5 Reasons to Attend Windy City Pulp Next Weekend

So you're probably thinking, "Hey, Gordon, I really want to attend next week's Windy City Pulp and Paper con, but I have no idea why I should do so?"
Well, I can think of a few reasons....five, in fact. So without further adieu, here are some good reason to attend next week:

1. You'll find a variety of great reads - if you're looking for just pulp literature, you'll be happy. But there are plenty of vintage novels of various stripes....as well as some great nostalgia-themed items. It's a pretty good opportunity to catch up on your reading, as well as find some great new - and vintage - novels.
2. I'll be rocking New Pulp Sunday - If you want to give only one day a trial, consider April 19th or "New Pulp Sunday". I'll be doing a reading from "Crossing McCausland" at 1:30 pm, and then will be on the "What's Next? The Changing Face of Genre Fiction" panel at 2:00 pm. Plus, things will come to an end around 3:00 pm, and the cost is only ten bucks. Speaking of costs...
3. For Chicago residents, it's public transportation friendly - Although it is a lengthy trip, you can get to the convention via CTA and Pace bus - either the 313 Bus from the Green Line, or the 322 Bus from the Pink Line. Head to the CTA's main site for more detailed travel details. Hey, if you can attend a panel at C2E2, you can take the time and effort to...
4. Support A Great Local Convention - Yeah, we have Wizard World and C2E2, but you should also be supporting smaller shows. Although I owe some people serious amends for missing Dan Con this year, I am a strong advocate of supporting smaller, more independent efforts, and Windy City's a great chance to show some love. Finally....
   
5. Meet Two Hosts of Zone 4 - Not only will you get to meet me, but also Ron, who co-hosts the podcast with me....and who will continually remind you that he wrote the Green Hornet. And once you meet him, you'll understand a lot.

So in that spirit, be sure to head down to Windy City Pulp - I'll be there both Friday and Sunday. (Saturday I'll be at Columbia College talking Sherlock Holmes). For more details on my upcoming appearances, simply head back to this previous blog post.

And hopefully see you next weekend!

5 Reasons to Watch LAST WEEK TONIGHT on HBO

As many of you readers know, I like a little bit of pop culture mixed in with my politics and news analysis. So my most recent find - HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - has been on my must-watch list for some time now. Why, you may ask? Well, here are five reasons why this show is a must-watch and a can't-miss.

1. It's like a Sunday morning news show, but with better jokes - Unlike The Daily Show and Real Time, Last Week Tonight focuses on one major and one or two "smaller" stories, giving them a real depth of exploration....as well as making some really great jokes. (Check out this NSFW piece on Warren G. Harding's love letters....and that's not me being clever. I did type "Warren G. Harding" out loud.)
2. It brings a much more global perspective to American news - Perhaps it's because John Oliver is British, but there's a much broader scope than either Maher or Stewart, as stories have focused on everything from the World Cup in Brazil to how the US shaped LGBTQ policies in Uganda. For someone who has had enough of the "look how (the opposition) is acting" online, knowing that the world exists outside of Washington DC is a nice, pleasant relief.
3. Oliver brings charm and class to the snark - Again, maybe it is because he's British, but with his Daily Show pedigree, there is a certain amount of trust Oliver engenders...and at the very least, it pays for those annoying BBC America DVD commercials
4. It's not ashamed to have a strong opinion - Last Week Tonight manages to state its case in each piece without relying on The Daily Show's "We're comedians, not journalists - honest!" posturing nor Real Time's "How can you not agree with us - we're right!" smugness. There's an easy confidence and a sharp, critical mind behind the comedy, and finally...
5. It's a basic cable show you don't need to illegally download - Although new episodes are show on Sunday nights, they're usually posted (in edited form) on their YouTube channel (they also have a healthy presence on Facebook and Twitter). So no matter what, you can easily enjoy this show and "binge watch", as the kids say)

In that spirit, I'm embedding a few of my favorite pieces from the show - that way, you don't even have to leave this web site. But if you want to catch first-run episodes, check your local listings for Last Week Tonight, Sunday nights on HBO

5 Reasons Why I'm Watching IRONSIDE on NBC This Fall

As many readers of this blog know, I am deeply in the throes of a major "thang" for the classic Ironside series of the late 1960s/early 1970s. (So much so that I record the morning reruns on MeTV here in Chicago, and I've burned through several seasons on Hulu).

So when pal Ron of the awesome Zone 4 podcast  and Facebook page mentioned that this was being revived, my nearly burnt-out-by-cynicism-and-too-many-butter-omelets heart burst with joy. Why, do you ask? I've posted the trailer, and for your reading pleasure, here are five reasons why I'm glad this is coming (other than, well, it's Ironside).

1. It Is Both Timely and Timeless - although the notion of a "sitting detective" isn't new (both a classic pulp and mystery trope), there is something about a 21st century cop - all action and muscles - being struck down in his prime and using his smarts? Great idea. Plus, it can lead to some great Law & Order-esque storylines. 
2. Great Casting - honestly, Blair Underwood isn't exactly the first person I would think of to cast in the role....but he nails it. Plus, there's that guy from The Wire, and some other familiar faces. It's actually a good idea, unlike, say, casting Dirk Benedict as Columbo. Yes, that actually happened. 
3. It's a Classic Universal Franchise - In the 1970s, Universal seemed to have a monopoly on television mysteries, especially the classic "Sunday Night Mystery Movie." And let's face it, nobody wants to see a prime time version of McMillan and Wife. Ok, maybe me, but other than that...with "franchises" driving creativity in Hollywood, this may not be the best known brand, but if pitched right (say, "House as a cop"), you'll have a hit.
4. It's Part of a Current Trend - Like House, Monk, and the late, lamented Law & Order: Criminal Intent, it features a lead character with some particular quirks. Underwood's Ironside looks to be a lot more harder-edged and nastier, and although I don't necessarily like characters darkening...it seems to have potential.
5. New York Rather Than San Francisco- I just love New York's architecture, almost as much as Chicago's. Plus, it just seems much more appropriate to the character.

And now, who do I blackmail to pitch a script? Or at least get my hands on the writer's bible? 

5 Reasons to Watch COMMUNITY When It Returns

One of the ways in which I've been handling some of the rigors and stresses of job searching is to dive deep into some of my (now) new favorite shows.

One of them has been NBC's Community - when I first heard the premise, I thought it was a little too wacky (and too similar to many other sitcoms). Thankfully, after viewing the first season on DVD, I'm a convert.

And taking my cue from another, better blog, here are five reasons why you should watch Community when it returns in February:

1. It's a Show That Dares Mess With Its Premise - although it started as a more "typical" sitcom, the show basically stretched its limits by being a little more experimental. From paintball-driven pastiches to explorations of "alternate timelines", the writing on this show is very top notch, and quite honestly - deserves more attention than it gets.
2. Still Proof Chevy Chase Was Never Funny - Playing the obligatory "goofy old man", Chevy Chase is...well, when you're frustrated, you are more than welcome to mock him, saying, "You're Chevy Chase...and nobody cares." (But thankfully, the other characters are more mocking)
3. Troy and Abed In the Morning - Probably the best double act on television. There, I said it.
4. It's More Than Just "Inspector Spacetime" - Many Doctor Who fans are agog over the semi-spoof that runs throughout season three. But there's so much fine, just out-there humor that it's well worth checking out on its own.
5. It Admits That It Gets Meta - Not only has the show "parodied" other shows (like Law & Order), Community is more than willing to admit - with more than a wink and a nod - that it knows it's a television show.

So please, check out the DVDs, head to Hulu, do whatever you can to watch Community before it comes back in February. It's one of the few, truly pleasurable experiences on network television.

5 Reasons to Watch WAREHOUSE 13

Last week, I managed to accomplish something that I rarely, if ever do - catch up with a new favorite show in time for its season finale.

Warehouse 13 has been on for four years, and why I have not watched it, I don't know why. (Thanks to pal Eric Ratcliffe at New Comic Day for encouraging me to catch this show). In a spirit of informing you, the science fiction television aficionado (and since the first three seasons are on DVD), as another, better blog might suggest, here are five reasons why you should watch Warehouse 13:

1. It's a show that's literate, knows history - and has fun with it: The premise is that artifacts from various periods of history have almost mystical powers, and that they're all stored in "America's attic" in South Dakota. From small in-jokes to the main plots, this is a show that makes it cool to be smart, and much like Alphas, often burns through the obvious plot twists to create something even grander.
2. The Secret Service hasn't been this cool since The Wild, Wild West - Both Pete (Eddie McClintock) and Myka (Joanne Kelly) have a really great chemistry, and are the kind of leads that really make this a joy to watch. There's no will-they-or-won't-they-bickering (it's been made clear in the show they won't), but I seriously wish the leads of Elementary would watch this show and take notes.
3. Better Christmas episodes than new Doctor Who - that's right. I said it. For flat-out holiday spirit without that feeling of going over-the-top, Warehouse 13's two (so far) Christmas episodes have been excellent, built on traditional holiday themes without seeming....well, corny.
4. Jamie Murray as H.G. Wells (don't ask) - The love started with Hustle, and continues here. If wanting her to become a series regular is wrong, I....just don't want to be right.
5. Everybody knows an Artie - Artie is the "head" of the Warehouse - a guy who runs the whole shebang and who has plenty of experience. Like many collectors, he has a single-mindedness of purpose and a gruff attitude that....well, everyone can identify with. Unlike people in the real world, Artie is all the more lovable for it.

OK, some of you may come up with more than five reasons, and that's fine. But really - do you want me to write about this show all the time?

Watch it for yourself. You'll really enjoy it. 

Five Reasons Why Fezzes Are NOT Cool

You know, there are probably greater issues to blog about, but I would like to spend some time on something which may seem minor....but is becoming increasingly grating to me.

It's the proliferation of fezzes amongst newer Doctor Who fans.

Yes, I get it - it's a way to celebrate a show. But it's a dead horse that is being beaten to a bloody pulp. (Which, not coincidentally, will be the new name of this blog in March). So anyway, let me just dive on in and give you my five reasons why fezzes are not cool....and have never been cool outside of Bogart, Laurel & Hardy, and Marx Brothers films.

1. It Takes A Perfectly Good Moment and Turns It Into A Lame Catchphrase - The whole point of the fez in The Big Bang/The Pandorica Opens is that it allows us to tell apart one character from two different timelines. Plus, it gets shot at the end. However, thanks to well-meaning yet obnoxious fans, fezzes have jumped the shark, and this has now become as ubiquitous - and annoying - in Who circles as "Where's the beef?" was in the 1980s.
2. It Only Shows That You're A Newb - Once, on Satan's favorite social media network (also known as Facebook), after criticizing someone for suggesting a fez, they asked, "But isn't that what the Doctor says?" My response - which was shorter and pithier than this - is "With a show with almost 50 years of history, all you can suggest is a fez? Not a long scarf/ Or even a velvet smoking jacket?" Quite honestly, it brings out the worst in old school fandom, especially in people like me. :)
3. You're Demonstrating a Total Lack of Understanding of the Show - For me, it's one of those "you-went-there-didn't-you" moments. I have the same reaction when I hear people praise Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes, because it means that they're more willing to accept anything than dive into a phenomenon. In short, the adventures of a steampunk-y superdetective - or a fez-wearing time traveller - might be excellent. Just don't call them "Sherlock Holmes" or "Doctor Who". (And let me remind you - I not only write for a blog of serious Holmes devotees, I've been a Who fan most of my life. That qualifies me to make statements like, "Morton Downey Jr. would make a better Sherlock Holmes". 
4. Fezzes - no matter what the context - just look dumb: Just check out the photo on this blog. Even on semi-cute Pikachu, fezzes are just lame.
5. Headgear should never be a barometer for how something cool is - Just ask Jack Klugman. He's cool without needing fancy headgear. 

Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to rant...and to promote the upcoming Chicks Dig Time Lords event on February 28th in Arlington Heights. To RSVP, just visit http://bit.ly/ChicksDigTL

And until next time....please don't even think about getting me started on bow ties. Seriously.

5 Reasons To Support the Chicago (and Your Own) Public Library

If you have been following the local news, you've heard that the Mayor is planning a series of budget cuts, including funding for the Chicago Public Library. Already, there's been a great outcry about it, with an online petition being circulated, and Chicago librarians are going all #OccupyWallStreet in response.

And thank God, that's a good thing.

Oh, I know you're probably wondering why we should hold onto something as antiquated as a library....well, here are five of them. Read on and listen well.

1. Libraries serve as anchors of the community - they're not just about providing shelter, but also serve as one of the primary resources for information. Not everyone has access to a bookstore, or a piece of technology that serves the internet; libraries make information and resources available to people of all social strata. Take away libraries, and you may as well write off a community. It's the first, best line of defense against an uninformed, divided populace.
2. Many friends of this blog are also librarians - so yes, I'm a bit biased. But in these hard economic times, these are the people who work hard to make sure that those books are shelved, that information you need can be found...and are quiet heroes in their own way. So let's show them some love, because they work hard. 
3. Not everyone has tech (see # 1) - look, let me drop some knowledge on you - you don't have to be a co-organizer for Chicago Net Tuesday to know that there are digital and tech "haves" and "have-nots"; most of the people who don't see the need for libraries probably might not realize this. Libraries allow people to engage in new tech in a hands-on way....and plus, free wi-fi! In that spirit....
4. Libraries provides a multitude of services - for free! A library card can help you get your hands on books! (Including graphic novels) Movies! DVDs! Compact discs! All for the low, low price of....free! And in these troubled economic times, who couldn't use free?
5. There's a little something for the whole family - when I was small, libraries helped introduce me to whole different world - checking out Sherlock Holmes and Doc Savage for the first time, doing research for papers....as a young adult, it provided me with a place of (relative) solitude....and as an adult, I can track down hard-to-find books if they're in the system. It's very rewarding to see a parent with kids checking out a huge stack of books....because that means that they're striving towards become more literate, more thoughtful, and more intellectually curious. Libraries bring people together.

Granted, some of you may be thinking that this is old fashioned...but that's the point. One day, we won't have power to fuel lamps, or laptops, or iPads. But there will always be a need for books. And as a consequence, a need for libraries.

I'm right. You know it. Act accordingly.

5 Reasons My Chicago Pals Should Watch HUSTLE on Sunday Nights

hustle on bbc
Originally uploaded by *Webber* TAIWAN

Dear Chicago Friends,

OK, you're sadly disappointed in the Bears' loss to Green Bay football wise...but here's a piece of advice:

Turn on Channel 11 Sunday evenings and watch Hustle.

But you're probably wondering why you should do so? Why should you spend Sunday nights watching a British show you never heard of, and which is leading to reruns of Season 4 of Doctor Who? Well, I have five reasons why you should:

1. Each episode is a finely crafted orb of joy: Yes, this series had me read a book about confidence men and culture some time ago; but each episode is a well-told tale of someone who is rich and powerful...and is deservedly brought down. There's no pretense of this crew being noble unlike some other shows (*cough* Leverage *cough)...and the plots follow a 40 minutes of complications/10 minutes of getting out of it, but Tony Jordan (who created the show) and his writing team provide one hour of pure, unabashed entertainment and enjoyment. We need more stuff like that.
2. The Gleinister Family Tradition of Cool: His brother portrayed the ultimate bad-ass, DCI Gene Hunt. Robert Gleinister plays "fixer" Ash Morgan. If all he did was serve as glorified background, the show would fall flat; he gives the character a nice veneer of awesome. But than again, so does the rest of the cast, including....
3. That's Vaughn...Doctor Robert Vaughn: He was one of the Magnificent Seven in the 50s, The Man From Uncle in the 1960s, and your favorite villainous character in the 1970's (I won't mention Superman III). He is also a published author with a doctorate in communications. However, as "roper" Albert Stroller, Vaughn channels the kind of charm, wit, sense of humor, and grace that leads William Shatner to weep into his pillow late, late at night. (Shatner wishes he was this cool)
4. The Rest of the Cast Sparkles as Well: The rest of the cast - Adrian Lester, Jamie Murray, and Marc Warren (aka "the Love and Monsters guy") - provide some serious acting chops, taking on a variety of smaller roles as part of each con. They also make some great eye candy for any gender or gender combination.
5. This is a Television Show that Knows It's A Television Show...and Respects Your Intelligence - Yes, the characters break the fourth wall at times. Physics acts slightly differently in the show, with events slowing down for our team to observe them. But this is all done without one slight ounce of camp. In short, you could easily watch each episode repeatedly and be surprised. This is a well crafted show that's been on for awhile (seven years, if I understand correctly), and yet seems fresh and exciting.

So if you're in Chicago, tune into WTTW Digital Channel 11.1 Sunday nights at 10 pm. If you're not, several seasons are available on DVD - why not give it a view?

You'll thank me later, perhaps with either a drink on my birthday, or a date with your drop-dead gorgeous single female friend. Or even both.

5 Reasons We Need An Animated Doom Patrol Series

Recently, I caught the "Last Patrol" episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold (featuring one of my favorite teams), and the episode got me thinking...

What America needs, now more than ever, is an animated Doom Patrol series

You may be asking yourself, But Gordon, why exactly do we need this? Well, taking my cue from another, better blog, here are five reasons for an animated Doom Patrol series:

1. Immediate Audience Identification - an animated series geared more towards early-mid adolescents would hit upon the themes of alienation, dysfunction, and support. Everyone, at one point, feels like an outsider: these are characters who anyone can identify with...and in all honesty, that makes for better drama. Speaking of which...
2. We need an animated DC series that doesn't quite take itself so seriously - if Batman: The Brave and the Bold proves anything, it's that you can do a slightly tongue-in-cheek animated series without going over the top. Given that the source material had a slightly loopy sense of humor - and that most animated DC features are "tentpole" events - bringing a Drake/Giffen-esque sensibility to animation would make it all the more appealing.
3. Bruce Campbell as the voice of Larry Trainor, aka Negative Man - There. I said it. I will fight you if you disagree.
4. I smell "franchise"...and I hate that word:  If you're reading DC's Legacies miniseries, it's established that the Doom Patrol's "demise" began a darker age in the DC universe. The fact that the group has left and been reinvented several times over says that there's life in this team. Let's face it - this is a concept that could easily be, say, an Addams Family-esque take on superheroes. And we need more of that in our animated entertainment.
5. So many different takes = one consistently engaging series. I've written about my love for the series multiple times...and at least one blog post was highlighted by pal Chuck. With such a diverse range of stories, an animated Doom Patrol series would be many things...except boring

So come on, America - who do we hassle to make this a reality? Who's with me?

Admit it - you would watch this. Seriously.

Congrats, Radio Free Skaro, on Your 200th Episode

Gallifrey 2010 - Interview with Nick Briggs
Originally uploaded by Radio Free Skaro

Recently, one of my personal favorite podcasts, Radio Free Skaro, celebrated its 200th episode with all sorts of fanfare and hoopla.

And here at the blog, I won't make an exception. In fact, I intend to plagiarize another, now defunct better blog to provide you with five reasons why you should consider listening to this excellent Doctor Who podcast.

• First, it's a Doctor Who podcast that doesn't quite take itself seriously - Oh, sure, they crack wise about certain aspects of the production (especially the new series), but they have an obvious love and affection for Who, even the wonky bits. (Although I wouldn't approach them and say "Fear Her is as good an episode as City of Death")
  
• They're like the Three Stooges, only with much greater intelligence and wit - no, there's no eye poking or slapstick, but the hosts bring a strong verbal wit and intellectual edge to discussing Doctor Who. Warren's rather wily and sarcastic, Stephen brings charm and humor....and Christopher (aka "Pedantor") is the Joe Besser of the group. Not even hardcore Three Stooges fans - despite the Curly vs. Shemp debate - like Joe Besser.
• But they do bring the funny to Twitter -OK, at least here, Chris approaches the witty heights of his co-hosts. Between this and the show's account, there's plenty of Doctor Who goodness to go around on Twitter. Even if you're not a Who fan, you'll get a sense of the fun of the show.
• They love the classic series as much as the new series  - with Radio Free Skaro, there is as much love for classic Who as there is for new Who. (In fact, several episodes have had comments about how they're attempting to sway their significant others over to new Who). They openly admit to their love of the classic series (and Stephen's blog - linked to earlier in this post - provides some great insight into the classic series). This is a podcast that embraces Who in all of its forms.
• Each podcast is chock full of news and information - if you're into the minutiae of Doctor Who, from who's doing DVD commentaries to overnight viewing figures, the Three Who Rule provide that information with a smile, a song in their heart, and without any whiff of geekiness. It's probably the greatest entertainment value for the money.

So again, RFS, congratulations on a great 200 episodes, and here's to 200 more!

P.S. Did I really compare Chris to Joe Besser?

An Open Letter to Steven Moffatt

Dear Mr. Moffat,

I wanted to take some time to address you publicly on your blog - I've really liked your past work on Doctor Who and was eagerly awaiting when you took over as showrunner/producer on Who.

Rather than go into a long, gushing note about how wonderful I think you are, I think I can break it down why I am liking your current work on Who in five simple reasons, plagiarizing another, better blog.

1.  The tone is much gentler, more restrained, yet still exciting - unlike your predecessor, you've stated that you've felt that Doctor Who was like a fairy tale, and the tone has been adjusted accordingly. From script aspects to even the color palette, there is a great deal of restraint on the show, and after much of the sturm-und-drang of later Tennant...we deserve it.
2. Matt Smith is pitch perfect as the Doctor - I have to admit, I had reservations about him due to his youth, but in a way, it works to his advantage: he's not the fan that Tennant so obviously was, and so there's some really great creative energy. Good call, Mr. Moffat.
3. Karen Gillam makes a great companion - Not only is she one of the more unique companions, she's a redhead. You had me at redhead.
4. The scripting around the "big bad" actually respects the audience's intelligence - without spoiling, you didn't just repeat the same motif (read: bad wolf) throughout a single season - you've done so in a way that actually builds and progresses a plot. Most of the stories have a higher level of polish and intelligence than in the past, and I for one appreciate it. And finally....
5. Winston Churchill fights Daleks - you've been reading my high school journal, haven't you?

So all in all, so far, so good - I'm glad you took over the reins of Who. And don't be surprised if, at a convention, I give you a big, burly man hug.

Thanks again.

Your pal,
Gordon

5 Reasons Why DCI Gene Hunt is the Coolest. Guy. Evah.

You know, I don't think I've enjoyed a series more than Life on Mars (especially the UK version), and it's all due to one guy.

DCI Gene Hunt, played by Phillip Gleinister.

But why is this guy so frickin' all out cool? Taking my lead from another, better blog, here are five reasons why DCI Gene Hunt is, as the teenagers say, "one cool dude."

1. He is a hard-boiled man who makes Raymond Chandler's Marlowe and Robert B. Parker's Spenser seem wussy - after all, a man who announces "You are surrounded by armed bastards" simply is not a guy to be trifled with. Don't believe me? Check out this YouTube Fan Video.
2. The character is so immense, not even Harvel Keitel could do him justice - although he made an effort, Keitel's Hunt seemed rather frail, a man at the end of his years. Gleinster's Gene Hunt is a man who'll survive because - let's face it - he's too stubborn to die. Much like that guy on that Twilight Zone episode.
3. He reflects the 1970s without screaming nostalgia - the tan coat, the wide tie, the Fifth Doctor-ish hair....yes, these all scream 1970s. But unlike, say, American sitcoms that take place in the 1970s, there isn't the whiff of nostalgia so much as a man who seems to have his own unique code of honor. Plus, I could see DCI Gene Hunt gutpunching Ashton Kutcher and throwing him under a bus. Seriously.
4. He is a walking cautionary tale - granted, his smoking and drinking are well within television limits, and don't reflect the true spirit of the times. But for all his gallivanting, he is - let's face it - sexist. And some men secretly wish they could get away with that happened back then....but then again, if you could get away with it, is it really worth it? He's a reminder that men - much like women - have come a long way, baby.
5. The Man Has a Frickin' Fan Site, Fer Cryin' Out Loud - proving that I am not alone in my admiration.

 So my advice? Rent Life on Mars UK seasons one and two. Or watch on WTTW Sunday nights at 10 (which makes a great lead-in to Doctor Who at 11). And by the way, you'll wish DCI Gene Hunt had played the Doctor.

Because he'd probably throw Adric under a bus. Am I right, Radio Free Skaro?

5 Reasons Las Vegas Needs A Comic-Con

Recently, I found myself listening to pal Chuck's podcast, the Related Recap, in which he discussed why he felt Las Vegas should have a Comic-Con.

Now, maybe NaBloPoMo fever has taken over, maybe it's the repeated playing of KISS' "God of Thunder" on my mp3 player, or even the fact that I'm attempting to drive traffic to my column when it's published on the 15th....but taking my cue from another, better blog, here are five reasons I think there should be a full-on ComicCon in Las Vegas.

1. Two words: Andy Martello. Two initials and a last name: P.J. Perez. I'm seeing some serious potential for a comic-related Ocean's Eleven-style caper. (That's Frank Sinatra, not George Clooney, by the way. And I'm Dean Martin, by the way). Vegas just seems to scream "forbidden fun". Speaking of which...
2. Due to certain activities being legal, some comics nerds will be better able to defy stereotypes. E-mail me for details. I'm not going into it here. This is a family blog.
3. If Mom can go to Vegas, why can't I? Yes, my parents went to Vegas years ago. Of course, my mom also got a new liver. I think it's time for me to head to Vegas.
4. It's close enough to LA to allow those who can't attend San Diego to partake in the fun. Think of it as a way to make things more fair. And finally....
5. Imagine some comic geek betting his copy of Detective Comics # 27 on the roulette table. Just that image alone would be worth the visit....

So, enough of my caffeine-induced ramblings. Who's with me?

5 Reasons I'm Doing NaBloPoMo Instead of Nanwrimo This Year

(Portrait taken by Kring Lerner at the October Twestival in Chicago)

You know, I have to admit that I've been relatively inconsistent in blogging regularly - mostly, I've been overscheduling myself. Although I considered doing Nanowrimo again this year, thanks to a timely intervention (as well as a need to earn my blogger stripes), taking my cue from another, better blog - here are five reasons why I'm posting 30 blog posts in 30 days:

1. Many bloggers I respect do this on a daily basis: If bloggers that I like and respect such as Roger, Mike, Rich, Siskoid, and a cute little stuffed bull named Bully can blog daily, then gosh darn it, so can I! (And if you're a close personal friend who blogs daily whose name I failed to mention, my apologies).
2. Easily avoids libel suits - Because let's face it, if I'm going to write a novel, people are more than likely to believe that I'm basing characters on them. Especially if I write about a dashing, handsome young troubleshooter named Norman Pynorowski.
3. It's relatively easy to do with little time commitment - in short, thanks to being able to schedule blog posts, I should be able to do 30 in 30. And if I'm doing a novel, quite frankly, it's much more time intensive.
   
4. I can "repurpose" old material - all those old ideas that I have in my Moleskine notebook can actually be written...and I can follow up on old posts. Including a "lost" post that will make its debut in the next day or so.
5. I need the bump in traffic - in short, this (hopefully) should build up web traffic, because if there's anything this blog needs, is more readers. At least, more readers whom I can acquire without using naughty words in blog post titles.

So for the next month, it's all on me. Place your bets now, folks, because at the end of the month, you may come into a little extra spending cash for Christmas.....

5 Reasons to Watch Classic Who

With all the hullabaloo about David Tennant's final episodes as
Doctor Who, it's easy for newer fans to think that there will be an almost eternal wait until Matt Smith.

However, as a public service to those of you who have to wait, and taking my cue from another, better blog - here are 5 reasons for you and your pals to watch "classic" Doctor Who.

1. It's like getting multiple aspects of the Tenth Doctor, one actor at a time - From Hartnell's moodiness to Troughton's playfulness, Pertwee's Holmesian approach to Tom Baker's almost Harpo Marx-esque approach, from Davison as hero to Colin Baker as snob, from McCoy's dark manipulator to Romantic Hero, Tennant has pulled bits of each actor into his portrayal. (No, I didn't forget Eccleston - this is classic Who, remember? And I would lump McGann as classic Who, despite being made in the 1990s).
   
2. Episodes tend to be slightly decompressed and have different styles - instead of the instant whiz-bang of classic who, four and six parters may have a slightly slower pace, but it helps the stories open up, making them a little more accessible. Plus, whatever your taste, there's a story for you...and 90% of classic Who is family friendly.
3. All the cool writers - and bloggers - watched it - Quite frankly, practically all of the writing staff of new Who grew up on it. Plus, bloggers like Rich, Siskoid, and Nik all dig it. So do podcasts like Podshock and Radio Free Skaro. You should, too.
4. As much as New Who "brings the sexy", so does classic Who - don't believe me? Ask Siskoid.
5. Gain insights into another culture - much as Star Trek has informed a lot of contemporary pop culture, Doctor Who has had a similar effect on British culture. One is about exploring because it's our destiny and a great national effort; the other because you can right wrongs and fight injustice. (The closest show in America that matches the spirit of classic Who, I'll argue, is Dark Shadows, or "Twilight for grownups, which had its own 90s-era reboot)

Much classic Who is available on DVD, and readily available for purchase at this blog's online store. So if you're dealing with an uppity Who fan, feel free to sit them down and make them watch. Or just point and yell "Suck it up, pedantor!" Unless you're at your place of employment, in which case, might I suggest asking for suggestions to be included in a future podcast?

5 Reasons I Hated "Justice League: Cry for Justice"

Normally, I don't like blogging about bad comics - in fact, I tend to avoid doing it. I mean, who wants to read me - or anyone - vent about bad comics. (OK, maybe they want to read Chris Sims' dissection, because he's so darn good at it).

But I'm breaking tradition - and performing a public service - to bring you this dissection of Justice League: Cry for Justice, taking my cue from another, better blog.

Here are five reasons you should avoid this book like the plague:

1. James Robinson can do better - I loved his Starman, and his Superman work is starting to grow on me...but here, every one of his characters (including Mikaal Thomas) acts in a very non-heroic way. It's almost as if Robinson is parodying his own writing. Let me put it this way - I was reading the trade collection of All-Star Batman & Robin, and compared to this issue, ASBAR is a paragon of restraint, meaning that I owe Mike Sterling a huge apology.
2. The art is...well, ugly. I'm sorry, but the painted art does not work. It's just as overwrought as the writing. It was almost painful to look at....and although I'm trying to be fair, this book just didn't work on an art level.
   
3. Characters don't act heroic -This is the kind of behavior I would expect in a comic from the 90's - Green Lantern claiming that the League needs to be proactive (which has been the premise of many a DC comic in the past)....the Atom threatening torture by shrinking down and messing around with a guy's brain....even Congorilla, whom you might expect to be a little out-of-character (given his long history) seems out of place here. These aren't heroes - they're petulant adolescents.
   
4. This book has the whiff of editorial influence - given the fact that, well, the last writer of Justice League left under admittedly questionable circumstances (admittedly, of his own making)- and with Robinson named the new League scribe....makes one wonder....
5. The whole premise of proactive heroes is rather self-defeating - The get-the-bad-guys-before-they-get-us premise...well, if we use superheroes as policemen/firemen analogues, both policemen and firemen engage in prevention not by force, but by education. So, in other words, "cry for justice" means that they're going to go to supervillians and be warm and fuzzy? Or go into troubled communities to avoid new supervillains from happening?

Granted, I may be taking this too seriously - and in all honesty, maybe its fannish burnout - but this is one comic where not only can I not recommend it, but feel obligated to turn people away.

And no, I won't be buying issue two, why do you ask?

5 Reasons I Enjoy "The Wire"

Admittedly, towards the end yesterday, I had a slight twinge of angst - mostly due to not only celebrating one year of continuous employment, but also my late father's birthday was yesterday. Grief often takes weird forms...such as wondering if Dad would have liked The Wire.

Since all five seasons are available on DVD, here's a tip of a hot to another, better blog, where I discuss my five reasons for enjoying this show (and I'm finishing season 4 on DVD via Netflix):

1. It's probably the best "visual novel"/use of story arcs ever done - I know many people have a hard time with this show, because you have to watch from the beginning. JMS may have begun the trend with Babylon 5 (and even he admits being influenced by Blake's 7 and The Prisoner), but The Wire is one of those shows that demands your attention from the beginning. What other series can claim that?
2. Lester Freamon = Frickin' Cool - what other guy can be a hardcore, rough-and-tumble cop and make little dollhouse-sized furniture....on the job? (Although I'm sure Dave Campbell has a few other ideas....)
3. It's the Most Honest Portrayal of Urban Life - although it's wrapped in cop show clothing, The Wire focuses primarily on major urban institutions. Quite frankly, watching it reminds me of life in St. Louis....and that is not meant as a compliment. Although both cities share several things in common (huge segregation, great decline, being independent of counties), watching The Wire makes Baltimore seem more real - almost as if I've lived there....
4. Things Happen. No Formulas Abound - unlike 99% of television dramas, characters rarely (if ever) suffer the consequences of their actions. A cop who decides to legalize drugs in his district....a man running for mayor....a cop who decides to go after a major drug dealer...all of these people suffer major consequences to their actions. Trying to predict what will happen is pointless, and The Wire is formular-free, making it must-watch television.
5. It's All About the Writing - this relates to the above points, but the writers of the show have actually lived - and worked - in Baltimore. Any and all of the typical cliches of dramatic television are neatly avoid. The world of The Wire is both a black-and-white world (in terms of racial dynamics)...but its morality is anything but.

5 Reasons To Stop Worrying and Love "The War Machines"

Stealing a page from other, better blogs, I would talk a little bit about one of my favorite William Hartnell stories, The War Machines.

Now, I'm not a big Hartnell fan - I think the show was too early, and there's too few complete stories to convert me - but from what I'm seeing on DVD, I'm enjoying.

And now, five reasons/statements about why you should go out of your way to check out this DVD.

1. It's one of the few complete Hartnell stories - One of the backup documentaries on the disc discusses how this story was put together from clips, beat up films, and sock puppets. OK, I'm kidding about the sock puppets, but this is one of the few 60s stories that looks really good. I can't say that it could have been shot today, because....
2. This absolutely reeks of the 1960s - From Anneke Will's dolly bird get-up to the hip and groovylicious slang, this is a story that could only be made in the 1960s. (The decade's ever-present fear of technology also rears its head). It's not campy (well...ok, the actual War Machines' design is kind of clunky), but it's better than the "space hippy" episodes of Lost in Space and Star Trek. Honestly.
3. Best. Companion. Departure. Ever. - Ah, Ms. Dodo Chaplet. Generic companion - gets hypnotized, then basically leaves mid-story. Never comes back again. Compared to this, Adric's departure was filled with pathos and warmth.
4. It's UNIT five years early - Taking a page from Quatermass, this is Doctor Who exploring the threat-coming-to-modern-day theme before The Invasion. Yes, it's been compared to other British science-fiction-ish shows...but this is Who starting the process. And though it doesn't always work...it is rather interesting.
5. William Hartnell - badass: end of episode 3/beginning of episode 4. Hartnell's Doctor stands still as a War Machine bears down towards him. He stands, no way to defend himself, soldiers running behind him in fear. And he makes it through unscathed.
   
   If that doesn't scream "classic Who moment", I don't know what does.

The War Machines

5 Reasons Why Doctor Who Series One is a Good Place to Start

Commenting on the review for The Sontaran Strategem, Stephen asked what stories I would recommend he rent via Netflix in order to get better acquainted with the series.

Yes, I could direct him to the DVD Guide...but I thought that this would be a great opportunity to provide five reasons why I think those new to the world of Who would enjoy Series One from 2005, featuring Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor.

Ripping off another, better blog....here we go!

1. It's very new fan friendly, with minimal references to the past - Since the BBC had no idea how successful the relaunch would be, these 13 episodes would also work as a good, one-year season. There isn't the obnoxious referencing to the past that late DW tended to engage in, and these are episodes that tend to work well on their own. You get a thorough introduction to the Doctor Who "mythology" without worrying that you have to have seen every single
   
2. Christopher Eccleston's portrayal of the Doctor - Unlike the past, Eccleston doesn't portray the Doctor as a lovable eccentric. This is a guy who is traumatized by past events - a little more harder-edged (at one point, he rants, "I watched it happen...I made it happen". It makes, I think, for a much better, more easily accessible character than in the past.
3. His Unique Relationship With Rose - Unlike companions of the past, Rose Tyler's with the Ninth Doctor is unique in that there is a slightly humanizing quality that Rose brings. Although it is suggested that - at least with the Tenth Doctor - there is a romantic quality between them, here, it's played absolutely as someone trying to reach through to someone severely traumatized.
4. The Stories, For the Most Part, Work - Unlike the previous cliffhanger-style stories, most of the stories are well-written. (Although if you skip Aliens of London/World War 3, and possibly The Longest Game, no one will hold it against you). But you have Rose, The Unquiet Dead, Dalek, Father's Day, and The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances - half the stories sparkle, three are OK, and the above three are naff.
5. This season is already on PBS - several PBS stations, including Chicago, already have the rights to broadcast this. You might want to check your local listings - that way, you don't even have to rent them via Netflix!
   

And so, if you have any Who related questions, please feel free to drop them here.

5 Reasons Why I Love Mythbusters

Mythbusters
Originally uploaded by Gordon D

As the holiday season approaches, I find myself grateful for the many blessings bestowed upon me. One of which is the discovery of Mythbusters, the show that works hard to reveal the truth behind many misconceptions. This is the only reality show that I watch on a regular basis, and taking a cue from another, irregularly updated blog, here are my five reasons for loving the show.

1. The understated, droll humor of Jamie Hyneman - Let's face it, if it weren't for his relative groundedness and down-to-earth demeanor, the show would be extremely over the top. His bio reveals a man of diverse experience; think of him as a younger, sexier James Randi. Adam Savage may be the assertive, go-get-'em leader, but Jamie easily serves as the practical counterpoint.
   
2. It promotes science and reason in a realm of the supernatural - when several prime time shows openly acknowledge a "debt" to psychic phenomena (such as Medium and Ghost Whisperer, this show emphasizes the scientific method over supernatural fakery. The team tests urban legends and other misconceptions, and quite frankly, it makes science cool again.
   
3. Kari Byron - She's smart. She's attractive. She's a redhead. If she weren't already spoken for - and she also loved Doctor Who - I would so write embarrassingly gushing blog posts about her. She and Kristen Bell are in the running for "cutest female geek pin-up queen"
   
4. Episodes now center around themes - for example, a recent show took on comic myths such as changing in a phone booth, whether punching someone can leave a ring imprint on their face, and whether a grappling hook can make a car turn suddenly. They did an episode around airplane myths. Now, it's more than just the typical here's-a-myth-let's-bust-it; they actually proved that it is more dangerous to use a cell phone while driving than driving under the influence.
   
5. The stunts range from the mundane to the F**** Yeah! - when you use a jet airplane to knock over a car, plane, and school bus, or use a decoy seal to attract sharks...or even fire random stuff out of a cannon, you know that if Mythbusters were a comic, Chris Sims would be on that like Mike Sterling on Swamp Thing. Trust me, you won't see this kind of wanton mayhem and destruction on, say, The Bachelor.
   

So this holiday, once you get your gift cards, or some horrible gift that you need to exchange...take my word for it. Buy one of the many Mythbusters DVD sets (as well as other items) from our store. Catch it on the Discovery Channel. You'll thank me later.