Friday, January 2, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hello to 2009! Maybe it's just my own infectious enthusiasm, but it seems like everyone I talk to is thinking that 2009 is going to be a really great year. We tend to agree; and how could so many of us be wrong?

Just in terms of our little corner of the world, here in your friendly neighborhood comics shop, we've got an enormous year planned. Check out this short list, just off the top of my head:

--Our first Discussion Group of the year will be January 12, and feature the most critically acclaimed book of 2008, BOTTOMLESS BELLY BUTTON.

--The Charlotte Minicon, now in its fourth decade, going on January 17.

--An in-store appearance by acclaimed director George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead) on February 20.

--Free Comic Book Day going on the first Saturday in May (May 2).

--One of the biggest HeroesCon's ever, with a guest list that already includes names like Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, and Jeff Smith: June 19-21.

And that's just the FIRST HALF of the year! Good gravy!

Oh, but while I'm on the subject of the New Year, I thought I'd mention that 29 years ago today, on January 2, 1982, then 27-year old Shelton Drum opened up Heroes Aren't Hard To Find in a tiny, closet-sized location on Central Avenue. Today the store is one of the most well-known in the country, not to mention my employer for give or take the last 12 years. Happy Birthday, Heroes Aren't Hard To Find, and Happy New Year's to all of you!

11 comments:

Shawn Daughhetee said...

Shelton is "takin' it to the streets" Michael McDonald style!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year!

Hey Chris Mason, where are my 2005 documentary DVD's? The search for Chimera Media continues! :-)

Shelton Drum said...

It has been an honor and a pleasure these past several decades to be involved with this wonderful group of friends and colleagues. There are many of you that I have seen weekly, or at least monthly, since I began holding subscription copies for customers way back at the Metrolina Flea Market in the mid-seventies, even before the store, HeroesCon or the Charlotte Mini-Con.

Dusty sometimes has trouble with numbers, but it was Jan. 2, 1980...29 years ago today that I officially opened the retail store; and I was 26. It looks like next New Year's Day will have to be a big one for us, so plan now to hold that day open for some kind of bash.

In the meantime...join me and the rest of the Heroes and cronies for the 32nd annual Charlotte Mini-Con. Yes it was started before the store, by 3 years! It will be held again this year at the Palmer Fire School Building, not quite a mile down 7th Street from the store. It's gonna be a great time!

Thanks for the tremendous support and encouragement along this fantastic journey!

Linda said...

Honey! I had no idea that I was dating one of the Bee Gee's...... Happy Anniversary to Heroes Aren't Hard to Find and you Shelton for your great inspiration, dedication and determination to keep comics pure!!
Love you, Linda

PS. You are my Hero!!!!!!

Rusty Baily said...

He fills the Hero role for LOTS of us Linda! You're with da MAN!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on so much success and reknown, it certainly seems well deserved. I'm very much looking forward to the mini-con and can't wait to see the guest list and start putting together items to have signed and whatnot. Thanks for being such a great host each time I've had the good fortune to attend one of your events!

Andy Mansell said...

Congrats and thanks Shelton--though I am a short-timer in Qcity--i couldn't imagine this city without you and your wonderful store!!

PS-- I haven't seen glasses THAT big since Harry Carey passed on.

Rusty Baily said...

Those are his "Blue Blockers" Andy!!! Stylin and profilin'!

Andy Mansell said...

I had the same glasses and judging by the length of Sheltpn's hair, I am betting there is a largecomb in Shelton's back pocket with the style handle sticking out.

Ho! You can't beat fun at the old Charlotte Mini-con... HOLY COW!!!

Neil said...

Any more news on the Mini-Con? It's comming up in just over a week.

Dustin Harbin said...

Hey "Anonymous", if you can still hear me-- e-mail me privately if you would. My e-mail address is on my profile, if you click it. I'm going to fix this for you.