Author: Glenn Hauman

 

Bookmarking for later reference:

 

People have dreamed of cars that drive themselves for decades. Now, thanks to a contest sponsored by the U.S. military and further work by companies like Google, Volkwagon and Volvo, they are much closer to becoming reality than many people realize. It now feels possible to make the bold prediction that if we, as a society truly will it, we can make them popular by around 2020. More and more people are ready to declare that — technology-wise — it’s a question of when, not if.

 

via Where Robot Cars (Robocars) Can Really Take Us.

Now if I can figure out why I can’t turn off thumbnails in Zemanta…

 

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• Google: Our Robot Cars Are Better Drivers Than You(tech.slashdot.org)

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My first Star Trek story, Star Trek: Oaths (Star Trek: Starfleet Corps of Engineers), solved the problem of a planet-wide plague by rewriting the genetic code of the planet’s population. Twelve years later, we have this:

Scientists from Yale and Harvard have recoded the entire genome of an organism and improved a bacterium’s ability to resist viruses, a dramatic demonstration of the potential of rewriting an organism’s genetic code.

via Researchers rewrite an entire genome—and add a healthy twist.

Man, this living in the future stuff is weeeeeird.

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• Scientists ‘Rewrite Genetic Code’ Of Bacteria(huffingtonpost.co.uk)

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• Scientists Rewrite Germ’s Genetic Code(nlm.nih.gov)

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Well. This might be the easiest review I’ve written.

If you liked the first Kick-Ass movie, you’ll like this one. If you would have liked the first film if it didn’t have Nicolas Cage in it, you’ll be even happier.

If you are a fan of the Mark Millar/John Romita Jr. comic book series, you’ll like this movie. It’s a fairly faithful adaptation of Kick-Ass 2 and the Hit-Girl prequel series, hitting most of the points and only making cosmetic changes (no final battle in Times Square, for example.)

If you are a fan of Chloe Grace Moritz, you’ll love this film. Even more fun this time around, yet still growing up. Between this and the upcoming Carrie remake, we have learned one very important lesson: Do. Not. Mess. With. Her.

If you think that the story is a decent examination and a snappy satirical commentary about trying to be a superhero in the real world, you are completely right. If you happen to think that the first film and/or the comic book is overwrought and overviolent and expect the sequel to be the same, you are completely right too.

If you think this is a way for comic book movies to keep things simple and get decent returns on their original investments by controlling costs instead of making R.I.P.D., you’re correct. If you think this is a cynical attempt to cash in on an easily extendable franchise, you’re right as well.

If you’re looking for surprises– well, there we have a problem. There really aren’t any if you’ve seen the first film, and especially if you’ve already read the source material. There are only two real areas for surprise here: will they keep all the levels of violence from the comics in the films, even the hyper-brutal and the completely ludicrous, and is it still going to be fun to watch knowing what’s coming next? The answer to both questions, BTW, is “yes”.

So go. Have fun, if this is the sort of thing you like. You know pretty much exactly what you’re going to get, and it’s going to be well-executed executions. It doesn’t quite live up to its title, it doesn’t quite kick ass too. But it’s not a bad way to spend an evening.

Originally published on ComicMix as Review: “Kick-Ass 2″

Seen originally on

As you may know, there’s a new DC Animated movie coming out: Justice League: The FlashPoint Paradox, based on the FlashPoint crossover event of a few years ago that preceded DC’s New 52. What you may not have known is that Sam Daly is doing the voice of Superman, taking over the role from his dad Tim Daly, who voiced him in Superman: The Animated Series.

And what you certainly didn’t know is that this puts Sam into a very special league of his own…

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s more of Justice League: The FlashPoint Paradox:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Originally published on ComicMix as Sunday Cinema: The Daly Supermen and the FlashPoint Paradox

Seen originally on

Leigh Lahav wonders what all the fuss was at San Diego about Tom Hiddleston showing up…

Click here to view the embedded video.

And if you’re wondering what all the fuss was about yourself, here’s what happened:

Click here to view the embedded video.

He has an army…

Originally published on ComicMix as Saturday Morning Cartoons: A Loki Morning

Seen originally on

The final ballot for the 2013 Harvey Awards is now available. Named in honor of the late Harvey Kurtzman , one of the industry’s most innovative talents, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art. The 26th Annual Harvey Awards will be presented Saturday, September 7th, 2013 as part of the Baltimore Comic-Con .

If you are a comics professional, you can vote online at harveyawards.org/2013-final-ballot/ .  This will enable easier and faster methods for the professional community to submit their nominees. Ballots are due by Monday, August 19, 2013.

And the nominees are…

BEST LETTERER

Chris Eliopoulos, COW BOY: A BOY AND HIS HORSE, Archaia
Joe Caramagna, DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics
Todd Klein, FABLES, DC Comics
Jack Morelli, ARCHIE, Archie Comics
Chris Ware, BUILDING STORIES, Pantheon

BEST COLORIST

Laura Allred, FF , Marvel Comics
Matt Hollingsworth, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
Tito Pena, ARCHIE, Archie Comics
Ed Ryzowski, GUTTERS, http://www.the-gutters.com/
Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

BEST SYNDICATED STRIP or PANEL

CUL DE SAC, Richard Thompson, Universal Press Syndicate
DICK TRACY, Joe Staton and Mike Curtis, Tribune Media Services
GET FUZZY, Darby Conley, United Feature Syndicate
MUTTS, Patrick McDonnell, King Features
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE, Stephen Pastis, United Feature Syndicate

BEST ONLINE COMICS WORK

BANDETTE, Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover, www.monkeybraincomics.com/titles/bandette/
BATTLEPUG, Mike Norton, www.battlepug.com
THE DREAMER, Lora Innes, www.thedreamercomic.com
NIMONA, Noelle Stevenson, gingerhaze.com/nimona
SHELDON, Dave Kellett, sheldoncomics.com

BEST AMERICAN EDITION of FOREIGN MATERIAL

ABELARD , NBM
BLACKSAD: A SILENT HELL , Dark Horse
NEW YORK MON AMOUR , Fantagraphics Books
SHARAZ-DE: TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS , Archaia
NAOKI URASAWA’S 20TH CENTURY BOYS, VOL. 22 , VIZ Media

BEST INKER

Steve Ellis, ONLY LIVING BOY, Bottled Lightning
Jonathan Glapion, BATMAN, DC Comics
Klaus Janson, CAPTAIN AMERICA, Marvel Comics
Mark Morales, AVENGERS VS. X-MEN, Marvel Comics
Bob Smith, LIFE WITH ARCHIE, Archie Comics

BEST NEW SERIES

ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! Studios
HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
NEW CRUSADERS: RISE OF THE HEROES, Red Circle Comics
REVIVAL, Image Comics
SAGA, Image Comics

MOST PROMISING NEW TALENT

Jerry Gaylord, FANBOYS VS. ZOMBIES, BOOM! Studios
Dennis Hopeless, AVENGERS ARENA, Marvel Comics
Ryan Jampole, MEGA MAN, Archie Comics
Mark Mariano, Happyloo, MyPalMark.com
David Nytra, THE SECRET OF THE STONE FROG, Toon Books

SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR IN COMICS

Chad Lambert, THE POSSUMS AT LARGE 10TH ANNIVERSARY CRAPTACULAR, Old School Comics
Ryan North, ADVENTURE TIME , KaBOOM!Studios
Dan Parent, KEVIN KELLER , Archie Comics
Chris Sparks, TEAM CUL DE SAC – CARTOONISTS DRAW THE LINE AT PARKINSON’S , Andrews McMeel
Jim Zub, SKULLKICKERS , Image Comics

BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC PUBLICATION FOR YOUNGER READERS

ADVENTURE TIME , KaBOOM! Studios
AMELIA RULES: HER PERMANENT RECORD , Simon and Schuster
COW BOY: A BOY AND HIS HORSE , Archaica
DRAMA, Scholastic
SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES , DC Comics
THE SHARK KING , Toon Books

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED

ALIEN: THE ILLUSTRATED STORY , Titan Books
ARCHIE: THE MARRIED LIFE, BOOK 2 , Archie Comics
CURSED PIRATE GIRL , Archaia
HEADS OR TAILES , Fantagraphics
KING CITY , Image

BEST ANTHOLOGY

DARK HORSE PRESENTS , various, Dark Horse
DISTRICT COMICS , Matt Dembicki, Fulcrum Publishing
ONCE UPON A TIME MACHINE , Andrew Carl, Dark Horse
TEAM CUL DE DE SAC: CARTOONISTS DRAW THE LINE AT PARKINSON’S , Chris Sparks, Andrews McMeel
WOMANTHOLOGY: SPACE , Mariah Huehner, IDW

BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT

BEST OF ARCHIE COMICS, VOL. 2 , Archie Comics
CAME THE DAWN AND OTHER STORIES, THE EC COMICS LIBRARY , Fantagraphcs
CRIME DOES NOT PAY ARCHIVES , Dark Horse Comics
DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI’S DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN, ARTIST’S EDITION , IDW
POGO: BONA FIDE BALDERDASH VOL. 2, WALT KELLY’S POGO , Fantagraphics

BEST COVER ARTIST

David Aja, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
Steve Ellis, ONLY LIVING BOY, Bottled Lightning
Jenny Frison, REVIVAL, Image Comics
Adam Hughes, FAIREST, Vertigo Comics
Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL, or JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION

ALTER EGO MAGAZINE , TwoMorrows Publishing
JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR , TwoMorrows Publishing
TEAM CUL DE DE SAC: CARTOONISTS DRAW THE LINE AT PARKINSON’S , Andrews McMeel
MARVEL COMICS: THE UNTOLD STORY , Sean Howe, HarperCollins
ROBOT 6 WEBSITE , Comic Book Resources

SPECIAL AWARD for EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION

BUILDING STORIES , Chris Ware, Pantheon Books
CURSED PIRATE GIRL COLLECTED EDITION: VOLUME ONE , Jeremy Bastian, Archaia
DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI’S DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN: ARTIST’S EDITION , Scott Dunbier, IDW
TEAM CUL DE DE SAC: CARTOONISTS DRAW THE LINE AT PARKINSON’S , Chris Sparks, Andrews McMeel
THE ART OF BETTY AND VERONICA , Victor Gorelick and Craig Yoe, Archie Comics

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM ORIGINAL

BUILDING STORIES , Pantheon
THE CARTER FAMILY: DON’T FORGET THIS SONG , Abrams ComicArts
MY FRIEND DAHMER , Abrams ComicArts
RICHARD STARK’S PARKER: THE SCORE , IDW
THE UNDERWATER WELDER , Top Shelf

BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES

BATMAN , DC Comics
DAREDEVIL , Marvel Comics
HAWKEYE , Marvel Comics
LOCKE AND KEY , IDW
RACHEL RISING]], Abstract Studios
[[[SAGA , Image Comics

BEST WRITER

Matt Fraction, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
Joe Hill, LOCKE AND KEY, IDW
Tim Seeley, REVIVAL, Image Comics
Scott Snyder, BATMAN, DC Comics
Brian Vaughn, SAGA, Image Comics
Mark Waid, DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics

BEST ARTIST

David Aja, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
Greg Capullo, BATMAN, DC Comics
Mike Norton, REVIVAL, Image Comics
Chris Samnee, DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics
Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

BEST CARTOONIST

Jaime Hernandez, LOVE AND ROCKETS: NEW STORIES, Fantagraphics
Jeff Lemire, THE UNDERWATER WELDER, Top Shelf
Terry Moore, RACHEL RISING, Abstract Studios
Chris Ware, BUILDING STORIES, Pantheon
Adam Withers and Comfort Love, RAINBOW IN THE DARK, uniquescomic.com

BEST SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY

BATMAN # 12, DC Comics
BUILDING STORIES, Pantheon
HAWKEYE # 1, Marvel Comics
LOCKE AND KEY: GRINDHOUSE, IDW
THE MIRE, BeckyCloonan.net
SAGA # 1, Image Comics
TALES DESIGNED TO THRIZZLE #8, Fantagraphics

Originally published on ComicMix as Harvey Awards 2013 Final Ballot Announced, “Hawkeye” Gets 7 Noms

Seen originally on

1. It would be carry more weight if the Dragon Con Director of Media Relations would not use the asterisk in his job title.

2.They’d get more search engine optimization if they got rid of the space too.

3. As Patrick Nielsen Hayden pointed out , this is a great way to show that Dragon Con no longer has the asshole.

Here’s the press release:

How to Spell Dragon Con

Dragon Con Now Spelled Without Asterisk

Atlanta, GA, 2014 – As part of the recently announced merger that created Dragon Con, Inc., we have elected to change the style and spelling of our name. Going forward, the proper style and spelling of the convention is Dragon Con (two words, no asterisk) while the company is Dragon Con, Inc.

We hope that by providing this style note, it will be easier for reporters and editors to write about Dragon Con by eliminating questions about usage. We also believe that a consistent spelling of the name will make searching for stories about Dragon Con on your website or on the Internet more complete.

It is entirely possible that you will see printed materials at Dragon Con 2013 that still show the company or event name using the asterisk. These materials were printed before the merger. Materials printed in the future will be consistent with the new style.

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–
Thanks!
Dan Carroll
Dragon*Con Director – Media Relations

http://mediarelations.dragoncon.org

mediarelations@dragoncon.org

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• Dragon*Con Buys Edward Kramer Out (comicmix.com)

Originally published on ComicMix as Three Notes On “How To Spell Dragon Con”

Seen originally on

Scott Lobdell talks on ComicVine about raising money for We Can Be Heroes :

I’m a big fan of crowdsourcing — for comics and graphic novels on sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo. So far I’ve only watched from a distance, calling attention to special projects and generally being a cheerleader for the ambitious creatives involved in these passion projects.

That was until DC Comics asked me to participate in their crowdsourced We Can Be Heroes fund-raiser — part of their ongoing initiative to raise money for and awareness of the plight of the hungry in the Horn of Africa.

My “bosses” gathered a veritable Who’s Who of some of DC and Warner Bros. most talented creators and said I could hang out with them and help a worthy cause in the process. We’re signing super exclusive and limited run graphic novels, animated movies, caps, T-shirts, prints and other assorted products (Did I mention you can have yourself written into a DC Comic? Or that none other than Jim Lee will come to your town and paint a mural on your wall?) with all the money going to fight something far more destructive than anything Lex Luthor has ever come up with on his worst day.

The best part about this campaign? It really does give the fans the opportunity be the hero here: every dollar you commit goes directly to International Rescue Committee , Mercy Corps and Save the Children to help fund their efforts on the ground in the Horn of Africa. Every donation, no matter how small, helps.

In this particular case the goal is to raise $100,000… and we’re halfway there!

So please, take a moment – -watch the video — find one of the multitude of special incentives from the likes of Scott Snyder, David Goyer, Greg Pak, Kenneth Rocafort, Jim Lee, Geoff Johns, James Tucker, Mike Carlin… and some guy named Scott Lobdell!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Is it a donation? Is it a special purchase?

Call it what you will… it is an opportunity to help a worthy cause!

It’s a chance to show that, really, We Can Be Heroes.

www.indiegogo.com/projects/dc-entertainment-we-can-be-heroes-superman-edition

via Scott Lobdell on WE CAN BE HEROES — A Crowdsourcing event! – Comic Vine .

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• Scott Lobdell on WE CAN BE HEROES — A Crowdsourcing event! (comicvine.com)

Originally published on ComicMix as Scott Lobdell on WE CAN BE HEROES Crowdsourcing Event

Seen originally on

This is very good news. Dragon*Con announced this on their Facebook page today :

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Dragon Con / ACE, Inc., producer of Dragon*Con, Atlanta’s internationally known pop culture, fantasy and sci-fi convention, have agreed to merge the company into Dragon Con, Inc. (Dragon Con) in a cash-out merger.

Led by Pat Henry, David Cody and Robert Dennis, ownership of Dragon Con includes five of the six founding owners of Dragon Con / ACE (the old Dragon Con). The effective date of the merger is July 8, 2013.

Edward Kramer, who has not had any role in managing or organizing the convention since 2000, was offered cash for his shares in the old company. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“This decision only affects the ownership of the old Dragon Con,” said Pat Henry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dragon Con. “Our members and others who attend Dragon*Con 2013 will experience the same fantastic convention they have come to expect from us.”

Dragon Con will continue the agreements with each of the host and overflow hotels associated with the convention as well as all of the guests and performers scheduled to appear at this year’s event, either “as is” or with amendments recognizing Dragon Con as owner.

About Dragon*Con

Dragon*Con is the largest pop culture convention featuring comics, film, television, costuming, art, music, and gaming. Held each Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Dragon*Con attracted more than 52,000 attendees in 2012. For more information, please visit www.dragoncon.org .

Hopefully this will now put the major stigma of having Mr. Kramer continuing to be associated with Dragon*Con behind them.

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• If Your Con Doesn’t Have Clear Sexual Harassment Policies Don’t Call John Scalzi To Speak (winextra.com)

Seen originally on