Around the Tubes
The Walking Dead hits the air again tonight! Woo hoo!
Around the Tubes Reviews
Talking Comics – Fairest #12
Talking Comics – Green Arrow #17
Bleeding Cool – Where’s My Shoggoth?
Robot 6 – Young Romance
Tag Archives: where’s my shoggoth?
Holiday Gift Guide 2013
Putting together a gift guide is a daunting task in that there’s so many cool items out there. We could go crazy and over the top with suggestions that would seem never ending. So, we’ve come up with some simple suggestions that would be fun and hopefully a bit different this year. If you’ve got suggestions and additions, sound off below!
Comics for Kids
Where’s my Shoggoth? – Not a comic book, the illustrated children’s book is a twisted horror take on Are You My Mother?. The story is fantastic making me giggle the entire time. A children’s book for the Cthulhu set, it’ll definitely mix up the usual bed time routine. Get Where’s My Shoggoth?
Princeless – One of my favorite reads this year, this fairytale takes the usual sexism and throws it out the window turning it all on it’s head. This is an empowering comic, perfect for both girls and boys as well as adults. Read it and try not to smile and enjoy it. Check local stores and online for print editions, but you can also get it digitally at comiXology.
Comics for Adults
Avengers Vs. X-Men – Epic is the only way to describe this sprawling story that pitted the Avengers against the X-Men for the fate of the world. The Phoenix force is heading to Earth, but will it bring destruction or rebirth? What does this mean for the future of man and mutant kind? The story is massive and one of the best “events” Marvel has put on for years. This also set the path for the current Marvel NOW! status. Get it at Amazon
Batman Vol. 1: Court of Owls – DC’s relaunch/reboot/revamp has been hit and miss, but Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman has been amazing. The two have presented villains that feel like an actual challenge to Batman. This is just the first volume with the second hitting in early 2013. Get it at Amazon
Go Digital!
Give the gift of digital this holiday season with digital comics on comixology! You can send comic books to individuals as gifts and they can read them anywhere, their computer, laptop, phone or tablet. It’s a great way to give the gift of comics to folks who might not have room for physical books or prefer digital.
Do Some Good!
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Membership – Give the gift of “good” by donating, buying a membership, or gifts from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The organization helps fight for free speech and against censorship. Yes, in this age, this organization is still needed.
Video Games
Batman: Arkham City – Rocksteady Studios proved that Arkham Asylum was just a warm up when it comes to their Batman video games. This year saw the release of a video game whose story is at the top of it’s medium as well as comic books. Get it at Amazon
Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes upped the fun bringing more characters to the screen in animated Lego goodness. The game play is fun for people of all ages and the humor had me laughing often. The game is a perfect example of something that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Get it at Amazon
The Walking Dead – Telltale Games has a possible “Game of the Year” here pulling off an episodic game unlike anything that’s come out before. You can get all five episodes of the first “season” now or wait another week to get it on disc. Get The Walking Dead
Movies
It’s been a year unlike any other for comic book fans and luckily the summer blockbusters are all on DVD and Blu-Ray, perfect to give and watch during this holiday season.
The Dark Knight Rises – Christopher Nolan’s brilliant trilogy ended this year and the movie is out this week. There’s a lot of options to choose from as far as how you want to consume the film with limited edition box sets and more. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor. Get it at Amazon
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 – Adapting the classic comic series, this animated series is broken up into multiple parts. The first part is out now with the second out in January. This is for folks who are bummed that Nolan’s Batman is over. Get it at Amazon
The Avengers – The third highest grossing film of all time is a ton of fun. Joss Whedon was able to pull of the near impossible creating a film that was enjoyed by all. The film must be watched for any comic fan. Get it at Amazon
The Amazing Spider-Man – Some said it was too soon for this reboot, but Andrew Garfield proved he was an excellent choice to fill the spandex as Peter Parker and Spider-Man. The movie is lots of fun with a new villain and a nice updated feel to it. Get it at Amazon
Toys
Have to go with Marvel and DC Universe Lego sets which allow you to play out scenes involving Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and more.
The sets are varied with prices that fit anyone’s budget. There’s even some mini-sets perfect for a stocking-stuffer.
There’s lots more sets coming in 2013, with even more characters for you to play with. The choices are amazing and play is endless. For comic book fans who also enjoy Lego, these are a must!
The Walking Dead Fan
I got to play The Walking Dead Board Game at Gen Con last year and this game is a blast allowing you to play as survivors and zombies. The mechanics are simple enough and the twists that come as team members die will keep folks howling with laughter and fun. The Walking Dead Board Game is available on Amazon.
The Star Wars Fan
A tea infuser that looks like the Death Star? Um, sold! I’ve become a tea fan over the past year, enjoying a cup or two or three while sitting back and reading my latest comic purchases. This is one stylish way to make destroy a planet make a cup of tea. Available at ThinkGeek.
The Doctor Who Fan
This glazed lightweight ceramic pot that’s dishwasher and microwave safe, with a more than 25-ounce capacity is perfect for any Who fan who enjoys some tea while watching the Doctor’s adventures. The tea pot is $39.98 currently at BBC America.
Review – The Dark Crystal Vol. 1: Creation Myths, I’m Not a Plastic Bag and Where’s My Shoggoth?
The Dark Crystal Vol. 1: Creation Myths
The Dark Crystal is a movie I remember from my childhood, a movie that scared the crap out of me. But, other than the fact I was a bit terrified of the film and it’s amazing visuals, that’s about it. This graphic novel delves into the origin of this world devised by Jim Henson.
Part one of a three-part graphic novel prequel series delving into the origins of the Skeksis, Mystics, Gelflings, the world of Thra and the Dark Crystal itself. Spanning a time period from thousands of years ago to right up to the start of the original Jim Henson film, this graphic novel epic will tell the definitive origin of the Dark Crystal, under the supervision of The Jim Henson Company and The Dark Crystal concept designer Brian Froud.
The first volume is the “origin” story, taking us into the history of this world, something I don’t remember being covered in depth in the movie. It brought back little bit after little bit and got me to want to check out the film again. The graphic novel is an absolute buy and read for fans of the movie and world.
It’s also a solid entry point for parents wanting to get their kids interested or something for them to check out after they see it for the first time. There was a nice jolt of nostalgia for me and this is just another great example of the excellent partnership between Archaia and The Jim Henson Company.
Story: Brian Holguin and Brian Froud Art: Alex Sheikman, Lizzy John and Brian Froud Cover: Brian Froud
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read
I’m Not a Plastic Bag
Based on the real-life occurrence of The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an island of floating trash in a remote area of the Northern Pacific Ocean more than twice the size of Texas, I’m Not a Plastic Bag tells a moving story about loneliness, beauty and humankind’s connection to our planet. Produced in conjunction with American Forests© and the Global ReLeaf© programs, Archaia will plant two trees for each tree used in the manufacturing of this book. Presented in partnership with JeffCorwinConnect, a global, ecological, educational and entertainment multimedia company launched by Jeff Corwin, the popular wildlife expert and nature conservationist.
This silent graphic novel looks at the ecological disaster in the making. Rachel Hope Allison’s story and art shed a light on something we all should be taking a greater look at. This is an awareness campaign in book form, it also helps a good cause.
It’s a quick read, though you linger on each page thinking about what this book has to say about or impact on the environment and how that affects the world. If you’re into environmental issues, this is an absolute buy.
Story: Rachel Hope Allison Art: Rachel Hope Allison
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy
Where’s My Shoggoth?
Not quite a comic book, this illustrated prose book is one of my favorite reads of the year. Leaving me with a massive smile throughout and getting me to laugh, a lot.
A young boy wants to take his pet shoggoth for a walk—but oh, no! The shoggoth has escaped! Fearing for the safety of the poor thing, the boy sets out to find it, accompanied only by a small black cat. On the way they explore the rambling mansion and its grounds and encounter a number of creatures and demigods. Unfortunately, none are the shoggoth! Where, oh where, could his poor shoggoth be? Where’s My Shoggoth? is a mishmash of H.P. Lovecraft, Dr. Seuss and Roman Dirge’s The Monsters in my Tummy, with a little Winnie the Pooh thrown in. Featuring endpapers that double as a Chutes and Ladders-type game (tokens and die not included) and a cover that glows in the dark!
A story meant for children, it’s twisted, beyond twisted. At the same time, I can’t wait to have a kid to read this to. It’s cute, fun, funny and enjoyable for all. Hopefully it doesn’t cause nightmares in your children. For folks who like twisted tales and want something a bit different than the normal children’s books to read, this is a must buy.
Story: Ian Thomas Art: Adam Bolton
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy
Archaia provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review
Preview – Where’s My Shoggoth?
WHERE’S MY SHOGGOTH?
Children’s Book Hardcover
Retail Price: $11.95 U.S.
Page Count: 56 pages
Format: Hardcover with no dust jacket (paper over board), 8” x 8”, full color
Genre: Children’s/Horror/Comedy
On-sale Date: Sept. 26, 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1-936393-56-5
Written by Ian Thomas
Illustrated by Adam Bolton
Cover by Adam Bolton
A young boy wants to take his pet shoggoth for a walk—but oh, no! The shoggoth has escaped! Fearing for the safety of the poor thing, the boy sets out to find it, accompanied only by a small black cat. On the way they explore the rambling mansion and its grounds and encounter a number of creatures and demigods. Unfortunately, none are the shoggoth! Where, oh where, could his poor shoggoth be? Where’s My Shoggoth? is a mishmash of H.P. Lovecraft, Dr. Seuss and Roman Dirge’s The Monsters in my Tummy, with a little Winnie the Pooh thrown in. Featuring endpapers that double as a Chutes and Ladders-type game (tokens and die not included) and a cover that glows in the dark!
E – EVERYONE (all ages, may contain minimal violence)
