What The Next Walking Dead Game Needs To Be

I've only finished the first chapter in The Walking Dead adventure game, and as everyone who's played it has stated, it's awesome. Essentially, all you're doing is making choices, who to side with, what to do, even who to save. These choices have impacts on relationships and events that'll play out in the story. Very cool stuff.

But I do have a suggestion for the next version:

Make it multiplayer!

The iPhone can already do multiplayer games. How about the action is streamed on your Apple TV, while everyone with an iOS device gets to vote on choices? Then after big decisions, it shows who voted which way. It's a way to share the compelling story, and argue with your friends about the choices they voted on.

Roomba

I bought a Roomba so I wouldn't have to vacuum and my room would always be cleaned, but I actually spend most of the time watching it clean.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Disney's Next Acquisition...

They created these guys...

 And have held on to these guys for a while...

 And recently picked up these guys...

 Which is good news because they did so well with these guys...

Who's missing?

These guys.

This totally dawned on me while watching 'Wreck-It-Ralph'. Disney needs a serious foothold in gaming, which, buy all accounts, is the fastest growing sector in entertainment. Can't you just imagine a Nintendo Land in Disney World? Hell, it'll make a trip to Tokyo Disney all the more worth it. Mario and Mickey are a match made in heaven. I also think Nintendo fans would benefit from Disney's attention to detail and careful hand in dealing with nostalgia.

At the very least, they should pick up these guys.

Boardwalk Empire / Batman Cast

As if almost done on purpose, Boardwalk Empire has casted the perfect group of Batman actors.

The Penguin

Commissioner Gordon

 Two-face

The Riddler

 The Madd Hatter

Harley Quinn 

Bruce Wayne/Batman 

Scarecrow 

 Poison Ivy

The Joker 

Luscious Fox 

Mr. Freeze 

Why Darwyn Cooke Is The Best

I recently finished the third graphic novel in the series based off Richard Stark's, Parker, by Darwyn Cooke.

Cooke is a master of cartooning, as evident in these standout pages.

The top panel is especially outstanding. I've always known Cooke can draw gorgeous woman, but who knew those same skills applied to furniture as well. Negative space, for the win.

These are comics, so why not play with reality. Cooke turns a horrifying stick-up into a sweet, almost innocent moment.

Hey, 'Walking Dead', Cut It Out!

Season 3, episode 3 spoilers!

You are a zombie show.
You are a thriller.
You have a cool cast (mostly).
You have decent effects.
You have great make-up.
You follow the comic when it makes sense, and you diverge when it makes even more sense.
When you do these things, you are the best show on TV.

You are not, however, the smartest, most clever show on TV.
So don't try it.
Don't step away from the action like you did Sunday.
Don't try to make socio-political points; it comes off as cheap and reiks of a high school stage production.
Don't become 'Lost'.
If you want to explore different themes, insert them gracefully into the narrative.
If you can't do it right, forget 'em.

Also, don't cast this guy

as your bad guy. He looks like a doofus.
And he reminds me of Haley Joel Osment.

A Sample of My Comic Art Collection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy This Book

I recently finished reading the latest offering by writer/artist Jeff Lemire, entitled 'The Underwater Welder'. I've pretty much loved everything Lemire has worked on. While he is doing solid work in the mainstream DC Universe, it's his independent work where he earns my admiration. When he is free to both, write and illustrate, he truly shines. From his hauntingly emotional classic, 'Essex County', to his horrific, 'Lost Dogs', Lemire has an undeniable knack to cutting to the core of our fears.
'The Underwater Welder' is no different. It's the story of a young man, as he is preparing to enter the world of parenthood. He is cursed by the memories of his own dead-beat father, and struggles with abandonment issues. To become the man he needs to be, he must confront those issues. A simple plot, yes, but Lemire masterfully tells in a somewhat supernatural manner. It all makes for gripping, poignant story telling.
Lemire's artistic sensibilities aslo shine, here. True, he is no Jim Lee, but he is not meant to be. His figures, while cartoon-like exaggerations, are more true to spirit than true to life. His brushwork can be haunting and ugly on one page, and beautiful and heartwarming on the rest.
As a complete work, 'The Underwater Welder' is as good as graphic story telling gets. Lemire tells a deeply emotional story in a riveting setting. But, if you've been following Jeff Lemire's work, this shouldn't come as a surprise. He's as sure a thing as there is in comics.

Wizard World May Finally Be Done

Today I attended Wizard World/Chicago Comicon for the 4th consecutive year. Every year it gets bad-mouthed for not being a legitimate comic show. But every year I find something to enjoy and usually have a good time. This year, anticipating what appears to be a dwindling comic presence, I decided to forgo the 4 day pass and only picked up a Friday ticket. I'm glad I did.
In what I can only assume is an attempt to please disgruntled retailers, Wizard completely revamped the floor layout. Comics on the left, celebrities in the middle, wares on the right, and artists squashed against the back wall. They were the wallflowers of the dance. And they weren't even organized in any cohesive manner; independent comic artists next to jewelry makers? Doesn't fly. Artist Alley was a pain to navigate, and for the first time in many years, I didn't want to be there.
The celebrities rule the show. People stood in long lines just to spend 5 seconds with Stan Lee. And I get it. Everyone admires someone for a plethora of reasons. I just feel that a lot of the tinsel-town sparkle is lost when you have to hand Dean Cain $40 for an autograph. But if people enjoy it...
Oddly, I still had a decent time at the show. I picked up a neat vintage movie poster, an issue of X-Men I've been searching for, and a deck of 'Buffy' game cards (I'm not sure why). I'll probably continue to check the show out, but I'd like to go with casual fans and convention noobs. It's fun to see them geek out over Lou Ferigno and Adventure Time hats.

Why I Can't Enjoy The Recent Batman Movies

Those close to me, know my affinity for comics. I've enjoyed superhero stories since as long as I can remember. While I don't proclaim to have as deep a well of knowledge on the subject as some, I know my way around the caped universe. And yes, like most children of the 80's, Batman is one of my favorites. From comics to toys to cartoons, the Bat-dimension has been the source of countless hours of fun.

But oddly enough, I don't like the current take on Batman in the Christopher Nolan films. This usually comes as a surprise to my friends. "Those are the best superhero movies ever!" they proclaim. I don't think so. I think it comes down to a question of tone. The current Batman is extremely dark and gritty. He is constantly beat down with little to know redemption. He doesn't get to do any superheroing. I can see how this can appeal to casual movie fans. The dark take is a departure from the caped crusader they're familiar with. They remember Adam West and George Clooney. While those are camp this version is cool. But I just feel that it's so dark that it becomes unenjoyable.

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with a dark take on Batman. The character was born from a dark place and represents the despair in all of us. However, this Batman feels like he is only about despair. I've enjoyed numerous takes on a dark Batman, and they were all done better. The Killing Joke. Dark Knight Returns. Year One. All gritty stories, but all with a sense of redemption.

Tomorrow's Free Comic Book Day!

Visit a participating comic shop and pick up a few free books.
Here are my picks:

Atomic Robo is always a fun book, like a robot version of Indiana Jones.

This is purely a nostalgia trip for me.

Ever since I finished all 7 season of Buffy, I've been excited to jump into the comics.

Classic.

The Simpsons comics have been much funnier than the show, for years now.

Gotta have some capes. Geoff Johns and Jim Lee know how to bring it.

I've enjoyed this series now that Tim Seeley is writing it and has moved the character to Chicago.

Don't forget to leave some for the children.