Fanboys Anonymous

It's a very special edition of Geek Speak, as we welcome guest Ciji Thornton onto the show. She joins us to discuss her time competing in various video game tournaments including Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and Street Fighter. We learn about her roles as a star on series such as WCG: Ultimate Gamer, The Tester, and Robot Combat League. We also ask about her role in breaking gender boundaries in gaming, her tattoos, and how much she likes cats. Check it out in this packed episode of Geek Speak!

Episode 62 of the I Got Gameplay radio show is now live! In this episode, hosts Michael Burhan, Zack Latour, Xander Skullion, and John Latimer talk Leisure Suit Larry with game designer and comedy genius Al Lowe!

You can check out the episode by clicking on the following links:

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You can subscribe to the podcast's YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/IGotGameplay

You can join the discussion by going to our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/igotgameplay. Join the IGG army in style by purchasing an I Got Gameplay t-shirt from our store. To order yours, just click on the appropriate link below!

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More than two years have passed since Thor fell to Earth and captured the heart of Jane Foster, and a great deal has happened in the Marvel universe in that time (see Iron Man 3 and The Avengers). In October 2013, the epic story finally continued with Thor: The Dark World, which is now set for release on DVD and Blu-Ray on February 25, 2014.

The first movie was quite enjoyable, especially with all the visual effects. The sequel was somewhat better in terms of plot structure and more action-packed sequences. Most of the original cast returned, including (of course) Chris Hemsworth as Thor as well as Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård, and Rene Russo. This time much of the action occurs on Asgard rather than on Earth, as Jane (Portman) is taken over by a mysterious red energy known as the Aether that is sought after by a Dark Elf who wants to use it to bring on eternal night. IMDB gave it a 7.5 out of 10, which isn't bad, and Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 66%.

Before, or after, watching Thor: The Dark World, I would recommend also watching the "Honest Trailer" on Cinema Blend, which I think summarizes the film pretty well. "Honest Trailers" are a series of clips produced by the YouTube channel Screen Junkies as trailer parodies for various Hollywood releases. Along with the traditional summary of the movie, these videos clips include video commentaries that are witty and fun to watch because of their bluntness about the characters, plot, and movie scenes. This way you can know what to look for when watching or just laugh out loud about the movie.

Don't take my word for it, though! If you want an "honest" review of the movie, check out Screen Junkies.

Don't forget to tell us what you think about the "Honest Trailer" and Thor: The Dark World in the comment section below.

YouTube just doesn't ever seem to be happy with what it has and feels the need to tinker around with its layout every couple of months. Thus it should come as no surprise that in February 2014, Google has launched yet another change. Although the new look keeps many of the same elements of the One Layout concept that was implemented before, there are some changes that will affect everyone who wants to have a balanced cover photo.

While everyone is scrambling to redo their graphics, we here at Fanboys Anonymous figured we would give you the heads up and do the heavy lifting for you. We present to you a Photoshop template that you can use to make sure you get the right measurements the first time around instead of playing with it and readjusting it a million times.

If you would like to download the PSD template seen below, go to MediaFire here.

The Internet certainly has its set of stars that are world-renown. Of those stars, we've seen a rise of talented, witty, and beautiful women who have taken the Internet by storm. Join me, Chris "The Dace Man" Dace over the course of the next few weeks as we crown the 2014 Internet Goddess. This time around we take a look at Round One of the tournament and highlight the contestants. In Bracket 3, we see the vlogger from down under Natalie Tran take on Angie Griffin, and Anna Brisbin tangoing with Jenna Smith. You have until February 28th to vote for Round 1!

Natalie Tran (YouTube Personality, Writer)

With 335 videos on her YouTube, Natalie has taken the world of vlogging by storm. She debuted on the popular internet site in September of 2006, and is one of the originals with 1.46 million subscribers…yeah, let that number sink in. She has been recognized several times for her creativity and writing ability. One of the most popular individuals in Australia, Tran has been an interview corespondent for many programs as well as tapped for the official launch of YouTube Australia less than a year after her original YouTube video. Natalie Tran has definitely earned her way into the 2014 Internet Goddess Tournament.


Angie Griffin (YouTube Personality)

Yours truly was first introduced to Angie in the Screen Team musical parody involving Sesame Street and Katy Perry. Angie has been actively involved with shooting YouTube videos and cosplaying outfits because of the topics they cover. Taking vlogging and parody to a hot nerdy level, Angie Griffin makes her way into the 2014 Internet Goddess Tournament.

polls

BrizzyVoices (YouTube Personality, Voice Actress)

Brizzy your average New York girl, but is better known to the world as BrizzyVoices. This beautiful young YouTuber has over 360,000 subscribers and well over 25 million views for her videos. Her videos span from impressions of The Simpsons to South Park, and to my personal favorite, Pokémon. On top of her fantastic impressions, she has a quirky vlog where she expresses her opinions and shows off some of the neat stuff she owns and does in her spare time. She also goes live every Monday and interacts with her fans, answering questions and occasionally taking voice request from those that watch. There is no doubt in anyone's mind here at Fanboys Anonymous that BrizzyVoices has made her way into the 2014 Internet Goddess Award!


Jeana Smith (YouTube Personality)

Imagine having a significant other where all you did with that person was pull pranks on them and place them on the internet. Jeana Smith gets to live that life. She is the female half of the infamous PrankvsPrank videos that took YouTube by storm. PvP debuted in 2007, and since then Smith and her boyfriend have scored 610,555,000 video views and 4,538,000 subscribers by pranking and embarrassing the hell out of each other in public. The Queen of Pranks has landed herself into the 2014 Internet Goddess Tournament!

survey software

Check back for more brackets and, as always, check back regularly to see what Chris "The Dace Man" Dace is looking at (and no, not just porn) as well as all of the other bloggers here at Fanboys Anonymous. Remember, keyboard warriors: leave your feedback! Until the next time, for the few, the proud, and ,of course, the Dacetacular, grab a beer—and in this case an Internet browser—and check out what's going on here in the Dace-Sphere. See ya next time!

In a galaxy (no so) far, far away…Star Wars: The Clone Wars will finally be streamed on Netflix. Disney/ABC Television Group, Lucasfilm, and Netflix announced the highly anticipated debut of the animated series exclusively to Netflix members in the U.S. and Canada.

In an exclusive licensing agreement between Lucasfilm/Disney and Netflix, the sixth and final 13-episode season of the animated Star Wars series, titled The Lost Missions, will be available on Netflix for the first time on March 7, along with its previous five seasons and feature film.

The multi-year agreement makes Netflix the only streaming server of the Emmy Award-winning animated Star Wars saga. The deal follows the announcement from Netflix and Disney to stream original Marvel live action series in 2015.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars premiered on Cartoon Network in 2008 and is set between the Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith films. Though the series was canceled after its fifth season, the new episodes are part of original Netflix programming being developed by Disney after it bought Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012. "While the studio is no longer producing new episodes for Cartoon Network, we're continuing production on new Clone Wars story arcs," the official Star Wars website said.

According to Newsarama, the final season will feature an arc between Anakin and Padme that "tests their relationship to the limits," and an arc that centers on Master Yoda who is visited by the Force-ghost of Qui-Gon Jinn.

Are you excited to finally watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars on Netflix? Let us know in the comments section below.

Invader Zim creator Jhonen Vasquez announced he is in the works on an animated short based on his Squee! comics with Titmouse, Inc., the animation studio that has been involved in several Adult Swim productions, including Metalocalypse, SuperJail!, The Venture Bros., and Black Dynamite.

Vasquez announced via his Tumblr that there is more movement on his upcoming Squee! animated short with Titmouse Animation and hinted towards other unnamed projects:

I partnered up with Titmouse Animation a while back to do a short animated [Squee!] movie. Since announcing it, we both got caught up on other projects, one of them also with Titmouse. 

Right after we announced the [Squee!] thing, I, along with Titmouse, developed a series idea for a company Titmouse was dealing with, lots of writing, character and story stuff. While that was going on, I was, and still am, developing a pitch and now pilot for another animated thing of my own. 

It's a little quieter now, and though the pilot is still going, I have a little breather from being intensely involved until some of the other team do their part, so there's a bit more movement on [Squee!] again as of maybe two weeks back.

Earlier this week he teased on Twitter that he had a storyboard meeting with J.R. Goldstein and former Invader Zim storyboard master, Chris Graham.

Squee! comic

The raunchy and crude-humored comic the short is based on was released through Slave Labor Graphics as a spin-off of his Johnny the Homicidal Maniac comics and features the same dark style of his previous work.

Squee is the neglected and always-frightened neighbor of Johnny C. (a.k.a. Nny) who regularly breaks into his room at night. With his decrepit teddy bear, Shmee, in hand, the comic chronicles Squee's encounters with aliens, Satan's son, Pepito, and then Satan himself.

Vasquez recently teamed up with Cartoon Hangover to write an episode of Bravest Warriors, in which the team of intergalactic heroes land on a yellow planet and run into a crazed and lonely moon-squid. The six-minute episode, titled The Puppetyville Horror, aired on Cartoon Hangover's YouTube channel on January 23.

Other past works from Vasquez include the collaboration with other artists in issues two and three of Marvel's Strange Tales #2 (2009) for a story about M.O.D.O.K., and Strange Tales II #1 (2010) with a story about Wolverine. He also did the artwork for Mindless Self Indulgence's If album and directed and produced the music videos for MSI's Shut Me Up and The Left Rights' White.

Vasquez's excessively violent and gore-filled humor has generated a massive fan base that has long been hoping for a continuation of his Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and Squee! comics. Unfortunately, there is no set date on when the animated Squee! short will be released, though Vasquez sarcastically stated on his Tumblr that it will be released "the day right after you die. HURRY UP!"

Are you looking forward to Squee! and the other projects Jhonen Vasquez has up his sleeves? Let us know in the comments section below.

Tonight the first Nintendo Direct presentation of 2014 kicked off in a big way by revealing the latest newcomer to Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U—none other than the highly requested Punch-Out! boxer: Little Mac.

In what was a completely unique and epic reveal trailer, Little Mac is shown training with Doc Louis for his next big fight which, in the end, turns out to be Smash. He takes out Samus before hitting the boxing ring stage and showcasing some more of his diverse fighting skills, taking the fight to the various names already announced for the game, such as Mario, Mega Man, Donkey Kong, and more.

He was shown to have an odd Final Smash where he turns into a giant mutant boxer and takes out people, which was quite humorous; but in all seriousness, he fights exactly how you would expect him to. Every move is some kind of boxing swing or punch, and that's how we all wanted Little Mac to play out. With Little Mac's addition, this game comes closer to having the best roster in Smash Bros. history.

In the end, this shows that the developers are paying close attention to who the most requested characters for the game are. Mega Man's reveal back at E3, and now this, confirm this. As a fan, I say we have plenty more to look forward to as we inch closer to this game's launch, which is set to take place at the very latest by the end of this calendar year.

To hear more of my thoughts and opinions on this recent character inclusion and, even more importantly, my excitement of getting my most requested newcomer confirmed for the roster, please feel free to watch the following video below:

The LEGO Movie released to critical acclaim across the board, with an opening weekend profit of $69 million. Today, the movie just keeps on giving.

This official blooper reel is packed with both original dialogue that didn't make the final cut and "between take" conversations among the voice actors.


The attitude and vibe of this entire project lends itself to many types of parody. The blooper reel is similar in humor to the way Pixar uses their Toy Story figures "in and out of character," and is a fun way to break the fourth wall. This look like a definite DVD/Blu-ray add-on. What else do you want to see from these characters?

Welcome, fanboys, to another slice of Marvel movie development goodness filled with all the fun facts, intrigue, and Dan Ashley-brand silliness you could possibly want. So, only last night was I scrolling through Tumblr for something to catch my interest (or was I tumbling, hmmm?) when I came across this beautiful little/huge argument about why Black Widow should/should not have her own movie. Naturally, I joined in. Then this morning, I read something else. What's that, Dan? Developments on the possibility of an actual Black Widow movie? Something like that, yes!

"All this alien invasion business…I could murder a SodaStream!"

Despite ex-Russian killer spy lady Natasha Romanoff having appeared in the majority of Marvel Studios' superhero movies since Iron Man, this particular set of developments has only been brought to light since the production of Captain America: The Winter Soldier began. Black Widow has had plenty of opportunities to shine, but fans are still waiting for her to take a big bite out of the Marvel cinematic universe for all it has to offer. It seems that Marvel has been listening.

You see, in The Avengers, she had her moments, but how could her skills as a spy compare to the presence and brute strength of the mighty Thor or the tortured genius and epic rage-quitting tantrums of Dr. Banner/Hulk? Well, we kind of accepted that The Avengers was not her time to shine, and with Joss Whedon's flair for confidently taking his sweet-ass time getting a job done right, we knew that it would only be a matter of time before Black Widow would indeed bite.

We'd have thought that time would be during the events of The Winter Soldier, because that is one sweet couple right there…

Next: Gunsmoke by Dolce & Gabbana

Then again, we haven't even seen the movie yet; and then Cap himself, Mr. Chris Evans, goes and publicly says something like, "Black Widow's whole arc in The Winter Soldier is coming to terms with her history—that she's been a spy, and that spies aren't necessarily trustworthy." Oooh, Cap, you tease!

Well Marvel Studios' production boss, Kevin Feige, went on to say more about when Johansson will really get the opportunity to define her character, and it turns out that our flame-haired Avenger is gradually building towards a big part in Avengers: Age of Ultron. This is what Feige had to say:  

We start filming the next Avengers film at the end of March. Widow's part in that is very big. We learn more about her past and more about where she came from and how she became in that film.

Then, throwing the whole damn loaf out there as opposed to just feeding us pond dwellers a few crumbs at a time, Feige said relating to a Black Widow movie:

The notion of exploring that even further in her own film would be great, and we have some development work with that…

Relating to The Winter Soldier also, while on the subject, Feige pointed out that they wanted to change the dynamic of Marvel's cinematic universe with that one film. As I've pointed out before, The Winter Soldier's goal seems to be exchanging some of the past campiness and simplicity of the superhero genre for a darker, more political sort of thriller, which would allow greater space for dramatic growth and character building. Think about how Thor 2 also ended. It's becoming like a sort of Empire Strikes Back phase for Marvel. That makes me wonder what drastic end Age of Ultron will come to.

However, Black Widow isn't Obi Wan (Fury), or Luke Skywalker (Cap). She definitely isn't Solo (Thor), let alone the Wookie (Hulk), and she most certainly is no Leia (short straw, sorry Stark). So where does that leave her? Black Widow could, in truth, have more longevity than any of the other existing Avengers. How?

"Coulson, quick question, do penises ever have elbows?"

One thing that is certain of all current Avengers, they have a stronger bond than that one main-event movie might suggest. Their individual dynamics make each of them a linchpin for the whole group. If one were to leave, it wouldn't destroy the Avengers (maybe more so than in-fighting); however, the overall dynamic would be irreplaceable. When you separate them, though, which characters are bound to intrigue you the most?

"We start filming the next Avengers film at the end of March," said Feige in the latest issue of Total Film mag'. "[Black] Widow's part in that is very big. We learn more about her past and learn more about where she came from and how she became in that film. The notion of exploring that even further in her own film would be great, and we have some development work with that."
Read more at http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/MarvelFreshman/news/?a=94458#usEzOB6ZhbMdS8rT.99

"We start filming the next Avengers film at the end of March," said Feige in the latest issue of Total Film mag'. "[Black] Widow's part in that is very big. We learn more about her past and learn more about where she came from and how she became in that film. The notion of exploring that even further in her own film would be great, and we have some development work with that."
Read more at http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/MarvelFreshman/news/?a=94458#usEzOB6ZhbMdS8rT.9

From what we know (from movies and comic books) Black Widow has more guilt and anger to hide than Hawkeye, and even Banner. As a relative sidekick to either Fury or Cap, she endangers herself more without having a shield to protect her, or superpowers to boost her, and she gets a lot more actual work done. Without her, S.H.I.E.L.D. would probably implode and Steve Rogers would be training up to work at McDonald's. More significantly, as the show's leading lady—and a highly determined one at that—she has yet to break emotionally, or prove just how cold-blooded she really can be, or both.

So what would be the pros of a solo outing for Natasha? For a start, you might want to catch up with Nathan Edmondson's latest comic book take on the character. Black Widow is enjoying some mighty fine success lately, and she deserves it. When she's not following the orders of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Captain America, she stands alone very well.

She's one of few Marvel characters proving that you don't need a healing factor or the ability to shoot fire out of your butt hole to stay on top. In fact, Widow's story is best protrayed as a conflict between light and dark; one where redemption may not be attainable, but where to die trying is sadly the next best thing. Superheroes always get to win in the end and they rarely give up hope, because a guy with superpowers who gives up is a total gimp. Human characters prone to darkness and suffering, though, are capable of greater glory. Put that in your solo movie, if you're really going to make one. An espionage thriller in a world of superheroes and supervillains may be the way forward in a few years' time. The lead of that movie deserves to be a woman and a familiar one at that.

What are the cons of a Black Widow movie after Age of Ultron (or maybe even Avengers 3)? It seems that a lot of Marvel fans want to see other female characters of the Marvel Universe get a chance, while Widow is already set up for life with all her eggs in one basket. I can relate, but Marvel and Disney have plenty room for both. If she does get a solo movie, that's not going to immediately stop there being a Valkyrie, Spider-Girl, or Silver Sable movie, for instance. Some characters are better off in a team effort, and maybe even Black Widow might make that happen, leading to a team-up with Misty Knight in a Heroes for Hire movie!

Yet, mentioning that we have to see her relationship develop with Bucky Barnes (to the point where they were an inseparable duo after Marvel's Fear Itself), if we don't get to see that—and the fact that Winter Soldier was a huge step in her journey towards redemption—the character could have been a huge waste of time altogether. This leads me to the question: will Black Widow also appear in a Winter Soldier movie?

Questions, questions, questions! Sound off, fanboys, and tell me if you'd want to see a standalone Black Widow movie. I personally think Johansson deserves the opportunity for her loyalty over the years. I also think they owe it to Black Widow herself. Comment below and thanks for reading.

Facebook has announced that it will now offer a customizable gender option to appeal to its transgender members, adding about 50 different terms people can use to identify as.

Transgender members amongst Facebook's 159 million monthly users in the United Sates will now be able to choose how they are represented on the social network. International users will soon share the option.

Facebook said in a post on its Diversity page:

When you come to Facebook to connect with the people, causes, and organizations you care about, we want you to feel comfortable being your true, authentic self. An important part of this is the expression of gender, especially when it extends beyond the definitions of just "male" or "female." So today, we're proud to offer a new custom gender option to help you better express your own identity on Facebook.

Users will also have the option to control who can view their custom gender.

"This new feature is a step forward in recognizing transgender people and allows them to tell their authentic story in their own words," GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis—whose LBGT rights organization worked with Facebook on the new feature—said in a statement, NBC reported. "Once again, Facebook is on the forefront of ensuring that the platform is safe and accessible to all of its LGBT users."

"There's going to be a lot of people for whom this is going to mean nothing, but for the few it does impact, it means the world," said Facebook software engineer, Brielle Harrison, to LGBTQ Nation.

In a major step by Facebook for its 1.23 billion users around the world, they are the first of the social media giants that offers a custom gender option. While Google+ offers male, female, and "other" as choices, the more specific terms will set Facebook apart from its competitors.

However, Facebook's advertising targets users according to "male" or "female," so for those who opt. to use the custom gender, ads will be targeted based on the pronoun they select. Advertisers will not be able target to the transgender community—at least not yet, anyways. Additionally, changing of your gender is not perceived as a "life event" and will not post publicly on your timeline.

With Facebook and other social media outlets becoming a person's online identity, the basic addition plays a significant role in the nation's growing transgender rights movement, allowing users to comfortably and accurately represent themselves.

To further support the LGBT community, Facebook added the options of "In a Civil Union" and "In a Domestic Partnership" in 2011, and in 2012, gay marriage timeline icons were added.

Transgender activists have long been pushing for a gender-neutral option. LGBT rights network, All Out, started an online petition demanding the change, gaining 38,566 signatures as of today.

According to The Human Rights Campaign, roughly three-quarters (73 percent) of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youths it surveyed in 2013 say they are more honest about themselves online than in the real world. The survey reported that 56 percent of LGBT youth have said they came out to their immediate family, with only a quarter coming out to their extended family.

With LGBT youth being two times as likely to be verbally harassed at school—identifying at a younger and younger age—Facebook addresses the need to be comfortable with who you are and how you are represented on the Internet.

This is a crucial milestone to the overall acceptance of the LGBT community on the Internet, and hopefully other social networks follow suit. Let us know how you feel about the changes in the comments section below.

Hey, Hey, Hey Dacetacular Nation! Check out Episode 34 of The Dace Man Show with regulars Dace, Gibby, and Frank Ward! Also joining the show is special guest Nikki Mills and call-in guest Dane Quinn!!

Join The Dace Man and crew this week as they break down the following:

::SPORTS NEWS:

• Current NHL Leaders…the only sport currently happening [sigh]
• Phillies lose Cole Hammels for opening day but sign AJ Burnett
• Sochi Winter Olympics are under way and it's snowing in NJ…coincidence?
• Barbie graces the cover of Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Edition
• Jeter enters his final season and Oswalt retires

::WEIRD NEWS WITH GIBBY::

• H-U-F-F-I-N-G-TON POST! H-U-F-F-I-N-G-TON POST! H-U-F-F-I-N-G-TON POST!
• Dumb Starbucks
• Sochi Troubles
• Beiber wax figure removed from Museum.
• Wal-Mart Con Artist
• UMiss 

::FRANK'S CORNER::

• Winter and Olympics and stuff!

::CELEB NEWS::

•  2014 Internet Goddess Tournament under way!
• Chris Kattan has a brush with fifteen minutes of DUI relevancy.
• Farrah Abraham is still a douche.
• Sid Caeser passes away at the age of 91 and Shirley Temple passed away at age 85
• Drake Bell files for bankruptcy—now he's truly Peter Parker.
• Zimmerman's bout is off.
• Tom Brokaw diagnosed with bone marrow cancer.
• Amanda Bynes back on track under mother's guidance 
• The “hip-hop version” of Billy Ray Cyrus 1992 hit single ”Achy Breaky Heart” was released:

Plus the High Five: Olympic Events and The Douche Bag of The Week. All that and more, only on The Dace Man Show!

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Set to release on February 25, 2014, Square Enix's game Thief has been highly anticipated since its unveiling on May 11, 2009. Set in what is widely known as a Steampunk era, "The City" is a dilapidated center of trade as well as corruption. You are Garrett, a master thief stuck between the mutinous cries of the city's plague-infected denizens and the greed of the aristocratic class. Using the chaotic nature of the city to your advantage, your number one objective is stealing everything worth selling. Your second objective is to avoid being caught, and as a strategic game play bonus, killing or stunning your opponents is up to you.

As far as tools go, your bow and arrows are your most effective and versatile, and you carry a blackjack for close encounters. Your bow and arrows may be used for any number of things, such as direct killing, environmental killing, or changing the environment to suit your needs, while your blackjack is a small melee device used for knocking out opponents for nonlethal take downs.


Possibly one of the most exciting segments of this game is the ability to buy upgrades for your arrows. There are many different attachments to fit any need, such as an arrow with a water-filled head for extinguishing fire, an attached rope for climbing, and a gas-emitting tip for quick escapes.

Water-tipped bow to extinguish flame

Thief looks like a great game for any combination of players, from the stealthy shadow to the killing machine. I really can't wait to play this game! Tell me what you think! Is Thief the next hot game for stealth lovers?

John Wesley Shipp joins the cast of The Flash for the second time in his career. Many who watched the Flash TV series from the '90s thought the former soap star did a great job on the show. The short-lived series saw the "Scarlet Speedster" fight clichéd television-level villains—plus the memorable Trickster (played by Mark Hamill), which eventually gave us the animated version of the Joker.

"Here we go again!"

The character Shipp will play is a mystery for now. (What kind of forensic scientist doesn't like a good one of those?). However, in the vein of Michael Douglas being cast in Ant-Man, one speculation is that he will play Barry Allen's father or possibly Jay Garrick, which would be pretty cool. I assume, of course, the Golden Age version, pre-New 52.

This casting is hot on the heels of another '90s favorite of mine. Tom Cavanagh (or as I know him, "Ed") joined the show last week.

I know I'm getting more excited for these DC projects as they continue to make good decisions. Every casting choice Marvel makes gets my drool factor going, and it seems DC has finally caught on.

What do you think of this news? Are they trying to re-hash some kind of "star power" for the sake of nostalgia, or is it just an overall good move?

From the Vault is an annual series of limited print run card sets, released in late August of each year, that reprint powerful cards from across the 20-year run of Magic: The Gathering trading card expansions. Wizards of the Coast has put out a press release describing this year's From the Vault set. It's called Annihilation, and the theme matches the name:

Harness the savage power of fifteen of the most brutal Magic cards ever unleashed. These limited-edition, black-bordered superweapons are legal in many tournament formats. Sweep the battlefield clean with this powerful arsenal and blast the opposition into oblivion.

Many of these cards are very expensive on the secondary market. While each From the Vault set has had a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $39.95, the combination of extremely small print runs and high demand—generated by the reprinting of glossy foil versions of hard-to-find cards with new art—means that these sets sell out really quickly, even when retailers jack up the price. If you want a copy, your best bet is to arrange a preorder with a reliable retailer.

As to which cards will be in the set, that info has yet to be spoiled. All we have is the brief description above and a dramatic illustration of some sort of magical cyclone. Naturally, the Magic community is theorizing madly as to what cards you'll find in the set. Discussion tends to center around the idea that every card in the set will be a board-sweeper. Others theorize that specific word choices in the set description hint at card names, such as inferring that the phrase "blast the opposition into oblivion" refers to the powerful spells Opposition and Oblivion Stone.

As for my own theories, I figure that while From the Vault: Annihilation will focus on spells with a destructive theme, it'll cover the gamut of detrimental effects, such as targeted removal, global sweepers, and direct damage. I also wouldn't expect it to include any cards reprinted in the last year or two in compilation sets such as Modern Masters or Commander 2013. Here's my list of 15 cards that I'm guessing we'll find here:

All is Dust: The Rise of the Eldrazi set held a number of powerful colorless spells that haunt Magic games to this day. While not as brutal as the three legendary Eldrazi boss monsters, All is Dust is nothing to sneeze at, as it has the potential for a one-sided blowout that destroys all of your opponent's non-land permanents while leaving your key board elements intact.

Armageddon: Wrath of God's badass land-destroying cousin hasn't seen print since Sixth Edition due to a move away from land destruction as a generally un-fun play style. Nonetheless, it's an iconic powerhouse that still sees play, which makes it a perfect fit for a From the Vault set.

Black Sun's Zenith: This standard-defining sorcery from Scars of Mirrodin block can be absolutely brutal, sweeping away even indestructible creatures and then returning to your library to be cast again. It's not as pricey on the secondary market as it was in its heyday, but it's still scary when it hits the table.

Blasphemous Act: Not every card in Annihilation is going to be from really old sets or super expensive on the secondary market. Blasphemous Act is a quirky damage-based sweeper, which makes it more likely to show up than yet another Wrath of God variant.

Child of Alara: This ridiculous multicolored bomb has the potential for lots of recursion or indestructibility shenanigans. It's also a legendary creature, and thus a boon to Commander players looking to try a five-color deck.

Damnation: A powerful black sweeper that's only been printed once so far in 2007's Planar Chaos. Speculation about a Damnation reprint has been rife for years, and the community raged at its absence from the recent Modern Masters set. A set based around big destructive spells seems like its natural home.

Magus of the Disk: Normally I'd expect to find the classic destructive artifact Nevinyrral's Disk in here, but it was reprinted just a few months ago in Commander 2013. However, its cousin, the Magus, is fair game, especially as the set could use a few creatures to break the monotony of sorcery after destructive sorcery.

Merciless Eviction: This spell's flexibility gives it an important place in any collection of sweepers, while the ability to exile rather than destroy makes it all the more dangerous. And then there's its precision. Most notably, Merciless Eviction is the only modal sweeper that can be tuned to hit nothing but planeswalkers.

Mind Twist: An oldie-but-goodie discard spell, Mind Twist can be absolutely backbreaking early- to mid-game. While its dominance has been usurped by narrower spells such as Hymn to Tourach and Thoughtseize, and discard in general isn't quite as effective as it used to be due to graveyard recursion, Mind Twist is still a spell to be reckoned with.

Nemesis of Reason: Okay, I admit that this one is a stretch; but I anticipate that there'll be at least one mill card in the set, and this unholy monstrosity is both fun to play and has a drastic impact on the board. Placing your opponent on a five-turn clock that can't be stopped by chump blockers or Fog effect can put a damper on all sorts of game plans.

Pernicious Deed: A powerful, flexible sweeper that's most effective in the hands of a mana-heavy ramp deck. A similar effect appears in the more recent Gaze of Granite, but the Deed is far more flexible; you can cast it in the early game and leave it hanging around until you need it, and, unlike Gaze, you can activate it at any time, including in the middle of combat or on your opponent's turn. Appearing only in the Apocalypse set, it's ripe for a reprint.

Rolling Earthquake: An absolutely ridiculous Earthquake variant from the obscure Portal Three Kingdoms set, which was printed primarily in Chinese and has very few English copies. As the Horsemanship mechanic on the card doesn't appear in any other set, the spell basically reads, “Deal X damage to each creature and each player,” which is dynamite in a red burn deck. And with Wizards reprinting a few creatures with horsemanship in Commander 2013, the door is open for other spells that reference the ability!


Supreme Verdict: A key player in the Return to Ravnica block, Supreme Verdict has a name flashy enough to fit the Annihilation theme as well as the power to back it up. An uncounterable Wrath can be absolutely devastating, even if it does allow regeneration, and the eternal formats love it because it can be pitched to pay the alternate cost of Force of Will.

Terminus: Tucking creatures onto the bottom of the library is far more devastating than death in a game rife with reanimation spells. Terminus is slightly harder to cast than its predecessor Hallowed Burial, but it's more likely to appear here due to its more violent flavor.

Vindicate: Among the most valuable and effective spot removal spells in the game. The ability to destroy any one permanent is incredibly useful, especially for only three mana. As it's never been reprinted, it currently averages over $20 on the secondary market, which should draw players and speculators alike in droves.

What crazy-powerful spells do you think will be included in Annihilation? Is it worth sinking $40 or more into the set for fifteen cards, even if they are as devastating as advertised? Share your comments with the community below!

Want to know what happened the past few days in nerd culture?

WEEK IN GEEK is your quick fix to catch up with the rest of the fanboys out there.

MOVIES

Paul Bettany cast as the Vision in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

My take: Another great casting announcement. Additionally, this turned many rumors on their ears, helping solidify some while dismissing others. This is one movie I don't mind hearing casting announcements for. I am confident in Whedon's ability to handle a large cast.

The Dark Knight story is set to influence the Batman vs Superman movie.

My take: Ugh. Seriously, you guys. How many times do you need to rehash someone else's success? Not only has that story been done to death, but you belittle it every time you reuse it. I do not want to see a new "version" of that story, even if it's a neat idea to see it in live action. Do something nobody expects: something new.

Star Wars Episode VII shooting schedule released.

My take: The magic starts in May of this year and they have 16 months to not screw it up. Now it's up to us, the fanboys and girls, to just leave the production alone until then.

TELEVISION

Seth Rogen takes lead on Preacher adaptation for TV series.

My take: As long as they don't take this in a Green Hornet direction, I think this will turn out OK. I will assume Rogen is intending to make sure the series is closer to the original book, where in the wrong hands it might get mishandled.

Two casting announcements for The Flash tickle my '90s bone.

My take: Tom Cavanaugh (Ed) and John Wesley Shipp (1990's The Flash) joined. I really like Cavanaugh, and I enjoyed Shipp's series when I was younger. It's encouraging to see DC making some good decisions for a change. If you have read previous articles by me, you know I have a little bit of a grudge against the company since The New 52 launch.

COMIC BOOKS

Robocop reboot tie-in coming from BOOM!

My take: Ever since I read the prequel comic series for J.J. Abrams' Star Trek reboot, I highly recommend these books for any fan of the properties. The Star Trek one explained where Spock was and what he did before the movie started, which we only got a glimpse of in the actual film. It helped flesh out the time travel aspect of the film substantially for me.

"Death of Superman" story to be rehashed in DC Superbooks.

My take: The New 52 sounds more and more like an "Ultimate" universe every week. The reboot was a disaster from the beginning, and even their backpedaling doesn't make any improvements. Retelling a story that happened solely for promotion and sales back in the early '90s is just more ammo in the "they're out of ideas already" column.

January sales figures show decline from 2013.

My take: We hear the industry is bouncing back, but numbers are all over the map. DC and Marvel shared the top ten sales spots, but DC relies waaaay too heavily on Batman for sales. They need to get their act together. Hopefully Geoff Johns on Superman can help out (at least for 4 or 5 issues).

HOLLYWOOD

The LEGO Movie cameos a host of celebrities.

My take: Maybe this is the wrong category and should be in "movies." However, and no spoilers, this project played as a labor of love and has a host of guest voices. To have a film injected with so much passion that pretty much any performer asked to come on board did so is impressive. It is fun to know how everyone involved was attracted to the project. Considering that there is a host of LEGO movies already out there, it's easy to see this one stood out from day one. Projects like this are fun to watch when you know everyone involved had a great time making it.

TECHNOLOGY

Flappy Bird removed from your gaming options.

My take: I never actually played it. However, I'm intrigued by the creator's decision to remove the game completely rather than sell. It's an interesting tale of fame coming with a price.

Twitter is testing a completely new design on its website, making it a mash between its rival Facebook and Google+.

Users may have noticed a whole new look to their Twitter profile late Tuesday night. The huge update contains a larger main photo and bio on the left and a significantly emphasized header photo on top.

Twitter's new profile design

The redesign comes not long after its subtle revamp of the homepage to mimic their mobile app, adding the user's cover photo behind their profile image to visually enhance the homepage.

The new stream departs from its signature look of a vertical timeline of tweets, leaving greater focus on photos and videos. A newly added "photos/videos" category is joined under the header by tweet count, who you're following, your followers, favorited tweets, and lists. It also added the date in which the user joined the social media site.

Twitter is known to quietly test new features and updates on a few randomly selected users before rolling them out to the general user, Mashable said.

"We are constantly evolving the product," Twitter's vice president for engineering told TIME's Techland. "Some changes are visible—they may help you protect your Twitter account or make it easier to share photos; others are under-the-hood changes that help us suggest relevant contact in real time and make Twitter more engaging."

Twitter follows other social media outlets as they create a more visual experience for users, making photo and video sharing a main focus.

If you would like to alter your header photo, the recommended photo size is 1500 x 500 pixels.

Love it? Hate it? Let us know what you think about the new design in the comment section below.

In recent news, the long-awaited movie adaptation of Stephen King's universally loved The Dark Tower series looks as though it may not be happening…again!

"Battles that last five minutes spawn legends that live a thousand years!" - The Dark Tower

For quite some years now, fans of the hefty eight-novel pseudo-sci-fi-fantasy-horror series, and fans of the comic book series released by Marvel, have been clamoring for news of a movie (and the saga of sequels that would very likely follow). I've been one of them ever since what seemed like a massive hint appeared in Frank Darabont's spectacular adaptation of The Mist nearly seven years ago.


I'm not sure if any of you fans out there agree with me—I appreciate and therefore encourage originality in other peoples' opinions—but I was already taken aback when it turned out that Darabont himself, one of the greatest contributors to King's film credits (The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile also included), wouldn't be tasked with the mighty opportunity to produce and direct The Dark Tower.

Over the years, I followed this elusive trail of breadcrumbs, only to find that Ron Howard would be directing instead.

This wasn't the newest photo I could find but, Porn 'Tache!

Not a bad choice. Howard has directed an encyclopedia's worth of movies over the years, and many of them have been decent if not very good. He's big on drama for the most part, and he's also big on spectacle when the moment calls for it. BUT! The Dark Tower is not a family friendly series and therefore should not be a family friendly movie. This is Stephen King we're talking about, not JRR Tolkien, although Dark Tower could be the biggest and most spectacular thing since Lord of the Rings. The closest thing I could credit Howard with, in that respect, is 1988's sword and sorcery adventure Willow. Still a different kind of fantasy.

Who put Howard at the helm anyway? None other than Akiva Goldsman; the guy who wrote I Am Legend, the guy who wrote I, Robot, the guy who wrote Batman & Robin, the guy who wrote Batman Forever. By now you're remembering these films for either being poor adaptations or for being ridiculous. He's also the guy who is making I Am Legend 2 and the guy who wants to make that Patrick Swayze movie Ghost into a television series. By now you're as pissed as I originally was and should resemble this:

P.I.S.S.E.D.

Goldsman, who wrote for Howard on The DaVinci Code and its sequel Angels & Demons recently had this to say about The Dark Tower's progress:


Funny then that if you type The Dark Tower into IMDb's search bar, the name Russell Crowe appears! So does this mean the movie was in development and is now cancelled? Hollywood is a fickle town full of people very much afraid of being seen falling at the first hurdle, despite their existing achievements. So if it is cancelled, you'll hear about it in about five years' time when they pass the buck onto somebody else.

Seriously, what is it with these people? You spend how much buying the rights to a novel because you're creaming yourself over how awesome it would be if you could make a mega-successful bunch of movies, and then you sit there and do absolutely fuck all with it, because suddenly you realize that you're just not good enough? Is it that, or did you have better things to do? Oh, Ghost: The Series and I Am Legend 2: The Prequel To The Shit We Irreversibly Screwed Up Already? My bad, carry on smoking crack in the boardroom and don't mind the fans whose hopes and dreams you're wiping your arses with!

Sound off, Fanboys! Makes you wonder if they've read the damn thing. If they ever got this show off the ground, who would you want to see bringing it to life? Comments below and thanks again for reading.