Posted by
The Dace Man
- Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Hey, hey, hey Dacetacular Nation! Chris Dace bringing you some breaking video game news. The much anticipated Batman: Arkham Knight has had its fall 2014 release pushed back to 2015. Guy Perkins of Rocksteady has noted to news sources that the game has been "super ambitious" and it took "more time" than they expected. As a huge fan of all the recent Batman games, this is currently the only game I've had on reserve for the PS4. huge bummer that we now have to wait at the very least 4 months until the next installment of Batman hits our systems. In a quote released by Guy Perkins, he had this to say about the game:
"We just want to make the best experience we possibly can and we need more time to do that. I think what we've shown so far is a super ambitious project and we just want to make sure we are giving Batman fans and gamers the best Batman experience that we can possibly deliver and that just takes time." (Source: gamereactor.eu)
Go ahead Rocksteady and take your time, but this game better kick ass. To hold you over until we get more news about the next installment in the franchise, here is the trailer that got us all amped up at its announcement.
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 your Batmobile—and check out what's going on here in the Dace-Sphere. See ya next time!
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Posted by
Eddie Siqueira
- Monday, June 2, 2014
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which inevitably centered around Nirvana. Now I'm glad to say you can see it online, courtesy of Random Person; why the Hall of Fame wouldn't put it up for streaming remains to be understood. Royalties perhaps?
I wonder if we'll ever see the bootleg of the after show secret concert, a whopping 20-song circa treat for the nostalgic.
Without further ado, here it is! What was your favorite song of the set? Comment!
Posted by
Orion Petitclerc
I don't usually go off-topic when it comes to what I write about here on Fanboys Anonymous. Those of you who've been following me probably know me as that Venom/Moon Knight dude, and I like that reputation, but I don't limit myself to what I love the most. I've been having a bit of a comic book renaissance of my own as of late in which I've been openly exploring other avenues and genres outside of my comfort zone. I happen to love Star Wars—maybe not as rabidly as my fellow geeks when I visit local conventions, but the franchise holds a special place in my upbringing. I've heard stories through word-of-mouth about the radically different initial draft George Lucas had written for Episode IV, so naturally, when I heard about Dark Horse Comics' plans to publish a limited series based on the rough draft, my interest was piqued.
Titled
The Star Wars, the series neither disappointed the long-time fan in me, nor spoiled the memory of the original trilogy. The final issue of the 8-part series just published on May 28, 2014, and let me tell you: it was a wondrous ride, to say the least. J.W. Rinzler (RINZ-LER!) held the distinct and intense honor of adapting Lucas' rough draft to the comic book script, while Nick Runge provided the classic, posteresque cover art and Mike Mayhew and Rain Beredo drew and painted the equally beautiful interior artwork for every issue. Unlike any other
Star Wars comics teams, this team had the heaviest burden to bear of all on this project: recapturing that particular sense of wonder and innocence most
Star Wars fans across the generations experienced when they first watched
A New Hope. This was perhaps the creative team's most notable accomplishment in their astounding adaptation.
From the very first page, you'll see that this isn't the Star Wars you grew up with. So much is different about this story, from which characters play which roles to the vast changes in the franchise's staple characters. Luke Skywalker isn't some punk kid living with his Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru (both of whom don't even show up until much later in the story); he's a seasoned General of Aquilae—this story's version of Tatooine and Naboo wrapped into one planet—and one of the last survivors of the ill-fated Jedi-Bendu Rebellion against the New Empire. Anakin Skywalker isn't Luke's father nor Darth Vader; in The Star Wars, he is known as Annikin Starkiller, the son of the cyborg Jedi Kane Starkiller, Luke's padawan, and this story's stand-in for the original trilogy's Luke. Han Solo is a green-skinned alien, Darth Vader is merely a general under the command of Governor Hoedaak and the (non-Sith Lord) Emperor, and R2-D2 can actually talk. So yeah, prepare for a culture shock when you pick this series up.
The Star Wars takes the original trilogy and combines it into one seamless, truncated version of the original plot. There are plenty of familiar, yet altered sights throughout the series, and some new concepts that never came into fruition in the final drafts of the films. The story is pretty much the same, though: the New Empire overthrew the old galactic regime (known simply as the Empire) after a fateful war against the Jedi-Bendu with the help of the Knights of the Sith, a rival clan of Force-disciplined warriors. The galaxy is about to fall under the complete control of the New Empire but for Aquilae, the final conquest and home of the Aquilean royal family, which includes Princess Leia and her younger brothers, Briggs and Windy. Luke, Annikin, and their associates are tasked with the protection of Leia and her brothers while fostering a Rebellion against the Empire and its seemingly invincible space fortress (what would go on to become the Death Star).
Perhaps this was the fault of the comic writer or it was directly taken from the original rough draft, but one of the largest detractors in this series for me were the moments of simplistic and borderline unnecessary dialogue—not unnecessary as in crude, but as in the dialogue was confusing and unneeded for the scene. Granted, one of the greatest elements of the original Star Wars film trilogy was its accessibility to the masses through simplicity and veiled macroeconomics, so maybe this is just a nit-pick from a guy who's used to more complex forms of dialogue and story.
The artwork really propelled this series into stardom, though. The artists were carefully chosen to emulate the vision of the original and new trilogies while giving us a taste of something new and different. The art is very cinematic and contains elements of both science fiction and fantasy. As with the original trilogy, the Force of Others—as it's called in the books, with the altered catchphrase, "May the Force of Others be with you"—is a spiritual, unseen energy used by the Jedi and Prince Valorum, the Emperor's Sith Knight and Jedi hunter. The artists use no special effects to illustrate the Force of Others, which adds to the mysticism of the mysterious energy.
Does The Star Wars live up to the legend of Star Wars? Absolutely. This series is perhaps analogous to a very successful Marvel What If…? story, which retains the same atmosphere and command of the original trilogy while providing a mirror into an alternate reality. The films may not have achieved the same level of fame and success had Lucas produced them with his rough draft, but this comic book adaptation proves the existence of the same spark that enthralled audiences on A New Hope's opening day.
The Star Wars #1–8 receives 4.5 stars out of 5 for the wondrous, yet simplistic writing and 5 stars out of 5 for the stunning artwork. This is definitely a must-buy for any hardcore or interested Star Wars fan. I suggest waiting for the series to come out in a collected trade paperback book later in July 2014, or the special hardcover edition that includes issue #0—which contains conceptual artwork and notes from the creative team.
If you picked up the books as they came out, what did you think of the series? Are you excited for the teased "Saga of the Ophuchi" sequel? Who was your favorite alternate-reality character? Let us know in the comments section below, check out Tony Mango's "10 Reasons Star Wars: Episode VII May Be Doomed From the Start," and follow Fanboys Anonymous for more Star Wars news and reviews!
Posted by
Anonymous
- Sunday, June 1, 2014
Readers, the great thing about graphic novels, especially indie graphic novels, is that there is no end to the story possibilities. No matter where you take your readers, as long as the art works, you should be able to find some reader somewhere who can relate. If that wasn't true, we wouldn't get Sunday newspaper comics in every weekend newspaper with which to pack our knickknacks.
The other day, I took a few hours to read Honkies From Outer Space, a cartoon-style adult graphic novel written, drawn, and hand lettered by Wm. J. Krupinski. As sort of a warning, some parts of the storyline and scenarios are more mature than the art itself, but it all seems to come together in a neat and tidy, well-drawn, decently written, silly masterpiece. It seems to draw an interesting parallel with several historical events involving the invasion unto a people by another, specifically the invasions upon the African and Native American peoples. In fact, the title, Honkies from Outer Space, leaves little to wonder about the population represented by the alien invader (if you catch my drift). Like the cover says, "they are so rude and crude they must be from another planet." The honkies don't care for preservation, they don't care who they might hurt, and they don't care what happens when they eat up all the resources.
This graphic novel begins with a few young troglodytes from an underdeveloped world. Having witnessed the invasion of a people from far away, they set out to free their kind from the honking destruction of the capitalist invaders. Little do they know that there is an incidental traitor among them who is drawn into an odd relationship with royalty from The Honkies. It will spell danger for people of the planet but may also save them.
I found this story unique and funny. At some points the humor might have fallen a little short, specifically in the form of a pun, or perhaps it might have been over my head, but when Krupinski hits the honky on the head, sometimes you can't help but kracker up. Krupinski gets a definite 4 out of 5 me and I would definitely read his work again. Tell me what you think downstairs! Indie?
Posted by
Jonathan Jackson
- Saturday, May 31, 2014
An enthusiastic X-Men fan has made his own magnetic shoes to walk on the ceiling.
This is one of the funniest and spectacular feats (pun intended) I have ever seen. I will be keeping an eye out for this guy to see what he comes up with next.
If you could make a superhero power a reality, whose/what would it be? Leave a comment below!
Posted by
Justin Hedvat
- Friday, May 30, 2014
In news that was first reported by Latino Review and subsequently confirmed by Variety, Josh Brolin has been cast as the nefarious big bad Thanos in Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy.
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| Josh Brolin cast as Thanos in Guardians of the Galaxy |
Marvel and director James Gunn have been coy for the past few months about Thanos, teasing that the villain would indeed make an appearance but stopping short of revealing casting details.
Brolin will first voice Thanos in Guardians, followed by more significant roles in Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avengers 3. Originally played by Damon Porter, Thanos made his first onscreen appearance during a brief mid-credits cut scene of The Avengers, during which it was revealed that he had orchestrated the alien invasion of Earth.
Thanos is the key antagonist in the Infinity Gauntlet storyline, which—as alluded to in the post-credits scene of Thor: The Dark World—seems to be the route the Marvel Cinematic Universe is taking. Composed of the Infinity Gems, the Infinity Gauntlet grants its wearer the power to control time and space, alter reality, and become omnipotent. It is the ultimate weapon in Thanos's arsenal against the Avengers.
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| Thanos brandishes the Infinity Gautlet |
Guardians will not be the first superhero movie to feature Brolin. The actor headlined DC Comics' 2010 flop Jonah Hex, and was even considered for the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne in Zack Snyder's horribly titled Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which was awarded to Ben Affleck, much to the dismay of hardcore fans. Had Brolin already signed on with Marvel Studios prior to his talks with DC? We may never know.
Guardians of the Galaxy hits theaters on August 1.
Are you satisfied with Josh Brolin's casting? How will the appearance of Thanos affect the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Posted by
Jeff Penner
- Wednesday, May 28, 2014
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
Edgar Wright Leaves Ant-Man.
My take: What the heck?? He's been working on this movie since 2006(?) and knew exactly what he wanted to do. I guess that was the problem. Marvel was very patient as to when this project could launch, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe wasn't necessarily what it is today. The issue here seems to be that Wright's vision isn't going to mesh with the current MCU. If it was his choice, I say good for him to walk away. If it was Marvel's doing, I say they're on a slippery slope.
X-Men: Days of Future Past.
My take: Yay, I finally got to see a movie on its opening weekend! Take that, fatherhood! I found this to be probably the most engaging of the entire series, if not the most confusing. I appreciated that decisions were made according to the characters' personal desires and inner turmoil rather than just what the plot needed. This always adds the unexpected element, rather than knowing full well what they're going to do. I know the movie will end with things relatively wrapped up, but I don't know who Magneto is going to screw over in the process. Those are the ingredients this series has that it either uses sparingly or seems unaware it has them at all. In any case, I was entertained for 2 hours and I can't say much more without spoiling things.
TELEVISION
Drew Goddard Leaves Daredevil.
My take: What the heck?? The guy's a DD super fan! This one seems to be falling under the category of contract disputes, as Goddard is tied to Sony for the surely awful Sinister Six movie(s). Either way, it was bad timing, and Marvel's shining reputation in the TV and film industry finally has some dings bigger than "Terrence Howard-Gate."
Charlie Cox Cast as Daredevil.
My take: I need to see this guy's range a lot more than I've seen on TV. Say what you want about Affleck's portrayal, but Matt Murdock is a tortured soul who can kick your ass, and I don't know if Cox screams that or not.
John Wesley Shipp is The Flash's Dad Now.
My take: How fitting, I suppose? I watched Shipp in the original series and, for what they had available at the time, it was an amazing show. They had zero budget and still had cool effects, plus the suit itself cost a cool million to create. Shipp returns to the same character's world as his father, Dr. Henry Allen. I appreciate nods like this in TV and movies, and his casting is actually one of the reasons I'll be tuning in. Also, I love Tom Cavanagh.
Quentin Tarantino May Release 4-Hour Django Unchained.
My take: I really did enjoy the movie, and now Tarantino may release his piles of unseen footage as a VOD mini-series. Usually, I think of pure history when it comes to racism-centric stories, and this mixed that with entertainment. Although I hope the movie's brutality was a wake up call for many people, I don't know if it lends itself to a 4-hour mini. However, it would be great to see more performances out of all the leads because I think they all did amazing jobs.
COMIC BOOKS
The Flash #31 Released.
My take: I have no issue with the controversial return and re-racing of Wally West. What I take issue with is DC's constant reliance on time traveling and alternate worlds for stories. From a character whose origin used to be exactly the same as Barry Allen's, Wally's origin now can't be explained to anyone but an avid comic book reader. "The Flash? Oh, he got hit by lightning and chemicals. Kid Flash? Same." See? Things used to be so easy.
Amazing Spider-Man #1 Released.
My take: I'm one of "those people," the ones that were actually enjoying The Superior Spider-Man. I knew all along it was temporary (which is partly why I could let go and enjoy the ride), but the last few months have felt very forced. The story ended with a whimper, and now Peter is back, which I'm happy about, but it was a contractual obligation to match with the release of The Amazing Spider-Man 2. I'm also not happy that the first storyline is going back to Peter's first days as Spidey. Enough ret-conning! We already have Original Sins about to change everyone's past as it is.
Star Lord's Cancerverse Escape Details.
My take: I'm a huge fan of the Abnett & Lanning era of the Marvel Universe. It was cancelled abruptly and they did a great job of leaving a cliffhanger: the apparent death of Peter Quill and Richard Rider (Nova). In Guardians of the Galaxy #18 this fall, I'll finally know how he escaped the Cancerverse! The revelation comes during Original Sin so it might be bad news, and Richard Rider is nowhere to be seen.
David S. Goyer Boosts She-Hulk Sales.
My take: I guess the one good thing about DC's film spearhead calling She-Hulk a porn star is that Shulky's sales have gone up. The series that launched in February is getting rave reviews. People reading about the scandal ask "Uh, who's She-Hulk?" then check the book out and love it. There is no better way for Marvel characters to earn respect than having some a-hole at DC insulting them.
GAMES
LEGO Batman: Beyond Gotham in 2014.
My take: I have the sequel with all the DC heroes in it, and I still haven't finished it. Sometimes I get LEGO'd out, but I do own at least four LEGO video games (sadly, this includes the Indiana Jones version). Part of my issue with these games is my age, the simplicity of the plot lines, and the repetition of gameplay. Yet I still play Call of Duty. Go figure.
Watch out for this segment each and every Wednesday. We'll see you next week!
Did we miss something? What are your thoughts on these topics? Leave us a comment below!
Posted by
Unknown
- Tuesday, May 27, 2014
As an owner of the Xbox One since Christmas Day, I have really nothing positive to say about the console except for good graphics. Besides that, the Xbox One has sucked major ass since the release last fall. Here are some of the reasons why this console does not cut the cheese in more than one way.
5. The All-In-One Entertainment System That's Not So Entertaining
You know how one of the biggest selling points of the Xbox One was that you could connect your cable box and use the Kinect to control it?! Yeah, they screwed this one up. The idea of split-screening cable and your games was intriguing, but there were tons of issues with lag and Kinect voice commands not working (which will reappear in a bit). A waste of an innovative idea.
4. Bad Servers
I had to get a new router because apparently the one I had for the Xbox 360 was not good enough, and even now with my new one I still have issues accessing certain things because my Internet—which was never an issue before the Xbone—is now the problem. This is an issue I believe Microsoft will fix in time, but for now it's a nuisance.
3. The Kinect
Remember when Microsoft said that the Kinect would come with the Xbox One and that it had to be plugged into the console? The Kinect was a stinker on the 360, and it still is now on the One. The Kinect camera is still slow on reactions and sometimes still doesn't recognize me or my hands. Voice commands are terrible and often either won't be picked up or will not be what you actually said.
2. The Games
I know the Xbone has only been out for a few months now, but you would think when you are launching a new console that you would launch it with some premiere titles that would make people want to get the console. Most games that have come out for the Xbone also came out with the Xbox 360 or with Sony's respective consoles. I know over time games will come out, but by then I will have either switched to PC gaming or just not be playing video games anymore.
1. Nothing Groundbreaking
To me this will be what kills the Xbox One if it comes to it: There is nothing that is really innovative about the next-gen consoles. Hell, there was more innovation back when Microsoft was trying say DMR was the future last year when they announced the console. I have talked to numerous people about whether they were going to get the new consoles being released, and most told me they weren't because they weren't offering anything that made them want to get the new console. To me this was upsetting, because some of these people were the ones I wasted my teenage years playing video games with and now I won't be able to do that anymore. Which is part of the reason I don't like the new consoles—there is no one to play with.
So ladies and germs, is the Xbox One really as bad as I think it is, or am I just an annoying man on the Internet who can't see greatness even if it slaps me in the face? Share your opinions in the comments area below! With that, let's end this piece with a celebratory piece of meme.
Posted by
Unknown
- Monday, May 26, 2014
Avengers assemble in New York again. Don't worry, the city won't be leveled this time! Discovery Times Square teamed up with Marvel Entertainment to bring the first interactive exhibit that takes you deep into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as you explore the history and scientific origins of Marvel's mightiest heroes. Step into S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters and enlist as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent this summer! (We'll just pretend S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't disbanded, if you haven't seen Captain America: The Winter Soldier).
Marvel's Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. (Scientific Training and Tactical Intelligence Operative Network) Exhibition is a fully immersive exhibit that matches real props from the films with cutting-edge interactive technology, Marvel announced.
The high-tech $7.5 million exhibit spans over 10,000 square feet in New York's Discovery Times Square and is designed to be a full-sized replica of the S.H.I.E.L.D. base complete with holograms and activity stations.
Collaborating with NASA and the National Academy of Sciences, the exhibit merges STEM-based educational lessons with superhero fun, allowing visitors to map out the stars to find Asgard, witness the neurological effects as Bruce Banner transforms into the Hulk, and even control Iron Man's suit using eye movements (blinking makes the repulsor beams fire!)
Visitors of all ages are recruited as agents and given an official ID card that grants them access through airlocks into rooms that hold authentic props from the films including Thor's Mjolnir, Captain America's shield, Loki's scepter, the Tesseract, and more.
"You're literally standing in front of a nine-foot tall Hulk and he punches the wall, and the whole building shakes," Nicholas Cooper, the creative director of Victory Hill Exhibitions the company behind the exhibit told NY Daily News. Implementing an exhilarating learning experience to the exhibit, Hulk's fierce punch is calculated in newtons, and that is just one of the many STEM discoveries.
With America's major decline in students' interest in math and science, the Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. might just be what is needed to cultivate a nationwide growing interest in STEM education and careers.
The super-exhibit opens to the public May 30 and will run through Jan. 5, 2015. Tickets cost $27 for adults and $11 for kids. For more information, click here.
Are you planning a trip to New York this summer to experience what it would be like as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent (and then get shawarma after)? Let us know in the comment section below!
