Free Comic Book Day 2009

This Saturday, it is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY and guess who rules?


I strongly encourage everyone to visit his/her LCS and pick up some free books, look around the store, and buy some more. I'll be spending most of my day at Galactic Quest in Lawrenceville. Though I will be dashing out in the late afternoon to catch the most exciting two minutes in sports.

I would also like to help promote a FREE offer you can take advantage of without even leaving the house!

Even in the depths of the Great Recession, the best things in life are free! Mark your calendars for this Saturday, May 2: Free Comic Book Day. Send us an e-mail ON THAT DATE with your mailing address, and we’ll send you a FREE issue of Hogan's Alley! No obligations, no strings attached; the only thing it will cost you is several hours as you enjoy the issue. (This offer is valid for all U.S. residents, whether you’re a current subscriber or not.) Remember the one condition—we must receive your e-mail request on Free Comic Book Day (May 2), not the day before or the day after. (Before and after that date, any
requests for freebies will receive only scorn and derision.) The email address is hoganmag@gmail.com.

Hogan’s Alley is a great magazine devoted to the art of comics and cartoons (and I'm not just saying that because I'm scheduled to have an article in the next issue). For the price of a virtual stamp, you can check it for yourself!

Sunday Funnies

Friday Night Videos

Sunday Funnies

Who better to feature on today's Sunday Funnies than two of the funniest people I know? A few years ago, two college friends of mine decided to take a stand-up comedy workshop and the results were put up on YouTube. Feel free to laugh with them, or at them...




Trust me, both are even funnier after a few beers. My hats off to both for doing this workshop and performing in front of an audience.

Happy Anniversary Detective Comics #27!

On April 18, 1939, Detective Comics #27 hit the stands and introduced the world to a crime fighter that would become one of the most popular icons in the world. A character that would appear in radio dramas, cartoons, books and movies - in fact his most recent foray into film is the second highest grossing movie of all-time. Though there have been some changes over the years, he is much the same character as when he made his debut. I have been a fan of his my entire life and eagerly followed his adventures throughout the years. I am not at all ashamed to name him as a role model. Of course, I am referring to the one and only...Commissioner Gordon!

Happy 70th Birthday Jim!
Oh, and another character who made his first appearance in that same strip published in Detective Comics #27 also managed to survive the years. A young socialite friend of Gordon's, who Jim referred to as a "nice young chap, but he certainly must lead a boring life" - Bruce Wayne, aka Batman.

To read the very first Commissioner Gordon and Batman story, check out Batman Chronicles Vol. 1, available at fine stores everywhere. And for more information of the early years of everything Bat-related, I strongly recommend reading Bill Jourdain's Golden Age of Comics blog and his articles on the "Year of the Bat":

Year of the Bat Part 1
Year of the Bat Part 2
Year of the Bat Part 3
Year of the Bat 70 Years Old Today!
Comic Geek Speak Podcast - Golden Age of Batman

Friday Night Videos

I am a child of the '80's and one show I watched religiously was Friday Night Videos. So I'm bringing it back, blog-style! Every Friday, I'll post some videos of interest. They won't all be music. In fact, I'll use this space to spotlight a recent CBT, movie trailer, or any other cool clip that tickles my fancy. So without any further ado....





Public Enemies - Trailer 2

And last by certainly not least, I know this clip is everywhere online, but if you have not yet heard Susan Boyle, I recommend doing so. I was not having the best of weeks, but this singer and her story sure lifted my spirits.