President Joe Field on NPR

Did you catch NPR's "Marketplace" last Friday? ComicsPRO President Joe Field talks about comics and comic retailing during Comic Con International - San Diego: http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/25/comics/

Congratulations, Brave New World Comics! An Eisner "Spirit" Sweep for ComicsPRO!

ComicsPRO member Brave New World Comics, owned by Atom and Portlyn Freeman, received the Eisner Spirit of Retailing Award last weekend at Comic Con International - San Diego.

Atom! and Portlyn are shown here with Eisner Spirit of Comics facilitator Joe Ferrara of Atlantis Fantasyworld (Santa Cruz CA). Great work, Atom and Portlyn!

We're also proud to congratulate the Eisner Spirit of Retailing finalists, all of whom are ComicsPRO members:

Casablanca Comics,
Chapel Hill Comics,
Happy Harbor Comics,
Rocketship,
and Tate's Comics

Having seen all the videos from the finalists' stores, any one of them would have been a great choice to receive the award.

From store design, to special outreach programs and promotions, to care for the art and commerce of the comics' medium, each retailer does many spectacular things to grow their businesses while also growing the public's awareness and appreciation for the art and fun of comics.

Another note: 2008 marks the 15th year of the Eisner Spirit of Retailing Award. Will Eisner instituted the award as a way to recognize the hard work retailers do on behalf of selling the work of comics' creators.

The award is judged on the following components:
* Support of a wide variety of innovative material, providing opportunities for creators' material to reach buyers, stocking a diverse inventory, Knowledge. Working to stay informed on retailing as well as on the comics field.
* Community activity. Promoting comics to the community; maintaining relationships with schools/libraries; keeping active in social/business/arts community organizations.
* Quality of store image. Innovative display approaches; using store design creatively.
* Adherence to standard ethical business practices.

We're proud to report that ComicsPRO members have been recipients of the award in 11 of those 15 years! Now there's a testament to the strength of ComicsPRO and the progressive nature of our members!

Congratulaions on the ComicsPRO sweep!

Joe Field
ComicsPRO President

See you at the CBLDF party, Thursday July 24th!

From Charles:

http://www.cbldf.org/pr/archives/000363.shtml

Kick off the year's biggest comics show in style at the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's Comic-Con Welcome Party on Thursday, July 24 at the Westgate Hotel in downtown San Diego.

Sponsored by Image Comics, New York Comic-Con, Newsarama, and ICv2.com the CBLDF's Comic-Con Welcome Party is the perfect start to Comic-Con. Join top artists for a night under the stars where you'll receive an amazing gift bag, witness an exclusive meeting of the Drink & Draw Social Club, featuring Dave Johnson, Dan Panosian & special guests.

The CBLDF Welcome Party starts at 7:30 PM on Thursday July 24. Admission is a $10 donation for CBLDF Members, and $20 and up for non-members. Stay tuned for gift bag details, guest updates, and more!

Director Carr D'Angelo on CCI-San Diego panel

Comics lovers, Carr invites you all to one of his panels:

Thursday July 24 1:00-2:00 The Future of the Comics Pamphlet—Are serialized comics in a death-spiral? Is the graphic novel the sole shape of comics to come? Retailers including Carr D'Angelo (Earth-2 Comics, Sherman Oaks CA), publishing representatives including Joe Keatinge (Image Comics), and cartoonists discuss the state of the periodical with moderator Douglas Wolk (Reading Comics). Room 32AB

Carr's Spoiler alert: "I am in the anti-death spiral camp."

ComicsPRO Member hosts Niles & Panter

ComicsPRO member announcements:

In anticipation of the upcoming Zune Arts graphic novel, author Steve Niles and illustrator Gary Panter will be making an appearance and signing of their latest collaboration, "The Lost Ones" at Brave New Worlds, Philadelpia, on July 18th at 6PM.

WHO: Steve Niles and Gary Panter

WHAT: Appearance and signing of Zune Art's graphic novel "The Lost Ones"(copies will be free!)

WHEN: Friday July 18, 2008 at 6pm

WHERE:
Brave New Worlds
45 North Second St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-925-6525
http://www.bravenewworldscomics.com/

If you're a ComicsPRO member store and would like us to post your events, please send them to Amanda!

We Want Comics News Coverage!

The Oklahoman newspaper in OKC is looking for feedback on its comic-book coverage. Show your support for coverage of the comic-book medium and industry by sharing your thoughts on your favorite comics at http://newsok.com/article/3267329. Comments about particular comics could increase the chances of seeing articles geared toward those comics; certainly, a strong response overall helps to show the desire for continued comic-book coverage.

(If you can't find an easy link to register to post, go here http://newsok.com/settings. It's simple and worth your time to encourage more comics coverage!)

Thank you!