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Free Comic Book Day 2012

February 21st, 2012 | Posted by admin in Blog - (0 Comments)

On May 5, 2012, we will be hosting our third annual Free Comic Book Day!

Benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg/ Rockingham County, the event will feature Troops from the 501st, Bounce house, Food & Drink, game demos, arts, crafts, over 40 FREE comic books and SO MUCH MORE!!This year, go on a SUPER HERO adventure with COMIC TOAST MAN! You will learn so much about how to be and what it means to be a superhero!

http://godigico.com/spots/comictoast/ct.mov

Want to learn more about how YOU can be involved with FCBD 2012? Please call 540-432-9716 or email us at comictoast@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you there!

What is Free Comic Book Day?

http://www.freecomicday.com/

“What’s the big deal about comic books anyway?
Comic books are an original American art form, created in the early days of the twentieth century. They are fun to read, featuring a wide range of diverse story lines that capture the imagination of the readers. That’s worth celebrating in our book – we’re proud to be a part of this wonderful medium.”

Preview this year’s list of free books here !

http://www.freecomicbookday.com/Home/1/1/27/981

ANNOUNCING CLIX FOR KIDS!

Want to do something great for kids in our community!? Pick up your tournament bracket for Clix for Kids!

What is Clix for Kids?

It’s Comic Toast’s version of basketballs march madness! Superheros battle out in the ultimate match up – DC vs. Marvel! Using characters from the game, Heroclix, two beloved store heros, Chad and Travis, will play each match to the death each week! Winner of each round advances to the next. Our final rounds will be played at FCBD 2012!
It’s only $4 to fill out a bracket and the winner gets 50% off the pot! The other 50% goes to BBBS!

YOU can even change the outcome! Come and watch the games battled on FCBD and pay to change the odds of the final matches to ensure that YOU win!

Download the Tournament bracket and turn it into the shop by 3/17 to get full credit for all games played! Bracket deadline is 4/14 and no points will be given for previously played rounds.

Schedule of Events:

Store 2211

All Day – Casual Gaming in Comic Toast

All books and items for sale

Store 2221

12 PM-5 PM – Magic The Gathering Release Party – Learn to play or battle it out in a tournament!

Store 2217

10AM – 12 PM – Pokeman League Free Play

3 PM – 6 PM – Yu Gi Oh Tournament

All Day – Clayton Merwin with http://www.heroesfallenstudiosinc.org/

Back lot

12 PM – 3:30 PM Sword Fighting Classes every 45 minutes

Make your own Super hero Mask

Book Pick Up

Duck Game

Artist Ally Open All Day

Food From Shaney’s Shack Open All Day

Facepainting in front of store 2211

Free Books

Bounce house with Slide

Art Class with Gannon Beck

 

 

CHECK OUT OUR PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS!!

 

 

FEBRUARY 2012 Previews Recommendations

February 18th, 2012 | Posted by admin in Comics | Comics - Featured | Dark Horse | DC | IDW | Image | Marvel - (0 Comments)

Without too much fanfare, let’s get into this month’s recommendations.  The order is due in 5 days (sorry for the late posting – next month will be posted much earlier), so make sure you get any changes in by 5 PM on Tuesday, February 21, 2012.  Let’s go!

DARK HORSE

Star Wars: Blood Ties – Boba Fett is Dead #1 (of 4) : “The news spreads from one end of the galaxy to the other like wildfire: Boba Fett, the galaxy’s most feared bounty hunter, is dead. But when members of the team that killed Fett are themselves picked off one by one, Connor Freeman-the son of one of Jango Fett’s clones-gets pulled into the action in a most unexpected way!”  Honestly, any book that has Boba Fett in the title gets my attention, but this one sounds like a lot of fun; and I get the distinct impression Boba Fett may not really be dead.  After all, who’s killing all those rough and unsavory characters? (Cover Price: $3.50)

Resident Alien # 0 (One-Shot) : “Surviving a crash landing that ruins his spaceship, a stranded alien hopes to quietly live out his life in the sleepy town of Patience, USA, masquerading as a semi-retired doctor. He has some alien powers of empathy and the ability to mask his odd appearance from most people-but how long can he last undercover? After three long years of living below the radar, something in Patience is about to pull him out of hiding and into an uncomfortable spotlight! An alien adventure with humor, heart, and mystery-from acclaimed creators Peter Hogan (2000 AD, Tom Strong) and Steve Parkhouse (Milkman Murders, Doctor Who)!”  This one looks like a lot of fun.  A good premise and a good creative team.  And if it’s successful enough it might even be an ongoing! (Cover Price: $3.50)

Criminal Macabre: Die, Die, My Darling! (One-Shot) : “Monster hunters Cal and Mo’loch are hired by a giant stranger and his fetal sibling to make a final stand in the war between good and evil.”  Steve Niles has been putting out Criminal Macabre books for several years now, and if you haven’t tried one yet, here’s a wonderful opportunity.  Drunken supernatural detective Cal is a character you can’t help but enjoy, and the quality of the storytelling is always top-notch.  If you really like this One-Shot we have both volumes of the Omnibus available at the shop!  Try this one out.  You won’t regret it!  (Cover Price: $3.50)

Groo vs. Conan # 1 (of 4) : “It had to happen: the most heroic warrior in history meets the stupidest as Robert E. Howard’s immortal Conan the Barbarian crosses swords with Sergio Aragones’ Groo the Wanderer in Groo vs. Conan #1. This four-issue miniseries was concocted by the Eisner Award-winning team of Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones, aided by master illustrator Thomas Yeates and master colorist Tom Luth. Will Conan annihilate Groo? Will Groo turn out to be the man who can defeat Conan? We’ll see.”  It’s Groo.  Versus Conan.  What else do I really need to say?  (Cover Price: $3.50)

Grendel Omnibus Volume 1 : “Matt Wagner’s masterpiece celebrates its thirtieth anniversary with the first-ever comprehensive collection of the complete Grendel saga! The first of four volumes presenting the entire series and following the chronology of the stories, this edition introduces millionaire Hunter Rose and his alter ego, the criminal mastermind Grendel! Volume 1 reprints Grendel: Devil by the Deed; the short story collections Grendel: Black, White, & Red and Grendel: Red, White, & Black, featuring a host of legendary guest artists; and the epic Grendel: Behold the Devil.”  And we’re offering a good deal on this 600-page Omnibus! (Cover Price: $24.99   Pre-Order Price: $19.99)

 

DC COMICS

DC HARDCOVERS : As with our Marvel hardcovers, we will be offering special deals for all the new DC hardcovers.  Click on the individual books to see how many issues each collects.  Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 1 – Faces of Death HC   Batwoman Vol. 1: Hydrology HC (Cover Price $22.99   Pre-Order Price: $19.99)

DC SOFTCOVERS : Check out the new softcover collections coming out this month!  Animal Man Vol. 1: The Hunt TP   Catwoman Vol. 1: The Game TP   Green Arrow Vol. 1: The Midas Touch TP   Justice League International Vol. 1: The Signal Masters TP   Stormwatch Vol. 1: The Dark Side TP

Absolute Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps War HC : “This massive, slipcased edition collects GREEN LANTERN #21-25, GREEN LANTERN CORPS #14-19 and GREEN LANTERN: SINESTRO CORPS SPECIAL #1! Sinestro Hal Jordan’s former mentor and archnemesis has gathered an army of soldiers fueled by the fear they instill in others, including Arkillo, Karu-Sil, the Cyborg- Superman and more of the most terrifying villains the universe has ever seen!”  (Cover Price $99.99  Pre-Order Price $74.99)

Green Lantern: The Animated Series # 1 : “It’s the first issue of the monthly series inspired by the new Cartoon Network series! Hal Jordan faces his greatest challenge onboard the Interceptor when he faces off against a captured Red Lantern and his own mentor, Kilowog! Has their trip to the outer reaches of Guardian space driven Kilowog mad? Has their rage-filled prisoner influenced him to rebel against the Guardians’ will? Hal can’t believe his eyes, and neither will you!”  The perfect place to jump on this all-ages book: the first issue!  (Cover Price $2.99)

The Fairest # 2: “Okay, so Sleeping Beauty has been awakened again by true love’s kiss. But hold on! The thief Ali Baba doesn’t seem a likely candidate for knowing true love from a day-old cruller. So how did this kiss work? We proudly present thrills and chills and since the Snow Queen is involved, we do mean chills along with mathematical proof of what does and does not constitute true love.”  Yeah, this is the second issue, but issue # 1 isn’t out yet and you still have time to subscribe.  It’s Fables, with an emphasis on the ladies!  (Cover Price: $2.99)

 

IDW COMICS

 Popeye # 1 (of 4) : “Popeye the Sailor Man sails again! E.C Segar’s classic creation is back, with his first original comic in over 30 years! Written by the Eisner Award-winning Roger Landridge (The Muppets), with pitch-perfect art from rising star Bruce Ozella, it’s a new take on the classic character that’s true to its roots! With a rare incentive cover from legendary Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Jules Feiffer!”  Check out the amazing Action Comics-inspired cover and the classic art.  This series should be a lot of fun.  (Cover Price: $3.99)

Hero Comics 2012 : “A comic to benefit the Hero Initiative, featuring all-new stories by some of the best creators in comics! Fantastic features include: An original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles short story, a Zombies vs. Robots extravaganza, a new Rex Mantooth Kung-Fu Gorilla story, plus more! And this book will also present single page stories by comics creators who have personally benefited from the Hero Initiative!”  The Hero Initiative aims to help out comics creators who have fallen on hard times for one reason or another.  The stories in these books are always entertaining; and the money goes to good cause, which is why we’re offering the book at a discount.  Order 2 copies and you’ll get both the J. Scott Campbell and Joe Jusko covers.  Order 1 copy and you will get a randomly selected cover from the 2 available covers.  (Cover Price: $3. 99   Pre-Order Price: 1/$2.99  2/$4.99)

 

IMAGE COMICS

America’s Got Powers # 1 (of 6): “Welcome to AMERICA’S GOT POWERS! It’s the biggest TV show on Earth, where the chance to win fame, fortune and get laid are dangled in front of a generation of super-powered teens. All they have to do is WIN. Who is the fastest, the strongest or the greatest? Who survives? Young Tommy Watt’s dreams of being the greatest hero of them all might just be shattered when the greatest show on the planet begins to reveal it’s dark heart.”  Freshly released from his Marvel-exclusive contract, Bryan Hitch does the internal art and covers on this new 6-issue mini-series.  The first 2 issues are solicited in this month’s issue of Previews, so just click on “Subscribe” to get all 6 issues.  (Cover Price: $2.99)

Secret # 1 : “’TEETH, WITH WHICH TO EAT’ A man gets shot in London, a law firm gets broken into in Washington, an accountant gives away the password to his computer, and something put to sleep 20 years ago awakens. What is the unsavory relationship all these things share, and how could it bring down two of the largest governments in the history of the world? It’s SECRET, a brand new, ongoing, monthly comic from the creators of A RED MASS FOR MARS. Brought to you by award-winning writer JONATHAN HICKMAN and break-out talent, RYAN BODENHEIM, SECRET is an espionage thriller that takes a deep look into the shadow world existing between the government and private security firms.”  If you haven’t read a Jonathan Hickman book yet you are missing out.  Hickman’s work is cerebral without being pedantic, and his stories (especially his creator-owned work) often have a gritty and visceral quality to them that keeps you coming back for more.  Give this new ongoing a try and I think you will have found your new favorite author.  (Cover Price: $3.50)

Supreme # 63 (Larsen Cover) / Supreme # 63 (Hamscher Cover) / Supreme # 63 (Liefeld Cover) : “’REVELATIONS’ The legendary Supreme returns! ALAN MOORE’s final SUPREME tale is the ultimate jumping on point for new readers! The triumphant return of Image Comics’ most powerful hero! As Supreme romances Diana Dane he takes her on a tour of the Citadel Supreme and tells all of his innermost secrets just as Supreme’s most hated nemesis, Darius Dax, makes a most unfortunate discovery: the key to defeat his abhorred adversary! It’s most mind-blowing cliffhanger in the history of comics! Featuring a story by award winning author ALAN MOORE (WATCHMEN) and art by fan favorites ERIK LARSEN (SPIDER-MAN, SAVAGE DRAGON) & CORY HAMSCHER (X-MEN). You wish all comics were this good!” (Cover Price: $2.99)

’68: Scars #1 (of 4) (Cover A) / ’68: Scars #1 (of 4) (Cover B) / ’68: Scars #1 (of 4) (Cover C) : “Saigon is in flames. Private Kuen Yam is alone and screaming. A handful of human survivors maintains a weakening hold on the only gateway to the skies and escape from Vietnam and the muddy waters of the Mekong Delta churn like a hellish river Styx as the bloated dead rise from the depths. Few will survive the nightmares of 1968 and those who do will bear its mark. Join creators MARK KIDWELL, NAT JONES and JAY FOTOS as they return to a world of military/zombie horror in this second part of the ongoing ’68 series. ’68: SCARS!”  It’s the Walking Dead meets Platoon.  If you like zombie books done in the style of the original Night of  the Living Dead, then this may be for you.  (Cover Price: $3.50)

Danger Club # 1 : “Faced with the deadliest peril the universe had ever known, the world’s greatest heroes left the Earth to battle a nightmarish evil… and they never came back. Now only their teenage sidekicks remain. Will the Danger Club unite against this unknown cosmic menace, or will their struggle for dominance destroy them? The critically acclaimed creative team of LANDRY Q. WALKER and ERIC JONES (Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures In the 8th Grade, Batman: Brave and the Bold) reunite to tell the apocalyptic tale of these titanic teens.”  The concept is intriguing and the art looks really solid.  I’ll definitely be trying this book out for at least a few issues to see where it’s going.  So if you’re looking for a new stand-alone, this might be it!  (Cover Price: $2.99)

 

MARVEL COMICS

AVX # 1 (of 6) : “The Premier Tie-In To Avengers Vs. X-Men! All-Out Action Featuring Cover To Cover Battles, Each Issue Expanding On Fights From The Main Avx Book In Ways You Can’t Imagine! This Issue: Iron Man Vs. Magneto And Thing Vs. Namor!”  You can enjoy this summer’s giant Marvel crossover by just reading the title book; but if you want a little more Avengers/X-Men action, here’s what you’re looking for.  (Cover Price $3.99)

Avengers Vs. X-Men # 2 (of 12) : “As The Opening Shot Is Fired, The Avengers Storm The Beach Of Utopia, And The Phoenix Draws Ever Nearer To Earth! But Which Side Will Wolverine Fight On? And What Choice Will Hope Make That Will Change The Direction And Scope Of The Conflict Dramatically?”  If you haven’t added Marvel’s big summer crossover, now’s the time to do it.  Marvel swears up and down that if you want to enjoy this series you don’t have to read all the tie-in books, you just have to read this one.  So what are you waiting for?!?!?  Let the blood (and spandex) fly!  (Cover Price: $3.99)

THE OMEGA EFFECT CROSSOVER:

Avenging Spider-Man # 6 (Part 1 of 3) : “’The Omega Effect’ Begins Here Bringing Together Marvel’s 3 Biggest Heroes From The Most Acclaimed New Books Of The Year! Spider-Man, Daredevil And Punisher In An Epic Chase Across Manhattan For A Mysterious Treasure That Will Change The Course Of All Their Lives.”  (Cover Price: $3.99)

The Punisher # 10 (Part 2 of 3) : “’The Omega Effect’ Part Two! Guest Starring Spidey And Daredevil! A Perfect Time To Try This Highly Acclaimed New Series As Frank Castle Joins In With The Meanest Team-Up You Ever Saw. Forced To Work With Two Garishly Dressed Avengers, The Punisher Makes One Promise: ‘Trust No One–Hurt Everyone.’”  (Cover Price: $2.99)

Daredevil # 11 (Part 3 of 3) : “’The Omega Effect’ Concludes! Daredevil And Spider-Man Join Frank Castle In A Blitzkrieg Takedown Of New York Crime– But Don’t Take It For Granted That These Heroes Are All Working Together.”  (Cover Price: $2.99)

Captain America and Hawkeye # 629 : “Captain America And Hawkeye Vs. Dinosaurs!?! Something’s Rotten In The San Andres Mountains…And It’s Eating The Locals. Join Fearless Writer Cullen Bunn As He Teams Captain America Up With The Best, The Worst And The Downright Villainous Of The Marvel Universe For All-New, All-Action And All-Awesome Arcs Chock-Full Of High-Octane Insanity! Best Bring A Helmet!”  Like Avenging Spider-Man, this book is going to be an ongoing team-up book, starting with Hawkeye!  I think this one will be added to my subscription some time in the next few days.  (Cover Price: $2.99)

Daredevil # 10.1 : “If You Haven’t Climbed Onboard The Daredevil Express Yet, This Is A Perfect Jumping On Point For The Best Reviewed Series Of The Year! Pitting The Man Without Fear Against A Cabal Of Villainous Secret Societies Sworn To Bringing Hornhead To His Knees! Setting The Stage For This Month’s Daredevil/Spider-Man/Punisher Crossover ‘The Omega Effect’!”  Let me make this simple for you: BUY THIS BOOK!!!!  Seriously, Daredevil is one of my favorite monthly books right now and it goes straight to the top of my reading pile when it comes in.  Waid has breathed new life into this book and you are cheating yourself if you’re not reading it.  Go.  Subscribe.  Now.  (Cover Price: $2.99)

Wolverine # 305 : “All New Jumping On Point! Written By Rising Star Cullen Bunn (Fear Itself: The Fearless, The Damned, The Sixth Gun).”  Jason Aaron’s run on Wolverine ends with #304 and the new creative team start with this issue.  If you’ve been thinking about trying this book out, THIS is the issue to do it with.  (Cover Price: $3.99)

Age of Apocalypse # 2 : “AOA Cyclops is back… from the dead?!?! One of the X-Terminated is captured and faces death. Can the rest save her? Jean begins her training to take down Weapon X.”  If you haven’t added this to your subscription list it’s still not too late to pick up issue #1.  Revisit the world that gave us one of Marvel’s best crossovers in the last 20 years!  (Cover Price: $2.99)

The Secret Service # 1 : “From The Writer Of Kick-Ass And The Artist Of Watchmen Comes A Collaboration Decades In The Making. Says Millar: ‘Secret Service Is The Ramifications Of [How] America Is Struggling On The World Stage, Funding Is Being Seriously Undercut To Balance The Books And Some People Are Trying Their Best To Take Advantage Of The Fragile Global Situation. The Hero And Sidekick Guys Who Lead The Book Are, I Think, The Best Characters I’ve Written.’”  What can I say that this solicitation doesn’t already say?  Not sure why there’s only a “Pull” option on this issue, but as soon as it becomes available as a “Subscribe” book I’ll repost this listing.  (Cover Price: $2.99)

MARVEL HARDCOVERS : Marvel hardcovers start on p. 24 of Comixology’s February Previews, and if you add any of them before I order on Tuesday (2/21), you will get 25% off the cover price when the book comes in.  There are some quality hardcovers in this month’s Previews, including the Punisher by Rick Remender Omnibus HC and the Secret Warriors Omnibus HC.  Check out what’s available and then take advantage of our 25% off deal!

And that’s it for this month.  Next month’s list will have even more items, including statues, apparel, and more independent titles.  And remember to get all your changes in by 5 PM on Tuesday, February 21!

MAGIC THE GATHERING #1 – Coming Soon

December 1st, 2011 | Posted by admin in Blog - (0 Comments)

Get ready, Magic: The Gathering fans, there’s a new Planeswalker in town! In search of greater magical knowledge and on the hunt for the people who destroyed his town, Dack Fayden is the greatest thief in the Multiverse. When he gets his hands on his latest prize, though, he has no idea where it will lead him-or to who!

November 2011 Previews Recommendations

November 19th, 2011 | Posted by admin in Comics | Dark Horse | DC | IDW | Image | Marvel - (0 Comments)

Well, it’s that time again.  I have a HUGE list of recommendations for this month, with some GREAT deals on some AMAZING books.  Share this list with your friends.  Tell them we ship.  Spread the good word about the Toast!

Just a quick reminder of the specifics of this list of recommendations.

1. To get any of the special deals offered in this blog (did I mention there would be special deals?!?) you need to be a subscriber at Comic Toast with an active Comixology account.

2. All specials offered in this blog are good up until the FOC (Final Order Cut-Off – essentially the last date I can change my orders before the arrival of the item).  We need to see it in our Comixology pull list so we know to order you one.

3. You must pre-pay half the retail on any items over $50 by the FOC date for that item.  If for some reason your item is cancelled or we are allotted a lower shipment due to item availability, we will give you a complete refund as soon as we have confirmation of that situation.

4. Keep in mind that these recommendations are influenced by my own tastes and I make no guarantee that you will enjoy a book I recommend.  I will do my best to give you the info you need to decide for yourself.  Keep in mind, unless we are talking about graphics (and even then sometimes) I haven’t read it either.

As always, I’ll list my recommendations in the order they appear in Previews.

DARK HORSE

B.P.R.D.: Plague of Frogs Volume 1 TP – This 400-page first volume collects the first installment in the 4-part “Plague of Frogs” storyline, a classic tale from Mike Mignola’s Hellboy universe.  If you enjoy good gothic storytelling, a sort of Mission Impossible meets Sherlock Holmes meets Lovecraft, you will enjoy this book.  And when you see the price I’m putting on it, you might even give it a try! (At $24.99 for 400 pages, this book is already a great deal.  But I’m going to sweeten the deal oh so much more by dropping $10.00 off the cover price and selling it for only $14.99! Also, keep in mind, for me to purchase the Hellboy: The Fury issues, I have to buy at least 3 of this book.  I’m ordering 1 for the store, but I need to sell 2 more to order the Hellboy issues.  FYI.)

Hellboy: The Fury – Issue #1 – Issue #2 – Issue #3 – SPOILER ALERT!  This is it.  Hellboy takes on the Queen of Blood one-on-one, and it’s a fight that Hellboy will not walk away from.  That’s right.  This is the series where Mike Mignola does the unthinkable and seemingly ends the career of his heavy-handed hero.  How does it all go down?  You’ll have to read to find out. (Assuming we are able to order 3 copies of the B.P.R.D. TP, I will be selling these issues at $1 apiece!  $3 gets you the entire 3-issue mini-series and a great read!)

Dark Matter #1 (of 4) – “A derelict ship floats in space, its troubled crew awakened from stasis with no memories of who they are or how they got on board.  Their search for answers triggers the vessel’s deadly security system: a relentless android bent on their destruction…”  Written by Stargate series writers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, and boasting a similarity to Aliens, Stargate, and 2001: A Space Odyssey, this series seems to be modeling itself on the claustrophobic sci-fi thrillers that pit humans against machine and self, with the self sometimes being the most deadly enemy.  I’m definitely giving the first issue of this series a try.  (Give the first issue a try and I’ll take $1 off the $3.50 cover price!)

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: War #1 (of 5) – This book is being solicited as a great place to jump onto the Knights of the Old Republic storyline, and a great place to start reading Star Wars comics again!  The Republic and the Mandaloreans are at war, which means Mandaloreans and Jedi fighting it out!  How is that not awesome? (Again, give the first issue a try and I’ll knock $1 off the $3.50 cover price!)

King Conan: The Phoenix on the Sword #1 (of 4) – Dark Horse has been quietly doing really good things with the Conan story, and it’s time you tried out what they have to offer.  Based on Robert E. Howard’s first Conan story, this mini-series tells the story of a newly crowned Conan, King of Aquilonia, and the plot to kill him and take his throne.  And waiting in the wings?  Thoth-Amon, Conan’s oldest and most vicious enemy.  Blood, swords, scantily-clad serving girls…what’s not to love?!?! (Again, I make your day by taking $1 off the $3.50 cover price, allowing you to try out a classic story at only $2.50!)

Dark Horse Presents #8 – Fegredo Cover – Donaldson Cover – I  keep telling you people what a great book this is, but no one will listen!  Maybe this is the issue to change your mind.  It includes Mike Mignola’s eulogy  for Hellboy, the fallen infernal hero, and the prelude to Brian Wood (DMZ, Demo) and Kristian Donaldson’s The Massive, a new post-apocalyptic mini-series coming soon from Dark Horse.  I’ve heard good early buzz on The Massive, and this gives you an excuse (not that you should need one!) to try out this great anthology series.  (Yes, it’s a $7.99 book, but that’s for 80 pages!  But to make it easier on your wallet I’ll knock this one issue down to $5 just so you can try it out!  You no longer have an excuse not to try this high-quality book.)

Mass Effect Embroidered Patches – If you’re a fan of the game or the comics, here’s your way to show your loyalty.  Each embroidered patch is $4.99 and you can choose from the N7 logo, the Paragon logo, the Renegade logo, and the System Alliance logo!

 

DC COMICS

Just a quick heads up on my DC recommendations.  I’m including a bunch of series recommendations along with the individual items.  This is by no means an exhaustive list of what I like about the DC New 52, and I will devote an entire section next month to the Green Lantern and Legion books, but for now, this is what I’m seeing that I really like.  And keep in mind we will have EVERY SINGLE issue released thus far in the DC New 52 universe, available starting Saturday, November 26 at our Super Saturday Sale Spectacular 11-5, with special deals on combo packs of #1 and #2 issues.  You don’t want to miss out on this sale folks.  Ok, advertisement out of the way.  On to the books! (To subscribe to any of these books, just click on the hyperlink and click on “Subscribe”.)

Justice League – With Geoff Johns writing and Jim Lee illustrating, and the book shipping on time, I can honestly say this is in my top 10 favorites of the New 52.  It’s the beginning of the Justice League and it reads like a great story that just happens to also be an origin story.  Fast-paced, lots of action, and lots of character development at both the individual and friendship level.

Aquaman – Okay folks.  This is not your grandpaw’s Aquaman.  When Aquaman stands his ground against a speeding armored truck and flips it over his head with his trident, you realize that this is an Aquaman who doesn’t put up with no fools!  The tone of the book is dark and funny at the same time (there is an early nod to Aquaman’s less-than-stellar reputation among the general public), and I would easily put this book in my top 5.  I look forward to each new issue, and I think you will too if you give it a try.

The Flash – Seeing as how it was Flash that brought about the DC New 52, it makes sense that his namesake book has been given lots of loving attention.  Francis Manipul writes Barry Allen with more than a hint of Peter Parker trying to balance his life as super-hero and real-life guy.  I’m enjoying Brian Buccaellato’s art and this is another book that definitely makes my top 10 each month.

Action Comics – If you’ve talked to me about DC comics for more than 5 minutes then you know how I feel about Grant Morrison writing mainstream comics.  After Batman RIP I was ready to boycott any of his future efforts on anything even resembling mainstream.  I am now officially eating my own words.  Morrison’s writing on Action Comics is nothing short of amazing, and Andy Kubert’s art is a delight for the eyes as always.  This book details Superman’s early days in Metropolis, revealing a more passionate, socially conscious Superman who is much more willing to bend the rules to achieve his ends.  If you’ve never tried a Superman book before this may be the one for you.

Batman – Scott Snyder is simply one of my favorite writers working today.  He has a real flair for the dark and dreary without making it overwhelming.  Batman may be my favorite of the new titles and Snyder’s story, a delving into Gotham’s dark past and the significance of a secret society – the Court of Owls – that dates back over 100 years and includes some of Gotham’s most powerful families.  Greg Capullo’s art captures the dark and mysterious nature of this story perfectly and the whole thing reads like a modern re-telling of the darkest Sherlock Holmes stories.  I can’t recommend this book highly enough, and if you’re not reading it you really are missing out.  A bonus is that you can read this book without reading any of the other Batman stories and still know exactly what’s going on.

Penguin: Pain and Prejudice – This 5-issue mini-series re-visits the Penguin origin story and does an amazing job of re-establishing the Penguin as a genuine bad guy and not some comical buffoon.  When a patron of his illegal gambling operation doesn’t pay up, Penguin goes after his entire family to teach the guy a lesson.  The book is dark, and a young Penguin does some things that makes the kid from The Omen look like a virtual innocent, but I have never enjoyed a Penguin story more than this one.  We’re getting extra copies of this entire run in, so it’s not too late to try it out!

Batwing – I didn’t read the short-lived Batman Incorporated, so I was completely unaware of the Batwing character when this book came out.  By issue #2 I was hooked and now it’s one of my favorite of the Bat-books.  It centers on an Africa-based Batman who deals with issues closely related to the geographical setting of this story.  The first villain, Massacre, brings to mind the genocidal butchery that has taken place in Africa over the last 20-30 years, and The Kingdom, Africa’s now defunct version of the Justice League has a history that has its own secrets to hide.  I’m really liking this book and I hope more people will take this recommendation to heart and give it a try.

Birds of Prey – Imagine the Human Target TV series with a group of kick-@$$ ladies in charge instead of the strong, tortured male lead.  I’ve never been a regular reader of this series, but this book very quickly made the cut with me and probably makes my top 10.  It’s action-packed with lots of witty banter in the interim.  A great spy story that is both fun and engaging, this is a book that is too much fun to have this few readers.

Nightwing – I’ve always loved Dick Grayson’s Robin, and loved him even more as Nightwing.  This new incarnation sees the circus that Nightwing grew up in returning to town just in time for the old ringmaster to die and leave the circus to Dick.  Couple that with a high-tech assassin that is out to kill Dick Grayson because he’s “the most dangerous killer in Gotham” and you get a great detective story that is packed to the gills with action, intrigue, and the nostalgia of Dick Grayson re-examining his roots.  Quality stuff.  Definitely in my top 10.

Swamp Thing & Animal Man – Let me start by saying that these books are not necessarily for everyone.  But if you like one, I can almost guarantee that you’ll like the other.  Both of these books are dark and philosophical in content, betraying their Vertigo roots.  Scott Snyder’s Swamp Thing keeps much of the old mythology, but treats the reader as a possible newbie, and so doesn’t overwhelm you with years of continuity.  Jeff Lemire’s Animal Man is likewise dark and supernatural in its tone, and thematically it ties very closely to what Snyder is doing over in Swamp Thing.  Snyder informed us on our conference call we did back in September that there will be a tie-in between these two titles.  Once you read them you’ll understand how it would be confusing if there wasn’t a tie-in!  So if you like your comics dark with strong supernatural overtones, you really need to try out these books.

All-Star Western – This Jutin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti-written book is easily in my top 5 favorites of the DC New 52.  Imagine the chaotic, frontier-like mood of The Magnificent Seven mixed with the brooding, dark, frightening ambiance of a Sherlock Holmes mystery.  Jonah Hex is in late 19th-century Gotham to investigate a Jack the Ripper style serial killer.  It’s both a gun-slinging western and an engaging mystery that suggests a possible connection to things going on in Scott Snyder’s Batman.  I really love this book, and if you give it a chance I think you will too.

Batman vs. The Black Glove Deluxe Edtion HC – This Grant Morrison-helmed run is the Prelude to the Batman RIP storyline and collects Batman # 655-658, 663-669, and 672-675.  It begins with Batman discovering he has a son and all the difficulty that comes with that fact (being raised by assassins and other assorted killers doesn’t help matters), and ends with Batman on an international hunt into the history of parents’ death. (It’s a $29.99 hardcover, but we’ll take $5 off to make it a more manageable $24.99.)

Batman Year One Deluxe Edition HC New Printing – This Frank Miller classic takes you back to the earliest years in Batman’s crime fighting career, collecting Batman #404-407.  I would put this 4-part series in my top 5 Batman stories of all time.  Miller’s grasp of crime noir and his ability to utilize that genre to its fullest in Batman’s world makes this a must-read for any Batman fan or comic fan in general.  (I’ll knock $5 off the $24.99 cover price, making it a very manageable $19.99 for this classic hardcover.)

DC Comics Presents: The New 52 #1 – Collecting the #1 issues of Animal Man, Justice League Dark, I, Vampire, and Swamp Thing, this $7.99 collection gives you $12 worth of books at 33% off the original cover price!  This is the dark, supernatural set of books, and I’m guessing future issues will likewise deal with similarly themed books (Superman, Green Lantern, Batman, etc.)

Fables #113 – This stand-alone issue stars several “fan-favorite Fables characters in idyllic other times and places!” and is a great issue for you to jump on board one of my all-time favorite series.  Fables is all the fairy tales of your youth brought to life in our world.  Snow White is married to Bigby Wolf, Cinderella is a refined secret agent, and Little Boy Blue is the hero of the Fable universe.  If you haven’t been talked into reading this book yet, this is your chance to try it out!

Batman Black & White Statue by Sergio Aragones – It’s a 7.5″ tall Batman statue based on the designs of Sergio Aragones!  How is that not cool?!?!  Yes, it retails for $90, but I’m willing to take $15 off that price so you can pick it up for a mere $75!

Batman Black & White Statue by Mike Mignola – Another 7.5″ Batman Black and White statue, and this one is designed by Hellboy’s Mike Mignola!  This one retails for $95, but we’re still willing to sell it to you for a mere $75!

 

October 2011 Previews Recommendations

October 22nd, 2011 | Posted by admin in Blog | Comics - (0 Comments)

This is the first of what I hope will be a monthly column here at Comic Toast.  I will aim to get my recommendations in earlier next month, but I was trying to wait for Comixology to get their October catalog up so I could include hyperlinks with each recommendation.  Next month I’ll just post the blog and add hyperlinks when they become available.  A few notes before we begin:

1. To get any of the special deals offered in this blog (did I mention there would be special deals?!?) you need to be a subscriber at Comic Toast with an active Comixology account.

2. All specials offered in this blog are good up until the FOC (Final Order Cut-Off – essentially the last date I can change my orders before the arrival of the item).  We need to see it in our Comixology pull list so we know to order you one.

3. You must pre-pay half the retail on any items over $50 by the FOC date for that item.  If for some reason your item is cancelled or we are allotted a lower shipment due to item availability, we will give you a complete refund as soon as we have confirmation of that situation.

4. Keep in mind that these recommendations are influenced by my own tastes and I make no guarantee that you will enjoy a book I recommend.  I will do my best to give you the info you need to decide for yourself.  Keep in mind, unless we are talking about graphics (and even then sometimes) I haven’t read it either.

I’ll divide my recommendations by company as they are in Previews.  Let’s get started!

DARK HORSE

The Strain #1(of 11) – Based on the first book of the Guillermo del Toro c0-authored vampire trilogy, and with only a $1 cover price, this is a great opportunity to try out a limited series that you don’t have to commit to long term.  Of course there are 2 more books, but if you’re still reading at that point you’ll probably be excited about that fact rather than disappointed. (This one’s already a buck, so, I think that’s special enough. FOC 11/14/11)

Star Wars: Agent of Empire – Iron Eclipse #1 (of 5) – I’m a Star Wars geek and this is a James Bond-genre story set in the Star Wars universe.  How do I not recommend this book?  John Ostrander, who wrote both Star Wars: Legacy and Star Wars: Republic, is handling the writing duties, while Stephane Roux has an impressive and dynamic piece of internal sample art in this month’s Previews. (Try out this first issue for $2.50, $1 off the cover price. FOC 11/14/11)

DC COMICS

Absolute Batman: Dark Victory HC - This sequel to The Long Halloween (which we currently have in stock at 35% off the cover price!) is Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale at their finest.  It’s early in Batman’s career, and Sale’s artwork is perfect for that vintage style of story.  Yeah, it’s pricey, but it’s a great book to have in your collection, especially if you want to be able to show people why comics are such an amazing art form. (It retails for $99.99, but if you pre-order it by the FOC you get it for 25% off – $74.99!  FOC 11/7/11)

IDW

Memorial # 1 (of 6) - The solicit describes this book as “Doctor Who meets Sandman by way of Miyazaki!”  Now if that means something to you, you’re interested, right? Based on the solicit I would add my own brief description – amnesiac female Harry Potter with strong Gaiman overtones.  I’ll definitely try out the first issue.  Chris Roberson (iZombie) writes, and Rich Ellis provides some really beautiful illustration. (Try out the first issue for $1 off the $3.99 cover price. FOC 12/5/11)

Magic: The Gathering # 1 (Ongoing) – I am an enabler of Magic, though not necessarily a practitioner.  This looks like a fun adventure book in the same vein as Dungeons and Dragons, and I’m sure fans of the game will be treated to lots of inside references that the rest of us civilians will just gloss over. ($1 off the $3.99 cover price. FOC 12/5/11)

IMAGE COMICS

The Activity # 1 (Ongoing) – Slightly clunky and awkward title aside, this looks like an interesting book.  According to the solicit it’s about “a team of elite men and women whose mission is flexible, whose technology is bleeding edge, and whose execution is precise and lethal.”  Mitch Gerads’ internal art has fairly clean look, though I’d be interested to see how he draws action scenes since the preview pages show only people talking and a full-page montage of aircraft.  Again, I’ll probably give the first issue a try on this one.  I like a good spy/action/thriller with lots of techie stuff. ($1 off the $3.50 cover price.  FOC 11/28/11)

The Red Wing TP – This TPB collects the 4-issue mini series by Jonathan Hickman with art by Nick Pitarra (think Frank Quitely with a muted palate) and could be quickly summarized as Top Gun if the planes could fly through time as well as space and Maverick had some real issues with a father who may or may not be dead.  Hickman’s running hot right now and I’m really enjoying everything he’s doing, including this series.  (And that’s why I’m offering such a great deal.  Try this $14.99 TPB for only $10!  FOC 11/21/11)

Screamland: Death of the Party TP – I have absolutely loved this series, and this trade collects issues # 1-5 of the new, ongoing series.  Imagine that all the monsters from the old Hollywood monster movies (The Wolfman, The Invisible Man, Creature from the Black Lagoon, etc.) are all real, and now that they are no longer the monsters of the minute they have reverted to the convention circuit to make a buck.  And then one of their own is murdered and a very incriminating sex tape involving almost all of them is stolen.  It’s up to Wolfman Carl and his buddy Travis to solve the murder and retrieve the tape before some dark, dark secrets are revealed.  This book is just a lot of fun, though with a T+ rating, it’s racy in places. ($4 off the $16.99 cover price makes this a great deal for a great read.  FOC 11/21/11)

Witch Doctor, Vol. 1: Under the Knife TP – Simply put, this book is House if Dr. House were a doctor of the supernatural with an assistant who looked like a little girl who eats monsters. CRAZY stuff, but oh so much fun.  It’s horror with dry wit and lots of fluids of various types. (Pick up this $12.99 TPB for only $9.99!  FOC 11/21/11)

MARVEL COMICS

Defenders # 1 (Ongoing) – It’s Matt Fraction (W) and Terry Dodson (A) first of all.  Secondly, it’s Namor, Doctor Strange, Iron Fist, Silver Surfer and Red She-Hulk “against the forces of the unknown!”  Looks like this could be a fun book, and with the creative team they have working on it right now one would hope this would be a quality book as well. (Try this #1 issue for $1 off the $3.99 cover price.  FOC 11/7/11)

Avengers: X-Sanction #1 (of 4) – “Cable is back!  And he’s got just 24 hours to wipe the Avengers from the pages of history!”  With an intro like that, I must admit I’m actually intrigued.  The resurrection of Cable, coupled with a mission like that piques my interest.  Add to that the fact that Ed McGuinness is handling art duties and I will definitely be checking this book out.  ($1 off the $3.99 cover price.  FOC 11/7/11)

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man Must Have # 1 – This issue collects the first 3 issues of the new ongoing Ultimate Spider-Man and is one of 3 similar issues being solicited this month.  I cannot recommend the Ultimate books highly enough and if you would like to read Marvel stories without the burden of 50+ years of continuity, this is your book.  It introduces the new Spider-Man, Miles Morales, and gets you settled into a Spider Universe without Peter Parker.  Thus far I have really enjoyed this book, and Bendis seems to have a really good handle on the complexities of this new character. ($1 off the $4.99 cover price means you get 3 books for the price of 1!  It doesn’t get much better than that!  FOC 11/7/11)

Ultimate Comics The Ultimates Must Have #1 – This issue collects the first 3 issues of the new ongoing The Ultimates series, and again I have to recommend this for anyone who would like to read Marvel books but is intimidated by the continuity issue.  This is the Avengers with an edge, and written by Jonathan Hickman.  I’ve really enjoyed the first few issues and I’m looking forward to seeing where Hickman takes this series.   Rated T+, so buyers beware.  (Again, $1 off the $4.99 cover price means you get 3 books for the price of 1!  A great deal for an excellent book.  FOC 11/7/11)

 Ultimate Comics X-Men Must Have #1 – The final Must Have issue being released this month collects the first 3 issues of the new ongoing Ultimate X-Men series, and again I have to say how much I’m enjoying the rebooted Ultimate Universe.  The writers are not bound by all the continuity and can really have fun with the characters. ($1 off the $4.99 cover price!  3 issues for the price of 1!  FOC 11/7/11)

Avengers by Brian Michael Bendis: Heroic Age HC (Movie Cover) – Avengers by Bendis HC (Romita Jr Cover) – This oversized hardcover collects Avengers (2010) #1-6, Avengers Prime #1-5, and New Avengers (2010) #1-6 and can be a great standalone read.  I’m way behind on my reading, so I can only testify to the quality of Avengers Prime, but I’ve heard pretty good things about the other titles.  Either way, it’s a lot of comics, in a great format, for a great price. (We’re offering this great hardback for $10 off the $39.99 cover price!  That’s less than $2 an issue in an oversized format!  FOC 11/7/11)

Fear Itself Premier HC – Collects Fear Itself:  Book of the Skull and Fear Itself #1-7, so if you missed the series when it came out this year this is a great opportunity to check it out in a standard hardcover format.  ($5 off the $34.99 cover price makes this a great deal.  FOC 11/7/11)

Jubilee by Robert Kirkman TPB – One of the hottest writers working today takes on Jubilation Lee, the “firework-wielding mutant, full-fledged X-Man, sidekick to Wolverine and future vampire!”  If you’re a fan of Jubilee this is a great book to pick up.  ($3 off the $16.99 cover price!  $13.99!  FOC 11/14/11)

Spider-Man by Mark Millar Ultimate Collection TPB – It’s actually kind of fun to watch Mark Millar try to contain himself, and at the same not contain himself, while trying to write a mainstream book.  His work on this book, a collection of Marvel Knights Spider-Man #1-12, is quite impressive, and he’s backed up by Terry Dodson and Frank Cho, two of my favorite artists.  This is a re-imagining of Spider-Man without being a re-boot.  Millar has a very specific take and it has his characteristic edge without being Kick-Ass violent or profane.  It’s a Marvel Knights book, so it’s rated T+.   (Take $5 off the $34.99 cover price and pick this book up for $29.99!  FOC 11/7/11)

Secret Wars – Secret Wars II – Marvel is reprinting these classic mini-series that tell the tale of the Beyonder and his influence on the 80′s Marvel Universe.  See Spider-Man get the black suit for the first time and watch Marvel heroes and villains fight it out on a distant planet and again at home.  This is classic 80′s Marvel at its best.  ($5 off both books, which makes them $29.99 and $24.99 respectively.  FOC 11/7/11)

X-Men: Days of Future Past TPB – It must be classics month at Marvel, because this is another classic tale from the Marvel vaults getting a new printing this month.  This collection, which includes Uncanny X-Men #138-143 and X-Men Annual # 4, includes the first appearance of Alpha Flight as well as the first journey to the dystopian future of 2013 (not so far away now!).  ($3 off the $19.99 cover price means you pay a little over $2 an issue!  FOC 11/7/11)

COMICS – MISC.

Archie #627 – Archie #627 Variant – Archie #628 – Archie #628 Variant – Why Archie?  Because these two issues are Part 1 and Part 2 of the “Archie Meets KISS” crossover!  C’mon, that’s just too much fun to resist! (50 cents off the $2.99 cover price means you can get both issues for $5!  FOC 11/4/11)

Fathom Ultimate Edition Slipcase HC – This 536 page Hardcover collects Fathom #0, 1/2, 1-11, material from 12-14, as well as the original first 2 swimsuit issues.  A must-buy if you’re a Fathom fan.  And I’ll do my best to make it affordable.  (I am feeling very generous, so I’m going to offer this $99.99 hardcover for 35% off the cover price, making it only $64.99!!! Hard to beat that offer.  FOC 11/4/11)

Outcast #1 – Another interesting title from Boom! Studios, this one could best be described at Conan meets the Walking Dead.  King Valen Brand is killed in battle by a Necromancer and resurrected as one of the walking dead.  (At only $1, this first issue is a steal, as well as great opportunity to try something new for next to nothing!  FOC 11/4/11)

Lord of the Jungle #1 – This re-telling of the classic Tarzan tale is based on the original Edgar Rice Burroughs classic with some new elements to try and make it fresh for a new generation.  I’m actually pretty excited about this book, and with the amazing cover price, I’ll definitely be trying it out.  The beautiful artwork doesn’t hurt, so if you want all 4 covers just email us with the subject “LORD OF THE JUNGLE MULTIPLE COVERS”.  ($1 only for the first issue.  You can’t beat that.  Give it a try!  FOC 11/4/11)

Voltron #1 – Voltron!  I guess this is nostalgia month or something, but another great property from the 80′s sees a reboot from Dynamite Entertainment.  There are 4 GORGEOUS covers for this book that will ship at a 1-1-1-1 ratio.  If you want all the covers, make sure to drop us an email with the subject: “VOLTRON MULTIPLE COVERS” (We’re offering this book at $1 off the $3.99 cover price, and if you pick up all 4 covers it’s only $10!  FOC 11/4/11)

Lord of the Jungle # 1 Dynamic Forces Alex Ross Virgin Art Cover – This gorgeous virgin art Alex Ross cover is going to be $20 after October 31st, but check out the great price we can offer you until then! ($5 is a steal people!  FOC 10/31/11)

Voltron #1 Dynamic Forces Alex Ross Virgin Art Cover – Another gorgeous virgin art cover.  Not quite the spectacular price that Lord of the Jungle is, but still, we’re doing what we can.  (We can knock the $19.84 cover price down to $15 and you can add a great cover to your collection.  FOC 11/4/11)

MAGAZINES, CLOTHING, TOYS, AND STATUES

DC Superhero Chess Figure Collector Magazine – DC is staring to solicit for their chess set, which will apparently be released in lots of 4 pieces a month.  The first 4 up are: Batman (White King), Robin (White Bishop), Joker (Black King), and Commissioner Gordon (White Pawn).  Comixology doesn’t have these items listed that I could find, so just email us by the FOC with a subject line of “DC CHESS SET” and we’ll order them for you!  (They retail for $16 each, but we’re knocking $4 off the price of each figure so you can get them for $12 each.

Punisher “Pun Skull” Previews Exclusive Charcoal Shirt – This shirt is only available through Previews and is very reminiscent of the shirt Thomas Jane wears in his version of the movie.  Make sure to pick your correct size – Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large.  ($15 for M, L, and XL, and $16 for XXL.  FOC 11/4/11)

DC Silicone Trays – Superman Logo & Batman Logo – If you saw the Star Wars Silicone trays with R2-D2 and Han Solo in Carbonite, these are the same style.  You can use these silicone trays to make ice cubes or even pour melted chocolate in and make your own bite-size superhero chocolate bars! (We’re giving you $1 off the $9.99 price so you can have the coolest cupcakes, chocolate bars, or ice for your geek celebration.  FOC 11/4/11)

Star Wars 4-Gigabyte USB Flashdrives – These 5 different flashdrives are great for your computing needs as well as your geek needs.  Choose from Boba Fett, Bossk, Lando Calrissian, Leia as Boushh, and Han Solo in Carbonite.  ($27.95 retail, but we’ll give it you for $24.99!  FOC 11/4/11)

Deadpool Bust Bank – This 8″ tall bust serves as both an amazing Deadpool bust as well as a place to store your spare change.  A great way to mix form and function! (Retails for $14.99, but we’ll sell it to you for only $12.99!  FOC 11/4/11)

Marvel Toon Tumbler Clear Pint Glasses – Toon Tumblers is offering a selection of their Marvel Clear Pint Glasses this month and we’re letting you know about them.  Choose from the Amazing Spider-Man, Doctor Doom, Doctor Strange, Incredible Hulk, Punisher, Silver Surfer, Thor: For Asgard, Wolverine, and Uncanny X-Men.  ($10.99 retail, but you get it for only $9.99!  FOC 11/4/11)

And that’s it for October.  Let me know in the comments section if you found this helpful, if you added any of these items to your list due to these recommendations, and what I could do to make this more helpful or enticing.  Feel free to share this link with your friends, and even if they don’t live in Harrisonburg they cans still set up an acc0unt and order any of the items listed.  We can even set up a mail-order arrangement for people not in the area.  Just email us and ask!

MTG – INNISTRAD PRE-RELEASE SEPT 24 & 25

September 23rd, 2011 | Posted by admin in Blog - (0 Comments)

Join us for a Pre-Release Sealed Tournament at 12 noon on Sept. 24 & 25th!

The cost will be $25 per person, which will include your entry into the tournament as well as your 6 packs for the Sealed Tournament.

Following the Pre-Release Sealed Tournament we will have a Booster Draft Tournament at 4 PM.  This tournament will be $15 per person , which will include your entry into the Tournament as well as your 3 packs fro the Booster Draft.

Sidewalk Sale Sept 3!

September 1st, 2011 | Posted by admin in Blog - (0 Comments)

BIGGEST SALE EVER TO START OFF THE BACK TO SCHOOL SEASON (and Celebrate Our Two Year Anniversary!)

EVERYTHING FULLY RESTOCKED – BACK ISSUES AND DISCOUNT BINS!

$1 AND 25 CENT BOOK BOXES: $1 BOOKS ARE 50 CENTS, 25 CENT BOOKS 10 CENTS!

OR

FILL A BOX FOR $30!!

ALL TRADE PAPER BACKS 30% OFF

ALL BACK ISSUES NEW AND OLD 50% OFF – FILL A BOX FOR $50!!

ALL T-SHIRTS $9.99

ALL STATUES AND TOYS 30- 50% OFF

ARRIVE BETWEEN 1 AND 2 FIND OUT OUR SPECIAL DEALS FOR POWER HOUR!!

MORE EXCITING NEWS COMING SOON!

The 1st #1 of 52!….. Justice League!

August 31st, 2011 | Posted by admin in Comics - (1 Comments)

Spoiler Warning:I will be discussing any plot points that I see as relevant, so you are forewarned that reading this review will probably spoil any surprises.  You have been warned.

I have not been this excited to sit down and read a comic book in a long time.  No lie.  Working in the comics business you can quickly lose your love for the very thing that got you into the business in the first place.  But this – the true re-imagining of an entire comics universe – this might be the very thing to shake off my lethargy and rejuvenate my passion for comics.  No pressure DC.  No pressure Mr. Johns.  No pressure Mr. Lee.  Show me what you got.

First of all, Jim Lee’s art is, well, Jim Lee doing what he does best.  It’s sharp line work, lots of detail, heroic poses galore,…a world full of people who, even when they’re less than perfect, are perfectly drawn in their imperfection.  The entire issue takes place over several hours on a (I assume) Friday night 5 years ago.  The first character introduced is Batman, so it’s as dark in tone as it can be when he’s being chased by multiple police helicopters with search lights and guns blazing.  Batman is younger, very buff (think Gerard butler in 300 with body armor), and Lee opts for the black and grey.  All-in-all, he doesn’t mess too much with a classic.

Then, of course, there is the (I’ve warned you!!!!!) parademon, looking more like a Draconian (Dragonlance Chronicles) with futuristic armor than the more traditional humanoid-like soldier.  The features are more jagged, the mouths have teeth but no lips, but the iconic goggles are still in place.  He spits fire-like missiles from his gaping maw, and his Archangel-in-Death-mode-wings complete the nice re-design by Lee.

And then there’s Green Lantern!  With constructs aplenty – he enters with a flying fire truck! – Green Lantern is everything he should be: lean (he doesn’t need body armor he just creates guys with bullet shields to keep the police at bay), lots of great heroic poses, and a simple costume.  Lee goes with the traditional black and green bodysuit with white gloves, and it works.  Radical re-designs never seem to do well with fans, and I think most people will agree that Lee and Co. have stuck fairly close to the source material so far.

We see a pre-Cyborg Victor Stone as a young football player, Vic.  Guess they want to show us the before to make the after all that more tragic.

And on the last page…Superman.  Fists balled at his sides, a 21st-century take on the spit-curl, and no red trunks in sight, Superman looks to be in his early to mid-20′s.  His suit is cut like armor, but it clings (except where inconvenient) like spandex.  The cape is not overpowering and the “S” is prominently displayed on his chest.

As for the writing, Johns goes to some length to establish the relationship between Batman and Green Lantern.  It reads in some ways like a good buddy comedy, with Batman playing the straight man and Hal Jordan the wise-cracking companion.  Batman is pretty much as he has been portrayed in the past – stern and serious.  But added to that is a bit of snarky self-awareness.  After being quizzed on his super-powers and having Hal Jordan exclaim (Spoiler!)“Hold on a second… You’re not just some guy in a bat costume are you?  Are you freaking kidding me?!”, Batman just smirks.  He’s dark, but he’s got a sense of humor.  Good.  Exactly how I like my Batman.

Is Hal Jordan a bit more like Ryan Reynold’s performance from this summer’s undeservedly-hated on flick?  Yes.  This is a younger, more smart-ass Hal Jordan, but it’s not overly done, and it provides some good laughs (the quote in the previous paragraph among them) that keep the book from being too dark.  This is also not a Hal Jordan that is entirely new to his powers.  In addition to the flying fire truck, he conjures up giant bats to rescue flaming police helicopters while at the same time making construction equipment to repair the damage caused by the parademon mentioned earlier.

This is a younger Justice League.  These are not the jaded adults we have come to know in the DC universe.  DC has said it’s trying to skew a bit younger in its demographic targets with these new books.  And you can see that.  But don’t let that distract you from what we’re seeing here – the birth of the Justice League.  These are strong personalities, and they are confident in their power.  Batman has no super-powers to speak of, but he holds his own with a parademon and almost mocks Hal’s disbelief at his shocking ordinariness. Hal is confident in abilities and seems to have the skill to back up the bravado. Victor Stone is still all flesh and blood, but we see the powerful young man who is staring at a bright future, and we know the fate that awaits him.

And Superman, when he smashes onto the scene, asks with a smirk vaguely reminiscent of Batman’s earlier, “So…What can you do?”  If I were given to analyzing such things, I would say that statement could be read in two ways.  In the most literal sense, Superman is challenging these men of obvious power in an attempt to gauge their strength.  For the reader, however, it could be seen as giving voice to their own concerns.  This is a great book, but now what are you going to do?

DC has the floor.  This is their moment to lose.  One month of great books does not a bump in the market make.  We need to see creators on these books for 12 issues minimum.  We need to see consistency of vision for a sustained amount of time.  We need to see stories that capture readers’ imaginations again.  It’s a tall order.  People are more jaded.  But I’m reminded of the quote from my favorite short story, “Sonny’s Blues”, by James Baldwin: “For while the tale of how we suffer and how we are delighted and how we may triumph is never new, it always must be heard.  It’s the only light in all this darkness.”  If DC tells stories that matter, people will buy these books.  Only then will new readers come, and stay.

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Coming Soon! Scott Snyder!

August 30th, 2011 | Posted by admin in Blog | Comics | Comics - Featured | Event Calendar - (0 Comments)

Gather your questions about the New 52 and keep checking back for informaiton about how YOU can visit Comic Toast and  Skype with Scott Snyder, author of the NEW Batman and Swamp Thing.

His passion and enthusiasm for the characters and the New DCU is exciting and contagious!

Get your questions prepared and come and meet one of the modern greats!

Chat starts at 6:40, Please come early to grab a seat!

Scott Snyder is an American writer best known for his 2006 short story collection Voodoo Heart, and his work in comic books, including American Vampire, Detective Comics and Batman: Gates of Gotham.

 

See the extended DC Promo Here!!!

Baltimore Comic-Con 2011 Day 1!!

August 20th, 2011 | Posted by admin in Blog | Comics | News | Photos - (0 Comments)

Day 1 of the 2011 Baltimore Comic-Con is in the books and I’m fighting sleep to bring you the nitty gritty on all the comic goodness that was Saturday, August 20, 2011. In the interest of keeping things organized I’m going to organize the day into 3 categories: The People We Met, The Panels We Attended, and The People We Saw. So, without further adieu….

The People We Met:

Adam Hughes:  I’ll admit, I’ve been looking forward to meeting Adam Hughes for a long time.  Anyone who appreciates the female form has to appreciate his visual mastery of that form.  Adam was cordial, if not overly warm, and he readily agreed to pose for a picture with me.  Other than that, I’m afraid the much-delayed meeting (he was scheduled to appear at my first Baltimore Comic-Con, but canceled) left me shrugging my shoulders.  I feel like I’ve met the man, and I might buy some of his prints at future shows (though at $5o for a normal sized print, they’re a bit overpriced), but other than that my Adam Hughes jones is satisfied.

Todd Dezago: If you have never read Todd Dezago and Mike Wieringo’s Tellos then you are missing out.  Tellos is the story of Jarek and his talking-tiger companion Koj.  It’s a fantasy story about pirates, frog soldiers, evil wizards, beautiful damsels (that do more rescuing than being rescued), flawed heroes, redemption, and ultimately how difficult it can be to find your way home in the darkest of nights.  Todd is an amazing ambassador for this book (Wieringo died at the tragically young age of 44 in 2007), and his love of the medium and the people who enjoy it is palpable when you talk with him.  This was the second time I’ve met him and he was just as kind and gracious as the first time.  Wieringo had family in Virginia and Todd has said that he would love to stop by and visit the shop on one of his trips to visit them.  Here’s hoping we can make that happen.

Frank Cho: Frank, like Adam, is a master of the female form.  The thing I love the most about Frank’s version of the female form is that you can always count on it having just the right amount of curves.  I’ve had the opportunity to meet Frank before, and like Adam he often comes across as aloof and reserved.  You get the feeling that he enjoys his work a lot more than the people who buy it.  That’s not an insult, just an observation.

Jimmy Palmiotti: I love this guy.  He IS comics.  He lives it.  He breathes it.  And he’s married to one my favorite artists working today, Amanda Connor.  Even though he was there, ostensibly, as a writer, he is also a talented artist in his own right, and was kind enough to draw not one, but two sketches for me in the 2 hardcovers I handed him.  He was even more amazing as the emcee of the unofficial DC 52 panel – but more on that later.

Jason Aaron: This guy is a superstar at Marvel right now.  I got to know him first through his work on his Vertigo book, Scalped, an amazing modern crime noir tale that unfolds on an Oglala reservation in the mid-west.  The main character, Dashiell Bad Horse, returns home, an undercover FBI agent hell-bent on bringing down the local crime lord who runs the reservation’s lucrative casino business along with all the illegal drugs, sex, and violence that consumes the rez’.  His Marvel work includes a much-lauded run on Ghost Rider, as well as his current work on X-Men: Schism as well as his upcoming run on the brand-new Wolverine and the X-Men.  Meeting him was nice, but not overly revealing or noteworthy.  Nice guy, amazing work.  Guess you can’t ask for much more than that.

Jo Chen: If you have never seen her work on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 covers, again, you’re missing out.  She has a watercolor-like style that is ethereal in its beauty, and she is equally as charming as her work.  This was the second time I’ve met her and she was just as gracious and kind this time as the first.  (And her husband, with the name tag, “Mr. Jo Chen” was a delight to talk to while I was waiting for her to finish with the guy before me).

Billy Tucci:  Like Palmiotti, Billy is 10-megaton bomb in firecracker packaging.  I have never met him when he was not at an 11, and I mean that in the best way.  Last year at C2E2 he gave me no end of grief over my voting choice in the last presidential election.  And even though he was giving me a hard time and we were having a really fun back-and-forth, I also think he genuinely wanted to understand my line of thinking.  He’s a big supporter of the military, and he has done some great Sgt. Rock work in addition to his work on Shi.  Check out his official page for more.

Herb Trimpe: The man who drew the first 2 issues of the original G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero.  Yes, I know he has done a great deal of other amazing work, but G.I.Joe was the first comic (aside from Archie and Uncle Scrooge) that I ever read, and it holds a special place in my heart that made meeting Herb one of the highlights of my day!  I got to talk with his charming wife for a while before I got to meet Herb, and we shared teaching stories (we’re both teachers) that Herb added to with his own experience in the classroom.   He is one of those great creators that is worth waiting for because he will take as much as time as he feels necessary (and maybe even more) to make sure you feel like he’s given you his undivided attention.  G.I.Joe # 1 and # 2 signed?  Check.  Next year: Larry Hama!

Scott Kurtz: And last, but certainly not least: Scott Kurtz.  Check out his online comic, PvP, if you have not had the pleasure.  Though the name suggests the reader need be a big gamer, this is not at all the case.  What makes Kurtz’s work so amazing is the heart and soul he infuses his dysfunctional characters with.  When Kurtz’s own beloved basset hound passed he included his own grief process in the strip, and the reader feels as though they’re begin let into Kurtz’s own world.  My meetings with Kurtz previously had been abrupt, but he was gracious and accommodating, and I am returning to my shop determined to get more people to try out his stuff.

The Panels We Attended:

Charles Vess and Terry Moore:  This panel was really all about Charles Vess and his work, and Terry Moore (of Strangers in Paradise fame) was there more as an interviewer than anything else.  Vess is probably best known for his work on Neil Gaiman’s Stardust, as well as his work on the award-winning Sandman # 19: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but you can find his work in surprising and unusual places (Web of Spider-Man # 1 cover anyone?).  The interview with Moore revealed a life-time of influences that has made Vess, in Moore’s words, a “unique talent”.  Moore pointed out that, while Vess’s early work showed its many influences, his more recent work has taken on a life of its own that has shed the sheen of those influences to reveal something totally unique, a style to now be emulated by artists who come after.  Vess admitted that he finds much of the civilized world “ugly” and unwelcoming compared to the world he has created through his own work.  When one of his neighbors pointed out that he was trying to turn his little hometown near Lynchburg, VA into his own personal fantasy, he shrugged and said, “Well, of course!”.  My kind of guy.  Vess also showed some work from a book he is currently writing and illustrating, a tale of a 13-year old girl comes into her own magically and becomes the target of the legendary Russian witch, Baba Yaga.  A coming-of-age tale, the book also seems to share much the same loathing for the industrial world that saturated Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.  The book is still in need of a publisher, so it could be a little bit longer before we see a finished product.  One final note: Vess did say that he feels he has one more full graphic novel in him, and it’s only a question of whether Jeff Smith or Neil Gaiman gets to him first (he illustrated the phenomenal prequel to the Bone series, Rose, with Jeff Smith continuing the writing duties).

Okay, it’s 10 PM and I have a full day of conventioning to do tomorrow (including my meeting with Stan “The Man” Lee!).  My wife says it’s okay if I call it quits for the night and finish this up tomorrow.  The internet here at the in-laws’ house is preventing me from uploading any photos, but I will share those with you the second I get back to the safety and slovenliness of my own abode!