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:

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!

======================

* 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

“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.

Respect!

Tell us (via email, facebook or twitter) why you are proud to be a North American and you could win a double-guest pass to the advance screening for The First Avenger: CAPTAIN AMERICA.

Winners will be picked at random for tickets to the show (Wednesday, July 20^th, 7:00pm

At the Scotiabank Theatre – 900 Burrard Street)

Opening in theatres July 22^nd ”

Visit the official website:  http://captainamerica.marvel.com/

The picture above certainly fills me with memories.  Last year was our last Free Comic Book Day event at our Yaletown location and although it was a tremendous amount of work to put together, it was also the most rewarding.

Okay, stop reading this and get your butt down to a participating retailer for Free Comic Book Day! For a list of locations near you: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/fcbd_locator.asp

Sadly Elfsar is unable to participate, but we did drop off a couple long boxes of kid friendly comics at the Ronald McDonald House this morning.  So I still feel good about the day.  I found out, that RX Comics is running a Food Fundraiser this year.  So make sure to support those making the effort to go above and beyond the expectations for FCBD.

-Big Elf

In your best old English speak; tell us why you are most deserving of a double-guest pass to the advance 3D screening for THOR and you could win tickets to the show (Wednesday, May 4th, 7:00pm
At the Scotiabank Theatre – 900 Burrard Street)
Opening in theatres May 6th

Example: “Thy love for Thor, Odinson, God of Thunder, hath endured lo, these many months. It hath overcome every obstacle I shall deny it no longer! Thy must hath thou tickets to the rainbow bridge!”

Winners will be picked at random:  Send submissions via Facebook Group, Facebook Page, Twitter, Youtube or email your submission to: admin@elfsar.com

Visit the official website:  http://thor.marvel.com

A stage production of the caped crusader will tour the UK beginning in July and is scheduled to make its way to the US next year. Choreographer Anthony Van Laas (Mamma Mia!, Sister Act) says, in perfectly self-aggrandizing form, that Batman Live is “neither a musical, nor a traditional theatrical production, but an elaborate all-new, all-action arena production aimed at kids and families.” Okay, so is this basically still a musical with multimedia effects? 

Batman Live is NOT a musical.  It’s also never set to appear on any Broadway stage.  It’s going to tour for five years at large arenas.  Although it’s appropriate for anyone, Batman Live, produced by Warner Bros Consumer Products, DC Entertainment and Nick Grace of Water Lane Productions, is aimed at kids and families.

Still this looks better than the nightmare we have been hearing about with Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark (the most expensive Broadway show to date), which has been plagued by injuries and technical problems and for the good of all, has been shut down to completely retool itself.

Check out these clips:

Batman Live Press Preview Clip 1

Batman Live Press Preview Clip 2

Batman Live Press Preview Clip 3

Batman Live Press Preview Clip 4

Clip 4 is especially good.