Pages
▼
Friday, December 24, 2010
Bronco, Widow, Midgets, T'rantula, Impala, Thunderbird, Chevelle, Bel Air, Cutter And Campbeltown
Revell/Monogram has released eleven new models just in time for Christmas. Nine of the new models are classic automobiles at 1:24 and 1:25 Scale. All require full glue, paint and decal application for Skill Levels 2 or 3.
The single truck in the releases is the '80 Ford Bronco 2 'n 1 model kit that lets modelers choose between a red all-terrain truck with roll bar and custom bumpers and additional lights and a blue truck with capper and additional bed seat.
Whichever mode you choose an opening hood reveals a V-8 engine. Add a 4-wheel drive chassis with alloy wheels and all-terrain tires and you have a multi-purpose vehicle that has become a collector favorite.
The "T" Pickup Rod Black Widow is as sleek and mysterious as it namesake. This customized hotrod is a chrome-plated predator with custom white lined bed and roof, oversize wheels with disc chrome hubcaps, red interior, chrome headers, chrome radiator, 'U' shaped headlight mounts and twin side tailpipes. It's a black beauty of a different sort.
Take you pick between two Motor Sports Kurtis Midget Racers. Both feature custom paint jobs, wraparound steering struts and wheels, chrome grill and trim, hoods that open revealing either a Offenhauser or Edelbrock V-8 engine. Both come with trailers, full decals and custom paint application guides.
The '63 Chevy Impala SS was a breakaway car from the traditional Chevy designs. Blockier than most Chevys with a long body and no fins, very little trim and a square-front grill with no nonsense headlights, bumpers, taillights and with side mirrors that hugged the body, the car became an instant success. Revell's California Wheels 2 'n 1 Impala model kit lets you select a hardtop or ragtop version of the popular vehicle. Custom engines suited to each model can be assembled that fit snuggly into the engine compartment underneath the opening hood. The rear trunk opens and each version offers full interior details right down to the selection of the color of the seats and upholstery.
The 2 'n 1 Car Show '58 Ford Thunderbird Convertible includes a traditional pink convertible version and a pimped out tri-tone Thunderbird with custom seats and interior and a clear. twin compartment bubble top. Both engine compartments open. The bubble top version has custom wheels and whitewalls, lots of chrome trim and a protruding grill/bumper assemble with oversize lower lights with no side bumper wraparound.
The pink version has a hidden hardtop convertible cover, whitewalls, white and pink interior and a chrome trimmed front windshield.
Another 2 'n 1 model is the Streetburner '67 Chevelle SS 396 that you can customize into a red street version or a flame decaled street rod with protruding airfoil and custom interior. Both versions have chrome wheels, an opening hood reveling a V-8 chromed engine, square front and rear bumpers with chrome body trim and side mirrors. Smaller than an Impala, the Chevelle was a favorite 'Muscle Car' during the 1960s and is still a popular collector vehicle today.
The Car Show '55 Chevy Bel Air Convertible is favorite of mine. I remember seeing and riding in one. This version is two-tone blue/aqua comes with oversize chrome bumpers, recessed chrome hubcaps on whitewall tires, full chrome body trim, a hood Chevy decoration, a chrome teeth grill, concealed rear wheel wells, a hood that opens, a red and blue V-8 engine , full interior details, a detachable canvas roof section and a chrome trimmed spare tire compartment. Sweet!
Tom Daniel's T'rantula is low-riding drag car painted in red and green with spoke front wheels, oversize rear tires, a forward-swept driver's compartment, oversize engine with eight black side engine exhaust pipes, mid-mounted 'eye' headlights with chute pack or open chute.
If you love warships then you're sure to appreciate Revell's USCG Cutter: Roger B. Taney that ripples with deck guns, lifeboats, rigging, radar, a multi-deck conning tower and lot smoke deck details. Follow the simple-to-understand assembly instructions and paint guide and before you know it your display mounted ship with look like the real thing. You can almost feel the sea mist hitting your face.
The HMS Campbeltown Four Stack British Destroyer is no slouch when it comes to armament. Look for lots of deck guns, torpedoes, gun emplacements and heavy armor. Four smokestacks line its deck along with lifeboats, rafts, railings, trim, radar, depth charges and cannon. Like the Tany, the Campbeltown also features full exterior ship details like propellers, portholes and more. Paint it, detail it and mount it on its custom display stand and you're ready to take on the Axis forces.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Hagar, Beetle, Simon And Kirby
I’m pleased that Titan Books has compiled two of my all-time favorite comic strips into two hardbound collections with selections from the strips printed in the 1960s and 1970s. In my opinion both of those decades saw some of the finest comic strip work in the history of the medium.
Hagar The Horrible: The Epic Chronicles: Dailies 1974 To 1975 presents the hairy barbarian and his family and friends in some of the most outrageous adventures and mishaps of his long comic strip life. Hagar creator Dik Browne was at the top of his game and it showed in his crisp art, witty banter and hilarious physical hi-jinx.
Simplicity was the key to Hagar’s success. Dik Browne, along with his wife and kids, whittled Hagar down to its essence. There were no wasted lines, no unnecessary words-just simple, to-the-point humor that thousands of Hagar fans giggled and guffawed to each day.
Fellow artist and friend Mort Walker had had a similar success to Browne years earlier when he thrust upon the unsuspecting world the Army Private with the knack for getting into trouble and never getting enough sleep: Beetle Bailey.
A career military man, Beetle never seemed to advance in any area and yet he always managed to tick off his long-suffering sergeant, confused and confounded his officers and amused and bemused his friends and colleagues.
In Beetle Bailey: 1965 Daily & Sunday Strips readers will witness Beetle at the height of his popularity. Whether it's avoiding work, sleeping every opportunity he gets, confusing and sergeant or generally making a mess of things few Privates can claim the honor of being “the laziest private in this man’s Army.
Joe Simon and Jack Kirby were without a doubt the most influential and creative comic book writer and artist of their time. During the Golden Age of comic books, both men as a team redefined comics, introduced whole new genres and produced some of the best written and drawn comics during that era.
Their influence can seen even today. No other creative team (except possibly Stan Lee and Jack Kirby) has ever had such an impact on the comic book industry as they did. They set the standard that writers and artists sought to obtain.
Simon & Kirby Superheroes from Titan Books contains all of the non-DC and Marvel superhero stories created by Simon and Kirby during the Golden Age of comic books.
Full color stories, lovingly restored and refurbished, recall the adventures of The Black Owl, Stuntman, The Vagabond Prince, Captain 3-D, Fighting American (my favorite), The Double Life OF Private Strong and The Adventures Of The Fly.
Neil Gaiman provides the Introduction and Jim Simon the Foreword for this impressive reprint collection from one of the most influential and creative teams in comic books.
Hagar The Horrible: The Epic Chronicles: Dailies 1974 To 1975 presents the hairy barbarian and his family and friends in some of the most outrageous adventures and mishaps of his long comic strip life. Hagar creator Dik Browne was at the top of his game and it showed in his crisp art, witty banter and hilarious physical hi-jinx.
Simplicity was the key to Hagar’s success. Dik Browne, along with his wife and kids, whittled Hagar down to its essence. There were no wasted lines, no unnecessary words-just simple, to-the-point humor that thousands of Hagar fans giggled and guffawed to each day.
Fellow artist and friend Mort Walker had had a similar success to Browne years earlier when he thrust upon the unsuspecting world the Army Private with the knack for getting into trouble and never getting enough sleep: Beetle Bailey.
A career military man, Beetle never seemed to advance in any area and yet he always managed to tick off his long-suffering sergeant, confused and confounded his officers and amused and bemused his friends and colleagues.
In Beetle Bailey: 1965 Daily & Sunday Strips readers will witness Beetle at the height of his popularity. Whether it's avoiding work, sleeping every opportunity he gets, confusing and sergeant or generally making a mess of things few Privates can claim the honor of being “the laziest private in this man’s Army.
Joe Simon and Jack Kirby were without a doubt the most influential and creative comic book writer and artist of their time. During the Golden Age of comic books, both men as a team redefined comics, introduced whole new genres and produced some of the best written and drawn comics during that era.
Their influence can seen even today. No other creative team (except possibly Stan Lee and Jack Kirby) has ever had such an impact on the comic book industry as they did. They set the standard that writers and artists sought to obtain.
Simon & Kirby Superheroes from Titan Books contains all of the non-DC and Marvel superhero stories created by Simon and Kirby during the Golden Age of comic books.
Full color stories, lovingly restored and refurbished, recall the adventures of The Black Owl, Stuntman, The Vagabond Prince, Captain 3-D, Fighting American (my favorite), The Double Life OF Private Strong and The Adventures Of The Fly.
Neil Gaiman provides the Introduction and Jim Simon the Foreword for this impressive reprint collection from one of the most influential and creative teams in comic books.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Something Old, Something New
Syndicated cartoonist Lynn Johnston has written and drawn her award-winning ‘For Better or For Worse’ comic strip (printed in over 2,000 newspapers and read by millions of loyal fans) for close to 30 years.
Several years ago Lynn decided to intermingle older strips with new daily and Sunday strips. This allowed her to go back and revisit key moments in her fictional Patterson family’s lives, fill in some gaps and answer some unresolved questions. Fans loved it.
Andrews McMeel Publishing approached Lynn about compiling some of her old strips, updating some of the art and placing them in chronological order. She and her daughter took the task to heart and after some creative collation they compiled the very 1st Treasury of For Better Or For Worse.
This oversize hardbound book contains some of Lynn’s most famous strips, updated and revised and drawn in the style of the time they were printed, accompanied by commentaries by the artist herself.
Ms. Johnston has outdone herself with this marvelous collection of classic strips that fans of the strip are sure to love. Who says you can’t go back in time and change things? Not Lynn Johnston and thankfully not the fans of For Better Or For Worse.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sonic Screwdriver And The Fourth Doctor
Underground Toys continues to produce outstanding toys based on the popular BBC Doctor Who TV series. What makes the Underground Toys Doctor Who toys so enjoyable is that they are taken from ALL of the Doctor Who series.
The Third Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver toy is a perfect reproduction, in scale, of the famous instrument seen so often in the Doctor Who series.
This early version reflexes the design sensibilities in the era in which it was created: the early 1970s. Its design is slightly bulky with a stacked cylindrical appearance. The bottom section looks much like one of those oversize ink pen cases prevalent in the 1970s. The second section is slightly smaller with various indents and protrusions while the third section is colored yellow with a spiraling black line around its perimeter (think of a modified barber’s pole).
The top section consists of silver and red rings with a red and silver probing device attached to its top. It reminds me of a doctor’s ear examination instrument. Two batteries come with the Sonic Screwdriver that allow you to hold down the collar to produce two electronic sounds. Instructions come with the Screwdriver along with a special prismatic Doctor Who collectable trading card.
The toy is of rugged construction so you can carry it about and not have to worry about it coming apart. Sculpting is perfect-it captures the look and feel of the actual Screwdriver. Packaging displays both the Sonic Screwdriver and trading card for easy viewing and on the back of the bubble pack is a short description of the Sonic Screwdriver and its uses and on the front of the package is a short decryption of The Third Doctor.
By far my favorite Doctor Who was Tom Baker as The Fourth Doctor. His eccentric manner, odd sense of humor, outlandish dress and totally disregard for authority and tradition made him the perfect Doctor for the mid-1979s to the early 198s. His attitude fit the era the show ran.
Underground Toys has reproduced The Fourth Doctor in his burgundy outfit with accompanying long scarf. Tom Baker’s features are recreated in miniature, including his curly and unruly brown hair. Along with the articulated figure comes one of Doctor Who fandom's favorite characters: K-9, the mechanical dog.
K-9 is also a perfect match for his larger counterpart right down to the bulky blue-grey metallic body and head, radar ears, sectional tube neck, antennae tail, laser nose, control panel on its back and this version even moves-courtesy of the four wheels under its carriage.
Now that’s a cool toy!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Phantom II And Skyhawk
Hasegawa Hobby Kits presents two (make that three) aircraft model kits scaled at 1:48 and 1:72. United States fighter jet enthusiasts are sure to fly high over the one Navy and two Air Force high altitude killing machines.
Measuring in at 1:48 Scale the A-4E Skyhawk 'Top Gun' (yeah, that Top Gun) is an aerodynamic bullet with a delta wing configuration affording it unbelievable maneuverability.
With its reinforced airframe and Pratt & Whitney J52-P-6A engine the Skyhawk is a jet fighter to be reckoned with.
The model fits together easily, paints up to perfection and lets modelers apply the "E" variant decals and insignia with ease. Look for sharp and precise model parts, very little flashing and complete and easy instructions for paint, decal and assembly.
Hasegawa's American Aerobatics Combo includes two 1:72 Scale Phantom jets: a Blue Angel and a F-4E/Phantom II Thunderbird. Both include full weaponry, (including rockets), artillery, landing gear and clear cockpits.
Assembly is a breeze using the easy-to-follow instructions. Parts detach easily from the part frames, decals apply smoothly with very little fuss, paint application is easy when using the detailed instructions and both models are easy to distinguish from one another as one set of parts is white and the other deep blue.
Hasegawa Hobby Kits makes assembling aircraft models loads of fun by taking out the frustration factor. Instructions are easily-to-follow, parts detach and fit together snuggly with little trimming necessary and paint and decal application is a snap when you follow the paint and decal schematics.
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Avengers, Hammer And Jim Lee
I am a child of the 1960s. Granted I was born in the 1950s but my formative years (pre-teen and teenager) took place in the 1960s. I remember the counter-culture revolution in the United States brought on by the British Invasion, Pop and Op art, the Vietnam War, Woodstock and one of my favorite 1960s show (along with The Man From Uncle, The Wild, Wild West and Star Trek) was the British import: The Avengers.
I remember seeing the show for the first time when it starred Diana Riggs as the sultry, sexy and lethal Emma Peel and Patrick Macnee as the suave, debonair and quick-witted, bowler cap wearing and umbrella wielding John Steed.
Titan Books and author Marcus Hearn look back at the ground-breaking series that originally started out as a revenge tale and transformed into a Pop Culture phenomenon filled with tongue-in-cheek humor and innuendo that took the United States and the world by storm.
Patrick Macnee provides the forreword for this wonderful tribute to a true TV original. Filled with anecdotes and photos (some never seen before) the book follows the show from its genesis to its eventual end in 1969. The Avengers A Celebration is just that-a heartfelt dedication to 50 years of a Television Classic.
Another British import were the films of Hammer Studios that is known primarily as the 'other' studio that made Dracula, Mummy, Werewolf and Frankenstein films. But, Hammer Studios did much more than refurbish classic horror films.
The Art Of Hammer looks at the posters promoting the various film genres produced by Hammer Films. Marcus Hearn has compiled a full-color and black and white photo gallery of poster art broken down by decade, starting with the 1950s.
Comic book artist Jim Lee is a phenomenon, but that wasn't always the case. I remember the first time I saw Jim's work and while I considered his work 'adequate' at the time I had no idea he would go on to become one of the greatest come book artists of all time.
In Titan Books' Icons: The DC Comics And Wildstorm Art Of Jim Lee, readers are treated to page-after-page of gorgeous pencils, inks and color work of the proficient and imaginative artist.Learn how Jim Lee took stalwart DC characters like Batman and Superman and made them his own and how when he split with Marvel in the early 1990s he would go on with other creators to form Wildstorm Studios.
As a designer and illustrator (although far less talented than Lee) I can appreciate the talent and craft that went into each and every piece of art Jim put his pencil to.
This is more than a book about an artist. It is an examination of a true creative genius and a peek inside the mind of a talented creator of people, places and things pulled form his fertile imagination and given two-dimensional life.
Dakota Jennings
As a young child Dakota Jennings witnessed the death of her parents by the forces of evil: Ragnarok. Dakota is rescued and raised by a member of the mysterious Dead Cell, a splinter faction of ‘The Prophets.’
Established during World War II, ‘The Prophets’ are a secret organization that fights the forces of evil such as werewolves and vampires.
Dakota is one of the Dead Cell’s most skilled warriors. She is proficient in hand-to-hand combat, is a weapons’ expert and prefers to travel light depending on her speed and agility. She wears no armor and uses only lightweight weapons such as a handgun and sword.
Dakota is encased in a twin sleeve clear plastic display case that both protects and keeps the figure stationary when not on display. Dakota is also held in place by several twist ties.
Dakota’s weapons, clothes and accessories include a small automatic hand gun with functional slides and removable ammo clip, a metal samurai sword with scabbard (check out the sword’s grip), gun holsters and belt harnesses, knee and elbow pads, a leather wrist gauntlet, black leather jacket with working zipper and Dead Cell emblems, blue denim flared jeans, black tank top, black leather knee boots with magnets to hold the figure in place on Triad Toys’ bullet time stand and three pair of additional hands: gun grip, sword grip and fist posed.
Articulation is tight that allows the figure to maintain any pose you place it in. Look for swivel and ball joints in the arms, legs, torso and neck. All position easily, with no stiffness or looseness.
The figure’s sculpting is first rate especially on the hands and face. Dakota’s face skin tones are slightly varied, thus emulating a real person’s skin. Eyes, nose and mouth are crisp with no bleed over on the paint application on the eyes or mouth. Her blond hair is securely rooted in place with no frizzy or slick appearance. A small plastic sleeve fits over her hair to keep her hair in place and can be removed when the figure is on display.
Clothing fits nicely over the medium bust figure. Leather accessories may be removed carefully as well as the clothes. Jean and halter top fit snug to the figure but move easily with the figure without binding or stretching out of shape.
Real metal silver buckles are on the holsters and belts, knee and elbow pads are held in place with laces (be careful as they are very small), the jeans have a snap front and flare to fit easily over Dakota’s knee boots, that are not removable.
Hand manipulation and gripping action allow the figure to hold weapons easily without fear of being too loose and the hands are easily removed with a simple gentle tug off and snap on.
I was able to pose the Dakota figure without the use of a stand and had no problem positioning her weapons in one or both hands.
This is an extremely well-crafted figure with careful attention given to each detail. Clothing stitching is tight, articulation is superb and posing the figure in literally hundred of poses is easy. Articulation points are well hidden and subtle, plastic flashing is non-existent and the entire figure package makes for a great addition to any 12-inch figure collection.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Shrek Forever After And Harry Potter
Actress Cameron Diaz provides the foreword to Insight Editions and author Jerry Schmitz new book about the latest Shrek movie: Shrek Forever After. Filmed in 3D, the movie follows the adventures of Shrek when he is plunged into an alternate reality after making a wish for a more adventurous life that is manipulated by the nefarious Rumpelstiltskin.
In the new reality Ogres are hunted, Shrek never had a family and his friends don’t know who he is. It’s up to Shrek to set things right while convincing his former family and friends that things should be different.
The new book looks at the complete production of the film from sketches, production drawings, computer rendering, voice cast selection, final computer renderings, color and costume tests, background selections and everything else associated with pre and post productions.
It’s a complete examination in pictures and text of how a computer animated movie is made from early concepts sketches to the final film print.
Bruce Foster engineers the paper, art is provided by Andrew Williamson and text is written by Lucy Kee in Insight Editions’ Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book based on the film phenomenon.
This full-color book comes with five pop-up pages: Diagon Alley, Hogwarts School, Magical Creatures, Magical Games And Sports and The Dark Arts. Each double page spread features clever pop-up images and several small pop-up panel inserts centered on each theme.
A marvel of miniature manipulation, the book is an ingenious blend of a tried and tested artistic form updated and augmented for a whole new generation of pop-up book fans.
Filled with fanciful art, informative text and clever fold-outs the book also includes several insert pieces such as a poster and more. It’s pure magic!
In the new reality Ogres are hunted, Shrek never had a family and his friends don’t know who he is. It’s up to Shrek to set things right while convincing his former family and friends that things should be different.
The new book looks at the complete production of the film from sketches, production drawings, computer rendering, voice cast selection, final computer renderings, color and costume tests, background selections and everything else associated with pre and post productions.
It’s a complete examination in pictures and text of how a computer animated movie is made from early concepts sketches to the final film print.
Bruce Foster engineers the paper, art is provided by Andrew Williamson and text is written by Lucy Kee in Insight Editions’ Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book based on the film phenomenon.
This full-color book comes with five pop-up pages: Diagon Alley, Hogwarts School, Magical Creatures, Magical Games And Sports and The Dark Arts. Each double page spread features clever pop-up images and several small pop-up panel inserts centered on each theme.
A marvel of miniature manipulation, the book is an ingenious blend of a tried and tested artistic form updated and augmented for a whole new generation of pop-up book fans.
Filled with fanciful art, informative text and clever fold-outs the book also includes several insert pieces such as a poster and more. It’s pure magic!
Archie #615
Archie Andrews loves Christmas. The only problem is, is that it tends to sneak up on him. Every year he wakes up in a panic on Christmas Eve. He rushes about buying last minute presents, putting up Christmas decorations and generally running amok. It’s become a holiday tradition around Riverdale. Everyone expects to see Archie go through his Christmas Eve convulsions.
One of Santa’s helpers, Jingles, sees Archie’s dilemma and in a misguided attempt to help him sneaks into Santa’s time-manipulation room and causes Christmas Eve to repeat itself so Archie has more time.
Unfortunately he leaves the door open and the controls freeze causing Christmas Eve to repeat itself over and over and over and over again. Archie is the only one who knows what’s happening and after a few weeks of Christmas Eves his holiday spirit turns to “bah, humbug!”
Archie #615 from Archie Comics is a wonderful tale of Christmas that demonstrates the ‘true’ meaning of Christmas.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
USS Gambier Bay
I’ve seen some impressive model kits in my time. Hasegawa Hobby Kits’ USS Gambier Bay CVE-73 U.S. Navy Escort Carrier is one of the most impressive.
In honor of her sinking by the Japanese in WWII in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Hasegawa Model Kits has recreated this impressive WWII aircraft carrier (one of 50 Casablanca Class) and as an added bonus the first production run also includes a poster of the carrier.
Measuring in at 1/350 Scale (17.59 inches in length, 3.7 inches wide) the model kit consists of 458 pieces and requires precise glue and paint application. Included with the model is a dual display stand providing rock solid stability.
Nine aircraft come with the ship (6 Wildcat and 3 Avengers) that may be displayed on the long landing strip deck. Gun and artillery emplacements line each side of the deck.
Part trees hold the styrene parts that detach easily, requires little, if any, trimming and are superbly engineered to fit together securely while assembling the model. Model details are limited to the upper deck, lower ship sides and conning tower.
Look for a real medal anchor chain, lots of rigging, weapons, antennas and several other deck and rigging equipment pieces and details.
Decal sheets come with the model and once the decals are applied they give a real authenticity to the kit. Instructions guide model builders through the paint scheme. While the ship is a marvel of miniature sculpting and engineering skill Hasegawa Model Kits has taken the ‘too complicated to assemble’ out of the equation thus making building the ship a real treat, even for less experienced model makers.
I was blown away by the attention to detail given to this model. Every nook and cranny, tower, door, weapon, ladders, radar, deck feature, aircraft and lower ship sides are authentic, right down to the last rivet. Pay particular attention to such details as life raft, railings, fire extinguishers and lower deck platforms. There is so much to see on this model that you can spend literally hours pouring over the details.
For a first-rate, authentic and historically accurate model kit you can’t beat Hasegawa Model Kits’ USS Gambier Bay.
In honor of her sinking by the Japanese in WWII in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Hasegawa Model Kits has recreated this impressive WWII aircraft carrier (one of 50 Casablanca Class) and as an added bonus the first production run also includes a poster of the carrier.
Measuring in at 1/350 Scale (17.59 inches in length, 3.7 inches wide) the model kit consists of 458 pieces and requires precise glue and paint application. Included with the model is a dual display stand providing rock solid stability.
Nine aircraft come with the ship (6 Wildcat and 3 Avengers) that may be displayed on the long landing strip deck. Gun and artillery emplacements line each side of the deck.
Part trees hold the styrene parts that detach easily, requires little, if any, trimming and are superbly engineered to fit together securely while assembling the model. Model details are limited to the upper deck, lower ship sides and conning tower.
Look for a real medal anchor chain, lots of rigging, weapons, antennas and several other deck and rigging equipment pieces and details.
Decal sheets come with the model and once the decals are applied they give a real authenticity to the kit. Instructions guide model builders through the paint scheme. While the ship is a marvel of miniature sculpting and engineering skill Hasegawa Model Kits has taken the ‘too complicated to assemble’ out of the equation thus making building the ship a real treat, even for less experienced model makers.
I was blown away by the attention to detail given to this model. Every nook and cranny, tower, door, weapon, ladders, radar, deck feature, aircraft and lower ship sides are authentic, right down to the last rivet. Pay particular attention to such details as life raft, railings, fire extinguishers and lower deck platforms. There is so much to see on this model that you can spend literally hours pouring over the details.
For a first-rate, authentic and historically accurate model kit you can’t beat Hasegawa Model Kits’ USS Gambier Bay.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Seductive Subversion
Unfortunately women have historically taken the back seat to men in art. Seldom do you hear about a woman artist’s work even though women are every bit as talented as men in the arts.
Things have improved, but even today women struggle to have their voices heard in all things creative. It’s not fair, but it is a fact. Back in the 1950s and 1960s the inequality was even more prevalent.
In Abbeville Publishing Group’s new hardbound book, Seductive Subversion: Women Pop Artists 1958-1968 readers are given a historical tour of that turbulent era in American Art.
This special catalog of work illustrates how a small group of break-out women artists tested and tried the long established ‘male’ dominated Pop Art scene.
With more the 125 images complemented by artists’ bios, historical text and comments by the artists and their contemporaries readers are given a rare peek into the world of Women Pop Artists of that period.
Controversial and often shunned by the art elite, each of these women challenged the pre-disposed assumptions about women in the arts, contributed ground-breaking new works and opened the way for other women artists in the future.
I recommend that all artists, male or female, take the time to read and look over this book that examines an important pivotal point in the evolution of women in the arts.
Things have improved, but even today women struggle to have their voices heard in all things creative. It’s not fair, but it is a fact. Back in the 1950s and 1960s the inequality was even more prevalent.
In Abbeville Publishing Group’s new hardbound book, Seductive Subversion: Women Pop Artists 1958-1968 readers are given a historical tour of that turbulent era in American Art.
This special catalog of work illustrates how a small group of break-out women artists tested and tried the long established ‘male’ dominated Pop Art scene.
With more the 125 images complemented by artists’ bios, historical text and comments by the artists and their contemporaries readers are given a rare peek into the world of Women Pop Artists of that period.
Controversial and often shunned by the art elite, each of these women challenged the pre-disposed assumptions about women in the arts, contributed ground-breaking new works and opened the way for other women artists in the future.
I recommend that all artists, male or female, take the time to read and look over this book that examines an important pivotal point in the evolution of women in the arts.
Tastes Like Chicken
Cartoonist Scott Hilburn has a usual sense of humor, to say the least. For a huge sampling of his quirky, cynical and slightly-off-kilter look at life be sure to check out Andrews McMeels Publishing newest compilation of his work: Tastes Like Chicken.
In it you’ll meet up with talking animals, out of place and out of touch historical figures, ordinary folks in some unordinary situations and some of the strangest and totally bizarre comical sendoff ever seen in a comic strip.
Comprised of full-color panels taken from The Argyle Sweater and 50% Wool, 50% Asinine, Tastes Like Chicken: An Argyle Sweater treasury is sure to keep you chuckling even after you put down the book.
In it you’ll meet up with talking animals, out of place and out of touch historical figures, ordinary folks in some unordinary situations and some of the strangest and totally bizarre comical sendoff ever seen in a comic strip.
Comprised of full-color panels taken from The Argyle Sweater and 50% Wool, 50% Asinine, Tastes Like Chicken: An Argyle Sweater treasury is sure to keep you chuckling even after you put down the book.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Space Precinct 2040
Veteran NYPD detective Patrick Brogan and his rookie sidekick Jack Haldane are adjusting to their new assignments as police officers on the other side of the galaxy on the planet Altor in Demeter City.
The city may be different as are its citizens: a mixture of every conceivable type of strange alien creatures, but crime remains the same. Their job is to keep the streets clean of crime, from intergalactic smugglers to heavy-handed alien mobsters.
It takes some adjustment but Haldane and Brogan manage to fit in. Part cop show and part science fiction, Space Precinct 2040 is played straight with adult theme stories and serious acting combined with impressive special effects, highly-detailed models and miniatures and high production values.
Producer Gerry Anderson, famous for such series as Space: 1999, Thunderbirds and UFO, pulled out all the stops in this mid 1990’s TV series that takes science fiction to a whole new level. Image Entertainment presents the entire series in a 5-disc DVD set that brings the exciting and ground-breaking TV show to your home.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Previews, December
The holidays may be over in February but Diamond Previews for December still comes in at a hefty size. Look for lots of cool new merchandise to spend your non-holiday dollars on.
New comic book titles you’re sure to want to pick up include King Conan: The Scarlet Citadel, DC Universe Online Legends, Witchfinder: Lost And Gone Forever, Transformers: Infestation, Daomu, Hack/Slash, Crossed: Psychopath, Abyss: Family Issues, Red Sonja: Revenge Of The gods and Jennifer Blood.
Magazines and books to put on your must-read list are Zombies: An Illustrated History Of The Undead, Extreme Perspective! For Artists and Blueberry Girl.
Topps presents its latest Star Wars trading card set: Clone Wars Adventures Card Game while Rittenhouse turns out some Legends Of Star Trek mini-sets.
New toys to play with are Toy Story, The Walking Dead, Cover Girls Of The DCU, The Simpsons, Star Trek, Star Wars, Scott Pilgrim, Movie Thor, Iron Man, Marvel, Twilight, Harry Potter, And Kubrick.
Game on with Battlestar Galactica, Pirate Fluxx and Magic.
New comic book titles you’re sure to want to pick up include King Conan: The Scarlet Citadel, DC Universe Online Legends, Witchfinder: Lost And Gone Forever, Transformers: Infestation, Daomu, Hack/Slash, Crossed: Psychopath, Abyss: Family Issues, Red Sonja: Revenge Of The gods and Jennifer Blood.
Magazines and books to put on your must-read list are Zombies: An Illustrated History Of The Undead, Extreme Perspective! For Artists and Blueberry Girl.
Topps presents its latest Star Wars trading card set: Clone Wars Adventures Card Game while Rittenhouse turns out some Legends Of Star Trek mini-sets.
New toys to play with are Toy Story, The Walking Dead, Cover Girls Of The DCU, The Simpsons, Star Trek, Star Wars, Scott Pilgrim, Movie Thor, Iron Man, Marvel, Twilight, Harry Potter, And Kubrick.
Game on with Battlestar Galactica, Pirate Fluxx and Magic.
Cassegrain 3 And Maly Siri
Comix Buro presents two new additions to its Sketchbook series that spotlights some of the brightest new stars in the world of illustration.
Cassegrain 3 looks at the stunning female illustrations of Didier Cassagrain. Readers are greeted by some of the most beautiful renditions of the human female figure in both provocative and demure poses. I especially like how Cassegrain was able to incorporate female figures into real-life photos through a visual tour of the day-to-day life of a beautiful woman. If you appreciate the feminine grace of women then you’re sure to love Cassegrain 3.http://comixburo.fr/
Maly Siri also illustrates beautiful woman and just about every other type of human being-beautiful or not. Variety would be the best way to describe Siri’s work. The Sketchbook is filled with character studies, cheesecake poses and candid shots drawn and painted in a variety of media. The Sketchbook spotlights the incredible range of Maly Siri’s talent.