Brainstorming!!!!!!

A great deal if you’re a stranger? That was the situation at Brainstorm comic’s 50% of sale this past week.

This week had a huge everything 50% of sale at Brainstorm comics everything from comics, trades, gear, toys and everything else was 50% off great deal right? Wrong!!! The deal did not include anything in your pull list, that is to say anything you asked the store to order for you. Having a pull list is standard practice for many regular comic readers/shoppers, they order their books and stuff in advance so they don’t miss an issue if they can’t get to the shop that week or what not. This is a practice usually taken advantage of by regular loyal customers of the comics shop.

A few of my friends (who shall remain nameless to protect their secret identities) are regulars at Brainstorm and they were both angry and hurt by this 50% sale stipulation. Simply put the sale did not apply to their reserved books i.e. the stuff they read regularly and the material they want to buy sale or no sale. Also the sale turned them into second-class citizens who are treated worse than a total stranger from off the street.

In my opinion any store comics or other should cater more to their regular returning customers rather than a one time only buyer. I myself could very easily have gone into Brainstorm a bought a great deal of material as well as my regular Wednesday comics and gotten the 50% off discount but I’m loyal to my comics shop and prefer to give them my business.

While I do realize that selling comics and collectables is a business and we all need to make money, I just feel Brainstorm made a huge blunder during their sale. Brainstorm should have allowed the sale to cover everyone and every thing in the shop. The purpose of any sale is to increase business and attract new cliental to boost your profits. If you back hand your regular veteran customers in favor of new rookie customers it is not only disrespectful but also bad for business cause the veterans will say why should I go to this guy when I can easily go somewhere else and get treated better or just the same.

I have heard many, many retailers say that a regular customer is more valuable then any one-time sale. This is because regulars keep coming back even if they don’t need to.

Point of fact in today’s world one can super easily get comics, and collectables over the internet at great discounts usually better discounts than any shop can give their customers. People go to the comic shop for the personal touch, the corner hang out experience and the friendly atmosphere. The regulars want to come in and discuss(argue) about Movies, TV, Comics as well as current events, for many of us the comic shop is like our neighbor hood bar where the bar tender is poring us the usual as we walk in the door or the old barbershop on the corner where our dad brought us and we can in turn bring our kids. We go into the comic shop and everyone knows our name and they’re always glad we came.

So Just word of advice to all the shop owners out there don’t take you regulars for granted.

go for the geek gold!!!

As the New Year begins its time to establish who is the top comic dog or supreme super geek. Now how to claim that coveted comic honor?

1st head on over to Challengers comics and conversation and register for your throw down with their Challengers Olympics this will be truly a contest of champions. Challengers comics has created the perfect contest of physical comic skill’s and mental fortitude to prove once and for all whose comic Kudos Kick Kiester. So head on over and sign up the Olympics start Jan 16th and run through the 21^st.

If you feel you need to train more before you go for the gold then head on over to Graham crackers comics they will be having a huge new years graphic novel sale. All trades and graphic novels will be priced at 30% off. Also on Jan 13 colorist Jeff Balke will be signing issues of Kickass at Graham crackers so stop buy and pick his brain on all things geek.

Another great way to train for the Challengerlympics is to hit up the huge toy sale at Chicago comics not only is this a chance to get some great deals on cool comic toys but it is also a great chance to expand your data base on all this comic book. Make sure to check out this sale many items are at a massive discount and you can always find some real hidden gems.

A great way to improve your indie cred is by heading over to Quimbys starting the week of Jan 10^th and indulge in the great events they are hosting. Quimbys will be hosting on the 10^th a great muppeet event with author Jessica Max Stein reading from her zine ìThe Rainbow Connection Richard Runt, Gay Muppeteer.î There will be over an hour of great muppeteet clips.

Then on the 14^th Quimbys will be hosting the series launch of ìSo You Think You Have Nerves of Steel. Quimbys will then play host to two great female poets and artists who run dancing girl press an imprint focused on promoting the work of female artist and poets. This event is on Jan 15 so stop on by that evening and explore the indie world.

Finally you can end your training by getting your mind blown by Artist Mike Norton and his vast knowledge of comics especially the Blue Beetle. Mike will be signing at 3^rd Coast comics on Jan 16^th so stop by and pick his brain or if you dare challenge him to a comic’s trivia throw down.

Now begin your training and remember knowing is half the battle.

new year news

just gearing up for the new year I'll have more art process to post on the months a head as well as more stuff on the chicago comics scene.

holly jolly happenings

As Christmas fast approaches here are some wintertime events to keep the holiday Grinch at bay.

First off is the Chicago Drink and Draw this is a annual meet up on one tuesday of the month this time its dec 22nd at The Chicago Ale House at 8 pm. This event is an informal artist meet up where comic creators from the chicago community hang out draw and drink their blues away. Its always a fun mix of mainstream and indie artistes. Just grab your pad and pencils and have a great time.

Also is december is full of 24 hour madness. Both Challengers and Gram Cracker comics on dec 23-24 will be having 24 hour events. Gram Cracker comics in Naperville will be open and celebrating for 30 hours in a row.

Then in the heart of the city Challengers comics will be hosting their Blackest Night before Christmas party with special guest artist Art Baltazar so stop by and wish art a happy birthday plus get some cake.

Next on the holiday hit list is the wednesday without comics yes that's correct new comics wednesday on the week of dec 30th will have only one new comic out that week. So what is a hard core comic geek to do?

Head on over to the downtown loop location of Gram Crackers comics their will be a signing by Jiba Molei Anderson as well as some other indie artists. So stop by and get the inside track on the indie comics scene in chicago.

Also that week Mike Norton will have his hostile take over of Challenger's comics. Mike has been plotting all year and on the Dec 30th his plans come to pass. He will be signing and playing host to a wide variety of comics fun and mayhem that day. Stop by and hear is dastardly laugh and his other plans for world domination.

Last but not least the Weaton location of Gram Crackers comics will be having a new years eve party on Dec 30th. This party will have lots of food,fun, and a host a great prizes given away at the top of every hour.

video art

hey all just wanted to post a link to a music video I did some art for awhile back. I did all the drawings for the video. here is the link

Happy holidays

just wishing everyone a happy holidays with this holiday card.

Holiday gifts for the Geek pt1

As the holiday gift-buying season is in full swing here are some gift ideas for the comic and pop culture fans in your life.

I’m not going to waste your time recommending comics of graphic novels if the person your buying gifts for reads comics just ask them what books they want and then get all the details title, artist, and were to get the books. There are numerous comic shops in the Chicago area that have a huge selection of books such as Challengers, Chicago comics, Brainstorm, Evil squirrel, Third Coast, Quinby’s, The Comic Vault, Grahamcrackers and numerous Boarders stores.

What I can suggest are some items that scratch that comics fan’s itch and may not be something they may think of. First are Toontumblers these are pint glasses with comic book and cartoon characters printed on the glasses. The tumblers can be gotten in sets or as singles with a wide variety of comic book characters on them.

Second are Gelskins these are coverings or ìskinsî for computers, gaming machines, cell phones and mp3 players. The skins feature art work from a wide variety of artists many who do comic work such as Mike Mignola and his Hellboy skins, Tara McPherson who as done art for DC Comics Vertigo books. There is also art from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Umbrella Academy, the Goon, Metal Gear Solid and many more.

Third are Mimobot designer flash drives which are super cool looking flash thumb drives great for carrying and storing data. The drives come in fun designs such as Starwars, Halo, Hello kitty, Domo and lots of original designs.

Fourth are T-shirts these days getting comic book t-shirts are super easy Old Navy, Urban Outfitters, Hot Topic and Target have a good variety of classic Comic book characters in fun styles. Also Most of the comic shops in Chicago carry a good supply of current Comic book t-shirts with modern characters and styles. Also places like Threadless T’s and Shirt Fight have a huge selection of fun and funky Shirts for both kids and adults.

That’s all for now coming next time will be fun games, cool clothes, and handy computer stuff for your friendly neighborhood Fanboy.