I'm pretty open-minded when it comes to Star Wars in its various forms. Cartoons for kids? Comic books? Made-up characters just to sell exclusive toys? All fine by me, especially then they tie in to the era of the movies. While I'm not crazy about the pre-history, it has its place-- I really did love the original Tales of the Jedi series and its many sequels. The Knights of the Old Republic comic was hugely entertaining with characters that felt ripped out of an RPG-- take that as praise or a slur as you will.
In particular, I like the comics. Generally speaking, good or bad, you can get something out of them. I've read most-- I hesitate to say all-- because I'm missing some issues of Ewoks, one issue of General Grievous, and a few promotional odds and ends due to poor promotion and not knowing they even existed. Even the various prequel Jedi comics, where all the characters have the same motivation and values, generally you'd have taken something away from it.
I know this comes off as whiny, but there are very few series I actively disliked. Vader's Quest was a dull story where one of the antagonists was a pilot who got wasted, so Luke borrowed his X-wing on the fateful day the Death Star was done blowed up. Jedi Academy: Leviathan was, to my knowledge, the only time I've ever fallen asleep reading a comic series. Jedi vs. Sith, which brought us Darth Bane, had pretty ugly art and was really dull. And today? Well, today it's Knight Errant.
I don't keep up on fan reaction to comics much, basically I just read it all and whatever I like, I like. I liked Legacy, I thought Tales was a wonderful series of diversions, and even though I never really got into the New Jedi Order books, the new Invasion comics are fun. Knight Errant is not. It's another "let's tell a story about Jedi thousands of years before the movies" thing except this time there's not much in it to make me care up front.
Tales of the Jedi benefited from a strong group of characters, plus the fact that the backstory for the entire series was given away in the back pages of Dark Empire. You knew where it was going, but it was a great ride. Knights of the Old Republic had a good sensibility which helped drive it along-- it felt like a video game script, but the designs and personalities of the characters made up for any shortcomings. Knight Errant has people fighting with lightsabers, I guess, sort of.
One complaint I don't make enough is that Dark Horse's many reboots tend to squeeze the Star Wars out of Star Wars. There were many times recently where the stories included essentially no movie characters, which, while not a deal-breaker, really does suck out the fun. As a kid, I was reading these for more tales of Luke, Han, C-3PO, and R2-D2. Now I've got some other "new" Jedi fighting some other Sith empire and blah blah blah. It's the same damn struggle with new characters, and it's just no fun after a while.
Granted, it's my fault for buying every issue. I'm buying those The Old Republic comics based on the MMO but they're slightly more engaging as of late. It's rare that I immediately don't give a crap about a series-- even if I hate it, I want to know where it'll go-- but I'm considering giving Knight Errant he heave-ho.
Panel after panel of fighting close-ups and clumsy exposition with several characters and I don't know who's who or why. Comics aren't cheap-- you get about 10 minutes of entertainment for $3-- so shouldn't I be having some fun? Can I get something with Young Yoda or old Lando or some other post-prequel story about the survivors of the Jedi Purge? Please? And don't say Dark Times, that's going nowhere and it's taking years to get there.
Showing posts with label Star Wars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Star Wars. Show all posts
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, October 19, 2009
I (think I) Miss Radio Dramas
Not that I was really around to enjoy them when they were finally dying, but I actually very much dig the Star Wars and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy radio shows. I'd like more stuff like this, even though I am not what you would call a typical sci-fi fan in the sense that I'm not really receptive to most space things unless toys are somehow involved. The TV HHG2G was something my dad taped when I was like three or four to show me when I was 10, so that kinda stuck. I listened to the Guide before bed last year and am going for a second run-through nowish.
The whole format is really nifty because, well, it's cheap. It's like someone made a cartoon without the drawings. I hear there's a lot of Doctor Who stuff like this out there but I can't say I honestly consider myself a big fan of the franchise. And sure, there's a lot of audiobooks, but it doesn't seem like there's a lot of stuff out there quite like these shows, produced after the late 1970s, that I've seen yet.
If you've never heard these, they're pretty great. The downside of the Star Wars ones is that it's an incredibly long series. Star Wars is a hair over 6 hours, Empire Strikes Back clocks in at 4:22, and Return of the Jedi is the short one at 3:12. Keep in mind, these are based on films which run about 2 hours... so there's a lot of expanded background goofiness here. I hear there's a Dark Empire one but I have yet to find it. Maybe I should do that.
This is going nowhere, other than me getting at "I like this sort of thing." I'm a little surprised NPR or the BBC or someone isn't doing more of this kind of thing for podcasts, just for kicks, but maybe it's too expensive given the audience is probably old-time radio fans and about twelve nerds. There's gotta be more of a market for this kind of stuff. On that note, are they doing the sixth Adams-free And Another Thing for radio? I hear they're reading it over the air but I mean like some fancy-pants production with more than three voices.
...not that I could tell you what I'd be particularly interested in hearing in this format. If I had more time I'd research to see if podcasters were dong anything like this of interest, but if by chance you've heard of something good do let me know. Otherwise it's back to the 1970s for my ears.
The whole format is really nifty because, well, it's cheap. It's like someone made a cartoon without the drawings. I hear there's a lot of Doctor Who stuff like this out there but I can't say I honestly consider myself a big fan of the franchise. And sure, there's a lot of audiobooks, but it doesn't seem like there's a lot of stuff out there quite like these shows, produced after the late 1970s, that I've seen yet.
If you've never heard these, they're pretty great. The downside of the Star Wars ones is that it's an incredibly long series. Star Wars is a hair over 6 hours, Empire Strikes Back clocks in at 4:22, and Return of the Jedi is the short one at 3:12. Keep in mind, these are based on films which run about 2 hours... so there's a lot of expanded background goofiness here. I hear there's a Dark Empire one but I have yet to find it. Maybe I should do that.
This is going nowhere, other than me getting at "I like this sort of thing." I'm a little surprised NPR or the BBC or someone isn't doing more of this kind of thing for podcasts, just for kicks, but maybe it's too expensive given the audience is probably old-time radio fans and about twelve nerds. There's gotta be more of a market for this kind of stuff. On that note, are they doing the sixth Adams-free And Another Thing for radio? I hear they're reading it over the air but I mean like some fancy-pants production with more than three voices.
...not that I could tell you what I'd be particularly interested in hearing in this format. If I had more time I'd research to see if podcasters were dong anything like this of interest, but if by chance you've heard of something good do let me know. Otherwise it's back to the 1970s for my ears.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Star Wars Comic Pack Figures Wave 4 Video
I really like this one. I'm using a Playmobil potted plant to act as "forest". At some point I need to actually try making something like this that isn't an ad.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Star Wars Ecliptic Evader TIE Fighter
The latest video I made for work. Oh, those rascally giants, always knocking things over...
Monday, September 22, 2008
Games and Games and Games
As a kid I spent nearly every free minute with a controller in my hand if I could help it. I got to revisit this part of my life last week with a slog through Star Wars: the Force Unleashed on the Xbox 360. Overall, I'd say the experience was a good one but I did get annoyed at a few spots. The game wasn't sufficiently debugged and some of the difficulty feels quite uneven, but still, I can't deny that I enjoyed the experience as a complete package.
After that, I pulled out (and am close to finishing) Mega Man 1 and 2. (Just need to do the Dr. Wily stages in both.) I'm pretty excited that Mega Man 9 is coming this week, but it's only for the Wii and PlayStation 3. Since the Xbox 360 version is next week, I'm going to wait-- not because I dislike the Wii (and don't own a PS3), but because as a fiend for achievements, well, I at least want a shot at them. Even if they are seemingly impossible. (Seriously read the list, tell me if you think you can get 40% of those.) It should be fun, though, and I'm really hoping that it's an excellent game that sells well. Anything to encourage more game development that might result in software that seems like it fell out of a time warp from an alternate 1991.
Anyway, this week is going to be a big catch-up week since Saturday was mostly spent playing video games for the first time in a while. Oh well. I will say, though, that it certainly beats working.
After that, I pulled out (and am close to finishing) Mega Man 1 and 2. (Just need to do the Dr. Wily stages in both.) I'm pretty excited that Mega Man 9 is coming this week, but it's only for the Wii and PlayStation 3. Since the Xbox 360 version is next week, I'm going to wait-- not because I dislike the Wii (and don't own a PS3), but because as a fiend for achievements, well, I at least want a shot at them. Even if they are seemingly impossible. (Seriously read the list, tell me if you think you can get 40% of those.) It should be fun, though, and I'm really hoping that it's an excellent game that sells well. Anything to encourage more game development that might result in software that seems like it fell out of a time warp from an alternate 1991.
Anyway, this week is going to be a big catch-up week since Saturday was mostly spent playing video games for the first time in a while. Oh well. I will say, though, that it certainly beats working.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Birthday Stuff
It was my birthday today. We went to a bunch of toy stores and basically didn't find much, although we did discover a posthumous comedy album from Mitch Hedberg called Do You Believe in Gosh? from Comedy Central records. Apparently this was recorded in 2005, two months before he died. If they're releasing a live set not meant to be made into an album for one of the greatest comedians that never really managed to be all he could, it can only mean one thing. They're making a ton of money from those other two albums. (Also, it's probably very funny, I haven't listened to it yet.)
Also, the Ontario LEGO store has the classic LEGO figure 5-pack-- you know, with the old-timey red astronaut, a classic fire fighter, and some other figures. At $19.99 for 5 figures, I passed. I thought it was going to be $10, and it wasn't. Thankfully there was a Fazoli's nearby so at least dinner would be about as exotic as one might hope.
I also didn't notice Rock Band 2 at any of the many places I went. I did see the massive Viva Pinata Trouble in Paradise strategy guide, and a lot of presell tags for this week's Star Wars: The Force Unleashed release. Which I still look forward to, despite an almost certainty that it's going to be (at best) average.
We also hit up this one area to check out a used book store (which we opted not to peruse) and a little CD shop (which was closed) in front of a giant dirt pit. I think it was in Pamona. Pamona sucks.
Am now working on the various blogs and pages for the Monday readership. I'd rather be playing Dig Dug some more.
Also, the Ontario LEGO store has the classic LEGO figure 5-pack-- you know, with the old-timey red astronaut, a classic fire fighter, and some other figures. At $19.99 for 5 figures, I passed. I thought it was going to be $10, and it wasn't. Thankfully there was a Fazoli's nearby so at least dinner would be about as exotic as one might hope.
I also didn't notice Rock Band 2 at any of the many places I went. I did see the massive Viva Pinata Trouble in Paradise strategy guide, and a lot of presell tags for this week's Star Wars: The Force Unleashed release. Which I still look forward to, despite an almost certainty that it's going to be (at best) average.
We also hit up this one area to check out a used book store (which we opted not to peruse) and a little CD shop (which was closed) in front of a giant dirt pit. I think it was in Pamona. Pamona sucks.
Am now working on the various blogs and pages for the Monday readership. I'd rather be playing Dig Dug some more.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Galactic Heroes: A Movie (as opposed to The Movie)
Next to the main action figure line, my favorite thing about the modern Star Wars endless ocean of toys is the Galactic Heroes line. If you don't collect it, allow me to give you a brief history.
1999-2001: Hasbro comes up with idea, unpainted prototypes leak to eBay. Company is hesitant to release any. A line of kiddie-friendly Jurassic Park Jr. toys is selling seemingly well, but they're a little bit smaller.
2002: First batch of "Playskool" Star Wars toys are released. 6 products in all, each include a vehicle or creature and an array of mini figures. Prices are awesome-- $6 got you 2 figures and 2 vehicles, $15 got you 3-4 figures and a big vehicle, and $30 got you the Falcon with 4 figures. The line ended before 2003 was up, but product was (un)sold through at least 2004.
2004: Line returns as a series of 2-packs and some repackaged vehicles, this time called "Galactic Heroes." The vehicles are basically dropped by the end of 2005 until reissues start in late 2007.
2008: Vehicles galore, a Slave Leia, Grand Moff Tarkin, and other bizarre choices make Galactic Heroes one of the most consistently interesting toy lines. I shot some of the vehicles-- the X-wing and the Darth Vader's TIE Fighter-- in the video below.
If you're a fan, Hasbro expanded the line to include Toy Box Heroes (Toy Story, 2008), Robot Heroes (Transformers, 2007-present), Combat Heroes (G.I. Joe, 2008), Superhero Squad (Marvel properties, 2006-present), and there will probably be more.
The most fascinating thing about the line to me is that from 2002-2008, the line has had a basically uniform look, however it appears the facial sculpting is going to start changing as Hasbro releases figures from The Clone Wars this Fall. Well, it was fun while it lasted, now it's going to look different. Still, it's a fantastic line.
1999-2001: Hasbro comes up with idea, unpainted prototypes leak to eBay. Company is hesitant to release any. A line of kiddie-friendly Jurassic Park Jr. toys is selling seemingly well, but they're a little bit smaller.
2002: First batch of "Playskool" Star Wars toys are released. 6 products in all, each include a vehicle or creature and an array of mini figures. Prices are awesome-- $6 got you 2 figures and 2 vehicles, $15 got you 3-4 figures and a big vehicle, and $30 got you the Falcon with 4 figures. The line ended before 2003 was up, but product was (un)sold through at least 2004.
2004: Line returns as a series of 2-packs and some repackaged vehicles, this time called "Galactic Heroes." The vehicles are basically dropped by the end of 2005 until reissues start in late 2007.
2008: Vehicles galore, a Slave Leia, Grand Moff Tarkin, and other bizarre choices make Galactic Heroes one of the most consistently interesting toy lines. I shot some of the vehicles-- the X-wing and the Darth Vader's TIE Fighter-- in the video below.
If you're a fan, Hasbro expanded the line to include Toy Box Heroes (Toy Story, 2008), Robot Heroes (Transformers, 2007-present), Combat Heroes (G.I. Joe, 2008), Superhero Squad (Marvel properties, 2006-present), and there will probably be more.
The most fascinating thing about the line to me is that from 2002-2008, the line has had a basically uniform look, however it appears the facial sculpting is going to start changing as Hasbro releases figures from The Clone Wars this Fall. Well, it was fun while it lasted, now it's going to look different. Still, it's a fantastic line.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Droids and stuff
This guy "Shadowboro" has posted a few hundred (or thousand) videos to YouTube. Like every episode of Captain Planet, Droids, Ewoks, Scooby's Laff-A-Lympics, and all kinds of old television shows in varying quality.
I'm mostly interested in the old Droids cartoon, mainly because the uncut originals have never been released on DVD and unless you had cable, these have gone unseen since 1986.
For those of you not lucky enough to have been 5 or 6 when these aired, this is the first part of the first episode. The series was divided into three arcs, each of which have unique villains and heroes with the two droids R2-D2 and C-3PO as the only unifying elements. I'm getting through these as quickly as possible in case someone sends YouTube a cease-and-desist-- after all, this is copyrighted stuff on here.
While it's more a Star Wars-y blog post, I put it here because for me this was a really big influence on, well, everything. I got up early every week to watch this show. I taped several episodes. The characters from the first arc are on my short list of most-desired figure updates in Hasbro's action figure line. I know it's a goofy little show, but it's an rare first non-Ewok glimpse into the worlds of Star Wars outside the film during the rise of the Empire.
I haven't seen most of these for at least 20 years. As such, I've got a little distance between me and them, but I have to say I'm actually really enjoying them all. The animation is pretty great, and if you compare the show to the Snorks or other 1980s programs, I think it looks pretty amazing. While R2-D2 and C-3PO may not float your boat, I can say I haven't been quite as giddy as I have been in ages-- it's a real treat to see these again. The reason I'm telling you this, whomever you may be, is that there's a whole galaxy of stuff out there that, for some reason or another, is still available for the viewing.
It really is amazing to see what has aged well and what hasn't. (For example, season 2 of Transformers? Not so great.) Dare you see how well your favorite cartoons have aged?
I'm mostly interested in the old Droids cartoon, mainly because the uncut originals have never been released on DVD and unless you had cable, these have gone unseen since 1986.
For those of you not lucky enough to have been 5 or 6 when these aired, this is the first part of the first episode. The series was divided into three arcs, each of which have unique villains and heroes with the two droids R2-D2 and C-3PO as the only unifying elements. I'm getting through these as quickly as possible in case someone sends YouTube a cease-and-desist-- after all, this is copyrighted stuff on here.
While it's more a Star Wars-y blog post, I put it here because for me this was a really big influence on, well, everything. I got up early every week to watch this show. I taped several episodes. The characters from the first arc are on my short list of most-desired figure updates in Hasbro's action figure line. I know it's a goofy little show, but it's an rare first non-Ewok glimpse into the worlds of Star Wars outside the film during the rise of the Empire.
I haven't seen most of these for at least 20 years. As such, I've got a little distance between me and them, but I have to say I'm actually really enjoying them all. The animation is pretty great, and if you compare the show to the Snorks or other 1980s programs, I think it looks pretty amazing. While R2-D2 and C-3PO may not float your boat, I can say I haven't been quite as giddy as I have been in ages-- it's a real treat to see these again. The reason I'm telling you this, whomever you may be, is that there's a whole galaxy of stuff out there that, for some reason or another, is still available for the viewing.
It really is amazing to see what has aged well and what hasn't. (For example, season 2 of Transformers? Not so great.) Dare you see how well your favorite cartoons have aged?
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Star Wars AT-TE Video
Today's day job video was the AT-TE from The Clone Wars. I got a bunch of pics and will probably do a writeup if/when I finally edit them down. Here's the video.
I especially like the masterful explosion effect near the end.
I especially like the masterful explosion effect near the end.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Better late than never: Comic-Con 2008
As the show was a whirlwind of insanity, I did not get to update the blogs as I went. But I did a little twittering with some big announcements and other goodies.
Everything I shot at the show (and can show you) is now available here. 674 photos, mostly toys, lots of booths, and the Sci-Fi era MST3K guys.
The show was... it was a lot. Hasbro showed dozens of new Star Wars toys, including a toy featuring the Pit of Carkoon. Mattel showed off its first new He-Man figures. And yes, we at Entertainment Earth got to reveal a number of things like our new Gentle Giant and Hasbro exclusives, which was fun. And I'm not just saying that because the new Joker Squad sets received actual, significant applause at the panel either. Nosiree.
But yeah, I'll post more news to the other blogs as time and energy permits.
Everything I shot at the show (and can show you) is now available here. 674 photos, mostly toys, lots of booths, and the Sci-Fi era MST3K guys.
The show was... it was a lot. Hasbro showed dozens of new Star Wars toys, including a toy featuring the Pit of Carkoon. Mattel showed off its first new He-Man figures. And yes, we at Entertainment Earth got to reveal a number of things like our new Gentle Giant and Hasbro exclusives, which was fun. And I'm not just saying that because the new Joker Squad sets received actual, significant applause at the panel either. Nosiree.
But yeah, I'll post more news to the other blogs as time and energy permits.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Droid Factory
I just posted a big post with lots of junk in it regarding the new Droid Factory stuff from Wal-Mart. I've got shots of the PDQ display, the built C-3PX figure, and all that jazz. Check it out.
I was not able to find the new comic packs, sadly, so the hunt continues for those. And I saw a ton of unsold Lugnuts-- like, dozens-- meaning that Grimlock (which ships in the same proportions) is insanely popular.
I was not able to find the new comic packs, sadly, so the hunt continues for those. And I saw a ton of unsold Lugnuts-- like, dozens-- meaning that Grimlock (which ships in the same proportions) is insanely popular.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Robots & Invaders from Space
Yesterday (earlier Today) was an exciting day! Diamond/Previews announced three new exclusives, including new Mighty Muggs, a new Star Wars: Empire themed TIE Fighter, and a Funko Commander Gree Bobble Head. I posted about some of it here.
I also shot up more impressions of Cybertron Mode Optimus Prime, complete with pictures. The short version: it's great. The long version: it's really great, and there are 23 photos of it for you to check out if you like such things.This week's downloadable Wii and Xbox 360 games weren't thrilling, but I'll complain about those later when I post the next 16bit.com update. Oh, Space Invaders Extreme for Nintendo DS comes out today. I'm very much looking forward to trying that.
Oh yeah, and the new Transformers Animated DVD with the pilot comes out today. I hear the Target bonus disc should be interesting.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Sunday Night Slog
Oh, the fun of Sunday nights! I'm getting all my sites in order, so you may notice things like a personal Twitter on this very blog (NEW), and updates to 16bit.com and Galactic Hunter. Q&A is shorter this week because the one question everybody wants to know-- "What Star Wars stuff will be out July 26?"-- has no answer.
A number of new photos were shot and are being edited-- and more still need to be edited to keep on top of everything. There are a lot of toy pictures to deal with.
A number of new photos were shot and are being edited-- and more still need to be edited to keep on top of everything. There are a lot of toy pictures to deal with.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Just got back...
...from the road trip, which involved a great many toy stores. Like dozens. If you can name a better way to spend your prime years, I'd love to hear it. I managed to score a few goodies (which you may see if you read the various blogs) including the newly released Star Wars Force Unleashed Battle Rancor, the slick Indiana Jones Cargo Truck, and some other goodies.
It's worth noting Indiana Jones stuff-- like nearly everything-- is on sale at Target stores this week. If you've been holding off on the vehicles or Adventure Heroes or any of the products that aren't painted badly, now may be a good time to buy.
It's worth noting Indiana Jones stuff-- like nearly everything-- is on sale at Target stores this week. If you've been holding off on the vehicles or Adventure Heroes or any of the products that aren't painted badly, now may be a good time to buy.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Star Wars FX Lightsaber Construction Set
As part of my day job, I do some wacky low-budget videos. Here's another one.
It's for the Master Replicas (who no longer has the Star Wars license, by the way) Star Wars Force FX Lightsaber Construction Set I just got. Well, I, we, whatever. I have one, and it's in the video. It's a lot like the regular FX Lightsabers, although the light-up sequence is slightly different, the handle is customizable and made of metal and plastic bits, and you can switch up the colors.
The item was originally sold at Radio Shacks, but in my neck of the woods they're long gone. And rightly so, this is a really fun big item. It's not quite as heavy as the regular versions, and it does lack the ice-cold all-metal feel of the other releases, but it's a fair trade-off for the blade's color changing abilities. That alone makes this far more entertaining than it should be. If I had the means, I'd buy one of these for pretty much everybody I know. It's just a weird fun item to own.
Hasbro recently confirmed they would be reintroducing some of the FX lightsabers later this year, but did not give any information on if this would be one of the ones remade. It's a fine item, and it makes Hasbro's customizable lightsaber a whole lot less exciting-- the big H will have a new one out this July with parts of various Clone Wars and Force Unleashed characters' weapons.
It's for the Master Replicas (who no longer has the Star Wars license, by the way) Star Wars Force FX Lightsaber Construction Set I just got. Well, I, we, whatever. I have one, and it's in the video. It's a lot like the regular FX Lightsabers, although the light-up sequence is slightly different, the handle is customizable and made of metal and plastic bits, and you can switch up the colors.
The item was originally sold at Radio Shacks, but in my neck of the woods they're long gone. And rightly so, this is a really fun big item. It's not quite as heavy as the regular versions, and it does lack the ice-cold all-metal feel of the other releases, but it's a fair trade-off for the blade's color changing abilities. That alone makes this far more entertaining than it should be. If I had the means, I'd buy one of these for pretty much everybody I know. It's just a weird fun item to own.
Hasbro recently confirmed they would be reintroducing some of the FX lightsabers later this year, but did not give any information on if this would be one of the ones remade. It's a fine item, and it makes Hasbro's customizable lightsaber a whole lot less exciting-- the big H will have a new one out this July with parts of various Clone Wars and Force Unleashed characters' weapons.
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