We asked for your help to contribute to relief efforts in Haiti. From Jan. 14 to 22, we offered the first issue of Omega Comics Presents, our new anthology series debuting Feb. 10, for only $3 (even waiving shipping charges!), donating 100 percent of sales to Save the Children’s  emergency relief efforts in Haiti.  Save the Children provides immediate lifesaving assistance, such as food, water, shelter and child-friendly spaces to those in need in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding region.

Readers from across the United States and Canada pitched in — even some retailers and creators — and we made a $100 donation to Save the Children on Jan. 23. We appreciate all the people who helped spread the word as well as those of you who tossed in your coins. And media outlets such as Comics Bulletin and KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas for carrying the story.

Remember, you can still make a difference for the devastated people of Haiti by donating directly to Save the Children now!

At the end of last issue, James’ secret was uncovered by nosy but alluring school reporter Michelle Matterson. Now James must not only deal with that new development, but also with the witch hunt started by school principal Richard Praglin and the abusive behavior of the school football hero, Nate Aguila. The issue builds to a dramatic ending sure to leave readers asking for more.

“Although billed as ‘America’s Most Emo Comic Strip,’ The Utopian doesn’t read anything like a My Chemical Romance lyrics sheet,” writes Las Vegas CityLife’s Jarret Keene. “It owes more to teen adventure series like The Bloodhound Gang, Buffy the Vampire Slayer or early issues of Amazing Spider-Man.”

Two versions of the 24-page comic, a “deluxe,” full-color edition ($5) and a “standard,” black-and-white edition ($3) will be released this Wednesday, Jan. 13, featuring respective covers by Hernan Valencia and Perez with Steve Downer. Both editions feature new splash page artwork, never-before seen sketches, a new letter column, exclusive event photos and more.

The comic is available in select stores and for direct purchase online at theutopiancomic.com. If your local shop doesn’t carry The Utopian, all of Pop! Goes the Icon’s titles can be ordered by retailers through Haven Distributors.

Of course, unlike the rest of the titles featured in this week’s column, Omega Comics Presents #1 doesn’t hit stores until February. But you can ensure a copy is delivered directly to your doorstep if you pre-order now! Only $3.50 for 32 pages packed with action, comedy and drama from some of the hottest new talents in comics. Be sure to check out the previews before you buy!

Check out our exclusive preview of the first four pages from Pj Perez’s new multi-part epic, “OMEGA,” coming to the pages of our new anthology series, Omega Comics Presents, in February 2010. Just click on the thumbnails to view in EPIC size!

Want to find out what happens next? Pre-order Omega Comics Presents #1 now!

Check out our exclusive preview of the first four pages from the surreal take on superheroics by John Dimes, “Making No Magnifisense,” coming to the pages of our new anthology series, Omega Comics Presents, in February 2010. Just click on the thumbnails to view in AWESOME size!

Want more? Pre-order your copy of Omega Comics Presents #1 NOW!

Check out our exclusive preview of the first three pages from the darkly comic story by Alex De-Gruchy and Robert Durham, “Odd Job,” coming to the pages of our new anthology series, Omega Comics Presents, in February 2010. Just click on the thumbnails to view in EPIC size!

Want to find out what happens next? Pre-order Omega Comics Presents #1 now!

Your humble Utopian creator here (that’s me, right, with a lizard from the Discover Mojave booth) spent the day chatting with new and old fans, random passersby and Utopian cover artists Mark T. Zeilman and Hernan Valencia. We barely had time to sketch, eat or breathe between all the activity — and sales! We actually sold a lot of stuff, including the very popular mini-poster based on Hernan’s pin-up from the last page of The Utopian #1.

It was fun times, we’ll definitely do it again, and really appreciate all the hard work Suzanne Scott and all the volunteers did to put on a fun little show! Now look at some pictures:

The Utopian crew mans the PGTI table. Sweet T-shirts, fellas.

Local writer Matt Kelemen peruses the finest literature of our age.

Oh, and there’s also the second print issue of our weekly webcomic, The Utopian, which will not only collect the fifth and sixth chapters of that august series, but also feature two new covers, new splash page art and other unseen surprises. Hitting stores and the web in January, don’t miss out on the comic that the Las Vegas CityLife’s Jarret Keene declares “owes more to teen adventure series like ‘The Bloodhound Gang,’ ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ or early issues of ‘Amazing Spider-Man.’”

Stay tuned for exclusive previews from the three stories featured in the first issue of Omega Comics Presents and special pre-order offers, as well as never-before-seen cover artwork coming soon!

Hosted by Utopian creator Pj Perez, everyone is invited to share in this bash featuring $5 Corona buckets, the best tacos you’ve ever had, and door prizes including comics, posters, Retro Bakery gift certificates and more surprises. It’s free, open to the public, and you want to be there. What else are you going to do on a Sunday evening?

If you’re our friend on Facebook, then you probably have all the details. If not, what the heck is wrong with you? Only our Facebook pals get behind-the-scenes glimpses at upcoming projects, candid photos and first dibs on just about everything we do. Get with the program, Chet!

Yes, the pre-order period has ended and copies of both the standard and deluxe editions of The Utopian’s premier print issue started shipping on Oct. 14. If you missed the pre-order period, no worries: You can now order Pop! Goes the Icon products directly from IndyPlanet, where you’ll find “a whole new world of comics.”

We’ve fulfilled orders for retailers through Haven Distributors, so the comic should be available in at least a few comic shops out there, but if yours is not one of them, be sure to print out this coupon and hand it to your local shop owner ASAP. If you live in Las Vegas, both editions of The Utopian #1 are available at Alternate Reality Comics (4800 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite D).

While you’re thinking about it, get to know Utopian creator Pj Perez a little better in this nifty profile that ran in UNLV’s The Rebel Yell last week. And then go buy some comics. They’re good for you.