Sideways8Studios

So I got a Smart Phone this weekend... I feel like a caveman who discovered fire for the first time... but now that I've got that kind of access, You can follow me on Twitter... yeah,I'm on Twitter now... look for JeffPina78, that'll be me!

So in case you hadn't heard, the 25 year old comic chain Atomic Comics, based here in Phoenix AZ, closed it's doors last night. There was no warning, no head's up for staff or shoppers.

I worked there for 5+ years as an assistant manger, then store manager of the Paradise Valley location before leaving 4 years ago. I learned how to run a shop, how a book sells, how not to act like a fanboy around comic talent.

I got to meet comic legends like Jim Steranko, John Romita Jr, Brian Michael Bendis, Jeph Loeb, Geoff Johns, Steve Dillon, Scott Kollins, David Mack, Alex Maleev, Paul Jenkins, Humberto Ramos, Daniel Way and Warren Ellis to name a few.

I also got to meet with many of my talented local friends like Ben Glendenning (or Skulljammer on DevArt), Cory Walker, Madame M, Jim Hanna, Ryan Cody, Eric Mengal & Dennman... there's a huge list on this one...

Not to mention the friends I made there. Seeing my Buffy girls go from freshman in high school to being college graduates, married and with kids. Seeing two mutual friends of mine, meet and get married. Having all those boxholders and employees in my store become friends of mine who made leaving in the first place the hardest decision I've ever had to make in leaving a job.

Atomic was the first comic shop to ever carry Sideways 8 Studios comics. Dr. Oblivion's Guide to Teenage Dating #! debuted at the PV store's old location.

Thanks for everything Atomic & Malve! I can only hope it's not the last we'll see of you!

-Jeff Pina
Sideways 8 Studios

Hey, Check it out! The Smiths: Unite and Take Over made it's Kickstarter goal! But if you still want to help out, go for it!

It's also getting national and international attention! Here's some links to read about it:


The New Yorker:

www.newyorker.com/online/blogs…


UK Guardian (mentions me by name... awesome)

www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/…


Paste Magazine:

www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/aw…



You can pick up your copy at the Tucson Comic Con on Nov 5th & 6th (which, the 6th, is also my bday...weird huh?)

-Jeff Pina

Does anyone know of any good comic or web comic review sites? I'm trying to get my website's hits and Dev Art hits up and I'm having little luck.

Hey, everyone!

Check out this link:

www.bleedingcool.com/2011/07/2…


Spazdog Press is putting together an anthology with short stories based on the songs of The Smiths!

I've got a story I'm doing the art on with Michael Kessler and we're doing "What Difference Does It Make?" I'll post the character designs here in just a bit.


Head on over to Kickstarter and you can help us get this made for the Tucson Comic Con in Nov!

Here's the link to help out:

www.kickstarter.com/projects/7…



Also, don't forget, Critter #2 from Big Dog Ink will have a Chicago Comic Con/Jesse James Comics Variant available at Wizard World Chicago! It's limited, so get yours while you can!

-Jeff Pina