Cross-stitch and Craft

To coincide with the release of the new Star Trek Into Darkness movie, Gallery Books has released two unusual Star Trek oversize paperbacks. 

Most people don’t associate Star Trek with home crafts-but that is about to change.

Author John Lohman provides readers with 30 projects and bonus patterns in his new Star Trek Cross-stitch book.

Explore strange new worlds of crafting with projects like embroidery for towels, placards, bookmarks, fake screens, Star Trek catch phrases and much more.   Look for full-patterns, color photos and complete instructions.

Similar in format is Angie Pedersen’s new book: Star Trek Craft Book, that contains 25 unique Star Trek Crafts.

Just a few of the clever crafts include a Klingon serving tray, a Spock monkey, coasters, pillowcase, apron, sleep masks, book of colors, Federation centerpiece and various other household, clothing and accessory items.

Get crafty, get the Star Trek Craft Book and ‘Make it so!”

Tools and Jewelry

Drop me off at a Lowe’s or Home Depot and I’ll wander the isles for hours salivating over all the cool tools and home improvement items available.  Hardware stores are like big boy toy stores.

Although I’m not much of mechanic or carpenter I still appreciate the craftsmanship and ingenuity of tools, especially old tools.

In Michel Emery’s and Irwin Richman’s new book from SchifferPublishing: Living Crafts Historic Tools, the authors examine the craftspeople and collections of the Landis Valley Museum.

Utilizing vintage photos, art and modern photos with current visual demonstrations the book looks at the various tools used in times past used in carpentry, textiles, home and kitchen utensils and much more.

Comprehensive text explains the history and importance of each tool accompanied by products an objects produced by said tools.  

For a fascinating tour of legacy of tools used in times past be sure to take a look at this photo-filled book.

My mom was a huge collector of plastic jewelry.  The more kitsch the better.  Earrings, necklaces, bracelets-you name it, she had it. 

In Lyngerda Kelly’s and Nancy Schiffer’s new book: Plastic Jewelry (reissued and expanded 5^th Edition), the book examines the creation of plastic jewelry, beginning in the 1920s, with over 1,000 photos.  Current prices and historical text accompany each piece shown, broken down by category.

Lego Batman The Movie: DC Super Heroes Unite

Legos: small plastic bricks and shapes that snap together to make various objects such as vehicles, buildings, etc.  Batman: The Dark Knight-the world's greatest detective, the Caped Crusader, defender of the innocent and weak, guardian of Gotham City and mysterious figure of the night.

What do the two have in common?  A great deal-at least as far as the Blu-ray/DVD/Ultravilet Combo Pack from Warner Bros. goes.

Presenting the brand new computer animated Lego Batman adventures that stars not only Batman but Robin, Superman, the Justice League, Lex Luthor, the Joker, the Riddler, Catwoman, Two-Face and the Penguin, along with a large supporting cast.

What's amazing about the collaboration is it that it makes for a great Batman animated feature.
Lex Luthor and the Joker team up to take out Batman and Superman and to cement Lex Luthor's bid for the Presidency courtesy of the Joker's laughing gas.

There's lots of action, adventure, thrills, spills and a load of humor.  The animation is top-rate, clever and fun to watch.

Extras include some free DC Universe cartoons, Lego contest winner shorts, a Building Batman featurette and much more.   AND...an exclusive Clark Kent/Superman Lego minifigure!

Tojo, Warhawk and Blackbird

It is remarkable to me that a small island country like Japan declared war on a huge nation like the United States of America and expected to win!

 

Let's face it, the odds were not good.  The single biggest mistake the Japanese military made when the set in motion the bombing of Pearl Harbor and thus declaring war on the United States was not taking in to account the American people.

Americans are a feisty lot and when our backs are up against the wall we come out swinging-as the Japanese discovered.  When an Imperial country populated by people taught since childhood to think like a group goes up against a nation comprised of individuals who fight for a cause the results are usually the same-Japan found out the hard way as WWII dragged on.

But, that being said the Japanese had an impressive array of Army Fighter aircraft during WWII and if it were not for the sheer linguistics of fighting an enemy from so far away and one with so many resources at its beck and call the Japanese may have won the war.

The Nakajima KI44-I Type 2 Fighter Shoki (Tojo) was specifically designed to fight the encroaching Allied bombers.  Its sleek design, relatively small size and contra-rotating propellers allowed the aircraft to climb swift and high and swoop down on Allied bombers delivering high-caliber weapons in a deadly spray of bullets.

The Limited Edition 1:48 Scale Interceptor model from Hasegawa Hobby Kits comes with full decal and assembly instruction, landing gear that can be positioned up or down and a clear sliding cockpit with front-mounted window weapon along with a fighter pilot and impressive engine vents and body details make this a fighter from The Land of the Rising Sun a 'must-have' for any WWII aircraft fan.

Equally impressive is the United States Airforce P-40N Warhawk 502nd Fighter Squadron aircraft scaled at 1:32 and also complete with paint, decal and assembly instructions.  Parts detach easily from the part trees with little or no fuss and fit snuggly and precisely together.

The parrot-face fighter was powered by an Allison Engine which had a long fuselage and delivered lots of power-enough to carry six .50 caliber machine guns.  Although slightly clunky and slower than many WWII aircraft the Warhawk still rang up an impressive kill list.

The model perfectly duplicates the tri-blade propeller, single pilot fighter, with its sectional cockpit, torpedo shape, drop tank, bomb, full landing gear (positioned up or down), oversize front air intake and fixed armament.  Slow and steady and ready to rumble!

The X-Men.  I'm a big fan of The X-Men characters.  What do Marvel mutants have to do with a review about model aircraft? Plenty!  The X-Men fly about in a modified SR-71A Blackbird.
Built nearly 50 years ago the Blackbird was an aircraft far ahead of its time.  Its unusual wing configuration, powerful jet engines and pierce-the-sky profile made it the fastest aircraft of its time.  

Attached to its rear fuselage was a D-21B Drone which was one of the first operational unmanned drones ever used. Technical difficulties made its somewhat unreliable but when you consider that the aircraft and Drone were pre-computer and relied on period mechanics and hardware you can't help but come away impressed.

What information not gathered by the Drone was completed by the Blackbird. Its high altitude, fast flight made it very difficult to intercept and made it the perfect spy plane.

Black as night and difficult to spot the Blackbird and Drone made a deadly pair as they plied the skies over enemy territory gathering vital secret information

The 1:72 Scale model kit contains both aircraft packed with details and comes with full decal, paint and assembly instructions.

Previews, June

 

New Diamond Previews merchandise for June: 

 

 

COMIC BOOKS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

THRILLING ADVENTURE HOUR HC l ARCHAIA ENTERTAINMENT

ALAN MOORE’S FASHION BEAST TP/HC l AVATAR PRESS INC

CROSSED VOLUME 6 TP/HC l AVATAR PRESS INC

3 GUNS #1 l BOOM! STUDIOS

FRANK MILLER’S ROBOCOP” LAST STAND #1 l BOOM! STUDIOS

LORDS OF MARS #1 l D. E./DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

LADY RAWHIDE #1 l D. E./DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

VAMPIRELLA SOUTHERN GOTHIC #1 l D. E./DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY #1 l HERMES PRESS

THE SIXTH GUN VOLUME 1 DELUXE HC l ONI PRESS INC.

MARCH: BOOK ONE GN l TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS

STREET FIGHTER ORIGINS: AKUMA HC l UDON ENTERTAINMENT CORP

KINGDOM HEARTS II VOLUME 1 TP l YEN PRESS

BOOKS & MAGAZINES

THE ART OF BROM HC l ART BOOKS

DC BATMAN AUTOMOBILIA COLLECTION SPECIAL: THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: THE BAT l COMICS

DC SUPERHERO CHESS COLLECTION SPECIAL: SUPERMAN & LEX LUTHOR KINGS l COMICS

DC SUPER-PETS CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA TP l COMICS

STAR WARS: JEDI ACADEMY HC l STAR WARS

TRADING CARDS

TOPPS 2013 FOOTBALL TRADING CARDS l TOPPS COMPANY

THE BIG BANG THEORY SEASON 5 TRADING CARDS l CRYPTOZOIC ENTERTAINMENT

STAR WARS: GALACTIC FILES 2 TRADING CARDS l TOPPS COMPANY

GARBAGE PAIL KIDS 2013 CHROME TRADING CARDS l TOPPS COMPANY

APPAREL

THE WALKING DEAD: CARL SCIENCE DOG T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

GRIM VENOM BLACK T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

BLACK PANTHER BLACKBERRY HEATHER T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

DOCTOR WHO: TENNANT QUOTE BLACK T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

HERO BREAKOUT: JOKER SNAP BACK CAP l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

HERO BREAKOUT: THE NEW 52 BATMAN SNAP BACK CAP l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

MY LITTLE PONY: TEAM PONY CEMENT JUNIORS T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

MY LITTLE PONY: TEAM PONY SILVER T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

THANOS NAVY BLACK HEATHER T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

SPIDER-MAN: NO SENSE BLK T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

THE BIG BANG THEORY: CONVERSATIONAL ICE BREAKER T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

THE WALKING DEAD: CELL BLOCK C T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

VENOM: VENOM BLACK BLACK HEATHER T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

MARVEL HEROES: RED & BLACK NAVY GLOW T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

STAR WARS: SPACE CREW PX BLK T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

TMNT: CLASSIC COVER RED BLACK T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

DOCTOR WHO: TARDIS TIME VORTEX BLACK T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR

COURT OF OWLS T-SHIRT l GRAPHITTI DESIGNS

MAN OF STEEL: SYMBOL B T-SHIRT l GRAPHITTI DESIGNS

TOYS & STATUES

DC: 66 BATMAN 6-INCH ACTION FIGURES l DC HEROES

KRAMPUS 12-INCH MEGA SCALE PLUSH l POP CULTURE

STAR WARS BLACK 6-INCH ACTION FIGURES l STAR WARS

UGLYDOLL: UNIVERSAL MONSTERS 11-INCH PLUSHES l UGLYDOLLS

JOHNNY STORM: HUMAN TORCH STATUE l MARVEL HEROES

ROGUE MODERN STATUE l MARVEL HEROES

TOMB RAIDER: LARA CROFT 5-INCH MINI BUST l VIDEO GAMES

THE WALKING DEAD: SOPHIA STALKER WALKER MINI-BUST l WALKING DEAD

IMPORT TOYS

IRON MAN 3: WAR MACHINE ARTFX STATUE l KOTOBUKIYA

DC COMICS VARIANT PLAY ARTS KAI ACTION FIGURES l DC HEROES

MICHAEL JORDAN REAL MASTERPIECE AF #23 ROAD VER l ENTERBAY

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SKYWARD SWORD: LINK FIGMA l NINTENDO

METROID: OTHER M: SAMUS ARAN FIGMA l NINTENDO

SAILOR MOON S.H.FIGUARTS l TAMASHII NATIONS

COLLECTIBLES & NOVELTIES

POP! HEROES: HARLEY QUINN GLOW-IN-THE-DARK VINYL FIGURE l DC HEROES

IRON MAN 3 LIFE-SIZE STANDUPS l IRON MAN 3

CLASSIC IRON MAN BUST BANK l MARVEL HEROES

MY LITTLE PONY: SUPER WALLY WALLETS l MY LITTLE PONY

POP! THE WALKING DEAD: THE GOVERNOR VINYL FIGURES l WALKING DEAD

GAMES

PATHFINDER ADVENTURES CARD GAME: RISE OF THE RUNELORDS l PAIZO PUBLISHING LLC

MAGIC THE GATHERING TCG: THEROS l WIZARDS OF THE COAST

MARVEL HEROCLIX: WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN l WIZKIDS/NECA

DVDS & DIGITAL MEDIA

DCU: JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE FLASHPOINT PARADOX l ANIMATION

MARVEL KNIGHTS: WOLVERINE ORIGIN DVD l ANIMATION

HAGANAI: I HAVE NO FRIENDS l ANIME

QUEEN;S BLADE REBELLION l ANIME

DOCTOR WHO: THE SNOWMEN l DOCTOR WHO

Baby, Double, Military, JFK and Tin

Two Blu-ray and three DVD collections have just been released by Mill Creek Entertainment.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) has always held a fascination for the American people.  

  

Assassinated in 1963 it wasn’t until after his death and its in-depth investigation that many of the details of the Kennedy Presidency came to light.

Beginning with his childhood the 8-part documentary follows Kennedy’s life as a young man, his military and political career, his family life and his Presidency.

One of the most beloved Presidents in American history JFK was a jewel of many facets and sides.  Follow his Presidency as he coped with the Russian nuclear threat, the Bay of Pigs and the many political, financial and social challenges during his Presidency.

Get ready for two blood-curdling horror classics with Mill Creek’s 2 Movie Double Feature Blu-ray: Mr. Sardonicus and The Brotherhood Of Satan.

Desperate to retrieve a winning lottery ticket from the buried corpse of his father a young man unleashes a family curse that he desperately tries to procure a cure for before it is too late in Mr. Sardonicus.

Children are disappearing and their parents slain.  When a family is stranded and one member disappears they are forced to work with the local authorities to stop a dangerous Withes Coven from transferring evil spirits into the kidnapped children.  

The United States Military: A History of Heroes traces the formation and evolution of America’s military forces beginning with U.S. Navy to the Marines, Air Force and Army.  

Learn of the colorful history of the men and women who have served America throughout the decades.

A plethora of fairy tales and classic children stories  movie and TV series have cropped up over the past decade. Many update and modify the stories for a more mature audience.

One of the first was Tin Man, the retelling of the Oz stories with its unique take on the inhabitants of Oz, its monsters, creatures and characters.  It’s Oz for a new age that is sure to hold more than a few surprises.  The Complete Mini-Series Event is included in the DVD set.

The delightful Wild Animal Baby Explorers features little critters (Izzy the Owl, Benita the Beaver, Miss Sally the Salamander, Skip the Rabbit and their friends as they explore the beauty and wonder of the natural world.  

Ten episodes are included in this adorable computer animation collection.