geek with curves

Cow Boy is online for you to read and love!

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

Remember when I said Cow Boy: A Boy and His Horse was the bee's knees? It's a story that just grabbed hold of me, and now, everyone can read it! It's being posted bit by bit online for free. Yep, you can read this awesome, all ages tale for nuthin. And when you end up loving it, you can pre-order the hardcover from Amazon or from your local comic book shop.

Go read Cow Boy now.
You're welcome.

Interview with Mark Waid - All Daredevil all the time

2012-01-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

As you may know, Mark Waid has been writing the most recent run of Daredevil. The buzz about the run has been overwhelmingly positive. Daredevil ended up on more than a few "best of 2011" lists.

Since it is Daredevil month at Blastoff Comics, I sat down with Waid to talk about his current run on Daredevil and about the hero and Matt Murdock in general. We also discuss what Matt will be facing in the months to come.

Check out the interview at Blastoff Comics. If nothing else, be sure to click over just to watch for a minute to see all of Mark's cool toys in the background.

From Obi-Wan to Ben?

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

After a severe lack of Obi-Wan so far in this season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, we finally got a hefty dose of the Jedi knight in last Friday's episode (Deception). Obi-Wan went undercover to halt a plan to assassinate Chancellor Palpatine (oh, if they only knew). He assumed the identity of a bounty hunter headed for prison. While there he runs into some familiar faces that fans of the Clone Wars will be happy to see. It was an action-packed, shoot 'em up sort of episode and one in which James Arnold Taylor's voice talents really shined. Something in particular caught my attention though. When Obi-Wan called the Jedi Council to check in with his latest report, he referred to himself as Ben.

Of course Ben is the name he used while in hiding on Tatooine. Nevermind that he forgot to alter his rather memorable last name. When Threepio mentioned the name, Luke connected Obi-Wan Kenobi to Ben Kenobi in about a second. Anyways. We've never heard Obi-Wan refer to himself by this name before. Not in the prequels, and Pablo Hidalgo confirmed we haven't heard it on the Clone Wars yet either. The source of his chosen alias hasn't been identified. It could be entirely random. I mean, if I were to choose an alternate identity for secrecy, I'd go with something like Zelda for no other reason besides the fact that it sounds cool (or maybe something more subtle).

Does this first instance of him calling himself Ben mean it's the first time he used it? Not necessarily. It's just the first time we're hearing it. I think maybe the transmission reveals this was his preferred name to use whenever he went undercover throughout the Clone Wars and then later on Tatooine. What do you guys think?

One Year Ago
Katie Cook's F**K YOU, BOX Cat Mini-Book

Rambling Round-Up

2012-01-21T11:47:00.000-08:00

Other things I've written around the interwebs this week:

Once Upon a Time: True North review - Not my favorite episode of the series, but Emma Caulfield was great as the Blind Witch.

Daredevil vs. Matt Murdock - The man vs the superhero and who I like better.

Quick Blurbs
Custom My Little Pony Hoodie
Daredevil Making Snow Angels
One Nail Polish to Rule Them All
Mystery Science Theater Locket
Indiana Jones Inspired Engagement Ring
Fan Made Hobbit Lego Sets
A Shrine for Snape
Throw Darts in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Sadly, GeekChicLA is no longer. It's probably for the best though since I was just finding 5,000 more things in this city I need to do.

Fictional Characters Wearing Scarves

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Scarves. I like them, I own far more than a girl who lives in Southern California should. I wear them for about half the year, too. They're a quick accessory, and they're nice for the cold mornings and nights we have here (cold being a relative term). I notice when other people are wearing them, especially men. It was one of the first things that grabbed me about the Benedict Cumberbatch incarnation of Sherlock Holmes. It was attractive. Incredibly so. I tweeted about it (duh) and discovered I'm not the only fan of scarves. The next natural step was this post.

Amy Pond - After Sherlock, my mind goes to the Eleventh Doctor's spunky companion when I think of scarves. Incidentally, I usually wear my scarf in the same style (well, I've been doing that since before there was an Amy Pond).

Mat Cauthon - Just like most of the characters in the Wheel of Time series, Mat's been through a lot. He was hanged and nearly died, but the plus side of the unfortunate mishap is that he ended up wearing a scarf to hide the scars. Well, I guess the other plus is that he just nearly died.

From the cover of Crossroads of Twilight

The Fourth Doctor - Not many men could wear a scarf like this and even fewer would be able to make their name stand apart from it. Tom Baker managed just fine.

Stephen Maturin - The steadfast companion of Captain Jack Aubrey, Dr. Maturin was practical in almost every way. In the movie interpretation of the character (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World), he sported a neck wrap constantly. Also, Paul Bettany.

Every Student At Hogwarts - Students at the magical school have a long, cozy-looking scarf as part of their uniforms. Adults seem to wear them a lot, too. Muggles could stand to learn from this example.

Last but so very far from least, Sherlock Holmes. I do not apologize if this gif mesmerizes you to the point of distraction. (via The Carnival of The Random).

Let me know who I'm missing!
And if you adore scarves: 25 ways to wear them.

Two Years Ago - Constructed (or fake-real) languages rock
One Year Ago - A Slayer Turns 30

Blastoff Comics

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

As I recently mentioned, I've started contributing to a site called Blastoff Comics, and I'm pretty excited about it. Blastoff Comics is a lot of things. It's an online store, it's a blog, it's a place to find interviews with creators, and one day it will be a brick and mortar place, too. You'll find new offerings, but the focus of Blastoff is treasures of the past and nostalgia. Scott Tipton describes it best here.

Research

Each month is themed, and this month it's all about Daredevil. As you can see from the above photo, I've spent a lot of time with the Man Without Fear so far this month.

I'll be tossing up posts related to the theme every week at Blastoff, and I'll also be interviewing some of your favorite creators. Just last weekend I talked to Mark Waid about his current Daredevil run (that video should be up soon). You'll also find posts about comic book history, selling comics, art, and so much more. I think it will be worth your time to follow along and if you're a collector, you'll want to check out Blastoff's online store.

Rambling Round-Up

2012-01-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Posts by me around the interwebs this week:
Once Upon a Time: Desperate Souls review - Rumpelstiltskin's backstory takes center stage in last Sunday's OUaT!

When Cosplay Collides With Cuteness - Brighten your day by looking at cute babies, kids, and animals in costume. I want to hashtag the whole article #happiness.

Fun, nerdy things to do in Los Angeles
Smell Like a Dream - all about Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab's open houses
Where Jules Verne Meets Science - MUZEO's steampunk in history exhibit
Xena Convention Says Bye-yi-yi-yi-yi - the last official Creation Entertainment Xena convention
Quick blurbs
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Bathroom
Mass Effect and Portal Art Nouveau Posters
Marvel Superhero Guest Soaps
Time Lord and Link Hockey Jerseys
Crochet Your Own Vulcan Ears

Review: Jim Henson's Tale of Sand

2012-01-11T14:39:00.000-08:00

Archaia has been afforded some rather spectacular opportunities because of their relationship with The Jim Henson Company, and they’ve knocked every one of them out of the park. Anthologies like Fraggle Rock and The Storyteller have captured the essence of each franchise while also adding to them. Tale of Sand is a different beast though. Rather than collected stories from a variety of writers and artists, it’s a graphic novel translation of a lost screenplay by Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl (head writer on The Muppets). The feature length screenplay was written before Sesame Street and Muppets and represents other facets of Henson’s creative talents.

The screenplay isn’t interpreted in the way you’d expect. In fact, it’s best if you don’t open the book with any expectations. If you flip through the book first (which I did because I was hungry to see the art), you’ll notice the lack of word balloons. This a story that unfolds in images more so than words and oh, what images. Artist Ramón Pérez has brought Henson and Juhl’s work to vivid life. He tells the story of a man who is sent off to the desert on an apparent race. He doesn’t know why he’s there, only that he has a ten minute head start. He dashes off into the desert and soon he finds himself being pursued. He walks from empty, parched vistas into wacky situations like a football game. Part of the joy of this book is experiencing the race, and it’s most effective if the bizarre twists hit you by surprise page after page. I won’t tell you what happens or what he runs into or much else at all about the actual story because I don’t want to rob you of potential reactions.

Pérez makes the sandy landscape leap off the page. You feel immersed. You feel there. Though the screenplay is incorporated into the tale in the background and in actual in-panel words (in a font based on Henson’s handwriting), the interpretation landed squarely on Pérez’s shoulders. He made it work, and he did so with such style. Given the nature of the screenplay and the fact that it wasn’t a standard narrative, it could have easily turned into a jumbled wreck. It walks the tight rope. The character design, the palette, the layout, the way the story flows smoothly from one panel to the next – not a beat is missed. Just please don’t open this book expecting cute puppets. Go in with an open mind and drink up the art. Tale of Sand is ambitious, surreal, and glorious.

I think it’s also important to note how the book looks. Archaia always publishes high quality books, but this one raises the bar. It’s apparent every decision was made with care. The cover, the type of paper, the print quality – all top notch. It even comes with an elastic band (moleskine notebook style) to mark your place. Sure, they’re small touches but together they make a statement. Presentation is important, and in this case it would make me pick up this book even if I knew nothing about Archaia or Jim Henson.

In sum, Tale of Sand is the sexiest graphic novel of 2011. If you aren’t familiar with Henson’s work outside of The Muppets (like Time Piece), you owe it to yourself to see a different side of his genius – this graphic novel exhibits it perfectly.

Pre-order Tale of Sand on Amazon or ask about it at your local comic shop!

Over one hundred ladies in a snowball fight for charity!

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

You know we live in a good world when comic creators become the heroes. Lora Innes, creator/writer/artist of The Dreamer, may not wear a cape (or maybe she does?!) but she's performing heroic efforts. She's gathered the talents of over 127 artists to raise funds to fight human trafficking. She started Comic Creators for Freedom three years ago, and so far the annual drive has raised over $15,000 for the cause. The statistics are terrifying. It's not just an issue that happens off in the dark corners of Third World countries. Hardly. It's a problem right here in the shiny United States. When Innes became aware of the horrors happening in her own city, she felt compelled to do something to help.

Here's how it works: comic artists collaborate to create an original image available in digital and print formats. Every artist contributes a drawing of his or her own, original female character, and each year has a different theme. This time it's an epic snowball fight. If you donate during the fundraising drive, you get a digital download of the complete image. With so many talented creators and such a wide variety of characters, it's sure to be awesome. Donations received will be split evenly between Love 146 and Grace Haven House.

Let's see how high we can push the total in 2012. The drive starts today and goes through January 20, and National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is January 11. Keep in mind that even if you can't donate, you can spread the word! Visit the site for more info.

Rambling Round-Up (and news)

2012-01-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

Since I've last posted a list of my writings around the web, a few things have changed. I've taken on a couple of new writing gigs and let go of others. I'm consistently contributing to Nerd Approved, Fashionably Geek, IGN, and getting back on track with a monthly Geek Fab column at Pink Raygun. Geek Girls Network has sadly been put on pause for now, but when that site's back up, I'll be there. I've also started contributing to Blastoff Comics (more about that soon) and GeekChicLA. Who knows what will be next.

I'm going to attempt getting back in the habit of posting links to my stuff here on a weekly basis. I think I'll be successful. This week I'm also throwing in some older stuff since I haven't posted these in a while.

Once Upon a Time reviews on IGN

The Devil I Didn't Know - It's Daredevil month at Blastoff Comics, and I'm catching up on a pile of stories and getting to know Matt Murdock.

Your Guide to Geeky Travel Destinations - My list of travel destinations to make any geek happy.

LEGO Makes "Friends" Line for Girls - Yeah, I had some opinions about LEGO's new line.

Fun things to do in Los Angeles that I've written about:
The Curious Case of the Quirky Collection - Museum of Jurassic Technology
All I Want for Christmas is Comics - my favorite comic shops in the L.A. area
Battle Los Angeles - Game you like mean it at these tabletop gaming hotspots!
100 Years Young - Paramount's centennial celebration
Edwardian Glory - 2012 Edwardian Ball

And this isn't nerdy at all, but I went to China for three days last month and put together a little PDF with words and photos about my trip: China in Three Days

You'll see new posts here a couple times a week plus this round-up. Because I'm crazy I also have three little Tumblrs. I wanted a place to put some of my favorite things and quotes: purple lightsaber (Star Wars), games of all the thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire), and all about the words (my favorite quotes).

As always, thanks for reading.

Allons-y! (Or my new tattoo)

2012-01-06T09:05:00.000-08:00

On the way home last night, I ended up at a tattoo parlor (the same one that did my Rebel Alliance tattoo). I left with fresh ink. It all sounds very impulsive, but I've had this in the back of my head for a while. I asked @CapSteveRogers to design this for me back in the fall. It's just how tattoos have worked for me. I know what I want, I might take a while to think about placement, and then one day I will decide it must be put on my skin and done immediately. That's been the case for four of my five tattoos anyways.

Why "allons-y?" It's a great motto for life and one I've particularly embraced in the past year. And of course I learned the phrase from the Tenth Doctor. It had to be in the closest shade possible of TARDIS blue. I'm in love with it.

If you're curious, two of my other tattoos are geek related. I have the Star Wars tattoo on my left shoulder, and I have the priestess crescent moon symbol from Mists of Avalon on my left hip.

If you like seeing geeky tattoos, let me remind you I did a whole series of posts on such tattoos and interviewed their owners.

The Final Scenes of Star Wars Films

2012-01-04T19:36:00.000-08:00

A while ago I heard someone point out that the camera pulled back at the end of an episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and had the look of the final scene from the films - kind of a big picture with lots of the cast. Maybe it was Kyle Newman on the Forcecast, I don't remember. Anyways. Once it was waved in front of my face I realized I had always noticed the similarities in the frames. I like how Lucas adds parallels like this to each of the films to pull them together. Common ties are a necessity across six movies. It's apparent when you line them up, behold:

A New Hope:

The Empire Strikes Back:

Return of the Jedi:

The Phantom Menace:

Attack of the Clones:

Revenge of the Sith:

And of course, there's a Skywalker in each scene. However, if you're counting, R2-D2 is in five of the final images and Luke is only in four. I think that means R2-D2 is actually the most important part of the story, right? Right.

For final frames besides those in Star Wars, check out this article at Blastr.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T09:05:00.000-08:00

Crazy random happenstance brought me across these Nightmare Before Christmas decorations. I was doing some last minute shopping last Friday night, and I stopped to pick up dinner on the way home. Earlier in the afternoon I had put the Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack on in my car. I got turned around after I grabbed my take-out and took a side street that I've never been on. Something caught my eye. I stopped the car (it's fortunate no one was behind me) and found the closest stretch of empty curb. I walked back and before I could see exactly what the decorations were, I heard the soundtrack from the Holiday Haunted Mansion at Disneyland wafting in the air. Then I saw Jack Skellington and Zero and a delightful graveyard. It might have made my Christmas.

On that note, merry Christmas to those who celebrate it!

I watched half of the Star Wars Holiday Special, and I'm not the same.

2011-12-22T08:26:00.000-08:00

For years, I've avoided the Star Wars Holiday Special. I'd heard tales about it... and for the most part those tales actually resembled horror stories. I probably would have continued along in my blissful ignorance, but a friend sent out invites for a Wookiee Life Day party and I couldn't say no. If I was going to watch the infamous special, I'd rather do it surrounded by friends. And booze.

I had low expectations. That's where I went wrong. I shouldn't have had any. I was hoping for camp but of the "it's so bad, it's enjoyable" variety. You know, like a Nicholas Cage movie (I adore Con Air). I mean, I didn't sit down thinking I'd like any part of it, but it was Star Wars and I looked forward to the experience. Let me just say: WOW. I stared at the screen with my mouth open. Nothing made any sense. Granted, the bootleg version (the only kind you can get) was not the best quality and everyone was adding a Rifftrax-style commentary to it but I don't think absolute quiet or HD prints would have helped.

We were on Kashyyyk, but Imperial officers kept calling Chewbacca's home planet Kazook. Chewie's family is scurrying around a treehouse carpeted with astroturf, and his wife is wearing an apron. His kid, Lumpy, plays with a holographic table that shows acrobats in neon, and Chewie's grandpa, Itchy, umm... has a special moment while watching a hologram of an attractive human woman with sparkly hair. Apparently, he likes his ladies shaved. Meanwhile, Chewbacca's wife,, Malla, is prepping for Life Day and she watches a cooking show hosted by Harvey Korman as a four-legged, humanoid alien. Seriously. I couldn't make those things up.

The overriding premise is that Chewbacca and Han are trying to get to Kashyyyk to celebrate Life Day, but the Empire is getting in the way. I thought it would get better when characters from the original trilogy showed up. No. It doesn't always get better. Luke Skywalker was wearing eyeliner, and Princess Leia was obviously high from inhaling uh, Hoth snow. Boba Fett made his grand entrance in animated form, and those scenes were enjoyable. He was sort of pastel and had a Loch Ness monster, but he was still Boba Freaking Fett.

At this point of the night, the viewing party started to disperse. Rapidly. Sure, it was late, but an hour of the Holiday Special was all anyone could take. I have vowed to finish watching it - I mean, I've heard Bea Arthur shows up, that can't be terrible - but I need to stock up on alcohol first. And I should trick a few friends into coming over. I don't think I can do it alone.

I think the Holiday Special demonstrates Lucas is not all about the money. He could release this on DVD, and initially at least, fans who must have a complete collection (which are a large portion of Star Wars fans) would scoop it up. It's never re-aired on television or been made otherwise available. It would make some dollars even though it probably wouldn't be sustainable. Lucas recognizes that this special is not exactly the best foot forward. It's not high quality, it's not good, and he'd rather it didn't exist. He's certainly not putting it out there for the wide audience.

If you'd like to watch it for the first time or experience the bizarre all over again, you can watch the special (the whole darn thing!) on YouTube:

Next on my list: the Ewok movies.

A Wishlist from Hoth

2011-12-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

Ralph McQuarrie's Battle of Hoth

Hoth has a special place in my heart. It's weird that this planet reaches me the most; I don't have much love for the frigid locales of the world. Actually, not quite true. I can enjoy snow and cold with the condition of limited exposure. From the safety of my couch with a warm blanket, Hoth is magical. It's featured in my favorite of the Star Wars films. It has wampas, tauntauns, AT-ATs, memorable quotes, Han and Leia flirting, and did I mention the AT-ATs? Yeah, I have passion for this ice planet.

Thusly, a wishlist from Hoth:

Wampa. Rug.
Furry, soft, and it has two arms!

Down Sweater Vest
It's the closest and warmest thing to Leia's Hoth vest.

Hoth Skywalker Shoes
Sneakers may not be the most practical footwear on the tundra, but they blend right in.

Tauntauns
So many tauntauns, so little time.
Also, while you're thinking about tauntauns listen to this dog sound exactly like one.

Washcloth Wampa
There's a wampa hiding in your bathroom closet! Get the Star Wars Craft Book to learn how to make this little guy.

Han's Snazzy Jacket
Lando dresses like Han, so why shouldn't you?

Cuddly AT-AT
You can squish this Imperial Walker as much as you want. I also recommend the slightly less huggable Galactic Heroes AT-AT.

Be a Probe Droid (#notaeuphemism)
Sneak around the planet and do investigations for the guy in black while donning this screenprinted Imperial Probe Droid tee.

Snowtrooper Memory
Get a Mimobot ready for the snow and 2-16GB of data.

I Heart Hoth

Gingerbread Gone Geek

2011-12-17T14:55:00.000-08:00

The holiday season always looks best when painted with a geek brush. I bet many of you will agree. Though I drool over pictures of elaborate gingerbread constructions I've never made anything more complicated than cutout cookies. One year I'll create a gingerbread diorama of the Rebel Base on Hoth. Until then, I'll keep drooling over the creations people much more talented and patient than I make.

SS Ginger Amelia
Gingerbread pirate ship that has a very Amy Pond sort of name! Three thousand eggs were used to build this. That's a lot of hens.

Ewok Village
It's quite a party on Endor. After the cameras left the celebration, they broke out the gingerbread, icing, Rice Krispie treats, and apparently, all the fun. The best part may or may not be biting off Ewok heads.

Superhero Sweets
Even gingerbread superheroes wear their underwear on the outside.

Edible Writing
If I had a gingerbread typewriter, I wouldn't get any writing done. I would procrastinate by eating. Wait - I do that anyways.

Baking Serenity
My second favorite ship looks beautiful when decorated with candy. It probably tastes much better than the "chocolate" cake Kaylee made in Out of Gas.

Hogwarts
Castles are an ambitious project, but this replica has it all. Yeah, it lights up. I wonder if the staircases move.

The Pandorica Opens
Who eats the Pandorica takes the universe! Who's coming to take it from me?

crossposted at Geek Girls Network

Attack of the Holiday Gift Guide, Part III: Getting Crafty

2011-12-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas is only 11 days away. I know, I'm a jerk for reminding you. Maybe you've left all your online shopping until the last minute, and it's getting close to the time when you'll have to pay rush shipping fees to get presents under the tree. Or maybe you don't want to face the growing crowds at stores. If either of those sound like you and even if they don't, you might want to consider taking the last weekend before the holiday to make gifts. Yeah, you'll probably have to go to a store or two for supplies, but you'll save money in the long run, hopefully have fun, and make someone smile with your thoughtfulness.

To assist your craftiness or maybe you inspire to scour the internet for more tutorials, here are five tutorials for presents you can make in a day.

Comic Book Coasters - Haven't you always wanted to put your glass on Batman's face? No? Well, these coasters make really cool presents anyways. This tutorial is easy to follow, and the list of supplies isn't crazy long. Comic book images look great, but you can of course substitute anything to suit the recipient.

Stack of Books Necklace - I bet you know someone who can't live without books. She (or he) will love this necklace. Bonus points if you add In the Library perfume.

Stitch Away - Sometimes a cross-stitched tauntaun head says it all. This pattern designer offers all sorts of nerdy designs, and they're emailed as a pdf so that you can start stitching immediately.

No-Sew T-Shirt Tote Bags - Almost everyone has t-shirts that don't fit them anymore. If there aren't any buried in your drawer, go to the thrift store. Find a nerdy t-shirt, a sports tee, or whatever the person on your gift list likes and turn it into a bag. I know I'd love to have a pile of Star Wars tee tote bags.

Amigurumi Happiness - Itty bitty cuddly dolls are always well received. I'm told that if you understand the magic of crocheting these are simple to make. Again, this seller has a variety of patterns and they are all emailed to you quickly.

Merry crafting!

My other gift guides this season:
Ten Books/Comics to Give/Get
Ten Star Wars Presents to Love

Nerdiest (and best) baby shower ever

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

Baby showers are not my thing. Besides the facts that I don't have the slightest idea what to do with babies and that pregnancy freaks me right out, the whole baby shower tradition isn't usually bearable. Mostly it's the silly games that turn me off. Sometimes they involve eating baby food or smearing stuff in diapers that you pass around and smell. Why would a person do such a thing? I can't understand. However. When a friend of mine, Autumn, announced her baby shower, I knew it would be epic and nerdy. I've found this statement to be true repeatedly: adding a sprinkle of geek makes any event infinitely better. It had that effect on the baby shower. Here's why Autumn's baby shower was awesome:

Exhibit A: Tauntaun with a life-sized head.

The party took place in a recently finished garage, and among the stacks of games and books rested a tauntaun. He was friendly.

Autumn's pet mynock dangled from the ceiling. You can learn how to make one just like it here.

Since her baby boy is sure to be the stallion who mounts the world, Autumn requested horse heart cupcakes from our talented friend Jenn. None of us ate the cupcakes Daenerys style (that clip is not for the faint of heart), but we really should have. Ah, hindsight.

Gifts included items to make her Wookiee the Chew themed nursery cozy, an array of onesies with Starfleet and Star Wars emblems, and stacks of books. I'd also like to mention here that Autumn opened all her presents with a knife. She held it in her teeth between gifts... yeah, I wouldn't tick her off.

The baby shower game was just as impressive. You had a list of prophecies, and you had to match the right character to the right destiny.

Finally, the best part of the shower: I kissed a tauntaun.

Attack of the Holiday Gift Guide, Part II: Ten Star Wars Presents to Love

2011-12-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

After more than thirty years of merchandising, it's almost hard to imagine there are still any new Star Wars gifts to buy. However, fans are rabid and the demand hasn't let up in decades. There's a constant flood of fresh toys, clothing, books, and novelties. It's almost impossible to keep up with the latest offerings.* I've done some of the hard work for you. Here's my list of ten Star Wars items to give this holiday season.

Star Wars: The Old Republic - TOR is probably the hottest game of the season. It has beautiful graphics and extensive options, and it seems like it has a great story. This game will ship on December 20, just in time for the holiday.

Star Wars Omnibus: Episodes I-VI The Complete Saga - All the comic adaptations of the films are collected in this beautiful, giant omnibus.

AT-AT Necklace - Who doesn't want to wear an Imperial Walker around her neck? The seller also has a plethora of other Star Wars and geek symbols.

Han Solo in Carbonite Ice Cube Trays - This silicone tray is good for Han Solo-shaped ice, chocolate, jelly, and more. If you want to go for the complete set, pick up the R2-D2 mold as well. They are ideal for the baker on your list.

Star Wars: The Blueprints - Let's discuss the obvious first. Yes, it's $450. But. This is a collection of original blueprints created for the filming of the Star Wars saga. I flipped through some of it at Comic-Con, and it was indeed stunning.

AT-AT Walker - Is it sad that I could probably make an entire list comprised entirely of AT-ATs? This toy made a splash last year because it's over 2' tall! It's like having a pet without the annoying clean-up.

Droids & Aliens Cookie Cutters - Williams-Sonoma keeps adding things to their Star Wars line, and these droids and aliens cookie cutters are the newest. If you buy these for someone, chances of you getting Star Wars cookies increase.

Minimalist Poster Set - The Star Wars movie posters are awesome; particularly those from the original trilogy. These are subtle and sexy though. They'd look great in a house or even an office.

Heir to the Empire: The 20th Anniversary Edition - This is the novel that kickstarted the modern Expanded Universe. It's a big deal. The recently released 20th Anniversary edition has annotations, commentary from Lucasfilm, and new novella starring Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Lightsaber Candlestick - Star Wars home decor can be classy. This candlestick comes with three no-drip taper candles and will make a romantic dinner at least ten times more special.

May the Force be with you this holiday season!

*StarWars.com has recently launched a section that lists licensed Star Wars merchandise and where you can buy it. Browse the catalog here.

Attack of the Holiday Gift Guide, Part I: Ten Books/Comics To Give/Get

2011-11-30T12:41:00.000-08:00

Tis the season, and as such, I'm making lists upon lists of ideas for presents. I mean, I should do that throughout the year instead of waiting until December but besides being a procrastinator, I also can't keep secrets about gifts that long. If I buy presents early, I can't stop myself from giving them to the recipient long before the holiday (or birthday). Anyways. As I'm sorting, I thought I'd categorize and share my gift ideas. I'll be posting three or four themed lists here and also lists on Fashionably Geek and That's Nerdalicious over the next few weeks.

Among my favorite presents to give (and get) are things to read. I love to share books and comics I've enjoyed with others. I think any of these ten books/comics would make the reader on your shopping list happy. Most of these are self-published or small press because I like supporting indie creators who make awesome stories.

The Dreamer: The Consequence of Nathan Hale (Pt. 1) by Lora Innes - This wonderful comic combines history, adventure, action, and romance. Sure, buy one for someone else, but buy it for yourself first.

Star Wars Craft Book by Bonnie Burton - This book makes the ideal gift for the geek crafter in your life. You'll find projects such as Admiral Sackbar and Yoda finger puppets; it's definitely for all ages!

Gronk, Vol 1 by Katie Cook - Gronk is a story about a monster finding her place in the world. She also happens to be freaking adorable. Every page of this comic makes me laugh, squee, or get teary.

One Con Glory by Sarah Kuhn - Romantic comedies and geekdom don't run into each other often enough. This book has both. It's endearing, funny, and geek girls and uh... not geek girls will be able to relate to the heroine's journey.

The Bean, Vol 1 by Travis Hanson - This volume collects issues 1-4 of the fantastic journey of a young dishwasher named Bean. Great adventure and characters, and it was also nominated for an Eisner this year. No big deal.

The Storyteller - This anthology, available 12/13, collects new stories inspired by Jim Henson's The Storyteller. Lovely art, magical stories, and even an adaptation of an unproduced screenplay written by Anthony Minghella. Yeah, it's awesome.

Deus Libris: An Illustrated Collection - This is a beautiful, high-quality compilation art book; the theme is gods and goddesses. It's droolworthy.

The Killer, Vol 1 by Matz and Luc Jacamon - This cutting thriller focuses on a hitman who's ready to retire. His inner conflict and views on the world are fascinating. It shouldn't be missed. This is great for someone who likes Dexter.

Monster Commute by Daniel Davis - Monster Commute showcases world building at its finest. The comic about traffic and the hell of surviving it takes place in a steampunk influenced world filled with monsters. The art and general design are impressive. The end.

5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth (And Other Useful Guides) by Matthew Inman - A collection of comics, captions, cartoons, etc from The Oatmeal. It causes laughter.

I won't blame you if you decide to keep a book from this list rather than giving it away.

Review: Cow Boy Comic

2011-11-26T12:21:00.000-08:00

Cow Boy: A Boy And His Horse by Nate Cosby and Chris Eliopoulos is obviously a comic made with love. I could tell that just from Cosby's tweets about it. I couldn't wait to dive in.

Cow Boy will fool you. If you look at nothing more than the cover – which you shouldn't ever do, incidentally – you'll think it's an adorable comic for kids. You'd be half wrong. It is adorable, but the subject matter is for all ages and the well done combo makes this a story you'd be silly not to check out.

Meet Boyd. He's a kid. He has a horse that's not his, and he's figuring out the fine art of being a bounty hunter. Oh, he also has an impressive gun that isn't what it seems to be. He's far from your average ten year old. He's got determination and all the spunk a kid needs to make it through the world on his own. He's not just hunting any old bounty either - he's bringing in his no good father.

This story and art tugged at my heartstrings. It went from grabbing me with cuteness to catching me off guard by causing strong emotional reactions. Some of the more adult themes that are touched upon include kid/parent relationships, bullying, and racism. Sometimes that stuff feels inserted as if the writer were trying to meet a "serious subject matter" quota. Not here. It's all organic and serves a purpose. Every panel tells or shows. Each panel propels the story and characters forward.

I laughed, I cried, it was better than Cats. MUCH better. Really though. I did laugh, I felt pity and anger and loads of admiration for this kid. He's got a little curmudgeon sprinkled into his temperament that I can relate to, but he's still likable. It's easy to put yourself in his shoes, too. Who didn't want to be having adventures like this when they were kids? And now you get to see someone actually live it out.

Every detail in the background and even the palette capture the setting to such a degree I wanted to watch a Western immediately after I finished reading Cow Boy. Short comics by the talented likes of Colleen Coover, Mike Maihack, and Roger Langridge break up the chapters. They're all Westerns, and the stories stand separate from Boyd's tale.

In the end, it comes to this: Cow Boy takes me to a happy place. I see it having that effect on about everyone who reads it.

Keep up with news on Cow Boy at Tumblr! You can also stalk the creators on Twitter: @NateCosBOOM @ChrisEliopoulos. Archaia will be releasing five issues of Cow Boy digitally in January, and a hardcover collection will follow in the spring.

crossposted at Geek Girls Network

Small Business Saturday Deals (of the nerdy variety)

2011-11-26T10:19:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, shoppers went crazy (and occasionally became violent) over Black Friday deals. If you survived the fight for the cheapest KitchenAid mixer, consider using your spending power for good today. It's Small Business Saturday. These are the businesses that perhaps need the most support to keep going in today's not-always-awesome economy. And guess what? Creators are small businesses. Keep the people who make the stories and products you love going. It's one of the best gifts you can give.

Here's a list of creators, designers, etc having sales online today. Support them if you can!

just jenn designs - justJENN is offering free shipping all weekend on her stationery, comics, buttons, and more. Everyone needs "Thanks for nothing" cards and a "you're on my sh*tlist" notepad! Don't forget to check out her sweet O.G. comics.

Love and Capes - Thom Zahler is offering all 18 issues of his superhero, romantic comedy for $39.99 (normally $60) and an equally incredible deal on prints. If you've been thinking of checking out this comic or getting for someone, why wait? Offers only available today.

Cow Shell Graphics - Mike Maihack is offering 30% off everything, including books and prints! He's the genius behind Cleopatra in Space and has a huge selection of ridiculously endearing art, including Catvengers. Offer available all weekend.

Luxury Lane Soap - This is the place that has Han Solo in Carbonite soap, game controller soap, and all manner of nerdtastic, high-quality product. This weekend you can get free shipping, 20% off your entire order, and more. Complete list of deals here.

Dragon Chow Dice Bags - Been wanting to buy one of the BEST dice bags ever designed? (I'm not exaggerating). Now's the time, and you can share the love. Buy three dice bags this weekend, and get the fourth free.

Roburbia - Artist Adam Levermore has created a new world, Roburbia, and just released some holiday cards featuring the inhabitants. Get 25% off the cards by using the code "cybermonday" at checkout.

The Oatmeal - I mean, technically, The Oatmeal is still a small business. Through midnight get deals on shirts, prints, magnets, and pretty much everything. You are bound to make someone laugh if you give them a gift from The Oatmeal.

Team Unicorn - Support your favorite unicorns by purchasing a shirt, print, poster, or tattoo at their online store. If you spend more than $20, get 25% off by using the promo code "unicorn" at checkout.

Marissa Crafts - Free shipping for the weekend; get scarves, Doctor Who themed jewelry, or a Space Invaders barette!

Sparkle J - 15% off the entire store and there are Jayne hats! Just saying.

Domestic Goddess Enterprises - 10% off everything until Monday! She has recycled blue tooth and dice jewelry. Shiny.

Have a deal you want included? Comment here or hit me up on Twitter, and I'll add it!

What Was On My Shelf Before Superheroes

2011-11-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

I feel like I've said this here a few times, but in case I haven't made it clear: I don't read a lot of superhero comics. In my five years or so of reading comics I've gone from reading almost none to reading a handful, mostly because of the DC New 52 and also because I fell for Captain America. That's a new development, just since August or so. When I tell this to people, the almost universal reaction (sometimes accompanied by a "something is surely wrong with you" look) is "what have you been reading?" I fumble to remember all the fantastic books on my shelf and rattle off a list of whatever books were most recently in my hands and heart. My faulty memory causes me to leave out a ton of great titles. I feel like I'm failing the person asking; sometimes it's a person just getting into comics who doesn't want to go the superhero route either or sometimes it's a strictly capes person who wants to branch out. And I'm forgetting fantastic stories. So I did the logical thing and took pictures and saved them on my phone (I may have also scanned every one of them into Goodreads).

This is only parts of three shelves. I'm in the midst of reorganizing, and this doesn't include the stacks of unread books and comics I have about my house (really, it's shameful). Some storybooks and sketch books are mixed in as well. All that aside, I still think there's plenty of representation of great indie stories and even mainstream ones that don't focus on superheroes.

It's obvious from these photos that I love Star Wars and anything published by Archaia. My love for that publisher began when I found Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 in a Barnes and Noble a few years ago. Their titles are always solid and as a bonus, always presented nicely. My two favorite stories from last year are both from Archaia: Return of the Dapper Men and The Killer. I also have graphic adaptations of books like Coraline, Stardust, and The Looking Glass Wars.

I know, even more Star Wars. You're shocked. Click to zoom in on the rest though. You'll see V for Vendetta, the first comic I read (aside from some Muppet Babies stories when I was five and I mostly just colored in those instead of reading them). I have some Girl Genius, Love and Capes, Sandman, The Dark Tower, and Conan.

Fables and ElfQuest are two of my favorite series, and I have more them scattered around my house. If you like fairy tales, Fables is for you. If you like strong female characters and adventure drawn in a manga style, ElfQuest is fairly awesome.

Superheroes aren't taking the place of these treasures. Not even close. I see it as broadening my horizons. I'm learning comics history from them, too, by going back to read older titles. It doesn't mean I'll abandon indie comics, it just means I've made a little room in my heart for the big 2 and for capes. And that's okay.

crossposted at Geek Girls Network

For Carl Sagan's birthday

2011-11-09T11:52:00.000-08:00

Today is Carl Sagan's birthday. He would have been 77. It makes me sad that he hasn't been around to see our knowledge about the universe grow in leaps and bounds since his passing in 1996. He would have had so much valuable insight and passion to offer... still, he gave us so much. Remember him today. Watch an episode of Cosmos (it's even available on Hulu), declare your percentage of star stuff, and embrace the unknown. Listen to the story of how he and Ann Druyen fell in love (it's incredibly romantic). Choose any option from this list.

Listen to his "Pale Blue Dot" essay; I dare you not to be moved:

Commemorate the day by looking at the sky. Realize we are small in comparison but also, that we are mighty because we go out and explore.

Happy Birthday, Carl Sagan.

If they celebrated Halloween in the Star Wars universe...

2011-10-31T14:47:00.000-07:00

Aside from Life Day, not a lot of holidays are mentioned in the Star Wars universe. Maybe that's because the inhabitants of every other planet saw the Holiday Special and decided to keep their days of note to themselves. Probably not a bad idea. But - could you imagine Halloween in the Star Wars galaxy? I bet trick or treating on Coruscant would be fabulous, perhaps less so on Tatooine. The residents of the upper levels of the city planet probably give out the Star Wars equivalent of a full size candy bar, but Jawas strike me as the type to hand out droid parts instead of candy. We won't even think about what the Tusken Raiders would pass out.

I have a good feeling about the costumes, too. Girls across Naboo would probably dress up like the Queen and end up tying their hair in knots. If the Rebels were still on Hoth, they'd be dressing up their pet tauntauns in Ewok outfits. The tauntauns would hate it as much as dogs in our universe do. Little Wookiees would make paper mache rancor heads, and Lando would dress up like Han - oh, he already did that, didn't he?

Stormtroopers would celebrate the holiday by doing this:

Stormtroopers 365 project, photo by Stefan

Every ~~Youngling~~ kid without midi-chlorians (I bet Younglings wouldn't be allowed to celebrate Halloween, those Jedi can be so mean!) would have this bag for candy:

Bag from Her Universe, designed by Katie Cook

Overall, it would be a good time. I mean, you've seen the end of Return of the Jedi, the galaxy knows how to throw a shindig. They should do it for occasions other than the end of an evil empire.

For Star Wars Halloween fun, visit the official Star Wars blog. You'll find ILM Halloween party invites, 1977 Star Wars Halloween cards, vintage costumes, and more. And last but far from least, let's not forget Star Wars pumpkins.

Happy Halloween!

Death and Hipster Wonder Woman (costumes, that is)

2011-10-28T09:12:00.000-07:00

I've been a cosplay slacker this year. If I've worn a costume, it's been the from-the-closet variety. By that I mean I didn't spend hours gluing beads on a scarf or making plastic look like metal. I just pieced outfits together (like a Hogwarts student or an Amy Pond-ish costume). I decided to take the easier, quicker path for Halloween, too. It doesn't mean I'm turning to the Dark side though. Promise.

I had two costumed events for Halloween and both of them were last weekend. I waited until the day before to think about what to wear, and of course, I didn't just pick something out of my costume closet (having a whole coat closet in California is unnecessary). That would have been too easy. Instead, I ran around like a crazy person on Saturday afternoon searching for new costume pieces for Death from The Sandman comics for my Sunday night event. While I was out, I found a perfect solution for the Saturday night party, too.

Death
One of my favorite characters in comics so far is Death. I'm not sure what made me think of her Friday afternoon, but she crossed my mind and I knew I needed to be her for one of my costume parties. Well, dress up like her. Black tank, black pants (ideally leather), gloves, wristband, black hair, ankh necklace, and done.

I'm not saying it was spot on, but I think I did okay. I gave up on the idea of leather pants because I didn't want to go to multiple thrift stores and dig. Anything I didn't own, I found at the mall. Here's where I found everything in just a few hours:
Tank top, skinny jeans, gloves - Sidecca (a sort of Hot Topic type store, great for solid color tanks, gloves, leggings, and so much more)
Boots - Already owned, but I just bought them from Target recently. They're sufficiently strappy for Death.
Belt - Already owned, but I spotted a perfect one at Target the other night.
Wrist gauntlets - I bought one at Hot Topic, and I wore my Jayne Cobb replica wristband on the other arm.
Ankh necklace - Made from silver polymer clay about two hours before the party.
Wig - Borrowed from a friend. It's not quite the right style, but it was better than finding and paying for a new one.
Make-up - The white paint is alabaster pancake make-up applied with a sponge (don't forget your ears) and sealed with KY Jelly. I used a black eyeliner pencil on my eyes and eyebrows, liquid eyeliner for the Eye of Horus under the right eye, and black lipstick that I carefully applied with a tiny brush.

I didn't want to carry an umbrella, but I've seen lacy ones at Michael's in the wedding aisle. You'd just have to spray paint it.

I'd fix a few things for next time - mostly the wig and better make-up application on my arms, but really, I'd love to be Death again. Repeatedly.

Hipster Wonder Woman
While I was searching for a wristband at Hot Topic, a blue tutu with stars caught my eye. It was part of a display for superhero bustiers and hot pants. Though I was tempted to buy the tutu, I resisted. I couldn't resist the Wonder Woman bustier though. I picked it up knowing I would wear it eventually or just around the house (and be entirely happy about it). Then I walked by Forever 21 and saw a bright blue blazer ( that again, is something I'd wear as part of my regular wardrobe) and it clicked. I could be hipster Wonder Woman. I just added skinny jeans, heels, a messy bun, and glasses. And now I sort of want to put together a hipster superhero cosplay group for San Diego next year.

What are your Halloween costume plans?

All Hallow's Read Celebration and Book Giveaway

2011-10-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

Last year, Neil Gaiman started this thing. This thing that is about giving away books. It started on Twitter, as the best ideas do. He suggested making Halloween a book giving holiday: All Hallow's Read. On October 31st give a friend, co-worker, lover, teacher, any combo of the above, or a total stranger a scary book. If you want to go crazy, stock up on some classics and give them away instead of candy (that's the adult in me, the kid says pass a book out with candy please). Share reading, especially with someone who you think may not be receptive. Not sold? Learn more from Neil Gaiman in this video with zombies:

I gave away a book last year, and this year I'm giving away two. I believe books and words are some of the most precious gifts a person can give, and well, why wouldn't I share that if I'm able to do so.

You'll actually get your book a few days after Halloween, but I'm guessing you won't mind. Sometimes it's the thought and not the timeliness (try that line on your next important anniversary!).

How to Enter
1. Leave a comment telling me about a book that scared you BEFORE 9pm PST on Friday, 10/28.
2. Leave a valid email address in the comment (or just choose to receive replies when others comment).
3. Ideally be able to reply by Saturday morning with a shipping address if you're the winner. You'll also need to let me know what level of scary you like. Because if you're like me, you'd want a scary book made for a five year old. I don't judge.

Because I want to play, I think one of the most creepifying books I've ever read was I Am Legend (Richard Matheson). Then there's the diner issue of The Sandman (Neil Gaiman). It left a mark. In the past year, I've been disturbed by in a very raw way by The Road (Cormac McCarthy) and the recent Animal Man comics (written by Jeff Lemire, art by Travel Foreman).

Follow the #allhallowsread hashtag on Twitter for scary book recommendations!

Rambling Round-Up

2011-10-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

I am still writing wherever I can around the interwebs even though I have been a slacker about posting links. Here are some posts that have gone up over the past month or so.

Nerdy Ways to Say I Do - So many geeky wedding options, so few weddings! Here's a round up of tips, photos, and links to inspire your special day. It includes Star Wars, dinosaurs, and oh so much more. (The funny thing? I love all these ideas but would never have the energy to execute them. Is there a Darth Vader chapel in Vegas instead of Elvis? That's what I would go for.)

The Best Web Series for Gamers - If you play tabletop or video games, these web series are made for you. Actually, I bet you'll LOL at them even if you aren't much of a gamer.

Once Upon a Time Pilot review - My thoughts on the first fairy tale show of the fall premiere season. I liked. A lot. Yeah, it surprised me too. I'll be reviewing Grimm's pilot episode later this week!

Ringer Pilot review - I realize this is less than timely news, but on the off chance you have Ringer backed up on your DVR, I reviewed the first three episodes for IGN. It does say a lot that I only reviewed three of them. Still, it's highly laughable for a drama!

Revenge Pilot review - I haven't watched this much current television in years! Oh wait - maybe that's something I shouldn't broadcast in a place where my editor can read it. Anyways. Revenge: very soap opera-y and silly. Neither of those things are necessarily bad.

Clone Wars Season 4 Premiere Coverage - I got to talk to the cast and crew of Star Wars: The Clone Wars on the blue carpet at the season 4 premiere. Supervising Dave Filoni talks about what's to come in the new season (and I got to nerd out with him over Dune - that bit's not in the article!).

I also write several posts per week for Fashionably Geek and Nerd Approved.
And it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to keep an eye on Face In Your Cake. I have a few more things in the works, too (sleep is so overrated), as well as trying to keep this blog active and tidied up.

Whew. As always, thanks for reading my silly words.

NYCC: Likes/Dislikes

2011-10-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

One week ago I was in the masses at New York Comic Con. I didn't know much about the convention before I went and didn't even expect there to be masses. For some reason, I assumed it was a smaller convention. You'd think I'd learn to stop assuming (I predict saying that phrase about 5,000 more times in my life). Recent attendance reports put the number around 105,000. Not so cozy. NYCC was big, hairy, and crowded, but mostly good. And it was set in one of the most fabulous cities I've ever visited.

Overall, I had a fantastic time. I did the normal convention things: walking, interviewing, taking photos, hanging with friends, more walking. I left with stupidly heavy bags, a bruised shoulder from said bags, and fabulous memories with friends. Some good and bad points stick out though. Because I want to end with the positive, I'll start with the negative.

Dislikes

Narrow aisles - the tiny aisles made navigation difficult even at less crowded times. It was the first time I was ever physically shoved in a crowd.
Poor carpeting/rugs - Convention center carpeting is always ugly, but that's not what I'm talking about. Rugs weren't laid properly and the carpet was covered in piling. For a klutzy girl like me, it meant tripping. Repeatedly. I can't have been the only one.
Small panel rooms - Lines for panels closed early and if you got in, you might have been standing along the walls. I experienced it and heard it from several people. I'm not sure if this a new problem at NYCC, or if it's always been like this.
The smell - Parts of the exhibit hall smelled like a litter box.
Getting into the convention - I arrived to the convention Saturday morning around 11:30. It opened at 10. The line for ticket holders was still wrapped around the building.

Likes

Show staff - The show staff was nothing but helpful. They funneled people on the streets through the right doors and were happy to help with directions. They were also numerous and easy to spot.
Artist Alley - It was easy to ignore the exhibit hall because Artist Alley went on and on. I was seriously impressed by the number of awesome creators present at the show.
Lack of Hollywood - I have a great time at San Diego, but there are so many studios looming over the exhibit hall. They're fun, but it's not why I go to conventions.
Comics! - Related to the above, this convention actually felt like it was about comics. So many are just about sort of pop culture and entertainment in general, but this felt focused. The list of exhibitors and panel topics reflected this.
Panels - As per usual, I barely got to any panels. However. The list of panels I wanted to go to was longer than any list I've made for another convention. Topics covered creating graphic novels, Kickstarter programs, food and comics, superhero psychology, and so much more. Whoever is in charge of programming gets a big huzzah from me.
Location - I could leave the Javits Center, walk a few blocks, and be entirely free from the convention horde. Don't get me wrong, I love my fellow geeks, but it's nice to escape the sea of people wearing badges and carrying huge bags.

The end result? I'd definitely go back to NYCC. And not just because of the NY part.

crossposted at Geek Girls Network

NYCC: Star Wars: The Old Republic Demo (or why I'll be disappearing at the end of December)

2011-10-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

When you attend convention after convention, it's easy to fall into the same patterns. To keep it interesting, you should probably try out something you normally don't, right? Go to a panel about a subject you're unfamiliar with, participate in speed dating, or play a video game demo. I tell people to do that but rarely take my own advice. But. After meeting some of the crew from Star Wars: The Old Republic, I played a demo for the first time at NYCC last weekend.

I don't play many games. Pretty much zero. It's embarrassing to admit, but I received an Xbox 360 for my birthday earlier this year, and I've barely played. I know. Please don't hit me. I didn't ask for it. Before the Xbox and Fables III, the last video game I played with any regularity was the Legend of Zelda on a Nintendo 64. I haven't tried playing anything made for the computer for longer than ten minutes since the days of junior high and Oregon Trail.

It's not that I dislike games. I do. Just too much. When I dive in and pick up the controller, I can't stop. I play for hours on end without shame. I feel like I can't give in. Still. I can't deny that news of the upcoming Star Wars MMO from Bioware, Star Wars: The Old Republic, didn't catch my attention. I've been wanting to try a roleplaying game but never felt World of Warcraft or something similar was for me. There wasn't any draw for me to check it out. Star Wars has built in appeal. I've overheard others saying the same thing I'm thinking, "I don't play games, I don't play MMOs, but I have to try this game." Star Wars is a big part of it, but the trailers showcase impressive visuals. A new trailer was just released in the past few days. Watch it and drool.

The demo I played at New York Comic Con pushed me from thinking I would probably play to knowing I'd definitely be buying the game. I sampled enough to know I will get to experience balanced storytelling and fighting (I don't want to just kill things) and that playing an online roleplaying game is very much like playing D&D. By that, I mean I could readily translate what happens when I roll dice and make alignment based decisions to this online environment. The story plays out like a "choose your own adventure" novel. Voice actors recorded a jaw-dropping number of hours of dialogue and responses for each possible option and story.

Besides the character conversations, hours of original scores were written for the game, too. Multiple composers worked on the themes. The new music is woven with familiar John Williams pieces. Since his scores are the oxygen of Star Wars, it's an effective way to tie the Old Republic time period - a few thousand years BBY - to the events of A New Hope.

The visual aspect of the game environment isn't too shabby either. The computers in the demo pavilion were of course amped up to show the game at its finest, but I feel like it will retain the look on my laptop. The list of available characters seemed long to me, and you can play Light side or Dark side. Each character comes with a specific set of abilities. After I chose to be a Jedi Consular, I obtained a mission-quest-thing almost immediately. The game was easy to navigate (though I admit to having some trouble with the keyboard shortcuts initially), and I was killing Flesh Raiders and completing quest goals in no time. The guy showing me the game was very patient with my uh, inadequacies and inability to read a map. I am such a Padawan.

I played just long enough to know that when I buy the game, I'll have to set an alarm to moderate my playing. If I end up playing with friends (you can play alone or in a group), I'm sure I'll be ignoring the alarm.

Star Wars: The Old Republic will be available on December 20. Pre-order your copy today.

NYCC: Womanthology Panel

2011-10-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

I went to New York for the first time last weekend, and of course, it was for a comic convention. Seriously. I may need an intervention. I did the normal convention stuff - like wandering the exhibit hall photographing toys and costumes - in addition to eating greasy New York pizza in a fancy dress and going to the top of the Empire State Building (not necessarily in that order). The lines and amount of Things To Do were such that I didn't get to as many panels as I'd like, but I did make it a point to go to the Womanthology panel.

If you're into comics, you may have heard of the Womanthology anthology. It's the little Kickstarter project that could. Artist Renae de Liz put a tweet out in the universe last May. She asked who would be interested in creating an all female comic anthology just to see what the response would be like. And it was overwhelming. One hundred women replied with a resounding yes on Twitter. The industry is obviously ready to see a showcase of women creators. She gathered 155 women and started a Kickstarter page for the project. They asked for $25,000 to print the book (no contributors to the book are getting paid - it's a charity project). They raised over $100,000.
Yeah.

Some of the editors of the book were present at NYCC to talk about the experience: Laura Morley, Bonnie Burton, Mariah Huehner, Nicole Falk, Suzannah Rowntree, and Renae de Liz. The group is diverse. These women are writers, editors, artists, and a few of them have never edited or written comic scripts before. They discussed the history of the project, how it was rewarding, and the future of women and comics - both the creators and the presence of female characters.

Womanthology welcomed experienced professionals and newcomers to its contributor ranks. de Liz allowed creators to choose partners, and then she intentionally paired the more seasoned writers and artists with folks with less experience so everyone could learn. The panelists learned from editing large groups, and they loved seeing the women inspire each other. Burton stated, "This project proved that women can work on project together and not kill each other." They've pulled it together fast. For a project that just started in May and involves over 100 contributors, it's nothing short of astounding that all of the artwork is already in. Huehner said, "The breadth and creativity involved has been wonderful to see as the project's progressed."

One key part of Womanthology is diversity. Most panelists felt that detail is one that is overlooked in the discussion of women in comics. We're diverse, but it's not always represented in the industry. To that point, no two stories in the collection are the same. The pages are filled with different characters, different genres, and different styles of storytelling and art. As Huehner stated, "Women like stuff." It's that simple.

The message Womanthology sends is a positive one, and it's not focused on gender. The take away from this project is: if you don't see the stories you want to read, if you don't see female (or male) characters that you think are just right, get out there and write your own. Tell your story in whatever way you can - a blog, a web comic, pen and paper. Just tell it. I walked away with a renewed desire to create. I have a feeling the book will make many people feel the same.

Keep up with the latest news on the Womanthology project here.

On the sexiness of Kit Fisto

2011-10-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

You could say I have weird taste in men and aliens. I find Cardassians, Voldemort, and Darth Maul to be exceptionally attractive. But above all of them is Kit Fisto - Nautolan, Jedi Master. Is it the head tresses that can sense the emotional state of others or is it the multiple hearts? It's both of those things and more. I appreciate his positive attitude and the fact that he smiles in the midst of heated battle. The abs don't hurt either. And on their home world of Glee Anselm, one way Nautolans communicate while submerged is by reading the swirls in each others eyes. I want Kit Fisto to read my eyes.

He hasn't got a lot of on screen time in Star Wars: The Clone Wars so far, so I was happy to see him featured in the opening three episode arc of season four. The episodes take place underwater, and since that is Fisto's natural environment, it's a perfect fit. He throws himself into peril, takes on Riff Tamson, fights off aqua droids, and looks good while doing it.

I'm not alone in my feelings. Bonnie Burton, author of Draw The Clone Wars says, "I would gladly drown in his muscley green arms for a hug."
Ditto.

Thanks to Bonnie for the pics!

My DC New 52 experience

2011-10-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

I don't read many superhero comics. I abstain for the usual reasons. I like smaller, contained stories. Sometimes I'd rather read about everyday characters I can relate to. I like supporting creator owned comics and indie publishers. Finally, seeing an entire shelf filled with only Batman titles at my local comic book store is intimidating. I can't bring myself to jump into the lives of characters with decades of backstory. I feel like I would need to know everything to enjoy it even if that's not actually the case.

Only in the past few months have I felt a desire to pick up comics about superheroes like Thor (I'm reading Matt Fraction's The Mighty Thor) and Captain America (Ed Brubaker's most recent run). I picked those comics up as a direct result of the recent movies, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I find Thor to be entertaining, but Captain America? I have fallen in love with this character. This is the superhero who made me realize why it might be worth investing my time in the capes sides of comics.

Given my revelation and the fact it happened right before DC's New 52 launch, I felt I had to pick up some of the new issues. The New 52 is a ready made jumping on point for a reader like me - someone who doesn't know much about Batman, Wonder Woman, and can't name all the members of the Justice League. The past canon and continuity all still exist and it's not a complete reboot, but here are brand new stories I could walk right into. So I asked for recommendations from friends who know these characters, I picked a couple just because of the writers, and a few just showed up in front me. I read these 16 titles:

Animal Man #1

Action Comics #1

Aquaman #1

Batgirl #1

Batman #1

Batman Detective Comics #1

Batwoman #1

Birds of Prey #1

Demon Knights #1

Green Lantern #1

I, Vampire #1

Justice League #1

Justice League Dark #1

Justice League International #1

The Fury of Firestorm #1

Wonder Woman #1

Of that list, five titles made a strong impression on me. And by strong impression I mean the stories grabbed my attention beyond mild interest, gave me enough information about the characters so I wouldn't feel lost, and made me care enough to think about going back into past stories to learn more. The other 12 titles weren't necessarily bad or boring, they just didn't spark for me. Green Lantern left me utterly confused, and I couldn't make it through Justice League International. Action Comics was fun, but I didn't feel like there was anything for me to grab onto. Though I'll ditch some entirely, I'll stick around through issue two for about nine titles (total).

The five stories I really enjoyed? Animal Man, Aquaman, Batgirl, Batman, and Wonder Woman. The reasons vary. I know a few people complained because there wasn't much action in Aquaman, but I got to know him as a person first instead of as a superhero and it gave me something to connect with. Animal Man thoroughly disturbed me, but in the best kind of way. Batgirl dealt with trauma recovery and heroics and a striking way. Wonder Woman and Batman both had me drooling over the art, and both those stories were paced in such a way that I couldn't read them fast enough. I actually read both of those twice.

As a result of picking up first issues for the New 52, the big two have actually dominated my last two purchases at the comic book store lately. That's not the norm, and I don't see it being a continuing trend. However, four months ago, I wouldn't have saw that happening at all. Superheroes aren't so bad. Who knew.

I realize I've only talked briefly about a few issues, but there's no shortage of sites that reviewed each issue of the new 52. You can find opinions from seasoned superhero comic readers to people who have never picked up a comic book. Personally, I've been following along with C.S. Daley's reviews and power rankings; he's a good source for short and solid reviews and insight. Plus, he's sticking around and reviewing at least through second issues.

Interview with J.C. Reifenberg, Director/Producer/Writer of Hughes the Force, a Star Wars/John Hughes fan tribute

2011-10-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

“High school... you'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.”

Anyone who has been through high school can relate to that statement. It's a timeless constant and one reason why people respond to John Hughes movies en masse. J.C. Reifenberg recognized the universal appeal of John Hughes films such as The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off and added his passion for Star Wars to it. He'd been wanting to create a Star Wars fan film and because of a contest on Atom, he had an idea about a John Hughes and Star Wars mash-up. He grew up in Hughes' backyard and attended the high school where so many of those stories happened. It was a natural fit.

The pitch for the film didn't work out for the Atom competition, but Reifenberg didn't give up. In fact, he never gives up. He and Steven Koistinen wrote a full script, and Hughes the Force was officially born. A year later, after countless hours of rewriting, filming, editing, and polishing, the fan tribute is premiering in Hollywood today. The finished production clocks in at just over 30 minutes and was a hefty undertaking. I spoke with Reifenberg about mashing the worlds of John Hughes and Star Wars together and what it took to make the film.

I know you've always wanted to make a Star Wars fan film. Why a fan film?

Fan films are so much fun. I've loved watching them since Troops came out. However, the quality since Troops on a whole have gotten progressively worse. It's too easy now to make broomsticks look like lightsabers. Being a filmmaker, I wanted to do something that showcased what you can really do and that you can really tell a story with a fan film. I actually don't like to call it a fan film because I think fan films rely on the source subject material for everything, and we really made a film that's character driven not special effects, Star Wars, or John Hughes driven. A lot of the humor will come from that and obviously that's a big part of the characters. But they're more than that. They say Star Wars quotes, but the quotes serve a purpose.

When you put together John Hughes and Star Wars did you have specific, iconic scenes you wanted to be sure to include?

Yes, definitely. In Weird Science they use a Barbie doll to create Kelly LeBrock, the perfect woman made from a machine. And I thought, a Star Wars fan wouldn't have a Barbie doll lying around but they do have multiple incarnations of Hasbro's Slave Leia action figures. So that idea sort of kicked off and anchored the whole thing.

I also wanted to include the cantina bar scene. All John Hughes movies have a dance montage in them. I thought it would be funny to have dancing Stormtroopers in a bar that matched The Breakfast Club. It's a scene that makes no sense, but everybody loves it.

Given that this is the largest scale project you've worked on (so far), what has surprised you the most about the process? What was the biggest challenge?

The hardest and most unexpected part was that I initially wanted to make an eight minute film. The original script was 12 pages long, but eventually, once I started working with Steve, the script became 22 pages. It was like the subject matter demanded more time. That was unexpected. The amount of time it was going to take to get it done the right way was much longer than we thought. We initially thought there would be six days of shooting. We finished shooting at 26 days. Part of the reason behind that was it was challenging to coordinate schedules. No one got paid on the movie, they volunteered their time and talent, so a lot of times it was working around people's schedules.

How did you manage to find so many people willing to give their time to your project? That alone is quite a feat, especially given that you filmed in Los Angeles.

I found people who wanted to work and were excited to work on it. The fact that everybody loves Star Wars and John Hughes and that we had a very strong script helped make all that happen. I tried to find other people who were hungry to make a movie so that when it came to the actual process, I'd have people who wanted to be there. I sold it big from the beginning not quite knowing how I was going to get there, but knowing that if I had enough people believing in the project, it wouldn't be just me trying to make it happen. It was everybody's energy and thoughts. We had a group of people working towards a goal instead of me trying to figure out on my own.

Along the same line, I have to ask: how did you manage to get Kevin Smith to make a cameo in Hughes the Force?

From the beginning, I wanted Kevin Smith to be in my movie. I didn't know him or have any idea how it was going to happen, but I knew I would figure it out.

We had to rent two cameras to shoot the bar scene, and they had to be really good lowlight cameras. While on set, one of the cameras broke. We had to use two cameras, and we couldn't reschedule the bar scene. We had the regular cast, 20 extras, people in Star Wars costumes, James Arnold Taylor (the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Clone Wars), and Catherine Taber (voice of Padmé in same show) there. I could have given up, but instead I got in the car and I bought one of the cameras. It was an expensive solution to the problem, but I knew that's what I had to do to finish the movie. Then not even two months later, Kevin Smith tweets, “Does anybody have this camera? I'm looking for someone to shoot my podcast tonight.” I told him I had it and could have a full crew there. Now he makes cameo in Hughes the Force. The problem became the solution.

It's a perfect example actually. Just keep in mind that if you know where you want to go and you really want to get there, you don't need to necessarily know which roads to take to get there. Keep your eye on the speck on the horizon. You'll face roadblocks, and it's easy to get discouraged and give up. Think of it this way: maybe that roadblock is there for a reason. Be positive about it. Focus determines your reality. Think positive, and positive things will happen.

What advice can you offer to people thinking about making their own fan films?

What makes story interesting is conflict and character. Conflict isn't a lightsaber fight. The reason that it's cool to watch Obi-Wan fight Darth Vader is because of the characters. You know from earlier in the film that a young Jedi named Darth Vader killed Luke's father. That's what adds the conflict and drama. If it's just two dudes waving glow sticks at each other, it's not very exciting. Start with writing believable characters and conflict.

It's also important to do something that you are passionate about. If you don't love what you're doing, you won't get through. I've been working on this for a year for forty hours a week on top of one or two other jobs. If it's not something that you need to do the way you need to breathe or eat you're not going to finish it. Have a story. Having stormtroopers in your fan film is not enough, good cinematography is not enough. You need story, character, conflict, and passion.

Hughes the Force is playing at select conventions through the fall (such as Fan Days IV and Comikaze Expo). After the screenings wrap up, they plan to find a way that allows the most amount of people to watch and enjoy, free of charge. To learn more about the film and keep up with the latest distribution news, visit the website or follow them on Twitter.

crossposted at Geek Girls Network

Guest Post: In Defense of Starfire

2011-09-28T10:12:00.000-07:00

I know, guest posts aren't the norm around here. I don't seek them out, but sometimes they just fall in your lap. On Twitter, I noticed an acquaintance say she was tempted to start a blog just to state her feelings about Starfire. I offered her a space here to express her feelings. I don't claim to agree or disagree, but it's nice to see another side presented. So without further adieu, here are Kimi's feelings about the recent Starfire controversy:

In Defense of Starfire

Equality

There are a lot of male letches, jerks, and crazies in the comic book world, even among its heroes. Guy Gardner is the classic example, but there are many men in the comic universe who aren’t shy about their sexual exploits. Starfire has always been a very sexual character and it has always been clear that people on her home planet are not monogamous. Why are we upset that a woman treats sex as casually as other male characters? This comic is clearly not meant for children, so we do not have the issue of her being a bad role model. Do we expect all of heroines in comics to be perfect, beautiful, monogamous examples of women? In the end, are we asking them to make their morals and personalities as flawless as the scantly clad bodies that we point out are unrealistic?

Which brings me to….

Reality
To me, the new Starfire is flawed. She is incredibly shallow, but I know people like that. It’s sad, but true. We can all name at least one woman that we know who fits the description of “slut”, so why is it so hard for us to swallow that concept in a comic? It is a realistic flaw that really occurs in society, sometimes due to emotional problems. People have pointed out that Starfire’s behavior is similar to a rape victim or someone who has been through some other trauma. Well, Starfire was enslaved by her older sister and sexually exploited. Maybe she should have been acting this way the whole time. Maybe this is more realistic, albeit unpleasant.

And to clarify, the names she lists off in the infamous beach scene are not all her ex-lovers; they are members of her old superhero team… who she doesn’t remember because of her alien memory. I guess it’s better than a retcon? At least they didn’t un-marry her like poor Superman and Lois Lane.

Which leads into…

Be a Good Geek not just a Geek Girl
If you are going to be mad that they changed Starfire as a character, more power to you, but don’t be mad about it just because of her gender. Gender bias is what we are fighting against! If the entire female comic community gets upset every time they change a female character, we are doomed. It won’t take long before comic companies start avoiding the bad press by never taking chances with female characters, or worse, keeping the number of female characters as low as possible.

If you really want to help, be a POSITIVE customer. Vote with good press about the books you like, bugging them for new female characters to support, and by BUYING the comics you like. Once you write off a comic company, they do the same to you.

Also, support female comic writers and artists! BUY THEIR BOOKS! Contact the big companies and say that you’d love to buy comics drawn by so-and-so. Getting more women into making comics will help the quality of the female characters in the comics. When it comes right down to it, the almighty dollar is king in the DC universe. Spending money will always be heard over the din of the Internet.

And because I’m a major geek…

For the Kids

Please, enough with comparing the cartoon Starfire to the one in Red Hood. Please? The Teen Titans cartoon is not a good basis of knowledge for Starfire. It was a character more inspired by the comic Starfire, than an actual accurate portrayal. Yes, people who watched the TV show might be upset if they read Red Hood. They may also be upset when they read older comics and learn that Kory was enslaved, sexually exploited, had her family destroyed, practiced free love on her planet, and that she got her starbolts as the result of being a guinea pig in forced alien experimentation… and her new comic outfit is just as skimpy as her old outfit!

You can follow Kimi on Twitter - (@LadyAdeena)

Celebrate Jim Henson's Birthday with Tale of Sand Preview

2011-09-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

If Jim Henson were still with us, today would be his 75th birthday. His is a life that should be celebrated and honored. He made a profound impact as a filmmaker and a creative genius. Puppetry today is what is because of Henson's work. Children's television wouldn't have developed to its current standards without Sesame Street. The list goes on and on, but perhaps more important than any of those legacies - Henson touched so many of our lives with his stories and creations. Adults remember The Muppets, Labyrinth, and one of my personal favorites, The Storyteller. Kids know Sesame Street, and they'll fall in love with Kermit and company (if they don't already know them) in the soon to be released Muppets movie. Henson will never be forgotten.

Archaia Entertainment is celebrating Jim Henson's birthday today, too. They have posted a 20 page preview of Henson's Tale of Sand. The upcoming graphic novel is based on an unproduced, feature length screenplay co-written by Henson. Archaia was able to obtain this because of their close partnership with The Henson Company. They have taken the honor seriously. Artist Ramón Peréz brings the story to life with striking art, and they've even created a font for the graphic novel based on Henson's handwriting.

"Tale of Sand follows scruffy everyman Mac, who wakes up in an unfamiliar town, and is chased across the desert of the American Southwest by all manners of man and beast of unimaginable proportions."
20 page preview of Tale of Sand

Tale of Sand will be available in mid-November. If you are a fan of Jim Henson and his world, stick with Archaia. They've already released Fraggle Rock collections, and they have The Storyteller and The Dark Crystal (yep, there's a preview for it, too) anthologies forthcoming.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Dee Bradley Baker, the Voice of the Clones (video & interview)

2011-09-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

Did you know that all of the clones in Star Wars: The Clone Wars are voiced by one person? Dee Bradley Baker quite literally voices an army. He brings individuality to each clone with tone, inflection, and different speech patterns. Captain Rex sounds different from Commander Cody. And no one can forget the heroic 99. He was set apart just as much by his speech as his malformed body. It's got to be a challenge to play so many different versions of the same basic character, but Dee Bradley Baker rises to the occasion week after week. In this video, he talks about how he develops different sounds for the clones and which ones are his favorites to play.

I had the opportunity to speak with Bradley Baker at the season 4 premiere event last Saturday. We covered some of the same topics in this video. He does have the handful of favorites he listed in the video, but he likes all of them. The clones are only becoming more important. "A lot of them, they have their moment of truth and honesty and that's what's so wonderful about these guys. They're all individuals, and that individuality comes more and more into play these days." He said it's fascinating for him to see as he goes to events to see the emotional connection that fans have to the clones - even the ones who are only around for a short while. That's due in large part to the voices that give each of them life.

Clones are present in almost every episode, and it's key to differentiate them every time. Bradley Baker broke down the process for me: "In a script that's clone heavy (like the upcoming Umbarra arc), I've got to go from the written word and break it down in terms of who's who, where they stand in terms of status, in terms of how loose they play it and how by the book they play it, and age. Dave (Filoni) and I sort of work out a system of where to place them on a grid in terms of those characteristics. So I can just jump back and forth in between those as we read through the script."

This season has a lot in store for the clone army. It's progressing closer to the time of Revenge of the Sith (note the armor upgrade in the previews). For season 4, Bradley Baker is particularly looking forward to the Umbarra arc. He thinks it's "decimatingly good." He said, "It puts the clones in a really difficult war situation that's not going well, and what they have to deal with and how they come through it is really spectacular."

I asked Bradley Baker what it's been like to become such a large part of the Star Wars universe in the past five years. He let me know that he's actually been around the franchise most of his life. After Star Wars was released in 1977, his parents made him a kick-butt Jawa outfit. In the summer of '78 when it was rereleased a local cinema hired him to be the Jawa all summer long. He got paid in movie passes and got to watch Star Wars all summer long. He said, "It was one of the best gigs I've had - other than this."

Because of that past, it means a lot to him to be part of The Clone Wars. "To come back around to something that you love like that and to be in it and in an integral way - it's dreamlike. I'm very lucky to have a lot of a great shows I get to work on, but this one is very different because of what it meant to me as a kid. It's a marvelous dream."

Don't forget: Season 4 of The Clone Wars premieres tomorrow night, 9/16, at 8pm on Cartoon Network.

My Clone Wars coverage from this week:
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS Premiere Brought Awe, Teases - My coverage from the red carpet premiere event at the Long Beach Aquarium. I talked to Dave Filoni, Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, and more!

CLONE WARS Season 4 Premiere Episodes Wet, Wild War - My spoiler-free review of the two-part episode premiere of season four. You guys are going to be impressed (by the show that is, not my review).

How Star Wars and the zoo go together

2011-09-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

Regardless of your feelings about Star Wars or George Lucas, you can't deny the never-ending presence and reach of the films. It's been over 30 years since the original trilogy was released, and besides the legions of devoted fans who support the franchise by costuming, hosting fan sites, and buying merchandise, Star Wars events still happen. They even happen in unexpected places like sport stadiums and zoos. Yes, you read that right. On August 27, Lucasfilm teamed up with the L.A. Zoo for a themed Star Wars Day. Space operas and caged animals may not usually go together, but on this day, the animals were given lightsabers.

Okay, the animals weren't actually given lightsabers.

I went with a gaggle of geek girls (to celebrate a birthday actually). We braved sweltering, smoggy heat. It was hovering around 100 degrees. We were wilting in minutes, and the chocolate Artoos and Han Solos on top of the birthday cupcakes instantly started turning into literal hot messes. We soldiered onward - right to the air conditioned auditorium where they were showing footage from the upcoming Blu-ray release. We're smart like that. Unfortunately, so was everyone else. The current showing was already full.

We moved on to the next Star Wars thing to do, sticking to the shade as much as possible. The 501^st and Rebel Legions were stationed in the Eucalyptus Grove along with Obi-Shawn's car. Even after spending a warm morning with these groups at Legoland, I was still surprised by their spirit. You put me in heat like that, I get grouchy. Add suffocating armor, costumes made from heavy fabric, and exuberant children?! Let's just say it would be wise to keep blasters out of my reach at that point. These guys and gals kept smiling, talking, and posing for pictures.

On our way out of the grove, I made the mistake of mentioning how warm I was in front of a lady in a full TIE Fighter Pilot costume. You know, the costumes that are all black? In a joking way, she pointed out that I didn't know what heat was. I couldn't disagree and in fact, I apologized profusely.

Still. That much exposure to outdoors proved too much for us, and we dived into the nearest building with air conditioning, cold drinks, and food. We devoured the cupcakes before they disintegrated and bided time until we could go stand in line for the next showing in the auditorium. It was worth the wait. They showed a video that loosely tied Star Wars to the zoo: a documentary about the creature creation in Return of the Jedi. Billy Dee Williams and Carrie Fisher hosted the 1983 show, and it ran about 30 minutes. It was touched by some cheesy segues, but really, it was fascinating to see how creatures like Salacious Crumb and Jabba the Hutt came to life. The sheer number of man hours that went into every sculpt is impressive.

After the documentary, Obi-Shawn asked trivia questions about Star Wars and even threw a few in about animals in the zoo. It seemed like one of those situations where it was meant for kids to answer, so I kept my hand to myself (even though I really wanted one of The Wildlife of Star Wars books). We could have continued to sit in the auditorium, but they had to clear people out for the next show.

There were a few more Star Wars points of interest around the zoo; they had talks about how the animals were like the creatures of Star Wars. For example, elephants are like Banthas. However, upon returning outside we decided it was way too hot to remain and explore further. Two hours was long enough. We saw two animals (flamingos and meerkats in case you wondered) and didn't even enter the main zoo. We stayed in the... lobby of the zoo, if you will. (Wait! Maybe the other animals did have lightsabers!) Star Wars and the L.A. Zoo combo totally worked. I'd go back if it became an annual event. Let's just hope it's in November next time.

Geeky Links of the Week

2011-09-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Superhero Dinosaurs - David Resto mashed up dinosaurs with Marvel comic characters, and the Smithsonian took notice. Click through to read an interview with the artist.

Pink Dalek - I've seen a lot of Dalek dresses around conventions lately. I still think they're cute, but I was happy to see a picture of a pink one at Dragon*Con.

Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology Exhibit - A fun interview with the team behind the Raiders traveling exhibit. Sadly, no dates or locations have been announced for the U.S. yet.

Alien Life More Likely on Dune Planets - Enough said.

The Dune That Never Was - Speaking of Dune, check out these costume designs and storyboards from the Dune that could have been. Alejandro Jodorowsky started work on the film in 1975, but a lack of funds kept it from happening. The concept art is totally work checking out.

Captain America fan poster - Great fan designed poster for Captain America: The First Avenger.

A Song of Ice and Fire fan art collection - This new blog is compiling all the A Song of Ice and Fire fan art ever published on the internet. It's very easy to spend a lot of time looking around this site.

Jonathan Frakes as Captain America - Really

2011-09-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

It was recently pointed out to me by Alan Kistler* (he knows things) that Jonathan Frakes was employed by Marvel in the seventies to make appearances as Captain America at conventions. He was, of course, in costume.

Image from Plaid Stallions

There's no positive proof, but this seems to be Jonathan Frakes. The chin cleft matches. This image could be him, too.
Riker was Captain America. Mind blown.

*P.S. Alan writes a fabulous column at Newsarama about superhero fashion: Agent of S.T.Y.L.E.

San Diego Comic-Con Recap (A Month Later)

2011-08-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Remember the time I went to San Diego Comic-Con and didn't write anything about it? Other than a wrap-up of my lunch with Timothy Zahn anyways.
I've decided there is no statute of limitations on recapping my convention experience, and maybe you'll agree. And if you don't, well, hopefully you'll read anyways.

I feel like I say this each year, but it seemed crazier than ever at the San Diego convention center. I don't mind, and I expect most of it. One doesn't walk into Mordor unaware that it's going to be hot and uncomfortable (incidentally, SDCC is hot and uncomfortable but there's not any lava. or eagles). Normally I'd wrap up the happenings day by day, but since it was a month ago and my memory is fuzzy on events that occurred last week, I'll go for broad strokes.

The Floor
Most of my exhibit hall wandering this year was going from point A to B to specifically visit someone I knew behind a table, to get to a signing, or to meet a friend. I didn't get to do the systematic up and down the aisles to make sure I saw everything, but for the first time that didn't make my insides twitch. I just went with it. I picked up commissions, stopped by the Marvel and Archaia booths frequently for hugs from friends working at each place, wandered through Artists' Alley, visited justJENN for cookies, delivered some of those cookies to people who needed them, saw the full size TARDIS at Quantum Mechanix, shopped at Her Universe, and took several photos of toys.

My favorite purchases: Battlestar Galactica toaster necklace from Her Universe, mini AT-AT plushie, a pile of books from Archaia, original art from Gronk by Katie Cook, BSG Triad cards by Anovos, and a book called Sprocket & Gear by Richard Peter Han.

Commissions: Daenerys by Grant Gould, Death and Obi-Wan (not in the same drawing) by Thom Zahler, and a lovely English countryside scene by Janet Lee.

Panels
Every year I make it to fewer panels. This year I saw just five of them: Oh, You Sexy Geek, The Clone Wars Season 4 Preview, and Her Universe: Writing Female Characters for Sci-Fi for me and Green Lantern: The Animated Series and Falling Skies for IGN. I waited in line for all of those and in a particularly long, hot one for Green Lantern and Falling Skies (they were in the same room). If anything, it discouraged me from going to more panels next year. Standing in line is not my favorite thing, unless I'm at Disneyland.

Not that the panels weren't worth it, I'm just impatient. I particularly liked The Clone Wars (highlights here) and Her Universe panels. Lots of clips were shown at Clone Wars, and Supervising Director Dave Filoni dropped hints about what's coming up for season four. The Her Universe panel was exceptionally informative and fun. So much so that I'll write a summary of it next week. The panelists all brought good points to the table about female characters in science fiction and comics.

Offsite (read: the parties)
I slept the least amount ever at Comic-Con this year. It's not a bad problem to have. After I checked out preview night for about thirty minutes on Wednesday, I went to Action Flick Chick's party at Hard Rock Cafe and ran into almost everyone I knew at the convention. That party extended to another bar and eventually that led to me not feeling so hot on Thursday. I had a late dinner Thursday night and ended up staying awake late watching Star Trek: TNG in my hotel room. Friday night was the Geek Girls Network party at Vin De Syrah, a cozy underground wine bar. The party was a blast until the mundanes were let in after 10 or 10:30. Then it got crowded. Some people went to bars, some to The Nerd Machine's Nerd HQ, and some to the Hyatt. I walked until the heels hurt my feet too much and turned in.

Saturday night, I finally figured out that the bar at the Hyatt is the most fun place to be. Everyone I wanted to see ended up there, just up the escalators, and we had an impromptu love fest (not as dirty as it sounds). Just hanging out in a space with breathing room (though it was loud) and time to talk and laugh was perfect. I ran back to Nerd HQ to end the night.

Costumes
I didn't do any cosplay this year. I realize how sad that statement is. I did pack my Indiana Jones costume and a Captain America shield, but the universe conspired against me playing dress up. I loved seeing what everyone else came up with though. Read about my favorites in this article on Fashionably Geek.

By the time Sunday came, I was glazed over and in a barely functioning state. I fangirled all over Zachary Levi, talked for what I'm sure was way too long to Janet Lee, and used a lot of single syllable words in all conversations. It wasn't a pretty sight. Around 12pm, I decided I couldn't take anymore Comic-Con. I wandered past a farmer's market in the Gaslamp Quarter and was briefly resuscitated by a bacon wrapped hot dog with guacamole, but it didn't last. I had to pick up commissions, and I kept running into people I wanted to see and eventually I left around 3:30. I won't tell you about the extreme measures I had to resort to in order to stay awake on the drive home (it might have involved singing along to boy bands).

Still. Being exhausted after going to a nerd convention is satisfying. I like coming home and surrounding my bed with oversized bags and swag that will never see the light of day, curling up with a new comic or book, and falling asleep with my con badge still around my neck.

See all my photos from San Diego Comic-Con here.

Art From a Galaxy Far, Far Away

2011-08-22T12:43:00.000-07:00

Leia & Luke with comic book backgrounds by Randy Martinez

It's not often that you see an Imperial Stormtrooper on the streets of downtown Los Angeles on a Saturday night. At least, I don't think so. That could be the in thing these days. I just assumed it meant I was in the right place. It turned out to be the art gallery I was looking for. Hold Up Art in Little Tokyo is hosting a Star Wars themed exhibit featuring pieces by Randy Martinez and Denise Vasquez, and Saturday night was the opening reception. How could I miss an art show called Art From a Galaxy Far, Far Away?

I couldn't. That simple.

Dia de Los Muertos Vader by Denise Vasquez

If you follow Star Wars art, you're probably familiar with Randy Martinez's work. I got to know his art through his promotional work for Star Wars Celebrations. He's done covers for the programs and designs for exclusive merchandise. Last year he did a set of ten postcards that mashed up Star Wars and Orlando with some fun retro designs. I might have bought two of those sets.

Denise Vasquez is a toy designer (among many talents), and she brought custom vinyl dolls to the show. The dolls combined Star Wars with Dia de los Muertos sugar skulls for a creepy, yet somehow adorable look.

Randy & Denise with 501st Stormtroopers

People poured in from the street and crowded the downstairs area of the gallery. Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and accompanying Stormtroopers were treated like celebrities. I had to elbow into a huge crowd of paparazzi with camera phones to get the above photo (this is why I should always carry a lightsaber). As always, it was proved to me that Star Wars fans are just the nicest and most approachable sort of people in the world. They also recognize my tattoo.

Really though. Everyone was enthusiastic, even the people that just wandered in without fully knowing what was going on. I heard exclamations like, "Dude. Darth Vader's in there."
Star Wars is universal, and the people who are passionate about the cultural phenomenon that is the Wars are my favorite kind of people. I was thrilled to be walking among them on a real life Saturday night. And by real life, I mean not at a convention.

Star Wars Topps trading cards by Randy Martinez

The exhibit filled downstairs, and though only a select number of pieces are up, it's more than worth stopping by to see. And if you need to buy someone an extravagant gift, this one of Han Solo is my favorite. Just putting it out there.

You can catch the show until 9/15 at Hold Up Art.

New Trailer for Season 4 of The Clone Wars

2011-08-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

Season 4 of The Clone Wars is premiering with two episodes on Friday, September 16. I don't have to remind you that it's the same day as the release of Star Wars on Blu-ray. If you need to find me that weekend, I'll be in front of a television somewhere to be determined watching Star Wars. All. weekend.

We'll see the first two parts of a three story arc during the hour premiere: Water War and Gungan Attack. As confirmed at The Clone Wars panel at Comic-Con, we'll be seeing Captain Ackbar.

Along with the premiere date news, Lucasfilm released a new trailer for the season. The new tagline is Battle Lines. I'm hoping that means more time on the action side of war and less time on the political topics. The trailer definitely makes it seem that way. We've seen some of these clips before, but the last minute or so is all new. It seems that Anakin is falling further towards his dark path. At its heart, I think Star Wars is about the story of Anakin Skywalker and I'm looking forward to seeing more of his struggles in the upcoming season.

Can I also just say: this series is visually impressive. I wish I could watch it in a movie theater every week.

Rambling Round-Up

2011-08-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

Insert pathetic excuse involving Comic-Con and tiredness for my lack of posting here.
I'm finally catching up and feeling back to normal. In that vein, here's a list of articles I've written elsewhere on the internet over the past couple of weeks! (Note that there's a new site in this list - yay for contributing to IGN!)

Best Games in Sci-Fi & Fantasy - My list of games I'd love to play in sci-fi and fantasy. Also: fantasy novels need more games that aren't chess.

My Favorite Costumes of San Diego Comic-Con - The usual parade of fantastic, disturbing, and uh... interesting costumes were on display at SDCC. I feel like I saw hundreds of them. These are ones that I loved for sentimental reasons or because they are just so well done (two words: horse heart).

Review: Magic Beyond Words - Lifetime made an unauthorized movie about J. K. Rowling's life. I reviewed it. You might already have a bad feeling about it (and you'd be right), but indulge me and click through. It's my first negative review.

Conan O'Brien Crashes Comic-Con - O'Brien brought the Flaming C (designed by Bruce Timm) to SDCC during the Green Lantern Animated Series panel. As you can imagine, he totally stole the show.

Green Lantern Animated Series: What to Expect - What happened at the Green Lantern panel before Conan O'Brien showed up and derailed the party.

Falling Skies Panel Coverage - The actors and creators on the Falling Skies panel gave away a surprising amount of information at their SDCC panel. News about aliens, tactics, characters - don't read if you wish to remain unspoiled.

Peggy Carter: More Than Captain America's Girlfriend - Character profile of the movie version of Peggy Carter. She's sort of kick-ass.

10 Attractive Minds in Sci-Fi TV - I find brains much sexier than brawn. Not that I mind brawn, especially paired with brains. Anyways. It was a fun and silly list to make.

SDCC 2011 Recap - Down and dirty recap of Comic-Con for ScienceFiction.com.

Sebastian Stan on Playing Bucky Barnes - My roundtable interview with the actor who plays Bucky Barnes in Captain America. He discusses preparation for the role, including physical training and how the comic book character is different from the movie interpretation.

Review: Captain America - I was surprised by how much I liked Captain America. I fell pretty hard for scrawny Steve.

Lunch with Timothy Zahn & Shelly Shapiro

2011-07-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Obligatory fan picture!

I don't often win drawings, contests, or raffles. Except lately. Suvudu held a contest for three people to win the opportunity to have lunch with author Timothy Zahn and editor Shelly Shapiro at San Diego Comic-Con. I crossed my fingers, entered, and tried not to obsess over it. When an email notification popped up in the corner of my desktop at work that said "Lunch with Tim Zahn," I might have squee'd loudly enough for everyone in my office to look my way. I couldn't believe I'd won.

If you're not familiar with the name Timothy Zahn, he's a talented author (that's the understatement of the year). He's written several Star Wars books, including (and starting with) the Thrawn trilogy that pretty much spawned the modern generation of Expanded Universe books. For the love of Ewoks, this is the guy that created Mara Jade! Shelly Shapiro is an editor at Del Rey, and she's in charge of the Star Wars fiction. She's grabbed authors and helped shape the most beloved novels of the Star Wars EU. Yeah. I know.

I met up with the other two winners - one of whom flew in from Indiana just for the lunch - at the Hilton Bayfront. We talked nervously until Mr. Zahn and Ms. Shapiro arrived. We took seats at the restaurant, nd the three of us (the winners) were smiling ear to ear. Mr. Zahn and Ms. Shapiro took the time to chat with us about whatever we wanted. One of the group came prepared with a list of a questions. I should have been that prepared, but I was just excited to be there. I also didn't want to slip into reporter mode. So I winged it. Between the three of us we asked about the editing process, how the character of Thrawn was created, how to get a foot in the editorial door, the issues with long series and different authors, playing in George's driveway, writing characters that other authors have created, and so many other tidbits that were washed away in the sheer excitement of sitting at that table. I know I'm not the first person to ask about Thrawn, but I couldn't help it. Zahn wanted to create a character that commanded by loyalty rather than fear, and he knew it had to be an alien (so it would be more impressive that he was a Grand Admiral, given the Emperor's disdain for aliens). He had a few other components and from them, Thrawn was born.

We promised to carry more than a couple of topics to our graves, but a few things were left open. I'm jazzed about this one: Mr. Zahn expressed an interest in writing an episode or a three story arc for The Clone Wars. He hasn't talked to Dave Filoni yet, and I won't say the idea he has in mind - but it's fantastic. It would fit, and fans would flip out. Another point of interest is something he always wanted to work into a novel but hasn't been permitted to include: he thought it would be neat for the Emperor to allude to the Death Star being built to use as a weapon against the threat of the Yuuzhan Vong.

We moved from the restaurant to a quieter lounge area, and Leland Chee (Keeper of the Holocron at Lucasfilm) wandered by. And then he sat down to talk with us. That man has an astounding memory. Shapiro asked about x, y, or z, and Chee would pause for just a minute before filling in the details around each point.

One of my favorite parts of the lunch was listening to Mr. Zahn pitch ideas to Ms. Shapiro about [redacted] and hearing the back and forth conversation. It was by turns inspiring and exciting. He even spun a new idea in front of us. Ahh! I love hearing other people talk passionately about Star Wars, and when it's people that have hands in books I stay up late reading... it was surreal.

Once in a lifetime opportunity is the phrase that goes here, and it's appropriate.

Read about the lunch from another winner's point of view.

Thanks to Suvudu and Del Rey for holding the contest, and thanks to Shelly Shapiro, Timothy Zahn, and Leland Chee for being so generous with their time.

SDCC: Clone Wars Panel Highlights

2011-07-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

Star Wars: The Clone Wars panel was on my list of panels I had to attend at Comic-Con. I got in line over an hour before the panel to find it was already long. I got in the room though, and I'm so glad I did. It was packed with news and clips! Pablo Hidalgo, Dave Filoni, and Cary Silver gave us a lot of news about the upcoming season. Here are the highlights:

- The first three episodes of season four will be an arc involving the Mon Calamari. Much of the episodes take place underwater. It's not as challenging to do underwater as it is to do the surface of water (like Kamino). The hard part about these episodes was creating the Mon Calamari civilization. The animation was also challenging because all of the models have to move/be animated in an entirely different way.

- Hidalgo asked Filoni what the tagline for season four, "Battle Lines," meant. Filoni answered: "Lots of things go boom."

- Filoni confirmed that it is Captain Ackbar we are seeing in the season four preview.

- Filoni said he designed the new scuba clones just to see the 501st Legion walk around the convention in flippers.

- We'll visit a new planet in season four: Umbara. It's always dark there. Clone troopers fight a battle on this planet against a humanoid force that is allied with the Separatist. We'll be seeing a lot of Rex in this story.

- A clip showed Adi Gallia fighting General Grievous.

- Bounty hunters will be around in the 4th season. Cad Bane, Bossk, Boba Fett, and Dengar will make appearances.

- A space battle clip showed Headhunters, the predecessors to the X-Wings.

- Another clip showed Lux and Ahsoka alone together on a trip of some sort. They are surrounded by members of the Death Watch, one of whom is a female. She is voiced by Katee Sackhoff. Jon Favreau will be back as Pre Vizsla.

- Yet another clip (this one wasn't rendered) showed the Nightsisters fighting battle droids.

- Team Unicorn came to the panel dressed as Nightsisters:

Check out IGN's wrap-up of the panel; they included lots of details about the clips that were shown.

Comic-Con Coverage

2011-07-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

I know not everyone can make it to Comic-Con nor does everyone even want to go. While I'm there, I'll try to bring you as much of the con experience as I can. You can keep with up me through these sites:

Twitter - I'll be live-tweeting as long as the wireless network plays nice. Last year, it was a bit overloaded but I was also using AT&T last year. Verizon > AT&T. Follow me on Twitter to keep up on SDCC fun and some panel coverage.

Facebook - This is my geek with curves fan page, and I'll be uploading photos there or posting a link to my Flickr account nightly from the convention.

Geek Girls Network - I've installed a Wordpress app on my iPhone and so have the other writers at GGN. I might do some quick posts while I'm waiting in one of many lines.

I'll post recaps of each day starting next Monday.

Shockingly, I'm not the only person talking about Comic-Con. Follow the #SDCC hashtag on Twitter! I guarantee it will be buzzing. To hear specifically from the League of Extraordinary Ladies, look for the #lxlsdcc hashtag. If you have a panel for your favorite show that you are bummed about missing, just keep an eye on YouTube the day after the panel is scheduled. It will probably show up.

Interview with Captain America... I mean, Chris Evans

2011-07-19T09:25:00.000-07:00

Chris Evans likes playing Captain America. He says it's a good feeling to play such an earnest guy. I recently talked with him at roundtable interviews at a press conference for Captain America. I reported on the event for Geek Girl on the Street. Evans also discusses being on the set of The Avengers, why he was apprehensive about taking the role of the Cap, and about taking the job home with him.

Read the complete interview at Geek Girl on the Street.

Keep an eye on Geek Girl on the Street for an interview with Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes) and my review of the Captain America movie!

Where I'll Be at SDCC

2011-07-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

I like to meet people at San Diego Comic-Con. This was not always the case. For the first couple of years I attended, I scurried about from the convention floor to panels to the hotel room. I didn't go to any parties, I didn't talk much... I have made leaps and bounds conquering my shyness since then. I try to get outside the convention center more and generally just say hi to people. Twitter has paved the way to make starting conversations easy. I'd love to meet as many of you as possible at SDCC to say hi and thank you for reading my scribblings. I know some places and parties that I will be at for sure, and if you're in the area, flag me down. If you see me on the convention floor, please say howdy. I promise I don't bite.

Thursday
Oh, You Sexy Geek - 10:45-11:45am - Room 6A
"Does displaying the sexiness of fangirls benefit or demean them? When geek girls show off, are they liberating themselves or pandering to men? Do some "fake fangirls" blend sex appeal with nerdiness just to appeal to the growing geek/nerd market, or is that question itself unfair? And what's up with all the Slave Leias?"

Star Wars: The Clone Wars S4 Preview - 4:45-5:45pm - Room 6BCF
"The epic conflict of Star Wars: The Clone Wars intensifies in the upcoming season, as new battle lines are drawn, new threats arise, and old enemies resurface. Take an unparalleled first look into this fall's action, drama, and adventure as the creators of hit series from Lucasfilm preview some of what will astound Star Wars fans in Season Four."

Her Universe - What Women Want in Their Female Sci-Fi Heroes - 6:00-7:00pm - Room 25ABC
"In the early days of sci-fi, female characters were the designated damsels in distress. Thankfully, today a new generation of creative minds are molding the strong, intelligent, and powerful female roles we see in some sci-fi films, TV shows, comics and other media. What are the differences between past sci-fi adventures with female characters and today's feminine heroes that women can really connect with? How do you create truly interesting and unique female characters in the sci-fi universe? How are they different from their male counterparts?"

I might be at 3:00pm Game of Thrones panel, it depends on the line.

New Media Meet-Up - Meet-up is from 5:30-8:00pm and co-hosted by the League of Extraordinary Ladies.

Friday
I'll pretty much be in Room 7AB for Star Wars panels most of the day.
I will be on the floor cosplaying as Lady Indiana Jones for a few hours though.

Saturday
Archaia: The Making of a Graphic Novel - 6:00-7:00pm - Room 9
Three new graphic novels coming from Archaia Entertainment's Black Label have some very interesting stories behind them, and if you ever aspire to create your own graphic novel someday, you may pick up some pointers!

Mythbusters - 7:45-8:45pm - Room 6BCF
A Comic-Con fan favorite, MythBusters is back with their traditional Saturday evening panel. Adam Savage, Jamie Hyneman, Tory Belleci, Grant Imahara, and Kari Byron talk about their recent exploits and upcoming fall Mythbuster-y goodness!

Sunday
Archaia & The Jim Henson Company - 10:00-11:00am - Room 4
Jim Henson was a creative genius responsible for some of the most iconic properties today, including The Muppets, Fraggle Rock, and The Dark Crystal. But what was he like leading up to that success? Archaia and The Jim Henson Company explore his early works and creative process, complete with archival, rarely seen footage, brought to you by Henson archivist Karen Falk. Then, get an advance look at Tale of Sand, the new original graphic novel coming in September, based on a never-before-seen screenplay written by Jim Henson and his longtime collaborator, Jerry Juhl. Falk, Archaia editor-in-chief Stephen Christy, and A Tale of Sand artist Ramón Pérez will discuss the behind-the-scenes production of the book and debut some new images.

The Superhero Battlefield - 4:00-5:00pm - Room 4
What drives superheroes to keep fighting the good fight without getting burned out, disillusioned, or transforming into villains themselves? Trauma psychologist Dr. Andrea Letamendi (UCLA) explores the minds of your favorite comic book heroes and villains, linking them with the very real minds of actual trauma survivors. Alongside Dr. Letamendi are fellow psychologists Dr. Robin Rosenberg (The Psychology of Superheroes) and Dr. Travis Langley (Batman in his Belfry), as well as guest panelists including writer Len Wein (Swamp Thing).

Also, in case it comes up, I like Guinness and gin and tonics.

Rambling Round-Up

2011-07-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

Here are links to articles I've posted around the internet over the past two weeks! Making this list made me realize why I've been so tired lately.

New Convention in Town: Comikaze Expo - Comikaze Expo is coming to Los Angeles in November, and I'm looking forward to. Read my article on Geek Girls Network to find out why.

Must See Panels & Booths at San Diego Comic-Con - Saying there's a lot to see at SDCC is an understatement. A huge one. I've gone through the list and picked out some panels, booths, and parties that I think have universal appeal.

Harry Potter Highlights: My Favorite Scenes - The Harry Potter movies have taken audiences through an epic journey. The Boy Who Lived traveled a long path to get to the point where he could face down Voldemort. This list represents my favorite scenes from each film. Putting that list together made me realize how much I'm going to miss those movies.

Harry Potter: From the Beginning - The same as the above except instead of favorite scenes, it's a quick and dirty summary of each movie in the series.

Hermione Saves the Day Again - Hermione Granger is always there to pull Ron and Harry out of danger. I like that girl.

How I Lost My Sci-Fi Virginity - I haven't been a geek for my entire life. Almost though. And I remember exactly how it started.

American Gods 10th Anniversary - Have you read American Gods? If not, read this article and then go read this genius bit of Neil Gaiman's work immediately.

Her Universe Makes Sci-Fi Jewelry Sexy - Her Universe, Ashley Eckstein's awesome company that makes sci-fi merch for the ladies, is releasing new jewelry at San Diego Comic-Con. This toaster necklace is just one of the new, shiny pieces.

Quick Blurbs
LEGO Star Wars TV Special
Middle Earth Map Dress
LEGO Batman Cave

Harry Potter Mania

2011-07-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

Unless you've been hiding in the Forbidden Forest with the centaurs (and really, who could blame you), you know that today it all ends. The last Harry Potter movie played across the nation at 12:01am last night. It is the end of an epic journey. The eight films were a monumental undertaking. I'm practically bouncing in my seat in anticipation of seeing The Deathly Hallows, Part 2 in less than eleven hours. I'm also sad. This is the last time I will don my Ravenclaw costume and stand in line to see a Harry Potter movie. Sigh.

So. I'm making today Harry Potter Day. To kick things off here's a round-up of some stories, crafts, and recipes. I've read each one of these and didn't see any spoilers for The Deathly Hallows, Part 2.

How To Make Butterbeer - You've been wanting to make butterbeer for a decade. Now is the time. This video is step by step and easy to follow. Cheers!

Lord Voldemort Responds to Critics - Ralph Fiennes talks about what it meant to him to play an evil character. "How “evil” is Lord Voldemort? He’s a demonic spirit. He’s a satanic force. Young Voldemort was an orphan and denied any kind of parental affection or love, so he’s been an isolated figure from a very young age."

Daniel Radcliffe's Life as Harry Potter - An exhaustive gallery that shows us just how much Daniel Radcliffe has grown up while playing the Boy Who Lived.

Hermione Granger: Minority Geek Girl - An essay about Hermione's path and her importance in the story.

Instructables Harry Potter Round-Up - I think it would be lovely to spend a weekend picking from this big list of HP crafts and food how-tos.

Good-bye Letter to Harry Potter - A touching good-bye letter to the young wizard and the series. This really captured a lot of why the series has meant so much to me.

A Few Questions About Harry Potter - This tongue-in-cheek list of unanswered questions in the world of HP cracked me up. One example: "How did Hufflepuff become known as the short-bus house? The books are neutral on the badger house occupants — but it’s a conclusion fans seem to have come to all on their own. Groundswell!"
The comments that thought the author really wanted the questions answered are equally funny.

The Evolution of Neville Longbottom - You need to read this just to see how that kid has grown from an awkward boy to a smoking young man.

Harry Potter is My Star Wars - Some kids grew up wanting to be a Jedi, and others waited for an owl to show up with their Hogwarts letter.

My Favorite Scenes in Harry Potter - Full disclosure: I wrote this one. I picked out my favorite scene from each movie and reminisced. I'm going to miss this films.

Finally, a goose bump inducing video from Warner Bros. that summarizes each movie.

Social Media & Spoileritis

2011-07-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

Social media.With the power of Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and all those other social media sites with ridiculous names that we find absolutely normal comes the power to post any thought to the world instantly. Any picture, any news, and any moment that just happened on a television show.

Remember: with great power comes great responsibility.
(You have no idea how long I've been wanting to use that line in a post).

Just because you can post a spoiler doesn't mean you should. Repeat it, learn it, make it your mantra. When you are excited to tell the world about the insane scene that just aired on Game of Thrones, restrain yourself. Sit on your hands. Phone a friend you don't like. Don't put it on Twitter or Facebook or Tumblr to slap the world in the face.

Sometimes I want spoilers. I want to be the one to go dig them up. It needs to be my choice. When Battlestar Galactica was airing, I spent an inordinate amount of time on the LiveJournal Battlestar Blog community reading theories and leaked spoilers. When I couldn't watch episodes the night they aired, I'd log on with the desperation of a dehydrated maniac and read the episode summary and analyze the main events. Even so, the spoilers were politely put behind cuts. You had to actively click on a link to face the spoilers. It was hard to do by accident.

But now. I visit my Twitter feed within five minutes of a show ending on the East coast and some tool is posting the ending. How long should you wait to post spoilers? My advice: if it is that hard for you to contain yourself, find a forum or specific chat room where everyone's on the same page. Or episode. After a particularly frustrating experience after Game of Thrones, someone mentioned - "well, I at least wait until it has aired on the West coast." Here's a crazy thought: not everyone gets to watch a TV show the day it airs. You can't put Twitter or Facebook or Tumblr behind a break. You are forcing your spoilers down the throat of anyone who follows you, and damnit it's rude and inconsiderate.

This has been a public service announcement.

Geeky Links of the Week

2011-07-11T21:25:00.000-07:00

You know the drill. Some of my favorite links around the interwebz over the past two weeks. Please enjoy! I don't like thinking I clicked around in vain.

Miniature Grail Diary - Yes, that is a 1/6 scale miniature grail diary. If you could call something related to Indiana Jones cute, this would be it. There's also a Raider's Journal.

Neil Gaiman on The Craig Ferguson Show - Neil Gaiman and Craig Ferguson have the hilarious, make-you-spit-out-whatever-beverage-you-were-drinking, sort of chemistry. They talk about Doctor Who and American Gods and practice being generally awesome people.

Doctor Who Companion Infographic - There are a lot of companions in the Doctor Who universe. Read this infographic before you go to any convention. Cosplayers get annoyed when you call them by the wrong companion's name.

Close Up Look at Harry Potter Props - EW has beautiful, magnifiable images of some props from Harry Potter. That's all I can say about this link. Otherwise I'll start getting melancholy about the fact that the last movie is coming out this week.

The 10 Coolest Homes in Comic Books - Everywhere I would want to live.

Gaming With Sock Puppets - No, that's not a euphemism. This website is an interactive sock puppet RPG. You have to see this neat idea to believe it.

Daenerys Stormborn fanart - One of my favorite artists drew some great fan art of Dany. It does reveal a major spoiler for the end of A Game of Thrones (the book and the television series).

Big and Wacky Map of Westeros - Speaking of Westeros (I don't get to say that nearly as often as I'd like), this giant cartoon map of the Seven Kingdoms makes me smile. If you haven't read the books, you won't want to click. Spoilers abound.

Hughes the Force - A fan film that combines John Hughes movies and Star Wars. Do I really need to say anything else? Visit the site and watch the trailer; you can thank me later.

Rambling Round-Up

2011-07-05T19:20:00.000-07:00

Here are bits I've wrote around the internet over the past two weeks!

Get Your Cosplay Ready for San Diego Comic-Con - It's not too late to prep a costume for SDCC; here are my tips on putting something together in a hurry.

In Defense of Sansa Stark - People don't tend to love Sansa Stark. Though I don't blame them, I tried to look at the world through her eyes and understand why she behaves as she does.

Game of Thrones Season One review - Speaking of Game of Thrones, here's my review of the first season. I discuss what worked and touch on the few things that didn't come across just right.

Having Geek Friends - It's made a big difference for me to finally find and be surrounded by geeky friends. In this post, I talk about how they have improved my life.

Quick Blurbs
Wearable Tatooine Sand Wristwatch
Doctor Who Dalek Dress DIY
Muppets Fight for the Iron Throne

Tauntaun Costumes: A Collection

2011-06-30T09:04:00.000-07:00

I was skimming through some photos of a recent Star Wars day at California's LEGOLAND when I noticed a kid dressed like Luke Skywalker riding a tauntaun. It was one of the cutest costumes I have seen on this side of the galaxy. I don't know if I could cut open that tauntaun for survival. Out of curiosity I looked around for other Hoth inspired costumes. I had no idea it was so popular. As you can imagine, the costumes go from adorable to frightening to hilarious. To give my search for tauntauns purpose, I decided to round up my favorites for other people to enjoy.

The picture that started the search. Taken by Lesley Farquhar.

This is Scott Holden and his tauntaun. Let's call him Bob. Holden built Bob the tauntaun for a Zone Ball in 2009. He's actually using stilts inside this massive beast. See photos of construction at at Technabob.

Yes, that's a tauntaun dress. With a picture of Luke "inside." I don't know why, but this one disturbs me. Found on Ugo.

A fantastic tauntaun from Star Wars: Celebration III. Photo by Bonnie Burton.

This version has a few anatomy problems. The most noticeable issue is the square head. The fur is also off, but I guess somewhere there could be tauntauns with brown fur. Maybe Tatooine tauntauns? No? I think the guy gets a C for halfway effort. Photo by Chanuck

And finally, because you shouldn't limit the fun to one person - a tauntaun costume made for two by Victor Huang.

Have you seen any of these creatures out in the convention wilds? Please share links in the comments!

My Night at Can't Stop the Serenity L.A.

2011-06-28T14:45:00.000-07:00

You can't stop the signal, and you can't stop Serenity. Browncoats are determined sorts of folks. 2011 marks the sixth year of screenings of Serenity for charity. Specifically for Equality Now. Collectively, Can't Stop the Serenity (CSTS) has raised over half a million dollars. The recent screening in Los Angeles contributed to this number and gave attendees an evening to remember.

When the California Browncoats started to put word out about the event, I knew I couldn't miss it. It would be enough to see Serenity on the big screen again and put my dollars towards a cause that is meaningful to me, but they added Dr. Horrible as well. And then the list of special guests kept getting updated. Joss Whedon, Felicia Day, Michael Fairman, and Jessica Neuwirth (one of the founders of Equality Now)... what can I say? They had me at Joss.*

I volunteered to help at the event through a friend. If you stopped by the meet and greet line, that was me in the Serenity tee and the Kaylee-inspired hair. While we waited for the final special guests to arrive, surprise guests trickled in. Nathan Fillion, Jane Espenson, and Tim Minear. Yeah. I think I heard the nine guests participating in the meet and greet collectively make a noise of happiness when Nathan Fillion walked into the room. Every one of the attendees who were lucky enough to grab one of the ten $100 tickets left that room grinning from ear to ear.

While I was in the lobby looking intimidating in case anyone tried to get past the rope (hey, I got to stop one person), there was a performance and a live auction happening in the theater (it was held at Harmony Gold). I slid into my seat in time for the last giveaway. Then the host, Atom Freeman of ComiCenter, introduced Joss (yeah, he said Josh. the audience would have thrown tomatoes if we would have them - don't worry, he redeemed himself later) and the Man talked about Equality Now and why it's an important cause. Jessica Neuwirth spoke, and so did Bix, the founder of Can't Stop the Serenity.

The big treat of the night was the Q&A before the screening. Freeman asked all of the special guests questions gathered from Twitter. They discussed their favorite moments of working on Serenity, the writers talked about what they learned from Joss, Felicia Day talked about working with Joss ("Working with Joss is like eating whipped cream."), and they offered advice for a college freshman. Jane Espenson stated that no matter what happens in college, "don't let anyone take a picture of you naked." Sage advice. Whedon said that he remembered the sad things the most. It makes the good things more meaningful, and that he feels bitter and grateful for the experience of Firefly. The talk will make your Browncoat heart glow. To hear all of them reminisce was an experience I'm so thankful for having first hand. You can have it, too. he event was live-streamed, and you can watch the video below. I recommend doing so.

They left the stage, and we all stayed in our seats to watch Serenity for the hundreth time. Or more. I love being in a group that knows the movie so well that we almost cheered before scenes actually happened. We laughed, we cried (okay, I cried), and then we sang along to Dr. Horrible. It was perfection.

Just like Star Wars fans, Browncoats are generous. Fans raised $11,000 for Equality Now with this single event. The person who won James Hance's Firefrog poster (muppets + Firefly) paid for it, and then asked if it would be worth more signed by as much of the cast as possible. Knowing that it undoubtedly would be, the fan gifted it back to the cause to be signed and re-auctioned at a higher value. If that doesn't make you like Independents, I don't know what will.

You can watch the pre-movie activities, including the Q&A:

Watch live video from GeekWeek on Justin.tv

*I got to meet Joss. I kept it short and sweet. I don't have the words to explain what it meant to meet him.

Geeky Links of the Week

2011-06-27T14:46:00.000-07:00

Fun things I saw around Twitter and the vast interwebs over the past couple of weeks!

30 Things You Might Not Know About Raiders of the Lost Ark - For the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Raiders, Moviefone compiled a list of fun facts.

Geek Zodiac - Determine what archetype you fit into based on your birth year! I'm an astronaut.

Badass Moments in Game of Thrones - IGN has a spiffy .GIF list of the most badass moments in the first season of Game of Thrones. It is hilarious.

Food in Fiction: How Cooking Brings You Closer to the Characters - Fabulous piece how cooking food from books - like Game of Thrones - really makes you more invested in the story. The author of the article speaks to the ladies behind The Inn at the Crossroads.

25 Geek Origami Creations - Geek themed papercrafts make me smile. (via @bonniegrrl)

10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Star Wars - A few of these were a surprise to me. Go test your Star Wars knowledge!

TARDIS pashmina - Wear this TARDIS print scarf, and it will feel like you're traveling with the Doctor.(via @bonniegrrl)

Human Echolocation - This fascinating article summarizes research performed to see if echolocation works for humans (you know, like it does with Daredevil). (via @revanchegs)

Star Trek quilt - This quilt takes a scene from the transporter pad in the original series and puts it on fabric. Pretty spiffy. (via @bonniegrrl)

The 10 Most Powerful Rings - Jewelry gets used as a macguffin in many tales. The Mary Sue choose the 10 most powerful uses.

Helping Princess Leah (why Star Wars fans rock)

2011-06-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

Some of the kindest people I know are Star Wars fans. A coincidence? I don't think so.
Being a Star Wars fan means being a member of a worldwide community, almost an extended family. If you are in any number of groups like the 501st, the Rebel Legion, or the Mando Mercs, the bonds go even deeper. In the past several weeks, the Star Wars community (and so many others) have shown an outpouring of love and support for a baby girl called Princess Leah.

Art by Dave Liew

Leah is four months old and very ill. She's spent most of her life in the hospital. She suffers from erratic eye and muscle movements that are almost constant. She has a hard time sleeping because of that, and she uses a trachea tube to help her breathe. She's been through a battery of invasive tests and tried more medications than most of us can imagine. The doctors are trying to help.- but her symptoms are a mystery.

Leah's parents - Zev and Frani - are spending every moment with their daughter and fighting alongside her. They are posting updates on her condition at Princess Leah's Diaries. They include specifics because there is hope that someone will read those posts and know exactly what is happening to Leah. Additionally, a lot of people have come to care about this little girl and this is an easy way for the family to keep everyone updated. And I do mean a lot of people Word about Princess Leah is spreading beyond the Star Wars community. KTLA news recently covered their story.

Spending so much time at the hospital is taking a financial toll on the family, and you can help. You can send donations to help pay medical costs, living expense, etc directly through Chip In, or you can enter a raffle for a staggering number of Star Wars prizes.

If you aren't able to donate, just spread the word. Maybe there are doctors that will recognize the medical condition or families that have been through this. The more people that read about Leah, the greater the chance that someone can help her and her family.

Book Review: The True Adventures of the World's Greatest Stuntman

2011-06-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

Vic Armstrong is a stunt legend, and these are his stories. That should be the tagline for this no nonsense compendium of his accounts detailing his adventures over forty plus years in the movie business. The True Adventures of the World's Greatest Stuntman runs through Armstrong's extensive (and ongoing) career as a stuntman, stunt coordinator, and assistant director.

You know him even though you may not realize it. He's in the Guinness Book of Records as the World's Most Prolific Stuntman. His work can be seen in films such as Indiana Jones, Superman, Dune, many James Bond movies, and over fifty more. He sort of lucked into the movie business. He wanted to be a steeplechase jockey, ended up doing some stunt work with horses, and started getting small jobs. Those small jobs became bigger, and they led to stunt coordination and even directing. He remembers many of these jobs in astonishing detail.

The book reads like a series of film shorts. Jobs are broken up into separate chapters for the most part, and the direct style left me constantly thinking, “I'll just read one more chapter.” This autobiography invites you to come in and settle down. I felt like I was sitting around a blazing bonfire hearing these stories directly from Armstrong. His enthusiasm, work ethic, and humbleness leap off the pages. It's apparent that he appreciates every ounce of hard work others pour into movies, and he's matched it. He's far from jaded. He seems still filled with wonder that he gets to do what he does everyday. His words are punctuated with photos from the sets and notes from directors and actors.

Like voice actors doing impressions, if a stunt performer does the job right, no one notices. Actually, that can go for several roles in the movie industry. Many puzzle pieces have to be shoved together off camera to achieve what we see in the finished product. Reading Armstrong's account of movie experiences will definitely make me take greater notice of the hard work of stunt performers. If you ever think about what happens behind the scenes, you'll enjoy reading Armstrong's riveting adventures.

Get The True Adventures of the World's Greatest Stuntman.

crossposted at Geek Girls Network

Game of Thrones Finale Feast

2011-06-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

PSA: This is a spoiler free post.

The first season of Game of Thrones has come to an end. I’ve been watching the show every week with friends, and we decided to celebrate the last episode in style with a themed feast. Seven people threw this 72 course feast together in less than 48 hours. Okay, maybe it wasn’t 72 courses.

I recommended two links to the group even though they probably already knew about them:
Westeros.org food listing
The Inn at the Crossroads

The Westeros.org page lists every mention of food and drink in the series. The book number and page are listed. It’s a mouthwatering list that includes summerwine, mint tea, snails in honey and garlic, strawberry pies, and roasted onions. The nobles might be struggling over the throne, but they do manage to eat a sinful amount of food from time to time. The Inn at the Crossroads is a relatively new site that takes food and drink from the book and translates it to recipes. They perform research to find out if there are existing medieval era recipes that match (and since it is medieval sort of food, there usually is). They try them out and list the old recipes and modern adaptations. They point out what they liked/disliked about each version along with notes about what didn’t work. Their site is fascinating to peruse even if you’re just a fan of food and not of the books.

Are you hungry yet?

I went in, even though they are House Stark (I'm a Targaryen)

I chose to make beef and bacon pie and lemon cakes. I used the modern versions of both recipes. The beef and bacon pie filling was thick with gravy and everything you dream medieval food would be. Meaty, pungent, and almost chewy. By the time I thoroughly sampled it, the pie was missing at least ½ cup of filling. So amazing. The lemon cake recipe was easy to follow and the result is a pleasantly sweet, spongy cupcake sized treat. The texture is somewhere between a Madeleine and a pudding cake. I used the glaze from the medieval recipe instead of dipping the cakes in lemon curd.

The rest of the group made: honeyed chicken, fruit tarts, onion and cheese pie, Sansa salad, and spiced wine. All those recipes can be found at The Inn at the Crossroads. We ate like kings, and we made it through the evening without any bloodshed. I want an excuse to eat like that every weekend.

Rambling Round-Up

2011-06-20T18:52:00.000-07:00

Links to stuff I've posted around the interwebs in the past week!

Cover Your Legs with Geek - Over at Pink Raygun I display a list (with photos) of some delectably nerdy stockings.

Smell Like Your RPG Character - Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab has released a new series of scents inspired by tabletop RPGs. I discuss them and try out one of my favorite character combos (I got to smell like an elf - win).

The Fate of Star Wars Depends on The Phantom Menace & a rant - When any talk about anything new in Star Wars comes up, the haters come out. I discuss the 3D conversion and rant against someone who said that Lucasfilm doesn't show any "true fan appreciation."

Quick blurbs
I write lots of quick blurbs on neat products and stories for Nerd Approved, Fashionably Geek, and That's Nerdalicious throughout the week. I'll start including my favorites:
Stunning Corpse Bride Cosplay
Darth Vader Dollars
Vintage Style Star Wars Dress - also, I just ordered one of my own.

June 18: League of Extraordinary Ladies Worldwide Meet-Up

2011-06-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

What are you doing this Saturday, 6/18? How about meeting new geeks in your area? It's not too late to RSVP for or host a get-together for the first League of Extraordinary Ladies (LxL) Worldwide Meet-Up!

The LxL was founded in 2010 by a small group of geeky gals who longed for real life connections with like-minded ladies. Our motto: “ordinary women creating extraordinary connections.” It's made a huge difference for us to have fellow geeks in our daily lives to connect with. We want to help other people find geeks - and despite the name, it is wide open to ladies and dudes.

You can read all about existing events in NYC, Ireland, and more at the LxL website. You still have time to host an event in your city: invite a friend, pick a location, and we'll help promote it until Saturday. If no one shows up, you still hang out with a friend. If lots of geeks show up, you'll make new friends. Win, win.

If you happen to be in Los Angeles, please come to the meet-up at Meltdown Comics. It's sponsored by Archaia Entertainment and ScienceFiction.com. We'll have:

- a food truck!

- cupcakes!

- Giveaways from Archaia, Quantum Mechanix, Comikaze Expo, ScienceFiction.com (ThinkGeek gift certificate) and more!

- lots of geeks!

This is a public event with free admission. Again, guys are welcome. Please come say hi!

RSVP for the LxL Los Angeles Meet-Up here.
Use hashtag #lxlmeetup for the night's activities

5 Theme Songs I Can't Skip

2011-06-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

I watch almost all of my television on DVDs or Netflix. The only shows I've watched as they aired in the past year have been The Clone Wars and Game of Thrones. When you knock out entire seasons of television in a weekend, listening to the theme song over and over can get old. Fast. Some of them have me poised and ready to hit the next chapter button on the remote. I don't want to risk them getting stuck in my head. A select few never get skipped. Yes, even after I've listened to the same song or music dozens of times. I've limited my list to geeky sorts of shows, otherwise Mad About You would be included (hey - don't judge).

Angel Season 5 Opening by finash
Angel - This one is all about the music. The visuals are the standard character portraits from the current season, nothing flashy. But the sound, oh those violins. They tug at me every time. Note: I think the statute of limitations on spoilers for this show is expired, but I will caution that this video is from the season five opening. If you don't want to see what characters are around then just close your eyes and listen.

Dexter - Do you remember the first time you saw the opening theme for Dexter? Wasn't it the most brilliant frakking opening you'd ever scene? I still feel that way. They made the everyday morning routine into a parade of subtle nods to homicide. The lighting, the nuance, the shapes - it's just beautiful work. If you don't watch the show, you can still enjoy this trailer. It's not gory, and there aren't any spoilers.

Firefly - I want a line from this song tattooed on my person. I don't think I need to say anything else.

Doctor Who Series 4 - I don't skip any of the Doctor Who openings, but series 4 is my favorite arrangement. It's also short, and it's hard to time fast forwarding through it without cutting into the episode. I spend time trying these things out, you know. For science. The Doctor would approve.

Game of Thrones - This one grew on me. The music grabbed me from the first time I watched (you can pre-order the soundtrack now). The visuals - not so much. It felt a little steampunk-y, and as a friend put it, a little too Tim Burton for the medieval setting of the story. The more I see it and watch it repeatedly on YouTube, the more I see the loveliness of the design. From the storytelling on the spokes of the clockwork orrery to the way the theme changes to include new locations - it's impeccable.

What are your favorite television theme songs?

Rambling Round-Up

2011-06-12T12:09:00.000-07:00

Here's links to bits that I've posted elsewhere on the interwebs in the past couple of weeks!

The Force is Strong with Star Tours - If you think I will ever tire of using the "Force" in ways like that, you are wrong. Anyways. I went to opening day of Star Tours: The Adventures Continue at Disneyland. Read my report and spoiler-free thoughts on the ride.

Thoughts on Webcomics - I love and hate webcomics. Mostly love. Read my thoughts on the good and bad over at ScienceFiction.com.

Game of Thrones Episode 8 Reviewed - Boomtron Podcast - So this isn't exactly something I wrote. The lovely ladies of the Boomtron podcast invited me on to talk about last week's episode of Game of Thrones, The Pointy End. We talk about the characters, the big happenings of the episode, and compare Varys to Spock.

Kaylee is My Favorite Mechanic - Kaylee is nice and an incredible mechanic? You have to like her; read about why she's one of my favorites on Firefly.

Comic Book Reviews
The Stuff of Legend Book 2: The Jungle
The Outlaw Prince
Star Wars: Blood Ties
Star Wars: The Old Republic Vol 2 - Threat of Peace

Kessel Run Diaries: My Star Wars in Concert Experience

2011-06-09T15:21:00.000-07:00

Star Wars in Concert came to the Hollywood Bowl last weekend. It was the only stop in the United States this time, and I bought tickets as soon as I could. I’d missed the concert the last time it was around, and I refused to let the chance slip by again. It didn’t hurt that I knew someone who could get discounted tickets.

I made my way up from Hollywood & Highland to the Hollywood Bowl, and I was surrounded by groups of people armed with lightsabers and dressed in Jedi costumes. Considering the area is usually full of performers in costumes trying to make a buck from tourists, it wasn’t a given that they were going to the Star Wars concert. They kept walking up the hill though. I met up with friends who were similarly armed:

We pushed our way through the crowd pouring into the Bowl. The Force would have been helpful. I knew we needed to get to our seats, but I kept getting distracted by Stormtroopers, little girls dressed like Leia (I saw the white dress and the Hoth outfit!), and oh so much merchandise (one day I will learn to buy merch pre-concert because no one feels like stopping after. I meant to get a program and possibly an overpriced t-shirt). I was thrilled to be there, and I couldn’t stop flailing. But finally, we made it to our seats at the top of the amphitheater. We didn’t have long to wait. The orchestra took their seats, and the lights dimmed. Anthony Daniels, sans the gold suit, presided over the event and guided the audience on the journey through the six films.

The concert format was a surprise for me, and it totally worked. It loosely followed the timeline of the movies: episodes I-III before intermission and episodes IV-VI after. Each piece of music accompanied a trailer of sorts. One trailer was titled Narrow Escapes, and it had a montage of uh, narrow escapes, from all the films – like the Millennium Falcon escaping from the Death Star and the space slug. The Millennium Falcon has to make a quick getaway almost all the time. Another trailer focused on Princess Leia, one on Anakin and Padme’s forbidden love (there is almost chemistry when they don’t talk!), one on Droids, and on and on. It was a clever way to handle a vast amount of music and footage and still tell a story. My skin tingled through most of the concert, but especially in reaction to a few pieces. One of those was Duel of the Fates from Episode I: A Phantom Menace. Members of the Pasadena Pro Musica group lined the sides of the stage around the orchestra and hearing it sung live wasn’t something I’ll forget. You can listen here.

So many lightsabers!

The videos were shown on a screen behind the orchestra and on two smaller screens to either side of the stage. The images were also projected on the shell of the stage. Most impressive. Even from my seat at the very top, I had a fantastic view. It was a perfect spot for seeing the hundreds of lightsabers in the crowd of over 17,000 fans. To be in a group of Star Wars fans and feel the enthusiasm and love for the series in the air is enough to melt the coldest Hoth heart.

The last piece of music ended, and I clapped hard enough to make my palms hurt. And then, the night took a turn for magnificent. Daniels announced that there was a special guest. Everyone collectively held their breath for the dramatic pause – the guest was John Freaking Williams. Okay, I inserted the middle name. The audience exploded in the most heartfelt and loud cheering I’ve ever experienced at a concert. Williams seemed a bit taken back by the geek love we were sending to the stage. Then he turned around and the orchestra started the beginning chords of The Imperial March. He wasn’t only there, he was conducting. I cursed in excitement and then I cried and then I sat paralyzed for three minutes. I couldn’t believe my luck – none of us could. It's John Williams CONDUCTING THE IMPERIAL MARCH for the love of Jawas! The march ended and with it the concert; my goosebumps didn’t go away for a while. In fact, I’m still tearing up thinking about that experience.

It didn’t end there! On the way out of the concert, I got to meet Laurel Woods aka Woodsy from MTV! This lady loves Star Wars and hates brunch. That’s how I knew I’d like her. Our friendship was cemented when we realized we were both wearing our Her Universe manga hoodies. Yes, we are adorable:

Check out her experience at the concert at MTV Geek.

The moral of this experience: go to a Star Wars concert if you can. You'll have an amazing time, and you might walk away with a lifetime memory.

Chicks Dig Comics Tote Bag

2011-06-08T21:36:00.000-07:00

A while ago, I was given a lovely tote bag by Kate Tapley, aka @KateDrewThis.

Since then it's been with me on my stops on Free Comic Book Day, to a book festival, the book store, and the comic book shop when I remember. I try to leave it in my car, just in case. I get compliments on the bag because duh, it's adorable. The blue hair is much more vivid in person (and not seen through my iPhone camera).

It's environment friendly, saves your comic book store from using another bag, and gorramit - chicks do dig comics!

Buy your Chicks Dig Comics tote bag from Zazzle.

Book Review: Lost at the Con

2011-06-07T20:28:00.000-07:00

What would it be like for an unknowing, non-geek journalist to be assigned to cover a convention? You know it has to happen. The calendar is overflowing with comic, science fiction, fantasy, and gaming conventions. Eventually, someone has to get thrown in against his or her will. Bryan Young's upcoming book, Lost at the Con, tackles just that situation.

A drunken political journalist, Cobb, is assigned by his arsehole (technical term) of an editor to cover a sci-fi/fantasy convention. Cobb goes in bitter with guns blazing. He tries to understand what geek culture is about. Relevant questions include: What is slash fiction? Why are so many attendees in costume? Why do people pay for autographs from celebrities? Cobb begins to question himself and the life he's leading.

Young's hard-hitting style pulled me into the story immediately. The dialogue and story move in a direct and snappy tone. No time and words are wasted but nothing is rushed or bland. The journalist, Cobb, is a piece of work. Geeks in particular might have a hard time with Cobb because he's abrasive and not particularly nice to the universe he's found himself in. But he's not really a nice guy in any situation. He makes me think of House. He's harsh and blunt. You feel like you should hate him, but secretly you admire him for saying the things you want to say but are too nice or wimpy to stammer out.
During the convention happenings, Cobb is working through heavy life issues. Maybe surrounded by the unfamiliar world of nerdom isn't the best place to face deep questions about who you are, but maybe it is. The realities of love, work, and alcohol parallel the fantasy of the convention and sometimes blur together.

This book has appeal for both geeks and new initiates like Cobb. From the geek perspective, it's fun because you have the inside knowledge and you get to feel a little superior to Cobb. You'll recognize the setting, but you'll still be surprised by where events lead. I recommend checking it out.

Pre-order Lost at the Con here.

Geeky Links of the Week

2011-06-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

Some of my favorite links around the interwebs over the past couple of weeks:

Grant Gould's SDCC sketchbook - One of my favorite artists, Grant Gould, is doing a super cool thing and letting folks that can't make it to SDCC order his sketchbook ahead of time. You have until June 20. I mean, it has Velma Fett on the cover. What else do you need to know?

Hogwarts cake - I actually thought this cake was a model for a minute. It looks that realistic.

Gronk Book 1 available for order! - Gronk is a webcomic by Katie Cook that updates every Friday. It's adorable, funny, and full of nerdy references. You can now pre-order the first book of collected comics and extras.

Star Trek: TNG Amigurumi - Little, cute yarn versions of The Next Generation characters from Picard to Guinan.

SNES Doctor Who Opening Sequence - Super Nintendo style version of the Doctor Who opening. Love it.

Star Wars themed wedding - I love when people fully embrace themes, and I don't know how this wedding could be any more Star Wars-rrific.

Sci-Fi Silhouette Portraits - Victorian style silhouettes featuring sci-fi and fantasy characters.

Atomic Fudge - This Etsy store is serving up geek-themed fudge. They're not just slapping on geek phrases either, they're doing their research. For example, their Doctor Who Fish Custard fudge is vanilla with Swedish gummy fish. Nom.

Spaceships! - This site has lots of spaceships exactly to scale. You can drag and drop them to compare Serenity to the Enterprise. My only complaint: the Millennium Falcon isn't included.

Kessel Run Diaries: Star Wars Celebration VI

2011-06-02T14:17:00.000-07:00

When news about the next Star Wars Celebration comes out on the day I post my Star Wars column, I have to talk about it, right? I'm glad you agree.

SWCVI will be back at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL on August 23-26, 2012. You can buy tickets and book hotel rooms now. Last year I think attendees could still buy general admission tickets at the door. Since this announcement is so far in advance, tickets might go faster. If you want the fancy VIP package, I'd definitely plan on purchasing it immediately. Some people are acting surprised at the 2012 date, but I think that's been on the table for a while. Instead of 30 years for Return of the Jedi, we'll get 35 years for A New Hope.* Just think - we're saved from merchandise covered with Ewoks! Whew.

I am a little surprised at the repeat appearance in Orlando. Attendance was higher for Celebration IV in Los Angeles, and an optimistic part of me (it's small, but it's there) thought they would alternate coasts. I understand the appeal of Orlando. The city is overflowing with affordable hotels and lots of activities. I tend to make the convention the destination, but I'll be adding a few days on this trip to go to Wizarding World and Epcot. I think. Hot weather makes me cranky, and the humidity makes it worse. It's not ideal circumstances for me to walk around theme parks surrounded by screaming children.

Reservations aside, it's spending four days surrounded by the best fans in the world celebrating Star Wars. It will be awesome, and I'm jazzed. I'll see you there.

P.S. Does anyone else think they chose Orlando just so they could continue the Lando jokes?

P.P.S. You can see my photos from Celebration V here.

*No - I don't really know if the 35th anniversary of A New Hope is what we'll be officially celebrating.

I Went to the Renfaire and All I Got Was This Lousy Turkey Leg!

2011-06-01T12:02:00.000-07:00

I got my visit for Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire in at the last minute. I’m glad I waited until the last day of the faire. It might have been the only time I’ve been to this faire and not drowned in my own sweat. It was overcast, cool, and only a tiny bit humid. Perfect weather for being outdoors in corsets and heavy costumes. I actually didn’t dress up, but I imagine folks who did appreciated the breeze and lack of direct sun. Have I rambled enough about the weather for you? Okaaay. I’ll continue.

This is my fifth year of attending this faire, and I’ve developed a pretty set routine. I have favorite foods, vendors, and performers. I like seeing the familiar faces and being reminded every year that yes, the shepherd’s pie is as tasty as I remember. Change is good though, so this time I made it a point to see a few new acts and take the time to browse through shops I usually breeze past. I decided to definitely eat my favorites but to make the real goal of the day to feast upon as much faire food as I could (yes, that absolutely was one reason why I didn’t lace up in a corset).

Given that lofty goal, food was the first activity of the day. I ate a full lunch despite the fact that it was barely 11am. First up was a toad-in-a-hole (herbed sausage inside delicious, buttery, messy pastry dough) and a healthy serving of ribbon fries. They absolutely ate those in the 1500s. With ketchup. After stuffing myself, I wandered around some of the shops but mostly carved a path to the Fool’s Stage to catch MooNiE. I always try to see him and/or Broon at the faire. MooNiE is a funny juggler, tight-rope walker, and multi-talented guy. He always gets the audience rolling.

I wandered more, considered buying skirts and a pair of soft and lovely leather boots, and I ended up in front of the meat pies stand. It happens. I ordered shepherd’s pie and got mead and parked my butt at the Rogue’s Reef to catch the Poxy Boggards and the Merry Wives of Windsor. It’s the “naughty” stage, and somehow I’d never made my way in for a show. The songs, especially the ones from the Merry Wives of Windsor, had me in hysterical tears. I especially cracked up at the sign language interpreters. I’ve learned many things from Bonnie Burton, but the tip about watching sign language interpreters is gold. I took mental pictures of the signs for dirty words and acts. I don’t know when they’ll come handy, but I know it will be useful information.

After enjoying the raucous songs of the Reef, my companion and I met up with friends, and we strolled through the guild and encampment areas. I watched a blacksmith and his apprentice work, I saw the Witch-king standing around, I bought a new ceramic mug, and ended the day with a churro, steamed artichoke, and bruschetta. I walked out with a very full belly and dust covered feet. It was a perfect renfaire day.

You can see the rest of my photos from the day here.

Muppets + Firefly by James Hance

2011-05-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

James Hance is a master of combining the realistic and the adorable. You probably know his work from his book that combines Winnie the Pooh and Star Wars, Wookiee the Chew, or one of his many paintings. He uses the tagline "relentlessly cheerful art," and it couldn't be more true. His art will make you smile.

His newest project has me grinning from ear to ear. Hance watched Firefly and was inspired to combine the characters he saw with The Muppets. I wasn't sure how it would work out until I saw the first doodles - it's perfect. It's cute and silly, and he's managing to capture the essence of each character.

Here are a couple of my favorites:

He almost has the cast photo complete - the level of adorable is almost painful!

You can keep up with Hance's Firefly doodles and many other fantastic projects at Tumblr or Facebook. Visit his site to view prints and t-shirts for sale!

Rambling Round-Up

2011-05-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

Here are some things I've posted elsewhere on the interwebs lately:

Game of Thrones Progress Report - After episode 5, I compared where the TV show is in relation to the book. We have lots of exciting things ahead!

Star Tours 2: The Adventures Continue - What to expect from the shiny, madeover Star Tours.

I Got It on Etsy - In which I discuss how Etsy has changed the ability to obtain geek crafts.

Comic Book Reviews
Love and Capes Ever After #4
Hellboy: Being Human
Star Wars Omnibus: At War with the Empire, Vol 1

Kessel Run Diaries: Bill Murray's Star Wars

2011-05-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up with Bill Murray's Star Wars song in my head. Yes, that one. The Star Wars song from his Nick the Lounge Singer character on Saturday Night Live. I thought to myself, "Hey - wouldn't it be a sad thing if other people haven't heard this? What if they don't know?" Also, I don't want to be the only person who has this tune stuck on repeat. So without further adieu, the Star Wars song as heard on SNL with clips from the movie:

To see the actual skit when Bill Murray sang this, click here. Note the rockstar shirt.

Nick the Lounge Singer was probably Bill Murray's most popular recurring character, and the Star Wars song is his most famous bit. To watch an Nick the Lounge Singer entire skit, which I recommend, check out this video.

The Angel Yearbook: Look ma, I'm a Demon!

2011-05-25T14:15:00.000-07:00

The final Angel comic from IDW Publishing hits stands today - the Angel Yearbook. Because the series deserves to end with a loud bang, the yearbook collects stories about various characters by the creators that love them. Writer Scott Tipton and artist Elena Casagrande - the pair responsible for the Illyria: Haunted series that I loved - chose to craft a Fred and Wesley story. My favorite characters. Their story is titled "All the Time in the World." And guess who makes an appearance in the story?

Click to embiggen!

Ratcliffe demons.

Yep, those pesky and ugly Ratcliffe demons. You can spot them on the left middle of the above panel. It might seem like a small thing, but for my name to be attached in any way to the Angelverse is just about the coolest thing in the history of ever. The fact that it's in a story about my two favorite characters is the sweetest kind of icing. I am so dance-in-my-chair happy about this. A big thank you to Mr. Tipton for letting me be part of Angel's last IDW huzzah. I am flattered and overjoyed.

Read Tipton's thoughtful retrospective on his time writing in the Angel universe. You've probably read some of his stories. Say good-bye properly and buy the Angel Yearbook at your local comic book store today. You won't regret it.

George Lucas, Stormtroopers, & a Renfaire

2011-05-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

I went to the Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire over the weekend. You can bet I'll be sharing photos (especially of my food conquests) and a report soon, but for now I have to share a tale of Star Wars and the renfaire.

I always make it a point to see MooNiE when I go to the faire. He's a comedian, juggler, tight-rope walker, and many other things - some of which shouldn't be mentioned in public. As the show was about to begin, MooNiE looked to the back of the benches to see if people were still coming in. He spotted Boba Fett and Jango Fett. It's not so surprising. Boba, Stormtroopers or Klingons always show up at renaissance faires. He said hey and sent the bounty hunters on their way. But. It reminded him of a story.

The SoCal faire has a sister faire in Northern California that is a little bit younger - the Renaissance Pleasure Faire of Northern California. It's old location was reasonably close to where George Lucas was working. MooNiE said in 1577, right after Star Wars opened (because it was the renaissance time, you see), Lucas walked into the NorCal faire with a legion of Stormtroopers. He didn't say a word, just marched the troopers through the faire and left.

This is, of course, just a story and I couldn't verify it. But come on, if this guy told you a story, you'd totally believe it, right? I do, and it makes me happy that Star Wars seems to follow me everywhere.

If anyone has heard this before, let me know! Bonus points if you have photos.

Book Review: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (and a giveaway)

2011-05-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a book gobsmacks me, and I have to tell the world about it. This is the case with Catherynne M. Valente’s The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.

The Green Wind blows into Nebraska and asks a young girl named September if she’d like to go to Fairyland. Being a brave and smart girl and quite ready to take a break from home, September says yes. She flies out the window on a leopard into a place that is familiar but yet entirely unexpected. A wyvern, a wairwulf, migrating bicycles, and a city made of fabric are just a few of the delights of Fairyland. Though wonderful, Fairyland is not all glitter and gold. September learns of unfriendly ruler, The Marquess, soon after her arrival. She decides to take a path that will lead her right to The Marquess’ door. Adventure, lessons, madness, bravery, pain, and laughter ensue. Sometimes they happen all at once.

I really just want to squee and tell you to read it NOW, but I’ll try to tell you why I loved The Girl Who… in a coherent fashion.

I was fortunate and got to hear Cat Valente read an excerpt of this book on her tour (there are still a few stops remaining). I think I had a dopey smile on my face the whole time because I was just so enchanted by the single chapter she and her friend (he read the part of the Wyverary) read. The key word is enchanted. I knew after reading the first paragraph that this book is one I will treasure and go back to for the rest of my life. Valente writes with a style that is luscious but not flowery. Every sentence feels real and true, if that makes sense. The characters are not the plain vanilla good or evil that you find in most fairytales. Even September, the heroine, is a little selfish at times. She is not Dorothy, she is not Wendy. Nothing against them, but I like the cut of September’s jib much better. I prefer shades of gray. The creatures September meets are more than they appear to be. The Wyverary is half-Wyvern and half-library. Underneath his majestic presence, he’s figuring out who or what he is. The layers are subtly added under all of Fairyland. It’s more than a foreign place with marvels unheard of; it’s a foreign place with politics and oppression and a gritty underbelly that makes it feel real. September has to navigate through the inhabitants, the world, and a sea to complete her quest. Even though her journey is fraught with danger and the scary unknown, it is also filled with beauty. Valente’s creativity is mind-blowing. Really. Add to all of this some lovely art by Ana Juan, and I don’t know how you could resist. I’m glad I got to travel through Fairyland with September, and I think you will be, too.

September & the Wyverary by Ana Juan

If you have ever wished to be swept away to a magical place, if you enjoy words that drip with images, and if you need a little inspiration to say “yes,” – this book is for you. I could extend those qualifiers for at least a few paragraphs, so just go pick it up or get it from a library or download it to your e-reader.

Actually, I believe so heartily that everyone needs to read this book that I want to give you a copy. How do you enter? I’m going to follow the guidelines the author used in a giveaway she held.

Tweet about the book, blog about the book, write a note on Facebook, mention it somewhere publicly on the interwebs. CLARIFICATION: You do not have to link to this post, just promote the book itself.
Comment on this post with a link to said promotion by Friday, May 27 at 9pm PST.
Subscribe to comments on the post to see if you won.

That’s it! I’ll pick a winner from the comments using a random number generator the night of May 27. I’ll post the winner in the comments and you’ll need to contact me with your address.

For anyone that can’t wait, you can buy the book on Amazon:
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

Kessel Run Diaries: Wookiee Has Two E’s

2011-05-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

Do spelling mistakes in articles about Star Wars bother anyone else? I’m not faulting anyone for misspelling Wookiee in casual conversation. But. If you are writing an article for the internet or traditional media about Star Wars? Take the time to get it right. Vader hates spelling mistakes.

Please know that when I say I'm bothered, I don’t mean I'm angry. That would be sad. As a human being, I make spelling and grammar errors. Sometimes they slip past even though I’ve reviewed a post a dozen times.* Readers will use that one frakking comma you missed or that single misspelled word to claim that your entire argument is invalid. I don’t go to that extreme, but I can’t help but roll my eyes at windy tirades about “Lucasfilms.” I recognize that people can slip, but there is a difference between a one time mistake and spelling something wrong throughout an entire piece. If you’re taking the time to write about a subject, you obviously like it or you’re being paid to pretend you like it. Be professional and check to make sure you have Tatooine spelled right.**

But how can you check to make sure Kashyyyk has three y’s? Here are my tips:

- I find myself writing about The Clone Wars on a semi-regular basis. When I question the spelling of a character name, a planet, a plant, anything – I go to StarWars.com first. If I can’t verify it there, I search Google books and try to cross-reference anything I find on Wookieepedia. I also have reference books that I can turn to if I feel like walking across the room to get them (it's so far). It might be a little (or a lot) on the anal side, but I try to be correct. Once you verify it, add it to your word processing program’s dictionary. You can also make a separate reference list. It will save you time later.

- You can get every word just right, but what about when an editor changes your carefully researched essay on the Jedi Temple? Don’t be afraid to tell said editor that Padawan is indeed capitalized if one is using it within the context of the Star Wars universe. Provide reference in the form of a Star Wars book or StarWars.com. Argue with him or her if necessary. Remind your editor that you are a Jedi.

- Phone a friend. People are full of random trivia. You probably know someone that knows Star Wars in and out. I am lucky to know lots of these people. They are a great source for fact-checking.

- The most important tip I can offer: don’t assume. If you’re not 100% sure that you have it right, check it out. Use the Force. It’s totally meant to be used for academic purposes.

I’m going to try to organize a Star Wars spelling bee at the next celebration.

*And yes, I read this 100 times. I’m still paranoid that I missed a spelling error.
**This post is only half-serious. I'm not a Star Wars spelling tyrant. Promise.

Fantasy Novels that Map Their Way Into My Heart (or my favorite fantasy maps)

2011-05-17T20:10:00.000-07:00

For a person that can barely tell north from south, I sure can’t resist a pretty map. Old maps, cartoony tourist and amusement park maps, and fantasy novel maps - I could wallpaper a room with ones I've saved. My junior high U.S. history teacher made the entire class draw stacks of maps. She was exacting. Maps had to be the correct scale, labeled neatly, colored, and have all the right designations. A lot of people looked it as unfair torture. Me? I couldn’t believe this was homework. I loved sitting down with paper, freshly sharpened pencils, markers, and crayons. I took my time drawing rivers and printing names very tiny and nicely, and I always got high marks. Classmates accused me of brown-nosing, but really I liked replicating maps. It didn't have the teacher's desired effect; my geography skills are pitiful. But. I had fun.

It's still my favorite part of worldbuilding for stories or campaigns. First the maps and then the food. I'm working on adding characters into that mix.

I think one reason I find it so easy to fall into fantasy stories is because of the incredible maps that typically accompany them. What’s a world without a map to set destinations firmly in readers’ minds? I know that for some descriptions of the journey are enough, but I want to flip to the inside cover and follow the footsteps of my favorite character with my fingertip. It gives me a connection.

I've started to keep a virtual collection of maps. My favorites haven't changed over the years.
(You should really click to embiggen these images).

Middle Earth - From the rose to the forests to the rolling names - I adore it all. It's probably cliche to choose this as my absolute favor, but I don't think anyone will blame me. The geography of Middle Earth is crucial to the story. Readers should mark where the Fellowship travels, where they split, and all their different paths. I did this once by xeroxing a copy of the map from the books and using a different color for each character; I really wish I would have kept it. Other people do that, right? Right.

Westeros - Before HBO created a fabulous title sequence for Game of Thrones (yes, it grew on me) featuring the land of the Seven Kingdoms, we had the paper maps to drool over. The series A Song of Ice and Fire is rich in every aspect, and the map doesn't disappoint. It is one of just a handful of fantasy novel maps I've seen that vary from the layout of Middle Earth above. Again in this world, characters fighting for the throne and the people that have to follow them move all over the map. I would never attempt to trace footsteps because there just isn't enough room. Geographic features, manmade or natural, are almost characters themselves. The Wall plays a big role, and the Narrow Sea is mentioned over and over.

Randland - Unless it's happened in the last few books, I don't think the land where the Wheel of Time story takes place has an official name yet. Back in the days of the wotmania.com forums (I was a proud t-shirt owner), this sparked passionate conversations. Of course, most any topic did in those forums. Many fans, myself included, call it Randland. This map is a little overwhelmed with details but so is the series. It matches. I sometimes get it mixed up with Middle Earth, but I straighten myself out by remembering that in Randland, the Big Bad resides in the north. The piece I admire most on this map is the rose. It's woven with the series logo (for lack of a better word). Just lovely.

If you're ready to go off and play cartographer, here are a couple of pages that are worth checking out:
Fantasy Mapmaking 101
Map Creation Tutorial

Geeky Links of the Week

2011-05-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

Prelude to War by Bear McCreary - Bear McCreary plays Prelude to War (from Battlestar Galatica) solo on a piano. It will blow your mind.

Sci-Fi Ikea Manuals - If Ikea made instruction manuals for sci-fi equipment, these are what they'd look like. I particularly like that they included the "wibbly wobbly" component for the TJARDIIS.

32 Examples of Star Wars Graffiti - io9 rounds up some of the coolest Star Wars graffiti out there. Vader and AT-ATs seem to be the most popular subjects.

Douglas Adams on the internet - This piece is about the internet and change. It was written by Douglas Adams in 1999. It's brilliant and still relevant.

Mega Man Crochet Pattern - Use this pattern to make your very own adorable, 'lil Mega Man!

Japanese Song of Ice and Fire Covers - Beautiful Japanese covers that are a much better alternative than the plain covers the books have in the U.S. I don't think there are major spoilers in the covers, but to be on the safe side, you may not want to click through if you haven't read all the books yet.

Doctor Who Apron and Cookies - I want this TARDIS themed apron. Badly. The TARDIS and Weeping Angel cookies are lovely, too. I'd be too afraid of the Angel ones to make or eat them, though.

ComiCenter Episode w/ Me & Fab Geek Ladies

2011-05-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I was a guest with fabulous geek ladies Andrea Letamendi, Jenna Busch, and Sarah Kuhn on ComiCenter Live. We discussed "boobgate," stereotyping of geek girls, usage of the phrase geek girls, and a bevy of other topics. I am lucky to be friends with these smart and fantastic ladies!

Rambling Round-Up

2011-05-15T14:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some articles I've posted around the interwebs in the past two weeks!

Crafty Comic Book Storage - In my most recent column at ScienceFiction.com, I discuss how I store my pile of comics. It involves decoupaging (I know, it sounds like a dirty word).

How to Find Comic Books That You'll Love - In which I talk about how to find comics even if you don't want to read capes for NerdApproved.com.

Doctor Who Cosplay - The Companions - Remember my Geek Fab column at Pink Raygun? I still do. This week I gave instructions on how to put together a quick and dirty companion costume.

Star Tours Starspeeders Papercrafts - I point out a fantastic collection of papercrafts with some information on the Star Tours re-opening at NerdApproved.com.

Review: The Star Wars Craft Book - I review the fantastic Star Wars Craft Book for Tor.com. Go read why I think folks will enjoy this how-to book.

Characters I Love to Hate - Cersei Lannister - Why is Cersei Lannister so despicable? She's been softened a little in the Game of Thrones series, but it hasn't changed my feels about this cold, manipulative woman.

Comic Book Reviews:
Artifacts #7
Mouse Guard: The Black Axe #2

Kessel Run Diaries: How Will The Clone Wars End?

2011-05-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

Star Wars: The Clone Wars makes me a happy girl. It had me from the movie. In fact, it sort of pulled me back into the Star Wars universe. I can't get enough of the new characters and stories that the series has brought us in the past three years. It's becoming more sophisticated with each episode. The visual storytelling and written script have come so far since the film. Many of the episodes in season three achieved cinematic quality. The story has such big themes that I often forget it's technically a show for children. I mean, I'm an adult (or so my driver's license tells me) and I discuss the show with fellow grown-ups. I was somewhat jarred recently when I remembered that kids watch.

I bought a stack of Clone Wars Valentine's cards from Target. I forgot to pass them out – except for one. My boss's kid was nice enough to give me an adorable Cars themed Valentine, and I wanted to return the love. I picked out a Captain Rex card and sent it home with her. Then, for the first time, I thought about the kids. This little boy thinks Rex is the coolest and the greatest. He likes the clone troopers. What is he going to think when the inevitable Order 66 comes? What will the kids do with Dark side Anakin? I know people don't give enough credit to children. Maybe they can handle it. It seems harsh to me though. Adults know what is coming. At least, I think and hope they do. Anakin's destiny isn't a secret to us. Lots of kids know what's ahead, too. Ahsoka's fate, however, is a mystery.

I have no idea when the series will end, hopefully not for a long time, but I have hopes about Ahsoka. I know I'm not the first person to discuss this, but I don't want it to end badly for her. For the children and also for me. I adore that little Togruta. We know that Anakin has attachment issues. I believe Yoda assigned Ahsoka to Anakin because he thought a Padawan would help Anakin work through those issues. Anakin and Ahsoka exchanged a significant moment at the end of Wookiee Hunt (the season three finale). Anakin tried to apologize for letting Ahsoka get into such a bad situation. He is a friend of guilt after all. Ahsoka turns it around and tells him that if it wouldn't have been for all of his teachings, she wouldn't have been able to survive. She thanks him. It was far from a direct “I don't need you anymore, Master,” but it was a big step in their Master-Padawan relationship.

How will his attachment to her play out later when he embraces his anger and fear? I hope she happens to be on another planet far, far away. I'd like to see Ahsoka escape the Jedi massacre and live a long life. I mean, she'd be in hiding so the quality of that life is debatable, but she'd be alive. Since Order 66 was shown in episode III, I don't expect that it would be shown again in The Clone Wars. Maybe we'll see the aftermath? It could end as soon as Anakin puts on the helmet.

How do you think The Clone Wars series will end? What will Ahsoka's fate be? Leave your thoughts , hopes, and concerns in the comments.

Note: If you don't like The Clone Wars, simply move along without commenting. I want to know what fans think will happen, not debate the good/bad points of the series.

Addendum: It was totally Blogger's fault that this didn't go up as scheduled yesterday. I will be posting this column on Thursdays.

Game of Thrones Character & Relationships Infographic

2011-05-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

I've been watching Game of Thrones with friends every Sunday. There are four of us; half of us have read the book and the other two have saved themselves for the television show. After an episode ends, myself and the other reader tend to have excited conversations like this:
"Littlefinger is so perfectly cast."
"The Mountain isn't as big as I thought he would be."
"Did you see Renly?! And Ser Barristan the Bold?"
"Where has Ghost been?"
"Was that part with Theon like that in the books? I can't remember."

Every question is followed by the rest of the group saying, who is that? There are a lot of characters and because the stage is being set for many epic moments, the introductions are skipped or rushed. It's okay that you don't know each person and his or her relation to everyone else. Really.

However, a fabulous lady I know has made an infographic that shows the characters and how they fit in. Here's a peek at House Stark:

What I particularly love about this infographic is that she created it only based on the TV show. She hasn't read the books. She's updating this character and relationship map as the episodes air, so you don't have to worry about being spoiled. Genius, right? She's used information from HBO to fill in some blanks so you might see some character names that haven't come into the show yet - but I'd hardly call that spoilers. I would call this illustrated guide Game of Thrones for Dummies, but if I hadn't read the books, I know I would have a hard time keeping track of who is who.

Check out the Game of Thrones infographic in all it's detailed glory. If you find it useful, please pass the link along.

You can follow the creator of this illustrated guide on Twitter: @fabgeekling