Editorial Associate Mike Petranek here, taking a bit of time to drop by and say “hello” after a great time in San Diego! Editor in Chief Jim Salicrup and I met a lot of great people who are very excited about the first two SMURFS graphic novels, in stores August 31st from Papercutz. San Diego can be hectic, but that didn’t stop Jim from finding time to spend time with our good friend Papa Smurf, who joined us at the Papercutz booth. See for yourself!

Papa Smurf and Jim!

Now normally Papa Smurf is three apples tall, but I guess he can get a little bit bigger for convention appearances. After all, he is very good with potions and should be able to whip up a growth one with no trouble!

We had samples of THE SMURFS #1 “The Purple Smurfs” and THE SMURFS #2 “The Smurfs and the Magic Flute” and everyone wanted a peek! Smurfic designer Adam Grano and letterer of all things Smurfy Janice Chiang both stopped by to see the printed books and we were delighted to see their reactions! Here’s Jim with a good friend of Papercutz, Matt, showing off a copy of “The Purple Smurfs”:

The Purple Smurfs!

We had a great time and want you to remember that you can already pick up a copy of THE SMURFS comicbook at your local comicbook store! Ask them to order it if it’s not in stock — it’s only $1 and contains the first ever appearance of Gargamel and his cat Azrael. We hope you find these comics as Smurftastic as we do. Visit the Papercutz website’s SMURF section for previews and more info. Until then, thanks for stopping by and have a smurfy day!

-Michael