The latest installment in the DC Comics Green Lantern series is coming to Edwardsville.

by Jesse Gernigin

Coming into HomeTown Comics in downtown Edwardsville I meet Douglas Diel, owner and comic aficionado. When I first meet Douglas he is dressed casually and talking to customers.  I take a few moments to take in Douglas and the shop.  The shop is a small space, no bigger than a large living room, and is packed with every kind of comic book and comic book related item, giving it a very colorful ambience. Douglas is dressed in shorts and a t-shirt and is slightly grizzled, the way you expect interesting college professors to be. Douglas is an Edwardsville resident who, like so many local business owners, found himself wanting to return from where to his hometown and bring his passion with him.

Douglas’s passion is for stories is what drew me here today. In a few weeks a story arc will finally be realized in the DC Comics universe that is drawing great publicity, and Douglas is excited about it. Sitting me down, Douglas quickly explains the premise behind “Blackest Night.”

“You see,” he begins, “This will be a great story because it ties in the entire Lantern Core and focuses on the final color in the ROYGBIV color spectrum that the Lantern Core works around.”  For more information on the story I suggest you go here.

On July 14 DC will release its much anticipated series on the Black Lantern, and HomeTown Comics will be participating in the release of the story. To create interest and help explain the story to interested readers, Douglas is also giving out a free comic book. The comic gives a quick overview of the story and definitely creates interest in it. DC has, in conjunction with the comic’s release, included a free Black Lantern ring with purchase.

“However,” Douglas tells me, “HomeTown Comics constantly gets new releases in every week. Not just small comics but also graphic novels, t-shirts, and everything related to your favorite stories.”

Before I leave Douglas gives me a tour of HomeTown Comics, taking care to explain to me that comics aren’t just for children.  Looking around I understand why.  Douglas store is filled with stories and interests for every appetite, and although he carries the usual superhero fare he also populates HomeTown Comics with a diverse range of graphic novels and serials.  However, HomeTown Comics doesn’t need my realization to make its point that comics are for everyone.  Douglas caters to a large, demanding and diverse clientele that more than well speaks for his point.  Worried that you might be overwhelmed at all of the choices available to you?  Worry not, Douglas has a MySpace page where he posts reviews and commentary on different comic books in his store.

Douglas’s shop is opened from noon to 7 pm.

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2. Horror Writer Steve Niles at Hometown Comics
3. Movie Night at Glen Carbon Centennial Library

Filll your shelves at Afterwords Bookstore in Edwardsville.

by Jesse Gernigin

I am reluctant to write that Afterwords Bookstore is a newly opened used book shop, because I’m afraid to brand Afterwords with an image not equal to its honesty. “Newly opened” calls to mind a sterile environment.

But Afterwords is a used book shop with a comfortable interior and inviting atmosphere like a good used book shop is supposed to have. It is a comfortable space with great natural light coming in off the street through the large storefront windows and a simple interior with a large couch that invites you to sit and peruse your choices before purchase. One great thing about the shop is that it doesn’t sacrifice its space to create the illusion of intimacy with clutter. Instead they keep an open shop that has, as I said earlier, an inviting atmosphere.  So I’ll say this, After Words book shop is a welcome addition to downtown Edwardsville.

It is located next to Sacred Ground’s and across the street from 222 Bakery, so it practically begs your common sense to come inside and wonder around, pick up a book or two, and stroll down main street to take in the afternoon.

Afterwords Bookstore also has live story-telling for youngsters by Rebekah Shelton every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. for the summer. Youngsters who make it out on Saturday receive a free gift to go along with the story being read.  After Words book shop also currently displays Parker Gibson’s Noir Art set, affording you a great opportunity to catch an up and coming artist.  So bring yourself and your children out, enjoy a good tale and pick one or two up to go.

After Words book shop is located in Downtown Edwardsville next to Sacred Ground’s and across the Street from 222 Bakery and is open M-F 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

Related posts:

1. Storytime For Kids at Afterwords Bookstore
2. Story time at Afterwords
3. Borders Bookstore Presents: Friday Morning Story-time