Cythusly's weblog

I hope everyone has seen the featurette for the (possibly defunct?) movie based on Alan Moore’s Watchmen, but if you haven’t Superhero Hype has you covered! Check it out, then check out what’s going on with Warner Bros. and Fox fighting about who legally owns the rights to the movie… when I think about it, it kind of reminds me of that awful Fantastic Four movie Fox made on next to nothing to keep the rights to the Fantastic Four franchise, they haven’t made any such movie (read: no such movie has surfaced) to keep ahold of the Watchmen rights and I’m no lawyer so I can only add conjecture to the mix: Fox can’t continue to own the rights to the Watchmen and sit on it for close to 20 years. And if they can, fuck you Fox. I hate your politics and now it’s fucking with a movie I am actually kind of excited about (but still wary of very possibly sucking.)

Here’s to hoping something gets worked out in time for the March 6th release of the Watchmen.

Continuing my post about what web comics I read on a regular basis. I decided I’m going to do a couple at a time as I have time, probably about once a week until I run out of webcomics.

garfield minus garfield – Jim Davis/Dan Walsh (5 days a week)

What happens when you take Garfield out of the Garfield strips? You see a very manic depressive Jon Arbuckle. And it’s hilarious. The strips artwork are the classic Jim Davis Garfield strips with Garfield edited out (hence g-g.) Not much to say other than I get quite a few kicks out of reading this comic, every day it posts I range from a hearty chuckle to almost falling out of my chair laughing.

Ctrl + Alt + Del – Tim Buckley (3 days a week)

I’ve been reading CAD for a few years and I really love it, and it’s been a love-love relationship. I love the stories and humor Tim weaves. There’s a few different characters and plot threads, there’s the main story – that has Ethan, a gamer who is not too bright sometimes, his friend/roommate Lucas, also a gamer, the smarter of the pair, also Lilah, a girl gamer. There’s a larger cast than that, and they even have an animated series! The characters are lovable and genuine. Check it out.

-Tyler

I have most of the web comics I read on a regular basis posted under the ‘webcomics’ link on my side bar, but I felt they needed a little more attention and I realized I have been really neglecting my updates of this site (most of the stuff I write about doesn’t belong here so they go other places) so I figured I’d kill two birds. One stone. Or post. Whatever.

Now the cool thing about webcomics is that they’re comics… free on the web. I read quite a few on a regular basis and I’m going to break them down, on regularity of updates. I won’t be grading them or anything, as anything I read is already so freaking awesome it’d be off any pre-established ranking system thus meaning I would be forced to create a new one – and I’m lazy.

The Devils Panties – Jennie Breeden (6 days a week, Sunday nude drawing class pictures)

I’ve been reading this comic almost as long as I’ve been reading webcomics and I love it. Jennie’s art style is pleasing, she’s very talented but where the comic really shines is the writing – she takes stuff that has happened to her, or around her in her real life and just translated it to a 3-5 panel comic that always proves to be utterly hilarious. She’s a cool person, her webcomic deserves a little more attention, she’s got an actual book she puts out (something up with publishing lately, I think) that also warrants some attention. In addition to all that, if she wasn’t overworked enough, Jennie stopped doing her blog but started a vlog on youtube that is great – she’s so cute when she geeks out!

PvP – Scott Kurtz (5 days a week)

Kurtz is a funny man and it’s been great seeing his art progress. Every time his comic updates it’s like a little Christmas for me, they’re always funny and the art is great with crisp, clean lines and no colors (that doesn’t bother me at all, infact, I actually prefer it as just inked lines.) I recently mentioned Scott along with Mike & Jerry aka. Gabe & Tycho respectively, a few months back in a post about D&D and apparently they’re going to be recording a new session with Wil Wheaton – yes, THAT Wil Wheaton. I can’t say enough about PvP; it’s a great comic, I love how easily followed the continuity is and watching Kurtz’s art style evolve over the years.

I’ll post more later, this is all I had time for before class only 3 more days left!

-Tyler

Music I listened to while writing this post: ▼

Alright, I was just reading over an article at superherohype.com; they’ve been really doing a lot of coverage on X-Men Origins: Wolverine and I can say I’m completely underwhelmed. When I first heard Ryan Reynolds was going to be one of my favourite characters in the film: Deadpool, I was skeptical. Now there’s pictures of Gambit makes him look like a fucking tranny in his shiny purple shirt and “beard” that would be shamed by a 14 year-old.

And now – and NOW, I hop on imdb and check that, oh, Dominic Monaghan is going to play Beak. Seriously!? Beak was a fucking lame character to begin with, now they’re going to lame him up even more in an attempt to make him visually interesting and fun on screen? Who is writing these fucking movies!? I had to fucking check wikipedia because it’s been so goddamned long since I’ve even read the New X-Men series and he was so utterly lame and forgettable (until the kind of Hawkman-esque appearance of him after the AoA-like story arc, the beginning of which I just had to quit reading… yes, it was that bad) that I really had to make sure I was thinking of the right character.

Anyway, I know Wolverine is a cash cow property because of whatever-fucking-reasons (“he’s a badass, and tall, and has cool facial hair and can’t die!” ugh…) so much so they’ve already make 3 fucking movies about him and now they’re making a 4th that is apparently going to be based on his origin (which from what I’ve seen is nothing like Origin, thank fucking Christ, but still if you have source material, especially relatively CURRENT source material: USE IT) I wonder if they’re going to establish bone claws? Or had they already done that in one of his other movies? X-Men? I can’t remember and don’t have the angry energy to check.

Bottom line with the Wolverine movies is this: I’ll definitely be seeing it, because there’s not been much out that’s been good and this is no exception. I’m pretty sure I won’t be surprised by OMG SO FUCKING AWESOME to discount my hatred for a character I liked as a kid reading the comics and watching the Animated Series. I reserve the right to be angry because that’s who I am.

-Tyler

I know it’s been a while, but I’ve been busy. Enough said.

I’ve got a lot to go over so hopefully I can get through everything I wanted to cover today; here goes:

Okami covers! Yes, the IGN watermark is not on these and I have to say that they are beautiful. I got them in the mail the other day (was sad to see only 2 then I realized that the original cover, less IGN watermark, is on the back of BOTH) and it was a very nice treat and a long time coming.

Next Mother3 fan translation patch released this week! I’ve not had the time to sit down with this one because I’ve been so busy with school and work and Halloween fast approaching but I do plan on taking most of November to eat turkey and play the English translation. Thanks to Chewy & Mato and the rest of the team over at The Mother3 Fan Translation site – I’ve been looking forward to this for almost 10 years and I’m fucking excited as hell! Also, go buy the Japanese version of the game! Remember it’s illegal to download a ROM unless you own the game!

There is a bunch of information over at the site about the Earthbound (Mother) series – including walkthroughs, an interview with Mother creator Itoi, and a link to a page that the M3FT has been working on in the background.

Continuing with Mother 3 news, a group of people are creating a guide for Mother 3 that imitates the classic guide that came with Earthbound. Complete with pictures of real clay figures similar to the artwork in it’s predecessor and a full walkthrough. For a $20 preorder (guide slated for release in early 2009) it’s certainly worth the price – especially with a free Courage Badge keychain and reduced shipping on Earthbound shirts when you order together!

Alright, on to comics this month. IDW released Ghostbusters: The Other Side this month. So far all I can say is: amazing. I’m a big fan of the artwork, similar to Stuart Immonen’s artwork from the recent issues of Ultimate Spider-Man, and the story is definitely shaping up to be a good ‘un!

I’m going to end this journal with a mention of a book I just started reading, it’s called “Alive in Necropolis” by Doug Dorst. I’m still not sure about where the story is going but it’s been a fun read so far – I should be done in the next couple of weeks, as I get 10 or so pages a night done before I get to bed, and I’m going to make sure I do a full review of the book (probably my first full review of a book outside on an English class. I’d suggest checking it out at your local library or buy it!

Until next time (hopefully less time than it took me to update this last time)

-Tyler

Just a quick link to my photos from Comic-Con this year that I have yet to post here (everyone who reads this has probably already seen them though)… Comic-Con 2008 – Flickr

There was also a bunch of fanboy moments caught in these picture sets – something I try not to do, because celebrities are people too… but c’mon! It was fuckin’ Ron Perlman! And Felicia Day… and, and Amy Okuda! And the rest of The fuckin’ Guild!

Also, I just updated ecto and it quit on me while it downloaded and restarted itself and everything I had typed (stupidly without saving) came back up. I’m totally loving this blogging software! Any blogger with a Mac should check this shit out.

-Tyler

I got to the con a little bit earlier today than yesterday, it was really nice knowing that there was a tram that ran right from where I was staying to the convention center – it saved about 3 hours of trying to find parking, yes, Comicon is that fucking insane.

I got back around to the Ghostbusters VG booth and met the canon 5th Ghostbuster – Ryan, one of the developers. The guy was really awesome, and loves the property as much as I do. He was really interested in what everyone had to say about the game. After playing it I only had ONE complaint (that I didn’t get a chance to tell him because he had left for lunch) and that was when the characters put away their throwers the animation is not realistic. That’s it. Something in a game about catching ghosts that doesn’t look right because it’s so difficult as to being almost impossible.

After that I ended up collecting a nifty con exclusive LEGO Joker and Batman that I will probably end up giving to one of my friends (he loves LEGOs and I missed his birthday this weekend.) Swagged some other nifty, useless stuff. I’ll probably post a picture on Monday or something.

I saw the entire Guild cast standing around taking in a huddle and I decided not to bother them and just find them while they’re signing later.

I was excited to meet quite a few people that I’d missed on Friday. Wil Wheaton (I got his book “Happiest Days” and talked to him for a bit and he was cool, there’s another story here and I’ll tell that a little later on); Scott Kurtz from PvP, the Candyman, Ken Foree and Cassandra Peterson (awesome lady, I did not expect her to be dressed as Elvira but surprisingly enough she was!) and got my picture with most of them.

I also met Amy & Felicia from The Guild and I think I kind of freaked Felicia out a bit, which kind of sucks. They told me the rest of the cast was signing upstairs and I went and found them (getting my picture taken with an awesome Red Power Ranger on the way) and they were very cool! Robyn and Sandeep were very enthusiastic about the Ghostbuster uniform and Robyn was even more excited when I came back with the pack on. I got a few pictures with them and they all turned out… well, so many people were taking pictures of us it got a little confusing. But there was a picture with Vince, Robyn and Jeff that turned out great and the one where Sandeep jumped in that two of us were looking at different cameras. Oh well, it was a very “Zaboo!” moment.

After that the con was kind of winding down and I stuck around for part of the Masquerade showing in one of the satellite showing rooms since I didn’t know Ballroom 20 wasn’t filled to capacity. I left just as there was a chick dancing around as Emma Frost and there was a nip slip and the lights went OUT. I felt really bad for the lady, but come on… who doesn’t wear pasties underneath a tube top? Not that I’m complaining.

After that it was back to the friends place and slept in the tub ’cause there was snoring.

Yay cons.

-Tyler

Comicon has been great so far. Been able to play some of the Ghostbusters game, very fun, need to check it out some more today (Saturday) and I also couldn’t help but notice – Marvel Nemesis 2? Wasn’t Marvel Nemesis a huge steaming pile of crap? Don’t shake your head I bought it, I know how huge and steamy and smelly it was.

Checked out the WB booth and got some cool interior (and a few exterior) shots of Night Owl’s ship (think it’s screen used from Watchmen.) Didn’t swag anything from that booth, so hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for swag-ing shit. I gave up on doing the little scavenger hunt for LEGO Joker pieces, and when I was feeling more up to it they apparently had run out of heads and stopped doing it for the day.

Web of Shadows looks pretty damn cool, I didn’t hunker down and play any of it but that’s why there’s 2 days left at the con. I also need to check out the Warhammer Online MMO. I went by what seemed to be the conglomeration of awesome webcomic artsts and writers – met R.K. Milholland of something*positive, his girlfriend Rinny (dressed at Zatanna, sooo cute), and Jennie Breeden from The Devil’s Panties, and got a picture with the three of them. I also met the writer/artist from Two/Lumps and he was a very awesome guy, he had been doing a few sketches so I didn’t want to bother him with another – hopefully I can stop by and get a sketch from him today!

I dropped by the Penny-Arcade booth and met Jerry & Mike… and honestly I was less than impressed. I don’t know if I managed to piss them off in the few seconds I was there but they did not seem happy that I was there at all. Maybe I cut off a line or something that I just didn’t see. But the two of them were just sitting there doing nothing. Oh well, I didn’t expect them to be really cool and kiss readers asses – because their pay-grade is way beyond false appreciation of fans. That’s not to say that they don’t appreciate their fans, I’m sure they do. Whatever slight they concocted for me to have committed I hope it was something as awesome as flipping off a box of kittens or punching a baby.

More later,

-Tyler

Finally I am finishing up with this; busy week at school with finals coming up on Thursday.

With Dr. Horrible I wanted to wait until I had seen all three episodes before I said anything about the series – I imagine most people have already seen this, but if you have not do it now!

There’s also a primer comic introducing you to Captain Hammer on myspace of all places, written by Joss’ brother Zack and put out by Dark Horse. Read that as well.

Short review because I’m tired:

Let me just say that this is possibly the funniest, and saddest, musicals I have ever seen – the first two acts are extremely funny (I would say the bulk of the fun songs are in the second act) and the third has the darker sense of humor I relate to the 7th season of Buffy. Neil Patrick Harris is absolutely amazing as a super-villain and Felicia Day is amazingly expressive. Nathan Fillion also plays a awesome stupid/stuck-on-himself superhero.

–

How great this mini-series was makes it more difficult to have to decide between it and the Ghostbusters panel on Friday at Comic-Con, sadly I think I’m going to have to go to the Ghostbusters panel – it’s the main reason I got everything set up for SDCC in the first place.

Hopefully there is a Dr. Horrible or Mutant Enemy booth and I will be able to get a copy of the DVD (signed by the main cast?) while at the con.

-Tyler

As most of you might know already the trailer for the Watchmen is out. I was actually really excited to see this but after watching it I am honestly a little more upset than I thought I would be, I mean how difficult is it to make a movie about people who don’t have super powers but dress like super-heroes? From watching the Comedian punch tile and mortar in huge chunks out of a wall to seeing the (young) Silk Spectre apparently flying and coming down through a roof? Come on!

I honestly can’t judge it too much, I mean it’s just the first trailer after all and it very well could be made to look more sensational for us American audiences which only seem to want action and explosions. Of course I can remember watching the trailer for Fight Club and thinking “what the fuck is this?” and swearing I would never see what actually became one of my favourite books and movies.

I really do hope the “visionary” director of 300 – which I honestly had a problem with the changing of the story – Zach Snyder does Watchmen well. We don’t need it to be a super-powered romp through a small conflict, we need the seemingly normal people that fight crime because it’s right and not because they’ve got super powers. Night Owl is freaking Batman and he should be closer to that than let’s say… Superman. The book was about the (at the time) current state of the world and how a comic book could mirror that. Let’s keep it that way. Two people in the story have super powers – Dr. Manhattan and Ozymandias, and the latter isn’t nearly as fantastical as the former.

However, I have to give it props, some of the scenes they showed are freaking exactly from the comic which is an amazing feat.

-Tyler

ps. the Dr. Manhattan being deconstructed thing in the beginning looks awesome!