ELFSAR BLOG

Do you like comics? You want your friends to like comics too right? Well today is the big day. It is the launch of the new DC Universe. BANG! It just happened!
Many of you who are into comics already know this fact. But whether we like to admit it or not, we are the minority. To the non comic book reader today is no different than any other day. Do they know about the fact that they can download the new issue that just hit the stands? Unless they are already a fan, probably not.
I think this is the larger issue that needs to be addressed. A change in content is nice but ultimately I believe it is still catering to the small percentage of cool people that read comics and hopefully will continue to read comics. People just don’t know about it, or more importantly, care. Will this boost sales? Yes, but it will be most likely from the cross pollination of readers of other comic publishers like Marvel and alike.
As a comic book retailer, I used to take on the responsibility to create events and help reach the consumer. To give the public a peek of what it is like to be a comic book fan. The midnight release party idea is good (if that retailer ordered enough copies to qualify). But after talking to several different shops, it seems the same people are buying the books with a bit of misguided speculation thrown in for some short term added $$$.
This is not good.
What needs to happen is a combined movement. An effort by the comic book fans/community. As comic book fans we have to take the ball and pass it around. We need to give our good friend or friends who is not in to reading comics something to read. No, scratch that, we need to bring them down to our favorite comic book store and show them the ropes. Don’t rely on your store to try to reach them. Trust me they are busy enough just trying to stay afloat. Take the initiative and make your friends even cooler or at least a little more informed. Remember, reading is good but geeking is even better.

And now for a commercial:

Well we say goodbye to the old DCU this week.

An odd bit of news went out yesterday that Booster Gold (who formally was born in the future’s Gotham City) will now be rebooted as a new Canadian Superhero in new 52′s Justice League International (JLI). As a fellow American/Canadian, I kind of have mixed feelings about this.  On one hand, it’s about time the DCU got itself some real Canadian heroes.  But why Booster Gold?  If there ever was a more American concept for a superhero, I don’t know what it is.  A football star from the future who started his career as a corporate capitalist, advertising whore and ended up a celebrity elitist.  I’m sorry but that feels more like a American stereotype, not a Canadian one.  I’m guessing that Robinson’s promise of a “cool Canadian hero” didn’t pan out with Dark Crow so DC’s trying to compensate with making a big character Canadian in the relaunch and to make the JLI a little more ‘international’.

One of the creepiest conversations you will ever hear.

In the words of comedian and comic book writer Ian Boothby …”This is how Skynet got started people.”

Enjoy. See you next year!

Yes it is the Vancouver Zombie Walk tomorrow! The dead will rise!
Here is a great video from last years event (see me @ the 4:27 mark )

Read on for full Zombiewalk 2011 details!!

*ONCE AGAIN, THE UNDEAD SHALL SHAMBLE THROUGH VANCOUVER!

Every year the Vancouver Zombiewalk grows bigger, with more participants of all ages, ever more creative costumes and levels of GOOOOORE, more spinoff and associated events throughout the city, and more huge quantities of blood-soaked fun every single time. Do you know of or have a zombie-themed event on August 20th? Let us know and we can potentially list it as an official pre- or post-Walk party!

*ZOMBIE WALK MEETING TIMES & ROUTE :

- meet at 3:30-4 PM at the Art Gallery downtown (or even earlier!)
- The walk begins at 4:30 PM, no earlier!

The Zombiewalk will loop around the Art Gallery, then turn down Robson, continuing to Denman, turning left on Denman and continuing on towards the beach, then taking a right at Davie, ending in the beach park along the seawall, where the Zombies can decompress, decompose, and continue to frolic … and of course, TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!

*PLEASE NOTE – DO NOT VANDALIZE ANYTHING!

Though the temptation is great, please do NOT smear blood, brains or anything else on any businesses, busses, automobiles or any other public or private property as this is VANDALISM and the police will be ticketing and dealing with anyone appropriately who vandalizes anything. The police have been very good at past Zombiewalks so please Zombiewalk with your utmost undead abandon, but don’t do anything careless which could jeopardize everyone’s fun and possibly shut down future Zombiewalks.

*RESPECT THE LITTLE ONES AS WELL!

Though we big kids all see the fun in it, small children may not, and if you see any children reacting fearfully, please do not add to their distress! Just move on and let their parents explain … do NOT accidentally be the douche who gives them nightmares for a week by leering in their face! However, if they’re into it, they’re fair game for fun, like ALL the living!

* SPREAD THE WORD / INFECT OTHERS / INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!

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* ZOMBIEWALK ON WIKIPEDIA :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie_walk

* ARTICLES / PHOTOS / PRESS FROM ZOMBIEWALK 2010 :

Pete Thorne Photo Gallery :
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=196965&id=300822869824

Miss 604 Vancouver Blog :
http://www.miss604.com/2010/08/vancouver-zombiewalk-2010.html

BeyondRobson.com :
http://www.beyondrobson.com/city/2010/08/the_vancouver_zombie_walk/

Masey.com :
http://www.masey.com.au/2010/08/vancouver-zombie-walk-2010/

HelloVanCity.com :
http://www.hellovancity.com/2010/08/22/hello-vancouver-zombie-walk-2010/

* 2010 ZOMBIEWALK VIDEOS :

East Meets West :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6qFiTJxt7Y

ZombiesDrule.com :
http://www.zombiesdrule.com/vancouver-2010—video.html

‘Sean Kennedy : Zombie Hunter’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wQKJEBs1yU

Check out this amazing Street Fighter documentary on the infamous boxer Balrog. From his rise to fame in the ring, to his disgraceful fall into organized crime, all is exposed.

Credit to Chubby Boy Films for the awesome movie. Want more Street Fighter character films? Support Chubby Boy Productions by checking out their channel here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ChubbyBoyFilms

Will this be a more authentic portrayal of Robert E. Howard’s Conan?  Only time will tell.

As if we needed more hype.  Here she is:  Selina Kyle from Dark Knight Rises.

Note the official release says “Selina Kyle”, not Catwoman.  So fear not, there may be some changes still.  The photo shows her wearing some high-tech goggles but their is no cowl to speak of and of course she is in the expected black catsuit.  Looks like she has borrowed/stolen some Wayne-tech with her on the familiar Batpod.
For me, this is pretty subtle.   And of course it does not say Catwoman.  In fact, it does not say anything at all.  You could call the above photo Batgirl, Batwoman, Huntress or simply a high-tech thief and you would not be the wiser.  I am not saying I don’t like it and this very well may be Selina in the middle of her journey to becoming Catwoman.  But at this stage, Ann Hathaway’s  performance will have to be memorable because so far the costume is not much to go on.

Here is a better shot of a stuntwoman in the costume.

It looks like it is following the new DCU costume with no red trunks (minus the younger part).  But hey I think this is a great shot of things to come for the new Superman movie in 2013.  My complaint about the last costume still holds with this one.  Superman does not need to be dark and gritty.  His costume is a symbol, an icon, and the darker colors makes him look like Evil Sups (remember Evil Sups in Superman III?) Don’t get me wrong, I like the grittiness but I think his costume needs to be Bright and gritty.  I just don’t like my Superman to be desaturated.  Why is it so wrong to use primary colors?  (Click for a larger version) What do you think?

I made a quick 2 second adjustment with photoshop to re-saturate him to illustrate my point.

“My Other Me: A Film About Cosplayers” will chronicle the lives of 3 distinctly different cosplayers as they prepare their costumes for the upcoming season of Anime and Fan Fest conventions.
At the 2:39 mark there is a shout out to Rifa or Reva (not sure which).  If it is Reva, who coincidentally helped Elfsar out at our Free Comic Book Day events for 2009 (As Rogue) & 2010 (As Marvel Girl), than I would not be surprised as she is awesome.