Strange Tales/Marvel Monsters Fan Cast

I had really wanted to get this out for last month’s Countdown to Halloween, but a couple of the characters just refused to be cast.  There is even still a couple that I’m skipping because I couldn’t come up with anyone. 

I’m focusing on 70s/Bronze Age monsters but to tie the story together I’ve brought in more recent character Elsa Bloodstone – daughter of the immortal Ulysses Bloodstone – to be our constant throughout the overarching storyline.

Laura Prepon as Elsa Bloodstone

I’m not sure if this could work as one movie even with Elsa tying all the stories together.  It might be better if it were several movies – Tomb of Dracula, Werewolf by Night, Man-Thing, etc. – with Elsa playing the Nick Fury/Agent Coleson role.  Or it could be an anthology film – call it Savage Tales or Haunt of Horror – with Elsa researching the monsters of the world in a wrap around story. 

Regardless of which path the film(s) take the central villain would of course be Dracula.

Timothy Dalton as Dracula

 

Emma Caulfield as Rachel van Helsing 

In addition to Rachel, we would need at least Quincy Harker and Frank Drake – probably Taj Nital as well.  I’m also tempted to include Hannibal King, but Blade was been a little too over done and I think I’d skip him at least for the first little bit (maybe we could bring him in early in Strange Tales phase two.  I’m also sure I want Dracula’s Duaghter Lilith and it is probably in Tomb of Dracula that we will first meet the devil’s daughter, Satana (as she originated in Marvel’s Vampire Tales magazine). 

Stana Katic as Lilith, Dracula’s Daughter

  

Allison Scagliotti as Satana Hellstrom

...and while we're on the subject of Scags: #AllisonScag4Cassie

It also might be here that Frankenstein’s Monster appears.  I’d like to see him in his own movie or segment, but I’m willing to settle for him being a supporting character here. 

Ron Perlman as Adam the Monster of Frankenstein

Next up on our slate of Marvel horrors is The Man-Thing.  My faithful readers will know my feelings on the previous “Man-Thing” movie – there wasn’t one.  But now that Marvel has the muck monster back in hand, I think we could get a good one. 

Josh Brolin as Man-Thing/Dr. Ted Sallis

Amber Benson as Jennifer Kale

Marvel’s even been kind enough to already cast Ted’s girl-friend/wife for us thanks to Ellen Brandt’s Iron Man 3 appearance. 

Stephanie Szostak as Ellen Brandt-Sallis

Ted’s supporting cast will also call for at least Richard Rory, Dakimh the Enchanter, and the demonic Thog the Nether-Spawn.   Of course, there are others I’d love to see such as F.A. Schist, Korrek the Barbarian, and Bobbi Morse (the future Mrs. Hawkeye).  It’s probably here alongside Man-Thing, that we will first get Howard the Duck as well – another of Marvel’s oddballs that has had less than stellar luck on film. 

Joe Pesci as Howard the Duck

Molly Quinn as Beverly Switzler

 

Lastly, we have Werewolf by Night. 

Christian Kane as Werewolf (By Night)/Jacob Russoff/Jack Russell 

Amy Acker as Lissa Russell Price

Janina Gavankar as Topaz

Russell has a number of enemies – mostly members of the evil Committee – such as Baron Thunder, Carruthers, and Professor Mako.  As well as having ties to minor Marvel heroes Tigra and Moon Knight who could also appear here. 

Of course, this is only the tip of the Marvel Monster iceberg.  Still MIA from our little film family are N’Kantu the Living Mummy, Simon Garth the Marvel Zombie, Gabriel the Devil-Hunter, The Straw Man, and the Darkhold Redeemers. 

Add to that any number of main stream heroes like Dr. Strange, Ghost Rider, Morbius, Hellstrom, Hellcat, and Brother Voodoo; not to mention the various monster hunters, demon lords, and giant Kirby-esque Monsters and the number of films that could make it into this series is incalculable. 

But we can hope…

Now what do you think?  Like my casting choices?  Hate them?  Wondering where the obligatory Nathan Fillon casting is?  Comment below or message me on facebook or twitter – and don’t forget to like and follow while you’re there. 

Until next time,

Nerd Is The New Cool, signing off.  

Batman Year Zero, Ultimate Cataclysm and Christmas Comics Already!? (New Comic Day)

Archie Comics released two titles today - Archie Double Digest 245 and Betty & Veronica Double Digest 217 – which are both already Christmas Issues. 

Dark Horse is still publishing the travesty that is Catalyst Comix (issue 5 hit stands today).  Also from DH is Grindhouse: Doors Open at Midnight 2 – normally I wouldn’t praise this poor quality of art, but it definitely adds a raw Grindhouse feel to the title so it’s working for me.  Finally from DH, we have The Star Wars 3 continuing the adaptation of George Lucas’s original rough-draft screenplay. 

At DC, Batman Year Zero month is in full swing with Batman 25, Detective Comics 25, Batwing 25, Green Arrow 25, and Action Comics 25 all crossing into the storyline which as a whole is putting me off – though some of the art is top notch.  Also at DC, the ongoing mini-series Forever Evil has its third issue today – but I have given up on that story myself. 

Dynamite graces us with the third issue of its six issue mini-series Army of Darkness Vs Hack/Slash – presenting me with an excuse to mention that #AllisonScags4Cassie Your Argument is Invalid! Also on shelves we have Lords of Mars 4 (of 6) – a stunning Alex Ross cover that makes me question the need for the variant covers also released – Vampirella 36, and Gail Simone’s Legends of Red Sonja 1 (of 5) – featuring both a beautiful regular cover and a classic Marvel throwback variant. 

The Starbase 21 Pick of the Week is Marvel’s Cataclysm The Ultimates’ Last Stand 1 part of the November Ultimate Universe crossover featuring Galactus. Also gracing shelves from The House of Ideas this month are Fantomex MAX 2 (of 4) – which I almost picked up but was able to resist – Painkiller Jane: The Price of Freedom 1 (of 4)

Finally, Zenescope – which is always at least good for a cover if not always the stories inside gives us Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Wonderland Through the Looking Glass 2 (of 5) – I recommend Cover B by Ivan Nunes featuring the Queen of Spades – and Tyler Kirkham’s Screwed 6 (of 6).   

I’m changing up the way I do New Comic Day from now on.  As you see I’ve given a very brief highlight of some of the top comics and a few underdogs that are our this week, but no Feature Issue review like I’ve done in the past.  But come back tomorrow for our indepth review of Painkiller Jane: The Price of Freedom 1. 

Until then, let me know what you’re picking up this week in the comments or on our facebook page or twitter @nerdisnewcool – and be sure to like and follow to let us know you like what you’re seeing here at Nerd Is The New Cool. 

Nerd Is The New Cool, signing off

This Nerd's Life: Halloween Weekend

I know, I know.  I said I'd post something Thursday for Halloween but that day was a huge headache.

I don't mind the company, but my dad came over Thursday morning and spent a couple hours hanging out. Which was cool, but it really put me behind on getting ready for that Evening's Trick 'r Treaters.

But I was able to get the house in order.  And low and behold, 2 kids all night.  A super-tough red Power Ranger and a cute little Minnie Mouse.

My wife and I settled in for the evening with Halloween 4 and after she headed to bed for the night I watched my favorite modern Halloween based film, Trick 'r Treat - which I watched right after Season's Greetings the cartoon short it spins out off.  I also hopped onto YouTube and was able to check out FEARnet's Trick 'r Treat shorts.  I highly recommend them.

Then, Friday Dad and I ran by a couple of Vintage Stocks to check out the big sale they had going on.  I was able to pick up DVD's of Friday the 13th Parts 3 and 4, Zorro's Black Whip Volume One (the first six episodes of a serial featuring "Zorrita, the one and only 'female' Zorro!"), and Star Odyssey (an old sci-fi flick I've never heard of.  Included on the DVD are four shorts: a Fleischer Superman cartoon, a Felix the Cat, a The New 3 Stooges cartoon, and an episode of Rocky Jones, Space Ranger).  I was also able to add a couple of early Man-Things to my collection Adventures into Fear 17 and Daredevil 113, the latter of which is part of the Sallis Papers story arc staring Daredevil, Man-Thing, and Foggy Nelson's sister Candace.

Over the weekend, my wife and I - along with our faithful companion the Nerd-Hound - went to my parent's for a horror movie marathon.  I can't remember the exact order of things, but we were able to squeeze in It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, World War Z - not as bad as I'd feared but still not as great as I'd hoped - Jack the Giant Slayer, Sharknado, Dracula: Prince of Darkness, Twins of Evil, Hands of the Ripper, The Incredible Melting Man, Godzilla vs. Megalon, and The Town that Dreaded Sundown.  

Overall, a very fun and entertaining weekend.

Hope your's was as much of a blast!

I'll be back on Wednesday, with a new New Comic Day.  In the meantime, I'd love to hear how you spent Halloween or your weekend down below in the comments or over on twitter @nerdisnewcool and you can share any pics of your Halloween costumes on our new facebook page located here:  https://www.facebook.com/NerdTheNewCool

Until next time,

This is Nerd Is The New Cool, signing off.

P.S. Since it's the Spooky Season and cause I haven't in awhile:

#AllisonScag4Cassie

My Top Ten Picks for TableTop Guest-Players

So, my favorite show over on Geek and Sundry is Wil Wheaton’s TableTop.  If you haven’t seen it or at least heard of it, you are either not enough of a nerd to be reading my blog or you have been hiding under the preverbal rock.  Either way, it is a webseries in which Wil Wheaton level Celebrates play nerdy table top games (usually Euro style board games, but dice, card, roll playing, and Ameritrash games as well).  Here’s a sample episode (this episode runs about 25 minutes):

This list is my picks for Guest-Players who need to appear on the show. 

10.       Lisa Foiles – a quasi-famous former TV star turned internet phenomenon (like Wil Wheaton).  Lisa is probably best remembered for appearing on Nickelodeon’s All That, but is now better known as a video game journalist and web-star – previously hosting The Game Station’s Remag and currently hosting Top Five with Lisa Foiles.  Plus, we already know she’ll win, cause she’s a redhead, and redheads always win on TableTop. 

9.         Katee Sackhoff and Tricia Helfer – probably not the biggest celebs to ever appear on TableTop (Jeri Ryan is at least as big, right? And Seth Green?).  This duo of BSG stars are no stranger to YouTube nerdom appearances.  Katee appears in Team Unicorn’s “Geek and Gamer Girls” music video and Tricia is in The Nerd Machine’s miniseries Trailer Park Heroes. 

8.         Adrianne Curry – this is either a stroke of genius or a recipe for disaster.  Should be fun to watch either way.  Not only is Adrianne a self admitted nerd and video gamer, but she also has a show Super Fans on Stan Lee’s World of Heroes YouTube channel and let’s face it, you can’t have more nerd cred than Stan Lee.  She is, however, a bit scandalous…and naughty…and nsfw.

7.         Joss Whedon – a god in the greater nerd pantheon, Whedon is responsible for Buffy, Firefly, Dr. Horrible, Dollhouse, and Marvel’s The Avengers.  He’s also responsible for Felicia Day (who first rose to nerd prominence in Buffy, Dr. Horrible, and Dollhouse) and he’s already made an appearance on Geek and Sundry starring in “Scary Smash,” the inaugural episode of Written By a Kid. 

6.         Dr. Drea Letamendi (@ArkhamAsylumDoc) – Fangirl, cosplayer, psychologist.  Drea is, in fact, Barbara “Batgirl” Gordon’s shrink in Gail Simone’s Batgirl.  Drea is also an expert on the psychology of “fandom.”

5.         Jim Parsons  – there is this one show, you may have heard of it.  It’s called something like The Big Bang Theory maybe, does that sound right?  Anyway, there’s this one character on the show named Dr. Sheldon Cooper and this Sheldon has an arch-nemesis named Wil Wheaton (played by Wil Wheaton, the host of TableTop).  Their rivalry is often expressed in friendly games of competition, such as bowling and the fictional trading card game Mystic Warlords of Ka’a.  Bringing Parsons onto TableTop – a show were Wil almost always looses – would finally allow Sheldon to pull one over on his mortal enemy.  Or maybe he’ll just yell “Wheeeeatoooon!”  Either way. 

4.         Liz Katz – or as my mom calls her: the naughty aerobics instructor (look for Super-Hero Boot Camp on YouTube to make that make more since).  Liz is a hard to classify girl.  She’s smart and funny and nerdy.  But she’s hot and dingy and hot, too.  Some of her videos are a little lame (I’m looking at you “I Don’t Wanna Be a Turtle”), but overall she’s pretty entertaining, if a little ADHD at times (to check her out better, head over to YouTube and take a look at her channel or watch my playlist “The Best of LizKatz.”

3.         Katie Wilson – let’s let Katie speak for herself:

A fan movement to get Katie onto TableTop is in the works and hopefully this one at least can come true.   On a side note: Chad and Angie from Screen Team Show would be another similarly ideal group to appear on the show, either in the same episode as Katie or in a separate one. 

2.         Nathan Fillion – ok, probably way out of Geek and Sundry’s budget, but we can always hope.  I mean, come on!  The Geek God himself on the Geek show!  Possibly in a themed episode with John Barrowman and Anne Wheaton.  And if you don’t know why you should definitely google image search “Nathan Fillion Wil Wheaton.”  It was the first two pics when I tried. 

1.         Me – I think that one is pretty self explanatory. 

So that’s my list.  Who would you like to see on TableTop?  Leave a comment or let me know on my twitter @nerdisnewcool.

Until next time,

Nerd Is The New Cool, signing off.

Top Ten Super-Hero Films That Should Get Made (But Never Will)

So over on the Black Nerd Comedy Channel on YouTube, Andre Meadows asked his viewers what Super-Hero they would like to see get their own movie (You can watch his video here: 

Be sure to give him a thumbs up and subscribe to his channel.  He’s a pretty funny guy.  Tell him Nerd Is the New Cool sent you). 

So in honor of Black Nerd, here is my list of 10 Super-Heroes (and Teams) that deserve their own feature length film... but aren't going to get one...

10.       Chase (DC Comics) – Chase is kinda DC comics Nick Fury – only young, hot, blonde, female, and sporting a full set of eyes.  Cameron Chase is a DEO (that’s Department of Extranormal Operations for the Newbies) Agent operating primarily in New York, though several of her adventures are in Gotham City and Metropolis (homes of Batman and Superman). Chase is the daughter of murdered Super-Hero Acro-Bat (think the Adam West incarnation of Batman if Eli Roth wrote the final two parter), a former teammate of the Martian Manhunter (then using the name Bronze Wraith).  Her title only lasted about 10 issues, not leaving a lot of source material, but giving a fairly in-depth mythology that could be mined. 

Chase Fan Casting: Jennifer Morrison as Chase, Hugo Weaving as Dr. Trap

9.         Eclipso (DC Comics) – ok, I know what you’re going to say.  Eclipso isn’t a hero, he’s a villain and thus not even eligible by my own title to be given this spot.  My heartfelt and thoroughly thought out response to this honest and constructive criticism on your part:  shut up, it’s my fraking list.  But in all seriousness, Eclipso both in his early lame villain self and as his more resent awesome godlike villainious glory, is a pretty cool villain and one of the better ones to ever headline their own title (he had both a feature in House of Secrets and a self titled book, not to mention helming a couple of miniseries).  He’s cool, he’s inexcusably evil, he’s kinda funny at times, and he’s down right demented at others.  Plus, he’s got a pretty decent supporting cast: Dr. Bruce Gordon, who had a long time Jekyll-and-Hyde connection to Eclipso; Gordon’s fiancé Mona; the Atom’s ex-wife Jean Loring, gone insane and serving as Eclipso’s host; heroes Creeper, Starman, and Lar Gand (Mon-El) all have significant dealings with him.  He could easily be featured as a villain in someone else’s movie, say Green Lantern or even Superman, but to be true to this classic character, he needs to be taken back to his roots and given the reins of his own project. 

Eclipso Fan Casting: Andy Serkis or Michael Emerson would make interesting choices for the Bruce Gordon Eclipso.  Claudia Black as the Jean Loring incarnation

8.         Valiant Heroes (Valiant Comics – some now at Dark Horse) – I’m not sure if I’m calling this a series of individual movies – of which I think X-O, Shadowman, and Rai are all especially good choices for, with Turok and Bloodshot being secondary contenders  – or an ensemble film – my first choices there would be the Malev War or the initial Spider-Alien invasion with Unity being a distant third for an initial outing.  More than anything else on this list, I can’t ever have this film/series.  Magnus, Solar, and Turok aren’t Valiant anymore, the others are drastically different in the “Summer of Valiant” universe.  Aww…but if only…

Valiant Heroes Fan Casting: Chris Hemsworth as X-O (too obvious?), George Takei or Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Harada

7.         Werewolf by Night (Marvel Comics) – ok, Disney, listen up and listen close…non-Super-Hero comics do exist and are cool and should be mined for movie ideas.  Marvel’s titular lycanthrope is just one of several great Marvel Monster titles ripe for the big screen adaptation picking.  The story of Jack Russell – initially told in Marvel Spotlight 2-4, Werewolf by Night 1-43, and five Giant-Sized issues – if full of recognizable Marvel characters including Topez, Moon Knight, Dracula, and Tigra all of whom could be introduced and spun off into their own movies… ok maybe not Topez, but you get my meaning. 

Werewolf by Night Fan Casting: Christian Kane (though I also thought about Taylor Kitsch) as Jack/Werewolf, Amy Aker as Lissa Russell, Timothy Dalton as Dracula

6.         Astro City (currently at DC/Vertigo) – another almost impossible to make film.  A good Astro City film would be on par with Watchmen and The Avengers, but possibly with a bigger cast and more special effects.  Individual films could focus on Samaritan and/or Honor Guard, The Confessor (the “Confession” alien invasion storyline would be a great second or third film), Steeljack’s “Tarnished Angel” storyline, or any of the sundry other unique and familiar characters in the AC universe. 

Astro City Fan Casting: Neal McDonough as The Confessor, Dean Cain as Samaritan, Harry Dean Stanton as Steeljack, Eli Wallach as Mr. Bridwell

5.         X (Dark Horse Comics) – X my personal favorite Dark Horse hero is sorta a cross between Batman and Punisher.  In recent years, his (dare I say) frienemy Ghost has greatly overshadowed him as the ultimate representative of the Comics Greatest World line of comics from Dark Horse – and I would gladly accept a Ghost film as well or instead of an X one – but X remains my favorite.  Of all the ultra violent Batman clones in comics, X has the most grit and the most flair.  Of all the Punisher clones, X is the only, in my humble opinion, to outshine the original.  I would love to see a scuffle between a big screen X and the Pit Bulls – his still violent but much more “good guys” vigilante antagonists – as well as appearances by Monster (with well done Hulk-like CGI or equally good practical Thing-like prosthetics/makeup) and Ghost.  But the main thrust of the film would have to be the gangster Carmine Tango, hitman Gamble, and my favorite X-villain Gretchen the corrupt mayor’s secretary – what can I say, I like bad girls.  Also, success with this film could open up more CGW films: Vortex, Barb Wire (they did? When? Pam Anderson? I don’t recall that…and you say it was a Casablanca rip off? Doesn’t sound like Barb Wire at all…), Titan, Golden City/Catalyst, spin offs for Ghost or Pit Bulls, even a full adaptation of the original Comics Great World mini.

X Fan Casting: Karl Urban as X, Eliza Dushku as Ghost

4          Micronauts (Marvel Comics) – ok, this movie would be a logistics nightmare, mostly because Marvel doesn’t have license for the Micronauts anymore…some of the characters, but not the team or the main villain… So that’s a big strike against it.  But a big screen adaptation of these little guys would be monumentally big…err… small, I mean.  An adaptation could be made of the Image (or Devil’s Due or Kinetic Underground) title or of the franchise without using any comic company as source material, but Marvel is the classic incarnation and everyone who would flock to this is fans of the Marvel version…add in the Marvel Cinematic Universe non-comic fans and a good cast and this could be a blockbuster.  Done right it could be a holiday season family film money maker or a summer action flick, either way. 

Micronauts Fan Casting: Patrick Warburton as Rann, Adrien Brody as Bug, Colin Salmon as Acroyear

3.         Metal Men (DC Comics) – there are a number of ways that this could be played out.  As a straight action/super-hero movie, as a sci-fi movie, or as a comedy.  It’s very rare that a serious comic works as a comedy on film, but this one might be able to pull it off.  However, I think the best way to go would be as a serious Sci-fi movie.  The Metal Men lend themselves to it so well. They are after all robots, they fight Tohoesque giant monsters, and they are led by a mad scientist.  Don’t even emphasize the comic book source material in the trailers, just treat it like a sci-fi film.  You’re not listening are you Warner Bros.?  You’re going to either not do it or do what you did with Jonah Hex and make it a super-hero movie aren’t you.  I give up…

Metal Men Fan Cast: Pierce Brosnan as Doc Magnus, Charisma Carpenter as Platinum

2.         Man-Thing (Marvel Comics) – No, they haven’t!  But the reason you think they have is the reason they never will.  There was a few years ago a God awful movie called Man-Thing, a terrible horror movie with nothing to do with this comic yet somehow baring its name and the worst application of “based on” ever.  The real Man-Thing is an anti-heroic monster dripping with pathos.  With the right script, a decent FX budget, and the backing of the Marvel Cinematic Universe label, a good film adaptation could be achieved. 

Man-Thing Fan Cast: Josh Brolin as Ted Sallis, Amber Benson as Jennifer Kale, and Stephanie Szostak reprising her role as Ellen Brandt from Iron Man 3

1.         Adam Strange (DC Comics) – the ultimate comic book, sci-fi hero.  He’s been an honorary member of the Justice League and a member of the Forgotten Heroes.  In the Silver Age, he was an A-lister, then he dropped down to the C-list, but since the 52 mini-series, he has had a strong showing as a B-lister.  Kinda like a certain Metal Guy over at Marvel, you know, the one who is the central driving force in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Kinda what DC needs to start its own Cinematic Universe, a strong B-list character who can become a box office A-lister.  DiCaprio has had this project in Development Hell since at least ’09. 

Adam Strange Fan Cast: since DC seems insistent on not casting him as Green Lantern, how about having Nathan Fillon don a red space suit instead as Adam Strange

So there you have it, my Top Ten Comic Book movies we ain’t never gonna see, but should. 

What comic books (whether Super-Hero or elsewise) would you like to see make it to the big screen?  Let me know in the comments or on twitter @NerdIsNewCool

Oh, and by the way #AllisonScag4Cassie (not on the list cause it's still gonna happen!)

Nerdy Top Tens: #FF [Hashtag Follow Friday]

Hello, everyone and welcome to a special crossover edition with my twitter.  For those of you who are on twitter, you know that today – as this time every week – is Follow Friday.

Those of you who are not on twitter are likely asking, “What the hell is that?”  Good question.  Follow Friday is the tradition of tweeting one or more twitter feeds that you recommend for your follower to follow. 

Now, I usually try to post one or two #FFs a week… Ok, stop we should back up and establish some nomenclature. 

            Basic Twitter Glossary

Tweet – a short 140 character or less “microblog” entry.  Similar to a “status update” on Facebook.  For contextual aid, this definition is 160 characters long.

# Hashtag – the subject or subjects of a tweet.  It is a word(s) that are “tagged” to make it easier for someone interested in them to search for them or cross-reference them with other tweets.  Ex: if this had been a tweet, I might have ended it with #TwitterGlossary

There are lots more terms you need to know but for the sake of brevity you can check out this article for some of the more important ones: http://sproutsocial.com/insights/2011/03/twitter-term-definitions/

            And now back to what we were actually talking about!

As I was saying, I usually try to post one or two #FFs every Friday – though I have missed a lot of Fridays.  But this week instead of posting a traditional #FF tweet, I’m preempting our regular programming here on Nerd Is the New Cool and posting a longer Nerdy Top Ten length #FF

Rather than a Countdown or Countup, I am doing them in no particular order. 

Nerdy Top Tens and @NerdIsNewCool Present

The Top Ten Twitter @s to Follow

Vsauce (@tweetsauce) This is your typical Stuff Is Neat/Science Show twitter feed.  Michael, the main man of the Vsauce empire, is also the host of the Vsauce channel over on youtube, where he gives quirky little science/philosophy lessons to views every week.  The @tweetsauce feed is more of the same, but in under 140 characters.  Plus, he does corny math/science jokes.  So there’s that, too.  Also, if you’ve read my blog “Top Ten Nerd Crushes” (warning banned in over 200 countries), then you know I’ve got something of a guy crush on Vsauce/Michael.  It’s the voice, it’s just so soothing.

Typical @tweetsauce tweets: “mammals come in almost every color…EXCEPT GREEN” and “If I help an astrologer divide the area of large salt-water bodies by r-squared does that make me a Pi-seas?”

Danica McKellar (@danicamckellar) Sorta kinda similar to Vsauce – but more math than science and with slightly better credentials…what’s your Erdos-Bacon Number, Michael? – but with a lot of ex-child star turned well rounded adult (#MythicalCreature?) type “my life” stuff.  Danica describes her tweeter as “Acting, Math, Yoga & Mommyhood! … and occasional random thoughts from deep inside my brain” plus on Thursdays she plays the #Palindrome game.  And oh look, I managed to make it all the way through without accidentally calling her “Winnie” once.

Typical @danicamckellar tweet: “Clue: Possible headline if Marilyn Monroe encountered some rodents. (3 wds) #NameThatPalindrome”

Nathan Fillion (@NathanFillion) Big fancy TV star really just a nerdy fanboy type.  Be he in your mind as Castle or Captain Mal or Captain Hammer or Green Lantern (suck it, Reynolds), Nathan Fillion is a fanboy’s fanboy.  Hilariously funny in his self-deprecatingly cocky “I’m-all-that” way, his feed is full of humorous quips and one-liners, usually in response to something someone tweeted @ him.

Typical @NathanFillion tweets: “Nerd HQ Haiku  So very geeked out. / How do I sleep after that? / A Game of Doctor Thrones Who.  Nailed it.” and “Must…focus on…tweeting. Too…excited… for …Comic Con.”   

Wil Wheaton (@wilw) Some odd collection of famous person/beer/nerd/crazy person tweets with a significant amount of “That’s What My Dog Said” to round it out.  You might recognize Wil from Eureka or Big Bang Theory or any one of his many things…but let’s face it, you either think he’s Wesley Crusher or Gordie Lachance. 

Typical @wilw tweets: “Me: You’re too big for the cat bed. Marlowe: IF I FITS I SITS. Me: But you don’t fits. Marlowe: IMAPUPPEH!” and “According to my email, I won a lot of foreign lotteries while I was at comicon.”

Anne Wheaton (@AnneWheaton) Wil Wheaton’s wife.  Because she’s better than him in every way.  Suck it, Wheaton.  Also, and more importantly #vandaleyes. 

Typical @AnneWheaton tweet:

 

I may have enhanced the beauty of the wall light decor in the convention center w/some #VandalEyes pic.twitter.com/t7UVYytqSq
— Anne Wheaton (@AnneWheaton) July 20, 2013

Joss Whedon (@josswhedon) Some guy, you’ve probably never heard of.  I think he describes himself best “Ladies man, man’s man, man about town… Java man, Isle of Man, Mandroid, Man Who Would Be King Ralph, girly man.” His twitter is mostly random WTF!? type stuff.  Wait…you do know who Joss Whedon is right? 

Typical @josswhedon tweets: “A fun thing to do on twitter is stop” and “ALWAYS QUSTION AUTHORITY! ‘Authority, may I use the restroom? No? Okay. Sorry.’”

Katrina Hill (@ActionChick) One of my all-time favorite tweeps.  Probably the most important reason she’s on this list is because of her infrequent #twittertip tweets. 

Typical @ActionChick tweets: “#twittertip #1: INTERACT! Also #1 Don’t be a tool unto others” and “*checks ammo, eyes the shadows*)

Drea (@ArkhamAsylumDoc) A real world psychologist, she made her bones studying the psychology of cosplay and fandom.  Also, she’s Batgirl’s shrink…no really. 

Typical @ArkhamAsylumDoc tweets: “I asked my dad if he saw Man of Steel.  He said yes we talked about it.  Halfway into the convo I realize he’s talking about Iron Man 3” and “I’d like to keep procrastinating by watching Beastmaster 2.  Apparently he travels to a future world called Los Angeles.”

Adrianne Curry (@AdrianneCurry) Ok, we all have that one person on twitter we usually don’t like to admit we follow.  I am very proud that Adrianne Curry is mine.  I’ll admit I follow her for the hot – yet often nerdy – twitpics and weird retweets as much as anything.  Warning: feed is sometimes risqué if not NSFW.

Typical @AdrianneCurry tweets:

Me and @AliciaMarieBODY with the hottest guy in the world pic.twitter.com/hP71lDe23F
— Adrianne Curry (@AdrianneCurry) July 20, 2013

And

Let us dance! #sdcc pic.twitter.com/33yBtHgNHu
— Adrianne Curry (@AdrianneCurry) July 20, 2013

Allison Scagliotti (@allisonscag) because #allisonscag4cassie that’s why!  That’s not the only reason why (love ya, Scags) but really, that’s enough. 

That’s my Ten, but now I wanna know your #FF pics.  Leave a comment below or @ me on twitter: @nerdisnewcool.

Also, some housekeeping.  There will be no new Five Dollar Bin today – you got this, don’t be greedy – nor will there be a new Nerdy Top Tens on Sunday.  I will be back on my regular posting schedule of Wednesday, Friday, Sunday – but really just whenever I feel like it – next week, so see you then.  I may even get around to a This Nerds Life on Monday but no promises there. 

Until next time,

Nerd Is the New Cool, signing off.  

New Comic Day (Late): Rocketeer/Spirit

Howdy folks and welcome to the second edition of New Comic Day! That’s right, number 2.  And we are already a day late on the delivery schedule!  Go, Team NitNC!  Actually, if you swung by last week, then you know we are actually 8 days late, since we didn’t even have an edition last week.  That’s right, your old buddy Nerd Is the New Cool is on top of his game this month (year? Decade? Century? Oh, bother!).

Anyway, here in Nerdland, we had a killer storm – well a storm anyway – Tuesday night that kept me up, as well as the wife and our pride and joy the Nerd-Hound.  Mostly it was Nerd-Hound being up that cause the issues, we was scared and clingy and insisted on attention.  Regardless, I overslept on Wednesday and was playing catchup all day.  So, no trip to my Friendly Neighborhood Comic Shop for me.  But I made it today and here we go!!!

This Week’s Star Comic:

The Rocketeer & The Spirit: Pulp Friction 1

That’s right.  You read it correctly.  The Rocketeer!  The Spirit! Together in one blockbuster issue.  This is so awesome...

Such a letdown. 

Don’t get me wrong, it’s good.  Bordering on decent even.  But it has all the elements of better than good – not the least of which is two of the greatest comic book characters of all time.  Beyond that, it’s written by Mark Waid, one of my favorite writers. 

So what went wrong?  Everything.  Paul Smith’s art is passable but it lacks both the crisp style of Dave Stevens and the pulp grit of Will Eisner.  It is very good art, very standard, very average.  I’ve seen worse.  But is “I’ve seen worse” enough? 

Even Waid’s writing is lackluster.  Again, I’ve read worse – in fact, I’ve read worse by Waid (I’m looking at you, Superman: Birthright) – but as a whole, Waid should be a shoe in for better than this, expecially considering this isn’t his first foray into the world of Rocketeer. 

Again I ask, is “I’ve seen worse” enough? Eisner is the legend.  Both in writing and in art.  They named an award after the man.  And Stevens is right behind him as an artist.  Literally.  When I comes to comic art it goes down like this:  Kirby, Ross, Ditko (shut up, Dad!), Steranko, Wrightson, Eisner, Stevens, Sale, Kane (shut up, Dad! – look at that same joke twice in the same sentence, I’m losing my edge already). 

As for the story itself, it is standard summer crossover fair.  Two heroes meet for the first time, naturally have a misunderstanding and fight.  The fight itself is awesome, but I won’t spoil it for you by describing it.  Needless to say, had Eisner or Stevens been sitting at the easel for this one, the fight alone would have been enough to win the book over for me, but Smith’s work left something to be desired and the fight had a less profound impact on me that someone else’s might have.   But please Hollywood, make an adaptation of this comic so I can see that scene in live action 3D! 

Aside from the issues discussed above, the comic was fun and enjoyable.  The classic characters are all here, Bettie Page…er, I mean the Rocketeer’s girlfriend Betty, The Octopus (or rather his hand), Commissioner Dolan and Ellen, Peevy…even Ebony draws and behind the scenes mention.  As I said, the fight between the heroes is classic (a bit cliché but this is a “summer blockbuster crossover” after all).  Ellen and Betty are both at their stereotypically ‘40s dame best. 

Had I had no prior knowledge of the characters, the book would have rated higher, had I bought it which would have been less likely.  As it stands:

3.5/5 stars.  Excellent jumping on point. 

Unrated but nothing too inappropriate so probably around T for Teen. 

            Other Noteworthy Titles This Week

Hunger 1 (Marvel)

Superman Unchained: The Director’s Cut 1 (DC)

Popeye Classics 12 (IDW)

Army of Darkness Hack/Slash 1 (Dynamite/Image)

Warlord of Mars 27 (Dynamite)

Until next time, Nerd Is the New Cool, signing off…

Top Ten...?

So I lost my flashdrive.  Less “lost,” more “misplaced,” and by “misplaced” I mean “lost.”  As in, it’s on the Island with Jack, Kate, and Sawyer.  I think the Smoke Monster may have it.  Which, if you have the Avengers Blu-ray you know, means it’s in SHIELD’s hands now. 

But I digress, the point is, my flashdrive, with my Top Ten list ideas, is MIA – also a lot of other important things like my most up to day resume and my other writings. Long story short (too late), I’m winging it. 

So I need to come up with an idea for a Top Ten, come up with what goes on that Top Ten, and then write it up, proof read it (Why start now?), put it in blogger, and publish.  All by midnight.  No problem, sounds easy, that’s still hours away…   

Three Hours Later

OK, I got nothing.  I have been planning on doing a Top Ten Hottest Nerds list but I have one pretty mapped out on my flashdrive and wouldn’t want to have to start over, plus Top Ten Hottest needs pics and I’m a little scared of getting sued for using somebody else’s copyrighted images for that so I’m still working on the logistics there but hey, stay tuned.  It’ll happen. 

Also, I’m still on the whole Countdown to Halloween thing (10 Days to Go!), and that isn’t exactly a Halloween themed Top Ten.  I’d need something more like the Top Ten Goriest Slasher Movie Deaths or the Top Ten Most Ironic Horror Movie Deaths.  Oh, or maybe the Top Ten Best Horror Movie Nude Scenes do a little homage to Joe Bob Briggs and the breast count from his Drive-In Movie Reviews.  But no my mom reads this and I can’t go be talking about Boobies and Booties (unless that has something to do with pirates). 

I could to my Top Ten Favorite Scooby-Doo Episodes or the Top Ten Looney Tunes Cartoon Shorts – of the monster ones of course – but with my last list being Halloween Cartoons, that might be a little too soon. 

I’ve also thought about doing a Top Ten Greatest Horror Comics list, but I just can’t bring myself to do it, I haven’t read enough of the ones that really need to make it to do the list justice – I’ve read very little Warren (Creepy, Eerie, etc.) and even less EC (Tales from the Crypt et al).  Kinda related, but less Halloweenie, I could do a Top Ten Comics That Should Be Made Into Movies But Won’t Be – definitely have to work on the title for that one – I’m sure it would have several horror titles on it but still one Halloween enough. 

More on subject would be a Top Ten Reasons Allison Scagliotti Should Play Cassie Hack (#AllisonScag4Cassie).  But other than she’s awesome I can’t think of anything off hand. 

So, I just don’t know.  Guess I’ll just get started on my old stand by…The Top Ten Reasons I Didn’t Write My Blog This Week…

But in the mean time, I wanna know what Top Ten lists you want me to write, either from the list above or just from out in the ether. Leave a comment below or on my twitter page @nerdisnewcool. 

Also, because as said before, she's awesome, you can follow Allison Scagliotti on twitter at @allisonscag

Nerd Is the New Cool, signing off.