A little late post this, but I've been out of the loop the last few weeks. The North Texas Comic Book Show is this Saturday November 30, 2013, at the Doubletree Hotel Dallas Market Center from 9:30 AM until 4:00 PM. There will be a cosplay contest and there will be no admission. That's right. IT'S FREE! So, come work off some of that turkey by walking the tables and doing a little Christmas shopping or just a little browsing for yourself. I'll have a table selling new and used books. We'll see you there.
November 27, 2013
North Texas Comic Book Show Saturday November 30, 2013
A little late post this, but I've been out of the loop the last few weeks. The North Texas Comic Book Show is this Saturday November 30, 2013, at the Doubletree Hotel Dallas Market Center from 9:30 AM until 4:00 PM. There will be a cosplay contest and there will be no admission. That's right. IT'S FREE! So, come work off some of that turkey by walking the tables and doing a little Christmas shopping or just a little browsing for yourself. I'll have a table selling new and used books. We'll see you there.
November 12, 2013
MOONRAKER at Alamo Drafthouse with Richard Kiel
Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 13, 2013, Alamo Drafthouse-Richardson will present MOONRAKER with Roger Moore as James Bond. Remember Jaws? Yep, to make this an extra special event, Richard Kiel, the man behind the teeth, will be in attendance. A villain who appeared in THE SPY WHO LOVED ME and MOONRAKER, Kiel will have a Q&A and sign autographs. Be sure and bring some good questions and a camera. And I might just bring my steel cable to see if he can chomp through it.
Alamo Drafthouse-Richardson MOONRAKER with RIchard Kiel
For movie events, just go to the Movie Event Button under the page’s logo.
November 8, 2013
Netflix and Marvel Team-up Makes You Wanna Scream EXCELSIOR!
I have to admit that my faith in Netflix was kind of waning. I don’t watch House of Cards, Hemlock Grove (though I think I might like it), or Orange is the New Black. The line-up of new shows to streaming is kind of stale, but for $8 a month, I haven’t dropped it. I have considered it, because I can get the same movies through my Amazon Prime and Hulu Plus accounts. But now with news that Marvel and Netflix are getting together to makes some original content, I believe I’ll be hanging on to it. I’ve never been a big comic book reader of the characters Daredevil, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage and I don’t know who Jessica Jones is, but if they’re part of the Marvel Universe, then I’ll watch it. How do you feel about this announcement? Do you have Netflix yet? Will this make you get it?
Netflix and Marvel to air five new TV shows in 2015 – The Telegraph
November 5, 2013
Lewisville Science Fiction Group Discuss Stephen King’s 11-22-63
The Lewisville Science Fiction Group will discuss Stephen King’s novel, 11-22-63, Friday evening, November 8, at 7:30 PM inside the IHOP located on the northwest corner of Round Grove Road and I-35. The group meets once a month to discuss books that are chosen every six months.
In this brilliantly conceived tour de force, Stephen King—who has absorbed the social, political, and popular culture of his generation more imaginatively and thoroughly than any other writer—takes readers on an incredible journey into the past and the possibility of altering it.
It begins with Jake Epping, a thirty-five-year-old English teacher in Lisbon Falls, Maine, who makes extra money teaching GED classes. He asks his students to write about an event that changed their lives, and one essay blows him away—a gruesome, harrowing story about the night more than fifty years ago when Harry Dunning's father came home and killed his mother, his sister, and his brother with a sledgehammer. Reading the essay is a watershed moment for Jake, his life—like Harry's, like America's in 1963—turning on a dime. Not much later his friend Al, who owns the local diner, divulges a secret: his storeroom is a portal to the past, a particular day in 1958. And Al enlists Jake to take over the mission that has become his obsession—to prevent the Kennedy assassination.
So begins Jake's new life as George Amberson, in a different world of Ike and JFK and Elvis, of big American cars and sock hops and cigarette smoke everywhere. From the dank little city of Derry, Maine (where there's Dunning business to conduct), to the warmhearted small town of Jodie, Texas, where Jake falls dangerously in love, every turn is leading eventually, of course, to a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald and to Dallas, where the past becomes heart-stoppingly suspenseful, and where history might not be history anymore. Time-travel has never been so believable. Or so terrifying.~112263.com
IHOP in Lewisville – 2345 Stemmons Fwy, Lewisville, Tx 75067
October 30, 2013
THE TINGLER at Texas Theatre Halloween Night
Thursday October 31, 2013, is Halloween and what better way to celebrate it than with a little Vincent Price? You can enjoy the awesome horror flick of THE TINGLER and not just that, but enjoy it with Percepto!
You see, way back when, as a marketing gimmick, many of the major theaters had seats in the auditorium fitted with little buzzers. So that when activated, your chair sent a “tingling” up your spine. This was supposedly the “tingler”, a parasite that resided in your spine and fed on fear. The only way to survive was to scream! This great movie was directed by William Castle who also did HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL. Follow the link below to get tickets and see a trailer for the movie.
What are your go-to movies for Halloween? Mine? The classics such as DRACULA, THE MUMMY, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, etc. No particular favorite.
The Texas Theatre – Vincent Price in THE TINGLER October 31, 2013
(Movie poster from Columbia Pictures)
Third Annual Cut, Thrust, and Run Steampunk November
Cut, Thrust, and Run will present Steampunk November for the third year running on November 9, 2013 from 2 PM until 2am.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Cut, Thrust, and Run at one of the cons here in Dallas and they are a blast to watch. A four-man sword fighting comedy troupe, they have been entertaining audiences across the country with a combined theater experience of over 85 years and over 60 years of stage combat.
This will be the third year that they present Steampunk November. It’s an event that plays hosts to musical acts, burlesque shows, belly dancing, tarot readers, wine tastings, food, and more!
October 29, 2013
USS Navras Presents The Second Annual STARFLEET USO Show
The Second Annual STARFLEET USO Show will be held November 9th, 2013, at Louie Louie’s Piano Bar in Arlington from 8 PM until 2 AM.
Last year, USS Navras, a non-profit Star Trek fan club, and Louie Louie’s Piano Bar put together the first ever Starfleet USO Show and raised over $4,000 the DFW USO. This year, they’re back and attempting to raise even more money. Sponsored by Genuine COA and Almost Nerdy, the STARFLEET USO Show welcomes all costumers and fans, regardless of genre, to a night of fun, drinks, prizes, and music. The theme is “A Night on the Holodeck,” so expect to also see Stormtroopers, Whovians, Ghostbusters, or just about anything you can imagine.
Facebook Event Page for The Second Annual STARFLEET USO Show
October 28, 2013
Nightmare Nights for Fans of MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC
The Crowne Plaza-Addison will be the place for all fans of MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC. The event will take place November 8-10, 2013, and will be bringing voice talent, production staff, and celebrities of fandom such as costumers, podcasters, and scholars to the FiM fans! Nightmare Nights is a family-friendly event for all-ages and is non-profit with proceeds raised going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Check out the link below for more information.
Nightmare Nights at Crowne Plaza – Addison
Nightmare Nights supports St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
October 25, 2013
British Emporium Celebrates Doctor Who Day
The British Emporium in Grapevine has been connecting Texans with everything British for over twenty years. On Sunday October 27, 2013, they will connect us with all things Doctor Who-ish. The event named “It’s a very British Hall-WHO-een!” is free and family-friendly. They ask that all come dressed as their favorite character and help them celebrate fifty years of time-traveling. There will be trivia contests, costume contests, and get your picture with the T.A.R.D.I.S., a Dalek, and K-9. You’ll also get to shop for goodies from across the pond, watch newly discovered classic episodes, and meet with other fans of Doctor Who.
(Photo of Joe Dalek and TARDIS at British Emporium from British Emporium Facebook Page.)
Interview: Chrystal Anne–Author of HELL’S GATE: AWAKENING
I got a chance to sit down with Chrystal Anne and get to know a little about her and her new horror/fantasy book, HELL’S GATE: AWAKENING. She released the book in July and has been promoting it with convention tours, book signings, and the latest, a movie trailer. Yep, actors, cameras, the whole nine yards and it looks really good. She showed it at an event held at Madness Comics in Denton last weekend and it got a great response. The book is the first in a trilogy, so expect more from this new author.
The book concerns Celeste, a girl from Tokyo, who is adopted and moves to the United States. At fourteen her adoptive mother passes away under mysterious circumstances, but moves on with her life and eventually grows to be a young woman, even getting engaged. Shortly after turning twenty-four, her past comes back to haunt her and if it breaks free, the world will never be the same.
Watch the interview and then follow the links below to more information about Chrystal and the book.
Be sure and let us know what you think!
HELL'S GATE: AWAKENING on Amazon.com (not an affiliate link)
HELL’S GATE: AWAKENING Teaser Trailer
Weird West Fest Takes Over Giddings, Texas
Westernpunk Productions presents the Weird West Fest in Giddings, TX on Dec 7, 2013.
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The Weird West Fest is a Weird Western-themed one-day convention geared to fans of Steampunk, Victorian and the Old West. We have guests, gaming, music, films, costume and beard contests, panels and presentations. Our activities are held in an actual 1880's Train Depot and 1918 Movie House. - James Drury - television's "The Virginian"
- Lyle Blackburn - author of "The Beast Of Boggy Creek" and singer of GHOULTOWN
- Ed Erdelac - author of "Merkabah Rider"
- Michael Flores - creator and writer of WESTERN X, a weird west web series
- Joe Lansdale - author of "Buba Ho-Tep" and "Jonah Hex"
- Morrighan Lynne - the psychic medium for the North Texas Ghost Society
- www.weirdwestfest.com
October 22, 2013
Events Leading Up To Halloween ComicFest
This weekend will bring Halloween ComicFest to a comic book shop near you. It’s an event that is sponsored by comicshoplocator.com with support from publishers and creators alike to use any opportunity to bring comics to kids! If you know of an event but don’t see it listed below, feel free to let us know In the comments below!
Boomerang Comics (Lewisville) Saturday October 26, 2013
- Last year's Halloween fell on a Wednesday, but this year the comic industry has chosen this weekend for this year's Halloween ComicFest 2013! Like Free Comic Book Day in the Spring, Halloween ComicFest gives everybody an excuse to check out their local comic book shops, get some free comics (while supplies last), show everyone your super cool costumes, and enjoy some Halloween crafts!
- Join us this Saturday for our annual Halloween Costume Contest and kids can enjoy face painting and decorating pumpkins! We will be handing out comics out all day, but the face painting and crafts will be from 10-3pm.
Collected (Hurst) (TCU)(Plano) Saturday October 26, 2013
- Collected is a great destination for the latest Halloween and horror pop-culture products and merchandise: from comics and graphic novels to costumes, toys and more! Plus, each shop has great Halloween events planned, so make sure you find your closest destination and come in and see what haunts Collected: Your Pop Culture Headquarters.
Titan Comics (Dallas) Wednesday October 21, 2013
David Petersen of Mouse Guard fame will be here in the store from 4pm to 7pm on Wednesday. Signing stuff and chatting with fans, come on by!
Zeus Comics (Dallas) Wednesday October 21, 2013
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Meet Ken Lowery (FakeAPstylebook, Write More Good, The Variants) and Robert Wilson(Knuckleheads) this Wednesday at Zeus from 11-7pm!
Ken and Robert will be signing copies of their new book Like a Virus!
Like A Virus is a one-shot story about one supernaturally gifted person investigating -- and confronting -- a longtime haunting in her neighborhood. It's also about the guilt and fear that can anchor a soul down, and how those thoughts can spread and contaminate not just you, but the people around you.
October 21, 2013
Roll2Play Hosts an (un)Murder Mystery Dinner–Welcome to the ZombiePlex
***UPDATE*** As of 10/30/2013
This event has been post-poned until further notice. Keep your eyes and ears here and we’ll get you back on track.
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The crew out at Roll2Play are always having fun and here’s something for the zombie lovers out there. “Who Killed Butcher Bob?” is the latest in the (un)Murder Mystery events and it’s going to be a good one! It will take place Saturday November 2, 2013 at 6 PM at Roll2Play in Coppell. You can get more info on the Facebook (un)Murder Mystery Dinner – Welcome to the ZombiePlex event page.
I have yet to go to one of these due to being a single father now, but I might be able to swing a babysitter (figuratively) and make it. I’ve heard that Tiffany Franzoni and her group put on great events and so, I’ve been jonesing to make it. If you’ve been to one of their events before, tell us what is was like!
Brad Meltzer Signs HISTORY DECODED: THE 10 GREAT CONSPIRACIES OF ALL TIME
Brad Meltzer will sign his latest book Friday October 25, 2013 at 7 PM at the Lincoln Park Barnes & Noble on Northwest Highway. You can get more information at the Barnes and Noble Brad Meltzer Event Page. Seating begins at 6 PM and they are limited.
Video from Workman Publishing
It’s an irresistible combination: Brad Meltzer, a born storyteller, counting down the world’s most intriguing unsolved mysteries. And to make this richly illustrated book even richer, each chapter invites the reader along for an interactive experience through the addition of removable facsimile documents—the evidence! It’s a treasure trove for conspiracy buffs, a Griffin and Sabine for history lovers.
Adapted from Decoded, Meltzer’s hit show on the HISTORY network, History Decoded explores fascinating, unexplained questions. Is Fort Knox empty? Why was Hitler so intent on capturing the Roman “Spear of Destiny”? What’s the government hiding in Area 51? Where did the Confederacy’s $19 million in gold and silver go at the end of the Civil War? And did Lee Harvey Oswald really act alone? Meltzer sifts through the evidence; weighs competing theories; separates what we know to be true with what’s still—and perhaps forever—unproved or unprovable; and in the end, decodes the mystery, arriving at the most likely solution. Along the way we meet Freemasons, Rosicrucians, Nazi propagandists, and the real DB Cooper.
Bound in at the beginning of each story is a custom-designed envelope—a faux 19th-century leather satchel, a U.S. government classified file—containing facsimiles of relevant evidence: John Wilkes Booth’s alleged unsigned will, a map of the Vatican, Kennedy’s death certificate. The whole is a riveting, interactive adventure through the compelling world of mysteries and conspiracies.~Workman Publishing
If you haven’t heard of Meltzer’s show Decoded on the History network, then you are missing out on a great show. This show has Brad set up the premise for a historical mystery and then he sends three of his colleagues out to get information and try to solve the case. They’ve handled everything from America’s Stonehenge, and D. B. Cooper to secret presidential codes and whether John Wilkes Booth was really killed days after assassinating Lincoln.
Every now and then, a researcher stumbles upon a historical enigma, an unproven rumor, a story with a puzzling outcome. Such encounters are an irresistible challenge for bestselling author Brad Meltzer, who unravels many mysteries in Brad Meltzer’s Decoded.
Brad explores history’s most compelling and perplexing riddles. Luckily, he’s got a team of investigators to help him out with each mission: Buddy Levy, a professor and journalist who assumes there is always more than meets the eye, and Christine McKinley, a mechanical engineer who only believes in what can be proven. Together, they’ll sniff out every clue and leave no stone unturned as they seek to reveal the truth.
Brad and his crew will examine unanswered questions about the Declaration of Independence, Fort Knox, Billy the Kid, the Vatican and an ancient crucifixion relic, among other intriguing people, places and things. Their sleuthing takes them across the country and, for the first time, overseas.~www.history.com
I’d love to go but I’ve got a Fall Festival for my little girl and we can’t miss that. If any one goes, take photos and share, please!
Rifftrax Presents George Romero’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD
You may have seen George Romero’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, but you’ve never seen it after it’s been riffed! The Rifftrax team of Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett, bring the lines that we wished were in the movie. These guys have honed their skills with the Mystery Science Theater 3000, MST3K, and thankfully are still using said skills with Rifftrax.
This is a live event that is simulcast into select theaters and with a tape delay for those in the western time zones. Sometimes their website will offer up free downloadable swag using a code that’s only available if you went to the show. I’ve been able to see PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, MANOS: THE HAND OF FATE, BIRDEMIC, and STARSHIP TROOPERS and every show is a blast.
Check out Fathom Events Rifftrax Live: Night of The Living Dead for more information
Show will be Thursday night, October 24, at 7:00 PM local.
Spread the love on Twitter using hashtag #RifftraxDead.
October 16, 2013
Special Movie Postings-What to Do?
So, I’ve got a question. With so many different movie events taking place, it’s hard for me to keep up with them. You know, ever since that kid, Alamo Drafthouse, moved to town, everybody’s been acting funny. They put on great movie events and then Studio Movie Grill starts doing it, too. I was thinking about having a dedicated movie page which listed the latest movie events as they are posted or having a special Twitter retweet account that retweeted nothing but movie events in the DFW area.
If I did a dedicated page, I would list the posts like this.
Texas Theatre
October 19-20
Blood Bath V – Horror Film Festival Info
October 25
BIRTH OF THE LIVING DEAD – Documentary on the making of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD
OLDBOY
October 31
THE TINGLER – starring Vincent Price
November 1
THE FIFTH ELEMENT
Which would you prefer? Dedicated page or Twitter retweet account? Both will still be hard to keep up, but the dedicated page is easier to get out to all social media platforms. Let me know what you think!
Dallas Summer Musicals Presents LORD OF THE RINGS: FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING in Concert
Dallas Summer Musicals will present LORD OF THE RINGS: FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING with the Dallas Pops providing the score! There will be three performances starting November 8 thru November 10, 2013. Be sure and check the Dallas Summer Musicals site for more information.
This is going to be a most amazing event. The musical score for the Peter Jackson movies is awesome enough on the big screen, but to be there while it is played live . . . . I must have tickets! Go over to Red Carpet Crash for a chance to win free tickets.
I got a chance to see Star Wars: In Concert with Anthony Daniels back in 2009 and it was a spectacle to behold, but you only got clips from the movie. This will be the movie in it’s entirety. I really need to get some money together!
Be sure and follow the conversation on Twitter with the hashtags #LOTRDSM or #LordOfTheRingsDSM.
LORD OF THE RINGS IN CONCERT is presented by Dallas Summer Musicals November 8-10 at Music Hall at Fair Park.
Content Warning: Rated PG-13
Run Time: 3 hours 30 minutes (including intermission)
Composer Howard Shore brings J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary imagination to vivid life with his Academy®- and Grammy® Award-winning score to The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Shore’s music expresses Peter Jackson’s film as an immense symphonic work—a uniquely developed vision drawn from centuries of stylistic tendencies.
The music of The Lord of the Rings is counted among film music’s most complex and comprehensive works. This unique performance sets the score to the film, but allows the music to bear the narrative weight, creating a wholly new and dramatic live concert experience.
Shore’s score not only captures Fellowship’s sweeping emotion, thrilling vistas and grand journeys, but also echoes the very construction of Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Styles, instruments and performers collected from around the world provide each of Tolkien’s cultures with a unique musical imprint. In operatic fashion, these musical worlds commingle, sometimes combining forces for a culminated power, other times violently clashing… and always bending to the will of the One Ring and its own ominous family of themes.Says Howard Shore, “My first score for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, was the beginning of my journey into the world of Tolkien and I will always hold a special fondness for the music and the experience." -Doug Adams
Ideas for Women’s Halloween Costumes
In this day and age, Halloween for adults can be labeled as “Sexy.” Sometimes, the inappropriate labels make it to the children’s costumes, but fortunately those are mistakes. We hope. If you don’t want to dress sexy, or maybe just don’t feel it that particular Halloween, then you have to really be creative or just go as your boss, again.
But, I found a website a few weeks back while strolling Twitter that may help you in the creative department. Take Back Halloween! is labeled as “A costume guide for women with imagination.” And it does have some great costumes for you to check out. These are all women who appear throughout history, though not very much in the history books about them, or in mythology. For instance, the latest one is Ada Lovelace who was a friend of Charles Babbage. While he invented the Analytical Engine, she was the one who saw more of what it might do in the future. If you wanna get real out there, you could say she foresaw Skynet.
So, yeah, you’ll find pirates, Egyptian princesses, female spies, or even Brighid, Celtic goddess, but if they are seen as sexy, it will be in a different light than what the strippers are wearing. Besides, I always had a thing for Marie Curie. Check out the site and let me know what your favorites are?
October 15, 2013
Star Trekker Treat at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
There will be fun for all ages at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History on October 26, 2013 as they present Star Trekker Treat. The evening will begin for the kids at 6 PM as the party gets underway with Star Trek themed activities. You can learn to write your name in Klingon, with a Blood Wine Ring Toss or even compete in the Star Trek costume contest. You can even win an awesome Star Trek prize! All who attend will receive a glow-in-the-dark STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS movie poster. Following will be a presentation of the movie STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS in the Omni IMAX theater.
At 7:30 PM the party gets underway for the adults but with adult beverages, if so desired. The adults can view the movie in the Omni IMAX at 9:50 PM. For more information, check out Fort Worth Museum – Star Trekker Treat.
This is a pretty cool place to visit. I got a chance to meet Robert J. Sawyer, David Brin, and Tom McCaffrey at an event back during the summer which also had a viewing of STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS. Though we didn’t get the cool posters, it was still a great event to listen to these amazing authors and see the movie on such a grand scale. Hint: Sit a little more than halfway up and you’ll get a better view of the screen. If you get to go, let us know how it went!
October 14, 2013
Author Chrystal Anne Debuts HELL’S GATE Book Trailer
Join Chrystal Anne at Madness Comics and Games in Denton, Texas Sunday, October 20, 2013, from 2 PM until 6 PM for the release of the HELL’S GATE: AWAKENING book trailer. Chrystal published HELL’S GATE in September through Amazon and invites you to come see what the book is about! Costumes are encouraged, but not required and a prize for the most creative costume will be awarded.
HELL’S GATE - Inspired from Japanese mythos, and Western Folklore, comes a new legend. Adopted from Tokyo, Celeste moves to the states with her new family. The truth of her past is scraping against the surface, and once it breaks free, the world may never be the same. The story goes, that the Red String of Fate chooses those we are destined to meet; it can stretch, or tangle, but it may never break. Or can it? If you could change your fate, would you?
Chrystal Anne grew up in Dallas where she currently still resides. Her self-published novel, Hell’s Gate debuted on September 1st, 2013. A love for science, art and comics inspires most of her writing. Chrystal has a vast interest in Eastern culture, as well as cultural studies. Most of her writing tends to reflect Eastern and Western philosophy.
You can stay up to date on the event at the Facebook – Hell’s Gate: Awakening Trailer page.
You may also purchase the HELL’S GATE: AWAKENING from Amazon. This is not an affiliate link.
October 10, 2013
BigFanBoy.com Presents THE WALKING DEAD at the Angelika Dallas
BigFanBoy.com has got your Season 4 of THE WALKING DEAD booked at the Angelika Dallas. Viewing will be free, you just pick up your tickets at the box office, and there will be plenty of prizes to be given away! The event starts Sunday, October 13, and will show every following Sunday starting at 8 PM. For more info, check out BigFanBoy.com – The Walking Dead Watch Party.
October 9, 2013
Micro A-Kon
Check out these guests:
- Artist Michael Champion
- Artist Brian Delaney
- Voice Actor R. Bruce Elliott (Dragonball Z Kai, Full Metal Alchemist)
- Mangaka & Voice Actress Kristen McGuire
- Voice Actress Whitney Rodgers (Dead Man Wonderland, Eureka Seven)
- Voice Actress Lara Woodhull (Princess Jellyfish, One Piece)
That’s Saturday October 19, 2013 at the Burleson Public Library. You can find more details at the Facebook Event Page – Micro A-Kon 2013.
(Photo from Burleson Public Library and Micro A-Kon)
North Texas Comic Book Show
The North Texas Comic Book Show will be held Saturday October 19, 2013 from 9:30 AM until 5:00 PM. This event is held every quarter and it gives the collector a chance to go to a show that maybe doesn’t cost as much as the bigger ones, thus leaving more money in the pocket to purchase those items that he or she is looking for. The event will be held at the Doubletree Hotel at Dallas Market Center and will mark the second anniversary of the show. Admission is $2 and kids 12 and under get in free.
Guests will include Ben Dunn, Steve Erwin, AC Osorio, and Mark Reznicek (appearing 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM). Other local fan favorites include Tom Branch, Eddie Medina, Jason Adams, Bobby Blakey, Kathryn Crenshaw, and Diana Almand.
For those that love to dress up, they will have a costume contest with a top prize of $100 with cash prizes for the next four spots. It is for all ages and you can check out the details on the website.
Lewisville Science Fiction Book Group Discusses
Lewisville Science Fiction Book Group will be discussing Harry Turtledove’s CURIOUS NOTIONS. The group will meet at the IHOP located at I35 and Vista Ridge at 7:30 PM Friday October 11, 2013. Louis Barber and the group invites everyone out to join in whether you’ve finished the book or not.
CURIOUS NOTIONS-
In a parallel-world 21st-century San Francisco where the Kaiser's Germany won World War One and went on to dominate the world, Paul Gomes and his father Lawrence are secret agents for our timeline, posing as traders from a foreign land. They run a storefront shop called Curious Notions, selling what is in our world routine consumer technology-record players, radios, cassette decks--all of which is better than anything in this world, but only by a bit. Their real job is to obtain raw materials for our timeline. Just as importantly, they must guard the secret of Crosstime Traffic--for of the millions of parallel timelines, this is one of the few advanced enough to use that secret against us.
Now, however, the German occupation police are harassing them. They want to know where they're getting their mysterious goods. Under pressure, Paul and Lawrence hint that their supplies comes from San Francisco's Chinese...setting in motion a chain of intrigues that will put the entire enterprise of Crosstime Traffic at deadly risk.
- IHOP
- 2345 Stemmons Fwy
- Lewisville, TX 75067
October 6, 2013
Like A Chicken With My Head Cut Off Part 2
Yesterday, I decided to keep it low key and stayed at FenCon in Addison. With the weather change, my bones were achin’ me somethin’ fierce! You young’uns will learn soon enough about old age, but anyway. I ended up hanging out with my buddy Tom Branch and chasing artists and authors.
Tom happened to be looking for Charles Vess to sign his hardcover of ‘Stardust' by Neil Gaiman. Me, being a complete noob, knew that I had seen Vess’ work before, but didn’t realize until after I got home that he also did ‘Blueberry Girl’ by Gaiman, which was done for Tori Amos and her yet-to-be-born baby. I have a copy that I got for my daughter shortly after she was born. Oh, well, I’m sure I’ll see him again soon.
The fun part for Tom was chasing Vess around the Crowne Plaza. I watched. It was fun. The first time, he was in a panel, so we lurked outside. He came out of the crowd, Tom dropped in behind, turned the corner. Then, came back to me. He said Vess pulled a Houdini and disappeared the instant he went around the corner. He did that two more times. I asked if there was a Diagon Alley sort of hidden pathway and was rewarded with the answer that yes, there was a service corridor that ran between some of the rooms. Whether he was using these, I’m not sure, but that’s where 
my money was. Tom eventually found him in the gallery working on a piece to be auctioned off, I think. It was beautiful and a great honor to be able to watch him work. Oh, and who was standing there watching him work? Award-winning Texas artist Vincent Villafranca! He designed the base for the Hugo Award this year and there was even a Hugo on display. Great work! Here's a shot from the Hugo Award site of the trophy.
My chase was with A. Lee Martinez. I needed his new book, HELEN AND TROY’S EPIC ROAD QUEST, so ducked into the vendor’s room while he was signing books. Technology stepped in the way and while I was lined up to check out, something happened to the dealer’s phone while he was running the credit card, and blah, blah, blah, it took so long that by the time I got back out, Martinez was gone. But knowing the elusive Mr. Martinez’s habits, I found him down on the first floor in the Gaming Area. He was nice enough to sign and we talked . . . well, I fawned a little over his works and the day was done.
Sunday I will be at Fan Days and then off to relax before starting the week. Yay.
How’s your weekend going?
October 5, 2013
Like A Chicken With My Head Cut Off
Yep, that is what I looked like today as I tried to keep up with all that was going on in the world of Geekdom! I got out of the house and on the road about noon and hit FenCon X first. My good friend Gloria Oliver was there, ever vigilant at her table and a welcome face. After saying Hi, I grabbed my badge and headed to Dallas Fan Days with intention of coming back later in the afternoon to catch a few panels.
The vendor’s room was packed with lots of goodies, so I’ll probably hit a bank (yep, that’s the way I meant it) on the way over. I’m looking to get Jon Heder to autograph ‘Buddy Holly is Alive and Well on Ganymede’ and then take it to FenCon and get the author, Bradley Denton, to autograph it as well. Hopefully, we’ll see the movie in 2014. We hope.
Well. Where are your photos?
You can find my albums on:
October 4, 2013
Heading Out to FenCon X and Dallas Fan Days
October 3, 2013
RetroPalooza Wrap-Up
Got a great chance to meet new people and wade through some memories at RetroPalooza last weekend.
If you didn’t get a chance to go, then you missed out on a ton of great games and collectibles and even some music. With clouds in the sky and thunder in the distance, people gathered at the Bob Duncan Center in Arlington for some retro fun. I didn’t get to stay for too long, but during my time there, I got to check out the free play room, the main vendor floor with music provided by DJ Mr. Smith, and the Taffeta Darling making announcements and streaming live from the stage.
October 2, 2013
FenCon X October 4-6, 2013
If you’ve got time and want to meet some great authors, head over to FenCon X at the Crowne Plaza Dallas at 14315 Midway Rd. The theme this year is “Infinite Possibilities.”
The Guest of Honor this year will be Cory Doctorow, author of LITTLE BROTHER and co-editor of ‘Boing Boing.’ He will be doing an early bird signing and Q&A on Friday before opening ceremonies.
There looks to be a lot of really good panels this year, so many that it’s hard to choose. There are demonstrations by Roll2Play and tabletop gaming throughout the show. Throw in the filk music, the cabaret, the writers’ workshops, the art show, and more and you’ve got a full weekend!
Now to figure out how to work that into Dallas Fan Days . . . . .
What are you most interested in at FenCon?
September 28, 2013
Ticket deadline approaching for Dallas Comic Con: Fan Days
Fans wanting to avoid delayed entry into the upcoming Dallas Comic Con: Fans Days have until midnight Tuesday (Oct. 1) to pre-order tickets at www.fandays.com. Tickets also will be available on show days but will not be sold until all pre-registered guests already in line when the doors open have entered the building. The show runs Oct. 4-6 at the Irving Convention Center, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd.
“This new policy will allow customers who pre-order tickets to get into the show faster,” said Ben Stevens, co-owner of C2Ventures, which produces Dallas Comic Con. “Box office ticket sales may be delayed until at least noon on Saturday – our busiest day – so anyone wanting to avoid the wait should pre-order as soon as possible.”
The three-day show will feature more than 50 actors and artists signing autographs, meeting fans and answering questions during special panels. Other events include adult and children costume contests, special effects make-up workshops, Q&A panels, a CosPlay Red Carpet, photo opportunities, and dozens of vendors and exhibitors.
Guest actors include Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy, Beauty and the Beast), John Barrowman (Arrow, Torchwood, Doctor Who), Robert Patrick (True Blood, The X-Files, Terminator II), Katee Sackhoff (Longmire, Riddick), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Revolution), Charles Baker (Breaking Bad, Splinter), Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead), Jason David Frank (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), Tom Felton (“Draco Malfoy” in the Harry Potter movies) and Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk). Also scheduled to appear are Star Wars actors Anthony Daniels (“C-3PO”), Peter Mayhew (“Chewbacca”), Daniel Logan (young “Boba Fett”) and Tom Kane (voice of “Yoda” and narrator of Star Wars: The Clone Wars).
Artists on the agenda include Neal Adams (Batman, Conan the Barbarian), Herb Trimpe (co-creator of Wolverine, artist of The Incredible Hulk, Godzilla, G.E. Joe), Simon Bisley (Lobo, Heavy Metal), Michael Golden (The ‘Nam, Doctor Strange), Kelley Jones (Batman, covers for Detective Comics), and a rare U.S. appearance by Canadian artist Cary Nord (Conan, X-O Manowar).
Show hours are 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The box office opens one hour prior to show time on Friday and Sunday, and two hours prior to show time on Saturday.
Tickets are $25 Friday, $40 Saturday and $30 Sunday. Children ages 5 to 12 are $5, and ages 4 and under are free. Parking is $5, with shuttles provided for extended lots.
To pre-order tickets or for more information, please visit www.fandays.com.
September 25, 2013
Video of WorldCon 71 / LoneStarCon 3 Firefly Shindig
Feast your eyes! One of the highlights of the WorldCon/LoneStarCon was a recreation of the ball from the episode “Shindig.” Friday night, August 30th, there was a huge gathering in the main ball room and some folks were dressed to the nines. There a two ladies that were wearing beautiful gowns and I found out that this was their twentieth WorldCon. Man, that has got to be expensive! But, it is a great show, so well worth it.
Music was provided by Lissa Bengston and the Lost and Nameless Orchestra out of Austin. Lissa was the caller like you’d find at a square dance and this was very similar. The song is called “Russian Orange Dressing” and I’ve been trying to find a copy of it, because it is so Firefly. If any of you can place it, let me know.
WorldCon 71 / LoneStarCon 3 Firefly Shindig Contra Dance
It’s taken me a while to post this. I’ll add a post later that tells of my trip overall and why it took me so long to get back into the swing of things. If any of you were there, drop me a line!
TV Review: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Welcome to the new world and it’s located in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
I’ve been very excited about the new show “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and I was not disappointed. As the show opens, you are given a look at the first superhero that isn’t on the roster at S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ. We are also re-introduced to old agents and the new ones. It’s never said how they bring back Colson, but it’s very obvious that he is the only one unaware of his secret.
Characters/Plot
I’ve been very excited about the new show “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and I was not disappointed. As the show opens, you are given a look at the first superhero that isn’t on the roster at S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ. We are also re-introduced to old agents and the new ones. It’s never said how they bring back Colson, but it’s very obvious that he is the only one unaware of his secret. The characters are standard fare for a TV show. Nothing really different from any other character on TV, except that they all work for this cool organization. I was surprised to see Ron Glass on the show as Dr. Stretlan as I didn’t see any news about it. I may have just never gotten the memo. I like the characters, though there isn’t too much background given right now. I’m sure that will come out in later episodes. Min-Na Wen’s character, Melinda May, seems to have some issues with being in the field, so I can’t wait to find out why.
Tech/Weapons
The tech in this show is going to be a big centerpiece. From small drones that can do the work of an entire forensics team to really cool transportation, this is going to really get the fanboys and fangirls. And there are lots of tie-ins to the main Marvel Universe, with lots of references to our favorite superheroes. This will also be a favorite point of the show, listening for obscure references.
Special Effects
Nothing to really mention on this points as it is pretty good in general for television. Again, they may have some really cool stuff later on down the line, but for now, it’s looks good.
Final Say
I’m hooked and can’t wait for the next episode. If you watched, what did you think?
Synopsis
Joss Whedon (MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) shows us not all heroes are super with MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Fresh from his role in the summer’s box office smash, MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS, Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) returns to the worldwide law enforcement organization S.H.I.E.L.D. He puts together a small, highly trained, team of Agents to tackle the cases that haven’t been classified yet, the new, the strange and the unknown. That team consists of straight arrow Agent Grant Ward (Brett Dalton), an expert in combat and espionage; pilot and martial artist Agent Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen); and brilliant if socially awkward scientists Agent Leo Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) and Agent Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge). They’ll be joined by civilian new recruit and computer hacker Skye (Chloe Bennet). Prepare for an epic adventure that showcases the hope and wonder of the human spirit. This is a world of Super Heroes, aliens and the unusual – of action, spectacle and world spanning stories. The show will speak to the human condition through the lens of our very human, non-powered S.H.I.E.L.D agents – that together we are greater than we are apart, and that we can make a difference in the world. Executive Produced and co-written by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen (Dollhouse, Dr.Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog), Jeffrey Bell (Angel, Alias) and Jeph Loeb (Smallville, Lost, Heroes) comes Marvel’s first live-action TV series, MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. ~Press release from ABC
The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector's Edition [Blu-ray] (2013) Now Available
The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector’s Edition on Blu-ray has just been released. This is a blatant call for “I Want!” Yep, pretend I’m your father and it’s Father’s Day and this is the only thing that will bond us beyond Father/Child status.
The set contains six DVDs with all three films and new 90 minute special features disc. And to make this the “ultimate,” it includes five Mondo “Villain” prints, reproductions of the Tumbler, Bat-pod, and the Bat, a large 48-page photo book of the trilogy with rare images, and a letter from Christopher Nolan.
Yes, this would make me very happy. But, I know you. You’re that kid that buys a tie and calls it even. Yeah, I’ll end up buying it for myself. Thanks for nothing.
Oh, and this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you purchase it through here, I might be able to earn enough to get it myself. But I’m not holding my breath.
The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector's Edition [Blu-ray]: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Christopher Nolan: Movies & TVSeptember 24, 2013
Dallas Fan Days is Coming!
Dallas Fan Days is just a little over a week away and you can already feel the excitement in the air! With a list of guests that will make the fattest wallet deflate in no time, some decisions will have to be made. VIP tickets have sold out, and though I’m not bragging, I’ve got mine. What remains to be seen is whether it’s worth it.
While I could go on and on about who I want to meet, I want to give a heads up on who has cancelled. We will be missing Carrie Fisher, Dave Prowse, and John Rhys Davies. They all will attempt to reschedule some time in the future.
I will give you my top four celebs that I want to meet.
- Ron Perlman – My first recollection of Ron Perlman was the movie ICE PIRATES with Robert Urich. In fact, this movie had a ton of great actors in it.
- John Barrowman – I had seen Barrowman on DOCTOR WHO and heard that there was a spin-off. The first episode I watched was “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” and the fight scene sealed it . . . with a kiss? ! ? !
- Anthony Daniels – Who can pass up a chance to talk with the man who brings the World’s Greatest Protocol Droid to life?
- Shelley Duvall – BERNICE BOBS HER HAIR. This is where I was first introduced to Shelley Duvall. It was a TV movie, don’t know why I watched it, but I definitely remember her character. THE SHINING and POPEYE followed four years later.
- Katee Sackhoff – BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (NEW) or BIONIC WOMAN or even as Howard’s self-love interest on BIG BANG THEORY, she’s beautiful and talented. If you haven’t seen RIDDICK yet, then check it out, because she kicks butt!
I may even have to get Jon Heder to autograph a book for me. The movie BUDDY HOLLY IS A LIVE AND WELL ON GANYMEDE, named after the book by Bradley Denton, is in production. Well, it’s been there since about 2009, but they do now have a website for it and a trailer. So, hopefully, it will come to fruition pretty soon.
Here’s the link to Dallas Fan Days. Plan carefully folks, there are a lot of things to do and see. Choose wisely.
Who or what are you looking forward to at Dallas Fan Days?
RetroPalooza! The Retro Gaming and Toy Event of the Year
RetroPalooza! is a little event put on by Rotoscope Productions and The Game Chasers to bring together fans of yesterday’s toys and games. With vendors on hand to buy/sell/trade, you’ll find retro games, retro toys, art, special guests, free play games, door prizes, a charity raffle, and more! A Cosplay Contest will be hosted by Taffeta Darling. She’ll also be promoting her Fangirls show as they stream live with McCort Entertainment. There will also be live music on hand so remember to be at the Bob Duncan Center on Saturday, September 28, 2013 from 11 AM until 5 PM. The Bob Duncan Civic Center is at 2800 South Center Street, Arlington, Texas, 76014. $3 to get in the door.
The event will be followed by the Official RetroPalooza After Party at Alley Cats Family Entertainment Center. You’re invited to come by after the show and have a more fun with the production crew. Fun starts at 6:30 PM.
Check out the RetroPalooza Facebook Fan Page for guests and updates.
The Taffeta Darling is a local costumer, media personality, and model and hosts Fangirls: Dames of the Round Table, a show that brings lady geeks to the table (pun intended) and let’s them give voice to their favorite passions and hobbies.
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