September, 2011

Voltron – The Final Battle is coming to DVD

November 1st marks the date of an epic 8 episode feature for Voltron. Classic Media plans to launch this remastered DVD with some of the most epic battles in the history of Season 1. The Omega Comet, Dark Doom Castle and more all await eager Voltron fans!

For those collecting the entire series in box set form, this might not be as amazing of a find, for casual collectors using Netflix though, this brings out some of the more epic battles in the shows history.

Details:

MSRP: $12.99
Features:

Top 5 new powers of Voltron Force – The biggest and baddest new features of Nicktoons’ new series Voltron Force
Blazing Sword Voltron – Meet the newest, coolest Voltron collector’s figure ever

Order it: Amazon | Buy.com | Walmart | Best Buy

We’ll try to get more information out of Classic Media on this one, hopefully we might even be able to give some DVD impressions. Keep an eye out for more!

Update: Listed retailers now taking orders

Review – Criminal Macabre: No Peace For Dead Men One-Shot

Criminal Macabre: No Peace For Dead Men One-Shot

Story: Steve Niles
Art: Christopher Mitten
Colors: Michelle Madsen
Letters: Nate Piekos of Blambot
Cover: Fiona Staples
Back Cover: Christopher Mitten
Published By: Dark Horse

I must admit that I had never read any of the Criminal Macabre comics before so I had no idea of what to expect. I read the description, thought it sounded interesting, so I gave it a go. I’m glad I did! This issue provides enough back story that even a new reader to the series can jump right in and enjoy it. I can’t speak on whether it stays true to the past story or characters but I can tell you that even if it doesn’t, it doesn’t matter, Cal McDonald is pretty awesome.

Cal is tortured and cantankerous, like every anti-hero should be. Hating his life but knowing he has a greater purpose, he has to bite the bullet and do what he has to do. He’s a loner, he’s tired, his car’s possessed but none of this matters, his destiny is greater than all of this. The group of bad guys has conspired and come up with a plan that would make the average man fold, not Cal, he’s just going to get angry…and even. The twist at the end is most definitely going to add some interesting and different kinds of story lines, provided it gets incorporated into the existing series.

The Criminal Macabre is fast-moving, action packed and the dialog is snappy. The Christopher Mitten’s art is superb, I found myself going back just to look at. I’m very happy that I came across this comic, I will definitely be adding it to the titles that I regularly read. I would recommend everyone get this, read it and get ready for a helluva ride!

Release Date: September 14, 2011

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Review – Criminal Macabre & The Goon: When Freaks Collide One-Shot

Criminal Macabre & The Goon: When Freaks Collide One-Shot
Story: Steve Niles
Farts and Negativity: Eric Powell
Art: Christopher Mitten
Colors: Michelle Madsen
Letters: Nate Piekos of Blambot
Cover: Fiona Staples
Variant Cover: Eric Powell
Published By: Dark Horse

I cannot express the excitement I had when I saw that Criminal Macabre and The Goon worlds were colliding. I’m new to Criminal Macabre and Cal McDonald but I have read The Goon for a very long time. The prospect of Cal and Goon coming together got me so far beyond excited, however, I had to contain myself. What if they didn’t mesh, what if my expectations were too high? So I went into reading this with no preconceived ideas and let the comic sway me whichever way it was going to.

What happens when you put together two very sarcastic, violent anti-heroes? You get a really kick ass comic, that’s what you get! The Goon and Cal (and Mo and Franky) come together under false pretenses and have to find a way out of their predicament. How would these two do this? Sit down and have a reasonable conversation with the bad guys? Perhaps they would run away? No, they will do what they do so well, fight, and fight they do, side by side.

The dialog is light, but there are some extremely funny interactions that make us privy to Goon’s T.V. preferences (who would have known)! The art is fantastic. Christopher Mitten is excellent in capturing the essence of both Criminal Macabre and The Goon. There is a really unexpected and cool surprise at the end and it seems that there is a potential for more to come. Hopefully, there are more of these collaborations in our future because it was really entertaining and these two would make great partners. I highly recommend this comic and can’t wait for more (hopefully!!).

Release Date: July 20, 2011

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Review – Conan: Road Of Kings #8

Conan: Road Of Kings #8

Writer: Roy Thomas
Penciller: Mike Hawthorne
Inker: John Lucas
Colorist: Dan Jackson
Cover Artist: Aleksi Briclot

After killing Arpello’s second-in-command for betraying him and the plotters, Conan and newly companion Albiona must make their way through underground catacombs beneath Aquilonia’s capital.

Conan & Albiona are waiting for things to settle down before they make way to the trapdoor where Lady Thelitis and the plotters escape through. In hopes of finding them, Conan tells Albiona to wait until he returns once he’s found the door, defying Conan’s orders though, she accompanies him to the door. With a little help he quickly disposes of the two guards standing in front of the entrance, near the trap door. Once Inside, Albiona recalls a time when her mother told her about the tombs and how escape slaves of Acheron hid there to pray. Walking deeper and deeper in underground they find material remains of those who have also travel through the dark catacombs, they are suddenly attacked by giant insect like creatures. Conan springs into action and furiously fights to save Albiona and himself, as they run to what looks like the exit of the tomb they run into lady Thelitis and the plotters who are also fighting their way through the creatures. Together, they easily fend off the rest of the giant size insects but they soon realize the creature’s (Sarcophag’s) are not the only things that are dangerous………

Here’s what i think of Conan: Road Of Kings #8…Not much is going on in this issue, just continuing the current story. Hopefully the next issue will be better

Release Date: September 21, 2011

DC Universe soon to be free to play

DC Universe fans will soon be a available at a greatly reduced rate of free. Here is the news and breakdown on the three tiers from Sony.

Sony Online Entertainment today announced a new free-to-play business model for its popular massively multiplayer online (MMO) game DC Universe Online (DCUO) — where players have the freedom to become legendary fighting alongside DC Comics icons like Superman, Batman and The Jokerin an ever-evolving online action adventure that has already logged more than 42 million hours of super-powered gameplay action by players since its launch earlier this year.

Beginning late October, players will be able to download and access DCUO for free on both the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. As part of this transition, SOE is introducing three new access levels to the game: Free, Premium and Legendary. All three levels will provide access to open world gameplay and missions, general game updates and fixes to the game, with each level offering different game options and benefits.

“When we launched DC Universe Online, we introduced a very different brand of massive online game driven by fast action combat to PC and PS3™gamers and with that, we discovered a new type of online gamer,” said John Smedley, President, Sony Online Entertainment. “We’ve listened to our community, and we’ve determined that the free-to-play model is the best fit for DC Universe Online.”

Smedley added, “Our philosophy embraces learning from our experience and as a pioneer in the free-to-play space with proven successful games like Free Realms and Clone Wars Adventures, we believe this new model will expand the DCUO experience and offer more options that cater to every type of player so they can play the game in a way that fits them.”

All three levels provide access to the current game, but allow differing tiers of convenience and flexibility. The levels are:

* Free: New players will now have access to the current gameplay in DC Universe Online (including Gotham City, Metropolis, and all current raids and alerts), with the ability to create two characters, join a league and many other benefits. Free level players will be able to purchase downloadable game packs/updates, additional character slots, powers and more through microtransactions.

* Premium: Any player who has spent at least $5 USD (including former paid subscribers and new players who have purchased $5 of in-game items) will qualify for the Premium access level. Premium level players will have more benefits available to them than the Free level player, including additional character slots, additional inventory slots, and higher cash limits. Downloadable adventure packs, additional character slots, and more can be purchased in-game.

* Legendary: Maximum features and benefits are included at this level. Loaded with enhanced additional features, Legendary access will be available for a $14.99 USD monthly fee and includes all DLC packs at no cost, more than 15 character slots, more than 80 inventory slots, the ability to form unrestricted-sized leagues, and many other benefits.

More information on the DCUO free-to-play access levels can be found here: http://www.dcuniverseonline.com/free/ .

Netflix introduces Qwikster

Netflix managed to enrage quite a few users with their most recent price adjustment, going from 7.99 to 9.99 to 15.98 a month. Today a mass advertisement masked as an apology was sent out to the masses, the point pushed Netflix needed to do such a thing to ensure their success in the market.

With that said, Qwikster plans to offer Blu-Ray discs, DVD’s and also video games in their service. If GameFly users should be concerned is unknown, with the site still under wraps it’s hard to say how solid of an alternative it will be. The plan is to roll out PS3, 360 and Wii games as primary formats. Pricing plans seem unknown at the time, the only notice is that just like Blu-Ray, gaming will have to be added onto the basic service itself. A downer for those who don’t have any desire to use the DVD system and an even bigger hit to PS3 owners who will end up having to pay for both to make the most of their systems.

Why am I critical about the email itself? Companies roll out new services all the time, they do so with detailed intent and plans to earn trust and build hype. Netflix decided to use old techniques often run in newspapers, an apology campaign to get users to tihnk about them in a new light. Instead of just bringing out the change as bluntly as they did the cost changes, they went in circles naming off the now bankrupt Borders and the dead age of AOL dial-up service to reinforce why they did what they did. It’s poor form and they’re pretending like the consumer is too foolish to know otherwise about them.

There are plenty of companies that look down on their consumers, I never thought Netflix would make it so blunt.

Review – Evelyn Evelyn: A Tragic Tale In Two Tomes Books One & Two

Evelyn Evelyn: A Tragic Tale In Two Tomes Books One & Two
As Told By: Amanda Palmer & Jason Webley
Drawn By: Cynthia von Buhler
Afterword By: Neil Gaiman
Published By: Dark Horse

To start with, if you do not know who Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley are, go find out. Go get their music now, seriously, now, I will wait! Okay, now that your mind is blown by all their goodness, on to the Evelyn Evelyn review. Evelyn Evelyn is the brain child, er children, whatever, of Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley. They “discovered” these conjoined twins via a social networking site and decided to produce their album. The album is eerie, unique and fabulous, as is, spoiler alert, this book!

The book tells the tragic tale of talented and sweet sisters Evelyn and Evelyn. From birth, tragedy strikes these girls over and over again. Just when you think things can’t get any worse, they do. Terrible people, terrible circumstances and terrible luck seem to follow the girls around, yet somehow the story manages to remain hopeful and the girls are so spirited that by the end they can handle anything. Throughout the story they do occasionally make some good friends, but that never lasts long, as it is just not in the girls fortune to have good luck. They continue on in their journeys and never seem effected by all of the misfortune that has been bestowed upon them. Through this tale of catastrophe there is a message of resilience and strength.

The art is wonderful. Cynthia von Buhler really captured the darkness of the story but manages to make Evelyn and Evelyn bright and optimistic. She really makes this story come alive with her images and really puts the final touches on a superb piece of work. There is also an afterword by the amazing and legendary Neil Gaiman. This is an all-star collaboration and absolute must read for all!

Release Date: September 21, 2011
Price: $24.99

Halloween Horror Nights 2011 Returns

It’s back, Universal studios is bringing the terror and excitement back this season with Halloween Horror Nights 2011! The Eyegore awards, six mazes including Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses: In 3D ZombieVision, Alice Cooper: Welcome to My Nightmare, Eli Roth’s Hostel: Hunting Season and more.

Curious about when you can get started on this madness? Check out the dates below.

September:
23, 24, 30

October:
1,,7,8,9,14,15,16,20,21,22,23,27,28,29,30,31

Times:
Nightly from 7pm and closing hours vary by night (weekends always run later than weekdays)

Tickets Available:
Standard, Front of Line (allows priority to mazes and park attractions), VIP (unlimited front of line access, vampire lounge, backlot)

With an entire set of events based on recent horror and monster flicks it’s hard to pass them up, tickets are already on sale so get them while you can.

Review – Melinda’s Naga Jolokia Sauce

Product: Melinda’s® Naga Jolokia Habanero Pepper Sauce
Manufacturer: Melinda’s
Price: $7.49
Website: Melinda’s

Some people love finding the next frontier of heat, others just want to find out what it’s like to have fire poured through their insides while their body can still handle it. The Naga Jolokia is a pepper that fits in for both of these groups, shooting well over the 1,000,000 scovillle unit mark when tested, this is the pepper to end all peppers right now.

Coming into this test, I was used to cooking and using a large variety of peppers from my garden including thai and a variety of habanero varieties. Unfortunately, none of them could really prepare me for what was to come, this sauce really is fire in a bottle. Upon opening the Naga Jolokia sauce you get a whiff of the potency, for some it may bring a cough when the scent hits the air. The initial test from the bottle was a few dashes into a small ceramic bowl, after that point everything else was just legend.

Using breaded chicken tenders to test on, it was an experience, the first notes are sweet from the sauce pushing the papaya and passion fruit forward with even a note of the carrot. As soon as a couple of seconds pass, this entirely dies and the Naga comes in and keeps burning all the way down. Unlike other peppers or sauces, this doesn’t exactly calm down when doused, instead it burns every single part that it touches, your skin, your lips, your tongue and everything else. It’s a bit of magic really, keep in mind this was a light dip. When you engage the Naga Jolokia further you get the stronger notes of the chili coming forward, with a half dip the intensity takes less and less time until you feel as if you’re overheating.

Is the Naga Jolokia sauce from Melinda’s for you? Maybe, if you think eating a raw habanero is the most extreme thing ever I can say this will floor you to the point of begging for mercy. If you think that and the Red Savina is a good starter for a meal, then this should get your senses going. I say if your stomach is up for a journey as is the lower half of your body, the Naga Jolokia sauce is probably the most accessible way to get your burn on. You’ve probably seen the Man Vs. Food clips and often those challenges aren’t very close for most of us, this saves the trouble of booking a plane and packing your bags.

If you’re an avid shopper of Marshall’s and other stores like it, you can usually score the sauce for $2.99 – 3.99 as well, stock up on those when you can, generally they don’t stick around.

Review – Angel & Faith #2 Live Through This Part 2

Angel & Faith #2 Live Through This Part 2
Executive Producer: Joss Whedon
Script: Christos Gage
Art: Rebekah Isaaces
Colors: Dan Jackson
Cover: Steve Morris
Alternate Cover: Rebekah Isaacs with Andy Owens & Dan Jackson
Published By: Dark Horse

With the absence of magic in the world and Giles dead by the hands of Angel (hey, if these are spoilers you need to catch up) we see Angel and Faith as the new dynamic duo. They have always had a special relationship, which at times most people did not understand. They always had a connection because they understood each other when others didn’t. This story is no different, which is a good thing. It’s nice to see them have each others backs, more Faith than Angel this time which is a nice change of pace. However, there does seem to be a little something missing, the dialog. Faith has always been sarcastic, but that tough girl sarcasm is lacking in this issue. Angel, while generally a dark serious kind of guy, is still moody and broody, but we miss his lighter side. One may argue that he has very little to be light about, he’s on a mission and feeling tremendous guilt (he should be used to that by now!), but even when the world was ending, whichever time, he could find a little levity.

The comic stays true to the relationship that Angel and Faith have always had, it really captures the nuances of their friendship. It also has a great special guest and nice twist on how the rules of the world have changed. The main story line seems like it will be very interesting, especially in a world where magic is no more. The art is fantastic, especially Faith, she looks amazing. Bottom line, definitely worth buying and I have a feeling that they will find their groove and this series will be just as great as Buffy.

Release Date: September 28^th 2011