Free Comic Book Day 2026 is Saturday, May 2!

New Digs for Stuart Ng Books

Midtown Comics Times Square

As a funny addendum to this story, shortly after my visit, Midtown Comics posted on Twitter that actor/comedian Brian Posehn showed up at the store as well that same day!

A post from Posehn's Facebook account then showed up on my feed with this accompanying photo—which suddenly made sense why he partly may have been in town: to see the play, "Glengarry Glen Ross," with his Mr. Show with Bob and David castmate, which we saw Thursday night ourselves!.

The Comics That Made Me, Pt. 2

The Comics That Made Me, Pt. 1

Pictured at right is Our Army at War (Sgt. Rock) #267, cover dated April 1974—story by Robert Kanigher/interior art by John Severin/cover by Joe Kubert.

When I was growing up and getting into comics in the early 1970s, comic book stores had really not taken off yet. There were certainly none near me, and though some school friends read comics, I was completely unaware of the fan community. So like most kids in that era, I got my comics simply from what was available on the spinner rack at a local drugstore.

Though I remember owning some random comics when I was younger—including a Dennis the Menace comic book that I really loved, a Tarzan comic, and a Marvel Fantastic Four, as well as a Peanuts paperback collection—this was the first comic book I recall consciously purchasing, which made me a collector. Being a war history and film nut at the time, this was right up my alley for 12-year-old me. As such, it became the first comic book series I collected, dutifully going down to that drugstore every month to pick up the next issue. 

This was before comic book stores had really taken off—there were none near me that I was aware of, so like most kids my age, I bought them off the spinner rack at my local drugstore, which was down by the train station. And it’s not like the store carried everything (I don’t recall any Marvel Comics on that display), but fortunately they carried this series pretty regularly. I also remember excitedly coming across issue 269, a 100 page special, at a news vendor at the Staten Island Ferry terminal, right before boarding a boat—which my mom kindly got me for a whopping 60¢! A little while later, I discovered a neighborhood kid had several issues that immediately preceded this one, which allowed me to add to my collection. 

Though Joe Kubert, who was most closely identified with the character, still drew the covers (as shown in the sample issues below), I was oblivious to his earlier work on the series, though I saw his work in collections. So in addition to Severin, the other artists I was exposed to on Sgt. Rock during that period included Russ Heath, George Evans and Frank Redondo for an extended run. I had no idea Redondo was Filipino, nor part of the wave of Filipino artists who entered the U.S. comics industry during the ‘70.)

This comic book started it all in another way—it inspired my own war comic, Sgt. Hanes and Hell Platoon—of which I drew 26 issues (the same milestone I’m about to hit this year with Rob Hanes Adventures!). Drawn on lined notebook paper with black pencil and colored pencils, each new issue was passed around my junior high school classroom—and, yes, I have most of those issues still! As readers of Rob Hanes Adventures know, I finally fulfilled a dream to bring that character into the series in issue 22 in a World War II flashback, and again in the last issue, #25.

Shortly after, I also began picking up Batman comics (both Batman and Detective Comics), being a fan of the character from the Adam West tv show which was in re-runs when I was a kid.

Great Signing at Pulp Fiction Culver City

Signing at Comic Bug, Manhattan Beach

Though I'll be shifting gears now to focus on the San Diego Comic-Con that starts next week, before I do so I want to say I had a great time today the Comic Bug's Manhattan Beach, CA store. The staff (Eddie, Anthony and Gerald) were great company and were fantastic hopes.

The store's customers were terrific—though they obviously already are comics readers, I nevertheless was appreciative and impressed over how open and receptive they were to checking out a new comic book series and, in many cases, giving it a try. (I also met customers who were already familiar with my work). I wish it was always this easy! I enjoyed meeting and chatting with everyone who stopped by to chat and were willing to suffer through my pitch lol. I truly had an enjoyable time!

It's been years since I've done a signing and I hope to do more in times to come...especially after such a positive experience.

Signing at the Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach

Come say hi and check out the new issue of Rob Hanes Adventures at The Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach, CA this Wednesday, July 13, 12–3 p.m.! I'll have all my back issues and trade paperbacks as well (to be followed by the San Diego Comic-Con next week—omg, is it that soon?!) 

Thanks to the Comic Bug for the opportunity to come in on new comics day and for supporting indie comics!