WAITING FOR THE WATCHMEN - NO MORE!

Considered by many, to be perhaps the finest graphic novel of all time - Watchmen by Alan Moore has been out of stock for the past week, but the waiting is coming to an end. Watchmen has been a great seller for us for years now, but the movie trailer that hit theatres in front of the Dark Knight destroyed our inventory of the book.

We usually keep a good chunk of copies of this awesome book on hand, but it wasn't enough after the ad went up. Apparently this happened to a lot of stores -as DC announced it went back to press for 200,000 copies within a few days of the trailer coming out. For those who already put in their request for a copy with us-they are coming on Wendesday! For anyone else, that was thinking about it - they are coming on Wednesday! (that's August 6th).

A full list of Wednesday's books will be posted tomorrow night. Tons of manga! and a few other things too.

Robin Joseph @ House of Cool

Having recently come back from Comic-Con, I can say without a doubt that there are a ton of crazy amazing people out there. Talented to the Nth Degree.

Well, we got that kind of talent here in Toronto too! From time, to time, I will try and spotlight some of them.

As Canadians, many of these artists don't promote as heavily as they should, but that doesn't make their work any less spectacular.

One such artist is Robin Joseph. Robin works at the House of Cool, along with a bunch of other great artists and animators.

If you like his work, let him know he should hurry up and make a book. (actually I think he's working on one. he he.)

check out more from Robin here:
http://www.patchoforange.blogspot.com/

NEW SKETCHBOOKS - in store now

small shipment of books is now in. more copies of some of these expected in the weeks ahead. so if we sell out this week, don't panic.

First off - Battle Milk - funny title, Serious Art. 4 concept artists put together a striking new book not to be missed. If you like books from Ballistic or Design Studio, you need to see this one!

NEW Francisco Herrera - Herrerabox 2 sketchbook finally in stock. Signed.


NEW CHRIS SANDERS: Kiskaloo -signed (image stolen from Louie Del Carmen)

Justin Ridge and Hye-Jung Kim Flavor 01 - Signed


Frank Cho Mars Maidens Sketchbook Signed

Terry Dodson Bomb Shelter Sketchbook (only 5 copies available) -signed -very limited print run.


The Amazing Rod Guenoden! Holding up Louie Del Carmen's newest sketchbook.

Ok - So I don't have a proper image of Louie Del Carmen's newest sketchbook - but I found this image of Rod Guenoden on Louie's blog. There's a ton of comic-con photos - worth checking out. I still haven't had time to download the pictures I took myself. Incidentally, we also got in several gorgeous sketchbooks by Rod (Flight/Dreamworks/Feature Animator) as well as some by Louie's pal Octavio and a couple of older sketchbooks by Louie himself.
http://randomanomalies.blogspot.com/


Mike Mignola More Drawings Sketchbook (only 5 available) -signed and numbered


Travis Charest (the sweet guy that he is) has signed all our copies of his new book Space Girl!


Jim Lee has 2 new sketchbooks -both come signed by the man himself!



David Finch has a beautiful new sketchbook out. Signed!


Adam Hughes -2 brand new sketchbooks - Signed! Cheap too!


J. Scott Campbell - 2 new books (Signed and sold as sets only).


Another Frank Cho book - Jungle Queens Sketchbook Signed.


More books will be announced as they arrive. There are several more exciting books coming -but I am going to hold off listing them until I have them in hand.

PRINCESS AND FROG TRAILER ONLINE

If you haven't seen it already - go, go now and take a look at the new trailer for the upcoming 2D feature from Disney. Brought to you by the same guys behind Disney's Hercules. With such a long time since the last 2D feature (American that is) - I hope that audiances will be ready for it. Incidentally, when we were down in San Diego, we heard from some of the Rocket Johnson artists that working on this film (P&F) was a dream come true. I for one, can't wait!

The Teaser is here:
http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/princessandthefrog/

WHERE IS ROCKET JOHNSON ?

Rocket Johnson has landed in Canada - @ the Labyrinth.



Ok, so truth be told we only have a small handful of copies right now, but the rest should be arriving next week. Who is Rocket Johnson is an anthology produced by dozens of Disney artists and the love that went into it, really shows. A big thanks to Paul for making it possible for us to have the books.

Expect more sketchbook news in the days ahead! Only reason we rushed to talk about this one, is that we got a ton of emails about it.

For those out of town, Yes we can ship to you -but not until the end of next week when the bulk of the books arrive.

check out the rocket johnson blog here:
http://whoisrocketjohnson.blogspot.com/

THIS WEEKS NEW MANGA & GRAPHIC NOVELS

Arriving on Wednesday July 30:

The Art of Herge : Inventor of Tin Tin vol 1


Popgun volume 2- Another really awesome anthology by some truly talented creators. #1 is also in stock in case you missed it.

Yen Plus (+) #1 is finally out. It's a magazine anthology kind of like Shojo Beat or Shonen Jump. Features lots of cool stuff including a new series by Svetlana Chmakova (DramaCon).

Another new Manga to check out: Kujibiki Unbalance. Try saying that 10 times fast!

For the truly die hard fan, or anyone that simply likes the concept of knowing what to do in the event of a zombie war breaking out - here is the wisdom of the Zombie Survival Guide in a nice compact format: Card Deck.
The Complete (rest of the) List is below:

AIR GEAR GN VOL 09

ART OF HERGE INVENTOR OF TINTIN HC VOL 01 (OF 3)

BATMAN GOING SANE TP

BEAR STORIES GN VOL 01

BOLD VISIONS DIGITAL PAINTING BIBLE SC

CAPTAIN MARVEL PREM HC SECRET INVASION

CHOPPER ZOMBIE GN

COLORSCAPE AROUND THE WORLD GUIDE TO COLOR SC

DEATH NOTE DEATH STAFF BLK T/S LG ,MED, XL

DEVIL MAY CRY 4 DANTE VER 2 ARTFX STATUE

DOOM PATROL ARCHIVES HC VOL 05

ELEPHANTMEN TP VOL 01 WOUNDED ANIMALS

EMILY STRANGE NINJA PATCHWORK PLUSH

ESSENTIAL FANTASTIC FOUR TP VOL 7

FALL OF CTHULHU TP VOL 02 GATHERING

FEVERISH GN

FORGOTTEN REALMS TP VOL 07 THE LEGACY

HALLOWEEN NIGHTDANCE TP VOL 01

HALO 3 COVENANT BADGE BELT BUCKLE

HALO 3 MASTER 2 CHIEF FIELD OF BATTLE ARTFX STATUE

HOTEL AFRICA GN VOL 02 (OF 4)

IMMORAL DARKNESS NOVEL

JADE OF BANGO GN VOL 01 (OF 7)

JUXTAPOZ VOL 15 #8 AUG 2008

KNIGHTS GN VOL 01 (OF 2)

KUJIBIKI UNBALANCE GN VOL 01

ME & THE DEVIL BLUES GN VOL 01 UNREAL LIFE ROBERT JOHNSON

NOVA TP VOL 02 KNOWHERE

PARASYTE GN VOL 04 (OF 8)

PATHOS GN VOL 01 (OF 2)

POPGUN GN VOL 02

SERPO GN

SHIKI TSUKAI GN VOL 03

SILVER SURFER TP REQUIEM

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ARCHIVES TP VOL 08

STEAL MOON GN VOL 01 (OF 2)

STYLE SCHOOL TP VOL 02

THOR BY J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI TP VOL 01

TOKYO ZOMBIE SC

TOTO GN VOL 02

TSUBASA GN VOL 18

WALLFLOWER GN VOL 16

WORLD OF WARCRAFT 2009 16 MONTH WALL CALENDAR

YEN PLUS MAGAZINE #1 AUG 2008

ZAREGOTO NOVEL BOOK 01 KUBIKIRI CYCLE

ZOMBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE DECK

San Diego Comic Con New Books & Other News.

First off, let me say sorry for not posting anything new since last week. Just got back from Comic-Con in San Diego a few hours ago and without going into any detail, I am happy to report that a lot of cool stuff is coming our way very shortly. I will post details of new artbooks and more as they arrive.

I also hope to post some photos of some of the folks we met there, as well as make some exciting announcements over the next little while.

I know, I know. I am such a tease! Stay tuned.

MANGA REVIEWS - Spiral Bonds Reasoning and Prince of Tennis

Starting this week, this blog will feature Manga reviews by one of our manga experts. Expect new reviews roughly every week or every other week. Please feel free to leave your own feedback about the books, both if you agree or disagree with us. The goal with these reviews is to help you better decide what you might want to read from the sea of books out there.



Spiral: Bonds of Reasoning V4
Narumi Ayumu has many puzzles facing him at the moment: is his older brother, Narumi Kiyotaka alive or dead? Will he ever remove himself from his older brother's shadow? What is the purpose of the Blade Children? Will he be able to save them? Before he presses on however, he is in a direct challenge to save his classmate and partner in crime Hiyono from certain death at the hands of Blade Children Rio and Kousuke... Shirodaira Kyo and Mizuno Eita, with one part skill the other part fun, successfully bring together mystery, teenage angst, suspense and problem solving skills to this series. At turns vulnerable, humourous with plot twists to keep one guessing; the read can not help but root for 'Narumi Junior' to solve ALL the mysteries in his life before the manga series draws to a close.



Prince of Tennis V26
Konomi Takeshi had me hooked from volume one of this series, and if you haven't started yet, it is never too late to jump on the bandwagon!! Echizen Ryoma was raised by his father, also known as the 'Samurai Nanjiro', to be the best tennis player in the world!!! (Or at the very least to become an excellent challenge in their personal battle on the tennis court...) This leads the cocky and arrogant twelve year old to join the Seishun Academy Middle School Tennis Team and be a key player in the team's journey to the Nationals! In volume 26, the reader Echizen and Seishun on their quest, during the Singles Match 1 of the Kanto Regional Tournament, Echizen faces his toughest opponent yet in Rikkai's Sanada "The Emperor" Genichiro. Will Echizen's journey to self actualization help him achieve victory? Or will Sanada's Fuu Rin Ka Zan stop him in his tracks?
Although Echizen is the main character, entertaining and appealing supporting characters with their boyish charms, combined with too good to be true tennis techniques gives Prince of Tennis universal appeal with guys and girls alike.

RAGNAR SYMPTOMATICA + Ballistic Books IN STOCK

Arrived Today!

Symptomatica is the newest artbook by that fabulous artist Ragnar. We also got in restock copies of his two kids books 'got your nose' and 'izzy's very important job'


Elemental 3 features the worlds best autodesk artists - and as usual the book features a ton of great location shots.

Digital Painting 2 slipcase edition is finally here too! check it out in store now/


Animus is not new, but we finally got some back in stock. Its a wonderful book by Seonna Hong. For those who don't already know, she's married to another great artist: Tim BisKup (Gamma Go artist)

CHRIS SANDERS NEW BOOK

Just got word tonight that Chris Sanders will be releasing a new book at comic-con. No specific details -but if you go on his blog (link below), it looks like it could be a collection of his Kiskaloo cartoon strips (possibly with a sketchbook section? we still don't know, but here's hoping!.) Again, for those of you who haven't gotten a chance to read Chris's wonderful strip Kiskaloo, check out the link below.

We at the Labyrinth, love Chris's work and if everything goes well, we hope to make arrangements to carry the new book. Once we know for sure, we'll post on the topic again.

fyi: limited copies of Chris's first and 2nd sketchbooks are still available in store.

here's the link:
http://www.chrissandersart.com/www/blog.php

PONYO ON THE CLIFF - NEW FILM BY MIYAZAKI

Just released in Japan, the newest film from Director Hayao Miyazaki.





and here's the theme song sung in a lovely variety show format. It's soo cute!



as a matter of comparing theme songs, here's the one for Totoro.


and while you're thinking about Totoro -here are a couple of fan videos.(in case you haven't guessed, Totoro is my favourite Miyazaki film, even though they are all great.)



here's the totoro them song, variety style with a little girl playing piano, while more small girls dance in variety style. their parents must be so proud.



and to end things off - here's a guitar tribute to the totoro theme.

WATCHMEN TRAILER

A tip to Brent for finding this one. New Watchmen trailer -might be shown in front of Batman Dark Knight.

CAMERON STEWART SKETCHBOOK IS COMING

In our last post regarding new sketchbooks we forgot to mention one important new book - the Art of Cameron Stewart. Cameron is a local comic book artist who has worked extensively for DC comics. His new graphic novel Apocalipstix (from Oni) is coming out next week, and shortly after that you should be able to get a hold of this hot baby from us too!

To see more of Cameron's work go to:
http://cameronstewart.blogspot.com/

ARRIVING WEDNESDAY JULY 22

WOW - NEXT WEDNESDAY PROMISES TO BE A REAL KILLER!

The first trend to notice is ANTHOLOGIES. Next we got Cameron Stewart's and Ray Fawkes Apocalipstix. These guys are Toronto Based and their new book from Oni is very exciting. The next trend is the Ashely Wood Trifecta: World War Robot, Metal Gear Solid collected and a new editioin of the complete Popbot with extra stuff!

Finally - PLEASE DON'T OVERLOOK SCUD THE DISPOSABLE ASSASSIN. 68 Million years in the making - one of the coolest comics ever is finally complete and all in one massive volume.

Flight 5 - Features a bunch of talented animators, illustrators, including several canucks! Here's a partial list: Michel Gagne, Kazu Kibuishi, Kean Soo, Paul Rivoche, Svetlana Chmakova, Sarah Mensinga, and tons more..

Scud the complete works: What if you were a disposable assassin and you found out that if you killed your target, you would expire? Well, if you are Scud, the answer is not so simple. Find out the whole story in this very, very big book.


Local Creators make good - new from Ray Fawkes and Cameron Stewart!


The Art of Witchblade featuring a cover by what looks like Toronto Native Francis J Manipul. Tons of artists inside. We expect to see work by : the late, great Michael Turner, Keu Cha, Marc Silvestri and tons more!


The Complete Metal Gear Solid Sons of Liberty - for those who don't want to be bothered with two seperate trades -here's one fat one for you.

Curious Devices: features an interantional group of contemporary artists including: H.R.Giger, Ashely Wood, Stephane Halleux, Viktor Koen, Christopher Conte, Gregory Brotherton, Mike Libby, Nemo Gould and many others. The book features images from the exhbit by Device Gallery of 'Fantastic Contraptions'


COMIC BOOK TATTOO is another one of those cool anthologies I mentioned. This time featuring over 80 creators from every style and genre. What binds these stories together is that they all are inspired by the songs of Tori Amos. Features an intro by Neil Gaiman.

How to Love is a funny collection of stories by the artists of Actus Independent Comics. What makes it interesting is its exploration of some of the more unconventional facts of love. Features 6 provacative stories by: Rutu Modan (whose graphic novel Exit Wounds was named best GN of the year by Entertainment Weekly), Mira Friedmann, Itzik Rennert, Yirmi Pinkus and Batia Kolton.


Scrambled Ink! Is the latest comic anthology by animators. Ok -so you know about Flight (varied assortment of animators and artists) and Afterworks (by Pixar artists) and Out of the Picture (by Blue Sky artists) - well now there's a book by the awesome artists at Dreamworks. We're not surprised this is coming out. Last year at comic con we met a ton of folks from Dreamworks over at comic-con and it was clear these guys needed their own book.


WORLD WAR ROBOT. ASHELY WOOD. 'NUFF SAID!



Yam #1 -All ages Silent story! We loved the free comic book day sample and we really can't wait for this one.





HERE'S THE COMPLETE LIST:

ANITA BLAKE VH GUILTY PLEASURES HC VOL 02

APOCALIPSTIX VOL 1 GN

ARMY @ LOVE TP VOL 02 GENERATION PWNED

ART OF WITCHBLADE

AUTHORITY PRIME TP

BERSERK TP VOL 24

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #186

COMIC BOOK TATTOO HC

COMIC BOOK TATTOO SC

COMPLETE METAL GEAR SOLID SONS OF LIBERTY TP

COMPLETE POPBOT TP

COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE TP

COURTNEY CRUMRIN VOL 2 COVEN OF MYSTICS TP

DEVICE SC VOL 01

DIANA PRINCE WONDER WOMAN TP VOL 02

DRAGONLANCE TP VOL 04 DRAGONS SPRING DAWNING 2

FLIGHT GN VOL 05

GIRL GENIUS TP VOL 07 AGATHA & VOICE O/T CASTLE

GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY ROAD TO THE ALTAR TP

HOW TO LOVE HC

JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #142

KITTY PRYDE AND WOLVERINE PREM HC

KORGI GN VOL 02 COSMIC COLLECTOR

LUCKY LUKE TP VOL 11 WESTERN CIRCUS

MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS TP VOL 01

MAINTENANCE TP VOL 03

MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR VOL 09 DIGEST

MEATHAUS SOS TP

MINI MARVELS TP VOL 01 ROCK PAPER SCISSORS DIGEST

MODERN MASTERS SC VOL 18 JOHN ROMITA JR

OUR GANG SC VOL 03

RED SONJA TP VOL 04

SCHOOL RUMBLE GN VOL 10

SCRAMBLED INK HC (C: 0-1-2)

SCUD THE DISPOSABLE ASSASSIN THE WHOLE SHEBANG TP

SPOOKS TP VOL 01

TERMINATOR INFINITY TP VOL 01

TSUBASA GN VOL 18

WORLD WAR ROBOT TP

WORLDS OF HP LOVECRAFT TP VOL 01

X-MEN TP ENDANGERED SPECIES

YAM TP

D'ARTISTE DIGITAL PAINTING 2, ELEMENTAL 3 FROM BALLISTIC

Expected in store next week! D'Artiste Digital Painting 2 features tons of great art and learning opportunites. Elemental 3 features the worlds best art done with autodesk (3dsmax). Tons of other Ballistic books in store now.

COMING VERY VERY SOON. SKETCHBOOKS

Just got word that a pile of sketchbooks will be arriving in the next two weeks. Here are some that are already en route to us at this very moment!

The Latest Sketchbook from Imaginsim Studios -takes a turn from the usual to bring you the incredible Jason Seiler - Master of Caricature!


Francisco Herrera, whose sketchbook Herrerabox was one of the top sketchbook releases of last year is back with an all new sketchbook Herrera box #2. (some interior images a little further down below)


What can we say about Wade Furlong? He's fresh and fantastic. Sure, he draws muscles that only a mother on steroids could love, but from what we've seen - we gotta have it!


Matt Stewart, that awesome animator from Ottawa is back with Maverikanim #2!


... and here are some interior images from Herrera Box #2!

NEW Victoria Francis Favole 3, Cris Ortega Forgotten Art books

ARRIVED TODAY!

Favole 3 by the amazing Victoria Frances. Vol 1,2 are also available in store.


Cris Ortega's Forgotten is another book you will want to add to your bookshelves. Featured in Spectrum and Exotique - her work is 'unforgettable'.

JOSS WHEDON: THE MUSICAL (Dr. Horrible)

It's Captain Hammer Vs. Dr. Horrible, the Musical!

ICV2 is reporting that Joss Whedon has created a 3 act musical that will premier online. The first one started July 15th. 2nd part is on Thursday and then, the 3rd part will be on July 19. Then it will all be taken down July 20th and soon after released as a DVD with a musical commentary track.

Dark Horse is supporting the project with an online comic by Zack Whedon and Labyrinth favourite Eric Canete (pronounced Ca-net-e). The online comic is on the darkhorse myspace page.

http://www.myspace.com/darkhorsepresents

and here's the video: Act 1
http://drhorrible.com/act_I.html

or look at everything here:
http://drhorrible.com/

NEW ARRIVALS: JUXTAPOZ, DISGEA & MORE ARTBOOKS

NEW
Juxtapoz Tattoo
Juxtapoz Illustration
World Of Disgea 2 Artbook (english edition)
Koi Cupid vol 1 (from the creator of Tokyo Mew Mew)

other Japanese Import Artbooks expected this week:

Korean Illustrations Artbook
Gunbuster 2 Groundworks vol 1,2
Evangelion 1.0 You are not alone groundworks artbook
Shining Wind Visual Setting book
Tony's Graphic Artbook
Melancholoy of Haruhi Suzumiya official artbook
Groundwork of Gurren Lagann vol 1
Ouran HS Host Club Anime Fan book
Background Art book Kusanagi 2 SF version (layout book)
The Ark Lineage II Illustrations
Art Works of Guilty Gear Zekusu 2000-2007
more...(come see for yourself)

NEW PASCAL CAMPION SKETCHBOOK IS COMING

Oogeley Boogeley 3 Sketchbook cover art:


Totoro Forest Project Piece by Pascal:


Another great sketchbook will be coming in just a few weeks. This time, by the amazing Pascal Campion. Pascal has worked on all sorts of cartoons and video game stuff. He's a French Animator living in California. His Last book Oogely Boogley 2 sold out quite quickly and is no longer available. But in a few weeks, there will be an all new Oogely Boogley book (#3). 50 pages full colour softcover book.

Can't wait!
you can check out more of Pascal's work here:
http://pascalcampion.com/

Justin Ridge and Hye-Jung Kim Flavor:01 Sketchbook

Just got word from the super talented Justin Ridge that his new sketchbook (Flavor:01) - which is shared with the also talented Hye-Jung Kim will be coming out in 2 weeks at Comic-con where we expect he will sell out.

Fear not however, as he's putting copies aside just for us. His past sketchbooks were almost instanteous sellouts for us. We are very excited about this one. Last year - was a dry year, as we didn't have a new Justin Ridge Sketchbook (since he didnt do one). We expect, this new one that's put out through Alberto Ruiz's Brandstudio Press to really satisfy.

Justin has worked on Avatar the Last Air Bender, as well as Flight and many other cool projects.

Expect tons more Sketchbook announcements on this blog over the next few weeks.

DEAN YEAGLE DOES IT AGAIN - BUT THIS TIME HE'S NOT ALONE

Dean Yeagle, the talented artist behind many great sketchbooks is going to be putting out another one in a couple of weeks. His character Mandy - is at the centre of it, as she's been for the last couple of books -but this time, the book features 31 artists' interpretations of Mandy plus Dean's work. The book will launch at San Diego, but we hope to have some shortly after that.

One of the fascinating facts I like to throw around when I discuss Dean is the fact that he's the man who designed the Honey Nut Cheerios Bee back in the day! Yes, Dean does it all and as a long time animator - he not only draws well, but he knows a ton of people.

Here's a list of some of the super talented folks Dean got to work on the book.

See any names you recognize?

Kei Acedera - www.imaginismstudios.com
Sergio Aragones - My favourite cartoonist of all Time http://www.sergioaragones.com/
Nancy Beiman - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Beiman
Celia Calle - http://www.celiacalle.com/
J. Scott Campbell - Danger Girl Artist http://www.myspace.com/j_scott_campbell
Bobby Chiu - www.imaginismstudios.com
David Colman - http://davidcolman.blogspot.com/
Nathan Greno -http://www.fancast.com/people/Nathan-Greno/1399552/main
Rodolphe Guenoden - http://www.rodguen.com/
Gary Ham http://haminals.blogspot.com/
Mick Harrison (hope this is the right link. ha ha.) http://www.destill.net/
R.C. Harvey http://www.rcharvey.com/
Herval http://mapage.noos.fr/herval/
Tracy Mark Lee http://www.tdog-art.com/
Patrick Maté http://patrickmate.blogspot.com/
Fabrizio Pasini http://www.fabriziopasini.ptibook.com/
Bill Presing - http://billpresing.blogspot.com/
Justin Ridge - http://www.justinridge.com/
Mike Roush - http://www.mikeroush.com/
Senti - http://www.sentiart.com/Home.html
Stephen Silver - http://stephensilver.blogspot.com/
Tom Sito - http://tomsito.com/
Doug Sneyd - http://www.dougsneyd.com/
William Stout - http://www.williamstout.com/
BenTan - http://bentan.bellefree.com/
Scott Tolleson - http://stolleart.blogspot.com/
Tony White - http://www.digipen.edu/main/Tony_White
Barbara Yeagle - This is Dean's wife! She's an artist too!
Craig Yoe - http://www.yoe.com/

KEI ACEDERA & BOB CHIU - IN THE FOREST

The other day I posted about the Totoro Forest Project. Today I wanted to tell you all that Toronto's very own, Bob Chiu and Kei Acedera are participating in the event. A few months ago, Bob told me that he and Kei were invited to participate in a very special art auction, but left it at that. I had no idea what it was exactly. All I knew was that the show would involve a lot of talented folks. When I learned about the Totoro Forest Project a couple of days ago - I emailed Bob to find out if that was the show he was talking about and in fact it was. Very exciting. Above is Kei's contribution. To see the full image go to their blog.

http://www.imaginismstudios.com/blog.html

For those unfamiliar with Bob and Kei - They are the talents behind Imaginism Studios and Schoolism.com. If you've ever visited the Labyrinth, you've probably seen many of their terrific giclee prints and sketchbooks on our walls and shelves. Sometimes, it's easy to take local talent for granted. Seeing their work in exhibitions like this one - reminds us how lucky we are to have these guys around. I know that's how we feel about them. Way to go Bob and Kei!

CAN YOU RAED TIHS ?

This blog is supposed to be about animation, drawing and so on. Well, I couldn't resist. I got one of those emails - you know the kind, that gets forwarded and forwarded. I wasn't interested in forwarding it -but I did want to share it because I found it fascinating. So read on, and decide for yourselves.


Only great minds can read this

This is weird, but interesting!
fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

TOTORO FOREST PROJECT

Just found out about this via Drawn.Ca.

check out the links below for true awesomeness!

http://totoroforestproject.org/

http://enricocasarosa.com/wordpress.1/2008/07/10/the-totoro-forest-project/

and here's the original article we found on Drawn.Ca . FYI: This is a great website for anyone who's interested in Drawing, Illustration, etc..

http://drawn.ca/2008/07/10/totoro-forest-project/

FYI: It looks like there will be a book for this. As a huge Totoro Fan myself - I will do whatever I can to try and make this book available in store - this coming fall.

NEW ARRIVALS July 16 -ANGEL COLLECTED & more.

FINALLY -THE COLLECTED ANGEL: SEASON 6 BOOK 1


SPIKE AFTER THE FALL #1 - NEW MINI SERIES.


GLENN BARR GETS SPARROWED!

SKY DOLL #3 - FINAL ISSUE. #2 IS SOLD OUT, 1 IS ALMOST GONE - DON'T MISS THIS ONE!

HOWARD THE DUCK OMNIBUS. FIND OUT HOW GOOD COMICS CAN GET. SERIOUSLY.


NEW MANGA TITLES!





JEFF SMITH BONE AND BEYOND - FOR ALL YOU FANS WHO APPRECIATE THIS MODERN DAY GENIUS.


COMPLETE LIST BELOW:

ALICE ON DEADLINES TP VOL 03

ANGEL AFTER THE FALL HC VOL 01

ASTRO CITY THE DARK AGE HC BOOK 01

BIZENGHAST GN VOL 05 (OF 5)

CASE CLOSED GN VOL 24

CHIBI VAMPIRE GN VOL 09 (OF 13) (MR)

CHIBI VAMPIRE NOVEL VOL 05 (OF 9)

COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS TP VOL 02

DAEMONIUM GN VOL 01 (OF 3)

DIGITAL DIVAS SKETCHES DRAWINGS & COLOR DIGITAL ART SC

EC ARCHIVES WEIRD SCIENCE HC VOL 03

ELEMENTAL GELADE GN VOL 08 (OF 13)

ELEPHANTMEN WAR TOYS TP VOL 01 NO SURRENDER

ELLIE MAMAHARA ALLEY OF FIRST LOVE GN

FALLEN ANGEL TP VOL 05

GENTLEMAN JIM HC

GHOST TALKERS DAYDREAM TP VOL 01

GI JOE AMERICAS ELITE TP VOL 05 WWIII OMNIBUS

HACK SLASH TP VOL 04 REVENGE OF THE RETURN

HALO SERIES 2 AF ASST

HOUDINI HANDCUFF KING SC

HOWARD THE DUCK OMNIBUS

HULK WWH TP WARBOUND

JEFF SMITH BONE & BEYOND HC

METHOD MAN GN

PITA TEN LIGHT NOVEL VOL 02

PRINCESS AI OF AI LAND

PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL TP VOL 03 HUNTER HUNTED

REAL GN VOL 01

ROSE HIP ROSE GN VOL 02 (OF 4)

RUROUNI KENSHIN VIZBIG ED GN VOL 03 (OF 9)

SAMURAI DEEPER KYO GN VOL 29 (OF 38)

SEDUCTION MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN LOVE GN VOL 02 (OF 5)

SHOJO BEAT AUGUST 08

SHOWCASE PRESENTS HAWKMAN TP VOL 02

SILVER DIAMOND GN VOL 01

SKY DOLL #3 (OF 3)

SOULFIRE CHAOS REIGN TP

SPARROW BOXED SET

SPARROW GLENN BARR HC

SPIDER-MAN PREM HC VOL 02 BRAND NEW DAY

SPIKE AFTER THE FALL #1 (OF 4)

SPIRAL BONDS OF REASONING TP VOL 04

STRAWBERRY PANIC LIGHT NOVEL VOL 02

SUPERMAN AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES HC

SUZUNARI GN VOL 01

TANK GIRL VISIONS OF BOOGA #3

TETRAGRAMMATON GN VOL 03 LABYRINTH

TOKKO GN VOL 01

TRIALS OF SHAZAM TP VOL 02

ULTIMATE X-MEN TP VOL 18 APOCALYPSE

UNEARTHED CEMETERY BLUES TP VOL 01

VASSALORD GN VOL 01 (OF 2)

WORLDS OF DUNGEONS & DRAGONS TP VOL 01

YOUR AND MY SECRET GN VOL 02 (OF 4)

ZOT TP VOL 01 COMP BLACK & WHITE STORIES 1987 TO 1991

Bliss Express and Art of Wired Hyung Tae Kim -new lower price

One of the coolest books we have in the shop is IO: Art of Wired - an anthology of asian illustrators including Benjamin, Hyung Tae Kim and several others. Up until this week we were charging $80. Not any more. We managed to score a deal on a few copies -so the price is now only $50. Not sold in regular stores -this is one fantastic book.

NEW: Bliss Express is a terrific new Illustration Anthology (meaning it features dozens of great artists).

Finally: Now in stock - Hyung Tae Kim Poster and Benjamin Posters. 1 image each. 24" by 36" -only $22 each. see them in store starting this Saturday!

superhero montages

Personally, I can't get enough of movie montages put together by fans. Here are some fun compilations of super-hero movies. The best ones feature songs full of screaming. Ha ha. Usually I am not a fan of the screaming music, but IMO, these songs seem to work in montages.

80s 90s cartoon openings and Iron Man too!

I just learned how to embed Youtube videos and now I must use this power to destroy the world. It's up to you if you want to watch or not. This post has links for 80s/90s cartoon intros and 'walks down memory lane'.

the first one is a cheesy music montage for 80s shows.



if the first one wasn't enough punishment, this next one is 30 minutes of 80s cartoon intros:



here are 90s cartoon intros for you younger folks (30 minutes)



and finally: iron man theme songs. Yes - if you loved the movie, like I did, you will cringe at these.

The first one is a take off of the original spider-man theme song



and here's a cheesy vintage cartoon opening theme.

GOBLINS ANIMATION SCHOOL FRANCE -ANNECY SHORT

here's the link for more shorts:

http://www.gobelins.fr/galerie/animation/index2008.htm

also check out their archives for previous year's work. Its an endless source of inspiration and entertainment.

here's a link to another short from the school. unlike the others - this one is chalk full of character acting. For those who say that Goblins films are strictly action based, here's one that proves that idea wrong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6zpwscHUJA

HELLBOY SPOTS -AND PHOTOSHOP PAINTING TOO!

ARRIVING WEDNESDAY JULY 9

Bone #8 colour edition is finally out. Only 6 more months for #9 and the colour regular series will be complete.


JOSS WHEDON. HE MAKES US HAPPY. NEW RUNAWAYS COLLECTION IS OUT. 2 DIFFERENT COVERS. BELOW IS ONE OF THE TWO.

NEIL GAIMAN'S NOVEL CORALINE IS SOON TO BE AN ANIMATED MOTION PICTURE, BUT FIRST ITS COMING OUT AS A GRAPHIC NOVEL.

SANDMAN ARTIST, AND SCARY GODMOTHER CREATOR JILL THOMPSON HAS DONE IT AGAIN WITH MAGIC TRIXIE. IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF FUN.

ON A MORE SERIOUS NOTE - KYLE BAKER'S NAT TURNER HAS BEEN COLLECTED INTO ONE VOLUME. AS YOU MAY RECALL -HIS BOOK 'HOW TO DRAW STUPID CARTOONS' CAME OUT THIS WEEK. NAT TURNER ON THE OTHER HAND, IS A SERIOUS PIECE OF WORK LOOKING AT BLACK SLAVERY. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

NARUTO 2009 WALL CALENDAR. YES 2009. SEEMS FAR -BUT THAT'S HOW THE CALENDAR SEASON WORKS. ALL THE GOOD CALENDARS START COMING OUT NOW -SO BY THE TIME YOU WANT THEM, YOU CAN'T FIND THEM. GET IT WHILE ITS HOT. NEW SPECTRUM CALENDAR ALSO EXPECTED THIS WEEK.


SAM AND MAX FREELANCE POLICE THE COMPLETE SERIES ON DVD. AS YOU KNOW, WE DON'T REALLY SELL DVDS -BUT THIS IS NO ORDINARY SHOW. ITS SAM AND MAX AND ITS THE COMPLETE SERIES IN ONE SET. IF ITS HALF AS POPULAR AS THE SAM AND MAX GRAPHIC NOVEL WE CARRY, THESE WILL BE GONE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.


MIKE (HEROBEAR/TARZAN/HERCULES ANIMATOR) KUNKEL'S NEW SERIES OF SHAZAM IS FINALLY OUT. IT WAS OUT LAST WEEK IN FACT, BUT DUE TO A MIX UP WE WILL HAVE IT THIS WEEK. AGAIN, WE DON'T CARRY A LOT OF SINGLE COMICS -BUT THIS ONE LOOKS TO BE AWESOME. THE REVIEWS ONLINE LOOK GREAT AND AT $2.25 YOU CAN'T GO WRONG!


JAPANESE COLOURING BOOKS FOR GROWN UPS WHO STILL LIKE TO COLOUR AND LOVE ANIME. YUP - THE FOLKS WHO PUBLISH COMICKERS HAVE PUBLISHED A COLOURING BOOK.



HERE'S THE FULL LIST:

AI NO KUSABI SPACE BETWEEN NOVEL VOL 03 NIGHTMARE

AMERICAN VIRGIN TP VOL 04 AROUND THE WORLD

ANITA BLAKE VH GUILTY PLEASURES TP VOL 01

ANNIHILATION CONQUEST HC BOOK 02

BASTARD TP VOL 17

BATMAN AND SON TP

BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #1

BLAXPLOITATION CINEMA ESSENIAL REFERENCE GUIDE SC

BLUE SKY GN

BONE COLOR ED SC VOL 08 TREASURE HUNTERS

CAPTAIN STONEHEART & THE TRUTH FAIRY HC

CHRONICLES OF THE GRIM PEDDLER GN VOL 01

CLASSIC TRANSFORMERS TP VOL 02

COLLECTION OF SHA TP

COMICKERS COLORING BOOK SC

CRIMINAL TP VOL 03 DEAD AND DYING

ESSENTIAL DOCTOR STRANGE TP VOL 01 NEW ED

FLOWERS FROM HELL SC

GACHA GACHA NEXT REVOLUTION GN VOL 07

GENE SIMMONS ZIPPER TP VOL 01

GENTLE CAGE NOVEL

GOLDEN PRINCE & ARGENT KING GN

GREAT PLACE HIGH SCHOOL GN

GUITAR HERO ROCK DEMON BLK T/S LG

GUITAR HERO ROCK DEMON BLK T/S MED

GUITAR HERO ROCK DEMON BLK T/S XL

HELLBOY ODDEST JOBS TP

INU YASHA TP VOL 34

KAGETORA GN VOL 10

KISS BLUE GN VOL 01

KYLE BAKER NAT TURNER SC

MAGIC TRIXIE GN VOL 01

MS MARVEL TP VOL 04 MONSTER SMASH

NARUTO 2009 WALL CALENDAR

NEIL GAIMAN CORALINE GN

NEW YORK FOUR

POWER PACK HC VOL 01

RED COLORED ELEGY HC

RED RIVER GN VOL 22

RESTART GN

RUNAWAYS PREM HC DEAD END KIDS

RUNAWAYS PREM HC DEAD END KIDS DM ED

SAM & MAX FREELANCE POLICE COMP COLL DVD SET

SPECTRUM 2009 WALL CALENDAR

SWITCH GN VOL 03

TEEN TITANS SPOTLIGHT WONDER GIRL TP

TOKYO ROCK CATWALK VISUAL KEI BANDS HC

TRANSFORMERS THE ARK TP VOL 02

VERY VERY SWEET GN VOL 01

WOLVERINE TP DEATH OF WOLVERINE

YAKITATE JAPAN TP VOL 12

NEW HOW TO BOOKS: Force II and Draw Stupid

Two New books in this week are well worth a look.


The first is Force Character Design from life Drawing by Mike Mattesi. This is a follow up to his first book Force Life Drawing for animation. This book looks at various character design methods by different artists including: Stephen Silver, Deanna Marsigliese, Dean Yeagle and more. It is primarily by Mattesi, but the pieces by these awesome guest artists makes the book a must have.


The Second book is How to draw Stupid by Kyle Baker. Kyle is an Eisner award winning cartoonist, with many great graphic novels under his belt. His style varies, depending on the book, but his recent style is fun and cartoony and I can't wait for the book to show up later today. I have had the fortune to meet Mr.Baker on several occassions and what I learned was that he's a really friendly, charming and very funny guy. He's not an animator -but he attempted some personal animation.

here's some I found on youtube. It's not great animation, but considering he taught himself to animate and has no formal training - its definatley fun. For me what's great about his work is his design style and sense of humour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJW0K8gvLXA

and here's a youtube link with a short interview with K.B. on styles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK1Jds0OVuE