• Thanks to the incredible generosity of the fans and of Kevin Smith, a donation of $67,650 has been made to the Red Cross to aid in relief efforts from Hurricane Katrina. Here’s the rundown:

Kevin matched the total of the auctions with a very generous donation out of his own pocket. Thanks, all, for making this auction a smashing success.

• Just in time for today’s huuuuge event at Stash West (webcams are active HERE), the once extinct Mallrats book has been resurrected and is not only being purchased in droves there, but can now be purchased by YOU via our very own Stash website. This book has been reprinted and enhanced with the COMPLETE MALLRATS SCRIPT — Making it better than ever! For the first time in over TEN YEARS, $14.99 buys you this beautiful collector’s item. 96 pages of full color goodness. Get one before they’re extinct AGAIN!

• We’re pleased to report that the Stash is now officially taking preorders for the next must-have addition to any discerning View Askew fan’s colletion — The Mallrats 10th Anniversary DVD! This disc features a totally new cut of the film, never seen anywhere before. Oh, and then there’s that Mallrats Q&A reuinion filmed at the Arclight. New intros and Q&A with Kevin and Scott? Got that. A new “look back” documentary, cut together by the brilliant JM Kenny? Check. Never before seen bloopers? You bet. Oh, and what about some easter eggs? Gotta have those, right?

Kevin’s personally signing each and every pre-ordered copy and getting them into your hands lickety-split after the September 20th street date. So don’t delay — Get at the top of the list, and be the first on your block with Mallrats X! $34.99 for each personally signed copy. Earlier orders get top priority. RESERVE YOURS NOW!

• We’re pleased to report that the Stash is now officially taking preorders for the next must-have addition to any discerning View Askew fan’s colletion — The Mallrats 10th Anniversary DVD! This disc features a totally new cut of the film, never seen anywhere before. Oh, and then there’s that Mallrats Q&A reuinion filmed at the Arclight. New intros and Q&A with Kevin and Scott? Got that. A new “look back” documentary, cut together by the brilliant JM Kenny? Check. Never before seen bloopers? You bet. Oh, and what about some easter eggs? Gotta have those, right?

Kevin’s personally signing each and every pre-ordered copy and getting them into your hands lickety-split after the September 20th street date. So don’t delay — Get at the top of the list, and be the first on your block with Mallrats X! $34.99 for each personally signed copy. Earlier orders get top priority. RESERVE YOURS NOW!

• If you’re like us, you can’t get enough of the View Askew inaction figures series. We just love the way these things look on the shelf and each set just seems to out-cool the last. So, naturally, when we heard they were making Kevin Smith figures, variants for many of his con appearances this year, we just knew they’d be a hot item.

Lucky for you, if you weren’t able to attend Wizard World San Diego, the SD variant of the Kevin Smith inaction figure IS now available for purchase through the Stash. However, we MUST warn you, a VERY limited amount were made, and these things are very likely going to sell out before the week is out. Do NOT wait, order one (or two or more) now, because they don’t do new runs of these, and Bob Chapman told us that the last variant was basically impossible to keep in stock (it’s now long gone).

$15 each, and you’ll own a rare piece of View Askew merch. Do not hesitate.

• Here’s a great new item available for preorder from the Stash just in time for the summer months, the Clerks Hat. We thought we saw the last of these hats in the Mallrats dirt mall, but we were wrong. Order yours today!

Originally created by Scott Mosier’s sister Kristin, only 4 of these hats were in existence until now. The Clerks logo hat features the ‘Clerks’ typewriter logo embroidered in white on an adjustable black hat. One the back the words, “I’m not even supposed to be here today!” reflect the famous words uttered repeatedly by Dante Hicks.

• A while back, we mentioned chatting with Bob Chapman about the concept of a Chasing Amy “playset” to go along with the inactions — Bob wasn’t sure it was the final decision at the time, and with the figures only at the con, we weren’t sure. Now, Kevin has revealed that the Marina Diner will indeed become a reality! Though it wasn’t prototyped in time for the con, here’s some exclusive concept artwork that should give you an idea what to expect. So yeah, now you’ve got to find MORE room on your shelf than ever! We were kind of hoping they’d put some SUGAR on the table for Jay, though…

• It’s been a while since we’ve seen any new concepts for inaction figures, so why NOT let San Diego be the debut ground for the new CHASING AMY INACTION FIGURES? Everything else that’s cool seems to be happening there this weekend, as well (including a major appearance from Kevin TODAY!). Yet again, these things just seem to get cooler and cooler with each passing wave. Silent Boba Fett was on the scene snapping pics of a bewildered Holden, an angry Alyssa, a belligerent Banky, a defiant comic collector (yes, Mos makes his FIRST appearance as an inaction figure, hooray!), and, last but not least, a deceptively threatening Hooper X (also the first inaction appearance for Dwight Ewell).

So now that you see them, all you want to know is…WHEN WHEN WHEN…Right? Well, we sadly don’t have an official date (but you can bet we’ll be hitting Chappy up for hints as soon as possible), though prototypes in the past have taken only a few months from finished state to mass production. Our guess? Sometime in October. But don’t quote us on that. For now, enjoy the pics, and start making space on your shelves for 5 more. More news later.

• BIG news for those of you who have been looking for one of the View Askew holy grails to add to your collection. The incredibly rare MALLRATS book is coming BACK for a reprinting just in time to celebrate the film’s 10th anniversary (and DVD release). Not only THAT, this article is announcing, for the first time we’ve seen, a SEPTEMBER 20TH RELEASE DATE for the new Mallrats DVD! Yes, the cool gets cooler. Here’s that very blurb, courtest of the July issue of “Previews” magazine from Diamond:

MALLRATS TP

by Kevin Smith

They say that “Time heals all wounds”, so we felt after ten years it was finally safe to re-release the book that nobody wanted, showcasing the movie that nobody saw. To coincide with the release of the Mallrats 10th Anniversary DVD, Graphitti Designs and View Askew are pleased to offer you the Mallrats Trade Paperback. Features the complete movie script by Kevin Smith blended together with a shitload of newly designed visual content that includes pictures, drawings, diagrams and behind the scenes Mallrats stuff. 96 pages of action, adventure and shopping antic. The Mallrats 10th Anniversary DVD goes on sale September 20th. Take advantage of “Mallrats Fever” and discover for yourself just how much times have changed. Everyone loves Mallrats today!! Like a fine wine, Mallrats has matured to become a classic on par with Citizen Kane, Casablanca and Barbwire. Go figure!! SC, 96 pgs, FC $14.95

You can bet your lunch money that we’ll be selling these signed through the Stash, and of course we’ll let you know when you can get in those pre-orders. They sold out the run once before, we wouldn’t be surprised to see it happen yet again. And those of you who looked long and hard for your first editions, never fear — They’re just a like a first edition of anything, they’ll never lose their value, both sentimental and otherwise. We’re very happy that so many of you will finally have a chance to own this colorful, 96 page chunk ‘o fun.

As for the DVD release date, we’ll mark the calendars now, and let you know if we hear a confirmation or denial on that one.

• Stash West continues its series of amazing signing opportunites, this time, with a signing session to celebrate the release of Season 2 of Degrassi: The Next Generation onto DVD (note, a lot of you who don’t know the show may be wondering, is this Kev’s season? — It’s not, Kevin’s episodes are in Season 4). This is your chance to get your hands on the set, meet some of the show’s talented cast, and get your box signed. Oh, and hey, Kevin and Jay will be there, too. Yep, Jay and Bob AT Jay & Bob’s Secret Stash. Don’t miss it. Here’s details:

LOVE DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION? LOVE SIGNED DVD’S?

Then, whatever it takes, make sure you get to JAY & SILENT BOB’S SECRET STASH on June 25th at 2:00pm:

Kevin Smith and The Kids from Degrassi Hit Los Angeles!

Degrassi: The Next Generation Stars to Appear at Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash

FUNimation Entertainment sponsors June 25 event to kick off the release of the Degrassi: The Next Generation Season 2 Ultimate Box Set

WHO:

She plays Ellie,the Goth cutie with the cutting issues! He’s plays Marco, the gay teen heartthrob of Degrassi! And they’re both coming to Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash to take pics with fans and sign your copies of the Degrassi Season Two box-set!

Also in attendance will be those two glory whores Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes.

WHAT:

Degrassi autograph signing party where fans have the opportunity to meet the actors from the show. The party is the official west coast celebrity appearance for the release of the Degrassi: The Next Generation Season 2 Ultimate Box Set, available nationwide on Tuesday, June 21 from FUNimation Entertainment. For more information about the signing party, fans can log onto, and check the message boards for the latest event news and updates.

Degrassi: The Next Generation airs regularly on Friday nights at 8:00 p.m. (ET) on The N, the nighttime network for teens. A new summer season of Degrassi: The Next Generation premieres Friday, July 1.

WHEN: Saturday, June 25, 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Jay and Silent Bob¹s Secret Stash
1045 Westwood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024

Funimation, who are sponsoring the event, have a TON of details on this signing as well as a non-Stash east coast event happening THIS Saturday (No Kevin or Jay at that one, folks). If you’re a fan, or you’re just looking for a good new show to check out during the summer TV doldrums, here’s your answer. View Askew’s event page, with similar info (with Ming’s beautiful graphical talents) is HERE.