BOXING WEEK SALE Final Day!

A reminder to everyone that today, Monday December 31st 2012, is the LAST DAY to take advantage of our BOXING WEEK SALE!

So stop in to get 2-4X Rewards on all books including regular rewards on sale art books! OR save 10% Off on all regular priced Art books, Graphic novels, and Manga!

Lots of Graphic Novels are also going for 40% OFF the U.S. Cover Price!

All back-issue 1 month + old comics are 50% OFF!

Our Toronto Store is open until 5 pm today!

For more details on the sale, go here!

Prevent stroke with this fruit

Diligently consume tomatoes, it turns out we can prevent a stroke that could have very fatal, as quoted from the research the researchers in Finland.

The researchers investigated the impact of the chemical elements are colored bright red lycopene in tomatoes, pepper, and watermelon.

solopos

Studies involving 1031 correspondent showed that those with the most lycopene in their blood will be more resilient to prevent a stroke.

Meanwhile Stroke Association requested that the results of this study followed by a more detailed study about the effects of lycopene on the prevention of stroke.

According to the study - whose results are published by the BBC - the men who were respondents monitored lycopenenya levels in the blood for 12 years.

The first group are those who lycopenenya low levels. There were 25 cases of stroke in this group of 258.


The second group was a man of high lycopenennya levels, was only 11 people of the 259 respondents who had a stroke.

The researchers also concluded that the consumption of fruits high in lycopene can reduce the risk of stroke by 50 percent.

Source : www.antaranews.com

6 Health Problems Caused by Lack of Sleep

Dark circles in the eye, nervous, hoarseness, and irritability are some of the effects of sleep time is minimal. Almost most people underestimate the problems arising from lack of sleep.

Difficulty sleeping disorders can experience by anyone. Sleep is a necessity and a signal that the body needs time to rest. By the time you sleep, the whole body is naturally doing repair or regeneration of cells from within. Your body actively produces hormones cortisol during sleep, the hormone that makes you more fresh and free from fatigue when awake tidur.Banyak factors that cause lack of sleep. It could be that you had no sleep because of the rush that requires you to spend the night to complete the task stack

These negative effects of sleep deprivation on health, as reported by Prevention.com.

Downhill Endurance Body

As we said in the previous paragraph, sleep is the process of cell regeneration from within. If you lack sleep, your immune system automatically weakened. Your body will be susceptible to even minor viruses, such as colds and coughs. Even if you manage your diet, without offset quality sleep, your immune system will not prime.

Cardiovascular disease

A study in 2010 published in the journal Sleep,
Researchers found participants who slept less than seven hours a night have an increased risk of heart disease. In fact, for women under 60 years of age and sleep five hours or less a night had twice the risk of heart disease.

Researchers from West Virginia University School of Medicine that reviewed data from 30,397 people who participated in the National Health Interview Study in 2005.


Diabetes

According to a study in the journal Diabetes in 2011, the University of Chicago and Northwestern University found that people with type 2 diabetes who sleep less at night have elevated levels of glucose nine percent higher. In fact, insulin levels rise to 30 percent higher, and insulin resistance levels 43 percent higher.
Diabetic patients with insomnia even worse conditions, glucose levels can be 23 percent higher insulin levels 48 percent higher insulin resistance and levels 82 percent higher than people with diabetes who do not have insomnia.

Breast Cancer

Researchers at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine in Sendai, Japan has been studied almost 24,000 women aged 40-79 years.
Researchers found that women who slept less than six hours a night have an increased risk of breast cancer is 62 percent higher, while those who slept less than nine hours a night had a 28 percent lower risk.
Colon cancer
A study of 1240 people published in 2011, researchers from Case Western University found people who slept less than six hours a night have a 47 percent higher risk of colorectal polyps, which can become cancerous, than those who had at least seven hours of sleep.

Difficult Emotions Unstable And Thinking

Sleep can lower stress levels, many studies prove it. Lack of sleep will make your brain does not get enough rest rations. Your body also experience fatigue because it had no natural recovery that occurs during sleep. This of course will cause you to be depressed due to fatigue. Your emotions become unstable and your concentration will decrease. You will find it hard to think and solve problems, even for the most minor problems though. You may even be easier senile and sloppy due to lack of sleep.

Terrible impact on health will target you if you continue to ignore the quality sleep and lack of sleep. Go to bed when it's time to rest. With a healthy body and get enough rest, you are free to move throughout the day.

NEW BOOKS ARRIVING NEXT WEDNESDAY, JAN 2nd 2013!!!

ART BOOKS

*This Week's Highlights!*
- R.O.D. (Read or Die/Read or Dream) fans can get their hands on a superb artbook coming in this week featuring character designs, promo art, rough sketches and more from the OVAs and TV series!

- Now published by Udon, fans of Tony Taka's characters from the Shining videogames can enjoy lots of lovely visual materials in the Shining Hearts Visual Materials Collection that will be available this Wednesday for a great price!

- Also this week we will have one comprehensive books on master illustrator and incredible artist Wally Wood! 'WOODWORK' will be available this week!

CINEFEX #132 

OKAMI OFFICIAL COMPLETE WORKS SC (Now Available)

PIN-UP 365 DAY BY DAY IN PICTURES (Now Available)

READ OR DIE ROD OFF ARCHIVE SC 

SHINING HEARTS COLL VISUAL MATERIALS SC 

WOODWORK WALLACE WOOD 1927-1981 HC

COMICS

*This Week's Highlights!*
- The hit sensation Adventure Time continues to reach even mroe insane levels of demand that surely won't be helped with the arrivial of a new spin-off series 'FIONNA & CAKE'! Grab issue #1 this week before it sells out as fast as every other Adventure Time comic!

- Hot off from the events leading up to Amazing Spider-Man #700 was the vampire Morbius, escaping from the pages of Spider-Man into his own series! Join Dr. Michael Morbius on his journey for redemption in 'Morbius the Living Vampire #1' on our store shelf this Wednesday!

- The magical colorful talking horses are back in issue #2 of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic! Queen Chrysalis has returned! Oh No!

- The Black Panther, Iron Man, Dr. Strange, Black Bolt, Mister Fantastic, Namor and Beast are assembling to collide with and infinite legion of parallel universes in the first issue of New Avengers!

ADVENTURE TIME FIONNA & CAKE #1 (OF 6) MAIN CVR

ALL NEW X-MEN #5 NOW

ALL STAR WESTERN #15

AMERICAN VAMPIRE #34 

ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #236

ARROW #2

BART SIMPSON COMICS #78

BATMAN BEYOND UNLIMITED #11

BATMAN INCORPORATED #6

BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #15

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER WILLOW WONDERLAND #3 (OF 5) MACK CV

COBRA ONGOING #20

DAREDEVIL END OF DAYS #4 (OF 8)

FATALE #11 

FLASH #15

FURY MAX #8 

GLORY #31

I VAMPIRE #15

INVINCIBLE #99

IRON MAN #5 NOW

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #15

MANHATTAN PROJECTS #8

MORBIUS LIVING VAMPIRE #1 BLANK VAR NOW

MORBIUS LIVING VAMPIRE #1 NOW

MORBIUS LIVING VAMPIRE #1 YOUNG VAR NOW

MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #2

NEW AVENGERS #1 BLANK VAR NOW

NEW AVENGERS #1 NOW

NEW AVENGERS #1 YOUNG VAR NOW

PROPHET #32

PUNISHER NIGHTMARE #1 (OF 5)

PUNK ROCK JESUS #6 (OF 6) 

RED LANTERNS #15 (RISE)

RED SHE-HULK #61 NOW

SIMPSONS SUPER SPECTACULAR #16

SUPERMAN #15

TALON #3

TEEN TITANS #15 (DOTF)

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #19

VENOM #29

MANGA

*This Week's Highlights!*
- Fans of Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys will want to rush out this week to get their hands on the first concluding book that will finally resolve the mystery at the heart of the matter: the identity of 'the Friend'! It all starts happening in the first volume of what is called 21st CENTURY BOYS!

ANIMAL LAND GN VOL 06 

BLEACH TP VOL 54 

CAGE OF EDEN GN VOL 08 

CARAMEL GN 

DENGEKI DAISY GN VOL 11 

DOGS TP VOL 07 

EARL AND FAIRY GN VOL 04 

HEROMAN GN VOL 02 

HUNTER X HUNTER TP VOL 29 

IVE SEEN IT ALL GN VOL 02 (OF 2) 

JIU JIU GN VOL 03 

LOVE MAKES EVERYTHING RIGHT GN

NAOKI URASAWA 21ST CENTURY BOYS GN VOL 01 

NATSUMES BOOK OF FRIENDS TP VOL 13 

NINTH LIFE LOVE GN 

NURA RISE O/T YOKAI CLAN GN VOL 12 

ORESAMA TEACHER GN VOL 12 

OTOMEN GN VOL 14 

PSYREN GN VOL 08 

STROBE EDGE GN VOL 02 

TEZUKA BOOK OF HUMAN INSECTS TP 

TEZUKA MESSAGE TO ADOLF GN VOL 02 (OF 2) 

ULTIMO GN VOL 08 

GRAPHIC NOVELS

*This Week's Highlights!*
- Finally collecting the second arc of Ed Brubaker's hit series, FATALE Volume 2 hits store shelves giving fans all the info they need to then hop onto issue #11 that also releases this week!

BATMAN INCORPORATED TP

DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER PREM HC MAN IN BLACK

EIGHTBALL PUSSEY TP (NEW PTG) 

FATALE TP VOL 02 DEVILS BUSINESS 

GREEN LANTERN HC VOL 02 REVENGE OF THE BLACK HAND

GREEN LANTERN TP VOL 01 SINESTRO (N52)

HACK SLASH TP VOL 11 MARRY F*CK KILL

HARD TIME TP VOL 02 SIXTEEN

ORBITAL GN VOL 01 SCARS 

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL TP VOL 02 BREAKDOWN

TRANSFORMERS PRIME SEASON 2 TP VOL 01

TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE ONGOING TP VOL 02

WINX CLUB GN VOL 05 

TOYS

DOCTOR WHO CHAR BUILDING 36PC MINI FIG DS SER 03

MY LITTLE PONY FIGURE ASST 201301

STAR TREK TNG USS ENTERPRISE 1701-D KEYCHAIN 

WALKING DEAD DARYL DIXON WACKY WOBBLER 

WALKING DEAD MICHONNE WACKY WOBBLER

WALKING DEAD RICK GRIMES WACKY WOBBLER 

WALKING DEAD ZOMBIE WACKY WOBBLER 

This list Cleaner Teeth and Mouth Food

Maintaining oral hygiene is important for overall health. Brushing and flossing alone play sometimes is not enough. For best results you need to consume food products that have the effect of a natural tooth cleaner.

"Foods is not only good for health and dental hygiene, but also the mouth. And we know, oral hygiene affects your overall health," says Dr Karishma Jaradi, dental beauty specialists, quoted by the Times of India.

In addition to carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and cucumbers, following a number of food also has the effect of maintaining oral hygiene:

1. Apple

Eating apples good for gums and teeth because it has the effect to get rid of the bacteria in the mouth. While reducing the intake of sugar, try changing eating habits unhealthy snack with apples. Guaranteed, this will strengthen the teeth.

2. Orange

Did you know that the chewable vitamin C can lead to loss of tooth enamel? Therefore, multiply the consumption of citrus to increase levels of vitamin C which helps the absorption of iron and promote healthy teeth and gums.

3. Poduk milk

Try the cheese. With a low carbohydrate and high calcium and phosphate, cheese good for dental health. Cheese helps to balance the pH level in the mouth produce saliva, maintain and rebuild tooth enamel, as well as killing the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.


Can also yogurt. With a high content of lactic acid, yogurt may protect against tooth decay. Experts believe that the protein terkadung able to fight harmful acids that cause cavities.

4. Celery

Celery produces a lot of saliva, which is useful against bacteria in the mouth. Celery also has a good effect on the gums and help clean up the gap between the teeth.

5. Green bean extract

These food products also have good oral cleaning effect. The content of malic acid, the enzyme is also found in grapes, in which help tackle stubborn stains on teeth. Effectively maintain the brilliant color of your teeth.

Sources: VIVAnews

Oakville Holiday Store Hours update!

So everyone can relax and spend more time with family, we have revised our Oakville Store Hours for the Holiday Season!

New Oakville Holiday Hours:

Sun Dec. 30th 2012 - Tues Jan. 1st 2013 - CLOSED

Jan. 2nd  - Jan. 5th - 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Sun Jan. 6th - CLOSED
___________________________________________________________

Toronto Store Holiday Hours remain unchanged.
Sun Dec 30th - 12:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Mon Dec 31st - 11:30 am - 5:00 pm
Tues Jan 1st 2013 - CLOSED

Underarm Whitening Tips

Black underarm is sometimes causing an uncomfortable feeling to know that underarm whitening tips are very in need by those who have problems of black armpit. Some cause armpit is colored black, genetic, and never use any lotion as bleach. There are many other triggers armpits black, partly oran will certainly feel the armpit of the black condition will interfere when using the type of clothing that reveal skimpy outfits armpit.

Especially when you have to use a T-shirt kind of bra would have been very embarrassed if when lifting arm.
Solutions here are tips whiten underarms with natural ingredients.

1. First, Lemon and Tawas: Cut lemon crosswise and remove seeds. After the bath, rub lemon on the armpit. Then, using a circular motion, rub powdered alum on armpits. Leave.

2.Kedua, Lemon and Honey with Alum: Mix 1 tablespoon lemon liquid and 1 tablespoon honey. Apply mixture to the armpits. Let stay for about 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Do this before the bath. You can also pat on some powdered alum afterward.

3. Take a little lime and whiting. Mix the lime with lemon juice until well blended in a bowl or plate. After that, apply the mixture on your armpit area. Allow approximately 15 minutes. We recommend that you use after a shower and use regularly for 1 week.


4. Prepare lemon and cucumber, then squeeze a lemon and take the juice. Grate the cucumber then capurkan lemon juice with grated cucumber and stir well. Add grated turmeric into it. Once well blended Dab on your armpits for 20 minutes then rinse with warm water

5. Take not too ripe papaya (mengkal) and parutlah until smooth. Place the grated papaya on your armpits every shower and let a few seconds, then rinse with clean water. The nature and content of substances in papaya is a unique natural bleach.

If you are a busy person does not have much time, the easiest way is to whiten black underarm whitening underarm deodorant use. Choose a deodorant that does not contain alcohol and is made from natural ingredients. Whiten black underarm is not equal to whiten skin.

Your underarm skin color to return to normal with treatments such as bleaching, but to maintain it, you have to eliminate all the other factors that cause the skin to become darker. If you are deodorants cause skin irritation, immediately dispose of the deodorant in the trash now.
Peeling Underarm just one treatment done by a dermatologist. A peeling solution is used to remove the outer layer of skin. After peeling done, you have to use the drug when applied to the underarm bleaching every night in rumah.semoga underarm whitening tips above you can try and get the results as expected.

Healthy Diet Food Menu

With so many diet menus and recipe books available, it is hard to decide which diet that works for you.
When choosing a diet, you have to make a choice on a healthy diet, vitamin, and low calorie. Here are some tips on choosing a diet menu.
Features Menu Food Diet

tipsdietcepat.com

Your diet should include food menu is perfect from every aspect. This means that all the nutrients should be balanced, such as the presence of minerals, proteins, vitamins adequate, and iron. If you eat about 1,500 calories a day, then create a daily menu plan that includes 1 1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables, then add the low-fat dairy and nuts as a supporter.

Type of Food Diet

When dieting, your body needs to have the right mix of nutrients to maintain the condition and fitness. When planning your diet, you should prepare more meals at home, instead of buying a full menu of healthy diet food from a restaurant or grocery store. The variety of food is indeed designed for nutritional diet but probably not as good as you prepare yourself.


Sample Menu Food Diet

In the morning you can use whole wheat bread with a little cheese on top and an apple which is the right food for a healthy start to your day. For lunch, maybe you could try chopped vegetables dipped in tomato sauce, quinoa salad and a small orange. Dinner can be served with a simple spicy grilled chicken breast, and accompanied by mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. When you decide to eat meat, remember that it is only as a flavor enhancer rather than as a main meal.

Discipline With Food Diet

Stay away while the favorite foods that contain lots of fat and high cholesterol levels because you're trying to lose weight. Instead, learn how to make healthy food delicious nan substitute that reduces fat and calories.
Losing weight is very beneficial for your health, and learn to make some diet food menu itself is a good step for tercipatanya consistency in diet.
That many tips in determining diet menu. Hopefully useful.

New Years Eve Party Pizza,YUM!

One of my favorite pizzas is Round Table's BBQ chicken but, it is over $20.00 for a medium size pizza. So this is my version of my favorite BBQ chicken minus a couple of ingredients. The best part is everything I use to make it is FREE except for the pizza crust ( I do use pre made, my favorite is FRESCHETTA Artisan crust ) which is about $2.00 for a pack of 2.  So here is what I use:

2 different kinds of BBQ sauce (use your favorites)
1 can of crushed pineapple (make sure you drain it almost all dry)
1-2 cans of canned 100% white chicken breast
Green onions
Cheese
and a little bit of Cotjia cheese (it is kinda of like feta, but better)

 put one BBQ sauce all over then drizzle the other one on top of that one, layer all the other ingredients

Sprinkle with both of the Cheese's

Pick one of the BBQ sauces and drizzle on top of everything. Cook pizza crust how it says.

How easy was that!!! And each Pizza is only $1.00 with using my coupons :-) I dip mine in Ranch to top it off to being just perfect. ENJOY!!!!



Animation Highlight: 'BIRTH' (2012)

Here's a recent and quick short film made by a French studio 'Shibuya International Film.' It features art direction by Yoshitaka Amano & music by anime veteran singer Akino Arai!

Elf on the Shelf Ideas

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Holiday Season! :-) I sure have, I have so much to be thankful for in my life. Today I wanted to share with you some fun Elf on the shelf ideas. Some of them are my ideas and some of them are my sister in laws that she used. She was ever so kind to let me use some of her pictures. It is funny because we have the same elf and didn't even know it. I wanted a cuter elf then the original Elf on the shelf and so did she, low and behold we ended up getting the same one. She has great taste hehe! Anyways here is what our Elf's were up to this year.
I didn't take a picture of a couple of the days but I explain everything we did down below. ENJOY!!

1) Our elf made his appearance with a note and some green pee in the toilet :-)
2) Having fun with woody playing the fishing game (this was a big hit for my boys)
3) Making Santa's sleigh with cars and a reindeer and a pirate ship
4) He turned our milk green
5) Made the boys noses red like Rudolph
6) Hanging on the ceiling fan
7) Drinking hot coco and he brought some for everyone else too
8) Getting ready to clean up the reindeer poop (red and green M&M's)
9) Bringing a stocking for himself
10) Brought a nut cracker
11) Making snow angels
12) My boys got a naughty letter from our Elf and Santa (worked like a charm )
13) Making snowmen and brought a bag for each of my boys to make their own
14) Riding on the train around the Christmas tree
15) Toilet papering the tree
16) Having a sick day
17) You could do the Snowmen in the freezer too ;)
18) Oops I put the same photo on here twice :( this day you could have a Christ centered one with your elf by the manger with a note saying this is what Christmas really is about :)
19) Room filled with white balloons to go sledding in
20) Slinky races down the stairs
21) If you have a sick kid make a nice note from your elf
22) I caught Santa for you! Naughty Elf :)
23) This day we were gone so, if you are gone have the elf sleep in your kids beds with some toys with a note saying I miss you come back soon!
24) Bring new PJ's from your elf on Christmas Eve
25) One last day with your elf before he goes back to see Santa ( you can tell them they still have to be good so that they can keep all their fun toys)

Mind the Scissor Thieves

Check out the comics of local Toronto artist Joseph Nowak! Including his new self-published zombie book Dead Express!

You can more at his site here:

www.scissorthieves.com

superman a home-made trailer

you've probably seen the real trailer, but now that there is this one, what more can you ask for.

found this linked on slashfilm.com.

we know Christmas is over, but didn't want to pass up these wonderful cards created by Toronto's own Mike Del Mundo.  Not only can the man paint, but he knows how to make us laugh.

cheers,
from all of us at Labyrinth

Just in case you haven't had a chance to stop in yet - we recently got the portal gun in stock. supply is limited. now customizable as white, blue or yellow.

BOXING WEEK SALE BEGINS TODAY!

Our BOXING WEEK SALE begins today and lasts until the end of the year on Dec 31st!

We will be open today in Toronto from 10:30 am until 8:30 pm!

And our hours at our Oakville location today are from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm!

To get your hands on the best selection while supplies last, we recommend you come early!

Some deals will only available today on Wed. Dec. 26th!

For more details on the sale, go here!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We wish all our customers a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Both our stores are closed today! Look forward to our BOXING WEEK SALE beginning tomorrow!

BOXING WEEK SALE

Join us for our

BOXING WEEK SALE 

Wednesday, Dec. 26th - Monday, Dec. 31st 

(See store hours for each location here!) 

 Come EARLY for BEST selection!
  A lot of the best books will go to those who come first while supplies last!
  So come early to find the things you want at the boxing week sale!

Graphic Novels/Manga/Art-Books BOXING WEEK DEALS
Pick from 2 Discount Options.

-Option A gives members TONS MORE REWARDS. Join any time to be a member.
-Option B saves non-members (or members who don't want rewards) a bit of money, BUT the value is less than choosing Rewards which saves you more money over the long term!

ART BOOKS
OPTION A -
Get 20% Rewards on all regular priced Art Books + 10% Rewards on already discounted Art Books!

OPTION B -
Get 10% cash discount Off all regular priced Art Books!

GRAPHIC NOVELS
OPTION A -
Get 30% REWARDS on all Indy Trades & Hardcovers (vertigo,fantgraphics,image, etc..)
Get 40% Rewards on all DC/Marvel Superhero Trades & Hard Covers

OPTION B -
Get 10% Off on all Indy Trades
Get 20% Off on all DC/Marvel Superhero Trades

MANGA
OPTION A -
Get 30% Rewards on all Manga!

OPTION B -
Get 10% Off all Manga!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
MORE SAVINGS:

TOYS - Get 10% REWARDS POINTS on ANY TOYS Bought on Wed Dec 26th only!

COMICS - Get 50% OFF ALL 1 Month or older Back Issue Comics!

GRAPHIC NOVELS SPECIALS (TORONTO ONLY) - Cool selection of trades at 40% OFF U.S. Cover Price. These will be found in boxes at the centre of the store.
_

****NOTE. In order to help our customers faster on Dec 26th - you will be able to collect rewards,but we will not be able to redeem any until Dec 27th.****

NEW BOOKS ARRIVING NEXT WEDNESDAY DEC 26th!!!

ART BOOKS

*This Week's Highlights!*

- At long last, art books for the first Darksiders and Okami are coming back in stock! They've been out of print for awhile! To ensure you get your hands on one, please contact the store with your phone number to reserve one! They are expected to arrive later this week by Saturday, Dec. 29th!

ART OF DARKSIDERS (Back in Stock Available Saturday, Dec. 29th)
ART OF OKAMI (Back in Stock Available Saturday, Dec. 29th)
COMPLETE GUIDE TO SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP (Now Available!)

COMICS
*This Week's Highlights!*
- The FINAL ISSUE of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, #700 arrives with shocking consequences for the end of Peter Parker's story! Don't miss out on this historic issue! Also check out AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #15.1 for the follow-up story!

- Another BEFORE WATCHMEN chapter closes with the fourth and final issue of NITE OWL!

- Fans of writer Brian Wood (The Massive, DMZ, Northlanders) will want to check out his newest work! MARA #1 arrives this Wednesday kicking off the tale of a gifted woman of many talents, including some supernaturalones, dealing with a future world that is obsessed with sports, war and celebrity culture!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #700
AQUAMAN #15
AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #15.1
BEFORE WATCHMEN NITE OWL #4
CROSSED BADLANDS #20
DEATHMATCH #1
JUSTICE LEAGUE #15
MARA #1

GRAPHIC NOVELS

EERIE PRESENTS EL CID HC
STAR WARS OMNIBUS: CLONE WARS VOL. 3

Holiday Store Hours!

Take note of the following specific days during Christmas for when we are open, when we are closed, and for our Boxing Day Sale!

Toronto Location:

Monday, December 24th - Christmas Eve - 11:30 am - 5 pm

Tuesday, December 25th - Christmas Day - CLOSED

Wednesday, December 26th - Boxing Day - SALE! - 10:30 am - 8:30 pm

Thursday - Saturday, Dec 27th - Dec 29th - 11:30 am - 8:30 pm
Sunday, Dec. 30th - 12:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Monday, December 31st - New Year's Eve - 11:30 - 5:00 pm

Tuesday, January 1st, 2013 - New Year's Day - CLOSED

______________________________________________________________________________

Oakville Location: (UPDATED)

Monday, Dec 24th - CHRISTMAS EVE - 11:30 am to 5:00 pm

Tuesday, Dec 25th - CHRISTMAS DAY - CLOSED

Wednesday, Dec 26th - BOXING DAY - SALE! - 12:00 pm to 6:00pm

Thursday - Sunday Dec 27th to Dec. 29th from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Sun Dec. 30th 2012 - Tues Jan. 1st 2013 - CLOSED

Jan. 2nd  - Jan. 5th - 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Sun Jan. 6th - CLOSED

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Review!

     I finally visited Middle Earth again, and it's good to be there and I'll be back again for certain when the next chapters roll out in this new Hobbit trilogy. If the first Hobbit is any indication, fans of the Lord of the Rings, can truly look forward to another great trilogy from Peter Jackson and the good folks at Weta Digital & Weta Workshop! What was first planned as simply being two films, has since been expanded into a trilogy with the inclusion of other Middle Earth details from Tolkien's other books. Having only read 'The Lord of the Rings' books and not 'The Hobbit' I'm told that there are new inclusions that make for a better overall film, and certainly from what I've seen I agree, though I wouldn't have noted the difference. Many might feel the film's are being bloated to be over-long  with pointless added content simply to cash in on another trilogy. But if you, like me, own the Extended Editions of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and love the additional details of Middle Earth's characters and lore, then such decisions by the film-makers will only sound more exciting to you! I never once felt the movie plodded along, nor did it ever feel slow. but I suppose hat depends on who you are and how much you care for the little things. I personally wish it was longer... and considering that even with the Hobbit's story stretched into a trilogy and each film being over 3 hours long, that there are still going to be extended editions released, I'll actually get my wish!

     Many are already familiar with the story, particularly given that it is a prequel of which many details were already covered conversationally in the Lord of the Rings, some of the new inclusions and interwoven new story details will be the surprises you can expect. But like the issue with most prequels, it's already a given how certain things will turn out or which characters will live through the day, that some of the tension is removed. Even certain magical moments that are intended to be surprising shall not be, owing to the fact that we are already familiar with them if we have watched the original Lord of the Rings trilogy.

     Also coming off the high plateau that was 'The Return of the King', the Hobbit may be a disappointing follow-up in terms of the tension and stakes; which is to be expected, given the Hobbit's story doesn't take place in the dark atmosphere that prevailed the original LOTR trilogy and the threat of Sauron. It is a simpler affair in a much more peaceful time, though the foreshadowing of the darkness to come is indeed present. It would also be a bit unfair, given that 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' is, like Fellowship of the Ring, Act 1 of a grander story that is sure to grow greater in scope as our band of dwarfs, a hobbit and a wizard make another journey towards another mountain with the intention of destroying a powerful dragon and restoring a lost people to their homeland.

     The story follows Frodo's uncle Bilbo Baggins who is tempted from his dull life to seek out the adventure he always sought when he was younger. He joins a wizards Gandalf and a troop of dwarfs led by their prince and the rightful king, Thorin, to recapture their fallen kingdom. As Bilbo deals with the terror of being a man out of his league amongst warriors in a dangerous quest in which he slowly comes to think of himself as being more of a burden than a help, the story also sheds light on Gandalf, a wizard who is also struggling with internal insecurities and worries, alongside Thorin, who is filled with pride and vengeance against the Dragon who took his home, and the Orcs who killed his father, and a hatred of the Elves who he felt betrayed by. Our first chapter in this trilogy gets the ball rolling on this quest as our heroes journey towards their destination, perhaps on a suicidal mission, while being pursued by Orcs intent on killing Thorin. While unbeknownst to them, a new dark power, the Necromaner, begins to stir somewhere in Middle Earth. With all of this involved, the Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, is off to a great start, filled with action, and delightful humor, and the magical wondrous spectacle of Middle Earth's settings and inhabitants. A journey well worth beginning!

     There is of course the oliphant in the room that should be discussed. And that's with regards to the film's format of being the first major film of its kind to be shot and presented at 48 frames per second, double the framerate of traditional film at 24 frames per second. What theatres are dubbing as 'HFR' for 'High Frame Rate.' I did indeed made it a point to go specifically to see the Hobbit in HFR 3-D. And if you in any way consider yourself an enthusiast of film and its development and progression, then I recommend viewing the film in HFR 3-D for yourself so you can judge it personally. As for my opinion about HFR, I'm pleased to say that I loved it overall and am very excited about seeing more of it in the future!

     However, I must first point out that the opening moments of the film are not the best way to introduce audiences to HFR... The Hobbit kicks off with a brief Middle Earth history of the dwarfs and the capture of their home and vast treasure by the dragon; very similar to how The Fellowship of the Ring opened with details about the War of Middle Earth and Sauron and the ring. At the Hobbit's start, we are given a lot of story, shown a lot of things, and with the combination of Peter Jackson's continuous cutting from one scene to the next, all with brief sweeping camera movements, and all at 48 frames per second, it feels like major information overload with no spot to settle down! So the start of the film will leave you a bit dizzy taking in all the details, from the story to the visuals that make ones introduction to HFR pretty jarring! Particularly noticeable are when quick movements made by characters, now shot in more frames and greater clarity, do resemble the dreaded 'TruMotion' settings on HDTVs where mathematical algorithms create movement and in-between frames that aren't actually there causing unnatural movement.While everything in the Hobbit is specifically shot in this framerate, and is not the guesswork of a computer, people will no doubt get that impression right from the start which I believe is what will drive the initial impression of HFR by most critics. The Hobbit and the HFR experience perhaps would have been better served were it to open up with more steady shots and a slower pace, allowing audiences to become more easily acclimatized to what they were seeing.

     But don't rule out HFR just yet! As the film goes on, it quickly finds it pace, slows down, steadies itself and so too does the HFR experience which will go on to deliver quite an amazing spectacle! All the visual annoyances with regard to the opening minutes of the film will vanish entirely. The first thing many will come to discover, even in the opening, is just how much more comfortable the 3-D experience is! Gone are the issues of blurry and poor 3-D sequences, the entire movie is comfortable to watch in 3-D right from the get-go, including during moments of quick action & fast cuts. This is the unanimous opinion of practically everyone who has seen it in this format. HFR is the way to go for more comfortable 3-D experiences, and anyone who has had problems with 3-D giving them headaches or being generally uncomfortable, might want to consider giving 3-D another try in HFR!

     I have not seen the film in 24 frames per second, but from what I'm told, those who've seen both versions find it hard to go back to seeing the 24 fps version and vastly prefer the 48 fps version after now having witnessed how vastly superior the 48 fps experience is in detail, clarity and presentation. Frankly you can tell from the outset that things are more vibrant and where the detailed clarity truly makes it feel as if you are really there in Bag End, or in Bilbo's home, or walking through the forests and caverns of Middle Earth! It's that much more immersive! I've heard detractors claim that things look cheap or that they look like home video, or documentary footage. But this was not at all my impression! Nothing about the Hobbit felt cheap or artificially lit, nor even poorly lit for that matter. It is a quality film with quality sets and production that greatly exceeds your average television experience, and the outdoor scenes truly come alive! Everything feels 'brighter', though that is attributable to the improved details and that's a very beneficial thing! Heck, even traditional slow-motion sequences are much smoother and significantly better! And who doesn't love seeing those vast mountains of gold objects and coins clattering down in greater greedy details?!

     There are of course some moments where one can spot obvious effects issues with regards to telling physical sets apart from matte background plates and a few other small occasions here and there... But this is not an issue with the HFR format, and more to do with shoddy effects. As amazing a studio as Weta is, even the best VFX artists will run out of steam having to rush out and deliver shots on deadline every year with the rushed development schedule they have. And The LOTR films have never always been that convincing in some areas of the animation department either with regards to CG Legolas or whenever soldier's bodies are flying through the air, and sad to say, such similar effects work is also present in the Hobbit. So I'd like to point these things out because I've noted some critics and viewers are placing the blame for VFX issues on the HFR format, and that's simply not the case. Anyway, such notable FX issues are very minimal. The vast majority of the time you won't notice anything wrong, and there are many amazing action spectacles in store; notably battle scenes, and the entire climactic sequence of the dwarfs and Gandalf fighting hordes of goblins in the caves which is literally amazing from start to finish in HFR 3-D!

     So for my final recommendation, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, is a must-see for fans of Lord of the Rings, and a promising start of a great journey for everyone else to look forward to! If you can, I highly, HIGHLY, recommend watching the film in HFR 3-D, providing a theatre near you supports the format! Enjoy what could be the start of a new era of big budget films at 48 fps! From the 48 fps scenery! The 48 fps elvish women! The 48 fps battle scenes and fight sequences! Right down to the 48 fps credits & 48 fps music by Howard Shore! We also have new art books in store for the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, including the Hobbit graphic novel, which are sure to have at least 48 pages of detailed art in them!

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII trailer

Leaked way ahead of schedule is the trailer for what many dub as 'Final Fantasy XIII-3,' or as Square Enix prefers to rename it as 'Lightning Returns' that they promise will be the final story in this particular Final Fantasy XIII affair.

Ni no Kuni Behind the Scenes with Studio Ghibli

The RPG 'Ni no Kuni' created exclusively for PS3 is finally arriving in North America in January next year, with a demo currently available on PSN. Given the subtitle 'Wrath of the White Witch' this game is the biggest collaboration between Level 5 and Studio Ghibli and the beautiful graphics truly show that! A few videos of the game's production are being made available and the 2nd one released is a featurette focusing on Studio Ghibli's contributions! So check it out below!

Hellsing Ultimate X promo!

Here's the trailer for the final volume of Hellsing Ultimate!



The Hellsing manga was completed awhile back and Kohta Hirano is now working on a new manga called 'Drifters'! You can find both these series available at our store!

Two Mistakes Too Many

Check out local Toronto artist Naseer Pasha (aka The Black Fish)'s book, now in its second printing along with his new upcoming book!

Follow his campaign here at IndieGoGo!

NEW BOOKS ARRIVING NEXT WED DEC 19th!

ART BOOKS

*This Week's Highlights!*

- Darksiders fans can finally get their hands on Joe Madureira's new artbook collecting the production artwork, illustrations and concept art for Darksiders II! Available this Wednesday!

- Fans of the speedy blue hedgehog can celebrate 20 years of SEGA's official mascot with the new 300 page hardcover book detailing every Sonic game in existence with character profiles, promo artwork, rare concept art and more! Get your hands on 'The History of Sonic the Hedgehog' when it arrives this week!

ADV OF TINTIN ALLAN CHESS FIG COLL MAG 

ADV OF TINTIN BIANCA CASTAFIORE CHESS FIG COLL MAG 

ADV OF TINTIN CAPTAIN HADDOCK CHESS FIG COLL MAG 

ADV OF TINTIN NESTOR CHESS FIG COLL MAG 

ADV OF TINTIN SAKHARINE CHESS FIG COLL MAG 

ADV OF TINTIN THOMPSON CHESS FIG COLL MAG 

ADV OF TINTIN TINTIN CHESS FIG COLL MAG 

ART OF DARKSIDERS SC VOL 02 
ART OF THE HOBBIT
ART OF THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY CHRONICLES

DR WHO MAGAZINE #454 

HISTORY OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG HC 

JUXTAPOZ #144 JAN 2013 

SPARROW HC BOX SET ASHLEY WOOD

WALKING DEAD MAGAZINE #2 NEWSSTAND ED

COMICS

*This Week's Highlights!*

- The 2nd and last issue of 'Before Watchmen: Moloch' concludes!

- SAGA #8 arrives this week continuing Brian K. Vaughan's new fantasy space opera!

- The grand crossover between Star Trek: The Next Generation & Dr. Who keeps calm and carries on to store shelves this Wednesday!

A PLUS X #3 NOW

ALL NEW X-MEN #4 NOW

ANGEL & FAITH #17 STEVE MORRIS CVR

ASTONISHING X-MEN #57

AVENGERS #2 NOW

AVENGERS ARENA #2 NOW

BATWOMAN #15

BEFORE WATCHMEN MOLOCH #2 (OF 2)

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #208

BIRDS OF PREY #15

BLUE BEETLE #15

BRAVEST WARRIORS #3 (OF 6) 15 COPY INCV MARTZ VAR 

BRAVEST WARRIORS #3 (OF 6) MAIN CVRS

CAPTAIN AMERICA #2 NOW

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BLACK WIDOW #640

CAPTAIN MARVEL #8

CATWOMAN #15

COMEBACK #2 (OF 5)

DAREDEVIL #21

DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #15

FABLES #124 

FF #2 NOW

GAMBIT #7

GREEN LANTERN #15 (RISE)

GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #15 (RISE)

HAPPY #3 (OF 4)

HARBINGER (ONGOING) #7 SUAYAN CVR

HAWKEYE #6

HELLBLAZER #298 

HIP FLASK OUROBOROUS 

INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK #2 NOW

JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #647 NOW

JSA LIBERTY FILES THE WHISTLING SKULL #1 (OF 6)

JUDGE DREDD #2

LOCKE & KEY OMEGA #2 (OF 7)

MASKS #2

MICHAEL AVON OEMINGS THE VICTORIES #5 (OF 5)

NIGHTWING #15 (DOTF)

NOWHERE MEN #2

RACHEL RISING #13

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #15 (DOTF)

ROTTEN APPLE ONE SHOT

SAGA #8

SCARLET SPIDER #12.1

SECRET AVENGERS #35

SIMPSONS COMICS #197

SIMPSONS COMICS #197

STAR TREK TNG DOCTOR WHO ASSIMILATION #8

STAR TREK TNG DOCTOR WHO ASSIMILATION #8 10 COPY INCV 

SUPERGIRL #15

SUPREME #67

SWORD OF SORCERY #3

THIEF OF THIEVES #11

THOR GOD OF THUNDER #3 NOW

THUNDERBOLTS #2 NOW

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #18

ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #19

UNCANNY X-FORCE #35

UNWRITTEN #44 

VENOM #28

WITCH DOCTOR MALPRACTICE #2 (OF 6)

WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #22

WONDER WOMAN #15

X-MEN LEGACY #3 NOW

X-O MANOWAR (ONGOING) #8 BRAITHWAITE CVR

X-TREME X-MEN #8

MANGA

*This Week's Highlights!*

- At long last the 11th volume of Vagabond arrives following the story of Mushashi at the crossroads of his life as he encounters the ferocious master Ito Ittosai! Buy it this Wednesday!

DOROHEDORO GN VOL 08 

DR SLUMP TP VOL 01 

DR SLUMP TP VOL 02

DR SLUMP TP VOL 03 

EARL AND FAIRY GN VOL 04 

NATSUMES BOOK OF FRIENDS TP VOL 13 

OH MY GODDESS RTL TP VOL 43 

PARADISE KISS TP VERTICAL INC ED VOL 02 

TENJO TENGE GN VOL 10 

VAGABOND VIZBIG ED GN VOL 11 

GRAPHIC NOVELS

*This Week's Highlights!*

- Chew Volume 6 comes out this week with an all new storyline following Tony Chu's twin sister Toni, a cibovoyant who can see into the future of anything she eats!

- Mythic creatures, gnarly pirates and ghostly apparitions on the high seas are no problem for a cursed pirate girl on the search for her lost father. Check out the first volume of 'Cursed Pirate Girl' collecting the first 3 issues with an all-new epilogue!

- European comics master Sergio Toppi's 'Sharaz-De' finally arrives in English! Based on the classic set of tales inspired by the Arabian Nights where a captive woman of a cruel and despotic king weaves tales to delay her execution!

ANNOYING ORANGE GN VOL 01 SECRET AGENT ORANGE

ALLIANCE OF THE CURIOUS HC

ARCHIE BEST OF DAN DECARLO TP VOL 01

AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS PREM HC VOL 04 AVX

BEFORE THE INCAL CLASS COLL HC

BEST OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG TP VOL 01

CHEW TP VOL 06 SPACE CAKES 

CURSED PIRATE GIRL HC VOL 01 

DANZA GN 

DARKSIDERS II DEATHS DOOR HC VOL 01 

FANTASTIC FOUR BY JONATHAN HICKMAN PREM HC VOL 06

FF BY JONATHAN HICKMAN TP VOL 03

HALO TP FALL OF REACH INVASION

INCREDIBLE HULK BY JASON AARON HC VOL 02

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN PREM HC VOL 11 FUTURE

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN TP VOL 09 DEMON

IRON OR THE WAR AFTER HC

JUDGE DREDD GARTH ENNIS COLL TP

SHARAZ DE HC 

SPIDER-MAN TROUBLE ON HORIZON TP

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES CLASSICS TP VOL 03

TRUE BLOOD ONGOING HC VOL 01

WOLVERINE AND X-MEN BY JASON AARON PREM HC VOL 04 AVX

WOLVERINE BACK IN JAPAN TP

TOYS & T-SHIRTS

*This Week's Highlights!*

- Some cool new stuff arrives this Wednesday like a new Dr. Who Sonic Screwdriver Ink Pen + Vortex Manipulator & Screwdriver set! Also Portal 2 fans can grab a new messenger bag with everyone's favourite core Wheatley!

ADVENTURE TIME 5-IN BEEMO AF 

ADVENTURE TIME 5-IN ICE KING AF

ADVENTURE TIME 5-IN FINN & JAKE AF ASST 

ADVENTURE TIME 5-IN LUMPY SPACE PRINCESS AF 

ADVENTURE TIME 5-IN MARCELINE W/AXE AF 

BATMAN SUPER ALLOY 1/6 SCALE FIG 

BIG BANG THEORY PAY ATTENTION NAVY T/S (MED,LG,XL) 

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS ACTION FIGURE BOX SET

DOCTOR WHO SONIC SCREWDRIVER INK PEN 

DOCTOR WHO VORTEX MANIPULATOR & SCREWDRIVER SET 

IKKI TOUSEN STK KANU UNCHOU PVC FIG NESOBERI VER

IKKI TOUSEN XX CHOUUN PVC FIG CHINA DRESS VER 

MB GOKIN MBG-01 GETTER DRAGON FIG 

MY LITTLE PONY BRONY DRINK 24 CT

MY LITTLE PONY MYSTERY PONY BMB DIS 201203 

POP GAME OF THRONES TYRION VINYL FIGURE

POP HOBBIT MOVIE GANDALF VINYL FIGURE

PORTAL 2 ORIGINAL COMPANION CUBE MESSENGER BAG 

TEAM FORTRESS PYRO PLUSH

TEAM FORTRESS SCOUT PLUSH 

UNIVERSAL MONSTERS B&W FRANKENSTEIN BUST BANK