Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Our newest member of the FlyCo Hall of Fave!

Our newest inductee into the FlyCo Hall of Fave is Jeff Bonivert!  (TMNT, Atomic Man, Fun Boys, Captain Four-Color)!!
We’ve long been fans of Jeff’s singular style, his heart & humor he pours into every panel he creates.

Jeff's long career in comics started in 1977 with the publication of his Edgar Allan Poe "Raven" adaptation in Star* Reach Presents. Since then, he's worked on his own creation, including Atomic Man and Fun Boys. He's also done  72 page graphic novel featuring Casey Jones and the Teemage Mitant Ninja Turtles which you can read right here on FlyingColorsComics.com.

On top of all that, Jeff is also the co-creator of Flying Colors' own super-hero mascot... Captain Four-Color)!! Jeff’s been a long-time supporter of what we do here at Flying Colors, so it’s our pleasure to induct him into our FlyCo Hall of Fave!

Here's a quick video of Jeff's induction into the
FlyCo Hall of Fave!


Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Snoopy: A Beagle of Mars Launch Event!

Happy dance time!

Join us at Flying Colors on Saturday December 14 from 11AM-2PM for this Launch Event celebrating the release of the "Snoopy: A Beagle of Mars" Original Graphic Novel!

This event will feature artists from the Charles M. Schulz Studio. Bios and photos are posted on our Facebook events' page HERE!

A signed copy will make a very cool gift for Peanuts & Snoopy fans of All Ages!

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

2020 Calendar/Poster Debut!

Wednesday December 11 @ 11AM

Get your FREE Flying Colors 2020 calendar/ poster & get it signed by Jeff Bonivert, the cartoonist & designer who put it all together!
 

It's also our weekly New Releases Day, a great time to visit. 

We'll have a fresh slate of New Comics, Graphic Novels and other Cool Stuff for you, too!

Monday, November 11, 2019

Book Recommendations

Recommendations for two recently published books.

The first, "Unopened Doors" by Gina DePaulo, is a memoir of her harrowing experience surviving a serial killer. Years ago, in doing research for her book, Gina contacted me to talk about my dearly departed sweet sister Maureen who died at the hands of a serial killer in November 1972.

As Gina was trying to piece together memories of the time in the late '60s when she was abducted and lived to tell the tale, she thought it might be possible that the person who killed Maureen was the same one she dealt with. While that didn't turn out to be the case, the information I was able to give Gina, and the insight I gave her into the beautiful person Maureen was do play a pivotal role in Gina's story. 


I really tip my cap to Gina for her raw honesty in telling her tale of family dysfunction, strength and finally survival. It's Gina's story of finding her way and getting to the truth of her life. "Unopened Doors" is a compelling read and one I'm proud to say in which I played a small role.


David Danforth's "Chameleon" is a fun superhero tale... a breezy read with characters that will feel comfortable to long-time comics fans and any reader just craving a page-turner. There's even an "FC" comic shop in the book, run by a dispenser of wisdom... and it's not me!

Libby and I were so very touched when David presented us a copy of his book... and lo and behold, he dedicated this tome to the both of us!

Now here's the sticky part: Anyone who knows me knows I don't post links to The Evil Empire... you know, the place named after a big river. But that's likely the place you'll be able to find these books...or maybe you can contact the authors directly on social media?

Sunday, November 03, 2019

Hey, look! Flying Colors Canvas Book Bags!























NEW! Flying Colors canvas book bags emblazoned with the symbol of Captain Four Color, sworn protector of comic books and all those who love them! Available now, exclusively at Flying Colors Comics!

Friday, November 01, 2019

"This looks like a job for..."

Accepting Resumés for Potential Staff Openings 


Flying Colors is accepting resumés for potential staff openings to augment our current awesome Flying Colors Retailing Brigade.We’re looking for someone (or someones) with professional presentation, a drive to succeed, a knack for learning quickly, and some knowledge about comics to be shared with readers of all ages and interests. 
Full-time and part-time positions are potentially available. Our open hours are 11AM-7PM (11-8 every Wednesday) and it’s necessary to be available for full day work shifts.

Interested?
Deliver your resume in person to Flying Colors. Include a cover letter with your resumé detailing your unique skills, why you believe you can be an asset to Flying Colors and why you want to be considered for a position here. Include your hours of availability for each day either on the resume or in your cover letter. Please note: those interviewed will be required to take a short writing and math test.

Please note:
* If you have previously dropped off a resume, please do so again

* Emailed and mailed resumes will not be considered.  Bring your resumé to Flying Colors Comics during our regular open hours of 11am-7pm.

* Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff is recognized as one of the leading comic shops in the world. A special set of skills and personal presentation is necessary to win this staff position.

After a successful probationary training period, benefits can include medical insurance, staff discounts, inclusion in our Simplified Employee Pension (IRA) program… and maybe even a place in Comics History!   





Thursday, October 17, 2019

31st Anniversary Specials!

Our 31st anniversary specials continue through Wed Oct 23.

Buy any graphic novel of $12.99 or more and get a FREE Baskin Robbins ice cream cone!

Try a “different flavor!” from cool publishers like Image, First Second Books, Dark Horse Comics, Fantagraphics Books, & more!
This offer does NOT include Marvel or DC.
Limit One per person.


* Save a few bucks by prepaying for Gene Luen Yang's Superman Smashes the Klan 3-issue series, now through 10/23/19.
Reg $24, w/ this deal just $19.99.

We've Got
Your Cool Stuff
Right Here in Flying Colors...
and right next door at Baskin Robbins, too!



Monday, October 14, 2019

Cool Deals for Our 31st Anniversary

Be here Wednesday October 16 at 5PM for our signing event with Gene Yang for the release of his new DC Comics' miniseries SUPERMAN SMASHES THE KLAN!

We're also celebrating our 31st Anniversary of serving you the best in Comics & Other Cool Stuff here at Flying Colors! 

With that, we have a couple of cool deals, one in conjunction with our next door neighbors at Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors. These are for a limited time only, so get in here soon!

Info here:
https://conta.cc/2BekD4p

Monday, October 07, 2019

Wed Oct 16: Gene Luen Yang at Flying Colors!

Award winning writer/cartoonist Gene Luen Yang returns to Flying Colors to debut Superman Smashed the Klan.

The background:
Throughout the summer of 1946, on the Adventures of Superman radio show, the Man of Steel dealt with the Clan of the Fiery Cross, with the fictional bigots standing in for the real-world Ku Klux Klan.

Debuting October 16, 2019, Superman is going to return to the fight with Superman Smashes the Klan, a three-part serial by American Born Chinese author and MacArthur Fellowship recipient Gene Luen Yang adapting and updating the famous radio storyline for a contemporary comic book audience.

READ MORE HERE

Flying Colors Facebook Event Page


Watch Gene Luen Yang's TED Talk




Saturday, October 05, 2019

Watch this! Jack Katz in conversation with Liam Sharp and FlyCoJoe

A very cool part of FlyCo Mini Indie-Con 2019 was having Jack Katz as our Special Guest.

Jack's first comics' work was published in 1943... meaning he's been at this comics' thing for more than 75 years! Along with that experience comes a healthy dose of wisdom and pointed opinions.

In the first part of this wide-ranging interview,  Jack Katz talks with artist Liam Sharp and FlyCoJoe about the interior life of being an artist. He shares advice for aspiring cartoonists, including this poignant gem: ""Honor the creative tide within you."




In the final part of our talk with Jack Katz, he tells a few stories of some of the great artists he has worked with over the last 75 years. Alex Raymond, Hal Foster, Jack Kirby, Will Eisner, Stan Lee...
Watch this!

Monday, September 23, 2019

Wed Sep 25 is National Comic Book Day























Like it says above, National Comic Book Day is a pseudo-holiday. It's been on some calendars for more more than 40 years, but not many know what it is or whether anyone needs to care about it.

Back in 2017, I posted a thread on Twitter about National Comic Book Day. You can read that thread HERE!
In 2019, National Comic Book Day also falls on our weekly New Comic Book Day (#NCBD).
Isn't a great invitation to visit Flying Colors? 
In addition to dozens of new comics being released Wed Sep 25, Flying Colors will have something else new. Join us for this little surprise.

Monday, September 02, 2019

Sat Sept 7: FlyCo Mini Indie-Con!


Flying Colors hosts the 5th annual FlyCo Mini Indie-Con Saturday September 7 from 11AM-4PM.
Check out this fantastic guest list!

Jack Katz is a living legend of comics! His first comics work was in 1943 and he's worked for many of the big publishers in the Golden and Silver Ages of Comics. Since the 1980s, Jack has worked on his own graphic narratives, including the long-form First Kingdom and soon to be published "Beyond the Beyond."

Jack will be on hand from 2PM-4PM... then we invite you to stick around for a special interview with Jack Katz conducted by artist Liam Sharp hosted by FlyCoJoe.

From 11AM-4PM, we invite you to visit Flying Colors and check out the great work done by our local indie cartoonists.
* Jeff Bonivert (TMNT, Flying Colors Anniversary Specials, Fun Boys, Atomic Man)
* Sarah Leuver (Teen Titans GO!, DC Super-hero Girls, Red & Rover)
* Ben Ferrari (Pilot Studios)
* Robert Stewart (Afterburner: Tales of the Wicked & the Cool)
* Matt Harding (Pop Apocalypse, Madefire, Not Forgotten)
* Mel Smith (Rock n Roll Biographies, WildCard Ink)

Be sure to visit our Facebook event page for info about each of these cool cartoonists!















Thursday, August 29, 2019

Monday, August 19, 2019

You Are Invited! Marvel 80th Birthday Event at Flying Colors!

What:
Marvel Comics 80th Anniversary
& the release of MARVEL COMICS #1000.

Who:
Special Guest artist
ERIK LARSEN
(Savage Dragon, Spider-Man,
Marvel Comics #1000)
Signing from 12 Noon- 3PM

When:
Saturday August 31

Where:
Flying Colors Comics! 
2980 Treat Blvd
Concord CA 94518
925-825-5410

Why:
Celebrating the rich history of
Marvel Comics!
This 80th anniversary party coincides with the release of Marvel Comics #1000, a special edition comic featuring top talent on all 80 pages, including our special guest for this event, Erik Larsen! 

Pre-purchase Marvel Comics #1000 Main Cover at Flying Colors--- Get a Priority Line Pass for the Erik Larsen signing on August 31 at 12 Noon. There will be cake!
Visit Flying Colors Facebook page for updated info!



Saturday, August 17, 2019

Sat Sept 7 is FlyCo Mini Indie-Con!
























FlyCo Mini Indie-Con is family-friendly event spotlighting local and independent artists showcasing their comics, books and art.
Expand Your Comics Vision
at FlyCo Mini Indie-Con!

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Visit Flying Colors Comics this week!
And please invite your pals to join you! Comics are even better when shared!

Click here for what's New This Week! 


Saturday, July 27, 2019

Summer Signing with TV writer Darin Henry!

Our Summer Signing series continues at Flying Colors Wed July 31 at 11AM with TV writer and Sitcomics publisher Darin Henry!

Darin Henry is an Emmy-nominated writer/producer. He's written for television sitcoms including Seinfeld, Futurama and The Ellen Show. Darin spent three years living in London where he served as writer and co-executive producer on the hit BBC1 sitcom My Family. More recently, Henry wrote and executive produced the popular Disney sitcom, KC Undercover starring Zendaya (you know her as MJ in the recent Spider-Man movies) and developed a pair of sitcoms for Netflix.

Darin's comic book company, Sitcomics, gives popular comic book genres a sitcom twist in a unique 64 page format called a Binge Book... for just $3.99 each.

Sitcomics currently has six ongoing series featuring talented veteran artists including Ron Frenz (Spider-Man), Sal Buscema (Hulk), Al Milgrom (Avengers), Jeff Shultz (Betty & Veronica), Craig Rousseau (Batman Beyond), Tom Richmond (MAD Magazine), Corin Howell (Dark Red) and many more. Henry resides in Santa Monica, California with his actor/producer/director wife Ursula Burton (The Office, Hart of Dixie) and their two adorable children.

Our event page is HERE!



Thursday, June 06, 2019

Awesome Summer Events at Flying Colors!

Please join us at Flying Colors Comics for two Special Events!
Saturday June 29 from 4PM-6PM with Usagi Yojimbo artist/creator  STAN SAKAI!
Wednesday July 10 from 11AM-1PM with Green Lantern artist LIAM SHARP!

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

a Quote & an Invitation

"One of the best cures for a reluctant reader, after all, is a tale they cannot stop themselves from reading." --- Neil Gaiman

Please accept our invitation to visit Flying Colors Comics soon!

Monday, May 13, 2019

Dan Fraga's THE GRAVE: An Interview & an Exclusive Offer!


Dan Fraga's THE GRAVE
Flying Colors Comics is pleased to be working with artist Dan Fraga on an Exclusive Signed Bookplate Edition of his forthcoming graphic novel THE GRAVE from IDW Publishing.

Exclusive signed bookplate editions of THE GRAVE (still at cover price!) are available to preorder order now! Ordering info is below.

OFFER EXTENDED!
The release date for The Grave by Dan  Fraga has been pushed back to early June. So the new deadline to preorder your signed copy is Saturday May 18.


For ordering info, please email coolstuff@flyingcolorscomics.com.

Copies can be reserved and picked up in-store at Flying Colors (THE GRAVE releases in June).

Please note: Mail order copies are available at cover price plus shipping.


As a Contra Costa native now living outside of Atlanta, we wanted to catch up with Dan Fraga to look back at his formative days with comics and to talk about his career now.

FlyCoJoe: Dan, thanks for taking the time to talk bit about your career and your new graphic novel THE GRAVE. It seems your art career really started with a love of comic books. How did you get into comics when you were a kid?

Dan: My interest in comics started like most kids. I got my first comics as a 7 year-old at garage sales, then later at convenience stores. It wasn't until this time at the local Quick Mart that I picked up a copy of The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe # 5 off of the spinner rack and saw that heroes and villains had first appearances.

I asked the clerk if he had a certain issue in the back because I wanted the first appearance of a character. He explained to me the comics were dropped off and picked up every couple of weeks. Then another customer told me about Comic Shops. I had no idea at that point that there were such a thing as comic shops. Of course I had to go!


FlyCoJoe: Growing up here in Contra Costa County, there were other comic shops here when you were first diving into comics. What do you remember about those shops?

Image from Dan Fraga's THE GRAVE
The first shop I'd ever been to was a shop called The Land of Nevawuz. It was in Pleasant Hill near Pacheco situated next to an arcade and a movie theater. I was blown away at first because I'd never seen a comic shop before. I remember putting Amazing Spider-Man #121 on lay-away and mowing lawns for weeks to purchase it. That shop was all about selling high ticket items and less about the culture of comics.

I eventually found Flying Colors and needless to say, the environment and vibe was much different. For starters, you had an incredible stock of trades, art books, back issues and other memorabilia. The one thing that struck me like a bolt of lightning was your bulletin board where you'd let artists post their work. I fell in love with your shop instantly, as I could see there was real love for the culture as a whole.



FlyCoJoe: I met you first when you were 15 years old in 1989 and you were doing the Comic Talk program for local cable TV. I want to thank you again for shooting the earliest video inside Flying Colors. I laugh now when I look at that video, because there we were-- in a super fun place---and we were both so deadly serious. Why so serious?

Dan: Ha! Yeah, I recall wanting to be taken as a serious journalist! Back then, and even now, when I embrace something, I go all in.



FlyCoJoe: I noticed right from the start you were eager to learn everything you could about comics, comic art and the business of comics. How do you think that helped you back then?

Dan: Honestly, when there's something I'm passionate about, I can't help myself but to be eager and have a voracious appetite for all things involved in whatever it is that I'm into. I think that it's helped me immensely.

That voracity kind of put blinders on me and I went after things full force and without fear. It's how I was able to just walk up to Jack Kirby and ask for his phone number... or to cold call Rob Liefeld on a weekly basis. All when I was just a kid!
Image from Dan Fraga's THE GRAVE

FlyCoJoe: As a comics creator, how important are comic shops to the work you do?

Dan: Comic shops are very important! It's the only place you can actually hold the books and have discussions with like-minded people in person. I find comic shops to be invaluable. 



FlyCoJoe: You were there in the early days of Image Comics. How crazy was it to be a part of that?


Dan: Being part of Image in the early days was absolutely nuts. I met Rob Liefeld when I was 16. I had met Todd McFarlane a few months prior... same with Erik Larsen and Jim Lee. But I talked with Rob on a regular basis. I basically sent him my artwork via fax anytime I'd draw something new.

Eventually, he'd tell me of his plans to start a company with Erik and Todd. That later became Image. My first visit to Extreme was February 1992. The day after I arrived was the day CNN came to the studio to do a news feature on the newly formed Image comics!

There I was with the pantheon of comics' greats... watching history happen in real time. Later after the news crew left, we all went to get Chinese food. I remember sitting there with Marat Mychaels and the seven Image founders and thinking "How the heck am I even sitting here?" It was literally a dream come true.



FlyCoJoe: Since your early days at Image, you have taken your art into other media. How did your experience in comics help you when you were an animation director?

Dan: The last full comic I had on stands was August 2002 Black Panther #50. I left comics to pursue work in the entertainment business.

I found that working in comics prepared me in a few ways. For one, having a sense of storytelling was essential, and for another, dealing with deadlines and production teams was also an asset. I started off storyboarding commercials, then later features like Transporter 2 and The Fighter. Later around 2010 I started directing on The Ricky Gervais Show, then I moved over to Mattel to help direct Monster High, Max Steel, and Hot Wheels.
-->
Now, I work on the Doom Patrol TV show as their storyboard artist. I found that my experiences in comics have been very useful, almost in a Swiss army knife sort of way. My skills, like drawing, storytelling, time management, and teamwork were all forged in comics. Those have all been used in the work I do now.


FlyCoJoe: What current projects are you working on?
Dan: Currently I'm back at drawing storyboards. I'm the regular board artist on Legacies for the CW, Doom Patrol for DC Universe, American Saga for Hulu, and Tales for BET. I also storyboard music videos for Taylor Swift, and recently drew the Nacho Fries campaign for Taco Bell.

FlyCoJoe:That brings us to THE GRAVE. It's an unusual project for any comics artist because you drew it one panel a day for an entire year. What led you to work this way?

Dan: I worked that way out of pure necessity. I was working a full time job, I had a three-hour commute... and a wife and three kids at home. The story had to be told and I needed to tell it.

I found a book called The War of Art by Steven Pressfield in which he talks about having no regrets creatively. That we must create, that we shouldn't wait for giant blocks of time, but use the time we do have to make our projects happen. I knew I could manage a panel a day, so that's what I did.

FlyCoJoe: How does the story in THE GRAVE circle back to your own coming of age years? 

Dan: There are a lot of real-life tidbits in THE GRAVE. There are conversations and events that managed their way into the story. I based a lot of the locations on places in Martinez. I used to get my comics at a corner store called Case's where the boys in the story get theirs... etc. I remember going from junior high to high school being a major step at the time for me. THE GRAVE is a story about the transitions we go through in life and making an effort to live life to its fullest... without regrets.

FlyCoJoe: Did I see something about you returning to Black Flag which you created for Image 25 years ago? What can you tell us about this and any other projects you have coming up?

Image from Dan Fraga's THE GRAVE
Dan: In my free time, I've been working on bringing my comic Black Flag back.

 There seems to be a demand for it. I get requests on a daily basis to do something with those characters. I've heard the requests and I've written a story arc that'll be sure to make the fans happy. I hope to announce it officially

I've also got a YouTube channel and Instagram called Couchdoodles. Where the mission is simple: To illuminate and empower creativity in others through example.

The show features interviews with creative professionals, and also has reviews, tech talk and how-to-draw segments. I am very passionate about Couchdoodles. It's my way of giving back.

FlyCoJoe: I love it! It's like Comic Talk from your high school days except with the added richness of experiences you've had over the last 25 years of your career and a mission to empower creativity. That's full circle!

About THE GRAVE:
For fans of coming-of-age stories similar to Stephen King's The Body; the movie based on it, Stand By Me; IT; Stranger Things; and E.T.

Drawn one panel per day over a year, follow the story of three boys who discover a
Image from Dan Fraga's THE GRAVE
shallow
grave while on a weekend camping trip. But that's just where the mystery begins. The unexpected find reveals a cigar box containing seven mysterious items: a knife, a coin, a pocket watch, a rare baseball card, a gold ring, a silver spoon, and a strange manga comic. How are these items connected? Whose body lies buried? Find out in this once in a lifetime tale of friendship, mystery, suspense, and growing up.


Ordering instructions:
If you can pick up THE GRAVE graphic novel in person at Flying Colors Comics in Concord, CA please PayPal $20.00 for each copy to joe@flyingcolorscomics.com.
If you are in California and need to have THE GRAVE graphic novel mailed to you, please PayPal $27.50 for one copy to joe@flyingcolorscomics.com. Please add $20 for each additional copy.

If you are outside of California and need to have THE GRAVE graphic novel mailed to you, please PayPal $25.50 for one copy to joe@flyingcolorscomics.com. Please add $18 for each additional copy. 

We ship securely via USPS Flat Rate Priority. 

Please note: These prices are for shipping in the United States only. Due to excessive shipping costs and extra time & paperwork required, we are unable to accept international orders.

Friday, April 19, 2019

May 4 is FREE Comic Book Day!

Free Comic Book Day
Saturday May 4 
at Flying Colors Comics!

Free comics all day from 11AM-7PM...and there's more!

* Special Guest artist Dan Brereton, cover artist for Valiant Comics’ Bloodshot FCBD Special & Punk Mambo. Dan will be signing from 11AM-3PM.

* Thousands of FREE comic books for readers of all ages and interests!
* Kids’ Costume Contest!
* Win Prizes, inc. limited variant editions from Marvel Comics & Valiant Comics!
* Cosplayers! Great photo opps!
* Cool Deals!
* Sweet Treats!
* Bring your friends & families!



Thursday, April 04, 2019

Free Comic Book Day Kids Costume Contest!

Get your costumes ready!
Free Comic Book Day is Saturday May 4th!
Flying Colors FCBD Kids Costumer Contest is open to kids 12 and under... the prize is a $50 Flying Colors Gift Card!
* Costumes eligible to be entered in this contest must be recognizable characters with comic book origins.
* Each contestant must have a completed entry form
* Each contestant must have a photo taken in front of our nearly world-famous Captain Four-Colors stand up which (out in front of Flying Colors on May 4).
* All costume entries will be on May 4th only.
* Winner will be announced May 11 after an online vote. In the case of a tie vote, prize will be shared between winners.
Hit this link to let us you'll be here for FREE Comic Book Day!