ELFSAR BLOG

The best known copy of Action Comics #1 (8.5) has been sold for $1.5 million on ComicConnect.com.  That tops two other recent sales, an 8.0 Action Comics #1 for $1 million (see “ELFBYTES/FCBD/BACK-ISSUES/CREATOR SIGNING/COMIC-CON”), and an 8.0 Detective Comics #27 for $1.075 million (see “PROOF BATMAN CAN OUTSELL SUPERMAN”). 

The buyer was one of “the latest generation of comic book collectors,” according to Vincent Zurzolo and Stephen Fishler, co-owners of ComicConnect (and Metropolis Comics).  “Some of today’s most successful entrepreneurs were yesterday’s comic geeks,” said Zurzolo.  “They don’t want a Van Gogh or Picasso.  They want collectibles that mean something to them.”

The copy was originally found tucked in a movie magazine from the 30s, and after several owners, it has been held by a single owner for the last 17 years.  The owners of ComicConnect bought it from the owner, who was moved to sell it by the recent record sales of key Golden Age comics.

Time for my annual Predictions….

Wrestlemania 26

No DQ, No Count-Out – The Streak vs. The Career
The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
In what was considered one of the greatest matches ever at Wrestlemania last year,  HBK and The Undertaker will see their current rivalry culminate in a Streak vs. Career match at this years Wrestlemania.  HBK’s obsession with Undertaker’s streak has seemed to bring him to the edge of sanity at certain times. While the Undertaker seems dead-set on extending his unparalleled streak to 18-0.  I want HBK to win. I can’t think of another Wrestler who can make me believe that Undertaker could loose.   It’s hard to imagine wrestling without HBK but it seems that is what will happen. But nothing is forever (except of course for the streak) and don’t worry, I am sure we will see HBK coming out of retirement for a future PPV. In the meantime, HBK needs some time off.

Prediction – Winner: The Undertaker

No Holds Barred Match
Bret Hart vs. Mr. McMahon
In a 12 plus years in the making match, Bret Hart looks to seek revenge against the brains behind the infamous Montreal Screw-job and seek closure in this chapter of his kayfabe career with some of it spilling over to real life. But the egotistical Mr. Vince McMahon is dead-set on keeping with the tradition that Bret screwed Bret. Prediction: It seems to me it’s almost a given that Bret “The Hitman” Hart will come out on top here with all the adversity that he has endured on RAWs leading up to this point, the victories have been few and far between. I will be interested to see what type of capacity Bret’s physical activities will be limited to. I imagine it will be a whole lot of offense coming from Bret and not a whole lot from Vince. Some of Bret’s family may even get some licks in too. I would love to see Vince somehow get Bret in a Sharpshooter and get someone to ring the bell in order to screw Bret yet again only to be overruled and the match must continue. Many have predicted that Bret will screw over McMahon as payback, but I don’t see that happening. Two wrongs don’t make a right. However, since Vince has brought back the evil character that he created after the Montreal Screw-job, I would love to see Stone Cold make a run-in and screw over McMahon as a gift to Bret Hart. After all, how over did Stone Cold get after his famous I quit match with Bret? To me this would be the perfect ending to Bret’s last chapter of his book.

Prediction: Bret Hart

WWE Championship Match
Batista (C) vs. John Cena
This is the last match on the card? Ugghhh! In what will be the scripted main event of the evening “The Animal” Dave Batista will take on John Cena. You got to hand it to Batista in the promos leading up to Wrestlemania, he has been spectacular as a heel. I really like him as a heel, heck I really liked him when he was the Leviathan. It comes down to the fans siding with John Cena. Wrestlemania’s usually have a happy ending and rarely if ever have ended on any kind of sour note. This years will be no different, the biggest star of the post-attitude era will reclaim the WWE Title for his 7th time and 9th World Title overall.

Prediction: John (U can’t C my wrestling ability) Cena.

World Heavyweight Match
Chris Jericho (C) vs. Edge
As this years winner of the 2010 WWE Royal Rumble, Edge’s road to Wrestlemania has been deeply carved since that day. There wasn’t much doubt that when Chris Jericho captured the World Heavyweight Championship gold at the Elimination PPV and outlasted 5 other men that the two were destined for a collision course. This is the second match I am looking forward to the most. To me the outcome could go either way and I will be happy. This feud will definitely not end on March 28, and although my gut feeling is to choose Chris Jericho retaining the belt, I choose Edge.

Prediction: The Rated “R” Superstar, Edge

Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Christian vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Jack Swagger vs. MVP vs. Matt Hardy vs. Evan Bourne vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston
Okay this is the hardest match to predict. If you would have asked me a couple of weeks ago who I thought was going to win this match I confidently would have said Christian. But now I lost a lot of confidence in that but he is still my favorite. He has basically been non-existent on WWE programming since winning his qualifying match. This will also be the biggest MITB competition ever with 10 Superstar wrestlers competing. Lets take a look at the field. Evan Borune, Shelton Benhamin, and on a little less of a level Matt Hardy are included for stunts and high spot moves to add aerial moves. Kofi Kingston, despite being a late add and being constantly buried and basically no showing on a few RAWs leading up to Wrestlemania has an outside surprise shot because of being so over with the crowd through all this. But he has already been given a title shot in the past and so it seems unlikely he will win. Drew McIntyre, Mr. McMahon’s hand-picked choice also has a good chance to win this, probably second best behind Christian. MVP and Jack Swagger (who I think both will make good main eventers one day) have been kind of lost in the shuffle on RAW. Dolph Ziggler? Push time? Maybe, he does have the most to gain from a win and he definitely deserves a push. Kane (or as I like to call him, Jobber to the Stars) at this point is just a gatekeeper for up and comers, so I don’t think they would go that direction.

Prediction: Christian

Side note: if Christian does win, and Edge wins the World Heavyweight belt, how cool would it be to see a future Edge vs Christan Championship Ladder Match?

Unified Tag Team Championship Match
Big Show & The Miz (C) vs. John Morrison & R-Truth
Other than John Morrison & R-Truth winning the number one contender-ship for the Unified Tag Titles, the other back-story this match involves is the fact that John Morrison and The Miz use to be former tag team champions together.
Okay, this match got only two weeks of build, translation? This feels like a filler match. Champions retain.

Prediction: Showmiz

Singles Match
Triple H vs. Sheamus
A feud that seemed to get thrown together at the last minute since none of them were in any other story-lines. HHH “The Veteran” vs. Sheamus “The Up and Comer” HHH has put over enough people in Wrestlemania pasts that it might be time for him to get back to winning some. But Triple H did retain his title vs Orton at last years Wreslemainia so I am thinking that HHH’s objective this year is to get Sheamus over.

Prediction: Sheamus

Triple Threat Match
Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase vs. Cody Rhodes
Wrestlemania has long been about culminations of feuds and this match-up isn’t any different. The slow dissolution of Legacy has been going on for months until a couple weeks back it reached a point of no reconciliation. I was hoping on the last RAW before Wrestlemania we would get a little bit of a wrench thrown into the friendship of Cody and Ted but that will have to wait until Sunday. Prediction: It’s hard not to see Randy winning this; Cody and Ted have not reached the level of winning at Wrestlemania in their respective careers yet. But I am going to out on a limb as I see Cody having the largest to gain at Wrestlemaina.

Prediction: Cody Rhodes

Singles Match
CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio
The stipulation of this match is if Rey loses he must join CM Punk’s Straightedge Society. It should be a good match but CM Punk is one of the company’s top heels and Rey losing would make for a good storyline coming out of Wrestlemania.

Prediction: CM Punk

Check out an article in the Georgia Straight today about the future of Comics:

http://straight.com/article-299459/vancouver/comic-publishers-sketchy-digital-future

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ORDERS ARE NOW DUE!

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Your comic book order is due today so if you have not already done so, this is a reminder that today is the last day to get your orders in for stuff beginning to ship in May.  Check out our Elfbytes for our take on what is coming out.

http://www.elfsar.com/Elfbytes%20Articles/Elfbytes.htm

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BACK ISSUE 55% OFF SALE!!!

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Save more than half price on our back issues!  This sale includes our rare/ variant and incentive covers!!!  We are adding to them every day.

Make plans to check out all the new comics in our back issue bins the next time you visit the store.

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BUT 2 GET 1 MORE FREE!  EVERYDAY!!!

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Our Deal that everyone loves for Graphic Novels has now become a permanent feature at our store.  When ever you buy any combination of 2 Graphic Novels, Softcovers, Hardcovers, Art Books, Comic Sets or Magazines off our floor stock at Elfsar, you get an additional 1 of your choice (for equal or lesser value) FREE! All day, everyday.

Basically, select 3 items and the cheapest one is on us.

How is that for an awesome deal?  You get to pick exactly what you want and design your own sale!

Plus we have a 20% off deal on all other non-reading material unless otherwise marked.  This includes T-shirts, Posters, Toys, statues, novelties ..etc…  Some deals are even at a 50% discount!

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MANGA AND HOW TO DRAW MANGA 50% OFF SALE!!!

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For a limited time, we are offering a 50% sale on our stock of Manga products!  Take advantage of these huge savings!

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FREE COMIC BOOK DAY IS MAY 1^st 2010 AT ELFSAR!!!

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Stay tuned for news about the biggest day of the year as Elfsar plans on making FREE COMIC BOOK DAY bigger than ever!

http://www.elfsar.com/FCBD/2010/Event.htm

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SEPTEMBER IS COMIC CON MONTH!

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Ah… who needs the San Diego Comic Con.  Pffftt!  In case you didn’t already know September is convention month in the Pacific North West. There are lots of great conventions happening near you, and I think it’s a really exciting time to be involved in the Vancouver Comics scene. Mark you Calendars for the following:
September 4-5^th is Fanfair Fest which is a brand new convention!

September 12^th is another Vancouver Comic Con, just in case you missed it this month.

Sept 25^th is the Jet City Comic Con in Seattle which is from the same great folks that brought us the always awesome Emerald City Comic Con.

Sept 26^th is Word Under the Street which is follows the Jet City Comic Con.

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IDW BECOMES A PREMIER PUBLISHER IN PREVIEWS

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Not since 1996 has an independent publisher achieved a higher status with Diamond.

IDW will now have premier status within Diamond and Diamond’s PREVIEWS, including an exclusive section at the front of the monthly catalog.

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Disney has released online the first official look at “Tron: Legacy,” the sequel to the 1982 sci-fi classic.  A Disney film that was waaaaay ahead of it’s time.

I admit,  I have been waiting for a sequel since I was 7 years old.  Tron Legacy stars man-of-the-moment Jeff Bridges who reprises his role as Kevin Flynn, the computer hacker trapped in a digital death match.

The new trailer reveals the new-look and feel to the Tron computer world.  It seems that although remaining true to it’s predecessor the world has grown and evolved over the years along with its trademark light cycle races and flying disc fights.  It will be interesting to see how our video game culture responds to this visual experience.  The entire soundtrack has been designed by Daft Punk! And yes this film will be in 3D.

Check out a larger version here: http://program-glitch-esc.net/