Now In Stock: New Topatoco Books!

We’re pleased to announce a fantastic assortment of brand new books from the fine folks at TOPATOCO, publisher of great webcomics collections. And remember, we’re having the awesome official launch party for the Dinosaur Comics book tomorrow night…!

Dinosaur Comics: Dudes Already Know About Chickens, by Ryan North. $18.00
Finally, a Dinosaur Comics book, unabridged and in full colour, AND with all three secret texts for each comic included! And it’s so pretty, you guys. So pretty. Featuring an introduction by Randall Munroe of XKCD and an all-new index written by Ryan that includes, among other things, the 11 different types of makeouts referenced by T-Rex, this book is great. It gets greater: there’s also an interview with the author AND a photo of Michael “Worf” Dorn. You know that you’ve always wanted these extras collected in one book, maybe with hundreds of Dinosaur Comics in the book too. THAT DREAM HAS NOW COME TRUE, and it’s called “Dinosaur Comics: Dudes Already Know About Chickens”.

Questionable Content Volume One, by Jeph Jacques. $18.00
You’ve been asking for it for years, and now it’s finally a reality! The very first print collection of Questionable Content, that is. Not approval from your parents. Sorry. We can’t help with that. Unless they’re QC fans? Then…then you could buy them this book? ANYWAY WE ARE GETTING OFF TRACK. QC Volume 1 collects the first 300 strips in dazzling full color, with commentary on each strip, a bonus minicomic in the back, and MORE!

Beartato and the Secret of the Mystery Book, by Anthony Clark. $17.00
This collection of early Beartato comics features:Digitally Remastered Super-HD Graphics! Ultraphonic Stereo Surround Sound! Freshly-redrawn comics, illustrations, sketches, and the short story “Hey, Nickname!” previously available only in minicomic form. Plus, we were lying about the surround sound. Perfect for a gift or for keeping all to yourself!

Overcompensating: A Dangerous Obsession, by Jeffrey Rowland. $14.00
Overcompensating is the almost 100% true journal comic of cowboy-poet/hacker/CEO/amateur electrician Jeffrey Rowland, who happens to harbor a seething disdain for reality. There is a person in it called Weedmaster P and a green cat that is maybe a zombie. This book contains an introduction by Andrew WK and over 17,000 words of brand-new commentary by the author!

Sam and Fuzzy Book One, by Sam Logan. $18.00
Troubled by gangster rodents, lovesick vampire stalkers, or confused ninja assassins? Don’t panic! Sam and Fuzzy are here to help, and no problem is too weird. This 368-page monster collects the entirety of Sam and Fuzzy Fix Your Problem — the first chapter of a brand new epic!

Problem Sleuth Book Two: This is Complete BS, by Andrew Hussie. $20.00
SUCCESSFUL POLITICAL NEGOTIATION! Problem Sleuth has penned an accord among the four kingdoms. Parades choke rural hamlets. Statues erect. Peace prevails. Volume 2 contains chapters 6 through 9. The suckle chalice of complete bullsh-t runneth over. “Foreword” by Andrew Hussie.

The Dresden Codak 2010 Sketchbook, by Aaron Diaz. $8.50
The Excessively Authentic Dresden Codak 2010 Sketchbooks are here! They contain trade secrets, behind-the-scenes processes of the comic, and all of Aaron’s daily drawings and speed paintings of the past year! You’ll wonder how you ever lived without one.

Bake-N-Bake Apron, by Meredith Gran. $16.00
This is not a book. It’s an apron, for people who make special brownies, special cookies, and special baked goods of all stripes. It’s basically the best last-minute gift for a certain someone on your list….

Also, we’ve restocked the following books:

Never Learn Anything From History, by Kate Beaton
Dr. McNinja Volume 1-3, by Chris Hastings


– Chris @ The Beguiling

New Comics Day Reminder

Just a quick reminder, new comics day this week is the regular day, Wednesday, and next week it’s bumped a day to Thursday. It’s back to normal a week later.

Wednesday December 22nd
Thursday December 30th
Wednesday January 5th, 2011

Thanks,

– Chris @ The Beguiling

NOW IN STOCK: New Nobrow Press and Topatoco Books!

I know some folks have been waiting a little while to get these awesome new releases from Nobrow press in stock, and we’re happy they arrived late Friday evening! Here’s a quick run-down of what you can expect.

NOW IN STOCK FROM NOBROW PRESS:

Nobrow 4 $17 (plus a restock of 1-3)
The fourth exciting collection featuring a line-up of the world’s foremost illustration talent. Featuring original work from the likes of Nora Krug, Stefanie Schilling, McBess, Michael Kirkham, Sean Hudson, Jim Stoten, Jack Teagle, Tom Rowe and newcomers Till Hafenbrak, Ana Albero, Brecht Vandenbroucke. Nobrow magazine, more book than magazine, has fast become a standard for any art director or illustration aficionado, displaying previously unpublished exclusive work from the cream of the crop of the worldwide illustration scene. Printed in limited editions of 3000 copies, Nobrow magazine is not only a beautiful publication, but also a veritable collectors item

Graphic Cosmogony $38
A series of fantastic reinterpretations of various creation myths, in 176 pages of glorious full colour. Features stunning contributions by Stuart Kolakovic, Mikkel Sommers, Brecht Vandenbroucke, Luke Best, Rob Hunter, Jon McNaught, Ben Newman, Andrew Rae, Luke Pearson, Jack Teagle, Jon Boam, Jakob Hindrichs, Clayton Junior, Daniel Locke, Isabel Greenberg, Mike Bertino, Nick White, Rui Tenreiro, Sean Hudson, Luc Melanson, Katia Fouquet, Yeji Yun, Matthew Lyons, Liesbeth De Stercke.

Wolf’s Whistle $20
Albert is a comic-creating, scrawny little wolf who spends his lunch breaks sharing tales of the ‘Lone Wolf’, his heroic graphic alter ego, to his group of misfit friends; dreaming of one day selling the story to the esteemed Wonder Comics. In reality, Albert and his friends did regularly make battle with an evil force, the Honeyroast brothers. The school’s alpha male sports jocks, the three bratty pigs, the sons of the local property magnate, will stop at nothing to torment their weaker classmates. The story resumes many years later when Albert is a mail room assistant at Wonder comics, living in a dingy one bed studio in Brooklyn where the Honeyroast brothers are now reigning as slumlords… A disarming and gorgeous children’s book / comic book, in hardback by Bjorn Rune Lie.

The Bento Bestiary $20
In the 18th Century, Japanese artist Toriyama Sekien attempted to depict each spirit of the ‘yokai’ tradition; an ancient race of demons whose descendants would later terrorise the earth under the guises of Godzilla, Mothra and Rodan. Now, two Bristolian men aim to rediscover the near-forgotten Yokai, and return these ancient beasts to their former glory, in the form of the Bento Bestiary. A gorgeous collection of sharp, mid-20th century design-influence illustrations coupled with enchanting text. By Ben Newman with S J Donaldson.

Hildafolk $13
Hilda is sitting in her tent at night listening to the rumble of the storm passing overhead when she hears a bell. As she hurtles towards the vanishing tinkling sound, Hilda unwittingly embarks on an adventure into strange worlds ruled by magical forces. Luke Pearson tells this exciting tale with his stunningly adept use of line and colour, demonstrating a grasp of graphic storytelling far past his years. Hildafolk is a stellar beginning to what is already a burgeoning UK comic talent.

Temporama $13
Temporama takes place in a city where, like any concrete jungle, technology favours the privileged, and nature is quarantined like a virus. A silent picture story told during one night of primal urges and strange happenings, Temporama is a beautifully simple tale told in Clayton’s trademark bold graphic style.

We also received a healthy batch of books from Topatoco, including Dinosaur Comics, Questionable Content, Sam & Fuzzy, and much more! Look for a post on that tomorrow afternoon.

– Chris @ The Beguiling

NOW IN STOCK: David Collier’s CHIMO Graphic Novel

Fresh from its release party at the War Museum comes David Collier’s newest graphic novel, Chimo, from the fine folks at Conundrum Press. Y’see, some people may not know this but David Collier decided to re-enlist to the Canadian army a few years back at the age of 40. He’s serving in the Canadian Forces Artists Program, and this new work is an account of his re-enlisting, his life today, and his signature digressions into the past and biography of some of his favourite Canadians. It’s a neat book.

Chimo is 128 pages, black and white, and retails for $17.

As a special incentive for folks that are intrigued by this fascinating story, The Beguiling will be offering a special deal on Chimo; with purchase, you can pick up either Collier’s The Frank Ritz Papers or Hamilton Sketchbook for a package price of $25, or get all the books for $30!

Oh, and Daivd was nice enough to send along a small photo, enjoy!

“Here’s your Canadian Forces Artists Program Artists” (that’s David Collier, third from the right).

– Chris @ The Beguiling

ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN! Aya Takano/Shu Uemura Make-Up Gift Set!

ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN AN AYA TAKANO / SHU UEMURA MAKE-UP GIFT SET!

We’ve been granted one more gift set to give away, just in time for an awesome last-minute holiday gift. So we’re having a contest that closes Monday. Here’s what we said about the whole thing last time, and all of the details are below:

About once a year it seems that some savvy cosmetics producer teams up with an utterly amazing illustrator to do some very cool, collectable material. Well the latest collaboration is international cosmetics giants Shu Uemura teaming up with renown illustrator Aya Takano for a limited edition collection of branded/illustrated cosmetics—and we have one of the rare and somewhat expensive sets to give away!

You might remember Aya Takano from the several postcard sets of her work that have been produced, and her art is a major part of the ‘superflat’ movement championed by Takeshi Murakami and Yoshitomo Nara. The art is pretty great is what I’m saying.

Well you can win this amazing gift-set of the co-branded makeup, which includes: Shopping Bag, Branded Padded Purse/Carrying Bag, “Bowwow!” Magic Queen Pallette (eye shadow), Skin Purifier, Lip duo tint & gloss, “Dream Coaster” false eyelashes, Blush Tint, Paint Crayon.

It’s like $300 worth of stuff, it’s a little insane. But also awesome?

For a chance to win, send an e-mail with your name, daytime telephone number, and “BEGUILING TAKANO AYA” in the subject line to beguilingcontests@gmail.com before Monday, December 20th at 12pm (noon). Winners will be drawn and contacted on December 20th, and their first name will be announced on this website.

RULES & REGULATIONS:
1. Subject line MUST contain entrant’s name, phone number, and “BEGUILING TAKANO AYA”, and must be sent to beguilingcontests@gmail.com.
2. Entries must be made from an e-mail address subscribed to The Beguiling’s mailing list. Signup on the front page of http://beguiling.com.
3. Entries must be received before Monday, December 20th 2010 at 12pm (noon)
4. Employees and family members of The Beguiling are not eligible to win.
5. One entry per household/phone number.
6. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited, etc.

Good luck!

– Chris @ The Beguiling

3 Toys that make Great Gifts!

We’re a comic book store, and as such we don’t go in for the toys and statues and all that. But every once in a while something will come along tied to a creator we like, and we’ll bring a few in. Not many people are aware of that necessarily, so here’s a quick guide to some of the cool stuff we’ve got in stock right now.

MILK and CHEESE VINYL ACTION FIGURES
Were $74.95, NOW $30!
A better-than-half-price discount on these awesome figures based on Evan Dorkin’s Milk and Cheese. Comes with a box and weapons!

TIM BURTON’S TRAGIC TOYS (Various)
$14.95-$17.95 for the 3-pack, $24.95 for the large figures

From Tim Burton’s “Oyster Boy” come these sad, upsetting action figures. Perfect for the holidays.

Fone Bone 13″ Plush – $14.95
“Life Size” Fone Bone 26″ Plush – $40.00
These Bone toys are completely sold out everywhere. So far as we can tell, we have exactly three of each left. If you’ve got a young reader just discovering Bone, this will make their whole Christmas.

There’s a lot more in store of course, lots of weird little odds and ends to explore. But these three sets of items are awesome, we have at least a couple available, and are like to be gone by Christmas…!

– Chris @ The Beguiling

REMINDER: DINOSAUR COMICS LAUNCH PARTY NEXT WEEK!

DINOSAUR COMICS BOOK RELEASE
and HOLIDAY PARTY!

It’s the new book, “Dudes Already Know About Chickens!”
Tuesday, December 21st, 2010
7:30-10pm, doors at 7pm
@ Pauper’s Pub, 539 Bloor St. W., 2nd Floor
FREE TO ATTEND
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=171649502866605

Presented by The Beguiling and Topatoco.com

Oh my gosh you guys! Just in time for Christmas, it’s the release of the long-awaited new collection of DINOSAUR COMICS, the awesome webcomic by Toronto’s own Ryan North! It’s called “Dinosaur Comics: Dudes Already Know About Chickens”, and collects all of the strips originally appearing in 2006—NOW IN FULL COLOUR! Author Ryan North will be on hand signing books and meeting and greeting with fans! Copies of the new book will be on sale at the event, as will past books, shirts, and prints! It’s going to be awesome you guys!

We’re launching the book just a few days before a big holiday, so we thought “Why not make it a party that everyone can enjoy?”!!! It’s also THE OFFICIAL DINOSAUR COMICS HOLIDAY PARTY! Food, drinks, merriment! Wear your Santa hats! Bring a Secret Santa gift and you’ll receive one (details below)! And much more!

All of this is happening Tuesday, December 21st, at Pauper’s Pub (539 Bloor St W, near Bathurst TTC), on the second floor. We hope we’ll see you there…!

SECRET SANTA RULES:
If you would like to participate:
– Please bring a wrapped gift with a monetary value of no more than $5.
– Go to the book sales table and trade your gift for a numbered ticket.
– At 8:30pm, we’ll call out the numbers, and when your number is called you’ll have your choice of the available gifts!
– Please mark on the outside of the gift if your item contains food and especially if it contains common allergens including peanuts, gluten, etc., so that people with allergies will be able to make an informed Secret Santa Selection.
– Participation is by no means mandatory, but we thought it might be fun!

ABOUT
“Dinosaur Comics: Dudes Already Know About Chickens” is a new, 256 page, full colour collection of strips by Ryan North, and published by Topatoco. It will retail for $20 Canadian. You can find Dinosaur Comics online every day at http://qwantz.com .

The Beguiling is Canada’s premier retailer of comics, graphic novels, manga and more, and has been for more than 20 years!

Shipping December 15th, 2010

The following comics and graphic novels are scheduled to ship The Beguiling Books & Art on Wednesday, December 15th, 2010. All Prices listed in U.S. Funds. Variant prices are generally accurate to what we will be charging in store, but all disputes between prices will defer to the stickered, in-store price.

Click here for the complete list: http://beguiling.com/101215shipping.txt

The Beguiling Recommends:


JUL101046 Mad Woman o/t Sacred Heart HC   29.95 – New. Moebius. In. English.


SEP101020 Usagi Yojimbo Special Edition HC 100.00Collecting all 7 volumes of the Fantagraphics Usagi Yojimbo books in one, two-volume slipcase edition… with tons of bonus material. An amazing treatment of a great comic.

SEP101204 Not Love But Delicious Foods GN Vol 01  10.99 A brand new manga collection from Fumi Yoshinaga. An autobiographical account of Yoshinaga’s adventure in Tokyo’s culinary world–nothing has been published like it in English, and by all accounts its excellent! I’m personally really looking forward to this.

Also of note:

OCT100299 Assassins Creed The Fall #2 (of 3)  3.99 – The second issue from Cameron Stewart and Karl Kerschl! Looking great!
SEP100056 Metalocalypse Dethklok #2 (of 3) Eric Powell Var Cvr  5.00 – Continuing the new stories from the creator of the TV Series, very funny if this is your sort of thing.
AUG101067 Disease Of Language GN  18.99This outstanding collection of the two collaborative short comics by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell is now finally back in print!
OCT101093 Glamazonia The Uncanny Super Tranny GN  24.99 – Fabulous! And I’m not just saying that. TCAF guest and all-around great guy Justin Hall brings us a superhero for a new generation.
JUL100050 Motel Art Improvement Service HC  19.99 – It’s Jason Little, with the long-gestating follow-up to Shutterbug Follies! Awesome!
OCT100418 Mystery Society TP Vol 01 19.99 – This was a really fun little action/adventure comic, well written by Steve Niles and well-drawn by Canadian artist Fiona Staples.
SEP101153 Street Fighter Legends Ibuki TP Vol 03 14.99
Our buddy Jim Zubkavich (of Skullkickers fame!) wrote this 4 issue mini-series, blending high-school hijinks with but-kicking action, all featuring a teenage-girl-ninja. Many of you will remember the signing we held in-store for the very first issue of this fantastic book, and now the trade paperback has arrived! We hope you enjoy it.
OCT101209 Yotsuba! GN Vol 09  10.99 – New Yotsuba!


– Chris @ The Beguiling

Le Beguiling est découvert par Le Métropolitain – The Beguiling is discovered by Le Métropolitain

While we appreciate all of the press coverage that we receive here at The Beguiling, my favourite types of articles are the ones where the journalist in question “discovers” the store in the way that so many of our customers do. We’re aware that the shop can sometimes seem intimidating, particularly to newcomers, and the shelves are stacked high with every type of comic, graphic novel, art book, and more. But we’ve always maintained that The Beguiling is a wonderful place to “poke around” in, to just sort of pick a shelf and see what it offers, and we’re delighted that Raphaël Lopoukhine, a journalist for Le Métropolitain (one of Toronto’s several French-language newspapers) did just that.

You can find the complete article at http://www.lemetropolitain.com/nouvelles.asp?jID=1&nID=14852, and while the general tone is a bit downbeat, lamenting the lack of brick-and-mortar options for French-language books in Toronto, it is very kind and positive about The Beguiling and our selection of French comic books. Here’s the quote,

“Des conseils, vous en trouverez dans la librairie The Beguiling, sur la rue Markham. Une librairie spécialisée dans la bande dessinée, y compris francophone (le patron est un grand amateur du genre francophone). Et force est de constater que la collection est très complète. Tant pour les classiques que les œuvres plus expérimentales où que les dernières nouveautés (on y trouve le dernier Blacksad!). Pour un prix équivalent au prix québécois.

“The Beguiling est donc le seul véritable point positif du marché fixe du livre en français à Toronto. Mais l’endroit vaut vraiment la peine d’y passer et de s’y arrêter. “

– Raphaël Lopoukhine, Le Métropolitain 

with a quick translation:

Advice is something you will find at The Beguiling, a bookstore on Markham Street. Specializing in comics, including French-language material (the owner is a big fan). It must be said the collection is very complete. Not just the classics but also more experimental material and the latest releases (we found the latest Blacksad!) The prices are the same as in Quebec.

The Beguiling is thus the only positive thing to mention in terms of brick and mortar book retail in Toronto. It is really worth a visit.  

– Raphaël Lopoukhine, Le Métropolitain 

Since this article appeared in both the print and online versions of the newspaper a few weeks back, a dozen or so new customers for BD (bande dessinée, or French comics albums) have made their way to the store, finding books they didn’t know they could get locally for themselves and their children. Everything from complete runs of Tintin and Asterix in French to, as Raphaël pointed out, the very newest volume of Blacksad by Guardino and Canales. In addition to trying to keep a solid selection of new and classic material, we are always happy to take special orders for books not carried on the shelves, and even that business has seen a lovely uptick over the past few weeks…!

Thanks very much to Raphaël and Le Métropolitain for the coverage. And if you happen to be out looking for French-language comics and graphic novels this winter–or any kind of comics and graphic novels really–feel free to stop by.

– Chris @ The Beguiling