The 4th Wall is planning an Avengers vs. X-Men Launch Party on Tuesday, April 3 from 8:00 pm-10:00pm to make sure you can get your hands on Issue #1 as soon as possible! Plus, some special goodies:

• Avengers vs. X-Men #1 Avengers Store Allegiance Party Variants!
• Free Store Allegiance Avengers vs. X-Men Party Lithographs !
• Free Store Allegiance Buttons, Coasters and Mini-Posters!

Plus oh, so much more!

To participate, retailers must choose whether their store will be an X-Men or an Avenger store by February 5, 2012. So, we turn to you: Avengers or X-Men? Which side are you on?

Vote for your choice via the “Have Your Say” poll at the top of the page and you can decide the theme of this X-travaganza!

Yeah, I said that.

Voting closes Feb 5th, 2012 so vote early, and often!!

-Moss

I trust you all had a pleasant holiday season? Well now that we’ve all broken our New Years’ Resolutions on the first day (Damn you Double Pizza! The aroma of your meat lover’s pizza was too much to overcome!) and had a great time to relax and enjoy ourselves, let’s talk about what’s coming up in this brand new year!

Now “End of the World” aside, it’s going to be an exciting year in the world of comics. Marvel’s biggest event of the new year will be Avengers vs. X-Men! Something is going to pit these two mega-teams against each other and it’s going to take over the Marvel universe  in a 12-issue monthly series! No one’s really sure what will cause the event but there are some theories based on Marvel Teasers. It’s going to have something to do with Avengers X-Sanction for sure, as well as involvement by Scarlett Witch and Hope, the mutant messiah. And of course, the Phoenix (anyone who’s read Uncanny X-Men #3 knows what I’m talking about!). What’s got me interested in this book is the incredible team of writers! Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Jason Aaron, Jonathan Hickman, and Ed Brubaker. Not to mention the artists, Adam Kubert, Olivier Coipel and the always great John Romita Jr. This is Marvel’s best of the best on this book so it’s sure to be exciting so look for this here in April when it starts!

As always, DC’s new 52 is continuing this year, with promises of much more interconnected story lines as well as something for the more patient of us. While I have made a significant shift from collecting graphic novels to collecting single issues because of the new 52, not everyone has gone for this route. Well good news! The first batch of hardcover graphic novels from the new 52 will be arriving this year! Starting in May, DC New 52 hardcovers will be released covering the initial story lines of the reboot. This is great for those of us who missed the first couple of issues and decided to wait for them to be collected in a sturdier form!

Obviously this new year means a bunch of new comic releases and exciting events. As always, both of the shops will be here to help you get the books you want and venture into the waters of the new year with a smile on your face rather than a scowl of confusion! Happy New Years to all of you from all of us at the 4th Wall and may 2012 treat you well!

I’d like to take a moment from the jokes and the carefully crafted posts that make me look wittier than I actually am, to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa, and Happy Holidays! It’s time for giving and celebrating what we have, and those around us who make our lives fuller and worth living. Make sure to spend some time with your loved ones, watch some holiday specials, drink some eggnog and enjoy the festivities. It only comes around once a year, and it goes by in a blink, so make the the best of it while you can. I for one can’t wait to get home and watch Muppet Family Christmas, open up some gifts, and enjoy the company of those around me.

Once again, from all of us here at The 4th Wall, Happy Holidays and have a safe and wonderful Christmas!

Before my wonderful christmas eve post, I’d like to give you some useful information for next year’s Christmas season. After all, the day is almost upon us and I’m sure, last minute shopping aside, we’ve all already gotten our presents bought and wrapped. But I’m going to let you in on some secrets on how to make the holiday season a little easier for yourself this time next year.

#1: Make/Request a list

It has always been the tradition in my household to make a list for my parents. I’ve always done things this way because let’s face it, as a pop culture nerd and comic book lover, I’ve always had very specific things to ask for (nothing perverse, I swear). But as I’ve learnt this year, not everyone does this! Some people spit in the face of efficiency and let caution fly as they tell their family and friends to “be creative” or “get something nice”. While I get the novelty of receiving things that people had to really consider, it’s so incredibly frustrating to get you a great gift. Anyways, for those of us who enjoy receiving graphic novels, toys or any sort of very specific gift, I would definitely recommend making a list. It’s a great way to tell people exactly what you want and that way their shopping experience becomes a dozen time easier. Parents, the same goes for you. Ask for a list or at the very least a starting point. Everyone’s lives will be so much easier and Christmas won’t feel like a big ol’ guessing game.

#2 Take Inventory

One of the most common phrases uttered in the shop is “My son/daughter/friend/lover likes Batman/Superman/Spiderman/Walking Dead but I’m not sure what he/she/they/mi amore has already”. Well, my second tip is to go and find out. Be sneaky, be upfront, just find out what they might have. Pretend you want to borrow some books and go rifle through their shelves! It avoids an embarrassing moment when the recipient has it already and they give you that awkward forced smile as they say “thank you” and you can just tell they’re gonna ask for a gift receipt later on in the evening.

#3 Measure your time

A common issue that I’m sure occurs around the world is last minute shopping. I’m sure people have reasons for waiting that long to go out and buy gifts (I honestly can’t think of any but nobody could hate themselves that much to go through that experience without good reason right?). My advice is to get all your shopping done as quickly as possible. The likelihood of whatever item your looking for being in stock increases greatly and if you need a book ordered (because we do that for you! It’s true!), we can order it in time for the holidays. Plus, you’ll be able to sit home, relax and enjoy the holidays on the 23rd and 24th instead of hectically wrapping those mittens you fought a pregnant lady for at Sears the day before.

#4 When it doubt, gift certificate!

Look, I know some people have strong opinions when it comes to gift cards or gift certificates. Some people believe that it’s like telling a person to go do their own christmas shopping. But if we’re going to be honest, there is not one person on this Earth who would turn down a gift card to anywhere for anything on the basis that the giver “didn’t think hard enough”. A gift certificate is one of the most miraculous inventions ever. The recipient gets to pay nothing for something essentially. So hey, you know your friend likes comics but you know literally nothing about comics, buy a gift certificate (by golly, we do those too!). They’ll thank you for it because now they can afford that book they’ve been eyeing and your Christmas shopping workload is cut in half.

Alright comic fans! Here’s hoping your holiday shopping is done and you can enjoy the real joys of the season! The family, the friends and the comics! You’ll be hearing from me again on Christmas Eve. It’s only 3 days away!

Did you love Captain America or another one of this summer’s blockbuster movies, but don’t know where to begin reading with the books?

Are you looking for a special or different holiday gift for someone you love that’s entertaining, but not the usual media like DVD’s or Video Games?

The 4th Wall has you covered.

On Saturday December 17th, it’s Comics 101 Day at The 4th Wall East!

We will be providing a full day of programming with numerous guests and staff members on hand to answer all your questions about comics like:

How do Comics work and where do I begin? Do I have to read everything?
If I introduce a loved one to comics, how will they know what’s going on?
What’s the difference between a book and a graphic novel?
What about Online and digital comics?

And any other question you might have! Plus members of The Artistic Society of The 4th Wall will be on hand to sketch and talk about the art of comics, writer Jeff Moss (No Reason Comics, Virga: Sun of Suns) will be here to talk about the writing of comics and the staff of The 4th Wall will be able provide great ideas for unique gifts that will bring a smile to your loved one’s face!

Plus, we will be giving away FREE comics* to get you even more excited about the fun and entertaining stories that we love, and that we know you will too!

So drop by The 4th Wall East anytime between 1pm-5pm on Saturday, December 17th for Comics 101 Day!

*With purchase, while supplies last.

We’ll be having Fun & Games all day including:

10% off All books and issues in the store!
(Except ComicPull purchases)

An Original Art Silent Auction & Raffles!

-For Auction: An original cover by Montreal’s own Eisner-winning Karl Kerschl (Abominable Charles Christopher, Assassin’s Creed)!!
-For Raffle: A framed print of some famed Lar deSouza (Least I Could Do, Looking For Group) pinups!

Proceeds from the auction and raffle to be donated to The Montreal Children’s Hospital.

An exclusive, Limited Edition print by Lar DeSouza available!

-Costing less than a Happy Meal, these prints will be limited to 20 copies!

Writer/Owner Ryan Sohmer (Least I Could Do, Looking For Group, Gutters) will be in attendance for signing and shenanigans!

-Including an EXCLUSIVE Darrick Robertson (Transmetropolitain, The Boys) Gutters Poster that will be a must-have for any Comics fan

Gaming demos and tournaments courtesy of our friends at Gamer’s Vault, with great prizes!

-Heroclix! Demos and Games from 11:30-4:30! Become your favourite comics character and maybe even take on Moss or Sohmer!

Plus: The debut of the newest Comic Book project from Blind Ferret Entertainment! It’s brand new and we’ll have it here first!

So set aside Saturday the 19th of November for a party that you will not want to miss!

4th Wall East Info:

Phone: (514) 564-0454

Address:
4986A ch Queen-Mary
Montréal, QC
H3W 1X2

www.the4thwall.ca

Job Title: Part-Time Retail Worker at The 4th Wall

Job Description:
The qualified individual will be responsible for handling the day-to-day retail operations of The 4th Wall.

Job Responsibilities:
-Serving customers at The 4th Wall
-Handling transactions and cash register duties
-Restocking the shelves when necessary
-Keeping the store neat and clean
-Suggesting and recommending titles to customers
-Some light sorting and processing for ComicPull customers
-Other duties as per the General Manager

The candidate should have the following skills:
-Friendly & Outgoing with a great sense of humor
-Knowledgeable in comics & pop culture
-Good with the public
-Previous retail experience and a valid drivers license are a plus
-Ability to work at both our East and West locations

IF this sounds like you, then please E-mail your CV to: info@the4thwall.ca

Or come on by the shop and drop one off! You might be the next contestant on the Price Is R-- er, I mean You might be the right fit for The 4th Wall!

And now the other stuff: Applicants who qualify will be contacted for interviews.
Applicants must be of legal age and legal to work in Canada.

It’s almost 2 years to the day that we opened The 4th Wall in the West Island area of Montreal and with this second store we are right across the street from a Metro station which gives all of our friends downtown a chance to pop by and see how it is we do things.

But that’s not the only unique feature of The 4th Wall East.

Sure, we’ve still got the services of ComicPull, we’ve still got the focus on the comics reader both new and old, but at the 4th East we are exposing ourselves and the medium we love to a whole new audience: the Gamers.

That’s right, The 4th Wall East is sharing a space with the great guys and gals at Gamer’s Vault. When it comes to tabletop games, adventure games, card and board games, LAN games and pretty much any other kind of gaming you can think of, these guys are the top of the mountain.

Like Game of Thrones? Well, when you come in to pick up the comic why not try out the card game? Into D&D? How about a dedicated “Vault” area for you and your party to have your weekly adventures? Gamer’s Vault has it all, and I am so excited to work with these guys. We all share the same sense of excitement and community when with comes to our respective areas of geekery, and this truly is a match made in heaven.

So if you are in the Montreal area, do stop by The 4th Wall East and say hello, won’t you?

-Moss

Captain America #1 by Brubaker and Mcniven will be on store shelves, but what about the current series? Well, it will be re-titled Captain America and Bucky and continue with the current numbering.

What does this mean for pull list subscribers?

It means that if you want to subscribe to Captain America #1, you have until the 25th of May to pull it at ComicPull. If you already subscribe to the current Captain America series, you will continue to get it once the renaming takes place, unless you remove it from your list.

With Captain America: The First Avenger due in theaters the same month, July is looking to be The Month of Cap, so don’t miss out on this amazing new title!!

The Artistic Society is a group of artists, writers and other creative types meeting monthly at The 4th Wall. The purpose of the group is to nurture and grow each others ideas and talents in a fun, non-judgmental environment. By that we simply mean that no matter your style, skill or experience level, you are welcome to join and enjoy the benefits of the skills and ideas of others in the group.

We will be meeting on the last Thursday of the month from 6pm-8pm, and each month we will have a theme or idea for people to expand on for next month’s meeting. This could be a story idea, a phrase, an image, or anything else that sparks something in the group member’s artistic minds.

The Society will also be featuring guest speakers, from writers to artists to other industry pros that you can pepper with questions and work with to improve your own skills.

Join The Artistic Society of The 4th Wall group on Facebook, and get ready for our first meeting on May 26th, 2011 at 6pm!