Random Acts of Comics

For Charlotte's readers of comic books, graphic novels and manga, Shelton Drum has achieved the status of a local legend. Forty years ago, Shelton founded Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, an independent comics shop, which is now located at 417 Pecan Avenue in Charlotte's Plaza-Midwood neighborhood. Although he was only in his twenties at the time, he already had extensive experience collecting comic books. His customers appreciated his expertise and enjoyed talking with a fellow comic book fan, and he soon developed a loyal customer base. Nowadays Heroes (as the store is generally known) ranks among America's most influential comic book retailers. For more information about Heroes, please click on the following link: http://www.heroesonline.com/about/

This episode features an excerpt of "Non Cents" by Sonny Rollins

Mark Waid has been gifting us with some of the most amazing comic book stories for the past…whew!…three decades. With every title or project, he achieves a new level of wow-ness; from his run on the Flash, The Fantastic Four, Kingdom Come, Empire, World's Finest, and Teen Titans. He and Todd have been pals from the beginning and talk about some of the crazy stuff that has happened to them along the way. And What's Your Favorite Comic?

This episode features an excerpt of "Hotter Than That" by Louis Armstrong & His Hot Fives

Ahoy, gang! By popular demand, here is another companion episode. This one is a list of all of the terms and references that were dropped in the Mark Waid issue!

This episode features an excerpt from "I'll Let You Know" by Houston Person

John is the son of Todd's Perhapanauts partner, Craig, and an incredible specimen of what being enveloped by comic book culture your entire life can do to a kid. He is knowledgable, fascinated, insightful, curious, nonjudgemental, and unjaded. He is also one of Todd's favorite people to hang around with. Here they talk about comics and growing up surrounded by pop culture and comics.

*This episode features a moment of "Godchild" by Miles Davis

Tom DeFalco

Tom DeFalco has worn all the hats at Marvel. From writer to editor to editor-in-chief, he has created and guided the paths of every character and helmed a ship that weathered some stormy seas. His support and encouragement when Todd was first starting out in comics made the insanity of the infamous Clone Saga period much more tolerable. And fun. Here they talk about Tom's career and love of comics.

This episode includes a moment of "Don't Blame Me" by Thelonious Monk (Live In Denmark, 1966-04-17)

Howard Chaykin is, by far, one of the most direct and outspoken people in comics and that's why he's one of Todd's favorites. As a creator/writer/artist, Howard's work on American Flagg, Black Kiss, and Hey, Kids! Comics! has given him the platforms on which to voice his opinions in a smart and entertaining way. On the same night Todd met Howard, they were later dumped into the trunk of an SUV and transported to an unknown location for drinks.

Todd breaks down all of the people, references and terms he and Howard Chaykin mention in the Howard Chaykin episode. If you're new to comicbooks, art or just want to hear Todd mine the cosmos for the most widely understood and downright awe inspiring analogies, then this mini bonus episode is for you!

This episode features a section of Coleman Hawkins' "Body and Soul (1939)"

June Brigman

June Brigman is an artist known for her lovely work on comic books like Power Pack and the X-Men, comic strips Brenda Starr and Mary Worth, and for being one of the absolute nicest people in comics. Todd talks with her about her life and her work and her time teaching. He also, unconsciously, says "great" a lot. Like, a lot. I didn't count them.

Brad Tree is a long-time comics fan and the Guest Coordinator of the Baltimore Comic Con. His love of comics and the people who make them makes him the kinda guy you want to know. He and Todd chat about being a fan and how comics can speak to us. Also, What's Your Favorite Comic?™…