The latest SOUVENIR OF DALLAS, written by me and illustrated by Paul Milligan, is now available in the August issue of D Magazine. We're featured in the "Best of Big D" section (click here and scroll down).
This particular comic is about the "best comic book store" in Dallas. I'll admit it was fun to write, but difficult to share. We have several of the best comic book stores in the country located right here. The notion of choosing one is difficult for me. Thus, the comic was about that very issue. We narrowed it down to Zeus and Titan for obvious reasons. Both stores are routinely praised in the Dallas Observer, D Magazine, and other local publications. Both stores have received national recognition. Both stores have been incredibly supportive of local, independent, and small press comic book creators. Also, the mythological nature of their names created a nice angle for the story.
In praising these two stores, I do not wish to take anything away from the other great stores in Dallas.
A friend on Facebook commented, "I love how Lone Star Comics Dallas isn't even worth a mention." Yeah, well... it wasn't an intentional slight. Lone Star Comics was the first comic book store I ever visited as a kid. My dad would take me almost every time we got into the car. I've had several signing events hosted by Lone Star. And they have quite a few of my comics available on their website, including the sold out blue cover of Karma Incorporated #1. I like their new Arlington location near my house. They are one of the largest and oldest comic book stores in Texas (history), and their logo features a cowboy riding a unicorn.
Why the diplomacy? Why not admit I'm madly in love with Zeus and hate everyone else?
Yes, I heart Zeus. Favorite store. The people who work there are my dear friends. Being present to see Richard accept the Eisner Award was my best Comic-Con experience. They are my home base. They support me. The customers support me. I know if my comic book aspirations completely fall apart, I could still draw a mini-comic on some typing paper, fold it in half, staple it, sell it in front of Zeus, and make money for food that day. (Let's hope it doesn't get that dire.) More importantly, I support them. I believe they are the best model for success as comic book retailers.
And yet, whether it's Lone Star, Titan, Keith's, Madness, Comic Asylum, or Zeus, if you make your living selling comic books, you already had me at hello. The Dallas/Fort Worth area is big enough for everyone to be successful -- to find new fans, new readers, and help promote this quirky, sometimes misunderstood and typecasted, artistic medium known as comics.
