The Pull List: CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #1, THE WAKE #3, BIONIC MAN #22 & More!

August 5, 2013, 4:24 pm

≫ Next: MY LITTLE PONY Gets The Archive Treatment

≪ Previous: STARCHER TREK: This is What Happens When You Combine Archer and the Animated Star Trek

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Check out what I checked out this week.

Whether the comics are inspiring or disappointing, I read them all.

Welcome to The Pull List.

And, as always...Spoilers ahead!

Amala’s Blade #4 of 4 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Steve Horton
Artist: Michael Dailynas
Colorist: Michael Dialynas
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50

From the first remarkable issue to this magnificent conclusion, Amala’s Blade has been nothing short of a true pleasure to read.

I’m so in love with this world created by Steve Horton and Michael Dailynas that I’m having difficulty finding the words that are required to write this review.

Yes, it’s that good!

The script phenomenally intertwines action, adventure, humor and romance while the beautiful illustrations and delightful coloring consume your imagination to the nth degree.

The reveal involving Lady Strawbale takes you by surprise because there was no foreshadowing, since it appeared that Amala’s well-being always came first, no matter who is whispering in her ear.

In the moment of truth, she goes from Mother Hen to Ann Coulter by spewing her Modifier induced genocidal rhetoric towards the Purifiers while attempting to break Amala’s heart and soul. The art and dialog perfectly set this up to deliver the desired result; giving it an air of gravitas that commands her demise.

The master assassin device is commonplace in comics, but what makes Amala’s character stand out is her back story and personality. She kills with a gun to her head and truly cares for those closest to her while exuding a charm that sometimes makes you forget her occupation. If that wasn't enough, pesky ghosts follow her around and lend the occasional helping hand. Who would have thought that a character tucked away in a Dark Horse Presents series would find such a grand presence in their first solo outing?

The response to this series has been overwhelmingly positive so I think it’s safe to say Amala will be back.

For my money, it can’t happen soon enough.

Grade: A

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MY LITTLE PONY Gets The Archive Treatment

August 6, 2013, 8:00 am

≫ Next: THE ADULT BIG WHEEL Is Here! And This Time Your Mom Can't Tell You When Playtime Is Over

≪ Previous: The Pull List: CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #1, THE WAKE #3, BIONIC MAN #22 & More!

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THE ADULT BIG WHEEL Is Here! And This Time Your Mom Can't Tell You When Playtime Is Over

August 6, 2013, 9:00 am

≫ Next: Luck Be a Mutant Tonight—The Strange Lives of the X-Men’s Longshot

≪ Previous: MY LITTLE PONY Gets The Archive Treatment

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Whenever you see a kid tooling around on a Big Wheel the only look present upon their cherub face is pure, undiluted joy. It's as if that hunk of plastic carved into a low-rider, pedal toy is loaded with Sugar Smack dust that wafts into the nose holes of children every time the big wheel goes around. It's the kind of high that is seldom seen in the adult world.

And, it almost makes this grown-up jealous.

But thank Jeebus that the folks from High Roller USA decided to create a version for adults so that we too can experience real happiness while pumping our arthritic knees up and down in order to make the bike go.

And just in case you think we're talking about an all-plastic Big Wheel that was simply made for tall kids, here's some specs:

Heavy Duty Steel Frame and Fork supports over 275 lbs
Molded 14 inch Plastic Rear Wheels for power slides
26 inch Front Wheel and Custom Freewheel Hub for high speed coasting
Super Wide Rubber Front Tire for superior traction
Fully Adjustable padded seat accommodates 5'2" to 6'6"

And yeah, it does come with a bell and tassels and a $600 price tag.

So next time you see the neighborhood kids sitting on their own Big Wheel rides, taking shots from a sippy cup and looking pretty happy, bring out your own version.

I'm pretty sure you will have no trouble impressing them (although their parents might get a little worried).

Source: Uncrate

Luck Be a Mutant Tonight—The Strange Lives of the X-Men’s Longshot

August 6, 2013, 10:00 am

≫ Next: How SUPERMAN Would Look If All The Actors Who Have Played Him Over the Last 30 Years Were Smooshed Together

≪ Previous: THE ADULT BIG WHEEL Is Here! And This Time Your Mom Can't Tell You When Playtime Is Over

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There are some people who are just born seemingly lucky.

You know the type.

It’s the guy who meanders through life without a plan, but somehow manages to fall into money, or be at the right place at the right time when a job offer comes along, or maybe accidentally walks into Scarlett Johansson’s dressing room and instead of her throwing a rock or filing a restraining order like that time I did that, she casually invites him in for drinks.

Like I said, you probably know the type.  And hate him.  Mostly out of jealousy.  It’s understandable.  But, in reality, luck is really just an illusion at best, something we can’t really control no matter how many rabbit feet or boxes of General Mills cereals with stereotypical ethnic cartoons on them we carry around.

However, for the sometimes X-Man known as Longshot, lucky isn’t merely a misleading adjective, but rather a part of his very being.

For example, the four fingered alien guy got more women than the Playboy Mansion and somehow never had to ditch the mullet.

First appearing in his own miniseries by creators Ann Nocenti and Arthur Adams in 1985, the man known only as Longshot was immediately a mystery, a person on the run who had no idea exactly what he was running from, and knowing only as much about himself as we the readers did.

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How SUPERMAN Would Look If All The Actors Who Have Played Him Over the Last 30 Years Were Smooshed Together

August 6, 2013, 11:00 am

≫ Next: It's Tough To Be A Fan (or, Caught in the Disney Doldrums)

≪ Previous: Luck Be a Mutant Tonight—The Strange Lives of the X-Men’s Longshot

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The above pic is not merely some actor who won the role to portray Clark Kent in an all-new reboot of the Superman mythos, it is simply a composite of all the actors (over the last 30 years) who have donned the suit to portray the Man of Steel.

Yep, that good-looking hunk of meat staring deeply into your eyes with a come-hither gaze is thanks in part to Christopher Reeve, Dean Cain, Tom Welling, Brandon Routh and Henry Cavill's faces and chesticle regions.

So go ahead, print it out, frame it and put it under your pillow for those nights when you can spend some quality alone time with it.

I did and it was fabulous.

Source: Geekologie

It's Tough To Be A Fan (or, Caught in the Disney Doldrums)

August 6, 2013, 2:28 pm

≫ Next: THE SIMPSONS Are Going to Get Their Very Own Officially Licensed Lego Sets.....mmmmmm.....Lego Sets

≪ Previous: How SUPERMAN Would Look If All The Actors Who Have Played Him Over the Last 30 Years Were Smooshed Together

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I hate to sound like a grumpy old fan, but the upcoming Disney animated feature Planes is exactly what's wrong with the current box office.

A sort-of spin off from the Pixar Cars, this new film looks like a blatant attempt to expand their toy sales.

It's not original, the animation looks garish and its massive ad campaign gives me hives.

Whenever these projects come out of Walt Disney Animation, as they often do, I like to remind myself that they have done plenty of amazing work, and a lot of it in the past few years.  Bolt signaled a new direction, with sharp computer animation and even sharper storytelling.  Tangled was a blast for audiences, especially the die-hard Disney fans, with its self-aware humor.  Last year's Paperman short was a rare wonder of simplicity, only surpassed by its vision.

The vast, rich history of the studio gets restored each year with new titles given the HD treatment (not to mention some 3D conversions), but there's one short I'd love to see dusted off perhaps for the video release of Planes.

Before you take the kids to Planes, see how they'll react to this original tale of natural-flight by our avian friends–It's Tough To Be A Bird.

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THE SIMPSONS Are Going to Get Their Very Own Officially Licensed Lego Sets.....mmmmmm.....Lego Sets

August 6, 2013, 1:00 pm

≫ Next: TRIPLE SHOT DIGITAL: Comixology Submit Presents NADIR’S ZENITH #1, ON THE VERGE - SHADOWS, EXPOSED #1 (of 4)

≪ Previous: It's Tough To Be A Fan (or, Caught in the Disney Doldrums)

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Everyone's favorite dysfunctional cartoon family, The Simpsons, is finally adding Legos to their huge merchandising family starting in 2014.

And while there has been no announcement about what the sets are going to include (here's hoping for a monorail and Moe's Tavern), people who are still mad that they couldn't get the show cancelled back in 1989, have already begun bitching on the Lego community boards about the inappropriateness of giving The Simpsons their very own Legos.

I guess they prefer letting their children play with The Lone Ranger play sets where they can throw scorpions into Native American tepees in order to kill the "injuns".

Yeah, that seems more in line with family values than The Simpsons.

Whatever.

Source: Gizmodo

TRIPLE SHOT DIGITAL: Comixology Submit Presents NADIR’S ZENITH #1, ON THE VERGE - SHADOWS, EXPOSED #1 (of 4)

August 6, 2013, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: When You Want To Feel Better About the World, Watch A SOULPANCAKE Video About Joy

≪ Previous: THE SIMPSONS Are Going to Get Their Very Own Officially Licensed Lego Sets.....mmmmmm.....Lego Sets

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Take a space ride to the an unknown mission in Nadir’s Zenith #1, be afraid of the dark in On the Verge - Shadows and we go to D-Day WWII to expose the Nazi’s biggest threat- vampires in Exposed #1.

The leader in the digital comics space opened up the platform to indie creators back in March of this year.

Writers and artists now have the chance to publish comics or graphic novels on the browser, tablet or phone using the Guided View technology. Comixology curates the submissions and soon the comic is put into panel by panel production for the viewer. The comics appear right on the digital store alongside all of the major publisher’s books.

NADIR’S ZENITH #1
Writer: Jackson Compton
Artist: Jerry Bennett
Price: $1.99
Page Count: 22 pages
Imprint: Enigma Endeavors Productions, LLC
Digital Release Date: 5/29/13
Age Rating: 12+ only
BUY IT HERE

Nadir’s Zenith #1 has a lot going for it.

In a hundred years from now we’re jumping through time and space, and captain John Nadir must accept the secret mission passed to him.

Mixing the best of usual touchstones for the genre like Star Trek, Babylon 5 and Star Wars, the series is off to a compelling start.

The storytelling in the art is done well, not a tightly rendered story by any means, but great composition and acting on the page—which could be more important these days!


Read more »

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When You Want To Feel Better About the World, Watch A SOULPANCAKE Video About Joy

August 6, 2013, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Boston Cinegeeks! We're Giving Away Passes To See 'JOBS'

≪ Previous: TRIPLE SHOT DIGITAL: Comixology Submit Presents NADIR’S ZENITH #1, ON THE VERGE - SHADOWS, EXPOSED #1 (of 4)

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SoulPancake, the brainchild of Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) is all about the kinds of things that make a person feel better; art, culture, science, philosophy, spirituality and yes, even humor. When you want to feel like the world isn't heading straight down into the cosmic cesspool, you watch a SoulPancake video, or start a conversation on their website, and suddenly, you have a little bit of hope that you can make it through another day with setting fire to your office building.

And this particular video, called Snap Your Joy, is only one of the many nuggets of awesomeness that you will find on the site, and better yet,  it will actually make you smile.

Yep, the next time your doctor prescribes you some psychotropic drug to cure you of depression, try watching one of their videos first.

Sometimes that's all you need.

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Boston Cinegeeks! We're Giving Away Passes To See 'JOBS'

August 6, 2013, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: THE COMIC LIST: Releases For 8/7/13

≪ Previous: When You Want To Feel Better About the World, Watch A SOULPANCAKE Video About Joy

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It only takes one person to start a revolution. Ashton Kutcher stars in the extraordinary story of Steve Jobs, the original innovator and ground-breaking entrepreneur who let nothing stand in the way of greatness. The film tells the epic and turbulent story of Jobs as he blazed a trail that changed technology -- and the world – forever.

And we're giving away passes to Forces of Geek readers to see the film on Wednesday, August 14, at 7pm at the AMC Boston Common!

For the chance to receive a pass for two to the screening please click HERE!

Just a reminder that tickets are oversold and you should plan on getting there early.  Passes and admittance are on a first come first served basis.

JOBS is in theaters everywhere on August 16th!        

http://jobsthefilm.com/

THE COMIC LIST: Releases For 8/7/13

August 6, 2013, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: Contest! Win 'THE THICK OF IT: SEASONS 1-4' on DVD

≪ Previous: Boston Cinegeeks! We're Giving Away Passes To See 'JOBS'

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After the jump check out a list of which which comics, graphic novels, toys and other pop-culture merchandise will arrive at your local comic shop via Diamond Comics Distributors.   Please check with your retailer for availability.

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Contest! Win 'THE THICK OF IT: SEASONS 1-4' on DVD

August 6, 2013, 6:00 pm

≫ Next: Dirk Manning's 'LOVE STORIES (TO DIE FOR)' Aims Straight For Your Heart

≪ Previous: THE COMIC LIST: Releases For 8/7/13

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The Thick of Itsmashes its way through the corridors of power in a bulldozer of amusing slip-ups and sharp satire. This brilliant and hilarious series chronicles the blunders of the fictitious Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship, a government department barely registering on the national radar. In this Ministry, every announcement is followed by a whirlwind of u-turns, every policy is a scramble and every mishap is met with abuse from the Prime Minister's policy enforcer. Garlanded with rave reviews and packed with awards, this irreverent, brilliant, and painfully funny series is justly seen as a jewel in the BBC's crown.


And we're giving away three copies on DVD!



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Dirk Manning's 'LOVE STORIES (TO DIE FOR)' Aims Straight For Your Heart

August 6, 2013, 7:00 pm

≫ Next: PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS (review)

≪ Previous: Contest! Win 'THE THICK OF IT: SEASONS 1-4' on DVD

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One comic. Two stories. One shared theme: love in the face of death. A group of savage Vikings in 946 A.D. are pitted against a band of equally-savage vampires to protect a monastery from invasion in "Bloodlust: Deceiver of the Gods." Thousands of years later in the far-flung future, a man fights his way through an alien-infested space ship in an attempt to return to his wife and escape to safety in "Symptom of the Universe." Written by Dirk Manning and drawn by Rich Bonk and Owen Gieni, respectively, LOVE STORIES (TO DIE FOR) #1 is a full-color one-shot 48-page flip book published by Image Comics/Shadowline that hits stores on September 4 for $4.99.

LOVE STORIES (TO DIE FOR) #1 features two full-length stories in one attractively-priced flip book with two covers, one on each side. Both tales explore the intersection of love and life, death and hope, and what happens when a person is forced to choose between one or the other. One man must fight his way through vicious monsters in order to return to the love of his life. Another must fight vampires alongside his men while pursuing justice.

Writer Manning says, "The best horror stories usually revolve around the premise of morals versus survival, and these two stand-alone tales explore this theme in different settings and genres."

LOVE STORIES (TO DIE FOR) #1 arrives in stores on September 4 and can be pre-ordered now from the July issue of Previews (JUL130432).

After the jump check out the flip cover and the first five pages of each story!

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PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS (review)

August 7, 2013, 8:00 am

≫ Next: BREADHEADS: An Incredibly Intense Look At A Dystopian Future Where Some People Turn Into Loaves of Bread

≪ Previous: Dirk Manning's 'LOVE STORIES (TO DIE FOR)' Aims Straight For Your Heart

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Review by Clay N Ferno

Produced by Michael Barnathan, Karen Rosenfelt

Screenplay by Marc Guggenheim

Based on The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

Directed by Thor Freudenthal

Starring Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, 

Alexandra Daddario, Leven Rambin, Jake Abel, 

Stanley Tucci, Nathan Fillion, Sean Bean, 

Anthony Head, Missi Pyle, Yvette Nicole Brown

Fox 2000 Pictures / Rated PG

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters is the second in the film series based on the novels by Rick Riordan.

An honest attempt here is being made to capitalize on the success of the Harry Potter franchise in all of its forms but the difference here is that half-bloods and demigods are less appealing than Quidditch and Horcrux to the all ages crowd.

An advantage of being able to dip into the well of Greek mythology retelling the journey of Jason and the Argonauts in a modern setting is that the story is written for you.

A disadvantage is being subjected to some cheap gags and some expensive but even cheaper CGI monsters.

One can give this a mostly positive review as a straight up kid’s movie (which it is), but bottling and stealing the Potter lightning falls short on making this a movie that parents and other adults wouldn’t be able to stop rolling their Cyclopian eye over.

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BREADHEADS: An Incredibly Intense Look At A Dystopian Future Where Some People Turn Into Loaves of Bread

August 7, 2013, 9:00 am

≫ Next: George A Romero's 'DAY OF THE DEAD' Blu Arrives From Scream Factory!

≪ Previous: PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS (review)

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Cody Walzel is a traditional animation student at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and while I am completely in love with anyone who is willing to study traditional animation over all the CGI stuff, my main crush on him revolves around this amazing and completely intense tale of underground workers who are dealing with starvation and illness (a particular illness in fact which causes the infected to turn into a loaf of bread).

Each frame, background and effect in this short was lovingly hand drawn by Walznel and the artistry is incredible.

Am I gushing?

You betcha...and so will you once you feast your eyes on Breadheads after the break.

God, I'm hungry.

Read more »

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George A Romero's 'DAY OF THE DEAD' Blu Arrives From Scream Factory!

August 7, 2013, 10:00 am

≫ Next: What BREAKING BAD Would Look Like As A Middle School Musical

≪ Previous: BREADHEADS: An Incredibly Intense Look At A Dystopian Future Where Some People Turn Into Loaves of Bread

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What BREAKING BAD Would Look Like As A Middle School Musical

August 7, 2013, 11:00 am

≫ Next: EDIE ADAMS Sixties Television Collection Comes to DVD

≪ Previous: George A Romero's 'DAY OF THE DEAD' Blu Arrives From Scream Factory!

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I've said this before and I will say this again, I'm not especially fond of children and even less fond of watching them preform in musical theater.

Now, having said that, I will admit that if I did push out a few delinquents of my own and they happened to get cast in their Middle School's version of a Breaking Bad musical, I would not only attend willingly, I would also do so in a state of happiness.

But really, is that going to ever happen?

No.

So it looks like I will just have to hope that the birth control I use remains as powerful as it claims, 'cause there is no way I'm sitting around watching my little mistakes do Godspell.

Video (from YouTube's Geek Week) is after the break.

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EDIE ADAMS Sixties Television Collection Comes to DVD

August 7, 2013, 12:00 pm

≫ Next: So, The New DR. WHO (Peter Capaldi) was in a Post-Punk Band in the 80's With CRAIG FERGUSON Called DREAMBOYS...Thought You Would Like to Know

≪ Previous: What BREAKING BAD Would Look Like As A Middle School Musical

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So, The New DR. WHO (Peter Capaldi) was in a Post-Punk Band in the 80's With CRAIG FERGUSON Called DREAMBOYS...Thought You Would Like to Know

August 7, 2013, 1:00 pm

≫ Next: FOG! Chats With Makeup Effects Artist TODD TUCKER!

≪ Previous: EDIE ADAMS Sixties Television Collection Comes to DVD

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So, this little tidbit concerning the new Dr. Who Doc, Peter Capaldi, is starting to make it's way through the series of tubes called the Internet and I thought you might like to know about it.

It seems that back in way early 80's when Capaldi was an art student he was the lead singer in the Scottish post-punk band called Dreamboys with comedian and The Late, Late Show host /comedian Craig Ferguson.

While they weren't a big hit, I'm pretty sure Whovians will start scouring the universe for MP3 of their songs Outer Limits, Bela Lugosi's Birthday and Shall We Dance creating the need for a reprint of their album. 

And, lucky for you, someone made a few YouTube videos of their songs for you to enjoy. 

The quality of the videos?

Kinda terrible but the Dreamboys sound is pretty bitchin'.

I guess the newest Dr. Who might not be so bad after all.

Videos after the break.

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FOG! Chats With Makeup Effects Artist TODD TUCKER!

August 7, 2013, 4:38 pm

≫ Next: COOKIE MONSTER Covers Icona Pop’s “I Love It” And Yeah, It's All About Cookies

≪ Previous: So, The New DR. WHO (Peter Capaldi) was in a Post-Punk Band in the 80's With CRAIG FERGUSON Called DREAMBOYS...Thought You Would Like to Know

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Interview conducted by Lauren Berkley

You probably have been familiar with makeup effects artist Todd Tucker your whole life and just never known it. From Hook to The Passion of the Christ, from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Tucker's makeup effects career has spanned over 20 years. Heck, he even worked on the TV show Friends.

And now, with the help of his own Illusion Industries, Tucker has tackled the makeup in some of this year's hottest films: G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Smurfs 2, and independent crime drama The Iceman, starring none other than Zod himself, actor Michael Shannon.

I toured his Burbank facility last week, where we chatted about the genius that is Hank Azaria, the future of makeup in a CG-centric world, and his man-crush on Hugh Jackman.

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