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Hey all, Machias here…

I’ve returned from my first ever Free Comic Book Day, and it was a great event. We were fortunate enough to the Peter Laird and the Mirage crew present for signings and whatnot, which was a big event for the area. The TMNT are kinda considered ‘sons of new hampshire’, since the comics were first created in Dover, the next town over.

Rochester even took the opportunity to get other businesses involved to stir up some ‘tourism’, so to speak. So there were a good dozen different locations that you could go to – Everything from pubs/taverns (like, 3 of them) to things like craft stores, bike shops, wood furniture, heck– even a bridal shop and antique store.

So, my brother and I took advantage of the nice weather, put on our walking shoes, and hit the pavement.

Now, a quick lil thing about Jetpack Comics – They were originally Paperback Bazaar in Somersworth, the original comic shop that first sold the TMNT. And they’re actually in the process of moving into a larger location, so this place is near and dear to the Mirage guys. That was where I first got my hands on TMNT comics, and that is now the main comic shop in the area I believe… definitely check them out if you’ve got the time.

The shop was jam packed with people – adults, kids, teenagers, costumed… got our stamps, the lists of participating businesses that we could get comics from, and a roundabout through a plethora of special edition printings and other freebies. Mostly what they were offering for TMNT was the PBBZ edition of the first issue, which I’d actually gotten at the PBBZ-con back in 2005. (Pics below) We got there pretty early, and managed to beat the Massive crowd and screaming kids that showed up about two minutes before we headed out to the other locations. Let’s just say it’s definitely a good thing that they’re moving to the larger location…

Before we begin, please forgive the graininess of my pictures, my camera wasn’t exactly the best for the situation.

Now the major location where they had the most people/guests and such, was at the Knights of Columbus Bingo Hall. The turnout there was pretty good, packed to the gills with boxes and people. The Mirage crew was spread out over a few tables, showcasing several different things.

There were several large prints for sale, $10 each. Different poses of the turtles and Splinter, which Peter shared on his blog. http://plairdblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/mike-don-raph-and-splinter-in-amazing.html – absolutely stunning to see in person.

They also had a few of the four-packs of the NECA figures – while I was at the table, there was a young kid who started slapping his hands on one of the boxes, screaming that he wanted it. I swore Peter was going to have a heart attack… but the dad pulled the kid away, and the figures lived to see another day.

The Jake Black print was available for purchase, about $20 dollars – I couldn’t afford it myself, but I donated to the cause regardless. Please do keep this talented young man in your thoughts. http://jakeboyslim.blogspot.com/

Also at the location were a few sketchbooks of artwork, cover artwork, comic pages, even a few single character poses and smaller pictures – The golden dragon image (left) was particularly striking, I’m just unsure if it’s been posted in any of the issues. There were a couple sketches of Splinter that I fell in love with, but alas… There was quite a few pics in there that I have Not seen anywhere else. Apparently the turtles aren’t the only ones good at hiding things in Mirage… 😉

In a locked display box on the table, there was an Original first issue that was being lent to them by a vendor from Portsmouth. There was a whole description about it, how it was discovered to be a First printing of the original issue. Sadly, it’s hard to read on the pic here, unless you people have some seriously good eyesight.

On the final table, Dan Berger was selling issues of the Tales of TMNT, where I found an issue I’ve been looking for, and got to chat with him a little about the upcoming “Forever War” series, being done by Steve Murphy aka Dean Clarrain. Now, I’m not sure if this was known, or was mentioned previously in any other blogs. But according to Berger, what was going to originally be a five-issue story for the Forever War, it is now going to be only THREE issues that comes out beginning in October.  If that’s old news, so be it. If not… you heard it here first.

So after a very brief chat with the guys and getting some signatures, my brother and I moved on to the other locations that were offering comics for free.  TMNT Fans were all over the place, proudly wearing their buttons, shirts, jackets and whatnot, while mingling in with the countless ogres, jedis, and countless Star Wars fans dressed up for the occasion. This fellow in the mask was kind enough to pose for us, and even said there was a Shredder nearby, terrorizing the public. So I kept my eyes open throughout the day.

We visited a few of the participating businesses – Tri City Bicycles, Union Street Antiques, The Cafe at the Governor’s Inn – A Star Wars style ‘cantina’, complete with a life sized Jabba the Hutt. Ben Franklin Crafts, Distinctive Forest Creations, several other places as well. The Old Oak Tavern, The Draught Pick Club, and Mel Flanagan’s Irish Pub weren’t opened Just yet. So After grabbing a slice of Pizza at Fat Tony’s Italian Grille, we took a stroll through Main Street and decided to call it a day. I never did find Shredder, that elusive B*stard…

So now I bask in the glory of my haul. The three issues on the right, as I mentioned above, are the PBBZ editions of the remastered first issue that I got a couple years back. Complete with signatures, even a hail to my favorite tmnt forum.

I also managed to find several of the previous issues that I had really wanted to buy. I’m still searching for a few (sorry, Tristan!), but I continue my mission.

So,  all in all this was a pretty fun day. The weather was perfect, the people were all around cheery, and no blood was spilt by battling stormtroopers or Ninjas, which is a positive for anyone.

Thanks for Reading!

Machias B.