"Adventures of a Comic Book Artist" - Theater Report

The Planet X Comics table

The Comic Store West table

I attended the play Adventures of a Comic Book Artist yesterday at the York Little Theater. It is a kid friendly show so I decided to take my five year old son (he's the one dressed up as Spidey, of course!) It was my first time at the theater so I didn't know what you expect. I was quite impressed with the carnival-like atmosphere they created!

Inter-Company crossover

Spidey teaches Batman
how to webswing.

First, when you walked in the door you were greeted in a mini "comic book convention." Two local comic book shops had tables set up in the lobby. Both stores were giving away Free Comic Book Day comics and had a modest amount of merchandise to sell. Both stores had wisely selected only kid-friendly comics for display since the crowd was going to be full of kids. Both stores also had people dressed up in character for the kids. Comic Store West had the version of Batman from the Dark Knight movies and a great homemade Thor costume. Planet X had classic Batman, Green Arrow, and Indiana Jones, each with a publicity stills that they were signing. Also in the lobby they were serving refreshments and, of course, selling tickets.

Thor takes a fighting pose

York Little Theater is also celebrating its 80th anniversary and hosting a number of special events. They were featuring a decade at a time and were showcasing the 80's with a featured display.

Green Arrow had the best costume

During intermission there was a costume contest. My son dressed up as Spider-Man. There was also a Peter Parker, Supergirl, Captain America, Mr. Noface, and a weird skeletal alien thing. The contest was decided by the cheers from the crow with Mr. Noface and Captain America taking the prizes.

After the show we got to take a tour of all the backstage areas including rigging, rear projection, prop creation, the soundroom, and the lighting areas. Very nice!

The play itself was very cute. You could tell that it was written by a lifelong comic book fan because of the witty banter in it. Characters throughout the play make scores of references to both popular and obscure comic book characters and even slip into "geek-speak" to discuss these characters. For example, one character mentions Venom's weakness to fire and sonics while another analyzes Mr. Fantastic's motivation of guilty feelings at having mutated his friends.

Indy helps Green Arrow
make an adjustment

The costume contest at intermission

The main character is Stanley (This alone tells me the writer is a superfan... get it - Stan-Lee!), an aspiring comic book artist. He accidentally gets a hold of a magical pen that makes anything drawn with it come to life. Meanwhile, the staff of the comic book company uses the pens to create a supervillain that can freeze time... Dr. Shock Clock! To respond, Stanley creates the Fabulous Four - Starguy (with his Charisma Ray), Triple Time (superfast), Blossom (magical flowers for various effects) and Wombat Woman (burrow through anything!). This band of misfits fights Dr. Shock Clock unsuccessfully and Stanley himself has to become Eraser Man to fight Dr. Shock Clock!

The play and the atmosphere were highly enjoyable. If you're in the York, PA area I would suggest checking it out. I think it is only running for another week so get your tickets fast!

Gaming Notes: Only War RPG

Only War is the newest entry in the Warhammer 40K RPG library.

At the recent Free RPG Day at Comic Store West I got to play Only War. Only War is the newest RPG entry into the Warhammer 40K universe.

A group of eight players including Sean, James, Talon, Martin and myself all played grunts in a game run by Sam.

The mission was simple: We're on a moon and we're sent to secure a crater that is currently being controlled by the orcs. Simple, that is, until we get the word that the entire crater is going to be "glassed" and we have mere hours to get out or we're dead.

Our communication equipment was damaged in the battle to take over a fortress so we were left with only our wits and our feet. As you'll see, our wits weren't of much benefit.

The first thing we did was kill our wounded. They were only going to slow us down and we wanted their end to be merciful.

We then set off. We soon found a damaged air transport. I was good with fixing technical things so I took an hour and repaired the craft. "Getting out of here is going to be easy!" we said. So we all loaded up and then someone said, "Wait... who can fly?" None of us could. And THAT'S when we realized that one of our injured comrades was the only one with the ability to fly. Oops.

So, having wasted an hour, we set off on foot. Let's just say it was a comedy of errors. Along the way, we killed a commanding officer, caused a riot, and broke every rule of military discipline.

Finally, we made it to a border town where we thought we could get transport. One of my teammates made a contact and arranged for a shady deal to get out of there. Of course, it was a trap. At that point, the rift in the team split wide open and players attacked players. Let's just say it was ugly but more importantly it was a complete waste of time.

After we regained our military composure, we set off again, killing the driver of a truck and taking control of the vessel. "We're free!" we thought again. Only to realize that we had killed the only person capable of driving the vehicle. Again. D'Oh!

So, we continued on our way, encountering heavy orc resistance along the way. Eventually, against all odds, we made it to the safety zone.

And that's when it came across the communicator - the kill zone had been extended. Our currently location was once again due to be glassed...

Marvel Super Hero Squad CCG Available At Comic Store West



The first of, I'm sure, many purchases.

I'm applauding the folks at Comic Store West. They managed to get the Marvel Super Hero Squad Collectible Card Game in stock! This is a product that NOBODY else has in the York, PA area - no other hobby shop, card shop, collectibles shop, not even big-box stores like Walmart and Target. From my understanding it took some wheeling and dealing it make it happen but CSW came through.

That being said, as soon as the manager told me it was in stock I ran over a bought some. Here's my initial haul:

I got the two-player introductory box, four different one-player introductory boxes, and five booster packs.

I'll post my thoughts on the card game in general and each specific product in the coming days.

I've heard word of a launch event at CSW... I'll keep you posted when I receive details.

FCBD Marvel Trivia Contest at CSW

At Comic Store West's Free Comic Book Day festivities, they were offering a $20 prize for the person who could get 7 out of 10 random Marvel trivia questions correct. I'm a HUGE Marvel fan so I figured I had the prize in the bag.

As I waited in line, I watched person after person get their fourth question wrong and walk away with their head in shame. Some poor souls didn't even get to six questions. I sat there listening to the questions they received. I knew quite a few answers and I laughed as they struggled to answer the simplest questions. But I must admit that there were a few that stumped me.

Finally, it was my turn. I got my first two questions correct without a problem (including naming all of Daredevil's secretaries!). Then, the trivia master asked me who some dude was I had never heard of. I floundered and guessed at an answer and, of course, it was wrong. First strike.

I got a couple more correct and then he asked me, "Who was resurrected in issue #178 of the Incredible Hulk?" I'm a HUGE Hulk fan but I embarrassed myself with my answer, "The Leader?" I said. Stupid, I should have known that the Leader wasn't killed off and brought back until much later. The Leader isn't known for resurrecting from the dead. Adam Warlock, the correct answer, is! Dumb!

So, with two strikes now, I carefully considered my seventh and eighth questions, getting one correct and the other incorrect. on my ninth question, I was so close to the prize I could taste it. This moment would validate my entire lifetime spent in comic book nirvana! All of that knowledge of an imaginary realm would finally be put to good use! I would be the only person all day to beat the challenge!

 Then the trivia master asked me, "What member of Alpha Flight suffers from multiple personality disorder?" ALPHA FLIGHT? Who reads that waste? "Ummm... Wildchild?" I said.

Of course, that wasn't correct. It was Aurora. Aurora cost me geek glory!

Stupid Alpha Flight

Comic Store West's Backroom Sale

Comic Store West's recent "Backroom Sale" was a bit of a misnomer because it wasn't just the junk from the backroom that was on sale - ALL of the comic book back issues were $2 a pound! Wow-Wee-Mama!

Needless to say, my knees buckled, my palms became sweaty, and I began to salivate like one of Pavlov's dogs. Thoughts ran through my head like, "Scott, you could get current on all of the comics you've missed over the last few years! It wouldn't cost much..." But, I resisted the urge. Instead, I stuck to my mission - buy comic books for my children and my nephews and niece. I wanted kid-friendly comics so I really had to dig through the piles.

I ended up stopping in all three days of the sale. I stopped in Friday to the preview so I could grab some deals while they were still around. Turns out, 15 minutes late was far too late to get any board games! Next time I'll get there on time!

I dropped by again on Saturday because I thought to myself, "You know, you really should have scored some more of those kids comics! They're so cheap!"

And then I stopped in Sunday as well. Sunday was "Make-an-offer" day where comics could be even cheaper than $2 a pound. I got an entire short box + 13 pounds for around $35! Sweet!

In the end, here's the final result of my self control:

And, YES, this WAS showing self-control. I'd estimate I got a couple hundred comics and my total bill was probably around $50.00. I'd call that pretty darn good.

Comic Store West's sale was one of the best I've ever seen. They didn't just put out junk - they had something for everyone, from mainstream superhero books to small press, from fresh-off-the-rack comics to some pretty old stuff. 

Next time CSW has a big sale like this, I'll be sure to arrive on time!

You Can Demo the New Marvel RPG!

Are you interested in the new Marvel Heroic RPG by Margaret Weis? Well, this upcoming Saturday, March 24, you can! Just contact Comic Store West in York, PA to reserve a time. I'll tell you now, it's filling up fast!

Sessions are from 11-3 and 4-8. Each session has six slots - when I checked earlier today, the morning session only had one open slot and the afternoon had four.

 

I'm running the game... We'll be playing the start-up adventure based on the New Avengers "Breakout" storyline. It should be a lot of fun! Hope to see you there!

Brett Stoner Retires From Comic Store West

Brett Stoner, part owner, of Comic Store West retired today. I couldn't let the occasion pass without stopping in to his retirement party and grabbing some cake. Brett has been in the comics industry for 25 years now. That's quite a feat given the fact that the majority of comic book stores go out of business in the first five years. I'll miss seeing Brett's welcoming face behind the counter at CSW. Brett was always willing to discuss or debate whatever hot topic I had on my mind and I appreciate that. Furthermore, Brett is responsible for the formation of the Keystone Gaming Society, of which I am a member. CSW isn't without hope for the future, however - Brett leaves the store in the capable hands of Brian Waltersdorff and Joe Miller with Scott as the manager.

Superman isn't really sad... he just uses any excuse  to cuddle with  Wonder Woman.

Zombiefest at Comic Store West

Every year at a local comic book store, Comic Store West, zombies roam freely. Is it a zombie apocalypse? No. It's Zombiefest!

This year, look for all sorts of zombie goodness. Folks will be wandering the aisles looking for blood... and there will also be folks dressed up as zombies! On October 29 and 30 there will be "horror" based roleplaying. Check out the Comic Store West website for all of the details: http://www.comicstorewest.com/

 

My $3.00 Comics Pound

Well, as I said the other day Comic Store West had its "Comics by the Pound" sale this weekend. The backroom of Comic Store West was really packed with books. I couldn't resist stopping by. I bought exactly one pound of comics. Here's what I scored for $3.00:

Not bad for $3.00, eh? I love the old Marvel Sagas and Official Marvel Indexes. The Back to the Future is a kids comic that the kids will love. I let my four year old boy choose one and he chose Superman (Wha? I feel betrayed! DC? I REALLY tried to push Iron Man or Thor but strangely he wasn't buying it...). My two year old daughter wanted Wolverine. I figured I'd choose a comic with Kitty Pryde in it as well for her.

One Pound of Comics For $3.00!

Less than a gallon of gas or a gallon of millk... A pound of comics! If you've got $3.00 you'll want to check out Comic Store West's "Comics by the Pound" sale! This Saturday and Sunday - October 8th and 9th you'll be able to choose from among 12,000 comic books!  Check out all the details at http://www.comicstorewest.com/!

How many comic books are in a pound? I broke out ye ol' trusty eBay scale and grabbed a few random stacks of comics (sans bags and boards). I came out to an average of about 8 comics or so, the low being 7 and the high being 10. Not bad for some good old fashioned comic book reading on the cheap!

Perhaps the better question is, "How long would it take you to read a pound of comics?" I know for myself I read an average 22 page comic in about 15 minutes or so. So taking the average of eight comics per pound I'm looking at two hours of pleasure reading wonderful stories and basking in fine art for every pound! Sweet! Take that, expensive movies!

Please note - these aren't actual comics for sale. This is just some random picture I ripped off the internet.

Comic Store West "Frontroom Sale"

Comic Store West, located in York, PA, is famous for its backroom sales where all sorts of gaming products are sold dirt cheap. Well, now the backroom has moved out onto the main sales floor. Introducing the Bargain RPG Books Section at CSW!

I checked out their stock the other day and found a bunch of great stuff. I myself picked up the core rulebook for Fireborn for $5 and two one-on-one solo D20 fantasy adventures for $1.88 each! You can't beat that! The Fireborn book alone would have originally retailed for $30!

I spoke with one of the store owners, Brian, and he said they were periodically renewing the stock on the Bargain RPG Books Section. No need to wait for those cool backroom sales anymore! Check out the bargain RPGs and give CSW a little love on the net at: http://www.comicstorewest.com/.