Superheros Past their Prime

Italian artist Donald Soffritti gives us a glimpse into the future of our favorite super heros!

More Girls Gaming!

"Hey, lady gamers: your ranks are increasing. A study by the NPD Group has revealed that the number of female console gamers is on the rise, reaching 28% of the console userbase earlier this year"

Bastardi Senzagloria

Reblogged from Geek Tyrant, here's a look at an Italian poster for Inglorious Bastards, the new Tarantino flick. It looks sweeeeeet. What do you think?

Wii-habilitation & Doctor Training!

"The popular Nintendo Wii console offers video games that venture into the world of exercise, but scientists now are taking it further, to help doctors heal the body.

Playing with the Wii could help surgeons in training improve their fine motor skills and performance in a surgical simulator. Eight trainees were asked to play the Wii for an hour before performing virtual laparoscopic surgery with a tool that simulates a patient's body and tracks the surgeon's movements as he or she operates.

The Wii-playing residents scored 48 percent higher than others without the warm-up with the Wii, working faster and more accurately.

The Wii is also helping patients with Parkinson's disease gain or maintain their independence with physical activities. Occupational therapists at Medical College of Georgia are using the console with patients to help them exercise.

"One of the therapists uses the Wii for timing and loosening up, and the other uses it for coordination and balance issues," said researcher Ben Herz. "These therapists are thinking way out of the box. They're doing activities that will make a difference in these participants' lives based on what we know about Parkinson's."

Who knew the Wii would have so many real life applications? Read more about it!

Top 20 Modern Anime, Part III

Mike Sheridan = Otaku Kickassery- that's why he's back with Part III of his Anime list!

So we’re nearing the end. The following anime are the next to the last five series on the list. I must admit, it’s becoming difficult to narrow down the series. Along with the final five, the next post will contain a list of honorable mentions and runners up, which, depending on personal preference could have easily ended up on this top 20 list. I’m watching Berserk and Ergo Proxy as suggested by others, so if you have any suggestions, now is the time. In addition, I realize the series listed are fairly heavy, I’ll most definitely have a comedy or two on the last installment. I want to thank the hundreds of people who have followed this column and I hope you follow it till the end.


Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is many things; melodramatic, fan service ridden, and sometimes convoluted. However, with that said, Code Geass is intensely epic. The series contains grand battles, dramatic monologues, a riveting plot and beautiful character designs. But what sets Code Geass apart is its main character, Lelouch vi Britannia. Lelouch is the consummate Byronic-hero, consequently, he’s vastly different than other anime protagonists. Furthermore, Geass prompts an important question, and that is “can the ends justify the means?” Whatever your answer is Goro Taniguchi’s Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is epic, must see material.


Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad

The 26 episode anime series Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad isn’t like other series. Beck doesn’t contain giant robots, knights, grand fight scenes, senseless fan service or an unbelievable plot. Beck is simply a slice of life anime about a group of musicians who struggle to make it to the big time. The main character Koyuki is not overly amazing, nor fantastic. The cast is well developed and emotional undertones are conveyed wonderfully. Beck features an appropriate soundtrack, a good, original plot and a great dub cast. If you’re remotely interested in music or just like anime in general, Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad is the series for you.


The Twelve Kingdoms

Based of off the exceptional light novels of the same name, The Twelve Kingdoms deserves to represent the fantasy-based anime genre. The series contains Chinese mythology, a strong cast and a well developed land with an intricate political system. In addition, The Twelve Kingdoms is exceptionally beautiful, with some of the nicest hand drawn scenes I’ve scene to date. The Twelve Kingdoms is simply wonderful, with intense fight scenes, a politically charged plot and beautiful designs it’s certainly one of the best fantasy series in that anime has to offer.


Rah-Xephon

Often written-off as an Evangelion copy-cat Rah-Xephon is generally overlooked and under appreciated. Though similarities are present between the series, they’re significantly different. The series is essentially a story of love, a somewhat tragic story at that. Rah-Xephon’s main character, Ayato Kamina, develops considerably throughout, he slowly matures and realizes that he must accept his origins and face his responsibilities. Xephon features good artwork (exceptional animation for it’s time, re; 2001) an emotional/compelling/dramatic plot and some fascinating Mayan/Aztec mythology. If you want to watch an under appreciated, fantastic, yet heavy mecha series, Rah-Xephon is for you.


Death Note

Death Note is the famous series that chronicles the battle of wits between Kira Yagami and L. The series features dark, moody animation, a set of interesting characters (many of whom have their quirks) and an intensely riveting plot. In addition, Death Note boasts some great opening animation and songs. Behind all of the stylized action of Death Note is a philosophical thought provoking series?. Can the world be truly rid of evil? Is wiping out criminals and innocents worth a world that’s more peaceful? Death Note, the anime, is not as good as the manga, and has it’s short comings, however it most certainly deserves to rank among the best modern anime series.

What do you think of this list? Let us know!

Stained Glass Geekery!

Stained Glass has gone to the nerds...and it's kickass! I couldn't believe all of these awesome stained glass pieces found on Deputy Dog! Which one is your favorite?

WIN!

Your favorite comic characters- Simpsonized. Awesome.

If you can find a bigger version of this pic, let me know!

DO WANT

kittyinpinxhome has these in her Etsy store- Handmade and AWESOME!

Top 20 Modern Anime Series, Part II

Nerds, Geeks, Otaku! Mike Sheridan is back with the next 5 Anime as well as some additional info about his list!

I’d like to address some questions and clarify the nature of this list.

This list only contains series, not films.

Any eligible series must have been aired/produced starting in the mid 90s (i.e. during and post eva years).

The series must have been licensed for distribution in the United States/North America.
It has been suggested that I do a column for movies and one for series that haven’t been released in N.A. I’ll do so if these reviews continue to be successful.

I want your suggestions as what you want to see on the list! Just type a few sentences and the name of the series. Feedback on my writing is always appreciated. Lastly, these are mini-reviews; I try not to give much away about the series. Thanks! Again Questions and comments welcomed. PS: I know the below anime series aren’t light hearted, the next list will contain a comedy or two.


Mushi-Shi
Sometimes a medium fails and loses its appeal; anime is no exception. Plenty of series are mediocre, unoriginal, and just plain bad. But every once in a while a show will come along and re-kindle a viewer’s love for the medium. Mushi-Shi is that type of show. The travels of Ginko, an expert in Mushi related issues, are simply wonderful. Mushi-Shi is not about demon slaying, it’s not about good versus evil, it’s about finding harmony between man and mushi, or man and nature if you will. The series has an eclectic score, beautifully blended hand-drawn and cgi visuals, but most importantly, an original and thoughtful foundation. Mushi-Shi is a one of a kind anime and hopefully, it will remind you of why you liked the medium in the first place.

Last Exile
When the steampunk action-adventure anime Last Exile aired in the states (on G4), little attention was given to it. That’s a shame, for Last Exile is a noteworthy high-flying series. Produced by the illustrious studio Gonzo and featuring character designs from famed artist Range Murata, this series was beautiful for it’s time (2002) and still is. The main characters Claus Valca and Lavie Head aren’t the most original characters, but they’re interesting nonetheless. One of the other main characters, Alex Rowe, is a modern day Captain Harlock. Last Exile truly shines with its tight, coherent plot, and its aerial battles. Last Exile might have flown under the radar earlier, but it deserves a viewing by all anime fans.

Fullmetal Alchemist
Yes, Fullmetal Alchemist is a given for this list, but not just because of its popularity. The epic story of the Elric brothers is original, compelling, action-packed, coherent, and at times, moving (and really alchemy is cool). The cabal of main and supporting characters is wonderful. From Edward Elric to Greed, each character has a distinct personality. The fight scenes are thrilling and the designs are well crafted. It features an appropriate instrumental score and a great dub cast. At its core, FMA is about how far one will go to regain something that has been lost. Fullmetal Alchemist is a new classic, (let’s just hope FMA: Brotherhood doesn’t screw it over).



Paranoia Agent
As with all of Satoshi Kon’s other works, Paranoia Agent is brilliant. This 13 episode mini-series dives into the deepest and darkest recesses of the human mind. It’s surreal and slightly psychotic feel is one of a kind. Kon effectively distorts what is reality and what is delusion. All of the characters have something to hide, something they want to get away from; all are well developed. Paranoia Agent elicits important questions and social commentaries- how far would one be willing to go to avoid responsibility, culpability, pressures and emotional pain? Kon’s answers aren’t comforting, but aren’t completely morbid either. Many will not like or connect with this series. Nonetheless, Paranoia Agent is original, cerebral, surreal and deserving to stand with the best.

Kino’s Journey
In early 2004, a 13 episode miniseries named Kino’s Journey was released by ADV in the United States. It received a very quiet reception with only critics giving it attention. Just like its reception, Kino’s Journey is a very quiet and subtle series. The series isn’t epic, nor action packed and the graphics are good, but not outstanding. So what makes Kino’s Journey special? Its stories. The travels of Kino encompass 12 different lands (with two episodes focusing on one). Kino does not try to solve the nations’ problems; she only acts as an observer (for the most part). Numerous philosophical questions are raised about war, morality, censorship, tyranny and progress. Kino’s journey is a down to earth series that provokes timeless questions and thoughts.