It's been a regrettably long time since we checked in at Isotope Comics, the neighborhood's very own "comic book lounge". Recently named among the "20 coolest comic shops in America" and receiving its 12th "Best Comic Shop" nod in the late Bay Guardian's Best of the Bay awards, Isotope is going strong at 326 Fell St., and it's got a bevy of events on the roster to prove it.
Ww checked in with owner James Sime, who we profiled last year, to get the latest on goings-on at Hayes Valley's popular comic book space, plus popular titles for the comic book lover on your holiday shopping list this year.
Saroyan Humphrey/Hoodline
"Hayes Valley continues to grow in new and exciting ways and this fall has seen a really wonderful influx of new faces for us," said Sime, whose unique personal style has made him an unmistakable figure in the neighborhood.
If you've been waiting for the right moment to check out the shop, today could be your moment. From 4pm to 7pm this afternoon/evening, Isotope will be celebrating the release of Savage Dragon issue 200 with legendary San Francisco creator and Image Comics founder Erik Larsen, in what Sime calls "a true milestone in comics."
"Larsen will be rocking the Isotope drafting table, signing comics and doing free sketches. We will have three varieties of Savage Dragon anniversary issue ... and also some rare blank covers for him to do original art on for guests," said Sime. "This event will also be featuring Erik’s massively over-sized original art pages on display to blow everyone’s collective minds."
Today's event is just one of the many happenings in the works at Isotope, and Sime says that the new year is going to be "amazing". "We'll be kicking it off with a huge SAGA signing and party with the always affable Brian K. Vaughan on Friday, January 9th. That's going to be a fun event with DJ Bearzbub and lots of surprise guests that will make people happy."
"We'll be following that event up with a late January/early February event with true comics rockstar Paul Pope," Sime told us. "If you know Paul's comics you know that's going to be a party to remember. I'm hoping to bring in some equilibrists, hand balancers, contortionists and other fun circus folks for that one. Beyond that is all still a secret but we've been quietly working on a year-long schedule of fun events and I think it will be one of the best we've ever done."
So what's been flying off the shelves lately? Sime gave us the rundown on some of the most popular books right now:
- Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples' SAGA series. "The oversized hardcover of that was just released and volume 4 softcover arrives on the 17th of December."
- East of West, a post apocalyptic western by Jonathan Hickman and drawn by Bay Area artist Nick Dragotta that Sime calls "definitely one of my favorites."
- Batgirl artist Babs Tar's fresh new take on the beloved DC Comics character "is totally blowing away all the other single issues on the shelf."
- Ms. Marvel: "The superheroic adventures of a Muslim teenage fangirl who finds herself with extra-ordinary powers has been so wonderfully popular with the kids (and the adults too)".
- Arkwright Integral: The Adventures of Luthor Arkwright by the elder statesman of the British comics industry Bryan Talbot. "This is the book that was a huge inspiration to young Brit authors Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman and Grant Morrison when they were just starting out. It is finally back in print and selling like crazy."
- The hand-published Bisexual Trials and Errors from local artist Elizabeth Beier, "a really fantastic slice of life book that will bring a huge smile to your face with its charming honesty."
If you stop by the store this month, be sure to also check out the "Wuvable Oaf" holiday window display by San Francisco artist Katie Longua (My Little Pony, Rök).
And, if the above titles and artists are all gibberish to you, remember that Isotope is there to help with comic book newbies and experts alike. Most of all, says Sime, "we could not be more blessed that the people of San Francisco love our shop and what we do so much."
