Still some great deals to be had...

Our two-day sale event went so well. Thanks to all who came out for it!

Still, even after blowing out tons of comics, graphic novels and other cool , stuff over the last two days, Flying Colors is still stocked with the area's best selection of comics-related stuff.

Two of our unannounced specials --- ones not even listed on our in-store sale menu --- are the rock-bottom prices on a selection of action figures and t-shirts. So I've decided to keep those going for at least another couple of days.

You can score two t-shirts for just $10--- or three action figures for just $9.99, while our special selection lasts.

Also, we still have a select few statues and busts on deep discount, from 35-50% (and a couple at more than that even!)

Please shop Sunday, Monday and Tuesday from 11am-7pm.

Peace 'n' left-over pumpkin pie!

FlyCoJoe

Jeff Smith Event is Saturday Dec 6!

Here's the info on getting a priority signing package for the Jeff Smith event coming to Flying Colors on Saturday December 6.


Please come on in today to get your priority signing package for this exclusive event!

Peace!

FlyCoJoe

Don't Miss These Special Events!

This Saturday is "America Unchained" a campaign from AMIBA (American Independent Business Association), reminding all consumers how important it is to shop at locally owned small businesses.

Independent (read that "non-chain"!) stores are the backbone of our economy. These days, as business is more challenging everywhere, I hope you'll take this Saturday, November 22, to shop and support only independent businesses and leave the chain stores behind for just a day (and then the next day, and the next...)

At Flying Colors, we'll have a FREE something for the first 100 shoppers at our store on Saturday, just to get you into the spirit of "America Unchained".

Also this Saturday November 22 from 10Am-2PM, cartoonist JB Bonivert and I will be at one of my favorite holiday stops, the ever-elegant ORCHARD NURSERY & FLORIST at 4010 Mt. Diablo Blvd in Lafayette.

We'll be giving away comics to kids and we'll also be signing Flying Colors 20th Anniversary Special comic book.

And why you ask, will we be making an appearance at a nursery and florist? Well, Orchard is famous for their display of decorated Christmas trees--- and this year, Orchard Nursery is featuring a comic-book themed tree. Hope to see you there!

Peace!

FlyCoJoe

1980 Tom Beland Sketchbook Surfaces

Earlier today a gentleman named Jeb stopped by Flying Colors ask a few questions about an "art object" he had found.

It's a Tom "True Story Swear To God" Beland sketchbook from 1980. I'm still not 100% sure if Jeb wants to sell this book, or whether this is something that would hold a great deal of sentimental value for Tom Beland.

But it's a cool item, regardless, as it gives us a look into the pre-history of a cartoonist and writer that has only found some acclaim in the last couple of years.

Being that this sketchbook is close to 30 years old, it shows where Tom was as a cartoonist at that time--- aping two of the most popular syndicated cartoonists of that time, Lynn Johnston of "For Better or For Worse" fame and Garry "Doonesbury" Trudeau, listening to Kenny Loggins, Dan Fogelberg and Barry Manilow, while also trying to find his voice and style as a gag writer/cartoonist.



The hardcover, plain brown sketchbook is full of maybe 100 or so pages of one-panel gags, poems and/or song lyrics, and random doodles. I know Tom has done many of these over the years, but this one really looks to me like a "cartoonist origin story", some very early stuff that die-hard fans might love, but that Tom might either miss dearly or seriously cringe if he ever saw it again.

(Hey, Tom! Are you reading this? I know you let this book go at one time, but are you interested in having it back again? Or should Jeb put this on the market and see what he can get for it?)

Comments, anyone?

Peace!

FlyCoJoe

Jeff Smith Event 3 Weeks from Today!

Flying Colors Now Open 11am-7pm Every Day of the Week!

(but we'll still hang in here until 8pm on each and every New Releases' Day... usually Wednesday!)

Stan's Soapbox Benefits Hero Initiative!

Hey, heroes! I want to call attention to this short video featuring Stan "the Man" Lee, promoting the release of "STAN'S SOAPBOX: The Collection", a trade paperback compiling all of Smilin' Stan's editorial pieces from the famed Bullpen Bulletins pages in Marvel Comics from the mid-'60s into the early '80s.

Along with Stan's Soapbox columns, the book features short commentaries from luminaries including Marvel Studios producer Kevin Feige, Marvel Comics' current Editor-In-Chief Jocular Joe Quesada and many others. Pardon me for plugging this, since not only am I still an unabashed Stan Fan, but a short essay I wrote is also included in this (dare I say?) fantastic book.

And this book benefits a terrific cause--- The HERO INITIATIVE, which is dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. HERO creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work.

So check out the vid--- and if you'd like to order a copy of this cool book, shoot me a reply to this blog!

Nil Nisi Optimus!

Pax et Stan Comics!

FlyCoJoe

Flying Colors Unchained!

Saturday November 22 --- that's the Saturday before Thanksgiving--- is "America Unchained", a campaign of the American Independent Business Alliance that calls attention to the importance, vitality and many benefits of supporting locally owned small businesses, rather than mega-sized corporate chains.

AMIBA is a trade association that calls attention to the vital economic impact of small businesses.

A few facts:
* Studies have found that for every $100 spent at a chain store, only $13 circulates back through the local community. But for every $100 spent at a locally-owned small business, $45 circulates back through the community!

* Local businesses contribute to community culture and character (two qualities were full of here at Flying Colors!)

* Locally owned small businesses (like Flying Colors!) give a higher percentage of our business income to support local charities and community organizations.

I hope you'll help your local community by taking one day, Saturday November 22, to get yourself unchained by staying away from all chain stores---and instead, shop only at locally owned small businesses.

Flying Colors will have a small gift for the first 100 people to shop in our store on Saturday November 22. I hope to see you here (before then, after then, but then, too!)!

Peace 'n' Support for Local Biz!

FlyCoJoe