giving us the opportunity to honor a real life hero. On April 10, 2008 Diane Sharp, a crossing guard at Scioto Darby Elementary school in Hilliard, was killed saving the life of Christian Engle, a second grader.

Jamie Colegrove, owner of Packrat Comics located near Scioto Darby Creek Elementary, said 'it truly was amazing how quickly Diane reacted to protect Christian. We wanted to honor her sacrifice and heroism. Free Comic Book Day seemed like an excellent opportunity to acknowledge her as our own superhero.'

All the comic retailers in the community whole-heartedly agreed. Each of the participating stores will be accepting donations on behalf of the Sharp and Engle families’ funds at Fifth Third and Key Bank.

In addition, kids stopping in can fill out a form to let us know which school they attend, and for every form we receive, The Laughing Ogre will make a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Diane Sharp’s name."

Free Comic Book Day!

24 Hour Comics Day is October 18, 2008!

Director Rick Lowell has announced the date for 24 Hour Comics Day, and the 24HCD committee has started a new blog to keep you up-to-date on the details! Find them at: http://24hcd.blogspot.com/

Going to NYCC?

The folks at ComicsPRO member-store Jim Hanley's Universe invite their fellow members to stop by and hang with Mark Evanier this Friday, April 18th, from 7-9pm, if you're in town for NYCC.

Go on over to:

Jim Hanley's Universe
4 West 33rd St
New York, NY 10001

And say hello to the JHU crew!