As I enter my mid 30s (begrudgingly) my taste in magazines has started to grow to things a it more diverse than Sports Illustrated, Maxim, Slam and XXL. I am looking for intelligent magazines that give me a great mix of entertainment and news stories that I want to read. Back in the day most magazines would be either one or the other... you wouldn't see a story about a TV show running alongside a political piece just pages away from each other. But this is the era of gratification to everybody, all the time. So why would magazine content be any different? The cover of this weeks issue comes in honor of Breaking Bad, and it is in the New Yorker's traditional cartoon style... big heads and all. This is very cool, and fitting to honor such a great show. I really like that they moved Jesse to the forefront and Walt as the concern parent in the background. It also may just vault the New Yorker into my weekly magazine rotation. We shall see. The series finale of Breaking Bad will air on Sunday. Check out the full cover after the jump...
The Legend of Korra is an American animated television series that premiered on the Nickelodeon television network in 2012. It was created by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dant DiMartino as a sequel to their series Avatar: The Last Airbender, which aired on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008. Several people involved with creating Avatar, including designer Joaqui Dos Santos and composers Jeremy Zuckerman and Benjamin Wynn, returned to work on The Legend of Korra.
The series is set in a fictional universe where some people can manipulate, or "bend", the elements of water, earth, fire, or air. Only one person, the "Avatar", can bend all four elements, and the Avatar is responsible for maintaining balance in the world. The series follows Avatar Korra as she travels to the metropolis of Republic City to learn airbending and face an anti-bender revolutionary group called the "Equalists." See more after the jump...
The series, whose style is strongly influenced by Japanese animation, has been a critical and commercial success. It obtained the highest audience total for an animated series in the United States in 2012. The series was praised by reviewers for its high production values and for addressing difficult sociopolitical issues such as social unrest and terrorism. It was initially conceived as a miniseries of 12 episodes, but it is now set to run for 52 episodes separated into four seasons ("books"), each of which tells a separate story.
We live in a Golden Age of Television animation my friends. Those who say it's too bad they don't have Saturday morning cartoons anymore don't understand a thing. There is 'Beware the Batman' and Avengers playing on the same weekend. Don't forget Ben 10 or The Legend of Korra which is entering it's second season this fall.
This trailer is a beautifully done piece of cartoon porn - and I am not using the work 'porn' as a pejorative - this is just fun to watch. It should make you want to rush out and get Season One. I don't blame you. I have that season sitting to be watched right beside me that I am only about half way through.
I have a passing association with The Last Airbender and I know all the characters and history and I get the plot. Korra is a fantastic addition to that first series of cartoons set in this particular world. It's a world where certain special individuals can control the one (or all) of the four elements - AIR, WATER, FIRE and ROCK.). It is fun to see the older version of Ang 'The Last Airbender' and meet his children who are more trouble than he ever was.
Most are teens when their powers start to develop and can go either towards good or evil. I like how the show never makes it that simple and teaches that actions have consequences and even if you think your action is right, it may not be and finding the difference is what each character is trying to do. Shows like The Legend of Korra teach the right kind of human values of friendship and trust and most importantly - responsibility - which everyone knows is what comes with great power.
I hope that many of you have seen Season One and what I am telling you is not new but, honestly, tell me you don't want to see what happens next after watching this trailer.
As a true teenager of the 90s I am an absolute Kevin Smith fanboy. I make no apologize for that. I have been on board the Jersey Express ever since Clerks, and after seeing his last movie Red State I don't plan on going anywhere. I even enjoy his mis-steps, like Jersey girl (C'mon, it had George Carlin and he is great in everything. Plus a sexy ass Liv Tyler). But when I attended the road show type screening of Red State last year (click here and here for the details of that screening) I was treated to some terrible information by the king himself. Apparently Smith had planned on doing one or two more films and is going to retire. Retire? What the fuck Kev? You are like barely 40. You can't retire. But then he explained a bit more. He said he was going to retire, but from directing only. He would still blog, podcast, and most importantly PRODUCE TV shows and movies. He wanted to help younger, more inexperienced film makers to get their vision out there, and he had the money/power in the business to do just that. It is bittersweet. But then I get information about a new Jay & Silent Bob Cartoon movie coming out and I am super excited. How excited? Check after the break...
I can't fucking wait for this. First of all, I loved the Clerks cartoons from back in the day. Second, Kevin is backing Steven Stark on his first full length directing gig.If you are familair with Smith's Smodcasts than you know Starks work on the Smodimation shorts that litter Smith websites and hundreds of affiliate shows. Third, we get Smith & Mewes doing Jay & silent Bob, and we don't have to see them old. That is so key! I want more of Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, sure. But do I want to see thoe guys at over 40 years old doing that schtick? Not really. The cartoon version makes them 20 somethings forever, and that is how I want to remember them. Here is the blog post that smith made announcing the project and then there are two posters promoting the films release:
Something filthy this way cums, when the legendary best buds from Jersey return to dispense weed and wisdom IN CARTOON FORM! In April 2013, I’ll be touring the world with another flick – just like I did with RED STATE. But this time, the flick’s an animated movie produced by none other than Mr. Snootch-to-the-motherfuckin-Nootch himself –
From first-time Director STEVE STARK - the Canadian Animating Genius behind SModimations and the SModCo Cartoon Show! Starring the voice talents of JASON MEWES! RALPH GARMAN! ELIZA DUSHKU! JON LOVITZ! BEN GLEIB! NEIL GAIMAN! The STARS OF THE SMODCAST NETWORK! and lots more surprise guests! More details after the 1st of the year!
God damn! I said God DAMN! Starks killer animations, production by Smith himself, a crazy voice cast, and a road show type screening experience similiar to what they did with Red State? Yeah, i'm in! Lets go!!! I am sensing a CCD road trip for this one. Here are the posters:
One of my favorite cartoons back in the day was the Beetlejuice cartoon. I loved it because it expanded the universe of the movie and gave us a cool look at some of the awesome characters that were put forth in the movie in a new cartoon style. Artist Ive Bastarsh has taken a cue from the idea of cartoonizing (I know that is not a word... so what?) some of your favorite movies & their characters and came up with a killer series of posters to take a look at what these films would look like if they were cartoons. Well done... well done indeed. You can take a look at more of his work by clicking here to get onto his Deviant Art page & you can see the ones that I like the best after the jump...
Marvel just keeps making all the right decisions lately, in every aspect of their empire. They are riding high off the mega hit that was The Avengers, are gearing up to start phase 2 of their cinematic releases (Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Cap 2, Guardians of the Galaxy, and eventually Avengers 2), have some interesting TV prospects in the works (Guillermo Del Torro's Hulk series, Jessica Jones, etc) , and are wrapping up an epic crossover maxi series in their comic books featuring the two biggest superhero teams on the planet, Avengers vs X-Men. Yeah, Joe Quesada & the rest of the big wigs over at Marvel seem to be pulling all the right strings. Now they are taking to the web, and doing so with some not so familiar faces to boot. Their newest project is a web series entitled 'All Winners Squad', and it features some wonderfully obscure Marvel characters such as Howard the Duck, Frog Man, The Walrus, and Squirrel Girl. This rag tag group of heroes are coming together to face equally obscure villains in mini adventures and are being package in a way that will remind viewers of Drawn Together, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, The Boondocks, and the new Black Dynamite cartoon (which is awesome!). The pilot lays out the groundwork for the series, and future episodes are promised to follow shortly. I for one can't wait to see some of the minor characters get some burn. You can watch the episodes of the future here & you can check out the full pilot after the jump...
Black Dynamite may very well be the funniest movie I have seen in the past 10 years. A perfect exploitation movie in every sense of the word, with an awesome cast (Michael Jai White, Tommy Davidson, Arsenio Hall, Kym Whitley, etc,), some of the most racist slurs ever uttered on film, and a great directorial debut from my main man Scott Sanders (click here to see why he is CCD's favorite director!). If you haven't seen it, it is streaming on Netflix now. But you better get to it quick, because Black Dynamite: The animated Series is coming to Cartoon Network on July 15th!!!! Made by the dudes who brought you The Boondocks and voiced by the actors from the movie itself, this one is going to be epic!!!! Check out the trailer after the jump and beware of Kung Fu trickery, you moon crickets.... Here is the poster:
Disney channel has been hitting some homers with it's recent programming. All of the Marvel stuff has been killer, and it looks like they are gearing up for another fun summer full of new programming. One of the shows coming up on the docket is Gravity Falls, which seems to be an amalgamation of a few different past shows. This one reminds me of Scooby Doo mixed with Eerie, Indiana (a great show that is available on Netflix... watch this one!!!) which is a great combo if you ask me. Wonderful, just wonderful. One of the best parts of being a parent of a 9 year old is getting to watch these shows without feeling guilty... check out a few of the posters and the trailer for the show after the jump.
Here is the synopsis for the upcoming show:
Twins Dipper and Mabel Pines are less than thrilled when their parents ship them off to live with their great-uncle Stan (Grunkle Stan) in Gravity Falls, Oregon for the summer. They quickly discover that there is something weird going on in Gravity Falls. Now, they must rely on each other to face the mysteries, and surprises, in this strange town.
There is not much more that Joe Quesada and the crew could do to make The Avenger: Earth Mightiest Heroes cartoon any better. Season 1 was epic, season 2 is coming along swimmingly. But in episode 6, it got even better than could ever be expected. The Guardians of the Galaxy & The Korvac saga have made their way onto the show. HOLY. FUCKING. SHIT. Groot. Starlord. Quasar. Warlock. And the nastiest rodent this side of the NYC subways, Rocket Raccoon. God I love some Rocket Raccoon. I don't know if I can handle the banter between him & Tony over the next few episodes. Given how snarky they write Starks lines for the show and how agressive Rocket could be, it should be epic. Stay tuned. Watch the introductory clip after the jump....
Harry Partridge is an awesome animator and writer who has come up with some fantastic ideas in the past (such as Saturday Morning Watchmen...hysterical!). But his newest project may be the best one yet. Meet The Starbarians!!! Killgar & Hogstrong are intergalactic warriors who travel around in their Tyrannosaurus Rex with Tits styled space ship fucking shit up and acting a fool. They are not heroes... they are not villains... they are just Starbarians!!! A throwback to 80s cartoons, sword & sandal epics of the past, and crude humor that would make Danny Mcbride proud... this is what an adult cartoon should be about. Catch the first episode after the jump...
Cartoons nowadays don't have shit on the cartoons of the 80's... I'm not trying to be a curmudgeon or anything like that, but it is just true. The recent generation (post 2000) of cartoons have been lacking in originality and fun, but as in any case there are exceptions to the rule. Adventure Time with Finn & Jake happens to be one of those exceptions. It is a great show that has just started it's fourth season and hearkens back to the good ole days of 80's cartoon bliss. The animation is cool, the characters are fun, and it has just the right level of obnoxious humor and subliminal messaging that makes an adult feel OK about watching it. With over 100+ episodes in the books it is safe to say that Finn & Jake are going to be remembered for a long time. Check out artist Tara Billinger (NoSleepJinx on Deviant Art) as she takes on the crew, even including some of the extended characters from the show such as my personal fave The Ice King!!!! See the full size pic after the jump...
The Avengers trailer blew every bodies mind when it hit the 'Net other day. The Hulk in action, the team fighting with each other and then getting together to battle Loki, The Midgard Serpent (allegedly), and all types of other goodies made for a very entertaining 2:30 minutes. So what could be better than that? How about an animated re-enactment of the trailer, this time with 60's Marvel Animation filling in for the high budgeted CGI that will be appearing in the new movie. The results are outstanding... an almost frame for frame shot of teh trailer, cut to perfection. Compare the two yourself after the jump... it's uncanny how perfect the match up.
My undying love for Judge Dredd will hopefully get a big pay off at the end of this year when we finally get a cinematic version of the futuristic lawman that is true to the comics in the form of bad ass Karl Urban and the new Judge Dredd movie. Now before you jump on my back and tell me about Sylvester Stallone's portrayal of Dredd (for the record, I like the movie... but it STRAYS immensely from the source material), I am going to show you something that will make Sly's version look even MORE faithful to the gritty comic. Recently an 1970's era episode of the British children's show Bod was uncovered, and it featured Mega City's meanest lawman facing off against the Angel Gang & the Dark Judges. Now despite the fact that in the comics this situation would definitively get bloody, Dredd handles the situation a bit more... kid friendly. Take a minute after the jump and watch this recently discovered video...
I am sifting through the immense amount of Comic Con related news to come out of San Diego this week (there is alot to come this week, no worries), but one of the coolest things I have seen thus far has to be the first look at Nickelodeon's sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender that is called The Legend of Korra.
***Please click Read more below for the rest of the article and clip from The Legend of Korra***
The show was announced a while back, but this is the first look at Korra in action. Not to mention it features Naga, her gigantic polar bear type dog that Korra rides (and hopefully gets in on the fighting). This one could end up being better then the story of Aang, which would be quite a feat since the original Avatar cartoon was almost perfect. This one takes place 70 years after the first show, and will featuring Korra trying to master all four elements to become the next Airbender. She will have help from Tenzin, Aang and Katara's son from the first series. I am in. How about you guys? Tell us what you think in the comment section below.
There are tons of great shows, both live and animated, coming this fall. One of the ones that I am looking forward to is the new Avengers cartoon that will be on Disney XD. It will feature Iron Man, Captain America, Wasp, Ant Man, Hulk and Thor. The cartoon will pull its stories primarily from the classic Stan Lee/ Jack Kirby stories and will feature a ton of villians and other super heroes. Check out the trailer for the show below:
Aside from the great looking animation, here are three reasons why I am psyched to see this cartoon.
Ant Man (Hank Pym) seems to be able to combine his Ant Man powers (shrinking) and Giant Man powers (growing) in one character. This makes a lot of sense to me, since he has had both powers in the past. As far as I recall, Pym only had one of these powers working at a time back in the comics (I could be wrong though... am I?) and I never understood why. In this trailer we see him minaturized running through blades of grass and big enough to pick up a supertanker. Dope... just dope.
Loki. Thats it for me. Loki is one of my all time favorite villians. He is awesome, plus his helmet is fucking great. I do not know if he has ever gored somebody with his tusk helmet in the comics, but if it hasn't then Quesada and the crew need to make that happen. He looks to be a re-occuring character on this show, and rumors that he will also be the main villian in The Avengers live action movie make me h-h-h-h-happy (Simple Jack voice).
Iron Man being deignated the leader. Thats gonna piss Cap off a bit, no? Judging from all the bad blood between the two of them since the Civil War drama a few years back, and the constant struggle between them throughout the years to be the top cheese, I think this will be a big part of the show. It's interesting to me, and I can not wait to see how it plays out.
So there you go. The new show will be premiering on Disney XD sometime in late September or early October. Can not wait for this one. Tell me what you think in the comment section below.
