Ultra Seven to be exact. I'm not sure how this got past my radar, but Shout Factory! released a Region 1 DVD set for the phenomenal Ultra Series, Ultra Seven.
Now, years ago, when BCI released the Region 1 set for the original Ultraman (1966) series, I had hopes that they would continue with Ultra Seven, but nothing came of it. Despite the complaints that the masters probably came from Chaiyo and not Tsurabaya, I'm just happy to be able to see the entire series.
Except for that episode, which was also directed by Akio Jissoji. And I have a slight issue with the subtitles. (The timing's off sometimes. I question the accuracy a little, and already saw one or two typos.)
Overall, even if you're just a Kaiju junkie, this is a must see. Hopefully, Shout Factory! will not drop the ball, and we will have a Region 1 "Return of Ultraman" release before 2020. I don't even dare dream for a Taro or Leo set. Not yet, anyway.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sunday, November 04, 2012
The Wolverine in Classic Brown Costume
The teaser poster for the new Wolverine movie has been making its rounds. Rumor has it that the new movie will be based on the classic miniseries by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller. The two stories will at least share the same location, Japan, if anything.
To take advantage of the poster's display of Hugh Jackman's almost grotesque musculature, I photoshopped in a rendition of his brown and orange outfit, not that we'd ever see it onscreen.
To take advantage of the poster's display of Hugh Jackman's almost grotesque musculature, I photoshopped in a rendition of his brown and orange outfit, not that we'd ever see it onscreen.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Doctor Who Series 7
The first half of the new season of "Doctor Who" has already come and gone. It has been a somewhat loose tradition for me to review new episodes on this blog. This year, I've made my opinions heard (and ignored) thru the WhoNA message boards.
What amazed me the most was that most of the new series is very polarizing. Meaning, that I could either watch any episodes over and over again or live a rich and fulfilled life without ever seeing a particular episode again.
Series 7 was completely different in a middle-of-the-road sort of affair. I wasn't really turned off by any episode, but I wasn't really compelled to see any of them again, even the Western one which I was looking forward to. It was high time we said goodbye to Amy and Rory, about one and half series too late.
In a few months, there will be a new Christmas special, a new companion, and, more than likely, a new look for "Doctor Who." I wish Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman all the best.
"I wear a waistcoat now. Waistcoats are cool."
What amazed me the most was that most of the new series is very polarizing. Meaning, that I could either watch any episodes over and over again or live a rich and fulfilled life without ever seeing a particular episode again.
Series 7 was completely different in a middle-of-the-road sort of affair. I wasn't really turned off by any episode, but I wasn't really compelled to see any of them again, even the Western one which I was looking forward to. It was high time we said goodbye to Amy and Rory, about one and half series too late.
In a few months, there will be a new Christmas special, a new companion, and, more than likely, a new look for "Doctor Who." I wish Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman all the best.
"I wear a waistcoat now. Waistcoats are cool."
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Red Menace
Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo are responsible for introducing to two of my long-time loves, the movie adaptation of "The Rocketeer" and the television adaptation of "The Flash."
Imagine my surprise when purusing my local comic store's half off box that I came across a trade paperback labelled "The Red Menace," written by said duo along with Adam Brody. The story is about war hero turned costumed vigilante Steve Tremaine who gets ensnared in the red scare of the 1950s.
To be honest, another big selling point was the art by Jerry Ordway. Ordway is another favorite of mine, and his clean-cut art seems to be underappreciated nowadays.
The story focuses on the characters and the drama created by their conflicts, almost constricted by an imaginary budget for a television show. It actually would make a great TV mini-series. Too bad they went extinct a couple decades ago.
Imagine my surprise when purusing my local comic store's half off box that I came across a trade paperback labelled "The Red Menace," written by said duo along with Adam Brody. The story is about war hero turned costumed vigilante Steve Tremaine who gets ensnared in the red scare of the 1950s.
To be honest, another big selling point was the art by Jerry Ordway. Ordway is another favorite of mine, and his clean-cut art seems to be underappreciated nowadays.
The story focuses on the characters and the drama created by their conflicts, almost constricted by an imaginary budget for a television show. It actually would make a great TV mini-series. Too bad they went extinct a couple decades ago.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
"Only Human" On Sale Now
The novella "Only Human" is now available at Lulu.com both as a paperback and digital download. Packaged with it is three short stories exploring the future of Elizabeth "Zoey" Walker.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Cost of Living
If you happen to be in the sad business of collecting toys, there are at least two things that constantly distress you: availability and cost. Availability is something that I've had to come to accept since I was ten, but the world is a lot smaller thanks to the Internet. Cost, well, rising costs are with death and taxes.
In this case, let's take Hasbro's G.I. Joe figures. 3-3/4" tall with a variety of accessories depending on the figure. Average cost $7.99/$8.99. I was looking for the "Renegades" Airtight and the updated Lifeline for the past few months. I found them together, today, at a local Walgreens behind a Rise of Cobra Cobra Commander. They were 11 something each, still cheaper than buying them on eBay. Bitterly, I bought them. Later, I found out that target is selling their G.I. Joe figures for $10.50. (To put this in perspective, their 12" figures only cost $19.99, close to three times the size of the small ones.)
To get to the point, one could see where cost alone could really discourage a person. I have always told myself that I did this to enjoy my childhood as a hobby, but there's a fine line to obsession. In a materialistic society, we live thinking our privileges are our necessities, and there is no doubt that there are those who take advantage of this.
What if there was a line drawn in the sand, where inflation could no longer be taken with a shrug? What would it take for us to put away our addictions? Take a moment and look at your priorities and see how important they really are.
Or will we always be a society that starves but has great cell coverage?
In this case, let's take Hasbro's G.I. Joe figures. 3-3/4" tall with a variety of accessories depending on the figure. Average cost $7.99/$8.99. I was looking for the "Renegades" Airtight and the updated Lifeline for the past few months. I found them together, today, at a local Walgreens behind a Rise of Cobra Cobra Commander. They were 11 something each, still cheaper than buying them on eBay. Bitterly, I bought them. Later, I found out that target is selling their G.I. Joe figures for $10.50. (To put this in perspective, their 12" figures only cost $19.99, close to three times the size of the small ones.)
To get to the point, one could see where cost alone could really discourage a person. I have always told myself that I did this to enjoy my childhood as a hobby, but there's a fine line to obsession. In a materialistic society, we live thinking our privileges are our necessities, and there is no doubt that there are those who take advantage of this.
What if there was a line drawn in the sand, where inflation could no longer be taken with a shrug? What would it take for us to put away our addictions? Take a moment and look at your priorities and see how important they really are.
Or will we always be a society that starves but has great cell coverage?
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Review: Junk (Yard) TARDIS
Doctor Who, the long-running science fiction television series, may not be one to lend itself to the concept of action figures, what with its hero's perchance to talk himself out of situations and only arms himself with a (sonic) screwdriver, but the new lease on life caused by the 2005 series has created many marketing venues, included action figures and play sets.
So, long story short, it's 2011, Matt Smith's second year as the eponymous hero, and "The Doctor's Wife" aired on May 14th. In the episode, the Doctor and Idris build a makeshift TARDIS console out of rubbish TARDISes so that he can chase after his own stolen TARDIS. This "Junk" TARDIS was designed by Susannah Leah, a schoolgirl who won a competition.
On to the actual review, the "Junk" TARDIS console is brought to life with great accuracy. There are little things that I could nit-pick about, but over all I was very impressed with the execution of this set. (The nit-picking would include the cardboard inserts for walls, that look a lot better than expected, and the almost zero paint work.) You can recreate everything that was done in the episode:
- The Doctor inserts the central time rotor (Removable time rotor - Check)
- One-sixth of the console falls out during flight (Removable console piece - Check)
- The console room spins in flight (Ingenious spinning action - Check)
Actually, the most fun you can have with this is that you, like the Doctor, get build the entire set by hand. It's almost a shame that the "Junk" TARDIS was only used for one story, but it was one of the better stories of the season at least. The only other quibble is the price. Roughly, $35 - $40 for a chunk of plastic is a bit harsh. (eBay is a great place to find it cheaper.) If lights and sounds had been added, this set would have been near perfect. It really is something that you have to see yourself to admire.
So, long story short, it's 2011, Matt Smith's second year as the eponymous hero, and "The Doctor's Wife" aired on May 14th. In the episode, the Doctor and Idris build a makeshift TARDIS console out of rubbish TARDISes so that he can chase after his own stolen TARDIS. This "Junk" TARDIS was designed by Susannah Leah, a schoolgirl who won a competition.
On to the actual review, the "Junk" TARDIS console is brought to life with great accuracy. There are little things that I could nit-pick about, but over all I was very impressed with the execution of this set. (The nit-picking would include the cardboard inserts for walls, that look a lot better than expected, and the almost zero paint work.) You can recreate everything that was done in the episode:
- The Doctor inserts the central time rotor (Removable time rotor - Check)
- One-sixth of the console falls out during flight (Removable console piece - Check)
- The console room spins in flight (Ingenious spinning action - Check)
Actually, the most fun you can have with this is that you, like the Doctor, get build the entire set by hand. It's almost a shame that the "Junk" TARDIS was only used for one story, but it was one of the better stories of the season at least. The only other quibble is the price. Roughly, $35 - $40 for a chunk of plastic is a bit harsh. (eBay is a great place to find it cheaper.) If lights and sounds had been added, this set would have been near perfect. It really is something that you have to see yourself to admire.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Goodbye 80s, Hello 90s
Is it me or was it the early 2000s when all of the properties of the 1980s started coming back? And by properties, I mean character-based lines like GI Joe, Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, and so on. This was the big "nostalgia" push by merchandising companies.
If that is the case, then this new decade seems to be a relapse into the 1990s. After all, "Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace" is coming out to theaters next month.
DC Comics has talents (with quotes?) like Jim Lee, Greg Capullo, Graham Nolan, and Scott Lobdell, Heck, even Rob Liefeld is drawing a series! Also, DC Comics has redesigned all of their main characters' designs. Out went the simple designs of yesteryears and in come the most overly designed costumes since, well, the 90s! At least the huge shoulder pad hasn't come back yet.
What else will this decade hold? Only time (and the 90s) will tell!
If that is the case, then this new decade seems to be a relapse into the 1990s. After all, "Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace" is coming out to theaters next month.
DC Comics has talents (with quotes?) like Jim Lee, Greg Capullo, Graham Nolan, and Scott Lobdell, Heck, even Rob Liefeld is drawing a series! Also, DC Comics has redesigned all of their main characters' designs. Out went the simple designs of yesteryears and in come the most overly designed costumes since, well, the 90s! At least the huge shoulder pad hasn't come back yet.
What else will this decade hold? Only time (and the 90s) will tell!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)