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	the stuffs inside my head that must get out archives 2010 may april march february january 2009 december november october september august july june may april march february january 2008 december november october september august july june may april march february january 2007 december november october september august july june may april march february january 2006 december november october september august july june may april march february january 2005 december november october september august july june may april march february january 2004 december november october september august july june may april march february january 2003 december november october september august july june may april 2002	Tue, 29 Dec 2009 we got that B-roll [/topics/etc] permanent link Mon, 28 Dec 2009 happy birthday Linus Torvalds Linus Torvalds is another person that I can't imagine the world without. He's the creator of Linux, which is essentially the core of most computers in the world. It's on desktops, servers, mainframes, netbooks, smartphones, networking equipment, Tivos and too many other things to list. It's all totally free and open source and is what powers the mighty Hijinx empire as well. Thanks Linus! [/topics/etc] permanent link happy birthday Stan Lee I don't know where I'd be or what I'd be doing today if it weren't for this guy! [/topics/arts/comics] permanent link Thu, 24 Dec 2009 Hijinx Top 10 (or 25) graphic novels 2009 For those of you who like such things, we present the top selling graphic novels at Hijinx Comics in 2009. There were a lot of ties for the last four spots, so we decided to list them all this year. I love looking at these lists because they spotlight the variety of books that you bought here. I'm especially proud of the great showing that all-ages comics make every year, mixed right in with the books for more mature readers, and everything in between. Thanks for helping Hijinx sell so many great books this year! 1. WATCHMEN 2. LOEG III CENTURY 3. SECRET INVASION TP 4. STAR WARS CLONE WARS TP VOL 01 SHIPYARDS OF DOOM 5. WALKING DEAD VOL 1 DAY GONE BYE TP 6. STAR WARS CLONE WARS TP VOL 02 CRASH COURSE 7. STAR WARS CLONE WARS ADVENTURES, VOL 3 7. JEFF SMITH LITTLE MOUSE GETS READY HC 7. BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE 8. GREEN LANTERN SINESTRO CORPS WAR TP VOL 01 8. WALKING DEAD TP VOL 10 WHAT WE BECOME 8. WALKING DEAD TP VOL 09 HERE WE REMAIN 8. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID VOL 03 THE LAST STRAW 9. STAR WARS CLONE WARS ADVENTURES, VOL 4 9. STAR WARS ADV TP VOL 01 HAN SOLO & HOLLOW MOON OF KHORYA 9. CRIMINAL VOL 1 COWARD TP 9. MINI MARVELS TP SECRET INVASION DIGEST 10. STAR WARS CLONE WARS TP VOL 03 WIND RAIDERS TALORAAN 10. STAR WARS CLONE WARS ADVENTURES VOL 10 TP 10. FABLES TP VOL 12 THE DARK AGES 10. Y THE LAST MAN VOL 8 KIMONO DRAGONS TP 10. BATMAN RIP DELUXE EDITION HC 10. MARVEL ADVENTURES TP VOL 01 TRIPLE THREAT DIGEST 10. CRIMINAL TP VOL 04 BAD NIGHT 10. Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 10 WHYS AND WHEREFORES [/topics/store] permanent link Wed, 09 Dec 2009 the Multiverse beckons Corey Bridges of Multiverse from Dan Shahin on Vimeo. I did this interview two weeks ago, but due to some recent website shenanigans (which I hope you haven't noticed) I couldn't post it until now. In it I talk to Corey Bridges, co-founder of Multiverse a company that enables folks to build online video games. It's about an hour, and you may learn something about how MMORPGs are made and how they may change in the future. [/topics/radio] permanent link Fri, 20 Nov 2009 Pizarro World Talking Up The Town with Sal Pizarro from Dan Shahin on Vimeo. In the latest episode of the Dan Shahin show (originally live on 103.3 FM KSCU) I interview Mercury News columnist (and Hijinx customer) Sal Pizarro all about the ever-changing landscape of newspaper journalism and the state of downtown San Jose. Sal was a great guest and knows all of the best nooks and crannies of the south bay area. Listen and learn how he rose through the ranks of the Mercury News to his current place as the Around Town columnist. [/topics/radio] permanent link Fri, 06 Nov 2009 the soda king I love stories about weird businesses, and this is one of my favorite. This guy's passion for soda pop really shines through and if I were near them I'm sure I'd buy all of my soda from him! [/topics/etc] permanent link Thu, 05 Nov 2009 Talking Total Television Mark Arnold talks TTV from Dan Shahin on Vimeo. On the latest episode of the Dan Shahin Show I interview author Mark Arnold about his book "Created and Produced by Total Televsion Productions--The Story of Underdog, Tennessee Tuxedo and the Rest", which may be the longest title in cartoon book history. We talk about his upcoming induction into the Saratoga hall of fame, his latest books and all about cartoons and comics. [/topics/radio] permanent link Mon, 02 Nov 2009 Halloween Hijinx Universes collided when Iron Man and Rorshach met up at Hijinx to join forces against the evil overlords of Hijinx. It's funny, because I always assumed that Iron Man would be the taller of the two. Must be those elevator shoes. Hurm. [/topics/store] permanent link Thu, 29 Oct 2009 let's talk with Larry An interview with Larry Young from Dan Shahin on Vimeo. Listen to my conversation with Larry Young, publisher, creator and fan of comics. [/topics/radio] permanent link Tue, 27 Oct 2009 The burning question Online Surveys & Market Research [/topics/polls] permanent link Thu, 22 Oct 2009 Councilman Pierluigi Olivero speaks Pierluigi Oliverio interview from Dan Shahin on Vimeo. This week on KSCU I finally got to interview San Jose City Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio. We talk for about an hour about recent decisions by the council, including the upcoming ban on single use shopping bags and other topics. Feel free to fast forward when we're interrupted by campus police and I cut to Django Reinhardt for a minute. [/topics/radio] permanent link Mon, 12 Oct 2009 think ink This week on The Dan Shahin Radio Show I'll be talking to superstar comic book inker Mick Gray about his career in comics, his work in radio and whatever else we feel like talking about. Mick is a great inker and a heck of a guy, so tune in to 103.3 FM or stream it online Wednesday October 12th from 9 to 11 pm. You can even call in with questions for Mick at (408) 554-5728. [/topics/radio] permanent link Tue, 06 Oct 2009 bag the bags Check out the debut of The Dan Shahin Show live on KSCU 103.3 this Wednesday (10/6/2009). I'll be interviewing San Jose City Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio all about the recent proposed ban on plastic and paper shopping bags in San Jose. And that's just for the first hour! If you're not near a radio then, this link will let you stream the show to your computer. Oh, what an age we live in! [/topics/radio] permanent link Thu, 01 Oct 2009 hamming it up on the radio It's official, I'll be broadcasting a weekly talk show live on KSCU every Wednesday night from 9pm to Midnight(ish). I plan to talk about anything and everything I'm interested in, so expect to hear stuff about comics, computers and comedy as well as news and current events. If you have something you'd like to promote and want to be a guest, just email me and I'll see if I can work you into the show! [/topics/etc] permanent link Thu, 24 Sep 2009 three-peat! Thanks to you, dear customer, Hijinx has won the award for best comic shop in silicon valley for the third straight year in a row in the Metro. We've also won the last two years running in the Wave weekly. There are still plenty of good shops in the area, so I'm honored to win. The Metro even singled out this blog for supporting the art of comics instead of just spouting movie hype. Rather than rest on our laurels, I plan to make Hijinx even better in the year and years to come. Thanks again for all of your support! [/topics/store] permanent link Mon, 21 Sep 2009 Dan vs Dan An interview with Dan Vado from Dan Shahin on Vimeo. Check out this (hour-long) interview I did with Dan Vado of Slave Labor Graphics for my radio show on KSCU, 103.3 FM. I don't have an official slot yet on the station's schedule, but as soon as I do I'll post about it here. Dan Vado was a gracious guest and knows a heck of a lot about comics as you'll soon learn if you listen to this in it's entirety. If you're wondering why I suddenly start talking about rice and home loans during the interview, it's because I have to do several public service announcements every hour and I love them smooth, Paul Harvey-esque segues. Enjoy! [/topics/arts/comics] permanent link Tue, 01 Sep 2009 Bill Gates, conqueror? The final step on the road to super-villainy is always a weather machine. [/topics/etc] permanent link Sun, 30 Aug 2009 Will Eisner the war years I just read on Eddie Campbell's blog about a rarely seen part of Will Eisner's body of work. From 1951 to 1971 Eisner worked for Uncle Sam producing PS Magazine, which matched humorous cheesecake art with tips on preventative maintenance. I've alsways been curious about this stuff and now The Virginia Commonwealth Institute has released a complete archive of it all for anyone to browse. [/topics/arts/comics] permanent link more on Moore I can't believe I've never seen this video before, but that probably means that most of you haven't either. It's a documentary about Alan Moore from 1987, after he'd only been writing comics for a few years. Somehow it seemed obvious even then that this guy was going to continue to change the medium of comics. And he has done that for sure. [/topics/arts/comics] permanent link Sat, 15 Aug 2009 a delicious new blog I just read about a great new blog on Drawn.ca that is totally devoted to the long neglected topic of Monster Cereals. These terrifyingly tasty breakfast treats barely qualifies as actual food, but they sure were fun, as is this blog. It's filled with ephemera about the cereal-hawking abominations that were the mascots of the brand. I remember the big 3 brands Count Chocula, Frankenberry and Boo Berry, and sorta remember Yummy Mummy, but I never realized there was a cereal called Fruit Brute. That may very well be the best cereal monster name of all time. [/topics/etc] permanent link Sat, 08 Aug 2009 R. Crumb's Short History of America Taken from his comics and put to music in the awesome documentary Crumb. [/topics/arts/comics] permanent link Fri, 31 Jul 2009 Marvelman returns! The biggest news (for nerds of my age anyway) out of Comicon '09 has got to be the story that Marvel has acquired the rights to Marvelman, known to most here in the US as Miracleman. This is one of the best superhero comics written by Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman from the eighties, based on a British hero from the fifties. I know a lot of people are unfamiliar with the character since the books have not been reprinted due to a convoluted series of rights disputes. Hopefully this means we'll have a new printing of the original books as well as a chance for Gaiman to finish the series as he's always intended to. Huzzah! [/topics/arts/comics] permanent link Tue, 28 Jul 2009 Ghostbusters 1954 This is a trailer for a film that never was, but I wish I could see a full-length version! [/topics/etc] permanent link Thu, 23 Jul 2009 radio daze Not many folks know that I majored in Broadcasting in college and that I've always wanted to try my hand at radio. I'm finally getting my chance since I started volunteering at KSCU the listener supported station at Santa Clara University (103.3 FM - The Underground Sound). I'm still officially in training, but this Sunday (July 26th) they're throwing me in the deep end and letting me sink or swim for 1 hour, from 5 to 6 pm. If you don't get the station in your area, check them out online right here. I'll be doing the first hour of a show called (coincidentally enough) Electronic Hijinx. But I've been given carte blanche to play whatever I want. If you shop at Hijinx you know that I like to listen to a little bit of everything, especially Jazz, Blues, Rock, Country and even TV and Movie soundtracks, so tune in and feel free to call in and make a request and/or heckle me at (408) 554-5728. [/topics/store] permanent link Fri, 10 Jul 2009 I thought they smelled bad on the outside! This isn't a real product yet, but it might be if enough people want it. Love that intestinal pattern lining! [/topics/etc] permanent link Fri, 26 Jun 2009 RIP Michael Jackson Go ahead, try not to dance when you listen to this. I dare you! [/topics/arts] permanent link Sun, 21 Jun 2009 super president Fun stuff here! I'd like to see a full superhero movie or tv show animated like this. [/topics/arts/animation] permanent link Thu, 18 Jun 2009 two of my favorite things together I love robots and I love insects. So what could be better than taking two things you love and combining them in a freakish way to make cyborg bugs? Nothing, that's what. [/topics/tech] permanent link Wed, 17 Jun 2009 Iron Man vs Bruce Lee Iron Man vs Bruce Lee from Patrick Boivin on Vimeo. [/topics/arts/animation] permanent link Tue, 09 Jun 2009 the future is now! Good news everyone! Futrama is returning with new episodes! [/topics/arts/animation] permanent link Sun, 31 May 2009 incredible chairs I just saw the new Pixar movie Up and enjoyed it thoroughly. My favorite Pixar movie is still The Incredibles but this one may be my new second favorite. Speaking of The Incredibles, one of my favorite things about it is all of the mid-century modern design of the virtual sets. This website is devoted exlusively to the chairs, some of which were no doubt inspired by ones like the classic Eames lounge chair pictured above. I read about this first on Cartoon Brew. [/topics/arts/animation] permanent link Mon, 25 May 2009 new comics drop on Thursday May 28th On account of Memorial Day. See you soon! [/topics/store] permanent link Mon, 18 May 2009 Obama vetoes mutant registration act [/topics/etc] permanent link Sat, 09 May 2009 the 80s toy movie I want to see [/topics/etc] permanent link Thu, 07 May 2009 lunch as art This guy draws a new picture every day on his kid's lunch bag and then puts it on a blog. [/topics/arts] permanent link Tue, 28 Apr 2009 saturday morning watchmen Sadly, I think I'd prefer this to the movie! [/topics/etc] permanent link Thu, 23 Apr 2009 your business card is crap A little marketing advice from a business genius! [/topics/etc] permanent link Fri, 10 Apr 2009 closed Easter Sunday [/topics/store] permanent link Mon, 06 Apr 2009 change we can all believe in Saw this on botjunkie.com and immediately swiped it! [/topics/etc] permanent link notable quotables You never know where an errant quip will end up when you spout one, and that's especially true at Hijinx. Superstar Mercury News columnist and comics afficionado Sal Pizarro quoted me in a recent column. It's the very last section titled "Foolish Notion?", and it concerns the recent 1% "temporary" state sales tax increase that started on April 1st. Nobody likes paying more taxes for less state services, but we're just about out of options in California. We promise to make up for the 1% by increasing our already high customer service level by a whopping 2%. Take that, economy! [/topics/etc] permanent link Thu, 02 Apr 2009 Yelp us out a little? Please check out the Hijinx review page on Yelp.com. It's got some great reviews by loyal regulars, but it could always use a few more. Please take a moment to sign in and let the world know exactly what you think about Hijinx Comics. Thanks! [/topics/store] permanent link Tue, 17 Mar 2009 We just got Googled The Google Code Blog just launched their "Google Narratives" series of developer profiles with a profile of little old me. I'm not sure, but this can't be bad for my page rankings! [/topics/store] permanent link Mon, 16 Mar 2009 happy (belated) Pi day I had so much fun on Pi day (3.14) I didn't have time to post until my favorite day devoted to a ratio was over. What kept me busy were various local activities like the USFirst Robotics Silicon Valley regional finals. I had to work on Thursday and Friday but I got to see the mighty Willow Glen Rams mix it up in the final qualifying rounds on Sunday. After that I went to the Almaden Public Library Battle of the Bands where heavy metal still reigns supreme! It was great to see a bunch of enthusiastic kids working hard and expressing themselves creatively. Whether it's the future scientists at the robotics meet or the future rock stars at the library, it gives me some hope for the future of the world. [/topics/tech] permanent link Thu, 12 Mar 2009 a bailout for Lexcorp? "Lex Luthor Bailout" with Jon Hamm from Jon Hamm [/topics/etc] permanent link The Mother of all Funk Chords This clip is the perfect example of why the internet is so great. It's also proof that the whole is quite often worth more than the sum of it's parts. [/topics/arts/music] permanent link Mon, 09 Mar 2009 dare to dream [/topics/etc] permanent link Fri, 06 Mar 2009 cutting edge candy I've had a Swiss Army knife for as long as I can remember. I prefer the "tinker" varieties that usually include a small set of pliers that comes in pretty handy. But the one thing I couldn't fix with them was my craving for chocolate goodness. Finally, that has been rectified [/topics/etc] permanent link Thu, 05 Mar 2009 The Rocketeer Returns Good news for fans of the late, great Dave Stevens! IDW announced that they will be collecting a new definitive edition of the comic with all new coloring by Planetary's Laura Martin. Can't wait for this one! [/topics/arts/comics] permanent link everyone says I love you When I'm feeling blue, nothing cheers me up like the Marx brothers. By far Chico's verse is the funniest, but don't forget to check out Harpo's excellent harp solo! [/topics/store] permanent link Tue, 24 Feb 2009 Wonderful Wondercon Weekend Are you going to Wondercon? Come join me at my panel on Sunday all about the exciting (yawn) world of comic book retailing. Details: 11:30-12:30 Comics Retailing Roundtable Bay Area retailers Dan Shahin (Hijinx Comics of San Jose), Joe Ferrara (Atlantis Fantasy World of Santa Cruz), Al Kizziah (Al's Comics of San Francisco), and Mark Causey (Black Cat Comics of Milpitas) discuss the changes and challenges in the business of selling comics in the 21st century. Room 236/238 [/topics/store] permanent link Fri, 20 Feb 2009 just imagine Stan Lee's Watchmen This one is a couple of years old, but it's still darn funny. Witness the Watchmen in the mighty Marvel manner! [/topics/arts/comics] permanent link Sat, 14 Feb 2009 happy St Valentine's Day The object of my affection has a blog. Go browse it and buy stuff from her! [/topics/etc] permanent link Fri, 30 Jan 2009 can you name this mystery comic shop? My friend and colleague Joe Field of Flying Colors Comics in Concord has posted this mystery comic shop challenge on his blog. I'm far from positive, but it sure reminds me Bob Sidebottom's now-defunct Comic Collector Shop in Downtown San Jose. I'm barely old enough to remember taking the bus down there a few times, but can anybody confirm or debunk my hazy memory? [/topics/etc] permanent link Wed, 28 Jan 2009 Nerd in chief The Onion covers our new president's problems communicating his vision to his cabinet. [/topics/etc] permanent link Fri, 23 Jan 2009 Watchmen flashback teaser A blast from the alternative past... [/topics/arts/movies] permanent link Thu, 22 Jan 2009 Avatar the race-bender? Check out what local cartoonist Derek Kirk Kim has to say about the racist casting of whites for the new Avatar: the Last Airbender movie. I totally agree with him, but I feel like asians get of pretty easy compared to the casting and portrayal of Arab characters in Hollywood. If I wanted to be an actor, I could expect to either play a terrorist villain or a genie of some kind for my entire career. [/topics/arts/movies] permanent link Tue, 20 Jan 2009 Wondercon is coming Just a reminder that the bay area's biggest and best comic convention will be back in 2009. Wondercon is always a lot of fun, and I'll be hosting a panel there again this year related to comics retailing. Speaking of retailing, the online nomination form for the 2009 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award is up, and you can feel free to nominate your favorite comic shop (whoever that may be) for the prestigious award. [/topics/etc] permanent link Thu, 15 Jan 2009 RIP, Khan!!!! [/topics/etc] permanent link RIP #6 [/topics/etc] permanent link Tue, 13 Jan 2009 Hijinx top 10 in Entertainment Weekly Check out the January 16th issue of Entertainment Weekly (the one with the bearded guy from CSI on the cover) on page 71 for the second appearance of the Hijinx Chart. We chart our top 10 selling graphic novels and comics for December. Get yours today! [/topics/store] permanent link Mon, 05 Jan 2009 help support the Willow Glen Robotics team 2009 will be my second year helping out the geniuses in training in the Willow Glen High School Robotics team prepare a bot to compete in the FIRST Robotics League challenge. This is no simple "battlebots" competition. The kids have just a few weeks to design and build their bots to particpate in tele-operated as well as fully autonomous challenges. Check out the video above to see the crazy challenge for 2009. If you'd like to help the team with a donation of tools, technical books or useful part, you can bring them by Hijinx any time. If you'd prefer to donate money, you can use the following link: Yes, I know times are tough, but consider the following facts. First of all, these kids will be the ones paying off our massive debts for many years to come. And they'll also be the ones solving the problems that previous generations have been unwilling or unable to solve. Schools don't have shop class or auto shop like they did when I was in school, and for some the robotics team is the only place they get to use real tools and solve problems with them. The world needs engineers more than ever before! [/topics/tech] permanent link