Tag: Girly Geek

A Busy Geek’s Best Friend

Apr. 04 Comic Books 1 comment

This might come as a shock to all of you…but I have not been to the comic book shop since my daughter was born.

Trust me…it’s not for lack of wanting, because believe me…I want to go. There’s just something about being surrounded by geeks as I browse the plethora of shelves that just takes me to my special, happy place–not to be confused with the special euphoric bliss I felt when I went to my first Comic Con.

The simple fact of the matter is that between my staying home with the baby and my hubby working so very hard during the week, neither of us have the energy for anything other than grocery shopping when hubby’s days off come around. Don’t get me wrong…I always knew that a baby would keep me busy, but I never realized just how busy! Then there was the whole nightmare with my gall bladder (an incident which shall forever live in infamy) and the recovery period that followed, which really put me in a mood to not go anywhere.

As you can imagine, my comic book reading has severely suffered as a result of all that has happened over the course of the past nine months. The lack of visits to the comic book shop also led to our box being emptied and all of the accumulated comic books that had been put aside for us being put back onto the shelves. This would of course mean that hubby and I would have to start over and re-gather all the comics we were missing (not a difficult providing the shop had all the issues we needed, but a lengthy and sometimes daunting process should the shop be missing what we need).

ipad-2However, it seems that my iPad never ceases to impress and amaze me.

You might recall from one of my earlier posts, that I fell completely in love with my iPad2 after years of steadfastly declaring that I would never possess any kind of e-reading device. However, the fact that I’m able to get digital copies of comic books on my iPad via the plethora of handy-dandy apps just makes me love my device all the more. Now, I know that digital comic apps are hardly new news, but for someone who’s never really had a need for them until now (in truth, it was the piece of me still remaining from the me which was so against e-readers rearing her ugly head, and declaring that comics books were better in their physical form), they are a godsend! Does this mean that hubby and I are getting rid of our physical comic books?

HELL NO!

Comixology is of course the mother of all these apps (especially since you need to have a comixology account in order to download the comics from a lot of the apps), but there are several other apps in the app store that are more specifically tailored to your needs. comixology

For example, say you only read DC comics, there’s an app specifically for that so you don’t have to sift through an endless array of comics in order to find the ones you’re looking for. There’s also an app for Marvel as well as for IDW. As if that wasn’t allowing you to get specific enough, IDW has apps that focus solely on their more popular comic book titles such as Doctor Who, Star Trek, Transformers, and my personal favorite…Teenage MUTANT Ninja Turtles. You’re not only able to buy the issues individually, but you’re also able to buy compilations as well.

Don’t have the money to spend on comics for a few weeks or even a few months because money is tight (as is the case with a lot of people right now)? No worries! The apps themselves are free, and there’s no comic store-imposed time limit in which you have to work in order to ensure the comics on your pull-list (and subsequently in your box) don’t get put back on the shelves for other customers. Because the digital copies of the comics don’t sell out and require reprinting due to high demand, you’re able to take your sweet time in purchasing issues of your favorite series. It’s the perfect tool for the busy geeks who have difficulty fitting going to the comic book shop into their busy schedule, and you don’t have to pay for any shipping or delivery charges like you would if you ordered the comic books over the Internet.

And that’s not even the best part!

If you wait a couple of weeks before buying up the latest issue, the price drops so you’re buying the comic at a discounted price. Instead of paying $3.99 plus tax at your local comic book shop, you’re only paying $1.99, or in the event of a special, 99 cents!

How amazing is that?!

Comixology and iPads are truly a busy geek’s best friends!

Have you hugged your nerd today?

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The Saga of Pandora Zwieback Annual #1

Mar. 07 Comic Books, Press Release, Previews no comments

Publisher: StarWarp Concepts
Writer: Steven A. Roman & Sholly Fisch
Artist: Eliseu Gouveia, Ernie Colón, & Elizabeth Watasin
Release Date: May 22, 2013

SWC_PanAnnualCvrGreetings, fellow nerds!

I once again bring you tidings of my new favorite goth girl (move over, Emily the Strange!).

That’s right, people: Pan is back in 56 full-color pages covering three brand new adventures!

Set after the events of Book 2 (don’t worry, the graphic novel is released a whole month after Book 2 hits the shelves, so you’ll have plenty of time to get caught up), we see Pan trying to move on with her life. At first, things seem to be moving on an upward swing for our favorite goth with “Monstervision”. She’s got a new boyfriend (Javi from Blood Feud), and while her initial meeting with his family is a little bumpy, it proves to be nothing that the two lovebirds can’t share a laugh over.

One particular example of this is Javi’s aunt dousing Pan with holy water from a super-soaker because she believes that Pan worships the devil because Pan’s a goth. She and Javi do in fact laugh about it afterwards, and the reader gets the impression that everything is going to continue at the simple, easy pace. After all, it’s summer and the two lovebirds are happily joking back and forth about their families while strolling through Central Park.

However, if the events from Blood Feud have taught us anything, it’s that nothing in Pan’s life, is ever easy and simple for very long. This only proves itself when her “Monstervision” kicks in and reveals Javi’s ex-girlfriend’s true colors.

Despite this however, one can rest assured that Pan’s quick, snarky wit will shine through whatever darkness and trouble she faces, like a beacon through the fog.

I was fortunate enough to get a peek at the first 6 pages, and even with that small glimpse, I am beyond excited for what is to come! The artwork is very well done, and I can’t wait to see it progress within future pages.

Both print and digital versions go on sale May 22, 2013. The print edition will be
available at finer comic shops; the digital edition will be available for download
from StarWarpConcepts.com and DriveThruComics.com.

 

Have you hugged your nerd today?

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Pandora Zwieback: Blood Feud

Mar. 07 Literature, Reviews no comments

Pandora_Zwieback_1__Blood_Feud_by_SteveRomanOne of the many perks of working here at Word of the Nerd (aside from being in good company when I either get caught up in a fit of nerdrage or fangirl euphoria) is that on occasion, I get free copies of awesome tomes (of both the written and drawn varieties) for review. This time is certainly no exception.

Written by Steven A. Roman (the same genius who brought you the graphic novel, Lorelei: Sects in the City), and distributed by StarWarp Concepts,  Blood Feud is the first book in the saga revolving around Pandora “Pan” Zwieback–a sixteen year old goth girl with the ability to see supernatural beings that normally go unseen by normal people. This of course begs the question…

Are the creatures really there, or is Pan simply insane?

Naturally, I’m not going to give away any major plot points or spoilers, but I am going to go on at length about what makes this book awesome.

In a world where young adult literature seems dominated by whiny vampires that sparkle like disco balls instead of bursting into flames when they walk into the sunlight, it’s beyond refreshing to pick up a book in which the fanged ones return to their badass roots…you know, the way they were portrayed in Blade, Underworld, or even Buffy.

It covered everything; walls, floor, and ceiling. Spattered about like one of those Jackson Pollock paintings he’d moved through black market channels two years ago. As far as Morrison could recall, though, Pollack never used major organs and unspooled intestines for his brushes.

See what I mean? Vampires are badass, and that’s just one example of the level of imagery awaiting within the pages of this book. Roman continues to prove his skill with the English language all throughout the pages of this tome by painting vivid pictures with words that you normally would not put together…but once your eyes glance over them, you can’t stop yourself from imagining the image they create at length within your mind…

But, honestly, who would ever expect a bunch of Roman Catholic priests to be so well-armed? With high-powered army-issue sniper rifles, no less?

See what I mean? You can’t stop thinking about  a group of priests ready to unleash the fury of God with a hail of bullets, now can you?

And if they could make it past the damned sharpshooting priest…

Again…one would never think about putting the words ‘sharpshooting’ and ‘priest’ together, but Roman makes it work as only he can, and that line makes me giggle every time I read it. That and…

…bullet-assisted wardrobe malfunction.

Other authors might have written something akin to “his clothing was riddled with bullet holes” or “his clothing now resembled that of Swiss cheese thanks to the barrage of bullets”, but Roman took a simpler path; and while it was less wordy, it nevertheless delivered the message and delivered it well.

While being a young adult book centering around a sixteen year old goth girl, this book is blessedly free of being completely filled with the teenage angst and drama that seems to run rampant in all young adult novels these days. What do I mean by this? I mean that adults can enjoy this book as well…just like the Harry Potter series (and don’t even try to deny reading them, all you grown-ups out there…you know you were sneaking peeks the second your son or daughter put one of the books down for the night). Am I saying that this series is just like Harry Potter?

Absolutely not!

They could not be more different.

Just like in Highlander…there can be only one.

There can be only one Harry Potter, just as there can be only one Pandora Zwieback, but both characters and their sagas can be enjoyed by both teenagers and adults alike. Don’t misunderstand me, there is a little bit of angst (and no it’s not because Pan is a goth, she is by no means locking herself up in her room cutting herself while writing poetry on how much she hates life and everybody in the world). After all, Pandora is a teenage girl which means that she has to deal with school-related drama as well as disagreements with her divorced parents, but they are not the primary focus of the story. Yes, those moments are there (the story would lack a certain amount of realism if everything was nothing but lollipops and candy canes 24/7), but these events happen mostly in the background or the sidelines–coming into the spotlight every so often without stealing too much focus from the rest of the story.

As with Lorelei: Sects in the City, humor is brilliantly used to keep otherwise dark and morbid situations from being overtly so.

“I don’t believe it,” he heard Noureddine say, as the ghoul’s voice echoed down the corridor. “You take three rounds bang in the chest without batting an eye–but you duck when he throws the gun at you?”

As you can see, I could very happily keep peppering you with shining examples of well-written turns of phrase and memorable quotes (and believe me, I’ve underlined several within the 310 pages), but then that would take all the fun out of your finding them for yourself when you read the book. Though, as a side note (and I’m not sure if it was an intentional ‘treasure hunt’ for geeks or not), there was a character named ‘Dalek’ that just tickled the Whovian inside me to no end.

Overall, the story was very well written, and I can’t wait until I can get my hands on Book 2…especially since Book 1 ended on a cliffhanger! Suffice to say, April can’t get here soon enough!

 

Have you hugged your nerd today?

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Michael Bay…Poking the Bear

Feb. 22 Editorials, Fanatics, Fandom Friday, Movies, News no comments

tmnt-shadowsGrab your torches and pitchforks, fellow TMNT fans, because just when you thought the hurting and the nightmare was finally over, it comes back with a vengeance just like any main antagonist in a horror film. You know what I’m talking about…that moment at the end every horror movie where the surviving hero or heroine thinks that everything is going to be okay and go back to normal…only to either catch a glimpse of the creature that had been terrorizing them for the length of the film or to be attacked outright by the monster right before the camera goes to black.

Think my image is a little far-fetched? I don’t think so, because for me and any other TMNT fans out there, this whole ordeal has been nothing but a real-life horror film.

It would seem that not only is Michael Bay’s abortion of a Turtles movie back in production and slated for a for a release on May 16, 2014, but that he’s also chosen to add insult to injury by casting none other than Megan Fox as the lead female role…which can only mean that she’s going to play April O’Neil.

Think I’m making this up?

Oh, I wish I was. I wish when my husband informed me of this factoid this morning that he was only pranking me as he so often likes to do. If that were the case, I could go back to simply enjoying the beautiful snowy day. But the proof is written right here in black and white, so instead I have donned myself in my TMNT pajamas as a sort of battle-armor while I write out yet another rant about this never-ending nightmare because, frankly, it feels more productive than simply screaming my rage into a pillow.

So much for Michael Bay being, in Fox’s words, “a nightmare to work for” because apparently the ruin of more childhood heroes is more than enough to make these two people kiss and make up. After all, who has time to hold a grudge when there’s a fandom to destroy?

Now, I’m not angry that Bay is casting a brunette in the role of April. After all, in the original comics by Eastman megan-foxand Laird, April was a brunette. She became a red-head in the cartoons, but she started off as a brunette so hair color is not the issue here. No, I am angry because Bay isn’t interested in casting an actress who could actually bring substance to the role and once again bring life to a beloved character as Judith Hoag and Paige Turco have done before. Each actress brought her own energy to the character and put her own spin on her–Judith’s April had more of a nurturing, maternal energy whereas Paige’s April was more of a spunky big sister to the turtles.

What will Megan Fox bring to the table? Sultry vapidness and big boobs.

That is not April!

Regardless of whether she’s a lab assistant, a news reporter, a relic hunter, or a teenager, April is smart, quick-thinking, spunky, scrappy, friendly and able to be a smart-ass when the situation calls for it. Yes, she’s sometimes the damsel in distress (mostly the case in the original cartoon series from the 1980′s), but for the most part, she can take care of herself. She is NOT a sex-kitten…regardless of the fanart that you find littering the internet. Regardless of how some fans portray her in her art, that was NOT the way April was written in any of her incarnations.

Seriously, at this point Bay should just take lighter fluid and matches to the TMNT fandom because by the time he’s done with this atrocity of a film there will be NOTHING left of the intrepid heroes in a half-shell that fans have loved through the years. It seems to be that Bay is suffering from what I’m calling the George Lucas Complex–a state of mind in which one believes they can do no wrong because they have surrounded themselves with yes-men.

Someone, I don’t care who does it, but someone NEEDS to smack Michael Bay upside the head and tell him ‘no’! Smack him with a newspaper, squirt him with water…I don’t care, just PLEASE for the love of everything that is good, sacred and holy in this world, just tell him ‘NO’. Lucas’ Star Wars franchise is finally out of his hands so he can’t hurt it anymore. Someone NEEDS to take  the TMNT franchise away from Bay before it becomes a casualty of war.

Again, I’m not against change. I happen to love what IDW is doing with the rebooted comic book, and I am loving the new animated series done by Nickelodeon. What I am against is throwing all cannon and lore completely out the window while claiming to be expanding upon it. Expanding upon the lore is what IDW and Nickelodeon are doing. What Bay is doing is crushing the lore beneath his heel while studios throw money at him. Now, is Bay still planning on going through with the original plan of making the turtles aliens from another planet? One can only assume so because he’s Michael Bay and he does whatever the frak he wants, but only time will tell on that particular aspect as production gains steam. However, considering Bay’s track record, I wouldn’t hold my breath.

 

 Have you hugged your nerd today?

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Legend of the Shadow Clan #2

Feb. 22 Comic Books, Previews, Reviews no comments

Publisher: Aspen
Writer: David Wohl
Artist: Cory Smith
Release Date: Mar. 6, 2013

 

shadowclan2I would like to apologize in advance if I seem hyper during this article, but we were just gifted with a new coffee maker after being without one for a week. Suffice, to say, I’m making up for lost time in the coffee-drinking department. In any case, ONWARD to the review!

They’re baaaaaaaaaaack!

In this second installment of the series, we pick up right were we left off at the end of the first. When we last left the Himura family, it was after witnessing Richard–the mild-mannered, hard-working patriarch of the family–taking out a ninja assassin with the skill of a well-seasoned professional even though he had never done anything remotely like that in his entire life. Issue #2 opens up in the Manhattan penthouse of Koji, the man pulling the assassins’ strings, and as you can imagine, he is none too happy upon learning of the “failure” of his men.

Failure?

Yes, failure, because even though the assassins got what they came for, they did not “fade away without a trace” (to quote my favorite sensei).

What of Richard, you might ask? Well, we find him in an interrogation room at the police station. Of course he tells the truth, but the police don’t believe him. In all honesty though, can you blame them? Even Richard isn’t surprised by their lack of faith. However, just when things look as though they’re going to take a turn for the worst and Richard is going to end up being thrown into the Clink, Richard’s father shows up to save the day. Right off the bat, it’s obvious that while there is love between them (after all, they are father and son) their relationship is strained at best, and just when you think Richard’s father is about to explain everything, Richard cuts their reunion short and the two men go their separate ways.

Frustrating, yes…but a useful plot point that keeps the reader coming back for more.

After that, things seem to go back to normal for the Himura family–or as normal as can be considering the circumstances. The obvious example of this would be Brayden suffering through detention after school (something that seems to be a regular occurence for him). However, this “normal” routine changes when the teacher leaves the Detention Hall to answer Nature’s call and Brayden gets coaxed out of room by the Twins–two very attractive twin girls who up until that moment have never given Brayden the time of day. Like his father the previous night, Brayden finds himself innately able to perform feats as though they were second nature to him as the Twins goad him into racing across the rooftops of the school and balancing upon wires and narrow ledges. Being the red-blooded teenage boy that he is, Brayden is quick to give into the Twins’ peer-pressure to impress them, but finds himself abandoned by them the second his foot slips…literally.

What do we learn from this, boys and girls? Giving into peer pressure is bad!

Fortunately for Brayden, his sister Morgan comes to the rescue.

This however begs the question…what is up with the Twins? They are obviously skilled and trained, and no doubt their story will come to light in issues to come.

What else happens? Well…you’re just going to have to buy the issue to find out!

Now, maybe it’s just the fangirl in me, but I’m getting a definite TMNT vibe from this comic (and NO, I’m NOT saying that the writers at Dynamite Entertainment ripped off my favorite comic, so don’t even think that’s where I was going with my thought). In one corner we have Koji (the Oroku Saki/Shredder character) and his minions, and in the other corner we have the Himura family (the TMNT family)–two ninja forces that seem destined to be at odds with each other because of bad blood.

However, similarities aside, this series is shaping up to be a very strong and well-written story in its own right, and I find myself already itching for the next issue even though I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an advanced copy (one of the many perks of this job)!

Due to hit the shelves of your local comic book shop on March 6th, 2013, be sure to pick up your copy! If you haven’t already, add it to your Pull-List while you’re at it!

 

Have you hugged your nerd today?

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IDW Introduces Cutter!

Feb. 14 Comic Books, News, Press Release no comments

2012-DD-CUTTER_01_02sAttention all Dungeons & Dragons fans!

When the battle-hardened Drow renegade Tos’un must choose an heir to his legacy, his half-Drow son Tierflin and daughter Doum’weille become locked in vicious competition. But what will the prize, the bloodthirsty sword Khazid’hea, have to say on the matter?

Just when the powerhouse that is IDW could not get any better at what it does, it revealed that it is set to introduce a new installment to their Dungeons and Dragons series.

 

This April, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: CUTTER, a five-issue miniseries written by R.A. and Geno Salvatore with art by David Baldeon and covers by Steve Ellis, weaves the tale of a family fiercely divided and at odds with itself, with a legendary sword hanging in the balance!

As if the mere fact that the series is D&D oriented doesn’t make the future miniseries awesome enough, the fact that IDW is engaging the talents of none other than heavy hitter R.A. Salvatore to head the penning of this saga makes it a surefire win.

“These comic series have become a wonderful tool for me to fill in the blanks and to crystallize my thoughts on the Legend of Drizzt novels going forward,” explains R.A. Salvatore. “The fallout from the twisting events in Neverwinter Tales not only came into play in the last couple of Drizzt books, but allowed me a strong plot line for an upcoming novel I’ve yet to pen. The same is true for Cutter – I see it already. So while these comic stories are self-contained, they open up to the wider stories going forward.”

Now I don’t know about all of you, but the fact that this miniseries is serving as a jumping point for Salvatore’s newest book serves is a big motivator for me. Don’t misunderstand me, when it comes to R.A. Salvatore, I’m still quite a noob. However, what I have read, I’ve enjoyed greatly and I keep wishing for the opportunity to not only add more of his works to my collection but actually read them (not an easy feat when dealing with a 7 month old baby). All of that aside though (babies, noobiness, etc), the fact that R.A. Salvatore is a master at his craft and a big name in the fantasy genre speaks for itself.

Have you hugged your nerd today?

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Legend of the Shadow Clan

Jan. 23 Comic Books, Reviews no comments

The family that fights together stays together, right? At least, that looks to be the case in this brand new series from Aspen Comics.

Centering around the seemingly normal Himura family, Legend of the Shadow Clan follows the day-to-day exploits of the family of five. On the surface, the Himura’s seem no different from the average American family. The parents are both hard-working (Richard, the father, works for a cybersecurity company and Eve, the mother, teaches third grade), and the three children seem to fit into one archetype or another–Brayden, the underachiever who always manages to wind up in detention; Morgan, the perfect overachiever who succeeds at just about everything she does; and Pogo…the youngest.

As I’ve said, the family seems normal enough. Well, maybe not quite so normal as Richard not only likes giving his wife a break and cooking dinner for the family when he gets home early enough from work to do so, but is also more than competent in the task.

However, all of this changes when Richard gets called into work late one night and unwittingly stumbles upon the assassination of a genius co-worker responsible for writing a great deal of the programs used and put out by the company. Just as Richard is about to get stabbed by one of the ninja assassins who stayed behind to tie up loose ends, Richard’s own innate ninja abilities (from centuries of his ancestral family’s working as ninjas in service to a feudal leader) kick in and he kills his would-be assassin. One can only assume that it will only be a matter of time before the rest of the family starts kicking assassin arse and bands together to form one happy ninja family.

Due to hit shelves on February 6th, Legend of the Shadow Clan promises 32 fully-colored pages with excellent artwork by Cory Smith and a story written by David Wohl that quickly draws you in.

Get your geek on!

 

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Fantasy, Thy Name is RAVINE

Jan. 10 Comic Books, Press Release no comments

Longtime collaborators on the Image Comics/Top Cow series ARTIFACTS, Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic have taken their creative partnership to a new level — a creator-owned graphic novel series, RAVINE.

Attention all fans of high fantasy!

Coming your way this February is a brand new graphic novel that promises to be a fantastical tale of epic proportions!

I have to tell you, I’ve only seen the cover of this book and I’m already desperate to have it on my bookshelf. What does that tell you?

“Ravine originated from my desire to make a fantasy comic series that was a full-blooded fantasy tale with rich character development, layered, well-motivated villains, and a deeply detailed world,” said Sejic in a December 20 interview with Comic Book Resources.

Now, all of this being said, I feel that I must now say that unlike most graphic novels (yes, I’m very well aware that there are exceptions), this is not a collection of serialized comic books that comes out after a certain amount of issues have been released. Rather, this new series is being released as a series of graphic novels–one big chunk at a time.

“This story kind of demands to be told in large chunks,” said Marz. “We want this first release to be read as one big story, not serialized, so we’re going straight to the collection. It’s a bigger risk this way, but I think there’s a bigger reward creatively.”

I happen to agree with this theory. Certain stories are meant to be told in large chunks instead of small snippets. Seriously…can you imagine splitting The Hobbit into small snippets (and no, the current films don’t count! Why? Because we’re talking books with pages, not films…and because I said so.)? It simply wouldn’t be the same because with certain stories, the slightest little detail is of the utmost importance, and splitting it up from the rest of the story only serves to hamper the plot.

Thankfully, hampered story lines do not appear in the future of the world of RAVINE.

RAVINE: Volume One, a 160-page graphic novel for $14.99, will be released on February 13. Pre-order your copy today!

 

Have you hugged your nerd today?

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Fanfiction: Hobby or Obsession?

Dec. 29 Editorials, Fanatics, Fandom Friday 2 comments

The other night while hubby and I were at our friends’ house–another geeky married couple like us whom we just love to bits (if you two are reading this, you know who you are)–and while the four of us were playing a board game, us two wives got to talking about fanfiction and the fics that we’re currently working on. Now, while our attention never wavered from the game, we nevertheless got pulled into and wrapped up in our own world of fangirlish delight.

The topic of discussion? Dragon Age II.

More to the point, the two male characters that are each individually the primary focus of our stories.

However, that’s not the point.

What is the point is that without meaning to, she and I both completely shut our husbands out without realizing it. We didn’t mean to do it, it just simply happened because neither of them have any interest in the Dragon Age franchise or any of the characters so we just instinctively cut them out of the conversation. In fact, if it wasn’t for the game the four of us were playing, and the fact that our husbands threw teasing quips at us every so often, we probably would’ve forgotten they were there.

One of the quips our husbands used was the fact they are ‘fanfiction widdowers’.

That’s what got me thinking.

For fangirls and fanboys worldwide, fanfiction is a means of further exploring the wonders of any given fandom and delving deeper into all of its complexities. This is of course done by research. After all, no fan worth his or her salt wants to appear ignorant to other fangirls and fanboys, so they want to assure that they get their facts straight. Don’t misunderstand me though, there is plenty of fabrication and artistic license, but the point is to make the story feel as though it could actually be a seamless part of recognized cannon. This of course requires much research and even more rewrites.

For aspiring writers like myself who are actually hoping to one day join the ranks of published authors, fanfiction is a means of further developing one’s craft before applying it to the stories that actually ‘matter’. After all, as the old saying goes…practice makes perfect, and fanfiction certainly provides loads of practice. Not to mention, it allows aspiring writers to toughen their skins against the remarks of flamers as a means of preparation for actual book critics.

Naturally, as a result of this, fanfiction can be all-consuming–taking hold of writers and not letting go until the final thought is typed or written out in black and white. Does that make us obsessive or devoted?

When does fanfiction stop being a hobby and start being an obsession?

My friend and I are constantly messaging each other about our current stories, and when we’re in each other’s presence, our conversations always turn to our stories…whether it be about a stream of dialog that is giving us trouble, or an action that is possibly too out of character for one of the cannon characters in the fandom. This is my friends first piece of fanfiction after a gap that lasted a few years, so in many ways it’s as though it’s the first time for her because she’s not the same person she was when she first wrote a story. She’s grown and matured as a person, and therefore so has her literary voice.

I myself have 18 stories to my credit (not all of which are Dragon Age related), and I find it amazing to see how my writing style evolves and matures with each story I write. Even when I’m not writing, I’m constantly thinking about my characters and what they would do or say in certain situations. Obviously, fanfiction is a thing of importance for any writer to have in their arsenal, but is it ever too much?

How many times have I forgotten to do something because I was focusing so very hard on something that won’t even earn me any money? How many times have I blocked out everything else (except for the cries of my daughter, of course) because I was staring at my computer screen in the hopes that my writer’s block would suddenly vanish?

Quite a few times, actually…but will this stop me from writing fanfiction?

No frakking way!

I can’t help it…it’s simply too much fun.

So…hobby or obsession? For some, it’s either one or the other. For me, it’s apparently both and I have a feeling that’s how it’s going to stay.

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Geek Seekers!

Dec. 23 News, Reviews, Web Series no comments

Attention geeks everywhere!

Brought to you by the creative minds of writer and RPG-designer, Monte Cook and Dead Gentlemen Productions veteran, Jen Page comes Geek Seekers, a brand new web-series guaranteed to entertain the pants off you.

Meant to be a parody of Ghost Adventures and other similar ‘reality shows’ in which a team hunts down and studies the paranormal and unexplained. Though only two episodes are up and running so far, this series is free of the slow lull that often plagues other shows (both television and web-oriented alike) experience when they firs get started. Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not saying that lull is necessarily a bad thing because sometimes it’s a necessary evil when setting up the back story, but in the case of Geek Seekers, none of that is necessary.

Why, you may ask?

Because Jen and Monte aren’t playing characters, they’re playing themselves, and having a great deal of fun doing it. Trust me, you can always tell when actors have fun during the course of filming a project, and this dynamic duo of geeks (yes, they’re REAL geeks, not posers…trust me, if anyone has earned a lifetime supply of geek-cred it’s Monte) is no exception.

The series is all very tongue-in-cheek and peppered with references to Ghostbusters whether it be lines of dialogue or the way a particular scene is shot (sometimes both together). For those of you who don’t have large blocks of that film memorized, don’t worry about missing the lines…a little message block with a counter pops up in the top corner of the screen whenever a reference is made.

As if all of that wasn’t enough of a reason for you to watch, there’s the fact that Jen Page spends the entire time wearing a pair of Steampunk goggles atop her head, and as I’ve often said…Steampunk makes everything better! Suffice to say, after two episodes, I’m already completely hooked and can’t wait until the next episode.

Want to stay informed about this fun romp of a show? Be sure to check out and follow its Twitter feed @TheGeekSeekers.

 

Have you hugged your nerd today?

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Dark Horse to Release Camilla D’Errico’s HELMETGIRL​S!

Dec. 17 Comic Books, News, Press Release no comments

As you might recall from one of my earlier posts, Camilla D’Errico is a very talented and unique artist.

 “She is part of what may be the first art movement in Western history where women are not second-class citizens, but may even have an edge in the mind of the public, especially when it comes to capturing the essence that is woman.”—Juxtapoz

Even if you’re not a particular fan of manga or that overall style of art, you can still appreciate her work simply because it’s so very different and strangely beautiful.

Camilla d’Errico is a powerful voice in pop surrealism, her work combining diverse influences in imagery is both singular and hauntingly familiar. Compelling and deeply personal, Helmetgirls documents Camilla’s art and lifestyle brand that fuses manga, steampunk, and fine art into an original and meaningful aggregate.

No doubt Dark Horse wants to continue adding to their impressive ranks by publishing this second d’Errico created volume (they already published the first volume entitled Femina and Fauna and had it go into multiple printings), on February 27, 2013. Don’t misunderstand me, this is neither a graphic novel nor a comic book, but rather a collection of D’Errico’s artwork. If you have Femina and Fauna, imagine how nicely HELMETGIRLS will add to your collection.

If not, then think of what a good addition HELMETGIRLS will be to your library as well as a good starting point for your D’Errico collection if you decide to expand upon it.

Gargantuan biomechanical headgear adorns beautiful, wide-eyed, and seemingly fragile girls. More than just decoration, the helmets express each girl’s character, needs, and desires. Look deeply into the Helmetgirls’ eyes—they have a story to tell.

What stories might those be?

What fanciful tales await upon each page?

What one-scene adventure shall each picture take you on?

There’s only one way to find out!

Pre-order your copy today!

 

Have you hugged your nerd today?

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KISS Goes Solo!

Dec. 13 Comic Books, News, Press Release no comments

What’s up, fellow nerds? I’m back!

I know it’s been a while since I’ve written well…anything, but these past two months have not exactly been kind to me in the physical sense. I won’t go into details here, but if you’re curious, feel free to read about my tragic saga here.

In any case, onto the topic at hand!

KISS Army, assemble!!

Coming to a comic book store near you on March 30, 2013, is a brand new 4-issue series by the IDW powerhouse (yes, powerhouse…have you seen the gold they’ve been putting out?) revolving around the awesome and phenomenal force that is KISS. More to the point, each issue will revolve specifically around one member of the band.

Now I know that this isn’t the first time that the dynamic foursome has been immortalized within the pages of comic books (anyone who’s watched Gene Simmons Family Jewels can attest to that), but this is the first time in which The Demon, The Catman, The Starchild and The Celestial will be going solo within the pages of the comic book world.

Echoing their famous series of 1978 solo albums, this March, legendary rockers KISS take to solo adventures in a new miniseries from IDW Publishing! Further exploring the deep mythology that’s made the Kings of Rock hold dual citizenship as Kings of Comics, this year, The-Four-Who-Are-One must take up arms alone against a slew of dynamic enemies and evil forces.

As a sidenote, I must admit that the solo KISS album that Ace Frehley put out is my favorite.

The first issue of this mini-series stars none other than Gene Simmons’ KISS alter ego, The Demon himself. In fact, the issue is called KISS Solo: The Demon…all in all, pretty self-explanatory, wouldn’t you say?

Veteran KISS writer Chris Ryall and fan-favorite Kiss artist Angel Medina, rejoining the band for the first time since Kiss: Psycho Circus, weave another tale of epic bombast and explosive rock and paving the way for the accompanying tales of the Starchild, the Celestial, and the Catman!

So what lies in store for the mighty Demon in his solo issue? Why, going up against none other than the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse! Now, I don’t know about all of you, but I’d certainly pay to see that showdown.

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IDW Limited: The Nerdgasm Felt Around the World

Oct. 04 Comic Books, Editorials, Fanatics, Nerd Porn, News, Press Release no comments

Just when I thought IDW could not become anymore awesome, they’ve gone and launched IDW Limited.

Are you one of those comic book fans that goes out of his or her way to find special editions of your beloved titles? Are you constantly on the lookout for extra bells and whistles to add to your collection? Are you one of those geeks who simply cannot and will not rest until you have the best of the best when it comes to your favorite comic book heroes?

Well then, look no further!

IDW Limited is just the place for you to merrily frolic and otherwise bask in geeky glory. Like its title might imply, IDW Limited specializes in extremely limited editions and packages of their comic book titles…but don’t think that this awesomeness ends there. There are not one, not two, but three levels of awesomeness in which you can choose to revel…

Red Label, Black Label and Blue Label–each coming with their own sets of bells and whistles as well as their own limited supply. Red Label is limited to 175 copies, Black Label is 25 copies, and Blue Label is 10 copies.

According to Jerry Bennington, IDW Limited’s Director, “We wanted to give fans a top-of-the-line creative experience with the books they love in a truly special format.” He went on to add, “These rare editions will not only be special and limited in quantity, they’ll also include unique content found nowhere else. This may be the only way most fans could ever hope to own a signature, sketch or illustration from one of their favorite artists or creators.”

The first book offered through this amazing service will be the four-issue collection of IDW’s best-selling new series Teenage MUTANT Ninja Turtles, Vol. 1, Change Is Constant. The Deluxe Limited Edition will be released in three tiers, each with extremely low quantities available exclusively through the IDW limited website, IDWLimited.com. Fans can expect original signatures from TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, series artist Dan Duncan, and series writer Tom Waltz, as well as unique sketch art from Dan Duncan packaged with each book in a specially hand-constructed, deluxe case.

What can be expected within each Label for all of you dedicated fans?

Red Label Edition is limited to 175 copies, features a custom cover, is housed in a limited edition slipcase and paired with an artist’s portfolio containing a unique, spot-color sketch of one of the Ninja Turtles done by series artist Dan Duncan.

Black Label Edition is limited to 25 copies featuring the IDW Limited custom cover and is housed in a hand-built traycase, along with an artist’s portfolio containing a multi-color illustration of two classic TMNT characters by series artist Dan Duncan.

Blue Label Edition, the rarest tier being offered (and which unfortunately sold out in two hours), is limited to only 10 copies!  For this special version, series artist Dan Duncan will be creating full-color illustrations of the entire Turtle team in action. Each book is packaged with the IDW Limited cover inside a hand-built tray case.

Pretty sweet, huh?

Yeah, I thought so too! Oh, if only I had a few extra hundred bucks lying around, I would be all over it! Oh, well…c’est la vi.

Have you hugged your nerd today?

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The Gamers: Hands of Fate

Sep. 03 Movies, News, Press Release, Previews no comments

Omigod! Omigod! OMIGOD!

I am SO excited!

As you might recall from one of my previous posts, The Gamers: Dorkness Rising is one of my favorite films, and I’m a huge fan of any project being done by Dead Gentlemen Productions and Zombie Orpheus Entertainment whether it be the two Gamers films or the JourneyQuest web series (and trust me…there will be a blog post for Season 2 of JQ). So naturally, when it was first rumored that a third Gamers film was on the horizon, my interest was piqued.

When the third film was actually confirmed and the kickstarter campaign was announced, my interest turned into full-blown excitement…especially when I saw the creative team getting ever closer to their target budget at what seemed like record speed. Seriously…the second when the page for the kickstarter campaign went launched, it was as though the internet broke because the page simply would not load due to the sheer amount of fans who were viewing it.

Further proof that those at Dead Gentlemen and Zombie Orpheus are beyond awesome.

However, it wasn’t until I saw the teaser trailer for the film and the theme music from The Gamers: Dorkness Rising reached my ears that my excitement turned into fangirl euphoria.

Though it’s not a full-blown trailer for the film, it nevertheless does its job and gets the fans excited for what’s to come once filming has come to an end. Hearing the familiar music and seeing familiar characters and items (not just from Dorkness Rising, but from other Dead Gentlemen and Zombie Orpheus projects)…I know I’m certainly excited to see the finished film.

Not to mention, it made me REALLY want to attend Gen Con!

Having never had the opportunity to attend Gen Con, seeing the sheer amount of gamers gathered in one spot had more than an average shock and awe effect on me. Not only did it make me REALLY want to attend, but it also made me want to dive into D&D with a vengeance. Don’t get me wrong, The Gamers: Dorkness Rising made me pursue the tabletop past time that I had always been denied during my childhood, but seeing that highly concentrated number of gamers in one place made me want to strive to be all that I can be in D&D and expand into other venues.

Forget MMOs! I had the sudden urge to lock horns with someone over a table and some dice.

Yeah, I know…I’m a dork.

I’m not denying that by any means.

Seriously…the ship for denying my dorkiness as long since sailed away and crashed upon the rocks of some unknown island on the edge of the known world.

See what I mean?

Dork!

However, my dorkiness aside this third installment in the Gamers series has been a long time coming for us fans, and it will without a doubt deliver in every aspect.

Feel like helping the project along? Are you financially able to do so? Then by all means donate to the cause by clicking on the link on our front page! They’re only a little over $3,000 away from getting all the funding they need to complete what is promising to be an awesome film! Won’t you please help them?

Nerd up!

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‘The Middleman’: The Good Always Die Young

Sep. 03 Editorials, Features, Reviews, Television 2 comments

As many of you know by now, I’m forever a fan of the underdog…Firefly, Alien Nation, etc…so it should come as no surprise to you that I’m a fan of The Middleman–yet another awesome show that was killed before it truly had a chance to thrive.

Based on the comic book series (which I have yet to find, much to my chagrin) published by Viper Comics, The Middleman (which was also written and created by the comic book’s creator, Javier “Javi” Grillo-Marxuach) unfortunately ran for only one season back in 2008 on ABC, but while it was on the air, it ran in a very similar vein as Men in Black. There are of course significant differences between the two…such as there are only ever two Middlemen (the Middleman proper and his sidekick) at a time, and the things that they deal with on a daily basis run the gambit from extraterrestrial to human super-villain.

The show (as well as the comic books) centers around Wendy Watson–artist by night and Middleman-in-training by day–and her boss, The Middleman (whose real name is never revealed) as they combat various forces of evil. But it’s nowhere near as cut and dry as it sounds. For one thing, as much of a badass as The Middleman is (and trust me…as a former Navy Seal, he is in fact a badass), he never swears, and never drinks anything stronger than milk. So then, how would I describe The Middleman?

Different…

Definitely different.

 

This show was without a doubt different from anything else that was on television at the time, and there hasn’t been another show like it since.

I mean seriously…how many other shows pit its heroes against a troupe of Luchadores, alien dictators masquerading as a boy band, Peruvian Flying Pikes that were capable of creating trout-craving zombies with a single bite, a pair of vampire puppets possessed by the spirits of Vlad the Impaler and his wife, as well as a slue of other strange nasties?

The Middleman!

It was campy. It was silly. Yet all that campy silliness aside, it still delivered relatable characters as well as entertaining plots that drew you in from the start of the episodes. Then, there’s the fact that while it ran for only one season, the show was and still is highlyquotable. As if that wasn’t enough to make this show awesome, each and every episode was like a treasure hunt for nerds everywhere because references were constantly being made to various films and other pieces of pop culture.

The episode that had a Ghostbuster theme was particularly well done.

Suffice to say, both hubby and I fell in love with the show from the moment we saw the first episode, and we were both heartbroken when it was taken off the air. Thankfully, we were able to purchase the DVDs when they came out, so we will never be without the awesomeness that is The Middleman. However, that doesn’t make it any less sad for us whenever we watch them, because like Firefly and Alien Nation this show was killed way too soon.

Seriously…what is with networks and  their incessant need to put original, creative and worthwhile shows on the chopping block and leave shows filled with whiny, uninteresting characters and tired plot concepts on the air? Who performed the Jedi Mind Trick on network executives and told them that it was a good idea?

Meh…

That’s all I have to say on the subject.

Nerd up!

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The Latest from IDW!

Aug. 31 Comic Books, Editor's Pick, News no comments

Hello again, fellow TMNT fans!

If you’ve been reading the Micro-Series that runs parallel to the main series of the comic book, then you’re of course aware of how key characters from the canon have been having their own special time in the spotlight by way of their very own issues. What is due to hit the shelves next week is by no means an exception to this.

Who then is this issue’s lucky character?

Fugitoid!

I was lucky enough to have the chance to interview Paul Allor, the writer of this particular issue, (not just about the comic but about the fandom) and I would like to take this opportunity to share some of the key points with all of you…

Me: How does it feel to be part of the reboot of this classic franchise?

Paul: It feels pretty awesome. The Turtles have been around since I was in Kindergarten, and I’ve been a fan pretty much my entire life. I’m absolutely thrilled to contribute some small part to this franchise that’s meant so much to me.

It was also great to work with editor Bobby Curnow, who’s fantastic, along with the wonderful art team, Paul McCaffrey and colorist John Paul Bove. They did amazing work on this book, and David Petersen rocked the cover. I’m very excited for people to see this book.

Me: Were you a fan of the original comic books?

Paul: Not when they were originally coming out. I didn’t read comics until I was 28, and frankly, they wouldn’t have been terribly age-appropriate. But I latched on to them after I started reading comics as an adult, and I love them. Mr. Eastman and Mr. Laird created characters that truly are universal, which is why they’ve managed to fit into so many different mediums with so many different tones. But yeah, reading those original comics felt like finding the source code.

Me: What prompted the giving of Fugitoid his own issue and not someone a little more widely known like Leatherhead?

Paul: Because Fugitoid is AWESOME.

More seriously, that was a decision by IDW Publishing, and I wouldn’t want to speculate. But I will say that IDW has plans for this character — this one-shot leads into a very cool story arc in the main book, so he definitely wasn’t just plucked up and plopped in to the Micro-Series. Turtles editor Bobby Curnow and writers Tom Waltz and Kevin Eastman have a plan, and this issue fits right into it.

Me: Will this issue be accessible (easy to follow) for readers who are new fans and are just now getting into the series?

Paul: Yeah, that’s definitely the idea behind the micro-series, and what I tried to do. I aimed to make an exciting, dynamic and action-packed issue that can be picked up and enjoyed by anyone. It helped that we’re introducing a new character to the IDW continuity, so even current readers will be hearing about Fugitoid and his IDW adventures for the first time.

Me: No doubt you’re aware of the borderline animosity that many fans are feeling towards the rebooted film due to hit theaters next year. Do you feel that this adds any pressure on you and the other writers at IDW to keep the fans happy?

Paul: I can’t speak for other,s but I didn’t feel any pressure because of this. I just focused on telling the best story I could, and doing justice to these awesome characters.

Having said that, I did ret-con the Turtles’ origins so that they’re from outer space now. That’s cool, right?

You have to love a guy who has the chutzpah to poke fun at what is otherwise a delicate and often raw subject for fans everywhere.

But that aside, if past issues in the Micro-Series are any indication, then we can undoubtedly expect Fugitoid’s issue to be a very well written addition to what has been an all around awesome reboot. I for one will be very happy to add this issue to my collection, and will gladly do so when I am next able to make it to the comic book shop…or persuade my husband to go by himself…whichever comes first.

Nerd up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Joan of Arc – From the Ashes

Aug. 17 Comic Books, Press Release no comments

Coming to you this October Big Dog Ink, be prepared to see Joan of Arc like she’s never been seen before…

In Steampunk!

Meant as a spin-off of Big Dog Ink’s Penny for Your Soul series, Joan of Arc – From the Ashes chronicles Joan’s quest of saving Mary Magdalene (‘Maggie’ for those who read the series) from her imprisonment in Hell.

And she’ll be doing it all with a pair of Steampunk angel wings.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I happen to think that Steampunk makes everything better.

Don’t ask me why…maybe it’s the perfect blending of past and future (something Joss Whedon achieved to perfection with Firefly, but that’s not the subject at hand here). My point is (aside from Steampunk being generally awesome) that even if you have no interest in the Maid of Orleans (Joan of Arc), the Steampunk twist that those at BDI (Big Dog Ink) are putting on her makes this series more than worth a look.

Written by Tom Hutchison, the 4 issue limited series picks up where volume two – Penny for Your Soul: False Prophet leaves off, delving into the mysteries of angels, demons and what’s really lurking under the old ruins of the Eternity hotel in Las Vegas.

As if the Steampunk spin on the character and storyline wasn’t enough motivation for you to check this series out, then at least check it out to see what’s been done to Las Vegas.

Seriously…can you imagine a Steampunk-style Heaven and Hell? or for that matter…Las Vegas? As someone who’s been to Vegas quite a few times, I for one am very curious as to how the city of casinos and florescent lights will be portrayed.

Seriously…am I alone in thinking that a Steampunk-style Luxor would be all kinds of awesomesauce? I know that it probably won’t appear in the series, but it’s still a very cool thought that I probably won’t be able to stop thinking about for the rest of the day.

Suffice to say, the whole concept sounds very creative, interesting and more than worth a look. Be sure to check it out at your local comic book shop!

And above all else, remember…

Nerd up!

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Lorelei: Sects in the City

Aug. 16 Comic Books, Reviews 1 comment

Many of you might recall my earlier press release of Lorelei: Sects in the City in which I talked about Lorelei–a succubus who uses her sexually charged powers for good. Remember? I called her the ‘Dexter’ of the supernatural world. Well, I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a copy to read and review, and I have to say that I rather enjoyed it.

All in all, I have to say that this graphic novel was very well done. The art was wonderful, and the story itself (a major selling point for me with anything that I read) was entertaining and kept me happily reading until the end. Not to mention, Lorelei herself was in possession of just enough snark to keep hopeless situations from being too bleak.

Suffice to say, Steven Roman and his creative team at StarWarp Concepts should be patting themselves on the back. However, those are not the only points in this graphic novel’s favor.

As a possessor of a Bachelor’s Degree in English (emphasis in creative writing), I feel compelled to applaud the way in which this graphic novel was written.  The language used within the descriptive narrative of the Prologue flows like a symphony, and even brings to mind the image of woodwinds, strings and percussion working together to create a unique and perfect harmony that draws the reader into the story.

Case in point…

Trees sway in time to the Wagnerian cadence of the growing tempest. Rain sizzles as it strikes the Earth, pale drops against a black velvet curtain.

And that is only one example of the language used to set the tone of the scene.

How often does one see the word ‘Wagnerian’ within the pages of a graphic novel? Not very often, and to use it in describing a storm only serves to further deliver the idea that the storm in question is one of epic proportions. For those of you not familiar with the works of Richard Wagner (not a personal favorite of mine, but still a gifted musician nonetheless), his operas are known for being loud and grandiose with highly dramatic arias and music in general that is driven forward by complex and powerful melodies.  Trust me, Roman could not have chosen a better word than Wagnerian to describe a tempestuous evening.

You don’t believe me?

Give Ride of the Valkyries a listen and tell me that it doesn’t conjure up images of leaves and debris whipping through the air of a dark and stormy night as tree branches bend and break before the power of the tempest. Granted, that’s not what Wagner had in mind when he wrote the piece, but nevertheless, you get the point I’m trying to make.

Or at least you will once you give the piece a listen.

Now then, getting back to the main subject at hand, I enjoyed this graphic novel, and I would recommend it to anyone who (like me) has fondness for supernaturally driven plot lines. Even if you don’t have a fondness but are simply looking for something different and new from what you normally read, I recommend it.

Nerd up!

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Batgirl: Spoiled!

Aug. 11 News, Press Release, Previews, Web Series no comments

OMIGOD! OMIGOD! OMIGOD!!

I am SO frakking excited about what my husband found and then shared with me that I just had to share it with all of you!

Now, if you recall from one of my earlier posts, Stephanie Brown is my favorite Batgirl despite how much I love Barbara Gordon, and that the reboot of the Batgirl comic book in the New 52 was a double-edged sword for me. On the one hand, I was very happy that Barbara Gordon was restored to her former glory, but on the other hand, I was very sad to see Stephanie Brown disappear. Imagine then my excitement and joy when I saw the dazzling little gem below…

 

 

Not only is it a preview for what looks like an utterly awesome web series  revolving around Batgirl, but Batgirl: Spoiled is a web series revolving around my favorite Batgirl! Now, my excitement not only stems from the fact that my favorite Batgirl is the star of this series, but also because those responsible for creating the web series obviously did their homework. They didn’t just stick some blond in a generic Batgirl costume (as I have seen done with a few cosplayers), but rather they actually recreated Stephanie Brown’s costume with the kind of great, painstaking accuracy that could only be wielded by geeks.

Then, there’s the fact that even though Stephanie doesn’t utter a word throughout the entire course of the trailer, her snark still manages to shine through, so a great deal of character research has obviously been done. Aside from all of that, Stephanie and all the other notable characters that appeared (however briefly) on the screen near the end of the trailer looked as though they quite literallywalked out of the pages of the comic books. All of that being said, a great deal of effort was obviously put into not only the casting of the players, but also into their costumes and makeup…and considering that this series is being done for the sole purpose of entertainment and not for profit, that is saying a great deal.

Suffice to say, I will be waiting anxiously for the episodes to start airing.

And who could blame me?

With the amount of attention to detail that has quite obviously been applied to this project, it can only mean that the series as a whole will be extremely well done and more than worth the watch whether or not you’re a fan of Stephanie Brown.

Especially since this series is being done by fans for fans.

What does that mean?

It means that geeks are in control of the reins and will thereby stay true to the characters as they were written and not throw unnecessary curve balls into the works…unlike some people…

*cough, cough* Michael Bay *cough, cough*

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Bay’s Turtles: The Hurting Continues

Aug. 09 Movies, News, Press Release 2 comments

Well, my fellow TMNT fans…here we are yet again.

For those of you who have been keeping in the loop in regards to the film “reboot” (and I use that word loosely), you will of course be familiar with the news of the film being put on indefinite hiatus because of scripting problems.

Naturally, when I heard about the delay I was beyond pleased because my inner fangirl believed that the studios and everyone else involved with the project finally came to their senses upon being met with all the negative reactions by the fans. My inner fangirl optimistically believed that the scripting problems meant that a complete re-write was being done because those involved in the project actually listened to the many cries of outrage from the plethora of hardcore fans. My inner fangirl dared to hope that the cries of we fans actually meant something.

However…according to this interview with TMNT co-creator and rebooted film supporter Kevin Eastman, we find out that is not the case…

According to Eastman, the delays with the script have nothing to do with rewriting the debacle that is the alien angle, but rather involve making certain that director Jonathan Liebesman can do all the effects that he has planned. Also (and this is what really has me steamed at this particular juncture), the plan is to release the reboot in 2014–within a few days of the franchises 30th anniversary.

Really? I mean REALLY?!

Not only, are the rebooted turtles aliens and not mutants, but the fact that this reboot is being aired within a few days of the franchise’s anniversary is a real slap in the face for the die-hard fans. By releasing this “alleged” reboot in this time frame, it’s as though they’re saying that the turtles we all know, love and grew up with no longer exist. Even Kevin Eastman is guilty of this because he is on board with the changes being made to the franchise that he himself helped create.

“[W]hat they’re doing with the movie is creating its own story, but it has to be true to the source material or we’ll get @#$!-ng murdered. To be blunt.”

This is what makes me want to repeatedly slam my head against a wall. Not only does Eastman know that the fans are angry about what’s being done to the turtles, but he keeps saying that the film stays true to the core story.

I’m sorry…but in WHAT reality is making the turtles aliens instead of mutants–thereby doing away with the core part of the lore–a way of staying true to the core story? Seriously…has Eastman not been reading the IDW reboot that he works on? Because THAT is creating a new story while remaining true to core concepts in the lore.

To paraphrase one of my favorite quotes from a television series…

“Read! Learn how to read the comics that you write!” (50 points to whoever can name the show and the exact quote, and who uttered it.)

Until next time, my friends. Now if you’ll excuse me…the wall is beckoning my head.

Nerd up

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