Comics Unlimited News and Info

An blog entry that was unpublished since 2008: I sent this message out to comic book industry trade publications like "Wizard," "Comics Buyer's Guide," etc. I present it here for all of you to see. Agree? Disagree? Feel free to discuss the pro's and con's. Thanks! -- Matt THE SHAPE OF THE FUTURE For years, I have been discussing how the comic book industry seriously needs to look hard at changing the format of comic books with anyone who would listen. In order to get comics in the hands of more readers, and in more retail outlets, I feel some drastic measures must be taken to ensure the market continues to endure in an ever-changing marketplace. This past weekend, I got in a copy of "Wizard" #179, and noted its' change in format, and thought, "They seem to get it!" You see, the publication, up until now, has always been roughly the same dimensions as a Silver-Age comic book. The new format is more like a magazine-size, like ...

 So, I'm a fan of the Dr. Demento radio show, that ran for years on terrestrial radio, and played novelty and comedy music and such. The good doctor is still with us and has taken his program online, where people can listen to weekly episodes at his website.  There is also an official Facebook page dedicated to that program. I typically enjoy posting there and checking out posts from other fans. Unfortunately, the moderator there has made a commandment about A.I. music and videos. Apparently this includes even songs such as what I create, using my own lyrics, but having A.I. provide the music and vocals for my compositions.  I find this to be very narrow-minded and short-sighted, and fear based nonsense. The moderator has gave his rationale for the ban on the divisiveness on the subject of A.I., and in his post explaining his actions he made clear his own views on the matter. I am trying to decide if I want to continue being in a group ran by such a person. As pretty much...

Some of you may recall me posting in the past about my involvement with the production of a documentary entitled "TRUE BELIEVER: The Stan Lee Documentary." Well, it's been a long post-production process, and I hadn't heard much of anything from the producer, Nikki Frakes, but she contacted me again today and updated me on the film's status. First is the change of the film's title. It is now called "With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story." The film has been scored, and a final cut put together. The distribution rights is still being hammered out, but there will be a showing of the film this year at the San Diego Comicon. Here is a press release that Ms. Frakes told me I could pass along: Face Front True Believers!! "With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story" will premiere at Comic Con - San Diego on Saturday, July 24th 2010 at 8:30PM in room 6BCF!! "With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story" is a feature length documentary on Marv...

The BIG COMICS UNLIMITED CHRISTMAS in JULY SALE begins July 1st, 2010 and lasts all month long, through to July 31, 2010! Save 50% on all items except new comics, supplies, and special orders. Please note: trade credit cannot be applied toward sales prices. VISIT COMICS UNLIMITED's WEBSITE!

Hi gang! Today would have been George Harrison's 67th birthday (as a sidenote, my father shared this birthday with the "quiet" Beatle, but he was a year older). In memory of the occasion, I thought I would share some of my Beatles-related videos in this blog, as well as telling all of you a little bit about my history with the band's music. According to Mark Lewisohn's "The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions" book, I was born on the same day the Beatles recorded "Maxwell's Silver Hammer." Now, I know that John Lennon and George Harrison didn't particulary care for this somewhat silly little Paul McCartney number, but I have always loved novelty music, and I always liked this song. And finding out that this song was recorded on my actual birthday only increased my fondness for it. Despite that I had always enjoyed that song in particular, and the Beatles's music which I had heard all my life on the radio, I really wasn't a fan, ...

Hi Gang! Be a part of the VidiNOW community! The site officially launches on February 11, 2010, but you can all ready join and participate RIGHT NOW! It's FREE and FUN and we welcome you with open arms! Yayy!!! http://www.vidinow.net Matthew Hawes

Hi gang! Ironically, the "skip" week (last week) -- When the comics publishers didn't release any new product -- actually was my best week of the past year! It was a great close to 2009, and a promising beginning to 2010. I want to thank all of you who have patronized Comics Unlimited of Evansville, Indiana since the shop first opened on 1996! I truly appreciate your continued business! One thing that surely helped boost sales for last week, and indeed for the past month and more is the BIG BIG SALE that continues at CU! That's the sale where EVERYTHING but new comics, special orders, and supplies are HALF-OFF the regular price! This great sale will end on January 15, 2010, so you still have time to stock up on comics, toys, posters, and more, but hurry before it ends so as to not be left out! Thank you and here's to a happy and prosperous 2010! Yayy!!! -- Matt Matthew Hawes COMICS UNLIMITED 654-B E. Diamond Avenue Evansville, Indiana 47711

Hi gang! New comics will arrive on Wednesday, December 23, the normal shipping day. I hope to have comic ready by noon that day. As a reminder, the following week (the last week of December) no new comics will ship. The following week, new comics will arrive on Wednesday, January 6, 2010. The BIG BIG SALE at COMICS UNLIMITED will continue through the holidays, ending on January 15, 2010. All items are half-off regular price, excluding new comics, supplies, and special orders. HOLIDAY HOURS: Christmas week: Monday closed, Tuesday 9-5, Wednesday 9-7, Thursday (Christmas Eve) 9-3, Friday closed for Christmas, Saturday 9-7, Sunday 12 -5 New Years week: Monday closed, Tuesday 9-5, Wednesday 9-7, Thursday (New Year's Eve) 9-5, Friday closed for New Year's Day, Saturday 9-7, Sunday 12 -5 I want to thank all of you that have frequented COMICS UNLIMITED over these past nearly fourteen years. I greatly appreciate your friendship and business, and I wish for all of you to have a won...

Hi gang! Interesting news week! The son of the legendary fantasy artists Frank Frazetta attempted to steal his father's paintings from his father's museum: Frazetta theft news article On a lighter note, another legendary artist, Neal Adams , is taking over the popular online comic strip "PVP" for a week (btw, that's Neal's YouTube page that hosts the video): Neal Adams on PVP video! PVP Online Meanwhile, the BIG BIG 50% SALE continues at COMICS UNLIMITED ! Come on in and save BIG for the holidays! Yayy!!! -- Matt Matthew Hawes COMICS UNLIMITED 654-B E. Diamond Avenue Evansville, Indiana 47711 Comics Unlimited website

SEASON 6, EPISODE 25, NOVEMBER 2009 Matt & Happy celebrate the Christmas holiday season with Joe and Sam Sloan, Al Chantrey, Jeremy LaMastus, Aaron Stutsman and Justin Patton and family, and Crazy Cat Pete, too! Happy holidays to everyone! Ho! Ho! Ho! Yayy!!! Matthew Hawes http://www.thehappyshow.net

It's BACK!!! --And just in time for the Christmas shopping season! THE BIG BIG 50% OFF SALE at COMICS UNLIMITED on Diamond Avenue, Evansville, Indiana! Starting November 27, " Black Friday ," and lasting ALL December long, EVERYTHING but new comics, special orders, and supplies is a whopping HALF-OFF sticker price! That's TOYS, COMICS, CARDS, POSTERS, MAGAZINES, NOVELS all for half the regular price! This sale is a GREAT way to stock up for the holidays! Sale ends January 15, 2010, making it a long sale, but you may want to stop in at COMICS UNLIMITED on Diamond Avenue as soon as possible to make sure you don't miss out on your favorite items! COMICS UNLIMITED shop hours are: Tuesdays: 9-5, Wednesdays thru Saturdays: 9-7, Sundays: 12-5, closed Mondays. COMICS UNLIMITED will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, but will be open at regular hours for the weekend! Thanks and I hope to C-U at C.U. soon! Happy Thanksgiving!!! -- Matt Matthew Ha...

SEASON 6, EPISODE 24, NOVEMBER 2009 Matt & Happy deal with a new interruption from an old foe! MOTH music video "Tree Snow"! See more MOTH videos at: http://www.youtube.com/cubinoid Justin Patton and Aaron and Tina Stutsman star in a Batman and Robin parody called "The Cat and The Robin"! BARNES & BARNES "Pizza Face" music video! Very many thanks goes out to Artie Barnes (AKA, Robert Haimer) for giving permission to "The Happy Show" to feature the Barnes & Barnes music videos on the program! Look for more to come in future episodes, and buy the latest B&B CD "Opbopachop" at: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/BARNESAN... Check out Artie's YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/artiebarnes Public Domain Theater presents "Drawing Account," a 1941 short film about how animation is created! -- And more fun! Yayy!!! Matthew Hawes

SEASON 6, EPISODE 23, OCTOBER 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJvuXDYTjJE Matt & Happy interview Susan Olsen, Cindy of "The Brady Bunch"! MikeP performs "The Harry Nilsson Song" (original recording from 1976) in a music video produced and edited by Matt Hawes! Visit the talent MikeP at: http://www.youtube.com/user/pirrung123 Justin Patton and Aaron Stutsman star in a Batman and Robin parody called "BatStar"! BARNES & BARNES "Soak It Up" music video! Very many thanks goes out to Artie Barnes (AKA, Robert Haimer) for giving permission to "The Happy Show" to feature the Barnes & Barnes music videos on the program! Look for more to come in future episodes, and buy the latest B&B CD "Opbopachop" at: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/BARNESANDBARNES Check out Artie's YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/artiebarnes Patton & Stutsman return as Batman & Robin in the spoof "Batman and Robin visit T...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja_t-y_kvwg SEASON 6, EPISODE 22, OCTOBER 2009 Matt & Happy and the rest of the gang celebrate Halloween with some classic horrific, scary, and downright spooky fun segments! Including... "Elephant Graveyard" by KW Monster and Matt Hawes! The saga of Happy and the vampires is re-presented in a new edit that puts it all together! BARNES & BARNES "When You Die" music video! Very many thanks goes out to Artie Barnes (AKA, Robert Haimer) for giving permission to "The Happy Show" to feature the Barnes & Barnes music videos on the program! Look for more to come in future episodes, and buy the latest B&B CD "Opbopachop" at: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/BARNESANDBARNES Check out Artie's YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/artiebarnes Kevin Seifert's "Mutation" song in a music video edited and produced by Matt Hawes. -- And more creepy fun! Yayy!!! Matthew Hawes http://www.thehappysho...