Elfsar Comics & Toys Blog

SarahSarah Scott-Farber

FCBD UPDATE:

Congratulations to the winners of the FCBD Vancouver Food Bank raffle!  Thank you for all your help to make our community stronger.

ARTWORK FROM ARTIST CAMILLA D’ERRICO

CONGRATS TO THE WINNERS:
JENNIFER NEWMAN
& ERIC WHITE

STAR WARS POWER FX DARTH VADER LIGHTSABER

CONGRATS TO THE WINNER:
RICHARD S. CHILTON

T2 T-800 ENDOSKELETON DIE CAST FIGURE SILVER VERSION

CONGRATS TO THE WINNER:
JACK YEE LIU

IRON MAN MOVIE DISPLAY STANDEE & IRON MAN 2 OFFICIAL DOUBLE-SIDED MOVIE POSTER

CONGRATS TO THE WINNER:
SHANNON STEVENSON

Next update… The FREE COMIC BOOK DAY COSPLAY PICS!

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EVEN BIGGER SALE AT ELFSAR!!! (We are closing May 23rd, forever.)
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Now our sale is a Buy 1 and get an additional 2 free for equal or lesser value. This is for Graphic Novels, Comic Sets, Art Books and Magazines.   It is a Mix and Match sale! Get exactly what you want for 1/3rd the price.

Plus our Manga and Manga art books are marked already at 50% off.  Now on top of the 50% off price you can enjoy a buy 1 get 1 free sale as well!

On top of all that we now have a 30% to 90% off deal on all other non-reading material. This includes T-shirts, Posters, Toys, statues, novelties ..etc

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A BACK ISSUE CLEARANCE SALE THAT GEEKS DREAM ABOUT
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SAVE 55% OFF – on any single comic.
Or BUY 10 comics for only $10
Or BUY 30 comics for only $25
Or BUY a short box (approx 150 comics) for only $75 and fill it up with as many comics from the back issue bins as you can.*
Or BUY a long box (approx 300 comics) for only $100 and fill it up with as many comics from the back issue bins as you can.*

*Note: To be fair to everyone, you may not select more than 1 copy per comic of the same cover. In other words you can not grab all 50 copies of Wolverine #1 to fill a box. However, you can buy as many times as you like (if your goal is to get more of the same comic with the same cover). Comics placed in boxes must be stacked vertically and the cashier must be able to insert one hand in on both ends to qualify. Boxes must be able to close with a lid.

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This is for everyone to be informed that Elfsar will close early today (Wednesday May 5th) at 5pm as we are hosting the pre-screening of IRON MAN 2 at the Scotiabank Theatre.

We will re-open at 10:30 on Thursday May 6th and we will still be offering our FCBD sale!

The biggest sale we have ever had in our 7 year history is on!

SAVE 20 to 80% OFF -  Toys, Statues, Models, Novelties, T-Shirts & Posters!

SAVE up to 50% OFF -  Graphic Novels, Art Books, Comic Sets & Magazines
(with our new and improved Buy 1 get another 1 FREE sale!)

A BACK ISSUE CLEARANCE SALE THAT GEEKS DREAM ABOUT

SAVE 55% OFF -  on any single comic.
Or BUY 10 comics for only $10
Or BUY 30 comics for only $25
Or BUY a short box (approx 150 comics) for $75 and fill it up with as many comics from the back issue bins as you can.*
Or BUY a long box (approx 300 comics) for $100 and fill it up with as many comics from the back issue bins as you can.*

*Note: To be fair to everyone, you may not select more than 1 copy per comic of the same cover.  In other words you can not grab all 50 copies of Wolverine #1 to fill a box.  However, you can buy as many times as you like (if your goal is to get more of the same comic with the same cover).  Comics placed in boxes must be stacked vertically and the cashier must be able to insert one finger in on both ends to qualify.  Boxes must be able to close with a lid.

Many of you are probably wondering why there has not been a monthly reminder to read Elfbytes or that your orders are now due.  Well the truth is Elfsar has been involved in some lengthy negotiations over the past few weeks with our landlord and unfortunately it has not worked out like we had planned.

Upon the renewal of our lease our landlord has demanded more than two and a half times what we were currently paying to be in Yaletown (which was not chump change to begin with).  We half suspect that the Shoppers drug mart above and next to us is after all (or at least half) of our space for added storage and is willing to pay a premium to take it.

The numbers simply no longer add up and Elfsar as a retail store would cease to become a viable business.  Even if I were to let go of all staff and get rid of all saver file discounts and free bags and boards we would still be required to double the amount of sales and I truly do not think that is possible in an industry which its own future is in question.

Faced with either moving the business/starting over or cutting my losses/shutting it down, I have had to make the very hard decision to close Elfsar as a retail store.

We will be shutting the doors down on Sunday May 23^{rd  –} the day before Victoria day.  Saver files should get in contact with me regarding any issues they have left to commit to.  An email or printed copy will be made available so that you can transfer your file to another store with the least amount of difficultly. I deeply apologize for the short notice as I was hoping to finally work out a deal with our landlord so that we could continue to bring you the very best in comics and service.

The three most convenient stores that offer a subscription program are as follows:

GOLDENAGE – The closest store (location wise) to us.  They offer saver files.  No discounts. No charges. Go one month without a pickup and they sell your books to other customers.

THE COMIC SHOP – The closest store (operation wise) to us. A security deposit of $25 is needed to set up a file.  They track your sales for 3 months. If you spend $100 per month you then qualify to get 10% off, $200 per month you get 20% off…etc. As long as you keep spending you qualify to get the discount.

RX COMICS –  The closest store (service wise) to us.  No security deposit or membership fees.  Saver files save 5% off the U.S. cover price.

All mail order files will be contacted via email with the remaining comics and toys left to come in and those who have CGC orders still remaining will be contacted once your order has been completed.  All shipments will be forwarded to a new office in North Vancouver which will be the head office for www.elfsar.com .

For those of you who will be on vacation at the time, we will mail your deposits back along with any outstanding items that had come in while you were away to the address you have provided us.  Other deposits from other customers will be returned in store upon the final visit.

Many of you that know me understand that I have been closely watching what has been happening in the comic book world (not just as a fan, but as a retail business owner).  The fact is the “modern age” of comics is changing at a rapid pace. With one million in sales through mobile formats such as the iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, Kindle, and PSP formats in 2009, I believe that in the next 5 to 10 years we will see the most significant changes to the comic industry as a whole.  Heck the biggest threat, known as the iPad has not even hit Canada yet and we have already seen the ripple effect in our business.  Yes, they are not offering any new comics for the time being but as costs and availability change over the next few years the comic book retail world is becoming a scarier place to be.  A new age is starting to emerge, let’s call it the “Digital age” of comics.  Even though torrents have existed for years now (with minimal effort one can get any new comic instantly) I applaud those who are trying to make digital comics a sellable format.

I like paper comics, don’t get me wrong, but the new digital formats for comics is exciting.  What can be achieved in storytelling by changing elements within the same panel is new and ready to be played with (here is a fine example of what I am talking about: http://balak01.deviantart.com/art/about-DIGITAL-COMICS-111966969 or check out http://balak01.deviantart.com/art/ABOUt-about-DIGITAL-COMICS-112523191 )

Is this the end of Elfsar?  Not entirely. We are restructuring and will be switching to a more e-tail based business.  www.elfsar.com will be changing over the next year to a site that is focusing more on the art of comics, fine art and other digital formats.

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However, Elfsar is not done yet….

Now with Free Comic Book day approaching this Saturday (our last FCBD)

We plan on pulling all the stops as we offer the biggest sale we have ever had in our 7 year history!

As a big thank you to all our comic saver files, we invite you to come in a day earlier on April 30^th to beat the rush to get first dibs on our special deals. *note you are still encouraged to come to the event on Saturday to meet the creators, get the free comics, participate in raffles and get your photo taken with members of the Xavier institute for gifted youngsters.  We also have a few surprises on May 1st… that I am being tight lipped about.

Our special sale is as follows:

SAVE 20 to 80% OFF -  Toys, Statues, Models, Novelties, T-Shirts & Posters!

SAVE up to 50% OFF -  Graphic Novels, Art Books, Comic Sets & Magazines
(with our new and improved Buy 1 get another 1 FREE sale!)

A BACK ISSUE CLEARANCE SALE THAT GEEKS DREAM ABOUT

SAVE 55% OFF -  on any single comic.
Or BUY 10 comics for only $10
Or BUY 30 comics for only $25
Or BUY a short box (approx 150 comics) for $75 and fill it up with as many comics from the back issue bins as you can.*
Or BUY a long box (approx 300 comics) for $100 and fill it up with as many comics from the back issue bins as you can.*

*Note: To be fair to everyone, you may not select more than 1 copy per comic of the same cover.  In other words you can not grab all 50 copies of Wolverine #1 to fill a box.  However, you can buy as many times as you like (if your goal is to get more of the same comic with the same cover).  Comics placed in boxes must be stacked vertically and the cashier must be able to insert one finger in on both ends to qualify.  Boxes must be able to close with a lid.

For more information about Free Comic book Day check our website: http://www.elfsar.com/FCBD/2010/Event.htm

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My thanks to everyone for making my job a joy to come to every day,

-Ethan (A.K.A. The Big Elf)

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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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CLOUDSCAPE COMICS CREATOR SIGNING AT ELFSAR MARCH 10th!
Self-Publishing Comics is a hard business and we at Elfsar want to support Cloudscape with their new book. On Wednesday March 10th we invite you to be a part of our NEW COMIC WEDNESDAY BONANZA!

Meet and greet artist(s) from the book who will sign autographs and maybe even do some sketches! The new book is called “EXPLODED VIEW” with a cover by Camilla D’Errico! 

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UPDATE: Toren Atkinson and Paul Soeiro will be in attendance at Elfsar and Kevin Forbes will also be on hand in the evening!
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 Also check out the creators at the Ayden gallery March 6th at 7pm, there will be original art pieces on hand, live drawing, mini comics and much much more!

APRIL ORDERS ARE DUE TODAY WEDNESDAY the 24th!
Wow, this month went fast.  I know February is the shortest month but with the added excitement of the Olympics it seemed to accelerate even more! Orders are due, so if you have not done so already, please send us your order changes ASAP.  Check out our handwritten Elfbytes to help you make that final decision: http://www.elfsar.com/Elfbytes Articles/Elfbytes.htm 

This edition of Elfbytes still contains info information about the new Free Comic Book day books as it is still not too late to order them.  Remember if you want to pre-order the books, you have to be an elfsar saver file customer http://www.elfsar.com/SaverFileMemebership.htm

Also the New Previews shipped today!

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OUR BACK ISSUE BIN SALE CONTINUES!
Through March, we will continue the deep discount savings on issues of the past.  We are entering newly acquired stock each and everyday and constantly adding some juicy hard to get comics to our bins.  This past month we added another 3,000 more in our bins and if you have not been to the store lately, you will notice a big difference as we have added a central location for all of our back issues.  Feel free to send us your want lists and we will even do the work for you.

Speaking of back issues, did you know that a CGC 8.0 copy of Action Comics #1 has been sold for $1 million to an unidentified buyer in an auction that closed this past Monday on ComicConnect.com?  This more than triples the previous record for a vintage comic, the $317,200 paid for a 6.0 copy of the same title last year!  Now granted, Only 100 copies of Action Comics #1 exist, and only two copies have been graded at 8.0 or higher. the 1938 comic was the first appearance of Superman and the beginning of the superhero genre. 

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CLOUDSCAPE COMICS CREATOR SIGNING AT ELFSAR MARCH 10th!
Self-Publishing Comics is a hard business and we at Elfsar want to support Cloudscape with their new book.  On Wednesday March 10th we invite you to be a part of our NEW COMIC WEDNESDAY BONANZA!  Meet and greet artist(s) from the book who will sign autographs and maybe even do some sketches!  The new book is called “EXPLODED VIEW” with a cover by Camilla D’Errico!  More news will be made available as to who will be joining us as we finalize the details.  Also check out the creators at the Ayden gallery March 6th at 7pm, there will be original art pieces on hand, live drawing, mini comics and much much more!

NEW COMIC CON IN VANCOUVER!
Do you crave something different?  Check out the Hollywood North Entertainment Expo in Burnaby.  I have not confirmed this, but it looks like the date has been changed to June 27-28th.  This will be the first (planned to be an Annual) multifaceted convention for Anime, Comics, Gaming, and Sci-Fi.

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GEEK NATION TOUR TO SAN DIEGO COMIC CON!
Want to go to the San Diego Comic Con?  Need a 4-Day Pass even though they are sold out? Want someone else to take care of all your traveling plans?  Join these guys for a six day tour!  http://www.geeknationtours.com/

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A message from the YBIA:  On February 11th and 12th, 2010, the Olympic Flame will travel throughout Vancouver on the Olympic Torch Relay Route, including the Downtown area. There will be rolling road closures of 10-20 minutes as the Olympic Torch travels through Vancouver so be sure to expect some delays- vehicle travel to or within Downtown Vancouver will be VERY challenging. However, don’t be discouraged to come out and celebrate as the flame makes its way through the city.  Just don’t bring your car – take transit, walk or cycle, and plan ahead for extra travel time. Tens of thousands are expected to gather every day at the LiveCity sites to watch live performances showcasing Vancouver’s creative excellence and cultural diversity.  We at Elfsar will continue to run our Olympic inspired sale thru the games, so if you are in the area, please drop by the store to say hi.  Come and check out our extra goodies and take advantage of our sale that is breaking records. 

 Okay, back on subject – To mark the flame’s historic arrival in Vancouver, an Olympic Torch Relay Celebration is being planned by the City for the evening of February 11th, 2010. The celebration will take place at 6:30pm at LiveCity Yaletown David Lam Park (only a few blocks away from Elfsar) and will feature live entertainment, athlete appearances, and much more. To support the Olympic Torch Relay Celebration, and to ensure the safe movement of pedestrians throughout the area, the following streets and sidewalks will be temporarily closed:

·         12pm – Pacific Blvd – east-side sidewalk closed between Homer St and Drake St

·         3pm – Pacific Blvd closed – east-bound lane between Homer St and Drake St

·         3pm – Pacific Blvd – west-bound parking (curbside) lane fenced off

No residential or business driveway access will be impacted during this period. More information is available on the Host City website at the link below:

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Wow, check out Vancouver's "Blackest Night" Rings...lol.

MARCH ORDERS ARE DUE TODAY WEDNESDAY the 27th!
Yep that time is upon us.  Orders are due, so if you have not done so already, please send us your order changes ASAP, Please and Thank you.  As usual we have our handwritten Elfbytes to help you make that final decision: http://www.elfsar.com/Elfbytes Articles/Elfbytes.htm This edition of Elfbytes is a bit special as it contains the information about what the new Free comic Book day book are and how much it will cost if you want to pre-order the books. 

Also the New Previews shipped today!

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THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET INTERESTING
Due to the Olympics we will be opening a little later than normal.  We don’t want to give an exact time as we are still unsure how much the traffic and people situation will affect us in Yaletown. We remain hopeful but have our reservations.  It is best to play it by ear and see how it goes.  This means if the street is busy we will stay open.  If it is a ghost town then we will close at our regular store hours.  If you want to be sure just give us a call we can certainly let you know.  In any case, there seems to be a lot going on in the downtown core.  One of which is the LiveCity Yaletown event at the David Lam park which is providing nightly entertainment until 11pm every night.  The best part is …it’s FREE!  Check out more info: HERE

OUR SALE CONTINUES THROUGH FEBRUARY!
Yes our January boxing month sale is now technically over today on the 27th.  However after careful consideration we have decided to carry our sale over the Olympics in February.  If you don’t know what I am talking about yet, our sale is a Buy 2 get 1 Free on all Graphic Novels, Magazines and Comic Book Sets and 20% off all non reading material.  Items on the ‘New This Week’ racks and all special orders, audio/video, supplies and stuff on consignment are not included.   But there is so much on sale it will be difficult to miss a deal.  So in a way, we are taking on the spirit of the Olympics as we are breaking all previous records for longest awesome sale!

BACK ISSUE BIN SALE at 55% OFF!
The best part of our sale is our massive discount on back issues!  What is a back issue?  They are issues that are located in our back issue bins of course.  After about 4 or 5 months or sometimes even up to a year we put our unsold copies of comics in protective bags and boards and store them alphabetically in our long boxes.  We follow the comic book alphabet which means it is as normal except when there are logical groups to be made.  For example: The Batman, Superman, Spider-man & X-men books are grouped all together.  i.e. Amazing Spider-man, Spectacular Spider-man, Web of Spider-man …. are all under “S” for Spider-man.  Looking for something specific?  Or do you have a list of books you need?  Send it to us via email and we will do the work for you and let you know what we have.

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