(no subject)
There are some sequel projects that sound good on paper, but come to be at best a pale imitation of the original or at worst a complete disaster. Author Eoin Colfer has been tapped to continue the Hitchhiker's Guide series. I've read a little of Coffer's work (most recently, "The Wish List"), and while he can maybe pull off the "fantastic" that Douglas Adams could, I don't think he'll be able to grasp the razor wit of the previous novels. In a way, leaving the series "unfinished" (there are rumors Adams was going to write another HHGTTG book) is appropriate, as I've heard several anecdotes that Adams loved starting things and coming up with new concepts, but often got bored or thought of something more interesting before he was done. In the end, I wish Colfer well, hoping that it doesn't become something as reviled as the "Dune" franchises' sequels.
But I can definitely recommend a new book I just picked up: 20th Century Ghosts. I'm a sucker for good short stories, and this collection is pretty refreshing for horror fans. Some of the tales start out seemingly in cliche territory (i.e. a family having the last name of 'Van Helsing') but the endings are often unexpected. Not twists, but "different." Often, the resolution or final thought ends a tale satisfactorily without actually resolving the conflict, if that makes any sense. Anyway, I'm glad to see that horror can still step just outside of formula enough to delight the reader, and I hope Joe Hill has more in store.
One more literature-related thing: Neil Gaiman appeared on the Colbert Report. Stephen reveals his geek flag a bit by mentioning H.P. Lovecraft. Further, while he may have Captain America's shield, I'll bet he now has a signed set of "Sandman" graphic novels.
And speaking of superheroes, there's a film called Super Capers coming out soon. Adam West as a Bat-taxi driver is pretty interesting, but the protagonist's name, "Ed Gruberman," seems an odd choice. Fans of the mythic superhero, "Doctor Demento" know that the Ed we're more familiar with has a passing interest in the martial arts, but I can't see him in spandex.
Oh, and I'm happy to announce that Nodwick and the gang will make an appearance in ps238 #39, due to hit stands in a few weeks. I think fans will be pleased, and the appearance of our medieval troupe does indeed fit the narrative. I promise you'll find nary a shoehorn mark anywhere on the script. :)
Now, what does our favorite time-sink called "the internet" have for us?
- I think I've found the best marketing campaign for Batman ever.
- Marvel comics has graced us with perhaps the oddest product of licensing their characters with videos of a Japanese twist on Spider-Man. I can almost see "A Sandy Frank Production" in the credits... :)
- More video madness? This is a pretty big one: Some sick mind has uploaded the VHS tape footage from the boardgame 'Dragonstrike'. You may want something to bite down on.
- Now, a game. I liked the first "Icebreaker" a lot, and now we have Icebreaker: Red Clan. Free more icebound Vikings!
- Alert reader Tony sent in what is probably going to be a want ad that might be more common in the coming months.
- I'm tossing my "family friendly" vibe to the wind (well, if you're a vegetarian or keep kosher) to bring you sizzling hot (bacon) porn! Mmmm... thick cut hickory smoked...
- GlueFO is a clever twist on the old "Asteroids" game. For one, you're a flying saucer (the dreaded enemy of the original arcade game) and you have to "catch" your bullets with your force-field and click to release them at larger spheres, breaking them down.
- A friend of mine participates in the "World's Largest Trivia Contest" in Steven's Point, WI, and the "Happy Hour Players" put together a bunch of spots for their local campus TV channel. The best of which, I think, is this tribute to 'Jaws.'
- It's kind of scary how well 'Wall-E' footage can complement the audio from the 'Watchmen' trailer.
- And in closing, as we all watch the "SciFi Channel" regenerate into "SyFy," i09.com suggests 25 other names they could use.