This Wednesday, make sure you drop by Velocity (to get your comics, first and foremost) to meet and get something signed by local creator Justin Thurmond, author of TRENT MADDOX: DEMON ERADICATOR. Catch a rising star here, folks. Catch it, put it in your pocket, save it for a rainy day. Literally, figuratively, whatever. But when that rainy day comes...well, you won't thank me, because I won't be around to thank. But you will think of me fondly. Where will I be? I'll be on Barsoom, the only place I've ever really belonged. Thurmond will be at the store from 1-3. Don't miss it.

Sad news to start this week, Velociphiles-- Jean Giraud, the artist otherwise known as Moebius, passed away this weekend at the age of 73. In an industry that's historically been filled with flash-in-the-pan icons, Giraud managed to be one of the few whose influence spread so far that he actually changed the way the real world looks, to the point where people probably don't even realize they're ripping him off any more. And that he managed to do this while sticking so close to his personal aesthetic and obsessions makes him a hero, the likes of which we might not see again.

Anyway.

Hey guys, let's look at the week in comics news:

Plus 25000: The newest Avengers trailer is the best one yet: http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/02/29/new-trailer-for-the-avengers/

Minus 1500: For realizing I had tears in my eyes at the end of the trailer.

Plus 1500: For that kind of brutal honesty. And anyway, no one reads this part of the thing, just the list of this weeks books. I can say whatever I want up in this part. And one day...one day they'll push me too far and I really will say whatever I want...

It's Oscar night! Many of you probably don't know this, but Velocity Comics has two special connections to the big show! First, the store's original founder (back when it was called Grace Street Comics--antiquity, I know) was TAZWELL WIDDERSHINS, whose father, ELIAS WIDDERSHINS was the first person to receive a lifetime achievement award at the Oscars! Elias was the first person to suggest that the credits should come at the end of the movies. Unfortunately Tazwell and Elias were both killed in a botched gas station robbery last year. Rest in peace you guys.

DO YOU LIKE BIG SALE EVENTS?

Monday 2/20 is PRESIDENT'S DAY! We will be open our usual hours (11-6) and running a special sale to commemorate: at point of purchase just tell us who your favorite president is-- and WHY-- and we will bestow upon you a 25% OFF COUPON! You can choose to use it on the spot or hold off for another day. Because last time I checked this country was founded on the freedom to use coupons when you wanna. Or something. How's that for checks and balances?

DON'T MISS OUT!

COMIC BOOK WEEKLY ZEITGEIST!

PLUS 85: If these preview pages for the upcoming AVENGERS VS X-MEN maxi-series don't get your motor started, you probably need a new a new transmission: http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=45568

MINUS 7,596: Marvel gets a bee in its bonnet, gramps gets a cramp in his pocket: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=36893

PLUS 7,500: Indies Unite to help gramps fight: http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2012/02/stokoe-graham-donate-origin...

Good day, ma'ams and mannies, it's newsletter time. Let's begin by addressing the elephant in the room: GET OUT OF HERE TERRY! YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR STUPID EARS, I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR STUPID TRUNK. GO HOME!

Real quick, let's take a look at the news of the week and play a fun game called HIGH/LOW!

Neal Adams 1970: DC announces an all-new original graphic novel written and illustrated by Walt Simonson! Check out all the details here: http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/01/27/walt-simonson-original-graphic-no...

Neal Adams 2012: Anything having to do with Rob Granito. http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/01/27/will-sign-petition-for-rob-granit...

THAT IS HOW WE PLAY HIGH/LOW!

Comics shipping this week include:

Time to take a quick break from the mundane reality of your day-to-day life and hang out with me, your Velocity Comics newsletter scribe. Let's dive right in an enjoy this weeks installment of out newest feature, Billy Baldwin/Alec Baldwin.