ESO Podcast - Episode 22

Listen up for a report of "Bill & Mike's Excellent Adventure" to Wizard World Chicago Comic-Con!

This week on ESO, Mike, Dan, Mike, John and Bill talk about the Doctor Who story Dalek, which features the 9th Doctor Christopher Eccleston. Then once again we travel back to A Long Time Ago, in Galaxy Far Far Away as we finish up our reviews of the original Star Wars saga and take a look at Return of the Jedi. Join us for another cheerful podcast for all the fun and goofiness that goes along with Episode 22: Damit, Everywhere I step I’m Finding Ewoks!

Table of Contents
0:00:00 Intro / Welcome
0:02:03 Chicago Comic Con Review
0:17:13 Doctor Who: Dalek
0:47:31 Star Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi
1:20:23 Show Feedback / Show Close

Listen to ESO #22 here, or download this podcast from iTunes.

Cover Rave - Fantastic Four #60

Celebrating the birthday of the great Jack Kirby, it seemed a no-brainer to spotlight one of his dynamic works as this week's Cover Rave. Since this feature is from scans of comics from my own collection, I was somewhat shamed to find I did not have many Kirby covers from which to choose. Just as well, since it would be difficult to select just one from his vast history. Nevertheless, I think the cover for Fantastic Four #60 holds its own compared to any number of his works. My father bought a small collection at a yard sale which were bound in a three-ring bider. Though I certainly did not appreciate the condition of the comics, it was hard not to appreciate the books themselves, particularly the covers! Hail to the King, baby!

Fantastic Four #60
Artist: Jack Kirby & Joe Sinnott

Friday Night Videos

Wizard World Chicago Comic Con 2010 - Holy John Hancock Batman!

Let's step in the Wayback Machine and travel some 30 years ago to a car show in New England. The exact date and place escape me, but I'll never forget the time I met the Dynamic Duo, er at least one of them. Both Adam West and Burt Ward appeared at the show and my parents had driven me and my sister to see them. I meant to impress them with a drawing of the two, but I only managed to have time enough to sketch Batman. I figured I'd add Robin to the picture after the signing. Turns out there was no need. Just as I approached them at the signing table, Burt excused himself to use the little Boy Wonder's room. They had to keep the line moving, so I only got Adam's signature. Upside down. On a picture he barely looked at. Below are some Poloroids of the event courtesy of my mother:


Despite being a bit disappointed, I was not bitter. I did not raise my tiny little fist to the air and cry vengeance on Burt Ward. In fact, I was amused. Especially since during the whole incident, my father had been in the restroom and was he ever surprised to see a masked superhero suddenly enter and take care of business! I had always figured that one day I would be able to get Burt Ward's autograph. A few years ago, Ward retired from public appearances. Then I jokingly referred to him as "the one that got away."

So, you can imagine my surpise and excitement when it was announced the Burt Ward would be joining Adam West and Julie Newmar at this year's Wizard World Chicago Comic Con! I had been planning all year to attend this show for the fourth year in a row, and almost went to C2E2 earlier in the year instead. After over 30 years, I am glad to say that I finally got the chance to meet Burt Ward and I'm even more pleased to say that he's a great guy. We had a good laugh over the story! Yes, I did have to pay for the signature, and I'm sure it was more expensive than it cost to take the entire family to the auto show back in the day, but it was well worth the price and the wait. Besides, I figure the monies are going to a worthy cause as Ward is the founder of the Gentle Giants Rescue organization. And I even got Adam West's signature (again) with a Bat-fist-bump from the man himself!

Wizard World Chicago Comic Con 2010 - Kit Fisto Rules!

Last weekend, I travelled to Rosemont, IL for the Wizard World Chicago Comic Con and had a blast! Although I did manage to catch the "Wizard World Exclusive head cold" on Thursday night, it was well worth any suffering on my part. Especially to acquire some fine additions to my collection of Kit Fisto commissions!

Drew Jones
Matt Hansel
Jay Brant
Jeremy Sorrell
In addition to these four fabulous pieces, I also got Invisible Scarlet sketch by Dan Parent, which can be seen at the Invisible Scarlet O'Neil blog.

ESO Podcast - Episode 21

Me thinks you'll be humming along with this one! Chock full o' earworms!

This week on ESO, Mike, Judy, William and Mike do a Doctor Who review of the seventh Doctor and Ace story “Ghost Light” and then we are joined by our friend Kat to talk about Sci-Fi / Fantasy TV Themes that we all like. Join us for another cheerful podcast for all the fun and goofiness that goes along with Episode 21: What Would You Do If I Sang Out of Key?

Table of Contents
0:00:00 Intro / Welcome
0:01:43 Doctor Who: Ghost Light
0:23:30 TV Show Themes
1:54:30 Show Close

Listen to ESO #21 here, or download this podcast from iTunes.

Cover Rave - Star Wars #29

With Celebration V happening last weekend and our recent reminisces of the first two parts of the original trilogy on the ESO podcast, I've very much been in a Star Wars frame of mind. I have been reading Star Wars-related comics since the first adaptation so there were a lot of iconic covers to choose from, but Star Wars #29 from Marvel's run has always been one of my very faves. In fact, I tried to recreate the image myself and would love to share the results, but I'm afraid my effort was lost in time. Before Boba Fett became the star bounty hunter of the franchise, Archie Goodwin and company created the cyborg Valance. When this issue arrived in the mail, I was "wicked psyched" over the battle between Valance and Darth Vader. And with that cover, can you blame me?

Star Wars #29
Artist: Carmine Infantino & Bob Wiacek

ESO Podcast - Episode 20

I am very pleased to report that as of this episode I am an official co-host of the ESO Podcast! So please join us for this week's a big ball of wibbly wobbly, timey wimey stuff. Listen up and whatever you do, don't blink!

This week the ESO podcast marks it’s 20th Episode with reviews of ‘Blink’ the Steven Moffat penned episode of Doctor Who featuring the 10th Doctor. Then we help celebrate the 30th anniversary of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, by chatting about the film as only the ESO crew can.

News stories covered this week: Spider-Man on Broadway, The New Mad Max, A New Quantum Leap movie and Torchwood Series 4.

Join Mike, Dan, Judy, Mike G and John for all the fun and goofiness that goes along with ESO Podcast Episode 20: William, I Am Your Father!

Table of Contents
0:00:00 Intro / Welcome
0:04:14 News
0:23:04 Doctor Who: Blink
0:52:58 Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
1:33:37 Show Close

Listen to ESO #20 here, or download this podcast from iTunes.

Friday Night Videos - Star Wars Celebration

Cover Rave - Adventure Comics #452

Ever since his return in Blackest Night, Aquaman has been getting a lot of buzz. I am enjoying the character's resurgence and have read some good stories with him in the past. It didn't hurt that one of the first Aquaman comics I ever picked up featured one of the most defining moments in the Sea King's history - Adventure Comics #452. Great storytelling by David Michelinie, awesome art from Jim Aparo (IMHO, "the" Aquaman artist), and the shocking fate of Arthur Jr. make this a classic comic in every sense of the word. It is a travesty that this hard to find adventure has never been traded, nor has the tremendous contributions by Aparo been spotlighted with a prestige collected edition. I hope that Aquaman's recent popularity will correct that. I apologize that this entry's scan is a bit beat up, but it reflects my love for this book over the years.

Adventure Comics #452
Artist: Jim Aparo

ESO Podcast - Episode 19

Listen up and get comfortable - this is gonna take a while!

This week on ESO, Mike, John, and Mike are joined by Rich Morris and from The Happiness Patrol Lewis Bailey to review the first John Pertwee episode of Doctor Who “The Spearhead from Space” and then we talk about Sci-Fi Movies that changed the movie industry, and John reviews Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Join us in this Extra Large podcast for all the fun and goofiness that goes along with Episode 19: This is Going to Be Big, Really Big!

Listen to ESO #19 here, or download this podcast from iTunes.

Friday Night Videos - CBT 300

This week, we placed the 300th video on display at ComicBookTrailers.com! Not bad for a site only a little over 2 years old! I'd like to take moment to thank everyone who has supported us in our efforts to promote comic book related projects. The response to our site continues to be positive and, for me personally, it is one of the proudest endeavors of my life.

To celebrate reaching this monumental number, I offer for this week's "Friday Night Videos" the entire inventory of ComicBookTrailers.com! Feel free to take a look at the many comic-related projects on display, and for all you creators out there, keep sending your trailers our way, we've got plenty of room for more!

ESO Podcast - Episode 18

Friends! Followers! People I hardly know! Lend me your ears!

Mike and the folks at the Erth Station One podcast were nice enough to let me sit in on the recording of the most recent episode. ESO is a weekly podcast celebrating the SciFi/Fantasy genre with engaging discussions. In this particular episode, we discuss some of the recent news to come out of the San Diego Comic-Con, review the first David Tennant episode of Doctor Who “The Christmas Invasion,” and reminisce about Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. If you have half as much fun listening to the episode as we did recording it, then we had twice as much fun as you!

Listen to ESO #18 here, or download this podcast from iTunes.

Lucy 1991 -2010

This morning we lost the senior member of our colony, the only one that was with Michelle when we met. She was over 90 in cat years and she'd seen a lot of changes in her life and didn't mind one bit letting us know she didn't like any of them. Although Michelle did not name her after the Peanuts character, I cannot think of any other name that suited her as she was the crabbiest creature I have ever met. Still, I had a lot of respect for the ol' girl, especially her teeth and claws. She definitely left her mark! Now that she has left us stupid and incompetent minions behind, I hope she is at last receiving the comfort and luxury she knew she deserved. It was our honor to be in her presence.