Let’s take a quick look to see what’s arrived at the Geek Compound.

Fenrir
by M. D. Lachlan
Cover by Paul Young

Promo copy:

The Vikings are laying siege to Paris. As the houses on the banks of the Seine burn a debate rages in the Cathedral on the walled island of the city proper. The situation is hopeless. The Vikings want the Count’s sister, in return they will spare the rest of the city. Can the Count really have ambitions to be Emperor of the Franks if he doesn’t do everything he can to save his people? Can he call himself a man if he doesn’t do everything he can to save his sister? His conscience demands one thing, the demands of state another. The Count and the church are relying on the living saint, the blind and crippled Jehan of St Germain, to enlist the aid of God and resolve the situation for them. But the Vikings have their own gods. And outside their camp a terrifying brother and sister, priests of Odin, have their own agenda. An agenda of darkness and madness. And in the shadows a wolfman lurks. M.D. Lachlan’s stunning epic of mad Gods, Vikings and the myth of Fenrir, the wolf destined to kill Odin at Ragnarok, powers forward into new territories of bloody horror, unlikely heroism, dangerous religion and breathtaking action.

Down to the Bone (Quantum Gravity, Book 5)
by Justina Robson
Cover by Larry Rostant

Promo copy:

Lila Black faces her greatest challenge yet as she takes herself, her dead lover, and the AI
in her head into death’s realm …
Lila Black is now a shape-shifting machine plugged into the Signal—the total dataset of all events in the known universe and all potential events: Zal, the elf rock star with a demon soul, is now a shadow form animated and given material actualization by firelight; Teazle the demon has taken up the swords of Death and is on the way to becoming an angel. To say this puts some pressure on their three-way marriage is an understatement.

Meanwhile the human world is seeing an inexplicable influx of the returning dead, and they’re not the only ones. Many old evils are returning to haunt the living following three harbingers of destruction created in the ancient past.

What seems epic is revealed as personal to all concerned as events unfold and that which cannot be escaped must be faced. Heroic destinies unravel as greater powers reveal themselves the true masters of the game.

The Rift Walker (Vampire Empire, Book 2)
by Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith
Cover by Chris McGrath

Promo copy:

Princess Adele struggles with a life of marriage and obligation as her Equatorian Empire and their American Republic allies stand on the brink of war against the vampire clans of the north. However, the alliance’s horrific strategy for total victory drives Adele to abandon her duty and embark on a desperate quest to keep her nation from staining its hands with genocide. Reunited with her great love, the mysterious adventurer known to the world as the Greyfriar, Adele is pursued by her own people as well as her vengeful husband, senator Clark. With the human alliance in disarrray, Prince Cesare, lord of the British vampire clan, seizes the initiative and strikes at the very heart of Equatoria.
As Adele labors to bring order to her world, she learns more about the strange powers she exhibited in the north. Her teacher, Mamoru, leads a secret cabal of geomancers who believe Adele is the one who can touch the vast power of the Earth that surges through ley lines and wells up at the rifts where the lines meet. These energies are the key to defeating the enemy of mankind, and if Princess Adele could ever bring this power under her command, she could be death to vampires. But such a victory will also cost the life of Adele’s beloved Greyfriar.

The Rift Walker is the second book in a trilogy of high adventure and alternative history. Combining rousing pulp action with steampunk style, the Vampire Empire series brings epic politcal themes to life within a story of heartbreaking romance, sacrifice, and heroism.

Got this interesting news from Pyr:

Mirror Maze
by Michaele Jordan
Cover by Cynthia Sheppard

Promo copy:

Jacob Aldridge is still utterly devastated by the death of his fiancée when he suddenly encounters her doppelganger. Livia Aram’s uncanny resemblance to the late Rhoda Carothers so transcends coincidence that Jacob becomes obsessed with her. The intensity of his passion terrifies her until her compassion is roused by his desperate plight. A demon is stalking him, a succubus-like entity that feeds on human pain and desire. With the help of Jacob’s sister, Cecily, and Livia’s guardian, the mysterious Dr. Chang, they overcome the demon. Or so it appears. . . .

Jacob, Liva, and Cecily are all victims of a single curse, a curse which entrapped and destroyed their parents before them. Now fate has drawn their descendants together again, and the curse is playing out. Nothing can help them, until Cecily’s husband returns from abroad. Colonel Beckford has been missing for years; he has seen strange things and acquired strange powers in his absence. Now he will do whatever it takes to free his wife and eliminate the demon and its curse once and for all.

In anticipation of the impending release of Rise of the Planet of the Apes I revised my 2003 ape films survey as Simian Cinema 2.0. Out of curiosity, I researched the streaming availability of the films mentioned. I referenced Netflix, Amazon Prime, Crackle, Hulu, Hulu Plus, and the Internet Archive. As a service to the Geek Curmudgeon faithful, I present my findings.

10. Son of Kong (1933)

Trailer available at Internet Archive

9. Escape From the Planet of the Apes (1971)

Currently not available.

8. Tarzan (1999 Animated)

Currently not available.

7. Mighty Joe Young (1998)

Currently not available.

6. King Kong (2005)

Currently not available.

5. Gorillas In the Mist (1988)

Currently not available.

4. Tarzan, The Ape Man (1932)

Trailer available at Internet Archive

The awful Bo Derek movie is streaming via Netflix.

3. Planet of the Apes (1968)

Currently not available.

2. Mighty Joe Young (1949)

Trailer available at Internet Archive

1. King Kong (1933)

Currently not available.

Disappointed by the weak showing of the best of the best but not deterred, I decided to research all the movies I mentioned in the piece.

Buddy (1997)

Currently not available.

The Gorilla (1939)

Internet Archive

The Jungle Book (1967 Animated)

Currently not available.

Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984)

Amazon Prime

King Kong Vs. Godzilla (1962)

Currently not available.

King Kong Escapes (1967)

Currently not available.

Ed (1996)

Netflix

A*P*E (King Kongui Daeyeokseub) aka Attack of the Giant Horny Gorilla (1976)

Currently not available.

Konga (1961)

Trailer available at Internet Archive
Netflix

King Kong Lives (1986)

Currently not available.

Congo (1995)

Currently not available.

Any of the Planet of the Apes movies

Currently not available.

But all 13 episodes of the animated Return to the Planet of the Apes are available on Hulu Plus.

Just terrible. Not much love for the ape via streaming. Wonder if the success of Rise may change that?

*Word of caution. This info is accurate as of August 11, 2011. The availability of streaming titles is nearly always in flux. YMMV.*

Let’s take a quick look to see what amazing things arrived at the Geek Compound.

Setting the Standard: Comics by Alex Toth 1952-1954
Edited by Greg Sadowski

Promo copy:

Alex Toth’s influence on the art of comic books is incalculable. As his generation was the first to grow up with the new 10-cent full-color pamphlets, he came to the medium with a fresh eye, and enough talent and discipline to graphically strip it down its to its bare essentials. His efforts reached fruition at Standard Comics, creating an entire school of imitators and establishing Toth as the “comic book artist’s artist.” Setting the Standard collects the entirety of this highly influential body of work in one substantial volume.

Toth began his professional career at fifteen in 1945 for Heroic Comics, but quickly advanced to superhero work for DC. Responding to the endless criticism of editor Sheldon Mayer and production chief Sol Harrison, the young artist strove toward a technique free of “showoff surface tricks, clutter, and distracting picture elements.” Simply put, he learned “how to tell a story, to the exclusion of all else.”

After falling out with DC in 1952, Toth moved west. He freelanced almost exclusively for Standard over the next two years, contributing classic work for its crime, horror, science fiction, and war titles. But perhaps most revelatory to the reader will be the romance collaborations with writer Kim Ammodt, Toth’s personal favorites. “I came to prefer them for the quieter, more credible, natural human equations they dealt with — emotions, subtleties of gesture, expression, attitude.”

To explain his take on comics, Toth would quote such proverbs as “To add to truth distracts from it,” or “The beauty of the simple thing.” He employed these axioms “to make clear how universal this pursuit of truth, clarity, simplicity, economy, in all the arts and many other disciplines really is — and has been for 6,000 years.” These and other observations regarding the comic book form will be collected in an essay based on Toth’s published and unpublished letters and interviews.

Every page of Setting the Standard is restored to bring Toth’s unsurpassed graphics and page designs into full clarity, making this an essential edition for anyone with an appreciation of the art of graphic storytelling.

Another gorgeous, must own book from Fantagraphics!

Firestorm: The Nuclear Man
Written by Gerry Conway
Art by Al Milgrom and George Perez

Promo copy:

For the first time, the stories that introduced Firestorm are collected from issues #1-5 of his 1970s series, plus stories from THE FLASH #289-293. After Ronnie Raymond is tricked into nearly blowing up a nuclear reactor, he and Professor Martin Stein are caught in a nuclear incident. Their personalities merge, forming the being called Firestorm!

Yeah, the Milgrom art is ugly, but Firestorm was always one of my favorite titles.

The Jack Kirby Omnibus Vol. 1 Starring Green Arrow
Introduction by Mark Evanier

Promo copy:

In 1957, Jack Kirby returned to DC Comics to draw the Green Arrow feature that ran in ADVENTURE COMICS and WORLD’S FINEST COMICS, pitting the Emerald Archer and his sidekick, Speedy, against a plethora of foes. At the same time, Kirby kept busy with work on DC’s mystery titles. These short tales spotlighted extraterrestrials and earthly monsters, nuclear threats and super-intelligent animals, magic wishes gone wrong and cities lost beneath the seas, challenging Kirby’s ever-fertile imagination in every story.

Now, for the first time, DC Comics collects all of Kirby’s many stories from the pages of HOUSE OF MYSTERY, HOUSE OF SECRETS, TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED, MY GREATEST ADVENTURE, ALL-STAR WESTERN, ADVENTURE COMICS, WORLD’S FINEST COMICS, as well as a trio of 1940s stories from REAL FACT COMICS.

While not the best of The King’s work–far too restrained for my tastes–it’s still over 300 pages of rare Jack Friggin’ Kirby. On his bad days, he’s still better than most comic artists ever. ‘Nuff said.

Let’s take a quick look to see what’s arrived at the Geek Compound.

The Super Hero Squad Show Season 2 Volume 1: The Infinity Gauntlet

Promo copy:

With Galactus defeated and Dr. Doom moping behind bars, Super Hero City is finally safe: that is, until Thanos goes in search of the powerful Infinity Gauntlet! Although they are without their comrade-in-laughter, Silver Surfer, the Super Hero Squad (Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Wolverine and Falcon) must once again come together to take on any villainy that threatens the peace and safety of the Marvel universe no matter where it might take them!

Featuring the hilarious guest voice talents of Ty Burrell (Modern Family), John O’Hurley (Seinfeld), Stan Lee, Jane Lynch (Glee), James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) and Adam West (Batman)!

Meet Monica Velour

Promo copy:

In this irreverent comedy, awkward teenager Tobe (Dustin Ingram) sets off on a road trip to meet Monica Velour (Kim Cattrall), his favorite ’80s porn star, at a rare live appearance hundreds of miles away. Instead of the glamorous sexpot portrayed on film, he finds a 49-year-old single mom living in a trailer in rural Indiana, performing at seedy strip clubs to make ends meet. A starry-eyed Tobe, still captivated by his crush, befriends Monica, further complicating her difficult life. Kim Cattrall gives a career-defining performance in this offbeat love story that appeals to the dreamer — and the nerd — in all of us.

Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil

Promo copy:

The good… the bad… the Twitchy. The sequel finds our heroine, Red (Hayden Panettiere), training with a mysterious covert group called the Sisters of the Hood. But Red is forced to cut her training short when she gets an urgent call from Nicky Flippers (David Ogden Stiers), the head of the super secret Happily Ever After Agency, aka the HEA. A wicked witch (Joan Cusack) has abducted two innocent children, Hansel (Bill Hader) and Gretel (Amy Poehler), and Nicky needs the whole Hoodwinked gang — Red, Granny (Glenn Close), the ever-clueless Wolf (Patrick Warburton) and his over-caffeinated little partner, Twitchy (Cory Edwards) — for the search and rescue mission.

What started as meditation on historical revisionism in The Planet of the Apes evolved into the full blown article "How Rises messes with Apes canon (and 3 ways we can fix it all)" for Blastr.

I posit three potential solutions to reconcile this issue: Ape Shall Venerate Ape, an Abrahams Conundrum, and a Crisis on Infinite Ape Earths. Check out my Blastr article for all the particulars.

Let’s take a quick look to see what’s arrived at the Geek Compound.

The Homeland Directive
Written by Robert Venditti
Art by Mike Huddleston

Promo copy:

A new thriller from the author of the New York Times bestseller The Surrogates!

As a leading researcher at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Laura Regan is one of the world’s foremost authorities on viral and bacteriological study. Having dedicated her career to halting the spread of infectious disease, she has always considered herself one of the good guys. But when her research partner is murdered and Laura is blamed for the crime, she finds herself at the heart of a vast and deadly conspiracy. Aided by three rogue federal agents who believe the government is behind the frame-up, Laura must evade law enforcement, mercenaries, and a team of cyber-detectives who know more about her life than she does—all while trying to expose a sinister plot that will impact the lives of every American.

Set in the Orwellian present, The Homeland Directive confronts one of the vital questions of our time: In an era when technology can either doom or save us, is it possible for personal privacy and national security to coexist?

Vendetti’s first major work since the magnificent Surrogates (don’t hate on it because of the awful movie) is a MUST read. I interviewed Vendetti (along with his The Surrogates cohort artist Brett Weldele) in 2009.

Abattoir #6
Created by Darren Lynn Bousman
Conceived by Michael Peterson
Written by Rob Levin & Troy Peteri
Pencils by Wayne Nichols
Colors by Andrei Pervukhin
Cover by Tae Young Choi

Promo copy:
The mysteries surrounding Jebediah Crone, the eerie old man who has singlehandedly succeeded in destroying Richard’s once-normal life, has all but unraveled . Driven to the edge of sanity, Richard sets out to finally confront Crone in a desperate, last-ditch effort to clear his name of false murder allegations, return to his family and reclaim his life. Will Richard succeed, or will he succumb to the unimaginable horrors hidden within the depths of the Abattoir?

Vault #1
Script by Sam Sarkar
Art by Garrie Gastonny
Cover by Bagus Hutomo

Promo copy:

A small team of treasure hunters struggles to excavate a dangerous and legendary treasure pit before a massive storm hits Sable Island, the ‘Graveyard of the North Atlantic’. Equipped with all the latest technology, the scientists believe they are prepared against all of nature’s fury, but nothing can prepare them for what they are about to unleash from The Vault.

Let’s take a quick look to see what’s arrived at the Geek Compound.

Nomads: Orbital Vol. 3
Script by Sylvain Runberg
Art by Serge Pellé

Promo copy:

Caleb and Mezoke are on Earth for celebrations marking the end of the Human-Sandjarr wars, running security for the ceremonies. When an incident occurs between Malaysian fishermen and a nomadic alien species called the Rapakhun, they are brought in to investigate and to lead negotiations. But tensions are high, and something is killing the fish in the mangrove swamp. The two agents will have to contend with the humans’ lingering mistrust towards aliens in their efforts to solve the mystery.

Excellent space opera with beautiful art and intelligent writing. More later on this exciting book.

Valerian and Laureline: The Empire of a Thousand Planets
by J.-C. Mézières & P. Christin

Promo copy:

Valerian and Laureline are exploring Syrte, capital planet of a system of 1,000 worlds. Their mission is to discover whether the Syrtians could present a danger to Earth. What they find is a decaying empire led by decadent aristocrats, a population ripe for revolution, and a mysterious caste of masked wise men who discreetly pull the strings from hidden fortresses. Swept up by the winds of history, the agents of Earth will have to choose a side…

The Morning of the World: Yoko Tsuno Vol. 6
by Roger Leloup

Promo copy:

There is a volcano in Bali, the Agung, called “The Morning of the World” by the locals. And that’s where Yoko meets up with her cousin Monya—who couldn’t resist the temptation to use her time machine again. Her meddling with the past has caused a sacred dancer to be sentenced to death. To save the young woman and make things right, Yoko will have to travel back to 1350 AD and face the terrifying flying demons of the Agung…

Ravages: Orbital Vol. 4
Script by Sylvain Runberg
Art by Serge Pellé

Promo copy:

The unexplained deaths in the mangrove have not deterred authorities: The ceremonies will go on as planned in Kuala Lumpur, despite Mezoke’s resistance and growing disagreement with Caleb. But the official optimism is soon dampened by news of further destruction, closer to the city. And when Nina and Angus return with the identity of the killer, an old enemy of the Confederation, the agents will be forced to act in desperation—and, maybe, to pay the ultimate price.

Within reviewing circles, I’ve developed a reputation as a hater of most things. I don’t rely perceive myself that way but rather as a demanding critic. Realizing I might be wrong, I decided to do some research and see where the truth may lie.

This year, I reviewed 16 movies. Eight were good, six bad, and two neutral. Only four of the reviews didn’t match favorably with the metrics at the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

My neutral reviews of the flawed but well received The Adjustment Bureau and Limitless garnered 72% and 70% respectively. If 50% is seen as neutral then still not a radical departure.

One good and one bad differed. The over top grindhouser Drive Angry achieved only a 45%. In my review, I called it a "high-octane 3-D love letter to the grindhouse creations of the legendary Roger Corman."

Despite being mired in "92 minutes of boredom and stupidity," The Mechanic somehow managed a 53% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Based on quantity and comparison to the vast majority of reviewers, I’m not much of a hater. Then why the perception?

Perhaps it’s less the quantity of my hatred but rather my often vehement portrayal of it? My opinions are always clear and I do take great pride in creatively ripping inferior, overblown things apart.

What do y’all think?

After last months impressive of Star Treks, Rubber, Mad Men, and Lovecraft, this month’s meager selections are more of sputter than a full blown geekgasm. Given all the controversy surrounding the impending Sept. 1 rate hikes, you’d think Netflix would come out swinging this month.

* denotes streaming for the first time via Netflix.
* denotes streaming in HD

Premiering August 1:
Casper
Cyborg Soldier
Die Hard 2: Die Harder
The Dirty Dozen
Fallen (1998)
*Gothika
Jurassic Park III
*Kiss Me Goodbye (1982)
Lethal Weapon
*Leathal Weapon 2
Misery (1990)
The Mummy (1932)
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
*Scream 3
Spaceballs
*The Shaft (aka Down)
Sukiyaki Western Django
Videodrome
*Volcano Disaster
What Dreams May Come

Premiering August 2:
*Maniac! (1980)

Premiering August 5:
*13 Assassins (2010)

Premiering August 19:
*Dumbstruck (2010) A documentary on modern ventriloquists

Premiering August 20:
*Louie (2010) Season 1

Premiering August 25:
*The King of Fighters (2010)

Premiering August 26:
*Alpha and Omega (2010)
*Spirit of the Forest

Premiering August 28:
*The Expendables (2010)

Info courtesy of FeedFliks.

Let’s take a quick look to see what’s arrived at the Geek Compound.

Rebel at the End of Time
by Steve Aylett with additional material by Michael Moorcock
Cover by Mo Ali

Promo copy:

21st-century revolutionary Leo finds himself at the End of Time, surrounded by decadent sorcerers whose childlike incomprehension is his worst nightmare. How to be effective when consequence is removed? What can have meaning when everything is transformed into fashion? Can love exist here? Leo storms through this lurid land in search of meaning, a cause, and a meal he can recognise.

Wow.. the third new Aylett book this summer! And set in one of my favorite Moorcock universes. Excellent.

The Goblin Corps
by Ari Marmell
Cover by Lucas Graciano

Promo copy:

Morthul, the dreaded Charnel King, has failed.
Centuries of plotting from the heart of the Iron Keep, deep within the dark lands of Kirol Syrreth—all for naught. Foiled at the last by the bumbling efforts of a laughable band of so-called heroes, brainless and over-muscled cretins without sense enough to recognize a hopeless cause when they take it on. Machinations developed over generations, schemes intended to deliver the world into the Dark Lord’s hands, now devastated beyond salvation. But the so-called forces of Light have paid for their meddling with the life of Princess Amalia, only child of the royal family of Shauntille.

Now, as winter solidifies its icy grip on the passes of the Brimstone Mountains, disturbing news has reached the court of Morthul. King Dororam, enraged by the murder of his only child—and accompanied by that same group of delusional upstart "heroes"—is assembling all the Allied Kingdoms, fielding an army unlike any seen before. The armies of Kirol Syrreth muster to meet the attack that is sure to come as soon as the snows have melted from the mountain paths, but their numbers are sorely depleted. Still, after uncounted centuries of survival, the Dark Lord isn’t about to go down without a fight, particularly in battle against a mortal! No, the Charnel King still has a few tricks up his putrid and tattered sleeves, and the only thing that can defeat him now…may just be the inhuman soldiers on whom he’s pinned his last hopes.

Welcome to the Goblin Corps. May the best man lose.

Low Town
by Daniel Polansky

Promo copy:

Drug dealers, hustlers, brothels, dirty politics, corrupt cops . . . and sorcery. Welcome to Low Town.

In the forgotten back alleys and flophouses that lie in the shadows of Rigus, the finest city of the Thirteen Lands, you will find Low Town. It is an ugly place, and its cham­pion is an ugly man. Disgraced intelligence agent. Forgotten war hero. Independent drug dealer. After a fall from grace five years ago, a man known as the Warden leads a life of crime, addicted to cheap violence and expensive drugs. Every day is a constant hustle to find new customers and protect his turf from low-life competition like Tancred the Harelip and Ling Chi, the enigmatic crime lord of the heathens.

The Warden’s life of drugged iniquity is shaken by his dis­covery of a murdered child down a dead-end street . . . set­ting him on a collision course with the life he left behind. As a former agent with Black House—the secret police—he knows better than anyone that murder in Low Town is an everyday thing, the kind of crime that doesn’t get investi­gated. To protect his home, he will take part in a dangerous game of deception between underworld bosses and the psy­chotic head of Black House, but the truth is far darker than he imagines. In Low Town, no one can be trusted.

Daniel Polansky has crafted a thrilling novel steeped in noir sensibilities and relentless action, and set in an original world of stunning imagination, leading to a gut-wrenching, unforeseeable conclusion. Low Town is an attention-grabbing debut that will leave readers riveted . . . and hun­gry for more.

The Restoration Game
by Ken MacLeod
Cover by Stephan Martiniere

Promo copy:

There is no such place as Krassnia. Lucy Stone should know – she was born there. In that tiny, troubled region of the former Soviet Union, revolution is brewing. Its organisers need a safe place to meet, and where better than the virtual spaces of an online game? Lucy, who works for a start-up games company in Edinburgh, has a project that almost seems made for the job: its original inspiration came from The Krassniad – an epic tale, based on Krassnian folklore, concocted by Lucy’s mother who studied there in the 1980s. As Lucy digs up details about her birthplace to slot into the game, she finds her interest in the open secrets of her family’s past – and the darker secrets of Krassnia’s – has not gone unnoticed. When a Russian – Georgian border war breaks out, Lucy has to move fast – and return to Krassnia herself, to the heart of the mountain that holds Krassnia’s darkest and oldest secret. But nothing Lucy has discovered can possibly prepare her for the crucial role she is destined to play in The Restoration Game.