Glenn Walker is a writer who knows pop culture. He loves, hates, and lives pop culture. He knows too freaking much about pop culture, and here's where he talks about it all: movies, music, comics, television, and the rest... Welcome to Hell.
Here's a quick update, I have three new podcast episodes available this week that I want folks to be aware of.
First up is The GAR! Podcast, co-hosted with friend and partner Ray Cornwall. The GAR! Podcast is the Glenn Walker and Ray Cornwall weekly podcast where they talk unrehearsed about whatever happens to come to mind. It’s an audio-zine for your mind, a nerd exploration of a nerd world, coming to you from the suburbs of New Jersey and the sunny lakes of Florida via Skype.
In the latest episode, Prince Underground, we discuss our favorite performer, the late Prince, Purple Rain Deluxe, The Revolution, Susan Rogers, fandom, bootlegs, the Prince estate, The Black Album, drugs, baseball umbrellas, high price paraphernalia, listener feedback, Keith Pollard and Ron Wilson, and AI Alexa.
Then there's The Make Mine Magic Podcast, which I co-host with The Bride. The Make Mine Magic Podcast features Jenn and Glenn Walker talking about Disney, parks, movies, travel advice, characters, Marvel, Star Wars, Studio Ghibli, etc., if it’s Disney, it’s fair game.
This week’s episode includes discussion of "The Lion Guard," including the show, the characters, the origins, the actors, the music, crocodiles, zuka zama, lion super powers, Return of the Roar, "It’s Unbungalievable," the circle of life, and being a kid again. You can hear it right here.
Finally, there is the Nerdfect Strangers podcast that I co-host with partners Bobby Fisher and Jerry WhitworthNerdfect Strangers is hosted by Bobby Fisher, who started it in August 2014 with original co-host and all-around nice guy/rock star, Jonathan Rodriguez. Since March 2015 the show has been hosted by Bobby and cool comics blogger, Jerry Whitworth, and, as of September 2015, Glenn Walker, who is also a real class act. We talk about all things nerdy and geeky including but not limited to: comics, wrestling, video games, nerd news, movies and TV.
In the latest episode, Exploding Windup Penguins, we talk about some of the San Diego Comic Con news, Glenn's distaste for blue M&Ms, and that snake, Randy "Macho Man" Savage turning heel and joining the dastardly NOW. We also talk about the disaster that was the main event of WWE Great Balls of Fire, and promote Noah Houlihan's Game the GamerKickstarter.
As I began watching this episode of "Arrow," I had momentarily forgotten the scenes of next week's episode at the end of the last episode. "Restoration" didn't start with the usual bang. Green Arrow and Diggle were fighting the H.I.V.E.'s ghosts and not getting along as per usual this season. They need to grow up if you ask me. Even in Nanda Parbat, it was business as usual with Nyssa trying to kill John Barrowman's Malcolm Merlin as the new R'as Al Ghul. This was all old territory.
Even when Laurel and Thea arrive at the lair of the League of Assassins with the body of Sara in tow, the situation is neutered. We know Sara is going into the Lazarus Pit and coming back to life because we've seen her in the trailer and other scenes from the upcoming "Legends of Tomorrow." Please don't give pretense to suspense that just doesn't exist, and especially do not prolong it.
Luckily we get something new when Diggle arrives home to find an A.R.G.U.S. agent in his house. He says Lyla hired him to track the folks behind the death of Diggle's brother. The prime suspect is a Mina Fayad, who's just flown in from Markovia to help Damien Darhk with his vigilante problem in Star City. She's brought a recent nasty from the Flash's comics Rogues Gallery named Double Down.
While Diggle tracks Fayad on his own, Green Arrow goes solo against the scary metahuman Double Down. In the comics he was once criminal Jeremy Tell who got mixed up with a cursed deck of cards that bonded to his skin, and later he developed the ability to hurl these razor edged cards at opponents, simultaneously scaring the crap out of them as he peeled them off his skin. This frightening villain was created by writer Geoff Johns as a longtime inmate of Iron Heights, possibly inspired by the Golden Age Flash story, "Deal Me from the Bottom."
The TV version of Double Down is a victim of the particle accelerator explosion in Central City over on "The Flash." Rather than supernatural in origin and visceral in visual, this Double Down's powers are more like turning tattoos into physical objects than peeling off skin. Essentially he's more Tattooed Man than Double Down.
Over and above the Nanda Parbat subplot with its constantly changing Lazarus Pit rules, and the Oliver and Diggle finally working together to find Mina Fayad, or even the mind-numbingly boring Flashback Island stuff, the real action is with Double Down. Felicity, just as Oliver did seasons ago, goes to her employee for help on a case. In this case, she goes to Curtis Holt with one of Double Down's cards.
Not only do we get some intriguing explanations on how Double Down's powers work, we also get a peek at the prototype of what will become Mr. Terrific's T-Spheres. The card however not only leads Double Down to them, but also down to the new Arrowcave. Curtis gets a crash course in his employers secret life, and I absolutely loved when the villain takes him down Elevator Action style. And in a nice change of pace, Felicity fends off the meta.
Over on/at Nanda Parbat - where is this place anyhow? I always had the sense it was in the Himalayas, but in the "Arrow" series, it seems like it's just a few blocks away because it takes no time at all to get there and back. Regardless, Malcolm finally agrees to put Sara in the Lazarus Pit, and she emerges a savage animal. Sigh. Yeah, they are going to prolong this.
I must say this episode was a bit of a refreshing change of pace. Usually the A story with the super-villain is boring on "Arrow," with the gold nuggets coming in the subplots and character bits. Here, I loved the parts with Double Down, and wish there had been more.
Batman: Assault on Arkham ~ I had this one tucked away for a while before I actually ever looked at it. The reason being I thought it was connected to those awful Batman Arkham videogames that I can't stand. I knew it was an animated feature, but the idea that it might be based in that weird game universe really put me off. However when I did finally get around to watching it, I was pleasantly surprised. This is nothing like I expected.
Assault on Arkham is not even technically a Batman feature, it's about the Suicide Squad, possibly a preview to hip folks as to what to expect in the upcoming film of the same name. And it's also not strictly a superhero flick either. This has the flavor and style of a heist movie circa the turn of the century, slick, cool, very new age Oceans 11. The villains are gathered, begrudgingly work together, and pull off what they need to despite clashing personalities. Yes, it has standard Suicide Squad procedure, but the way it's pulled off is so well done and heist genre. I loved it.
There were places where I was pulled out of the story, notably some weird anime bits, characters who looked too much alike, the Joker mugging for the camera, and of course the creepy Penguin with a British accent and eating fish whole, bones and all. The characters have chemistry, and the dual stories of them breaking into Arkham while Batman searches for the Joker's dirty bomb and follows them in, are enticing.
This was better than I thought it would be, highlighted by "Batman The Animated Series" voice veteran Kevin Conroy, and Hynden Walch, who does a wonderful approximation of Arleen Sorkin's Harley Quinn. An entertaining 76 minutes with a wild score by Robert J. Kral, and some great lines - worth the time.
I have to say however, if the upcoming Suicide Squad movie, despite how that trailer looks, is anything like this, I can't wait to see it now.
The All Things Fun! New Comics Vidcast features co-hosts Ed (Freaky Friday Fan) Evans, Allison (Superhero Girlfriend Expert) Eckel, and Glenn (The Gray Hulk) Walker, as they discuss the new comics out this week! You can see the show here, or check it out below.
Discussion featured in this week's Special Spoiler Alert Skip Week episode includes: Happy Boxing Day, Justice League #15 and Aquaman #15, Before Watchmen Nite-Owl #4, Amazing Spider-Man #700 and Avenging Spider-Man #15.1, The Shadow Special #1, Crossed Badlands #20, Star Wars Omnibus Clone Wars Volume 3, Star Wars The Card Game from Fantasy Flight Games, open *danger* spoiler alert *danger* discussion of the above comics, especially Amazing Spider-Man #700 and the upcoming Superior Spider-Man, superhero girlfriend training, the Throne of Atlantis/Flashpoint connection, and deconstructing and compressing Justice League storytelling.
Be sure to check out the rockin' All Things Fun! website, and the All Things Fun! Blogs, written by Allison and Glenn, featuring The Vidcast Drinking Game so you can play along at home, and watch ATF! on YouTube (don't forget to subscribe to the channel while you're there, and leave a comment or two on the Vidcast as well!).
And be back here every Wednesday (or Tuesdays at midnight) to watch the new broadcast, and thereafter throughout the week!
The All Things Fun! New Comics Vidcast is shot live every week at All Things Fun! - the South Jersey/Philadelphia area's best comics, toys and gaming store, located in West Berlin, NJ. Don't forget to visit us at Facebook!
Most of you know I am one of the co-hosts of the weekly All Things Fun! New Comics Vidcast, and that I bother you folks with an announcement of each new episode every Wednesday. Now the video takeover of the internet continues...
Now I'm also appearing on the Biff Bam Popcast on a semi-weekly basis now too. This show goes out live Thursday evenings at 9:00 PM EST and can be found here.
This one is not just comics, we take on the entire world of pop culture, including movies, music, television, and comics too. And don't forget to check out the Biff Bam Pop! website itself!
Free RPG Day 2012 is tomorrow - Saturday, June 16th. All Things Fun! will be participating in the event at noon and at 4 PM. Entry is free! Here are the details:
Come out and join us this Saturday, 6/16 for Free RPG Day at All Things Fun! We'll be hosting a slew of Role Playing Game events in support of this worldwide celebration of Role Playing Games (RPGs).
Doors open at 11 AM and we'll have a limited supply of FREE items (limit 2 items per person while supplies last). And then starting at Noon and 4 PM we'll be running a number of different Role Playing Games including: Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, DC Comics Adventures, Cosmic Patrol, Shadowrun and more. Entry into these events is also FREE!
We will also be running raffles for some cool RPG Day goodies during the day.
So, if you've been curious or if you'd like to check out some of the Role Playing Games this is your chance.
Join us Friday, December 23rd that's tonight from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM as the gang at All Things Fun! hosts our Annual Last Minute Madness Sale & Signing Event. We’ll have huge savings on those last minute gifts or get something fun for yourself. Everything in the store will be on sale. Most items will be at least 30%* off and we’ll have some great Doorbuster Specials and the new Wheel of Prizes!
We’ll also have artists on hand selling sketches and original artwork. Not to mention the holiday cookies and hot chocolate. Be sure to join us for our last chance to celebrate the season with your friends at All Things Fun!
Join us for the Sales, Signings and Holiday Fellowship!
Friday Night (12/23) from 11pm to 1am ONLY!
Doorbuster Specials Include*:
Lupus In Tabula
(Werewolf Party Game)
Reg. $19.99
Just $2.99
That’s 85% off!
Nightfall & Nightfall Martial Law
(Horror themed Deck Building Games)
Reg. $79.98
Just $19.99**
That’s 75% off
All Specials are While Supplies Last. Sorry, No reserves, rain checks, reservations or subscriptions, special orders, discounts or promotions apply. All items must be in-stock. Some exclusions apply.
** Must purchase both games to get the sale price. Single price for each game $39.99.
Artists & Creators scheduled to appear:
Neil Vokes
Bryan J.L. Glass
Mark Poulton
Tony DiGerolamo
Bob Petrecca
Tom Schloendorn
Chris Moreno
And if you're not in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area, and still want to get in on the fun, ATF! Vidcasters Allison Eckel and Glenn Walker will be chatting with the above comics creators LIVE from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM at the regular Vidcast website: http://www.allthingsfun.net/LIVE!
If you love playing WarMachine, or you just want to help folks in need this holiday season, you should bring your canned goods down to All Things Fun! this week through the big day on November 13th. That the date of this year's FoodMachine Charity Event.
The WarMachine Gaming Tournament begins at noon on November 13th, with an entry fee of 15 cans of food for charity. Prizes have been donated by local businesses including Tunes, Vision Center II, Bottino’s Shop-Rite, AKA Recording, Screen Gems, and All Things Fun!
So come on out and help your neighbors this holiday season by bringing down some canned foods for ATF!'s 2011 Foodmachine Charity Tournament & Food Drive on Sunday, November 13th. The doors open at 10 AM, and the game begins at Noon. More details can be found at the fabulous new All Things Fun! website here.
Just a bit of shameless self-promotion here today. Some of you know, and some of you don't know, but this isn't my only blog, nor my only outlet of rage and ignorance. I also blog elsewhere on the innerwebs.
One of those other places is The Non-Gamer's Gamer's Blog. It was a project I came up with a while ago to keep myself from becoming a bum. You see the theory is that the only thing that keeps a freelance writer from officially becoming a bum is the ownership of a gaming system. With a gaming system in the house, I had to do something - blogging about it - to keep me from bumship.
So here is The Non-Gamer's Gamer's Blog, described as "A forty-something non-gamer gets a PlayStation 3 and tries to get up to speed, reviewing games and posting random thoughts about the electronic gaming world."
The All Things Fun! New Comics Vidcast is shot live in a real comics and gaming store in West Berlin, NJ - All Things Fun! - co-hosts Ed (The Doctor) Evans, Allison (Amy) Eckel and Glenn (the tin dog) Walker discuss the new comics out this week in two fun video segments, now in high definition, and also available on YouTube. See it here!
The first segment includes discussion of the following topics: Fear Itself #7 and its side titles, new Avengers teams, which Hawkeye?, awesome sauce, why Justice League is like heroin, Wonder Woman #2, Supergirl #2, and geekgasm - Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes #1.
The discussion continues in segment two including: Ed's Marvels, including the X-Men titles, John Constantine one of two ways, Dark Horse Presents #5, John Carter of Mars, Mass Effect, 30 Days of Night #1, Superior # 6, Doctor Who #10, Allison's kids comics including Tiny Titans # 45, Kevin Smith's Bionic Man #3, Ed's trades, and The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor. Mmmm… brains…
Every Wednesday morning at 10:30 AM Eastern Standard Time, you can check out the All Things Fun! Live Comics Vidcast. Join co-hosts Ed Evans, Allison Eckel and Glenn Walker as they discuss the new comics out each week as well as trends in comic book entertainment. And it's all done live from a real comics, toys and game shop in South Jersey - All Things Fun!
Allison takes on DC Comics, with a special focus on Brightest Day, and brings us into The Batcave with her thoughts on the Batman family of titles. Glenn examines Marvel Comics, spotlighting the Avengers, and Ed tackles everything else with a lean toward the independent and trade paperback scene. They also talk about the comics-oriented toys, action figures and games of the week.
And while the show is broadcast live every Wednesday morning, it can be seen throughout the week at the website, along with every episode previously. And don't forget to check out Glenn and Allison on the All Things Fun! Blogs.
Today's episode is online now, check it out here. Don't forget to check out ATF!'s gaming podcast here. Please follow All Things Fun! on Twitter and like them on Facebook.
Wes interviews game designer Bruno Faidutti. Jes spills the beans about the All Things Fun! Live Vidcast at the next All Things Fun! Game Auction and Ed announces the first All Things Fun! Facebook Contest. Win free stuff just for being a fan!
Direct download: ATFPodcast_S2_Ep06_06_21_10.mp3 Wes and Jess record a quick promo to let everyone know about the Used Game Auction being held at All Things Fun! on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at noon.
Can't make it to All Things Fun! for the Auction? That's okay! Wes and Jes will be hosting out first LIVE Vidcast during the auction. Watch Ed auction off the games live as Wes and Jes make fun of him!
Please visit www.allthingsfun.net/live for details on how to connect to the live feed and participate in the conversation.
Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May each year - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE (Check with your local shop for their participation and rules.) to anyone who comes into their stores.
Here's a list of the comics being given away this year, and here's how to find your local comic book shop!
Don't forget to check with your local library that may be celebrating Free Comic Book Day as well, and especially drop by my favorite comic shop, All Things Fun! if you're in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area - they're not only having a sale, but snacks, games, events, Batman and Imperial Stormtroopers! Check it out here.
Gamer ~ An interesting new role for “Dexter” lead actor Michael C. Hall and an old idea for a movie with 21st century gaming trappings make this flick much better than it should be. New spins all around are a good thing it would seem. The problem is it gets old rather quickly even with its shiny new skin.
The story itself, evil computer entrepreneur builds the ultimate virtual game with real people and then takes it a step further – a first person shooter where the player controls a real death row prisoner in a real firefight. This is accomplished through the magic of nanotechnology. Add some good music, some hip stars, and mix, you have Gamer.
There’s not nearly enough of Ludakris, or Kyra Sedgewick who is deliciously diabolical here. Gerard Butler is functional at best as a stereotype Kurt Russell tough guy from a dozen different movies. Michael C. Hall however steals the show as a decidedly un-Dexter-like psychopath. The dance number at the end (no, I’m not kidding) however, is decidedly effed up. Question – and it’s the flaw that kinda ruins the flick for me, and throws the whole plot into chaos – if you have nanites injected into your brain, wouldn’t it be a simple matter to have a nanite GPS or tracking system? It’s only logical in my mind, but of course it wrecks the most of the story here.
Neat concepts, interesting acting and great soundtrack make this a worthwhile watch, but don’t pay too much for it. Must see for the genre folks.
Join Ed Evans and Wes Hitchins as they welcome Jess as the new show producer in this horror themed Halloween show! Glenn Walker and Allison Eckels talk about death in comics while Ed runs us through some game news and Wes previews Thunderstone and The Adventurers. Wes then picks some of his favorite horror games!
Show Map: 0:00: Intro 7:37: Death in Comics (Part 1) 16:02: Quick Comic Review 16:50: Death in Comics (Part 2) 27:53: Game News & Previews 44:07: Halloween Horror Games 55:13: End Credits 56:49: End
HeroClix returns to the game store shelves on November 18th with the Hammer of Thor set.
This new set, the first since WizKids sold off the HeroClix gaming system will feature the Runaways characters as well as Captain America and Loki (as shown) and presumably a whole bunch of Thor related folks. Talk at conventions recently has been of the Thor's Chariot figure that has been on display.
So come November 18th, get to a gaming store, especially All Things Fun! in South Jersey because, HeroClix is back!
The trailer for Heavy Rain debuted at E3 this weekend. The eerily realistic dark thriller from Sony for the PS3 is one of the most anticipated games this year. The release date will be later in 2009.
It just doesn't get any cooler than this. The Beatles. Rock Band. Anime. Pychedelics. And of course, the Beatles. Wow. A shame the actual game (see below) just doesn't look half as cool...
The Explosive Generation ~ It’s interesting to watch and review a William Shatner flick from 1961 in the midst of the current Star Trek buzz, and doubly interesting that he turned down a role in the new Trek yet he’s in this. I guess he couldn’t be picky back then. How times have changed. In this cautionary tale about coming of age, sex education and pre-protest student protests, Bill plays the ‘cool teacher.’ You know, the one who usually gets fired for teaching the wrong thing or ends up having an affair with a student – yeah, he’s that guy, only without the affair. Look for a slightly grown up Patty McCormack from The Bad Seed, a babyfaced Beau Bridges and Stafford Repp, Chief O’Hara from “Batman” playing a cop sans Irish accent. And engaging if predictable hour and a half. Tropic Thunder ~ Wow, was this flick 90% hype or what? Except for the hilarious fake movie previews at the beginning and a few moments of just over-the-top wrong humor, I found this to be tedious and downright boring for the most parts. Yes, I said boring – a damned hard thing to be with gunfire and explosions every couple of minutes, but they pulled it off somehow. Horrendous.
Gamers ~ This one’s very narrowcast, but hilarious if you get the references. It’s a mockumentary about a roleplaying group who’s about to break the world’s record for most hours played, and has videotaped every gaming session. William Katt, Kelly LeBrock and Beverly D’Angelo make hilarious cameos. This is Spinal Tap for gamers, but might go right over the heads of anyone who’s never played. You’ll never look at clown porn, paintball or horse breeding the same way again. Highly recommended for those who indulge. Special ~ Not only is this 2006 Michael Rapaport vehicle just an embarrassment in general but it’s also the same insult for the superhero and independent film genres as well. It might have flown well as a five-minute “SNL” skit but otherwise this is crap. Avoid.
Chariots of the Gods ~ In the 1970s this was something special or at least something to talk about with your friends. In the decades since, Erich von Daniken has been revealed to be a charlatan and it leaves this ‘documentary’ based on his books as a ridiculous leftover. An amusing relic that still runs as slow as it did when it was relevant.
The All Things Fun! Podcast is back! Episode Two of Season Two is entitled "2009 Gama Trade Show in Review (Vegas Baby!)"
Join Ed Evans and Wes Hitchins as they bring you news and highlights from the 2009 Gama Trade Show (GTS.) Recorded live at All Things Fun! New Jersey's Premiere Game and Comic Store!
Please send us feedback online at www.allthingsfun.net or via our feedback voicemail box: (206) 888-6097.
