• The folks over at DVDActive seem to have nabbed the first glimpse at the cover for the forthcoming Clerks II DVD. They also list specs for the disc, the first we’ve seen — Not sure if this is official, but here goes:

Sounds great to us — We’re expecting they’ll pack it all onto one disc. We don’t expect the sheer amount of deleted scenes we’ve seen in the past, though the documentary sounds fantastic (and we assume will be built from Train Wreck footage). We’ll keep you posted, and of course have a first look right here as soon as a test disc comes our way. Until then, see below’s newsbites for a scan that holds even more clues.

• The extensive short film contest “Movies Askew”, hosted for the past hear by View Askew Productions, held a gala event awarding the top prizes last night, September 6th, at Cinespace in Hollywood, California. Kevin, Jennifer, director Richard Kelly, and many contest finalists, stars, and other personalities were on hand to celebrate the culmination of our first-ever private, fan-created film festival.

In photos above, courtesy Movidude74, the grand prize goes to “Up Syndrome” (see the photo of Kevin and the winner above). An unplanned special recognition was awarded in absentia to “Perils in Nude Modeling” presented by Richard Kelly. And, in the final photo, the director of “Chingaso the Clown” accepts the Audience Award. Congratulates to all the winners, finalists and thanks to all who took the time to participate in this fantastic event. Will we do it again? Stay tuned and find out details.

The grand prize winner took home an amazing package of Panasonic goodies, including the spectacular AG-DVX100A camera.

• Much thanks to the overwhelming amount of fans who sent us their Clerks II ticket stub for a chance to win the newly released “The Tick vs. Season One” on DVD, from Buena Vista Home Video. We have five lucky randomly selected winners from all the entries received straight ahead. If you see your name here, and you don’t hear from us first, hit us with your shipping info, and we’ll get your prizes out to ya.

See that? Checking out View Askew flicks in the theater is the gift that keeps on giving. Sorry we couldn’t give ya all a prize. Thanks to all who enetered, and thanks again to Buena Vista for offering up the fun prizes. If you dig the fast, dry humor of Clerks: The Animated Series, you’ll certainly love The Tick as well.

• Two new scans from Home Retailing Magazine to kick off newsbites today. First up, a shot of Jay with pal Andy Milonakis at his FYE DVD signing. More telling, however, is a NEW scan on the Clerks II DVD with quotes and info from Kevin. In it, learn of the Clerks II deleted scenes slated for the disc, the documentary, and more.
• Catch the great, personable Brian O’Halloran at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville this Friday night. He will be doing a Q&A after a 9:30 screening of Clerks. It should start around 10:30. Sounds like something you can’t miss if you’re in the area.
• Clerks II has received a coveted “15” rating in the UK without any cuts.
• Ben Affleck is the main subject of this Hollywoodland article from MSN movies. His turn as George Reeves has been highly praised by fans and critics who’ve seen the flick.
• TMZ checks in with some interesting Jason Lee news today: