Pilot and the introductory episode of Comic Book Life. Get to know comic creators Van Jensen (writer), Laura Martin (colorist), Joey Weiser (cartoonist), and Andy Runton (cartoonist).

Shawn Excited

Shawn kicks things off talking about her trip to the Annual Borderlands Comics and Games sale!

We’re back and we are kicking things off with Shawn talking about her trip to the annual Borderlands Comics and Games sale. She talks hanging out with J Chris Campbell and picking up a few comics along the way.

Episode 00A: Shawn at Borderlands Annual Sale 2019

Jim Rugg and Adam (Photo by Shawn)

Since the day we met Jim Rugg at Heroes Aren't Hard to Find as part of the Afrodesiac tour, he has been a favorite of the Dollar Bin.  It is funny to realize that over the last 8 or so years, this is the first Dollar Bin vs Jim Rugg interview.  Sure, he has made appearances and has been reviewed and talked about in detail, but this is our first in-depth interview with him. Let's see if we can figure out what makes Jim Rugg tick. (I'm disappointed that we didn't get into his "On a Run" diary comics).

Episode 363: Year 10 - Interview with Jim Rugg

Where does the time go? I thought we were going to do a FLUKE 2015 review podcast, but we never did. When FLUKE 2016 rolled around I was going to do an article reviewing the books we got, but I never finished it. So here it is, 2017 and FLUKE is around the corner. I am finally going to finish my review of FLUKE 2015! Better late than never?

Here is a list of the awesome things I picked up!

Heart Attack and Hulk Retired! and Strabismus by Jordan Fitch Mooney
Three Monsters, Defanged by J. Chris Campbell, Isaac Cates, and Mike Wenthe
F&$#wizards by Eleanor Davis
Dead Sexy by David Mack
Watercolor painting by Michele Chidester
Big Caramel by Jason Horn – Adam found Jason Horn’s first mini at Bizarro Wuxtry. We have been in there numerous times but for whatever reason neglected to pick it up. But we did this time and it was a fun read! Also, we picked up Aw Yeah! Comics #9 which has a Ninjasaur story in it.
“Be Quiet” fox print by Erin Gladstone
Atomic Elbow #13 with cover Sean Wars and back cover by The Hand of Beaver – Speaking of Atomic Elbow, I am a contributor on issue #11! You should pick it up and listen to me express my love of Dolph Ziggler.
How To Ignore People By Pretending To Read A Book by Lee Gatlin
FLUKE Souvenir Comic featuring Joey Weiser, Max Clotfelter, Rich Tommaso, Scott Stripling, Lee Gatlin, Patrick Dean, Sammy Herring, Michele Chidester, Justin Colussy Estes, and Judson Culver
Ghost Rider by various contributors
One-Eyed Dragon by Maggie Venable
Also we picked up a few things from Josh Nickerson who was our table buddy.

We bought some solid books and art this year. This was also the year I wore a shiny blue dress for some reason! I hate that it has taken me so long to post about the awesome stuff we bought! 2015 was a bit of a rough year for me health-wise. I’m so glad that I am better now than I was then. Adam and I are looking forward to FLUKE 2017. It will be April 29 and is held at the 40 Watt Club this year. Hope to see you there!

Special thank you to Heather Peagler she borrowed my camera and took pictures for me all day.

By now I'm sure you've seen the teaser trailer for Thor: Ragnarok. It's an exciting, fast-paced trailer. There is a lot to look at and take in: Cate Blanchett as Hela, Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster, and the return of Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner and Hulk.

However, the most exciting aspect of this film for me is not the characters, settings, or storyline. It's something much more subtle. So subtle you may have missed it.

I'm talking about Kirby Krackle, also known as Kirby Dots, as seen in Figure 1 of Galactus from Thor #134, published November, 1966. To those that are new to Kirby Krackle the following is my brief and simplistic explanation.

Kirby Krackle is the fan-given name to the hand-drawn illustrated style of how Jack Kirby drew unexplained energy. Wikipedia has a fairly dry explanation, but does a good job of explaining it.

If you missed the Kirby Krackle in the teaser trailer for Thor: Ragnorak give the trailer another watch and see if you spot where it appears, or click on the thumbnails below the trailer.

Figure 1: Example of Kirby Krackle (a.k.a. Kirby Dots) from Thor #134.

Examples of Kirby Krackle from Thor: Ragnorak Teaser Trailer

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If you spotted more examples of Kirby Krackle in Thor: Ragnorak or any of the other Marvel films please let us know in the comments. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time Kirby Krackle has been used in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The next stop on the Dollar Bin 10 Year Anniversary World Tour will be at the TD Convention Center in Greenville, SC March 25 and 26 for SC Comicon!

We are excited to be set up selling our comics and zines and we are more excited to be debuting Comic Stars! issue 6! Comic Stars! is our annual themed zine that we publish through the help of friends that we have met while doing our podcast. The theme of this year’s zine is food and cooking. We are extremely proud of how this issue turned out. It features a tasty cover by Patrick Dean and includes long-time and first-time contributors like Archer Ballenger, Duane Ballenger, Carolyn Belefski, Joe Carabeo, Kris Black, Stacey Black, Jeremy Brooks, John Burgin, J Chris Campbell, Bridgit Connell, Jared Cullum, J.T. Davidson, Henry Eudy, Andy Finkle, Alexander Lay, Brandon Padgett, Eraklis Petmezas, Phouthong Phimmarath, Mitch Rogers, Matthew D. Smith, Shannon Smith, and Enoch Vaughn!

Art by Kris Black

The Dollar Bin is bringing along a few of our friends this year. We will be sharing our table with Kris Black who will be selling his Visionaries trading cards series. Also, Joey Weiser will be joining us selling his comics. I’m sure you have heard us sing his praises on Joey's SpongeBob Comics, Mermin, and Monster Isle. Shawn Daughhetee will be there selling concept art from her story for the Sweaty Palms Anthology. Be sure to stop by Artist Alley table 1025 to say “hi” and pick up some books, zines, t-shirts, buttons, stickers, cards, or art!

We are looking forward to hanging out with friends, digging through comics and toys, and meeting the guests and creators. We are always happy to stop by Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find, Purgatory Comics, Ssalefish Comics, Richard’s Comics and Collectables, and tons of other awesome vendors at the show. We can’t wait to talk to Mark Waid, Mike Zeck, Denny O’Neil, and Mike Grell. Too many friends of the Dollar Bin are going to be there to mention, so check out the Guest List page for complete details!

There are also events and panels going on all weekend. Be sure to check out the Cosplay Contest, Kids Coloring Contest, and photo ops with celebs. On Saturday night at the Hilton stop by the Drink and Draw for awesome art for two awesome causes. Proceeds made at the Drink and Draw will go to Team Cul de Sac for Parkinson’s Research and the Hero Initiative to help support comic creators.

Book by Joey Weiser

Dollar Bin is helping with panels this year and will moderate three of them. Saturday at Noon Adam Daughhetee will moderate a spotlight with Veronica Taylor focusing on her career as a voice actor. Also on Saturday, Brian Eison will moderate a panel featuring some of the prominent writers at the show including Tini Howard, Van Jensen, Ron Marz, and Mark Waid. On Sunday Shawn Daughhetee will moderate a panel on what it means to be a comic book artist with guests Frank Cho, Sanford Greene, Bart Sears, and Wilfredo Torres. Check out the Panel Schedule for more details.

SC Comicon is put on by the hardworking folks at Borderlands Comics and Games. Come out and support comics while having fun!

Stay tuned to find out where we will be attending next!

Sneak peak of Patrick Dean's art for the cover of Comic Stars! #6 debuting at SC Comicon.

Here comes another installment of our Year 10 - Interview series. She first entered the scene as the "Lovely Shawn Reynolds" but before you could flip the page she became Mrs. Shawn Daughhetee. Adam interviews his favorite wife about her career in comics and the important role the Dollar Bin played in shaping her life. Shawn opens up and tells rarely heard personal stories about her inspiration in Rachelle Goguen, her relationship with her father, and her early days at Heroes Aren't Hard to Find.

Runtime 1 hour 6 minutes 31 seconds

Adam interviews Shawn.

Episode 362:  Year 10 - Interview with Shawn Daughhetee

Flashback:  Free Comic Book Day 2008 Interview with Shawn Reynolds

Adam of the Dollar Bin interviews J Chris Campbell

It could be claimed that J Chris Campbell is the non-direct Dollar Bin member most integral to the podcasts success and longevity.  In this interview Adam and J Chris journey through the many years of J Chris' career in comics as well as his very close, healthy, and fruitful relationship with the Dollar Bin.  Check out some of those free digital anthologies we mention here:  https://issuu.com/jchriscampbell

Episode 361:  10 Year - Interview with J Chris Campbell

J Chris Campbell interviews Adam of the Dollar Bin

In the first of a series of Dollar Bin 10 year anniversary celebration interviews, J Chris Campbell turns the table on Adam and hijacks the interview to ask Adam questions about the Dollar Bin.  They discuss the secret origin of the podcast as well as its mysterious future.

Link to the first Dollar Bin episode:  Episode 1:  Creator Spotlight - Stan Lee

Episode 360:  Year 10 - Interview with Adam

Illustration by Kris Black

All my life I’ve wanted to be a comic artist.

As a teenager, I wanted to draw pages like John Romita Jr., Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Mark Bagley, and Art Adams. I practiced for hours inking over my pencils hoping I’d become as good as Klaus Janson or Scott Williams.

In college, I studied the work of Bill Watterson, creator of everyone’s favorite six-year-old boy and his tiger. When I declared my major as a graphic designer I saw the art of typography and lettering with new eyes. I fell in love with comic book lettering. I wanted to be as steady as John Workman and efficient as John Roshell from Comicraft.

After graduating I knew I was a better graphic designer than a comic artist so I took my first graphic design job. Years later I shifted into web and interaction design, but I still long to be a comic artist.

I decided that 2017 is the year I pursue my dream of becoming a comic artist. Nothing too ambitious or life changing. I love my day job and career, but I want to make sure I don’t ignore my passion. I’m starting small, focused on using my skills as an interactive designer and cartoonist.

On January 28, 2017, I will exhibit at the 40th anniversary of Charlotte Mini-Con. I’ll be there promoting my creation called Visionary Creator Trading Card Series.

I won’t be going alone to Charlotte Mini-Con. Adam Daughhetee of Dollar Bin agreed to go with me. He’ll be there selling Dollar Bin merchandise.

Having attended many comic conventions as a collector and fan, I know what to expect. Yet, I can’t prepare myself for the experience of being an artist selling my own stuff. I’m so excited and can’t wait to promote my work.

A part of me is a little scared about this, but I know I’ll be okay and have a lot of fun.

I’ll post more in the coming days about the Visionary Creator series. If anyone is planning on attending Charlotte Mini-Con let us know in the comments.