Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Unflattening - Nick Sousanis
|
|||
The primacy of words over images has deep roots in Western culture. But what if the two are inextricably linked in meaning-making? In this experiment in visual thinking, drawn in comics, Nick Sousanis defies conventional discourse to offer readers a stunning work of graphic art and a serious inquiry into the ways humans construct knowledge. |
get it now at https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/unflattening/id1124007405?mt=11&uo=2&partnerId=11&at=1010ldoE
V for Vendetta - Alan Moore & David Lloyd
|
|||
A new edition of the graphic novel that inspired the hit movie! A powerful story about loss of freedom and individuality, V FOR VENDETTA takes place in a totalitarian England following a devastating war that changed the face of the planet. In a world without political freedom or personal freedom, and precious little faith in anything, comes a mysterious man in a white porcelain mask who fights political oppressors through terrorism and seemingly absurd acts. It's a gripping tale of the blurred lines between ideological good and evil. |
get it now at https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/v-for-vendetta/id556764838?mt=11&uo=2&partnerId=11&at=1010ldoE
10 BEST Superhero Comic Book-Based Movies of ALL TIME
via The Nerd Machine
http://www.newsarama.com/15376-10-best-comic-book-based-movies-of-all-time.html
Game Review: Almost Got ‘Im
That Time We Almost Got Batman. Oh Wait, We Did Get ‘Im.
We’ve been trying to push a little bit more of boardgame content on the website, and when we learned that Cryptozoic was publishing a Batman themed Mafia style card game, we knew it was a sign that we had to play it, the only way we know how: Nerd HQ style–A bunch of NERDS, dressed up as Batman villains playing Cryptozoic’s “Almost Got ‘Im”, all while a 360 camera at the center of the table recorded the whole thing. Because that’s just what we do.
If you’ve ever played social deduction games like Mafia, Werewolf or Resistance, you know what the game is about. It has that built in mechanic of treachery that we all know and love–or love to hate. The awesome people at Cryptozoic took that mechanic and themed it as the Batman: The Animated Series episode entitled ‘Almost Got ‘Im’ (s2e18) where the Joker, Killer Croc, Two Face, Poison Ivy and Penguin all tell their own story about that time they almost defeated the Caped Crusader while playing a friendly game of poker. Little did they know that one of them was actually Batman in disguise.
Each player takes the role of one of the thirteen villains available, which grants a once-per-game ability and a secret role that’s not to be revealed. Simple and easy. One of the players will receive a Batman in Disguise card instead of a secret role. The flow of the game is easy as well: the villains need to take Batman down using a very democratic and civilized voting system while the Dark Knight tries to survive long enough to subdue 2-3 villains (depending on the number of players).
To take it a step further, the game includes an interesting poker mechanic, where you can only use your secret ability if you have the correct hand (poker, flush, two pair, etc.) during the Blackout (the game’s version of the Night phase), which makes the game trickier. Now, if playing with nerds that are too familiar with the social deduction games named before, this tactical shift to the game’s strategy might be overlooked (believe me, it happened to us) but it really brings a different flavour to the all well-known mechanics. For instance, you can try and block whoever you suspect of being Batman from getting that Two Pair, since without it he will not be able to use his “Choose a player to Subdue” ability. That’s a game changer. Literally.
Talking about subjugation, there is something worth mentioning. In Almost Got ‘Im, when a player is subdued he or she is not out of the game. The only downside of being subdued is that you are no longer able to use neither your character’s ability nor your secret role’s ability. That means that, even after subjugation (which means that either Batman got you or your fellow villains didn’t trust you at all) you can still talk, vote, cast suspicions, etc. That may seem like it’s not fair play. This rule surely increases the difficulty for meeting Batman’s objective considerably, and I could agree to the argument that it makes the game too asymetrical, but the game is still balanced enough to make it interesting to both villains and hero. In the game we played, Batman almost got us!
All in all, we had a blast, especially because we decided to theme the night by cosplaying (or whatever the cheap version of cosplaying is) as each of the villains. It sounds odd, but it increased the value of the experience. You cannot forget the night you dressed up like Two Face and had an argument with Poison Ivy about if she was Batman or not. You just can’t.
#VivaLaNerdolution!
We want to thank Cryptozoic for sending us a review copy of Almost Got ‘Im!
David Casares
via The Nerd Machine
http://www.nerdhq.com/game-review-almost-got-im/
When THOMAS Met BRUCE: Geoff Johns’ ‘The Button’ To Reunite Father & Son BATMANS?
via The Nerd Machine
http://www.newsarama.com/33909-thomas-wayne-to-meet-bruce-wayne-the-button-teases-father-son-reunion-rebirth-watchmen-answers.html
Everything We Know About Wonder Woman
By Jaclyn Cascio (@jaclynator)
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice introduced us to the exotic and mysterious Wonder Woman, and soon she will be starring in her own solo film in the DCEU. We know she can hold her own with the big boys, but now we will have the chance to see exactly how the strong woman became the warrior we saw fighting alongside other DC heroes. With Women’s History Month wrapped up, let’s take a look at what we know about the female led super-hero(ine) film, Wonder Woman.
If you’ve been waiting for Diana Prince to grace the cinema screens, you know the journey to get Wonder Woman on the big screen began more than 20 years ago, in 1996. A line-up of writers, directors, producers, actors, and actresses came and went, but a film about the super-heroine never seemed to get off the ground (not even when Joss Whedon gave it a go)! Fortunately for us, the efforts continued and paid off. With director Patty Jenkins (Monster) at the helm, (taking the job in 2015 after Michelle MacLaren left the project as a director due to creative differences) the screenplay by Allan Heinberg and Geoff Johns will come alive on our screens this summer.
The story by Allan Heinberg, Zack Snyder, and Jason Fuchs introduces old and new viewers to the origins of Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman will take us back to WWI (not WWII as comic book readers might expect) and the island of Themyscira. Our heroine (played by Gal Gadot) is the daughter of Zeus and is training to become a fierce warrior on an island ruled by her mother Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen). She learns to fight like General Antiope (Robin Wright) and Antiope’s lieutenant Menalippe (Lisa Loven Kongsli). But everything changes when American pilot Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crashes on the island. He brings news of the “world of man,” including a terrible war ravaging the world. The war might be more complicated than originally believed, with Ares, the god of war (David Thewlis), posing as Sir Patrick Morgan, a peace advocate on the war council. Believing she can bring the war to an early end, the intrepid heroine leaves her home of Themyscira with Trevor, takes the identity of Army nurse Diana Prince, and becomes Wonder Woman.
Produced by Charles Roven, Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, and Richard Suckle, Wonder Woman began principal photography in November 2015, filming in locations like London, France, and Italy. In May 2016, filming of Wonder Woman wrapped and post-production began, giving individuals like composer Rupert Gregson-Williams (Hacksaw Ridge) time to make their additions to the PG-13 movie.
Wonder Woman doesn’t just star Gal Gadot and Chris Pine as their characters venture into the world (and have a chance to find love). There’s plenty of fun supporting cast too! Danny Huston (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) will play the role of German General Erich Ludendorff while Elena Anaya will be Maru/Doctor Poison, a mad scientist (as they all seem to be in comic books) specializing in chemistry, specifically poisons. Eugene Brave Rock will play a character named Chief, and some of the Amazons will be played by Mayling Ng, Florence Kasumba, Madeleine Vall, Anne Wolfe, and Doutzen Kroes.
Meanwhile, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) has quite the posse, with Lucy Davis as Etta Candy, Trevor’s loyal and comical secretary who befriends Diana. Sameer, Trevor’s master of disguise and spy ally is played by Saïd Taghmaoui while Ewen Bremner plays Charlie, another ally who is a sharp-shooter who loves alcohol just a little too much.
That’s everything we know so far about the project. Get ready to see DCEU’s first female superhero led movie when Wonder Woman hits the screens in the U.K. and U.S. in 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D on June 2, 2017. For more updates, follow the film’s official Twitter page (@wonderwomanfilm) or check out the official website at www.wonderwomanfilm.com.
admin
via The Nerd Machine
http://www.nerdhq.com/everything-we-know-about-wonder-woman/
Best Shots Reviews: X-MEN - GOLD #1, BATMAN #20, RIVERDALE #1
via The Nerd Machine
http://www.newsarama.com/33908-best-shots-reviews-x-men-gold-1-batman-20-riverdale-1.html
CIARAN HINDS Opens Up On His Role As JUSTICE LEAGUE's STEPPENWOLF
via The Nerd Machine
http://www.newsarama.com/33907-ciaran-hinds-opens-up-on-his-role-as-justice-league-s-steppenwolf.html
Indie Comics Spotlight: Beautiful Canvas #1, Doc Savage: The Ring of Fire #1 , and Agent 1.22 #1
By: Jonathan Pilley (@omnicomic)
Beautiful Canvas #1
“…go kill someone and I’ll give you lots of money.”
The life of an assassin can be a glamorous one at times. Other times though, the weight of the assassination can weigh pretty heavy on the assassin. Further complicating that weight is if the assassin has a life outside of assassinations like Lon Eisley in Beautiful Canvas #1 from Black Mask Studios. The issue is written by Ryan K. Lindsay, illustrated by Sami Kivela, colored by Triona Farrell, and lettered by Ryan Ferrier.
Lon Eisley is a hitwoman hired to kill a small child a few days after discovering her girlfriend is pregnant. In a bold declaration of uncertainty, she saves the boy and hits the road, despite the fact her boss clearly wanted him dead for a reason. This warped crime dystopia delves into the emotional dichotomy of creator/destroyer as Lon tries to connect the two very different worlds she now inhabits.
There’s a lot to unpack in Beautiful Canvas #1, but fortunately for readers, Lindsay has a very good handle on things. The issue starts off as a pretty simple hit job that quickly devolves into a broader message about reconciling being a parent with being a person. Lindsay emphasizes that split with rapid-fire dialogue throughout the issue that doesn’t really give the reader a second to catch up. What makes Beautiful Canvas #1 even more intriguing is a pretty big swerve about three-quarters of the way through that Lindsay handles flawlessly. Lindsay’s direction is very bold, but he’s garnered enough trust in readers to plan on him seeing things through in a way that will ultimately make sense.
There’s really no other way to say it: Kivela’s artwork is brilliant. He presents linework that is very intricate and concise, showcasing a wide variety of characters and locales with relative ease. There’s a subtle simplicity throughout the book that he uses to great effect; the most notable of which is the innocence with which the small child is illustrated. Panels are staggered and stacked in a way that lends to the frenetic life Lon leads as a hitwoman, giving Kivela a chance to offer a dizzying array of perspectives. Farrell’s colors are bold in a way that they don’t jump out at the reader.
Beautiful Canvas #1 is a solid first issue that sets up a lot for the miniseries. Lon is a very capable and skilled assassin who’s a little out of her element in much the same way that Léon was out of his element in The Professional. Lindsay’s script is very well-thought out and demonstrates an attention to the end-game. Kivela’s illustrations are gorgeous and effectively carry the visual weight of the dialogue. Beautiful Canvas #1 is an emotion-filled first issue that toys with quite a few societal expectations of women, children, and men.
Beautiful Canvas #1 is available June 28.
Doc Savage: The Ring of Fire #1
“That’s quite a dream, but as you can see, I’m not burned to ashes.”
Adventuring has its ups and downs, but you can’t really complain about the travel. And when you’re traveling to exotic locales in search of missing heroes while being one of the most renowned adventurers in the world is even better. In Doc Savage: The Ring of Fire #1 from Dynamite Comics, Doc Savage is that adventurer. The issue is written by David Avallone, illustrated by Dave Acosta, colored by Morgan Hickman, and lettered by Taylor Esposito.
1938: Amelia Earhart is missing, volcanoes are going off under US Navy bases, Silver Death’s Heads are trying to kill Doc Savage, and FDR is quite concerned about all of this.
Doc Savage is a hero from a different time and Avallone ensures that Doc Savage: The Ring of Fire #1 is full of plenty of that characterization. He spends a portion of the issue setting the stakes for the characters while also giving readers unfamiliar with Doc Savage an insight into how he operates. Doc Savage is a very bright and resourceful adventurer with a direct line to the President, yet Avallone expresses that in a way that’s more matter of fact. And getting to the meat of the story as indicated by the title in Amelia Earhart’s disappearance takes some patience, but Avallone gets there in a way that dovetails nicely with a larger plot. The plot is pretty standard for Doc Savage, but there will likely be some twists and turns throughout as Avallone gets into it deeper.
Acosta’s illustrations are a perfect fit for the tone of the character and the story. He gives each character an appearance that feels more rooted in reality and the physiology of human physiques, emphasizing the characters in ways that ground them in reality. Doc Savage especially is illustrated as more man than myth in in the issue as Acosta reinforces his impressive stature without going overboard. Characters are very expressive and Acosta focuses plenty on their facial features to convey a variety of emotions depending on the situation. And Hickman’s colors sport a wear to them that’s reminiscent of a newspaper strip from decades ago.
There’s not a lot of action in Doc Savage: The Ring of Fire #1, but business is sure to pick up sooner than later. Doc Savage is more than capable of getting through any situation regardless of how difficult it is and those traits will surely be on display throughout the series. Avallone’s grasp of the character is fantastic and reflects a knowledge of what makes Doc Savage tick. Acosta’s artwork is great and portrays Doc Savage as a person who’s a cut above the rest, but not so much that he seems to be immortal. Doc Savage: The Ring of Fire #1 is a very solid first issue that gives new readers and old a look at one of comic’s most durable characters.
Doc Savage: The Ring of Fire #1 is available now.
Dollface #1
“I have so much more to give.”
There’s an inevitability to the future that we’ll have robots. These robots will either help or hurt us and some of them will even become capable soldiers and spies. Agent 1.22 in the aptly named Agent 1.22 #1 is one of those robots. The issue is written by Stephan Nilson, illustrated by Doug Shuler, and lettered by Charles Pritchett.
Agent 1.22 goes to Phobos to retrieve Project Vulcan from an outpost ravaged by the Tempest Virus. While there she must choose between the mission and a man.
Nilson’s script is packed with plenty of dialogue that lends itself well to a science-fiction story. There are pretty standard players throughout and Agent 1.22 is characterized more by her actions and less by her words. The other characters speak with an emphasis on the emotion behind their words – it’s as if Nilson was worried something like sarcasm wouldn’t come through with the dialogue alone. Nilson infuses much of the dialogue with examples of over-explaining things in a way that ensures the reader picks up on the nuances of the conversations. The larger story is pretty interesting though despite some of the dialogue issues as Nilson has a larger universe in mind that he’s working towards.
Shuler relies on a CGI look for the artwork that gives the book more of a video game feel. All of the characters look relatively clean in this style and Shuler manages to make the panels work as if they’re freeze-frames from a longer movie. Because of the art style though, there are also moments where characters look very rigid and unnatural, perhaps owing to the uncanny valley. And while most of Shuler’s perspectives are sound, there are a few panels that feel a little gratuitous in how they showcase Agent 1.22’s physique. The colors are futuristic and finish the artwork off with a sheen as well.
Agent 1.22 #1 is an homage to science-fiction tales of the past. Agent 1.22 is an efficient agent capable of holding her own regardless of the opponents. Nilson’s plot is straightforward and features a good mix of narrative and action. Shuler’s artwork is very heavy on the CGI component and lends itself well to the atmosphere. Agent 1.22 #1 will definitely appeal to readers looking for a good comic set in space.
Agent 1.22 #1 is available now.
admin
via The Nerd Machine
http://www.nerdhq.com/indie-comics-spotlight-beautiful-canvas-1-doc-savage-the-ring-of-fire-1-and-agent-1-22-1/
More SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING Suit Gadgets Revealed - Including Onboard A.I.
via The Nerd Machine
http://www.newsarama.com/33906-more-spider-man-homecoming-suit-gadgets-revealed-including-onboard-a-i.html
World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume 2 - Blizzard
|
|||
Blizzard Entertainment and Dark Horse Books are thrilled to present the next installment of the wildly popular  World of Warcraft Chronicle  series. Volume 2 will reveal more sought-after details about the game universe's history and mythology. Showcasing lush, all-new artwork from fan favorites such as Peter Lee, Joseph Lacroix, and Alex Horley, this tome is sure to please all fans--casual and collector alike. |
get it now at https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/world-of-warcraft-chronicle-volume-2/id1205245990?mt=11&uo=2&partnerId=11&at=1010ldoE
10 Questions With C2E2’s Event Manager Mike Negin
by Gwendolyn Y. McNutt, CSEP (@gmcnuttplans)
With the announcement that Nerd 001 will be attending the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo or C2E2 this year, I couldn’t wait to start writing this series of articles about the event. As an event professional, I am always interested in learning about the process of other event planners and what makes each cog in their wheel run smoothly. In addition, I’m fascinated by entertainment conventions, as they combine two of my greatest loves – event planning and superheroes. C2E2 is a comic book and pop culture convention covering the world of comics, movies, television, toys, video games and more. The show consists of exhibitors, panels, photo and autograph opportunities and special screenings. C2E2 has been in Chicago since 2010; and will be held April 21-23, 2017 in the South Building at McCormick Place.
#Disney fans! #Thor fans! #Chuck fans!!! @ZacharyLevi is coming to Chicago for #C2E2 in 2 weeks! https://t.co/5Fc2eC5uAz pic.twitter.com/7e9a2uumO7
— C2E2 (@c2e2) April 4, 2017
Recently, I had a chance to chat with Mike Negin, C2E2’s Event Manager to gain some insight on the event and what’s coming to the show in 2017. Here are 10 questions with C2E2’s Mike Negin.
How long have you been the Event Manager for C2E2?
I’ve only been the event manager for C2E2 for 6 weeks! Previous to this, I was the ReedPOP Artist Alley and Talent Coordinator on the comic side for C2E2 and New York Comic Con.
Event planning is a crazy business, how did you get into it?
I’m a lifelong comic fan. I’ve been collecting comics for over 30 years (I’m an old man). I’ve always wanted to be in the industry and I can’t write and I can’t draw; but I can definitely coordinate. I became very interested in the talent and the creators and started building relationships there a long time ago; and then it turned into the Artist Alley position. I got a taste of event coordination through that. We’ve had some of the largest Artist Alley’s in the industry. It’s a lot of fun. It’s a lot of stress; but it’s also a lot of fun.
What would you be doing if you weren’t an event planner?
Believe it or not before this, I was an IT Project Manager for the City University of New York. I did that for over 10 years and I was in the IT Industry for 25 years. This was always something I had done on the side; but it was a passion of mine. The opportunity finally arose for me to do it full-time and I took it. It’s a dream job.
Can you tell me something that makes C2E2 special? What sets it apart?
One of the reasons that I love the show, and one of the things that sets it apart is the sense of community among the fans. There is such an amazing vibe on the show floor. All the fandoms come together into a big giant melting pot; and everyone just appreciates each aspect of the show. I love the way it all it comes together. They come for one fandom and gain a new appreciation for another one. The sense of community is the biggest thing for me. I love the fans in Chicago and I love the fans of C2E2.
What’s new this year at the show? What are you most looking forward to?
We hold the Global Championships of Cosplay at C2E2 each year; and this year, one of the new features we’ve added is “Cosplay Central” on the show floor. We’ll have some professional cosplayer signings and photo ops, workshops and panels related to cosplay. Another new thing we’re doing is to bring “Family HQ” on to the show floor as well. This year, instead of being separated, it will be more present with the rest of the show. And, we’ve added a lot more family friendly programming for the show. We like to be family focused and kid centric where we can be.
Speaking of cosplay, are you a cosplayer? And, what cosplay are you looking forward to seeing this year?
No, I’m not a cosplayer; but I’m not beyond wearing a cape whenever I get the chance. I’m a tremendous Superman fan, so if I get to put on a cape, it doesn’t take much. I do love cosplay though. And my last name is Negin (pronounced NA-gan) which is a little bit like Negin (pronounced NEE-gan) from the Walking Dead. So, I always get cheap thrill when I see a Negin on the floor. I try to get a picture with them. It always makes me laugh. I get a thrill out of that and the character. I’ve been called Negin (NEE-gan) most of my life.
How does the show use technology and social media to enhance the experience of show?
One of the things we’re really proud of is the mobile app that we use for the show. The fans download the mobile app and then they can get any information related to the show in real time. If something happens on the fly like panel room changes or new signings added, we can make the change or update it in the mobile app. We can then push that information out to the fan population immediately.
Tell me about the charity art auction for St. Jude Children’s Research hospital and how the show gives back?
Every year we do a charity art auction at C2E2. We go to all the comic creators in Artist Alley, as well as some of the other artists brought in by publishers for booth signings, and ask them for donations of original art. We actually do it for both C2E2 and New York Comic Con, specifically to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. On the Saturday night of the show, we hold an auction in one of the panel rooms and usually a few hundred people attend. The artists go above and beyond with their donations, they really give it their all. So far, we’ve held 11 auctions between C2E2 and New York Comic Con and raised close to $300k, all for St. Jude. Every penny we raise goes toward the kids. This will be the 6th charity auction for C2E2.
What’s the greatest piece of advice you could share with a first-time attendee?
Try to experience as much of the show as possible. There are so many different and cool aspects of the show. I would really recommend trying something that’s not necessarily in your comfort zone. If you’re a comic person, then check out some of the publishers or cosplay; or maybe take in a couple panels. You’ll discover some new, amazing and cool stuff. There’s so much cool stuff, I would like everyone to try and experience something new and different.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with fans of the show?
I would like them to know, that for every team member involved with the show and ReedPOP, it’s very important to them to put the fans first. Our main motto, is “Fans First,” and I want everyone to know that every person here gives 110% to do that. They give their blood, sweat, tears and heart to enhance the fan experience and make sure that they have an amazing time. When you come to C2E2, we want you to have the best fan experience possible. We want you to go home and say, “That was the greatest weekend of the year.”
C2E2 is produced by ReedPOP, the company behind New York Comic Con, Emerald City Comic Con, Star Wars Celebration, UFC Fan Expo, BookCon and the Penny Arcade Expo, among others. To learn more about C2E2, visit their website at www.c2e2.com.
admin
via The Nerd Machine
http://www.nerdhq.com/10-questions-with-c2e2s-event-manager-mike-negin/