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New World Order: Immemorial Tales of the Third Army

Inspired by the research of occult master Jordan Maxwell, New World Order is the story of a young group of truthseekers called the Third Army and their enigmatic leader Max as they confront the modern realities of a world that has been plunged into chaos by entities working to bring about a New World Order. With unique symbolic interpretations, detailed footnotes and encounters with 'real-life' modern-revolutionary thinkers, New World Order explores such themes as secret societies, religious controversies, occult philosophies, UFO’s and government conspiracies with the purpose of preparing the world for a new age of enlightenment by the means of an intellectual re-evolution.

Not only is New World Order a compelling story that explores many of the problems that the world faces today but it is also the untold story of the 'Lonely Ones,' the real-life truthseekers who are attempting to awaken the masses to a world that is torn between it’s own unlimited potential for greatness and it’s own self-destruction.

Sheep to the Slaughter

Most folks will tell you that nicotine only reached Europe after that old scoundrel Sir Walter Raleigh imported the idea of smoking to the Old World. (Technically, Europe is not older than the Americas, but we’ll let that one hang there for the rest of the essay. We expect to be forgiven for our laziness.) Well, it may probably have been Raleigh’s employee Thomas Hariot, since Raleigh himself never even set foot in America… at least not by boat. (I’ll get back to that.) However, since we have Egyptian and even German corpses with nicotine in their tissues from nearly two thousand years before Columbus was an itch in his daddy’s pants, we find ourselves forced to confront the possibility that there was, in fact, some form of transatlantic contact between Europe and Africa and the Americas stretching back to the times before Christ. And since there’s hashish in them there corpses, we also find ourselves considering the involvement of our favorite Ismaili assassins, the hashishin, and where there’s hashishin, can the Knight’s Templar be far behind? Well, sure, they could be. However, since I’m not fond of playing by the rules, I have to suspect they won’t be. Speculating on Egyptian mummies loaded with cocaine and nicotine and hashish, and Peruvian mummies with the same, necessarily leads us to Roanoke Island.

"Rosemary's Baby" and "Boys From Brazil" author Ira Levin dies

Ira Levin, author of the best-selling horror and suspense novels 'Rosemary's Baby,' 'The Stepford Wives' and 'The Boys from Brazil,' all later made into popular films, has died at age 78, according to media reports.

The New York Times reported that Levin died on Monday at his Manhattan home. It quoted his son Nicholas as saying the death was apparently of natural causes.

"Rosemary's Baby," about a woman who believes she has been impregnated by the devil, was published in 1967 and made into an Oscar-winning movie the following year starring Mia Farrow and directed by Roman Polanski.

Levin's 1972 novel 'The Stepford Wives' involved husbands in a Connecticut town replacing their wives with submissive robots. It was twice adapted by Hollywood -- a 1975 film starring Katharine Ross, and a 2004 version with Nicole Kidman.

'The Boys From Brazil,' published in 1976, featured the infamous Nazi doctor, Josef Mengele, seeking to clone a new Third Reich. The 1978 film version starred Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier. Levin's first novel, 'A Kiss Before Dying,' published in 1953, was twice made into movies.

Audition: Warner Bros. Superheroes

"Most popular DC comic book heroes"? Does this sound like the JLA to anyone else?

Sounds to me that they're looking for unknowns, which would lead me to think that the "big guns" aren't going to be a part of the movie.

*This is a search for the 8-9 leads for this action feature film based on the most popular DC comic book heroes.*

We are looking for Male actors 18-35 years old; Caucasian and Black. The primary focus should be to find Caucasian actors. There is 1 role for the Black Actor.

We are looking for Female actors 20-32 years old; any ethnicity.

The aim of this audition process is to learn about the sensibilities, range, humor, delivery and life experience of each actor. We are looking for great actors who enjoy working in an ensemble. ( Improvisational skills, theater training and comedy would be useful.) We will also need to keep in mind that we are looking for physically fit actors with good body types. Please have the actors wear form fitting clothes.

I've Got Your Sorcerer Supreme

A 'bungling' voyeur who spied on a 22-year-old woman in a tanning booth has been given a suspended jail term.

Stephen Strange, 43, of Chippenham, who admitted voyeurism, watched the woman undress and lie on a bed in July 2005.

Scott King vs TSA – Winner: TSA

On a level, I think that he brought some of this on himself (see the link for his general attitude towards the screening process and the fact that he left his bags outside of a bathroom) but the thought that reading a particular comic makes one a terrorist is just bothersome and yet symptomatic of the overall level of "Thought Crime" sometimes in this country.

Probably not the thing that I want to be putting on my blog but oh well.

The second problem was that I had several graphic novels with me. I had planned to read them on the plane. I had 'DMZ' volumes 1, 2 & 3, 'The Nightly News,' and 'Artemis Fowl.' The guard flipped through 'DMZ' saw a ravaged New York City and them immediately called for two other security guards to join him in the room. I was then questioned for over an hour about the comics and why I had them. I was point blank asked if I was a terrorist or if I ever had desires to harm other. The whole ordeal was completely ridiculous. I can understand them being cautious but going ballistic because of the graphic novels I had with me is taking it too far.

Ironically, he was apparently coming here to Cleveland. I guess that I should leave my copies of "DMZ" at home when I travel this Christmas season.

By the way, if you haven't picked up Brian Wood's thoroughly brilliant "DMZ" book yet, you really should. The first taste is (almost) free, with DC/Vertigo offering the first trade collection for only $9.95. It's harder and harder to find comics at that pricing anymore.

If you don't know about the book, check out the Wikipedia page. It's OK by Wikipedia standards.

Norman Mailer dead at age 84 - Yahoo! News

This is a great blow to American literature. I was even talking about him recently with Jonny. If nothiing else, The Naked and the Dead and The Armies of the Night should be required of every American literature program in this country. The fact that it isn't is a crime.

Norman Mailer, the macho prince of American letters who for decades reigned as the country's literary conscience and provocateur with such books as 'The Naked and the Dead' and 'The Executioner's Song' died Saturday, his literary executor said. He was 84.

Mailer died of acute renal failure at Mount Sinai Hospital, said J. Michael Lennon, who is also the author's biographer.

From his classic debut novel to such masterworks of literary journalism as 'The Armies of the Night,' the two-time Pulitzer Prize winner always got credit for insight, passion and originality.

IGN: Exclusive Ultimates 3 Preview

There's nothing like fresh art from Joe Madureira and Christian Lichtner to make your day. When these images hit our inbox earlier this afternoon, we did a happy little jig. Then we figured you might like to take a look at them. Written by the Eisner-winning, Emmy-nominated Jeph Loeb, this eight-page sequence re-introduces Venom to the Ultimate Universe, and he's out for blood.

Newsarama: A Union - Can/Should It Happen In Comics?

See answers from Steve Niles, Robert Kirkman, Brad Meltzer, Peter David and many others.

As the strike by members of the Writer's Guild of America dominated discussions in the entertainment industry this week, Newsarama decided to utilize this month's question for 'The Q' to allow creators to share their opinions on whether writers in the comic book industry should form a similar union.

Earlier this week, Newsarama shared comments on the WGA strike by Brian K. Vaughan, who supported the idea of a union for comic book writers. But as he and others have pointed out, starting a union for creators in this industry has been tried before by creators like Arnold Drake and others – but none of those attempts have been successful.

So it's time for creators to sound off on the issue as we asked the question:

- Should comic book writers unionize? Could they unionize?

Paul Norris, R.I.P.

Paul Norris, who co-created the comic book character Aquaman, and who produced the Brick Bradford newspaper strip for a little over 35 years, died about four hours ago at the age of 93. He'd had a series of strokes in the last few months and had just been hospitalized for his most recent.

Paul was born April 26, 1914 in Greenville, Ohio. He studied at Midland Lutheran College and at the Dayton Art Institute before landing a job as an illustrator and cartoonist for the Dayton Daily News in 1936. Three years later, he assembled a portfolio of his best work and took it to New York in search of better prospects, which turned out to be comic books. No one, not even Paul, was ever certain what his first job was in that medium but by 1940, he was drawing for Prize Publications, where he launched several of their star strips — Yank and Doodle, Power Nelson and Futureman.

A year later, he was at DC Comics where his most memorable assignment was Aquaman, which he and editor-writer Mort Weisinger created. (DC now puts a 'created by Paul Norris' credit on all Aquaman comics. The absence of Weisinger's name is apparently a legal problem on DC's end, not a case of Norris squeezing out his former collaborator.) Paul also worked on, among others, the Sandman in Adventure Comics. He was the artist who revamped the character from his old costume — a business suit and a device that looked like a gas mask — and turned him, at editorial insistence, into a Batman knock-off. When Norris left the strip, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby took it over. During this period, Paul also worked on the Vic Jordan newspaper strip for the New York Daily PM.

Steranko to Hold Storytelling Workship

To highlight his personal appearance at the Big Apple National Con - Nov 17-18 at Manhattan's Penn Plaza Pavilion - comics icon JIM STERANKO has agreed to hold a MARATHON WORKSHOP spotlighting his internationally-celebrated specialty: MASTERING NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE. Voted by Wizard as the Fifth Most Influential Artist in comics' history, Steranko will reveal a host of spectacular storytelling techniques, tricks, and theories _from the basics to the ultra-sophisticated‹which he promises will enhance every attendee's understanding of the complex comics medium, fans and pros alike.

'This may be the last of my public seminars,' says Steranko, who has only heralded such ground-breaking how-to events once in every ten or more years. 'The National is such an important show, and one I've supported since it began under Mike Carbonaro's guidance, that it warrants this kind of special effort. Everyone interested in comics, film, animation, and electronic games will find an infinitely deeper comprehension about the architecture of narrative art and I'm talking about practical and efficient material that will expand the vision and experience of everyone ready, willing, and able to spend an afternoon with me.'

Steranko will be articulating many of the more than 100 narrative devices and techniques he developed during his career, from his SHIELD, X-MEN, and CAPTAIN AMERICA books to his film collaborations with Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Francis Coppola, which include DRACULA and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. The four-hour workshop will provide an extraordinary behind-the-scenes look at the creative process by one of America's premiere pop-culture legends. Attendance will be limited and early registration is recommended. Email thebigapplecon@yahoo.com or call 201-865-3288 for availability.

Every workshop attendee will receive a FREE Vanguard Steranko collectors item.

Mandrake The Magician Casting

Mandrake has long been a favorite character of mine. I didn't know that his strip still ran though, very interesting. I first ran across the character in Jules Pieffer's book The Comic Book Heroes as a kid.

I hope hope hope that this movie doesn't suck.

In an interesting bit of casting, Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) will star in Omega Entertainment and Baldwin Entertainment Group’s Mandrake, based on the comic strip created by Lee Falk.

Chuck Russell (The Scorpion King, The Mask) will direct the film, which is set to shoot next year in China and the United States. Criss Angel reportedly has a role in the picture.

Mandrake the Magician debuted in newspapers 1934, and stars a tuxedo-clad stage illusionist who battles crime with his hypnotic abilities. The strip spawned comic books, radio and movie serials, a TV movie, and a co-starring role in an animated series.

Although nowhere near as popular as it was in the 1930s and '40s, the King Features strip still appears in newspapers.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will update the comic and feature a Mandrake who is 'an extreme escape artist embroiled in international espionage.'

Happy Halloween From Adam Ant

I'm the dandy highwayman who you're too scared to mention
I spend my cash on looking flash and grabbing your attention
The devil take your stereo and your record collection!
The way you look you’ll qualify for next year's old age pension!

Stand and deliver your money or your life!
Try and use a mirror no bullet or a knife!

Wanted Trailer

So, the first trailer for Mark Millar's Wanted. It doesn't appear to have much in common with the comic though.

Japanese Vending Machines: Books & Earthquake Aid : Japan Probe

I wish that Americans were honest enough to have the same sort of vending machine culture that they have in Japan. I really think it would rock.

Here are two examples of what is new in the world of Japanese vending machines.

First we have a video of a new book vending machine at JR’s Ebisu Station. Some customers prefer buying books the old fashioned way, but a poll found that 75% find the new vending machine to be convenient.

Next we have a new model of Coca Cola vending machine that receives news signals and informs people of current events and weather on a news ticker. In the event of a major earthquake, such machines will get a special signal that makes them display emergency messages and converts them into free drink dispensers. There are already 10,000 machines of this type throughout Japan.

The linked article has links to a couple of (Japanese language) YouTube videos.

Four Color: Free and On RPGNow

Philip Reed's Four Color (4C) System is done and ready for the public!

This complete in 34 pages role-playing system is all that you need to launch your own adventures in super-hero universes. An emulator for an old MARVELous game, the new material and old material are all compatible and can be used in each game system.

Enjoy!

Beyond the Groovy Age of Horror

Here's a cool little blog that I found when I was trying to Google up some information on a cheesy 60s "Black Magic" English horror novel that I picked up cheap a while back.

If you're wondering, the book is The Curse of Rathlaw by Peter Saxon (which was apparently a publisher's house name) dealing with a group called THE GUARDIANS who fought against Black Magic and the Dark Arts.

It's actually pretty good. Eventually I'll have to see if I can track down others in the series.

But regardless, check out this site. Not only does it has some good stuff about 60s-70s horror but it's got the goods on the pulps and various hardboiled/noir writings as well. I know that there are readers of this blog that are interested in that stuff as well.

Games for the Brain

In case you're bored.

National Do Not Call Registry

If you signed up with the National Do Not Call Registry in 2003, it is time to re-up your registration. Registration only lasts for five years.

The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, you can file a complaint at this Website. You can register your home or mobile phone for free. Your registration will be effective for five years.

A public service announcement from Dorkland.

Pop!Casts

While you will find plenty of interesting people talking about interesting things at this page, I highlighted two that I thought might be of particular interest to the audience. Check it out.

Author, journalist and contributing editor at Wired magazine Bruce Sterling understands why people get confused about new technology concepts. In what he sees as a culture war of web semantics, Bruce gets the audience’s attention with a unique call for a new vocabulary to better describe experiences with technology.

Listen to the Pop!Cast here.

Musician, producer and artist Brian Eno shows how simple things can give rise to complex things—in art and life. See how he uses Darwin’s ecological model of the world as a roadmap for human culture now and in the future.

Listen to the Pop!Cast here.

Gaming Library Update

Well, since I've got the time on my hands I decided to organize things a bit. Today I tackled some of my gaming stuff.











Of course, now I have to find a place to put the books that I had to take off that bookcase.

Youngblood at Heart

I think that I just threw up a little in my mouth.

Liefeld and McFarlane were like the rock stars of the comic world, the two most recognizable of the faces among the new upstarts, having also been instrumental in the creation of such up-and-coming Marvel characters as Cable, Deadpool and Venom.

Casper The...Friendly Ghost?

He’s been around since 1949, but what do we really know about Casper the 'Friendly' Ghost?

Looking over the remarkable Casper The Friendly Ghost omnibus (Dark Horse, $19.95) of almost 500 pages of Casper stories from 1949 to 1966, some scary patterns begin to emerge.

Is Casper really so 'friendly' as he lets on? What do we really know about him?

I was bored and took a thorough examination of the so-called 'friendly' ghost.

Right there, in the introduction to the book, Harvey Comics editor Sid Jacobsen is quoted denying that Casper is the ghost of a dead child. He says a ghost just exists, with no past, like a giant or a fairy.

This disputes the religious worldview that declares that ghosts are the souls of the dead, unless of course Casper and his people are something altogether new and different.

Like Skrulls.

Coilhouse

A magazine/blog hybrid.



Available in print and online.