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Location: Blogs Atomic FalloutAt the Core |
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| Posted by: Jake Bell |
Saturday, May 05, 2007 2:38 PM |
Atomic Comics' tradition of making Free Comic Book Day the biggest event of the year continues on the North side at both the Phoenix and Paradise Valley locations.
The line to meet Spidey stretches out the door.
 Spider-Man helps a young superhero-to-be with a uniform adjustment. At the Paradise Valley location, hundreds of people lined up to have their pictures taken with Spider-Man while creators like Josh Blaylock, Francisco Herrera, and John Layman met with fans, signed their books, and sketched to raise money for the HERO Initiative. Local talents Raven Gregory and Jonnie Allen also joined in on the fun.
Josh Blaylock, Francisco Herrera, and John Layman chat and draw.
Josh Blaylock sketches Snake-Eyes
Atomic employees do their best to maintain the quarantine.
Meanwhile, visitors at the Phoenix store were greeted by Atomic Comics mascot Nuke, and the store played host to the entire creative team behind the smash-hit sold-out Death Dealer series: Joshua Ortega, Nat Jones, and Jay Fotos.
Nuke braves the heat to meet FCBD customers.
Nat Jones, Jay Fotos, and Joshua Ortega
 Nat Jones sketches Death Dealer for a fan.
Fortunately, Atomic Comics set aside several of the sold-out #1 issues and had several second prints on hand for those who missed out when the book hit stands weeks ago. "We're seeing a lot of people who bought the book and have been looking forward to having it signed, but a lot of new readers are coming through, too, which is always exciting," said Ortega.
Christos Gage has a pleasant smile that brightens a room and makes you feel good about yourself.
"I had one guy who came in and picked up Stormwatch PHD and Union Jack that he had never read before. It's nice to meet some new readers who may not be familiar with your work, and hopefully turn them on to it," agreed writer Christo Gage. Local favorite Tony Parker also shared the table and sketched for fans.
Small child found in back issue bins in near mint condition.
Fans wait for Spidey
The Mesa Superstore was literally bursting at the seams--except, not literally since there were no seams, and even if there were, the crowd within the store would still be safely contained. Spider-Man once again greeted throngs of fans, as hundreds of people waited in a line that wove snake-like through the entire back issue section, and stretched to the new release wall.
Spider-Man's line wraps around the store
Spider-Man poses with kids of all ages.
Skottie Young, Rick Remender, Shannon Denton, Jim Hanna, Marat Mychaels, and Ryan Cody sketched and signed for a steady stream of fans.
"With my new book [Philly] coming out, this was a great chance to show off the book, meet new people, sketch for the fans, and help out HERO," said up-and-coming artst Jim Hanna. 
Ryan Cody, Skottie Young, and Rick Remender.
Finally, our Chandler location, the last stop on Spider-man's schedule, eagerly anticipated the webslinger's arrival. While they waited, fans met with Mike Kunkel, Patrick Scherberger, Madame M, James OWen, and Jeremy Owen, who happily signed and sketched for a healthy line of excited visitors.
Fans line up for sketches from Patrick Sherberger.
Mike Kunkel doodles Herobear and Jake from "My Gym Partner is a Monkey." At last, Spider-man swung in to find a huge crowd, many of whom had just gotten out of a showing of Spider-man 3 at the Harkins Theatre across the concourse. Children of all ages excitedly swarmed him and he happily posed for photos and signed comics.
Chandler's line for Spidey stretches beyond the horizon.
Spider-Man strikes a pose.
"We just got done watching the movie, and finding Spider-man waiting just near the theater door was a huge thrill for my kids," said John Anderson. |
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