2008 FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

May 3, 2008

I love Free Comic Book Day! I consider it my favorite holiday of the year. Okay, so it isn't like an official holiday or anything like that, but darn it, it should be! Not only did people get forty plus free books and various goodies this year, but the daywas also accompanied by the release of the latest Marvel feature film, the simply amazing Iron Man. Iron Man...wow. What can I say that hasn't already been said? It is, in my opinion, the second greatest comic book movie of all time. I've taken some heat on this as I continue to defend Spider-Man 2 as the best comic book film of all time.

But that is a debate for another time.

So, anyway, this year I spent the early hours of Free Comic Book Day with some other members of the North Carolina WebComics Coffee Clatch, better known as the NCWCCC, better known as the Clatch, at Hero's Haven, a comic book shop located at 1349 South Church Street in Burlington, NC.

Free Comic Book Day Report Additional: In the time that I wrote my report concerning Free Comic Book Day at Hero’s Haven, Mike has moved.

The new address for Hero’s Haven is 1358 South Church Street in Burlington, NC.
It is right across the street from the original location. 

If you are one of those people that needs a landmark to help you find a destination, then keep your eyes peeled for the wicked awesome Optimus Prime that stands guard in front of the shop.

The owner of this shop is a fella named Mike Jernigan, and a nicer guy you could never hope to meet. He bent over backwards to accomodate the members of the NCWCCC, and his entire staff was just as pleasant and outgoing as you could ask for. They really made us feel at home in the store, and the people who came out for this event made sure we were all welcomed too. As always, there were a lot of kids attending this event. It always makes me feel good to know there are still youngsters interested in comic books, and knowing that I'm helping to corrupt them by doing signings at Free Comic Book Day events is just the icing on the cake (heh, heh).

Besides myself, other NCWCCC members who attended Free Comic Book Day at Hero's Haven included Jamie Robertson, seen here with some joker who appears to be off in his own little world. I can't remember the joker's name, but I have heard he is nothing but trouble, always on thin ice. I hear he may even be getting the boot at  a future meeting.

Jamie on the other hand is the best though, and he was not only one of the co-founders of the Clatch, but he also helped set up the signings at Hero's Haven. When you're done reading this report, check out his website at http://clanofthecats.com

Other Clatch members who came out included Thomas Boatwright and Ursula Vernon. Tom is co-creator of Cemetery Blues and the artist of The Surreal Adventures of Edgar Allan Poo. For more examples of his very fine artwork, check out his site at http://boatwright.deviantart.com Ursula is the creator of Digger, which can be seen online at http://www.graphicsmash.com/comics/digger.php

Here Ursula can be seen with the other co-founder of the Clatch, Larry Holderfield. You can visit Larry's site, the home of Sinister Bedfellows, at http://mckenzee.comicgenesis.com

During the course of Clatch members meeting and greeting the eager comic book fans who turned out to celebrate Free Comic Book Day, a couple of super women showed up to keep us company.

And all was well, even though they did have to team-up on Catgirl Island creator, Mike Moon (who you can visit at http://catgirlisland.net ), at one point. What can I say, some guys have all the luck.

All in all, I couldn't have asked for a more fun way to spend Free Comic Book Day. Again, Mike and his crew went out of their way to make all of us feel welcomed, and I was especially flattered when Mike asked me to sign a Dennis the Menace cartoon to his mom. On a recent visit back to the store, Mike told me she loved the cartoon and that it is framed and hanging in her home now. I have to admit, that made my whole week right there. But then again, a visit to Mike's store is sure to make anyone's week. That is why I encourage everyone in the the Burlington area to stop on by and say "hi" to Mike and his crew. For more information about when they are open and special events at the shop, check them out online at www.heroshaven.com. Also, to find out about other upcoming events featuring the NCWCCC, check out their official website at http://ncwccc.com