Sneaky secret shoppers are apparently a thing.
It’s the time of year where more mentally challenged people roam Chicago streets.
The San Diego Comic-Con is happening as we record, so we’re going over a bunch of new comic news. Or, other news that has an impact on our business.
Wizards of the Coast are raising prices on Magic the Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons product.
IDW will be publishing all-ages comics featuring Marvel Comics characters. Apparently Marvel doesn’t know how to make comics for kids.
Kelly Thompson is writing Jessica Jones. Gasp! We had NO idea!
Donny Cates is overseeing the new Marvel Knights MK20 line.
There are a ton of new Spider-related Marvel comics and Batman-related DC comics heading our way soon.
Oh, that DC Universe “Titans” trailer…
Lots more announcements and what we think of them.

Whoops, that header is a mistake. It should read, “DIE!DIE!DIE! by Robert Kirkman. Darn typos.
“That’s not what I would do if I put a gun to your head.” is an actual quote from this episode.
Lots of FF #1 covers are coming out. We’re not ordering them.
Marvel has several non-announcement teasers leading into San Diego.
So many good comics came out this week! X-23 #1! Superman #1! She Could Fly #1! Amazing Spider-Man #1! Nancy Drew #2!
New event announcements! Mike Norton “Lil’ Donnie” signing and Word Balloon recording! Batman Day 2018!
MURDER FALCON! That title says it all.
As predicted on this very podcast 2 years ago, a major publisher stealth-launched a brand new comic book series by big-name creators! But… did it work?

The “proper” way to display comic books on shelves.
Daring to tell creators how to design covers.
What a time for weddings. Kitty and Colossus. Mr. and Mrs. X. Garnet (Steven Universe). The Bat and The Cat. We talk all the weddings and there are SPOILERS. We’ll tell you when, so be ready (starting at 22:50).

This is the second episode #378 we recorded for you today. Technical difficulties caused us to lose a full 1-hour & 4-minute episode, and, professionals that we are, we immediately recorded another, completely different episode for you. It has a little bit of recap from what Dal calls “The Lost Episode” but aside from that it’s all new material.
If Galactus was going to devour the Earth in one year’s time, and he will not be stopped, would you want to know?
What comic creator would you want to be trapped on a desert island with?
And plenty of other stuff, but I’m not doing a full breakdown because I’ve already lost too much time this week.

Two new waves of Marvel Legends figures have been selling very well.
If you overlooked The Hard Place in its 6-issue run, the trade is out now and it’s worth a look.
3rd week in a row we talk about Game Stop-- they just keep giving us reason to!
How video games are played vs. how comic books are consumed.
DC Comics is selling original Tom King Superman and Brian Michael Bendis Batman comics exclusively in Wal Mart stores. How do you think we react to that??
DC’s Black Label books will not necessarily be in traditional comic book formats.
We may hate to admit it, but stocking the DC “B” covers has been beneficial.
Lots of Merchandise restock is on the way… posters, pins, buttons, single issue all-ages comics, as well as a NEW Challengers bookmark! We’re really happy with it (but we’re ALWAYS happy with them).
The monthly ordering process is really disheartening for Patrick.