Supernatural: The Complete Second Season

For the first time the Second Season of the hit TV series Supernatural comes to viewers on Blu-ray.  If you thought Supernatural was good on standard DVD, you've not seen anything until you check it out on Blu-ray!

Monsters never looked creepier, demons and devils more horrific or nasty creatures of the night more real that when you see them on Blu-ray.

Join brothers Sam and Dean Winchester as they travel the United States encountering every type of evil imaginable.  Every legend, superstition and nightmare is investigated and confronted.  Here's the kicker-the brothers don't always win and they and others get hurt, some killed.

Every episode from the Second Season is included along with the original DVD extras and some very special Blu-ray goodies such as an interactive road map, interviews and more on four-discs from Warner Bros.

Season Of The Witch

Nicholas Cage and Ron Perlman star as two disenchanted, discouraged and disheartened Crusader Knights who are forced brought back into the service of the church.

Deserting the Crusade after witnessing the slaughter of innocents, Behman (Cage) and Felson (Perlman) come across a Medieval town devastated by the plague.  The disease infested town is thought to be the work of a suspected captured witch who can only be stopped by the monks in a remote monastery.

Behman agrees to transport the suspected witch to the monastery because he believes she would be given a fair trial.  He, along with Felson, a young alter boy, a local scallywag, a young priest and a soldier set out on their journey to transport the witch and save their land from the plague.

Along the way they meet many unholy forces including possessed monks and a demon bend on their destruction.  This is no light and happiness movie.  There's plenty of swordplay, black magic, devil dealings and twists and turns.  It's frightening film made even more frightening by some unexpected events.

Look for Season Of The Witch on Blu-ray and DVD from 20th Century Fox June 28th.  Extras include an alternate ending, deleted scenes, featurettes, commentaries and more.

Expose 9

I admit it, I'm jealous.  Who wouldn't be?  Any self-respecting artist or designer is sure to be jealous of the incredible digital artwork in Ballistic Publishing's Expose 9.  

Featuring the 'Finest digital art in the known universe', the book is a visual treat that just keeps getting better, page-after-page. 

In most 'serious' art circles digital art is not considered 'legitimate' art. After all, it's not painted on canvas, no paint mixing is required and the computer does all the 'hard work.'  Yeah, right.  I couldn't disagree more.  I'm sure when acrylic paint was first introduced artists who painted in oils 'poo-pooed' it.

As an artist/designer myself and a teacher of the same, I am in awe of the talent of modern day digital artists.  Not only do they possess traditional art knowledge but also an understanding of the elements and principles of design and an expertise in color theory, composition and the like.  They also must know and understand and utilize computers.

Equally impressive is their grasp and innovative use of 2D and 3D drawing programs with all of their idiosyncrasies.  They require a huge learning curve and take months, sometimes years to master.  Try sitting down and figuring out how Photoshop, 3D Max, Poser, Painter and other high-end, and expensive, art programs work and you'll see what I mean.

I consider myself a descent artist with a good understanding of some programs.  I dabble mostly in Photoshop and the occasional 3D program.  I possess no where near the level of talent displayed by each and every artist represented in Expose 9.

Every conceivable type of digital art is represented from portraits, fantasy, architecture, mechanical renderings, robots, whimsical and so much, MUCH more! Four hundred and forty four pieces of art are contained in Expose 9 with 327 artists represented from countries all over the globe.  

If you are anything like me your first reaction is to be jealous, then envious, then inspired and then appreciative of the tremendous talent represented in this book.  It truly is breath-taking.

SG.U Stargate Universe The Complete Final Season

Television viewers are a fickle lot. Whatever the genre of show, be it crime, drama, comedy, variety or reality, audiences can make or break a budding new show. That is especially true with science fiction shows.

As open-minded and willing to embrace new ideas and concepts as science fiction fans purport to be, they, in general, are very conservative when it comes to truly ground-breaking science fiction TV series.

A perfect example of that is SG.U Stargate Universe. SG.U left the comfortable confines of its predecessors: SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis. SG.U was a much darker show, where the line between good and evil was blurred and characters often stepped over the line in both directions.


The premise was a simple one: a SG research team stationed on a distant planet is attached. Abandoning the site the residents of the remote site leave via the Stargate. Where they wound up is on an alien ship hurtling millions of light years away through space. The entire show was one of survival and the ship’s occupants attempts to get back to Earth.


Along the way they meet aliens, encounter hostile conditions, struggle to find food and water and slowly begin to unravel the mystery of the ship they are on. It made for a fascinating show with multi-layered characters and intriguing ‘what ifs.’


Unfortunately the show didn’t catch on quickly enough which is a real shame because during the second, and final, season, SG.U found its niche and was producing some of the finest science fiction ever seen on TV. But, audiences translate to money and the sponsors didn’t believe they were getting enough product purchase to warrant supporting the show so the SyFy Channel pulled the plug.


MGM and Fox have compiled on 5-discs the final 20 episodes of the ill-fated SG.U TV series along with lots of extras such as commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes and much more. Although the series is gone, fans of the show (I being one) can enjoy truly well-written, acted and conceptualized science fiction.

Simon And Cult

Mention the name Joe Simon and comic book historians or fans immediately associate his name with another comic book great, Jack Kirby. After all, as a team they were responsible for such runaway big hits such as Captain America, Romance Comics and dozens of other ground-breaking series and concepts.

But, Joe was, and is, one of the most influential and innovation comic book creators and artists in his own right sans Kirby.

In Titan Books’ new title, ‘Joe Simon: My Life In Comics’ Joe writes about his long career in comics and how he got his start, where he met Jack Kirby, what he has contributed to the industry over the decades and his life outside of comics. Did you know that Joe is not only a writer and artist but an editor as well? He’s a photographer, worked for newspapers, he’s an entrepreneur, illustrator and a true pioneer in the comic book field.


This book contains a wonderful account of his life and work complemented by his black and white and color illustrations. It makes for a fascinating read by allowing readers to see the man behind the legend.

The Annual Crazy 4 Cult Art Show held in Los Angeles at Gallery 88 has increased in popularity since its debut. Artists, celebrities and other well-known individuals flock to the show and purchase some the finest art by many of the regions premiere ‘alternate’ underground urban artists.

Their theme is to create their own unique vision of a selected cult movie. The response has been phenomenal-so much so that Titan books has produced a new book, 'Cult Movie Art’ containing examples from the last four years.


Look for interpretations of such cult classics as Blade Runner, Donnie Darko, Pulp Fiction and many more well know, and maybe not so well known, movies.


Writer/director/actor Kevin Smith provides the quirky introduction to one of the most eclectic collections of art ever to see print.

Fangoria #304, June

Fangoria magazine hails the Sultan Of Splatter, two posters are included this issue, Monster Invasion brings out The Living Corpse, Kill! and REDD Inc., and the DVD Chopping List is filled with some gory delights.

Kidnapped has people scared out of their wits, exorcisms on the big screen just get a big jumpstart, The Stepfather still has legions of fans, Dark Shadows’ Kathryn Leigh Scott is still shocked by the show’s stay power and Michael Reeves leaves a legacy of violence and relive some Generations Of Gore.

Visit the dark side of Steven Spielberg, Tom Savini delivers some greatest hits and John Amplas was a reluctant vampire. The dead are in Texas, Jason Dark huts ghosts, and Bloody Birthday is the Monster Of The Month.

Zombie, Fail And Girls

One thing you can always count on from the fine folks at Antarctic Press is a diverse selection of comic book titles.  Manga, Zombies, Politics, History - you name it, they do it.

Case in point, or rather cases in point.  Three new titles from Antarctic Press are quirky, funny, scary, alluring and somewhat familiar.

In Zombie Fairy Tales, Miss Muffet, Red Riding Hood, Alice In Wonderland, Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, Little Mermaid, Goldilocks And The Three Bears and The Big Bad Wolf And Three Little Pigs are given their own 'unique' encounters with zombies and the undead.

In Fail Of The Dead the Undead discover that just because you are a brain-eating zombie doesn't mean that your day will be the best-unless of course some over-size brain aliens come to visit.

Victorian Secret Girls Of Steampunk bumps up the eroticism with some provocative and sexy illustrations of some very special ladies.  The Industrial Age never looked so good.

All of the comics feature first-rate art, clever stories and something totally different-a surefire winning combination.  

Tron: Legacy

Even though the Tron: Legacy movie is long gone from movie theaters and the Blu-ray/DVD has been released nearly a month (both the movie and Blu-ray/DVD releases are huge hits) and the Tron: Legacy toys have all but disappeared from store shelves, you can still find some of the diecast vehicles.

While the light-up figures and vehicles were the main draw for the Spin Master toy line the smaller diecast were (and are) just as interesting.

Seven vehicles make up the diecast Series 1 collection and each is a well-designed, superbly detailed, expertly painted and handsomely carded vehicle.  The set includes Sam's Light Cycle, Clu's Light Cycle, Kevin Flynn's Light Cycle, Clu's Sentry Light Cycle, the Recognizer (a personal favorite), Clu's Command Ship and (my absolute favorite) the Light Runner. 

All have moving wheels and/or parts and look exactly light their larger counterparts.  All are displayed on vertical bubble packs with a full-color illustration of the vehicle in the package.  The Tron: Legacy logo displays predominantly on the top.  Full vehicle details are on the back.   

Ziggy 40 Years

Have you ever met someone that you haven’t seen in decades and they look the same-they even act the same? Time seems to have not touched them and they retain some or most of their youthful innocence.

That’s Ziggy. Begun 40 years ago by Tom Wilson Sr. and draw and today written by his son Tom Jr., Ziggy is the perpetual victim whose wide-eyed innocence provides readers with a refreshing and revelation filled look at life from a slightly different point of view.


Andrews McMeel Publishing presents a pint-size, hardback, book tribute to the little man who manages to take life at face value and sees the humor and absurdities in day-to-day events.


Ziggy personifies the child in all of us with his innocence, ability to spot the truth and question what so many of us take for granted. For such a small character in stature Ziggy carries a tremendous weigh on his shoulders with his world-wide recognition, many guest appearances on TV shows, an award-winning animated special, a marketing bonanza and his many charitable endeavors.


Not bad for a little, bald, trouserless, yellow character who started out in less than 20 newspapers and now appears in over 500.

Green Lantern: Emerald Knights

“OK Poozers, listen up. Warner Bros. Animation and DC Comics present their latest full-length, direct to Blu-ray/DVD/Digital copy original animated film: Green Lantern” Emerald Knights.”


Six interlocking tales tell of the origin of the Green Lantern Corps starting with the very fist Green Lantern who used his ring to its full potential, the origin of Kiliwog, Mogo and others. As each Green Lantern story is told the Lanterns prepare to take on a new danger that threatens to destroy the Green Lantern Corps and enslave the universe.


The DC Comics' animated films continue to get better and better. Green Lantern: Emerald Knights bumps up the ante with its impressive space battle scenes, incredible visual effects, impressive cities and landscapes, awe-inspiring intergalactic vistas and more in this incredible film that sets the groundwork for the highly anticipated Green Lantern movie coming out later this summer.


Look for these exciting extras like a sneak peak at Batman: Year One, a behind-the-scenes look at All-Star superman, featurettes, commentaries, a Green Lantern Digital Comic Book, two animated bonus episodes and so much more.


“So, what’s it going to be Poozers? Are you ready to join the Green Lantern Corps.? Let’s see those rings!”

Vintage Barbie Dolls

When I was ten years old I lived across the street from a girl named Betty Woods. We soon became buddies and just about everyday she and I would get together and play dolls. Before you get the wrong idea, what we did was she would get out her Barbie dolls and clothes and I would bring over my G.I. Joes and stuff and content ourselves playing with our respective toys.

Neither one of us could have possibly imagined that those same toys, especially Betty’s Barbies, would be so collectible today.


I have a cousin in Tennessee who collectors Barbies. She has a ‘Barbie Room’ where she stores and displays hundreds of them. Barbie collecting is serious business. There are collector’s conventions, shows, etc. held all over the world where ‘Barbie’ites share their passion for collecting with others of similar passion.


In Hillary Shilkitus James’ ‘The Complete And Unauthorized Guide To Vintage Barbie Dolls 2nd Edition' from Schiffer Publishing, she shares hundreds of photos of vintage Barbies along with Barbie & Skipper Fashions And The Whole Family Of Barbie Dolls.


I never realized just how many vintage Barbie figures are out there and that’s not counting their clothes, accessories and the like. This is a great book with current values listed by grade, variation notes and more. Did you know the very first Barbie listed in mint condition goes for around $8,000!?  Better start hitting those yard sales.

Things My Daughters Need To Know

As a father of a now grown married woman, I sure could have used author Rodney L. Demery’snew book ‘Things My Daughters Need To Know’ as a guide as she was growing up.

Raising a child, especially a daughter, in today’s society is challenging. With so many guys on the prowl, sexually transmitted diseases, drugs, etc. prevalent in today’s world, it makes for a dangerous place to be, especially if you are a young or teenage girl.


Subtitled ‘A Cop And Father’s View Of Sex, Relationships And Happiness’ Demery’s book offers some sound advice on how to raise a daughter and the dangers to be aware of.


Using his experience as a man and his investigative skills as a homicide detective, Demery gives some sage advice about the do’s and don’ts of dating, marriage, abstinence, monogamy and what a man really looks for in a woman. He folds back the curtain on what men really think, what guides their actions and what women can expect when they enter the dating world.
He writes about how an early life can sculpt what a person will become when they are old, how relationships are complicated and how a free-wheeling single sex life only leaves people hungry for something more than sex. Although I disagree on a few minor items in his book, ‘Things My Daughters Need To Know’ contains some real gems of advice. Pick up a copy today from RootSky Books.

Thor Official Movie Special

My wife and I went to see the Thor movie the other night and while she enjoyed it  I really enjoyed it!  I'm a big fan of Marvel Comics' Thor comic book-especially the Jack Kirby Thor with Walt Simonson's version coming in a distant second.

Jack Kirby captured the hugeness of the vast Asgardian realm with spectacular structures, elaborately dressed warriors, sinister demons and villains and an epic representation of the entire magical scope of the mystical realm.

The Thor movie from Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios tinkers around with Thor's origin a little but the meat of the Thunder God's beginnings are there.

The story opens with Odin (Thor and Loki's father) telling them stories of valor and honor.  Later in their lives the time arrived for Thor to take his rightful place as heir to the throne since he is the elder of the two sons.

When Frost Giants attempt to steal back a relic Thor and the Warriors Three, along with Lady Sif, travel to the Frost Giant's land in order to make them pay for their crime-against the Odin's explicit orders not to.

Thor winds up being banished to Earth for his disobedience and stripped of his power with his hammer separated from him.  And.....well, go see the movie yourself-you won't be disappointed.

Marvel Studios and Disney's Thor Official Movie Special is jam-packed with photos, interviews, quizzes, games, puzzles, a Thor timeline, a special two-part comic book story leading into the film, a Who's Who of characters and much more.  Like Thor, it's big, its bold and it packs plenty of punch!  "For Asgard!"  

James Bond Mission Logs

New from Rittenhouse Archives comes a brand new James Bond Trading Card Set consisting of 66 Base Cards (I assembled one full Set out of my Box). Five Cards come per pack with 24 packs per Box and 12 boxes per Case.

All 22 of the James Bond films are represented with three Cards per film from Dr. No to Quantum Of Solace and featuring some never-seen-before published photos.  

Two Autograph Cards (including for the first time Pierce Brosnan) (I got Toby Stephens as Gustav Graves in Die Another Day and Ulrich Thomsen as Davidov in The World is Not Enough) and one Relic Card (mine is James Bond's Russian Nuclear Bunker Suit from the World Is Not Enough) per Box!

Bonus Sets include Expansion Cards for Rittenhouse's classic Bond Chase sets: Femme Fatales (Halle Berry is mine), Bond Villains (two for me), Bond Allies (zip) and "Bond…James Bond" (two again).  

Other Special Incentive Cards are available, depending on the number of Cases you order.

The True Adventures Of The World’s Greatest Stuntman

He has played Superman, Indiana Jones, James Bond and host of other well-known action and adventure heroes on the Silver Screen and yet he was not the star of any of the movies. He’s responsible for some of the greatest live action sequences ever filmed and is well-respected and talented director.

He is one of the most liked professionals in the film industry and yet most people don’t know his name or can recognize him. And that’s all right with him. He prefers it that way. Directors know that his work is of the highest caliber, actors are confident that he will enhance their performances and the behind-the-scenes craftsmen and technicians appreciate his professionalism and knowledge of the industry.


Who am I talking about? It’s Vic Armstrong and this is his story as recalled and chronicled in Titan Books’ ‘The True Adventures Of The World’s Greatest Stuntman’.


Containing first-hand accounts of his experiences in the stuntman field, director’s chair and stunt coordinator capacity, the book is filled with photos, recollections by fellow stuntmen and the actors, actresses and directors he’s worked with over the last 40+ years.


Steven Spielberg provides a glowing foreword and such notable film stars and directors: Arnold Schwarzeneggger, Christopher Lee, Martin Scorsese, Harrison Ford and many others recall their time spent with Vic.


If you want to see what really goes on behind the camera and discover the tremendous amount of work and sweat that goes into making breath-taking stunt sequences then pick up a copy of Vic’s new book and enjoy every heart-stopping moment.