Posted by
The Dace Man
- Saturday, March 1, 2014
The Internet certainly has its set of stars that are world renowned. 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 week we take a look at the first bracket in our Heavenly Sixteen. We saw in round one Ciji Thornton beat out the legendary lonelygirl15, and Jessi Smiles inching out the young Andrea Russett. Voting ends for the Heavenly Sixteen March 7th!
Ciji Thornton (YouTube Personality)
Better known as StarSlay3r, Ciji burst onto our computer monitors in 2006 when she grabbed the attention of MTV for being one of the Top 10 Guitar Hero Players in the CPL Tournament held in Dallas, TX. She has been a recognized gamer for the past six years after dominating several Guitar Hero and Rockband competitions. She has also appeared on FOX and MSNBC and been featured on many Internet websites such as IGN. Thornton continues to post videos to YouTube as well as participate in many fundraising campaigns, which is why she's landed on Fanboys Anonymous's 2014 Internet Goddess Tournament! Also take a look at our own Geek Speak team interview with Ciji!!
Jessi Smiles (Vine & YouTube Personality)
Ever heard of a thing called Vine? If you have, then you most likely know Jessi Smiles. Also known as Jessica Vazquez, Jessi has blown up our Vines with several 30-second clips that will make you giggle each time. She has since broadened her horizons to a YouTube channel as well as appearing in an Epic Rap Battles of History video as Joan of Arc. Recently, Jessi has been caught up in some controversy with fellow Vine-er and ex-boyfriend Curtis Lepore. Although these days most people are focused on the controversy and have effectively taken sides in the war between the two parties, we here at Fanboys Anonymous remain neutral and choose to recognize Vazquez for her Internet accomplishments. Besides, this is a tournament of the nerds, so you guys decide. Is Jessi Smiles worthy of the 2014 Internet Goddess Award?
So who advances from the Heavenly Sixteen? Ciji Thornton or Jessie Smiles?
web polls
Check back next week for the results of the Heavenly Sixteen as well as the Elegant Eight contestants, 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!
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| Complete 2014 Internet Goddess Tournament |
Posted by
Unknown
- Friday, February 28, 2014
Aaron Allston, the author of thirteen Star Wars novels and several short stories, passed away on February 27, TheForce.net confirmed.
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| Photo via 501st Legion |
Allston suffered from an apparent heart failure and collapsed at VisionCon in Springfield, MO, on Thursday and died later that day at the age of 53.
The news first came from game designer Sean Patrick Fannon, who said on his Facebook, "It is my devastatingly sad duty to announce I've just gotten confirmation. Aaron Allston passed away tonight, after collapsing at VisionCon. Apparent cause of death is massive heart failure."
In early 2009, Allston had a heart attack and underwent emergency quadruple bypass surgery, according to StarWarsblog.
The Texan sci-fi and fantasy novelist was better known for his contributions to the Star Wars expanded universe in his novels, contributing four books in the X-Wing series, two books in The New Jedi Order series, and three books in both the Legacy of the Force series and Fate of the Jedi series. His last Star Wars novel, X-Wing: Mercy Kill was released in 2012.
He began his career in the early '80s when he was hired by game designer and publisher Steve Jackson as a circulation manager and then editor for Space Gamer magazine before going on to design game supplements for Steve Jackson Games, Hero Games, and Dungeons and Dragons.
The 501st Legion posted on their Facebook page:
It is truly a sad day for #StarWars fandom as author Aaron Allston has passed away. Aaron's work influenced many realms, but it was his Wraith Squadron novels which led to his induction as one of the original three #501st Honorary Members in 2002. His humor in the midst of his medical difficulties was an inspiration to everyone around him, including fellow authors Mike Stackpole and Timothy Zahn.
Ever a friend to the fan community, Aaron's commitment to writing extended beyond his own work, and his loud shirts and sharp wit will be missed in the writing groups he passionately supported.
There's a gray-striped X-wing waiting in the hangar for you, Aaron. Clear skies.
Allston's contributions to the Star Wars franchise has inspired many and will be greatly missed.
Were you a fan of Aaron Allston's extensive works in the Star Wars universe? Let us know how you feel in the comments section below.
Posted by
The Dace Man
- Thursday, February 27, 2014
Hey, Hey, Hey Dacetacular Nation! Check out Episode 36 of The Dace Man Show with regulars Dace, Gibby, Frank Ward Travis Goss, Nikki Mills, and Michael Burhan!! All-star-packed show for you this week!!
Join The Dace Man and crew this week as they break down the following:
::SPORTS NEWS:
- Current NHL standings
- MLB Spring Training Games have kicked off and how do the Phils look?
- Sochi Update!
::WEIRD NEWS WITH GIBBY::
- What could the Face of Radio possibly have in store for us this week?
::FRANK'S CORNER::
::CELEB NEWS::
- 2014 Internet Goddess Tournament Last week to vote for round 1.
- Seth Myers assumes the hosting duties of Late Night
- Seth Rogen takes to fight to Capitol Hill
- Harold Ramis passed away this week. R.I.P. to a comedic genius
- Sam Worthington socks a paparazzi.
- Robin Thicke splitting from his wife.
- Beloved young-adult book franchise Goosebumps set to hit the big screen with Jack Black attached.
- Ben & Jerry's has unveiled a new line of ice cream flavors
Plus the High Five: Top 5 Harold Ramis Movies, Roast of Gibby Part Deux, and The Douche Bag of The Week. All that and more, only on The Dace Man Show!
2014 INTERNET GODDESS AWARD
Posted by
Unknown
- Wednesday, February 26, 2014
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| Special Edition: NYC Convention Logo |
ReedPOP, the producers of New York Comic Con and C2E2, officially announced their plans on bringing another comic convention to New York City this summer.
The two-day "Special Edition: NYC" convention is scheduled for the Javits Center on June 14 and 15, and will be a pure celebration of comic books, taking the inaugural convention back to the roots of comic cons.
In a response to criticism over major comic book conventions straying away from comic books, ReedPOP's global vice president Lance Fensterman said on the event's website that the pure comic-focused show will meet consumer demand for more comic book experiences.
"New York Comic Con has grown to include so much more than comic books — it is the ultimate pop culture event," the ReedPOP VP said. "Special Edition: NYC will give comic book fans an intimate destination to meet with publishers and special guests. It's creation is meeting consumer demand for more comic book experiences and build upon our mission to provide fans of all kinds the very best in experiential events."
"This new comic book festival will provide fans the opportunity to connect with artists, socialize with fellow collectors in a unique setting and search for those always hard to find back issues," the press release said. "The event is a pure celebration of comic book culture created specifically for die-hard comic book fans, creators and publishers."
A list of special guests scheduled to appear at the convention has already been announced, including Tony S. Daniel (Action Comics), Brian Wood (DMZ), Alex Maleev (Daredevil), Dustin Nguyen (Batman: Li'l Gotham), Kyle Higgins (Nightwing), Frank Cho (Savage Wolverine), Greg Pak (Action Comics), James Tynion IV(Batman Eternal), Jenny Frison (Revival), Joe Eisma (Morning Glories), Joe Harris (The X-Files: Season 10), Marguerite Bennett (Batman Annual No. 2), Michael Moreci (Hoax Hunters), Mike Norton (Revival), Nick Bradshaw (Wolverine and the X-Men), Rafael Albuquerque (American Vampire), Ramon K. Perez (Wolverine and the X-Men), Ryan Stegman (Wolverine), Ryan Browne (God Hates Astronauts), and Tim Seeley (Revival).
Last year's New York Comic Con reportedly attracted more than 130,000 attendees over the weekend-long convention, bringing in an estimated $70 million impact on New York City according to the press release, and making it roughly the same size as Comic-Con International in San Diego, CA.
Tickets are on sale now and are selling out fast for $30 single-day on Saturday and Sunday, and only $5 for kids. The $100 VIP package, which sold out within hours of going on sale, will get you in early all weekend, an official special edition poster signed by the artist, and a special edition variant comic book.
Are you excited and looking forward to another convention? Let us know in the comments section below.
Posted by
Fellonius Munch
Comic books: most of us can recognize that they're not always for kids! Being a grownup and visiting a comic book store, taking your pick, and putting your feet up to read a good title is a sort of creature comfort to many of us. You can be a connoisseur of comic books, a true geek, and you can be open about your love of them, despite the fact that there's still one poopie head around that thinks it's a childish affair. Being a comic book reader can be just the same as being a reader of literature, or a viewer of good television drama. All art imitates life and it sometimes cuts close to the bone. Sometimes it's going to make you hurt!
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| "Oh, dem feelz…" |
That is the basis for Fanboys Anonymous's "Right in the Feels"—a journey through some of the industry's most gutting, saddening, touching, and shocking moments that brought tears to the eyes of many. What kind of moments in the history of our favorite titles tend to really affect us?
Establishing a story that readers sense will leave us hurting, suddenly snapping a character up into the jaws of death, sacrificing one life to save another, sometimes just exposing us to a painful secret in the life of a character we thought was all fun and laughter, action and adventure; there's no end to what can affect us, because emotional pain comes in so many forms and from so many different events in our lives.
"Right in the Feels" begins with five moments courtesy of Marvel!
(Click the links to the pictures, as they've been deemed too upsetting for advertising purposes)
1. THE DEATH OF SPIDER-MAN
Of all of the saddest moments in Spider-Man's colorful existence, you could take a name out of a hat as to which one was the most saddening. I chose the Death of Spider-Man story arc from Brian Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man not for the moment itself, but for the whole setup. Without spoiling everything for would-be readers, the Ultimate Universe has been something of a misnomer over the years. That is, unless you consider many actions of this universe's heroes as an ultimate collection of screw-ups!
Spider-Man's demise came around not at the hands of one man, but as a culmination of sacrifices to save Captain America, Aunt May, Mary Jane, and Gwen Stacey with a little help from Johnny Storm and Iceman, who were unfortunately a little out of their league against Norman Osborn and the Sinister Six. It then turned out to be Aunt May and MJ who saved Peter, only for him to be dealt a mortal wound in the explosion that also killed Osborn. An unintended bullet through the gut from a sniper rifle and being beaten to near-death by the Sinister Six; Peter would not stop trying to save those he loved, and in his final words he wouldn't have had it any other way—
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2. LOKI AND BOB REYNOLDS IN MARVEL'S SIEGE
An untypical choice for a single instance of emotional reading, again, Norman Osborn is pretty much to blame for everything; but this is the Norman Osborn of the 616 (mainstream) universe: the crooked ex-Green Goblin who rose to power after dealing the final blow to the Skrull in Secret Invasion.
That era in Marvel's history, from 2008 and onward, was actually quite an emotional rollercoaster for many readers who saw a grisly end to some of their favorite characters. To see Osborn not only rise to power, but then divide and conquer the Avengers through politics, subversion, sabotage, and assassination—he was one of the most evil villains ever to come so far and to have the world believe he was a hero. After Civil War, so many heroes were permanently driven underground, including Cap, Spider-Man, Daredevil, and Nick Fury.
Siege saw Osborn use the seemingly unlimited Sentry (Bob Reynolds) and the conniving Loki to instigate a war with Asgard while Thor was considered dead, and in that time, even everybody operating under Osborn began to question their alliance. Then Sentry did this to Ares…
During the siege of Asgard, it was revealed that Reynolds was in fact possessed by the Void. Osborn knew this all along, but when he lost control of Sentry, only then did it seem that the heroes might not win the war until Loki revealed a change of heart and sacrificed himself in the name of his adoptive father, Odin…(panel 1 - panel 2)
After everything the readers had already been through, seeing Thor's surprise return immediately turned the battle in their favor. A literal army of heroes arrived to do battle with Osborn, including Iron Man, Captain America, Winter Soldier, Nick Fury, Spider-Man, and Maria Hill. We'd suddenly lost all hope again when Sentry had transformed into the Void. For Loki to suddenly have such a change of heart and then sacrifice himself is a redemptive tearjerker in itself. Then as the Avengers team up to destroy the Void, we see a broken Bob Reynolds look around at the destruction and ask if he'd done all this…
Bob Reynolds, the Sentry, the most powerful superhero in the last decade of Marvel comics! After all he had done for the greater good, with powers that could have lit a fire under Superman's arse, you're led to believe he wants to die so desperately before his final ounce of humanity is stolen. Thor gives him his last wish. There was also an epilogue to Siege—Sentry: Fallen Sun—that saw the surviving heroes attend Bob Reynolds' funeral. As a testament to the impact of his death, how many Marvel characters have had funeral story arcs? Aaargh, right in dem feels!
3. TONY STARK'S CONFESSION
Speaking of epilogues for dead heroes, The Confession occured after the assassination of Captain America following Marvel's Civil War. At Cap's side in the morgue, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers' best friend and then worst enemy, breaks down in a heart wrenching heap of guilt and regret.
Civil War began with a somewhat notorious event; the nuking of a school in Stamford, Connecticut, after a bunch of superpowered kids tried to get 15 minutes of fame hunting down supervillains. This led to the division of the Avengers, following Tony Stark's introduction of the Superhuman Registration Act, which in turn started the Civil War and gave Norman Osborn his chance to make some changes during his sociopathic rise to power.
From friends and allies to enemies, Stark and Rogers drew a line in the sand with citizens, heroes, and villains caught in the crossfire. It also led to the cloning of the currently deceased Thor, who killed Giant Man and made this war deadly serious. So when it ended with Cap surrendering—a broken man, although having defeated Stark—after having seen the destruction their war had caused, it was just one more gutting tragedy when he was assassinated at his own trial. Surprisingly, none were as deeply upset and affected as Iron Man.
Over the years, the deteriorating alcoholic that hid behind the genius and the swagger had leaned on Rogers, who had always been there for him no matter what. It was only in the event of their conflict that Tony had truly cleaned up and tried to be a better man. At the cost of his best friend's life, he realizes that it's all been for nothing. Hate him all you want, but you don't want to rub his face in it! And then they cheapened it all by bringing him back to life...
4. DEADPOOL'S DAD WAS A REAL KIDDER!
From the X-Men Origins: Deadpool one-shot, here is an amazing example of humor being used to touch readers when it comes to personal tragedy. In fact, I'm just going to shut up!
Panels:
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5. FRANK CASTLE RESCUES A GIRL FROM THE SLAVE TRADE
First of all, I must warn you that this final entry is graphically and emotionally distressing, so if you're of the disposition to be disturbed by scenes of violence, abuse, and death, please exit the page for your own safety!
Garth Ennis isn't called the greatest definitive Punisher writer for no reason. Over the duration of his legendary run, through the Marvel Knights and MAX imprints, he made us laugh, he made us angry, and he made us call the Punisher the most bad-ass Marvel character of all time. He also made us afraid of the Punisher, because in the pages of The Slavers, we discover why Frank Castle suppressed his feelings so much. The antagonists of this particular story arc made him unable to do that anymore.
When getting ready to take a hit on a New York mob boss, Frank witnesses a hooker making a break for it—literally fighting for her life. Upon rescuing young Viorica, he hears her story of how the men that led the genocides in Moldova enslaved her, got her hooked on drugs, moved her into the prostitution business and killed her baby. We're actually faced with a visualization of how that news got around…
A lot of people are going to die, and we're already sitting here not knowing whether to throw the book down, crying, or to carry on. We do not physically or mentally know whether to boycott Ennis from now on, or to accept that he's introducing us to factual reality. Enter the Bulats, responsible for everything that we've already witnessed, and I don't care if you're motherfucking Gandhi: you want them dead.
The Slavers wasn't so much filled with great quantities of violence as it was filled with instances of violence that showed a true monster in the Punisher. Whereas he could have just shot a lot of people, nearly everyone that died at his hands was tortured in the most brutal way imaginable, and he still cannot make it count for the crimes he knows they're all responsible for. In the scene, he terrorizes information out of the now-deceased Christu Bulat's wife before he kills her. It doesn't sate his rage; it just makes him angrier, and we feel the same.
The entire arc is not meant to make you sick with distress, and there is some very subtle humor courtesy of a couple of underdog police officers that find themselves at his mercy. Come the end, though, after all Frank has done to get Viorica and the other girls into a better life, we're left heartbroken and unsure of whether she'll ever retain the will to carry on…
Ugh! And there we have it: five instances of gutting moments in Marvel comics. We hope you truly enjoyed yourself and that those of you who appreciate good drama in your comics will be compelled to try out some of these story arcs. To show that I'm not completely callous and that I do care about your feelings, here's a video filled with lots of warm, fluffy, cute entertainment to raise your spirits…
Sound off, fanboys! What are the most emotional scenes within the pages of a comic book you've ever read? We'd like to hear from you. Comment below and thank you ever so much for reading.
Posted by
Fellonius Munch
Fanboys Anonymous regrets to inform its readers that New York actor Roger Hill died last Thursday, February 20, 2014, at age 65.
Hill, who co-starred in director Walter Hill's late-'70s street gang thriller The Warriors, portrayed the revolutionary leader of the Gramercy Riffs: the man whose assassination leads to a city-wide manhunt to catch the wrongly accused Cony Island gang.
The actor, who had few credits in film, still worked as an actor for some twenty years, mostly in theater. He had been a participant of the Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop and had worked Off-Broadway and in touring productions of famous plays such as Hamlet. If you watch his scene in The Warriors below, you'll see where his captivating performance and bellowing voice come from.
The Warriors was a very unique little late-night action movie that has acquired massive cult classic status over the decades. Much of its strength—although full of action and being as gritty as it was campy—came from the caliber of its young actors. Amongst the actors from the film recognized for their achievements and contributions to film and theater today are David Patrick Kelly (Luther), James Remar (Ajax), and Deborah Van Valkenburg (Mercy). Marcelino Sanchez, a.k.a. Rembrandt, had also been very popular in television throughout the '80s (The Bloodhound Gang) but sadly died in 1986 of AIDS-related illness. Other Warriors appearances included Sonny Landham (Billy from Predator) as one of the subway cops and the late martial artist/actor Steve James (Delta Force, American Ninja) as a Baseball Fury. I think we could all agree, though, that much of the movie's magnetism came from Hill as Cyrus because he really set the tone.
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| A real heavy set! |
Later in life, Hill stepped aside from his acting career and took up a position as a librarian while he wrote poetry. He leaves behind an only son, filmmaker and TV show editor Chris W. Hill.
Thanks for reading and if you have anything to add on the life and career of the immortalized Cyrus and the man that portrayed him, please feel free to comment below!
