ComicsPRO.org

The 2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award

2012-01-09T11:13:00.000-08:00

The 2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award

The direct market has been crucial in developing comics' place in pop culture and remains the way most comic-book stories get from creator to fan. ComicsPRO wants to honor those people who stand in that gap and help smooth that process. From publishers, distributors, marketers and more, a lot of people are involved in bringing the stories we all love to market. ComicsPRO would like to stand up and recognize those who have been simply the best at what they do, making the comic-book direct market more successful for all of us.

Our members have created the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award to honor these individuals. They created the Industry Appreciation Memorial Award to honor those who have passed away but whose work left a positive mark on the comics specialty retailing.

Members sent in nominations for the award through November 2011. The finalists were narrowed down by ComicsPRO’s board of directors and ballots were sent to ComicsPRO members in December. The winners of the 3rd annual award will be announced at the 2012 ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting in Dallas, TX on Friday, February 10th.

The nominees for the 2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award are, in alphabetical order:

Cindy Fournier
David Gabriel
Robert Kirkman
Eric Stephenson
Bob Wayne

The nominees for the 2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Memorial Award are Julius Schwartz and Phil Seuling.

We would like to thank all of the nominees for the work they do (and have done) to improve the comics specialty market!

Brief biological notes taht accompany the ballots for the award can be found below.

2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award Nominees

Cindy Fournier
Fournier is the VP of Operations for Diamond Comic Distributors. In the comics field since 1987, Cindy did work for the mail order division of Mile High Comics. She then went on to work for Alternate Realities distribution company, which was then acquired by Bud Plant Distribution. After Bud Plant sold to Diamond, Cindy was transferred to Hayward, CA, to run Diamond’s distribution center there. Since 1989, Cindy has been working for Diamond in its home office of Timonium, MD, where she oversees the myriad of duties related to transportation, warehouse management and operations. In a very critical role for the industry, Cindy is responsible for pulling together all the various aspects of making sure retailers get their shipments in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

David Gabriel
A native of Massachusetts, a graduate of Boston College and life long comic book fan, David Gabriel has never been too far from comics. While working for Bernstein Investment Management & Research, Gabriel dreamed of creating a mecca for comics, a dream that came to life in 1999 as he started the New York City Comic Book Museum. Then in 2003, Gabriel joined Marvel and revolutionized their trade paperback program, quickly ascending to the position of SVP, Sales & Circulation, in 2007. From that position, Gabriel works with retailers to craft programs and incentives for the Direct Market.

Robert Kirkman
Robert Kirkman is one of the most public faces of comics since “The Walking Dead” has become a cable TV ratings sensation. He broke into comics in 2000, and in 2003, Kirkman and Cory Walker created “Invincible” for Image's new superhero line. Shortly after the debut of “Invincible,” Kirkman along with artist Tony Moore launched “The Walking Dead,” a series highly influenced by George Romero’s zombie movies. In July 2008, Kirkman was made a partner at Image Comics. As an Image partner, Kirkman was involved with reaching out to specialty retailers to find ways to improve Image's presence in Direct Market stores. Upon forming the Skybound imprint at Image Comics in 2010, Kirkman continues to focus on the best ways for publishers and creators to partner with specialty shops.

Eric Stephenson
A 20-year veteran of the comic book field, Eric Stephenson started in 1992 as Jim Valentino’s assistant during the early days of Image Comics, before becoming editor at Rob Liefeld’s Extreme Studios. While at Extreme, Stephenson also scripted numerous comics, including “Youngblood” and “New Men.” After a brief stint as a freelance comics writer, he returned to Image in 2001 as Director of Marketing. In 2004, he became Executive Director, championing diversity in content and spearheading the development of “Put the Book Back on the Shelf,” an anthology inspired by the songs of Belle and Sebastian. He succeeded Erik Larsen as Publisher in 2008, and has furthered Image’s efforts to partner with the Direct Market.

Bob Wayne
Wayne, a former comic book retailer in the Dallas/Fort Worth TX area, joined DC Comics in the mid ‘80s as a Direct Sales manager and has been on the forefront of the changes in the comics business ever since. Currently serving as DC’s Senior Vice President—Sales, Wayne has always maintained his loyalty to the field of comics specialty retailing and has been responsible for many of DC’s retailer-friendly best practices. Wayne is a recipient of the Inkpot Award, commemorating his years of service to the comics industry and his work with Comic-Con International.

2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Memorial Award Nominees

Julius Schwartz
Schwartz started his career in 1932 as the co-publisher of “Time Traveller,” among the first science fiction fanzines. Schwartz, along with Mort Weisinger, founded the Solar Sales Service literary agency in 1934, where Schwartz represented such noted authors as Alfred Bester, Robert Bloch, Ray Bradbury, and H. P. Lovecraft. Schwartz also helped organize the first World Science Fiction Convention in 1939. In 1944 he went to work as an editor for All-American Comics, which soon merged with National Periodical Publications to form DC Comics. Schwartz was best-known for his work at DC Comics, which reinvigorated the superhero genre in the comics industry. His updating of 1940s characters for the modern era revolutionized DC Comics. He died in February 2004 at the age of 88.

Phil Seuling
The organizer and founder of the New York Comic Art Conventions of the ‘70s, Seuling was a founder of the direct-market form of comic-book distribution. Seuling, a school teacher with a passion for comics, arranged distribution deals to buy DC and Marvel Comics direct from the publishers. In 1974, Seuling founded Seagate Distribution, which sold comics non-returnably, and the Direct Market was born. In an age when comic shops were merely second-hand collectors’ stores, Seuling saw the potential for making a direct connection between comic publishers and their most rabid fans. Comic specialty shops are possible in part because of Seuling’s foresight more than 35 years ago. Phil Seuling passed away in 1984 at the age of 50.

Previous Awards

The 2011 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award winner is Stan Lee, the Memorial Award winner is Jack Kirby.

The 2010 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award winner is Paul Levitz, the Memorial Award winner is Carol Kalish.

Top Cow: Artifacts End of the World Party

2011-12-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sarah deLaine
510-644-4980 x26
sarahdelaine@imagecomics.com

IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD!

Top Cow and ComicsPRO Celebrate Artifacts With a Nationwide Event

Berkeley, CA – 9 December 2011 –- Top Cow Productions and ComicsPRO are teaming up to celebrate the end of the entire Top Cow Universe as we know it with a nationwide event! Many of Top Cow's best creators and some of North America's finest comic retailers will be bringing in the new year and new universe in style. In addition to hosting a variety of signings, all ComicsPRO member retailers will also have access to two limited edition variant covers for ARTIFACTS #13 and WITCHBLADE #151 to commemorate the event!

ARTIFACTS #13 concludes the Top Cow Universe's biggest event to date with sweeping changes to the status quo of some of Top Cow's biggest franchises including THE DARKNESS and WITCHBLADE. Written by Top Cow architect Ron Marz with art by legendary artist Dale Keown, ARTIFACTS #13 arrives in stores on January 4th, 2012, kicking off the new year in a big way! The very same week, fans will be introduced to the new direction and creative team in WITCHBLADE #151 by Tim Seeley and Diego Bernard.

"This is truly the most ambitious change to the Top Cow Universe we've ever attempted," commented Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik, "And a great opportunity for new readers to try out these titles. We've had a long, successful relationship with ComicsPRO and wanted to involve their forward-thinking retailers in some way. This nationwide event will allow us to interact with the biggest group of fans and we want to be there first hand to see their reactions!"

The following creators will be appearing and signing on January 4th, 2012:

Ron Marz (ARTIFACTS, WITCHBLADE)

Main Street Comics
157 Dolson Ave
Middletown, NY 10940
Phone: 845-342-0458
Email: mscomics@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/mainstreetcomics

Tim Seeley (WITCHBLADE)

DCBS
10202 Coldwater Road Suite C
Ft. Wayne, IN 46825
Phone: 260-489-1787
Email: customer.service@dcbservice.com
http://www.dcbservice.com

Jeremy Haun (ARTIFACTS)

Fantasy Shop Florissant
8232 N Lindbergh Blvd
Florissant, MO 63031
314-831-5211
fantasyshopflo@gmail.com
www.fantasyshoponline.com

Fantasy Shop South County
10560 Baptist Church Road
St. Louis, MO 63128
314-842-8228
fantasyshopsoco@gmail.com
www.fantasyshoponline.com

Phil Hester (THE DARKNESS)

Krypton Comics
2819 S. 125th Ave Suite 261
Omaha, NE 68144
Phone: 402-391-4131
Email: dphillips68@cox.net
http://www.kryptoncomicsomaha.com

Dave Marquez (MAGDALENA)

Austin Books
5002 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78751
Phone: 512-454-4197
Email: brad@austinbooks.com
www.austinbooks.com

Filip Sablik and Troy Peteri (ARTIFACTS, WITCHBLADE)

Collector's Paradise
319 S. Arroyo Prkwy Unit 4
Pasadena, CA 91105
Phone: 626-577-6696
Email: store@comicsandcards.net
www.comicsandcards.net

And on January 11th, 2012:

Nelson Blake II (MAGDALENA)

Manhattan Comics and More!
10-12 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212-460-5322
Email: NYCcomics@aol.com
http://manhattancomics.com

For more information about Top Cow's titles, the "End of the World" party and a list of all the retailers participating in the ARTIFACTS #13 and WITCHBLADE #151 ComicsPro "End of the World" Variant Covers, visit topcow.com.

ABOUT TOP COW PRODUCTIONS INC.
Top Cow Productions, Inc. (www.topcow.com), a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, was founded in December of 1992 by artist Marc Silvestri, who also co-founded Image Comics earlier that same year. Top Cow currently publishes its line of comic books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries. The company has launched 20 franchises (18 original and two licensed) in the industry’s Top 10, seven at #1, a feat accomplished by no other publisher in the last two decades. Its flagship franchise,WITCHBLADE, was TNT’s #1 original film of 2000 and the subsequent TV series was released on DVD on July 29, 2008.WITCHBLADE is also the first American property to be fully adapted in Japan as an original anime and manga by Studio GONZO in 2006. Top Cow’s other flagship property, THE DARKNESS, was developed into a major next-generation video game release by Starbreeze and 2K Games and achieved platinum sales status. A second game is slated for release from 2K Games in the Fall of 2011. WANTED, an Eisner-nominated miniseries published by Top Cow from 2003-2005, is now a major motion picture from Universal Pictures starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman. Virtually all of Top Cow’s other properties are in development as feature films, live-action television, animation or video games. Top Cow has also successfully licensed and merchandised its franchises into toys, statues, clothing, lithographs, puppets, posters, magnets, shot glasses, lighters, lunch pails, wall scrolls, mouse pads, die-cast cars, calendars, Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks, trading cards, standees, video games and roleplaying games.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

2012 ComicsPRO Annual Meeting

2011-12-07T10:12:00.000-08:00

As announced earlier this year, the 2012 ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting will be held February 9-11 in Dallas, Texas.

The annual meeting is an opportunity for retailers, publishers, distributors, manufacturers and other vendors to meet and discuss the topics facing the comic book industry. Our goal is to work together to improve sales and profits industry-wide.

All comic book retailers are invited to the annual meeting--ComicsPRO membership is not required. For retailers, registration includes attendance at DC Comics "DC Day" on February 9th, 6 meals during the 3 day meeting, and a retailer gift bag filled with products donated by sponsors.

Publishers, distributors and vendors are invited to attend the ComicsPRO portion of the meeting on February 10th and 11th, and sponsorship includes attendance at panels, roundtables, meals and many other benefits.

For information about the ComicsPRO Annual Membership meeting, visit www.comicspro.org/meet12

For information about Sponsorship, visit www.comicspro.org/sponsorship12

To register, visit www.comicspro.org/register12

To reserve your hotel room at our group rate, visit the DoubleTree Dallas registration page.

Retailers: get a discount on your registration fee if you register before 12/31!

Questions? Please contact us!

See you in Dallas!

ComicsPRO retailer programming at LBCC

2011-10-24T10:06:00.001-07:00

Join us Saturday and Sunday at Long Beach Comic Con!

ComicsPRO will be at booth #315 all weekend, and we're hosting two panels:

Saturday, October 29th

ComicsPRO--Get Involved!
Room 103B - 11:00am

ComicsPRO is a trade association for comic book retailers, but we also work with the rest of the comic book industry! If you’re involved in the business side of comics, working with ComicsPRO can improve your bottom line. We work alongside publishers, distributors and creators to improve the entire industry. And if you own a comic book store, we have business discounts and member benefits to help improve your operations and profitability. Industry professionals are invited to stop by for more information about getting involved with ComicsPRO.

Sunday, October 30th

Open a comic book store!
Room 103A - 11:00am

Do you love comics and enjoy working with people? Comic book retail is a rewarding field for energetic, hard-working entrepreneurs. ComicsPRO, the trade association for comic book retailers, has a mentoring program to help new and would-be retailers discover the best ways to turn their visions of small-business ownership into a successful reality! Bring your questions and enthusiasm.

Are you an exhibitor at Long Beach Comic Con? If so, we're inviting you to join us for coffee & bagels at our booth on Saturday before the show opens!

See you in Long Beach!

ComicsPRO retailer programming at NYCC

2011-10-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

Join us on Thursday, October 13th at New York Comic Con during the pros-only hours for retailer programming!

Getting People in the Door : Planning & Promotion of In-Store Events
1:30-2:30pm Room 1A02

Chris Powell , General Manager & CRO of Lone Star Comics / mycomicshop.com, leads this discussion of best practices for in-store events. Chris manages a chain of 6 stores in north Texas, each with a full calendar of events every month. He will share some tips and tricks on running and promoting events, including advertising events through social media and online calendars, and in-store event management.

The Art of Customer Service
2:45-3:45pm Room 1A02

Brett Parker , co-owner of Double Midnight Comics in Manchester, NH, presents a customer service workshop based on systems developed through years of research and application in retail. Great for new retailers looking to develop their skills or for veterans who want to add more to their employee training, this can help retailers of all levels to improve the in-store experience for their customers.

You are also invited to stop by the ComicsPRO booth and say hello on Friday, Saturday or Sunday!

We're at booth #2725 and we look forward to meeting you.

24-Hour Comics Day is Saturday!

2011-09-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

The 8th annual 24-Hour Comics Day event is this Saturday, October 1st. The annual event encourages amateur and professional creators to take the 24-Hour Comic challenge created by Scott McCloud: to complete a 24-page comic book within 24 consecutive hours.

ComicsPRO administers the event by creating and maintaining event registrations, working with sponsors, and providing support materials to comic book stores, libraries, galleries and schools who host 24HCD events. (The first 24-Hour Comics Day event was created and organized by Nat Gertler of About Comics, who ran the event for several years!)

We've been busy preparing this month and now it's the fun part: watching the event unfold around the world!

Interested in checking out what's happening? You can follow the event via the 24-Hour Comics Day blog as host venues post their flyers, pictures, and videos of their events. Event hosts and participants are also tweeting about their comics with the #24HCD hashtag.

Thousands of people take the 24-Hour Comics Day challenge around the world each year at official 24HCD venues. Hundreds more try the event on their own! Creators can pledge to take the challenge individually and post their work online as they go.

Visit the main 24HCD website and click "Event Locator" to see the places which are hosting official 24HCD events. Below that on each locator page are lists of individuals in that area who are going to take the challenge and plan to post their work online.

Creators who complete their 24 page comics in 24 hours are invited to send in copies of their comics to the national 24-Hour Comics Day archive, which is hosted by The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum.

Good luck to everyone taking the challenge, and thank you to every 24HCD event host around the world!

Job Listing: office assistant in Colorado Springs, CO

2011-09-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

ComicsPRO is hiring! We're looking for a self-starting office assistant with good customer service skills to work in our main office in Colorado Springs, CO.

For more information, visit our website.

International Read Comics in Public Day

2011-08-12T10:44:00.001-07:00

Comics Alliance has posted a reminder about the 2011 Read Comics in Public Day:

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/08/12/read-comics-in-public-day-2011/

From the article:

The second-annual International Read Comics in Public Day event is coming up in just a few short weeks, meaning it's a fine time to start mulling over the goodness you'd like to show off to the world both in real life and on social media on Sunday, August 28. Started by The Daily Crosshatch editors Brian Heater and Sarah Morean as a simple means of winning over the hearts, minds and dollars of the non-comics reading masses, Read Comics in Public Day is a time for fans to advocate for their medium of choice by plopping down in a public space with a cool comic.

More information at the link!

Comic-Con International: San Diego retailer programming

2011-06-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

Join us on Friday, July 22 at Comic-Con International: San Diego for the ComicsPRO / Comic-Con retailer programming!

9:30--10:20 Room 19
ComicsPRO "Fresh Start" – Your day at Comic-Con gets off to a friendly and professional start with ComicsPRO, the retailer trade association. Retailers, publishers and distributors are welcome to kick off their convention day with colleagues, coffee, bagels and conversation. Bring your business card!

10:30--11:20 Room 18
The State of the Industry – It’s the midway point of 2011. So what are the sales trends since we last met in San Diego? And more importantly, what’s the outlook near and long term for the business of comics? Join ComicsPRO President Joe Field and Executive Director Amanda Emmert as they discuss the state of comic book retail with the industry's top publishing companies, including Bob Wayne (DC Comics Senior VP - Sales), David Gabriel (Marvel Comics Senior VP of Sales), Eric Stephenson (Publisher of Image Comics), Jeremy Atkins (Dark Horse Director of Public Relations), Ted Adams (CEO of IDW Publishing) and Roger Fletcher (Diamond Comic Distributors Vice President of Sales & Marketing).

11:30-12:15 Room 18
Direct Conversation -- Join executives from DC Comics for a special chat and Q&A session on September's The New 52 launch, spotlighting sales incentives, marketing and publicity push, and much more.

2:30--4:00 Room 18
Eisner Spirit Award Video Viewing — The Will Eisner “Spirit of Comics” Retailer Award is the industry's "Hall of Fame" for progressive retailers, sort of a Legion of Super-Retailers. Spirit Award facilitator and award recipient Joe Ferrara (Atlantis Fantasyworld, Santa Cruz, CA) presents the videos for this year's award finalists, with discussion about each nominated retailer, the store’s display techniques, and other unique features every attending retailer can learn from. Hey, retailers! This is a great place for getting new ideas!

4:00–5:30 Room 32AB
So You Want To Be a Comic Book Retailer? – Presented by ComicsPRO’s Retailer Mentoring Forum. This Comic-Con tradition is always a lively and fun discussion, where your dreams of owning your own comic book specialty store take flight! Your career in comics’ retail starts here! You have questions? Our panel of experienced retailers has answers! Hosted by Joe Field (ComicsPRO President, Flying Colors Comics, Concord CA) with Portyln Polston (Brave New World, Newhall CA), Jennifer Haines (The Dragon, Guelph ON), Chris Brady (4 Color Fantasies, Rancho Cucamonga CA) and Diamond Comic Distributors Outside Sales manager Dave Hawksworth.

See you in San Diego!

24-Hour Comics Day registration is live!

2011-06-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

We have a new site for 24-Hour Comics Day!

You can register now to be an official host venue or to take the challenge as an online participant (online participants are individuals who aren't going to a host venue to take the challenge--they're going to do the 24 pages and upload them as they go over the 24 hours).

Once the Event Locator is live, event hosts will be able to log into the site and fix and update their event listings!

As we get closer to the event, more content will be available for official hosts when they log in.

If you have questions or problems with registration, please contact us! 24hcd @ comicspro.org

DC launches 52 new series and goes day & date

2011-05-31T14:53:00.000-07:00

Big news today!

http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-05-31-dc-comics-reinvents_n.htm

"In September, more than 50 more first issues will debut, introducing readers to stories that are grounded in each character's specific legend but also reflect today's real-world themes and events. Lee spearheaded the redesign of more than 50 costumes to make characters more identifiable and accessible to comic fans new and old."

...

"In an even more important move in the competitive comics industry, DC is making issues of all the renumbered titles available digitally via apps and a DC website the same day they arrive in comic shops. It marks the first time a major comics publisher has done so with its popular superhero titles."

More at the link!

Congratulations, retailers!

2011-05-10T10:23:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to the retailers around the world who ran successful Free Comic Book Day events this weekend and helped to make this the largest Free Comic Book Day yet!

Don't forget to log in to Diamond's retailer website and take the FCBD survey. Your feedback counts!

FCBD reminders for comic book retailers

2011-04-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

Remember, the Free Comic Book Day event is a way for the comic book industry to get national coverage for a worldwide event. Take advantage of the fact that this is being promoted across the country and make sure you let your community know that you are participating.

Free Comic Book Day promotions should not be happening inside of your store. Instead, reach out to the community and advertise FCBD to people who don't already shop with you.

Now is the time to start considering how someone new would view your store. What do you need to improve so that you make the best possible first impression? What would make them want to return?

The retailer to-do list leading up to Free Comic Book Day:

Now:
Update your website with your event information and list a person/phone/email address for any interested press to contact with questions.

Now:
Add your event to any free calendar listings in your area.

-Diamond has a template for calendar listings that you can use if you need one on their "Diamond Tools" page.

Now:
Create a Free Comic Book Day RSVP event with via your store's Facebook page.

Now:
If you have a local IMAX theater, contact them to see if your store can be involved in a promotion with THOR. Diamond has arranged a FCBD promotion with THOR via IMAX.com

By April 16th:

ComicsPRO Members: Send your local media contacts to ComicsPRO via info@comicspro.org so that your store information is included in ComicsPRO's press releases in your area.

By April 18-22:
Send your own press releases to all of your local media outlets (newspaper, TV, radio, local blogs, community websites)

-Diamond has a press release template you can use on their "Diamond Tools" page.

By April 18-22:
Send your event information and flyers to libraries, schools, other businesses that will post your flyer

May 4-5:
Send a brief reminder blast to your local media outlets about the upcoming photo opportunity at your store.

(Blasts are shorter than regular press releases and only have the basic information listed.)

A few easy Free Comic Book Day event ideas:

Advertise to your local schools that you will donate a set amount of graphic novels to the library of the school which sends in the most students on Free Comic Book Day. Send flyers with details (avoid being too text-heavy) and ask the schools to remind students to mention their school when they come into your store.

Reward existing customers for bringing in new customers or new families who haven't shopped with you before.

Have a reason for people to return, such as: provide a bounce-back coupon offering another deal on a future date, or advertise another upcoming promotion or event during FCBD.

There are 25 days left before Free Comic Book Day 2011--use each one to reach out to new readers in your community!

Twitter hashtag #comicmarket a new way to talk shop

2011-03-29T06:46:00.000-07:00

Retailers, publishers, creators and fans are getting together to talk comics via Twitter using #comicmarket on Tuesdays!

An interesting way to talk shop--and to get ready for New Comics Day on Wednesday--is taking place on Twitter. Check your twitter feed for #comicmarket on Tuesdays each week, and join in to the conversation!

Retailer poll: Order Incentives

2011-03-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

We recently asked comic book retailers what kind of incentive encourages them to order more copies of a particular book.

Poll results showed that the leading type of incentive that encourages retailers to order more copies of a book are deep discount offers.

Conversation based on the poll suggested that smaller accounts benefit more from free copies and returnable comics while larger retail accounts look more for deep discount offers, although the correlation was anecdotal.

ComicsPRO Variant Covers!

2011-03-03T09:39:00.001-08:00

Walking Dead #81

Members: Couldn't make it to the Annual Membership Meeting in Dallas? Check your current member mailer for information about how to get copies of the ComicsPRO variant cover of Walking Dead #81!

Fear Itself #1

Marvel and ComicsPRO are teaming up to bring you a special variant cover of Fear Itself #1!

Working with ComicsPRO has been a successful and productive way to start off the year, and Marvel Comics would like to thank the existing members for their feedback and support with this limited special variant cover of Fear Itself! ComicsPRO and Marvel would also like to make a copy of this special cover available to all retailers--thank you, too, for the work you do on the front line of the industry.

One copy of this limited edition cover will be available nationwide to each retailer, and members of ComicsPRO will be able to order 3 copies of this variant cover. Check the Marvel Mailer this week for more details!

Don't forget: ComicsPRO members are also eligible for a 25% discount on the MRRC subscription package!

Check today's Diamond Daily

2011-02-25T09:28:00.000-08:00

Retailers, log in to the Diamond Comic Distributors website today to get more information about ordering incentives for multiple store accounts.

From Diamond Daily:

"In response to feedback received from retailers during the annual ComicsPRO meeting in early February, Diamond will modify the way that incentives are calculated for retailers who have Diamond accounts for multiple stores."

Dynamite thoughts on working with ComicsPRO

2011-02-17T13:30:00.000-08:00

From Nick Barrucci, president of Dynamite Entertainment:
“The opportunities presented at ComicsPRO are unrivaled in today’s business environment for direct market specialty retailers. The chance to sit down, one-on-one, both formally - in terms of the round-tables and panels, and informally - after hours, was an invaluable experience. The constructive dialogue between us as a publisher/supplier and our retail partners has already had a positive effect in terms of our calendar for the year. The critiques of line expansion in particular was a common theme, but because of the one-on-one opportunities, both sides came away with a better understanding of why things were done the way they were done.

We look forward to working more and more closely with all our retail partners and ComicsPRO and encourage direct market shops, who may not be members, to get more info on this organization.”

Diamond Feedback from the 2011 meeting

2011-02-16T15:47:00.000-08:00

Several companies are sending notes of what has been accomplished, reiterated, or created as a result of the ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting. Diamond Comic Distributors worked with retailers on many issues at the meeting and has sent this update:

Diamond has reaffirmed that it will make every effort to prevent FOC lists from changing between the time publishers' emails are sent out and FOCs are due on Monday. Baring unforeseen/exceptional circumstances, items will not be added to the lists. They also will not be deleted from the list in the event that a FOC date is being extended. Such items will reappear on subsequent lists as needed.

ComicsPRO would like to thank Diamond Comic Distributors for their sponsorship at the meeting and for listening to and addressing retailer concerns.

Marvel Feedback from the 2011 meeting

2011-02-15T11:42:00.000-08:00

David Gabriel of Marvel Entertainment shared with ComicsPRO that the small group and one-on-one discussion with member retailers at the ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting was very productive, and will be very helpful to Marvel going forward.

Following up on retailer discussions with ComicsPRO members at the Dallas membership meeting, Marvel Comics has announced some adjustments that should benefit direct market retailers:

Marvel Mailer
The Marvel Mailer with information about Marvel comics that comes to direct-market retailers will become much more dynamic.

As a result of hearing from so many retailers, Diamond will be able to create something more closely resembling Diamond Daily, with images and links, making it much more efficient.

Movie Bundles
In order to serve customers with the trade paperbacks and graphic novels that will most closely tie to Marvel movies, Marvel has created a Thor bundle of trades that will be announced in the Marvel Mailer that can serve as add-on sales to fans interested in the Thor movie, or new fans created from the new interest in the property.

Target goals for incentives
Many retailers at the ComicsPRO meeting asked if the individual order goals they need to hit to get Marvel sales incentives could be sent directly to each store. This would help stores as they order and make it easier to hit the incentive. David Gabriel spoke with Diamond and has asked them to make this a top priority.

Gabriel said to ComicsPRO, "thanks, without you, this would not have been brought to our attention."

ComicsPRO would like to thank Marvel for their attendance at the meeting and for their willingness to listen and respond to member concerns.

We have received positive feedback from several of the vendors and retailers who have attended the meeting and we are happy to share it. If you attended our Annual Membership Meeting and have something you'd like to add, contact us through the ComicsPRO website!

Diamond Comic Distributors has also allowed us to continue our partnership by presenting a panel at the upcoming Diamond Summit in Chicago. Executive Director Amanda Emmert will discuss many of the topics that were covered at our annual meeting and how those can help retailers in the upcoming year. We look forward to working with you in March!

ComicsPRO Annual Meeting Wraps in Dallas

2011-02-14T17:27:00.000-08:00

The photo here was taken at Lone Star Comics & Games in Arlington TX, the final stop on ComicsPRO's tour of Dallas area comic book stores.

The annual meeting was an amazing three-plus days of diving deep into the business of comics with productive discussions among more than 150 retailers and suppliers including most of the industry's top publishers.

As president of ComicsPRO, I can say without equivocation this was the most dynamic and successful business-focused event I've been a part of in my nearly 25 years in the comics' biz.

I thank each and every one of my fellow retailers and all the publishers, distributors and other suppliers for bringing their energy, enthusiasm and ideas to Dallas in an effort to markedly move the business of comics forward.

Best!

Joe Field
ComicsPRO President

Stan Lee, Jack Kirby honored with ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Awards

2011-02-11T22:02:00.000-08:00

DALLAS, Texas -- Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were honored by ComicsPRO at the 2011 Annual Membership Meeting as the recipients of the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award.

ComicsPRO created The ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award to honor the individuals who help get comic books from creator to fan via the direct market.

There are two categories for the Industry Appreciation Award, one for professionals who are still active in the business of comics and a Memorial Award one for those who have passed away and left an indelible mark on the profession of comic book specialty retailing.

Bob Chapman of Graphitti Designs accepted the Memorial Award on behalf of the Kirby family.

With writer and business partner Joe Simon, Kirby created the highly successful superhero character Captain America for Timely Comics in 1941. During the 1940s, Kirby would create a number of comics for various publishers, often teaming with Simon. After serving in World War II, Kirby returned to comics, and in the 1960s, Kirby co-created many of Marvel Comics' major characters, including the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and the Hulk, along with writer-editor Stan Lee. After a stint at DC and another with Marvel, Kirby was one of the first to sign with the publisher Pacific, a company focused on the nascent direct market.

Chip Mosher at Matt Gagnon of Boom! Studios accepted the active award on behalf of Stan Lee, who shared a video message with the ComicsPRO retailers.

Lee began as a writer and editor starting in the Golden Age of Comics. With artists including Kirby and Steve Ditko, Lee co-created many of Marvel Comics’ best-known characters. Lee, as president and chairman of Marvel Comics, pushed Marvel’s expansion from being solely a publishing house to a becoming a large multimedia corporation. Lee is now creating new characters for BOOM! Studios and Archie Comics and is the head of POW! Entertainment.

- Matt Price
Nerdage

24 Hour Comics Day is Oct. 1, 2011

2011-02-11T08:54:00.000-08:00

Amanda Emmert, executive director of ComicsPRO, announced that this year's 24 Hour Comics Day will be held on Oct. 1, 2011.

24 Hour Comics Day is an annual challenge for cartoonists to produce a 24-page comic book written, drawn, and completed in 24 consecutive hours. ComicsPRO, the comic book specialty retailer trade organization, handles the organization of the event.

"It is another way we can reach out and bring people in to the excitement of comics," Emmert said at the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting in Dallas, Texas.

More information about the event is available at 24HourComicsDay.com.

- Matt Price
Nerdage

ComicsPRO exclusive cover to Walking Dead 81 revealed

2011-02-10T06:10:00.000-08:00

ComicsPRO has revealed this ComicsPRO exclusive cover to Image Comics' "The Walking Dead" #81. The issue was given to attendees of the Annual Members Meeting in Dallas, Texas.

"The Walking Dead" is a survivalist horror series by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard, set in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse.

- Matt Price
Nerdage

Announcing the 2011 Industry Appreciation Award Nominees

2011-01-06T10:57:00.000-08:00

ComicsPRO Announces Nominees for 2011 Industry Appreciation Award
Retailer Group Seeks to Honor Individuals Who Improve the Comics Specialty Market

The direct market remains the way most comic-book stories get from creator to fan. ComicsPRO wants to honor those people who stand in that gap and help smooth the process. From publishers, distributors, marketers, creators and more, a lot of people are involved in bringing the stories we all love to market. ComicsPRO would like to stand up and recognize those who have been simply the best at what they do, making the comic-book direct market more successful for all of us.

ComicsPRO has created The ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award to honor these individuals, and the winners of the 2nd annual award will be announced at this year's ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting in Dallas, Texas, from February 10-12.

There are two categories for the Industry Appreciation Award, one for professionals who are still active in the business of comics and a Memorial Award one for those who have passed away and left an indelible mark on the profession of comic book specialty retailing. After a period of accepting nominations from members, the ComicsPRO Board of Directors presents this final ballot. Members will vote for one Award recipient from each category.

The 2011 nominees for the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award:

Steve Geppi
Denis Kitchen
Stan Lee
Bill Schanes
Bob Wayne

The 2011 nominees for the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Memorial Award:

Will Eisner
Jack Kirby
Julius Schwartz
Phil Seuling

The 2010 Industry Appreciation Award recipient was Paul Levitz, former president and publisher of DC Comics. The 2010 Industry Appreciation Memorial Award was presented in memory of Carol Kalish, a former Direct Sales Manager at Marvel Comics.

"The Industry Appreciation Award gives ComicsPRO members the opportunity to express gratitude to those who have contributed significantly to the business of selling comics in general and the Direct Market in particular," said ComicsPRO Director Carr D'Angelo, co-owner of Earth-2 Comics, CA. "It's our 'Hall of Fame' for those whose efforts make the world better for retailers."

"ComicsPRO members are proud to highlight the achievements of the many people who have made this industry a better and more successful place to work," said Amanda Emmert, ComicsPRO Executive Director. "The Board of Directors has a difficult time narrowing the ballot each year."

ComicsPRO is the retailer trade and advocacy group representing comic book retailers across the U.S. and Canada. The goals of ComicsPRO are to be the united voice of advocacy for direct market retailers, to provide educational and mentoring opportunities to current and future retailers, and to offer opportunities to reduce some of the mutual fixed costs retailers incur. Information and membership applications are available at www.ComicsPRO.org.

Brief biographical notes that accompany the ballots for the award can be found below.

2011 Industry Appreciation Award Nominees

Steve Geppi
As the founder and owner of Diamond Comic Distributors, for 27 years, he has provided an even hand in guiding the comic specialty market through good times and challenging times alike. Diamond Comic Distributors became the successor to direct market pioneer Phil Seuling's distribution dream when Geppi took over New Media/Irjax's warehouses in 1982. He bought out distributor Bud Plant in 1988 and main rival Capital City in 1996. Steve Geppi is also a former comic book retailer. Geppi has served on the board of the CBLDF, is the founder of Geppi’s Comic Museum, owner of Gemstone Publishing and is still an avid comic book collector.

Denis Kitchen
With a career that spans five decades and encompasses many of the roles that comprise the comics specialty market, Denis Kitchen is a cartoonist, writer, editor, publisher and businessman. From 1969-1999, under the Kitchen Sink brand, Denis was a publisher for a smorgasbord of classic and underground artists, including Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Art Spiegelman and more. In 1986 Denis Kitchen founded the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, dedicated to defending the industry's First Amendment rights. Kitchen has also chaired the Harvey Awards Committee since 2000. He is a member of the Board of Advisers of MOCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art) in New York City.

Stan Lee
At 88 years young, Stan Lee continues his one-man assault on all media. As a writer and editor starting in the Golden Age of Comics, Lee has been one of the industry’s most important figures for nearly 70 years. With artists including Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, Lee co-created many of Marvel Comics’ best-known characters. His “Amazing Spider-Man” story in issues 96-98 caused the Comics Code Authority to rethink its policies. And long before the blockbuster big screen successes of Spider-Man and X-Men, Lee, as president and chairman of Marvel Comics, pushed Marvel’s expansion from being solely a publishing house to a becoming a large multimedia corporation.

Lee is now creating new characters for BOOM! Studios and Archie Comics. He is also the head of POW! Entertainment, an advanced media and entertainment company that encompasses the creation, production and licensing of original intellectual properties. Stan Lee was inducted into the comic book industry's Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1995.

Bill Schanes
Bill, along with his brother Steve Schanes co-founded Pacific Comics in 1971. Pacific Comics was among the early direct market comic book retailers. In 1981, Bill co-founded Pacific Comics as a publisher of mostly creator-owned properties, including those from hallowed veterans of the comic book business like Neal Adams, Jack Kirby and Sergio Aragones. After Pacific folded in 1984, Schanes joined Steve Geppi's Diamond Comic Distributors company in 1985. He has served as a National Account Representative, before ascending to Diamond’s Upper management Team as the Vice President for Purchasing.

Bob Wayne
Wayne, a former comic book retailer in the Dallas/Fort Worth TX area, joined DC Comics in the mid ‘80s as a Direct Sales manager and has been on the forefront of the changes in the comics business ever since. Currently serving as DC’s Senior Vice President of Sales, Wayne has always maintained his loyalty to the field of comics specialty retailing and has been responsible for many of DC’s retailer-friendly best practices, including support of ComicsPRO. Wayne is a recipient of the Inkpot Award, commemorating his years of service to the comics industry and his work with Comic-Con International.

2011 Industry Appreciation Memorial Award Nominees

Will Eisner
A true visionary and comics industry pioneer, Eisner’s touch has been felt in all aspects of the comics community. On the creative side, Eisner’s breadth of material spans the eight decades of American comics history, veering from his earliest efforts in adventure and superhero comics while the medium was in its infancy, to 35 years of more mature work best exemplified by the standard-bearer for all graphic novels, A Contract With God. His impeccable design sense raised the bar for every artist that came with and after him. On the business side, Eisner understood the unique relationship between creator and retailer, founding the “Spirit of Comics” award that recognizes the work of the industry’s brightest retailers. Eisner passed away in January 2005 at the age of 87.

Jack Kirby
Perhaps the most important comic book artist to those of us working in the comics specialty market. Kirby entered the fledgling comics industry in the 1930s. With writer and business partner Joe Simon, Kirby created the highly successful superhero character Captain America for Timely Comics in 1941. During the 1940s, Kirby would create a number of comics for various publishers, often teaming with Simon. After serving in World War II, Kirby returned to comics, and in the 1960s, Kirby co-created many of Marvel Comics' major characters, including the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and the Hulk, along with writer-editor Stan Lee. Kirby left Marvel in 1970 to create new work for DC Comics, which included his Fourth World saga, including The New Gods, Mister Miracle, and The Forever People. Kirby returned to Marvel in the mid-to-late 1970s, then moved into TV animation and independent comics.

Julius Schwartz
Schwartz started his career in 1932 as the co-publisher of Time Traveller, among the first science fiction fanzines. Schwartz, along with Mort Weisinger, founded the Solar Sales Service literary agency in 1934, where Schwartz represented such noted authors as Alfred Bester, Robert Bloch, Ray Bradbury, and H. P. Lovecraft. Schwartz also helped organize the first World Science Fiction Convention in 1939. In 1944 he went to work as an editor for All-American Comics, which soon merged with National Periodical Publications to form DC Comics. Schwartz was best-known for his work at DC Comics, which reinvigorated the superhero genre in the comics industry. His updating of 1940s characters for the modern era revolutionized DC Comics. He died in February 2004 at the age of 88.

Phil Seuling
The organizer and founder of the New York Comic Art Conventions of the ‘70s, Seuling is the founder of the direct-market form of comic-book distribution. Seuling, a school teacher with a passion for comics, arranged distribution deals to buy DC and Marvel Comics direct from the publishers. In 1974, Seuling founded Seagate Distribution, which sold comics non-returnably, and the Direct Market was born. In an age where comic shops were merely second-hand collectors’ stores, Seuling saw the potential for making a direct connection between comic publishers and their most rabid fans. In a real sense, our livelihoods are possible because of Seuling’s foresight more than 35 years ago. Phil Seuling passed away in 1984 at the age of 50.

Ted Adams presents keynote at the 2011 ComicsPRO AMM

2010-12-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

ComicsPRO Annual Meeting: “2011’s Most Crucial Comics Business Meeting”

February 10-12 Event In Dallas Brings Key Players Together to Energize Comics Market

When retailers convene in Dallas TX from February 10-12 for the ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting, the goal will be to spawn a number of initiatives with publishers to invigorate the comics’ specialty market.

Many major comics’ publishers are scheduled to be represented in Dallas, including DC Comics, once again sponsoring a full day of programming with management and senior staff, as well as meal sponsors BOOM! Studios, Diamond Comics Distributors, Dyanamite Entertainment, IDW Publishing, and Image Comics. Scheduled to attend are Marvel Comics and Top Shelf Productions.

Now through December 31, retailers joining ComicPRO as Full Members can attend the Annual Meeting free of charge. Retailers simply sign up for membership at www.comicspro.org and the meeting registration fee will be waived for the first attendee from their companies---that's a $100 value!

Ted Adams, the Chief Executive Officer and Publisher of Idea and Design Works LLC, otherwise known in comics’ circles as IDW, will deliver the meeting’s keynote address.

"I'm looking forward to the 2011 ComicsPRO meeting. I've spent my entire professional career working in the direct market and the ComicsPRO event provides a unique opportunity for comics’ specialty retailers to come together to actively work with their key suppliers. I plan to discuss the changes I've seen over the last 20 years and I'm anxious to hear what our retail partners are seeing at their cash registers," said Adams.

“The perspective Ted Adams will bring to the ComicsPRO meeting is one that has been forged by the growth and dynamism of the comics’ market over the last couple of decades, “ said Joe Field owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord CA and the organization’s president. “Early response for the ComicsPRO event in Dallas is very encouraging. Every career-minded comics specialty retailer needs to make this meeting a #1 priority! There’s such important and urgent business to attend to for the near and long-term health of our industry. This event looks to be the single most crucial business meeting for comic specialty retailers in 2011.”

ComicsPRO is also announcing that Image Comics’ co-founder, Spawn creator and Todd McFarlane Productions owner Todd McFarlane will be an event participant.

"The reason I want to go is to try and have a meaningful conversation about the comic book industry from a business perspective. I want to emphasize the importance of our continued partnership with the retailers. Store owners are trying to make a living in a tough economy and that has its hardships at times. I want to have a conversation about what we, at Image, can do to ease this," said McFarlane.

"I'll be proposing ideas I think will help, but I also want to connect with the retailers for their input. It shouldn't be a one sided conversation. Instead, it needs to be a collaborative effort so Image can improve on what we're doing. We'll cover the creative aspect, as well, but our business relationships will be the key focus of my appearance."

“ComicsPRO members are looking forward to having Todd McFarlane join us in Dallas,” said Amanda Emmert, ComicsPRO’s Executive Director. “His experience in many facets of the specialty business, from comics to toy manufacturing to movie-making, is extremely valuable and we appreciate the opportunity to help him work more closely with the retailers who are on the front lines."

With more attending suppliers to be announced in the coming weeks, ComicsPRO offers an early booking discount for attending retailers that expires on December 31, 2010. All retailers, members of ComicsPRO and non-members alike, are invited to attend.

More information can be found at http://www.comicspro.org/ or by calling ComicsPRO’s Executive Director Amanda Emmert toll-free at 877-574-8618.

###

Members: new offer at the member forum

2010-12-20T09:06:00.001-08:00

ComicsPRO members: log into the member forum for an exclusive offer from BOOM! Studios.

While you're there, please participate in our newest membership poll!

Retailers: attend the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting for FREE!

2010-12-07T11:51:00.000-08:00

Details are available at www.comicspro.org/news

You are invited to the 2011 ComicsPRO AMM

2010-12-06T14:16:00.000-08:00

Publishers, distributors, manufacturers and other industry partners: ComicsPRO is inviting you to our 5th Annual Membership Meeting which will be held in Dallas, Texas on February 11-12, 2011.

You can view our invitation mailer here!

Information about the 2011 ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting can be found at our website.

If did not receive an invitation by email and would like to be on our vendor contact list, please email us!

ComicsPRO Announces Executive Director

2010-11-07T20:35:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release

Contact: Amanda Emmert
Joe Field

ComicsPRO Promotes Amanda Emmert to Executive Director

ComicsPRO President Joe Field (Flying Colors Comics) has announced the promotion of Amanda Emmert (Muse Comics) to the new position of Executive Director of the organization. Emmert resigns her position on the organization's board of directors to accept this role. The move is made in conjunction with an ongoing effort to operate the not-for-profit trade association more efficiently and will coincide with a reduction in its number of board members to seven.

Remaining ComicsPRO board members are President Joe Field, Vice-President Gary Dills (Laughing Ogre Comics), Recording Secretary Carr D'Angelo (Earth-2 Comics), and Directors Brian Hibbs (Comix Experience), Calum Johnston (Strange Adventures), Eric Kirsammer (Chicago Comics) and Rick Lowell (Casablanca Comics).

As ComicsPRO’s former Secretary/Treasurer, Emmert has been overseeing the organization's corporate operations and finances for several years and will continue those duties in her new role. In addition, her expanded role as Executive Director will give her responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the not-for-profit organization. She will work in concert with the Board of Directors on membership outreach and fundraising. The Executive Director will also serve as the official spokesperson for ComicsPRO.

“This is a great move forward for ComicsPRO,” said Joe Field. “In many ways, ComicsPRO would not have happened without Amanda Emmert’s vision and determination to develop a sustainable trade organization for comic book specialty retailers.”

Emmert's involvement in ComicsPRO goes back to its beginnings with her helping to incorporate the not-for-profit organization in 2004. She has served on its board of directors since then. The organization’s founding members were officially invited to join at the beginning of 2005. She was hired as the organization's part-time Communications Coordinator in late 2007, and the position was increased to full-time in 2008 as ComicsPRO continued to increase its growth and involvement in the industry.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to help ComicsPRO continue to be a successful and lasting trade association for comic book retailers,” Emmert said. “I'm proud of the work comic book retailers are willing to do to improve our industry, and to help each other improve our profession,” Emmert added. “I appreciate being a part of this progress and for the opportunity to improve the efficiency of our operations.”

ComicsPRO remains mostly a volunteer-run group, utilizing the participation of many of its retailer members all over North America. The organization provides many member benefits to help make running comic book stores more profitable. ComicsPRO also helps promote comic books and comic book stores in the mainstream media via 24 Hour Comics Day and Free Comic Book Day, as well as at many comic book conventions across the U.S.

For more information and retailer membership applications, please go to http://ComicsPRO.org.

###

2011 Annual Membership Meeting

2010-11-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

February 10-12, 2011 in Dallas, Texas

Get information about our upcoming Annual Membership Meeting at http://www.comicspro.org/meet11

Retailers: save money if you register for the event before 12/31/10!

ComicsPRO website & email temporarily down

2010-11-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

Our website and email are both down as our hosting company is experiencing internal issues. They're doing their best to resolve the issue but they don't have an estimate about when everything will be back online.

We're sorry about the inconvenience! If you are currently trying to reach us via email, please resend it tomorrow or you can reach Amanda via musecomics @ gmail . com

Thank you!

Long Beach Comic Con "All-PRO Access"

2010-10-12T12:14:00.000-07:00

We're inviting you to meet and mingle with retailers, professionals and exhibitors at Long Beach Comic Con on Friday, October 29th from 11:30am to 1pm.

Join us at booth 323 for coffee & bagels before the show!

Only professionals with registered badges will be able to attend--the convention itself doesn't open until 1pm.

The pro-registration deadline at LBCC has passed, but if you're a retailer (member OR non-member!), we can still provide you with a free 3-day pass to the show! Contact us by October 24 to reserve your tickets.

Retailers who have pre-registered badges and who pick up their badges Friday morning during the All-PRO Access will also receive a FREE Welcome Kit filled with goodies compliments of ComicsPRO, LBCC, BOOM! Studios, Top Cow Productions and Zedura Magazine.

Not a retailer yet?

Join us for the popular "So You Want to be a Comic Book Retailer?" panel at Long Beach Comic Con!

Friday
October 29th
2:00 - 2:45 pm

So You Want to be a Comic Book Retailer?— Your first steps to having your very own comic book store start right here! This convention tradition is always a lively and fun discussion of the brick and mortar basics of launching your own career as a comic book specialty retailer. You have questions? ComicsPRO's panel of experienced retailers has answers! Hosted by Carr D'Angelo (Earth-2 Comics, Sherman Oaks and Northridge, CA) with fellow retailers Thomas Gaul (Corner Store Comics & Beach Ball Comics, Orange County, CA), and Derrick Taylor (Comic Oasis, Las Vegas, NV).

See you in Long Beach!

Retailer Panels at New York Comic Con

2010-09-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

Join us at New York Comic Con!

We'll be at booth 536 on the show floor and ComicsPRO volunteers will be presenting a panel during the professional hours on Friday:

Friday, October 8
Panel Room 6 (1A21)
Diversify
12:30 – 1:30 pm

Diversify!

Carrying a wide range of varied products can stabilize your store in an up and down economy. But what else should you carry and how do you prepare for the new lines? Scott Proulx, co-owner of the currently expanding Double Midnight Comics in New Hampshire, Thomas Gaul, owner of Corner Store Comics and Beach Ball Comics in California, and Chris Powell, General Manager and CRO of Lone Star Comics, a 7-store chain in Texas and of mycomicshop.com, one of the largest comic internet retailers, are all here to help! Learn about successful new product lines that can improve your store selection and your bottom line.

ComicsPRO members will also be presenting at other retailer panels held over the weekend:

Friday:

Am I Really Ready for Store #2 (or 3 or 4)?

Join us to find out! Chris Powell is the General Manager and CRO of Lone Star Comics & mycomicshop.com, a chain of 7 comic book stores and one of the largest internet comic book retailers in the world. Midtown Comics, based right here in Manhattan and soon-to-be opening a third NY location, is another one of the largest comic book retailers in the U.S. and on the internet. They are here to help you decide if you're ready to expand YOUR comic book retail empire!
6:15 PM to 7:15 PM - Room 1A15

Saturday:

Comic Events that Really Work

Events can drive a large percentage of bookstore sales. How can stores make comics events work to capitalize on this potential? What kinds of events work best with comics? When art is involved in a book, do you need a different perspective on putting an event together?
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Room 1A17

Sunday:

Community Partnerships

Partnering with people and organizations from around the community can help your store grow and find new audiences. This panel explains how to do just that, discussing partnerships with local bookstores, schools, libraries, and organizations and how this has the potential to expand your market.
1:15 PM to 2:15 PM - Room 1A17

Expanding Beyond the Traditional Comics Store Demographic

The traditional demographic for comics store buyers is males 18 – 34. But with more graphic novels for kids, teens, and women being produced, and the introduction of manga and art books into the market, that demographic is expanding. How can stores work to reach out to this new potential audience?
2:30 PM to 2:30 PM - Room 1A17

ComicsPRO Annual Meeting 2011: Save these dates!

2010-07-28T12:39:00.000-07:00

At the recently concluded Comic-Con International, the ComicsPRO board of directors has announced that our Annual Members Meeting will be:

February 10-12 in Dallas Texas

More details will be forthcoming shortly.

The ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting is the most business-focused event on the comics industry schedule. We hope you can make plans to join us.

Joe Field
ComicsPRO President

Eisner "Spirit" Congrats!

2010-07-28T12:35:00.000-07:00

In a crowded field of nominated stores this year, the Will Eisner "Spirit of Comics" Award for retailing excellence has been awarded to:

Vault of Midnight
Curtis Sullivan & Steve Fodale
Ann Arbor, MI

Big ComicsPRO congrats to Curtis and Steve and their staff at Vault of Midnight!

ComicsPRO also extends congratulations to the finalists for the 2010 award (with links to ComicsPRO members' sites):

Atomic Comics
Mike Malve
Chandler, AZ

Challengers Comics and Conversions
Patrick Brower and W. Dal Bush
Chicago, IL

Comics & Vegetables
Yuval Sharon, Danny Amitai
Tel-Aviv, Israel

The Dragon
Jennifer Stewart
Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy
David Wheeler
Austin, TX

Eisner "Spirit of Comics" Nominees for 2010

2010-07-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

Nominees for the prestigious Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award (The Eisner Spirit Award) have been announced by Comic-Con International (Comic-Con), the largest comic book and popular arts event in the United States.

Since 1993, The Eisner Spirit Award has been presented to an individual retailer performing an outstanding job of supporting the comics art medium both in the community and within the industry at large. Any retailer established in business for at least two years is eligible for nomination, and retailers, professionals, or fans may place a name in nomination. A panel of industry judges select a group of finalists to be subjected to an in-depth examination based on award criteria.

These criteria include:
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 and libraries; keeping active in social, business, and arts community organizations.

Quality of store image: Innovative display approaches; using store design creatively.

Adherence to standard ethical business practices.

This years nominees are:

A Comic Shop
Aaron Hoaland & Jason Blanchard
Winter Park, FL

Acme Comics
Jermaine Exum & Mark Austin
Greensboro, NC

Astro-Zombies
Mike D’Elia
Albuquerque, NM

Atomic Comics
Mike Malve
Chandler, AZ

Challengers Comics and Conversions
Patrick Brower and W. Dal Bush
Chicago, IL

Comic Book Ink
John & Sarah Munn
Tacoma, WA

Comic Bug
Mike Wellman & Jun Goeku
Manhattan Beach, CA

The Comic Vault
Matthew Sardo
Chicago, IL

Comics & Vegetables
Yuval Sharon, Danny Amitai
Tel-Aviv, Israel

The Dragon
Jennifer Stewart
Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy
David Wheeler
Austin, TX

Green Brain Comics
Katie & Dan Merritt
Dearborn, MI

Lightning Comics
Tim Boal
Coeur d’Alene, ID

Not Just Comix
David Easter
Park Hills, MO

Packrat Comics
Jamie and Teresa Colegrove
Hillard, OH

R-Galaxy
Rick & Maritza Keefe
Tucson, AZ

Travelling Man
Nabil Homsi
Manchester, England, UK

Up Up & Away
Kendall Swafford
Cincinnati, OH

Vault of Midnight
Curtis Sullivan & Steve Fodale
Ann Arbor, MI

Warp 1 Comics and Games
Dave Bryenton & James Steer
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Past winners are not eligible for nomination.

The Eisner Spirit Awards are part of, and underwritten by, Comic-Con International: San Diego, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of comics to art and culture.

More information about Comic-Con can be found at http://www.comic-con.org

RSVP problems?

2010-07-14T13:23:00.000-07:00

If you have tried to RSVP for the invitation-only ComicsPRO meeting in San Diego and had problems with the main Org email, we're sorry for the inconvenience!

We're working with tech support to find out what's up.

In the meantime, you can send your RSVP to Amanda at musecomics @ gmail.com or try the regular Org email again today.

Thank you!

Retailer Programming at Comic-Con International: San Diego

2010-07-12T10:46:00.001-07:00

ComicsPRO will be hosting retailer programming this year in San Diego on Friday, July 23. All comic book retailers (and future entrepreneurs), publishers and distributors are invited to attend!

10:30 - 11:30 Retailing in the Digital Age -- Publishers are looking at more digital comic releases and the comic book apps are among the most popular on the iPad and iPhone. How can comic book stores update their retail practices to stay involved with digital distribution? What are publishers doing to encourage new digital readers to pick up print comics? Jim Lee (co-Publisher of DC Comics) and John Rood (Executive VP of Sales & Marketing DC Entertainment), along with Jim Sokolowski (COO Marvel Comics), Chip Mosher (Director of Marketing BOOM! Studios), and David Steinberger (founder of comiXology.com) will talk about upcoming promotions aimed at sending readers to comic book stores. Moderated by Joe Field (ComicsPRO President, Flying Colors Comics, Concord CA). Room 12

11:30 - 12:45 Eisner Spirit Award Video Viewing -— The Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award is the industry's "Hall of Fame" for progressive retailers. Spirit Award facilitator and award recipient Joe Ferrara (Atlantis Fantasyworld, Santa Cruz, CA) shows the video presentations for this year's award finalists, with discussion about each nominated retailer, the store’s display techniques, and the other notable features. Hey, retailers! Steal some good ideas here! Room 12

1:00 - 2:00 ComicsPRO Update and Cookie Break! — Hey, comic retailers, creators, and publishers! Find out all the latest news about your trade and advocacy group from board members Joe Field, Carr D'Angelo, and Amanda Emmert. They’ll fill you in on what plans are in store for ComicsPRO members, what benefits you can reap by becoming a Member or an Industry Partner, and what a difference everyone can make when they pitch in to improve the state of comics retail. All that and cookies, too! Room 13

2:30 - 3:30 The 24-Hour Comics Day Challenge -- Can you create a full 24-page comic from scratch in 24 hours? Join us at the panel as Ryan Claytor (Elephant Eater Comics) and Trevor Mersch (Vendetta Comics) give out tips and tricks to help you complete the challenge this year and have your comic included in the international 24-Hour Comics collection. Or are you interested in hosting a 24-Hour Comics Day event in your area? Nat Gertler (Publisher of About Comics and founder of 24-Hour Comics Day) and Portlyn Polston (Brave New World Comics, Newhall, CA) can tell you how to create and advertise a successful event at your comic book store, school or library. Room 12

4:00–5:30 So You Want To Be a Comic Book Retailer? -- Your first steps to having your very own comic book store start right here! This Comic-Con tradition is always a lively and fun discussion of the brick and mortar basics of launching your own career as a comic book specialty retailer. You have questions? Our panel of experienced retailers has answers! Hosted by Joe Field (ComicsPRO President, Flying Colors Comics, Concord CA) with fellow retailers Thomas Gaul (Corner Store Comics & Beach Ball Comics, Orange County CA), Derrick Taylor (Comic Oasis, Las Vegas NV), David Wheeler (Dragon’s Lair, Austin TX), Michael Ring (Bridge City Comics, Portland OR) and Diamond Comic Distributors Outside Sales manager Dave Hawksworth. This panel is held in Room 32AB

5:45 - 6:30 Branching Out: The National Comic Book Store Franchise -- David Wheeler (Dragon's Lair, TX and WA) talks about his emerging national franchise of comic book stores and the challenges and benefits of operating multiple locations with 2-store owner Carr D'Angelo (Earth-2 Comics, Sherman Oaks and Northridge, CA). The panel is aimed at retailers who are interested in opening a second store and also at new entrepreneurs who are interested in joining a new national franchise! Room 12

See you in San Diego!

24HCD Host Registration now open!

2010-06-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

24-HOUR COMICS DAY SET FOR OCTOBER 2

Host Registration opens June 2

ComicsPRO once again invites artists around the world to try the 24-hour Comics Day challenge! Can you make a 24-page comic in 24 hours?

October 2, 2010 will mark the 7th annual 24-Hour Comics Day (24HCD) event, where professionals and amateurs alike will meet at their local comic book store and try to produce a complete comic book in one day. Thousands of artists at hundreds of sites in the U.S. and around the world take part in 24-Hour Comics Day every year.

Are you interested in hosting a 24-Hour Comics Day event? Registration is now open.

Registration is for event hosts only; individual participants will register at their local participating venue.

24HCD 2010 is sponsored in part by comic book publisher BOOM! Studios. U.S. venues who register to host a 24HCD event by August 1st will receive a sketch cover and an art -negative cover of BOOM! Studios comics to giveaway as prizes or promotions! Registered venues will also receive a kit from ComicsPRO to help set up, advertise and run their events and will be listed on the national 24HCD directory at www.24hourcomicsday.com.

"BOOM! Studios is proud to sponsor this year's 24 Hour Comics Day! This is a great way for artists everywhere to celebrate the art of comics all in one day!" said BOOM! Studios Marketing Director Chip Mosher. "Every year, I love seeing what my artist friends come up with. There is no cooler thing in comics than reading someone's 24 Hour Comics day work."

BOOM! Studios has also created a special gallery to showcase the comics created on 24-Hour Comics Day. Artists who participate in the 24-Hour Comics Day event will be invited to showcase their comics in a dedicated forum at www.boom-studios.com. "We've had an Artists Gallery on our forum since the very beginning of BOOM!'s existence and have hired a ton of people through this gallery. So, you never know!"

Artists who complete the 24-Hour Comics Day challenge are also invited to include copies of their comics in the national 24-Hour Comics Day collection hosted by The Ohio State University Cartoon Library & Museum. Submission details will be provided at the event on October 2nd.

ABOUT 24HCD: The 24-Hour Comic challenge was first issued by internationally renowned author and artist Scott McCloud in 1990. The 24-Hour Comics Day Event was created by Nat Gertler, publisher of About Comics. More information on 24-Hour Comics Day is available at www.24hourcomicsday.com.

ABOUT COMICSPRO: ComicsPRO is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade organization uniting independent comic book storefront retailers to share resources and to promote comics as an important part of popular culture and literature.
Further information may be found about ComicsPRO at www.ComicsPRO.org.

ABOUT BOOM! Studios: BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com) is a unique publishing house specializing in high-profile projects across a wide variety of different genres from some of the industry’s biggest talents, including Eisner nominated Philip K. Dick’s DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, The Henson Company’s FARSCAPE, and the Eisner nominated original Mark Waid series IRREDEEMABLE. BOOM!’s children publishing imprint BOOM Kids! publishes titles such as Pixar’s THE INCREDIBLES, CARS, and TOY STORY, as well as Disney’s Eisner nominated THE MUPPETS, DONALD DUCK, UNCLE SCROOGE and WALT DISNEY’S COMICS AND STORIES.

###

Robert Kirkman keynote address at ComicsPRO members meeting

2010-04-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

ComicsPRO 2010 Keynote Address by Robert Kirkman from BSIComics on Vimeo.

Robert Kirkman's keynote address at the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting in Memphis.

Paul Levitz, Carol Kalish honored with ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Awards

2010-03-26T16:50:00.000-07:00

ComicsPRO 2010 Industry Appreciation Award from BSIComics on Vimeo.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- ComicsPRO honored former DC Comics president and publisher Paul Levitz with the first ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award. Carol Kalish, former direct sales manager at Marvel, was honored with the posthumous ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award.

ComicsPRO created the award to honor those who work behind the scenes, from publishers, distributors, marketers and more, in bringing comic books to market. ComicsPRO member retailers voted on the award, which ComicsPRO President Joe Field described as a "Hall of Fame" award.

Levitz was president of DC Comics from 2002–2009 and worked for DC for over 35 years in a wide variety of roles.

"He is someone who has been one of our best friends in this business," Field said.

Levitz thanked fellow nominee Bob Wayne of DC and other members of his DC Comics team in accepting the award. He also thanked those in the retail field for their support.

"Thank you for making my service to the field possible," Levitz said.

Kalish was Marvel’s Direct Sales Manager from the mid-1980s to early 1990s. She was instrumental in professionalizing the comics specialty retail field. Kalish passed away in September 1991 at the age of 36.

"Anyone who had the pleasure of working with her knew ... her goal was not just to grow Marvel Comics sales, but to grow the entire industry," said Field.

Levitz read a statement from Kalish's longtime significant other, Richard Howell, while accepting the award on her behalf. It recounted Kalish's days building up the direct market, with cash register programs and other innovations. It was her goal to make the direct market as strong as it could be, according to the statement.

"I think she would have been very pleased by this award and the validation it represents," said Howell's statement.

- Matt Price
More ComicsPRO coverage

ComicsPRO president Joe Field looks to the future

2010-03-26T15:04:00.000-07:00

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — ComicsPRO president Joe Field said that despite a down economy and the growing digital format, there’s no reason print-format comic books can’t continue to thrive. Field spoke to gathered retailers on Friday morning at the ComicsPRO annual members meeting.

“Comics today are more ubiquitous than at any time in the last 25 years,” Field said.

“We’re not going to get lost because there is a new kind of comics medium on the way,” Field said. “No medium has ever completely replaced the one that went before it. ”

Field said comic books have been “left for dead” by supposed experts many times throughout his career, but direct-market retailers’ resilience have kept the medium going. Now, Field said, huge numbers of people are interested in the type of material available in comics. Field said other media featuring those characters and concepts can be competition for comics, but they can also be commercials for comics.

“There is an incredibly bright future for our market if we are willing to make it happen,” Field said.

- Matt Price

ComicsPRO's Exclusive Image

2010-02-25T11:07:00.001-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joe Keatinge
510.644.4980 x.12
joekeatinge@imagecomics.com

COMICSPRO'S EXCLUSIVE IMAGE
Image Comics' makes an exclusive appearance at this year's ComicsPRO annual meeting, featuring Robert Kirkman!

Berkeley, CA -- 25 February 2010 -- Many of the nation's top comic book retailers will converge on Memphis, TN this April for ComicsPRO's Annual Members Meeting, and WALKING DEAD creator and Image COO Robert Kirkman will be delivering the keynote speech. Image Comics will also be making an exclusive appearance at the 2010 retailer event.

"While reviewing our options for the 2010 calendar, Image Comics has decided to put its focus for retailer events on ComicsPRO," said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. "We feel the organization does a massive amount of good for the comics industry and with the ever-growing amount of competing events, we felt the need to reaffirm our support for our retail partners by making our appearance at this year's annual meeting our sole retailer event for 2010."

ComicsPRO is the only trade organization for Direct Market comic book retailers. Their goals are not that different from trade organizations in other industries: to promote advocacy, education and opportunity for their members. Each annual meeting focuses on the many issues this unified, yet independent retailer organization faces and works towards building a stronger future. In addition to Kirkman, Stephenson and Image PR & Marketing Coordinator Joe Keatinge will also attend. The company's decision to so strongly support this year's annual meeting has been met with great enthusiasm by members of ComicsPRO's Board of Directors.

ComicsPRO President and Flying Colors Comics owner Joe Field added: "When a key supplier like Image Comics decides that their time, energy and focus are best spent meeting with ComicsPRO retailers in Memphis, it highlights the dedication Image has to professional, dedicated comics specialty retailers. We hope more retailers notice this and make plans to join us for the only retailer-directed trade event in the comics' business."

"What I admire most about Image Comics is its commitment to creators and their independence," ComicsPRO Board of Directors member and Comix Experience owner Brian Hibbs said. "It's amazing to see that same level of commitment and passion being brought to bear for the benefit of the independent comic book retailer as well. This energy and support can't help but make the best retailer-focused event that much better!"

The ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting is March 24-27th, 2010 at the Hilton Memphis. For more information on the meeting, visit http://comicspro.org/meet10.html

Image Comics is a comics and graphic novels publisher formed in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Since that time, Image has gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. There are currently five partners in Image Comics (Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino), and Image is currently divided into four major houses (Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, and Image Central). Image comics and graphic novels cover nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable, offering science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor, and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

# # #

2010 Director Election Candidates

2010-02-11T11:04:00.000-08:00

Full Members to ComicsPRO will receive a ballot (with instructions) for the 2010 Director Election in the mail.

The 2010 Director Election Candidates are:

Carr D’Angelo

Carr D'Angelo is co-owner of Earth-2 Comics, the only multi-store chain in the Los Angeles area with stores in Sherman Oaks and Northridge.

He started his career in New York as an editor and writer for Starlog, Fangoria and Comics Scene magazines. Moving to Los Angeles, he became a script reader, studio executive and movie producer.

In 2003, D'Angelo partnered with Jud Meyers to open Earth-2, named for the home planet of the legendary heroes of their youth. The Sherman Oaks store received the 2007 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award. In 2009, they partnered with comic book writer Geoff Johns to acquire the Northridge store.

Eric Kirsammer

Eric Kirsammer graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a bachelor of fine arts degree. He purchased an existing comic book store in 1991 and renamed it Chicago Comics. They moved into their current space in 1993. Chicago Comics won the Capital City Master retailer award in 1994. It also won the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award in 1997, and has been named Best Comic book store by Chicago Magazine, Newcity newspaper and the Reader.

Eric purchased Quimby's bookstore in 1997 and moved it to its current location in 1998. Quimby's has been mentioned in Juxtapoz magazine, The New York times and many others.

Rick Lowell

Rick Lowell is the owner of Casablanca Comics, with two stores located in Portland and Windham, Maine. He has been active in the comics community since the 1970's. Rick and his wife Laura opened Casablanca Comics in 1987. Casablanca Comics has been a finalist in the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award at San Diego Comic Con multiple times.

Rick is very active working with libraries to promote comics, and currently deals with over 100 libraries on a regular basis. Rick has a background in graphic arts and previously worked as an art director before opening the stores. Casablanca Comics is the host for the Maine Comics Arts Festival held in the spring of each year.

Besides a lifelong love of comics, Rick's other interests include vintage diners, pinball, rock 'n roll and the Boston Red Sox. He lives in Portland, Maine with his wife Laura and two children, Caitlin and Duncan.

Ralph Mathieu

Ralph Mathieu has owned Alternate Reality Comics, "The Nexus of Entertainment & Enlightenment", Las Vegas' oldest comic book store, since 1995. In addition to introducing people to the diversity that comics has to offer, his goal for the store consists of finding loving homes for great comics and graphic novels.

Ralph has been a long time sponsor of the Eisner Awards, a member of DC Comics' RRP since 2002, and has been on the planning committee for the Las Vegas Clark County Library Book / Comicbookfest the past two years. Ralph lives and breathes sequential art and shares this passion for this medium with his wife, Katherine Keller, who is one of the founders of, and a regular contributor to, Sequential Tart.

Thank you to all of the retailers who volunteer their time and energy to serve on the ComicsPRO Board of Directors!

ComicsPRO's Industry Appreciation Award

2010-01-24T19:32:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amanda Emmert
info@comicspro.org

ComicsPRO Announces Nominees for Industry Appreciation Award
Retailer Group Seeks to Honor Efforts to Improve Comics Specialty Market

The direct market remains the way most comic-book stories get from creator to fan. ComicsPRO, the largest organization of direct-market retailers, wants to honor those people who stand in that gap and help smooth that process. From publishers, distributors, marketers and more, a lot of people are involved in bringing the stories we all love to market. ComicsPRO would like to stand up and recognize those who have been simply the best at what they do, making the comic-book direct market more successful for all of us.

ComicsPRO has created The ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award to honor these individuals, and the first winners of the award will be announced at this year's ComicsPRO Annual Members' meeting in Memphis, TN from March 25-27.

There are two categories for the Industry Appreciation Award, one for professionals who are still active in the business of comics and one for those who have passed away and left an indelible mark on the profession of comic book specialty retailing. After a period of accepting nominations from members, the ComicsPRO Board of Directors presents this final ballot. Members will vote for one Award recipient from each category.

The 2010 nominees for the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award:
o Neil Gaiman
o Steve Geppi
o Paul Levitz
o Dave Sim
o Bob Wayne

The 2010 nominees in the posthumous category for the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award:
o Will Eisner
o Carol Kalish
o Phil Seuling
o Julius Schwartz

“ComicsPRO member retailers have been enthusiastic in working to make this award a reality,” said Joe Field, ComicsPRO President and the owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord CA. “This award is unique in that it specifically highlights the contributions of professionals who have made---and still make--- Hall-of-Fame level contributions to the business of comics.”

“The ComicsPRO Annual Membership meeting is the most business-focused of the meetings and conventions on the industry calendar,” said Amanda Emmert, ComicsPRO's Communications Coordinator. “At the meeting, ComicsPRO members want to highlight the achievements of people who have made this industry a better and more successful place to work."

ComicsPRO is the retailer trade and advocacy group with more than 140 members comprising more than 180 storefronts in 36 states and six Canadian provinces. The goals of ComicsPRO are to be the united voice of advocacy for direct market retailers, to provide educational and mentoring opportunities to current and future retailers, and to offer opportunities to reduce some of the mutual fixed costs retailers incur. Information and membership applications are available at http://www.ComicsPRO.org.

Brief biographical notes that accompany the ballots for the award follow.

Neil Gaiman
Gaiman is the award-winning author of Vertigo’s perennial best-selling SANDMAN series, the first comic book series to win the coveted HUGO award for Science Fiction and Fantasy. Gaiman's writing has won many awards, including the Nebula, the Bram Stoker, the 2009 Newbery Medal and 19 Eisners. Gaiman’s popularity as a prose author has led to crossover success, as readers of his books often seek out his comic book work as well. Gaiman has also won the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s Defender of Freedom Award and the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award.

Steve Geppi
As the founder and owner of Diamond Comic Distributors, for 27 years, he has provided an even hand in guiding the comic specialty market through good times and challenging times alike. Diamond Comic Distributors became the successor to direct market pioneer Phil Seuling's distribution dream when Geppi took over New Media/Irjax's warehouses in 1982. He bought out distributor Bud Plant in 1988 and main rival Capital City in 1996. Steve Geppi is also a former comic book retailer. Geppi has served on the board of the CBLDF, is the founder of Geppi’s Entertainment Museum, owner of Gemstone Publishing and is still an avid comic book collector.

Paul Levitz
The president of DC Comics from 2002–2009, Levitz has worked for DC for over 35 years in a wide variety of roles. In the early ‘70s, Levitz co-wrote and published a popular comic fan magazine, The Comic Reader, one of the early publications aimed at the comic shop market. At the age of 18, Levitz became a professional comic-book writer, penning the tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes. At age 20, he was the editor of Adventure Comics. For the next three decades, he served the company in a variety of editorial and executive roles. Levitz led DC Comics to found the Retailer Representative Program to get focused feedback from direct market retailers. Levitz has also served on the board of the CBLDF.

Dave Sim
In 1977, Dave Sim launched Cerebus, which became the longest-running independent series of all-time. Twenty-seven years and 300 issues later, Sim wrapped up his magnum opus. A tireless promoter of his series and the direct market, Sim’s art, lettering, and storytelling innovations have influenced a new generation of independent storytellers. Sim was an early proponent of the trade paperback, keeping his “Cerebus” storylines in print in so-called “phonebooks.” In the 1980s and early 1990s, Sim promoted self-publishing and creators’ rights. He published “The Cerebus Guide to Self-Publishing” and helped create “The Creator’s Bill of Rights” with Scott McCloud and others. His most recent projects include “Judenhass” and “Glamourpuss.”

Bob Wayne
Wayne, a former comic book retailer in the Dallas/Fort Worth TX area, joined DC Comics in the mid ‘80s as a Direct Sales manager and has been on the forefront of the changes in the comics business ever since. Currently serving as DC’s Vice President of Sales, Wayne has always maintained his loyalty to the field of comics specialty retailing and has been responsible for many of DC’s retailer-friendly best practices. Wayne is a recipient of the Inkpot Award, commemorating his years of service to the comics industry and his work with Comic-Con International.

Posthumous category

Will Eisner
A true visionary and comics industry pioneer, Eisner’s touch has been felt in all aspects of the comics community. On the creative side, Eisner’s breadth of material spans the eight decades of American comics history, veering from his earliest efforts in adventure and superhero comics while the medium was in its infancy, to 35 years of more mature work best exemplified by the standard-bearer for all graphic novels, A Contract With God. His impeccable design sense raised the bar for every artist that came with and after him. On the business side, Eisner understood the unique relationship between creator and retailer, founding the “Spirit of Comics” award that recognizes the work of the industry’s brightest retailers. Eisner passed away in January 2005 at the age of 87.

Carol Kalish
As Marvel’s Direct Sales Manager from the mid-’80s to early ‘09s, Kalish was instrumental in professionalizing the field of comics’ specialty retailer. With her guidance, Marvel engaged the retail community to push sales, not only of Marvel products, but all products leading to a more profitable direct market. Kalish spearheaded programs to make cash registers and discounted store fixtures available to retailers wanting to upgrade their operations. Carol passed away in September 1991 at the age of 36.

Julius Schwartz
Schwartz started his career in 1932 as the co-publisher of Time Traveller, among the first science fiction fanzines. Schwartz, along with Mort Weisinger, founded the Solar Sales Service literary agency in 1934, where Schwartz represented such noted authors as Alfred Bester, Robert Bloch, Ray Bradbury, and H. P. Lovecraft. Schwartz also helped organize the first World Science Fiction Convention in 1939. In 1944 he went to work as an editor for All-American Comics, which soon merged with National Periodical Publications to form DC Comics. Schwartz was best-known for his work at DC Comics, which reinvigorated the superhero genre in the comics industry. His updating of 1940s characters for the modern era revolutionized DC Comics. He died in February 2004 at the age of 88.

Phil Seuling
The organizer and founder of the New York Comic Art Conventions of the ‘70s, Seuling is the founder of the direct-market form of comic-book distribution. Seuling, a school teacher with a passion for comics, arranged distribution deals to buy DC and Marvel Comics direct from the publishers. In 1974, Seuling founded Seagate Distribution, which sold comics non-returnably, and the Direct Market was born. In an age where comic shops were merely second-hand collectors’ stores, Seuling saw the potential for making a direct connection between comic publishers and their most rabid fans. In a real sense, our livelihoods are possible because of Seuling’s foresight more than 35 years ago. Phil Seuling passed away in 1984 at the age of 50.

###

ComicsPRO Voice

2010-01-22T09:47:00.000-08:00

Within the ComicsPRO forum, members discuss many of the issues facing comic book retailers and work together on solutions. Occasionally, we poll the members for their thoughts on a particular issue or to see what's happening on the front line of the comic industry.

Results of many of our member polls are included in the ComicsPRO Voice section on the right-hand side of the main ComicsPRO website. Check it out! Poll questions change every few weeks.

The Future of Comics Specialty Retailing Begins at ComicsPRO's Memphis Meeting

2010-01-20T12:39:00.000-08:00

A reminder to make the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting a priority!

Check the info HERE!

Basics of the meeting schedule:

Wednesday evening March 24: Retailer Meet ‘n’ Greet.
Thursday, March 25: a full day of RRP-style programming by DC Comics.
Friday, March 26: ComicsPRO members meet and host discussions with industry partners.
Saturday, March 27: farewell breakfast and meeting finale.

Robert Kirkman, writer of the phenomenally popular WALKING DEAD series from IMAGE Comics will be our special guest speaker.

Registration for retailers is now open!

The retailer registration form has been added to the site HERE!

Hotel reservations can be placed online HERE!:

When you reserve your hotel room by phone, be sure to tell them that you're part of the ComicsPRO meeting!

ComicsPRO: Retailers' Striking Opportunity

2009-12-15T13:48:00.000-08:00

To our members:

The unusual calendar of 2009 has given comic-book retailers a striking opportunity.

The Dec. 30 "skip week" from Diamond will allow ComicsPRO retailers to show that our organization could effectively operate on a street-dated basis. Some comics shipping on Dec. 23, including "Blackest Night" No. 6, have been shipped with the agreement that direct-market retailers will not sell them before Dec. 30.

ComicsPRO's bylaws, in spirit, fully support this effort. Let's show every link in the retail chain that comic-book retailing can be taken to another level.

ComicsPRO's bylaws state that its members will not sell product before the Wednesday after they receive it, which is stating that our members with Tuesday accounts will not put out product early or our members won't sell books on holiday weeks before the day they are intended for release. The board and members of ComicsPRO put this in our bylaws as a signal to our publishers and distributors that when they are dealing with ComicsPRO members, and offering them exclusive benefits, that they are working with professional retailers who uphold terms of sale agreements and who believe in best practices for retail. To maintain this street date shows our unified commitment to the long-term growth of this business rather than just a short-term cash grab at the expense of our competitors and our collective reputation.

ComicsPRO would like to issue a statement on Dec. 30 to the publishers and Diamond that every store represented by ComicsPRO honored the street date. 'Every' is a huge goal in the larger scheme of things but a small goal when dealing with like-minded professionals.

To those who comply with the Dec. 30 street date, thanks from the ComicsPRO board for supporting professionalism in our industry.

Voice your support! We want to hear from members that you will uphold the Dec. 30 release date and that you are committed to the growth of our industry through professional relationships with our vendors.

Thank you,

The ComicsPRO Board of Directors

2010 AMM Retailer Registration

2009-10-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

As we get more information, we'll be updating the 2010 meeting page:

http://www.comicspro.org/meet10.html

Our basic schedule is on the registration form, and we'll be adding to it:

Wednesday evening, March 24: retailer Meet ‘n’ Greet.
Thursday, March 25: a full day of RRP-style programming by DC Comics.
Friday, March 26: ComicsPRO members meet and host discussions with industry partners.
Saturday, March 27: meeting wrap up and farewell breakfast.

Registration for retailers is now open--and if Full Members register by December 31, 2009, they SAVE 50%!

The retailer registration form has been added to the site:

http://www.comicspro.org/2010_retailer_form.pdf

Hotel reservations can be placed online:

http://www.comicspro.org/meetingreservations.html

If you reserve your hotel room by phone, be sure to tell them that you're part of the ComicsPRO meeting!

Kirkman presents keynote at 2010 AMM

2009-10-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amanda Emmert
info@comicspro.org

Robert Kirkman to present keynote speech at ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting

Comic book retailers will gather to discuss the future of the direct market at the 2010 ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting in Memphis, Tenn. from March 25-27.

Headlining this year’s meeting is best-selling “Walking Dead” author and Image Comics partner Robert Kirkman, who will deliver the keynote address.

“I love getting a chance to sit down and talk shop with retailers, so being invited to the ComicsPRO conference is a real treat for me,” Kirkman said. “Getting to deliver the keynote address is just a bonus. I'm honored to be asked and plan to keep everyone awake for the duration, if not at the edge of their seats. Fingers crossed!”

This is the fourth year for the annual event, which draws many of the nation’s top retailers.

This year’s event will focus on upcoming changes in the comic-book market and the future of comic-book retailing. It will be held at the Hilton Memphis.

“There are many ways that comic book retailing is changing: online comics, changes in distribution, better store automation and new ways of marketing,” said Amanda Emmert, Communications Coordinator for ComicsPRO. “At the ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting we look forward to working with many of our industry partners to create ways for retailers to stay on top of those changes and improve sales in the direct market. It will be a valuable discussion for retailers, publishers and distributors of all sizes.”

Many companies who do business with the direct market sponsor the meeting, as it’s a great opportunity to get face time with dedicated retailers.

"The annual ComicsPRO meeting offers publishers like myself a rare opportunity to interact with some of the best and brightest retailers in the direct market," says Filip Sablik, Publisher of Top Cow Productions. "The meeting's structure allows me to spend considerable amounts of one-on-one time with retailers both to promote Top Cow's latest initiatives and properties as well as to listen to and address retailer concerns. Top Cow has been a big supporter of ComicsPRO for years and we look forward to doing so for years to come."

This year’s sponsors include DC Comics, Diamond Comic Distributors, Top Cow Productions, BCW Supplies, Image Comics, BOOM Studios, Dark Horse Comics, Top Shelf Comix, MOBY, ComicSuite, comiXology.com and more.

ComicsPRO is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade organization uniting independent comic book storefront retailers to share resources and to promote comics as an important part of popular culture and literature. Further information may be found about ComicsPRO at http://www.ComicsPRO.org.

Blazing his own trail, writer Robert Kirkman came up through the ranks of self-publishing. His recent hits include the superhero-with-a-twist series "Invincible" and the groundbreaking zombie epic "Walking Dead," both for Image. After a stint with Marvel Comics that included the hit parody "Marvel Zombies," Kirkman was named partner at Image Comics in 2008. In 2009 he co-created the sold out "Haunt #1" with Image co-founder Todd McFarlane. For information about Kirkman's work visit http://www.kirkmania.com.

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2010 ComicsPRO AMM in Memphis, TN

2009-10-06T17:06:00.000-07:00

Publishers, distributors, manufacturers and other industry partners: ComicsPRO is inviting you to our 4th Annual Membership Meeting which will be held in Memphis, TN on March 25-27, 2010.

You can view our invitation mailer at this archive.

If you did not receive an invitation by email and would like to be on our vendor contact list, please email us!

Questions? Stop by and see us at the Diamond Retailer Summit in Baltimore this weekend!

ComicsPRO Letter to DC's Paul Levitz

2009-09-18T17:59:00.000-07:00

September 10, 2009

Paul Levitz
DC Comics Inc
1700 Broadway
New York NY 10019

Dear Paul:

With the announcement of you stepping away from the positions of President and Publisher at DC Comics, the Board of Directors and retailer members of ComicsPRO wish to extend our hearty congratulations to you on a job most excellently done!

As many of us are also RRP members, our associations with you go back many years during which we’ve seen great changes in the comic book business. As fans of comics for even more years than we’ve been retailing professionals, many of us have been associated with your work since The Comic Reader days, through your engaging work as a writer, and always as someone who has shown great care in taking the comics’ medium in new directions and to new heights.

Your open-minded and visionary leadership as a DC executive has helped to foster a dynamically creative market that not only includes the work of many artists, writers and other creative professionals, but also incorporates the ideas and energy of thousands of comic book specialty retailers. In addition, you have assembled a team of business professionals at DC Comics that have the trust of your retailing partners.

We can only hope that your tenure will remain the model for the delicate balancing act of the art and commerce in comics, working with creative and editorial pros while also keeping in mind the concerns of specialty retailers helping to further grow the comics’ business.

This is no farewell as we look forward to seeing your byline in upcoming comics and graphic novels and in more published works and other endeavors, if that’s what you desire.

This is a time for gratitude, Paul, and we thank you for your tireless contributions to comics, to our field, to our livelihoods. We look forward to our continuing work with the DC Team in making sure that we all honor the work you’ve done.

On behalf of ComicsPRO, we send our very best wishes for your continued success!

With deep respect and many thanks---

Joe Field
ComicsPRO President

ComicsPRo Board of Directors
Phil Boyle
Carr D’Angelo
Gary Dills
Amanda Emmert
Brian Hibbs
Calum Johnston
Rick Lowell
Eric Kirsammer

24HCD: BAWLS Sponsorship press release

2009-09-04T11:04:00.000-07:00

Contact: Amanda Emmert
info@comicspro.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

24 HOUR COMICS DAY SET FOR OCT. 3

BAWLS Guarana returns as sponsor

ComicsPRO invites comic book artists of any caliber to bounce into a local comic-book store on Oct. 3 to take part in the 6th annual 24 Hour Comics Day. The event will again be sponsored by energy drink BAWLS Guarana.

The idea behind 24 Hour Comics Day is for artists to set aside 24 consecutive hours to create a 24-page comic book. It’s a test of skill, and of endurance.

"We are thrilled to be the Official FUEL of 24 Hour Comics Day for the second year in a row and are excited to provide that needed boost to keep comic book artists all over the country working through the night!" said Marie Navarro, senior marketing manager for BAWLS.

24 Hour Comics Day was created by Nat Gertler, publisher of About Comics. ComicsPRO took over administration of the event in 2008. In 2008, more than 2000 people participated in the event in 34 U.S. states and 20 countries.
Host sites should register at www.24hourcomicsday.com. U.S. host sites can pick up 2 cases of BAWLS energy drink for their event.

ABOUT COMICSPRO: ComicsPRO is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade organization uniting independent comic book storefront retailers to share resources and to promote comics as an important part of popular culture and literature.
Further information may be found about ComicsPRO at http://www.ComicsPRO.org.

ABOUT BAWLS: Named for the “bounce” the drink packs, BAWLS Guarana is a refreshing, high-caffeine soda infused with guarana – a naturally-caffeinated berry harvested in the Amazonian rainforest. Since 1996, the guarana goodness of BAWLS – smooth, citrus crème soda taste, eye-catching packaging and naturally-caffeinated kick – has fueled the days and nights of millions of heavy-eyed students, techies, gamers and comic book fans everywhere!

###

24-Hour Comics Day Registration

2009-08-27T12:10:00.001-07:00

Don't forget to register for this year's 24-Hour Comics Day event! If you're hosting an event, give us your event information at http://www.24hourcomicsday.com/registration.html and we'll get your information up on the 24-Hour Comics Day website!

Tate's Wins the Eisner!

2009-07-31T13:01:00.000-07:00

All of us involved with ComicsPRO, the comic book specialty retailer trade association, would like to congratulate ComicsPRO member Tate Ottati and his staff at Tate's Comics in Lauderhill FL for being named the 2009 recipient of the prestigious Will Eisner "Spirit of Comics" Award for Retailing Excellence!

(ComicsPRO had a great showing in the Eisner Awards, with 9 of 17 nominees, 3 of 4 finalists and the winner, Tate's, all as members of our group.)

Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award Nominees Announced

2009-07-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO:
Comic-Con International (Comic-Con), the largest comic book and popular arts event in the United States, has announced its list of nominees for the prestigious Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award (The Eisner Spirit Award).

This year organizers are happy to note that Baby Tattoo, publishers of books for kids and adults, is the official sponsor of the Award.

Since 1993, The Eisner Spirit Award has been presented to an individual retailer performing an outstanding job of supporting the comics art medium both in the community and within the industry at large. Any retailer established in business for at least two years is eligible for nomination, and retailers, professionals, or fans may place a name in nomination. A panel of industry judges select a group of finalists to be subjected to an in-depth examination based on award criteria.

These criteria include:
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 and libraries; keeping active in social, business, and arts community organizations.

Quality of store image: Innovative display approaches; using store design creatively.

Adherence to standard ethical business practices.

This years nominees are:
(Stores listed in bold are also ComicsPRO members!)

Acme Comics, Greensboro, NC
Big B Comics, Ontario, Canada
Comic Book Ink, Tacoma, WA
Comic Oasis, Las Vegas, NV
Comics & Vegetables, Tel Aviv, Israel
Comicopia, Boston, MA
Cosmic Monkey Comics, Portland, OR
Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy, Austin, TX
Drawn To Comics, Glendale, AZ
Happy Harbor Comics, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Krypton Comics, Omaha, NE
Legends Comics, Victoria, BC Canada
OK Comics, Leeds England
Phantom of the Attic, Pittsburgh, PA
Tate’s Comics, Fort Lauderdale, FL
The Comic Vault, Chicago, IL
Up, Up & Away, Cincinnati, OH

Past winners are not eligible for nomination.

The Eisner Spirit Awards are part of, and underwritten by, Comic-Con International: San Diego, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of comics to art and culture.

More information about Comic-Con can be found at http://www.comic-con.org

An Invitation to Publishers

2009-07-13T17:11:00.001-07:00

ComicsPRO is inviting publishers of all sizes to our "Selling More Comics & Graphic Novels" panel on Friday, July 24 at 11:30am at Comic-Con! Click here for more details.

ComicsPRO San Diego Retailer Programming

2009-06-18T16:55:00.000-07:00

Once again, ComicsPRO will present a slate of programming for professional comic book retailers at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Friday July, 2009.

Full details of each seminar can be foundHERE!

Please note: Retailer programming has been moved to rooms 12 and 13 on the mezzanine level the San Diego Convention Center.

10:30 Night Flight Presents!
With Mimi Cruz-Carroll of Night Flight Comics (Salt Lake City UT), Dr. Robyn Hill and noted author Frank Beddor (Looking Glass Wars).

11:30 Selling More Comics & Graphic Novels: A Forum for Publishers
With ComicsPRO President Joe Field (Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff, Concord, CA), and board members Phil Boyle (Coliseum of Comics, FL) and Carr D'Angelo (Earth-2 Comics, Sherman Oaks and Northridge, CA).

12:30 ComicsPRO Update and Cookie Break!
With board members Joe Field, Carr D'Angelo, and Phil Boyle.

1:00 Eisner "Spirit" Video Viewing
"Spirit" Award facilitator and award recipient Joe Ferrara (Atlantis Fantasyworld, Santa Cruz, CA) shows the video presentations for this year's award finalists.

2:00 Comic Book Store Marketing
With Matt Price (Features Editor at The Oklahoman newspaper) and Annette Price, co-owners of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, OK.

3:00 Cutting Without Hitting Bone
Presented by Phil Boyle of Coliseum of Comics, a chain of comic & game specialty stores in Florida.

4:30 - 6:00 So You Want to Be a Comic Book Retailer?
With ComicsPRO president Joe Field (Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff, Concord, CA), Carr D'Angelo (Earth-2 Comics, Sherman Oaks and Northridge, CA), Chris Powell (Lone Star Comics, TX), Scott Proulx (Double Midnight Comics, Manchester, NH) and Diamond Comic Distributors field sales manager Dave Hawksworth.

Please join us!

A new member of the ComicsPRO family!

2009-06-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

Amanda Emmert, ComicsPRO's Communications Coordinator, and her husband Todd have welcomed a new addition to their family --- Antonio "Tony" Leon Emmert was born Saturday June 13!

All of us involved with ComicsPRO would like to extend our very best wishes the Emmert family!

Calum Johnston Appointed to ComicsPRO Board

2009-05-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

Retailer Organization Announces More Board Changes

ComicsPRO, the trade organization for comic book specialty retailers, is announcing changes to its board of directors. Calum Johnston, owner of Strange Adventures in Halifax, Nova Scotia has been selected to fill the spot vacated with the resignation of Chris Powell, general manager of the Lone Star Comics’ chain in the Dallas metroplex, effective immediately. Gary Dills, co-owner of The Laughing Ogre, with stores in Virginia and Ohio, has been named Vice-president of ComicsPRO, taking on the post left vacant with Powell’s departure.

"It’s great to welcome Calum Johnston to our board as the first ComicsPRO director from north of the border, " said Joe Field, ComicsPRO President and owner of Concord CA’s Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff. "I’ve known and admired Calum’s work as a retailer for many years and I’m sure he’ll bring new energy and a fresh perspective to the ComicsPRO board. This should also send a message to comic specialty retailers everywhere that ComicsPRO is serious about about representing the interests of all our retailing brethren."

"I'm very honoured to be asked to join the board," said Johnston. "The aims of the group are to help comic book retailers and I will do my best to help the board and the membership anyway I can."

Buying, selling and trading comics since high school, Calum knew at an early age that he wanted to be in the comic book business. After years working as a disc jockey, pressman, graphic designer, bartender among other jobs, in 1992 Calum took the plunge and started his own business, Strange Adventures, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, with a second location added in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1995. Operating on the premise that "comics are good and people should read them", Calum and his staff at Strange Adventures have enjoyed some measure of success in sharing that philosophy. Calum received the prestigious Will Eisner "Spirit of Comics" Award for retailing excellence in 2001.

Outgoing board member Chris Powell served on the ComicsPRO Board of Directors for the last four years and was recently named President of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. He said in a statement "It’s become clear in the weeks since I ran for re-election that the stresses of running seven stores and a mail order business during ‘interesting’ economic times, plus being on the Boards of Directors of two non-profit organizations is just too much for me. I will remain an active member of ComicsPRO, available to help out on the mentoring forum and other projects. I love what this organization has done, and am very optimistic about what it will accomplish in the future."

ComicsPRO is the retailer trade and advocacy group comprising 140 members and 180 storefronts. The goals of ComicsPRO are to be the united voice of advocacy for direct market retailers, to provide educational and mentoring opportunities to current and future retailers, and to offer opportunities to reduce some of the mutual fixed costs retailers incur. Information and membership applications are available
HERE!

# # # # #

FREE Obama variant incentive for New Members!

2009-05-05T08:37:00.001-07:00

Contact Amanda Emmert info@comicspro.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marvel supports new ComicsPRO members with variant Obama comic

Retailers who join ComicsPRO as Full Members can get a hand from Marvel. Marvel made available some first printing variant covers of "Amazing Spider-Man" No. 583, featuring President Barack Obama, This hot, sold-out issue has gone for more than $100 at auction, and retailers who join now can get one for free while supplies last!

Marvel Comics showed their strong support with these books of ComicsPRO, the association of direct market comic-book retailers. ComicsPRO, founded in 2005, has grown to more than 140 members with more than 180 storefronts.

"Amazing Spider-Man" 583 topped the sales charts for an unprecedented
two months in a row, and this in-demand variant was a minuscule part
of the print run, causing high demand at stores across the country.

Carr D'Angelo, ComicsPRO board member, said more than 100 people
jammed into his store on the day of release seeking the in-demand
comic book.

"The inaugural edition of Amazing Spider-Man #583 was wildly popular
at our store and we still get requests so it's great to see Marvel
donating a bunch of these to our membership drive," said D'Angelo,
owner of Earth-2 Comics in Sherman Oaks, CA. "This is a terrific
opportunity for new members to join ComicsPRO and get a highly
desirable product in return. It's just another great way that
ComicsPRO generates benefits to offset the costs of membership."

Marvel is also offering an additional promotion for ComicsPRO members.
"It was a long time coming, but an organization was greatly needed by
comics retailers to help support and grow the industry. We're happy
to show our support for such an important group," said Marvel's Senior
Vice President of Sales David Gabriel. "To further help out ComicsPRO
retailers, Marvel is please to offer an extra $10 discount off the
Marvel Retailer Resource Center, a service that not only provides
retailers with inexpensive websites and marketing tools, but actually
does all the work of updating the site for them. Check out those
details at www.marvelretailers.com."

New full members will receive an Obama variant cover along with their
ComicsPRO Welcome Kit, after ComicsPRO processes their payment and
membership. Stores can get more details about a Full Membership here
http://www.comicspro.org/apply.html#fullmem

Existing Full Members can get a free Obama variant copy with an early
renewal of 2009-2010 dues. Contact info@comicspro.org for details.

ComicsPRO, the Comics Professional Retail Organization, is the
retailer trade group for comic book specialty retailers. The goals of
ComicsPRO are to allow comic retailers to speak with one unified voice
on important industry issues, to mentor new and future retailers, to
work for growth in the comics specialty market and to help reduce the
risks associated with being independent business owners. More
information is available at http://www.ComicsPRO.org.

###

ComicsPRO Announces Board Appointment for Chicago Comics’ Eric Kirsammer

2009-04-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

ComicsPRO President Joe Field announced today the appointment of veteran retailer Eric Kirsammer of Chicago Comics to the organization’s board of directors.

Kirsammer has owned Chicago Comics since 1991 and his store is widely hailed as one of the best in the business.

Kirsammer received the Will Eisner "Spirit of Comics" Retailing Award in 1997 and Chicago Comics has received numerous other awards, including "Best Comic Book store" from Chicago Magazine, The Reader and NewCity newspaper. Kirsammer purchased Quimby’s bookstore in 1997.

He is regarded as one of the staunchest supporters of independent comics, ‘zines and alternative literature.

"Eric was someone I always hoped would run for one of our open director’s positions, as I’ve known him for years to be a progressive retailer of the highest caliber. I am sure all ComicsPRO members will benefit from Eric’s addition to our board of directors," said Joe Field, ComicsPRO President and owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord CA.

"I believe every professional comic book specialty retailer should also be a member of ComicsPRO," said Kirsammer. "I look forward to helping ComicsPRO continue its growth in influence and membership."

Kirsammer’s appointment follows Ben Trujillo’s (Star Clipper, St. Louis MO) resignation from the board effective March 23, 2009, a year before the expiration of his term.

"The growth of Star Clipper and MOBY™ led me to make this difficult decision," said Trujillo. MOBY™ is the retailer point-of-sale (POS) software system co-designed by Trujillo for Bitter End Systems. "I am proud of the organization's many accomplishments and look forward to serving ComicsPRO in a new capacity. I am confident Eric will be an asset to the Board."

ComicsPRO is the retailer trade organization with 140 member-retailers with approximately 180 storefronts.

ComicsPRO membership is open to all comic specialty storefront retailers with the goals of creating a unified voice for the concerns of specialty retailers, the mentoring of new retailers and the expansion of the entire comics specialty market.

ComicsPRO in Memphis: A look back, a look ahead

2009-03-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

From: Joe Field
ComicsPRO President
Flying Colors Comics
Concord CA

The last official event at ComicsPRO’s Annual Members Meeting was the Saturday night tour of Diamond’s new mega-hub distribution facility in Olive Branch MS and the BBQ dinner that followed. I was seated at a table with retailer Ed Greenberg of Collector's Paradise in Winnetka CA, BOOM Studios publisher Ross Richie and CBLDF director Charles Brownstein.

Charles asked a simple question that required more thought than I could really muster at that point, but I told him a few rambling things. The next day, flying back from Memphis TN to Oakland CA, I jotted down these thoughts, expanding on Charles original question (the first one below).

What are the two most important things I’ll remember from this event?

1) The specialty business of comics is on a solid foundation. With much of other traditional publishing industry experiencing game-changing downturns, the periodical-to-book format model is still a profitable one, especially for our larger suppliers. This places my concern for the "threat or menace" of digital publishing into a much less alarming spot.

Couple that with the realization that our base of readers (buyers, collectors, consumers, fans, use whatever positive term you like) is very dedicated. Comic book lovers---and I happily include myself in that category--- continue to keep printed comics and books in their media diets, even when there are so many other choices and delivery systems.

Market research has shown that many regular comic book readers are also "early adopters", those who want to be the first to buy into new technologies. One of the keys to helping our industry find new consumers for what we make and sell is to better understand what makes early adopters still eager to embrace the "old" medium of printed comic books.

2) The huge task Diamond has with its operations. After seeing their 600,000 square foot facility, I came away impressed with the company’s desire to make things run smoother than ever before. The transition pains are still there, but there is much light at the end of the warehouse (which was way too far for me to go and find!).

Two biggest challenges for ComicsPRO?

1) Getting the message out to every dedicated professional retailer that ComicsPRO membership has the internal strength and resolve to make it work where other comic retailer trade groups previously came up short. Tied with that is showing otherwise non-joiner types among our retailer colleagues that there is substantial value by investing in a ComicsPRO membership.

2) Continuing to meet the three main objectives we’ve laid out since Day One. First, to be the united voice of the professional comic specialty retailer. Also, to help mentor new and prospective specialty retailers and give continuing education to current retailers. And to grow the overall size of the market for all comics-related material to keep this a vital and profitable venture for our member retailers.

Two most important ‘take-aways’ for retailers from this event?

1) The move to Point-of-Sale (POS) by so many retailers is a move away from unnecessary risk. It’s also a move to better information that can be channeled to fuel a lasting healthy comic specialty market.

2) The openness of our suppliers to help ComicsPRO grow. All of the company execs we talked with in Memphis want ComicsPRO to be a viable and positive force for specialty retailers because it will help the entire market with better information, better promotional opportunities and more direct feedback from professional comic book retailers.

Two thoughts after the meeting related to the future of ComicsPRO?

1) The need for all members to pitch in with some volunteer hours. ComicsPRO will go as far as our membership is willing to take us. Committee assignments can’t die at the Memphis Hilton check-out desk. Attending retailers were almost unanimous in their response to give a couple of hours a week to making ComicsPRO better--- that volunteerism, if maintained, would be like adding two or three more full-time staff members to the organization.

2) There is strength and stability in ComicsPRO. Our organization has continued to grow during the last year, with lots more room for additional growth. More than that, ComicsPRO is providing a true business forum for professional comic specialty retailers. Our benefits continue to give real value to our members, which will hopefully spur more retailers to join.

ComicsPRO already has an important voice--- it’s the fiercely independent voice of the professional comic book retailer. ComicsPRO has a knowledge and skill base that should keep us growing and vital for years to come.

If you have already joined ComicsPRO--- thank you for your support!
If you haven't joined, get with it, 'cause we're not going away! Membership applications can be downloaded HERE!

Peace & Success!

Joe Field

ComicsPRO moving forward in tough economy

2009-03-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- ComicsPRO President Joe Field said banding together will help retailers survive tough economic times at his opening remarks to members at the Annual ComicsPRO meeting.

The theme of this year's meeting is "Rising to the Challenge."

"You're part of a retailer base that's moving the profession of comic book retailing forward," Field said. Field said publishers are growing more receptive to and interested in ComicsPRO each year.

While ComicsPRO didn't meet its original goal of doubling membership from last year, Field said the membership base did grow by more than 30 percent in a down economy.

"If the economy weakens ... we have to remain strong," Field said. "While there are things we can't control, we have to work on the things we can control."

Field said ComicsPRO was continuing to work on initiatives to save members money and to promote the organization and comic books in a positive way.

-- Matt Price
blog.newsok.com/nerdage

Notes from Day 1 of the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting

2009-03-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

It's a day of DC Comics-sponsored programming at the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting, held this year in Memphis, Tenn.

A few highlights from the early programming include:

- First looks at the graphic novels in Vertigo's upcoming crime line, including one written by Brian Azzarello.

- Announcements of three new Vertigo launches this year, which will be kicked off with $1 first issues.

- A look at some of the upcoming DC Direct products, including a David Mazzuchelli "Batman Black & White" statue and the "DC Dynamics" line, which feature translucent bases giving the appearance of action.

- Tom Strong will return in a miniseries by Peter Hogan and Chris Sprouse.

- Several new creator-owned properties are planned for WildStorm

- The Jim Lee/Grant Morrison Wildcats story will come out as a graphic novel; it will be solicited when it is done.

- Matt Price
http://blog.newsok.com/nerdage

ComicsPRO at WonderCon

2009-02-26T12:07:00.000-08:00

Join ComicsPRO board members Joe Field & Brian Hibbs at WonderCon on Friday February 27 for a look at comics retailing. Here's the info from the WonderCon program guide:

2:00-3:00 Everything You Wanted to Know About Comics Retailing—But Weren't Afraid to Ask!— Join ComicsPRO board members Joe Field (Flying Colors Comics, Concord) and Brian Hibbs (Comix Experience, San Francisco) for a free-wheeling exploration of the world of comics specialty retailing. Field and Hibbs are two of the industry's most vocal leaders dedicated to improving the profession of comics retailing. Get the inside scoop on ComicsPRO, Free Comic Book Day, the new edition of Tilting at Windmills and the proverbial more! Room 232/234

On Sunday March 1, ComicsPRO member Dan Shahin (Hijinx Comics, San Jose CA) moderates a discussion with other comic specialty retailers. Here's the info from the WonderCon program guide:

11:30-12:30 Comics Retailing Roundtable— Bay Area retailers Dan Shahin (Hijinx Comics of San Jose), Joe Ferrara (Atlantis Fantasy World of Santa Cruz), Al Kizziah (Al's Comics of San Francisco), and Mark Causey (Black Cat Comics of Milpitas) discuss the changes and challenges in the business of selling comics in the 21st century. Room 236/238

24 Hour Comics Day Documentary

2009-02-26T11:58:00.000-08:00

This just in from 24 Hour Comics Day founder (and About Comics publisher) Nat Gertler:

"A short documentary on 24 Hour Comics Day will be showing as part of the Kingston Canadian Film Festival later this week.

What little detail there is can be found at the bottom of the page linked HERE!"

Top Cow teams up with ComicsPRO for FREE COMICS!

2009-02-03T07:15:00.000-08:00

Top Cow Productions is giving away 60,000 free comics in 2009! Here's where you can get The Darkness #75 for FREE on February 11th:

(While supplies last!)

February Retailers

The Comic Book Store
9307 Treasure Hill
Little Rock, AR 72227
501-227-9777
www.thewildstars.com

Atomic Comics
1120 S. Country Club Dr #105
Mesa, AZ 85210
480-649-0807
www.atomiccomics.com

4 Color Fantasies
7172 Archibald Ave
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701
909-563-8751
www.4colorfantasies.com

Earth-2 Comics
15017 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
818-386-9590
www.earth2comics.com

Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff
2980 Treat Blvd
Concord, CA 94518
925-825-5410
www.flyingcolorscomics.com

Happy Harbor Comics
10112-124 St
Edmonton, AB Canada T5N 1P6
780-452-8211
www.happyharborcomics.com

Time Warp
3105 28th St
Boulder, CO 80301
303-443-4500
www.time-warp.com

Tate's Comics
4566 North University Dr
Lauderhill, FL 33351
954-748-0181
www.tatescomics.com

Dr. No's Comics & Games
3428 Canton Rd
Marietta, GA 30066
770-422-4642
www.drnos.com

Clem's Collectibles
4201 Coldwater Rd
Ft. Wayne, IN 46805
260-480-7087
www.clemscollectibles.com

Comicopia
464 Commonwealth Ave #13
Boston, MA 02215
617-266-4266
www.comicopia.com

Alternate Worlds
72 Cranbrook Road
Cockeysville, MD 21784
410-795-5510

Muse Comics
2100 Stephens #107
Missoula, MT 59801
406-543-9944
www.musecomics.com

The Hobby Shop
1501 Ward Blvd Ste #245
Wilson, NC 27893
252-291-3384
www.thehobbyshopofwilson.com

Krypton Comics
2819 S. 125th Ave Ste #261
Omaha, NE 68144
402-391-4131
www.kryptoncomicsomaha.com

Jetpack Comics
112 Portland St
Rochester, NH 03867
603-330-9636
www.jetpackcomics.com

Comic Oasis
3121 N. Rainbow Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89108
702-212-8885
www.comicoasis.com

Jim Hanley's Universe
4 West 33rd St
New York, NY 10001
212-268-7088
www.jhuniverse.com

Laughing Ogre Comics
4258 N. High St
Columbus, OH 43214
703-435-6682
www.laughingogrecomics.com

Brave New Worlds
45 N. 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-925-6525
www.bravenewworldcomics.com

Comics & Paperbacks Plus
201 E. Main St
Palmyra, PA 17078
717-838-4854
www.comicsandpaperbacksplus.com

New Dimension Comics
3075 Clairton Rd #940
West Mifflin, PA 15213
412-655-8661
www.ndcomics.com

Dragon's Lair Comics & Fantasy
6111 Burnet Rd
Austin, TX 78757
512-454-2399
www.dlair.net

Titan Comics
3701 W. Northwest Hwy #125
Dallas, TX 75220
214-350-4420
www.titancomics.com

Zanadu Comics
1923 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
206-443-1316
www.zanaducomics.com

Retailer-ONLY signings at NYCC

2009-01-29T12:23:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-16T11:17:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-07T18:00:00.000-08:00

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

Members: ComicsPRO Bylaws Update

2008-11-24T11:41:00.000-08:00

The voting is in, from members and the board, and the bylaws are finally updated!

Here is a note from Director Ben Trujillo:

"The bylaws were recently amended to make several important changes to ComicsPRO's rules and organizational structure.

The first change to the bylaws relates to ComicsPRO membership rules and is designed to discourage members from releasing items distributed exclusively by Diamond Comics Distributors early, in violation of Diamond street dates.

The second major change revolved around the structure of the organization. Specifically, with respect to clearly defining the roles of the Organization's officers, dealing with procedural issues like vacant offices or unavailable Directors and term limits.

You can review the revised bylaws yourself on the ComicsPRO website, http://www.comicspro.org/bylaws.html."

Thank you, Ben, for your work with the bylaws and for your efforts to improve the way we do business within the organization!

Another reminder: stores, register for NYCC now!

2008-11-19T11:26:00.000-08:00

Register by December 1st for the free day of pros-only programming on Friday, February 6, 2009, at New York ComicCon.

You can find information about registration here. If you want to stay for the rest of the weekend, pro-tickets are only $10.

ComicsPRO will host some presentations on Friday, and will be at a booth on the convention floor. More details coming soon!

See you there!

Members: Promotion Reminder

2008-11-19T11:18:00.000-08:00

We're getting a head start on the giant Top Cow promotion for 2009! Members: don't forget to send in your faxes right away to sign-up.

If you have questions about the promotion, contact Amanda at info@comicspro.org.

ComicsPRO Auction Raises $4650 for Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

2008-10-27T15:25:00.000-07:00

October 27, 2008
For Immediate Release

Concord CA-based Flying Colors to Host Jeff Smith Appearance

Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff of Concord, CA will host Jeff Smith, creator of the best-selling BONE and RASL series, in his only North American book store appearance of 2008 & 2009 on Saturday December 6.

The exclusive appearance was bid on as part of a fund-raising auction available only to members of ComicsPRO, the trade association for comic book specialty retailers. The winning bid amount of $4650.00 will be donated in its entirety to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

"I’ve known Jeff Smith and both admired and been an enthusiastic retailer of his work for more than 15 years, but this will be the first time his legions of fans will be able to come meet him at Flying Colors Comics," said Field. "Knowing Jeff has also admired the work ComicsPRO does on behalf of all comics specialty retailers coupled with the splash this makes for the CBLDF makes this even more special."

The auction idea was conceived at the 2008 ComicsPRO Annual Meeting, of which Cartoon Books, publisher of BONE and RASL, was a sponsor. After praising the effort of comics specialty retailers in selling out the initial 20,000 print run of RASL #1, Smith offered to make his only comic book shop appearance this year a benefit for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund via the ComicsPRO auction.

"I owe everything to the comic shop owners who continue to believe in Cartoon Books and my work. The membership of ComicsPRO are among the best of the best," said Jeff Smith. "Any retailer dedicated to selling comics in the specialty market needs to seriously consider joining ComicsPRO, as well as support the important work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. I’m also excited to finally do an event at Joe Field’s Flying Colors Comics."

"The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is moved by the generosity of Joe Field and all the other ComicsPRO members who bid on this unprecedented auction," said Charles Brownstein, executive director of CBLDF. "We’re also grateful to Jeff Smith, Vijaya Iyer, and the team at Cartoon Books for going above and beyond to support the Fund and the membership of ComicsPRO. This effort will go a long way towards helping us perform our important work in this season as we support the defense of Iowa collector Christopeher Handley."

Jeff Smith is the award-winning creator of the beloved BONE series, originally published by Cartoon Books and now being published in color by Scholastic Books. Time magazine selected BONE as one of the 10 greatest graphic novels of all time. Cartoon Books will publish the first collection of Smith's new sci-fi series RASL, titled "The Drift," this winter. Recently for DC Comics, he wrote and drew SHAZAM! Monster Society of Evil.

Joe Field of Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff of Concord, CA is a proud recipient of the Will Eisner "Spirit of Comics" Award for Retailing Excellence, a "Hall-of-Fame" award recognized internationally among comic book professionals. He is also President of ComicsPRO and the founder of Free Comic Book Day, the comic industry’s only concerted outreach event.

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was founded in 1986 as a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for members of the comics community. They have defended dozens of Free Expression cases in courts across the United States, and led important education initiatives promoting comics literacy and free expression. For additional information, donations, and other inquiries call 800-99-CBLDF or visit http://www.cbldf.org or http://www.myspace.com/cbldf.

ComicsPRO is the only retailer trade and advocacy group for comic book specialty retailers, providing group benefits and an industry voice for its constantly growing membership. Information and applications for membership are available at http://ComicsPRO.org. For further inquiries, please contact ComicsPRO's Communications Coordinator Amanda Emmert at info@comicspro.org.

24HCD Approaches!

2008-10-17T07:19:00.000-07:00

ComicsPRO took over administration duties of 24-Hour Comics Day this year, and our team of volunteers has kept very busy this summer and fall with the sponsorship deals, venue registration, 24HCD questions from around the world, hundreds of press releases, mailers to over 100 24HCD venues, and many, many website updates. We've learned a lot about making next year's event run more smoothly, too!

(If you're interested, check out www.24hourcomicsday.com for a list of participating sites, and http://24hcd.blogspot.com/ for details about the event. Some of the event hosts are already starting to post pictures and participant lists!)

The 24HCD event surrounds October 18th, this year, and as long as the host venue includes that date in their 24 hours, they can start or end at any time. Good luck to all of the artists around the world who have already started, or who will start tomorrow, on their 24 pages of comics!

I'd like to thank our main ComicsPRO volunteers for their help this year. They all took time off from their stores and jobs to help build this year's event, and build the foundation for how we're going to improve next 24HCD!

Many thanks to:
Thomas Gaul, of Corner Store Comics, CA
Rick Lowell, of Casablanca Comics, ME
Atom Freeman and Portyln, Brave New World Comics, CA
Gary Dills and Norah Curry, Laughing Ogre Comics, OH & VA

I'd also like to thank Nat Gertler of About Comics, founder of the original 24-Hour Comics Day event, who provided a lot of advice and help this year!

Thanks, also, to the suppliers who provided great discounts and freebies to the 24HCD venues:

BAWLS energy drinks
Blue Line Pro art supplies
Diamond Comic Distributors

Good luck with 24-Hour Comics Day, everyone!

ComicsPRO Member caught on film

2008-10-01T10:04:00.000-07:00

Shannon Outlaw, of Comicopia in Boston, was caught on film at Terry Moore's blog (you have to click on the blog once you're there) getting an update to her personal collection of comic book advertisements. Terry drew this for her at the Diamond Retailer Summit in Las Vegas in September.

We salute your dedication, Shannon!

Notes from the Dillon tour 3.5

2008-10-01T08:54:00.000-07:00

From a press release by Captain Blue Hen comics:

Comic book artist Steve Dillon (Preacher, Wolverine Origins) and Captain Blue Hen Comics raised over $1100 for charity this Wednesday, September 24.

ComicsPRO Members vie for Jeff Smith Appearance

2008-09-25T15:11:00.000-07:00

September 25, 2008
For Immediate Release

Contact: Amanda Emmert
info@comicspro.org

ComicsPRO Retailers Vie for Jeff Smith Appearance
Auction to Benefit Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Jeff Smith, creator of the best-selling BONE and RASL series, will make his only comic book store appearance of 2008 & 2009 at a ComicsPRO member store as a fund-raiser for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The appearance will be auctioned off to the highest bidding retailer with all proceeds going to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The auction is open to all ComicsPRO member retailers.

The auction will be conducted on ComicsPRO's members-only forum between Sunday October 5 and Sunday October 12. The winner will be able to host this exclusive Jeff Smith appearance, with travel & lodging expenses borne by Cartoon Books. The bidding will close at 5pm EDT Sunday October 12. The auction is open to all ComicsPRO member stores --- and there is still time to sign up!

“This auction and the Jeff Smith appearance not only will help fund the CBLDF, it will hopefully spur more retailers to become ComicsPRO members,” said Joe Field, ComicsPRO President and owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord CA. “Need I mention that ComicsPRO membership applications are available online at ComicsPRO.org?”

The auction idea came about at the 2008 ComicsPRO Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, of which Cartoon Books, publisher of BONE and RASL, was a sponsor. After announcing the initial 20,000 print run of RASL #1 had sold out due to the efforts of direct market retailers, Smith offered to make his only comic book shop appearance this year to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund via the ComicsPRO auction.

"I'm a true believer in the Comic Book Direct Market," says Jeff Smith. "I owe everything to the comic shop owners who believe in Cartoon Books, and comics on the whole. I think the membership of ComicsPRO are among the best of the best, and think their message boards are one of the most important places retailers can communicate with each other. I hope anyone serious about selling comics will think about joining ComicsPRO, and bid in this auction to help us support the work the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund does for all of us."

"Jeff Smith’s career is a great example of how success in the direct market can transform into worldwide success,” said Field. “ComicsPRO is honored to have Jeff recognize the dedication of professional comic book retailers with this benefit appearance."

“The CBLDF depends on efforts from all walks of the industry to raise the funds we need to perform our important work,” said Charles Brownstein, executive director of CBLDF. ”This is a terrific example of creators and retailers coming together to benefit the greater good of comics. The combination of Jeff Smith’s star power and the progressive membership of ComicsPRO makes this auction a win-win for everybody, and the CBLDF is grateful for the support and the recognition this lends to our mission.”

Jeff Smith is the award-winning creator of the beloved BONE series, originally published by Cartoon Books and now being published in color by Scholastic Books. Time magazine selected Bone as one of the 10 greatest graphic novels of all time. Cartoon Books will publish the first collection of Smith's new sci-fi series RASL, titled "The Drift," this winter. Recently for DC Comics, he wrote and drew SHAZAM! Monster Society of Evil.

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was founded in 1986 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for members of the comics community. They have defended dozens of Free Expression cases in courts across the United States, and led important education initiatives promoting comics literacy and free expression. For additional information, donations, and other inquiries call 800-99-CBLDF or visit http://www.cbldf.org or http://www.myspace.com/cbldf.

ComicsPRO is the only retailer trade and advocacy group for comic book specialty retailers, with more than 140 members with over 170 retail storefronts. Information and applications for membership are available at http://ComicsPRO.org. For further inquiries, please contact ComicsPRO's Communications Coordinator Amanda Emmert at info@comicspro.org.

ComicsPRO Member named Best in St. Louis!

2008-09-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

Star Clipper, owned by ComicsPRO members AJ and Ben Trujillo, just won Best Comic Store of St. Louis! Congratulations!

More details at http://www.riverfronttimes.com/bestof/2008/award/best-comic-book-store-582418/

News of Steve Dillon in Frederick!

2008-09-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

Steve gave an interview to the Maryland Gazette before tonight's appearance at Beyond Comics.

http://www.gazette.net/stories/09252008/entefre154203_32470.shtml

Have fun tonight, fellas!

Notes from the Dillon tour part 3

2008-09-25T06:59:00.000-07:00

Stop 3 in the 2008 Steve Dillon tour was Captain Blue Hen comics! Steve gives his report:

The signing at Captain Blue Hen went really well. Joe and his crew had raised a rake of dosh ( that's English for 'loads of money' ) for Hero before I'd even uncapped a Sharpie. There was a really good crowd and, once again, my drawing arm was given a good workout with a few people going round for a second time. We finally finished up at around 9-30 and retired for beer, food and conversation about strange movies. It's been great to be able to meet the fans and chat with them in a relaxed environment at all the stores I've been to so far. Conventions just don't have the same feel. Getting to talk to the people at the sharp end ( i.e. the retailers and their staff ) has been a great bonus for me on this tour as, without their efforts, there'd be no market for the stuff that guys like me are doing.

Congratulations to Joe Murray and everyone at Captain Blue Hen for the excellent fundraiser!

Notes from the Dillon tour part 2

2008-09-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

Last night, Steve Dillon hit the second stop in his 2008 ComicsPRO/Hero Initiative Tour, and was hosted by George Stasky at his Philadelphia location Brave New Worlds. Steve reports:

Just to let you all know, last night's signing went well. My drawing arm was in constant use, as was the keg of beer. There's another few hundred for Hero's coffers and a good time was had. George got me home before sunrise but only because it was Tuesday.

Great work, fellas!

George had this to add:

The tour signing went very well and Steve was a real warrior. The man doesn't do sketches as you might be familiar with, these drawings are all sketched out in blue pencil and fully inked. Each was a beautiful work of art that took at least 15-20 minutes of his time. Frankly, if I had know the art was going to be so 'finished' we would have required a higher donation than $15 -- $25 would have not been unreasonable. Steve was extremely affable and worked tirelessly for over 5 hours (allowing for plenty of smoke and beverage breaks, of course). The turnout was lively for a Tuesday evening with folks streaming in and out all evening, at least 50 fans got to hang out and have a beer with Steve Dillon. Over $600 was raised for the fund and good time was had by all.

Notes from the Steve Dillon tour

2008-09-23T14:14:00.000-07:00

Steve Dillon signed books at Main Street Comics last night, the first stop of his 2008 ComicsPRO/Hero Initiative Tour. Owner Pete Dolan gives us the report:

The fundraiser went well. We had a decent turnout, considering it was a Monday. We did about twice a normal Monday's business, and raised over $300 for Hero. We had a Chinese auction, which was a lot of fun, with over 40 prizes being offered. Two of the most sought after prizes were the complete original art from a 6 page Jughead story, and two pages of original art from Justice League Unlimited #39. Special thanks to inker Al Nickerson who donated the pages to the auction. Steve was a terrific guest, sharing anecdotes with fans and giving advice to aspiring artists. The event went into overtime, with Steve graciously continuing to sign books in order that everyone who showed up could be accomodated. Thumbs up to Steve, and thumbs up to all who attended!

Thanks to ComicsPRO and Hero for making this event happen.

Pete Dolan
Main Street Comics

Thank you, Pete, for being such a wonderful host and for kicking off Steve's tour!

Win Jeff Smith's ONLY 2009 store appearance!

2008-09-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

Retailers, here is another great reason to be a ComicsPRO member:

You can WIN an exclusive Jeff Smith signing in your store!

ComicsPRO teams up with the CBLDF and Jeff Smith for this wonderful fundraiser--members will be able to outbid each other for Jeff Smith's only 2009 store appearance, and all of the proceeds will benefit the CBLDF!
ComicsPRO will host the bidding on its member forum. Bidding will open on October 5th and close on October 12th.

Steve Dillon Tour Updated! 9/22-10/1/2008

2008-09-17T10:39:00.000-07:00

September 17, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amanda Emmert
info@comicspro.org

Janine Bielski
310-909-7809
HeroInitiative@aol.com

ComicsPRO and Hero Initiative Detail Steve Dillon Store Tour Events

Acclaimed artist Steve Dillon (Preacher, Wolverine, Punisher) will be hosted by a number of ComicsPRO member stores from September 22–October 1, 2008. Dillon’s tour is done in conjunction with The Hero Initiative, and Hero benefit events will be featured at each stop. ComicsPRO is the trade association for comics specialty retailers, and The Hero Initiative is the charitable organization dedicated to helping comic creators in financial need.

The tour coincides with the artist’s visit to the United States for the Baltimore Comic-Con on September 27-28. Store stops include:

Monday, September 22nd 4PM-7PM
MAIN STREET COMICS
157 Dolson Ave
Middletown, NY
http://www.mainstreetcomics.com/
Event: Auction of variant covers, promo items and more

Tuesday, September 23rd 6PM-9PM
BRAVE NEW WORLDS
45 N. 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA
http://www.bravenewworldscomics.com/
Event: Steve will do head sketches in paperbacks or hardcovers purchased on-site at Brave New Worlds for an additional $15 benefiting Hero.

Wednesday, September 24th 4PM-7PM
CAPTAIN BLUE HEN COMICS
280 E Main Street Ste 101
Newark, DE
http://www.captainbluehen.com/
Event: Steve will do head sketches in paperbacks or hardcovers purchased on-site at Captain Blue Hen for an additional $15 benefiting Hero. In addition, both silent and live auction items will be offered by Captain Blue Hen, and “first in line” privileges will be auctioned off.

Thursday, September 25th 6PM-9PM
BEYOND COMICS
5632 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD
http://www.beyondcomics.com/
Event: A pub night in honor of Steve will be held, with donated items offered by Beyond Comics as well.

Wednesday, October 1st 6PM-8PM
JIM HANLEY’S UNIVERSE
4 West 33rd St
New York, NY
http://www.jhuniverse.com/

Check with individual stores for specific details on their special events.

“I’m looking forward to a fun and productive trip, which helps out The Hero Initiative all at the same time.” said Steve Dillon. “A splendid time is guaranteed for all.”

“ComicsPRO is happy to welcome artist Steve Dillon into a number of our member stores, especially for such a good cause as The Hero Initiative,” said Joe Field, ComicsPRO president.
And be on the lookout: ComicsPRO and The Hero Initiative will be hosting another fundraising tour with Jimmy Palmiotti and Darwyn Cooke in the first quarter of 2009. Exact schedule to be announced.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $300,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. The Hero Initiative creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. The Hero Initiative is online at HeroInitiative.org.

ComicsPRO is a non-profit organization, comprising more than 120 retailer members in the U.S. and abroad. The goals of ComicsPRO are for retailers to speak with a united voice on important industry issues, to mentor new retailers in an effort to grow the comics specialty market and to supply group benefits to dedicated retailers to save money on shared common costs. ComicsPRO is online at ComicsPRO.org.

###

2008-09-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

Join ComicsPRO members Atom! and Portlyn as they celebrate their 2008 Will Eisner Spirit of Retailing Award.

It's always good to see you in Las Vegas.

2008-09-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

We're still reeling from meeting so many fantastic retailers and many of the industry's hardest working publishers at the Diamond/Alliance Summit in Las Vegas, but seasoned comics reporter Matt Price already has a nice summary up at Newsarama!

Thank you, ComicsPRO volunteers, for your tireless efforts to reach out to fellow retailers at the show. Thanks to Diamond and all of the Sponsors for making the Summit a great place for retailers to get together and share ideas about improving our industry.

See you in Ft. Wayne!

"Working at the ComicsPRO booth is fun, right, Carr?" "You bet, Manda!"

Thanks for the picture, Daniel!

BAWLS Guarana -Official Energy Drink of 24HCD!

2008-08-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

August 28, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Atom Freeman
Amanda Emmert

ComicsPRO is pleased to announce BAWLS Guarana as the Exclusive Energy Drink Sponsor of 24 Hour Comics Day.

24-Hour Comics Day hosts near a BAWLS distribution point will be able to pick up BAWLS energy drinks (http://www.bawls.com/) to keep their cartoonists' minds humming and hands drawing through their 24 hours of comic-book creating.

"As the drink of choice for comic book fans, gamers and geeks alike, BAWLS Guarana is thrilled to be fueling 24 Hour Comics Day!" said Marie Navarro, Marketing Manager. "Our refreshing taste and caffeinated kick is just what these comic fiends need to keep working through the wee hours."

Registered 24HCD venues will be emailed details about picking up their free drinks.

24 Hour Comics Day is an annual challenge for cartoonists to produce a 24-page comic book written, drawn, and completed in 24 consecutive hours.

ComicsPRO, the comic book specialty retailer trade organization, recently assumed the organizational reins for 24HCD with the enthusiastic endorsement of the event's founder, Nat Gertler, publisher of About Comics.

Register to host a 24 Hour Comics Day event here.

ComicsPRO will continue to add resources to the 24 Hour Comics Day website. Participating artists, host sites, and all other interested parties are asked to bookmark the site and check it regularly!

For more information, please continue to check the 24 Hour Comics Day site. For further inquiries and to inquire about how your company can sponsor this worldwide creative event please contact ComicsPRO's Communications Coordinator Amanda Emmert.

DC Comics at the ComicsPRO 2009 Annual Meeting

2008-08-25T13:40:00.000-07:00

Contact:
Joe Field
Amanda Emmert

ComicsPRO 2009 Meeting Heads East to Memphis
DC Comics to Sponsor Full Day of Programming

The third annual meeting of ComicsPRO, the Comics Professional Retail Organization, heads east to Memphis, Tennessee, on March 19-21, 2009 at the Hilton Memphis. Additionally, DC Comics will sponsor a full day of DC-centric programming that will give attendees a view of upcoming projects and products. All retailers, including ComicsPRO members and non-members, are invited and encouraged to attend.

"ComicsPRO is very pleased to offer this meeting in Memphis. There's obviously the proximity to Diamond Comic Distributors' main shipping hub, and the meeting will also give many retailers in the eastern region a better opportunity to attend," said Joe Field, ComicsPRO's President and owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord CA. "We're confident retailers will get tremendous value by attending, especially with a key supplier, DC Comics, sponsoring a full day of DC-oriented events and programs."

Bob Wayne, DC's Vice President of Sales, added, "The whole DC team looks forward to this event. It's a wonderful opportunity to showcase our upcoming publishing schedule and new products while also being able to solicit direct feedback from ComicsPRO's progressive retailer membership."

The schedule includes a "Meet & Greet" for early arriving attendees on the evening of Wednesday March 18, with full days of ComicsPRO presentations and organization business on Thursday March 19 and Saturday March 21, along with DC Comics sponsored day of programming on Friday March 20.

Hotel reservations at group rates are available online through this special ComicsPRO link.

###

Comic Book Stores vs. The Big Box stores

2008-08-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

ComicsPRO members Mimi Cruz (Night Flight Comics) and Nancy McCann (Comics Unlimited) explain the benefit of buying your comics at your local comic book store!

Watch the video made at Comic Con International - San Diego.

ComicsPRO in Baltimore & Las Vegas!

2008-08-24T07:56:00.000-07:00

See us in Las Vegas:
Stop by our booth at the Diamond/Alliance Retailer Summit in Las Vegas, NV, September 7-9. You can pick up must-have books on retail and marketing at great discounts. We'll be bringing some cool giveaways, as well!

Meet us in Baltimore:
ComicsPRO Members get in FREE to Baltimore Comic-Con, September 27-28! Let us know if you’ll be attending and would like your free pass.

Retailers, publishers and creators are all invited to breakfast Sunday morning, hosted by ComicsPRO and the Baltimore Comic-Con. Start your convention day off right! Contact us for details!

ComicsPRO members: Join us on Sunday for an east-coast member meeting. Take this opportunity to meet with our industry partners and discuss member interests. Look for a schedule and other meeting details on the ComicsPRO forum in September.

Comic book retailers: meet with us and discover the benefits of membership in your trade association. Sign up at a convention this year and you can save $50 on your membership dues!

ComicsPRO Road Show Flips Philly!

2008-08-22T13:11:00.000-07:00

PHILADELPHIA, PA--- ComicsPRO President Joe Field reports that last night's Philadelphia area meeting of comic specialty retailers brought three new ComicsPRO members into the organization.

ComicsPRO proudly welcomes:
* Mike Clark of Showcase Comics(standing center in white shirt), with stores in Media and Bryn Mar PA.
* Daryll L. Jones of Atomic City Comics (standing 2nd from right), Philadelphia PA
* Wade Shaw of Wade's Comic Madness (seated 2nd from right), Levittown PA

In addition to these three new members, ComicsPRO member and retailer George Stasky of Brave New Worlds (Philly and Willow Grove PA), who did the advance planning for last night's meeting, also took the first steps to organize a regional retailer group that will meet on a quarterly basis, share ideas and trade stock. There is a strong possibility more retailers from this area will join ComicsPRO in the near future. Nice work, George!

Good things can happen when we all work together!

Join ComicsPRO now by filling out the application found HERE!

Joe Field
ComicsPRO President

ComicsPRO Members sponsor Steve Dillon tour

2008-08-22T06:55:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amanda Emmert
Info@ComicsPRO.org
Rick Lowell
Rick@casablancacomics.com

ComicsPRO and Hero Initiative Team Up for Steve Dillon Store Tour

ComicsPRO, the trade association for comics specialty retailers, is announcing that artist Steve Dillon (Preacher, Wolverine, Punisher) will be hosted by a number of ComicsPRO member stores from September 22 – October 1, 2008.

The tour coincides with the artist’s visit to the United States for the Baltimore Comic-Con on September 27 & 28. Dillon constantly works on high-profile projects and rarely visits the United States from his native England. He has agreed to extend his visit by doing store appearances that will benefit The Hero Initiative, a publicly supported not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. “It's very nice to meet the fans in the United States, and I know that when I'm hosted by ComicsPRO stores, it's a first-class affair the whole way,” said Steve Dillon. “Raising funds for The Hero Initiative is also a top priority, so this should be a pleasure all the way around.”

ComicsPRO retailers hosting signing events for Steve Dillon during this tour have all agreed to support Dillon’s effort to raise funds and awareness for The Hero Initiative. Check with individual stores for their fundraising details.

“ComicsPRO retailers represent the leading edge of progressive retailers, working with all facets of the comic book business for a brighter future for all concerned,” said Joe Field, owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord CA and ComicsPRO’s president. “This tour exemplifies the manner in which our members are willing to step up and do good things together.”

Tour schedule:

Monday, September 22nd 4PM-7PM
MAIN STREET COMICS
157 Dolson Ave
Middletown, NY
http://www.mainstreetcomics.com/

Tuesday, September 23rd 6PM-9PM
BRAVE NEW WORLDS
45 N. 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA
http://www.bravenewworldscomics.com/

Wednesday, September 24th 4PM-7PM
CAPTAIN BLUE HEN COMICS
280 E Main Street Ste 101 Newark, DE
http://www.captainbluehen.com/

Thursday, September 25th 6PM-9PM
BEYOND COMICS
5632 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD
http://www.beyondcomics.com/

Wednesday, October 1st 6PM-8PM
JIM HANLEY’S UNIVERSE
4 West 33rd St
New York, NY
http://www.jhuniverse.com/

ComicsPRO and The Hero Initiative will be hosting another fundraising tour with Jimmy Palmiotti and Darwyn Cooke in the first quarter of 2009. Exact schedule to be announced.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $300,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today.

The Hero Initiative aims to create a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. The Hero Initiative is online at HeroInitiative.org.

ComicsPRO is a non-profit organization, comprising more than 120 retailer members in the U.S. and abroad. The goals of ComicsPRO are for retailers to speak with a united voice on important industry issues, to mentor new retailers in an effort to grow the comics specialty market and to supply group benefits to dedicated retailers to save money on shared common costs. ComicsPRO is online at ComicsPRO.org.

###

Retailer Meeting in Philadelphia, PA

2008-08-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

PHILLY AREA COMICS RETAILER MEETING

THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 21ST @ 9:00 PM
SHOWCASE COMICS, GRANITE RUN MALL
1067 W. Baltimore Pike ∙ Media, PA 19063 ∙ 610-891-9229

Dear Fellow Comic Book Retailer,

You are cordially invited to a Philadelphia area comic book retailer-only meeting to meet new folks and renew old acquaintances over pizza and beer. All store owners and store managers are welcome! Trade war stories with grizzled veterans from the business and get great ideas from someone with a different approach.

Mike Clark of Showcase Comics will host the event on Thursday evening August 21 at 9:00 pm in his Granite Run Mall location. The pizza and beer are compliments of ComicsPRO, the comic book retailer trade association.

Joe Field, current president of ComicsPRO and the creator of Free Comic Book Day will be talking about ComicsPRO and how it can benefit you and your store. Joe is flying all the way in from his shop in California to meet and chat with his Philly area retailing colleagues!

OVERSTOCK TRADING SESSION

Bring a long box of your overstock so you can trade your excess comics and TPBs for stuff that you need.

This is a great opportunity to meet your fellow specialty retailers, so I hope you'll make the effort to come out. You'll be surprised how much we can learn from one another.

George Stasky
Brave New Worlds
ComicsPRO Member

24 Hour Comics Day Host Sites

2008-08-07T12:46:00.000-07:00

After a few snafus with the 24HCD Host Site web application, it's up and running. Getting ready for the 24HCD event on October 18th? Don't forget to register your location as a host site!

If you have already registered for this year and don't see your location listed, yet, don't worry! We're in the process of adding many locations to the list.

24 Hour Comics Day FAQs:

When is 24 Hour Comics Day this year?
October 18, 2008.

Who can host an official 24 Hour Comics Day event?
Events can be hosted by any comic book shop, educational institution, museum, or comics club in the world.

What is required of me to host an official 24 Hour Comics Day event?

Before we can list you as a participating 24 Hour Comics Day event store, you must commit to hosting the event and all that it entails. This means that you can provide:

· A room to draw in, including chairs and tables.

· A sleeping area: a quiet separate area with cots or sleeping bags for those who feel they will they'll be able to keep working after a nap. This should be open for the same period as the drawing room.

· A bathroom.

· Refreshments. We recommend having snacks on hand and providing plenty of water, coffee and maybe other energy drinks.

· Supervision. Someone who is not participating in the challenge should be on hand at all times to supervise the event. Consider doing this in shifts so that the supervisor is always alert.

· Drawing supplies. While the participants should bring their own drawing materials, it's still good idea to have a supply of drawing paper on hand. You don't need full-size comic book drawing paper; because folks doing 24 hour comics generally draw smaller. If it's convenient, have some other drawing supplies as well.

· Copying and shipping. After the event, Ohio State University Library will be collecting and housing all of the comics created by the 24 Hour Comics Day participants. We will be sending out a cover page for each comic and information about where to send the copies. Host sites will need to make a copy of each participant's comic and then mail them all to the Ohio State Library.

What do the 24 Hour Comics Day participants need to have?

· Art Supplies. Your artists should bring their own pencils, pens and paper, unless you advertise that you'll provide all of the drawing materials.

· Transportation. Please make sure that the participants have a ride home after being awake all night making comics!

· Comfortable attire. Your artists will be working for 24 hours--remind them to dress comfortably!

· Enthusiasm! They will be exploring the limits of their imagination--and their endurance!--by taking part of this creative event.

How do I register as a 24 Hour Comics Day host site?

If you are able to provide the above materials for your cartoonists, sign up at with the 24 Hour Comics Day host registration form, and we'll list you as a host site for this year's 24 Hour Comics Day event!

President Joe Field on NPR

2008-07-31T07:23:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-07-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-07-10T18:23:00.000-07:00

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!