Recently published in...

Comics Buyer's Guide #1657.

Where I review:

Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #1
Marvel Comics
$2.99, color, 32 pgs.
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Sean Chen
Grade: 3 Stars (out of 4)

Mostly setup for the next four installments, this issue takes place in the aftermath of such “events” as Civil War, Illuminati, and Secret Invasion, with Reed Richards blaming himself for all that has gone wrong in the world. To make things right, he has constructed a “bridge,” which lets him observe other earths in order to see how they have solved various problems. Adding to the drama is an attack on the Baxter Building by H.A.M.M.E.R. Agents, who are soldiers in the employ of the recently empowered Norman Osborn.

Jonathan Hickman, slated to follow Mark Millar on the ongoing Fantastic Four title, appears to “get” the family dynamic and personalities of the FF. Reed feels obligated to use his smarts to make the world a better place; Sue worries over Reed, but shows leadership skills of her own; Johnny feels lost without his little black book; and Ben acts gruffly, but is a good friend. Sean Chen provides semi-capable art—the sci-fi machinery is sleekly designed, but the characters, though recognizable, exhibit odd facial expressions.

Drive-In Movie Manor

While vacationing recently with my family, we saw some amazing sights (Pike's Peak, the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest, etc.), but one of the more esoteric things we did was visit the Best Western Movie Manor, in Monte Vista, Colorado.

The kids were dying to see Drag Me to Hell, but Mom preferred Night at the Museum 2, so guess who won out? If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

We stayed in the Charlton Heston room, which was cool since he's in some of my favorite films.

This was the view from our room (where you can see and hear the film being played), but we chose to watch the movie the old fashioned way: from our car.

The History of Kelloff's Movie Manor (click on the photo for a closer look).

Prior to the screening of the film, we had time to play on the sturdy steel playground, which was built in 1960.

ScrewAttack Game Convention

This weekend, I attended the ScrewAttack Game Convention, which was at a hotel near the DFW Airport. While there, I met some really cool people, had a few laughs, heard some interesting talks, and sold a bunch of books.

Atari founder and Pong mastermind Nolan Bushnell delivered the keynote speech (which was funny and informative), and he was kind enough to pose for this picture.

Nolan gets a visit from yuckmeister Keith Apicary.

Crazy Keith kept people in stitches the entire weekend.

Keith organized a you-had-to-be-there game of human Duck Hunt.

Sonic the Hedgehog keepin' it real.

The obligatory Rock Band jam session.

The only really big disappointment of the show was the dealer's room, which was very small. Only two vendors were actually selling video games. Others had miniatures, plush toys, sign-up forms, and such. (The show could have also used an auction, a swap meet, more consoles set up for play, more panels, and a larger arcade).


Political activist and former lawyer Jack Thompson was on hand to discuss violence in video games. He was a good sport, taking questions from the crowd and explaining his viewpoint with intelligence and, frequently, humor.


Thanks to the ScrewAttack staff for putting on a fun, funny, and even educational show.

Bela Lugosi's Tales from the Grave

I went to my beloved niece's wedding over the weekend, where I ran into comic book artist Kerry Gammill (he's been a friend of my sister's family for years), who's got a new project in the works: Bela Lugosi's Tales from the Grave, a horror anthology series slated for some time in 2010. It was fun talking movies and comics with Kerry, who I see from time to time at conventions and various family gatherings (birthdays, anniversaries, and whatnot).

Me, Kerry, and Kerry's lovely wife, Susan.

Recently published in...

Alter Ego #87, which contains my report on the 2007 Oklahoma Alliance of Fandom (OAF) reunion. I'm especially pleased with the publication of this article since the publisher of Alter Ego is Roy Thomas, legendary comic book editor/writer and one of my childhood heroes.

Classic Home Video Games, 1985-1988 Order Form

I received a pile of these order forms in the mail today, meaning Classic Home Video Games, 1985-1988 should be available any day now.

To preorder the book through Amazon, or to simply read more about it, click on the following link: Classic Home Video Games 1985-1988.

Recently published in...

Comics Buyer's Guide #1656.

Where I review:

Star Trek: Alien Spotlight: Tribbles
Writer: Stuart Moore
Artist: Mike Hawthorne
Grade: 3 Stars (out of four)

David Gerrold’s “The Trouble With Tribbles” is one of the most popular Star Trek episodes of all time, spawning an animated sequel (“More Troubles, More Tribbles”), a Deep Space Nine tribute episode (“Trials and Tribble-ations”), and now a comic-book sequel. Star Trek: Alien Spotlight: Tribbles is told, in part, from the Tribbles’ point of view, with the furry little critters calling the hated Klingons “Rufflefurs” and the beloved humans “Warmhands.”

The story is slight, especially considering the four-dollar price tag, but it uses the best aspects of The Troubles With Tribbles to fun effect, namely the rapid reproductive rate of the Tribbles and the Klingons’ ironically irrational fear of the Tribbles. The sketchy, cartoonish art is slight as well (if serviceable), but the human characters behave like what they are—a cargo delivery crew—not Starfleet officers. This adds a dash of verisimilitude to the funny, farcical, goings-on.

Don’t let cover B fool you: Captain Kirk doesn’t appear inside, though it’s hard to blame IDW for using the iconic shot of Shatner covered in Tribbles.