Turn Yourself Into An Action Figure!

Have you ever wanted your own action figure? Now you can get one! That's My Face can turn you into Batman, Spider-Man, a G.I. Joe or even a Stormtrooper! The company can make you into a custom action figure starting at $59.00. You can get just a head ranging in sizes that fit a 4" figure to a 12" figure. You can also get a full custom-made figure with the bodies of some of your favorite characters. The company can also make realistic 3D portraits and wearable masks.

First Annual AnimeiCon Comes To Monterey July 22-24, 2011

The Central Coast gets its first anime convention thanks to the folks of AnimeiCon! The convention was "brought together by a group of young Asian-Americans/Anime Enthusiasts" whose mission is to "introduce and inspire, especially our youth and young adults, in the various animation art forms to broaden creativity, encourage passion for the arts, and establish positive self-identity thereby promoting creative thinkers for our future."

Some of the events during the 3 day convention:

1. Vendor Room

2. Artist Alley

3. Game Tournaments: Halo Reach, Black Ops (console gaming), Magic (table-top gaming), Spirit Hunt (Laser Tag arena) and more!

4. Panels: Q&A, signings and lectures

5. Cosplay Parade

6. Martial Arts Demonstrations

7. Viewing Rooms

8. Dance "Club Bash" (Sponsored by KDON 102.5)

9. Japan Relief Booth/Display (American Red Cross & Operation USA)

Confirmed Guests Include:

-Chris Cason (Fullmetal Alchemist, DragonBall Z Kai, Soul Eater) 

-Jamie Marchi (Witchblade, Fruits Basket, Soul Eater)

-Yuki Dong (Anime/Vocaloid Singer & Performer)

-Trina Nishimura (Baccano!, Witchblade, Speed Grapher)

-Kairu (Visual-Kei artist)

Registration:

Advance Rates: $45 through June 10; $50 through July 2; $55 Through July 11

At-Door Rates: $60 weekend; $25 Friday; $30 Saturday; $25 Sunday

Wanna attend for free? AnimeiCon is looking for volunteers! 

Requirements: 

- Must be 16 years old and above

- Be a team-player

- Be Courteous

- Be Respectful

- Have great communication and social skills

- Willing to learn

- Must know how to have FUN.

Volunteer Benefits:

- Day passes for days worked

- Must work a total of 20 hours

- Inaugural Animeicon T-Shirt

- Volunteer badge

- Food and drinks - Community Service Hours

(High school students wanting to gain experience.)

Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes Coming from Archaia

 Archaia Entertainment has set July 25^th for the release of Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes, its first illustrated novel, through its new book trade distributor Publishers Group West.

Written by celebrated author, artist, and digital producer Andrew E.C. Gaska, and adapted from a story by Gaska, Rich Handley, Christian Berntsen and Erik Matthews, Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes recounts what happened between the scenes of the classic 1968 Twentieth Century Fox film, centering on the astronaut John Landon, Chimpanzee scientists Dr. Milo and Dr. Galen, and Gorilla Security Chief Marcus. The book contains 30 full-color paintings and another 19 black and white illustrations, including a cover by legendary artist Jim Steranko (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and interior art from some of the top talent in the industry, including renowned book cover painter Ken Kelly (Conan, KISS), Joe Jusko (Savage Sword of Conan, Tarzan), Sanjulian (Eerie, Vampirella), Mark Texiera (Ghost Rider, Wolverine), Leo Leibelman (Heavy Metal), Matt Busch (Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica), Brian Rood (Indiana Jones, Star Wars), Tom Scioli (Godland), David Hueso (G.I. Joe: Storm Shadow) and newcomers Dan Dussault (Critical Millennium) and Dirk Shearer (Mice Templar).

Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes marks Archaia’s first venture into prose books. “We’re very excited about our first foray into prose fiction publishing, particularly being able to work with a brilliant creative talent in Drew Gaska and a storied franchise like Planet of the Apes. I’m a huge fan of the original film and Conspiracy is a great example of an author playing successfully in an established narrative canon. We are very excited to introduce this extraordinary science fiction release across the book trade and genre markets and look forward to Conspiracy emerging as one of the year’s most talked-about titles,” said Mark Smylie, CCO of Archaia.

The original Planet of the Apes was an immediate pop-culture phenomenon, spanning decades with several film and television sequels, including the 2001 remake starring Mark Wahlberg and the latest, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, starring 127 Hours star James Franco, Harry Potter’s Tom Felton and Immortals’ Freida Pinto.

Review: Thor: Tales of Asgard

Thor, in my mind, has never been a standout character on The Avengers roster. It’s not his fault, the man IS the God of Thunder but he still has to compete with Captain America, Iron Man and The Hulk (way more interesting characters).Then, here comes Marvel, which did something amazing with their live-action Thor film; they made me care about the character.

It is with this newfound interest that I went into ‘Thor: Tales of Asgard’ with high expectations. I had been wondering when this film would be released as it was teased on the ‘Planet Hulk’ Blu-ray about a year and a half ago. Now mind you, I’m a Marvel guy but even I have to admit that DC has far surpassed them in the animated feature department. Thor: Tales of Asgard is not Marvel’s best feature, nor is it their worst (I’m looking at you Next Avengers) and it stands up to DC’s efforts admirably.

The film is not so much an origin story as it is a coming-of-age one. We get a teenage Thor, full of ego, who learns that his weekly duels in the arena with Asgard’s soldiers are routinely swung in his favor. This fills him with the need to prove himself, so he and his brother Loki stow away on the ship of the Warriors Three intent on tracking down the Sword of Surtur. They stop in a pub which sets off a chain of events that eventually leads to the breakdown of the peace treaty between Asgard and the Frost Giants.

Thor’s journey plays out amazingly well. Even with the short running time, you get to see the full progression of the character that will eventually become the Thor we know (something that Smallville failed to do over the course of ten seasons). The biggest disappointment is the missed opportunity with the development of Loki. He’s not only Thor’s brother, but his greatest foe and it’s not until a brief scene towards the end that we get a hint of what the character will become. Beyond that, there also seems to be (and this may just be my opinion) a mismatch between the voice of Thor and his look/dialogue. Overall the film is a solid and enjoyable effort from Marvel that should satisfy old and new fans alike.

Relativity, Archaia, and Fandango Are Looking For A God And Goddess

Do you have what it takes to be a Greek God or Goddess? If so, then Relativity Media – the studio behind the visually spectacular 3D action adventure Immortals – wants you to sign up right away! Exclusively offered via Facebook today, the Relativity-Archaia Immortals promotion sponsored by Fandango, the nation’s leading moviegoer destination, will crown the winners on July 1 with a king’s ransom-worth of prizes, including a grand prize where contest winners will be immortalized as graphic novel characters with the “reveal” taking place at the Archaia panel during Comic-Con in a special photo-op ceremony. Winners will also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to San Diego to attend the 2011 Comic-Con International. The package includes airfare, hotel accommodations, and exclusive access to special Immortals events throughout the convention.

Entrants will share their reasons why they are the perfect candidate to become the Greek God (Apollo) or Goddess (Artemis) via the Facebook application form. The top-10 entries (five women and five men) with the most “Likes” at the end of the contest period will be asked to submit “authentic” audition tapes for the roles to Relativity Media. The film’s celebrated Director Tarsem Singh will select his two favorites (one man, one woman) and they will be crowned the winners.

Relativity Media and graphic novel publisher Archaia Entertainment, LLC formed a publishing partnership to produce and publish a hardcover graphic novel anthology based upon Relativity’s upcoming epic motion picture Immortals, which stars Henry Cavill (Superman: Man of Steel), Luke Evans (Robin Hood), Kellan Lutz (Twillight), Isabel Lucas (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen), Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), and Mickey Rourke (Iron Man 2).

Archaia will release the Immortals: Gods and Heroes graphic novel in September, serving as a prelude to the 3D motion picture, which releases worldwide on November 11, 2011. The graphic novel will expand upon the film’s key characters and events through a series of original tales written and illustrated by some of the top names in comics, including David Mack (Kabuki), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Dennis Calero (Dark Tower) and Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night). The graphic novel will be published through Archaia’s Black Label division, a publishing pipeline dedicated to working alongside creative professionals within the entertainment industry eager to launch and expand their brands in the publishing world.

For more information on the contest, please visit:


http://www.fandango.com/

http://www.immortalsmovie.com/

www.facebook.com/immortals

http://twitter.com/ImmortalsFilm

Breaking In Series Finale- This Tuesday Night

CONTRA SECURITY GOES BACK TO SCHOOL ON THE “BREAKING IN” SEASON FINALE

TUESDAY, MAY 17, ON FOX

When Contra Security is hired to find a teen cyber-bully, Cameron finds himself back at his former high school, where he must relive his un-glory days in the all-new “21.0 Jump Street” season finale episode of BREAKING IN airing Tuesday, May 17 (9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Guest Cast: Mike Tyson as Himself; Michael Rosenbaum as Dutch; Trevor Moore as Josh; Jennifer Irwin as Creepy Carol; Zack Perlman as Leslie; Nora Kirkpatrick as Patty; Nick Jandl as Kip O’Bannon; Heather Sossaman as MeganFOX has decided not to renew the freshman series (which recently ran a Comic-Con storyline) and will be airing its final episode tomorrow night. Also cancelled by FOX: Human Target, The Chicago Code, Lie To Me and Traffic Light.

Call of the Dead DLC for PS3, X-Box 360 and PC

The epic Call of Duty franchise has just gotten even…epic-er. I didn’t think it was even possible. The brilliant minds over at Treyarch have assembled their own version of The Mighty Avengers. They have gathered some of the baddest mofo’s around for the new “Call of the Dead” map pack. You can now play as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Machete, Freddy Krueger and Merle Dixon. You read that right. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Danny Trejo, Robert Englund and Michael Rooker have lent their voices and likenesses to the franchise. And get this- Zombie Godfather George Romero appears in the game as a boss! I loves me some Call of Duty and even though I’m not one for DLC, I NEED to get this ASAP. The 360 version is out now and PS3 and PC versions will be released soon.