Comic Book Resources

Put your money where your comics are (or something like that)

It's Storm, but in wallet form

Now that we've officially turned the corner on Halloween, it's time to start thinking about holiday shopping. No, don't make that face, I'm being serious.

And if you're shopping for that special comic book aficionado in your life and not sure what to get them, why not consider a wallet? More precise, a Comic Wallet. Albert Doan, of Calgary, Canada, turns old (and some new) comic books and turns them into laminated, reinforced wallet, which he then sells on his site for about $20-$30 a pop. He's even got a series of Blackest Night wallets available, if you just can't get enough DC zombies. He also handles special requests, so if you've been anxiously craving to certain sequences from say, Faust, folded up and stuffed in your back pocket, now's your chance. Myself, I'm holding out for a Little Lulu set.

Apparently chicks dig the suit, too

Replica Dark Knight Motorcycle Suit

Universal Designs has released more information and few more promo images for the replica Dark Knight Motorcycle Suit that Larry Young linked to a few months back. According to the press release, the suit includes "a full-leather jacket that includes lightweight interior lining, as well as molded-leather and Kevlar armor sections; pants that include heavy-duty, four-way stretch Spandex inserts and CE-approved armor; authentic gloves and boots that replicate the amazing on-screen design."

They only plan to create 1,000 of them, and they cost $998. You can order one -- and check out all their Dark Knight-themed merchandise -- here. It's pricey, but takes cosplay to a whole other level. More promo images and a video of the suit can be found after the jump.

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More Lantern Corps rings on the way

Black Lantern ring

Remember those Black Lantern rings that DC Comics offered to retailers to help promote the comic? If you missed yours, or if you had misgivings about supporting the bad guys, you're in luck. DC is going to create rings based on all of the other colors of the various Lantern Corps., so you'll have the opportunity to show your support for Sinestro and his the devious Yellow Lanterns, Saint Walker and his boys in blue, or even the mysterious Indigo tribe.

Show your true colors, or sell them on eBay ... your choice.

Here are the details on how retailers can get a hold of the rings, per DC's Direct Channels email to retailers ... each bag of rings costs $8:

• For every 25 copies of Doom Patrol #4 ordered by the order increase cut-off date, retailers may order one bag of 50 yellow promotional rings, scheduled to arrive in stores Nov. 4.
• For every 25 copies of Booster Gold #26 ordered by the order increase cut-off date, retailers may order one bag of 50 orange promotional rings, scheduled to arrive in stores Nov. 18.
• For every 50 copies of Justice League of America #39 ordered by the order increase cut-off date, retailers may order one bag of 50 red promotional rings, scheduled to arrive in stores on Dec. 2.
• For every 50 copies of Blackest Night #5 ordered by the order increase cut-off date, retailers may order one bag of 50 green promotional rings, scheduled to arrive in stores on Dec. 16.
• For every 50 copies of Adventure Comics #4 ordered by the order increase cut-off date, retailers may order one bag of 50 blue promotional rings, scheduled to arrive in stores Dec. 30.
• For every 25 copies of R.E.B.E.L.S #10 ordered by the order increase cut-off date, retailers may order one bag of 50 Indigo promotional rings, scheduled to arrive in stores Jan. 13.

Straight for the art | Minty fresh James Jean art

Coming soon from Giant Robot are three different packages of mints designed by artist James Jean. Check out the other two designs by following the link.

Via Super Punch

Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to Kung Pao Chicken.

Kotobukiya

Now here's an idea that's a long time in the making. Next year Kotobukiya will release “Chop Sabers" -- a mash-up of Star Wars lightsabers and chopsticks. They come in three varieties: Darth Vader red, Luke Skywalker blue and a smaller Yoda green for the kids.

Although the chop sabers won't be out until 2010, if you're going to San Diego next week you can not only check them out, but also participate in Chop Saber Duels. "Fans will get a chance to test their Chopstick skills by competing against members of the 501st Legion to see who really is the 'Chop Saber Jedi,'" reads their website. "These tests of dexterity will result in the winners (Jedis) taking home a prize!"

Kotobukiya's booth is #2601. Start practicing now.

SDCC '09 | NBM, Disney and more

The 2009 San Diego Comic-Con kicks off in two weeks. If you are a publisher, creator, retailer or any other kind of exhibitor who would like to let folks know about any special plans you have for the show (panels, signing schedules, exclusives, debuts, etc.) drop me an email and I'll run it here.

Registered Weapon

Webcomics | Gardner Linn, one of the creators behind Registered Weapon, sent word that the first print collection of "the webcomic about a crime-fighting robot who used to be a cash register" will premiere at San Diego, "guerrilla style."

"Booths will soon be an outmoded concept in the every-man-for-himself comics industry of the future (just like paper and paying for things), so writers Gardner Linn and Chris Thorn will be hitting the show guerrilla-style, passing out copies to anybody who wants one (and even more people who don't)," he writes. "And keep coming back to http://registered-weapon.com for more info as the con approaches, and new comics four times a week."

BTW, I really dig this webcomic; go check it out if you're looking for off-the-wall laughs.

Comics | NBM has released their booth signing schedule, which includes appearances by Lewis Trondheim, Neil Kleid, Rick Geary and more. Kleid's new book, The Big Kahn, will debut at the show.

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For the Steve Rogers fan who has everything (except a bloody T-shirt)

"Captain America: Reborn" T-shirt

What better way is there to celebrate the return of Steve Rogers in July's Captain America: Reborn than with a T-shirt ... splattered with red ink ... that, um, evokes the character's supposed assassination more than two years ago?

But hey! Look at that John Cassaday art! (And the blood. My lord, the blood.)  The $18 shirt -- a "Dads & Grads" gift idea -- is available exclusively from the Official Marvel Shop.

(via IESB)

Just Past the Horizon: This is not an auspicious start.

Women's Wear Daily published an article last week about Marvel's new line of women's apparel and cosmetics that featured this image:

Admittedly, the image itself is cute.

The shirt itself doesn't harm anything by existing. I don't object to it any more than I'd object to seeing a T-shirt featuring Jenny Sparks, the Engineer, and Swift that says "I love to see women in Authority." It's a cute idea. I do have serious problems with it being alone in that article. Well, not alone. It's on display with some heart pendants featuring Spider-man/Gwen Stacy and Spider-Man/Green Goblin (which I predict will be a surprisingly good seller) and lip gloss tubes featuring unrecognizable characters kissing. And that begs the question... Where are the female superheroes in this superhero merchandise aimed at female people?
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