recommendations

news

Zebra artist and all around great guy Greg Moutafis participated in Wonder Woman Day, an event held on October 29th at Excalibur Comics which raised $15,000 to benefit Women's & Children's Shelters in Portland, OR!

Greg contributed two pieces which can be seen at their site along with art by Alex Ross, Bernie Mireault, Adam Hughes and many others.

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sequential artist

Doug TenNapel

Many know Doug TenNapel from the videogame Earthworm Jim. I found out that he is also a stellar cartoonist through an online review of 'Creature Tech.'

At a con, a friend talked me into buying the book and I did not regret it.

There is an inspired humor and depth in Doug's linework that is both youthful and refined. His design work, from the insane monsters to comical characters are so full of vitality that dialogue is hardly even necessary.

His work includes 'Earthboy Jacobus,' 'Creature Tech,' 'Tommysaurus Rex' and the sadly out of print 'Gear.'

The recently released 'Iron West' looks to be another stellar work.

Make sure to visit his site for more of his art!

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music

The Walkmen

I have never seen The Walkmen live. When I lived in Cambridge a good friend told me numerous times they were in town and I needed to see them. I have no idea what I did those nights but I missed out. On a cosmic level I've also missed three concerts this past year. I'm not sure what the problem is.

From the beautifully strained voice of singer Hamilton Leighthauser and pounding guitars/drums, the Washington DC-bred, NY-based quintet has won me over. Thier albums 'Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone' and 'Bows and Arrows' are full of haunting and sorrowful tunes, exultant in their hopelessness, finding a kind of sick comfort in dispair as the world falls to pieces long before last call.

Their new album a kind of tribute to the Harry Nillsen/John Lennon album 'The Pussycats Starring the Walkmen' is a unique mix of new sounds.

They're playing Boston on November 8th. I'll miss that concert, too.

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Battlestar Galactica
(Sci-Fi Channel-US Fridays at 9PM EST)

Yes, that show. The show that has been swallowing up your friends every Friday. I resisted for years because of a dislike for the Sci-Fi Channel's programming combined with a lack of enthusiasm over the imagery of 'hot sexy Cylons.' But for my birthday last year a friend bought me the Season One box set. I begrudgingly watched it one day (I'm a big grump when it comes to accepting suggestions from anyone) and was immediately hooked.

From the sparse moody soundtrack to the eye-popping visual effects and direction, this program succeeds where no other Sci-Fi ever has... it's amazing. The storyline is tense and dynamic, keeping you guessing every step of the way while raisining the bar week after week for both quality of production and acting performances. Richard Hatch (yes, the original Apollo), Dean Stockwell and Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell and many other outstanding actors are apparently so impressive that this sci-fi program is looked at as the standard for dramatic acting in professional circles and it's no wonder.

I know you doubt me. But do yourself a favor and watch this program... and yes the Cylon is pretty hot.

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videogame

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

For those who know me, video games play as large a part in my life as eating and sleeping. Since I started playing the X-Box a few years back, I've considered having it grafted into my hands in a Cronenberg fashion just to save time.

The new game from Marvel and Activision uses the highly successful model used in their previous games 'X-Men Lengends I and II,' allowing up to four players to wield the might of Marvel Comics characters in a battle to the death with various robots and club-bearing goons as well as high-ranking boss characters. This new game boasts a total of 23 playable heroes and at least 20 hours of game play not including side adventures. The characters are customizeable and consist of mainstays of the Marvel line including Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and less well-known heroes like Ms. Marvel and Spider-Woman.

The game spans everything from liberating Atlantis to surviving Murderworld, freeing Ghost Rider from Hell and even battling Galactus. If you are looking for a way to eat up every last minute of your time... put your money toward this game.

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dvd

Brainiac (AKA El Barón del Terror)
1962

The Mexican Horror classic is finally on DVD from Casanegra.

For years this was only a movie that existed as stills in 'Famous Monsters.' This film has no relation to the DC Comics supervillain but don't let that stop you from seeing what is sure to be the oddest horror film you've ever seen.

The story involves the Spanish Inquisition, time traveling curses, meteors and the ability to steal another man's clothes while leaving him in his undies... with your mind. From crowbar tongue-ramming action to the villain making his enemies watch him seduce their wives before eating their brains, this flick has it all. I highly recommend it for parties and the commentary track is essential.