• Box Office Mojo is predicting an August 11th, 2006 bow for Clerks 2. However, Kevin has said that the date is still very much up in the air, and could move to August 18th or August 25th. At least we can rule out that FIRST weekend of August. We’ll let you know when we know.

• Our favorite dude behind the camera, Albert Ortega, once again checks in with his beautiful hi-res shots from a recent Kevin appearance: This time, the Wondercon. Check out the action photos from the Q&A, as well as the meeting of the minds, Smith with Lost/Alias/MI:3 JJ Abrams. As always, click the thumbnails on these, as they blow up real good to a very crisp, clear shot. Thanks again to Mr. Ortega for sharing his work with us.

• Ethan Suplee is cited as one of “TV’s Top Everymen” in this USA Today article. Kevin’s name also comes up.
• Zak & Joey’s brilliant “Train Wreck” work gets a nice shout-out from supersite IGN this week. In particular, the “360 Shot” episode.
• And last, but certainly not least today: Get ready for a new item for discussion at Kevin’s live shows — Ben Affleck is appearing in UK ads for Lynx deodorant/fragrance. Watch the clicker add up HERE. Later! Click.

• Those ever-vigilant dudes at the IESB were on the case for Kevin’s recent appearance at Wondercon (yes, Clerks 2 footage WAS shown!). They sure know how to get to the point with the tough, direct questions, and Kevin was surprisingly honest with his answers. There’s some stuff in this video clip that you already know, probably — Like the fact that Clerks 2 had some minor edits and screens again for a select audience sometime soon — But the BIG news is that he’s in the process of scripting a new, NON-ASKEWNIVERSE comedy flick! No further details than that, but exciting to know that we’ve got something new and original in the works, and that it’ll be his second foray outside of our fun little world. We’ll be watching and waiting for that announcement.

Check out their excellent report, along with multi-format video, right HERE.

• Slashfilm has an outstanding review/report on Kevin’s appearance at Wondercon. However, we DO warn you — There’s a detailed description of the Clerks 2 scene showed at the con there, and a few other spoilers for the flick, in general. Nothing major, but it’ll definitely have you coming in “less” clean. So what else did we learn at Wondercon this year? Here’s a summary:

• Kevin revealed that there are no long-term radio deals with ALICE, though future appearances are still possible.
• Kevin officially no longer has anything to do with the Fletch or Green Hornet projects.
• Walt Flanagan will appear, in some form, in Clerks 2.
• The Clerks: Sell Out animated film is still on the bubble, and will hopefully start production in 2007.
• He may restart the Daredevil/Bullseye: The Target series from scratch, since the Daredevil universe has changed a bit since 2003. That won’t be until 2007, though.
• He’s considering creating a comic book that details events that take place between Clerks and Clerks 2. It won’t be ready for the Clerks 2 release, sadly, and may not happen at all. Just an idea.

Thanks to Jay for his excellent reporting on that one!

• Kevin’s scripting of “Superman Returns” gets mentioned in the timeline in the latest issue of Premiere Magazine. His photo is in there along with the fact that Tim Burton and Nic Cage were also attached to the project at that time.
• Clerks is tracking at a poll asking your favorite all-time Indie film over at Hollywood Video. The one that started it all is at #4 at presstime — Your votes could raise it up! Get yours counted!
• “My Name Is Earl”’s karma concept gets a mention in a new USA Today article on Hinduism. And hey, did you know a country music star auditioned for the lead role on that show? Interesting…
• Finally today — With the popularity of online blogging software LiveJournal, there’s now a site where you can “fight” one term or person verus another, to see who’s got the most mentions. At presstime, In the battle of “Silent Bob” vs. “Jay”, Jay wins 1498 to 988… BUT “Kevin Smith” whoops up on “Jason Mewes”, 27393 to 1042. Fun stuff. Thanks for dropping by today!

• Buy a one-of-a-kind and get a great prize. A poster-sized autographed photo taken at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, autographed by Kevin personally, is one of the many items up for bids in HP’s charity auction supporting Habitat for Humanity’s Katrina and Rita rebuilding efforts. You’ll win the unique photo, along with a beautiful HP portable printer (also signed by Kevin). HP will donate a matching 100% of your winning bid to the cause as well.

At presstime, the photo and printer are still quite affordable. With less than a day left to bid, you don’t have much time, so hurry over, and help benefit a worthy cause.

• Okay, so we all know that the long-awaited Chasing Amy inaction figures are due to hit sometime later this year, if all goes well, hopefully with the first playset (The Marina Diner). However, in the latest Toyfare magazine, Bob Chapman of Graphitti Designs broke BIG news on what’s coming next: Two waves of Clerks 2 inaction figures to promote the new film! Here’s the dish:

Knowing Bob, we may see some prototypes sooner than later! We’ll keep our eyes and ears open for ya.

• In a new Zap2It article, Kevin reveals his preference to appear in, rather than direct, television, again citing a possible appearance on “My Name Is Earl” at some point. Some fun new quotes inside. Here’s an excerpt:

• Catch Jason Lee as a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno — Wednesday, March 1st! Expect some Earl references and perhaps a chicken pox joke or three. Mark your calendars!
• The famous View Askew Pixel Pound is now safely in its new home at PixelPound.com, on a new server with loads of space for all those pictures you’ve got from all your View Askew events. Get on over there and check out their newest software with improved features, along with that amazing, ever-growing image database. The biggest source of View Askew photos on the web is the View Askew Pixel Pound!
• You saw that possible flying car image in our newsbites recently, now check out THIS story — Seems Randal’s dream is becoming even closer of a reality, according to a program being run by some MIT scientists.
• The always informative IMDB presents more insight on the re-titling of Ben Affleck’s upcoming George Reeves biopic:

• A while back we reported on the newly formed Weinstein Co’s intention to release Clerks 2 on high definition DVD. Before that, however, it looks like they’ll begin issuing their first standard-releases with “Derailed”, eventually followed by a long-awaited Kill Bill Special Edition, which the Weinsteins own the rights to release. Nice! Thanks to The Digital Bits for the scoopage.
• Jason Lee fans, take note: We’re getting reports that novelty store Spencer Gifts has started carrying “My Name Is Earl” tees, both of which feature Lee’s unmistakable mug. They’re selling fast.
• And on a final fun note today — Cable movie channel Starz Edge had a fun playlist tonight — Clerks, followed by NAVY SEALS! We kid you not. There’s got to be a programmer at the network with a good sense of humor. Catch ya next time…More news on the way!

• Okay, so do we need to say ANYTHING?? At all??? It’s not often a Red Bank Vulgarthon happens. In fact, by our count, this will only be the 4rd EVER. We can’t stress enough how important it is you buy tickets NOW and save the date of May 31st, 2006, as we’re holding the event at the Clearview Cinemas yet again (and why not?) — This means seating is LIMITED! Expect a much more intimate affair than LA, if only due to the lesser number of attendees.

Special guests, Q&A fun, and the chance to see Small Town, Gay Bar and the amazing Jersey Girl extended cut for the first time EVER on the east coast. Oh, and how about the Tea Party doc, screened only ONCE before for Vulgarthon West? Oh, and then there’s the matter of that…ahem…MYSTERY film…Need we say more?? You WANT TO BE THERE!

Click the graphic, grab the credit card, and book away. Remember, you gotta be a member of the Web Board at View Askew to attend. If you’re not, REGISTER and qualify yourself.

Don’t delay…And don’t blame us if you miss out when this sells out FAST!