When we saw Sterling Gates at San Diego for Comic-Con last year, his t-shirt told us:
Make Comics, Not War.

Now, he’s doing both.

The OU grad who is working on 3 huge Superman stories will be signing his comics at Speeding Bullet on June 12!

“AHHH! I love Norman!” Sterling said. “Speeding Bullet is special because it’s my store. I shopped there, I worked there. Speeding Bullet was my comics community before comics became my career. They always make me feel like I’m home again.”

GET WAR OF THE SUPERMEN #0 FREE
Earth and New Krypton are going to war! Sterling’s biggest project, announced last week, is War of the Supermen, which he is co-writing with James Robinson. War of the Supermen is the big book for Free Comic Book Day, and it will launch a 4-issue epic event for May! There will be no Superman books that month. Instead, all the action will be in this weekly miniseries that DC is calling the “100-minute war.” Each issue will deliver a 25-minute increment of the war. Read more here.

Get your FREE copy of War of the Supermen #0 at Speeding Bullet on May 1 — along with other free comics — and get it signed June 12!

BRAINIAC ATTACKS NEW KRYPTON

Before we even get to War of the Supermen, Brainiac attacks New Krypton in March and April! Brainiac held 100,000 Kryptonians captive in the bottled city of Kandor until Superman rescued them in the New Krypton storyline (now available as a graphic novel). Now, Brainiac’s back, ready to take back what’s his! But it’s up to Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes to stop him in the Last Stand of New Krypton.

Sterling is co-writing nearly every part of this crossover. Look for these issues: Last Stand of New Krypton #1-3, Adventure Comics #8-10, Supergirl #51-#52 & Superman #698-699.

How much do we love our customers?
THIS MUCH –>

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Buy 10 graphic novels in a year, and we’ll match your average purchase price with a credit for a free graphic novel of your choice!

All you do is present the card each time you visit us, and we’ll keep track of your purchases. You can see exactly how close you are to your free graphic novel on each receipt.

GO FOR THE GOLD
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WIN FAB PRIZES
Don’t buy graphic novels every week? Present your Rapid Reader card when you pick up your comics (or anything else at Speeding Bullet), and we’ll automatically enter you into a weekly drawing where you could win cool stuff! You can enter daily. Manual entries will be accepted too, but you’re only entered automatically when you use your card.

Pick up your free Rapid Reader card at Speeding Bullet starting this week!

It always helps to have a movie. While Stephen King took the top spot at Speeding Bullet in 2009 in graphic novel sales, Alan Moore and “Watchmen” placed the hardcover and softcover formats into our top 25. Also from Alan Moore, the latest “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” hit the charts at No. 2. Three “Scott Pilgrim” trades in the top 25 bode well for the Oni project, set to become a motion picture in the near future.

1. Dark Tower Gunslinger Born HC
2. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century Vol. 1
3. Watchmen
4. Scott Pilgrim Vol. 5
5. Essential Godzilla
6. Superman New Krypton HC 2
7. Walking Dead Vol. 1
8. Scott Pilgrim Vol. 2
9. Superman New Krypton HC 1
10. Thor Visionaries Walt Simonson 1
11. Black Widow TP
12. Uncanny X-Men New Age TP
13. X-Men Dark Phoenix Saga tp
14. Nick Fury Agent of Shield tp
15. Daredevil Visionaries Frank Miller v2
16. Devil Dinosaur HC
17. Walking Dead v2
18. Watchmen hc
19. Classic Transformers tp 2
20. Fables v1
21. Final Crisis hc
22. Irredeemable V1
23. The Pulse tp 1
24. Scott Pilgrim v1
25. Criminal v1

In addition to the blockbuster hit Blackest Night #6, Speeding Bullet Comics expects the following indy comics in Wednesday as we celebrate Indy Comic Book Week! Come by and support indy artists!

The Adventures of Baby Otto Zeplin Baby Otto begins his amazing, fake life story.

Asylum of Horrors 1 and 2 - Signed by Frank Forte, these anthology issues promise chills and scares!

Bebopman - Musician and friend of Harvey Pekar Tony Lavorgna chronicles his adventures in the music biz.

The Blot - Drawn in the style of 1930s animation, this horror/romance graphic novel was named the best of the year by The Comics Journal.

The Bomb - This trade paperback features the origin of Fearless Dawn! Steve Mannion’s Wally Wood-esque style is in full display in this collection.

Boobage - Monica Gallagher talks about coming to terms with being a flatchested woman.

Breathers 1, 2, 3 and 4 - In a world where the government tells citizens to wear gas masks (aka breathers) because the air is poisonous, what happens when a man and his sister discover they can breathe outdoors? Is the government lying, and if so, why?

Chestacles - A sketchbook by Jim Smith of “Ren and Stimpy” fame.

Deadly Are The Naked - Another Jim Smith sketchbook.

Fearless Dawn Jet riding good girl Fearless Dawn battles her arch nemesis Helga Von Krause. Should appeal to fans of “The Rocketeer” and “Cavewoman.”

Girls Don’t Poop - A funny and well-drawn minicomic that might make a good gag gift.

God of Rock - Norman’s Paul Milligan creates the God of Rock: With his trusty ax, his best girl and a few surprising allies on his side, the God of Rock must take on the evil forces of Anti-Rock.

Herman the Manatee 1 and 2 - Herman the Manatee can’t help bumping his head into boats.

Lois - Another Pekar-related comic, as exotic dancer-turned comedian Lois shares autobiographical tales.

Losers Weepers A comic built around three pieces of found writing.

Mustaches for Fun and Profit For everyone who’s ever had facial hair.

My Every Single Thought - Ruminations on being single.

Neon Girl 0 and 1 - Fun superhero drama with a touch of cheesecake.

Old Man Winter A Xeric award winner.

One Night Stand - David Hopkins (”Karma Incorporated,” “Emily Edison”) ruminates on intimacy with a host of artists.

Pinstriped Bloodbath - An anthology of Chicago gangland comics with an awesome cover.

Pretentious Record Store Guy 1 and 2 - Will the Pretentious Record Store Guy go for broke and try to live his dreams, or just mock people who come in the store? Find out here!

The Profiteer - Ever wonder who sells supervillains all their crazy bombs and gadgets?

Rabbit Shadows An artist sells his shadow.

The Road To God Knows - A teenage girl’s struggle to cope with her mom’s schizophrenia.

Robot 13 1 and 2 Supernatural horror in the vein of “Hellboy.”

Sad Animals Drawings of, surprise, sad animals, by Adam Meus.

Sleeper Car - Theo Ellsworth (Secret Acres Books) is a mix of Maurice Sendak and Moebius.

Sugarcube - Sam Gaskin’s autobiographical mini is about his discovery of his diabetes in his late teens.

Sunwards - A slacker finds himself inexplicably drawn toward the sun.

Supertalk - Creators in this come from the Rabid Rabbit anthology comic.

Tales of Good Ol’ Snoop Doggy Dogg An artist dreams of the gangsta rapper.

The Well-Dressed Bear Will Develop Intimacy Issues Later in Life - The Well-Dressed Bear has relationship troubles.

Warlash: Dark Noir 1, 2 and 3 - Action-packed comic starring a police officer of the future.

Xoc 1 and 2 The first two chapters of an exciting underwater adventure featuring a shark.

Speeding Bullet’s version of after-Thanksgiving shopping mania takes a twisted turn this year — it’s the Blackest Friday Sale!

Friday only, ALL STATUES 50% OFF

Plus, get a Blackest Night variant issue* FREE with purchase of $100 or more!

Statues include all full-size resin sculptures, mini-busts, props, lead figures, paperweights, oversized HeroClix, ceramic cookie jars and bookends like the Sinestro/Hal Jordan one pictured above. Sale begins at 10 am Friday, Nov. 27. One day only!

With every purchase of $100 or more, you can pick out a FREE variant-cover comic of the Blackest Night series or any of the Blackest Night tie-ins. Offer includes any variant up to $30!

All this in a HUGE comics week means you can’t go wrong. Do all your Christmas shopping, and your regular comics shopping at the same place.

This week’s Adventure Comics #4 features the first comic-book appearance of Speeding Bullet Comics’ store manager Travis Preston!

Travis was drawn as a comic shop clerk in a two-page scene with Superboy-Prime. The issue was drawn by comics legend Jerry Ordway!

Come by and pick up your copy now — before Travis buys them all for himself. You might even convince him to sign one for you! Special thanks to Geoff Johns and Sterling Gates for thinking of Speeding Bullet for this issue.

The turkeys may still be gobbling, but Christmas season has already started. At Speeding Bullet, we’re looking out for you.

We’re predicting this is how it will play out: You methodically plan your Christmas list, give everyone the greatest gifts you can find, then you get … socks. Not cool.

Shop at Speeding Bullet and we’ll save the day. We call it “bad-gift insurance.”

Here’s how it works:

Do your Christmas shopping at Speeding Bullet, or just buy comics like you do every week. With every $50 purchase, we’ll give you a 30% off coupon that you can use on any one item you choose Dec. 26-31.

That means you have a whole week after Christmas to get what you really wanted!

Of course, if your loved ones are already shopping for you at Speeding Bullet, you win big time, because you can combine those 30% off coupons with your Speeding Bullet gift certificates! Woot!

Bad-Gift Insurance is available Nov. 11 - Dec. 24. You can collect as many 30% off coupons as you like, but one coupon per item please.

Speeding Bullet Comics Monster Sale is coming! For 3 days only, everything in the store will be 25% to 75% off!

Here’s the breakdown.
· All back issues will be 50% off. Plus, if you buy 50 or more back issues, we’ll knock that back issue discount up to a whopping 75% off.
· All comics, graphic novels, and anything else not nailed down will be 25% off.

Sale hours:
Friday, Oct. 23: 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 25: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

To participate in the sale, you must have a wristband:
· Subscribers may get a wristband for free when they pick up their files the week of the sale.
· Nonsubscribers may buy a wristband for $10 or get one for free with any $50 purchase by 7 p.m. Oct. 23.

In Sterling Gates’ first issue of Supergirl, our heroine adopted a new secret identity. Now, Linda Lang is back in her first adventure!

Plus, the secret origin of Superwoman is revealed! What drove Lucy Lane to become the superpowered threat? Get ready to fall in love with this double-sized issue — the first Supergirl annual in years! And it’s all written by former Speeding Bulleteer Sterling Gates! Art by Fernando Dagnino & Raúl Fernandez. You wont want to miss Supergirl Annual #1!

New Krypton Vol. 2 HC
Don’t miss this second volume of the mega-event that alters The Man of Tomorrow down to his core. After a long-lost section of Krypton is miraculously resurrected on Earth, The Man of Steel greets thousands of Kryptonians who are suddenly able to walk among humans. But a jarring culture clash destroys relations between the two species and violence erupts! Soon, the government’s own anti-Kryptonian team sets out to dispatch the erupting conflict and the entire Superman family is affected.

This dramatic hardcover is written by Geoff Johns, James Robinson and Sterling Gates. Art by Renato Guedes, José Wilson Magalhães, Pete Woods, Jamal Igle and Keith Champagne. Cover by Alex Ross.

What a crazy week at San Diego Comic-Con! This was my fifth time, and there were more fans, more creators, more actors there than I’ve ever seen before. If you didn’t get to go, or you spent all your time waiting in lines, I’ve assembled a few of the biggest announcements at the con:

*Sterling Gates will write Kid Flash as a new ongoing series, in addition to Supergirl and the World’s Finest miniseries. Look for Kid Flash to start up next year, and it will tie into Geoff Johns’ new run on Flash.

*Geoff Johns will be writing an episode of Smallville, featuring the JSA.

*Marvel gained the rights to Marvelman/Miracleman. The 1980s series by Alan Moore has been long out-of-print and hard to find.

*The creators of TV’s Lost said the final season will in a lot of ways mirror the first season, and will see the return of some favorite characters including … Charlie?

*James Robinson’s talked about a new lineup in JLA: Mon-El, Congorilla, Dick Grayson Batman, Donna Troy and Hal Jordan. The other characters are a “mystery,” says Robinson. And Mon-El’s new costume was revealed.

* Oni announced a new comic from Rashida Jones of “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” about an heiress who becomes a CIA agent: Frenemy of the State.

– Annette

Where did we see Sterling Gates this week? Right here at Speeding Bullet! If you were in Sunday afternoon, you probably saw the writer of Supergirl shopping in our store and talking about … a new project?

Sterling signed some New Krypton Vol. 1 graphic novels while he was in. Come get yours now. First come, first served!

At last, the answer to the question that’s plagued DC fans for decades: Who’s faster, Superman or The Flash? Call your bookie and bet the farm, because you’ve never seen a run like this - and if speedsters keep dying at the pace they’re going, you might never see another one again!

We love a good race. The cover to the original Flash-Superman race is hanging in our cafe window, so you know we can’t wait for this one!

Our Blackest Night #0’s went fast on Free Comic Book Day. But if you weren’t able to join us Saturday, don’t despair. We have more copies in stock — and we’re offering a special deal to make them essentially free to you, even though Free Comic Book Day is over!

Buy a copy of Blackest Night #0 for $1, and get $1 off Blackest Night #1, coming July 15. Don’t miss the comics event of the summer!

The rain didn’t keep you guys away from Free Comic Book Day. In fact, we had a flood of people through our doors Saturday!

There was a line of comics fans waiting to get in when we opened, and the traffic never really let up throughout the day. More people visited Speeding Bullet on Saturday than on any other day in the 11 years we’ve been in business. The crowd even surpassed the number of folks who came to see Geoff Johns sign in our store in 2007!

Special thanks to Colin Warde, who shared his knowledge of authentic Star Wars props with our customers. Colin brought plenty of goodies for show-and-tell, including a hard drive worth of images of items he auctioned over the last two years.

If you couldn’t make it by to see Colin, Speeding Bullet still has copies of Star Trek magazine, which features an article on Colin.

Matt is live-blogging Free Comic Book Day from Speeding Bullet Comics at his Nerdage blog. Check it throughout the day to get Free Comic Book Day highlights. Early in the day, there’s been a huge turnout at Speeding Bullet, and we look forward to seeing more of you throughout the afternoon, and at the Colin Warde “Star Trek” appearance.

One of the items that will be in Colin Warde’s show-and-tell bag in our store May 2 is one of the above “data cards” that appeared in the film, “Star Trek: First Contact.”

Colin managed thousands of authentic Star Trek prop and costume auctions on eBay. During the course of his job, he was responsible for identifying each item and how it was used in Star Trek lore.

“One of the things I will talk about is authenticity of items since there were dozens of these data cards. Does mine actually show up on screen? Not in this screencap, but you never know,” Colin said.

Colin will be answering questions and signing Star Trek magazines from 3 to 5 pm on May 2.

Matt tells us how to get it “quick and dirty” in this special Wolverine-themed comics vodcast.

Kyle Roberts quizzed movie fans at the midnight showing of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” at the Warren Theater in Moore, Oklahoma. And guess who aced every question? Our very own HeroClix judge Jake Langham! Way to make us proud, Jake!

Matt and Kyle look at some of the books that will be available on Free Comic Book Day at Speeding Bullet.

Congratulations to our super sleuth Brian Mairet, the winner of our Supergirl script signed by Sterling Gates!

Special kudos to Randell Gudgel and John Williams, who also correctly guessed the identity of Superwoman but didn’t win the drawing. So close, guys!

If you want to know “Who is Superwoman,” check out Supergirl #40, on sale now! We will tell you Annette’s guess of Superman robot was incorrect (even though it makes perfect sense!). She is filing an appeal with the creative team.

Free Comic Book Day is Saturday!

Not familiar with this marvelous holiday? Here’s how it works: You come to Speeding Bullet on May 2. We give you FREE comics.

This year, Colin Warde, Star Trek props expert will be helping us with our celebration!

Ever wanted to know the difference between a Type 1 and Type 2 phaser? How much is a dabo chip from Quark’s bar really worth? How do Klingons accessorize? Find out more about what went on behind the scenes in creating Star Trek sets from the last 40 years.

Warde will appear from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at Speeding Bullet Comics, 614 N Porter Ave. in Norman. Warde has managed thousands of auctions of Star Trek props for It’s a Wrap since the company began auctioning the famous props and costumes on eBay in 2006. He’ll be showing off one of his favorite items from the film “Star Trek: First Contact” and will be answering questions from fans.

Kyle take offense that at how Oklahoma is depicted in “Thor,” leading to Kevin Durant dunking on Dr. Doom.

Kyle breaks out his adamantium, as the guys review four Marvel comics.

The “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” star is helping to promote literacy by encouraging people to take advantage of Free Comic Book Day at Speeding Bullet on May 2. He’s a nice guy.

Superwoman’s identity will be revealed next week in Supergirl #40!

That means you only have 5 more days to submit your guesses to Speeding Bullet’s “Who is Superwoman?” Contest!

Annette is happy to share her theories with you, dear reader, in case you are hesitant to venture a guess on your own.

Clue: Possible lead-lined mask
Theory: It’s not her mask; her face is lead.

Clue: Kryptonian powers but immune to gold kryptonite
Theory: She does not get her powers from Kryptonian physiology.

Clue: Murdered Agent Liberty and Reactron’s girlfriend
Theory: She’s evil. (duh!)

Clue: Taking orders from Gen. Sam Lane
Theory: It’s in her programming.

After seeing Superwoman say “Intruder Alert” while her red eyes lit up and heat visioned Agent Liberty to death, Superwoman gave herself away. She is … a robot!

If Superman can make Superman robots in his Fortress of Solitude, it makes sense that Kryptonians on Kandor would be just as handy. Add General Lane’s access to Brainiac technology (which had also tapped into Kandor) and his desire for an super army, and why wouldn’t Gen. Lane create the prototype for an ultimate soldier … Superwoman!

Don’t like Annette’s theories? Then, come up with your own, slackers. Deadline to enter is Monday, April 20.

The grand prize is a Supergirl script signed by writer and Speeding Bullet alumn Sterling Gates!

It’s mere days away … Starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, prepare to freak out! Our entire store will be on sale during our massive MONSTER SALE!

· 25% off all graphic novels, statues, toys, and posters!
· 50% off all comic books and magazines!
· 75% off all back issues when you buy 50 or more!

Tickets to the Speeding Bullet’s MONSTER SALE are $10. Subscribers in good standing can pick up their free tickets beginning Wednesday. Not a subscriber? There’s still time to qualify for a free ticket with any $50 purchase.

This sale only comes around twice a year. Don’t miss out!

Preview Night is 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, April 17
Sale continues during regular hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18 through noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 19.

Lots of mysteries this week, including … Why is Kyle wearing a tie?

The Christmas of Comics is quickly approaching! Here at Speeding Bullet, we’re in the giving spirit, and that’s why if you come in on Free Comic Book Day, we’ll give you 5 free comics!

In the coming weeks, we’ll highlight some of the exclusive freebies we’ll be throwing your way — books that will be available for one day only!

Free Comic Book Day is May 2.

Weekend retail warrior Josh Curliss got older last week. The senility is setting in, as he forgot to blow out the candle in his Booster Gold cake.
We love you, Josh!

He works nearly every Sunday, so come in and say hello.

Barry’s back! The guys look at Flash: Rebirth #1.

The day Speeding Bullet opened, Barry Switzer walked by our front door. We took that as an omen.

This week, Barry Allen returns to Speeding Bullet AND the DC Universe in Flash Rebirth #1.

Barry has beaten death and returned to a fast-paced world that a man out of time wouldn’t recognize. Or is it a world that is only just now catching up? Even though one speedster might have beaten death, another has turned up dead!

From Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver comes the start of an explosive and jaw-dropping epic that will reintroduce to the modern age the hero who single-handedly birthed the Silver Age of comics!

The guys liked all the comics this week!

Matt caught up with Geoff Johns at the ComicsPRO meeting in Memphis. Check out the video, and look for Matt’s article later today over at Nerdage.

Matt talks to Filip Sablik from Top Cow about the new comic Berserker and the upcoming Marvel/Top Cow crossover. To see his video from Memphis, click here or watch the video embed above.

Remember the end of “Raiders of the Lost Ark?” I was in that warehouse last weekend - or something very much like it! I didn’t see the ark, but we did find Doc Brown’s flux capacitor among 8 miles of comics and collectibles stacked at least 4 stories high.

Diamond Comics, the company that distributes most comic books and graphic novels to comic shops, recently moved into its new warehouse in Olive Branch, Miss. The warehouse replaces three smaller warehouses in Memphis, Tenn. Matt and I were among several dozen comic book retailers who received a tour of the warehouse.

Diamond’s new warehouse is not only the size of a small town, it’s state-of-the-art. First, every item that comes into the warehouse is scanned into a barcode gun that records the weight, dimension, quantity, price and location of every item Diamond carries. And Diamond carries millions. The new items that ship every Wednesday are funneled into a massive assembly line, where 90 pickers spend all week sorting the new comics and other goodies into boxes, which ship to individual comic book stores across North America.

The reorder process is even more phenomenal. When we reorder books for you, our request is processed by Diamond and converted into a barcode label. The label is assigned to a box that travels through an amusement park maze of chutes and conveyor belts. Employees on each level scan the box and detain it if it requires a book in their section. Pickers in each section scan the box label, and a voice recognition system translates the order into bin numbers through the pickers’ headsets. After the box has traveled through each of the 10 levels in the reorder modules, it arrives at quality control, where it is scrutinized for weight. Then each box is sorted into loading stations by region, where they are loaded into delivery trucks.

Diamond employees that showed us around were ecstatic about the new electronic picking system. They described the old paper system as inefficient and cumbersome. There have been some hiccups adjusting to the new system, but Diamond promises that almost all of the wrinkles will be ironed out within the next 30 days.

We are excited about Diamond’s new home. Want to help us try it out? Next time you don’t see a graphic novel you want in our store, let us reorder it for you!
– Annette

Photos (from top to bottom): 1. The Diamond warehouse is massive. 2. Matt poses with the Flux Capacitor in a Diamond break room. 3. The Wednesday sort assembly line is nearly emptied out by Saturday evening. 4. The conveyor belt moves boxes from the sort modules to the loading stations. See the black spiral chutes in the background. 5. The ground-floor conveyor belt moves boxes through one of the modules. 6. The sort modules are four stories tall.