IDW & Yoe Books Have DITKO'S SHORTS!

August 19, 2014, 7:00 pm

≫ Next: ANIMATION GEEK: Dateless By Remus Buznea and Kyriaki Kyriakou

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Compilation of Ditko’s Short Comics Coming This November

IDW Publishing and Yoe Books continue their incisive look at Steve Ditko’s work with Ditko’s Shorts coming this November.

Craig Yoe exclaims, “To put it short: Steve Ditko is ‘Ditko hands’ down the greatest living artist from main stream comics! His mastery is especially apparent in these amazing short stories where he’s in, he’s out and your mind has just been totally altered!”

Ditko may best known as the artist and co-creator of larger-than-life characters like Spider-Man and Doctor Strange but did you know that he could also work on a smaller (or short) scale and achieve very big results? Ditko's Shorts is a fun and incredibly fascinating compilation of short comics one, two, and three pages in length, showcasing that only a brilliant master like Ditko could tell such dramatic and compelling tale in such compact form.

Taken from rare comic books from a who's who of publishers, all the short comics collected for this volume have been meticulously restored and printed in a beautiful, large-format book. The genres show Ditko's great range as he easily navigates horror, fantasy, science fiction, western, and even humorous stories. This is a snapshot of his career that is not to be missed!

Also not to be missed are the insightful introductions by punk rocker and comics historian Fester Faceplant and Eisner Award-winner Craig Yoe.

“More than just a hat-trick of Spider Man, Dr. Strange, and Mr. A, this collection is a perfect showcase of Ditko's mastery of any genre he put his stamp on,” said Fester Faceplant.

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ANIMATION GEEK: Dateless By Remus Buznea and Kyriaki Kyriakou

August 20, 2014, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Go Back In Time And Visit the World of Cyberpunk In This Nostalgia-Soaked 1990 Documentary

≪ Previous: IDW & Yoe Books Have DITKO'S SHORTS!

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The universal experience of searching for "The One" is an aspect of our humanity that all people, regardless of our differences, can relate to...and laugh about...and groan over. Which is why when animators/directors, Remus Buznea and Kyriaki Kyriakou, interviewed a group of twentysomethings, capturing their awkward search for love and partnership through some gorgeous animation, it somehow makes that journey seem less horrible.

Maybe it would be helpful to see all of life's depressing aspects animated from now on. Personally, I wouldn't mind a lovely animation about how, now that I'm 40, every fucking bit of me hurts if I do something as simple as walk around the block...that would be kind of nice to see.

Animation after the break.

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Go Back In Time And Visit the World of Cyberpunk In This Nostalgia-Soaked 1990 Documentary

August 20, 2014, 9:00 am

≫ Next: Barack Obama Singing 'Problem' by Ariana Grande

≪ Previous: ANIMATION GEEK: Dateless By Remus Buznea and Kyriaki Kyriakou

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Plug In, Turn On and Tune Out

1990 may have been over two decades ago but I still remember cracking the spine of William Gibson's Mona Lisa Overdrive (which had actually come out 2 years before but was just arriving at my public library in time for the last decade of the millennium) and being completely enthralled with this "thing" known as Cyberpunk (which of course made tracking down his other works, Neuromancer and Count Zero, my top priority so that I could become thoroughly entrenched in the cyberpunk ethos like a poseur).

I took to this technology-based lawlessness like a fish to water and was fully convinced that I was part of something spectacular, something that would change society completely. Had I known that it would eventually lead to selfies, social media memes and people attached to their smart phones rather than making actual conversation with one another, I might have gotten into Pogs instead.

But I digress.

In the documentary below the world of cyberpunk is examined, including interviews with a young William Gibson and Timothy Leary, some "cutting-edge 3D animation" and a bunch of other cool stuff all us old people have probably forgotten about back when we had subscriptions to Mondo 2000. 

So dip your head into a nice cold pool of nostalgia after the break and get ready to be amazed.

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Barack Obama Singing 'Problem' by Ariana Grande

August 20, 2014, 11:00 am

≫ Next: Hear Ye, New England Geeks! We're Giving Away Tickets To KING RICHARD'S FAIRE!!!

≪ Previous: Go Back In Time And Visit the World of Cyberpunk In This Nostalgia-Soaked 1990 Documentary

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I don't know who Ariana Grande is or what the song Problem is about (which I am assuming is about having 99 of them but I might be confusing it with another Problem-based song) but I was told by a young 'un that I am related to that watching President Barack Obama "sing" it is the funniest thing "eva".

 I don't understand anything these young people like, but I figure posting this would make said relative happy and I hope this will absolve me from having to buy her any presents for the holiday.

Leader of the Free World saying words after the break.

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Hear Ye, New England Geeks! We're Giving Away Tickets To KING RICHARD'S FAIRE!!!

August 20, 2014, 1:00 pm

≫ Next: RIFFTRAX LIVE: GODZILLA 1998 (review)

≪ Previous: Barack Obama Singing 'Problem' by Ariana Grande

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ESCAPE REALITY, COME TO THE FAIRE

King Richard's Faire, New England's largest and longest-running Renaissance Festival, announces its 2014 season, to run August 30 through October 19, 2014 on weekends and Monday holidays (Labor Day, Columbus Day). Tucked away on 80 acres of beautiful, enchanted forest off Rt. 58 in Carver, Mass., King Richard's Faire now begins to prepare for its 34th season offering guests a full day of live, interactive entertainment for all ages, including new liger cubs, daring knights jousting on horseback, and eight stages filled with song and dance, stunts and storytelling. Every Saturday afternoon, the King's Stage offers special themed contests and events to add variety to the festival-like entertainment lineup (see kingrichardsfaire.net for details).

Guests can mingle with the King and his royal court, noble and not-so-noble subjects and skilled performers. When as famished as a mud beggar, tantalize taste buds with the Faire's delicious spit-roasted turkey legs, buttery ears of corn, boules filled with chowder and stew, ringlets of fries, and quench thirst with champagne, wine and brew.  Shoppers can stroll through the 16th century village filled with the wares of more than 100 unique and talented artisans, including local New England artists. At every turn, guests will encounter fantasy and wonder in our minstrels, musicians, acrobats, stilt walkers, giant life-size puppets, wenches, and more special surprises.
 
Faire hours are 10:30a-6p every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday holidays, from August 30th through October 19, 2014. Tickets are $29 for adults (12+) and $16 for children ages 4-11. Children under 4 are free, and parking is free.  Discounts given to groups of 25 adults or more and private parties can be accommodated (birthdays, vow renewal ceremonies, weddings). Reservations for all groups are required by emailing info@kingrichardsfaire.net. The Faire is located at 235 Main Street (Rt. 58) in Carver, Mass. 02330, phone is 508-866-5391.

And we're giving away four pairs of tickets good for any weekend in September and October during the 2014 season!

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RIFFTRAX LIVE: GODZILLA 1998 (review)

August 20, 2014, 5:20 pm

≫ Next: The Cosmic Treadmill Mourns THE DEATH OF ARCHIE (GN Review)

≪ Previous: Hear Ye, New England Geeks! We're Giving Away Tickets To KING RICHARD'S FAIRE!!!

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Review by Kate Davis

You know, the funny thing about Rifftrax and, in the before times, Mystery Science Theater 3000 is that sometimes they’ll riff on moves that really aren’t all that bad. Or they’re so bad they’ve somehow become good again; á la Plan 9 From Outer Space. However, that is not so in the 1998 jumbled chaos that is Godzilla. Or rather, a movie that Godzilla kind of makes a few brief cameos in. When the guys made a call to arms.. err rather, a call to the information superhighway to try and gain the rights to Godzilla, they chose to utilize Kickstarter.

Generally I’m not a big Kickstarter fan, but if its something that the fans themselves have asked for, I really don’t see an issue giving them the option to lend a hand. So, I kept an eye on it myself. They posted it on the site in the late evening and by the next morning, it had been entirely funded. People really wanted this! And was it worth it?

YES. YES. A THOUSAND TIMES, YES.

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The Cosmic Treadmill Mourns THE DEATH OF ARCHIE (GN Review)

August 20, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: THROWBACK THURSDAY: Don Pardo Introduces Ms. Pac-Man For the Atari 2600

≪ Previous: RIFFTRAX LIVE: GODZILLA 1998 (review)

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“I can’t live…if living is without you.” 

— Badfinger via Nilsson

The crumb bums finally did it! First it was Robin, then Superman, and soon it will be Wolverine.

In issue #36 of the time-jumping future tale that is Life With Archie, our waffle headed friend heroically falls in one last good deed while surrounded by friends at Pop Tate's Chock'lit Shoppe.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are sad to report to you about The Death of Archie.

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THROWBACK THURSDAY: Don Pardo Introduces Ms. Pac-Man For the Atari 2600

August 21, 2014, 7:00 am

≫ Next: GILBERT GOTTFRIED Gives The 'Independence Day' Speech

≪ Previous: The Cosmic Treadmill Mourns THE DEATH OF ARCHIE (GN Review)

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This is a two-for-one Throwback Thursday edition. In it we get to see a wonderful advertisement for a gluttonous female video game character (although, I always suspected that there was no actual Ms. Pac-Man, just a very hungry male pie-chart trying to convince the world that he wasn't the one eating all the pretzels) and two, we get to hear the iconic voice of one Mr. Don Pardo who passed away earlier this week at the grand old age of 96.

R.I.P Mr. Pardo, you and your voice will be missed.

Video after the break.

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GILBERT GOTTFRIED Gives The 'Independence Day' Speech

August 21, 2014, 9:00 am

≫ Next: 26 Amusing Facts About Amusement Parks

≪ Previous: THROWBACK THURSDAY: Don Pardo Introduces Ms. Pac-Man For the Atari 2600

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Whenever I am feeling down about the state of the world and fear that we are all just going to blow ourselves up one day, I will listen to the uplifting speech given by President Thomas J. Whitmore (Bill Pullman) from the movie Independence Day and allow his soothing voice to take me to a place where we, the earth, can finally get along.

Of course, when Gilbert Gottfried gives the same speech, it's a bit of a different feeling that wells up inside you. Not so much as being moved by what he says as it is "PLEASE-STOP-SPEAKING-I'LL-GO-BLOW-UP-THE-ALIENS-JUST-FUCKING-SHUT-UP!"

But I guess in the end, the results are the same.

Video after the break.

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26 Amusing Facts About Amusement Parks

August 21, 2014, 11:00 am

≫ Next: FOG! Talks Dead With PLAGUE WORLD Author DANA FREDSTI

≪ Previous: GILBERT GOTTFRIED Gives The 'Independence Day' Speech

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Since summer is coming to a close and the Family Truckster has been stashed away in the garage until next year's family vacation, I thought it seemed apropos to share Mental Floss' 26 Amusing Facts About Amusement Parks.

Consider it a seasonal palate cleanser so that you can get ready for a list show about all the awesome things Pumpkin Spice can be added to.

Video after the break.

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FOG! Talks Dead With PLAGUE WORLD Author DANA FREDSTI

August 21, 2014, 1:00 pm

≫ Next: How to Become a WHO-vian in Seven Easy steps

≪ Previous: 26 Amusing Facts About Amusement Parks

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Review conducted by Stefan Blttz

Having been ambushed in San Francisco, which is now fully engulfed in the zombie plague, Ashley and the wild cards must pursue the enemy to San Diego. There they will discover a splinter of their own organization, the Dolofónoi tou Zontanoús Nekroús, which seeks to weaponize the plague. But that isn’t the worst news. The plague has gone airborne, making it transferable without physical contract. It cannot be controlled by anyone, so reports of the zombie swarm are coming in from across the United States—and across the world.] 

That's the premise of Titan Books' Plague World, the final volume of the Ashley Parker trilogy by writer Dana Fredsti.  FOG! chatted with Dana about the book, her influences and more after the jump!

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How to Become a WHO-vian in Seven Easy steps

August 21, 2014, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Enter the LIFE OF CRIME Giveaway!

≪ Previous: FOG! Talks Dead With PLAGUE WORLD Author DANA FREDSTI

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We're just days away from a new Time Lord and a new season of Doctor Who, and the world is still filled with folks who have yet to pay a visit the Doctor.

What began as a teaching aid for youngsters, Doctor Who is now BBC’s flagship show, watched worldwide by legions of fans.

Over 50 years, it has given more than its fair share to the pop culture lexicon.

With the Twelfth Doctor set to take over the Tardis, it’s easy for fans to get swept up in the enthusiasm and want to share it with anybody and everybody they know. But that can prove to be a bit of a challenge.

Getting to know the Doctor can be a little intimidating. With five decades of backstory, 12 (or 13 if you count the War Doctor) actor in the lead role and legions of companions, the non-Who watcher can easily buck the calling.

First, you have to sway them. Here are a few arguments you can use to get the average TV watcher to give the Gallifreyan a go.

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Enter the LIFE OF CRIME Giveaway!

August 21, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR (review)

≪ Previous: How to Become a WHO-vian in Seven Easy steps

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When a pair of low-level criminals kidnap the wife of a corrupt real-estate developer, they get both more and less than they bargained for in Life of Crime, a dark caper comedy based on legendary author Elmore Leonard’s novel The Switch. Starring Jennifer Aniston, John Hawkes, yasiin bey, Mark Boone Junior, Isla Fisher, Will Forte and Tim Robbins, Life of Crime is packed with the outrageously eccentric characters, black comedy and unexpected twists that earned Leonard a reputation as one of America’s sharpest and funniest crime writers.

Mickey Dawson (Jennifer Aniston), the wife of crooked real-estate developer Frank Dawson (Tim Robbins), is kidnapped by two common criminals (yasiin bey and Jon Hawkes), who intend to hold her for a $1 million ransom and extort her husband with inside information about his illegal business dealings. But Frank, who is holed up in the Bahamas with his mistress, decides he’d rather not get his wife back, setting off a sequence of double-crosses and plot twists that could only come from the mind of master storyteller Elmore Leonard. 

To celebrate the release of Life Of Crime(which is coming to theaters, on demand and iTunes August 29th), we're giving away a $15 Fandango gift card to one lucky reader!

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SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR (review)

August 22, 2014, 7:00 am

≫ Next: 'DO THE RIGHT THING' Turned 25 This Summer, Here's A Short Doc That Reminds Us How Important The Film Really Is

≪ Previous: Enter the LIFE OF CRIME Giveaway!

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Review by Benn Robbins

Directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller

Produced by Sergei Bespalov, Aaron Kaufman, 

Stephen L'Heureux, Oleg Boyko, Mark C. Manuel

Alexander Rodnyansky, Robert Rodriguez

Screenplay by Frank Miller

Based on Sin City by Frank Miller

Starring Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis, 

Eva Green, Powers Boothe, Dennis Haysbert, 

Ray Liotta, Christopher Meloni, Jeremy Piven, 

Christopher Lloyd, Jaime King, Juno Temple,

It was just another Wednesday night.

My better half was a bombshell about to detonate from the heat she threw off in the car as we pulled the old tintrap RAV4 into the parking garage.

The florescent lights flickered like a spastic bug zapper in the height of mosquito season on the bayou.

We were here to catch the latest flicker from indie mastermind and Austin native, Robert Rodriguez and the “Old State Line” native who later called The Big Apple "home," Frank Miller.

They once again knocked their heads together and taking some of Frank’s old graphic novels and a few new inspired stories the have thrown out this latest prequel/sequel to their 2005 masterpiece Sin City.

The theater was a who’s who of the denizens and riff raft expected at one of these things. The floors were a pre-chewed Good n’ Plenty under my foot and the air was rife with the stale popcorn and hot-melted plastic that passes nowadays for nacho cheese.

We picked out seats, reserved because of who we are and what we wanted here.

As the movie started the quiet hush reserved for funerals and church mass washed over the audience and then we were hit like a ton of bricks thrown from a runaway freight train…

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'DO THE RIGHT THING' Turned 25 This Summer, Here's A Short Doc That Reminds Us How Important The Film Really Is

August 22, 2014, 9:00 am

≫ Next: SCIENCE GEEK: The Science of Depression

≪ Previous: SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR (review)

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Do The Right Thing turned 25 this past June but considering what is going on right now in Illinois (and really, all of the rest of the country) it might be a good idea for everyone to sit down in front of the TV and revisit this Spike Lee classic. Which brings me to the point of this post, Beats Music sent Lee, Danny Aiello and production designer Wynn Thomas back to the block in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood where Do The Right Thing was shot to reminisce about the making of the film and its impact on the viewing audience (which was considerable).

The film was controversial to say the least but it's importance cannot be stated enough. Racial tensions have been flowing underneath the surface of this country for centuries and will no doubt continue to do so, but when it explodes (in both reality and in art) it is a chance to recognize the pain that it causes and the intolerance that holds people back. Movies like this and the situation in Ferguson, allows us all to participate in conversations about racism that are sorely needed and while it may be idealistic to think so, perhaps it can lead to understanding, knowledge and compassion for our brothers and sisters.

So take a look at this short doc and then buy/rent/grab your copy of the movie and watch it again.

We all need a reminder that we are participants in this life and need each other to survive.

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SCIENCE GEEK: The Science of Depression

August 22, 2014, 11:39 am

≫ Next: LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES: Terror on the Beach...A Family That Fights Together, Stays Together

≪ Previous: 'DO THE RIGHT THING' Turned 25 This Summer, Here's A Short Doc That Reminds Us How Important The Film Really Is

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With Robin Williams' suicide, the topic of depression has been taking up residence in a lot of conversations lately, but many people are unaware of the science behind the condition. While depression affects millions of people worldwide, there is still a stigma about it, which is why knowing what happens inside the brain of a person with depression is crucial for understanding and for medical advancement.

So take a journey to the whiteboard of knowledge in the Asap Science episode and get your learning on...you never know when the information can help a loved one.

Video after the break.

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LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES: Terror on the Beach...A Family That Fights Together, Stays Together

August 22, 2014, 1:00 pm

≫ Next: The Enemy of My Enemy is My Enemy? EVILSEED and The Politics of Eternia

≪ Previous: SCIENCE GEEK: The Science of Depression

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In this 1973 Made-For-TV Movie starring Dennis Weaver (Duel), a family camping trip turns to terror when a band of Manson-like hippies decide to make the family's trip a living hell (which, if the hippies had just waited a few days, would have done so naturally).

Co-starring Estelle Parsons (Roseanne) and Susan Dey (The Partridge Family) and featuring a plot that was turned out by a writer drunk on cold syrup, Terror on the Beach will no doubt remind you of one of those long, drawn-out stories your dad used to tell you while you were trapped in a moving car with nowhere to go.

So, yeah...enjoy!

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The Enemy of My Enemy is My Enemy? EVILSEED and The Politics of Eternia

August 22, 2014, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Double Feature Movie Show: ROBIN WILLIAMS

≪ Previous: LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES: Terror on the Beach...A Family That Fights Together, Stays Together

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Evilseed is the episode of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe that holds the distinction of being the number five best episode of season one as decreed by the fans. As such, it was included on the two-disc set of greatest He-Man episodes.

Evilseed is also nothing short of amazing, especially when you consider most episodes of the classic He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon don’t hold up nearly as well as they do in our hearts and minds.

That being said, things actually start out pretty slow in this episode.

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Double Feature Movie Show: ROBIN WILLIAMS

August 22, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: SWAG A-GO-GO: reviews for stuff you should check out

≪ Previous: The Enemy of My Enemy is My Enemy? EVILSEED and The Politics of Eternia

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A couple of weeks go, a part of my childhood was ripped away from me. '

It was so sudden and so tragic that it’s hard to really wrap my head around it. Robin Williams was the most manic and amazing comedians of his age and to have him take his own life just seems antithetical to what he was.

I wanted to take a look at a couple of his best performances in film.

He had so many great performances that it was hard to boil it down to just two.

But I did my best.


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SWAG A-GO-GO: reviews for stuff you should check out

August 22, 2014, 7:00 pm

≫ Next: SCIENCE GEEK: Peeing In the Ocean, Good or Bad?

≪ Previous: Double Feature Movie Show: ROBIN WILLIAMS

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By Stefan Blitz

Here at FOG! HQ lots of cool stuff comes in, giving us the opportunity to check out some merchandise, that to be completely honest, we think you should check out!

This time out we've a bunch of t-shirts, toys and gadgets geared toward your savvy inner nerd.


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