Retailer-ONLY signings at NYCC

Retailers!

Don't waste time in the fan lines to get your store product signed! ComicsPRO is hosting

JIM LEE at 10am
GEOFF JOHNS
and STERLING GATES at 11am

to sign during the pros-only hours on Friday, February 6th at New York Comic Con!

Meet us in Panel room 4 starting at 10am on Friday, bring your store badge and your store business card, and meet with fan-favorite creators! Bring your store product and have something great to take home to your customers.

See you in New York!

ComicsPRO Board Applauds Marvel for 'STAND'-ing Up for Direct Market

Stephen King Hardcover is a Specialty Market Exclusive

Marvel Comics recent announcement that the impending release of "Stephen King's The Stand: Captain Trips" Premier Edition hardcover graphic novel (featuring a gatefold cover) will be an item available exclusively in the comics specialty sales channel. This news is being met with enthusiasm from the board of directors of ComicsPRO, the industry's largest retailer trade and advocacy group.

Here are some of the reactions among ComicsPRO's Board of Directors:

Phil Boyle, co-owner of Florida's Coliseum of Comics chain
"It's great to see the stores that support the periodicals get the benefits of being able to sell the hardcover book exclusively. Kudos to Marvel for making this move."

Joe Field, owner of Flying Colors Comics in California
"I'd encourage all direct market retailers to take another look at their orders on 'The Stand'. Armed with the info that this won't be displayed at mega-bookstores everywhere, it's worth stocking deeper and promoting stronger to Stephen King's rabid fan base."

Amanda Emmert, owner of Muse Comics in Montana
"I always appreciate when our publishers find ways to help the small businesses of the direct market stand out against the larger bookstore chains, and I hope our retailers take advantage of this opportunity."

Chris Powell, General Manager of the Lone Star Comics chain in Texas
"Seeing Marvel recognize and reward direct market retailers who have consistently carried and promoted the monthly series is wonderful. This is a great show of support on a high-profile book and is much appreciated."

ComicsPRO’s mission is to advocate for comic specialty retailers, to mentor new retailers in an effort to grow the comics specialty market and to reduce shared costs all retailers incur.

ComicsPRO's 2009 Annual Meeting

Join us for the 2009 ComicsPRO Annual Meeting!

Based on member feedback, 2009's meeting will be held at the Memphis, TN Hilton on March 19-21, 2009. This central location is convenient to our members and other retailers, and we're looking forward to 3 exciting days of working together.

March 18th, we'll have a "Meet and Greet" at the hotel for those arriving Wednesday afternoon and evening. There will be a cash bar, and this is a great opportunity to spend time catching up and making new contacts with retailers from all over the country.

March 19th, DC Comics is sponsoring a full day of programming, allowing attending retailers to interact with key DC executives from publishing, marketing, sales and other divisions. Outside DC's own RRP events, there is no better opportunity to hear about DC's upcoming plans and to provide feedback on past and future projects. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on-site are being hosted by DC Comics.

March 20th and 21, sponsors such as Top Cow Productions, Tales of Wonder Distribution, and Diamond Comics are sponsoring meals and attending various meetings and roundtables with our members. Other attending sponsors will be on hand to demonstrate POS systems and discuss products and services with attending retailers. Sponsors have donated materials for gift bags for attending retailers, as well. There will also be meetings among the membership to discuss projects and priorities going forward into 2009, and we will finalize the election of 3 open Director positions for the ComicsPRO Board of Directors.

March 21st, Diamond Comics is hosting a tour of their new Olive Branch, MS warehouse, and will host a catered dinner at the warehouse. This is a great opportunity to visit the new warehouse and see how Diamond's inventory and shipping systems work together to process shipments to their customers.

The Memphis Hilton is located at: 939 Ridge Lake Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38120

and the ComicsPRO meeting's special room rate is $129 per night. This rate is good for reservations made through the end of January, while rooms are available.

Click here to make your reservations: http://www.comicspro.org/meetingreservations

Attendance Fees:
Full ComicsPRO Members - First attendee : $75 Additional attendees : $100
Associate ComicsPRO Members : $100 Additional attendees : $125
Retailers who are not yet ComicsPRO Members : $199

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, so if you are a services vendor, manufacturer, publisher, or distributor who would like more information, contact Chris Powell at genmgr@lonestarcomics.com or Amanda Emmert at info@comicspro.org