M.E.Davis

This Week's Window Shopping

2013-04-19T21:14:00.000-07:00

While I think in many cases leggings tend to get mistaken for a garment you can wear by themselves, I would make an exception for these awesome sword leggings from SOVRIN on Etsy, which I LOVE.

Sword leggings - click here to go to product page...

Also, check out this incredibly clever Dewey Decimal System pendant from thependantemporium shop on Etsy. I want!

Dewey Decimal System pendant from thependantemporium

Last but not least, if you are a shop-happy geek like myself, you are probably already aware of this site, but if not, you should know about teefury.com, which has a different geeky T-shirt every day for $11. If you see one you like, you have to act fast! But there are so many awesome designs, including today's, which features a quote from Vasquez in "Aliens." :)

Space Marines tee from teefury.com

The Geek and Inkwell Celebrates One Year of Establishment!

2012-12-18T21:40:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, dear Geek and Inkwell! Happy birthday to you!

Today marks one year to the day that I began writing on this humble little virtual tavern - The Geek and Inkwell. Of course, keeping shop around here would be no fun without readers, so I would like to issue a very heartfelt thanks to anyone who has ever stopped by and to everyone who continues to stop by. We live in a very exciting time for geeks, nerds, and for casual fantasy or science fiction fans, as well, and I feel so fortunate to be able to share my musings and enthusiasm so easily through the invention of the internet and consequently, a blog. Honestly, I am honored that anyone at all takes the time to read and give me feedback on the thoughts I post here. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Screenshot taken in Frostbluff in The Lord of the Rings Online

So, if you are having a glass of anything tonight (hard cider is my favorite!), give it a little raise for one year of The Geek and Inkwell. By this time next year, we will most likely have experienced the opening of a second Hobbit film, as well as countless other exciting happenings in the geekverse. Happy Christmas, everyone. :)

Movie Review: "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"

2012-12-16T22:35:00.000-08:00

Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is the first feature film to be shown at 48 frames per second, as opposed to the usual 24 frames per second, but even so, I loved this film so much that I'm not sure there could ever be enough frames of it to make me happy.

As a longtime Tolkien fan, I can assure you that if you are a reasonable person who understands that books and film are two very different mediums, then you will be pleased with - and maybe even excited by - the changes that Jackson brought to the adaptation of our beloved story. The pace is ever so slightly slow in the beginning of the film (not complaining!), and this is understandable because audiences - especially those who have never read the book - need to hear quite a bit of exposition and background before the tale can proceed. Once the quest of Thorin Oakenshield's company is truly underway, however, the pace is breathtaking and there are mishaps and perils at every turn. Some of the changes to the story that you will see were added, I feel, to lend even more suspense to those parts of The Hobbit during which we always hold our breath and bite our nails.

What I especially loved about this movie:

1. Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins Martin Freeman absolutely becomes Bilbo Baggins. His understated acting style, his innate English-ness, his dry sense of humor onscreen, and his host of subtle expressions tempt you to think you have always pictured Bilbo as Mr. Freeman.

2. Jackson Taking the Liberty of Being "Silly" Although I think "The Hobbit" is serious when it needs to be serious, part of what was so lovely about this film was that I think Jackson felt free to be a little "siller" with "The Hobbit" than he could be with "The Lord of the Rings" films. The Hobbit, after all, was written as children's story, and it has more whimsy and less darkness than The Lord of the Rings. Without giving any of the laughs or delightful details away, I will just say that Jackson obviously felt at liberty to make his monsters more endearing, his chase sequences zanier and more dizzying, and his characters' foibles more comedic.

3. The Monsters Speaking of monsters, by now everyone has heard the story of Peter Jackson being so inspired as a young boy by a viewing of King Kong, and to this day he tries to imbue his creatures and monsters with another side - a hidden, more human side we can empathize with - that few other filmmakers bother to show. The monsters in "The Hobbit" were positively mesmerizing. You'll find yourself unable to tear your eyes from the trolls, the goblin king, the orcs, the wargs, Radagast's furry followers, and of course, Gollum, no matter how snotty, scaly, slobbery, or scarred they may be!

4. Radagast the Brown I know there is a crowd out there whose feathers are ruffled (um, no pun intended...Okay, so I intended it!) by Jackson's interpretation of Gandalf's wizard peer, Radagast the Brown. To be honest, there just aren't volumes of description about Radagast anywhere in Tolkien's work. However, we do know he cared deeply for woodland creatures and protected the flora and fauna from his home in Rhosgobel on the outskirts of Mirkwood. And if I have observed one thing from all my years of being a Peter Jackson fan, it is that he respects Tolkien's books as much as any Tolkien fan. He would never purposely or carelessly make a mockery of any character Tolkien has brought to life. Personally, I love the odd, eccentric, earthy, unselfconscious Radagast that Jackson depicts. Radagast owns a great deal of the laughs in his little part of the movie, and I think you are going to like his mode of transportation...

5. Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield If I were not just another love-struck fan girl when it comes to Richard Armitage, then I undoubtedly am now, after two viewings of "The Hobbit." Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm his. (This is where you say: In your nerdy dreams, Brewmaster!) But in all seriousness, my satisfaction with both Armitage's performance and Jackson's direction of this character goes far, far beyond that. Armitage as the exiled dwarf prince, Thorin Oakenshield, gives a performance that stirs that feeling deep down in your stomach that makes you want to leap out of your seat and wield a sword against something wicked. He plays a true hero, if a stoic and short-tempered one. I feel that in the book, Thorin's character comes across as grumpy and unfeeling and selfish. Maybe that's just me. Maybe I've been influenced by the Rankin-Bass cartoon I loved so much as a kid (and still do). But Jackson's film rounds him out so well; it paints a picture of a hurting but courageous man who keeps it together for the sake of his homeless nation. He is leadership incarnate. Look up "manly" in the dictionary, and I'd wager it now says "see: Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield."

6. Last but not Least: 48 Frames Per Second! I think I know now why Jackson films his fight scenes up so close! Before, you could never tell what was going on. There's a knee, there's a sword...Oh, look! I think that was an elbow smashing into a face! I think perhaps Jackson was anticipating finally being able to show movies to audiences at 48 frames per second, which is apparently closer to what our eyes actually see. Honestly, so many things were improved by the addition of 3D (which I normally am not a huge fan of) and the higher frame rate. Seriously, if a theatre near you shows the higher frame rate, go for it. It takes maybe a few minutes of getting used to, but I truly don't think it will make you sick as some people reported. It is actually easier on your eyes because there is less strobing and flashing for your eyes to deal with.

I don't care how many stars your rating scale has, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" ticks them all! I could not recommend this film more whole-heartedly. Seriously, one of my favorite authors (whose signature is on a book in my bookcase) ranted on Facebook about his refusal to see what he thinks is a pile of commercial garbage, and I un-Liked him. I don't need to read any more if his posts. I feel that strongly about this film. You're going to wish they made it into six movies. ;)

Crushes of Dwarf Proportions

2012-10-20T12:36:00.001-07:00

Not everyone concedes the genius of Peter Jackson and his adaptations of The Lord of the Rings and, more recently, The Hobbit, into film. It's a free country and you can hold whatever opinion you like, so that's fine. But I'd like to point out an example of why his creativity and interpretation of Tolkien's beloved books adds just the magical touch needed to make the films as beloved (or almost as beloved) as the books.

What most caught my attention in the first visuals to emerge from the making of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," including stills, photo shoots, the first trailer, and so on, was neither how perfect Martin Freeman seems for the role of Bilbo (which he is) nor how exciting it was to see a hobbit hole again (which it is). Rather, I was struck and delighted by the attention Peter Jackson and his scary-artistic, visionary team paid to the thirteen dwarves. While watching the first trailer, I marveled at how each dwarf had a different hair style, a different lively expression to match their demeanor, and a different detailed, yet functional-looking costume. And oh, my goodness -- those beards. No ordinary beards will do for Peter Jackson's dwarves. A beard is, after all, the mark of a dwarf. These beards are braided and sculpted and manicured and have every color of the hair rainbow. Fans, myself included, find themselves fascinated by these thirteen wild, larger-than-life personalities whose on-screen presence, at least, we haven't even had a chance to meet yet, and shall not until December.

But another phenomenon has been sparked by the anticipation of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" -- the idea that dwarves can have (dare I say it?) sex appeal.

It all started with the casting of Richard Armitage in the role of Thorin Oakenshield. Every woman I know (and this is only a slight exaggeration) first fell in love with Mr. Armitage when he played the industrious and gentlemanly cotton mill owner, John Thornton, in "North and South." My first thought when I learned of this casting choice - not that I disapproved, mind you - was, "Oh, wow. I have an ongoing crush on a guy who will now be playing a fairly ancient and arrogant dwarf. A dwarf! A mythical creature of short stature and a reputation for being bumbling and comical. And then I knew I couldn't be crazy, because I spotted this picture on The Mary Sue:

Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, giving "the smolder"

Is this or is this not a softly-lit photograph of an expression on Thorin Oakenshield's face that Flynn Rider would conclusively call "the smolder?"

And THEN I read an article on the Digital Spy that quoted James Nesbitt professing (somewhat tongue-in-cheek, I'm sure, but nonetheless...) that he is "sort of the thinking woman's dwarf, the George Clooney of dwarves," thereby implying that women everywhere are picking a favorite dwarf! And indeed we are! (Dibs on Fili...)

James Nesbitt as Bofur - The "thinking woman's dwarf"

After I got my head around the fact that the growing fanbase for serious fantasy - largely thanks to Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" films, "Game of Thrones," "Snow White & the Huntsman," etc. - might actually be ready to view the dwarves of Middle-Earth as...swallow...heartthrobs, I had to subscribe wholeheartedly to the genius of Peter Jackson. He and his crew have truly brought a new (and not altogether unattractive) dimension to the epic story we all so love.

To view the full gallery of the thirteen dwarves from "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," visit The Hobbit Blog.

Think Geek Introduces Hobbit Feet Slippers: Well, It's About Time

2012-08-23T10:26:00.002-07:00

I'm sure many of you, like me, have always felt that somehow there is a little hobbit blood in your family tree. Well, now, thanks to Think Geek, you can display that halfling nationality on the outside.

(via The Mary Sue, via Think Geek)

For the Collectors Out There: "Hollywood Treasure"

2012-08-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, deep in the bowels of Netflix's streaming selections, after wading through a hundred different B movies and other obscure titles, one happens upon a treasure - "Hollywood Treasure," to be exact. I can't actually take credit for discovering this addictive show - one of my besties checked out the program and knew I would love it.

"Hollywood Treasure" is a "Pawn Stars" style show, except the name of the game is auctions, and the big ticket items are purely movie and television memorabilia. Even though I am separated from Joe Maddalena's company Profiles in History and their auctions by about 400 miles, it feels like you can almost reach out and touch some of the invaluable pieces of movie and television history that Joe and his team find. Even if you are not a collector, if you are at all interested in 60s television, science fiction, Disney, comics, iconic movies, etc., you will find something that fascinates you while watching "Hollywood Treasure." At the very least, you might learn something. And of course, it's nice to live vicariously through these mysterious millionaire collectors who will drop hundreds of thousands of dollars on a prop. :)

I'm only part way through Season One, and some of the highlights so far include one of Ripley's flame thrower guns from "Alien," concept art from Disney's "Sleeping Beauty," and Superman comic #1. Aside from all the unique, rare, and historical items you will get to see on "Hollywood Treasure," you're also going to see Joe get to meet and interview with some pretty cool people, including Stan Lee, Christopher Judge (Teal'c in "Stargate"), and Stan Winston's family.

Check it out! You're going to be hooked!

Movie Review: "The Dark Knight Rises"

2012-07-26T21:31:00.000-07:00

Because of Christopher Nolan's Batman films, over the past seven years, I have gone from caring only marginally about Batman, to wanting to name my future son Bruce.

I believe that "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight," and finally, "The Dark Knight Rises" ought to belong to the canon of films that deal with the age-old subject of good and evil in depth and with intelligence.

Bane and Batman go head-to-head

Nolan (at least with his Batman films) always throws in a character with all the trappings and demeanor of a seedy criminal who then surprisingly makes a selfless sacrifice. Or vice versa - he throws in a character we want to trust and has that winning smile, but becomes twisted and then serves up the most breathtaking of betrayals. I don't think this is intended to deconstruct the idea of good and evil. Rather, I think the artists behind the films want us to more deeply explore what it means to be heroic, especially in a world where the right thing to do is not always clear, appreciated, or easy. In some ways, as dark as they are, I think this makes Nolan's Batman films more relatable than many "comic book movies," because Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne is so human, the villians are so human, and the plots are so human.

Hobbit Fever

2012-07-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

If you aren't already following The Hobbit Blog - the official production diary of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" - you should go ahead and begin immediately. You can start by watching the tear-inducing production video below, which The Hobbit Blog has recently posted, in which Peter Jackson lets those of us who, unfortunately, weren't able to attend Comic-Con this year in on all the action. I love hearing the actors and crew share about how close they've become in the process of creating this film, just as I loved hearing it while watching the special features for Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. It makes me wish Tolkien was fully aware of how many people he has brought together and affected through his work. Who knows? Maybe he gets to look down from where he lives now and is aware of it after all.

Parodies: Best Of

2012-07-14T16:16:00.000-07:00

Some songs just lend themselves to all kinds of amusing modifications. They are catchy and running through our heads all the time whether we like it or not, and pretty soon, they begin to develop entertaining new lyrics.

I've seen some excellent parodies lately (two of them today, courtesy of a couple of my best friends who are very clear on the type of subject matter that I will enjoy), and I thought I would share them here at the Inkwell. Enjoy!

1. A parody of Lana Del Rey's "Video Games"

2. A genius Star Wars parody of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe"

3. A very adept Star Wars parody of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know"

Lament for Comic-Con

2012-07-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

So, though it is a sore subject with me right now, I can't go this whole week without giving a shout out to the geek Mecca to which I should have been making a pilgrimage this past Tuesday - San Diego Comic-Con International.

My sob story is as follows: my usual Con buddy and I were, of course, prepared to click the "secret" link for Comic-Con passes right when the clock struck 8:00am on March 3rd. Unfortunately, said link did not work properly, and by the time my pal and I had the opportunity to purchase passes, only Thursday and Sunday were available. If we lived in beautiful San Diego, or had unlimited funds, we would have gone ahead with purchasing passes for those two days. However, neither of those things are true for us, and being far from the Con, it is difficult to swing the expense (time-wise and money-wise) of travel only for the first and the last day of the event. I usually don't attend on Sunday anyway. So my Con buddy and I had to make the decision not to attend at all this year.

I thought I would get over it, and maybe I did for a while. After all, I've had the privilege to attend twice before, and there are plenty of people who have never been able to attend, whether it be for financial reasons, family reasons, distance reasons, etc. But I am not over it right now. All day at work today, I could not stop thinking about what I would be doing if I were where I belong - at San Diego Comic-Con.

At around 3:30am, I would have been setting out for the event, either being dropped off or in search of expensive long-term parking... By 4:00am, I'd be in line, sleepy but anxious about making it to the multitude of panels that I would have added to my packed schedule and would probably cry if I missed them. The line to get into the main building probably wouldn't even be moving until 8:00am, but the hours in between would be spent reading books, checking and re-checking my schedule, yawning, trying to find the appropriate balance between staying hydrated and yet not drinking so much that you have to actually use the restroom, and of course, making new nerdy friends at every turn. (And I mean that word in the best possible sense.)

The front of the convention center - Comic-Con International 2009

By 10:00am I'd probably be in my first panel, in the first couple of rows of chairs, because I am that dedicated to getting a good spot in line. I'd have my camera ready, and I'd be hungry and freezing cold from the blasting air conditioner inside the convention center, but it would be okay, because I'd be at Comic-Con.

Even if you don't make it to tons of panels, there's just something about that place at that time that warms a geek's heart. There is something beautiful about seeing so many fans (150,000 at the event every day...) deciding to come out in public and let their geek flags fly. It was exhilarating the first time I experienced it. You think to yourself: "Wow. I didn't know there were so many people who are crazy about the same nerdy things I am crazy about. If we all revolted right now, we could take over the world!"

But nerds don't want the world. In fact, most of the time we daydream about living in different worlds - the ones we read about, explore in MMOs, or see fleshed out in beautiful detail in films. What nerds want is to go to Comic-Con. And you can be sure, I'm going to do whatever it takes to get there next year! This scrabbling for tidbits from the Con from afar is just too miserable.

Did you get passes to Comic-Con this year? What have you experienced so far? What are the best costumes you've seen? I'm sure my readers would love to hear!

Movie Review: "Prometheus" (Mature Themes Discussed)

2012-06-17T14:41:00.001-07:00

Any movie that has to live up to as much hype and built-up anticipation as Ridley Scott's "Prometheus" is going to meet with some very critical eyes, many belonging to people who have been die-hard "Alien" fans for decades.

What we have to remember, however, is that Ridley Scott warned audiences that "Prometheus" became its own stand-alone movie, and it isn't necessarily closely connected with the other Alien films. Although the story in "Prometheus" chronologically occurs before Ripley and the crew of the Nostromo ever encounter LV-426, Ridley Scott was telling the truth - it isn't really a prequel.

Michael Fassbender as the android David marvels at an advanced navigation system

Going into the theatre, what I desired from "Prometheus" was that it would hold up to the same critical theory that can be virtually endlessly applied to the four Alien films. "Alien," "Aliens," "Alien III," and "Alien: Resurrection" are as much about Ellen Ripley the heroine as they are about the Xenomorph and the looming destruction of the human race. All four Alien films deal with themes of the monstrous feminine, rape/penetration, gender, motherhood, etc., and they can be dissected to the same degree as Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, The Once and Future King, The Catcher In The Rye, or any other canonical text. (See: Alien Woman.)
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People Need A Little Old-Fashioned: A Review of "The Avengers"

2012-06-02T14:54:00.002-07:00

I'm telling you, Joss Whedon makes all the difference.

I feel that one of Joss Whedon's specialties as a writer and director is balancing a large group of characters, giving each character depth, a background that motivates them, and an equal place in the friendly (or not so friendly) banter that is inevitable when you've got a wild assortment of personalities in the scene.

The Avengers team

Joss certainly did not hide this talent of his when he was creating "The Avengers." I can't praise this film enough. It was funny and exciting sans the lame dialogue that often accompanies superhero movies, and it was family-friendly so that all the young fans out there can go see their favorite icons in action.
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He Makes Making Tea Look Good

2012-05-24T23:26:00.001-07:00

I am in love with this video, as I am and long have been in love with Alan Rickman. I think he was something like 35 when I was born, but once you hear Colonel Brandon read a sonnet, well, that's just the end of the story. (And who else could have played Professor Snape with such depth and elegance, I ask you?!)

Thank you, David Michalek, for this piece of art, entitled "Epic Tea-Time With Alan." Epic indeed.

Also, if you are a Rickman fan, you might enjoy this YouTube channel.

Enemy on the Inside: God in a Guy Ritchie Movie, and Other Thoughts

2012-05-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

Last night I re-watched "Revolver" - a cerebral film masterpiece by Guy Ritchie - for the first time in a few years. I was struck once more, as I was at first viewing, by the powerful beauty of so many of the shots and the mesmerizing performances of Ray Liotta, Andre Benjamin, Mark Strong, and of course, the peerless Jason Statham.

Without a doubt, "Revolver" is a film that forces you to think. I believe I first watched it around the time I graduated from college and had just finished up a couple courses on critical theory (varied frameworks for examining literature and language), so I can't watch this movie without reflecting on Freud and how many people he said potentially dwell in our heads. My ego - the person I think I am - is not really who I am. The person I really am paces back and forth like a caged beast deep in my unconscious (or subconscious), just like the person you really are does. The beliefs, traumas, loves, etc. that swim around in our unconscious are the drives we act on day-to-day, surfacing maybe once in a while in our dreams, but we could never name them - not precisely - because they are in our unconscious. Our egos, on the other hand, masquerade as us, and sometimes our egos can be our worst enemies, as the story of "Revolver" so eloquently demonstrates.
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I'm...I'm...I'm...Speechless: Archival Footage of Tolkien Recently Released By the BBC

2012-05-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

It's just another regular Monday evening. Little did I know that this would actually be a monumental Monday evening for me.

Every once in a while, I get the time to check up on The Inklings blog, which celebrates and recalls the work of the Inklings - a discussion group of friends that met in The Eagle and the Child pub and included J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. To my surprise and joy, I discovered a recent post there linking to the Good Report website, and sharing - get this - footage of Tolkien. The interviews (which you can watch below) were recently released archival footage from the BBC.

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New "Prometheus" Trailer

2012-04-30T12:44:00.001-07:00

You sick of "Prometheus" stuff yet? Good, me neither. :) New, much more revealing "Prometheus" trailer:

Home Decor Straight from Middle-Earth

2012-04-26T12:43:00.003-07:00

If it weren't for Etsy, I might never discover delights such as the work of tiedyejedi. The avid Tolkien fan will find on this shop's page a wide array of sweet, touching, or just plain cool decorations straight from Middle-Earth. The shop owner will even translate your name into Sindarin and turn it into a beautiful print. Where has tiedyejedi been all my life? <3

"Oakenshield's Dwarvish Red" (Product page)

"Home Sweet Home" (Product page)

"Speak Friend and Enter" (Product page)

"One Lifetime With You" (Product page)

Another Funny Bit from "How It Should Have Ended"

2012-04-22T11:34:00.001-07:00

Rollerball, The Running Man, and The Hunger Games: Dystopian Cinema in a Media-Driven Age

2012-04-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

"The Hunger Games' Secret Romance!" reads the title of Ok! Magazine, just under the photos of Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth. "Intimate hotel room rendezvous!"

Obviously, I will never know to which apparently scandalous event Ok! magazine is referring, because the cover has precisely the opposite effect on me that it is meant to have. I am sure the editors of Ok! were betting on grocery store or book store or eReader customers being tempted enough to discover these young stars' "juicy secrets" that they would purchase the magazine. I sincerely hope they were disappointed in the number of sales they actually made.

When you consider a story like "The Hunger Games," trashy, sensational magazine cover-speak such as that featured on Ok! positively reverberates with irony.

I loved "The Hunger Games" film adaptation. It was one of the best and most respectful adaptations I have seen, and the creators cut out much less than I actually thought they would. The acting was, for the most part, moving and effective, and I loved the costumes. But above all, it was a very serious movie. The movie, like the book, was meant to teach us and, more specifically, young people something. Beware the god Entertainment - you will end up leaving your humanity at the altar.
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Graphic Novel Review: Archeologists of Shadows

2012-04-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

Image credit: Patricio Clarey

I know what you are thinking - "Archeologists" is not spelled right. Well, I would tend to agree with you, but that is how it is spelled on the cover of the graphic novel, so there you have it.

As I've said before, I'm relatively new to the world of graphic novels and comics. The first graphic novel I ever read was Watchmen, but fortunately, being initiated into the genre by such a monumental and canonical work did not set me up to be disappointed by everything else I encountered. To the contrary, I realized how powerful and moving such a style of storytelling can be.

One of the things I like best about the graphic novel genre is that it isn't shallow in the least to make your next reading selection based entirely on the art. In other words, there's no shame in "judging a book by its cover" when it comes to graphic novels. In fact, so far, for me this has proved to be a most rewarding method of choosing my graphic novel reading material. Once you visit the Archeologists of Shadows site, it should become self-explanatory why art was the basis for my decision to purchase it.

Image credit: Patricio Clarey

Archeologists of Shadows is a sci-fi/fantasy/steampunk story written by Lara Fuentes with art by Patricio Clarey. In the world of the novel, everyone is turning into a mechanical being, but no one is really sure why. They are simply told it is the will of the gods. Our protagonists, Alix and Baltimo, are making the transformation somewhat slower than everyone else, and this fact is drawing some attention from the authorities...

Image credit: Patricio Clarey

Archeologists of Shadows' story is robust enough that it could flesh out the pages of a traditional novel, and it would be a novel any science fiction fan could enjoy. However, my wholehearted recommendation of this book is really due to the artwork. Clarey's stunning digital painting is like a hybrid of "Metropolis" and the aesthetic of the Dwemer race in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. I am proud to have Archeologists of Shadows in my collection, and will certainly return to read it again over and over. What I would really love is to see this story translated into film.

To make Archeologists of Shadows your own, visit its page on Graphicly or click "Read" in the box below:

Graphic Novel Review: Mouse Guard

2012-04-06T14:42:00.001-07:00

Two days ago, Graphicly, an online resource that I have found incredibly neat, announced that they have undergone some changes. For those of you who aren't familiar with Graphicly, it's a service through which, as a reader, you can purchase and download graphic novels, comics, and other visually-based stories. Graphicly is also a place where authors and artists can upload their precious work and begin to distribute it digitally to a very large community. As far I can tell, the changes to Graphicly's services are not drastic - they are simply retiring their old set of applications for iPad, Android, etc. From here on out, if you own an eReader (Barnes & Noble Nook, Kindle, iPad), there will be a larger variety of products available to you, with optimized viewing. (If you downloaded a Graphicly app in the past, it will still work for you, and will always be able to view and read your purchases through that or through the Graphicly website.)

I know the whole digital comics thing is not for everyone, but I, for one, am a fan. Graphicly's optimized viewing is one of my favorite aspects of their services. For instance, last night I decided to check out for myself this improved experience Graphicly promised me through my Nook. I fired up the Nook (we should name her, by the way...), and searched, "Graphicly." I scrolled through till this caught my eye. Having been a huge Redwall nut as a kid, David Petersen's Mouse Guard looked like a promising choice.

Image credit: David Petersen

With Graphicly's optimized viewing, when I tap the page of a comic or graphic novel like Mouse Guard, it fills the screen (whether it be computer or Nook) with a single frame from that page. Another tap will focus on the next frame, and of course it presents the frames to you in order. To me, this is an exhilarating way to read comics and graphic novels, because it really isolates and highlights the beauty and color and action of each individual frame. It also emphasizes the sense of flow and movement from one frame to the next.

To a book like Mouse Guard, this feature is especially flattering. Mr. Petersen's images are enchanting and sweet, but at the same time never fail to convey the desperateness of the situation or the courage of our tiny protagonists in the Mouse Guard. I would actually heartily recommend this series if you would like to introduce a young person (say, age 8 and up) to the world of graphic novels. So far, I have only completed Series I: Fall 1152, but I can report that the first series, at least, is quite safe for young readers. There is violence, yes - snake-slaying and such - but nothing a young person who enjoys adventure stories couldn't handle.

Image credit: David Petersen

I can't say enough about the artwork, however, and that is one element of the Mouse Guard series of books that a reader of any age can enjoy.

To learn more about Mouse Guard, you can click here to visit its official website.
To view more of David Petersen's artwork, you can visit his personal website here.
To check out Mr. Petersen's blog, click here.
And to start your adventure into the world of the Mouse Guard, you can read it courtesy of Graphicly, here. The first issue is currently free!

Detention That Was Totally Worth It

2012-04-05T14:09:00.000-07:00

If I were Tim's teacher, I think I would have just laughed. Maybe said teacher is not a Hunger Games fan... Shame. :)

see more Set Phasers To Lol

Lindsey Stirling Makes A Skyrim Music Video - Need I Say More?

2012-04-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

So there's this incredibly talented girl named Lindsey Stirling who is known for totally conquering songs (often scores from video games or movies) with her violin and her cute, wide-eyed style. She can sing, dance, cosplay, make beautiful music videos, and of course - play the violin like a boss. This girl does it all. I am a big fan of her projects - particularly this Lord of the Rings medley and this Zelda medley - but I think I may have a new favorite. She has recruited the skills of a one Peter Hollens to create the awesome Skyrim theme violin cover, which you can watch below:

So good, right? The music of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is gorgeous and stirring, and I think the two of them do it justice. You can subscribe to Lindsey's YouTube channel by clicking here.

Here's The Thing About Pinterest...

2012-04-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

I first heard about Pinterest through a close friend of mine. Then I was hearing about Pinterest through about five friends of mine. I didn't want any part of it. I thought, what do I need a virtual bulletin board for? I keep my craft ideas in my head or at work, I keep my recipes in my recipe book, and when I have the money to decorate a house (first on the list, buy a house), I will figure out what kind of kitchen I want then.

WRONG. I was wrong A) because Pinterest is not just for people who like to cook and craft and B) it is a handy tool in more than one way. What eventually won me over to Pinterest was the fact that I could promote my blog through my account (not aggressively, mind you - Pinterest is not primarily for advertising). My first board was Geek Gear, which I used to remember geeky objects and art that I thought were adorable so I could share them with fellow geeks and blog about them - bringing attention to the artist - if I felt compelled to.

Here's the thing about Pinterest: it lets you collect to your heart's content. As a geek who has collected everything from little figurines like the one Dwight admires in Season 7: Episode 2 of "The Office" to "Lord of the Rings" memorabilia to books to shoes, I have finally come to see the value in a tool that lets you collect without crowding yourself out of your own living space, or crowding humanity off of this planet. As we all know, most Americans have a lot of stuff. We like stuff. Is it bad that Pinterest potentially contributes to this habit of gathering stuff? I don't think so. Pinterest is less like a bulletin board and more like a communal brainstorm that the internet will remember forever so you can always go back and see what you brainstormed. Pinterest helps me run a geek blog, be a more interesting cook, and plan a fictitious Shire-themed wedding so I don't actually have to become contractually linked to another human being. I kid! I kid! :) I would actually like to have a Shire-themed wedding someday (don't steal my idea...).

If I can find so many uses for Pinterest, I think anyone can. It doesn't hurt to check it out, and it doesn't hurt to go crazy, either. :)

This Week's Window Shopping

2012-03-30T20:08:00.000-07:00

I have long lusted after and looked for Ripley's Reeboks in "Aliens." Well, this week, on Pinterest, I found a pair very reminiscent of those... Unfortunately, it appears these red-and-grey ones that I like are already sold out, but still - awesome. :)

Product page

On the subject of shoes, I love TOMS - they are so comfy and versatile. So, naturally, I fell in love with these hand-painted R2D2 TOMS that I found (again) on Pinterest.

Product page

I guess it's nice for geeks that geeky weddings and all their related trappings are becoming more acceptable (we would have gone ahead with them anyway...). So, if your geeky wedding happens to be Star Wars-themed - or even if it's not, and you're just a fan of unique rings - here is a Star Wars-themed wedding band (I saw this on The Mary Sue):

Product page

And last, but not least - the granddaddy of all the geek gear I perused this week... LORD OF THE RINGS LEGOS!!! I was particularly entranced by the Helm's Deep Lego set, which is (when I have the expendable income) going to set me back about $130. But it's HELM'S DEEP MADE OF LEGOS!!! My future children will play with this set, or they will not play with toys at all. ;)

You can view the other exciting LotR Lego sets here.