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

Veeps: Profiles in Insignificance by Bill Kelter (writer) and Wayne Shellabarger (artist)

Promo copy:

It’s a tired but true cliché that every American Vice President is just a heartbeat away from the most powerful job in the world … a job they’ve often never really interviewed for. Who are these people? We all know about the one who shot his hunting partner in the face, but how about the tavern owner who once married one of his slaves and then sold her at auction when she tried to leave him? Or the one whose President went to his death regretting that he hadn’t had his Vice President hanged? Or the one who was too frequently inebriated to serve out the whole of his term? Over more than 200 years, the American voters have sent a platoon of rogues, cowards, drunks, featherweights, doddering geriatrics, bigots, and atrocious spellers to Washington D.C. to sit one bullet, cerebral hemorrhage, or case of pneumonia away from the highest office in the land. VEEPS tells the sordid, head-scratching, perversely-entertaining stories of these men we’ve chosen to ride shotgun in the biggest rig in democracy, without ever seriously considering the possibility that they might have to take the wheel.

With short (3-4 pp), educational, and humorous essays about every Vice-President and notable VP candidates, Veeps makes for the perfect bathroom book. A thoroughly enjoyable romp through the history of the strangely contradictory position: one heartbeat away from the most powerful job in the US and at the same moment wielding absolutely no power.

Starship: Rebel by Mike Resnick

Promo copy:

The date is 1968 of the Galactic Era, almost three thousand years from now. The Republic, dominated by the human race, is in the midst of an all-out war with the Teroni Federation.

Almost a year has passed since the events of Starship: Mercenary. Captain Wilson Cole now commands a fleet of almost fifty ships, and he has become the single greatest military force on the Inner Frontier.

With one exception. The Republic still comes and goes as it pleases, taking what it wants, conscripting men, and extorting taxes, even though the Frontier worlds receive nothing in exchange. And, of course, the government still wants Wilson Cole and the starship Theodore Roosevelt. He has no interest in confronting such an overwhelming force, and constantly steers clear of them.

Then an incident occurs that changes everything, and Cole declares war on the Republic. Outnumbered and always outgunned, his fleet is no match for the Republic’s millions of military vessels, even after he forges alliances with the warlords he previously hunted down.

It’s a hopeless cause…but that’s just what Wilson Cole and the Teddy R. are best at.

[  Mood: Very Sad ]
I just received this note:

I never actually met Bettie. We exchanged a few emails through her agent and her responses were always polite and cordial. She always spoke highly of my family in general and my grandfather in specific. Her legacy to not only my family name but to the world of pop culture is incalculable. She will be missed.

A very sad day indeed.

As if I couldn’t get more excited about the March DVD release of the third season of The Venture Brothers, I saw the sensational Atari 2600 packaging!

Think these boys know their market or what?

(Thanks to Cullen Bunn for the Twitter shout.)

While "researching" the latest Nexus Graphica, I had reason to look through my collection of Comics Of Unusual Size. This set of the big and small and odd of comicdom contains many gems. Deciding that I really should share some of these largely forgotten and sometime rare pieces, I’m taking you through a tour of the more interesting selections.

A wordsmith very familiar to these environs, Mark Finn first plied his trade from within the wilds of the Waco, TX indie comics scene. He along with John Lucas, Micheal Washburn, William Traxtle, Bill Haney, and the other denizens that made up Absolute Comics produced several quirky comics throughout the nineties. Finn and Traxtle co-created Punk, the anarchy-fueled, humor-driven adventures of the title character and cast of quirky characters. Mid-decade, Finn produced a series of "micro-comics" starring the supporting actors. Klops! relates the tale of the Punk’s addled brained one-eyed sidekick and his adventure to find Punk some beer. Hilarity and chaos ensue.

Actual size

Finn supplied the script, letters, and the breakdowns. Washburn finished the art with an ink assist by Traxtle.

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

Cyberabad Days by Ian McDonald

Promo copy:

Ian McDonald’s River of Gods called "a masterpiece" by Asimov’s Science Fiction and praised by the Washington Post as "a major achievement from a writer who is becoming one of the best SF novelists of our time" painted a vivid picture of a near future India, 100 years after independence. It revolutionized SF for a new generation by taking a perspective that was not European or American. Nominated for the Hugo Award and the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and winning the BSFA Award, the rich world of the novel has inspired McDonald to revisit its milieu in a series of short stories, all set in the world of River of Gods.

Cyberabad Days is a triumphant return to the India of 2047, a new, muscular superpower of one and a half billion people in an age of artificial intelligences, climate-change induced drought, water wars, strange new genders, genetically improved children that age at half the rate of baseline humanity, and a population where males outnumber females four to one. India herself has fractured into a dozen states from Kerala to the headwaters of the Ganges in the Himalayas.

Cyberabad Days is a collection of seven stories, one Hugo nominee and one Hugo winner among them, as well as a twenty-five thousand word original novella. As with everything Ian McDonald does, it is sure to be one of the most talked-about books of the year.

City Without End: Book Three of The Entire and The Rose by Kay Kenyon

Promo copy:

-Book three of the critically acclaimed epic series.

-The first book in the series, Bright of the Sky, was named among Publishers Weekly‘s top 150 titles for 2007.

-Author plans extensive tour of bookstores and conventions.

-Stephan Martiniere’s cover illustration won the prestigious Silver Spectrum award.

In this series Kay Kenyon has created her most vivid and compelling society yet, the universe Entire. Reviewers have called this "a grand world," "an enormous stage," and "a bravura concept."

On this stage unfolds a mighty struggle for dominance between two universes. Titus Quinn has forged an unstable peace with the Tarig lords. The ruinous capability of the nanotech surge weapon he possesses ensures detente. But it is a sham. In what the godwoman Zhiya calls a fit of moral goodness, he’s thrown the weapon into the space-folding waters of the Nigh. This clears the way for an enemy he could have never foreseen: the people of the Rose. A small cadre led by Helice Maki is determined to take the Entire for itself and leave the earth in ruins. The transform of earth will begin deep in a western desert and will sweep over the lives of ordinary people, entangling Quinn s sister-in-law Caitlin in a deepening and ultimate conspiracy.

In the Entire, Quinn stalks Helice to the fabled Rim City, encircling the heart of the Entire. Here he at last finds his daughter, now called Sen Ni, in the Chalin style. Outside of earth-based time, she has grown to adulthood. He hardly knows her, and finds her the mistress of a remarkable dream-time insurgency against the Tarig lords and more, a woman risen high in the Entire’s meritocracy. Quinn needs his daughter’s help against the woman who would destroy the earth. But Sen Ni has her own plans and allies, among them a boy-navitar unlike any other pilot of the River Nigh a navitar willing and supremely able to break his vows and bend the world.

Quinn casts his fate with the beautiful and resourceful Ji Anzi who sent on a journey to other realms holds the key to Quinn’s heart and his overarching mission. But as he approaches the innermost sanctuary of the Tarig, he is alone. Waiting for him are powerful adversaries, including a lady who both hates and loves him, the high prefect of the dragon court, and Quinn’s most implacable enemy, a warrior whose chaotic mind will soon be roused from an eternal slumber.

The Day the Earth Stood Still (Two-Disc Special Edition) (1951)

Promo copy:

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL Special Edition DVD is presented in full screen format (1.33:1 aspect ratio) with English Mono, English 5.1 Dolby Surround, Spanish and French Mono, plus English and Spanish subtitles.

• New: Exclusive First Look At The New Movie The Day The Earth Stood Still Starring
Keanu Reeves And Jennifer Connelly
• Commentary by Robert Wise and Nicholas Meyer
• New: Commentary by Film & Music Historians John Morgan, Steven Smith, William Stromberg and Nick Redman
• New: Isolated Score Track
• New: The Mysterious, Melodious Theremin
• New: The Day The Earth Stood Still Main Title Live Performance By Peter Pringle
• New: The Making of The Day the Earth Stood Still
• New: Decoding “Klaatu Barada Nikto”: Science Fiction as Metaphor Featurette
• New: A Brief History of Flying Saucers Featurette
• New: The Astounding Harry Bates Featurette
• New: Edmund North: The Man Who Made the Earth Stand Still Featurette
• New To Disc: Race To Oblivion: A Documentary Short Written And Produced By Edmund North
• New To Disc: Farewell To The Master: A Reading By Jamieson K. Price Of The Original
Harry Bates Short Story; Audio Only
• New: Interactive Pressbook
• Fox Movietonews from 1951
• Original Theatrical Trailer & Teaser Trailer
• Advertising Gallery
• Behind-The Scenes Gallery
• Portrait Gallery
• Production Gallery
• Spaceship Construction Blueprints
• Shooting Script

This double disc edition of the classic film offers all the bells & whistles: Informative documentaries, a reading of Harry Bates’ short story "Farewell to the Master" (the basis for the movie), audio only tracks of the soundtrack, two commentary tracks, and a ten minute trailer for the forthcoming remake. If the Keanu Reeves’ film was titled damn near anything else, I’d more accepting of this pretty decent trailer. From what I can gleam, outside of the name Klaatu and a brief appearance of Gort, this has nothing to do with the original The Day The Earth Stood Still. Perhaps calling it The Day the Earth Blew Up would be more apropos.

For more Day the Earth Stood Still coolness check out this Roy Thomas and Ross Andru seventies adaptation of "Farewell to the Master" in Worlds of Unknown #3.

While "researching" the latest Nexus Graphica, I had reason to look through my collection of Comics Of Unusual Size. This set of the big and small and odd of comicdom contains many gems. Deciding that I really should share some of these largely forgotten and sometime rare pieces, I’m taking you through a tour of the more interesting selections.

Today we’re finally leaving Texas publications with Garret Izumi‘s Fremont, CA production Fish Dog Bird. The spiral-bound, palm-sized book collects 23 of Izumi’s philosophical illustrations, all printed on fine art paper.

(Actual size)


from Fish Dog Bird

This signed copy is #98 of an unspecified amount.

While "researching" the latest Nexus Graphica, I had reason to look through my collection of Comics Of Unusual Size. This set of the big and small and odd of comicdom contains many gems. Deciding that I really should share some of these largely forgotten and sometime rare pieces, I’m taking you through a tour of the more interesting selections.

Today I’m showcasing one of my favorite artist’s earliest published works. I believe that Book of Dreams (Peripheral Press 1993) featured World Fantasy Award-winning and Hugo-nominated illustrator John Picacio‘s first cover.

The 30 page chapbook contained writings by David Somoza, a four page comic book short story by Fernando Ramirez, and Picacio’s first published sequential story "When The Angels Fall."

From "When The Angels Fall" by John Picacio

Picacio and Fernandez would produce stories for two issues of their own standard-sized graphic anthology Words & Pictures. Picacio generated the covers for both.

Words & Pictures #1 Fall ’94

Words & Pictures #2 Spring ’95

Picacio created his last published sequential story (Chet Williamson’s "Chip of Fools") for Weird Business (Mojo Press, 1995).

Since then he’s become a popular, award-winning cover artist and book illustrator.

On a more personal note, Brandy and I were blessed with an original John Picacio piece for our wedding invitation.

Whitten-Klaw Wedding Invitation April 1, 2001

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

Duke Elric (Chronicles of the Last Emperor of Melniboné, Vol. 4) by Michael Moorcock Fully illustrated by Justin Sweet

Promo copy:

Elric, albino emperor of a decadent kingdom, is one of the best-known and most influential characters in the history of fantasy. His continuing adventures are lavishly illustrated in this beautiful omnibus volume, the fourth in a series. Included are the novel The Sailor on the Seas of Fate; the comic book script "Duke Elric"; a foreword by Michael Chabon, a selection of classic artwork on early editions of Elric novels and short stories, and more.

Joe Crowe reviewed Elric: Stealer of Souls, the first volume of this handsome series, for RevSf.

Elric: The Sleeping Sorceress (Chronicles of the Last Emperor of Melniboné, Vol. 3) hit bookstore shelves last week.

The Magician’s Apprentice by Trudi Canavan

Promo copy:

Set hundreds of years before the events of The Magicians’ Guild, THE MAGICIAN’S APPRENTICE is the new novel set in the world of Trudi Canavan’s Black Magician Trilogy.

In the remote village of Mandryn, Tessia serves as assistant to her father, the village Healer. Her mother would rather she found a husband. But her life is about to take a very unexpected turn.

When the advances of a visiting Sachakan mage get violent, Tessia unconsciously taps unknown reserves of magic to defend herself. Lord Dakon, the local magician, takes Tessia under his wing as an apprentice.

The long hours of study and self-discipline also offer more opportunities than she had ever hoped for, and an exciting new world opens up to her. There are fine clothes and servants – and, to Tessia’s delight – regular trips to the great city of Imardin.

But along with the excitement and privilege, Tessia is about to discover that her magical gifts bring with them a great deal of responsibility. For great danger looms on the horizon for Tessia and her world.

Yokaiden 1 by Nina Matsumoto

Promo copy:

Yokai…Japanese spirits.

Most people fear them, and a few people even hunt them, thinking they are horrible monsters to be destroyed at all costs. But young Hamachi wants to be friends with them! He sees them as mischievous creatures that could coexist peacefully with humans if only given a chance.

When his grandmother dies under mysterious circumstances, Hamachi journeys into the Yokai realm. Along the way, he encounters an ogre who punishes truant children, an angry water spirit, and a talking lantern. Will Hamachi be able to find his grandmother’s killer, or will he be lost forever in another world?

While "researching" the latest Nexus Graphica, I had reason to look through my collection of Comics Of Unusual Size. This set of the big and small and odd of comicdom contains many gems. Deciding that I really should share some of these largely forgotten and sometime rare pieces, I’m taking you through a tour of my unusual collection.

Today’s selection comes courtesy of musician/artist Isaac Priestley. In 1994, Priestley produced the mini-comic Drug Abuse Is Fun! under his Hand of God Productions.

Judging from the one issue (#2) I have, the title and covers are the best parts.

Priestley relates the well worn tale of 90s Austin slacker culture, where everyone sat around talked about being in a band.

Rushpunk?!?!

For a comic titled Drug Abuse Is Fun!, there is an amazing absence of drug use. Given the time, place, and people that Priestley writes about, marijuana use should be commonplace.

Thankfully for Priestley in the ensuing 14 years, his art improved dramatically.

Page from the webcomic Progressions

While "researching" the latest Nexus Graphica, I had reason to look through my collection of Comics Of Unusual Size. This set of the big and small and odd of comicdom hides many gems. Deciding that I really should share some of these largely forgotten and sometime rare pieces, I’m taking you through a tour of my unusual collection.

I begin with the reason for the research and perhaps one of the most widely distributed mini-comics of all time. The caffeine-fueled hero, Too Much Coffee Man appearing in a self-titled mini-comic, premiered at the 1991 Dallas Fantasy Fair as a promotional tie-in for Shannon Wheeler‘s first collection Children With Glue.

Too Much Coffee Man #1

Wheeler would eventually produced five TMCM minicomics and evolve the character into a mini-empire complete with a newspaper syndicated strip, a regularly produced comic book, a pop culture magazine, four collections, an animated Converse commercial, merchandising paraphernalia galore (mugs, coffee, t-shirts, and even toilet paper!) and most recently, an opera. The combined sales of the five issues would reach into the tens of thousands.

Too Much Coffee Man #2-3

Too Much Coffee Man #4-5