Just a quick lil old blog to say a big thank you to all the great folks who make having the best shop in Vegas possible! Yes, I am biased. But I think (and I am sure my mom thinks so, too) that we have the best comic book store in town.

Best in many ways. Not the oldest. Not the biggest. But the best.

And what makes us the best is you--the person taking the time to read this dumb blog. The same person that comes in and enjoys their love of comics with us. You, the person that carries our Reward Program stamp card in your wallet/purse/murse, all tattered and stamped-up, proudly. You tell your friends and neighbors about our store and the good times had there. You fear the Marvel/Dinsey merger, you love debating who is tougher than who, you hate Twi-hards and Spider-Clones. You love comics and you get em at MaximuM.

You.

That makes us the best. That is tons to be thankful for. I am also exceedingly thankful for my staff: Chaz, Zac, Drew, Armi and Jazmin. Each has their own strengths, each excels in their own way, each makes us the best.

So thank you. Thanks tons!

Jay

Wow--I am still wiped from the party held at the shop on Tuesday, October 27th. It was a blast, I want to thank everyone for their help that night! Craig and Southern for the beer and beverages. Holly and Lauren for pics a'plenty. Chaz, Zac, Drew, Armi and the gang for making it all work!

If you missed it, it was the third party we have held this year and I gotta say, they are a ton of fun!! Vegas is an odd town to live in if you are not a gambler, a partier or a strip club enthusiast. Many of our friends of MaximuM don't really fit into any of those categories and it can prove to be challenging to have a social life outside of work.

Our parties hopefully provide a place to come hang, chat super-topics and just plain be with people that love the same thing--comics!

It was great fun--the raffles, the beer, the new faces and returning friends, Brandon roasting weiners. All so much fun!

Thanks again, keep your eyes peeled for the Next Big Thing to come out of MaximuM Comics!

October 10-13 2009 was the annual retailer summit for comic shop store owners. Held in different cities each year(this year Baltimore hosted), the summit is usually filled with fun, info and lots of shop owners compaining. This year was no different, except that is was really fun, really informative and less complaints!

Baltimore is a lovely city and a wonderful vacation stop, especially if you like history and seafood. It was nice to be in temps lower than the 90's for a change, but I do miss the dry desert heat and the fun that is Vegas.

This year lots of great news awaited retailers, including better incentives for ordering bigger and lots of spiffy upcoming comic news (Deadpool Corps, Blackest Night January and even a peak at the wearer of the Iron Man armor--and it ain't Stark OR Osborne). The vendors made sure to pimp out the new product coming up in the year and tried to get more shops to carry gaming (never gonna happen, sorry. Or you are welcome, depending on your view of gaming).

The best result for MaximuM Comics was that we strengthened relationships between vendors, distributor and shop owners. This is invaluable when trying to stay afloat in a volatile market. I met two young owners in particular from Orlando's A Comic Shop (Jason and Aaron) that were a revelation. So much energy and great ideas, we will definitely be swiping a few ideas. Tate (and his dad Tony) from Tate's Comics rock--very nice, very helpful, very fun. I hung mostly with Ralph and Kate from Vegas' own Alternate Reality and they made the whole trip worth it! On a personal note, you couldn't ask for better friends/competitors than Ralph&Kate. Thanks guys for making it Ralph and Kate plus Jay.

Thanks to my partner Blake for not going--jerk! Actually, he is so gassy that a night in a hotel without farts is a welcome blessing! Ha!

In all, I can't wait to share all the hotness I gleaned form this event!!

Hi everyone!

I wanted to introduce myself, my name is Holly and I will be assisting Jay with the store blog.

I am a Las Vegas native but have also lived in Minnesota (Did the Minnesota winters for 13 years but will take the heat of our summers any day) I moved back home June 2008 and it is true home is where your heart is.

I love this town, and all the people that make Las Vegas home.

It didn't take me long to be a fan of MaximuM, I remember the first times I visited the store and remember very well why I prefer MaximuM. I will admit I do on occasion check out the other comic stores in the valley but none come close to MaximuM. You can count on walking into Jay's store and being greeted with smiles and attention. Honestly if you're not in a good mood before you walk in you will be by the time you leave.

The staff is eager to help you find current issues, back issues, or if you are in need of a good read they will point you in the right direction. Let me tell you if they don't have it, they will see what they can do to get it for you. I have been to other stores where the people didnt even look up from what they were doing to greet me, or take an interest as to what I was looking for...I dont think it had anything to do with the fact I am a girl. Like I said they never looked up.

Oh and by the way...I know my BATMAN and can hold a mean comic conversation. I am currently reading BATMAN Streets of Gotham, Gothem City Sirens,Deadpool(love the Headpool), Red Robin, The Sword (thanks Chaz for getting me hooked), there is some HULK i need to get caught up on. Thats a start of what you can find me reading in my spare time. I will admit I love the JOKER.

You will not be ignored at MaximuM!

The store is filled with all the latest and greatest, a wide variety of variants, back issues, and plenty of extras. So wether you're a local or visiting-- you are going to want to stop in and see the store for yourself.

Customer service from knowledgeable staff members and an enjoyable yet fun and hip shopping adventure awaits you.

For the love of comics....Free comic book day!

I participated in the store's event last May. I was completely impressed by what the store offered the customers and the community. Jay and the staff really went all out...Complete with a huge selection of free comics, superheros, treats, a photographer, and the MAX-mobile was even on display. The event was an amazing success because the store was able to reach out to the community and in these hectic and crazy times slow us all down to enjoy some good clean fun. It meant families spending time together, I just know that some of the comics got into the hands of our community members that for this reason or that with the economy the way it is cant afford the little extras like comics. So for one day in may  MaximuM provided a day of fun, a day where you could spend time with family and friends, enjoying a great store, superheros, and yes FREE COMICS...LIFE IS GOOD!

Be sure to sign up to receive updates on store events and comic releases.

It is truly my pleasure to be a part of the MaximuM family.

Holly

Man, what's the deal with Comic Book movies? After last summer's banner year--Iron Man, Dark Knight, Hulk--I thought maybe, just maybe Hollywood figured out the formula for a great comic book movie (solid property + A-List cast + great story + faithfull to characters = $$$$) but then I saw 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' and boy, was I crestfallen.

Bad F/X, crappy story and, uh, Deadpool? (was that even him?!) Is it possible for a film to be worse than X3? YES!! While not 'Catwoman' bad, it was up there.

After hearing 'Terminator Salvation' is rated PG-13, I am not so excited for it. Just what I needed--Terminator Happy Meal toys. Ugh. Hell, even Christian Bale's famous rant was R rated....

But the saving grace so far in Summer Movies? 'Star Trek'! Action-packed, great F/X, engaging story, hunky stars (Chris Pine is my new husband--back off ladies!!). I was blown away. Maybe because Trek films have been so watered down. Maybe because we all want another 'Iron Man'-like surprise. Maybe because 'Wolverine' was so bad.

Whatever the case, bring on the movies! But don't make them suck-y!!

Spring always brings out the best in life--new babies, new flowers new comics!

Despite an air of hardship and fear this year, spring is a time to begin anew. And this means comics too!

Get in touch with a long-lost super friend. Catch up w/ a hero from days gone by. Check in on your favorite league, society or team.

Our friends come in many forms, but the ones on paper tend to be my favorite. Is it silly to consider Spidey your friend? You both have been through so much, grown up together, lost the gal of your dreams (or guy), have a crazy aunt that makes wheatcakes.

Is it weird to call Hal Jordan pal? He is like me in so many ways--we both like jewelry, we both like bomber jackets, we both like sapphires.

Is it insane to feel like I have a seat reserved at the Justice League table once a month? Or a seat in the Batmobile, or a session scheduled in the Danger Room?

Then call me crazy, because some of these characters provide more enjoyment, more escape and more action than most people I know!

Some would call that sad, nerdy, lame.

I say 'who cares'? I say 'read more comics'!

I say 'Spring is a time for renewal--get in touch with your true friends'!

I say!

Jay

Sure, we have been hit hardest by the housing/economic crisis. Yeah, we lack a sense of culture. Crime? We got plenty.

But Vegas RULES!

Don't believe me? Too bad. In the 4+ years I have been here, I have met more amazing people, seen more amazing shows and been to the most amazing restaurants than in the previous however many years...

Thanks Vegas for all the great friends that have been made at MaximuM Comics. If you are reading this, you are certainly one of them. Great conversations, interesting people, fun times all around.

Thanks to those same friends, it has been time filled with 'Only In Vegas' fun! I saw Bette Midler courtesy of Terry G and it was stunning! Blue Man was fun and funky and Rosekrans made it possible. Ka, Beatles Love, O--thanks Jason and konichiwa! I am still on a high from a one-two weekend of watching the Wranglers at the Orleans w/ Jessica, Christie and Peaches and being front row at Elton John (I was literally within arms reach of him the whole time---amazing) and I have Rabbi Daniels to thank for that.

Vegas is great--don't let anyone fool you. Get out, see some of the shows. Many many shows and restaurants are offering crazy-big discounts for locals, so give the local economy a shot in the arm--enjoy Vegas! Have a cocktail or three, pig out at a buffet, see an old star before they burn out.

Besides, it could always be worse...it could be Utah.....

Jay

ps--and buy Vegas comics! Internet comics are always sketchy. Buy Vegas!

Well howdy-ho friends.
It's 2009! Time for some serious New Year resolutions(besides losing weight..serious):

1) Try New Comics!   Is there a title you hear fans/shop-keeps buzz about but haven't picked up yet? Give it a try--it could be your new favorite! That's how most people found out how awesome 'Wanted' is--by word-of-mouth and giving it a try.

2) Read more Graphic Novels!   Like Tivo-ing your comics, graphic novels have no annoying ads and you get to read it when it best fits your needs, no waiting for weeks on end for that next issue (that is probably late anyway) to resolve a shocking plot twist! Graphic novels deliver on-time, when YOU want it to!

3) Update My Pull List!!!    The pull list (a listing of the comics you want to receive each month) is the handy-dandy way to make sure we order the correct amount of issues to ensure you receive all the best comics! Check YOUR list when you are in the shop next. There are a ton of new comics this year, make sure you get yours!!

Can't wait to make lots of memories with you all in 2009! (well, most of you...)

Jay

It has been a crazy year, I began listing things that happened in '08 and realized that the list would be a mile long. Suffice to say, '09 looks to be even crazier.

January is off to a bang, lots of news and events. Let's start with day one: We will be closed for New Year's Day, Thursday January 1st. I better be home nursing a hangover or worse. The boys better not be....

Due to the holiday season, UPS and Diamond Comics are behind, so new comics will be in on Friday January 2nd, ready to go at 10am.

The MLAA resumes it's twice-a-month meetings Sunday, January 11th from 6-9pm--it is one of the coolest things we do: get together, hang, laugh and draw. Please join us for the thrills!

Our 2nd Anniversary (can you believe it?!) is this month and to celebrate we will be having a HUGE sale January 18-24. This is the biggie sale for the first half of '09, so don't miss out!!

More news to come! Watch this space for more details! We love you!

Jay

Yay!

Holiday time! Family, friends, food, Comics!!

I hope you get plenty of all of them. I hope this holiday is the best yet for you and yours. I hope you survive and thrive in these tough economic times. I hope that the world grows closer together, realizing our differences are our strengths. I hope our teachers are regarded as heroes and that our heroes are better teachers. I hope that equality will abound in '09 for us all. I hope that it is not too late to save our mother earth. I hope that change really has come and that we can make that change happen.

I guess I hope for a lot of things, what can I say?

Have a hope-filled holiday!

Jay