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.

Top 20 Modern Anime Series, Part I

Today I bring you a Guest Blogger, the kickass Mike Sheridan! Mike is the Curator of Current.com's US Politics channel and general political junkie- but he has another, nerdier addiction as well- Anime! After watching over 60 series of modern Anime titles, Mike has come up with his list of the Top 20- this is Part I, the first Top 5!

Anime-it’s generally stereotyped as a fad; one that’s childish and dismissible. However, the world of anime is far greater and better than the misconceptions that are attached to it. Anime brings fantastic stories of demons and samurai, of flawed heroes and psychopathic villains, of giant mecha and fascinating characters. Japanese animation constantly pushes the bar for animation standards and creates magnificent works of art. At its best it can produce top-notch action, philosophical dilemmas, epic quests, and strikingly original plots. The below titles are, in my opinion, the crème de le crème of modern anime series. Popularity, originality, graphics, audio, plot, character development, funness and replay value were the major factors in assembling this list.

Rurouni Kenshin
Nobuhiro Watsuki’s epic story of a samurai (Himura Kenshin) seeking to atone for his past deeds has captured the hearts of many an anime fan. Kenshin sets a high bar for period dramas, and it’s one that’s rarely met. The series boasts a strong, coherent plot, a well developed set of characters and some of the best swordplay scenes in the anime world. The soundtrack is good, the first two seasons are faithful to the manga (skip the third season it’s just filler) and the comedy/action/drama balance is perfect. All of the characters have distinct personalities, each with their own code and sense of morality. The historical-fiction based series Rurouni Kenshin is the quintessential samurai anime and deserves a viewing by any fan interested in one man’s journey of conflict, friendship and atonement.

Neon Genesis Evangelion
In 1995 the anime known as Neon Genesis Evangelion made waves. It redefined the mecha genre with its psychologically broken characters, it’s strikingly original mecha designs, its Christian symbolism and it’s shockingly morbid ending. In addition, it utilizes classical/baroque music which is a rare pleasure in the world of anime. Evangelion has developed into a mutli-billion dollar franchise; it’s spawned two movies, an in-development Hollywood live-action adaptation and a re-make of the series. Though considered controversial and often over-hyped Neon Genesis Evangelion is a genre defining anime, and should not be missed by any anime fan.

Cowboy Bebop
Do I really need to tell you why Cowboy Bebop is on this list? Almost every American anime fan knows and respects the series and rightfully so. Bebop has it all, a cool jazzy soundtrack, a cast of kickass characters and a wholly accessible and interesting plot. It was [Adult Swim’s] first anime series and it’s still running. In addition, Bebop is credited for having popularized anime stateside. Simply put, Cowboy Bebop is one damn fine show that anyone can enjoy.

FLCL
From the staff that brought you Evangelion comes one heck of a mini-series. FLCL is many things; wacky, off-beat, in-coherent and most of all, highly original. The series, though only six episodes long is a must see. It has a wacky, yet lovable cast, a great alternative/rock soundtrack and a highly original plot (if you could call it a plot). On top of all of this FLCL has some top notch animation that’s derived from multiple classic animation styles (and you CAN’T forget those manga scenes). FLCL may not have the most intelligible plot but it makes up for that with comedy, great graphics and a zany set of characters.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Ghost in the Shell is one of the most recognizable franchises in anime. The production team adeptly transforms the classic cyber-punk movie into a top-notch series that has a striking amount of originality. GITS: S.A.C. features excellent graphics, a fitting soundtrack by the legendary Yoko Kanno and an excellent plot which has strong literary references to American author J.D. Salinger’s works. The core of the series discusses complex issues including corruption, political power and what makes one human. Though some complain it’s too complex and overly philosophical Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is, quite frankly, a masterpiece.

What do you think about this list? Sound off! And check back here for Mike's next 5, coming soon! You can check out more about Mike Sheridan on his blog, The Rationalist Review. Also, yell your nerd heart out at him by following him on Twitter!

GI Joe Movie Poster

Topless Robot calls this bad boy "an Ode to Awfulness", and makes a convincing argument as to why! Check out their assessment and tell me, what's yours?

The Interactive Dress

DO WANT- First year MIT Grad Student Nadya Peek created this hip and clickable dress!

"The scenario: a Netcitizen’s photo on his/her social network platform indicates ‘clickable’ areas on the person’s clothing. By clicking on these areas on the Website the information will be transmitted via smartphone and bluetooth to the piezo speaker in the garment indicating via a click sound someone clicked on the image letting the wearer know he/she feels close right now. A creative concept which would guaranty a lot of interaction and fun - I leave it to your imagination what else one could do with a clickable garment."

Obama Fighting Aliens

"It's not enough that he has to rescue the free world from capitalistic greed and global terrorism and global warming and uncontrolled immigration and even give a rousing commencement speech to seemingly sedated students at ASU most who were either a) of another political party or b) just want to start the night's binge drinking.

Now Obama has been drafted to fight aliens.

In a 48-page June issue of the comic "Drafted: 100 Days," Obama joins the fray in an intergalactic war between the human race and a mysterious alien force. The plot is set prior to the presidential election, actually, so Obama can focus on saving Earth without having to worry about, well, saving Earth."

Jim Lee and Joe Quesada in NYC

"Joe Quesada, editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, and Jim Lee creator/publisher of DC Comics' WildStorm Productions, will be co-Guests of Honor at "The 2009 National," October 16-18, 2009 at Pier 94 in Manhattan."

YES. It's been a long LONG time since I've been to a comic convention and I'm thinking this is the one to break my absence! I have about a million comics Jim Lee could sign but I can imagine what the lines will be like...

MORE awesome Lego stuff, this time from Etsy user Gr0glmann! I would rock this sweet geek gear all over the place!

That's Shady

These are awesome and I'm trying desperately to hunt down where you can buy them. They are apparently made by a company named Lynx Optique but they, and their website, are French. Perhaps I can just glue a few flat lego pieces to a pair of sunglasses and make my own?

For when you want to get Smurfed

Reblogged from Topless Robot which reblogged from The Beat, I bring you the Smurfette make-up case. I'm scared by the fact that I want this.

Best. Wedding Cake. Ever.

FTW!

May 2nd is Free Comic Book Day!

"Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores. *Check with your local shop for their participation and rules."

NES Mouse!

It looks awesome! Is it ergonomic? Not sure- but it sure screams "I'm a huge nerd"- which is something I like to scream!

WIN

YES! Your favorite game and mine, Marvel vs Capcom 2, is making a come back as a download available for the PS3 and XBOX 360! KICKASS!

Functioning Nintendo Purse!

Um...WHOA!

Dedicated to Mike <3

These super cute buttons are from Buttonempire and remind me of my fiancee and I. Awwwww. <3

Nintendo: 20 years of Awesome!

This is a documentary my friend Mai made for a class. I think it rules! Find Mai here!

All I have to say is LOL!!!

Top Ten Copycat Characters!

Ever notice that some comic book characters look just a wee bit...familiar? Or that the same powers are used over and over again? Here's my Top Ten!

10. Batman/Nite Owl II
Similarities: Animal themed suits, sweet secret lairs where they keep all their awesome technology, cool modes of transportation.
Who Came First: Batman- Nite Owl II was purposely molded after him!

9.Green Hornet/Spirit
Similarities: Crime fighters who wear suits, eye masks and hats. From the same era of detective style stories.
Who Came First: Green Hornet, who got his start as a radio show story in the 1940’s.

8. Lex Luthor/Kingpin
Similarities: Bald business men with bad intentions.
Who Came First: Lex, in “Action Comics” #23, who first appeared with a full head of red hair!

7. Darkseid/Thanos
Similarities: Otherworldly blue baddies with cosmic capabilities.
Who Came First: Darkseid appeared a slim 3 years before Thanos.

6. Brainiac/The Leader
Similarities: Villainous green guys with weird head gear.
Who Came First: Brainiac, giving Supes hell in “Action Comics“.

5. Plastic Man/Elongated Man/Mr. Fantastic
Similarities: Stretchy bodies. ’Nuff Said.
Who Came First: Plastic Man, created by a company called “Quality Comics” which was bought out by DC.

4. Green Arrow/Hawkeye
Similarities: Master marksmen who make crazy arrows, no other “superpowers” to speak of.
Who Came First: Green Arrow, in “More Fun Comics”, the FIRST publication from the company we know now as DC Comics!

3. The Flash/Quicksilver
Similarities: Running and thinking at super speeds.
Who Came First: The Flash, who once went by the nickname “Scarlet Speedster”.

2.Human Torch/Burnout
Similarities: Blonde haired bros with fiery tempers, flame powers and flight.
Who Came First: Human Torch, who is a reinvention of the Golden Age Human Torch who was actually an android!

1.Namor/Aqua Man
Similarities: Trident carrying Princes of Atlantis who spend their time talking to fish.
Who Came First: Namor, the “Sub-Mariner”, one of the very first superheroes ever!

Comic Book Curriculum

Comic books have struggled to be seen as a "legitamate" form of art and literature; books like Watchmen, Maus and Road to Perdition have helped the genre, but many people still wouldn't consider seeing them in a school setting. Tim Caron, an English Professor for California State is changing that!

"Good works of literature explore themes, ideas and emotions, he said.

'And you realize that comics have that same ability,' he said. 'So it is slowly gaining respect in the academy.'

Students in the class - called 'Show and Tell: From Comics to Graphic Novels' - analyze 14 graphic novels over the course of the one-year seminar.

They include what co-teacher Nhora Serrano - a CSULB professor in the Comparative World Literature and Classics Department - calls the "Big Three:" "Maus," Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight," and "Watchmen," the latter written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons." Get more of this story at it's original source!

R.I.P Dave Arneson

"Co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons and one of the founding fathers of the role-playing genre, Dave Arneson has passed away at the age of 61.

While the late Gary Gygax, who passed on a little more than a year ago, added fantasy elements to war gaming to create the basis for Dungeons & Dragons, it was Dave Arneson who took those rules and altered them to a point where instead of controlling large armies, players controlled a single character with a role to play, giving birth to the role-playing genre as we know it. It may have taken a 1979 lawsuit to get him listed officially as D&D's co-creator, but role-players around the world will always remember his contributions to gaming, both tabletop and otherwise."

Top Ten Superheroes withOUT Superpowers!

Ah, to be a Superhero- if only you came from another planet, or had a kickass mutation, or could get blasted with a good ole dose of radiation! Then you could get Superpowers and be beating up bad guys all day long!

What’s that you say? You don’t need powers to be a Superhero? That’s right! Before you jump in that nuclear reactor core, answer these questions: Are you a technological genius? Are you richer than Bill Gates? Do you have a spare lair to put various suits of armor in? Then you too could join the ranks of Superheroes withOUT Superpowers! Here’s my Top Ten!

10. Bluntman and Chronic
Kevin Smith writes my fantasy come true: stoners win the lottery and become superheroes! Sign me up! With no powers to speak of and a super agenda to save New Jersey, Bluntman and Chronic start my list off- P.S Kevin, if you need another addition to your team, I'm available!

9. The Spirit
Somewhere between pulp crime stories and superhero comics is The Spirit, fighting crime in a suit and mask. Will Eisner’s creative storytelling spanned multiple genres and his characters inspired many comic book creators including Frank Miller. The Spirit has been called "the only real middle-class crimefighter" - probably true, since most of the people on my list are billionaires!

8. Hawkeye
Yeah, he’s wearing a flamboyant purple costume, wanna fight about it? I wouldn’t; I tend to avoid situations that end with bows and arrows! So why is Hawkeye so low? This usually non-powered hero cheated for a time when he used Pym Particles to become Goliath. Why would you want to be more like Henry Pym? That’s a question even I can’t answer.

7. The Punisher
Marvel’s skull wearing weapons expert comes in at lucky number 7-not that he doesn’t kick serious ass, but that he is a far cry from the traditional sense of “Superhero.” From his conception, The Punisher was meant to be an “anti-hero”- he tortures, he kidnaps, he kills- all with no real remorse. Since he has usually been on the side of good, I say it counts!

6. Nite Owl II
No one from the Minute Men had real superpowers except of course for Dr. Manhattan- but were they all “superheroes“? While characters like Rorschach and The Comedian walked a villainous line, Nite Owl II stayed true to the concept of what a Superhero was supposed to be, complete with cave like dwelling, suits for different environments and animal themed transportation. He would have been higher on the list if he had spent more time crime fighting and less time being…well, a huge nerd.

5. Green Arrow
Don’t let the fact that he looks like a Renaissance Fair worker fool you- Ollie is quite the inventor, filling his quiver with everything from exploding arrows to ones with boxing gloves on them. He gets points for being part of groundbreaking story lines, like his sidekick being addicted to drugs (his name was SPEEDY after all!)

4. Blue Beetle (Ted Kord)
Who wouldn’t want to descend from their bug shaped craft via steel cable, light gun blinding enemies before you launch into a flying kick and knock them out? That’s Blue Beetle’s MO, relying only on his genius and athleticism to defeat his foes while providing the reader with some comedic relief!

3. The Phantom
The Phantom set a lot of standards for Superheroes. From a modest beginning as a comic strip, he started both the skin tight spandex trend as well as the pupil-less eye mask style. Not to mention the concept of new heroes taking over where others have left off- there have been at least 20 generations of Phantoms who have donned the costume and sworn their lives to “the destruction of piracy, greed, cruelty, and injustice, in all their forms.”

2. Iron Man
Oh Tony Stark, you sly dog! Who else can get away with being an wealthy, arrogant, boozehound weapons manufacturer yet still be loved by billions? It’s gotta be the suit- of armor, that is, and the best damn one in comic book history. Iron Man is constantly up to date on the newest technology (most of the time he’s inventing it!) and rich enough to afford anything he wants, putting him just shy of the number one spot.

1. Batman
Who else? Batman is the poster boy for the “powerless” superhero- he may have a dark side and some questionable methods, but uh…it’s fucking BATMAN. ‘Nuff said.

Because your walls are lame!

Geek out your room with Space Invader decals from loudmouthprinthouse - they are vinyl, so they can be easily placed and removed AND they last for years. Perfect for the game room in my dreams!

Superpowers: Comics and Politics

If you woke up tomorrow with superpowers, what would you do? Would you dedicate your life to the betterment of mankind? Would you plot domination to rule the world? Would you attempt to ignore your powers and live a normal life?

In comic books and movies, superpowers usually refer to an individual’s abilities; strength, flight, invincibility. However this is the real world- genetic mutations impair us, radiation makes us sick, and no alien beings have come to earth (yet.) We still have superpowers though- I’m talking about the “superpowers of the world”- the countries around the earth who’s influence, economy and authority shape global events everyday.

America has long been known as a superpower. Is it any wonder then that we are the producer of so many stories where super powered beings struggle with their might? Perhaps “With great power comes great responsibility” is not just the motto of our pop culture heroes but the concept of our foreign policy as well. We have the largest economy in the world, the largest military in the world and the largest notoriety in the world, thus, the question has been asked again and again: what level of involvement should America have in other countries? To what extent should we impose our will for what we believe to be right, good, and true?

When George W Bush had declared Iraq, Iran and North Korea an “Axis of Evil”, he stirred imagery that’s deeply ingrained in American society. Evil needs to be fought back by the forces of good- it’s why Captain America fought the Nazis, why Batman fights the Joker, why the X-Men fight Magneto, even if they are misunderstood, criticized and hated by others. The battle of good vs. evil is so prevalent in humanity’s history is has been called a “universal part of the human condition.”

We have entered a new era now, with an administration that is trying to set a different course for America. President Obama has abandoned the idea of the “Axis of Evil” and even the terminology “enemy combatant”- but this obviously does not mean the end of war nor the end of our self imposed responsibility to the rest of the world. The question isn’t “Will we continue to fight for what’s right and good”, it’s an exploration of what IS right and good to begin with.

As everyone with super powers has had to do, we have to reevaluate our methodology, principals and place on this planet. As everyone with super powers has been, we are challenged to find new resolve in an ever changing reality that questions, critiques and confronts us. We could use our power purely for self benefit, as Spiderman attempted to when he first realized his abilities. We could declare ourselves superior and kill those we deem a threat, as Magneto and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants do. We could shirk the responsibly, as Superman does when he retreats to the Fortress of Solitude. More probable though is that we will continue the battle of good vs. evil, whatever that should mean to us at this particular point in our history.

So I ask again to you, the reader: What would you do?


“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met.”
-Barack Obama

“Sometimes I feel like I'm out there fighting all alone. Sometimes I feel like giving up. But, then I remember that what I stand for is more important than anything else.”
-Superman

“Together, you and I will identify and confront America's problems. Together we will figure out what we are and what we can be. Together we will define the American dream and make it an American reality."
-Captain America

Comic Book Box!

I'm happy to say that the cool thing I bring you today is made by ME! Hurray! I used real comic books to collage this box, painted the inside red and put felt on the bottom. I recycled old or damaged comics- trust me, I wouldn't DREAM of cutting up most of my comic collection!

You can get this box on my Etsy, or holler at me for customized orders! They are only $5! Tell me what you think of them!

Obamamania!

What happens when you change the face of history as we know it? You get immortalized as collectable products, that’s what!

President Barack Obama has shown up in some pretty nerdy places lately. We saw him make an appearance in Marvel Comic's Amazing Spider-Man #583 where he gives the webcrawler a fist bump- awesome for President Obama, who admittedly collects Spider Man comics!

Then we have the Obama action figure, complete with a change of ties, hand gestures and… light sabers? OK, maybe that’s some fanboy’s add on, but the possibilities are endless!

Coming up this month, Wizard will be giving away an Obama card from Topps with their 212 issue (out April 29th) You can get full Obama trading card sets from the Topps website, featuring moments from his childhood all the way up to the historic election- there’s even a “Rookie Card” of Obama when he played Basketball!

Do you know of another way Obama has been personified in geekery? Let me know!

Wii Spray

Turn my Wii-mote into a spray can? DO WANT! Sadly (for me because I wish I could go buy one right now!) it is the hack brainchild of an art student in germany for his thesis- maybe Nintendo will hire him to make one for real? I'd go crazy for something like this, what about you?

Super Spanking: Bad Girls Beware!

I found these images by accident (though you probably don't believe that!)- Just like old movies and television shows frequently showed women being spanked for questionable behavior, many Silver Age comics did the same thing! Superman was known to put a bad girl or two over his knee back in the day- even Bats gets in on the action while a photographer snaps a picture in the background. Kinky!
I guess even in the days of the Comic Book Code, OTK was OK! What would happen if images like this were produced in mainstream comics today?

Top Ten Comic to Movie Character Portrayals

Casting for comic book favorites is a difficult job, and we’ve probably seen more misses than hits - but who’s the best of the best?

Here are my picks! I narrowed them down by considering importance of the role to comic book fans, impact of the character on popular culture, difficulty of the role itself, accuracy in design and look and general performance. I really want feedback, let’s get our nerd on!

I also researched and designed the comparison graphic, so please give me your opinion of that as well!

10. Brandon Lee as The Crow (The Crow)
Why so low on the list? Because I don’t think it’s particularly hard to look like The Crow- black eye make-up, black clothing, dirty emo hair. Despite this, Brandon Lee did a great job bringing a cult comic into the mainstream and his mysterious death while playing the role sealed his association with the character.

9. Thora Birch as Enid (Ghost World)
Nerdy, artistic and angsty, Enid is the poster girl for alternative pop culture cool. Thora Birch pulled it off perfectly, from the scathing dialogue to the fangirl punk outfits. Unfortunately, she’s the only chick on my list!

8. Gerard Butler as King Leonidas (300)
300 kicked some serious ass and they couldn’t have chosen better that Gerard Butler to lead the bloodshed. He nailed it, and for better or worse had you and your friends screaming “This is SPARTA!” at any given moment.

7. Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man (Iron Man)
Robert Downey Jr revived his career with the role of this alcoholic billionaire in body armor. Iron Man is the type of movie that could very easily been another pile of comic based crapola, but well done special effects and fantastic casting saved it, especially with the RDJ at the helm!

6. Patrick Wilson as Nite Owl II (Watchmen)
Watchmen the movie may be highly debated among fans, but I’d be surprised to hear anyone say that Patrick Wilson didn’t portray Dan Dreisberg to a T- from impotent and geeky in the beginning of Watchmen to more self assured and strong when he reembraces his masked persona.

5. Patrick Stewart as Professor X (X-Men)
Professor X is the heart and soul of the X-Men- a bad casting choice could have easily left the entire movie in the trash. Fortunately we got bald and badass Patrick Stewart who turned us all into True Believers!

4. Mickey Rourke as Marv (Sin City)
Seeing the comparison between comic Marv and movie Marv makes you wonder if Frank Miller was writing the character for Mickey Rourke! He had the look and also the voice that we all imagined Marv would have while reading Sin City! Comic book fans are notoriously hard to please, but I know of very few fanboys who had bad words for Frank Miller’s masterpiece.

3. Heath Ledger as The Joker (The Dark Knight)
Some people think that Heath Ledger’s performance as Joker was over hyped due to his tragic death, but I’ll have to vehemently disagree! Heath did what very few actors can do with such an important comic book role- he took the main elements of what made The Joker the perfect villain, updated it for a modern audience and essentially reinvented the role! From the first “Do you want to see a magic trick?” scene to the last “I have a feeling we’ll be doing this forever”, Heath Ledger inspired a generation of Joker fans.

2. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine (X-Men)
Wolvie is THE quintessential badass character; he is an anti-hero, technically part of a Superhero team yet wild, rebellious and animalistic. He’s so important to the X-Men story and general fans that when barely known Hugh was first cast complaints like “He’s too tall” and “What about the hair?” were rampant. However there was no longer any doubts when the movie came out- Hugh Jackman IS Wolverine. The role made him an instant star and accomplished the daunting task of making fans -who had waited over a decade for the X-Men movie- happy!

1. Christopher Reeve as Superman (Superman)
Superman is probably the most well known comic book character in history; he’s globally recognized and loved! When it comes to movies, not just any Superman will do- Christopher Reeve is everyone’s definition of Superman from the geekiest critic to the general public. Not only was the first Superman a huge hit when it came out, it has retained it’s place among best comic book movies of all time (it even has a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes!) No one has been able to touch Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of the number one Superhero in the world since he appeared on screen in 1978- and until they do, Christopher Reeve as Superman will stand as the number one BEST comic-to-movie character adaptation.

DO WANT

Zombie High Heels. 'Nuff Said!

The Art of Star Wars

You've seen Wolverine done by the masters, now check out another nerd classic- Star Wars!

"It's no secret that the Something Awful Forum Goons love inserting Star Wars references into things, and this week that love runs wild and untamed. Using classic art as their canvas, they, uh, paint in Star Wars references. If you enjoy the wonders of art and/or the darling antics of beepy robots and outer space wizards, this Phriday is for you!"