Favorite Toys Make a Better You!

from Milky Way and the Galaxy Girls:

We all have a favorite toy. Whether still in our possession or one we remember fondly, a favorite toy will always have a special place in our hearts. We develop a very personal relationship with these toys and, according to MIT psychologist Sherry Turkle, these objects do have an impact on the kind of person we will eventually become.

Click on this link to find out how a plush My Little Pony doll helped little Christine Alvarado develop math skills that would help her later in life as a computer scientist.

Over and Out!

Mother Earth (Lauren Faust)

Dark Horse Announces All-New “Star Wars” Series, “Knight Errant”!

from Dark Horse Comics:

Coming off the heels of penning the breakout hit Mass Effect: Redemption and the gripping finale of Knights of the Old Republic, writer John Jackson Miller introduces us to Kerra Holt, a young Jedi who’s about to realize that her role in the galaxy is far more important, and vastly different, than she could have ever imagined.

Set one thousand years before Episode I, in a time referred to as the “Dark Age of the Republic,” this story takes place in an era when the Sith were legion and the Republic was strained to the breaking point, leaving large swaths of the galaxy with no one to turn to. This pivotal time in the history of Star Wars has been largely unexplored, until now.

Additionally, for the first time ever, the writer of this new comics series will also be authoring a novel for Del Rey Books, set in the same era and involving the same cast of characters in an all-new adventure. It’s going to be a unique event for Star Wars, and one that will give fans a whole new perspective on the galaxy.

“There’s such wonderful chaos going on in the galaxy in this period,” said writer John Jackson Miller. “More than a generation before Darth Bane introduced the Rule of Two, Sith Lords are colliding not just with the Republic, but with each other. Kerra’s going to find that good intentions just may not be enough in a galaxy gone mad! This is a wide-open area to explore, and I’m thrilled that Dark Horse and Del Rey have given me this opportunity to do so.”

“With John writing both the comics and the novel, Knight Errant will be a Star Wars story on a scale we’ve never undertaken before,” said comic-series editor Dave Marshall. “This will be a first-of-its-kind opportunity to introduce the Expanded Universe of the Dark Horse comics to the fans of the Del Rey novels and vice versa!”

With more news in the coming months, look for Star Wars: Knight Errant to arrive on shelves later this fall!

Tween property “Milky Way & the Galaxy Girls” debuts at FAO Schwarz

from Kids Today:

Art Impressions has launched a line of soft dolls based on Milky Way & the Galaxy Girls. This tween-targeted property from Lauren Faust is now available exclusively at the legendary toy retailer FAO Schwarz Fifth Avenue and online at FAO.com.

Faust, a 12-year veteran of the animation industry, is an Emmy winner with five nominations to her credit for her work on popular series such as Powerpuff Girls and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. After spearheading the creative effort to re-envision Hasbro’s venerable My Little Pony franchise, she is now acting as executive producer of the new animated series.

The Galaxy Girls are a group of intergalactic teens named for heavenly bodies in our solar system. This celestial sorority is as unique as the planets themselves — each character a shining example of her starry home, whether a sizzling personality like the Sun, a disciplined competitor like Mercury, or that orbital oddball, Mars. Galaxy Girls celebrates girls as multi-faceted individuals with characters that model self-affirming behaviors… most of the time. After all, Moon Girl can sure get moody sometimes… and you don’t want to make cosmic rocker Pluto mad by calling her a “dwarf planet.” The girls’ features and personalities mirror an astronomical, mythological or astrological aspect of her respective planet.

Based on each of the Galaxy Girls’ personalities, the five dolls in this new line feature symbols on their outfits to showcase their personalities (e.g., a heart for Venus). Their outfits to be mixed and matched. Also available in FAO Schwarz Fifth Avenue and online at FAO.com is the hardcover book, Milky Way & the Galaxy Girls: What Planet Are You From?, which explores the personalities and interests of each of the Milky Way characters.

Faust’s vision for Milky Way & the Galaxy Girls reflects her desire to create an empowering, unique alternative to traditional girls’ brands with a property that encourages creative play and individuality, de-emphasizes physical conformity, and yet still retains the popular features and play patterns of fashion dolls. Her complex characters are true-to-life, reflecting a range of interests that goes beyond the usual trifecta of fashion, boys and music.

“Mass Effect: Redemption” #2 Sells Out!

from Dark Horse Comics:

Following up on last week’s news of the explosive first issue of Mass Effect: Redemption disappearing out of stores across the country, Dark Horse and EA announce that the series’ second issue will be reprinted as well.

Mass Effect: Redemption tells the exciting back-story that led up to the events of Mass Effect 2, the recently released video game developed by the award-winning creative team at BioWare. The game’s lead writer Mac Walters takes up the pen to give fans exclusive insight into the events that unfolded between the conclusion of the original Mass Effect, and the beginning of Mass Effect 2. Scripted by John Jackson Miller (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, The Invincible Iron Man) and drawn by Omar Francia (Star Wars: Legacy), this four-part series explores the exotic and dangerous future Milky Way of Mass Effect, revealing previously unseen locations, aliens, and enemies of this rich science fiction landscape.

The Mass Effect trilogy is an epic science fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life and mysterious, uncharted planets. In Mass Effect 2, players will step into the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, commanding a crew of the most dangerous operatives from across the galaxy on a mission so challenging that it’s potentially suicidal. Featuring intense shooter action, a rich futuristic storyline, stunning space exploration and emotionally engaging characters, the game delivers an unparalleled cinematic experience. Mass Effect 2 was released on the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system and PC on January 26, 2010 in North America and January 29, 2010 in Europe and has been rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB and “18+” by PEGI (please visit esrb.org and pegi.eu for more information on ratings). For more news from the development team, please follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/masseffect2 or visit the game’s official website at masseffect.bioware.com.

“We knew we had something special on our hands with Mass Effect” said Dark Horse Director of Public Relations, Jeremy Atkins. “Even still, watching this series sell out issue by issue is exciting, indeed!”

For those who have yet to read the explosive first issue, it is also currently available for download on iTunes for just 99 cents.

Mass Effect: Redemption is the fifth title to arrive in Dark Horse’s ever-growing stable of comics available on the iPhone platform. Other titles available now include Gerard Way’s smash hit Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite, Hellboy: Seed of Destruction, Terminator: Death Valley, and multiple titles from the critically acclaimed line of Star Wars comics.

For more information, please visit www.darkhorse.com/Features/Mobile.

iBoo

iBoo

Boo! Scared you. Leave behind the ordinary iPod docks with this supernatural speaker system, boasting 15 spooky watts of sound and a universal iPod dock. Play and charge most docking iPods, enjoy the use of external audio devices with a 3.5-mm auxiliary input, and revel in room-filling music in a small package. Available in red, white, and blue, the iBoo is a great way to enjoy your iPod in any room.

Great Design
Enjoy both form and function with this audio player and fun decorative piece. The distinctive smiley mouth acts as sensor for receiving remote control commands, and the eyes are two speakers (mid- and high-range). The subwoofer is hidden below for downward firing. The included rubberized feet prevent rattling while the subwoofer is powered.

On-Board Navigation
Patented humanized touch volume control and music navigation appear on the ghost’s “head” for convenient control.

High-Quality Sound
Three speakers, a built-in subwoofer, and 15 watts of overall power mean you get full sound in a small, spooky package.

Extensive Compatibility
Play and charge most docking iPod models with the included dock inserts, or use the standard auxiliary 3.5-mm input jack to amplify most portable and non-portable audio players, from the iPod shuffle to gaming consoles, mobile gaming devices, cellular phones, televisions, desktop PCs, laptops, and more.

Environmentally Friendly
As a green and RoHS product, the iBoo efficiently utilizes minimal energy and is designed using environmentally friendly components and non-hazardous materials.

Remote Control
The included remote boasts audio controls as well as iPod menu functionality.

Warranty
The one-year manufacturer’s warranty gives you added peace of mind.

What’s in the Box
Speakal iBoo, remote control, AC adapter, 3.5-mm auxiliary cable, dock adapters.

Order now at Amazon.com:
Speakal iBoo 2.1 Stereo iPod Docking Station with 3 Speakers (White)
Speakal iBoo 2.1 Stereo iPod Docking Station with 3 Speakers (Blue)
Speakal iBoo 2.1 Stereo iPod Docking Station with 3 Speakers (Red)

Or order directly through the Speakal/Lanchiya Technology website.

Victorious Secrets from Dr. Grordbort’s

from Weta:

I say!

Are you one of those unfortunate Darwinian mishaps who find it nigh on impossible to gain acceptance in polite (worst case even impolite?) society?

Do you regularly find yourself at social functions on level footing only with the flock wallpaper or velvet draperie in the quest for the attention of the opposite gender?

Well, then you must keep reading, for Dr. Grordbort’s has the answer to your pathetic prayers:

Introducing — Victorious Secrets!
Save US$89!

For the approximate monetary equivalent of a good pipe and a tin of decent tobacco, you can now own a satchelful of Grordbortian goodies, 14 items straight from the hands of the lazy-arse artisans in the antipodean colonies! Thus rapidly elevating your social status beyond what has traditionally been possible. Even the actual satchel is included!

  • 1 Victorious Mongoose — Miniature Version
  • 1 Dr. Grordbort’s Satchel
  • 1 Spiral Bound Notebook for your plans, scribbles and brilliant ideas
  • 8 Postcards
  • 1 Unnatural Selector Pin
  • 1 Goliathon 83 Pin
  • 1 F.M.O.M. Keyring

WAS US$238 — NOW US$149 — SAVE US$89! (Offer expires 22 February 2010)

Take our survey — tell us what you think of Blast-a-Buffon
Before St. Nicholas, the porky crimson scoundrel, made the season too silly for words, we launched an anima-lectric amusement station named Blast-a-Buffoon. This was the first time a similar endeavour had been attempted by Grordbort Industries and we would like to solicit your views on the matter. Electric web Survey can be found here.

You’ll know when you’ve been hit by a Blunderbuss!
In the approximately 18 months since Lord Cockswain’s Unnatural Selector Ray Blunderbuss was unleashed on an unsuspecting Venusian fauna, all but a handful of the 50 made have been acquired by an international clientel of impeccable taste and breeding. If you have yet to join the illustrious elite that can call themselves Blunderbuss Owners, we suggest you don’t delay any further. They won’t last much longer and when they are gone, they’re vanished! Cast an eye on the Unnatural Selector. And then buy one!

Dr. Grordbort’s reclaims Hong Kong in the name of Her Majesty
Dr. Grordbort’s Exceptional Exhibition — Hazzaah — is taking its next step into the world by going to the once gloriously Imperial Crown Colony of Hong Kong. Hosted and presented by the wizardly Hong Kong based technological upstart Cyberport. Richard Taylor Esq. and Greg Broadmore will attend the official opening Pomp and Circumstance on March 24th. Read the original dispatch here.

Compartmentalised photolectric essay from the Colonies!
The thoroughly (and amusingly) reprehensible villain Count Nicholas Mazmaniac has furnished us with a thoroughly amusing retelling of a recent adventure. One of the lackeys in the pictorialisation department at Grordbort Industries (G Broadmore) was so taken by his tale (and partial to a bit of tail) that he instantly Grordbotomised one of the photos! Read the story and see the rest of the rather racy pictures!

Have you insulted any of the lunatics on the Forum yet? It’s not too late…

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Play “Trench Run” on StarWars.com or Your iPhone

from StarWars.com:

Now there’s a new way to enjoy Star Wars: Trench Run, the addictive game that puts you behind the stick of an X-wing fighter during the climactic Battle of Yavin. Infrared5 and Lucasfilm have developed a web-version of the game playable at StarWars.com. You’ll need the Unity game engine to start, which is available free here.

Trench Run includes high altitude dogfights between X-wings and TIEs far above the surface of the Death Star, as well as the famous attack run on the Imperial battle station’s vulnerable exhaust port. Use your keyboard and mouse to fly your fighter and target and blast enemies. The game includes rich 3-D graphics, authentic Lucasfilm sound effects, and the classic John Williams musical score. If the Force is truly with you, maybe you’ll end up ranking on our Leaderboard.

Get started now by clicking here.

The iTunes Trench Run Game Now Better Than Ever:

Our friends at Infrared5 have also been steadily improving their original Trench Run game for the iPhone and iPod Touch, and have listened carefully to user feedback. The most recent version has a number of improvements. As they describe:

“In addition to fixing some irritating bugs in the game, we also listened to what our users were most frustrated with, and have addressed them in the latest release. Calibration was the number one request, and we’ve added it to the latest release. Others mentioned that the cannons were too easy, so we made them harder as well. Even though we didn’t originally intend the game to work on the first gen iPhone, and were really pushing the boundaries with performance in such a fast 3-D game, with the latest release we were able to make the game run flawlessly on 1st gen iPhone, 3G and the first gen iPod touch.”

If you’ve already downloaded Star Wars: Trench Run, be sure to update it. If you’ve not yet purchased it for your iPhone or iPod touch, visit the iTunes store today!

New riff available: Terminator Salvation!

from RiffTrax:

Terminator Salvation is the thrilling story of the journey of a once valuable franchise. When the intellectual property rights lapse after a disappointing third movie, they’re snatched up at well below their estimated market value by a wacky mismatched duo of producers. The petulant star they bring on board demands to play a role that wasn’t actually in the script, massive rewrites ensue, and the novice director is forced to fall back on the skills he honed directing Sugar Ray music videos. Will the franchise rise to the occasion, renewing our enthusiasm for its once beloved characters? Or will the resulting film be a cynical, calculated exercise in maximizing profitability with little regard for story or coherency?

As a result of having to endure repeated viewings of Terminator Salvation, Mike, Kevin and Bill are all done professionally with each other.

Get it here.

Big News for “Riese the Series”

from Riese:

As the new year rolls around, we’ve had a lot of developments with the show that we’ve been itching to tell you about. First of all, as you’ve already seen, Chapter 2’s episodes are new and improved, with higher production values, exciting story and some really amazing cast additions. Also, we’re nearly finished with the development of our iPhone game tie-in. Without giving too many details away, I think you’ll all be really excited.

We also recently partnered with Fireworks, a digital distribution branch of ContentFilm, based out of the UK. They’re largely responsible for the transition of the webseries Valemont from internet to television, and they handle a number of many other well-known webseries as well.

What does this mean for Riese? It opens up a number of opportunities. For one, it increases the chances that we can keep making this show and letting you become further involved in the world of Riese. Additionally, it boosts the possibility of us being able to distribute the series on other platforms (episode downloads, DVDs, and television).

Now, for the bad news. While Fireworks is negotiating deals on our behalf, we’ve had to remove our episodes from online streaming. We’re not happy about it by any means — we want all of our fans to enjoy Riese whenever they want — but we also understand that it’s a necessary move in order to keep a project like Riese afloat. The few of us that are responsible for producing Riese on a day-to-day basis are realistic that we cannot sustain it without the support of Fireworks and our viewers.

We hope to have everything back up as soon as possible, and we’ll keep everyone posted as we move forward. I know a lot of people will be bummed out, but just know that this slight delay could mean a whole new future for Riese. We don’t want to disappoint you all, but I know you’d be even more disappointed if we left the rest of this epic tale untold.

Thanks for being a part of something that’s been incredibly dear to us, and for helping to turn it into something greater than we could have ever imagined. We hope to have your continued support during this brief hiatus. In the meantime, look for bonus behind-the-scenes videos from our newest episodes.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at ryan (at) riesetheseries (dot) com.

Sincerely,

Ryan Copple & Kaleena Kiff
Creators of Riese

Weta’s District 9 range has launched!

from Weta:

Weta’s range of District 9 products has launched. First out are two FULL SIZE GUNS — the Arc Generator and the Gas Projector.

The collectibles are of course created by the same artists and craftspeople who created the original designs, props and creatures in the movie.

These are the first products in a series of District 9 items from Weta.

You can view the original news article here.

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“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” Official Graphic Novel Adaptation

from Things from Another World:

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.”

So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies — Jane Austen’s immortal classic of Regency romance, brought to glorious, gory new life with zombie mayhem from Seth Grahame-Smith.

The book quickly became a New York Times bestseller, and now there’s an official graphic novel adaptation — the perfect format to bring this remixed masterpiece to zombie-loving pop-culture fans.

Elizabeth Bennet is one of England’s most fearsome warriors, whose speed with a sword is only matched by her quick wit. But she faces her most formidable foe yet in the haughty, conceited, and yet strangely attractive person of Mr. Darcy.

As the two lovers meet in the ballroom and on the battlefield, they’ll soon learn that nothing — not even bands of ninjas, disapproving aunts, and an army of ravenous zombies — can stop true love.