Editor’s Note: Arlington-based comic book editor Jason Rodriguez is sending us his dispatches from a cross-country trip investigating the comics scene around the country. Read Part I, Part II, Part III and Part IV. Let’s just get it out of the way: I lost. I lost to a fantastic book, 5, an independently produced anthology with a lot of love and creator support on its side. The book had some gorgeous work from twin brothers…

Illustration by Monica Meehan Editor’s Note: Arlington-based comic book editor Jason Rodriguez is sending us his dispatches from a cross-country trip investigating the comics scene around the country. Read Part I, Part II and Part III. Santa Fe, NM The night I arrived in Santa Fe, Bram and Monica Meehan took me out for New Mexican food. Carne Adovada. I got it with the red chiles and I sweated through the entire meal. I…

Illustration by Chris Haley Editor’s Note: Arlington-based comic book editor Jason Rodriguez is sending us his dispatches from a cross-country trip investigating the comics scene around the country. Read Part I and Part II. History lesson: In the early 1990s a bunch of people said, “Wow! Amazing Fantasy #15 (first appearance of Spider-Man) originally sold for 12 cents. Forty years later, it’s worth $50,000. That’s one hell of an ROI!” (ROI = Return On…

Illustration by Dean Trippe Editor’s Note: Arlington-based comic book editor Jason Rodriguez is sending us his dispatches from a cross-country trip investigating the comics scene around the country. Read his introduction to the series here. July 15 Washington, DC I showed up at Hertz to pick up my car at 7 a.m. They didn’t have the Corolla I reserved three months ago and attempted to up-sell me on a RAV4. I thanked the man…

Illustration by Scott White Editor’s Note: Arlington-based comic book editor Jason Rodriguez is sending us his dispatches from a cross-country trip investigating the comics scene around the country. It seemed like a great idea: I’ll drive cross-country, by myself, and stop at every major and minor city along the way to talk with comic book creators, fans, and retailers. I leave tomorrow. I no longer believe it’s a great idea. Dallas Middaugh, my editor…