The Golden Apple is an animated series seeking crowdfunding to achieve its goals of becoming real, and while it’s on the path of success to having a short film made, the ultimate hope is to make an animated series. Why this series is special is its mythic connection to the legends and lore around the Balkan region. While fantasy enthusiasts know all about dragons, elves and vikings, this tale goes deeper.
Continue reading “Help CrowdFund The Golden Apple in its Last Hours”
by Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)
When two great minds think alike, an older creation from H.P. Lovecraft’s world will arise. Cthulhu is a creation that’s getting a Conan the Barbarian style resurrection by creators Myke Allen and Steven Saunders in a crowd funding campaign. These two informally met at a local festival (introduced to each other by their mutual partners) and they hit it off quite well because of their common interests in fantastic literature. Saunders was editing for an e-magazine called The Uninvited at the time and needed an artist for a few stories. Allen was quick on the draw and from then on, they both realized they enjoyed working together.
“Steve’s interest is in dark noir and I was used to drawing superheros. It was a fun transition for me to build darker scenes, to develop harrowing stories. Steve sent me to the Whitechapel message board where I came up with the concept [of Cthulhu the Conqueror],” said Allen.
No die-hard Star Wars fan can be seen without either a lightsaber in their pocket or a Han Solo blaster in their holster especially during a fan gathering. For me, it’s a simple Darth Vader key that I wish would activate for real to melt the build-up of ice on any keyhole so I can get inside. Until that idea surfaces, the choices of lightsabers are limited to what Ultrasaber or Saberforge produces. They create customized hilts for Jedi or Sith to carry. When the illuminated blade element is touted to be durable enough to fight with, eventually through wear-and-tear — and eventual overzealousness of a swing occurs — they will crack and eventually break.
Calimacil Weapons is looking to change all that. They manufacture items safe for Live Action Role Playing (LARP) use and their range of items are not limited to swords, daggers, hockey sticks or crowbars. They have a Kickstarter campaign running until November 30 to build a kid-safe, foam-based lightsaber. With this product, it’s safe to bap people on the noggin, whap them on the knees and stab the blunt end onto skin. A welt is most likely going to form on the latter battle-technique (lightsaber fighting takes its inspiration from Kendo and fencing) but for people who really get into the fighting spirit, none of the other light-up blades can take the pounding that Calimacil is advertising about their product.
Continue reading “There’s a new Lightsaber Kickstarting, and it’s child-proof!”
By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)
When it comes to a child’s early learning, Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood, Mr. Dressup, The Friendly Giant and Puddle Lane are a handful of shows that brought the joy of reading to young viewers through their half hour time slot. But of these programs, none made the joy of reading such a focal point as Reading Rainbow. Hosted and executive produced by LeVar Burton, the series ran on PBS television stations from 1983 to 2006.
Continue reading “LeVar Burton Proves the World’s Children Love a Good Book”
Now the big question is whether toddlers will have to leap around like Mario to nudge the 8 Bit lit or not.
Nearly every Nintendo fan will want their own 8-bit LED lamp in their recreation room. The 8-Bit Lit is an idea of Bryan Duxbury and Adam Ellsworth. They made a great tribute to that one product that made Nintendo great in their early days. A simple switch on the bottom of the unit is where all anyone has to do is to tap it, palm it, or head butt it. Sound effects will be part of its interactive appeal.
Now the big question is whether toddlers will have to leap around like Mario to nudge the switch or not.
Continue reading “It’s Time to do the Mario with 8 Bit Lit!”
