This ain’t no lame Waterworld LEGO brick playset. This is kind of like that Japanese anime “Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet” collection of city/ships, but cooler and techy. I’m a big fan of LEGO builders building new sci-fi worlds and landscapes like this. This is Cienasis 5 by LEGO fan Daniel Church.
Sci-Fi LEGO Diorama Playset
June 29, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Firefly Fans Play Yahtzee
June 22, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Like many of my Retrenders crew, we are big fans of Joss Whedon’s Firefly. I fell in love with characters, the universe and the world building. I have the special edition DVD’s, the Dark Horse Comics editions and the Funko/Super7 action figures. And now from USAopoly based on the Yahtzee game, comes the Firefly version.
The X-Files returns in a Mini-Series
June 14, 2015 by Leave a Comment
I’m an X-Files fan because it was the “one” show at the time that was an eye-opener to mysteries and conspiracies of the unknown and unnatural phenomenon – and what better way to have two FBI agents go door to door and solve them. By watching the series, we got to follow agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate incidents of flying saucers, people being abducted by aliens, spontaneous human combustion, to cult tales of witchery and the chupacabra (goat sucker).
Then the first film came out in 1998. I remember it clearly, it was opening weekend for the first X-files film of all-time in San Francisco, but it was like a Star Wars convention waiting in line to get into the theater! I mean, I saw some real or religious fan fanatics that came out of the wood-work with t-shirts, mocked up characters of Mulder, Scully and the Lone Gunmen; and homemade alien costumes. It was amazing, because I didn’t know there was such a passionate following of the show. Now they’re back and I just can’t wait to see what conspiracy – or depths of a conspiracy they will be entangled with this time!
Student Animated Homage to Hayao Miyazaki
April 16, 2015 by 3 Comments
This animated-short Celles et Ceux des Cimes et Cieux (Girls & Guys from Summits & Skies) was made as a final project by Gwenn Germain. No dialogue needed, just watch the visual animated treat.
Chappie: The Art of the Movie
March 27, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The film Chappie, like previous Neill Blomkamp films’ District 9 and Elysium may have a science-fiction spin, but also speaks to the larger issues of society and “real world” problems. This Titan Books release, Chappie: The Art of the Movie delves into the background developing and creating the world of Chappie by Neill Blomkamp, concept artists and production team.
The Art of Jim Burns: Hyperluminal
October 9, 2014 by Leave a Comment
If there’s a mention of Ridley Scott’s iconic film “Bladerunner” anywhere, I’m usually there in a heartbeat. The early concept art and ideas of Bladerunner began with this man – Jim Burns. The British award winning artist has the distinction of winning 3 Hugo awards and creating science fiction book covers for authors like George RR Martin, Peter F Hamilton and Anne McCaffrey.
Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Issue #1
July 22, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Are you craving more David Tennant Doctor Who adventures? Then this all-new series published by Titan Comics should to the trick. Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor follows the Doctor to New York City to find new companion. This 5-issue story-arc is bought to you buy Eisner Award-winning writer Nick Abadzis and fan-favorite Elena Casagrande.
The Art of Films: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes & Rise of the Planet of the Apes
July 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment
As I kid, I remember watching Planet of the Apes with Charlton Heston on TV and like Star Wars, Star Trek and Buck Rogers made an sci-fi impression on me. And then I got all excited in 2001, with Tim Burton’s vision of Planet of the Apes and that was hot mess of suck, kind of like X-Men 3: The Last Stand. Now after many years, 20th Century FOX has gotten the re-boot Planet of the Apes franchise in the right direction. To celebrate, Titan Books publishes The Art of the Films: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes & Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – Official Movie Novelization
July 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment
You don’t have to, but if you are the type of person that needs to read every tie-in to the main book and want to read things in order, then make sure you read Greg Keyes prequel Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Firestorm. By the end of “Firestorm”, the “Simian Flu” has spread worldwide causing millions of deaths, civil unrest and economic meltdown around the world, while Caesar leads all the apes to safety into Muir Woods. Based on the screenplay by Mark Bomback, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, author Alex Irvine pens the novelization Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
The Art of John Harris: Beyond The Horizon
June 7, 2014 by Leave a Comment
If you read lots of science-fiction books from authors like Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Ben Nova, Orson Scott Card and John Scalzi, there is usually a beautifully painted cover book art of the galaxy, outer space world or spaceship and that artist is John Harris. The Art of John Harris: Beyond The Horizon is a collection of his many works since the 1970s.
Alien: The Official Movie Novelization by Alan Dean Foster
April 23, 2014 by Leave a Comment
When the James Cameron’s ALIENS flick hit the theaters in 1986, it blew me away and it made go back to take a look at the first ALIEN (1979) film by director Ridley Scott. Now, if you don’t have the DVD or Blu-ray handy, or cannot find it streaming somewhere, then how about you go old-school and check out the official novelization of ALEIN with author Alan Dean Foster based on the screenplay by Dan O’Bannon.
The Art of Ian Miller
April 11, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Titan Books collects various art pieces done by artist Ian Miller in this book, The Art of Ian Miller. You might be asking who is Ian Miller? Well, if you ever find yourself in the fantasy section at the bookstore, most of those Ray Bradbury and HP Lovecraft book covers of wizards, monsters, castles and alien worlds were illustrated by Ian Miller.
It Came! by Dan Boultwood
March 27, 2014 by Leave a Comment
How about some good old-fashion comic book storytelling with a mix of sci-fi, comedy and fun? Check out Dan Boultwood’s It Came! Titan Comics collects the 4 issues of It Came! into one tidy hardbound trade.
The Absence by Martin Stiff
March 17, 2014 by Leave a Comment
My geeky comic book advisers have been telling to read this indie sci-fi mystery comic book series The Absence. The Absence has been making the rounds in the UK and getting top-notch reviews, so when Titan Comics asked me if I wanted to check out The Absence by Martin Stiff, I just had to get in a review copy and see all what the fuss is about. Martin Stiff is both the author and artist of the The Absence and self-published the comic book from 2008 to 2013. The 6 issues are now collected in this hardbound trade by Titan Comics.
Steampunk Style
February 25, 2014 by 1 Comment
Over the years the science fiction genre Steampunk has exploded into books, comics and Steampunk conventions taking place around the country and now Titan Books with Steampunk Oriental Laboratory has put out an incredible magazine-style book on Steampunk fashion and gizmos. Steampunk Style: The Complete Illustrated Guide for Contraptors, Gizmologists and Primocogglers Everywhere! has everything a Steampunk wannabe wants.
Star Trek Select Captain Jean-Luc Picard
January 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
If you remember the long-running sci-fi TV show Star Trek: The Next Generation? Patrick Stewart was awesome as Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Star Trek Select kick-offs the New Year with this new 7″ action figure. The figure has some articulation for pose-ability and a detail dead Borg-base stand.
Behind the Scenes: Star Trek Into Darkness
January 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
What makes a movie or TV show great? Yes, the acting and cast are among the very important aspects, but like movie reviewer Grace Randolph says “World Building” is also a vital part. Here ILM takes us behind-the-scenes of how they built a “real” futuristic 2259 San Francisco for Star Trek Into Darkness.
Everybody needs some Space Dandy!
January 6, 2014 by Leave a Comment
I really don’t know what I just watched, but I dig the funky music and animation of Space Dandy. It must be good? Space Dandy is produced the powerhouse animation studio BONES and is directed by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop) and character designs by Yoshiyuki Ito. Look for the anime in Japan this month.
Marada The She-Wolf
November 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The original She-Wolf … and I don’t mean singer Shakira’s “She Wolf” song back in 2009. Remember the video? That was a sure-fire booty-shaking epileptic seizure attack, but I digress. Now back to the original She-Wolf, the 1980s creation by X-Men famed writer Chris Claremont and British artist John Bolton, the two created Marada the daughter of Rome, warrior and sorceress.
Elysium: The Art of the Film
August 14, 2013 by 1 Comment
I had the pleasure of watching Elysium on the big IMAX screen this past weekend and it was a blast to watch. Director-writer Neill Blomkamp created his first intellectual sci-fi hit with District 9 on the cheap and now with a Hollywood budget, he’s able to create visual science-fiction tour de force.
“The idea of Elysium was born out of growing up in a country where wealth discrepancy is a huge issue,” says Blomkamp – Elysium: The Art of the Film.
The year is 2159 and the Earth is overpopulated with scarce resources, rampant crime and poverty. The wealthy class escaped to space and built a heavenly space colony called Elysium. Our anti-hero Max played by Matt Damon clinging to life takes on mission to not only save himself but for the people of Earth. But before I get to the down and gritty of this art book I had some minor complaints: 1) Is it just me or Jodie Foster accent really annoying? 2) When the rebel ships try to land into Elysium, bad guy Kruger uses a shoulder-mounted missile launcher with missiles that are able to go all the way up to space and knock-down the rebel ships? 3) And this leads to my next rant, if this space colony has magic healing machines that can cure cancer and is a technical marvel, Elysium doesn’t have self-defensive weapons like in Star Trek’s Deep Space Nine or Babylon 5 – what is up with that? 4) My last rant – I wished we could see more of the people living in the futuristic space colony. But other than that, it was a wonderful summer movie.
Sci-Fi Short Film: CONTROLLER
August 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment
“Love is to be experienced, not controlled” – Ralph Ellison III
A girl with Jean Grey (Phoenix) type powers is trapped and she uses her powers to control her boyfriend in helping her escape.
The Complete Flash Gordon Library: The Fall of Ming Vol. 3
June 26, 2013 by Leave a Comment
“There’s a charm to the dials and knobs of yesteryear’s imagination, the vacuum tubes and arcing electricity of the past’s futurism.” Foreword by Dave Gibbons
Kids today read everything on their tablets and smartphones, and sadly don’t remember the printed newspapers. I couldn’t wait for the Sunday paper, because they always had a section devoted to Sunday comic strips, like Prince Valiant and Calvin & Hobbes. Now Titan Books has just released the 3rd collected volume of the iconic sci-fi hero Flash Gordon.
Pacific Rim Robots
June 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Keep a look out for Variety magazine’s July 2013 issue.
Supernatural: Carved in Flesh
May 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The award winning sci-fi drama Supernatural has been following the Winchester brothers – Dean & Sam for 8 seasons on the CW as they hunt down demons, ghosts, and monsters. And with the CW picking up the series for the 9th season there will be more thrilling adventures for Dean & Sam. The young Winchester brothers lost their mother from a demonic figure and from that point on their father groomed them to fight supernatural evil. Titan Books has released a series of novels with different authors in expanding the Supernatural universe and in “Carved in Flesh” by Tim Waggoner, this novel takes place during Season 7 of Supernatural.
Flash Gordon: The Tyrant of Mongo (Vol 2.)
December 12, 2012 by 1 Comment
I really enjoyed the first collected volume of Flash Gordon by Titan Books. And now the second volume is upon us – Flash Gordon: The Tyrant of Mongo, which collects stories from April 25, 1937 – January 12, 1941. The iconic Flash Gordon Sunday strips are restored in full color glory. On Planet Mongo, ruthless ruler Ming the Merciless is on the hunt for the Earth girl Dale Arden and Flash Gordon. Flash with the aid of Dr. Zarkov makes new allies as the fight off Ming’s various threats trying to stay alive on Planet Mongo.
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