What we geeked out about in 2011
2011 was a big year for geeking out (for one thing, this blog launched in 2011).
The staff of CNN Geek Out had quite a few geek out moments but we picked just a few of the biggest ones to share with you as we say goodbye to this year.
Doug Gross:
We’d waited six long years to hear those seven magical words.
“The dragons are coming. Prepare to dance.”
That’s what fantasy writer George R.R. Martin wrote on his website in March, signaling that “A Dance With Dragons,” the fifth book in his “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, had gotten a July publication date.
By this point, “SOIAF” had already leapt to the top of my list. I’d even committed the geek-sacrilege of suggesting it’s better than “Lord of the Rings.” The fact that Martin had taken so long to get this one just right only made the moment I learned that 2011 would mark a return to Westeros more of a rush.
There would be more fantasy-geeking on my part when the book was actually released and was just as masterful as any of us could have expected. And, of course, there was the rush of seeing “Game of Thrones” adapted for HBO. But those seven words … yeah. That was big.
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New Comic Wednesday: December 28, 2011
Hello again, fellow comic readers!
During my conversation with Daniel Dean from Titan Games and Comics in Smyrna, Georgia, about what comic we should talk about this week, he got an almost painful look on his face. Not one to be insensitive, I asked if he was all right.
Dean smiled and said, "Yeah, there are a lot of books coming out this week that I am excited about, but for one reason or another they're hard to recommend to new readers.
"There are storylines wrapping up this week and other comics transitioning into new stories. There are even some amazing reprints coming out this week. So, I had a bit of a quandary until I remembered Tony Lee had 'Danger Academy' an OGN (original graphic novel, a usually-independent long-form comic book published straight to trade paperback) coming out this week and that's really my job done for me."
Okay, so I asked why I should get this book.
"Tony Lee has been smashing it out of the park on the monthly 'Doctor Who' title, with the recent Christmas issue with Paul Grist being particularly excellent," Dean said. (Have I mentioned I love Paul Grist?)
"His new book, out this week for $9 from Kickstart Comics, concerns a private boarding school for the offspring of Britain's greatest super-spies. There have been a spate of stories lately concerning watching the next generation of heroes learn the ropes, mostly coming from a superhero or sci-fi direction. This one is from a decidedly more 'Bourne Identity' direction and I have every faith in the book."
We both agree that Lee's style of writing is very direct about very twisted plots and logic, a tack which has served him well writing "Doctor Who." One hopes readers show up for his dabbling in the backyard of Britain's other great cultural export: no, not Shakespeare, we mean 007. Although James Bond movies could have used more people being pursued by bears.
So, until next week, go forth and read, my people, and the reading will be good!
Is there a comic out there that you really love? Let us know in the comments. We’re always looking for tips on good comics!
Here are some of the comics scheduled to hit the shelves on December 28, 2011. Your local retailer will probably have these and others, so make sure to check with them for more details.
Keep in mind folks that because of the holidays this week some shops won't be getting your new books until Thursday the 29th so call ahead if you're not sure.
Report: New 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' movie stalled
One of the most controversial reboots being developed in Hollywood appears to have hit a snag.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the proposed new "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" movie is looking for a new writer.
According to the paper's Hero Complex blog, the script "fell far short of expectations and, in the end, was rejected completely." (That script's writer, Whit Anderson, has not posted anything recent about the project on Twitter.)
Many fans and former cast members of the cult TV show that the movie would be based on haven't exactly warmed up to the idea: Sarah Michelle Gellar, currently starring in the CW series "Ringer," told CNN in May that it was the "dumbest idea ever," because it did not involve series creator Joss Whedon. Alyson Hannigan and others expressed similar feelings.
Whedon himself reacted to it with his trademark wit, expressing mixed emotions.
Kristy Swanson, who played Buffy in the original 1992 movie, on the other hand gave the project her full support.
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