My Favorite Monsters - Starro the Conqueror

Countdown to Halloween Day 30

My Favorite Monsters

Starro the Conqueror

I'll admit that when I was younger, I was not impressed by a ginormous starfish as a big baddie. However, I've grown to respect Starro over the years and not just because he has the historic distinction of being the first foe of the Justice League (it is a lifetime dream that I'll one day be able to afford Brave & the Bold #28 to complete my collection). While he is large and powerful enough to require more than one superhero to defeat him, my favorite characteristic is his mini-me spores which he uses to mentally control all who oppose him. He is one of the most unique antagonists in the DCU and I geeked out when I saw him battling the Marvel heroes in the 2003 JLA/Avengers crossover.

Starro has made numerous appearances in DC animated adventures (though I'm surprised he never appeared in the Super Friends series). My favorite use of him outside comics is in The Brave & the Bold series in which he was featured in a season-long story line.

Another Starro item on my wish list is the 2010 Sand Diego Comic Con Exclusive DC Universe Infinite Heroes Justice League set, which not only contained the figures to recreate the first appearance cover, but also mini spores you could attach to any 6" figure in your collection.

 

Starro has only appeared in the "New 52" as cameo in the first team-up of the Justice League (much to my disappointment). Before the DCU was rebooted, there was a very cool run of R.E.B.E.L.S. that introduced a humanoid Starro that I would love to see continue in some way.

My Favorite Monsters - The Kraken

Countdown to Halloween Day 31

My Favorite Monsters

The Kraken

Welcome to my Countdown to Halloween 2013! I am very pleased to once again participate in this month-long event and my daily theme will be to reveal some of my favorite beasts and baddies from myths, movies, legends and lore. And we begin...

"Release the kraken!"

The giant octopus/squid of Scandinavian lore got a hell of a lot cooler once Liam Neeson demanded it be released in the 2010 Clash of the Titans remake. However, I personally do not care for the version of the creature we saw in the film nor in the original 1980 movie (apologies to Ray Harryhausen fans). I much prefer the gigantic tentacled monster depicted on illustrations in the 1800's.

There's been some recent speculation that the kraken might have actually existed. Real or not, I love a good sea creature yarn, like Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

I understand Verne was inspired by the legend of the kraken and I would not be surprised to find out that H.P. Lovecraft was as well (shameless foreshadowing of future blog entry in the Countdown). I have not yet seen the beast realized to my satisfaction in film, but the cephalopod attack is my favorite sequence in the otherwise lacking Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

I'm hopeful that some future filmmaker will get it right someday. The technology is there and with the recent success of Pacific Rim, I hope to see more giant creatures on the big screen. Until then, I'll just have to suffer through another SyFy attempt.

This weekend - Warner Robins Comic Con

This Sunday, I'll be at the Warner Robins Comic Con. I'll be there representing Earth Station One with the award-winning author Bobby Nash, and I'll have plenty of copies of Tiki Zombie #2 Special Edition on hand. To be honest, I'm still a little con-lagged from earlier this month, but this is a great one day show featuring some cool guests and friendly attendees. I had a FAN-TIKI-TASTIC time at this con last time and look forward to returning. Come on by and say, "Howdy!" 

ESO Podcast - Episode 181

On this episode, the ESO crew discusses something completely different. King Mike, his trusty steed Patsy Mike, the award-winning Sir Bobby the Brave, Sir Greg the Not-Quite-So-Award-Winning, Rebecca the Enchanter, Robert the Shrubber, and Sir Not-Appearing-in-this-Podcast risk just a bit of peril to discuss the classic comedy and there is much rejoicing. Plus, we also take author Ralph L. Angelo Jr. off his motorcycle and onto The Geek Seat. All this, along with the usual Rants, Raves, Khan Report, and Shout Outs!

Earth Station One Episode 181: On a Quest with Monty Python for the Holy Grail

Table of Contents
0:00:00 Intro / Welcome
0:08:42 Rants & Raves
0:39:57 Interview & Geek Seat w/ Author Ralph L. Angelo Jr.
1:17:43 Monty Python and the Holy Grail
1:54:08 The ESO Khan Report
1:65:54 ESO Shout Outs & Show Close

To listen, click the link above or download this podcast from iTunes.

This week's Shout Out goes out the creative folks at Galactic Quest and their new comic, Hero Cats! A great premise realized by writer/creator Kyle Puttkammer with stunning art by Marcus Williams. The zero issue is available now!

Next week, the ESO crew becomes a Person of Interest as they investigate rumors of a mysterious machine that spies on us every hour of every day. Hunted by the authorities, we work in secret. You'll never find us, but victim or perpetrator, if your number's up...ESO will find you. If that wasn’t enough, we'll also take a look at Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Syfy’s Fangasm. Plus, the usual assortment of Rants & Raves, Khan Report, interviews, The Geek Seat, Shout Outs, and so much more.

ESO wants to hear from you! Drop us a line at www.esopodcast.com, the ESO Facebook Group, email us at esopodcast@gmail.com, or call us at 404-963-9057 with your comments. We just might air your comments on the show!

And don't forget to check out items in our Amazon estore!

ESW Podcast - Episode 50

This year Doctor Who celebrates 50 years, and this week the ESW crew celebrates 50 episodes! Mike, Mike, The Phantom Troublemaker, and the award-winning artist Mark Maddox review the seven-part classic Third Doctor story, while trying to avoid their doppelgangers – the Intern Faber, Adieu Gordon, The Phantom Organizer, and the Awardless Maddox. Hopefully the pattern can be changed before the crew reaches Penetration Zero.

Earth Station Who Episode 50: Inferno

To listen, click the link above or download this podcast from iTunes.

Check out the cool Doctor Who merchandise in our Amazon store!

If you would like to leave feedback or a comment on the show, feel free to contact us via the ESW feedback line at (404) 963-9057 (remember long distance charges may apply), our ESW Facebook group page, or email eswpodcast@gmail.com.

ESO Podcast - Episode 180

In 1917, an artist named Jacob Kurtzburg was born and for the next three quarters of a century, he popped and krackled his way to creating fantastic, bombastic, amazing, astonishing, strange, romantic, suspenseful, thrilling adventures unlike anyone had seen before. Mike, Mike, the award-winning author Bobby Nash and fellow award-winners Mark Maddox and James R. Tuck travel to the Fourth World and back to find the words to express Jack Kirby’s influence. We also find just a bit of time to fulfill James’ dark fantasy about being strapped to The Geek Seat. Plus, the usual Rants, Raves, Khan Report, and Shout Outs!

Earth Station One Episode 180: The King of Comics Jack Kirby

Table of Contents
0:00:00 Intro / Welcome
0:07:20 Rants & Raves
0:28:05 Interview & Geek Seat w/ Author James R. Tuck
0:44:34 Jack Kirby
1:40:14 The ESO Khan Report
1:44:43 ESO Shout Outs & Show Close

To listen, click the link above or download this podcast from iTunes.

This week's Shout Out goes out Gillian Anderson and the folks behind the British series, The Fall. It's hard to believe that this week is the twentieth anniversary of the premiere of The X-Files, but Gillian's performance as Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson proves that she's still as impressive as ever. The series is not yet being broadcast on US television, but you can see watch it on DVD or Netflix.

Next week, the ESO crew goes on a quest involving witch trials, black knights, upstart French soldiers, a castle full of virgins, and some shrubbery. Yes, it's Monty Python and The Holy Grail! Plus, we’ll seek out the usual assortment of Rants and Raves, Khan Report, The Geek Seat, Shout Outs, and so much more. It’s a special low-budget episode of Earth Station One.

ESO wants to hear from you! Drop us a line at www.esopodcast.com, the ESO Facebook Group, email us at esopodcast@gmail.com, or call us at 404-963-9057 with your comments. We just might air your comments on the show!

And don't forget to check out items in our Amazon estore!

ESO Dragon Con Special - Downton Abbey

The first of a series of special episodes of ESO! Recorded live on August 30th, 2013 at Dragon Con 2013, we are proud to bring you the very popular Downton Abbey panel in the British Media Track. Featuring Mike Faber, Jonathan Thomas, Carolyn Brown & Abeeda Mahboob.

Earth Station One Dragon Con Special: Downton Abbey

To listen, click the link above or download this podcast from iTunes.

ESO wants to hear from you! Drop us a line at www.esopodcast.com, the ESO Facebook Group, email us at esopodcast@gmail.com, or call us at 404-963-9057 with your comments. We just might air your comments on the show!

And don't forget to check out items in our Amazon estore!