September 13th, 1999

Between the era of Star Trek re-runs (maybe 1974?) and the dawn of Star Wars (1976) my favorite show in the universe was Space:1999. I must have only been nine years old when the show came out, but man did it make an impression on me for years to come. Every year when it’s September 13th I always think of the first episode which was titled Breakaway.

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Femtroopers

Thanks to Digg I discovered this blog entry on Femtroopers (feminine versions of Star Wars stormtroopers):

Stormtroopers blast through gender barrier

“If you want to check out a very welcome new trend in science fiction fandom (assuming you’re a huge geek), then Google the word “Femtroopers”. This is perhaps the most celebratory development for horny Star Wars fans since Princess Leia became Jabba the Hutt’s barge ho.”

There’s also a nice photo essay on the topic here (don’t worry it’s safe for work).

Ugū!

Shown above is the character Ayu Tsukimiya from the anime series Kanon whose favorite catch phrase is (you guessed it) Ugū!

Star Trek Minimates

Diamond Select Toys is taking pre-orders on the Star Trek Minimates Series 2 Case:

“The second series of Star Trek Minimates, this Classic Star Trek assortment features Battle Damage Kirk & Gorn, “The Cage” Spock & Uhura, Sulu & Chekov and the limited Swashbuckling Sulu!”

…Captain Pike fans will have to order Minimates Series 1.

I Lived on the Moon

I lived on the Moon is an animated short created by Yannick Puig who draws inspiration from Tim Burton and Hayao Miyazaki. Yannick works as an animator in Europe (France and Spain), here is his explanation of the film:

“In ‘I lived on the moon’, a father speaks to his son. He explains how was his life on the moon. A place filled with flying snakes, fireflies and three tailed monkeys. A beautiful place, safe and far away from the human culture. A place for imagination, a place in which you’ll find the entrance only if you open your mind.”

Parade with Fireworks

Shown above are the cover and some interior panels from Parade with Fireworks by Michael Cavallaro. What I like about the book is that it features a film noir feel to the storytelling, yet the artwork has a very colorful illustrational looking style to it. Cavallaro came up with the story as well, and took a page from his own family history:

“These are tales that I grew up hearing from my relatives. The basis of the comic spans decades of my family’s history on their journeys from an Italian countryside lost between two World Wars, to the coal mines of the American south and the factories of the Northeast. Parade is the beginning of these stories.”

…there’s a good hint above for all of you aspiring writers out there, always write about what you know (special thanks to my Mom for always reminding me of that every now and then).

Iron Man: New Official Trailer

This looks silly but fun! I guess we’ll find out in May 2008…

Tex Avery Documentary

Shown above is the first part of a very well done documentary from 1988 on the life and work of animation legend Tex Avery.

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Yumi Modal Sculptures

Located in Thailand Yumi Modal makes amazing large scale fine art sculptures inspired science fiction films like Alien, Terminator, Mobile Suit Gundam and Star Wars (which is shown above). Looking at the craftsmanship you can tell that the artists love what they’re working on.

Mona Lisa Redrawn

The September issue of Nickelodeon magazine features cartoonists doing their individual take on the Mona Lisa. Shown above are illustrations by Greg Clarke, David Sheldon, James Kochalka, Hal Mayforth, Jef Czekaj, Calef Brown, Gary Clement, and Sam Henderson.