JIMSMASH ! ! !: July 2008

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

YOUNGBLOOD ZOMBIES ? ?

Really, dude?

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*Pics is promo art, not an actual series.... I think.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

FURTHER PROOF THAT RODRIGUEZ/McGOWEN'S RED SONJA IS AN ABOMINATION OF ALL THINGS GOOD

Rodriguez, you suck.

Red Sonja, I'm so sorry.

*previous Rodriguez Red Sonja Smash

Monday, July 28, 2008

ESTELLE GETTY PASSED AWAY

I just heard the news that ESTELLE GETTY passed away.

I love her portrayel of Sophia on the Golden Girls. Whenever I hear "Sicily", I always think of her beginning one of her stories....

"Picture it. Sicily, 1912. A young olive-skinned girl..."

Rest in peace, Ms. Getty. Thank you for the many many laughs!

Above are some pics of the T-600 Terminator model in the upcoming Terminator Salvation movie by McG, starring Christian Bale as John Connor.

And below is a pic of ROLAND KICKINGER, from Austria. Apparently he's been cast to portray a younger Arnold-Model 101 Terminator (T-800).

Kickinger talks about it over at the Clinton News Record:
“It’s Arnold’s character in the first Terminator. That’s basically my role, but 20 years before, so it establishes how the Terminator [came] about.... SLIGHT SPOILER: There’s a very strong scene in the film where John Connor for the first time meets the Terminator, and he doesn’t know if he’s a good guy or a bad guy.”

Hmmm, well he LOOKS the part. I just hope they keep with the little-to-no dialogue like in the first Terminator. Once Arnold-Terminator started talking alot, his cool-factor dropped.

Not sure why he has to be the same model as Arnold's... couldn't he just be another T-800 model?(see below). I suppose we'll find out. But I suppose I'm just in that camp that feels the Arnold-Reese Terminator story has been told and should not be messed with - instead, simply tell the adult John Connor story "separate" from Terminator 1 and 2. Weaving everything together feels "too Lucas" for my tastes.

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Terminator Model/Series breakdown:
Arnold's Terminator is of the 800 series (T-800), Model 101. In the T2 Director's Cut dvd, James Cameron explains that the Model 101s all look like Schwarzenegger. And when Arnold is rebooted by John & Sarah, his HUD reads "Cyberdyne Systems Series 800 Model 101 Version 2.4."

So a T-800 Model 102, let's say, would have the same endoskeleton but different outward appearance (like the Terminator in Reese's dream/flashback that infiltrates the underground hideout).

Saturday, July 26, 2008

WATCHMEN: NITE OWL'S OWLSHIP

I'm unable to attend this year's San Diego Comic-Con, but I'm geeking out on some of the pics from the Con floor coming in. Check out the Nite Owl's OWLSHIP - SICK!!!!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

JIM IS A PAPA ! ! ! !

Hey, Everyone!

I'M A DAD!!!!!

Last week, our little bundle of joy arrived a month early,
hence the lack of kickass JimSmash action lately!

JimSmash will return to normal in a month or so.
Until then, postings will be sporadic at best (or not at all).

Ok, back to sleep deprivation and dirty diapers!

See ya again soon!

YAY !!!!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

WANTED: SUPERMAN CYBORG

"SUPERMAN CYBORG"

I uber-regrettably missed out on this figure when it came out. It was part of the "Return of Superman" set. If anyone has one, knows of someone who has one, and/or sees one for sale somewhere (store, fleamarket, convention....), please let me know!

Loose or In-Package - I don't care.

There have been a few different Cyborg Superman figures over the years. I'm looking for the one that came in this packaging -------------------------->

HELP JIMMY!!!!

TERMINATOR: SALVATION TEASER

Click HERE to watch.

Christian Bale helps tremendously, but I'm terrified of what McG is going to do... and some of the lame story-points/characters I've read about so far.

Now, if there was no T3 and no tv series... and this was coming out a few years after T2... and was directed by James Cameron... I'd be stoked based on this trailer. But alas.... I have little-to-no hope.

KICK-ASS MILLENNIUM FALCON CAKE

That thing looks delicious!
No wonder the Exogorth tried to eat Han & Company!!

VIKINGS VS ALIEN-DRAGON

YES!!!!!

GALVATRON ON THE BRAIN TODAY

"It is a pity you Autobots die so easily,
or I might have a sense of satisfaction. "

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

BATMAN RECOMMENDATIONS

The sequel to "Batman Begins", THE DARK KNIGHT, comes out this weekend. If you've got Bat-Fever and want more, here are some JimSmash Bat-Recommendations for your reading and viewing pleasure!!

COMICS:
When introducing a non-comic fan to Batman, there's usually 8 solid stories I start them on. If you liked Batman Begins and can't wait for DK, then I highly suggest you track down these books and read in this order:

1) YEAR ONE
2) THE LONG HALLOWEEN
3) DARK VICTORY
4) THE KILLING JOKE (note: do NOT get the hardcover, recolored version)
5) THE CULT
6) ARKHAM ASYLUM (with art by Dave "Sandman Covers" McKean)
7) JLA VOL 1: NEW WORLD ORDER
8) DARK KNIGHT RETURNS

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ANIMATED:
From 1992-1995, this animated series of Batman is just about perfect! The creators simply NAIL the characters and world. In addition to great writing and art, you have KEVIN CONROY doing the best freaking voice of BATMAN EV-ER.... and MARK HAMILL doing an instant classic JOKER.... RON "Hellboy" PERLMAN as CLAYFACE.... MARC "BeastMaster" SINGER as MANBAT......! The entire voice cast is stellar, really.

I recommend renting the dvds (or looking up on YouTube). Here are some of my favorite episodes (linked to Netflix for your convenience!):

"HEART OF ICE" (Mr Freeze - the best Freeze I've ever seen!)
"TWO-FACE" PT 1&2 (fantastic Two-Face origin story)
"FEAT OF CLAY" PT 1&2 (great Clayface!... also episode: "MUDSLIDE")
"ON LEATHER WINGS" (Man-Bat! Skreeee!)
"ROBIN'S RECKONING" PT 1&2 (awesome!)
"GROWING PAINS" (....just watch it)
"MAD LOVE" (Harley Quinn!)
"OVER THE EDGE" (Gordon and GCPD gun after Batman!)

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In addition, rent the BATMAN/SUPERMAN ANIMATED MOVIE. Its perfection.

And, DC COMICS just released on dvd "BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHT" which has 6 short stories done by some of the great animators in Japan. I highly highly recommend picking this up!

So there you have it! Lots of Bat-Stuff to read and watch! You have your homework. I expect reviews (ie praises) from each of you JimSmash Readers by month's end. No excuses will be accepted and each week late will cost you a letter grade.

Enjoy!!

"GORBACHOV" MUSIC VIDEO

Source IHeartChaos said it best:
"In this awesome video for the song “Gorbachov” by Russian metal band ANJ, former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Gorbachev is an axe-wielding barbarian, destroying zombies who attack the hard working big breasted women of Mother Russia. It really is a thing of beauty. Actually it’s more than that. It’s the best damn music video ever created."
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*thanks, Jason!

MUCH HATE WITHIN: DARTH VADER RUBBER DUCKY

Remember when Darth Vader was cool?
And do you remember when you loved Star Wars?
Those were the days.
Thanks, George.
Dick.

Monday, July 14, 2008

ENTERPRISE CYCLE OF NERDY AWESOME

ASTONISHING X-MEN IS ANYTHING BUT

I love WARREN ELLIS' work!!

His first issue of "ASTONISHING X-MEN" is an exception, though. I understand this is NOT a continuation of Whedon/Cassaday's run. I'm ok with that fact and looked forward to Ellis new take upon picking up this issue.

Unfortunately it doesn't feel like Ellis knows the X-Men as characters outside of names, costumes and powers. This book felt like Ellis dusted off a previous old script for some other unused comic and adapted it to the X-Men. Perhaps it was an unused script for X-Factor because apparenlty the X-Men now work with the San Francisco Police Department as Mutant Detectives. "C.S.I. Mutant Town."

Every character is disgustingly smug, pompous, pretentious and oozing with self-satisfaction. I walked away from the issue hating every single one of them.

Overall, I found this comic to be sloppy, smug and a huge disappointment. Man, I really hated this book. JIMSMASH!!

Warren Ellis interview:

McCAIN STUMPED

In case you missed it, here's a great moment in Politics. I love some of his facial expressions!

GOOFING AROUND: MARTIAN MANHUNTER

*Click Image to Enlarge*
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I really dig Martian Manhunter's new costume, but couldn't find any decent pics of it online. So I thought I'd goof around a little bit and tweak a previous image so he's now sporting the new threads.

The original drawing is by artist JEFF JOHNSON from "JLA: Midnsummer's Nightmare". I simply did some photoshop work ontop of his.

OR, by the "Greg Land School of Drawing".... this is a completely original piece done by me and me alone.

I gotta say, the way Johnson draws MM, I don't mind the old costume! Why wasn't he given his own monthly Martian Manhunter book back-when??

Anyway, thought I'd share.

MILLENNIUM FALCON 14' WATER PARK

That's right, what better way to cool off your kids (ie YOU) this hot summer than with this 14' kiddie pool shaped like the Millennium Falcon?!!!! It runs about $80.... and has water blasters!! Come on!!!!

I know of atleast 4 people who better have this in their backyard by the weekend. You know who you are.

TEXTING WHILE DRIVING.... A MOTORCYCLE

Friday, July 11, 2008

STAR WARS FORCE UNLEASHED

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

COOL MARTIAN MANHUNTER

FINAL CRISIS: REQUEIM deals with the Martian Manhunter's lame death in Final Crisis #1. I've said it before - I was really starting to dig the character with his new costume and physical appearence, then they offed him. Boo. This one-shot will sport killer art by DOUG MAHNKE, so I'll pick it up. I'd rather see a monthly series with Mahnke onboard, tho.
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side note: someone said he looks like Marvel's Impossible Man.....
hahaha, yeah, I guess he does in that pic!

WONDER WOMAN ANIMATED DVD MOVIE

Cool! DC's next animated dvd movie (post-Batman: Gotham Knight) is WONDER WOMAN! I dig the artwork for the poster! WW's physical attributes remind me of Drew Johnson's take, which is one of my favorites.

Look for the movie in February 2009.

HULK VS...... DVD

Trailer for HULK VS WOLVERINE, out on dvd in 2009.
Look for HULK VS THOR on the 2-fight feature dvd, as well!

JEDI GYM

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

VEGAS: END OF A NERD ERA

Ah, man.... The STAR TREK section of the Hilton Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is closing down. I guess the Star Trek Experience just isn't pulling in the crowds anymore.

One of our "Vegas Traditions" is eating lunch at QUARK'S BAR & RESTAURANT. It was a lame, but fun restaurant with a Star Trek theme. In addition to employees walking around in costume (and character!), the menu had items like "Flaming Ribs of Targ", "Sulu Toss", "Warp Core Breach", "Klingon Kabobs", "Rings of Betazed", and "James Tea Kirk".

We would get annihilated on BORG SPHERES; green alcoholic drinks that spew smoke! Seriously, I would be stumbling out of there... usually into the Star Trek gift shop where, in a blurry mess, buy some stupid Trek item I would later regret upon sobering up. The whole Quark's Bar experience is an uber-nerdy but fun to jump in and be silly... and wasted.

But alas, they are closing it down sometime this Fall. I won't be able to make it to Vegas before then, so if anyone else goes, drink a Borg Sphere for Jimmy!

ALIEN ON "JUST FOR LAUGHS"

RANDOM FIND: TIME TRAVELLER IN NEED

"FANBOY" BECOMES AN OFFICIAL WORD

That's right - "FANBOY" is now in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as an official word in the English language!

For those non-comic peeps, here's the definition:
"A boy who is an enthusiastic devotee (as of comics or movies)"

hmm, kinda boring definition. And only includes male fans??
Anyway, its official now.