Artists who draw hot chicks—J. Scott Campbell

BRAIN: I see your Bruce Timm, and raise you a J. Scott Campbell.

Ultraviolet

BRAIN: Zed, Locutus, Moll, Big Dave and I took in Ultraviolet last Friday on opening night and here’s a review.

The world has changed dramatically due to en epidemic of disease. People are now more afraid of disease than terrorism. People with disease are shipped off somewhere, quarantined and pretty much forgotten about. A handful of diseased people start a resistance by somehow turning into vampires so the disease won’t kill them. Milla Jovovich is one of the resistances who has no problem killing hundreds of armed guards who look a little like hazmat-ninja-nazis. She has major skills in the ass-kicking department and pretty fun to watch. I didn’t catch how she got that good; they seemed to focus more on how upset she is about loosing a baby before the plague hit. Because of this whole baby thing, she befriends, and pretty much protects this kid the rest of the film. Dialog between these two was very hard to sit through. The kid’s blood holds the key to a cure for the diseased people, but the crooked government doesn’t want it to get out. Oh yeah, the kid is also a clone (or something like that) of the president who looks a little like 80’s pitchman Joe Isuzu with high-tech nose plugs. I mentioned before that Milla was alright and looked great. They had her wear lots of great, tight outfits and I’m pretty sure there is a shot where she has a camel-toe. The gasmask army dudes were really cool and the sets were nice. Half of the special effects had a dreamy, Photoshop filter look (think Sky Captain) that made them a little blurry at times. I did really like that they could hid things in their body. When she wanted to reload her gun, bullets would come out of her wrists and leap into the gun. But talk about a lot of effort put forth behind a movie with no real point... I kept thinking that I had seen this all before, and it was called Aeon Flux, and that sucked too. I’ll give it a D+.

One more Xbox thing from Team Xbox

Is Microsoft breaking into, or rather creating, the games broadcasting market? They just filed their 5,000th patent in the US and funnily enough it is for a technology that allows people to join games as spectators from anywhere in the world.

Apparently users will be able to control instant replays, create highlight reels and also use the multitude of virtual cameras that will be positioned around the particular game they are watching - sound a bit like Gotham TV?

Patent no. 6,999,083 provides for technologies that allow people to not just play video games against each other online, but to join the game as a spectator from anywhere in the world.

The patent, which covers technologies that will be featured in Xbox 360 games, brings new innovation to online gaming by allowing consumers to tune into a video game much as they would a sporting event broadcast.

I've done a 360

ZED: OK, I got one, and I have to say it's awesome. The interface is cool and as easy as a mac to navigate. Xbox Live is cooler than I thought it would be, you can download cool retro games, new retrolike games, trailers for games and movies in HD, HD demos of most of the games out now for 360...it's pretty cool. My Ipod and any picture disks can run through the media center and all be controlled by the wireless controller. The paging and wireless chat works great as you go from the standard interface and into a game, pretty slick. Originally I wasn't excited about the launch titles but I have to say playing is believing. I am not that into war games, but Call of Duty 2 is one of the coolest games I've seen period, and on a 42 inch HD, it's almost overwhelming, the smoke and grit effects are way cool, after about 10 minutes I have to take my contacts out. Ridge Racer provides gorgeous powerslide racing in the mountains and on the coasts. I am very excited for the wwII fighter plane dogfight game and Tomb Raider Legends is the top of my list, coming out this month.

BRAIN: I have to get over there and try this out!

Who Will You Stand With?

BRAIN: There is a new trailer for X-Men 3 and it looks pretty damn good. I've been critical in previous posts but it looks like they may pull this one off. Keep your fingers crossed. Looks like they hired the saggy-eyed black dude from Predator for a part...

Drawer Boxes

BRAIN: These are pretty cool. I have a ton of comics I don't look at simply because they are on the bottom of a stack of comic boxes and I don't feel like digging them out. These are comic boxes with drawers. File under why didn't I think of that. They are a little spendy, but sooner or later I'm getting some. They are for sale from The Collection Drawer Company.

Batman Power Records

BRAIN: I've ripped in two Batman records from the 1970's. They were put out by Power Records and a pretty fun listen. If you want to hear them or download mp3s, follow the links.

Record 1 :: THE JOKER, THE SCARECROW, CATWOMAN AND THE RIDDLER

Record 2 :: THE SCARECROW, CATWOMAN, MAN-BAT AND GORILLA GRODD

Colossus Bloodline

BRAIN: Colossus Bloodline was a mini-series from a few months back. I've never read a page but I 've seen the covers around and always thought they looked awesome. The artist is Chris Bachalo. I read that the series started pretty strong and then sort of petered-off...

ZED: OK, I get it, petered off...heh

Artists who draw hot chicks—Bruce Timm

ZED: You knew I would counter with Bruce Timm, although his style is simplified his little chickies look awesome. I have a lot more chick stuff of his to add to this later. Dibs on Frank Cho and Frazetta chick showcases, my other favorites. Sorry I've been in hiding, zed is back in action.

Trilogy of Terror Zuni Warrior

BRAIN: Geez! This little bastard is reponsible for countless bad dreams. From the ages 10-15 I had to get a running start so I could leap to my bed from 10 feet out because I thought he was under it. This Zuni Warrior was from the movie Trilogy of Terror. I don't remember the other two parts of this movie, but this story was about lady (Karen Black) who buys this doll for her boyfriend. A little tag falls off it that has a warning saying sometime like do not remove. It comes to life and chases her around her apartment with a spear. I'd like to see this movie again as an adult to get some closure but I'm afraid it might only open some old wounds...

Now you can get your very own for $39.99 from Majestic Studios here.

ZED: AAAAAAAGHHHAAAAAA...that guy creeps me out! He was one of my childhood fears.

Artists Who Draw Hot Chicks—Adam Hughes

BRAIN: The first artist we'll cover is Adam Hughes. Yes he draws woman exaggerated, but who cares? Enjoy!
(Insert wolf whistle here)

Hey Zed, pick the next one...

I Am 8-Bit

BRAIN: "I am 8-bit is the voice of a generation that refuses to let polygons beget pixels -- the power-up that is our youth. I am 8-bit is the pillow that old-schoolers rest easy on -- the comfort food that makes us fat on bleeps ‘n’ blips."

It's also a group art show in LA inspired by classic video games. It runs from April 18 - May 19, 2006. I really wish this was closer because I'd like to go. They have a book out showing off most of the great art from last year. They also have shirts and some cool buttons for sale in their store.

Lighten Up Will Ya?

BRAIN: I’d like to talk about a comic. Marvel Team-Up #14 written by Robert Kirkman. I know this came out 3 months ago, but I finally got to it in my comic stack. What a great Spider-man comic. It was a very fun read. Invincible appears in the Marvel Universe because one of his enemys is hurling him into different dimensions trying to weaken him. He meets up with Spidey and they hit it off. They have some great dialog and Invincible slaps up Doc Ock. What a breath of fresh air in the Spider-man universe. I know I keep singing the praises of Kirkman but I can’t help it. He writes Spider-man like he’s supposed to be written. Please give him a Spider-man title and retire J Michael Straczynski. JMS (and the other Spider-man writers) can write a good story, but quit frankly, he’s fucking up my favorite character! He is just too wrapped up in Spider-man mysticism. Bring back some fun story lines. Am I supposed to be depressed when I read Spider-man? Spidey has always had tragedy in his life, but now it’s just getting goofy. Have you read “The Other” story arc? Let me recap for you if you haven’t… First off, IT WAS 12 COMICS LONG! Spidey was cursed, had his eyes gouged out, killed and reborn in a cocoon that evolved his powers. You with me? He now has bone stingers ala Wolverine style. It’s true. He can also see in the dark and detect vibrations among other things. Now he has a new robo-costume designed by Tony Stark and lives in a skyscraper. I miss insecure, guilt-ridden geek who lived paycheck to paycheck and just never had enough time for a personal life and Spider-man. I really don’t like being a hater, but the recent events in Spider-man’s life just reek of being attention-garnering events rather than good stories…

Legion of Superheroes Cartoon

BRAIN: Cartoon Network is gearing up for a cartoon based on The Legion of Superheroes. This is probably going to help fill the superhero gap left when the final season of Justice League Unlimited ends this year, and the Teen Titans wraps-up because it has been recently canceled. It will be sad to see the Bruce Timm inspired animation finally end. A bunch of different artists have been commissioned to come up with a look. The two artist examples I have here are Ovi Nedelcu (Static Shock) in color and Ben Caldwell (Star Wars: Clone Wars) examples are in pencil.

Coop's Blog

BRAIN: Coop has a really fun blog. It's called Positive Ape Index. He talks about his paintings and his cars and even shows his kick-ass collection of Japanese toys.

Marvel Zombies Still Selling Out

BRAIN: I thought the hype would die down after the first issue but they are still selling out and getting reprints. Above is the cover for the third printing of issue #1 and below is the second printing of #3. You can see all of the other covers here.

What Is Your Cyborg Name?

BRAIN: The Cyborg Name Decoder will give you a name that you can use after the robots take over. It's only a matter of time, so check it out. Here is ours...

Favorite Catwoman

BRAIN: Just watched Batman, The Movie (1966) again and remembered just how hot Lee Meriwether was as the Catwoman. She deserves a little gallery to jog everyone's memory...

Spidey In A Black Suit

BRAIN: Or is it Venom? The first publicity shot from Spider-man 3.

Superman II - Good News/Bad News

BRAIN: Good News. The much anticipated Richard Donnar cut of Superman II will be released on DVD in November. This will be 40% longer than the theatrical release and include more Brando footage. Richard Donnar was fired after filming almost three-quarters of Superman II and was never able to finish this film. It is being reconstructed from the original shooting script and Donnar's original notes. I've seen some footage of Zod shooting up the Oval Office with a machine gun... Pretty cool.

BAD NEWS: You will have to buy a 14 DVD Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition to get it.

ZOD

I've Always Liked Mexican Wrestling Masks

BRAIN: Natcho Libre: He wrestles for God...

Ultimate Avengers The Movie

BRAIN: I am happy to report that I didn't have a problem with this movie. In fact, I enjoyed it. I went in with pretty low expectations so I guess it was easy to exceed them. Yes, the animation was not to my liking. Supposedly the characters were based on Bryan Hitch's art, but it's been pretty dumbed down and a little generic. I hope this DVD sells well so the movies that follow will have a larger budget to really nail the art. The story is a mix of the first twelve issues of The Ultimates but does not follow them exactly. I think they did a good job merging the two stories and some the fight sequences were really cool. I did not like how they made Hank Pym such a dick, but Thor was really frickin' cool!

I give it a solid B.

After watching this again, I just can't get over the lame animation... I want to lower the grade to a C+

Artist Profile: Dean Trippe

ZED: Ever since you sent me that link about Dean Trippe I've been checking out his site and his strip Butterfly it's awesome...Birdie (Robin) Knight-Bat's (Batman) sidekick, get's a sidekick himself—Butterfly, he's kind of a panzy and it get's pretty funny. Read the strip at www.deantrippe.com.