ALIENS: Colonial Marines

Arriving February 12, 2013

You and your friends are the deadliest 
killers in the galaxy. 

Another glorious day in the Corps.

• Buckle up, soldier! Welcome to Aliens™: Colonial Marines. Created by Gearbox, the critically acclaimed and fan-favourite developers of Borderlands and Brothers In Arms, you and your friends will become the most badass military outfit in the galaxy – the US Colonial Marines. It’s up to you to not just survive, but wipe out the Xeno infestation.
• Enlist in the Marine Corps.
  Bringing you a true sequel to the classic Aliens film, get tooled up with classic Marine weapons including pulse rifles, motion trackers and flamethrowers.
• The most authentic Aliens experience ever.
  Using authentic environments inspired by the film series including Hadley’s Hope, the Sulaco and LV-426, you will be immersed in an eerie, atmospheric world where any moment could bring your death.
• Drop-in/Drop-out co-operative gameplay.
  The masters of co-op bring their expertise to the Aliens universe. Xenos getting too tough? Call up your buddies so they can drop in with extra firepower. The whole campaign can be played with a squad of up to four players, dropping in and out as necessary through self-contained missions within an over-arching narrative.
• Loadouts and upgrades.
  Create your perfect killing machine. An extensive upgrade system allows players to customise their characters to play the way they want. Earn experience to get perks, new weapons and new looks for your squad.
• Pre-Purchase on Steam and receive S.H.A.R.P. Stick! As referenced by Hudson in Aliens™, the prototype sonic-harpoon artillery remote projectile (S.H.A.R.P.) rifle fires time-delayed, explosive-tipped darts that embed themselves into enemies or terrain.

Shot of B12

Steve and his friends join a boy band and make an infectious music video. 

WTF, B8 is a girl!?

Heads-Up Display - Animated Short

The fastest base stealer in the league squares off against a high-tech catcher. The classic showdown between catcher and base-stealer is given a sci-fi twist in this all CG short created exclusively for The New York Mets.

The SFX Wizards of the Avengers Movie

Showcasing the Magic Behind the Movie
 

To build buzz for their nomination, Avengers effects crew Industrial Light and Magic has put together an epic video showing how they made all those insane scenes come together.

Here's ILM's intro for the clip:

"We are proud to present this video which showcases some of ILM's Oscar nominated effects work for the 2012 hit film, "Marvel's The Avengers". This reel represents a small fraction of the work created by over 200 ILM artists, scientists, and engineers backed up by a world class production team. The stop motion animations which open and close the reel were done the old fashioned way - by hand, one frame at a time. They were crafted by ILM's stop motion guru, Erik Dillinger specifically for this reel."

Check it out below and see the magic of the SFX Wizards:

ABC's of Marvel

Marveletica

• Illustrator Benjamin Thomas Johnson created this fun Marvel typface that he calls "Marveletica," which is a mix of Marvel and Helvetica. He gives us the ABC's of Marvel characters!

A - Apocolypse
B - Beast
C - Captain America
D - Doctor Octopus
E - Electra
F - Firelord
G - Gambit
H - Hulk
I - Ironman
J - Juggernaut
K - Killer Shrike
L - Loki
M - Magneto
N - Nightcrawler
O - Oracle
P - Punisher
Q - Quicksilver
R - Rogue
S - Spider-man
T - Thor
U - Union Jack
V - Venom
W - Wolverine
X - Professor Charles Xavier
Y - Yellowjacket
Z - Zues

Heroes Turn Heroines

3 gender-bending fan-made Avengers pics

• Artist JoshWMC decided to create Photoshop versions of some popular actresses cast as the Marvel superheroes we all know and love. So we have Sandra Bullock as "Iron Maiden," Alison Brie as "Miss America" and Amber Heard as "Thora." The Photoshop job looks very nice! 

Check them out.

Harley Quinn's Puddin' Pie

"Wanna try some of my pie?"

 

R'ha - Short Film by Kaleb Lechowski

22-year old German director, Kaleb Lechowski, has created a science-fiction based short film, R'ha that has grabbed the attention of Hollywood. Kaleb Lechowski didn't have the funding to create his short using the typical process, so over a seven month period Kaleb directed, wrote, and animated the short "R'ha" that features two alien worlds at war with each other.

Another - [Chuunibyou Opening Parody]

This is a Fan-made video for the Opening of the horror anime Another using the light-hearted music from the comedy/romance anime Chuunibyou demo koi ga Shitai (or Chuu-2 for short). 

Chuu-2's protagonist Takanashi Rikka is a delusional high school girl who likes to dress up as the spooky, reclusive Mei Misaki, one of the main characters of Another, utilizing the same type of eye-patch from the show. Rikka is so deep into her own surreal persona that she actually believes herself to be some sort of sorceress "cursed" with a Wicked Eye that must be covered at all times. This is not for cosplay. Rikka believes it to be real, much to the chagrin of the few friends she has, as they try to keep her out of trouble and grounded in reality.

MEETING DATE CHANGE!

January 12 Meeting POSTPONED
until 
JANUARY 26, 2013

Due to conflicting events happening this weekend, 
January 12, at the Wood Dale Public Library, our club
 meeting for this month is being pushed back to
January 26.

Our deepest apologies for this inconvenience and sudden
 change in schedule. We hope you understand and continue
to support our club. 

To reinterate, there will be no meeting this weekend, 
January 12. We have rescheduled this month's meeting to
January 26.

Also note that future club meetings will be on every
fourth Saturday of each month.

Wood Dale Public Library

520 N. Wood Dale Road

Wood Dale, IL  60191

Large Meeting Room

Saturday, January 26, 2013

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Map
Public Transit Options

Our next club meeting will be at the Wood Dale Public Library, Large Meeting Room (on your right as you enter the front doors), on January 26, 2013, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (when the library closes).

There is public transportation available. 
A Metra train-stop is located within walking distance. 

Please note: If you are driving, please park your car on the south side of the building (not the front) in order to make room for other library patrons.

 

Hope to see you all there!

(Click on the pics below to enlarge) 

Building Map

 

Regional Map

Local Map

Disney/Star Wars Corporate Retreat

Now that they're all under the House the Mouse, this retreat can help bring these characters together as one big happy family... or not. Watch the Video.

Next Official Club Meeting is January 26, 2013

First Meeting of the New Year!

Watch closely or you'll miss it!
Wood Dale Public Library

520 N. Wood Dale Road

Wood Dale, IL  60191

Large Meeting Room

Saturday, January 26, 2013

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Map
Public Transit Options

Our next club meeting will be at the Wood Dale Public Library, Large Meeting Room (on your right as you enter the front doors), on January 26, 2013, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (when the library closes).

There is public transportation available. 
A Metra train-stop is located within walking distance. 

Please note: If you are driving, please park your car on the south side of the building (not the front) in order to make room for other library patrons.

 

A Viewing Schedule will be posted soon.

 

Hope to see you all there!

(Click on the pics below to enlarge) 

Building Map

 

Regional Map

Local Map

Upcoming Collectibles for 2013

[Source: AICN Toys] Here's a look at a few action figures to be released this year. Click on the links to pre-order.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation Snake Eyes

He may not have much to say, but this faceless ninja will slice his way through evil if the situation calls for it. Now, you can take home this 1/6 scale version of Snake Eyes from the next G.I. Joe film. He sports his “military ninja” bodysuit from the movie, multiple points of articulation, swappable hands, two katanas, two knives, a pistol, a submachine gun and a display base. He’ll swing into action in May or you can pre-order him here. Hot Toys is also promising to make 1/6 scale figures of Joe Colton, Roadblock and Storm Shadow in 2013.

Jedi Master Yoda from Sideshow Collectibles

Most 1/6 scale action figures stand around 12-inches tall. This one is a bit shorter. The creature who taught Luke Skywalker how to be a Jedi knight will soon get a deluxe action figure from the fine folks at Sideshow Collectibles. He’ll come with two heads, a cloth costume, a lightsaber, a cane, swappable hands and feet, a jedi bar stool and comfy space age Laz-Y-Boy chair. If you purchase him directly from Sideshow, they’ll throw in an exclusive holocron cube. He’ll release in June or you can pre-order him here.

Play Arts Kai Joker and Catwoman from Square Enix

In this corner, we have the clown prince of mayhem. In the other corner, Gotham's most infamous cat burglar. FIGHT! Square Enix brings Heath Ledger from The Dark Knight and Anne Hathaway from The Dark Knight Rises into its Play Arts Kai line of action figures with two new releases. The Joker features an alternate set of hands, two heads, a switchblade and playing cards. Catwoman comes with a handgun, an interchangeable hairpiece, alternate hands and a swappable head. These will release in June or you can pre-order Selina Kyle here and The Joker here.

Quarter-Scale Predator 2 Series 2

After the success of the Classic Predator and Predator 2 1/4 scale figures, NECA plans to produce a new Unmasked City Hunter and the Guardian Predator from Predator 2. Each figure stands over 20-inches tall and features more than 25 points of articulation, cloth fabric netting, interchangeable hands and throwing discs. The Unmasked City Hunter comes armed with a collapsed spear while the Guardian Predator sports a telescoping extending spear. Each is strictly limited to a run of 5,000 pieces. Look for these two later this month or you can pre-order them here.

S.H.MonsterArts King Kong from Bluefin Tamashii Nations

Up to this point, the S.H.MonsterArts series from Bluefin Tamashii Nations has mostly focused on Toho kaiju creatures. Soon the lord of Skull Island will get the deluxe action figure treatment complete with multiple points of articulation, a ton of poseability and three interchangeable faces. Bluefin based their designs off the 2005 Peter Jackson film and the model work of WETA’s Richard Taylor. This collectible will release in April. For more info, check out the toy company’s blog here.

Behind the Mask: Rise of Leslie Vernon from DeConte Figures & Collectibles

If you are a fan of both action figures and Behind the Mask, you are in luck. DeConte Figures & Collectibles has teamed up with Glen Echo Entertainment to produce a new 7-inch Leslie Vernon action figure. This serial killer features interchangeable hands, a scythe, and multiple points of articulation. He’s available for purchase here. Also you can pick up a limited edition version of the toy with a card insert signed by Director Scott Glosserman, Actor Nathan Baesel & Sculptor Neal DeConte sealed into the clamshell packaging. That will run you $80 and is limited to 100 pieces. A percentage of all sales will go back to Glen Echo Entertainment to help fund the second Behind the Mask movie.

Doc Savage from Go Hero

Go Hero specializes in resurrecting pulp heroes from our past and their upcoming 1/6 scale release is no exception. Doc Savage hit his peak in the 30′s and 40′s with a magazine series that chronicled his adventures as a physician, surgeon, scientist, adventurer, inventor, explorer, researcher, and a musician. These pics are of a work-in-progress figure, so the final product may have a few changes. The toy will feature two different head sculpts and two alternate guns. Look for more details about this adventurer soon.

Star Trek: Into Darkness

11 New Pics Revealed

Fan-made Trailer for Robotech Valkyrie Project

Fan Film based on the Robotech Macross saga. This is a work in progress.

Zetsuen no Tempest

Blast of Tempest is a Japanese manga series written by Kyō Shirodaira and illustrated by Arihide Sano and Ren Saizaki. An anime adaptation by Bones began airing on October 4, 2012. It has been licensed by Aniplex USA in North America and by Madman Entertainment in Australia. The story revolves around two high school boys: Mahiro Fuwa, a hot-headed juvenile delinquent and his level-headed friend Yoshino Takigawa. Mahiro's sister was mysteriously murdered one year before, but the killer is never found. Mahiro craves revenge, but doesn't know how to find the killer. By some act of fate or perhaps something more sinister, he finds a message in a bottle that washes up on shore. It has instructions on how to use the enclosed talisman to communicate with a girl who is marooned on an uncharted island. Her name is Hakaze Kusaribe, who arrogantly claims to be the greatest mage in the entire world and is the leader of the Kusaribe clan, a group of powerful magic-users, yet through trickery and deceit, she was left trapped by rebels in her group on an unknown deserted island that is surrounded by an invisible barrier that she cannot break. Mahiro agrees to help Hakaze find a way to escape while fighting the rebels who imprisoned her in exchange for her magical aid to find out the murderer of his sister. Upon learning of his friend's intentions, Yoshino joins him on his quest to stand against the Kusaribe clan who intends to awaken the "Tree of Exodus" whose power can bring ruin to the entire world. In fact, as the tree grows, it summons its "fruit," gigantic floating eyes that have been chained underground for thousands of years. Whenever a fruit emerges, butterflies arrive in droves, attracted by the supernatural aroma of the fruit. The butterflies are a sign of impending doom. And wherever the fruit appears, all flesh and blood creatures turn to metal, a disease called Black Iron Syndrome. Now that the boys are armed with magical talismans that Hakaze had hidden around Japan, they are immune to the effects of the fruit. But so are their enemies, the rebels of the Kusaribe clan. And if that weren't bad enough, the Japanese army knows all about the existence of magic-users and are not sitting this one out.

Keiji Nakazawa, “Barefoot Gen” Creator, dies at 73

"Barefoot Gen" manga documented his life in Hiroshima 
after the dropping of the atomic bomb in 1945

Keiji Nakazawa
(1939 - 2012)

 Spanning generations: Keiji Nakazawa, author of "Hadashi no Gen" ("Barefoot Gen"), takes in the 
view from Hiroshima's Aioibashi Bridge, where he played as a boy, in June 2008. KYODO
Keiji Nakazawa was born in Hiroshima and was in the city when it was destroyed by an atomic bomb in 1945. All of his family members who had not evacuated died as a result of the explosion after they became trapped under the debris of their house, except for his mother, as well as an infant sister who died several weeks afterward. In 1961, Nakazawa moved to Tokyo to become a full-time cartoonist, and produced short pieces for manga anthologies such as Shōnen Gaho, Shōnen King, and Bokura.

Following the death of his mother in 1966, Nakazawa returned to his memories of the destruction of Hiroshima and began to express them in his stories. Kuroi Ame ni Utarete (Struck by Black Rain), the first of a series of five books, was a fictional story of Hiroshima survivors involved in the postwar black market. Nakazawa chose to portray his own experience directly in the 1972 story Ore wa Mita, published in Monthly Shōnen Jump. The story was translated into English and published as a one-shot comic book by Educomics as I Saw It.

Immediately after completing I Saw It, Nakazawa began his major work, Hadashi no Gen (Barefoot Gen). This series, which eventually filled ten volumes, was based on the same events as I Saw It but fictionalized, with the young Gen as a stand-in for the author. Barefoot Gen depicted the bombing and its aftermath in graphic detail, with Gen's experiences being even more harrowing than Nakazawa's own. It also turned a critical eye on the militarization of Japanese society during World War II and on the sometimes abusive dynamics of the traditional family. Barefoot Gen was adapted into two animated films and a live action TV drama.

Nakazawa announced his retirement in September 2009, citing deteriorating diabetes and cataract conditions. He cancelled plans for a Barefoot Gen sequel. In September 2010, Nakazawa was diagnosed with lung cancer and in July 2011, metastasis from lung cancer was found. He died on December 19 2012.

 Mightier than the sword: An original scene for a picture book version of the comic 
series "Hadashi no Gen" ("Barefoot Gen") owned by the Hiroshima Peace 
Memorial Museum is shown in this illustration. HIROSHIMA CITY / KYODO

Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet

Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet is an upcoming Japanese anime television series produced by Production I.G and directed by Kazuya Murata, scheduled to premiere in April 2013. The story begins in the distant future in the far reaches of the galaxy. The Human Galactic Alliance has been constantly fighting for its survival against a grotesque race of beings. During an intense battle, the young lieutenant Red (played by Kaito Ishikawa) and his humanoid mobile weapon Chamber are swallowed up into a distortion of time and space. Waking from his artificially induced hybernation, Red realizes that he has arrived on Earth, the long forgotten planet. On this planet that was completely flooded by the seas, people live in fleets of giant ships, salvaging relics from the seas' depths in order to survive. Red arrives on one of the city fleets called Gargantia. With no knowledge of the planet's history or culture, he is forced to live alongside Amy (Hisako Kanemoto), a 15-year-old girl who serves as a messenger aboard the Gargantia fleet. To Red, who has lived a life where he knows nothing but fighting, these days of peace continue to surprise him.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

@-}- Best Wishes to All in 2013 -{-@