In addition to all current hardcover, compendium and paperback volumes of The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead TP Vol. 13: Too Far Gone (Image Comics, $14.99), Is scheduled to be in stores November 24th, 2010!

Balancing inhuman horror with poignant humanity, The Walking Dead has impressed readers and critics since its debut. This latest volume – written by Robert Kirkman, illustrated by Charlie Adlard, and collecting issues #73-#78 – follows Rick Grimes and his close-knit band of survivors as they seem to find refuge with other humans in a protected, zombie-free suburban community. It’s the closest thing to normal lives that the survivors have experienced to date. But something about the new neighborhood has Rick on edge, and his actions may destroy this haven for everyone… unless they can stop him.

The 136-page, black-&-white volume is solicited to ship on November 24 and is intended for mature readers. Be sure to watch for the equally chilling follow-up arc, “No Way Out,” beginning in The Walking Dead #80, which will be offered in October on ComicPull.com!

August is almost over, and you know that that brings? Back to school! That’s right it’s time to sharpen up those pencils, grab that paper, binder it up and get to some learnin’!

We at The 4th Wall wholeheartedly support said Learnin’ and so I thought this would be a good time to remind those of you currently enrolled in Graphic Novel courses (or courses that use graphic novels), that we offer a 10% discount for school-related purchases!

Concordia students, we have almost your full book list, and John Abbot students, we’ve got you covered too, at way less than the School Bookstore prices!

Tell Your Profs! Tell Your Classmates! Tell Your Financial Advisors (’cause, y’know, you can save money)!

Send me an E-mail and we’ll make sure we’ve got the books you need to get your higher education!!

As you know, at The 4th Wall, we try to stay on the cuttingest of edges in terms of the comics we carry, and the news and views on the industry we love so much. Well that attitude also applies to the types of people we want to invite into our store for signings and appearances.

We’ve got plenty of irons in the fire, and now that the World Series of Comics that is San Diego Comicon is over, it’s time to let you know one of the extremely talented folks that we are excited to have in the shop.

Fred Van Lente is a name that most comics fans should know well. He’s one of the co-founders of Evil Twin Comics, which produces his (along with artist and partner Ryan Dunlavey) hit indie series Action Philosophers. In addition to this, he’s written an incredible line-up of characters for Marvel including Incredible Hercules, Deadpool, Iron Man, and a little–known character called The Amazing Spider-Man!!

In 2008, Van Lente and artist Dennis Calero produced the wildly popular X Men Noir, which featured Marvel’s Merry Mutants kicking ass and taking names in the dirty 1930’s. This pulp-take on the X-Men launched a sequel, and kicked off Marvel’s Noir-verse, featuring several other series including Spider-Man Noir and Luke Cage Noir.

Well, with all that being said, I am extremely happy to announce that Saturday, August 14th you can spend an Afternoon with Fred Van Lente, as he signs books, talks comics and hangs out at The 4th Wall.

It’s going to be a great time, so come on out and enter The Heroic Age with one of Marvel’s premier writers!

Another book that I am happy to be able to add to that list is Cursed Pirate Girl.

Not often does an indie comic come along that I hold in such high regard that I almost view it as an art piece as opposed to a comic book. Cursed Pirate Girl is a three-issue mini series that has become an underground phenomenon. Issue #1 is in it’s 5th printing, and first printings are the new Holy Grail for collectors.

Writer/Artist Jeremy Bastion’s incredibly lush and detailed art completely transports the reader into the world of the Cursed Pirate Girl. Every little detail, right down to the stylized lettering has a beautiful sweeping quality to it that truly takes the reader on the ride right along our heroine, the Cursed Pirate Girl. Even the presentation of the books is a sight to behold. Printed on what looks like aged cardstock, the physical feel of these books actually adds to the reading experience. First printings even have hand-stenciled titles and numbers on them.

Cursed Pirate Girl has not only emerged as a beautiful story and book, but also as one that’s made the comics world (a cynical bunch on the best of days) stand up and take notice. If you love comics, fantasy or even just the childlike excitement of an Alice In Wonderland-style story, Cursed Pirate Girl is a book you NEED to be reading.

And you can, as new printings of Issue #1 and #2 plus the newly released Issue #3 are available at The 4th Wall. But hurry, quantities of this comics gem are limited!!

TORONTO, ON – Batman confronts new enemies, old foes and painful memories when a powerful vigilante with a penchant for violence comes to Gotham City in the intense graphic-novel-come-to-life Batman: Under the Red Hood, the next entry in the popular ongoing series of DC UNIVERSE Animated Original PG-13 Movies coming July 27, 2010 from Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation. The full-length animated film will be distributed by Warner Home Video as a Special Edition version on Blu-Ray™ and 2 disc DVD for $37.48 (SRP) and $30.98 (SRP), respectively, as well as single disc DVD for $24.98 (SRP). The film will also be available On Demand and for Download.

The stellar voice cast has Bruce Greenwood (Captain Pike in the 2009 blockbuster Star Trek) donning the famed cowl as the voice of Batman. Supernatural star Jensen Ackles is Red Hood, and Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) voices Nightwing. John DiMaggio (Futurama) and Jason Issacs (the Harry Potter films) round out the main cast as The Joker and Ra’s Al Ghul, respectively.

Batman: Under the Red Hood is scripted by award-winning comics writer Judd Winick and based on his popular 2005 comics storyline and subsequent comics graphic novel of the same name. Animation guru Bruce Timm returns as executive producer, as he has for all eight DC Universe animated original movies. Director is Brandon Vietti, who served as co-director of Superman Doomsday and was responsible for the first one-third of that film, including the fatal battle between the two title characters.

In Batman: Under the Red Hood, Batman faces his ultimate challenge as the mysterious Red Hood takes Gotham City by firestorm. One part vigilante, one part criminal kingpin, Red Hood begins cleaning up Gotham with the efficiency of Batman, but without following the same ethical code. Killing is an option. And when The Joker falls in the balance between the two, hard truths are revealed and old wounds are reopened.

Fans will be treated to an incredible package of DC Universe storytelling as the Special Edition Blu-Ray and 2-Disc Special Edition DVD include the second animated short in the all-new DC Showcase series – which features the popular DC Comics character, Jonah Hex. The short is scripted by renowned author Joe Lansdale, and stars the voices of Thomas Jane (Hung), Linda Hamilton (The Terminator), Michelle Trachtenberg (Mercy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Michael Rooker (Days of Thunder).

“Batman: Under the Red Hood is another terrific entry in the groundbreaking series of DC Universe animated movies, a shining representation of the adult story telling that comics-turned-to-film has to offer, and further evidence of the combined creative power within the collaboration of DC Entertainment, Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video,” said Matt Bierman, Senior Vice President Production, Warner Premiere.

“Judd Winick’s and Doug Mahnke’s story of a Robin gone wrong introduced Batman’s most personal enemy to date. It’s unbelievably cool to see it brought to life like this,” said Geoff Johns, Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment.

“With each exciting new chapter of the DC UNIVERSE films, fans have come to expect more – and Batman: Under the Red Hood delivers with an action-packed tale of mystery and emotional struggle brought to animated life by an outstanding filmmaking crew and voiced by the all-star talents of Bruce Greenwood, Jensen Ackles, Neil Patrick Harris and John Dimaggio,” said Amit Desai, WHV Vice President of Family, Animation & Partner Brand Marketing.

“In his feature length solo directorial debut, Brandon Vietti has brought this dark, psychological thriller to the screen with all the action and emotion of a great Batman story,” said Sam Register, Executive Vice President, Warner Bros. Animation. “

About Warner Bros. Animation:
Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) has been producing award-winning original animation since 1930, when it released its first cartoon, “Sinkin’ in the Bathtub.” Since then, WBA’s characters have set the standard for innovative, quality animation. Producing for network and cable television, online, home entertainment and feature films both domestically and internationally, WBA is highly respected for its creative and technical excellence, as well as for maintaining the studio’s rich cartoon heritage. WBA also oversees the creative use and production of animated programming based on classic cartoon characters from the Hanna-Barbera and DC Comics libraries. WBA is one of the most-honoured animation studios in history, including six Academy Awards® and 35 Emmy® Awards.

The final volume of this Canadian phenomenon is going to be officially released on July 20th, but who can wait that long?

So, for the first time ever, The 4th Wall will be holding a special Midnight Opening Party! Starting at 8pm on July 19th, The 4th Wall will be open on a rare Monday to ramp up the debut of Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour!

We will have Live Music from the uber-talened Jess Abran, special “bundle” sales on Scott Pilgrim Vol. 1-5, and an SNES Streetfighter Tournament! All leading up to the 12:01am release of Scott Pilgrim Volume 6!**

To register for the Streetfighter Tournament, just drop an e-mail to:

moss@the4thwall.ca

Include your name, age, and put “Streetfighter” in the subject line. An official schedule will be posted, and the Winner gets a special Scott Pilgrim Prize Pack including free copies of Scott PIlgrim 1-5!

Interior art from The Blackest Night

Finally, The Blackest Night has been collected, and will be in stores this Wednesday, July 7th*.

The Blackest Night Hardcover - $29.99

AND as a bonus, because we love you all so much, the first 5 people to purchase The Blackest Night Hardcover will also receive a Lantern Corps Button set, including the newly released White Lantern button, absolutely free!

Hurry in, and experience Superhero comics at their finest!!!

*according to shipping invoices from Diamond Distributing. Subject to change.

First off, if you’re an X-Men fan, then I’m sure you already know about the brand new X-Men #1 that’s due in stores on July 7th. This is the first new volume of X-Men comics in over 20 years, and it’s going to start off with a bang as the X-Men are forced to take… Vampires!

Yep, that’s right if you’re part of the Anti-Twilight movement, X-Men #1 is for you as it promises hard-hitting action, and non-sparkling blood suckers. This is the perfect jumping-on point for anyone interested in the X-Men, and to make it even easier, be on the lookout this week for X-Men: Curse of The Mutants Saga. A comic that will fill you in on all the X-Events up to now, and comes absolutely free with the purchase of any other comic in the store!*

But wait! That’s not all! Much like they did with the Avengers re-launch earlier this month, Marvel has declared July 7th (July 8th in the US) to be X-Men Day! There will be special variants, “blank” cover editions, posters and more all available at The 4th Wall!

The thing is, we like the X-Men so much at The 4th, that one day just wasn’t enough. So, starting July 6th, and carrying through July 11th, all X-Men titles in the store will be on sale for US Cover price (+tax)! That’s right, you’ll save on any one of the X-Books: Uncanny, Legacy, X-Force, heck, even Wolverine titles will apply!

So come on in, get caught up and celebrate Marvel’s Merry Mutants at The 4th Wall!

*Offer applies to single issues only, while supplies last.

The only thing better than this? When it’s one of our own that’s behind it.

In this case, I’m happy to announce that it’s two of our own behind it, as Ryan Sohmer and Lar DeSouza’s Looking For Group Vol. 3 has come to The 4th Wall!

If you’re a hardcore fan of the webcomic, or even just a casual observer, these hardcover collections are beautiful, and add a whole new dimension to the storytelling in LFG.

LFG: Volumes 1 & 2 are still available, as well as a whole slew of other LFG swag including shirts, mousepads and plushies.

But the biggest complaint I’ve had about the series is the lack of sweet merch. Well, my prayers (and yours too) have been answered! With the movie on the way, there is a whole slew of great Scott Pilgrim gear on the way! Due out just before the movie releases, all of these are available for pre-order.

Check out the swag, and if you see something you’d like to order, drop me an e-mail!! moss@the4thwall.ca

First…

SCOTT PILGRIM 8-IN PLUSH
Choose from Scott or Ramona! $15.99 each.
Scheduled to ship 7/28/10

SCOTT PILGRIM 4-IN PLUSH CLIP-ON
Choose from Scott or Ramona! $10.99 each.
Scheduled to ship 7/28/10

…And now the Gear!

All of this is scheduled to ship August 4th, before the film’s release date of August 13th.

Each shirt is only $17.99, and available in Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large

1UP GREEN JUNIORS

CHARACTER MAP SILVER

HAS 7 EVIL EXS WHITE

KO ROYAL

NEUROTIC YOUTH MUSTARD

PRESS START BLK JUNIORS

SCOTT & MATTHEW KROWW WHITE

WIN GREY

And finally (I’ve already ordered one of these for myself! So dope!):

BLK ZIP-UP HOODIE
$49.99 each. Available in Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large
Scheduled to ship 8/04/10

Pre-orders now available! Hit me up: moss@the4thwall.ca