The FLASH – Hardcover bounded comics from Herring and Robinson Bookbinders!

Johnny Moreno - Retrenders - Sheldon Cooper Big Bang Theory FLASH BookAs the Ramen crew weaved their way through Big Wow’s ComicFest, we found something that FLASH fan, Sheldon Cooper, from the popular television hit series The Big Bang Theory would wonderfully appreciate. And that’s having your collected comic books bounded into a single volume for that utmost presentation. I would also like to mention that the longevity of a professionally bound hardcover will also help preserve and protect your favorite comics for future readings and sharing. However, if you can’t bare the fact of having your comics punctured and sewn together, they also have other wonderful alternatives!

Johnny Moreno - Retrenders - Bound Comic Books

For information about Herring and Robinson Bookbinders, and how to get your comics bound, go to their website:

www.herringandrobinsonbookbinders.com

The Youngest Spider-man Comic Artist – Ethan Castillo!

The Ramen crew may have not been the first to stumble upon the fascinating eight year old Spidey-artist, but we still stumbled!

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This kid was amazing and we felt this is one of the things that Big Wow Comicfest’s opens up to, and that’s passion and talent from everywhere under the umbrella of comics. On the floor at Big Wow Comicfest, you can’t help but feel inspired by all the people that are there introducing new stories, new artists, new genres, new characters, and it becomes an absolute gift when you run into someone as young as Ethan Castillo drawing Spider-man or Marvel Comic characters because he loves to! You actually start to feel the kid in yourself while watching him draw! “It’s just fun!” – He says.

We also recognized the extent of love and support that Ethan’s parents give him and we can’t help but strongly say, great talent can come from self-ambition, but it also comes from parents that nurture and encourage it!

RETRENDERS highlight trailer for Big Wow Comicfest & FanimeCon

Continue to check back with RETRENDERS for upcoming segments from Big Wow ComicFest and FanimeCon!

Ramen at FanimeCon 2013

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Ramen and a Half was video recorded before a live convention audience for their podcast as they talked about what FanimeCon is all about and discussed a serious topic on how some Cosplayers can be uncomfortably handled by costume admirers and sometimes get perverse images taken of them without one’s consent – then get posted on the internet.

BitCoin or Big Wow! Comicfest?

bitcoinIt was hard for me to decide which convention to go to when Bitcoin the future of currency and Big Wow! Comicfest 2013 happened at the same time at the San Jose Convention Center.  The nerd in me wanted to find out more about this new form of cryptocurrency called Bitcoin (BTC) created by Satoshi Nakamoto.  But anyways, I’m probably boring people now, let’s get on with another episode of Ramen from Big Wow! Comicfest:

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Batman & Robin Inker Mick Gray!

BW201309Everybody knows what a comic book artists does – they draw and are treated like rockstars, but what about inkers?  Our Ramen team chit chats with Batman & Robin inker Mick Gray about the process of inking comic books @ The Big Wow! Comicfest 2013.

FanimeCon 2013 This Weekend!!!

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Where is the Retrenders team going to be at this Memorial Day Weekend?  We’ll be at FanimeCon from May 24-27 taking place at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, CA.

For more info, go to:  fanime.com.

Spiderman artist Humberto Ramos @ Big Wow! Comicfest 2013

BW201321The Ramen crew interviews Spiderman artist Humberto Ramos @ Big Wow! Comicfest 2013.  He talks about his passion and love for drawing comics.

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Frank Cho sketches Red Sonia @ Big Wow! Comicfest 2013

BW201307This past weekend @ the Big Wow! Comicfest in San Jose, star comic book artist Frank Cho takes time to talk to the Ramen and a Half crew.

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RoH Ep #2: Kidrobot x Frank Kozik

frank kozik skeleton labbitsEddie and Ramon hit up Kidrobot SF for artist Frank Kozik signing and his latest Skeloton Labbit releases.

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Kidrobot Street Fighter 2-packs!

We are at the Kidrobot Release & Swap party in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury store.  Kidrobot launch their new Street Fighter 2 packs!  Our Ramen hosts Edward Ballar & Ramon Angel check out the Kidrobot SF 2-pack party.

Also visit and like us @ Ramen and a Half’s Facebook.

 

Spotlight #9: 2012 Japanese Classic Car Show

On September 15th, 2012, the annual Japanese Classic Car Show (JCCS) took place in Long Beach, California.  The show features classic JDM rides like Toyota’s AE86 and cool Datsun cars from a bygone era.  Here’s a video highlight of what took place at the event.  Videography and editing by Richard Sze for Project 760 Productions.

Contributed by Ray Nagar, Executive Producer, Project 760 Productions

Spotlight #8: Behind-the-Scenes with Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco

Retrenders visited Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco to catch a glimpse into the intense planning and preparation that took place months ago for the upcoming 20th anniversary show, “Las Pinturas de Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo en Movimiento” (The paintings of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Movement).

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Ensambles, a premier Mexican folk dance company in San Francisco, has been presenting the art, dance and culture of Mexico on stages and venues in the Bay Area and abroad throughout the last 20 years.

The company, led by artistic visionary, Zenón Barron, will be presenting its capstone performances at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco and at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park.

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The cast of Ensambles is over 35 dancers strong, with training in multiple dance disciplines. The special presentation will bring together the dance company and three of the Bay Area’s finest traditional musical groups: Vinic-Kay (La Gente y el Canto), Cascada de Flores and Los Compas.

Show schedule:

November 3, 2012 – 7:30pm – Herbst Theater, San Francisco

November 17, 2012 – 7:30pm – Spreckels Performing Arts Center, Rohnert Park

Tickets can be purchased at City Box Office

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For more info, see: Ensambles and Cascada de Flores

Contributed by Al Morales (aka greyluvr)
Host, Retrenders Spotlight

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Spotlight #7: Comedy Bodega

Retrenders Spotlight stopped by Esta Noche nightclub in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District for Comedy Bodega, a weekly comedy fest that brings local and national talent to the intimate stage.

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For the last seven seasons, on every Thursday at 8pm, Esta Noche has opened its doors to Bay Area comedy seekers…completely FREE OF CHARGE.

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Retrenders pinned down host and producer, Marga Gomez, to discuss what makes Comedy Bodega an attractive platform for many Bay Area comics.

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Spotlight #6: The Art of Junko Mizuno

ALHAMBRA, CA.  Known for her “cute noir” art style in Japan and in the States, Junko Mizuno is an underground artist that has been featured worldwide on television and in print media.  We caught up with Junko at Gallery Nucleus for her exhibition on Hansel & Gretel. Listen to Junko in her own words on her art and career by Project 760 Productions’ Richard Sze.

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Spotlight #5: Ozomatli

Retrenders Spotlight took in the eclectic rhythms and musical tapestry of L.A.-based, Ozomatli, during part of the City’s summertime Stern Grove Festival.

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The Art of Luke Chueh

bearingtheunbearablebookHere’s our latest Retrenders Spotlight episode as we team-up with Project 760 Productions to bring you a nice and intimate look on artist Luke Chueh.  Luke has just released an art book published by Titan Books titled The Art of Luke Chueh Bearing the Unbearable.

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Spotlight #3: SF Carnaval 2012

The sights and sounds of Carnaval came alive in the City’s Mission District!

Host, Al Morales, headed to the 34th annual SF Carnaval 2012 parade to take in the cultural and musical milieu that is one of the City’s biggest celebrations.

Retrenders highlights the infectious rhythms and colorful tapestries that characterize this worldwide celebration and that symbolize the cultural diversity of the Bay Area.

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Spotlight Ep# 2: The Flamenco Room @ Thirsty Bear Brewing Company

Local, organic brew…tasty tapas…a flamenco show!

Host Al Morales headed to Thirsty Bear Brewing Company in the City’s SOMA district to focus on a Bay Area artistes extraordinaires – Melissa Cruz and Kerensa DeMars.  These performers have captivated audiences, locally and abroad, with their precision taconeo (footwork) and their fiery presence.  Al sat down with Melissa and Kerensa to discuss their art, their style and their processes of performing flamenco.

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Spotlight #1: Dog Friendly Places

Happy Hour Dog Bar!

Welcome to our debut Retrenders Spotlight episode!  Our host Al Morales takes us around San Francisco for dog friendly places.

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