Austin Books Events
Threadless & Austin Books Present: Chris Roberson
with special guest screenwriter/author Ernie Cline
Saturday, February 4th 2 - 4pm
Our pal Chris Roberson has written books and comics a-plenty, but now he can say he's written t-shirts! He's created the story for vol. 4 of the Threadless Comics-On Tees series, featuring art from Mike Allred, Colleen Coover, Chris Samnee, and Francesco Francavilla!
Roberson will be here signing copies of his many comics, including izombie, Memorial, Star Trek/ Legion of Super-Heroes, Elric: The Balance Lost, Superman, Cinderella, Starborn, and more.
From what we understand, we'll have a few of his Threadless t-shirts to give away, too! Don't miss it!
RSVP Here for updates
Fantastic Four Season One Signing
Meet
artist David Marquez
February 8th, 4 - 7 pm
Join us as we welcome back artist David Marquez! He'll be signing the original graphic novel Fantastic Four: Season One. This is a great opportunity to meet a local artist who is very clearly making a name for himself in the comics industry!
About Fantastic Four: Season One
In Manhattan's most famous skyscraper, the Baxter Building, scientific genius Reed Richards hatches a plan that will change the lives of those he loves most - and the very course of human history - in a way no one could've ever imagined. Revisit the story that irrevocably altered comics and pop culture in this all-new graphic novel, modernizing the journey of Reed Richards, Susan Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm as they travel to the stars - and return with fantastic, devastating results! Plus: Witness the FF's cataclysmic first battles with the Mole Man, Dr. Doom and Prince Namor, the mysterious Sub-Mariner, in a way you've never seen before. You only think you know the story!
RSVP Here for updates
Adventure Time Party!
Saturday, February 18th 2 - 4 pm
Hang out with Finn the Human, Jake the Dog, Princess Bubblegum, and all the others in the Land of Ooo with the release of the new Adventure Time comic from Boom! Studios!
We're pretty excited about this one, so we're inviting you to an Adventure Time Party on Saturday, February 18th! We'll have the new comic in stock, and episodes of the cartoon playing in our Back Issue Room. Snacks will be available, too.
Dress up as your favorite Adventure Time character and enter our costume contest. The winner will get one of each cover of Adventure Time #1, including the rare variants!
RSVP Here for updates
The Silence of Our Friends Signing
Meet Mark Long, Jim Demonakos, & Nate Powell
Sunday, February 19th at Guzu Gallery
Our Guzu friends next door (okay, we'll admit it - it's us) are hosting a special signing event for The Silence of Our Friends, by Mark Long, Jim Demonakos (Kirby Krackle), and Nate Powell (Swallow Me Whole.) All three of the creators will be here signing the new First Second graphic novel based on a little-known event from the civil rights movement in Houston, 1968.
We're thrilled to have the guys in for a day of discussion, signing, and... why not?... free beer. Don't miss the first ever Guzu Gallery event!
About The Silence of Our Friends: As the civil rights struggle heats up in Texas, two families-one white, one black-find common ground.
This semi-autobiographical tale is set in 1967 Texas, against the backdrop of the fight for civil rights. A white family from a notoriously racist neighborhood in the suburbs and a black family from its poorest ward cross Houston's color line, overcoming humiliation, degradation, and violence to win the freedom of five black college students unjustly charged with the murder of a policeman.
The Silence of Our Friends follows events through the point of view of young Mark Long, whose father is a reporter covering the story. Semi-fictionalized, this story has its roots solidly in very real events. With art from the brilliant Nate Powell (Swallow Me Whole) bringing the tale to heart-wrenching life, The Silence of Our Friends is a new and important entry in the body of civil rights literature.
RSVP Here for updates
Guzu Gallery Opening Feb. 10th
Sunday, February 19th at Guzu Gallery
The date is set! Guzu Gallery will be have its opening party on February 10th at 8pm. And guess what? You're invited.
In the meantime, take a look at some of the neat things you'll find there at the Guzu Facebook page and Twitter feed! Take a peek into the now-uncovered Guzu windows to check out the progress.
RSVP Here for updates
Last Days of the Sidekick Store
On February 12th, it's curtains!
This is it! The Sidekick Store is about to be closed (for good this time.)
But why? Well, it was originally meant to be a six-month temporary experiment. Fortunately, the owners of the building weren't ready to tear it down yet. So we got an extra year out of the space! But now they're ready, and we haven't found any other locations for the Sidekick. So this is more of an Uncle Ben death, not a Human Torch death. But we're closing it down in a major way.
The Sidekick will be open from February 3rd through February 12th, and every day will have an ADDITIONAL discount! Here's how it breaks down:
- Friday, Feb 3rd, 10%
- Saturday, Feb 4th, 20%
- Sunday, Feb 5th, 30%
- Monday, Feb 6th, 40%
- Tuesday, Feb 7th, 50%
- Wednesday, Feb 8th, 60%
- Thursday, Feb 9th, 70%
And for the last weekend (Friday, Feb 10th - Sunday, Feb 12th), all items in the Sidekick will be an ADDITIONAL 75% OFF! So on Feb 6th, dollar comics will actually be 60 cents! Toys and t-shirts and graphic novels are discounted beyond their already-discounted prices! There are no saves, so get what you want while you can. Because someone else WILL snap it up at prices like this.
We'll see you at the Sidekick!
And for any further updates, we'll keep you posted at the Sidekick Facebook page.
Past Events
Fanboys
with special guest screenwriter/author Ernie Cline
Thursday, August 18, 9 pm
Blue Starlite Drive-In
Our third film in the summer film series is Fanboys with a pre-screening Q&A with Fanboys screenwriter/author Ernie Cline on Thursday, August 18. Fanboys is a hilarious road trip movie celebrating all things Star Wars and pop culture, featuring cameos from actor/director Kevin Smith, George Lucas, Carrie Fisher, Seth Rogen, and Danny McBride.
Austin Books & Comics will also host an
in-store book signing with author Ernie Cline on Wednesday, August
24 from 5 to 8 pm, for the release of his new video game cyber
thriller novel, Ready Player One.
RSVP: Here
Conan the Barbarian - Book
Signing & Reading with author Mark Finn
Saturday, August 20, 4 pm to 7 pm
Join us for a special author signing and reading at Austin Books & Comics
with Conan historian and notable Texas author Mark Finn on
Saturday, August 20.
Our Conan book event is co-sponsored by Chipotle and Tecate...free beer and
burritos for all!
Mark Finn is an award-winning author, playwright, actor, and essayist with over
twenty five years' experience in the field of comics and popular culture (as
well as being a former Austin Books & Comics employee!). His book, "Blood &
Thunder: The Life and Art of Robert E. Howard" was nominated for a Locus
Readers' award and a World Fantasy award. Finn will be reading sections of the
Conan chapter in the book.
RSVP: Here
Ready Player One - Book
Signing with author Ernie Cline
Wednesday, August 24, 4 pm to 7 pm
Austin-based author Ernie Cline has expressed his love of pop culture as a
spoken-word artist and screenwriter for the 2009 film Fanboys. Now
we're thrilled to have him join us for the release of READY PLAYER ONE,
his first novel!
Genre-busting, ambitious, and irresistibly charming, READY PLAYER ONE is a
jaw-droppingly cinematic debut that features a breathtaking, meticulously
imagined world that's simultaneously futuristic and charmingly retro - a
universe where light-speed-traveling DeLoreans battle it out with X-Wing
fighters and entire planets are inspired by classic video arcades - combined
with a plot that incorporates pop-culture esoterica such as Cap'n Crunch
commercials, John Hughes movies, and giant Japanese robots.
Brandon says: "Ready Player One features a cameo from almost everything I've
ever loved about pop culture, cleverly plugged into a story about the ultimate
treasure hunt. It's my new favorite novel!"
RSVP: Here
Conan the Barbarian
Thursday, August 25, 9 pm
Blue Starlite Drive-In
Our final film in the Hot n' Nerdy Films summer film series is
Conan the Barbarian (1982), starring Arnold
Schwarzenegger, on Thursday, August 25.
This screening is part of a 3-part event series in August celebrating Texas
author Robert E. Howard's inimitable Conan the Barbarian character and
universe. Other events in August include a one-of-kind Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art
School drawing class at Elysium with Conan and Red Sonja live
models on Sunday, August 14, and special author signing at Austin Books & Comics
with Conan historian Mark Finn on Saturday, August 20.
RSVP: Here
Labor Day Weekend Sale 2011
Friday, Sep. 1st - Monday, Sep. 5th
Our Monster Sale returns! Every Labor Day weekend we have our one big sale
of the year and it becomes more epic every time!
We're still in our early stages of planning, but you can look forward to:
HALF OFF Back Issues!
A HUGE selection of HALF-OFF collections and graphic novels!
The Beginning of the End of the Sidekick Store, with a full refresh of dollar
comics!
We haven't even picked a theme yet, so we're tentatively using Unicorn Magic!
Special bonus to you fine email readers: Thursday night is the sneak preview
night. You get first crack at all the discounts!
RSVP: Here
Conan the Barbarian at Dr. Sketchy’s
of Austin
Sunday, August 14, 5 pm to 8 pm
Prepare yourself for Conan the Barbarian - presented by Austin Books &
Comics, produced by Dr. Sketchy’s of Austin. Join us as we welcome to the stage
live Conan and Red Sonja models, and supporting female models (including Danni
Danger of Austin Books & Comics, aka Sidekick Girl). Courtesy of Austin Books &
Comics, our Conan model is competitive body-builder Joe Solinski from Dallas,
TX. Joe will be replete with heavy iron weaponry and leather gear! Prizes for
the evening from Austin Books & Comics include Conan merch, free Regal movie
passes, Dark Horse Comics/Conan posters, and much more!
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School – the premiere alternative drawing movement in
Austin – features costumed live models, prizes and booze! All kinds of artists
are welcome, from the complete amateur to the advanced. Open to everybody!
You’re a terrible artist? Who cares! Don’t forget to bring your own drawing
materials. $10 admission, payable throughPayPal at
www.Austinsketchy.com or at
the Elyisum door the day of the event.
RSVP: Here
Strawberry Shortcake Tea Party
Saturday, August 13, 2pm to 5 pm
Bring your little ones for a fun afternoon of Strawberry Shortcake games, prizes and a tea party featuring bite-sized snacks from event sponsor Petite Sweets & Treats!
Returning to comics after 25 years, Strawberry Shortcake celebrates with berry special strawberry-scented scratch and sniff covers! Check out issues #1 through #3, published by Ape Entertainment.
RSVP: Here
Austin Books & Comics presents
Hot n' Nerdy Films
at the Blue Starlite Drive-In
Clerks
with guest actor Brian O'Halloran
"Dante Hicks"
Thursday, August 4, 9 pm
Our second film in the Hot n' Nerdy Films summer film series features "Clerks" on Thursday, August 4 with a pre-screening Q&A with special guest film actor Brian O'Halloran (flying in all the way from New Jersey). The Q&A will be moderated by Austin Chronicle writer and pop culture guru Richard Whittaker.
Once again, there will be a Clerks special event print (pictured above) by local artist Tim Doyle available at the screening. A rare black & white variant will also be available.
O'Halloran is best known for his role as character "Dante Hicks" in "Clerks" and Hicks relatives in director Kevin Smith's other films.
Austin Books & Comics will also host an in-store event with Brian O'Halloran the following day, Friday, August 5, from 5 to 7 pm, along with event partner Powerhouse Animation.
RSVP: Here
Austin Books & Comics presents
Hot n' Nerdy Films
at the Blue Starlite Drive-In
Transformers: The Movie
Thursday, July 28, 9 pm
Austin Books & Comics is proud to kick off Hot n' Nerdy Films, our new summer
film series at the awesome Blue Starlite Drive-in Theatre located at 2326 E.
Cesar Chavez.
Starting on Thursday, July 28, our first film series installment is
Transformers: The Movie (1986), with intro (and special event poster) by Austin
artist Tim Doyle!
RSVP: Here
Meet Marvel Comics/Captain America Writer
Mark Waid In-Store
Austin Books & Comics
Saturday, July 30, 4 pm - 7 pm
Acclaimed Marvel Comics writer Mark Waid will be at Austin Books & Comics
on Saturday, July 30 to meet fans and sign books.
In addition to Captain America and its Sentinel of Liberty spinoff, Mark Waid's
Marvel contributions include stints in Deadpool, Fantastic Four, Onslaught
titles and Ka-Zar. In 1997, he collaborated with painter Alex Ross on DC's
historic Kingdom Come, earning an Eisner Award for Best Limited Series; in a
similar vein, he co-created DC's Elseworlds franchise. Waid revisited the
JLA's early days in JLA: Year One and re-rewrote the Man of Tomorrow's biography in
Superman: Birthright.
Participate in our Captain America costume contest and you have a chance to win
a Regal Cinema family 4-pack.
Event partners include Marvel Comics, Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds, Regal
Cinemas and Scare For a Cure.
Austin Books & Comics and Regal Gateway are the only locations in Austin where
you will have a chance to meet and talk with Mark Waid, so mark your calendars!
RSVP: Here
Regal Cinemas
Presents
Marvel Comics/Captain America writer Mark Waid
Friday, July 29, 7:30 pm - 10 pm
Join us for a very special Captain America film screening Q&A and book signing at Regal Gateway with guest Marvel Comics/Captain America writer Mark Waid!
Purchase your tickets for the 2D screening at 8 pm; Q&A starts promptly at 7:30 pm. Come early and have Mark sign your Captain America books, which you can purchase on site.
Austin Books & Comics will provide special Captain America door prizes, plus comic books and merchandise for sale.
During the month of July, come by the Austin Books & Comics lobby display at the Gateway Regal Cinema and register to win a signed Captain America comic and more prizes! Also during July and August, every Captain America ticket stub from any Regal Cinema theater gets you a free Captain America comic at Austin Books & Comics.
RSVP: Here
Captain America Midnight Premiere
Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
Thursday, July 21 - Midnight
Join the team from Austin Books & Comics when we host the midnight screening of Captain America at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar! Comic Book Brandon will be onstage to test the audience's Captain America trivia knowledge, plus try out the new Austin Books & Comics T-shirt cannon!
Our own Captain America character and Sidekick Girl character will be there, so feel free to come in costume! Also check out our Captain America merch in main lobby before and after screening.
Your Alamo ticket to any Captain America screening gets you 20% Off one Captain America item (Showcase comics excluded) at Austin Books & Comics from July 21 to September 1, 2011.
RSVP: Here
Special CARS Signing Events
Meet Cars writer Alan Porter
Saturday, July 2 4 - 6 pm Bring out the kids for this fun family event and author signing, with CARS giveaways and enough vroom vroom for everyone! In celebration of the upcoming film release of CARS 2, we're hosting a special event with Alan Porter, writer for Disney*Pixar's The World of CARS series for BOOM! Studios.
Alan's CARS story "Rally Race" has been chosen as the first story to be featured in the just announced Disney*Pixar Presents magazine line from Disney Worldwide and Marvel Comics.
Also well-known as a pop culture writer, Alan is the author ofBATMAN: The Unofficial Collectors Guide, JAMES BOND: The History of the Illustrated 007,andSTAR TREK: A Comics History.
Courtesy of Disney, we're giving away CARS 2 posters as door prizes. Participate in out CARS trivia contest and receive a Regal Cinema family 4-pack.
RSVP: Here
Regal Cinemas Presents Disney*Pixar
comic writer Alan Porter
Sunday, July 3, 2 pm - 5pm
Join us for a very special pre-and-post-CARS 2 screening Q&A and book signing at Regal Westgate with guest BOOM! Studios/Disney*Pixar comic writer Alan Porter for a special screening at 2:20 pm. Austin Books & Comics will provide special CARS door prizes, plus CARS comic books for sale.
During the month of June, come by Austin Books & Comics lobby display at the Regal Westgate and register to win a signed CARS comic and more prizes! Also during June and July, every CARS 2 ticket stub from any Regal Cinema in Austin gets 20% off of all CARS books at Austin Books & Comics.
RSVP: Here
Fables creator Bill Willingham -
Special In-Store Signing!
Friday June 17th, 3 - 7pm Famed writer Bill Willingham, creator of the much-lauded Fables comic series for Vertigo, is visiting Austin, and Austin Books & Comics is extremely fortunate to have this exclusive opportunity for Fables fans to meet Bill in person!
Fables has won 14 Eisner awards to date, and continues to be considered one of the best comic books ever produced. The Fables video game is currently in development, while ABC TV is developing a pilot.
Willingham has Austin roots as a former resident, plus had early works published by Lone Star Press and Clockwork Storybook, an Austin writer's collective that he co-founded. Lean more from Bill next week!
Star Wars: The Old Republic- The Lost Suns Signing
Event Meet Series Writer Alexander Freed In-Store
Saturday, June 18 4 - 6 pm Have the first issue in the new Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ comic series signed by the author, Alexander Freed! Special guest appearances from R2-D2 and the 501st Legion Stormtroopers.
Published by Dark Horse Comics, Star Wars: The Old Republic - The Lost Suns is the third limited series based on the Star Wars: The Old Republic massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Unlike the prior two installments, Threat of Peace and Blood of the Empire, it will not be a reprint of web comic content available online, but an all-new story focusing on Theron Shan, the son of Jedi Master Satele Shan.
RSVP: Here
Exclusive Green Lantern Signing Events
Regal Cinemas Presents DC Comics/Green Lantern
artist Doug Mahnke
Friday, June 24, 7:30 pm - 10:15 pm Join us for a very special pre-and-post-Green Lantern film screening Q&A and book signing at Regal Gateway with guest DC Comics/Green Lantern artist Doug Mahnke at 7:45 pm on Friday, June 24th. Austin Books & Comics will provide special Green Lantern door prizes, plus Green Lantern comic books and merchandise for sale.
During the month of June, come by the Austin Books & Comics lobby display at the Gateway Regal Cinema and register to win a signed Green Lantern comic and more prizes! Also during June and July, every Green Lantern ticket stub from any Regal Cinema theater in Austin gets you a free Green Lantern comic at Austin Books & Comics.
RSVP: Here
Meet DC Comics Artist Doug Mahnke
Saturday, June 25 4 - 7 pm Accomplished DC Comics artist Doug Mahnke will be at Austin Books & Comics on Saturday, June 25. Doug is the ongoing artist for DC's Green Lantern with DC Comics writer Geoff Johns. In addition to being a frequent Grant Morrison collaborator, mahnke worked on the critically acclaimed prestige one-shot Batman: The Man Who Laughs with writer Ed Brubaker. Austin Books & Comics and Regal Gateway are the only locations in Austin where you will have a chance to meet and talk with Doug Mahnke, so mark your calendars!
RSVP: Here