Join us for a very special interview on Tuesday, October 19 at 3:30pm Eastern as we chat with noted author, Max Allan Collins!  Mr. Collins is well-known to fans of books, comic books, and comic strips in his long career.  He is the author of the acclaimed graphic novel, Road to Perdition, that was made into a feature film starring Tom Hanks.

Additionally, Mr. Collins is remembered for his long run on the Dick Tracy comic strip, taking over for creator Chester Gould.  Comic book fans will remember Mr. Collins' seminal creation, the female private eye, Ms. Tree, that was published by Eclipse Comics and DC Comics during her long run in print.

Further, Mr. Collins was the first writer on the Batman comic after Frank Miller's Batman: Year One story arc.  It was within Mr. Collins' run on Batman that the character of Jason Todd, the second Robin, had his origin rewritten and went from being a relatively well-adjusted teenager to a troubled youth who first encountered Batman by stealing the tires off of the Batmobile.

To listen to the show, click the triangular "play" button on the graphic below.

The Comics industry invades midtown New York once again as fans from all over the country gather to the Jacob K. Javits center in Manhattan for the annual convention of comics fans, pros, and publishers.  The New York Comic Con is likely the biggest show on the East Coast and is also home to the New York Anime Festival, also at the Javits Center this weekend.

Within this article...

Page 1: Photo galleries of your favorite Comic Book writers and artists!

Page 2: New York Comic Con panels: M. Night Shyamalan video, Cast of NIKITA video, Marvel Comics videos

Page 3: Sights from the New York Comic Con: Cosplayers, Random Celebrity Sightings, Movie props

This episode of USTownhall RealStories Internet radio show was recorded on  FRIDAY APRIL 30, 2010 AT 3:00 PM eastern.

On the most recent episode of the US Townhall RealStories radio show, our special guest was  Dan Parent, writer/illustrator for Archie Comics.  Recently, Archie Comics has taken numerous steps to refurbish its image and make itself more current for today's reading audience.  In the last few years, they've begun a series of "new look" stories where Archie characters are drawn in a more realistic manner that is a noticeabe departure from the traditional house style that has been employed by the company for decades.

Over in the main line of Archie titles, the company has recently received positive attention and increased sales for its multi-part storyline where the potential marriages of Archie to Veronica or Betty were explored in turn.  On sale May 4 is a story that shows Archie dating Valerie, the African-American character from Josie and the Pussycats, another venerable Archie Comics franchise.

Dede Emerson is a renaissance woman who has accomplished much in her 75 years.  She has a twinkle in her eye and a quickness in her step that those of us 20 or 30 years her junior would envy.

Her life has taken a series of strange twists and detours along the way.  She originally eyed a career as, of all things, a jazz musician, but ended up working for some 30 years at the United Nations in her quest to help those less fortunate.

Several years ago, she took on a very ambitious project.  Yes, she had seen the sights and sounds of Manhattan – everywhere from the jazz hubs of the Lower East Side to the United Nations headquarters, Central Park, and the Upper West Side.  But she had never stopped to "smell the roses" and take in all that Manhattan could offer – from the mundane and everyday to the decidedly strange and off-beat. 

In early 2005, she promised herself that she would walk every single block of Manhattan.  From top to bottom, East to West, and everywhere in between not leaving a stone unturned in her endeavor.  Recently, we had the pleasure of meeting with Ms. Emerson for lunch where she relayed her fascinating story which she has compiled into a book now available at Amazon.com, A Different Kind of Streetwalker ... Manhattan by Foot, One Block at a Time.