Friday, April 29, 2011

[New post] Doctor Who - Curse of the Black Spot (prequel)

Doctor Who - Curse of the Black Spot (prequel)

Via http://tardisnewsroom.blogspot.com/:

The first teaser for the third episode of Doctor Who's Sixth Series takes to the high seas. Utilizing a literary reference to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic Treasure Island, the story will involve pirates, sirens and cutlass swinging courtesy of Amy Pond.

Official synopsis: The TARDIS is marooned onboard a 17th-century pirate ship whose crew is being attacked by a mysterious and beautiful sea creature, as the time-travelling drama continues.

Becalmed and beset by cabin fever, the pirates have numerous superstitious explanations for the Siren's appearance. The Doctor has other ideas but, as his theories are disproved and every plan of escape is thwarted, he must work to win the trust of the implacable Captain Avery and uncover the truth behind the pirates' supernatural fears – and he must work quickly, for some of his friends have already fallen under the Siren's spell…

The Doctor is played by Matt Smith, Captain Avery by Hugh Bonneville, Amy by Karen Gillan and Rory by Arthur Darvill.

Guest-starring Hugh Bonneville as Captain Avery, the adventure looks to be a rollicking tale combining traditional pirate motifs and fantastical elements, true to the look and feel of the revamped Who series.

watch?v=Bf-6Orape4M

Reminder: the conclusion to the opening two-parter Day of the Moon will air tomorrow night (Saturday) on BBC America here in the 'colonies.'

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[New post] Captain America - killed by a giant gorilla

Captain America - killed by a giant gorilla

Quick review: Captain America #135-136 (1971)

By Stan Lee, Gene Colan and Bill Everett
Captain America is currently regarded as the backbone and soul of the Marvel Universe. A stalwart symbol of a nobler time, he stands as a reminder of the greatness and courage that a single person possesses. As we approach the opening of the shield slinger's second big attempt at big movie stardom, I decided to dig into my stash of goofy comics and dug out this gem.

Back in the day when Cap shared his spotlight with the Falcon (before he got his wings), the patriotic Avenger's monthly series was amongst the most bizarre and unpredictable comics out there. Each month readers were given some outrageous threat that Cap and Falc must defeat only for it to be topped the following month. These days it may be natural to see MODOK, but at the time, he was another in a long line of weird baddies, a giant head stuck in a flying chair drawn by the Dean himself, Gene Colan. So where does a roller coaster of madness get you?

This is where... an opening splash featuring our hero and a massive ape tangled together in combat as they plummet to their deaths.

Featuring the mind-staggeringly wonderful artwork of Gene Colan, the inks of Bill Everett (creator of the Sub Mariner) lend a certain gravity to the otherwise lofty and fluid lines of the Dean. This is one of my favorite 'looks' for the Cap monthly book, along with the brief but powerful Steranko material. Colan is a magnificent artist whose linework brings with it an ethereal beauty that seems otherworldly at times. It definitely helps to lift an otherwise absurd or thrown together comic (Captain Marvel, for instance), but in this case it's just magical. There are moments of poignant emotion from the supporting cast over Steve's death and of crazed imagery in the world below. Who else could pull that off?

... Beautiful.

I know that comic book character deaths are regarded as yawn worthy as they are usually just cheap spectacles to draw in readers and are inevitably undone by a rebirth, but just look at this. THIS is how you kill off a character. What makes it even better is the silent magnitude that the supporting cast members give the event, glumly shuffling their feet, trying to accept that the is indeed dead.

Imagine for a moment if THIS was how Steve Rogers had died... killed in combat with a giant gorilla.

That would just kill conversation at the comic shop as fans lowered their heads in grief.

The remainder of the awkward two-issue arc deals with the Falcon's solo mission to save his pal thanks to a hastily designed jetpack courtesy of Tony Stark. Of course Nick Fury gruffly covers for the Falcon, both characters putting on their best tough guy routines to hide their inner tears. In fact, there's a lot of strange moments in these issues where Steve and Sam (the Falcon) are short with each other, breaking up their usual banter as they become incapable of dealing with their welling emotions.

But back to the monkey (gorilla).

Falcon from Cap # 117

Falcon descends to find that both Cap and the Gorilla are captives of the Mole Man (what a cameo!). Mole Man begins his appearance by stating that he has no intention of destroying the surface world, but after he discovers that Project Earth Dig (resulting in the non OSHA-approved giant hole in the ground) is intended as a solution to the nuclear waste problem he changes his patter and decides that he does want to destroy the surface world after all. It must be tough to be the Mole Man.

In a quickly summarized backstory, both the giant gorilla (named Monster Ape) thinks back to his rejection from a S.H.I.E.L.D. operative named Julia leading to his mad scheme to increase his power... resulting in his transformation into a massive monstrous ape. Thus fueled with unrequited love, frustration and angst he went on a rampage leading to his current predicament. While at first he is determined to trick the Mole Man into attacking the surface world, when he realizes that the weapon pointed upward will also kill his beloved spurned lady Julia he loses all sense and hurls his body into its path, thus sacrificing himself for a woman that never knew he loved her, let alone turned himself into a freak to gain her attention.

Returned to the lip of the massive hole in the ground, Steve and Sam are greeted by an adoring public, but not before Cap's secret love Sharon Carter faints from the excitement. Not realizing the impact his return has had on Sharon. Cap mistakenly thinks that she doesn't care about him and didn't even bother to show up, leading to another awkward and spiky exchange with Falcon by the side of Cap's Harley.

I'm not sure where the weirdness of these comics begins and ends, but it all seems to be tied to women... or gorillas... or both.

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Latest articles from Retro To Go

Latest articles from Retro To Go


1980s Nike Vengeance Vintage trainers reissued

Posted: 28 Apr 2011 11:48 AM PDT

Vengeance

Looking for an old school running shoe? You might be interested in the reissue of the Nike Vengeance Vintage trainers.

Dating back to 1985 (but actually looking even older), it's a lightweight running shoe with a mesh and textile upper, as well as what's described as 'unparalleled support', should you be considering hitting the road or track in a pair.

All of that is finished off with the Nike 'swish' and a blue and silver/grey colourway. If you want a pair, £61.99 is the price.

Find out more at the Size? website

1920s Bellevue AJ3 Desk Light by Arne Jacobsen

Posted: 28 Apr 2011 11:34 AM PDT

Arne

A very stylish reissue from &Tradition, this Bellevue AJ3 Desk Light by Arne Jacobsen.

Would you believe this dates back to 1929? It does indeed, inspired by modernist designs of the Bauhaus era and itself the inspiration for later Jacobsen designs. For your money, you get a swan-neck design with tubular steel for the frame and a lacquered aluminium shade. Simple, but effective.

Black and white are the colour options, £395 is the price for either.

Find out more at the Panik Design website

eBay watch: 1950s Louis Kalff for Philips desk lamp

Posted: 28 Apr 2011 07:03 AM PDT

Kal

Want something a little different for your sideboard or desk? This Louis Kalff for Philips desk lamp might fit the bill.

Dating back to the 1950s, it's a design reminiscent of that optimistic era, but with a touch of modernism thrown in for good measure. The lampshade is made of sheet metal lacquered black, while the stem is essentially a brass rod. The base is made of cast iron with a sheet metal cover lacquered black and with the original switch still in place.

Coming up to 60 years old, so not in perfect condition - age-related scratches and marks are on the black lacquer work. But at just £10.50 right now, it doesn't look like a huge issue.

Find out more at the eBay website

Retro Kenwood Mixer print by Nursey Bang Bang

Posted: 28 Apr 2011 05:08 AM PDT

Kenwood

A piece of artwork in honour of a once much loved piece of kitchen equipment, this retro Kenwood Mixer print is from Bournemouth-based Etsy seller Nursey Bang Bang.

The A5 print celebrates the beauty - complete with orange trim - of this must-have of the 70s kitchen. Other prints also celebrate other now redundant household goods such as an old-fashioned hoover and a vintage Pifco iron.

Nursey Bang Bang describes her style as having a "whiff of the 50s, a dash of the mundane, a splattering of the 70s which is all rolled up in a picnic blanket full of cake crumbs". We heartily approve. 

The print costs just £8.

Buy it from her Etsy shop

Kay & Stemmer Maude Shelves

Posted: 28 Apr 2011 05:03 AM PDT

Maude

New designs from Kay & Stemmer usually inspire a far bit of enthusiasm round these parts, and these Maud shelves are no exception.

If they look fairly familiar, it's probably because they are based on the popular Edith and Agnes shelving. This is a low two shelf version of that design, complete with the same curved edges and mid-century inspired styling.  

These shelves cost £875 and are currently available in store only at SCP.

Flatpack picnic set by Cath Kidston

Posted: 28 Apr 2011 04:46 AM PDT

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Cath Kidston has really hit the nail on the head of retro picnic meets urban city life with this flatpack picnic set.

It's perfect for a quick getaway into your local park or a day trip to the beach and although not exactly environmentally friendly, it's retro appeal is tempting and best of all there's no washing up involved. This pretty hamper box contains four paper plates, four wooden knives, forks and spoons; two large laminated food boxes; two medium laminated food boxes; four paper napkins and four salt and pepper sachets in a delightful mix of Cath's English Rose and Dotty prints.

Available on the website or in store for £15.

Warehouse belted trench coat

Posted: 28 Apr 2011 04:38 AM PDT

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The classic trench coat has been a wardrobe staple for decades and this Warehouse belted trench is a great summer version.

Bridging the gap betwen spring and summer when it looks warm but buckets down with rain after an hour can be tricky. This light weight trench coat is flattering, stylish and warming on a blustery spring day and helps you judge the seasons. This classic coat is an investment piece that will not go out of fashion, and a good alternative if your budget won't stretch to the famous Burberry model.

It's £85 from Warehouse online.

The Sixties Unplugged by Gerard DeGroot

Posted: 28 Apr 2011 02:35 AM PDT

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The Sixties Unplugged by Gerard DeGroot was published a couple of years back, but has only just made it to the top of my reading list.

DeGroot's central premise is that the 1960s weren't the idealistic revolutionary decade that is usually remembered with fondness and its legacy isn't necessary the things most people immediately think of. The book covers all the usual things you'd find in a book about the 1960s (The Beatles, Vietnam, JFK, mini-skirts and student riots), but DeGroot stresses that only a minority of people involved in radical movements. He further proposes that it is the conservative politics of the time that has had the greatest impact on our world – this was the decade that Reagan first went into politics. Whether or not you agree with his arguments, the book offers a different perspective on a well-worn path.

The book is available for £6.99 from Amazon or as cheap as £1.25 from other sellers.

Metro Bed Linen

Posted: 28 Apr 2011 01:02 AM PDT

Metro_m 
Heal's is currently selling various brightly coloured bed linen , with perhaps the most interesting being the Metro Bed Linen.

The pattern consists of a series of different coloured and sized columns, in a style that I would describe as modernist. The Metro Bedlinen is currently in the sale with prices starting at £48 for a single duvet (reduced from £96) up to £73 for a superking size (previously £146).

Buy online at Heal's.

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