Star Wars: Knight Errant

from Things from Another World:

More than a thousand years before Luke Skywalker, a dark age grips the galaxy as the Republic abandons entire systems to Sith control. A newly knighted Jedi on her first mission, Kerra Holt, has joined a band of Jedi traveling deep behind enemy lines, with no support from the Republic and little chance of survival. She thinks she is prepared for anything. She’s wrong.

Star Wars: Knight Errant is the newest title to join Dark Horse’s stellar Star Wars line. Starting in October, the series promises plenty of Sith vs. Sith action! We had the chance to chat with writer, John Jackson Miller, about his new series and the companion novel he’s writing for Del Rey.

Read Our Exclusive Interview with John Jackson Miller

Pre-Order Star Wars: Knight Errant #1-2 Today

Start a Star Wars: Knight Errant Subscription (starting with issue #2)

See All Upcoming Star Wars Comics

Lady Robotika: Message from Jane & Bill

from Lady Robotika:

After much soul searching and number crunching, Bill & I have come to the sad realization that we can’t keep producing our beloved comic, Lady Robotika, the way we are currently operating.

Despite rave reviews, orders have been low, and that’s driven our costs up to DOUBLE what the books actually retail for!

Holy negative cashflow, it’s a rough Universe out there for a new superhero!

We have decided to jump space-ship and come up with a new plan for galactic domination. We LOVE making Lady Robotika, and we are committed to continuing her story. One way or another, Lady Robotika’s saga MUST be told!

Stay tuned for news regarding our new plan of action. Expect new LR comics and a CD of Lady Robotika MUSIC in the near future.

Many thanks to all of you who have rallied around our creation! We REALLY hope you will stick with us during this transitional time!

Love, Jane & Bill

Cinematic Titanic Tour News!

from Cinematic Titanic:

Hi Everyone,

Hope you’ve had a great summer. We here at CT have had a light touring schedule as we’re all very pale and prone to sunburn, but we had great sold-out shows in Ann Arbor and San Fransisco as well as a trip to PIXAR studios (a really neat place) to perform for their employees. Now as autumn approaches, our thoughts once again turn to the open road.

St. Louis Family Arena November 13th — Pre-Sale Today
We’re thrilled to return to the Family Arena for a third straight year. Tickets go on sale Friday but you can get pre-sale tix Thursday from 10am-10pm central time HERE. Enter the Promo code: WATTS

Some Bad News…
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to CANCEL our 9/24 show in Los Angeles. Those who’ve bought tickets will be contacted shortly regarding refunds. We’re sorry for the inconvenience and will reschedule LA shows soon. We hope some of you will join us the following evening in relatively nearby Anaheim.

Other Upcoming Dates
9/25 — Anaheim, California — The Grove — Tickets HERE
10/15 — Washington, DC — GWU, Lisner Auditorium — Tickets HERE
10/16 — Kingston, Rhode Island — URI, Edwards Auditorium — Tickets HERE
10/29 — Boston, Massachusetts — Wilbur Theatre — Tickets HERE
11/27 — Newark, New Jersey — NJPAC — Victoria Theater — Tickets HERE

CT on PBS!
Those of you in the St. Louis area, KETC-TV will be showing our episode Doomsday Machine on weekends throughout September — along with pledge breaks featuring Joel and Frank. Check your local listings.

Some Big Name Praise
Richard Corliss of Time Magazine wrote a great piece on the state of the MST3K universe today on Time.com. A CT-related excerpt:

“All the CT efforts would reside comfortably on the medium-high to off-the-charts scale of old MST3K episodes. But since CT is essentially a traveling show, the DVDs you really must see are the ones recorded live from their concert work, where the five riffers are perched on either side of the screen showing the movie. The vibe is alive, as the audience performs a peculiar release-and-choke maneuver, exploding with laughter at one gag and instantly stifling itself to hear the next one.”

If you haven’t checked out our live DVDs yet, please visit our STORE and get yourself up to speed.

Dragon Con
We’re off to Dragon Con in Atlanta over this Labor Day weekend. We’ll be doing plenty of MST and CT-related panels and signings — plus Trace will be unveiling his new book Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children (available to all soon after the weekend). Please join us if you’re attending the Con.

Thanks for reading this wordy email and all other forms of support!

Best,
The CT Crew

Split Reason: “Heroes of Newerth” Secret Shop Now Open!

from Split Reason:

Too bad it’s me, Blacksmith!!! Earlier in August we announced the launch of the Heroes of Newerth Secret Shop, full of attribute stacking gear and rejuvenating potions to keep your skills on point during the next HON tourney or gaming session. You can even snag some stickers or posters to spice up your rig and outfit your gaming fortress. Farm that gold and make your way over to the Secret Shop to see what the vendor has for sale. Be warned, Creeps are on the prowl!

Today marks the launch of the SPLIT REASON Pick-a-box lottery offering you a chance to win-a-something! If you want to join in the random fun and pull the win lever, jump over to our blog for rules and instructions.

We have a few new T’s available if you want to take a potion challenge, gobble some ghosts whole, or finish your Ice Kream!!! Summer may be coming to a close but Frosty Treats are good all year long. It’s also the last day to cash-in on our Back to School sale, so if you want to save some coins use the promo code OCTORAWK during check-out.

New Products

“Metroid: Other M” Takes Players Deep into the Heart of a Legend

from Nintendo of Canada:

Samus Aran, protagonist of Nintendo‘s Metroid series, is already known as one of the most iconic heroines in video game history. Now, with the launch of Metroid: Other M for the Wii system today, players are about to discover more about this enigmatic bounty hunter than ever before. Combining crisp action, immersive graphics and multifaceted controls, this latest entry in the legendary Metroid franchise marks a return to classic form that will captivate fans and newcomers alike.

The result of a collaboration between Yoshio Sakamoto — the director of Super Metroid — and acclaimed development studio Team NINJA, Metroid: Other M thrusts players deep into an extraordinary science fiction adventure. While much of the game is played from a third-person perspective that is reminiscent of 2D side-scrollers, with the Wii Remote held horizontally, Metroid: Other M is a fully-rendered 3D world where players can also point at the screen to switch to first-person view. Allowing for intense action, precise shooting and detailed exploration of the game’s richly atmospheric environments, this control scheme combines classic elements with original mechanics to give players a new way to experience Samus’ latest adventure.

Throughout Metroid: Other M, players are treated to cinematic interludes that reveal new details about Samus and her largely unknown past. The story picks up just after the events of 1994’s Super Metroid. As Samus, one of the first female protagonists in video game history, embarks on an action-packed mission aboard a derelict spacecraft, players will learn more about this iconic character while uncovering the truth behind a mystery that puts the entire galaxy in peril.

“Immersive action and storytelling go hand-in-hand in Metroid: Other M,” said Ron Bertram, Nintendo of Canada’s vice-president and general manager. “The combination of Mr. Sakamoto’s Metroid expertise and Team NINJA’s high-octane approach has yielded truly amazing results. Whether you’re new to the series or a die-hard fan, this new chapter is an absolute must-play.”

For more information about Metroid: Other M, visit metroid.com.

‘The Guild’ Season 4, Episode 7: “Awkward Birthday!”

from The Guild:

Episode 7: “Awkward Birthday!” is up on MSN and Bing video and downloadable on Zune and Xbox Live. And don’t forget to bookmark MSN’s Parallel Universe Hub. Fawkes’ arrival at dinner throws Codex for a loop; Clara and Tink’s business congeals into a plan, kind of.

Special thanks to Amalfi Ristorante & Bar and our fabulous extras (who were unfortunately omitted from the credits): Sam Bender, Tess Bodley, Troy Butcher, Beth Dunham, Kathy Flynn, Lanie Iannucci, Robert Iannucci Jr., Aaron Jackson, Catherine Koenig, David Koenig, Andy Law, Sarun Lorteerapong, Dennis Mai, Amber McBride, Bronte Neel, Matt Newcomb, Robert Queen, Jason Rector, Beverly Reynolds, Autumn Robertson, Andrew Salamon, Francis Santos and Meredith Williams.

J!NX: Samurai vs. Samurai

from J!NX:

New Design Arcade Winner: Samurai Wars!
There is no better swordsman than a samurai… except, of course, another samurai. When katanas cross, it is a duel of skill, and also of honor. The winner will live to see his next battle. The loser will not. This design is brought to you by Arrow, another winner of our Design Arcade Contest!

Check out our Full line of Clothing!
Did you know that J!NX now has an entire line of clothing inspired by the video games and geek culture we love? We now offer pants, jackets, buttondowns, polos and more, so you can still express your geeky attitude while lookin’ sharp at the same time! You can see the whole line right here. Tell us which one is your favorite, and you can be entered to win an XBox 360 with Kinect!

Nintendo Dropping Prices of Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL Systems on September 12

from Nintendo of Canada:

Nintendo is dropping the suggested retail price of its Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL video game systems. Effective September 12, the new suggested retail price of the Nintendo DSi system will be $149.99, while the new suggested retail price for the Nintendo DSi XL system will be $169.99. The Nintendo DS family of video game systems is the best-selling in the history of North America and worldwide. The new prices offer consumers tremendous value for their money while providing access to the best portable video game experiences possible.

“We know shoppers want to get the maximum value out of every dollar they spend,” said Ron Bertram, Nintendo of Canada’s vice-president and general manager. “Our new Nintendo DSi prices make it easier than ever for consumers to access the tremendous variety of games, applications and social tools on the Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL systems.”

The Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL systems offer consumers access to more than 1,300 packaged games and more than 200 downloadable games. Both systems feature two built-in cameras and photo- and sound-manipulation software that provide for a more social experience. Users can wirelessly upload photos to Facebook with the touch of a button (wireless broadband Internet access required). The Nintendo DSi XL system, which features a screen that is 93 per cent larger than that of the Nintendo DS Lite, comes pre-loaded with software like Brain Age Express: Math, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Flipnote Studio, Photo Clock and the Nintendo DSi Browser.

Through the end of July, total Nintendo DS family hardware sales are more than 42.3 million in North America alone, according to the NPD Group. Recent and upcoming software releases for the Nintendo DS family of systems include Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (now available), Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (September 12), Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs (October 4), Art Academy (October 25), Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! (November 14) and Golden Sun: Dark Dawn (November 29).

Remember that Nintendo DSi features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit nintendodsi.com.

Breadpig: SXSW! Kilimanjaro!

from Breadpig:

Dearest Breadpig Legionnaire,

First, some great news: Breadpig has just broken $115,000 in funds raised and profits donated! We are so grateful for all the support and generosity you’ve shown along the way, and hope you’re with us as we try to triple that number by this time next year.

For those of you headed to SXSW in March, we wanted to make sure you were aware that we’ve proposed Breadpig panel! This would be a great chance to share our knowledge and philosophy with other geeky organizations while also being a convenient place to meet with and answer questions from you, our faithful fans. Think of it as a party with a Q&A. Alexis is also slated to talk on these two panels about bridging creatives and technical folks and porcine startup aerodynamics. Breadpig allies Awesome Foundation and ROFLCon also have panels up. Please give all of them some love before voting closes this Friday, August 27th!

It’s also the last week before courageous (and adorable) Breadpig allies Mitu and Maherunesa Khandaker climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa (38,688 bacon strips tall!), to raise funds for their charity Arohon. They’re looking for £5000 to build a women’s education center in one of Bangladesh’s many poverty-stricken areas, and we’re matching every donation you make over the next week until they reach their goal. They’re still about £1600 short, so please donate and help our intrepid friends with their mission to empower girls!

Finally, we’re excited to announce that xkcd: volume 0 is now available on Amazon — at a 32% discount, no less. What’s more, in what may be the most unifying geek event for the US and the UK since the installation of the trans-Atlantic telegraph cable, UK fans can finally purchase xkcd: volume 0 as well through Amazon.co.uk. Breadpig is for the children.

Until next time,
Alexis and Christina

BOOM! and Stan Lee Present Soldier Zero

Soldier Zero

from Things from Another World:

From Stan Lee, the most colossal force in the history of comics, teams up with BOOM! Studios to deliver a brand-new line of superhero comics! The great innovator brings his inimitable talents back in an explosive line of comics that nobody is prepared for!

In this first ongoing series, Soldier Zero, Stan teams up with critically acclaimed writer Paul Cornell (Action Comics, Doctor Who) and artist Javier Pina (Superman, Batman) for a dramatic, action-packed superhero scorcher.

When an alien parasite falls to Earth, wheelchair-bound college student Stewart Travers becomes infected, and goes through super-human changes that no mortal could imagine. Forced into a galactic war that’s chosen Earth as the battlefield, Stewart defends the front line as Soldier Zero!

The intergalactic war hits Earth this October in a new ongoing series from Stan Lee and BOOM! Studios. Stay tuned to future editions of the TFAW News newsletter to hear about Lee’s other upcoming titles!

Order Your Copy of Soldier Zero #1 Today

Check Out the Five-Page First Look Preview of Soldier Zero #1

See All Upcoming Products from BOOM! Studios

Test Drive Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures

from StarWars.com:

Sony Online Entertainment and LucasArts are looking for video game enthusiasts of all ages and fans of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated television series on Cartoon Network to be the first to get hands-on in the open BETA testing for Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures. Get a sneak peek of the highly anticipated free-to-play online virtual world and provide feedback to help put the finishing touches on the final game scheduled to be released on September 15th.

The ultimate virtual destination for a new generation of Star Wars fans, Clone Wars Adventures is an action-packed virtual world where players can go online to experience fun minigames, daily activities, events, rewards, lively social environments and competition. Clone Wars Adventures lets players duel iconic adversaries with their own custom lightsaber, speed through the galaxy in a custom starfighter, defeat enemies and take down starships.

Clone Wars Adventures is a free-to-play game, but players who want to take the galactic action to the next level can purchase a monthly Membership subscription for $5.99, while a variety of epic items can also be purchased through Station Cash micro-transactions. The Clone Wars Adventures Galactic Passport is scheduled to be available at thousands of retail locations in North America later this fall and will include a 90-day membership, 500 Station Cash, the ability to unlock the Togruta playable character, a Yoda monitor topper, and more.

When: Clone Wars Adventures BETA registration is open now. Prospective Jedi Masters and clone troopers can register for BETA and test their lightsaber skills, helping to fine tune the game for launch this September!

Where: For the opportunity to participate in the program visit the game website CloneWarsAdventures.com and click on the BETA registration link.

Watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars right now at StarWars.com!