JLTV + Bluewater = Jewish Bio Series

In 2010, Jewish Life Television (JLTV) and Bluewater Productions are joining forces to create two new series of biographical comic books featuring the lives of remarkable Jewish personalities.

Jewish-American Patriots will highlight such influential figures as Haym Solomon (financier of the American Revolution), baseball great Hank Greenberg, and the developer of the polio vaccine, Dr. Jonas Salk. A second series, Pioneers of Israel, will present biographies of both contemporary and historical personalities who played significant roles in the creation of the Israeli state, including David Ben-Gurion, Moshe Dayan and Golda Meir.

Each series will contain 10 issues - 20 comics in all - and will be marketed exclusively by JLTV.

"JLTV approached me with some very compelling biographies," said Bluewater president, Darren Davis, whose company is responsible for two successful biography comic series - Female Force and Political Power, "Helping bring them to life will be an honor."

About Jewish Life Television

Jewish Life Television is a full-time Jewish television outlet. It broadcasts 24/7 from studios in Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto. Its line-up includes a wide variety of themed programming, including motion pictures, documentaries, interviews, news and sports, entertainment, and numerous special events. The network was launched in 2007 and picked up soon after by Time Warner, among other digital and satellite broadcasters.

About Bluewater Productions

Bluewater Productions Inc. is one of the top independent production studios of comic books, young adult books and graphic novels. Its extensive catalog of titles includes the bestsellers, 10^th Muse and The Legend of Isis. Bluewater publishes comic books with legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen and sci-fi icon, William Shatner.

Bluewater aims to unite cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by its stable of the publishing industry’s top artists and writers.

Following its commitment to green publishing, Bluewater comic books are printed on Forest Stewardship Council certified paper. FSC certification guarantees that the paper used in Bluewater books contains fiber from well-managed and responsibility harvested forests that meet strict environmental and socioeconomic standards.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Lockjaw & the Pet Avengers #4

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Mike Allred and Steven T. Seagle Did NOT Announce a New Project at Comic-Con

That is all.

Oh, wait:

29 July 2009 (Berkeley, CA) - MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS’ Mike Allred and SOUL KISS’ Steven T. Seagle confirmed they did not announce a new project at this year's Comic Con International during the Mike Allred spotlight panel, citing the sheer number of announcements made at the show this year as reason enough to withhold information.

"We would have been be lost in the shuffle," Allred said. “Especially since I was already announcing the new graphic novel I am co-editing, ONE MODEL NATION, by writer Courtney Taylor and illustrator Jim Rugg, as well my all-new the Vertigo series, I, ZOMBIE. I thought it might be better to just wait until later, and Seagle just kept saying we shouldn't do it at all.”

While the duo had expressed concern that announcing a project at this time could be detrimental to all parties involved they did not deny that the book will be a co-production of Allred's AAA POP, Seagle's MAN OF ACTION STUDIOS, and publisher Image Comics. Nonetheless, Allred and Seagle refused to confirm the five-issue series was set for 2010.

Seagle and Allred have begun work on - but not completed - three previous series: LOOK for shuttered publisher Tundra, JAGUAR STORIES for shuttered publisher Comico, and BIG WORLD which was not approved years ago by Vertigo.

When asked what information he could provide about the project, Seagle said he couldn't confirm the existence of a script, nor of almost 100 pages of art already produced. When asked if the project would be announced at a later date, Seagle reiterated his pre-con sentiment: “Some stories should not be told.”

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

The Fantastic Four #570 - Frame Variant

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

August 5th is Image Comics Night @ Apple Comics

30 July 2009 (Berkeley, CA) - On August 5^th, Golden Apple Comics will present Image Comics Night, in which Image Comics fans can meet some of their favorite creators at one of the premiere comic book and pop-culture stores in the country!

"Golden Apple and Image Comics have shared a long history of working together starting with Image's earliest signings," Golden Apple proprietor, Ryan Liebowitz said. "We hosted some of the first events with the company's founders and we're happy to continue the tradition with some of the newest names the company has to offer."

Golden Apple's Image Comics Night is already set to feature appearances by JERSEY GODS' Glen Brunswick, ELEPHANTMEN's Richard Starkings and CHARLATAN BALL's Andy Suriano, with more to be announced. The night promises fun for all attending, including one on one time with the creators, drinks, and the first place to see many a project, including the all-new JERSEY GODS, VOL. 1: I'D LIVE AND I'D DIE FOR YOU.

JERSEY GODS creator, Glen Brunswick, added, "Anytime I have a new trade or something special coming out, there're always made a home at Golden Apple. John Romita Jr. and I had a great reception with the GRAY AREA when Bill was in charge. Ryan carries on and easily fills his father's shoes for event professionalism and in every other dimension. The JERSEY GODS trade paperback premiere is in excellent hands!"

Golden Apple Comics' Image Comics Night will take place August 5^th, 2009 from 5 - 7 PM at 7018 Melrose Avenue. For more information, please call 323-658-6047.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

The Ultimate Universe Ends Today

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Captain America Reborn #1 - Second-Printing

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Dark Horse Hits the Big Leagues

JULY 29, MILWAUKIE, OR – It’s no secret that Dark Horse loves comics, but perhaps lesser known is the fact that Dark Horse loves baseball, too!

In celebration of the summer season and America’s greatest pastime, Dark Horse Comics and Challenge Online Games have teamed up to create the greatest sports franchise ever. In a move that will have agents talking for weeks, Baseball Boss will now feature Dark Horse players, including Concrete, Hellboy, Abe Sapien (B.P.R.D.), X, Rumor and Kraken (The Umbrella Academy), the Mask, Conan, King Kull, Cal McDonald (Criminal Macabre), SpyBoy, Ghost, the Goon, Grendel Prime, the Occultist, Go Boy 7, and Heath Huston (Fear Agent).

The free-to-play, online, electronic trading card game combines the collectibility and trading aspects of collectible cards with the competitive excitement of multiplayer games. Harnessing Web 2.0 applications and asynchronous, short-form design, Baseball Boss and Dark Horse will set the bar for this emerging entertainment sector.

Plus, players can win a full set of virtual cards of the Dark Horse All-Stars team!

* First, players need to complete their free registration for the online game Baseball Boss and finish a quick account setup.

* Then, each time their team beats the Dark Horse All-Stars in a best-of-five game series, they can randomly win a card of the Dark Horse All-Stars for their collection.

* Players get three free packs of virtual baseball cards when they register for free for Baseball Boss.

Baseball Boss has been described by GameZone as "iTunes meets baseball cards." The addition of Dark Horse superstars will allow players to create the ultimate dream team to go head to head with other players in a way never before imagined.

Dark Horse President, Mike Richardson, has this to say about the new program: "Being a longtime baseball fan, it’s great to see so many Dark Horse characters taking part in an online version of our national pastime and playing alongside some of my favorite real-life players."

Jeff Petry, vice president of sports and licensed properties at Challenge Games, said, “Adding key characters from the Dark Horse universe creates a fun activity for our players. We hope that both sports fans and comic fans alike enjoy these highly collectible virtual cards. We’re looking forward to a great partnership with Dark Horse and to creating many more fun activities for all our players.”

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Punisher: R.I.P.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Captain America #601 - Second-Printing

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Work Week

Hey, you nerds!

How's life on the other side of the screen? It's been topsy-turvy here. I had a sick cat which cost me a nice chunk o' change to fix (well, she's acting like she feels better, but she still has a tube in her side), then a HUGE, truly awesome, thunderstorm killed the Vista box and all I am hoping for right now is that I can get the data off the hard drive; my folk's basement is literally divided into two rows - box after stacked box of my shit parts the entire room (and it's a big room!)...

But that's not why I'm writing you: because of the slump in online advertising, I was forced to take a job writing copy. It's fairly lucrative, if you don't have high standards; that is to say, it allows me to essentially provide for myself with a little leftover (sometimes) for whatever - like comic books and MST3K tapes. This has obviously left me with less time to spend here.

But I love blogging, and especially blogging about comic books, D&D and RPGs, Americana and pop-culture and all of the stuff we cover here, so I'm not going anywhere. It's just going to be a bit slower for a bit.

What "free" time I have is spent working on the website. Oddly, I had gotten about as far with the site 2-3 years ago when the XP box crashed... Maybe some great something/someone is trying to tell me something?

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Steering Racks

Odds are you are not a racecar driver. I don't say this because you're reading a blog about D&D and funnybooks; I say this because there aren't a lot of racecar drivers. Still, you want your car to be safe. Actually, racecar drivers tend to take a lot of chances on the track, so even if you are a racecar driver, you certainly don't take those same kinds of chances on the open road.

For the first time ever, you can purchase the same quality steering box the dealers get at prices you can afford. Power Steering Pros has you covered, regardless of whether your car has power or manual steering. No matter the make or model of your car, Power Steering Pros has the rack and pinion steering assemblies you need.

Your steering is one of the most important aspects of your vehicle, so don't ignore it! Follow the link above and visit Power Steering Pros today!

Fantastic Four #570 - Alan Davis

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Marvel Comics Shipping 07-29-09

Here we go, True Believers: your weekly Rundown of Marvel Comics headed your way this Wednesday, July 29^th, 2009. I apologize for last week; there was just too much going on and it slipped my mind until Wednesday. I saw no point in posting it then. But I am on schedule this week, so check them out:

Comics On-Sale:
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #598 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (DR)
DARK REIGN: HAWKEYE #4 (DR)
DARK REIGN: LETHAL LEGION #2
DARK REIGN: THE GOBLIN LEGACY ONE-SHOT
DARK REIGN: THE HOOD #3
DARK REIGN: THE SINISTER SPIDER-MAN #1 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
DARK REIGN: THE SINISTER SPIDER-MAN #2
DARK REIGN: YOUNG AVENGERS #3 (DR)
DARK TOWER: THE FALL OF GILEAD #3
DARK TOWER: THE FALL OF GILEAD #3 BREITWEISER VARIANT
DARK TOWER: THE FALL OF GILEAD #3 SKETCH VARIANT
DARK X-MEN: THE BEGINNING #2
FANTASTIC FOUR #569 WRAPAROUND COVER
KID COLT ONE-SHOT (MDCU)
MARVEL PREVIEWS #72
MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #4
NEW AVENGERS #54 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (DR)
NEW AVENGERS #55 (DR)
SECRET WARRIORS #6 (DR)
SECRET WARRIORS #6 70S DECADE VARIANT (DR)
SON OF HULK #13
SON OF HULK #13 30S DECADE VARIANT
TERROR, INC. - APOCALYPSE SOON #4
THOR #602 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
THUNDERBOLTS #134 (DR)
THUNDERBOLTS #134 30S DECADE VARIANT (DR)
ULTIMATUM #5
ULTIMATUM #5 DELL'OTTO VARIANT
ULTIMATUM #5 FINCH GATEFOLD COVER VARIANT
ULTIMATUM #5 MCGUINNESS VARIANT
ULTIMATUM #5 MCGUINNESS SKETCH VARIANT
ULTIMATUM: SPIDER-MAN REQUIEM BOOK #2
WAR OF KINGS: ASCENSION #4
WOLVERINE NOIR #4
WOLVERINE NOIR #4 CALERO VARIANT
X-MEN FOREVER #2 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
X-MEN FOREVER #4
X-MEN FOREVER #4 30S DECADE VARIANT
X-MEN LEGACY #225 2ND PRINTING VARIANT

Collections On-Sale:
ESSENTIAL PETER PARKER, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN VOL. 4 TPB
GHOST RIDER: THE LAST STAND TPB
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN VOL. 2: WORLD'S MOST WANTED BOOK 1 PREMIERE HC
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE X-MEN VOL. 2 TPB
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE X-MEN VOL. 2 TPB VARIANT (DM ONLY)
SOLEIL: SCOURGE OF THE GODS VOL. 1 PREMIERE HC
SPIDER-GIRL VOL. 11: MARKED FOR DEATH DIGEST
WEREWOLF BY NIGHT: IN THE BLOOD TPB

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Dark Reign: The Sinister Spider-Man #3

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Former A.I. Contestant Killed in Car Crash

Alexis Cohen, the two-time American Idol contestant whose post-rejection rant became a viral hit, was struck by a car and killed in New Jersey. You probably remember her better as the chick who dressed up as that one chick in the crappy new Star Wars films.

Alexis Cohen was only 25-years old. Police are investigating the crash.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Dark Horse Joins The Guild

SAN DIEGO, CA, JULY 24, 2009—Dark Horse Comics and Felicia Day, star of Joss Whedon’s Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, are teaming-up to bring one of the funniest online shows to the pages of what will soon be the funniest comic based on a webisode, ever. Srsly.

Winner of the 2008 Greenlight Award at SXSW, as well as the 2008 YouTube Best Series and Yahoo! Best Series awards, The Guild is an online sitcom of web shorts written by, and starring, Felicia Day (Dr. Horrible, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, House). Since its formation, the show has racked up over twenty million viewers at watchtheguild.com.

The Guild follows six players, AKA “Guildies” (Bladezz, Codex, Vork, Tinkerballa, Zaboo, and Clara), who decide to finally meet in real life after spending months playing together in an online world. Their individual social dysfunctions lead to several problems in the real world, but together, as in the online game, they become greater than the sum of their collected baggage and start to become... well... kinda normal... er.

The online show now stands as one of YouTube’s most-subscribed series. It started as an independent project funded by fan donations via PayPal before being sponsored by Microsoft and Sprint in season 2. Season 3 will debut on Xbox/MSN/Zune on August 25.

The new comic, titled The Guild, was first conceived at San Diego Comic-Con 2008 when senior Dark Horse editor Scott Allie noticed that Day’s sharp wit and diverse talent would transfer well into sequential art. The series will be all-new material that expands on the actual in-game environment never seen on the show.

Allie stated, “Felicia’s amazing, and her writing will translate smoothly into comics. This’ll make a great companion to our line of comics. It’ll fit great alongside our webcomics and our Whedon books. And I’m really looking forward to working with her to get into some areas the show simply can’t because of budgetary reasons.”

The artist of the initial three-issue miniseries is undetermined, but the story will be penned by Felicia Day. Day, a self-proclaimed gaming aficionado, stated, “I’m really excited to work in a new medium and expand The Guild universe. The comics will be a great way for fans to become more involved with the characters, and see the characters interact in environments that we can’t afford to show in the web series. I can’t imagine working with a better company than Dark Horse. It seems like a perfect match for the show. Indie cred to the max!”

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Marvelman Now Part of Marvel

The biggest news of Comic Con International in San Diego was revealed moments ago and jaws are still on the floor—the world-renowned super hero Marvelman is now part of the Marvel Comics family! Marvel Comics has purchased the rights to Marvelman from creator Mick Anglo and his representatives, finding a home for one of the most sought after heroes in graphic fiction!

“It is an honor to work with Mick Anglo to bring his creation to a larger audience than ever before,” said Dan Buckley, CEO & Publisher, Print, Animation & Digital Media, Marvel Entertainment Inc. “Fans are in for something special as they discover just what makes Marvelman such an important character in comic book history.”

Originally created in 1954 by Mick Anglo and appearing in some of the most celebrated comic stories of all time, Marvelman is Micky Moran, a young reporter gifted with the power to save the world by simply uttering the word “kimota”!

“I did not think it would ever happen,” said Mick Anglo. “It's a wonderful thing to see my creation finally back.”

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Comic-Con San Diego Underway!

The full-on Nerd excursion which has become a mainstream pop-culture event should be in full-swing by now. Granted, it's still about 6am in San Diego, but people start showing up the night before, and they usually have a few opening events Thursday nights.

In years past, I posted all the comics companies' full Comic-Con schedules. The problem is they take a long time to format and attract almost no attention, so I decided against it this year. After all, the companies list them on their own sites; anyone in attendance already has a copy of the schedules, and those of us who can't make it aren't too interested.

Anyway, no Comic-Con schedules this year. However, I did receive them and I'll take a peek through to see if there's anything newsworthy to post about.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Metalocalypse Comes to Dark Horse!

JULY 23, SAN DIEGO, CA – Following the release of the highly anticipated Dethklok vs. The Goon, Dark Horse Comics and Adult Swim announce a brand-new comics series based on the immensely popular animated show, Metalocalypse. The band’s five members — Nathan Explosion, William “Murderface,” Skwisgaar Skwigelf, Toki Wartooth, and Pickles — will be featured in a full publishing program created by series co-creator Brendon Small and a collaborative team of Metalocalypse and Dark Horse artists and writers.

Co-created by Tommy Blacha and Brendon Small, the Metalocalypse television series follows the on- and off-stage adventures of the world’s most brutal band as they create a wave of mayhem, death, and destruction wherever they go. Since debuting on Adult Swim in 2006, the series has become one of the network’s highest-rated original series, and the second season was watched by more than five million 18 to 34-year-old viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. This animated band has also had a lot of very real success, as the band’s debut CD, Dethklok: The Dethalbum, is the fastest-selling death-metal album of all time since debuting at #21 on Billboard’s Top 100 list, and a real-live version of the animated band has completed nearly sold-out tours. The follow up album, Dethklok: The Dethalbum II, will be released on September 8th from Williams Street Records.

“This collaboration with Dark Horse Comics is a great opportunity for us to partner with a company that has a shared sensibility and fan base with one of Adult Swim’s most popular brands,” said Christina Miller, vice president of Cartoon Network Enterprises. “Combining the pool of artistic talent of both companies, we have created a great publishing program that will both deliver the quality, entertaining content that our fans look for and will expose the hilarious antics of Dethklok to a new group of potential fans.”

“I am a huge fan of Eric and of The Goon,” says Dark Horse President Mike Richardson. “Eric, it turns out, is a huge fan of Metalocalypse. Once Eric suggested this team up, we began discussing the project and it seemed like a natural fit. We couldn't be more excited about introducing these characters to the comics world.”

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

The Marvel Comic-Con Costume Contest, 2009

Are you going to Comic-Con International in San Diego? Will you be dressed as your favorite Marvel character? Then get your friendly neighborhood, star-spangled, best-at-what-you-do self down to the Marvel Booth at Comic-Con for The Marvel Costume Contest taking place on Friday, July 24^th at 4:00 PM!

If you have the heroic (or villainous) qualities to participate in this exciting contest, make sure to be at the Marvel Booth (#2429) by 3:30 PM to register! All you need to do is wear a costume of your favorite Marvel character (but keep it family friendly!) and you could win the Grand Prize of a Marvel Omnibus signed by Stan Lee! All entrants may also be featured in a gallery on Marvel.Com! The winner will be determined by you, the fans, as you vote on who you want to be crowned this year’s winner!

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

History in the Making at The Palm Restaurant

The Palm Restaurant at 615 J Street in San Diego is quickly becoming known for more than its great food. It’s becoming a work of comic art, thanks to Marvel Comics and San Diego Comic Con. That tradition continues on Thursday at 12:00 noon, PST, so come and be a part of it all! For the past 4 years, red-hot superstars have added to a growing mural of mighty Marvel characters as fans watched their process. Adding to the mural this year are fan-favorite creators Steve Epting (Captain America), and the team of Michael Ryan & Christina Strain (Runaways). The characters they will be drawing are top secret, so you’ll have to make like Spider-Man and swing by The Palm!

Fans will get the chance to watch artists make history, talk to the creators, and enjoy some amazing food as this living work or art gets two new additions! Come to The Palm and make yours Marvel!

When: Thursday 12:00-2:00 P.M.
Where: The Palm Restaurant
615 J Street
(619) 702-6500

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Punisher: R.I.P.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Vincent Price Presents TPB with Foreword by Roger Corman!

Ghouls, ghosts, and the unnamed things that lurk in dark corners come together in the recently announced trade paperback collection from Bluewater Productions’ sold out, Gothic horror comic book series Vincent Price Presents.

Vincent Price Presents Volume I, scheduled for release September 30^th, includes four issues from the successful anthology series and features an introduction by film legend and frequent Price collaborator, Roger Corman.

"These stories showcase some of the best of the comic horror genre," said Darren Davis, Bluewater’s president. "Our writers, artists, and colorists have combined talent to create some truly innovative and bizarre landscapes for a new generation of Vincent Price devotees and fans of strong genre storytelling."

The stories include horrific transformations, twisting plots, perversions of science, labyrinthine castles, Gothic dread, surreal revelations, and a little unexpected genre-bending. In each tale, Vincent Price serves as the iconic host and muse.

"We anticipate several more macabre collections in the near future," Davis said. "The series continues to be one of our highest-selling and best reviewed titles, and we are planning to incorporate some of his more famous movie roles in future issues."

The popular series, which debuted last Halloween, is currently a monthly title and each issue contained one complete story. It has been featured in “Fangoria,” Horror Hound” and “Rue Morgue.”

Bluewater currently enjoys partnership with the Price estate controlled by his daughter Victoria. Plans are currently being developed to celebrate Price’s 100^th birthday in 2011.

The suggested retail price (SRP) for the upcoming trade paperback is $17.99.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Dark Reign: The Sinister Spider-Man #2

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Check Out the All New Anime Iron Man and Wolverine!

Culver City, CA (7/16/09) – Marvel Entertainment Inc., has partnered with renowned Japanese animation studio, Madhouse (Paprika, Tokyo Godfathers), to create four all new anime versions of classic Marvel Super Heroes. Get an exciting first glimpse of two of the planned four series at this year’s Comic-Con International, the country's leading comics and popular arts convention. The Marvel Animation Panel will be held on Friday, July 24, and will include an exclusive first look at official teaser trailers for two of these new series, hosted by writer and multiple-Eagle Award winner Warren Ellis, who will appear to discuss writing the all new adventures of these re-imagined Super Heroes.

These Marvel Anime TV series are being created as a way of merging the beloved Marvel Super Heroes of western culture with the bold animation tradition of Japan. The resulting product will be four visually groundbreaking anime series featuring popular Super Heroes redesigned and repurposed as emerging from the fabric of Japanese culture. The series is expected to begin appearing on the Animax channel in Japan in spring of 2010.

The Marvel Animation Panel with run from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 24, at the San Diego Convention Center. An autograph signing with Ellis will follow the panel at Marvel’s Comic-Con booth #2429.

Madhouse, Inc., established in 1972 with offices in Tokyo, Los Angeles and Beijing, is one of the top animation studios in the world working exclusively with some of Japan’s top anime directors. They have created many well-known titles such as worldwide hits Ninja Scroll, Vampire Hunter D, Trigun, Tokyo Godfathers, and Metropolis, Japanese successful TV series such as Death Note and Nana, as well as Paprika (an Official Selection at the 2006 Venice Film Festival) and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2007 Japanese Academy Award for Best Film – Animation)

Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics). Marvel's strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Box is Blown

Sorry, guys. We had a huge thunderstorm Wednesday which knocked-out the power at about 4:30p. They just got it back on here at about 9:30p last night! So, after 30 some-odd hours without power, I hooked-up the Vista computer to find it is fucked. So is the flatscreen monitor...

The fan is turning, so I guess the power supply is okay. It may be the hard drive. And, as much as that would truly suck, I did back everything up just a few months ago. I know that's a long time, but not really; I haven't done anything in that time that's, like, ultra-important or can't be redone. Besides, I'm not even sure that's the problem; it could be anything, really. Even the power supply (it may be pushing just enough power to move the fan). But I doubt it.

Anyway, I'm on the 98 box and it's going to take me a few hours to setup the mailbox and run mail, but then I'll bring you whatever I've got. I don't have the money to have the Vista box fixed right this minute and won't for another week or so; I have about $100 to my name and I can't afford to spend it all on repairs (I only hope that's the most it will cost; I have no idea).

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Lockjaw & the Pet Avengers Meet the Puppy-in-Chief

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Harry Potter Beats Dark Knight

According to an e-mail from the studio, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince's midnight showing took-in some $22.2 million - beating The Dark Knight by $4 million. The e-mail contained a single quote: "Wow."

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

The Vegas Fantasy Football Superdraft

I must admit, I am ignorant as to the ways of Fantasy Football, though I do have friends who play it every year. I spoke to some of them and have to admit, I miss the camaraderie of such pursuits. Tabletop gaming does for me what Fantasy Football does for sports fans, but Fantasy Football is definitely more of a "men's club." And, much like we roleplayers, they are starting to get their own conventions.

The Las Vegas Fantasy Football Superdraft this August 27^th is likely to be bigger, and more boisterous, than most any con any of us have ever attended. Well, I could tell you a few stories, but this is neither the time nor the place, so let's skip it. Plus, no gaming/comic book con I have ever heard of has talent like FLO RIDA or George Clinton & the Parliament Funkadelic - both of whom will be performing at the event. Not to mention VIP parties, Tailgate Concerts, customized draft rooms, "Overtime" pool festivities, and much, much more.

And beer.

You can bet your bottom dollar these guys will downing a few oat sodas and I must admit, that is one of those things to which tabletop gaming just does not easily lend itself. Trust me, I have tried - quite a few times, actually. There is just way too much bookkeeping involved in tabletop roleplay gaming to allow one to get drunk, even tipsy. You have to keep a relatively clear head to focus on your game. Fantasy Football does not have such restrictions.

Check it out - it's sure to be a blast!

Ronald Reagan: Political Power

From movie star to charismatic leader of the free world, the life of Ronald Reagan will be the featured subject on an upcoming issue of Bluewater Productions’ Political Power biography comic series.

Considered by many to be either one of the United States’ greatest presidents and father of the neo-conservative movement, or an out-of–touch figurehead, Reagan’s legacy still sparks debate 20-plus years after leaving office.

Political Power: Ronald Reagan, scheduled for release in October, examines Reagan’s eventful life from radio broadcaster to B-movie actor to California governor to President, and includes his dignified fight against Alzheimer’s disease in later years.

"Reaganomics, the assassination attempt, "Star Wars," the air-traffic controllers strike, Iran-Contra, and, of course, the collapse of the "evil empire" Soviet Union; wherever you may fall on the political spectrum, you must agree that Reagan’s time in office... had a profound and lasting influence on the country," said Bluewater president Darren G. Davis.

Writer, Don Smith, adds, "I think the crux of the book will be the assessment of whether Reagan was simply at the right place and time when the Soviet Union fell, or was he one of the shrewdest occupants of the White House?"

The issue, penned by Smith, was illustrated by Scott Woodward. The cover art was provided by award-winning artist, Azim Akberal.

The comic book series, launching in this month with a feature on former-Secretary of- State and retired four-star general Colin Powell, includes planned biographies on Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Al Gore, and several others.

"Like its sister title, Female Force, Political Power strives to tell even-handed stories of the individuals responsible for shaping the American way of life," Davis added.

While people do still debate Reagan's presidency, I was alive during his terms and he didn't get elected a second time for nothing. While I've heard many complain of unemployment during his presidency in particular, I believe this was limited. After all, Dynasty was the #1 TV show, Michael Jackson moonwalked his way to stardom in $1 million commercials, and $1 million was still a pretty staggering amount of money. Maybe this issue will shed some light on the whole thing.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

The End

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Natalie Portman Joins the Cast of Thor

Natalie Portman has been tapped for the role of Jane Foster, the beautiful nurse who first caught the Norse god's eye and later captured his heart. While Jane Foster was an early girlfriend in the Thor comics, the character will be updated for the flick.

Thor stars Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston, and is being directed by Kenneth Branagh.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

The Armani Jeans Sale

Everybody knows the name, Armani. But did you know that Armani not only makes fabulous suits and fine accessories, they also make jeans? And, just as you would expect, they are of the finest quality and quite striking in appearance. But, as you might not expect, they start at under $100. New Premium Denim starting at $98 from Armani Exchange - you can't beat that!

I looked through their choices and found three pieces I really like, including the Suspender Jean, which are made for wearing with suspenders, and the Bleach and Light Destruction Boot Cut styles. I wanted to include pictures of them so I could discuss them further and you could check them out for yourself, but I could not figure out how to do that...

Granted, it is Armani, so cost can be an issue for some. Luckily, Armani is sponsoring a great SMS contest, where you can win a free pair of denim jeans once every day in July! Of course, you still have plenty of chance to win, but you had better hurry, because we only have a couple weeks left... To enter the text A|X contest, simply text "DENIM2" to ARMANI (276264).

Plus, every customer who purchases a pair of jeans gets a $20 gift certificate good for any purchase of $100 or more from 7/30/09 through 8/15/09. Check out the A|X Blog to find out more!

Return of the Wonky Schedule

Everything's fine with Blogger's scheduled posting function (AFAIK), I'm just still getting settled personally and needed a short break. Unfortunately, I have yet to get one.

My last location did not work-out, thanks to the fact that I was renting from a bonafide slumlord, and I refused to pay him rent since he refused to fulfill his end of the bargain. After arguing, fighting, cajoling, and "reminding" him about these things for three solid months, I gave up. He infested my personal belongings with roaches which I have (of course) brought with me and will likely have to hire an exterminator to be rid of, but other than that, I think/hope I made it out okay. This creep has a lot more to lose than the pitiful amount I would have owed him, had I stayed, so I sincerely doubt he's going to try to collect, based on the fact that I failed to provide him 30 days' notice or something like that.

Anyway, we moved literally the entire house this past Saturday and, as always, it rained like hell all over my stuff. I got hot and dripping wet with sweat, then soaked by rain as I desperately tried to save my personal belongings from drowning, and finally fell into bed late that night. I'm still catching-up on my sleep, moving boxes, and going through them to find stuff I need.

It will obviously be a minute before we get back to the business o blogging, so bear with the Wonky Schedule and late-night posts for just a bit longer. Who knows? Maybe this will catch-on; after all, I used to blog literally whenever I was up and the mood struck, and I often make late-night posts elsewhere.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

It's a BluWorld, After All

While there are a surge of energy drinks on the market these days, there are not that many that are as tasty as they are helpful. Actually, most people would agree that energy drinks are more utilitarian than anything else; too many are gritty and generally unpleasant, or so sweet as to be cloying. Some of them flat-out choke you!

What you want is an energy drink that not only works, but tastes great, and BluFrog is just that drink. Light, yet flavorful, it packs just the right amount of punch in its potent... well, punch. Even better, they have a great contest in its final days, so you still have time to check out BluFrog and enter the BluFrog contest.

There are five different prize packages, from the BluGamer gaming package to the New Year's Eve party celebration package. Every one of them is not just worth winning, but worth drinking an entire case of BluFrog and running on foot, cross-country, to every other entrant's house to make sure... Well, every package is worth winning, but you can only win by entering and the whole thing is nearly through!

Make sure you take a moment to both enter the contest and check out the new BluFrog energy drink!

Web of Spider-Man #1

Following the events in Amazing Spider-Man #600, Peter Parker's life is more unpredictable than ever. Marvel has chosen to expand their Spider-Man line - and the ongoing travails of our favorite webcrawler - with this new title. Debuting in October, Web of Spider-Man will fill the void left by the thrice-weekly Amazing Spider-Man. Each issue will be double-sized, to boot, but it must be noted that Spider-Girl's adventures will now be chronicled here, as well.

Web of Spider-Man premieres this October.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Deadpool #11 - Second-Printing

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Goonies Never Say 'Die'!

The Goonies is the movie about which I always say, "I wish I had that; I'd watch that," whenever we play the What to Watch? game. In fact, I literally just said it maybe a week ago. As it turns out, I do have it and I've had it for some time, I just didn't realize it because it's on the same tape as another movie I enjoy but rarely watch. That's the only good thing about moving (usually): finding stuff you thought you'd lost forever (or, in this case, never knew you had).

Anyway, I watched it yesterday and loved it just as much as I did as a kid. The year it was released, they started a Saturday matinee program at the theater in Raleigh, and we got to go several weeks that summer. We had to go in a group (of kids from the neighborhood) and we didn't get to go every week because too few of us had money to, but I still saw Ghostbusters, Muppets Take Manhattan, and The Goonies at the theater that summer. I saw The Goonies and Ghostbusters twice.

My feelings on it, even as a kid, were mixed. It was a little sophisticated for my age group, even though it was squarely aimed at my age group, and I noticed in viewing it yesterday that a lot more cussing had been audioed-out. And who were these kids, anyway? They came across as these established characters, like we should already have known them, yet they had none of the usual trappings - no breakfast cereal, Saturday morning cartoon, no action figure line. But it has an undeniable elan which cuts through all of that and imparts a sense of wild-eyed fun and adventure to viewers of all ages. No, it's not a technically sound movie by any means, but it's a kids' movie, so... lighten up.

I think The Goonies captured a specific moment in time that can never be recaptured - it was our generation's Bad News Bears. Too much has changed, too much is known, and too much has happened since then for The Goonies to be as resonant today. In fact, The Goonies could never have happened any other way at any other time - a few years in either direction and we get Cloak & Dagger or Die Hard. Still, sequel rumors have persisted for years, and they have heated-up once again.

I absolutely love The Goonies, though I do see the flaws of the film as an adult. Still, a sequel could be done which brings that same feeling to a new generation, I just doubt too many in Hollywood would be willing to do it right. After all, there are too many major blockbusters with cutting-edge CGI action to be made. Still, one can hope.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Incredible Hercules #136

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Tyrese Gibson's Mayhem Breaking Records

13 July 2009 (Berkeley, CA) - TYRESE GIBSON's MAYHEM and Image Comics announce their presale efforts through a partnership with Los Angeles, CA's Meltdown Comics have exceeded single store records not seen since the early 90s with over 10,000 units sold.

"The success of MAYHEM is a golden opportunity for all retailers to tap into this new influx of readers and in-store foot traffic that Tyrese brings with him," Meltdown owner, Gaston Dominguez, said. “Tyrese is a 2.0 celebrity who is a marketing workhorse and whose brand spans across movies, music, and TV. Team MAYHEM are in it to win it! They are sincere and want to put out good products that cater to their fanbase and beyond. Believe me when I tell you that if Tyrese Twitters your store name, you will get calls and in-store orders.”

Image Comics President and SPAWN creator, Todd McFarlane, added, "With the current state of the comic book industry, any new infusion of excitement or customers would be a welcome relief. Tyrese brings both of those to the table along with his unbridled enthusiasm. Image is looking forward to having a long sustained run with him on MAYHEM and some of the other ideas he's talked about for the future."

TYRESE GIBSON'S MAYHEM has not only been pushed by Gibson's own efforts through Twitter and his personal outreach to comics retailers, but it's also been the center of a worldwide publicity campaign tied into his starring role in the recent blockbuster film, Transformers 2. Thus far, MAYHEM has been featured by CNN, MTV, The Today Show, Complex, USA Today, E!'s Chelsea Lately, Access Hollywood, Essence, and many others.

The tour continues as Gibson, along with MAYHEM's artist, Tone Rodriguez, and co-writers, Mike Le and Will Wilson, will be in attendance during this month's San Diego Comic Con International at Image Comics, booth #2729. He will also be discussing the future of MAYHEM, along with the long-awaited unveiling of the eventual collection's cover by Image Founder and the superstar artist of ALL-STAR BATMAN & ROBIN, Jim Lee, during The Image Comics Show on Friday, July 24^th at 11:30 in Room 5AB.

Lee added, "There's nothing more compelling about a bold, original character than an impassioned team of creators. MAYHEM's boundless energy starts from the top as whirlwind dynamo creator Tyrese Gibson singlehandedly makes you love the character as if he were your very own betrayed, tragic son, seeking redemption. MAYHEM is fresh, fun and most importantly, from the heart."

“I am humbled by the love and support MAYHEM has received from all the legendary comic veterans and trend-setters,” Gibson said. “To have the personal endorsements of Jim Lee, Avi Arad, Todd McFarlane, Robert Kirkman, Grant Morrison, and so many others... it just blows my mind. I am excited to bring MAYHEM to the die-hard comic book fans, but I am most excited at this opportunity to expose this world to the new generation of comic book fans, who, like me, until now have never read a comic book in their lives. They will find new heroes to embrace and enjoy escapism at it's best! This is only the beginning!"

TYRESE GIBSON'S MAYHEM #1 (JUN090321), a 32-page, full color comic book for $2.99, will be in-stores August 5^th, 2009

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Dark Horse Revives Creepy

Dark Horse is reviving famed horror anthology, Creepy. Originally published by Warren, Creepy was a black and white, magazine-style anthology of horror tales without the Comics Code. It started back in 1964, almost a generation after EC Comics and other comics publishers lost their horror titles to Conservative pressure, and cinematic monsters were pop-culture fluff.

Short stories of darkness and despair - and mostly murder - have proven popular in the comics field time and again over the years (the most recent of which, that I am familiar with, being IDW's Doomed), and they are often done in magazine format, largely thanks to Creepy's influence. Dark Horse is bringing it back in a 48-page comic format, after reprinting many of the magazines in hardcover.

Creepy Comics #1 premieres this Wednesday, with a panel signing the following week at Comic-Con, which includes Berni Wrightson! The cover price is $4.99.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Marvel Comics Shipping 07-15-09

Here you go guys, your Rundown of Marvel Comics shipping this Wednesday, July 15th, 2009:

Comics On-Sale:
AGENTS OF ATLAS 8
ALL SELECT COMICS 70TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
ALL SELECT COMICS 70TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL MARTIN VARIANT
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #599 (DR)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #599 70S DECADE VARIANT (DR)
BETA RAY BILL: GODHUNTER #2
CAPTAIN AMERICA #600 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
CAPTAIN AMERICA #601
CAPTAIN AMERICA #601 BLACK AND WHITE VARIANT
CAPTAIN AMERICA #601 DJURDJEVIC 70TH
ANNIVERSARY VARIANT
DARK AVENGERS #7 (DAX)
DARK AVENGERS #7 BIANCHI VARIANT (DAX)
DARK REIGN: MISTER NEGATIVE #2
DEADPOOL #12 (DR)
DEADPOOL #12 60S DECADE VARIANT (DR)
DEADPOOL: SUICIDE KINGS #1 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
DEADPOOL: SUICIDE KINGS #2 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
DEADPOOL: SUICIDE KINGS #3 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
FRANKLIN RICHARDS: SCHOOL'S OUT!
INCOGNITO #5
IRON MAN: ARMORED ADVENTURES ONE-SHOT
IRON MAN: ARMORED ADVENTURES ONE-SHOT YOUNG VARIANT
LOCKJAW AND THE PET AVENGERS #3
LOCKJAW AND THE PET AVENGERS #3 HENRICHON VARIANT
MARVEL ADVENTURES THE AVENGERS #38
MIGHTY AVENGERS #27
MIGHTY AVENGERS #27 50S DECADE VARIANT
NEW MUTANTS #2 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
NEW MUTANTS #3
NEW MUTANTS #3 50S DECADE VARIANT
NEW MUTANTS #3 PIERFEDERICI VARIANT
PUNISHER #7
TIMESTORM 2009/2099 #3
X-FACTOR #46
X-MEN FOREVER #1 2ND PRINTING VARIANT

Collections On-Sale:
ANNIHILATION CLASSIC TPB
CAPTAIN BRITAIN BY ALAN MOORE & ALAN DAVIS OMNIBUS HC CLASSIC COSTUME COVER
CAPTAIN BRITAIN BY ALAN MOORE & ALAN DAVIS OMNIBUS HC ORIGINAL COSTUME COVER (DM ONLY)
DOCTOR DOOM AND THE MASTERS OF EVIL GN
ENDER'S GAME: BATTLE SCHOOL PREMIERE HC
ENDER'S SHADOW: BATTLE SCHOOL PREMIERE HC
ESSENTIAL MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE VOL. 3 TPB
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: THE POWER OF STARHAWK PREMIERE HC
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: THE POWER OF STARHAWK PREMIERE HC (DM ONLY)
INCREDIBLE HERCULES: SMASH OF THE TITANS HC
SPIDER-MAN: TORMENT PREMIERE HC
SPIDER-MAN: TORMENT PREMIERE HC (DM ONLY)
THUNDERBOLTS: BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE PREMIERE HC
WAR MACHINE VOL. 1: IRON HEART PREMIERE HC

*DAX = Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men:Utopia tie-in
*DR = Dark Reign tie-in
*MW = Messiah War tie-in
*WOK = War of Kings tie-in

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Strange Tales #2 - Red Hulk Variant

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Car Parts Warehouse

These days, the adage, "You can find anything on the Internet" is pretty much true, but when it comes to shopping online, you always have to consider shipping costs. Yes, one can save a lot of dough buying stuff on the Web, but once you add shipping and handling costs, those savings quickly fade. This is especially true for large and heavy items. That is why few people shop for things like car parts online.

Car Parts Warehouse knows this. That's why all orders over $50.00 get free shipping. Yes, a car parts website which offers free shipping on orders over just $50.00! And if they don't have it in-stock, they'll make every effort to find it for you or have it rebuilt to your specifications. You just can't beat that - though they welcome you to try!

Follow the link provided to check them out, or call them at 1-800-565-5021, Mon-Fri, from 6-5p, Pacific.

Timberlake to Take the Lantern!?

This one's kinda weird, because it makes no sense. According to some sources, Warner Brothers has narrowed its choice of actors to portray Green Lantern (Hal Jordan, that is) to three: Ryan Reynolds, Bradley Cooper, and... Justin Timberlake.

Now, I have not seen Alpha Dog and though I've heard Timberlake turns in a good performance, and I actually find him funny on SNL, let's be for damn real for just a minute, can we?

I mean, just... No. Just no.

Anyway, Ryan Reynolds is already attached to Deadpool. Even though that certainly doesn't put him out of the running for Hal Jordan, I don't see them casting the same actor in two potentially long-lived franchises being released concurrently. Neither company would go for it, because it could cause serious scheduling conflicts, not to mention the whole actor-recognized-as-a-character thing. This Bradley Cooper guy I've only just barely ever heard of and he doesn't have the superhero look, but he was in a big hit movie recently, so that's all that really matters. Ah, Hollow-wood...

Nathan Fillion apparently isn't going to get the part, even though he isn't a bad choice. Of course, none of this is 100%; we were already told that Ryan Gosling had the part, remember? And what happened to Angel? David Boreanaz looks like frigging Hal Jordan - I mean, he looks like the guy who posed for the foundation sketches!

With a reputed $200 million budget and a space-based script, Green Lantern sounds like it's going in every wrong direction available. It's a real shame too, because Green Lantern is one of those superheroes who's really more of a sci-fi sort of thing. Sure, he wears the tights and pals-around with the JLA, but that was more because his story was told in the sequential art medium at a time when superheroes ruled the roost. If they're going to kind of overlook the superhero thing by keeping the whole movie in space (or most of it, anyway), then I guess any actor who connects with the character will work.

Of course the actor is all-important in a character-based film, but in this particular case, they could go a lot of different ways; that importance could be almost completely tempered by the script - and, subsequently, the director, et.al. There's a whole lot of story there, and that's one thing they have yet to truly focus on in any superhero flick of late. It's kind of hard to find one ever, when you think about it:

Superman had to work the story because Supes is the most one-dimensional dude in the multiverse, ad infinitum (though a "Dark" Wolverine means there's at least one more in the running, now...); and Batman (Burton) went straight for the total immersion/melange angle - and did it perfectly, I'll mention. Batman may be the way Green Lantern goes - with an eye toward every detail and the focus on no single element.

And if these three are all we got, let's hope it does.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Spreety TV on Yo PC

Even as network TV moves into the digital realm, more TV watchers are moving on to TV on their PC. As regular readers know, my satellite was turned-off before I moved and I have yet to have it turned back on, even though I am now unable to watch any TV at all! That's because I can watch Burn Notice online now. And that's really all I need, most weeks.

Check out Spreety TV Online : Watch TV Shows Online Free, when you want to see them. Pause them, rewind, replay scenes, and more - all the convenience of DVD/DVR without the expense or hassle! Check it out now - for free!

CGC Now Grading Sports Illustrated, Playboy

As of June 16th, CGC now grades Sports Illustrated (SI) and Playboy. While the Certified Guaranty Company has been grading magazine-sized sequential art periodicals (Mad Magazine, Epic, Heavy Metal, et.al.) for more than five years, it is just now starting to extend into magazines not normally associated with collectors. A thicker version of their patented "slab" cover has been introduced to accommodate Playboy Christmas issues and Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues, both of which are larger than usual.

Playboy has a circulation of 3 million monthly (U.S.), which is interesting, since I'd been hearing Playboy was worried about the continued popularity of print... But though I have a modest collection of Playboy and really dig eyeballing super-hot, completely nekkid chicks, I don't have the time to research the whole thing. I'd love to hear from some collectors/experts who could run it down for us. SI has a weekly circulation of about the same (3 million) and apparently has collectibility merit. I assumed some people collected SI, but I did not know it was popular enough to break into the collectibles field.

CGC seems to think they might have had at least a little to do with these magazines becoming more popular as collectibles, and note their magazine-handling capacities are set to expand in the near future.

Given the nature of these periodicals, I'm going to guess a -0.01 for pages stuck together? After all, it's going to be a common flaw.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Dark Wolverine #75 - Second-Printing

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Bendis & Quesada Swing-In to Amazing Spider-Man #601

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

New Tragic Toys from Tim Burton and Dark Horse!

The fertile imagination of Tim Burton is one of the most interesting creative resources in pop-culture today. While his many films are stamped with his unique vision, cinema is an inherently collaborative process. It was therefore with great excitement and pride that Dark Horse Deluxe brought forward a merchandise program based on Burton’s most personal work – the delightfully twisted characters who populate his book The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories.

Springing from Burton’s sketchpads and notebooks, these charming little characters have taken on a life of their own. They are his strange little children, and although some have described them as twisted or odd, as Burton himself has observed, "One person's craziness is another person’s reality."

Dark Horse has collaborated closely with Burton in making many of these characters "real," most notably in a series of faithfully sculpted miniature figures sold in boxed sets. After finding wide acceptance in the specialty market, these have been perennial sellers over the last several years.

Dark Horse Deluxe now proudly introduces large-size vinyl versions of these characters for the collector market. While the same faithful attention to detail is present, this new 6"+ size brings forward the special nuance of each individual creation, and fits very nicely into the ever-growing popularity of "designer vinyl" collectible toys. Three releases are planned for the end of 2009: Oyster Boy, Stain Boy, and Toxic Boy.

In conjunction with this, Dark Horse is refreshing the packaging of the original boxed sets, giving it a new graphic-design look and, in a reluctant bow to the increased cost of just about everything, a new suggested retail price (SRP).

The Tim Burton program is also being updated with a variety of new releases, including two heat-sensitive coffee mugs, a pull-tab journal that animates a Burton watercolor scene, a new light-up journal, playing cards, T-shirts, and note cards in light-up boxes.

"Dark Horse Deluxe has been privileged to work with many of today's [pop-culture] giants," VP of Product Development, David Scroggy, remarked, "But there is no one we get excited about more than Tim Burton. These characters are almost like his little children, and we are grateful that he trusts us with them. We have always told Tim that our mission with this program is to bring forward his artistic vision, and we take that responsibility seriously. The new items are a step forward on that journey, and while we don’t know exactly where it will lead us, we are certainly having some fun along the way."

As a capstone to a storied, ongoing career, Tim Burton is to be recognized with a career retrospective show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The exhibit will run from November 2009 through March 2010. Dark Horse Deluxe products will be available at the museum, and the original sculpture maquettes for the figures will be part of the installation. With previously unseen characters being exhibited, it is likely that selected pieces will find their way into the merchandise line as Burton deems appropriate.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

The End is Nigh for the Luna Brothers' The Sword

July 9 2009 (Berkeley, CA) - Yesterday evening on G4TV's Fresh Ink, Blair Butler announced The Luna Brothers have officially begun work on the final arc of their long running action-packed revenge epic, THE SWORD.

THE SWORD tells the story of Dara Brighton, a young woman who witnesses the murder of her family at the hands of three very powerful elemental beings who are after a sword in her father's possession. In the aftermath, Dara attains the sword which gives her incredible abilities beyond her wildest beliefs. While the sword has thus far protected Dara in her quest for revenge, the final arc reveals even this great power has a shocking limitation - one that may be her undoing!

"We cannot wait to reveal what happens in the final arc," Illustrator, Jonathan Luna, said.

Writer, Joshua Luna, added, "From the moment we started working on this series, we’ve always had a very specific ending in mind. So, it’s been incredibly fun, dropping little hints and working towards the payoff, issue by issue. I think readers will be surprised to see how it ends."

THE SWORD #19 (APR090395), a 32-page, full-color comic book for $2.99, will be in stores August 2009.

The Weirding and The Rundown reviewed issue #12 of The Sword last October and enjoyed it very much. Check out our review, then check out The Sword at your local comics dealer's (or find one by clicking on the link to the right).

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Skottie Young, Marvel Podcast Not in Kansas Anymore

(Pictured) THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ #8 (of 8) (MAY090438)
Written by ERIC SHANOWER
Pencils & Cover by SKOTTIE YOUNG
All Ages …$3.99
On-Sale 7/22/09

Acclaimed Wonderful Wizard of Oz artist, Skottie Young, takes The Mighty Marvel Podcast down the yellow brick road and you’re invited to join! Jeff Suter, fan favorite host & Marvel Senior Art Director, sits down with Young to talk about The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the sequel (The Marvelous Land of Oz), and more! What’s Young’s art process? And what’s it like working with Editor Nate Cosby?

Hear more about your favorite Marvel Comics artists, writers, creators, characters, and titles; go behind-the-scenes to learn more about their creative processes and the steps it takes to get a comic book from one guy's brain onto 32+ pages; as well as more about the big, upcoming events WHICH WILL CHANGE THE MARVEL UNIVERSE FOREVER - every month. Subscribe on iTunes to never miss an episode!

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Weird Schedule

Sorry for the way things have been posted lately. There's generally a rush of early to mid -morning posts, followed by a few stragglers later in the afternoon/evening. It makes it hard to follow and kinda... just weird. Like I run out of steam or something and just give-up halfway through the day. Then, stories which broke yesterday - or even a few days earlier - pops-up sometime down the road.

The truth is that I have been giving-up about halfway through the day:

I am living in a hole, the tenant of a real, live slumlord like the ones that used to appear in 1980's sit-coms when they were sentenced to live in their own rental units. I would love if this guy were sentenced to the same! Of course, I live in Decatur County, TN - a notoriously corrupt county - and this guy's dad used to be mayor. He, himself, holds a chair on many city boards (though I've no idea if it is due to his own prominence or yet another holdover from his dad's political weight). So this whole "slumlord" thing will never happen.

No matter how much, how long, nor how hard I fight, neither my landlord nor his vulgar, accursed, 90+ year-old "mama" will ever be held responsible for their negligence nor forced to bring their rental properties up to code. Further, since they rent to a lot of people who would otherwise have no place to to stay (for all sorts of reasons, but largely because they can't afford one), I don't want to just "drop hammers" and get the guy's entire operation shutdown (though it should be); I'm pretty sure I could start complaining to state-run bodies and eventually, someone would check it out.

Anyway, 90°+ weather is a regular thing here in Tennessee, and the proximity to the river means humidity is a factor. This place has no insulation and too many holes to even mention (even after a heavy round of caulking and another using that canned spray foam), as well as a huge, sliding glass patio door; it generally gets up to at least 85° or so by noon - by 1pm, I have to lie down. It's bad when you get up to use the restroom and your forehead breaks into a sweat, but the worst thing is how hot it makes my core body temperature - it's usually almost 6p before my body begins actually cooling down, and it starts with the chills. I've developed a cough which can get quite forceful, though it's non-productive; I hope I'm not coming down with pneumonia!

This being so close to the weekend, I can tell you that I am moving tomorrow. Yes, I am moving this entire house in two days (1¹/₂, really, because I'll be out of here before it gets that hot, Sunday!). This is part of the reason things have been put on-hold and done half-assed, lately. And if it seems like this has been the case for some time now, it's because it has; I've been telling you that Decatur County, TN is truly a blight on American society and the American South, specifically - and I was never lying!

The truth is that Decatur County, TN has received millions in grant money in just the three years that I've been here, yet there are no social programs which help the poor. You can get commodities once every three months and it used to be little more than a few cans of soup, some bags of rice, and 30 jars of peanut butter. Because I complain so loudly and vehemently, we found out some of the little, old women in charge of distributing the food had been "dipping-in" and pulling out some of the choicer items. Some of them disappeared - were "misplaced," as were some $200k of taxpayers' money - but these thieving, lying whores said most of it was given to the various churches and services around town which provide for poor families and people.

Yes, apparently they thought it a good idea to remove good food - like large cans of tuna fish and pork, cans of fruits, boxes of crackers, and more - from the general commodities which are distributed to everyone whose income is below the poverty line and redistribute it to places like the churches, who only provide to their flock and those families and individuals specifically referred to them throughout the months. This same practice goes on with clothing, household items, and the like; the "barebones," inexpensive stuff is left to be distributed to the unwashed masses, while the "good" stuff is sent elsewhere, either to be resold (of course that money's going to help people - there's "just not enough money to help anyone") or better distributed (you know, to God's people [not the Jews - stay with me here!]). That's how Decatur County, TN is run.

So I'm being forced-out of this shithole, which is no skin off my nose, just a lot of sweat off my back...

Anyway, it's going to be another few weeks of "weird" scheduling until I get settled. And Blogger's scheduling errors have helped NO one.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009