Saturday, April 30th, 2011 | Cosmic Comix & Toys

Free Comic Book Day is Saturday, May 7th!

April 30th, 2011 at 2:30 pm - Sales - Leave a comment

FCBD Last week, I sent out the following press release to all major media outlets:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A FREE DAY OF FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Worldwide Free Comic Book Day Comes to Catonsville with Comics for All Ages!

Cosmic Comix & Toys in Catonsville is one of thousands of comic book shops around the world celebrating the comic book art form on Saturday, May 7th. On Free Comic Book Day, over 2.7 million comic books will be given away by participating stores, introducing as many people as possible to the wonders of comic books!

“The wide array of comic books being published today ensures that readers of all ages — children, teens, and adults – can find something appropriate that will stir their imaginations,” said Rusty Simonetta, Owner of Cosmic Comix & Toys.

Celebrating its tenth year, Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) has proven to be a smashing success, spreading the word that comics are terrific reading. “Even if you have never picked up a comic book, stop by on FCBD, because you never know what you will end up finding.”

"We at Cosmic Comix want to spread the word that comics are perfect for today’s times," Simonetta continued. "Comic books and graphic novels are considered hip, hot and smart.” Comic Books have propelled to the front ranks of pop culture, many being adapted into movies. The first weekend of May is going to be a big day in the comic book world.”

Regular updates, information about comic books, and a list of participating publishers and their free comics are all online at www.cosmiccomix.com or at www.freecomicbookday.com.

Free Comic Book Day kicks off at 11:00 am and runs until 7:00 pm on May 7th at Cosmic Comix & Toys, 87 Mellor Ave, Catonsville, MD, 21228. Call 410-747-3041 for more information.

And what more can I add beyond that? Except to echo all of Rusty’s thoughts on how fun it all is. If you’ve watched the video linked above (or here) you’ve seen how much is going on here at the store on that day. Free comics, a 25% off sale, prizes, and comics galore! Plus this year we’ll also have the Cosmic Prize Wheel, a popcorn machine and local artist Tim Murphy (whose work can be seen at left) will be doing sketches!

And here are just a few of the dozens of titles we’ll have available this year for absolutely free. Click to enlarge!

Amazing Spider-Man

Green Lantern /
Flashpoint

Sonic the
Hedgehog

Locke & Key

For a complete list, please visit www.freecomicbookday.com.

Matt’s Reviews – Apr. 30, 2011

April 30th, 2011 at 11:19 am - Matt's Reviews - One comment

Action Comics #900 Week in week out the best books are those that develop their characters. Plots are nice, but the reason Scalped gets so much praise is that it has great characters as well as an overarching plot. This week’s best books were no exception.

Action Comics #900 illustrates this point in spades. I have enjoyed Paul Cornell’s work on Action and the ongoing Lex Luthor storyline, even though I’m pretty sure the plot makes no sense. Something about residual black ring energy that’s actually connected to the Phantom Zone, for some reason, and this child-like embodiment of emotion that merges with Luthor giving him god-like powers. Yeah.

But although the plot barely holds together, we get a nice summation of the storyline this issue and all the people Luthor’s met along the way. But what made it good are the character moments. Luthor, in spite of his desires, is still Luthor and cannot ever be a true hero. Even Superman gets some nice character moments after his walkabout. Hopefully he’s back in the greater DC universe for good and I’m interested to see how this global citizen thing works out.

Greysuit: Project Monarch

April 30th, 2011 at 11:00 am - Best Book You Didn't Read - Leave a comment

Last week I read Cursed Pirate Girl, which was a fun story a la Alice in Wonderland. But having read two silly books in a row, it was time to get back to reality. This week I decided to try a spy novel and chose GREYSUIT: PROJECT MONARCH, written by Pat Mills, drawn by John Higgins, published by 2000 AD.

Blake is a Greysuit — equivalent of the USA’s ‘Men in Black’ — whose job is to protect Her Majesty’s interests throughout the world. In order to become the perfect soldier, Blake was programmed to not feel any emotion. Also, as part of the programming he was given heightened strength and senses. Simply put, Blake acquired low-level superhuman abilities at the expense of his psyche. But, when Blake’s programming starts to crack he decides to punish those beyond the law, and the people who broke him. But first he has to evade his former handlers who want him back.

You are probably aware that the author Pat Mills has been working in comics for over 30 years. When writers have been in the industry for such an extended period it seems as if they lose touch with the characters, or can’t write a modern story, or something impacts their writing. I am happy to report that this book proves Mills hasn’t lost any of his touch. He has taken a slightly clichéd story and made it into something exciting. Greysuit is a fast-moving, action-packed adventure that is firmly grounded in the real world. Well, maybe it’s on the same ground as a James Bond movie. Mills does a great job of making Blake a believable character. Not just in terms of motivation but also in terms of abilities.