This past weekend Nicki, Mama Howe, and I went to the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.

While we were in Huntsville we decided to see if there were any comic shops in town and there was…

The Deep!

It’s kind of your typical looking comic shop, but very organized with a good product mix’

They have a large selection of current comics, back issues, toys, tees, and more.

No individual Hero-Clix, but lots of other gaming figures and cards to be had- and played.

They have a large gaming area in the back right corner behind the graphic novel and gaming book section.

They have a kids/all ages friendly section.

Lots of cool sketches.

A few of the DC lead figures came home with us.

As well as some back issues and a Blackest Night Wonder Woman figure.

It was Mama Howe’s first time in a comic shop so Nicki showed her how to find some treasures by digging through back issue long boxes and the $1 bins.

I found a few good ones, too!

Stargods #2 (alternate cover) and Stargods Visions.

And a copy of Bushi Tales #2 (regular cover)- all at cover price or just slightly higher!

We had a great time visiting The Deep and will stop by whenever we’re in Huntsville. If you’re out that way I recommend stopping in.

The DeeP, Comics & Games
2312 S. Memorial Pkwy Suite A
Huntsville, AL 35801

http://www.deepcomics.com

256-532-1292

Thanks to The DeeP for carrying Bushi Tales!

Lin

No San Diego Comic Con for me this year, but I still have had a busy weekend home here in Memphis.

Friday night after work Nicki and I attended the summer Broad Avenue Art Walk.

It happens a few times a year (next one will be this fall) and has many of the shops, studios, and galleries on the block participate.

This time there was live music and dancing performances outdoors.

This time at the West Memorials gallery (my day job) we had art and photographs by three artists.

Paintings and folk art by Alex Warble.

Carousel photos by Nicole C. Perugini.

And poster art by Tom Foster.

That’s Tom.

We had a great turnout!

After enjoying some wine and cheese at West we headed east up Broad.

After checking out several spaces that way we came back down to Hollywood and over to a photography studio…

and caught a glass blowing demo across the street.

It was a lot of fun to watch, and we’ll have to go watch her play roller derby sometime!

It started to get late so we headed back across the street.

Then called it a night.

The next day Nicki headed over to Comics and Collectibles for their “Not At Comic Con” day. Picked up my pull list comics, a Joker Toon Tumbler glass, Nicki a Star Wars: Clone Wars trade, took a free shot of Red Bull, entered a Dark Horse contest, and picked up a couple passes to Scott Pilgrim for next week. After that we headed to Micheal’s to pick up some canvases for my upcoming art show and by Books-a-million to do some shopping. Nicki kept me updated on all the comic con news as we drove around. Watched a bit online when we got home (Gail Simone, Buddy Christ, Bender, and protesting Baptists all in one video- only at San Diego!) and some on G4 (not  lot of comic book coverage- much like San Diego). It was a great “Not At Comic Con” day, just didn’t see as many celebs as I normally do in San Diego.

Congrats to my Bushi Tales partner Dave Beaty for getting the chance to sign at the DC Comics booth on Saturday!

Lin

I haven’t talked about the Metropolis Superman Celebration yet. Been busy unpacking from two back to back trips, feeling a bit under the weather (sinuses and a con-bug), yard work (and poison ivy), and all have kept me from updating.

Let’s fix that!

Tim Brown and I headed up on Thursday afternoon, and as usual Timmy and I stopped at Lambert’s Cafe in Sikeston, MO.

Timmy happy! He had the hog jowls- or as I like to call them, “bacon on steroids”!

We got there just in time for the opening ceremony/skit.

It was funny as always!

Artists Alley/Writers Way was jumpin’ as always. That’s writer Josh Elder with Superman (Josh Boultinghouse).

Comics legend and Guest of Honor Carmine Infantino with Nicki Howe.

Me with my Bushi Tales partner and DC Comics artist and guest Dave Beaty.

My Bizarro painting found a good home.

We got to see the unveiling of the new Noel Neill/Lois Lane statue.

Papa Cliff drove Noel to the statue plaza in his Studebaker.

The statue was created in Utah by the same folks who created the Superman statue and now stands just up the street from it.

I got to meet the statue artist/sculptor Gary Ernest Smith.

Down at the chamber of commerce on Saturday Traci and Nicki inducted guest Sam Witwer into the Memphis Star Ward Fan Force.

Sam stars in the Star Wars: Force Unleashed game and comic, as well as in SMALLVILLE on TV, along with co-star Laura Vandervoort.

Laura, who is a martial artist, too- said she’d love to play Kimiyo in a Bushi Tales movie! (Did you hear that, Hollywood..?!)

Both Sam and Laura couldn’t have been nicer, but they both gushed when Trevor Hawkins presented them each with one of his paintings of them.

Friday and Saturday nights in AA/WW we had a showing of Superman II (with producer Ilya Salkind) and Fan Films sponsored by Inked Monkey.

As usual it was hot again in Metropolis- so hot some might have sold their soul for a Big Gulp!

But the heat and humidity didn’t stop the costumers from coming out in force.

The judges had a tough job again this year- tons of great costumes were entered!

The winners! Best Clark/Superman, Best Lois, crowd favorite (Doomsday), best hero (Steel), and best villain (Lobo).

Best group- The Avengers

The Avengers’ secret weapon- Tiny Thor!

And proof that cloning does exist!

Nicki and I had a great time and look forward to being back again next year.

Hope to see you there!

Lin