Road Trip

Today my friend Christian and I embarked on a 5-city road trip to distribute UA sample copies to the masses. Thank you to all the wonderful folks at the following locations for allowing me to stock your fine establishments with my humble little publication:

Vault of Midnight, Ann Arbor
Hero Quest Comics & Games, Howell
Clem's Collectibles, Lansing
Cards in the Corner, Lansing
Comic City, Novi
Comic Relief, Flint

I hope to do this again soon, as there are still a ton of shops I'd like to visit throughout the state. I also spent the evening putting together a new flier that I hope to plaster the city with soon.

Random Stuff

The cover image for issue 5 is now up. It looks sort of purple, even though the actual paper is tan. I wanted to use brown, but I couldn't find brown printer paper anywhere. If anyone knows where I can find some, please let me know.

In other news, I'll be spending the fall and winter preparing for an all-out spring/summer assault on comic conventions nationwide. This means I'll have to forgo attending many local events this fall, but I think the extra time for preparation will be worth it (although, I still plan to attend the show in St. Clair Shores on November 8). Here's a tentative list of the cities I'll be hitting:

Anaheim, CA
Novi, MI
Philadelphia, PA
Chicago, IL
Toronto, Ontario
Columbus, OH
New York, NY
St. Clair Shores, MI

Like I said, this is a tentative list, so it's possible that a show or two could be added. I'm super excited to hit the road and take Used Addictions to cities where people haven't heard of the book. But in the meantime, it's going to be a looooong winter.

More Updates

Due to certain unpleasant circumstances, I am no longer affiliated with Art @ the 625, and will no longer be selling Used Addictions at this venue. I will, however, be appearing at the Comic Book, Toy, & Collectible Show in St. Clair Shores on November 8. I'll update the site with more information, including times and directions, as the event draws near. Issue #5 will be available by then, and... well, you just have to see this one to believe it. But I'll give you a hint: It involves a used plunger.

In other news, I have pitched Used Addictions to Comedy Central in hopes that someone might be interested in presenting it to the masses in animated form. Can't you just see Stubby, Longneck, and Latex Lad running around on the TV screen? I sure can. More updates on that as soon as I hear something. According to the site, they answer all emails, so we'll see.

Issue 4 Update

UA #4 is ready to roll, but we are having some technical difficulties. The new issue should be available for purchase by next weekend, so check back then!

Yours in addiction,
Chris Reed

Art at the 625 & Issue #4 Update

Last night was the second Art at the 625 art show in downtown Flint and the first appearance there for USED ADDICTIONS. The crowd was steady and I had a great time meeting all of the interesting people who came through. I even sold a few comic books! A very big THANK YOU to all who stopped by my table and either traded their hard-earned money for my humble little publication, or simply took the time to say "hello." A very special thanks to Rob from Paul's Pipe Shop for sharing his wisdom on the fine art of pipe smoking, which I may or may not decide to indulge in.

Issue 4 update: UA #4 will be available for purchase at the next Art at the 625 on July 10, at Midsummers Expo in Detroit on July 11, and, of course, right here on the Web site somewhere around that time.

Yours in addiction,
Chris Reed

USED ADDICTIONS 2 & 3 Now Available!

Okay, well I guess the header says it all. You can now pick up UA 2 & 3, along with #1 if you haven't already grabbed a copy.

More news! I will have a table at the next "Art at the 625" in downtown Flint on June 12. I'll be surrounded by painters, photographers, and jewelry makers; in other words, I'll probably stick out like a sore thumb. So come on down, buy a comic or two, and make me feel like I belong there!

Yours in addiction,
Chris Reed

Art at the 625

Last night was the Art Walk in downtown Flint, which I spent with Sarah, assisting her with her table. Aside from assisting ME with the publication of USED ADDICTIONS, Sarah dabbles in photography. Well, maybe "dabbles" isn't the right word, since she has begun to devote much more time to her work. Anyway, we had a blast, saw some great artwork, and had the privilege of meeting some great people.

When I wasn't helping Sarah, I was outside the venue, handing out sample copies of USED ADDICTIONS to anyone willing to take one. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that many people had already grabbed a copy from places like The Lunch Studio and Comic Relief. But what suprises me more is that sales have been virtually non-existent. Everyone I've talked to has said they really enjoyed the 3-page preview, so I'm wondering if people realize it isn't the complete comic, but only a preview of issue one. When I put the preview copy together, I thought the last page sufficiently explained that if people wanted to read the entire story, they would have to order a full copy at the web site. I'm concerned because if someone does think the preview issue is the complete comic and then they purchase issue 2 when it comes out, they will have no idea what's going on, since UA #2 picks up where #1 leaves off. I'm thinking maybe I should just go ahead and hand out full copies of #1 to avoid any confusion. Then again, I do enjoy being paid for my work, and I think the comic is worth the $3 price. Oh well. Hopefully I'll have things figured out before Motor City Comic Con next weekend.

Speaking of the Novi con, I am going to bust my butt (and enlist Sarah to bust hers) to ensure that UA #2 is ready for sale by then. So if anyone is interested in picking up the next issue, be sure to check back next weekend to order your copy.

Yours in addiction,
Chris Reed

Upcoming Appearances, etc.

USED ADDICTIONS is now at The Lunch Studio on S. Saginaw St. in downtown Flint, MI! This is a cozy little restaurant with wonderful decor and the best corned beef in the universe. Drop in and grab a sample copy of UA #1 and a mouth-watering sandwich to go!

Downtown Flint will also be having its ART AT THE 625 art fair on May 8th. As of now, we're currently unsure if we'll be getting a table. If we do, look for UA #2 to make its debut there. If we can't secure a table, however, we'll still be there handing out sample copies of UA #1 to our screaming legions of fans.

The Motor City Comic Con in Novi, MI, is also fast approaching. We'll be there May 16-17, handing out free sample copies of UA #1.

We also have a few free copies remaining for anyone interested in providing a blurb for the site. We've gotten some great blurbs so far, including a kick-ass review from our horror writer pal, Greg Schwartz, which we will be posting somewhere on the site real soon. So just contact me with your mailing address and a free copy of USED ADDICTIONS #1 shall be yours.

You can also get yourself some USED ADDICTIONS gear! Two T-shirt designs are available as well as bumper stickers through Zazzle.com!

Yours in addiction,
Chris Reed

Free Copies of UA #1!

That's right, we're giving out a FREE copy (postage paid, too) of USED ADDICTIONS #1 to the first 10 people who email us and tell us they want a copy. But here's the catch--in exchange for the free issue, you have to give us a quote to put on the website. This quote can be anything you like, as long as it describes your opinion of the book. Here are some examples:

If you liked the book, you might write, "This book rocks! Used Addictions is the next South Park!"

Or, if you dislike the book, you might write, "This book sucks! Not fit to wipe your ass with!"

You get the point. So what are you waiting for? Email us and get your free copy!!!

Yours in addiction,
Chris Reed

Sample Copies of UA #1 Available Everywhere! (Well, kind of.)

Where to begin? It's been a busy week or so here at USED ADDICTIONS headquarters. We've been all over Genesee County handing out sample copies of UA #1. Most people have been really receptive of the comic. The kids working the counter at Biggby Coffee here in Davison let us place a big stack of sample copies next to the register; Comic Relief on Fenton Rd. in Flint agreed to stock a giant stack of them in their "18 and over" section; Jellybeans Used Books & Records on Dort Hwy. proudly displays a stack of sample copies; and Wyatt Earp's Records on Corunna Rd. is the latest establishment to join forces with us.

However, despite our efforts to have UA seen by as many folks as possible, there have been some roadblocks along the way. The most notable of these is the Flint Institute of Arts. While there for a screening of "Trouble the Water" (an awesome doc. about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath), we dropped off some sample copies on the cafe's magazine rack. Apparently, the good people at the Institute were not impressed. The next day we received an email admonishing us for this heinous act. Hmmm. Perhaps Dr. Wertham was correct in his thesis that comic book art is NOT art, but an instrument of the devil employed to seduce and destroy the minds and souls of our young people. The clerk at Oak Street Market also refused to grant us counter space, although she did request a copy for her own enjoyment.

So far, we've sold copies of UA #1 in Michigan, Ohio, Washington, and Alaska! (Special THANKS to everyone who ordered a copy!) Our goal for this issue is to sell a copy in every state, so only 46 more to go! Oh yeah--we've also lowered our price to $3 with free shipping.

Check back often for updates about convention appearances (Motor City Comicon is just around the corner), merchandise (we'll have buttons, bumper stickers, and T-shirts available soon), and news about UA #2, which will be out sometime this summer!

Yours in addiction,
Chris Reed