•Most Improved Retail Display – Heroes Only Comics & Games in Cheyenne, WY

The winners for the first inaugural Diamond Retail Best Practices Awards (BPAs) were announced during the dinner portion of Diamond’s Retailer Summit in Chicago on April 12. Diamond’s own Executive Director – Business Development, Chris Powell, served as master of ceremonies.

The Diamond BPAs have been established to identify and honor comic book specialty retailers that demonstrate “best practices” in their stores, thereby offering their patrons and community a consistently appealing shopping experience. All comic book and specialty hobby store retailers serviced by Diamond were invited to nominate their store for Diamond BPA consideration by submitting photos of the area(s) of their shop they wish to nominate and a written statement (of no more than 500 words) explaining why they believe their store is deserving of the award. Throughout the morning and afternoon on April 12, retailers attending the Summit were then given the opportunity to review the entries and then cast their vote.

And the initial Best Practices Award winners are:

• Best Window Display - Level Up Entertainment in Mays Landing, NJ
• Best Counter Display – Heroes and Villains in Hampton, VA
• Best New Comics Section – Comic Central in Sanford, FL
• Best Graphic Novels Section – KINGS Comics in Sydney, Australia
• Best Kids Section – Happy Harbor Comics in Edmonton, Alberta
• Best Toys Section – Space Cadets Collection in Oak Ridge North, TX
• Best Movie or Themed Boutique – Krypton Comics in Omaha, NE
• Best Out of the Box Game Display – Lone Star Comics in Mesquite, TX
• Best T-Shirt Display – Generation X Comics in Bedford, TX
• Most Improved Retail Display – Heroes Only Comics & Games in Cheyenne, WY

“The entries for the first ten Best Practices Awards were all impressive, as I think retailers learned firsthand while reviewing the photos and explanations of the store’s merits in a given category,” said Diamond Director of Marketing Dan Manser, shown below with the winners in attendance. “Diamond wishes to congratulate the 10 winners and thank all those that submitted their photos and write-ups. Feedback I’ve received indicates that the BPAs achieved their goal of spotlighting the stores that best represent the unique retail experience only direct market stores can offer consumers, simultaneously providing fellow retailers with some great ideas of what they cany do and accomplish in their own shops.”

After announcing the winners in these first ten categories, Powell reminded retailers that new BPA categories would be announced, which should help establish a new tradition of honoring some of the world’s most outstanding shops with this industry award voted upon by those that drive it.

First – Heroes Only Comics and Capitol City Digital Cinemas in Cheyenne – WILL have a THEATHER for the Midnight Showing May 3^rd , 2012 for the THE AVENGERS!!!  The doors for the showing will open at 9:00 PM and Capitol will show one of the five movies (Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Captain America) leading up to THE AVENGERS before hand. 

I need a count of everyone that would be interested in going to this showing.  I will start a list tonight with Nicole at the store and we will get a head count through Saturday the 21^st of April.  You can also contact me or the store on FaceBook – Official Heroes Only Comics and Games or pj@heroesonly.net to confirm and leave a head count.

Second – Heroes Only Comics & Games and Seize The Deal are teaming up for a deal – buy a coupon for $10 and come into the store with it to get $20 worth of comics or what not – beginning April 23^rd, 2012 for that whole week through their website – www.seizethedeal.com and www.kingfm.com , We will have the link on our website and on Facebook as well.

DON’T Forget FREE COMIC BOOK DAY – MAY 5^th, 2012 @ Heroes Only Comics & Games and Laramie County Library!!!

Starfest 2012 General Admission 3-Day Adult
$49.00      Quantity: 12
Starfest 2012 General Admission 3-Day Child (6-10 years)
$24.00      Quantity: 5
Starfest 2012 General Admission Friday Only Adult
$15.00      Quantity: 5
Starfest 2012 General Admission Friday Only Child (6-10 years)
$8.00       Quantity: 5
Starfest 2012 General Admission Saturday Only Adult
$29.00      Quantity: 10
Starfest 2012 General Admission Saturday Only Child (6-10 years)
$15.00      Quantity: 5

Cash or Credit card only!

Hey Everyone!!! It is my pleasure to annouce that Chad Blakely’s Second Comic endeavor “Astonishing Adventures” will make its Wyoming debut at Heroes Only starting Saturday February 25th, 2012! Chad Blakely himself will be in house at 4 PM to sign copies of this NEW book and his last book “Kidnapping Kevin Smith”. He will also be talking to the newspaper and local TV while there too. “Astonishing Adventures” will be a three comic mini-series that you’ll have to follow. The store is looking forward to having Him there again and also being one of the first stores in the country to carry his work again. :) See you all there!!!

ALSO, Final TOYS FOR TOTS Pickup will be Thursday, December 15th. So if you have toys to drop off please come before then.

Back Issues in Long Boxes Only will be 50% OFF!! Does not include Back Issues with price dots or tags in Long Boxes. Come by to see if we have a missing issue you may need or try something different!! Comics Are good for stocking stuffers too!…!!

If you are looking for something that isn’t always found in the Superstores, come by and take a look. There is also a candy store and thrift store right next door to us.

We also have a TOYS FOR TOTS BOX in the store.. so if you want to bring toys by or buy something and donate – we are your spot for that.

Hope to see you this weekend!!

ANNOUNCEMENT:  Ron Fortier (Best Known In Comics for Rambo, Street Fighter, Terminator & Green Hornet) and Nick Runge – IDW COMICS Cover Artist (Ghostbusters, Angel, Farscape, Terminator, Star Trek: The Next Generation) will be together at the store on October 22nd for most of the day.  They are working together on a new comic book and will have them on hand at the store for signing.   More details to come.