The Hamtramck Idea Men--Comics, Games, Shirts, and More from the Heart of Detroit!

Watch This Space!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:09:00 +0000

I can't say much about this yet, but watch this space for MOVIE NEWS!

Longing and Desire!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:28:00 +0000

Come check out our latest comic book!

Only $2.99!

Pardon Our Dust!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:14:00 +0000

January proved to be a BIG MONTH for us--conventions, signings, a our work for Oakwood Hospital, one of our production laptops exploding... and the publishing of our first author (more on that shortly!). With so much changing so quickly, we're rolling out a new front page that hopefully streamlines both the flow of information and the ease with which you can find the stuff you want! Please let us know what you think of this new format on our forums. Yes, I know we normally don't post there, but we're trying hard to get this website looking right. So bear with us, pick up a new book or two, and get ready for a whole bunch more from HIM. This is going to be an incredible year.

Upcoming Event!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:41:00 +0000

HIM would like to announce its first WORLDWIDE EVENT:

On December 25th, we are hosting CHRISTMAS in houses and businesses ALL AROUND THE WORLD! Yes, this will be an expensive venture, and we may not make an appearance at every single venue, but we're promising that the event WILL HAPPEN.

Meanwhile, for those of you who might like to meet us, pick up some books, and get them signed, we will be at Wonderworld Comics in Taylor, Michigan. This store was one of the first to feature PULP DREAMS and IF-X, so please come on by, pick up our latest books, games, and other merchandise, and maybe come out to eat with us afterward!

Upcoming Appearances, New Stores, and More!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Hey, everybody! The Crazy Season is upon us--for us, it started in October--and the "fun" never stops. There's so much to do here at HIMquarters, you wouldn't believe it all.

Comic City has decided to carry our books; their Canton store currently has all of them, with Pontiac and Novi to get theirs very soon! Look forward to a signing there some time in January or February.

Saturday, December 19th, we will be at Wonderworld Comics in Taylor from 3pm until close, signing books and original art.

We'd also like to welcome Heather Spraga, author of "Angel Cry." We will be publishing the new edition of this book for her. The book sports a new cover, better internal editing, and a lower price. Hopefully, she'll be able to help us out at ConFusion and sign some for you at our table!

More news is on the way!

Still Too Much Going On

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:32:00 +0000

I'm burning the midnight oil again, preparing a few things for the big PARTY WITH THE DEAD over at

New Dodge Lounge
8850 Joseph Campau
Hamtramck, Michigan 48212
(313) 874-5963

The party starts at 8pm and runs until 2am; $10 gets you in to a great show!

I also got some work back from Alberto Pessoa, co-creator of the "Caligena" story in IF-X #2, on a script I gave him for an anthology he and Mario Mancuso were doing. The anthology didn't happen, but he finished the art on my script, "Hard Rain." Now I'm trying to figure out what to do with it.

Similarly, a friend of mine introduced me to a blog setup over on Yovia, and I'm trying it out. Come have a look and tell me what you think.

Crazy Days, Conventions, and More!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:06:00 +0000

Sometimes, I wish we didn't have so much going on, but then, it also means we're growing as a company and getting that much closer to success. First of all, we bring you good news about this year's Halloween issue of IF-X! Not only is it out, it's really really good. In fact, it's so good that EREBUS, the largest haunted edifice in the world," will be selling our books! So will our local Ghoulish Great, Wolfman Mac, host of the Chiller Drive-In, at all of his appearances! As you'll see if you go to his website, his next appearance is at the Black Lotus Brewing Company in Clawson. Go there, check out the book, his act, and all the fun. The brewery is NON-SMOKING on the interior, so folks like me with allergies don't have to worry about coughing and headaches and such.

ConClave was this past weekend, and I had intended to mention our appearance there, but it just came upon us too quickly. Fortunately, we did get in touch with you in time for two more events this month. October 24th, is our "Party with the Dead" fundraiser, to be held at the New Dodge Lounge in Hamtramck, 8850 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck, Michigan 48212, from 8pm onward! Special Guests include Desiree and "WTF"--a collection of performing artists, including some DEAD CELEBRITIES (and some celebrities not quite dead yet, just resting). Funds raised will help pay for SMACC--we need to make sure that the performance room has good audio and film projection, after all! The other event will be in Flint, Michigan at Comic Relief, on Wednesday, October 28th from 3pm to 7pm. You can find Comic Relief at G4050 Fenton Rd, Flint, MI 48507-3663.

We also need to welcome our other new store, also in Flint--THE AMAZING BOOKSTORE! Located at 3718 Richfield Rd, Flint, MI 48506, their collection of comics is pretty amazing (as one would expect), including probably more back-issues than sane people would have. They seem to specialize in the obscure titles, including less-than-famous titles from less-than-famous companies. Their number is (810) 736-3025. Call them if you're looking for REPTISAURUS or other lost titles!

Back from the Dead

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:36:00 +0000

Well, not so much "Back from the Dead" as back from a lack of DSL and phone service; service dropped on Tuesday, so I've been trying to catch up. As you can tell from the date, it's Thursday. Their service could use a few more technicians. Maybe they should HIRE SOME and help end the depression. JOBS!

Got Facebook?

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:48:00 +0000

If you do, you can meet us there; we have groups there for both HIM and SMACC. We recently updated the SMACC website itself, too.

Too Many Scams

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:50:00 +0000

Okay, I'm sick and tired of all the various and sundry people who are busy trying to suck money out of my wallet, the money of my friends, and well, all the various and sundry chumps in the world around us. To that end, I've written a one-page pamphlet called "How to Avoid Financial Exploitation." Click on the link to find out more.

Sudoku Tactics: Reviewed!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:25:00 +0000

Nights and Weekends, bloggers I met last year at ORIGINS, gave us a damn good review! Of course, they link to Blue Panther's site--after all, they're the one making them for us now. As the designer, that's cool. I'm proud either way. Check it out!

Appearing This Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:15:00 +0000

This is a reminder that this Saturday, August 8th, we will be at Liberty Comics from Noon-4pm. Liberty Comics is at

Liberty Comics
27639 Gratiot Ave
Roseville, MI 48066
(586) 779-4130

Please come in and stop by--we have our latest IF-X issue in, and Gale's store is really HUGE! Come check it out!

Coming Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:26:00 +0000

George suggested I come out of the closet and let people know that I, Michael Marcus, am Jewish. He believes that, like Stan Lieber (aka Stan Lee), Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, I should be a member of the Jewish Comic-Creator Conspiracy. Of course, I am typing this with tongue firmly in cheek. (Or with typing, is it fingers in cheek? That would make it very hard to type.) All I know is that we produce good comics and games, and that when we do silk-screening jobs, people seem really happy with the products.

So what's your excuse? Come on and buy already! You want we should starve?

(This post is also in loving memory of my grandmother, Edna Marcus, who passed away last month. She would've laughed at it, too.)

An Exhausting Week

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:23:00 +0000

It all started last Friday, when we got interviewed by Comics Cafe. (Check down the center column for
"The www.idea-men.us interview! Awesome show!") As if that wasn't enough, our local Hamtramck radio station is having us do their new t-shirts (soon to be available through local stores and on the web), we did the shirts for Dead Last Car Club, who are running this year's Hamtramck Hustle, and we have a few other projects in negotiations. Atop this, my grandmother passed away this Tuesday; the funeral was today, but with everything going on, there was no way for me to actually fly down to Boca Raton, attend the funeral, and fly back, and still keep up on business obligations and get us ready for this weekend's Mid-Summer's Expo.

Ad sales on IF-X Volume 2, #2 ("Spies!") should be done by tomorrow, when I submit everything to the printer after final edits; we're right on schedule for being in stores in August. We have our next appearance after that on August 8th, at Liberty Comics:

Liberty Comics
27639 Gratiot Ave
Roseville, MI 48066
(586) 779-4130

There are a bunch of other projects, too, including one for Oakwood Hospital and a new card game. We've got more shows coming up, too--I'll talk about those soon. Right now, like I said, I have a lot of work to do tonight.

A Whole Bunch of Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:18:00 +0000

One of the shops that carries us, "Bob's Comics," is now "Liberty Comics" and is at a new location:

Liberty Comics
27639 Gratiot Ave
Roseville, MI 48066
(586) 779-4130

Today, we re-found them, and they, in turn, have rediscovered US. Their new store is HUGE, and we look forward to doing signings and other promotions at this new location.

In GAMING news, we are proud to announce the addition of KECHI and GAME to the HIM website. Previously only available only through Jacques Treatment Labs, the games are now available FREE in our Games section.

Pulp Dreams #5 is here!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:04:00 +0000

Just a quick note to everyone about PULP DREAMS #5--it's here!! Now I've got to go and start our comics run to our stores! I wish they were all open at the same time and wanted me to deliver on the same day, though. That would make everything *much* easier. Go figure.

Pulp Dreams #5 is on the way... and SMACC!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Sat, 30 May 2009 03:20:00 +0000

Pulp Dreams #5 is at the printer right now, and wow, does it look great! Of course, we couldn't have done it without Peter Palmiotti contributing his inks to the "Terra 2920" side of the book!

We also would like to announce that SMACC is now LOCKED IN for July 17-18th, 2010; as of this entry, we still have 26 tables left, and plenty of performance slots still open! Click here to learn more about SMACC!

Hoopty-doo! Volume Two!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:51:00 +0000

Yes! Volume Two, Issue #1 of IF-X is at the printer, and it should be ready and in the stores by June 1st! I already put the images and the order buttons up so that people can pre-order... The first 20 pre-orders will be SIGNED and NUMBERED by the Hamtramck Idea Men, Michael Marcus and George McVey! George has the prose piece in this--a creepy little number called "The Foragers." Order now!

Penguicon Plus!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:06:00 +0000

Heyyy, everybuddy!

This past weekend was Penguicon, in Romulus--it was so well-attended, I only wish I got to be there for more of it! Unfortunately, being a publisher, I was stuck in the Dealer's Room, but I did get to meet some cool people, including some seeking George's original art--that is, the ACTUAL PAGES that he drew before they got scanned in for printing! Let me tell you, we have PLENTY of it, and we would love to sell it to you! We just need to figure out the best way to get it to you. Please go to our forums and help us out a little!

In addition, we sold a few more tables for SMACC, the creators-only show that we're setting up for July of 2010. We've sold seven tables so far, and if we sell just THREE MORE by the end of this month, the show happens! GET INVOLVED EARLY! We'll make it worth your while. It's going to be our first ten tables, after all, that determine how the exhibition room is set up, get to decide which slots they want for their shows in the performance room, and even get to attend special, early sign-up events (to be determined as I get a better idea of who is attending and what they might enjoy).

We also got a lot more interest from artists, authors, and creators that want to be a part of IF-X as Volume Two kicks off in June. We'll see if they follow through--so many people we meet just TALK.

So, then? What about YOU? If you want more information on contributing to IF-X, send an e-mail.

SPACE Convention Report

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 05:36:00 +0000

Wow. There's always so much to do after we get back from a convention, it generally takes me a day or so to get back on track! This is no less true following SPACE, the Small Press and Comics Expo, in Columbus, OH. We added a store to our list, Laughing Ogre Comics, the Columbus store, in particular; if you're in Virginia, be sure to contact them about carrying us, too! We met some great creators and artists, too, and you will get to meet some of them at SMACC in 2010! There's plenty of exciting stuff going on... and we invite you to be a part of it. Not sure how? ASK.

We Got Reviewed!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 23:35:00 +0000

Bill Gladman of Comic Related wrote an AWESOME REVIEW of our "Love" issue of IF-X! It's nice to know somebody out there gets us!

Going APE for APRIL!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:34:00 +0000

Heyyy, everybuddy! There's so much going on this month, it's hard to keep track of it all! IF-X #9 is in, and looks great! SPACE is coming up, and George and I will be there! Add to all this, the launch of
SHIRTIFIED, our new line of silk-screened shirts, and you'll see that even before April has begun, George and I have been very busy!

Special thanks to:

Tony Miello for his contributions of "GAPO the Clown"
Dan Rafter and Triluz for their work on "The Baby Button"
Adam Wilson for "The Spoils of Work"
Bosnian Specialties for their FREE MEAL coupon in IF-X #9, and

Conant-Caniff Market
11303 Caniff St.
Hamtramck, MI 48212

for joining our list of stores!

The Whirlwind Agenda!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:24:00 +0000

Okay, everyone... I've been getting just a huge amount of work done on setting things up for HIM; aside from all the silk-screening jobs coming in, I've got IF-X #9 finishing up at the printer, a new logo coming up for IF-X' next volume coming up, a compilation book to put together, and a CONVENTION to organize!

Yes, Hamtramck Idea Men is putting together SMACC: the Southern Michigan Arts and Creativity Conference, to be held during July 2010. This is going to be a show for creators only: authors, artists, comic book creators, crafters, musicians, theater groups, and film-makers--independent individuals who create quality products but have a hard time being seen over the mass-produced nonsense coming from Big Media. We're trying to draw creators throughout the Great Lakes region, but we really want to get local talent in touch with local talent so that everybody wins, everybody gets paid. Being a smaller event, we only have forty tables to sell, and at only $50 a table, we expect them to go quickly. Until we buy a separate URL for it, you can get to the page for the
show at http://idea-men.us/smacc.html.

Also, due to a lack of submissions, the $1000 photography offer has been cancelled.

Love! Love! Love!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:15:00 +0000

Well, we did it! We got IF-X #8 out to the stores in time for Valentines Day! Four great new stories, all about love and what people will do for it, wait for you--check out the gallery and pick them up WHILE YOU CAN! That's right, after doing our pre-orders and store runs, we have LESS THAN 25 LEFT!

Meanwhile, I'm working hard to get the April Fools issue together... plus a very SPECIAL new project or two in an attempt to bring more folks by the website. Stay tuned to this website for more information and surprises!

I AM THE DOCTOR!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Hamtramck Idea Men) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:16:00 +0000

Well, Doctor Pweent, anyway; I've been cast as the character in Matt Feazell's "CynicalMan: the Movie" (or at least its trailer)... Click here to see the most recently-drawn Cynicalman comic. George and I silk-screened his t-shirts, and we can do the same for you! I'll be sure to post my footage once I have it!

--Michael