Natali Tears Splice From the Headlines

Heidi MacDonald, kick ass reporter most known for The Beat (AKA the most badass comics blog on the planet for many years running) braves the world of super science to talk to director Vincenzo Natali about his newest film SPLICE...

Dread of technology has always been a staple of the horror film genre, but Vincenzo Natali’s timing with his new creature film Splice couldn’t be better. Just as scientists have announced that they have created an “artificial life form” with synthetic DNA for the first time, his new film presents a scenario in which two fictional scientists (played by Sarah Polley and Adrien Brody) deal with the ramifications of their own meddling with genetics. The result is a new take on the Frankenstein theme, which, Natali says, has many aspects of a love story.

“There’s nothing in the film that couldn’t happen,” Natali told reporters recently. ”It’s extremely unlikely, but there’s nothing that goes completely outside the realm of technology. It’s a little beyond what we know now but grounded in fact.“

Although some would see Splice as a cautionary tale, Natali says his personal feelings are very much pro genetic research. “We have to go there and it’s naturally where we are headed. Clearly it being a horror film implies that we should be very cautious with this technology, but I am in no way opposed to. We are destined to go down that road and might as well embrace it.”

In the film Polley and Brody create “Dren” an artificial life form that affects both characters deeply. Natali compares the story to elements of the Frankenstein mythos, and especially the Elsa Lancaster character in Bride of Frankenstein. “We had to mutate that story and take it somewhere new. Frankenstein was a father but this is very much a mother/daughter story – ultimately it becomes a love triangle.“

Dren was created via a hybrid process that involved CGI and other methods. Says Natali. “While she is hopefully an amazing creation she is also very much a character that people can fall in love with. “

The film itself is also a bit of an unlikely hybrid. Initially released as a low budget feature, Splice won acclaim on the festival circuit and started some internet buzz, eventually catching the attention of producer Joel Silver, who arranged for it to get wider distribution via Warner Brothers. But it wasn’t always a sure thing. Since finishing the film a year ago, Natali was in negotiations two film companies that ultimately went out of business; luckily these ups and downs ended up leaving the film available for Silver to pluck from the indie circuit. “I wasn’t sure what would happen but the best possible results happened. Everything had to go wrong for it to go right in a sense.”

Although his earlier films like Cube have won Natali a loyal cult audience of horror aficionados, the buzz for Splice has put him smack in themiddle of the hot list, and he’s just been tapped to direct an adaptation of William Gibson’s beloved cyberpunk classic Neuromancer. With wider success looming before him, Natali he still considers himself lucky to have made two horror films that are highly personal. “Indie films are hard enough to make but when you have complex special effects they get more complicated. To do what I want ed to do you need studio support and it was very difficult to secure. But on the other hand I can’t do something I don’t care about.”

Splice opens nationwide June 4th, 2010.

Beware The Jedi A-Holes

In all the universe, there is one clan of super powered beings that could turn the cosmos on its ear should they ever decide to use their gifts toward malice or ill gotten gains or psychically pouring buckets of cold water over large breasted women wearing white T shirts. Imagine the cast of Jersey Shore with the strength, ninja skills, mind powers and light sabers of the Jedi??!! Imagine no more as Freddie W takes us to a world where the meek are dominated by Jedi deuche bags. Try not to have nightmares after this one...

One question. How did they get Jon Bon Jovi to be such a cock in this?

Bif Bang Pow Packaging for Venture Brothers, Dexter, Twilight Zone & Scott Ian

Ahhhh..our little plastic friends. Some people love them so much, they rip them free from their blistery confines the second they are paid for and throw them into a variety of action poses before facing them off against their greatest adversary, making the pew pew noises of battle the whole time. Other collectors love the little guys in a different way and want to keep them sealed up and perfect foreeeeeverrrrrr. Bif Bang Pow knows those people are out there..and for you, the freakish Mint On Card aficionado, we present the pretty pretty card art from several of BBP's newest action figure lines.

First up its The Venture Brothers Retro (MEGO style) Action Figures. The lineup includes Brock Samson and Dr. Venture in series 1, The Monarch and Dean Venture in series 2 and San Diego Comic Con Exclusives Henchmen 21 and 24 in series 3. Each card back includes designs to make your own Helper Robot out of a straw! Good times!! Card art designed by Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick.
































Next up is the packaging for The Twilight Zone Retro (MEGO style) Action Figures. The waves revealed so far include The Gremlin and Jason Foster in series 1, Kanamit and The Devil in series 2 and San Diego Comic Con Exclusives Talky Tina and Willie in series 3. Upcoming figures teased on the card back include characters from episodes Eye of the Beholder (mutant faced doctor or nurse I assume), Time Enough at Last (Henry Bemis and his broken glasses for sure), Will The Real Martian Please Stand Up (three eyed shop keep perhaps?), The Invaders (fat gold aliens!) and The Night of the Meek (drunk Santa Art Carney).








Scott Ian has made the transition from Anthrax rocker to action figure! This rockin' figure of the famed guitarist stands 8-inches tall, includes a mini reproduction of Scott's custom Jackson™ guitar, and features multiple points of articulation and real fabric clothing… all in a retro style evocative of the most popular action figures of the 1970s. Rock your world by adding Scott Ian to your shelf!














Last in line, we diverge from the MEGO madness to the standard 7 inch action figures with our pal Dexter. Coming this August - Standing 7-inches tall and fully articulated, Dexter comes with interchangeable arms, allowing him to transform from killer to blood-splatter expert and back again. He also includes loads of great accessories: knife, body bag, ID badge, and blood slide!

Looking for a Dexter with a little more hardware? The Jumpsuit Dexter Action Figure is dressed in cloth scrubs and cloth apron, and he comes with a handsaw and welder's mask that features a flip-down visor. These sculpts are personally approved by Michael C. Hall and Showtime.

Get Him To The Greek VS Splice

Battling for your consumer dollars this weekend!! It's the perpetually humping bean pole Brit VS the gene spliced American Apparel model from HELLLL!! DOWN AND DIRTY IN THE MUD!!

Splice: This is the touching tale of White Stripes artists turned genetic scientists (or at least you'd think it by their outfits) who go from creating fat little slug monsters to whipping up their own baby girl..monkey..thing. Thus, Dren is born and the awkwardness begins. The splicing duo decide they don't need to kill their experiment since it is growing at an accelerated rate, knowing it will die on its own before long. Of course, as it happens in most films, the creature comes to maturity and stops aging...sort of. Dren goes through sort of evolutions, as we've seen in the trailers so i don't feel I'm spoiling anything by touching on the point. It seems she/it is highly intelligent and yet, emotionally immature. Through a small handful of tantrums from Dren, we get the Frankenstein aspect of the film...scientists with a God complex and such..but it is a theme diluted with the premise of a woman's urgency to bear a child. This creates the bond between Elsa (Sarah Polley) and her daughter, and spares the creature when it should have been terminated early on, and most likely would have at the hands of Clive (Adrien Brody).

This is where things get jumbled. We see Dren extensively, so apart from those first reveals of the creature in various stages of development, there is little mystery or suspense laid down. Those elements of horror you see in the trailers are sparse, the bulk of which don't happen until the very last scenes and are gone within five minutes. For the most part, Dren is a peaceful creature full of wonder and anxious to explore the world outside. Of course, this is impossible as she is still an experiment and you don't just let a creature like her loose on society...or even tell anyone about her lest you be thrown in jail as Dren is terminated and dissected for further research. So we are meant to feel bad for the creature and more so as her makers flip flip with their emotions which range from parental to cold and clinical to the perverse and extremely inappropriate. Once scene in this film will have you looking at Adrien Brody...differently...for the rest of your life. Since we are given little time with the scientists before they are thrown into the mayhem, we have very little information to explain their motives as they stumble along on their adventure. The adventure itself is one of exploration, making this film an above average Sci-fi tale, but one that doesn't really go anywhere. The entire premise is "We've created this thing...now we have to live with it"..something that seems more suited for an art house crowd rather than the main stream audience that made Avatar the highest grossing movie of all time.

With story telling born of convenience, few glimpses into the personalities of our primary human characters and a creature thrown into the spotlight and left there, abandoning all sense of mystery and relying on the strength of CGI that just doesn't cut it at times, we are left with a film that is very "What you see is what you get." It's a tale we've seen many times before in film and literature and while Splice approaches the subject in a somewhat engaging and thoughtful manor, I'd hardly call it fun...and just barely the horror film we are promised in the trailers. Splice may be somewhat shocking and absolutely memorable (if only for those shocks), but I have no desire to watch it twice.

Get Him To The Greek: A floundering record company may have found their cash cow through jump starting the career of Aldous Snow (Russel Brand who seems somewhat type cast), a hard drinking, drug abusing, sex crazed rock star on the verge of self destruction. Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) is charged with collecting Aldous, dropping him in NY for a talk show appearance and then off to LA in the space of three days. When a mild manored yes man with an inner party boy struggling to escape meets the Bacchus of the UK rock set...wackiness ensues.

I will be the first to admit this movie's trailer made me groan often with the thought of countless scenes of Russel Brand humping the camera and Jonah Hill stumbling after him as many a gross out scene unfolds. Amazingly enough, that didn't happen. Sure, there is still plenty of humping and little bits of grossness that go along with the super indulgent, super rich rock star life, but it is all executed with cracker jack comedic timing, fantastic writing and direction all rolled together creating the funniest movie I've watched in a long time. We had a fairly full theater at my screening and there were times when those watching laughed for 10 minutes straight at a stretch. This is just seriously well written material played to perfection by people that understood their roles fully and never attempted to chew up the scenery or attack the audience via the camera (as is the style of Will Ferrell.) Just about EVERY character that gets screen time says something funny. Yes, even P.Diddy!! That is a very rare thing.

Our chaotic duo finally make it back to LA after both expert and embarrassing sexual exploits, the obligatory out of control drug reaction, hysterical moments with Aldous' X Jackie Q (who might be deserving of her own mockumentary), a memorable cameo by Sarah Marshall and even a healthy dose of touchy feely self exploration, leaving the two better people by the closing credits. Awww. The film does wind down toward the finale as a somewhat filthy heart is exposed, but it doesn't hurt the pace of the film or detract from your enjoyment one bit. Get Him To The Greek is an awesome Saturday night! See it this weekend and prepare to hear half the lines repeated back at work Monday morning.

BONUS POINTS: 15 Second Killers Review: Contract Killer Kutcher gives up his bloody ways for spastically dorky Katherine Heigl until a small army of killers come after the couple to collect on a multi million dollar bounty. Plenty of shooting, car chasing and and spy-fu to be had in a one note film that limps along on a thin premise with a screaming Heigl, bad writing and no chemistry. Unless you NEED to see Kutcher with his shirt off, skip it.

Pee Wee @ Conan

Conan has been taking New York with his new diabolical tour conceived because his settlement deal doesn't allow him to appear on TV, lest he lost his remaining pants in the courts. At yesterday's show, a familiar face started working the crowd. Pee Wee Herman appointed himself gatekeeper to Conan's private after party..you know the one with the cracked out hookers and 7 foot transvestite Lady Gaga impersonators. After getting some fan digits, he performed some free-form jazz and then left to prepare for his Broadway debut in October. It takes a lot of planning to be as funny and, at the same time, ridiculously perverted as only Pee Wee can be. Let's watch a preview..like on the perverted..heavy on the free form jazz...

New Marvel Movie Heroes Revealed?

Not very likely, but let's dissect this. My email was blown up yesterday while I was baking in the Hollis, Queen's sun. 90% of the messages were about the new art "leaked" for Captain America and Thor's movie appearances. Sure, this outright looks like nifty fan art created with CG and the actor's faces, but it could also be a leak directly from Paramount to gauge what the fans think. So..since they MIGHT be going through all this trouble...what do you think? Here's my two cents...

- Cap's costume is a nice practical conversion of his classic look with Ultimate universe elements added. I can see this working on screen, but they have to do something with his mask. The blue dome isn't working. Maybe go the whole Ultimate route with the stitching up the sides and widen the A across his forehead, even though the A-head in and of itself was always silly. Not sure how else we can improve on that cranium.

- Thor's look is way too modern. We are talking about a Man-God straight from the heavens, correct? I'd like to see more medieval/ norse elements to his costume..less of a leather biker feel. Make his armor look more like armor, make his boots look less X-Men-y and, while I know they want to show his pretty face, he really should rock a war helmet. It's the difference between pretty boy and bad ass God of Thunder.

Thor drops May 6th, 2011
Captain America: The First Avenger is due for release July 22, 2011

Venture Brothers Bobble Domination

The Venture Brothers...the one cartoon on basic cable that drops more geek references than Robot Chicken hopped up on speed. Now, Bif Bang pow makes good on their campaign slogan "More Venture Industry Products in 2010!!" More as opposed to the two tiny little figures offered by Kid Robot in the past. More as in...in addition to the MEGO style action figures we've already been promised! Now..prepare for...THE BOBBLE OF DOOOOM!!!

Entertainment Earth has pre-orders up for The Monarch and Dr. Mrs. The Monarch, both standing 7 inches tall and seething with evil, wobbling intent. Dr. Mrs. The Monarch is an EE exclusive, so get your pre-orders in, as you'll find her nowhere else.

And Now..Thundercat Action Figures!!

The skies open up...the birds sing...it's like the end of Episode 1 without having to sit through all the crap that wasn't the Maul vs Jedi fight!! Action figure collectors, today, the wishing ends. Bandai is set to bring classic and new school Thundercats cartoon figures to the pegs. Read on...

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) announced today a powerhouse partnership with Bandai America Incorporated, as the global master toy licensee for the animated series, ThunderCats. Under the new agreement, Bandai and their international affiliates will create and distribute products worldwide that will complement both the classic brand property, as well as Cartoon Network’s fresh take on the animated series, with new television episodes set to air in 2011.

“With their legacy of cultivating fun and fresh play experiences for beloved character properties, Bandai is the ideal master toy license for ThunderCats,” said Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “We are thrilled to team up and introduce the ThunderCats property to a new generation of fans.”

“ThunderCats have been a cult pop culture phenomenon for the past 25 years, and Bandai America looks forward to developing modern and engaging toys for these beloved characters,” said Masayuki Matsuo, chairman and chief executive officer, Bandai America Incorporated. “Through the Bandai America and Warner Bros. Consumer Products partnership, die-hard devotees as well as a new generation of fans will be introduced to quality, innovative toys that will create magical playtime experiences capturing the adventurous spirit of the brand.”

An all-new animated series, based on the iconic 1980s action classic, ThunderCats, is currently in production at Warner Bros. Animation. The new ThunderCats, a 21st century reimagining of the series that will air on Cartoon Network, will appeal to viewers who have loved the characters all their lives as well as young newcomers to the franchise. A sweeping tale combining swords and science and boasting ferocious battles with the highest of stakes, the grand origin story of Prince Lion-O’s ascension to the throne – and of those who would thwart his destiny at any cost – takes on epic dimensions in this sharp new telling. As the forces of good and evil battle each other in the quest for the fabled Stones of Power, Lion-O and his champions learn valuable lessons of loyalty, honor and mortality in every episode.

ThunderCats is executive produced by Sam Register (“Teen Titans,” “Ben 10,” “Batman: The Brave and the Bold”). Michael Jelenic (“Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” “Wonder Woman”) and Ethan Spaulding (“Avatar: The Last Airbender”) are the producers. The series marks a creative collaboration between Warner Bros. Animation and Studio4°C, one of the most vibrant animation studios in Japan.

And just because I'm an ass, I'm going to add I knew about this and it was FRICKEN KILLING ME that I couldn't tell you about it!!!! Phew. It's out now.

Thundercats Cartoon in 2011

The Thundercatsplosion is under way! First Pop Culture Shock Collectibles announces a line of the most killer statues you'll ever see, then Icon Heroes announces 6 inch staction figures and now..animation!! WB drops the bomb on the new cartoon we'd heard rumbling on for at least 2 years now. Here's the skinny...

Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) has begun production on “ThunderCats,” an all-new animated series for Cartoon Network, based upon the iconic 1980s action classic. “ThunderCats” is the newest series from WBA, joining “Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” which was recently renewed for a third season, and the following forthcoming programs: “The Looney Tunes Show,” “MAD,” “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” and “Young Justice.” The announcement was made today by Sam Register, Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs, Warner Bros. Animation.

“In addition to being Warner Bros. Animation’s first anime series, ‘ThunderCats’ marks our most ambitious foray yet into fantasy,” said Register. “The realism and dynamic visual style we’ve achieved are sure to thrill viewers, and the cool weapons, vehicles and technology should help the show appeal to a diverse audience.”

The 21st century re-imagining of the series marks a creative collaboration between WBA and Studio4°C, one of the most vibrant animation studios in Japan, with credits including “The Animatrix,” “Gotham Knights” and “Halo Legends.” WBA is working closely with Studio4°C, utilizing the latter’s expertise to give the “ThunderCats” characters a new cutting-edge look while remaining true to the compelling storylines and mythology of the original series.

“We at Studio4°C are excited to be in this creative partnership with Warner Bros. Animation to bring ‘ThunderCats’ to life,” said Eiko Tanaka, President and CEO, Studio4°C. “This collaboration combines the strengths of our two companies – high production values and great storytelling – toward reintroducing this classic fan-favorite to a new audience.”

Roaring to life through WBA and Studio4°C’s use of the Japanese animated artistry of anime, “ThunderCats” characters Lion-O, Mumm-Ra, Panthro, Cheetara and others will spring off the screen with realistic cat-like characteristics inconceivable in previous incarnations.

The new “ThunderCats” will appeal to viewers who have loved the characters all their lives as well as young newcomers to the franchise. A sweeping tale combining swords and science and boasting ferocious battles with the highest of stakes, the grand origin story of Prince Lion-O’s ascension to the throne – and of those who would thwart his destiny at any cost – takes on epic dimensions in this sharp new telling. As the forces of good and evil battle each other in the quest for the fabled Stones of Power, Lion-O and his champions learn valuable lessons of loyalty, honor and mortality in every episode.

“ThunderCats” is executive produced by Sam Register (“Teen Titans,” “Ben 10,” “Batman: The Brave and the Bold”). Michael Jelenic (“Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” “Wonder Woman”) and Ethan Spaulding (“Avatar: The Last Airbender”) are the producers.

Things that get me worried...

A. The word re-imagining
B. Halo Legends was very NOT fun. The complete opposite of fun.
C. Quest for the fables Stones of Power...gotta catch em all? Sounds very formulaic. I guess the tale of crash landed, super powered cat aliens led by a powerhouse with the mind of a teenager fighting an army of monstrous mutants led by an ancient evil mummy was too tame for them.
D. The phrase "realistic cat-like characteristics inconceivable in previous incarnations" conjures images of them scratching themselves behind the ear, purring and licking their fur clean. Maybe save the realism for Thundercats XXX.

I say grab the whole Avatar: The Last Airbender squad and have them make a show true to its roots and create a dynamic we really care about. Could be epic!

DC Mez-Itz On The Way

Mezco Toyz is proud to announce that is has signed a deal with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, on behalf of DC Comics, to create Mez-Itz, Mezco’s signature designer vinyl brand. The deal gives Mezco Toyz full access to the massive DC Universe of characters as well as specific movies, including world-famous superheroes such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and the vast array of villains associated with these iconic heroes.

The first characters to be revealed to the public will be Batman and The Joker.
The Dark Knight and The Clown Prince of Crime will make their debut at San Diego Comic Con in June 2010; the exclusive two pack of 6inch Mez-Itz is based on the classic comic book characters.

"I've been a DC fan since I picked up my first comic book many years ago. To have access to the DC Universe and the ability to recreate these iconic heroes and villains as Mez-itz is a dream come true!' said Mezco President Michael "Mez" Markowitz

Mezco Toyz plans to release several waves of Mez-Itz each year in a variety of sizes. They will announce the next wave of DC characters at San Diego Comic Con.

Mez-Itz, rotocast vinyl collectibles are cool by design. They features five points of articulation, amazing graphics from Mezco’s award winning design team, and are often packaged in a collector friendly window box.

I wish Mezco a lot of luck with this line. I know plenty of fans have been asking for a DC product comparable to Hasbro's Mighty Muggs, but with that line hitting clearance and slowly disappearing from retail shelves, will there be support for a whole new wave of stylized vinyl toys? We'll find out soon enough.

Action Figure Xpress SDCC Exclusives

AFX jumps into the geekiest battle of the year...THE EXCLUSIVES SMACKDOWN!! How it works is..the companies announce their toys for the biggest show of the year; San Diego Comic Con; and then work to keep them in the spotlight up to the July start of show. Then, as you walk by, they lure you in with booth babes, dark wizards and chemical pheromone ray guns designed to make you empty your pockets of all available cash on their counters. DIABOLICAL!! Here's the start of Action Figure Xpress's offerings..as I'm sure there will be more!

AFX kicks this off with two squads of minimates...

X-FORCE - This highly anticipated boxed set includes the original lineup of X-Force, featuring a new Deadpool, an updated Cable, Feral, and Domino!

GHOSTBUSTERS 2 - Finally, this boxed set will serve to fill the last of the incomplete holes in Minimate fans' collections! Featuring Ghostbusters II versions of Peter Venkman and Egon Spengler with proton packs, this set also includes "Slime Blower" equipped versions of Ray Stanz and Winston Zeddemore!





AFX also has a Star Wars Gentle Giant Han Solo in Stormtrooper Disguise Maquette launching at SDCC with 400 pieces. You NEEED This. ~waves hand~

Hasbro's SDCC 2010 Exclusives

Our buddies over at Toyfare Magazine got the exclusive on Hasbro's Marvel drool fodder for San Diego Comic Con in their current issue #155 (in stores nowww)..and now that they got the first strike, we've got the not-so-sloppy seconds! We love it when pretty pictures wind up in our email! It should happen more often!! (wink wink nudge nudge) We'll get the the previously announced 19 inch Galactus in a special, over-sized blister card package along side 3 and 3 quarter Marvel Universe figures Ultimate Captain America and Ages of Thunder Thor. You'll also be able to snag an Iron Man Mark VI Mighty Mugg with a flip up visor. There were rumors of a Marvelman (Miracleman) 3 and 3 quarter figure as well, but we are being told Galactus took that slot.













The Marvel gang join Sgt. Slaughter (for the G.I.Joe Fans), G1 re-issue Blaster with Ramhorn, Steeljaw and Eject cassettes and an as yet un-named Mighty Mugg (for the Transformer psychos) and a Dark Horse Visionaries Comic Pack with Cyborg Darth Maul & Owen Lars (for the Star Wars ubergeeks). Only one question remains...WHAT OF THE PONIES??!! Get ready for PONY POWER!!

NOTE: Some Hasbro SDCC exclusives are often made available via Hasbrotoyshop at the start of the convention, so if you are interested, keep watching. Sarge MIGHT pop up there. If you are looking to score a Galactus, no worries. He'll be repackaged in a box with a Marvel Universe 3 and 3 quarter Silver Surfer action figure.

Star Wars X Giant Robot Exhibition & Launch Party

If you learned anything from cable TV this weekend, it's that no matter how old the original Star Wars trilogy gets, it's still amazing. When you combine a giant robot with the unmistakable lines of a Storm Trooper's armor, you've got pure gold. Super7 always knew this and now, they'll celebrate their first star-robo creation.

Super7 celebrates our first collaboration with Lucasfilm with a special release party for the STAR WARS: STORMTROOPER SUPER SHOGUN!

When: Saturday June 12th , doors open at 6:00 PM
Where: Super7 Store
1628 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

Available at retail for the first time ever, the SUPER SHOGUN is a Limited Edition of only 1200 pieces, with many of that quantity already presold to consumers and overseas distributors. This is a one-time production with each STORMTROOPER hand numbered on the base of the foot with a unique serial number. Be sure to arrive early, as the first 100 people thorough the door will be given a unique Star Wars themed collectible, which will act as your raffle ticket. A random drawing later in the evening will award a prize package including one of the SUPER SHOGUN figures – a $299 value! Come on out to either buy one, or try your luck at winning one!

Similar to how the toy itself combines the themes of Star Wars and Japanese Super Robots, we will have an extraordinary exhibition of rare vintage toys from both franchises on display. The expansive series of original Kenner Star Wars action figures, including rare items such as figures with early “telescoping” light sabers, will be shown from the personal collection of Super7 honcho Brian Flynn. From 12-backs to Yak Faces, you will have the opportunity to see the complete Kenner collection in its entirety.

Master collector and “Chairman” of www.toyboxdx.com , Erik Sjoen, has graciously allowed us to exhibit his incredible collection of vintage Japanese Jumbo Machinders. The two-foot tall giants will take up a large amount of the exhbit space with over 20 different robots featured, from the popular Raideen and Grendizer, to the more obscure Capsule Robo G and Giant Gorg.
The final part of the exhibit will be dedicated to the “making of” the SUPER SHOGUN itself, as we present various stages of the production never before seen, including design sketches, original sculpts, and various mold tests.

Aside from our Jumbo figure, actual Stormtroopers themselves will be on-hand at the party! Security at the event will be provided by the Golden Gate Garrison of the 501st Legion, to ensure that any rebel scum is dealt with accordingly.

We hope to see you at the party!

For more information, please visit the dedicated website STARWARS.SUPER7STORE.COM.

A similar bash will be held at Super7 Florida - for details, please visit their site.

New Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Villains Trailer

The next Marvel throwdown is preparing to debut on your favorite consoles. This title sees Spider-Man in a multi-dimensional adventure taking on the big bads as only he knows how. Some will be the ones we know well..and others..extremely familiar...

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is a thrilling action-packed adventure set in four dramatically different universes from legendary Spider-Man lore, each with a distinct Spider-Man armed with unique skills and strengths, in one original storyline. Players will be transported to new locations never before seen in a Spider-Man game, from lush jungles and dusty deserts to various urban terrains. Acclaimed comic book writer Dan Slott takes players on a mission to contain the magical energy of the Tablet of Order and Chaos, which has been shattered and sent hurtling across parallel universes, and battle fan-favorite villains in a quest to restore the fabric of reality. For more info and assets, check out the game's official site at www.SpiderManDimensions.com.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is in development by Beenox for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii, and by Griptonite Games for Nintendo DS.

NEW Scott Pilgrim Trailer

Meet charming and jobless Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera). A bass guitarist for garage band Sex Bob-omb, the 22-year-old has just met the girl of his dreams...literally. The only catch to winning Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead)? Her seven evil exes are coming to kill him. Genre-smashing filmmaker Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) tells the amazing story of one romantic slacker’s quest to power up with love in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Scott Pilgrim has never had a problem getting a girlfriend. It’s getting rid of them that proves difficult. From the girl who kicked his heart’s ass—and now is back in town—to the teenage distraction he’s trying to shake when Ramona rollerblades into his world, love hasn’t been easy. He soon discovers, however, his new crush has the most unusual baggage of all: a nefarious league of exes controls her love life and will do whatever it takes to eliminate him as a suitor.

As Scott gets closer to Ramona, he must face an increasingly vicious rogues’ gallery from her past—from infamous skateboarders to vegan rock stars and fearsomely identical twins. And if he hopes to win his true love, he must vanquish them all before it really is game over.