Monday, June 30, 2014

A Look at Hasbro's Transformers Hound Figure


The best thing about the latest Transformers movie was John Goodman's Hound. He was so good that I just had to pick up the figure when I saw it.The packaging is actually pretty cool for this guy. I like the way it was designed, with a picture of the character taking up the whole front of the card. The only thing that is a bit awkward is the picture of Hound on the bottom left corner on the front of the package. It features an image that is too cartoony compared to the rest of the packaging.

When you flip the package over, the back gives you transformation instructions right onthe box. I like the idea of this as it saves them from having to print out and add a
little booklet inside the package. The only bad thing about it is that they're pretty
hard to understand. I literally sat there for fifteen minutes trying to transform Hound
into his vehicle form. I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out how the (attached) gun
fit into the transformation. The instructions weren't clear on where to fold it in. I
almost gave up a couple of times.  Of course, I haven't played with a Transformer in
years so that may be part of the problem.


Honestly, I'm not a fan of the Bayformers designs, but this figure doesn't look as bad as some of the others. Except for that beard. What the hell is that all about? I don't
understand why the movie versions always try to add things like the beard or hair or,
like those ridiculous twins from the second film, gold teeth. Hound looks nothing like
the character's original design. In fact, he looks so different that I would never have
guessed what character it was. Overall it's a nice figure, even if I can't transform the darn thing! That's okay, though, he can sit as is on my shelf.


Hound's "quick draw" action that doesn't always seem to
work.


Sunday, June 29, 2014

Paul Jenkins Expands the World of Fablewood with New 'Fiction Squad' Kickstarte​r

Cover to FICTION SQUAD #1 by Ramon Bachs

Writer Paul Jenkins (Wolverine: Origin, Revelations) has launched a new Kickstarter campaign to expand his world of Fablewood with an all-new detective story, FICTION SQUAD. Jenkins teams up with artist Ramon Bachs (Civil War: Front Line) to tell the darker side of fairy tales, because virtually all children’s stories are, in fact, crime scenes.

Jenkins and artist Humberto Ramos (Spider-Man) first established the world of Fablewood in their two Kickstarter raises, FAIRY QUEST VOL. 1: OUTLAWS and FAIRY QUEST VOL. 2: OUTCASTS, both of which exceeded their campaign goals, allowing their passion project to become a reality. BOOM! Studios proudly serialized the first volume across two single issues and a softcover edition for wider distribution, with plans to serialize the second volume as well.

“As I’ve said in the previous Kickstarter for FAIRY QUEST: OUTCASTS, the world that Red and Woof are in is so much bigger, and I’m so excited to show off the rest of Fablewood to everyone,” said Jenkins. “In FICTION SQUAD, we’re switching gears a bit and getting into a hard-boiled detective story that involves everyone’s favorite childhood nursery rhymes. Ramon Bachs is an incredibly talented artist who I worked with on Civil War: Front Line and I’m so grateful to be working with him again. Most of all, though, I’m thankful for the support of all the fans who back us, because it simply couldn’t happen without them. Many thanks to all of you, and here’s to a new campaign!”

FICTION SQUAD takes place in the world of FAIRY QUEST, the Fablewood-set story about Red and Woof as they fight against the system in order to remain best friends. But Fablewood is a giant place—there are thousands of people, and, much like everyday life, each one has their own story. FICTION SQUAD posits that every nursery rhyme you know is actually the result of a crime. The City of Rimes is controlled by two mafia families, the Queens of the Card Crime Syndicate and the Wicked Witches of the East and West Side. It’s up to failed detective Frankie Mack and his partner, Simple Simon, to prevent a full-scale war from breaking out after Humpty Dumpty and the Wicked Witch of the East both meet untimely demises under suspicious circumstances.

If successfully funded, FICTION SQUAD will be released as a six-issue limited series featuring covers exclusive to Kickstarter backers, followed by a collected hardcover available only through the campaign. 

For further details and a list of rewards, visit the FICTION SQUAD Kickstarter page here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1803036765/fiction-squad.

Paul Jenkins on Twitter: @mypauljenkins

Friday, June 27, 2014

The Original Avengers Return In Steed and Mrs. Peel: We're Needed

STEED AND MRS. PEEL: WE'RE NEEDED #1 Cover A by Stacey Lee

STEED AND MRS. PEEL: WE'RE NEEDED #1 Cover B by Babs Tarr


Award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios is pleased to announce the July debut of a groovy new limited series that celebrates the cornerstone of modern spy fiction: STEED AND MRS. PEEL: WE’RE NEEDED. Based on the classic British television show, The Avengers, this series centers on super-spies John Steed and Emma Peel, who were instrumental in forming ideal smart, witty, and stylish spy heroes back in the mid-1960s. This is the third series based on the duo to be published by BOOM! Studios.

Writer Ian Edginton (Hinterkind, Leviathan) and artist Marco Cosentino will craft two, three-issue story arcs. In the first, they take Steed and Peel on their most psychedelic adventure yet. When an old associate of John Steed is killed, a grand conspiracy is suspected. This leads Steed and Peel to a strange village and an unexpected imprisonment for one of the spies. In the second story arc, Steed and Peel investigate a mysterious menace inside a prison. Prisoners are being mind-controlled by an unseen force and it’s up to Steed and Peel to discover how and what for.

“Bringing back STEED AND MRS. PEEL with Ian Edginton and Marco Cosentino has been a project we’ve really been looking forward to,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Ian’s voice for the characters is dead-on and Marco brings the spy-fi style in spades. You can tell they’re having fun, and it translates to the page.”

STEED AND MRS. PEEL: WE’RE NEEDED #1 arrives in comic shops on July 23rd with a cover price of $3.99. The main cover is illustrated by Stacey Lee, and retailer incentive cover will be available in a limited quantity by Babs Tarr

Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Archaia Announces Alyssa Milano’s ‘Hacktivis​t’ Collected in Hardcover


Coming this July, Archaia, an award-winning imprint of publisher BOOM! Studios, is excited to announce the HACKTIVIST hardcover, a collection of the hit four-issue miniseries created by actress, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Alyssa Milano (Mistresses, Project Runway All Stars). Written by the team of Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, penciled and inked by Marcus To (New Warriors, CYBORG 009), colored by the Eisner Award-nominated Ian Herring (JIM HENSON’S TALE OF SAND), and lettered by fellow Eisner Award nominee Deron Bennett (JIM HENSON’S TALE OF SAND), HACKTIVIST asks, What if the founders of the largest social media network in the world were also hackers who used their skills and resources to help social causes around the world? Then what if the U.S. Government found out?

Jack Dorsey, the co-founder and co-creator of Twitter and founder and CEO of Square, who inspired Milano to create the story, provides a Note to Readers in the book, which also contains an interview with real-life hacker and inventor Pablos Holman and commentary and early process work from the creative team.

“HACKTIVIST is such a great concept, and we’re all thrilled that it was so well received when it came out as a miniseries,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “For those who may have missed out the first time, this hardcover edition is a beautiful collection of the entire series. And even if you’re already familiar with the story, we’ve packed in a bunch of great additions and extras. The overall presentation is gorgeous, as everybody has come to expect from Archaia.”

The world knows Ed Hiccox and Nate Graft as the young, brilliant co-founders of YourLife, a social networking company that has changed the way the world connects with each other. The world knows “.sve_Urs3lf” as the largest white-hat hacking group on the planet, exposing information and sparking revolutions across the globe. What the world doesn’t know is that this is a lie. Ed Hiccox and Nate Graft are .sve_Urs3lf. When their operation is discovered by the US Government, and their company is taken over by military contracts and the CIA, Ed and Nate must face the real world beyond the code and choose between friendship and what they believe to be right.

The HACKTIVIST hardcover collection arrives from Archaia in comic shops on July 16th and bookstores on July 22nd with a cover price of $24.99. 

Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! 

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Unboxing June's Loot Crate: 'Transform'


Loot Crate, the monthly subscription service of "geek and gamer gear," outdid itself this month. The subscription service ($20/month), partners with established and upcoming brands to deliver a box of awesome goodies straight to your door. Each month has a special theme. The catch: You don't know what you'll receive that month. But, you can be guaranteed that the value of the box is over $40. 

June's theme was "Transform," taking full advantage of the upcoming Transformers release in theaters.  
This month's swag:


Tranformers HexBug, Transformers blind box toy, button, candy, and MLG wrist band

June magazine, stickers, and $5.00 MLG credit

Marty McPrime T-shirt

Transformers Blind Box Toy from Habro & The Loyal Subjects




Sunday, June 22, 2014

Your Doctor Who Birthday Episode


Have you ever wondered which episode of Doctor Who premiered on your birthday? I'm not the only one, right? Well, all you need to do is enter your birthday at tardisday.com and through the magic of the internets, you'll have your answer!

Mine was 'The Talons of Weng-Chiang - Part 6'

Friday, June 20, 2014

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods Limited Run in Theaters




Be there on August 5, 6, 7 & 9 when Earth's greatest hero takes his place among the gods!


Stunning animation and epic new villains highlight the first new Dragon Ball Z feature film in seventeen years! Beerus, the God of Destruction, travels to Earth in search of a good fight. Only Goku, humanity's greatest hero, can ascend to the level of a Super Saiyan God and stop Beerus's rampage!
Only a limited amount of theaters in select cities will be showing Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods.
Keep an eye on funimation.com for more details as they become available. 

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

The Lego Movie Giveaway


Everything is Awesome!
The LEGO® Movie, the first-ever, full-length theatrical LEGO® adventure, directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller is an original 3D computer animated story that follows Emmet, an ordinary, rules-following, perfectly average LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared.
Chris Pratt (Moneyball) stars as the voice of Emmet. Will Ferrell (The Campaign) stars as the voice of his primary adversary, President Business, an erudite, anal-retentive CEO who has a hard time balancing world domination with micro-managing his own life; while Liam Neeson (Taken) voices the president's powerful henchman, known as Bad Cop, who will stop at nothing to catch Emmet.
Starring as Emmet's fellow travelers are Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby), as Vitruvius, an old mystic; Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games, Emmy nominee for 30 Rock), as tough-as-nails Lucy, who mistakes Emmet for the savior of the world and guides him on his quest; Will Arnett (Emmy nominee, 30 Rock), as the mysterious Batman, a LEGO minifigure with whom Lucy shares a history; Nick Offerman (NBC's Parks and Recreation) as a craggy, swaggering pirate, obsessed with revenge on President Business; and Alison Brie (Community) as a sweet, loveable member of the team, with a powerful secret. 



We are giving away one copy of The LEGO Movie on Blu-ray! Contest starts June 18th and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 27th.

There are three ways to enter:

- Tweet @monkeyjedi and let him know who your favorite LEGO movie character is. Be sure to include the hashtag #TheLEGOMovie

- Share a link to this post via social media (Twitter, Facebook, Pintrest) and let us know via Twitter or E-mail (geekhashblog@gmail.com) when you do!

- Use the LEGO Movie app to create a GIF and send us a link via Twitter (@monkeyjedi), E-mail, or in the comments section!

One winner will be randomly chosen. Once notified, they will then have 24 hours to respond with a mailing address (No P.O. Boxes) or an alternate winner will be chosen.

*Each household is only eligible to win The Lego Movie Blu-Ray via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

**Warner Bros. Entertainment is sponsoring this giveaway and will be shipping the prize to the winner.   
  

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Bay Area Film Events Presents Godzilla Night 3



Celebrate Godzilla's 60th birthday at Bay Area Film Events' Godzilla Night 3 at The Historic Bal Theatre in San Leandro, CA. The event, taking place on June 28th will screen Godzilla vs. Biollante and feature live music, Godzilla experts, displays, prizes, and "The Great Godzilla Auction" For more info head over to bayareafilmevents.com

Friday, June 13, 2014

Geeky U Delivers Custom "Geek-ery Swag" To Your Doorstep

I discovered the California-based Geeky U at this years Big WOW! ComicFest in San Jose. Their line of geek-inspired bags, hoodies, and shirts were awesome. They're all well-made and very creative. These are just a few of the items that are available from their website (geekyu.com):













Adventure Time: Banana Guard Academy Starts Recruiting in June


AT: Banana Guard Academy #1 Cover A
ADVENTURE TIME: BANANA GUARD ACADEMY #1 Cover A by Aimee Fleck

AT: Banana Guard Academy #1 Cover B
ADVENTURE TIME: BANANA GUARD ACADEMY #1 Cover B by Michele Petrucci

AT: Banana Guard Academy #1 Cover C
ADVENTURE TIME: BANANA GUARD ACADEMY #1 Cover C by Natalie Hall
 
Have you ever wanted to serve in the illustrious Banana Guards and protect the Candy Kingdom? Well now’s your chance! Root Beer Guy is calling on all guards (banana or otherwise) to join the best of the best in ADVENTURE TIME: BANANA GUARD ACADEMY, a new limited series coming this July from KaBOOM!, an imprint of BOOM! Studios, and Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of the network. This marks the comic writing debut of Kent Osborne, head writer of the Adventure Timeshow, with art from Mad Rupert (REGULAR SHOW: SKIPS).

“Having Kent write this series is a real treat,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “He’s written some of our favorite episodes of the show and created Root Beer Guy, who’s going to take charge of the Banana Guard and start recruiting some fan-favorite citizens of Ooo. We’re also excited to have Mad on board after her hilarious run on REGULAR SHOW: SKIPS. It’s a great team.”

It turns out that there is a lot to being a Banana Guard—but being a Banana is not mandatory. This crazy adventure follows Root Beer Guy as he starts his search for new recruits among Ooo’s citizens. Only the best will do in his quest to protect the Candy Kingdom!

ADVENTURE TIME: BANANA GUARD ACADEMY #1 goes on sale July 9th. The main covers are illustrated by Aimee Fleck (LUMBERJANES) and Michele Petrucci, with a retailer incentive cover byNatalie Hall available in a limited quantity. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.
 
ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS
Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent. BOOM! Studios is the home of Mike Carey’s SUICIDE RISK, Clive Barker’s NEXT TESTAMENT and HELLRAISER, Paul Jenkins and Humberto Ramos’ FAIRY QUEST, PLANET OF THE APES, Max Bemis’ POLARITY and Mark Waid’s IRREDEEMABLE. Steven Grant’s graphic novel 2 GUNS was recently released as a feature film from Universal Pictures, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. BOOM!’s all-ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz’ PEANUTS, Jim Davis’ GARFIELD, Cartoon Network’s ADVENTURE TIME and REGULAR SHOW, Mike Kunkel’s HEROBEAR AND THE KID, and Roger Langridge’s Eisner Award-winning SNARKED. In June 2013, BOOM! acquired Archaia Entertainment (archaia.com). Archaia is the Eisner and Harvey Award-winning graphic novel publisher of MOUSE GUARD, COW BOY, GUNNERKRIGG COURT, RUST, SPERA, JIM HENSON’S TALE OF SAND, and many other great titles. In October 2013, BOOM! Studios entered into a unique first-look relationship with 20th Century Fox, giving the studio access to its library of titles and giving the publisher access to Fox's vast catalog of films.
 

BOOM! Studios
Twitter = @boomstudios
Facebook = facebook.com/BOOMStudiosComics


Kent Osborne
Twitter = @kentisawesome

Mad Rupert
Twitter = @MadelineRupert

Aimee Fleck
Twitter = @aimeefleck

Natalie Hall
Twitter = @nataliehall





 

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Vote for the New Snickers Bar!


A delicious new SNICKERS® Bar is coming. It has more peanuts, more caramel, and more chocolate. It has more of everything people love most about SNICKERS except nougat and a name. Mars Chocolate North America has announced that for the first time consumers will have the opportunity to help name the newest product from SNICKERS!
The as-of-now unnamed bar includes a single delicious layer of crunchy roasted peanuts and smooth caramel perfectly blended and enrobed in milk chocolate. And fans get to name it. Consumers can visit the SNICKERS Facebook page (www.facebook.com/snickers), through June 13, 2014, to choose from one of five possible names:
SNICKERS Go Nuts
SNICKERS Xtreme
SNICKERS #MoreNuts
SNICKERS Nuts Galore
SNICKERS Nuts!
The new bar will be out in stores in 2015!





Vote now and enter to win a Snickers Voting Prize Pack that includes a SNICKERS bar, A SNICKERS BITES pack, a SNICKERS Almond bar, a SNICKERS Peanut Butter Squared bar, a SNICKERS Rockin'™ Nut Road Bar, and a pair of movie tickets!

To enter, vote for your favorite name and let us know when you do:

- Leave a message in the comments section or E-mail us at geekhashblog@gmail.com letting us know what you voted for!

-Tweet @monkeyjedi and let me know what you voted for! Be sure and use the hashtag #SnickersVote

Contest starts Sunday June 8 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June15th.

One winner will be randomly chosen and notified via E-mail. The winner will then have 24 hours to respond with a mailing address (no P.O. Boxes) or an alternate winner will be chosen.

Giveaway open to U.S. residents only

*Each household is only eligible to win One (1) Snickers Voting Pack with an assortment of Snickers Brand products and two (2) movie tickets. via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

*SNICKERS BRAND is sponsoring this giveaway and will be shipping items to winner via USPS or FedEx. No P.O. Boxes, please!

Friday, June 6, 2014

'RoboCop' Digital Download Comic Included Exclusivel​y in Target 'RoboCop' Blu-ray/DV​D/Digital


As part of the celebration of the release of the new RoboCop Blu-ray/DVD/Digital today, BOOM! created a new comic called ROBOCOP: THE GAUNTLET that is available as a digital download from ComicsPlus, powered by iVerse Media. Fans can get a code to redeem the free digital BOOM! Studios comic download when they purchase the RoboCop Blu-ray/DVD exclusively from Target.

ROBOCOP: THE GAUNTLET (One-shot)
Written by Michael Moreci
Art by Janusz Ordon and Korkut Oztekin
Colors by Vladimir Popov
Letters by Ed Dukeshire
Cover by Korkut Oztekin 


Set during the events of the acclaimed re-imagining of the sci-fi classic, here is an all-new chapter in RoboCop's fight for justice! An African warlord has come to the Motor City to steal the technology that helped create RoboCop. With his soldiers outfitted with cybernetic armor, RoboCop must battle them alone in...The Gauntlet! Written by Michael Moreci (CURSE, HOAX HUNTERS) with art by Janusz Ordon (CLIVE BARKER'S HELLRAISER) and Korkut Oztekin (ROBOCOP: THE LAST STAND)!  

ROBOCOP: THE GAUNTLET Cover by Korkut Oztekin