The Rundown: February 2010

Weirding TV - Technical Difficulties

Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 9:03 AM Posted by ManoDogs

We're skipping this week so I have a chance to figure out IRC or some other means of a chatroom. This way, we can hang-out and watch the playlist the way it's meant to be. This is an entire... thing, involving far more than just setting-up an IRC channel, so it may take a couple weeks to do, but I'll have the Saturday Morning Playlist back up next weekend. I was hoping to have this all done before today and just couldn't manage it.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Juiceheads Excluded from Chicken Cutlet Night

Friday, February 26, 2010 at 3:01 PM Posted by ManoDogs

And What is with the Placard? Who ARE These People?

at 1:15 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Police are investigating an incident in which a Bronx police placard was displayed from the back of comedian and TV star, Jerry Seinfeld's, car. According to Seinfeld's spokesperson, his chauffeur, a former police officer, feared for the star's safety when they arrived at the set for a taping of Jerry Seinfeld's new show and found a crowd waiting. He displayed the placard briefly as he escorted the comedian onto the set.

Bronx police say their records indicate the placard was returned in 2007 and an investigation is pending. Jerry Seinfeld said, by way of his spokesperson, that he accepted full responsibility for the incident and the chauffeur will not be fired, even if the matter is determined to have been his indiscretion.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Be Back Soon

at 9:30 AM Posted by ManoDogs

Batman Debut Sells for $1m

at 9:00 AM Posted by ManoDogs

A Detective Comics #27, the issue in which Batman debuted, sold at a Dallas auction for a cool $1 million, a handful of days after an Action Comics #1, featuring Supes' debut, sold for the same online. As with the latter incident, both seller and buyer wish to remain anonymous for obvious reasons. Both comics were in Very Good condition or better.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Coney Island's First Hotdog Found

Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 4:20 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Found encased in ice beneath Feltman's kitchen, a 140-year old hotdog is thought to be the first ever made at Coney Island. Officials say the hotdog still had the original receipt attached to it. The inventor of the famous "Coney Island Hotdog" owned Feltman's for a while. The find will go on display starting May 28^th.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

ComicsPRO's Exclusive Image

at 3:05 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Berkeley, CA -- 25 February 2010 -- Many of the nation's top comic book retailers will converge on Memphis, TN this April for ComicsPRO's Annual Members Meeting, and WALKING DEAD creator and Image COO, Robert Kirkman, will be delivering the keynote speech. Image Comics will also be making an exclusive appearance at the 2010 retailer event.

"While reviewing our options for the 2010 calendar, Image Comics has decided to put its focus for retailer events on ComicsPRO," said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. "We feel the organization does a massive amount of good for the comics industry and with the ever-growing amount of competing events, we felt the need to reaffirm our support for our retail partners by making our appearance at this year's annual meeting our sole retailer event for 2010."

ComicsPRO is the only trade organization for Direct Market comic book retailers. Their goals are not that different from trade organizations in other industries: to promote advocacy, education, and opportunity for their members. Each annual meeting focuses on the many issues this unified, yet independent, retailer organization faces and works toward building a stronger future. In addition to Kirkman, Stephenson, and Image PR & Marketing Coordinator, Joe Keatinge, will also attend. The company's decision to so strongly support this year's annual meeting has been met with great enthusiasm by members of ComicsPRO's Board of Directors.

ComicsPRO President and Flying Colors Comics owner, Joe Field, added: "When a key supplier like Image Comics decides that their time, energy, and focus are best spent meeting with ComicsPRO retailers in Memphis, it highlights the dedication Image has to professional, dedicated comics specialty retailers. We hope more retailers notice this and make plans to join us for the only retailer-directed trade event in the comics business."

"What I admire most about Image Comics is its commitment to creators and their independence," ComicsPRO Board of Directors member and Comix Experience owner, Brian Hibbs, said. "It's amazing to see that same level of commitment and passion being brought to bear for the benefit of the independent comic book retailer as well. This energy and support can't help but make the best retailer-focused event that much better!"

The ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting is March 24-27^th, 2010 at the Hilton Memphis.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Lightsaber Flashmob - Bristol, England

at 1:15 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Seth Green Engaged

at 11:06 AM Posted by ManoDogs

Seth Green and his girlfriend, Clare Grant, told reporters they were engaged on New Year's Eve. A friend told E! that the couple plans on marrying in May.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Sean Phillips Joins Dark Tower: The Gunslinger

at 9:21 AM Posted by ManoDogs

Marvel is proud to announce that Eisner Award-winning Sean Phillips (Incognito, Criminal, Marvel Zombies) has joined the New York Times best-selling Dark Tower creative team! Philips joins the acclaimed team of Peter David, Robin Furth, and Richard Isanove in the select group of creators entrusted by Stephen King himself to bring the adult adventures of his most personal creation to life in Dark Tower: The Gunslinger! Philips exclaims, “Well, I've bought the hat and the gun and holster. And I’ve got the lead pencil right here that'll do the job!”

Phillips’ fellow Dark Tower collaborators couldn’t be more pleased with their new teammate. "Here’s to the beginning of our new Dark Tower adventure! Sean is a wonderful artist, so I can’t wait to see his depictions of Mid-World," Robin Furth said. "We will all miss Jae [Lee], but we’re really lucky to have Sean. Peter and Richard will continue their amazing work, so I think Roland is ready to saddle up and move forward to the Mohaine Desert. Readers, bring plenty of sunscreen. You’re going to need it!"

Peter David added, “I'm very much looking forward to seeing Sean's depiction of Mid-World and the superb manner in which he'll be telling Robin's stories. Jae left him sizable boots to fill, but I have every confidence that Sean is more than up to the challenge, and I'm looking forward to dialoguing his peerless pencils.”

"The past four years spent in Midworld have been the most enjoyable and creatively fullfiling of my professional life. Jae has taken me further than I thought possible in the artistic field and I am ecstatic to now have Sean along for the ride. I'm sure he'll quickly feel at home within our little functional family, with the wise guidance of Robin, Peter's perfect prose, and under Ralph's despotic thumb," Richard Isanove said.

Ruwan Jayatilleke, Marvel’s Senior Vice President, Development & Planning, Print, Animation and Digital Media, said, “Marvel is absolutely psyched to have Sean Phillips join the Dark Tower creative team. Though Jae's artistry will be missed, Sean's gift of phenomenal storytelling and visual fireworks will keep the Dark Tower: The Gunslinger compelling, stunning, and true to its canon. Fans will have much to rave about in the coming months.”

A bold new chapter in Stephen King’s Dark Tower saga begins in Dark Tower: The Gunslinger #1, as Sean Phillips brings you a vision of Gilead like you’ve never seen before!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Is True Blood Headed for the Silver Screen?

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 5:00 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Rutina Wesley, True Blood's Tara, told SciFiNow that she would be interested in doing a movie based on the series "if the timing was right." But she said it would have to be long after the TV series was over, as she feels "every True Blood episode is like a mini movie in itself."

True Blood is going into its third season on HBO.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

10th Muse Gallery

at 4:00 PM Posted by ManoDogs

FX Renews Archer

at 2:45 PM Posted by ManoDogs

FX has renewed the animated Archer for a second season. The "first season," which was actually only seven episodes, performed well enough that the network has ordered 13 for the second season. Thirteen episodes comprise a full season, though networks have the option to pick-up "the back nine" episodes for an actual full-season of 22 episodes. This is increasingly less common for cable networks.

Archer airs Thursday nights. Full episodes are available on Hulu.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Dark Horse Presents The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen

at 1:15 PM Posted by ManoDogs

February 23, 2010, MILWAUKIE, OR—A well-known personality in the comics world, Denis Kitchen has worn many hats. While he is best known as a longtime publisher, founder of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, author, and literary and art agent, his career as a pioneering underground comix artist has been overdue for rediscovery.

First announced for publication from his own Kitchen Sink Press over 20 years ago, but never produced, The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen is the first collection of work by the underground cartoonist and acclaimed publishing pioneer. In addition to his comix, this book features a wealth of unpublished material: paintings, covers for underground newspapers and comix, rare strips and illustrations, and historic photos of Kitchen and many of his contemporaries. Acclaimed writer Neil Gaiman provides a funny and insightful introduction, and an essay by Charles Brownstein (Eisner/Miller) provides context and a career overview.

The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen finally brings Kitchen, the artist, to the stage. This compendium includes approximately 200 illustrations, most of which have remained unseen since their original publication in the late ’60s and ’70s, and is guaranteed to serve as an essential piece of history for modern comics fans.

"I think Oddly Compelling is a very good title for a book of Denis Kitchen’s work, and describes it very well," said legendary artist R. Crumb. "I always thought it was rather a shame that Kitchen became a publisher and businessman to the neglect of his artistic talent... He was a gifted and exceptional artist... I think his downfall was women... the big sap!"

Designed by John Lind, winner of a 2009 American Graphic Design Award for his work on Underground Classics, The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen will appeal to underground comix fans and comics historians alike.

The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen is a full-color, 200-page, 9x12" hardcover priced at $34.99.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

I Am a Secret Avenger

at 12:00 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Ramones' Manager Beaten to Death by Assistant

at 10:15 AM Posted by ManoDogs

Natavia Lowery, formerly Ramones manager, Linda Stein's, personal assistant, has been convicted of her murder. Prosecutors contend Lowery stole over $30,000 from Stein, then bludgeoned her to death with a piece of exercise equipment. Stein's body was found in her apartment in October 2007. Lowery's defense admitted she stole the money, and even acknowledged she stole from another employer, but denied she killed Linda Stein. The jury took about a day to find her guilty.

Part of Natavia Lowery's defense hinged on the contention that police coerced her into a false confession after 12 hours of questioning in which she originally denied any knowledge of her employer's death. Lowery first told police a masked man had killed her and threatened Lowery not to report it. Eventually, she confessed to the murder, saying Stein badgered her and blew pot smoke in her face. However, authorities found no trace of cannabis in Stein's system and determined she'd suffered far more than the six or so blows Lowery claimed to have landed.

Linda Stein managed The Ramones in the 1970s and was once married to Sire Records' head, Seymour Stein. In 1980, Stein left management and went into real estate. Many of her clients were celebrities and entertainment industry icons.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Invincible Iron Man #23 - Second Printing Variant

at 9:00 AM Posted by ManoDogs

Stephenie Meyer HC Coming This May!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 4:30 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Vampires, werewolves and, of course, the people who love them have been very good to writer Stephenie Meyer. The writer and creator of the mega-selling Twilight series of vampire novels has achieved that rarest of feats for modern authors: She's become a celebrity, a household name. And last year, Meyer also became a comic-book star. Bluewater Productions released Female Force: Stephenie Meyer, a graphic biography detailing Meyer's rise from unknown writer to the guiding force behind one of the book industry's top-selling franchises, last November.

Meyer's comic biography resonated with fans of the Twilight novels and movies. Bluewater, in fact, sold-out of several runs of the comic, making it one of the most successful of the company's hot-selling line of biography comics. That's why Bluewater is releasing a new, hardcover version of Meyer's story entitled Twilight Unbound: The Stephenie Meyer Story.

This new version will include updates on the success of New Moon, the most recent Twilight film, and a look at Meyer's future plans for Edward and Bella, the romantic leads of her vampire books. The book will also be stuffed with extras, making it a must-buy for Twilight fans.

The collectible version with new features will be the first hardcover for Bluewater and will retail for $12.99. Written by Ryan Burton with art by David McNeil, the comic is just the latest in Bluewater's popular biography line. This series of biography comics has already highlighted such influential women as Oprah Winfrey, J.K. Rowling, Sarah Palin, Michelle Obama, and Hillary Clinton. The series' goal is to examine the lives of these important figures in an objective and balanced manner without resorting to sensationalism.

"The fan reaction to our original release of Female Force: Stephenie Meyer was amazing," said Darren G. Davis, president of Bluewater Productions. "The positive response took even me by surprise! That's why I'm so excited to release this new version of Meyer's story. I hope her fans appreciate the new information and extras we were able to dig up for this edition of the book."

The book is scheduled for a release in May in time for the Twilight: Eclipse film. The book is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Depp Joins Fight to Free West Memphis Three

at 1:27 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Jason and the Argonauts: Kingdom of Hades

at 11:00 AM Posted by ManoDogs

From the writer of Dr. Who comes a new Ray Harryhausen Presents adventure. The quest to find the Golden Fleece is over, but now Jason and his band of Argonauts must embark on a new and more difficult journey: the journey home. Pursued by a vengeful Aeetes, the Argonauts will brave many dangers, and encounter old friends and new - and old enemies and new... But when the gods play games, no one can avoid reaching the lands of the dead forever...

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Action Comics #1 Sells for $1 million

at 9:09 AM Posted by ManoDogs

A copy of the extremely rare Action Comics #1, featuring the first appearance of some caped guy named... Something Kent (or something) sold for a cool $1 million online. The transaction occurred between two anonymous parties over Comic Connect, a comic book auction website which launched in 2006. The seller was described as a "well-known individual" from New York with a "pedigree collection"

The BBC reported the sale as record-setting, noting it beat last year's "record" sale of $317,000 - also for a copy of Action Comics #1, but in poorer condition, however Metallica's Kirk Hammett bought a comic book for $1 million back in the late 80s - early 90s... something about a bat and/or a detective? Something... anyway.

Only about 100 copies of Action Comics #1 are known to exist and only two are graded at 8.0+. This was one of those rare copies.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

I Am an Avenger!

Monday, February 22, 2010 at 4:00 PM Posted by ManoDogs

South Park Creators' Mormon Play Set for Off-Broadway

at 1:00 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Trey Parker and Matt Stone's satirical play on Mormonism and the beliefs of the Church of Latter Day Saints' is set for off-Broadway sometime in the summer season. Mormon Musical - the working title - includes music by Parker and Avenue Q composer, Robert Lopez. Jason Moore, also of Avenue Q fame, is directing, and Xanadu choreographer, Dan Knechtges, is handling the hoofing. Broadway star, Cheyenne Jackson, is set to star.

Cannibal: The Musical, based on Parker's absolutely hilarious Troma film of the same name, opens in London this July, as well. The duo's film, Orgazmo, took-on Mormonism years ago, with the title character, a devout Mormon, falling into a world of porn, and South Park has lambasted the religion many times over, including a particularly nasty episode satirizing the origins of the religion.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Arrested Development Reunion?

at 11:45 AM Posted by ManoDogs

Arrested Development alumni, Mitch Hurwitz (creator), Jim Vallely (producer), and Will Arnett (star) are looking to get back onto Fox' primetime schedule. A new project, co-written by Arnett and Hurwitz, about a rich "jackass" who falls in love with a charitable "tree-hugger" who detests his views and lifestyle is in the works. The unnamed project will star Arnett as the Beverly Hills jackass. Arnett will also serve as a producer.

For some time now, it had been rumored that an Arrested Development movie was already underway, with only Michael Cera holding-out, however Cera eventually came onboard and told reporters he expected shooting to start this year. The movie, Arrested Development, is expected to be released in 2011.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Sinbad - Rogue of Mars

at 10:30 AM Posted by ManoDogs

He's sailed the seven seas and explored unknown lands, fought countless monsters and battled evil wizards, but Sinbad's newest adventure may be the greatest, and most dangerous, he's ever had! Eight years have passed since the assassination of the benevolent Zhar Dadgar and the curious disappearance of his heir. Akhdar, Dadgar's villainous nephew, has usurped the Dozhakian throne and enslaved the Azurian people, igniting a civil war within the once peaceful kingdom. A prophecy foretells the coming of a stranger from a distant land who will vanquish the false king and restore the rightful ruler to the throne. Could Sinbad be that stranger, or is he merely a pawn in Akhdar's treacherous game?

Coming in March.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Boner's Missing

at 9:17 AM Posted by ManoDogs

TV's "Boner" of Growing Pains fame has been missing for about a week now, leading friends and relatives to turn to the Web to plea for information from anyone who knows anything of his whereabouts. Andrew Koenig, now a producer of the Never Not Funny podcast and human rights activist, missed his flight home from Canada and family members have reason to believe he is severely depressed. Fellow performers and celebrities, Alyssa Milano, Sarah Silverman, Kevin Smith, and others have taken to Twitter and social networks, asking anyone who has seen Koenig to speak-up.

Andrew Koenig is last thought to have been seen in the Vancouver area.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

The Weirding TV: Saturday Morning Playlist #7

Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 11:30 AM Posted by ManoDogs

The Weirding TV
Saturday Playlist, Week 7
---
Popeye - Hillbilling and Cooing
Robotech: Macross - Bye-Bye Mars
X-Men Evolution - Strategy X
Fantastic Four - Trial by Fire
Mighty Mouse - Mouse of Tomorrow
South Park - Professor Chaos
Dead Like Me - My Room

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

On Collecting Comics Today, Pt. 1

Friday, February 19, 2010 at 11:30 AM Posted by ManoDogs

I decided to do this in parts because excising the backstory to this whole thing kind of renders it moot. So:

I got into comic books when I was really young - just always loved them, and superheroes in general (what kid doesn't?) - but didn't start collecting until I was about 11-12 or so. I have a decent collection but, as I well knew, it isn't worth what I'd hoped it would be - and neither is yours, if it starts in the 1980s. After all, the 1980s were when comic book collecting came into its own, so pretty much all those comics are not only still available, but in good condition - people became suddenly mindful of their collections.

Comic books are also more of an "eyeball" game than a "waiting game." I've also known that for years, just haven't been all that interested. In highschool, all I did was comic books and RPG - I was literally immersed in them! I knew which books were worth what, what happened in which issues, and so on - a bonafide comic book geek - but by 16-17, I was far more interested in the usual things a boy my age is interested in... girls, hanging-out with friends, girls, finding new friends to hang-out with (especially if they were, or knew, girls), getting a car, et.al. My problem has always been timing - this is true in all aspects of my life, but I digress...

Ten years ago, I was just as unwilling to let go of high-dollar comic books for a pittance as I am today. However, had I kept my eyeball on the market, I could have unloaded a handful of those high-dollar comics at far better prices than I can get for them now. Still, comic book prices always fluctuate according to character/title popularity, etc., so I'm not just crushed or anything, but it can be upsetting to look-up a comic book you know was worth $25-30 in 1998 only to find it going for a paltry $5.00 today. Of course, the real crux of the matter is that I only paid $1.00 for the damned thing in the first place; technically speaking, even if I sold the book at the now lower $5.00, I'm still making a profit!

I don't think that will be the case for comic books being printed today. Possibly ever. And it has everything to do with the companies, themselves.

In 1990, artwork was the matter - anything by a Todd McFarlane or Jim Lee couldn't even be packed at the printing plant, it was so hot - today, and thankfully so, it's the writing. As a collector, I'm tempted to buy the entire run of the recent Siege saga, especially since I have always collected in runs. My collection consists of the entire Mutant Massacre, Inferno story, and more - all of them - every issue from all the titles which were involved. While these comics would fetch, say, $100 individually, I'd prefer to sell them as a complete set for something like $125.00. But before I can, Marvel is going to reprint them all in one HC volume, then quickly capitalize on its renewed (and incredibly brief) popularity with a softcover TPB, thereby lowering my collection's value by half or more!

The whole scene is exactly where it was 20 years ago: Collectors falling all over one another to get variant covers and special editions, never really knowing which will be worth the price. You can easily spend $100 on a single comic book these days, if you get all the variants - just like you could in the early 1990s, when the companies completely blew the bottom out of the market.

Except that, these days, none of those variants is ever truly going to appreciate without an autograph, death, etc., because the issue will be reprinted three or more times before it is collected into a TPB available from any bookstore or website! Why pay $50 for a Spawn #1 when you can just pick up any one of the umpteen-hundred collections which include it - along with another 5-10, pertinent issues - for $15-20.00?

Actually collecting comics isn't half as interesting as reading the stories, and kids today know this. However, it is a lot of fun. I just hate that the companies are so perennially short-sighted and completely unmindful of us!

If an issue sells-out, why not wait a month or two t reprint it? And if you already plan on collecting it in a TPB next year, why not just wait to do that!? This complete accessibility to any and every issue, title, character, and property has robbed the hobby of most of its enjoyment! It isn't fun to have to decide between two comic books you really want because they cost so damned much and you don't know which one will still be available for a reasonable price once you do get the money. Especially when - time and again - the comic book you do choose ends up being worth less than the price you paid for it!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Uncanny X-Men #521 - On Sale Now!

Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 2:45 PM Posted by ManoDogs

McGregor Says Not to Expect Trainspotting II

at 12:15 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Actor, Ewan McGregor, told fans not to expect a sequel to the now classic Trainspotting. Last November, reports surfaced that the original cast had already signed-on but McGregor was stalling. According to this latest update, McGregor explains that the original Trainspotting was such a boon to English cinema that he hates to tarnish it with a sequel, even a good one. Director, Danny Boyle, apparently said the sequel would be a go once the original actors had aged a little more.

McGregor said the sequel, based on Irvine Welsh's sequel to the original book, Porno, was set 10 years after the first film took place. He also said he has never received a script.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Turf Debuts in Walking Dead #70

at 10:15 AM Posted by ManoDogs

Berkeley, CA - 16 February, 2010 - Continuing the tradition set by some of Image Comics' biggest launches, next week's THE WALKING DEAD #70 will feature an exclusive, full-color preview of British television and radio personality Jonathan Ross' and Marvel 1985's Tommy Lee Edwards' all-new, four-issue miniseries, TURF!

"Jonathan and Tommy have really created something special with TURF and we're anxious for people to get a look at their work," said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. "Robert has been very generous with the back pages of THE WALKING DEAD in the past, so we're thrilled he's agreed to lend his support again, not only by allowing us to preview TURF in the latest issue, but to do so in color."

Added Kirkman: "Every since Jonathan and Tommy started talking to Image about TURF, I knew I wanted to put whatever support I could behind the launch and seeing the final pages certainly didn't disappoint. TURF represents exactly what I look for in comics: original work by top talent, completely different than anything else on the stands. TURF is a must-read for every WALKING DEAD fan."

Set in Prohibition-era New York, TURF offers a twist on the hard boiled crime thriller, adding vampires and aliens to the traditional mix of booze, broads, and bullets as it chronicles the eruption of a vengeful gang war between booze-smuggling mobsters and the bloodthirsty Dragonmir Family. As an ancient prophecy unfolds amidst the maelstrom of violence, the entire city is engulfed by the brutal conflict and the only glimmer of hope is an unlikely alliance between tough guy, Eddie Falco, and a stranger from another world.

WALKING DEAD #70 (DEC090416), a 32-page, black-and-white comic book with a full-color TURF #1 preview, goes on sale February 24. TURF #1 (FEB100322), a 32-page, full-color comic book with a cover price of $2.99, is available for order in the February issue of Previews and goes on sale April 7.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Siege #2 - Second-Printing Variant

Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 3:30 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Whedon to Document Comic-Con 'Superfans'

at 1:15 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Joss Whedon has apparently teamed with noted documentarian, Morgan Spurlock, to develop a documentary featuring a handful of Comic-Con 'superfans' - what we used to call... "con-goer." Whedon wants to film the chosen participants for the three months leading-up to the event, then follow them around Comic-Con itself.

Gaming and conventioneers have become the popular focus of many recent films, mostly "mockumentaries," which have received mixed reviews. Whedon is a particularly popular feature at the annual Comic-Con, and is thus in a particularly unique position to make this film.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

All Will Unite...

at 11:00 AM Posted by ManoDogs

Supernatural Renewed for Sixth Season

at 9:00 AM Posted by ManoDogs

Eric Kripke's Supernatural has been renewed for a sixth season, according to CW. Kripke has mused he wasn't sure where to take the story after this season, as he had always planned the show as a five-season saga and wasn't sure it would be on long enough to fulfill that. But CW credited the show's fanbase and said it performed "heroically" in a tough timeslot.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Fantastic Four #575 - Second-Printing Variant

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 4:23 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Siege - Month One

at 2:00 PM Posted by ManoDogs

So I ordered the entire Siege run - not just the Siege and Siege Embedded series, but all of the tie-ins as well - including titles like New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Siege Thor, Siege Spider-Man, et.al. It actually started-out costing all of about $15-20 more a month (3-4 months), which I figured was worth it to get a real hold on the Marvel Universe today, but has now skyrocketed to something like $35-40, with the addition of numerous unannounced titles coming in March and April.

Obviously Marvel is going to wear this thing out, and I suppose that's good in the sense that it's a success and people are reading comic books, but I didn't realize this was largely an Avengers thing, going in - I thought it had more to do with Asgard. Siege is about Asgard, but the further we get into the whole thing, the more it seems only a loose plot device.

Marvel recently announced the end of several Avengers titles, including Mighty Avengers, Dark Avengers, and Avengers Initiative. But never fear, they also announced several new, ongoing series and Siege one-shots. I suppose I should have seen this coming, but when the whole thing was about invading Asgard, I assumed... you know, that was the story. I was expecting a shake-up of Asgard - a literal "trimming of the fat" - just like they did with the Mutant Massacre and Atlantis Rising (or whatever) and other storylines before this, but Siege has far more to do with the whole Avengers/Norman Osborn thing. It's definitely worth picking-up the limited series, but if you really don't care for the straight Superhero line, you probably won't lose track of the entire MU.

Still, it isn't bad. It really isn't bad at all, and I haven't even gotten to the Thor issues because I subscribe to Thor and have a few issues to catch-up on first. Siege is worth the price of admission for Coipel's art, but the story is worth reading.

In fact, I could have gone with nothing more than the limited series and been fine, but I actually welcome the chance to learn the modern Marvel Universe this event gives me. The Utopia nonsense also worried me, because I didn't know WTF was going on in a series to which I subscribe when that happened, so how could I be sure I'd know what was happening right under my nose with Siege if I didn't get all the issues!?

Yeah, I bought-in - what was I gonna do?

As goofy as it sounds - and I freely admit it is - I really am doing this to get a handle on the MU, as a whole, at this moment in time. I read the Mutant titles, so I really don't much care what happens in the Superhero titles, but enough of the characters I follow (Thor, Daredevil, Moon Knight) interact with both that I got tired of not knowing "the whole story." I also doubt that many of the issues tangentially involved in Siege will ever be worth much, but since I bought-in for a penny, I figured I'd buy-in for the pound.

Still, even I am shying-away from what I'll call Total Siege and passing on some of the many Avengers titles and tie-ins now jumping into the fray - I don't read Thunderbolts and have no intentions of starting, and I already know they are not central to this story, so I can do without that, for instance. Embedded is actually worth the read, as well, featuring consummate reporter, Ben Urich, traveling to the Ragnarok with a weary Volstagg, the figure at the center of the Soldier's Field incident, but isn't necessary.

For the cost, Siege actually delivers, but I doubt you'll miss much by skipping everything other than the core, limited series. It is creeping into just about every Marvel title, with many previously unannounced one-shots involving A-line characters (Spider-Man, Thor, more) now slated for April release, which subscribers might consider. Collectors are urged to look into the many title closings and beginnings; Siege is restructuring the Avengers line. Siege is big, and I don't know if it has any lasting power in any regard, but it is worth following.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Nemesis #1 - Yu Variant

at 11:31 AM Posted by ManoDogs

On Kevin Smith's Southwestern Flight Issues

Monday, February 15, 2010 at 2:00 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Director and comic book writer and retailer, Kevin Smith, took to his Twitter account and vlog to denounce Southwestern Airlines' treatment of him following an incident in which Smith was disallowed boarding on a Southwestern flight. The Cop-Out director was seated on another Southwestern flight and made it to his destination, but quickly took to his Twitter account and has been denouncing the airline and its service for days now.

Apparently, Southwestern has a policy which forces overweight passengers to pay for two tickets. However, Smith was bumped from his original flight and had to buy new tickets, for which only one was available. When attendants saw that Smith could not fit comfortably into one seat with the armrests down - their means for determining such things - they could not allow him to continue on the flight.

I empathize with both sides in this dispute. After all, I'm no fan of fatties... sorry. I know a ton (ha!) of them and none of them are happy, none of them are healthy, and every last one of them would lose that weight in a heartbeat... if only there wasn't so much work involved. And, by saying that, I do not mean that fat people are "lazy," simply that few of them are willing to go to the lengths necessary to - specifically - lose weight. It is unhealthy all the way around, affecting them physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. Of course, I'm no fan of public humiliation or separatism.

Two things here, right off the bat: Southwestern has an understandable policy, but this was a special case - and not because Kevin Smith is a celebrity, but because he was bumped from his original flight! Southwestern absolutely should have made an exception in this case specifically because it was their problem which caused this fuck-up in the first place!

When your company gets so large that it cannot reasonably accommodate one customer without upsetting the entire business, you have a serious internal issue - talk about bloat! Like Smith said, he knows he's overweight and he usually buys two seats, but this was a situation out of his control - and Southwestern's, too, apparently - so everyone should have been forced to compromise... because Southwestern screwed-up. His next-door passenger would have been no more considerably distressed for having to spend a few hours in somewhat uncomfortable seating than Smith was by having to take another flight, and if he was, then Southwestern should have taken the hit and offered him compensation for an unfortunate situation for which the company was responsible.

Kevin Smith does need to slim-down, he usually does buy two tickets, and Southwestern is the one to fault for the entire incident. Is Smith making too big a deal of it? Possibly, but these corporations are consistently taking things too far these days, so - like Christians - it's far past time we all started making major incidents out of rather commonplace "misunderstandings." God knows the airlines do.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

I Am an Avenger!

at 12:03 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Silver Surfer Invades the Super Hero Squad!

Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 5:20 PM Posted by ManoDogs

The Weirding TV: Saturday Morning Playlist #6

at 9:34 AM Posted by ManoDogs

I won't be able to watch along IRT today, but seeing as how we don't have a chatroom or forum or channel or anything setup right now, I don't guess you'll be able to tell. I will be MST-ing tonight and no, I do not know what they are playing.

I changed the viewing order a bit, like I said I would, so that things flow better. I wish we had more MST3K to offer - it would be a permanent fixture at the 11:00 "toy/puppet" hour - but we're stuck with what Hulu offers right this moment. I'm going to be incorporating more Netflix content soon.

The Weirding TV
Saturday Playlist, Week 6
---
Popeye - Goonland
Robotech: Macross - Blitzkrieg
Astonishing X-Men - Gifted: Ep. 6
Mighty Mouse - Goons from the Moon
South Park - Chickenlover
Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Secret Agent Super Dragon
Dead Like Me - Reaping Havoc

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Super Hero Squad Sneak Preview!

Friday, February 12, 2010 at 6:00 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Last Exit Before Doomsday!

Silver Surfer’s past as Galactus’ herald is revealed as he encounters another herald, Stardust - but Doom has plans of his own for Stardust and her big boss! Hero Up with guest stars Cheryl Hines and George Takei on Saturday, February 13^th, on Cartoon Network at 7:30 PM Eastern!

Things and Stuff

Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 4:45 PM Posted by ManoDogs

What up, boners? Can't say as there's much of anything this way; this has been a slow news week to beat slow news weeks! I guess everyone's hungover from the Superbowl and snowed-in and stuff, but... whatever.

I am keeping the faith and working earnestly, though still recovering. I am reading Siege (I ordered all of it) and developing a free fantasy game, with system, for you. No ETA on the latter, though bits of it will start appearing by March at the latest (probably later this month). There's no way to playtest it, though an ample portion of it is based on previously playtested material developed for another project. This is all to be released into the public domain, in a sense - Creative Commons, just like (most of) the rest of the RPG content - so you can do whatever you want with it. It's not just a project to pass the time, it's what I've been promising for years now and simply haven't been able to deliver.

As for Siege, I just put in my order for the entire thing. For those of you who bitch about gamers and fans, like myself, who have the audacity to advertise and charge for our work - such a novel, and thoroughly blasphemous, concept! - know that it allows me to do things like this. Marvel Comics isn't going to send critics the entire Siege saga, so this is the only way I was going to be able to actually review one of these massive crossover events instead of just complaining about them right-out. And regardless of what you may think, I don't relish the idea of having to read 5-10+ titles a month which I would otherwise not read... at all. But I know that there are worse jobs.

So, I'm gonna go do that reviewing thing. And the fantasy game thing. Then sleep some more. Stuff. Don't forget Weirding TV this Saturday - we're going to setup an IM/IRC chatroom/channel one of these days so we can all watch together in real time. For now though, just enjoy the all-American goodness of Japanimation and... cartoons largely developed and produced in foreign countries.

Ahem.

Toodles!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Stan Lee to Star in Super Seven

at 2:15 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Stan Lee will appear as a major character in his new, multimedia comic book team, The Super Seven. While Lee has appeared as himself in cameos in many comic books and even movies - both based on comic books characters of his and otherwise - "Super Seven is the first time that I'll actually be a continuing character in a far-out, original superhero series," Lee told reporters.

Super Seven concerns a team of aliens who find themselves marooned on earth. Lee takes them under his wing. The team lives "normal" lives as superheroes. The title will be released by Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment, but is not under the Disney licensing arrangement recently finalized. Lee will partner with Archie Comics for the Super Seven.

Super Seven should launch this fall in three media: print, online, and TV.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

SNL Hostess... 'Nuff Said

at 11:41 AM Posted by ManoDogs

MTV Needs Mexico's Permission to Air South Park Episode

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 11:08 AM Posted by ManoDogs

MTV has canceled plans to show the South Park episode, "Pinewood Derby," as it shows a caricature of Mexico's president standing in front of the Mexican flag. Apparently, there is a Mexican law which forbids "irreverence" toward the country's flag - an offense punishable by fine. MTV has to submit a request to the government before it can show the episode. The Mexican government says they have not received said request.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Technical Difficulties

Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 12:01 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Since last Thursday or Friday, I've been getting "404 (Page Not Found)" errors when saving/posting blogs. I basically took Sunday and most of yesterday off to see if it would resolve itself, but it hasn't yet. I'm sorry, but I'm not getting anything done, fighting with Blogger - only 1 in 3-4 posts is going through; I'm having to start posts over constantly and still getting a 404.

So I'll be 404 until later today. Again, I apologize, but I'm spinning tires trying to get the blogs to work when there's nothing I can do on my end to fix them! I'll be working on the site instead and will post to the Facebook page when updates are available.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

One Will Sacrifice...

Monday, February 08, 2010 at 3:30 PM Posted by ManoDogs

Avatar Unseated

at 11:30 AM Posted by ManoDogs

Sci-fi box-office behemoth, Avatar, has finally been overthrown - by a rom-dram! Romantic drama, Dear John, dethroned the 3-D epic after seven weeks at the #1 spot, bringing in nearly $20 million more than Avatar, and $20 million more than expected. John Travolta's From Paris with Love landed at #3 with less than $10 million. Mel Gibson's Edge of Darkness and The Rock's Tooth Fairy rounded-out the top five.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Avengers #1

at 10:00 AM Posted by ManoDogs

Marvel and the Winter Olympics

Saturday, February 06, 2010 at 4:00 PM Posted by ManoDogs

The Weirding TV: Saturday Morning Playlist #5

at 9:30 AM Posted by ManoDogs

It's that time again, folks: Saturday morning, when all kids across America used to be planted firmly in front of their TV sets, cereal bowl nestled in their laps, eyes glued to the tube. These days, with all of the choices of cable and satellite, not to mention the fact that network TV no longer broadcasts Saturday morning cartoons, such traditions simply no longer exist. While I cherish and champion individualism above just about all else, traditions bring us comfort and Saturday Morning Cartoons were an American tradition I've never understood abandoning.

The Weirding TV
Saturday Morning Cartoons Playlist, Week 5
---
Robotech: Macross - Transformation
Astonishing X-Men: Gifted - Ep. 5
Tom & Jerry - "Puss Gets the Boot"
South Park - "Cartman Joins NAMBLA"
Dead Like Me - "Reapercussions"

Saturday Afternoon Movie
---
Addams Family Values

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

10th Muse, 10 Years, 10 (+ or -) New Projects!

Friday, February 05, 2010 at 4:45 PM Posted by ManoDogs

In celebration of the tenth anniversary of the first publication of 10^th Muse, the independent comic book of a lawyer imbued with the essence of the Greek mythological goddess of justice, Bluewater Productions is planning several new projects starting with the February release of the graphic novel 10^th Muse: Crossovers.

“You never forget your first love,” said Bluewater president and series creator Darren G. Davis. “10^th Muse put us on the map and I've been waiting for the right time to bring her back.”

10^th Muse debuted in February 2000 through Image Comics and soon rocketed to #6 on Diamond’s Top 100, beating out several well-known and established titles. The issue featured a story by revered comic book veteran, Marv Wolfman.

10^th Muse: Crossovers, in stores next month, features several team ups with other well-known characters from the comic world including Shi, Savage Dragon, Tellos, Ezra, Legend of Isis, and Judo Girl. Also included is a never-before-seen crossover with Indie favorite, Koni Wave. A virtual who’s-who of top comic talent is included in the book including Billy Tucci, Erik Larsen, Marv Wolfman, Roger Cruz, and Mike Wieringo. In June, Bluewater will be releasing the 10^th Muse Cover Gallery, featuring the artwork of Randy Green, Andy Park, Mike Wieringo, Stephen Platt, and Roger Cruz.

“Fans have been asking for a while when we plan on bringing 10^th Muse back. I always planned for her to return. Now that Bluewater is a fully established publisher and not just the title’s creator, we have more control over operational issues. I wanted to commit to her long-term, not just [throw her in] a series of one-shots and special appearances,” Davis said. Later this year, Bluewater plans for the 10^th Muse to return as an ongoing monthly series.

Also planned for later this year are two other high profile projects, including a mini-series, 10^th Muse: The Lost Issues. According to Davis, there were several issues never before published that were, at the time, unusable because of the continuity issues with the hero’s design. These issues were written by Wolfman and Davis and drawn by Roger Cruz and Clint Hillinski. Another mini-series that continues the crossover tradition, much like DC's popular Brave and the Bold, will feature 10^th Muse in new team-ups with characters from the indie world like Bomb Queen (Image Comics), Demon Slayer, Badger, and others.

“We’ve got a lot of great ideas brewing, but I want the series to recapture the flavor of the original run. It won’t be a series reboot or a continuation with another character as the Muse,” Davis noted. “I want Emma Sonnet fighting bad guys in the courtroom and her alter-ego taking on the likes of Aries, Hera, and other ne’er-do-wells on Olympus.”

The suggested retail price (SRP) for the upcoming Crossovers trade paperback is $17.99. Pre-ordering is currently available at several outlets and bookstores using the ISBN #: 978-1-61623-926-8.

10^th Muse has been optioned by Castle Bright Studios who has a deal with Universal Pictures.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

The Weirding - Site Updates, Changes

at 1:15 PM Posted by ManoDogs

I both love and hate the "W.I.P." (Work In Progress) aspect of websites: on the one hand, it perfectly fits the medium; on the other, it can be a serious pain in the ass. The Internet blends all mediums into one media, so melding the "performance" aspect with what were once set works to create living documents says so much about the Web media and medium that one could base entire theses on this idea, alone. But waking-up to find you have to completely change your entire site's approach, design, etc. - which happens literally once or twice a year - can be so disheartening... All too often, you feel the whole thing is a Sisyphean feat no reward - regardless of its nature or size - can compensate.

But the Web - well, the Internet in all its forms - is the printing press of our, and future, generations. I know that whatever I accomplish will be around for years to come, even if eventually only as a curiosity, and I take that fairly seriously. Fairly so - I mean, I write about roleplaying games and slasher flicks - I don't have my entire head up my ass!

Anyway, I added some new pages and content to the Champions section. While this is previously-published material, it has been edited, rewritten, and reformatted and includes new artwork. I should be able to get even more up next week, as SiteSpinner released the most complete version of their software to-date, which has made my life literally 85-95% easier!

I also made some structural changes which affect the entire site. This may result in some technical errors, particularly along the lines of missing images and similar formatting issues. I will try to correct these as soon as possible, but we are talking site-wide changes - i.e., every page on the site. Technically speaking, the site was originally laid-out to handle such changes without me having to edit every page on the site to make them, but SiteSpinner has had numerous "quirks" and a handful of bugs in every release which had to be accounted for and may still impede progress. A lot of these sitewide changes are meant to correct such shortcomings for future updates.

Also, I am probably going to discontinue The Wording as the siteblog and move all of that kind of stuff to the Facebook page. I don't know yet, but it makes more sense to do it that way. The major problem I have with that is being limited as to what I can say or present, due to TOS; it's far too easy for some jackass to decide s/he is offended by something - like "Satanic" D&D games, for example - and get the whole suspended or even deleted. I dealt with that back on the GeoCities site until I was able to prove that it was, literally, about three people from AOL who were consistently "flagging" the site as "inappropriate." One of them went to prison for selling pills - true story - and I only ever "knew" these assholes from online chatrooms and so forth!

ANYwho, enjoy the new Champions content - as always, there's more to come - and I'd love to hear any suggestions or criticisms you have, especially if you are having problems viewing the site! Also be sure to add The Weirding @ Facebook page (link above) to your favorites, or "Become a Fan," or however that works. I will be announcing updates, et.al., there more after today.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

10 Years of 10th Muse: The Lost Issues

at 11:15 AM Posted by ManoDogs

No One is As They Seem...

at 9:33 AM Posted by ManoDogs

BERKELEY, CA – 4 February 2010 – FADE TO BLACK, a new horror miniseries from Image Comics/Shadowline by ZOMBIE COP writer, Jeff Mariotte, and internationally acclaimed illustrator, Danielle Serra, promises to take its readers on a winding, twisted trail in which first impressions are always wrong.

“The characters of FADE TO BLACK are actors, shooting a film on location. They’re young, wealthy, beautiful and spoiled, and everything they know about the wilderness comes from a script until they run into the Children of the Radiant Night - a cannibal cult using the desert for reasons of their own - and the script is out the window,” Mariotte said. “Danielle’s use of shape, line and light took the story down a darker and scarier path than I ever imagined when I wrote it. While there are moments of humor, when the suspense ratchets up, it’s really terrifying and it’s all thanks to Dani’s special vision.”

FADE TO BLACK is an object lesson in not accepting anything at face value. What at first appears to be five young people on a wilderness trek experience turns out to be something very different. On their own, with no specialized training or skills, our five heroes need to figure out how to survive... or not.

FADE TO BLACK #1, a 32-page full color comic with a cover price of $3.50, will be available for order in the January issue of Previews and goes on sale March 17^th.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Bill Watterson's First Interview in 20+ Years

Thursday, February 04, 2010 at 4:00 PM Posted by ManoDogs

In what is believed to be his first interview in nearly 20 years, Cleveland resident and Calvin and Hobbes creator, Bill Watterson, answered a handful of questions from a local reporter who actually knew what he was doing (unlike... um, some other interviewers). Watterson says he misses the "the groupies, drugs, and trashed hotel rooms" of the Calvin and Hobbes era, he "never regretted stopping when [he] did" and believes that, had he continued the strip, the fans who miss it would not feel the same - in fact, we would be cursing him for "[running] the wheels off it."

While brief, the interview is somewhat enlightening and certainly welcome. Watterson's work had an indelible and lasting impression on many of us and Calvin and Hobbes' end, along with that of Bloom County and some of the other strips of the time, signaled the true end of comic strips.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010