On display will be the three model vehicles [...]]]> To celebrate the launch of FRANK READE, authors Paul Guinan and Anina Bennett are throwing parties on three consecutive Wednesdays in February, at three Portland comic book stores. Each will have a different theme—Land, Sea, and Air—the three realms Frank Reade explores in his electric vehicles.

On display will be the three model vehicles Guinan himself built for the Frank Reade book, which are rarely shown in public. Attendees will have a chance to talk with the authors and get books signed, as well as meet local steampunks (Land), pirates (Sea), and superheroes (Air). There will be cosplay performances!

BONUS: There’s a prize at the grand finale event! The first ten adventurers who make it to all three events and get their “Land, Sea, and Air” passports stamped will receive a print of an original Frank Reade engraving signed by both authors, plus custom-stamped Frank Reade chocolate “gold coins.”

Feb. 8, 6-9 pm: LAND
Location: Floating World Comics
Guests: Steampunks from Rose City Steampunks, Local 23
Vehicle: A model of Frank Reade Jr.’s Valiant, an electric battle-wagon
BONUS: A rare appearance of the original Boilerplate model!

Feb. 15, 6-9 pm: SEA
Location: Bridge City Comics
Guests: Pirates from PDXYAR
Vehicle: A model of Frank Reade Sr. & Jr.’s Centennial, an electric gunboat
Bonus: A mock battle between pirates and author Paul Guinan as Frank Reade Jr.!

Feb. 22, 7-10 pm: AIR – The Grand Finale
Location: Things From Another World
Guests: Superheroes from the Alter Egos Society
Vehicle: “Wild” Kate Reade’s Aegis, a helicopter airship
Bonus: Prizes awarded to the first ten people who attend all three events. Also, an original skit by the Alter Egos Society featuring Kate Reade!

Chocolate gold coins with Frank Reade's likeness will be given to the first ten travelers who turn in their passports that were stamped at all three parties.

Wednesday, September 28, join Jeremy Barlow, Paul Tobin, Joshua Williamson, and Patric Reynolds for an excellent Savage Sword Release Party! Come to Things From Another World, a fine local retailer of comic books, at 4133 NE Sandy Blvd. in Portland from 7-10 pm to meet the creators behind Savage Sword #3 [...]]]>

Wednesday, September 28, join Jeremy Barlow, Paul Tobin, Joshua Williamson, and Patric Reynolds for an excellent Savage Sword Release Party! Come to Things From Another World, a fine local retailer of comic books, at 4133 NE Sandy Blvd. in Portland from 7-10 pm to meet the creators behind Savage Sword #3 and enjoy free beer (with ID) and food. Win Robert E. Howard-themed prizes from Dark Horse Comics and pose for “Conan” photos in front of the green screen! RSVP on Facebook

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Murderland is a story of doomed romance, bloodshed and the outer limits of human potential, all unfolding on the [...]]]> Come join us Wednesday, August 4th for an after-hours Murderland release party featuring Periscope’s David Hahn. Mingle with the local comics community and enjoy free beer* from MacTarnahan’s and free food from Clean Plate Catering!

Murderland is a story of doomed romance, bloodshed and the outer limits of human potential, all unfolding on the streets of Baltimore, Maryland. This dark adventure is illustrated by David Hahn, written by Stephen Scott and published by Image Comics!

Hope to see you there next Wednesday, August 4th!
7:00pm – 10:00pm
Location Hollywood Things From Another World
4133 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR

*Note: You must be 21 or older for the beer–bring IDs!
Facebook event link

Clackamas Town Center [...]]]> Barnes and Noble
Marvel 70th Anniversary Celebration Author Event
Join us as we celebrate 70 years of Marvel Comics with a panel discussion featuring Marvel celebrity guests Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Origins, Ultimate Spiderman), Jeff Parker (X-Men: First Class) and Rick Remender (Punisher War Journal).
Tuesday August 11, 2009 7:00 PM

Clackamas Town Center Mall
12000 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97266, 503-786-3464

Parker will have some copies of the Underground ashcan with him. Ask him a half-decent question at the panel and he’ll probably give you a free one.

Tom Spurgeon talks with Jim Ottaviani, [...]]]>

He took the stuff he was comfortable with, the scientific process, and turned it like a firehose onto the subject of love. The results are fittingly powerful and contradictory — a set of horrendously chilling experiments which incontrovertibly demonstrated one of the most tender principles of human life.

Tom Spurgeon talks with Jim Ottaviani, Dylan Meconis and Janine Johnston.

Free Comic Book Day was a blast. I wrote about it briefly at the CBIA forum:

From my limited vantage point behind the signing table, I can say that FCBD at Cosmic Monkey Comics’ new location in Portland was a big success. Jeff Parker, David Hahn, Colleen Coover and I were constantly busy talking about comics, signing and doing sketches. I couldn’t see how the other guests were doing, as they were out of my eyeline, but the cash register was right in front of me, and there was always a big line of people there. On the sketch front, Hahn’s Firestar and Spider-Man were in big demand, and everyone was shocked when Jeff Parker drew in their Agents of Atlas hardcovers. The guy was an artist for over ten years, people! Don’t be shocked that he can still bust out a Gorilla Man.

There was a giant Star Wars crew out front taking pictures with kids, who seemed to be having a great time, though a couple clearly thought the wookie was sort of alarming.

This was the first time I ever had FCBD content to sign, and it was ridiculously enjoyable to watch that huge stack of Whiteouts dwindle down to one or two copies. It seemed like the only breaks in signing came when I had to explain to younger readers that they couldn’t have a copy, but that I’d draw a picture of Batman for them. Lots of questions about the movie, most of which I could only answer second or third hand. I get to visit to the set in Montreal next week, so at least I’ll have some answers at my next signing.

Biggest surprise: a car crash right outside the store. * BOOM! * No one was hurt, and some kids sitting in a stroller on the sidewalk were maybe ten feet away from the point of impact and they didn’t even cry. Andy Johnson and some customers quickly organized a clean-up crew and they swept the glass out of the street. One shopper rolled up a poster she’d just bought and used it as a wand to direct traffic, waving cars into the next lane. It was really nice seeing actual community spirit in action.

As you’d expect, the big smash-up took some of the fun energy out of the room, but things quickly lightened up again and things went on as before. Soon everyone was talking comics and posing next to stormtroopers again. I’m glad to say that I had a great, great time.