Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens December 18th and fans are already speculating over what lies beyond for the biggest franchise in pop culture history. Nerdist’s Dan Casey (author of 100 Things Star Wars Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die) sits down one on one with Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams to discuss which female writers or directors Abrams would like to see tackle the franchise at some point in the future.
Abrams expressed great confidence in “a number of incredible (female) writers and directors.” He applauded the work of Kathleen Kennedy as a producer. And then Abrams zeroed in on Selma director Ava DuVernay. DuVernay is, no doubt, a major talent. And Abrams definitely wants DuVernay to direct a Star Wars movie. You can view the interview right here.
Many people enjoy collecting pop culture figures. Some collectors will add an environment to showcase them. What if the sky’s the limit and you could go hog wild? Imagine, for instance, the Joker facing off with G.I. Joe. And have that in a realistic setting. Well, as kids, the sky was always the limit! Your characters didn’t have to obey any rules and you could have all sorts of battles that would never have taken place anywhere else. In that spirit, photographer Daniel Picard has let it roll with some inspired work with icons we all know and love.
Picard photographs 12-inch figures from Sideshow Collectibles, then does only what a skilled adult can do: create those sort of moments that kids around the globe conjure up just for the fun of it. These are to-scale environments with an uncannily realistic look.
Actor Simon Pegg provides a forward calling this collection, “a wonderful conversation piece.” Kevin Smith provides an afterword describing Picard’s work as a “salute to all the fun we had with our toys as kids.”
“Figure Fantasy: The Pop Culture Photography of Daniel Picard” is a 132-page hardcover, priced at $29.99 US, published by Insight Editions. For more details, and to purchase the book, visit our friends at Insight Editions right here.
Star Wars returns to Marvel Comics with “Star Wars #1.” That pretty much sets the tone right there, doesn’t it? We start with solid cover art by John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men, Uncanny Avengers), who also does the art inside. Written by Jason Aaron (Original Sin, Thor: God of Thunder), this is something of a starting off point as we find the original Star Wars gang running through familiar terrain with plenty of fun twists and turns. The Death Star has been destroyed. The Rebel Alliance is gearing up for a mother of all battles against the Empire with Darth Vader and the Emperor personifying evil. You get the picture. Of course, we love a good familiar story and, when it comes to Star Wars, indeed, we can’t seem to ever get enough. This first issue does not let anyone down. It’s really a credit to everyone involved. As C-3PO says, in a brief moment of calm, “I have a very good feeling about this.”
“Star Wars #1” is available now. Visit our friends at Marvel Comics right here.
Opening January 31, 2015, EMP Museum in Seattle presents “Rebel, Jedi, Princess, Queen: Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume,” a lavish and spectacular collection of iconic costumes from the first six Star Wars films, a total of 60 costumes on display. There are nine parts to the exhibit, ranging from Jedi and Sith costumes to Senate regalia to Darth Vader’s “iconic” suit. The displays will be supplemented by “digital flipbooks” with multimedia features and two short films about costume design, one focusing on Padmé Amidala. The exhibit marks a 12-city national tour that begins at EMP, where it will be on view January 31 through October 4, 2015. Special exhibition price applies. More details follow, including a grand opening event on January 30, 2014. Visit our friends at EMP right here.
Here at Comic Grinder HQ, we’re constantly looking for cool stuff to share with you. I had just made a fresh batch of hot cocoa and was gearing up for the day when Roy burst into the office with the latest mail bag, which happened to be bursting too, at the seams, no less. “You better step it up, we have a motherload of packages and parcels. Best you get to reviewing straightaway!” And so I did. I picked up the first box and, lo and behold, it was from Nerd Block. I have heard many good things about them and I went right into taking stock of the box’s contents in the video below:
Nerd Block makes a great gift for anyone. If you enjoy pop culture, then Nerd Block has got something for you. Nerd Block is a monthly mystery package delivered right to your door filled with nerdy apparel, toys, and collectables! Every Nerd Block comes with a custom t-shirt (in your size) and 4-6 epic items. There are different themes to choose from. You can stop your subscription at any time. Packages range in price from $13.99 to $19.99. Visit our friends at Nerd Block right here.
Are you ready for a trailer to the next Star Wars movie? So are so many other people. Hmm, you would think that this year’s San Diego Comic-Con would be an excellent venue to unveil an official trailer. For now, that most coveted trailer remains but a fan’s hope.
And speaking of fans, I happen to like these two Star Wars fan tributes. Take your pick: serious or funny. The first one right below is serious and taps into the thrill of it all.
This other one is not so serious, it’s not even trying to be anything but funny. No, it’s not even trying to be a fan trailer but it’s good, it’s damn good.
I don’t know about you but I’d definitely stand in line to watch this Star Wars comedy.
From THE STAR WARS #2, published by Dark Horse Comics
This will most likely be the last year that Dark Horse Comics is at the helm of the Star Wars comics franchise. There’s no doubt that Dark Horse will make the most of 2014. But you would think that perhaps Disney could still work with Dark Horse considering how well Dark Horse has managed Star Wars comics.
Press release dated today from Dark Horse Comics publisher Mike Richardson:
The following information was just posted on StarWars.com:
Star Wars: Episode VII to Open December 18, 2015
With pre-production in full-swing, a confirmed release date of December 18, 2015, has been set for Lucasfilm’s highly anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII.
“We’re very excited to share the official 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture,” said Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.
Star Wars: Episode VII will be directed by J. J. Abrams (Super 8, Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek)and is being scripted by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi). Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, with Tommy Harper (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Jack Ryan, Star Trek Into Darkness) and Jason McGatlin (Tintin, War of the Worlds) serving as executive producers. John Williams is returning to score Star Wars: Episode VII.
Shooting is scheduled to begin spring 2014 at Pinewood Studios.
For the Star Wars fan who has everything, how about this beauty: a delightful R2D2 patch!
Of course, it depends on how badly you want this bad boy. There will be hoops a plenty to jump through. First, this is a Free Comic Book Day exclusive so you have to jump through that hoop on May 4. Then you have to go to your local participating comics shop. But is it participating and to what extent? Ah, there’s the rub.
Assuming you’ve made it this far, the store will undoubtedly place a condition between you and the coveted patch. But what will it be? A minimum purchase of $10 or more? Well, maybe. Some stores may ask more of you, ranging from asking you to speak to the finer distinctions in Star Wars canon to the more obscure aspects of the recent Disney acquisition of Lucasfilm.
Then, and only then, this patch could be yours. It is rumored to be a limited edition of only 1,000, and personally hand-stitched by master Star Wars patch designer Kevin Liell.
Did I get the memo right? Soon we will be seeing a new “Star Wars” movie every single day for the rest of our miserable little lives? No, that’s not possible, is it?
Oh, wait, it’s going to be a new “Star Wars” movie every year for the next five years.
Huh?
That’s still pretty weird.
There are rumblings about it, for sure. Read some here and here.
But, hey, why not? Right? Why the hell not?!
Add to the mix, all the wonderful parodies you’ll get to see along the way.
None the least is a “Star Wars” parody with a full animal cast!
Yes, get ready for “Paw Wars!”
Press release follows:
From the Meows Eisley Cantuna on the desert planet of Catooine, to the giant tennis ball of the Dog Star, the adventures of Duke Mousepouncer begin today with The Pet Collective’s newest “Petody”: PAW WARZ.
“These are not the toys you’re looking for,” Ol’ Bengal Catobi tries to persuade cat-eared Poopscoopers using the ways of the Furs. Does it work?
A second episode of the parody that blends Internet cats with the world’s most famous space adventure will follow next week, answering the oft-debated question: Did Haz Alone shoot first?
But the videos are only the beginning of the PAW WARZ Saga (since every saga must have a beginning). They’ll be presented weekly on The Pet Collective, the leading pet-themed channel on YouTube — and poducers of the short parodies have also created a companion website that offers more details on the PAW WARZ galaxy, from spaceships (like the Rex Wing Fighter), characters (including See 3Meow, Boop Boop Beep Boop and Toada) and planets like Dogobath. With help from fans and the Pet Collective community, the PAW WARZ website will continue to grow.
