I'll Be Back in December 2008

I guess some of you might have noticed there are no updates for a while. My desktop PC has decided to go into retirement. It's been with me for I think 3-4 years, and before that not too sure how long with my brother. So I guess it was about time. It's been giving me so much problems trying to get it to start up, and from hanging up once I got into the system.

The good news is I just managed to purchase a new laptop (HP DV5 1036TX) from SITEX 2008 over the weekend (though my heart was itching to get the HDX-16 with full HD). The bad news is there is no stock, and I might have to wait for another 2 weeks.

So, keep buying friends, and I'll be back sometime in mid December 2008 !

DVD/CD Haul of the Day

Paprika code 3 DVD and Superwoman KTV CD from Music Junction.

Haul of the Day

Movie Masters The Dark Knight

Went down to Vivocity to visit a camera shop to redeem some freebies, but went there a bit too late, and they were closed. So decided to pop in the Toys R Us there, and surprised to find another Gotham City Thug with a mask that I do not have. And the cool thing is this is the mask the Joker wore at the Bank heist.
Previous haul.

Transformers Custom

Picked up another cool custom by FansProject, the people who gave us the TFX-01 City Commander. This is a gas/petrol can/container that can transform into a big gun, suitable for Bineltechs/Alternators. It was created for Optimus Prime SRT-10. The Matrix of Leadership fits nicely into the figure.

Macross

And finally haul the 1/60 Destroid Tomahawk back, and surprisingly in a smaller and compact packaging. Thanks to Yamato for being environment friendly by reducing the unnecessary large empty spaces in their previous packaging. I think all other Japanese companies should follow suit.

Comics Recently Borrowed - Transformers Spotlight KUP

I was visiting my sister and her kids, and Konrad, the eldest son showed me what he had borrowed recently from the library - a couple of Transformers Spotlight comics from IDW publishing - Ultra Magnus, Soundwave, Hot Rod, Kup, Sixshot and Nighbeat.

What caught my attention was the artwork on Kup - rough, sketchy and stylized - something that I liked. So I told him once he is finished with the book, to lend it to me and I will return for him. Now I will need to buy this comic.

He was the one who actually got me back to the library, and I am also glad I have made him a Transformer fan. I am still looking for a reasonably priced G1 Sixshot.

Comic Review - Flight Vol 4

After picking up the first volume of Flight, an anthology of independent comics, I have since picked up every single volume they have dished out. Reason is these short stories are a great read, something different from the current mainstream comics, and the artwork are also amazing. If you are looking for something different, Flight is the one for you.

Here are some samples from Vol 4, which I picked up from the local library. I have also included the short writeup of the artist from the book.

Cover

Flightcomics

The Window Makers - Kazu Kibuishi

Kazu Kibuishi is the editor and art director of Flight: Volume Four. He is laso the creator of Copper, Daisy Kutter and the upcoming graphic novel series Amulet. He lives and works in Alhambra, California, with his wife and fellow comic artist Amy Kim Ganter. [www.boltcity.com]

What I liked about this story is the message it is bringing to the audience, neatly summarised in the above word bubble.

Igloo Head and Tree Head - Scott Campbell

Scott Campbell, aka ScottC, is a regular contributer to Hickee comics and has appeared in a number of other comics anthologies over the years. Pyramid Car and Advanced Talk are sweet comics by ScottC. he does a comic every morning at work and puts it here: www.doublefine.com. At Double Fine he designs video games like Psychonauts. Other times, he paints. [www.scott-c.blogspot.com]

I like the style and the story.

Roomie-Pal ! - Graham Annable

Enjoying life with his wife in Portland, Oregon, Graham Annable is the creator behind the Grickle books and Stickleback, and editor and contributor of the Hickee anthology. [www.grickle.com]

This shows how simple stick figures and facial expressions can convey expressions and mood.

Tripod - Bannister and Joel Carroll

Bannister was born in 1973 in France. He currently lives near the Alps with his lovely girlfriend and no pets. His new story, Les Enfants d'Ailleurs, was published in January 2007 (Dupuis Publishing). He has collaborated on many projects both in Europe and overseas. [www.bannister.fr]

I like the artwork, and it feels quite dynamic.

The Storm - Pascal Campion

Pascal Campion comes from the south of France where he spent a good deal of his time riding his bike around. After going to art school in the northern part of France, he decided one day to try the United States to see what it would be like. He never went back. He now lives in beautiful San Francisco with his lovely wife and their dog, where he still enjoys riding his bike up and down the hills, and enjoys all the Indian food he can find.

The artwork, colours and sequence brings the story to live, without the use of dialogue.

Bigwheels - Ovi Nedelcu

Ovi Nedelcu is the creator of Pigtale and currently works at Laika Studios. He balances working in print and animation. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wift and two kids. Ovi believes in three things: God, love and human stupidity. [www.ovinedelcu.com and www.pigtalecomic.com]

I had seen Ovi's artwork before, and I think his style is great - clean lines and stylized.

To Grandma's - Clio Chang

Clio Chang is from Vancouver, British Columbia, where she is currently a working stiff in the animation industry on such shows as Pucca and Ricky Sprocket. She enjoys free time, green tea, and cooking. Occasionally she posts scribblings at www.cliochiang.com.

I do not quite understand the story, but her style is used very much in current animation. Nice facial expressions and poses.

Cortina - Fabio Moon

Fabio Moon is the author, with his twin brother, of Ursula and De:TALES, and he makes comics and tells stories all day long. He also loves to dance. He reads less than he wants to and writes less than he should. [www.10paezinhos.com.br]

A simple story, with great art.

Twenty-four Hours - Andrea Offermann

After two terrifying years at med school, Andrea Offermann found refuge at an art school and started by learning how to sharpen a pencil. Five years later she prefers pen and ink but is till in love with art of any kind. [www.andreaoffermann.com]

I chose this panel to show the line work and perspective.

The Perfect Spot - Phi Craven

Phil Craven is from Georgia. He lives in California. He draws storyboards at DreaWorks animation. He eats cereal and draws some more comics.

Simple lines, yet it conveys so much.

Upcoming TakaraTomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-8 Grimlock Update

Looks like Grimlock will come with a crown, a brain wave transfer device from the G1 season 3 cartoon episode "Grimlock's New Brain", a waiter's mode from the G1 season 3 episode "Mad Man's Paradise", a light up sword, and articulated dino-mode front limbs and a little articulated tail as well.

Previous updates.

Comics Recently Borrowed

It's been quite some time since I last visited the library. Today I ran some errands near the Woodlands library and decided to pop in.

• 52 The Covers - a collection of all 52 series covers, including collections, unused covers. Each cover's conceptualization is briefly explained, with preliminary sketches on one page, and the final cover on the other.
• Essential Amazing Spider-man Vol 2 - I could not find volume 1, so just start with volume 2.
• Flight Volume 4 - collection of the finest independent artworks from various artists. Do check out the other volumes. The latest as of this posting is Volume 5.

Photo Review - Re-ment Puchi Airlines

Package

Ignore the design chair on the right. I am reusing the haul picture because I am simply too lazy to take another picture.


A total of 8 meals.

Contents

And I got the Korean meal.

Demo with 1/6th Figures

Once again, Keroro-chan will show us how the miniatures fit with 1/6th figures.

Photo Review - 1/6th Design Chair

Got this from Comics Connection. It is made in China, and costs only S$2.50. I am not sure if the cashier punched in the correct code, as he was checking with other stores. I thought it might ring up something around S$10.
I picked this up because I need to compete with shaun, who bought a folding chair.

Package

Ignore the Re-ment on the left.

Contents

The legs are made of stainless steel, and comes with plastic/rubber covers at each end.

Chair Shots








Demo with 1/6 figure

Keroro-chan will demo how the chair fits with 1/6th figures.



Parting Shot

In response to Folding Chair in Action.

Haul of the Day

Transformers Universe

Picked up Classic Ironhide after checking with shaun if it will be released in later waves. Turns out it will not be, so better get them while you can (besides the Henkei version).

Star Wars Chubby

So cute. Got the Leia, Trooper and Ewok version.

Re-ment and misc

Picked up a randow Re-ment Airline Food and 1/6th designer chair.

Haul of the Day - Mattel Movie Masters TDK Thug

While hunting high and low for the latest Spider-man figures, I came across these 2 Movie Master Gotham City Thug from The Dark Knight movie. Even though I did not find what I was really looking for, I still managed to find something else I was looking for.

The figures are the same, and the only difference is the mask. There are actually 5 versions, and I only managed to find 2 on the shelves.

(Picture from Fwoosh)

Guess I will never find the rest, as these were only available in the first waves if I am not mistaken. They must have been some old stock left behind some storeroom.
Also did not see the Fear Toxin Batman and Unmask Batman chase figures as well.

Anyway, the only minus point about these figures are they do not come with any accessories.

Haul of the Day

Sky Girls



With this third piece Rai-Jin, I hope this Sonic Diver collection is completed. So far, no other news of future releases. See Rei-Jin and Fu-Jin.

Konami Busou Shinki


MMS Werkstra and Valona. These are the first in a new light armour series.

Comic ArtBook Haul of the Day

Stuff I got during the Kinokuniya 20% discount storewide on Deepavali holiday, opened to the public.

• Japanese comic artbook
• Spectrum 15: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art
• Transformers: The Ark Vol 2 featuring Japanese Transformer designs
• World War Robot by Ashely Wood

I also wanted to pick up Roger Dean's Dragon's Dreams artbook, but was not sure of its contents. After searching through the web, now I will have to wait till the next discount period, possibly in late Dec 08.

Haul of the Day - Toyman

After checking the internet for reviews of Toyman from Alex Ross's Justice, I eventually got the figure from GnB after an initial hesitation on the articulation. This has to be the most articulated figure from DC.

Haul of the Day - Custom SIC/RAH Heads

Let there be light !

Thanks to the tip off from marcus, managed to get some cool custom light-up SIC and a Medicom 1/6 RAH heads for a fraction of the original retail cost. Also bought the loose G4 body (without the head) from SIC vol 39.