Flying Colors Comics Video Tour 2025

We hope you enjoy this video! 

Flying Colors Comics
1170 Concord Ave Suite 140
Concord CA 94520 
925-825-5410 

Flying Colors HOLDAY HOURS!

 

Sat Dec 20: Local Artisans Holiday Faire!

Saturday December 20 Noon-3PM
Flying Colors Local Artisans Holiday Faire

Featuring:
* CHUCK TODD, Illustrator
* OZAN BERKE, Puzzled Comics

A cool opportunity to get one of a kind original art gifts for the pop culture lovers in your life!

Sat Dec 13: TMNT with GENE YANG! Substitute Santa!

Saturday December 13 NOON - 2PM
Flying Colors Holiday Doubleheader! 
Be here! 

Coming Soon: Holiday Events at Flying Colors!

DECEMBER 13 NOON-2PM

FlyCo Hall of Fave pro GENE LUEN YANG is taking over the writing of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES. Gene will visit Flying Colors on Saturday December 13 to talk about his first issue and upcoming plans for our half-shelled heroes.

We will also have a selection of Gene's great graphic novels, including award-winners LUNAR NEW YEAR LOVE STORY, BOXERS & SAINTS, AMERICAN BORN CHINESE... and more!

(We'll be adding another fun feature to this event, so be sure to hit the link below to stay in touch)

Our event page is HERE!

 

DECEMBER 20 NOON- 3PM
Flying Colors Local Artisans' Holiday Faire 

We've got great ways for you to SHOP LOCAL and support local artisans.
 

Special Guests:
* CHUCK TODD, Illustrator
Chuck will have original comics art and one-of-a-kind sketch covers available for purchase. Perfect for the comics lovers you want to surprise with something special.  

* OZAN BERKE, PUZZLED COMICS |
Ozan turns real comic covers into handcrafted, laser-cut wooden puzzles!

Each one is unique, made from an actual comic book. Every puzzle uses the original cover as the artwork and comes with the remaining comic as proof of authenticity. Ozan's puzzles combine comic art, craftsmanship, and collectible appeal.

Ready-made puzzles will be available--- and/or you'll also be able to order custom puzzles using any comics purchased from Flying Colors. Show up, pick a comic, and watch it become a puzzle.

Our event page is HERE!

11/8 Event: LEX FAJARDO signing!

 

When: Saturday
November 8, 12PM-2PM

Who: Cartoonist
LEX FAJARDO!

What: Lex will be signing the new FLASH GORDON ADVENTURES and KID BEOWULF at this family friendly event!

Where: Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff
1170 Concord Ave
Suite 140
Concord CA 94520
925-825-5410
Facebook Event page

Sat 10/4 @ Noon: Flying Colors 37th Anniversary!

 

Sat 9/6: Meet Marvel Comics Cover Artist BEN SU!

 

Saturday September 6 from 11AM-1PM 
Marvel Comics Cover Artist BEN SU will be signing his NEW Amazing Spider-Man #11 (Legacy #975) cover featuring the debut of a new symbiote--- SYMBIE!

Flying Colors Upcoming Events!

 

Dan Brereton's NOCTURNALS Event!

Long-time FlyCo Fave artist/storyteller DANIEL BRERETON will make his first appearance at the new Flying Colors Comics Saturday September 13 at Noon. 

That week, the first issue of Dan's new NOCTURNALS: SINISTER PATH series debuts.

We'd love to see you here for a good time with a very cool artist!

More:
Dan Brereton Flying Colors Interview from 2007
Dan and FlyCoJoe Look Back at the Early Days of FLying Colors

Fantastic Four event Saturday July 19

Forty years ago while on staff at KJOY-AM, I initiated a campaign asking Marvel Comics to designate Stockton as the "Official Birthplace of the Fantastic Four."

The campaign was a success. The late great Stan Lee stood on the steps of Stockton's City Hall and delivered an official proclamation. I did a limited run of prints of the proclamation which you can see in the photo here.

During our recent move to our new Concord Ave location, I found the last remaining copies of the Fantastic Four print... over the years I've gotten a lot of requests for them!

So I'm happy to announce we'll have the prints, along with news clippings and the Fantastic Four in Stockton comic book all available for purchase exclusively at Flying Colors starting Saturday July 19.

(Sorry, no mail order available)

Read more HERE!
and HERE!

Flying Colors is an Eisner Award Finalist!

 Happy stuff here!

We’ve been informed that Flying Colors Comics is a FINALIST for the 2025 Will Eisner “Spirit of Comics” Retailing Award! Yowza!

There are several other worthy finalists for this honor. The recipient will be announced at Comic-Con on Friday July 25.

Whatever happens, we’re thrilled to have our comic shop, our FlyCo Retailing Brigade— our very cool comics community— recognized more widely.

Thank you, FlyCo Faithful near and far for your continued support and enthusiasm for Flying Colors.

You make us feel like winners every day!

WonderCon 1996 KTVU Channel 2 feature

Blast from the past!
WonderCon 1996 in Oakland CA!

I recently came across this TV report from KTVU's "On the Money" business news feature program . This report originally aired in early May 1996.  

A report from Tom Vacar featuring Rory Root (Comic Relief, Berkeley CA), Jim Valentino (Image Comics), Joe Field (Flying Colors, Concord CA) and Mario Hernandez (Love & Rockets). As always, buy what you like, buy what's entertaining and you'll never be disappointed. Buy for potential financial gain and you'll never be happy.
Comics are great entertainment for everyone!

Direct link to YouTube video:
https://youtu.be/cyQceoGYCYk

Best Selling Graphic Novels: Mid year Report

 A quick mid-year report:

* The list here features the top-selling graphic novels at Flying Colors from January 1 through June 30, 2025.

Know this: These graphic novels don't wind up on this list unless they are READER RECOMMENDED!

See any of your favorites?

* Our list of best-selling comic book single issues would be totally dominated by the big success of DC Comics' Absolute line as well as Marvel's Ultimate line.

Visit Flying Colors today for great recommendations from our FlyCo Retailing Brigade!

RIP, Jim Shooter

WonderCon, 1995.

In the photo here from right: Jim Shooter, DC editor Julius Schwartz, artists Gil Kane and Dick Ayers and me.

At that time, I had been in the comics’ biz about eight years. The four Hall of Famers with me had more than 170 years combined experience in comics at that point!

So now, with the passing of Jim Shooter, I’m the last one standing.

Honestly, I didn’t really know Jim Shooter. I know he was a complicated person (aren’t we all?). We talked a few times, the first time in early 1986 when Marvel agreed to designate Stockton CA as the “Official Birthplace of the Fantastic Four.”

Jim asked me to shoot a couple rolls of film (!) of Stockton and the surrounding area so that artists working on the Stockton issue could have a sense of what the city looked like.

Problem was, I didnt have a lot of time to take the photos, have them developed and get them to Marvel’s New York office. That meant a bunch of photos of Stockton draped in drab weather and oppressive fog. Oh well.

I recall having a conversation with Jim at San Diego Comic-Con at his Valiant booth. While we were talking, an aspiring comics artist asked Jim to look at his portfolio.

After looking through it, Jim offered some advice, then pulled out an old Jack Kirby Captain America comic book and proceeded to show the young artist the magic of Kirby’s dynamic storytelling. Shooter animatedly acted out the action demonstrating the excitement superhero artists need to put in every panel they draw. I loved being a bystander to that lesson.

Jim started writing for comics when he was just 13 years old… and that fact has likely inspired legions (see what I did there?) of young hopefuls to dream of comics writing careers.

Comics is a career for dreamers.

RIP, Jim Shooter.

Original John Romita art available & a bit of Flying Colors history

 THIS PACKAGE IS NOW SOLD!!

August 1992, the comics world celebrated the 30th anniversary of the first appearance of the Amazing Spider-Man. 

Flying Colors wasn’t quite four years old yet, so we wanted to do something BIG to mark the occasion.

We were fortunate enough to work with Marvel Comics to host Spider-Man’s all-time most popular artist, the late great JOHN ROMITA!

John Romita regaled our FlyCo Faithful with stories, signatures and sketches for hours (and some hours past his scheduled time).

So here we are 33 years later.

The great John Romita passed away (in 2023 at the age of 93). And one fan who attended the Flying Colors event got the two Romita signed original sketches shown here, as well as the signed copy of the super-key issue of Amazing Spider-Man #121. That fan passed away in 2018, leaving these items to his wife.

And she has entrusted them to Flying Colors to find a

new home for these absolutely amazing items.


Our goal is to have one buyer for the package including:
* Amazing Spider-Man #121 signed by John Romita

* Amazing Spider-Man 8x11 original signed John Romita sketch on Flying Colors letterhead

* Spidey villain Lizard 8x11 original signed John Romita sketch on Flying Colors letterhead

* Two John Romita photos from the 1992 signing event.


Visit Flying Colors soon to see these items.

Pricing information is ONLY available in person at Flying Colors.
 

Flying Colors Nominated for Eisner Spirit of Comics Award

We don't know which one of you lovely FlyCo Faithful is responsible for our nomination to receive the 2025 Will Eisner "Spirit of Comics" Retailing Award... but thank you! 

The video here is part of or submission required by the Spirit Awards' committee. Big thanks to FlyCo Retailing Brigadeer Mr Dylan Gray for putting the video together. 

It sounds like a cliche, but we're honestly happy with the nomination. 

Krypto's Golden Biscuit!

SPECIAL DEAL HERE!
Are you feeling lucky?
Will you be the one to find Krypto’s Golden Biscuit?

Find Krypto’s Golden Biscuit and you will attend the World Premiere of director James Gunn's Superman, taking place in Los Angeles! ”Krypto’s Golden Biscuit" will be hidden inside the front cover of DC’s facsimile edition reprint of the 1955 comic book Adventure Comics #210 , which will be available at Flying Colors Comics on June 18!

Pre-order and pre-pay for your copies of Adventure Comics #210 Facsimile Edition in-store only at Flying Colors now until Monday May 26 and you’ll get the special pre-pay price of just $2 (it'll be $3.99 after that).

Written by Otto Binder and drawn by Curt Swan (including art by Ramona Fradon and George Papp), the iconic Adventure Comics #210 Facsimile features Krypto’s first appearance in comics in the story "The Superdog from Krypton," where a young Clark Kent rediscovers Superboy’s best friend in this heartwarming reunion spanning years of time and light-years of space.


To enter without purchase visit KryptoGoldenBiscuit.com

FCBD FlyCo Photos!

 

The 24th annual Free Comic Book Day is now in the history books!

Big thanks all around!

Hit this link for our FCBD photo parade!

Important Free Comic Book Day info!

The 24th Annual Free Comic Book Day is Saturday May 3 at Flying Colors Comics...and many comic shops all over the world!!

All day Saturday from 11AM-7PM we'll be giving away thousands of Special Edition comics for readers of all ages and interests. 

Love comics and read them regularly? 
* You'll find new stuff to discover. Try something new! 

Are you a former comics reader but don't know what's happening now?
* These FREE comics are a great way to come back and explore new stuff!

New to comics? 
* We're going to help you find something you're going to LOVE! 

We have two SPECIAL GUESTS --- writer Alex De Luca and cartoonist Tom Beland---  joining us from 11AM-2PM.

IMPORTANT Free Comic Book Day Info:
The event runs from 11AM-7PM. 

Flying Colors will be giving away thousands of FREE comics all day!

Come as you are or cosplay as your favorite comics character.

CausePlay4Hope and more cosplayers will be here, too. Great photo opps! 

Our official photographer, Oscar Benjamin, will be here from 9AM on taking photos of the fans and the festivities! There may even be a ‘first appearance’ at 10:30AM. 

* Trader Joe’s will be serving refreshments & snacks. 

* Please leave the space in front of Starbuck’s open for easy access for their customers.  

PARKING:

We suggest street parking on Burnett Ave and on the streets off of John Glenn Dr and in the lot behind Ashley Home Store.

Please Note: 

* NO parking at 1200 Concord Ave (T-Mobile building). Cars parked there may be towed.

* Please do not use parking spaces directly in front of Trader Joe’s to allow the shoppers easier access to shop there.
 

Thank you for your cooperation.

Free Comic Book Day Guests!

Signing on Free Comic Book Day, May 3 from 11AM-2PM.

Alex De Luca is the creator and writer of the forthcoming horror graphic novel Enigmatown, previewed in the special edition FCBD 2025 Red 5 Comics Adventures. Alex’s work has been seen in comics for Red 5 Comics, 10 Ton Press, Antarctic Press, AC Comics, and Pilot Studios...and more!

 

Alex is also active as a guitarist in Rush tribute bands… and you may just want to ask him about being the official cartoon voice of the great Geddy Lee of Rush. 

 

 

 

Signing/sketching on Free Comic Book Day, May 3 from 11AM-2PM

Tom Beland rose to fame with his independent autobiographical series True Story Swear to God. Also check out his Chicacabra!

 

Tom has done work for Marvel Comics (Spider-Man, Fantastic Four) and has an original feature page in Flying Colors 30th Anniversary Special.

 

 

Mon 4/21 @ 5PM: Rosenberg & Boss Double-header

A signing on a Monday afternoon?

Maybe we're crazy to try this, but we're grateful for the opportunity to host writers Matt Rosenberg (We're Taking Everyone Down With Us) and Tyler Boss (You'll Do Bad Things) for making the time to visit Flying Colors on their whirlwind tour of comic shops. 

Join us to see their new Image Comics, get the comics signed and join the discussion of how we're all going to take the comics' world to greater heights! 

Wed 4/16: Ben Ferrari's SON CHASERS debut

Next up!

Ben Ferrari will be at Flying Colors at the start of our next new Releases Day on Wednesday April 16 from 11AM-1PM to debut his new one-shot special SON CHASERS!

We hope you’ll join us. Event page HERE!

JIM LEE Signing Event Tips!

JIM LEE Event

Important Reminders for Event Ticket Holders!

1) PARKING! When you arrive, as a courtesy to Trader Joe's shoppers and others in Heritage Square, please use the ground-level parking lot on Burnett Ave behind the Ashley Home Store.

2) EARLY START TIME!
The signing is scheduled for 11AM-1PM, but we'll try to get an early start at around 10AM.

3) For those who are members of the Flying Colors Hero Society, please get here by 9:30AM. General Admission ticket holders, please arrive by 10:30.

4)Remember to BRING THE YELLOW TICKET you got when you purchased your event ticket. That's your ticket to get the signatures. We cannot be responsible for lost ticket.

5) Please line up in order by the number on your ticket.  

6) Bring your copy of BATMAN 158 (main cover). That will be signed by Jim Lee. You can also bring as many as four other flat items, no larger than 11"x17" for Jim to sign. (If you forget to bring you copy of BATMAN 158, you will be limited to four other signatures).  

7) Sorry, but there will be no personal photos with Jim. We will have a professional photographer on hand. We will post event photos online soon after the event.

8) Please have all five of your items to be signed OUT OF THE BAGS & BOARDS as you approach Jim to get them signed.

 

9) Once your items are signed, please keep moving so we can get everyone through the line in the limited time we have.

Also, please consider bringing a bottle of water for the wait in line. Once we get going, we will do our best to move the line quickly.

Thank you, FlyCo Faithful!

Jim Lee event updates

UPDATES:

* Jim Lee signing event tickets are STILL AVAILABLE!
* Tickets are only available in store at Flying Colors!

Tickets will surely sell out before the event day, so get in here soon!

Flying Colors is open
Wed-Sat 11AM-7PM
Sun-Tue 11AM-6PM

Additional Info:

* Bring your copy of BATMAN 158 to get it signed.

* In addition, you can get four additional items signed. If you don't bring in your copy of BATMAN 158, then you will only be allowed the four total signatures.
* Items can be no larger than 11x17.

* Items must be FLAT. If you choose to bring an action figure or Funko box, the boxes must be flattened with no figure inside.

All of these rules are in place to ensure things move smoothly and that everyone will be able to get through the line in the limited time we have.

Also, please watch Flying Colors social media (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter and this blog) for updated info.


Tickets will surely sell out before the event day, so get in here soon!
Flying Colors is open Wed-Sat 11AM-7PM & Sun-Tue 11AM-6PM

Late shipments this week

Please note: 

Many comics schedule for release on Wednesday April 2 will be late. Unfortunately, this week shipments have NOT shown up yet from two out of three of our comic distributors.

We will have some new comics on Wednesday, as usual, but it won’t be til Thursday until we have ALL of this week’s New Releases. Thanks for your patience!

JIM LEE Event & Ticket Information

JIM LEE SIGNING EVENT & TICKET INFO

Who: Superstar Artist & DC Publisher JIM LEE!

What: Signing event to celebrate the release of the Batman "H2SH" story
Where: Flying Colors Comics, 1170 Concord Ave Suite 140, Concord CA
When: Saturday April 12 11AM-1PM

Due to the extremely limited time Jim Lee will be here, his signing appearance at Flying Colors is a limited ticketed event.  

To secure your ticket for the Jim Lee event:

* Starting Wednesday March 26 at 11AM, tickets will be available for a limited time to our Flying Colors Hero Society members for the member price of $50. Strict limit of ONE ticket per Hero Society member. (Please note: Hero Society memberships purchased after March 1 2025 are NOT eligible.)  

What's included:

* Ticket package will include a copy of BATMAN #158 (main cover), available with your ticket purchase. Also included in the ticket price, you'll receive copies of BATMAN #159-163 (main cover) to complete the H2SH storyline, as they are published and available for in-store pickup only at Flying Colors.

* Your ticket will include Jim Lee's signature on BATMAN #158, plus four additional signatures (flat items only) at the signing event.

* Tickets for the Jim Lee event will ONLY be sold in-store, not online or by phone.

Important Notes You Need to Know!
* If available, additional tickets for those not enrolled in Flying Colors Hero Society will go on sale Monday March 31 for $75 each with a strict limit of one.

Please Note:

1) Event tickets are not refundable, exchangeable or transferable. Lost tickets cannot be replaced. NO exceptions.

2) Tickets will be numbered. At the event, please line up in order of your ticket number.

 

3) On Saturday April 12, we ask all attendees to use the parking lot at 1200 Concord Avenue (with the T-Mobile high-rise office building), across John Glenn Drive from Flying Colors in Heritage Square.

4) There will be NO "meet and greet" photos. We will have a professional photographer here taking photos of the event.