by Nicole Powers

It was a profound honor and a privilege to be able to help the Aurora community raise funds for the victims of the tragic mass shooting that occurred on July 20 at the midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises at the Century 16 multiplex in Aurora, Colorado.

W33K 1N G33K columnist A.J. Focht, who is a long time member of our community, was in the theater when the incident occurred, so the tragedy hit very close to home. Fortunately, A.J. made it out of the theater physically unscathed, but unfortunately one of his group didn’t.

When he’s not studying or writing for SG, A.J. works at All C’s Collectables, an Aurora based comic and gaming emporium which is not far from theater. Many of the store’s staff and customers were directly affected by the shooting, and, as a hub for the local comics community, All C’s therefore felt compelled to act, organizing a two day Aurora Rise benefit which took place this past weekend.

The response from the comics community had been so generous that All C’s had taken over a couple of extra adjacent retail spaces to accommodate everyone. Renowned comic writers Matt Fraction (The Invincible Iron Man), Mike Mignola (Hellboy), and Steve Niles (Batman: Gotham County Line and the SG Comic series) flew in to do signings, and many other local artists donated their services. Colorado Suicide Girls Dexter, Lacey, Ladonna, Shyla, and Syko donated their time over the weekend, and raised funds by taking pictures, doing signings, and selling special autographed SG comic and subscription packs. In addition, the state’s Zombie Emergency Response Operations team were on hand, providing their own unique kind of tactical support.

On the Saturday evening there was also a silent auction at a nearby Embassy Suites, where many of the higher value donated items were sold. Friends of SG Scott Ian of Anthrax and Wil Wheaton were kind enough to donate items, as were most of the major comics companies. Sale items included a signed Seth Green DVD and a very real looking Flux Capacitor – both of which were coveted by us. The event also featured some very special vehicles, reproductions of the Starsky & Hutch car, the Ghostbusters‘ van, and the Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated machine being our faves.

In the wake of such a tragic incident, it was heartening to see how the Aurora community had pulled together to help its own. Several of those who’d been shot and/or lost friends and family were in attendance. Though the event was primarily organized to raise funds for the victims, it also provided an opportunity for the worldwide comics community to show solidarity. It was very humbling to be in the presence of those that had experienced such profound trauma and loss, and yet were so open, generous, and loving in the welcome they gave us.

Steve Niles perhaps summed this up best in a series of tweets he posted after the event: “Sitting here thinking about ‪@AuroraRise and I’m struck by how strong all the people I met are after what they experienced. Inspirational,” he wrote. “Spoke with a man who lost his son. I still have chills. I don’t think I’ve ever met a stronger human.”

SuicideGirls would like to extend our sincere thanks to A.J., Jason, and the All C’s staff and volunteers for organizing such an awesome event and for making us feel so welcome, to all that came out and donated so generously, and to our Anonymous friends who went above and beyond with their support. Those that couldn’t make it out in person can donate to the Victim Relief Fund here.

**UPDATE**
Aurora Rise has a brand new website for information on their ongoing fundraising efforts. You’ll find it at: aurorarise.org/

Related Posts:
ComicBook.com: Aurora Rise Photo Gallery – Day One
ComicBook.com: Aurora Rise Photo Gallery – Day Two
Aurora Rise Benefit: August 25th And 26th
Aurora Rise Benefit Event
Back Row Perspective Part 1: An Aurora Theater Survivor’s Message To The Media
Back Row Perspective Part 2: An Aurora Theater Survivor’s Message To The Politicians
Back Row Perspective Part 3: An Aurora Theater Survivor’s Message To The Online Community

by Daniel Robert Epstein

“This was just a part that I thought I could sink my teeth into.”
– Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle is a very well known and brilliant supporting actor, who has appeared in such films as Out of Sight, Boogie Nights and Devil in a Blue Dress, but he has yet to have that lead role that will truly launch him, until now. Cheadle is now starring in Hotel Rwanda, the true life story of Paul Rusesabagina who rescued and housed thousands of refugees during the Rwandan Genocide of 1994.

Read our interview with Don Cheadle on SuicideGirls.com.

by A.J. Focht

The Avengers will be coming out on DVD in just over a month on September 25. But with the first movie not even out on DVD yet, Disney has already confirmed the release date for Avengers 2. Marvel has several movies in line before Avengers 2 releases on May 1, 2015, including sequels to Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man 2.

It’s not just a load of sequels that Marvel is producing. Marvel’s next original project The Guardians of the Galaxy movie is set to release in August 2014. Details of the plot have been revealed: We’re told it’s “about a U.S. pilot who ends up in space in the middle of a universal conflict and goes on the run with futuristic ex-cons who have something everyone wants.”

Before Guardians of the Galaxy will make it to theaters, Thor: The Dark World will be premiering November 8, 2013. With the movie just over a year away, casting reports from the Thor sequel keep rolling out. The latest cast member to be announced is Lost actor, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. He will be appearing as the villainous Dark Elf, Algrim.

Two more members have joined the cast of Arrow. Jessica De Gouw will appear as The Huntress, Helena Bertinelli, in multiple episodes of the series. Torchwood actor, John Barrowman, is also joining the cast. There is some speculation as to whom Barrowman will be playing and whether he will be a hero or villain. The current rumormill is leaning towards him playing Stanley Dover Sr., from Kevin Smith’s Green Arrow run. There is also rumors that Green Arrow’s sidekick, Speedy, will be in the show and may have already been cast as Oliver Queen’s sister Thea Queen.

The new Walking Dead series premiers on October 14th. The first batch of official Season 3 photos have hit the internet. Most of the TV favorites plus some new characters like the Governor, all featured in portraits in Entertainment Weekly.

The price of seeing movies in theaters has risen to a ridiculous level lately. With the extra fees for seeing anything in 3D or IMAX, the average trip to the movies can easily run over $20 per person. That makes the news that The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will not have a price increase for the 48fps showings
so much sweeter. Everyone can save an extra few dollars this holiday season as the Hobbit will release on December 14.

The longstanding iconic relationship between Superman and Lois Lane has come to an end. Starting in Justice League #12, DC is making way for the ultimate super powered couple: Superman and Wonder Woman. This super couple is not just a one-shot publicity stunt either. The New 52 team has apparently been working toward this transition for a while and it looks to be a lasting relationship.

by Blogbot

The Devil’s Carnival visited Santa Monica last Friday for the penultimate night of its encore tour. Inspired by The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the 60-minute rock musical is intended to be the first installment of what director Darren Lynn Bousman hopes will be an ongoing episodic cinematic experience. We arrived in the vicinity of Laemmle’s 4-Plex in Santa Monica at 8 PM in order to grab a bite to eat. Though it was a full two hours before the devilry was due to begin, a line of what was unmistakably Devil’s Carnival patrons had already formed down the block.

Once inside the cinema we were treated to performances from a couple of Vaudeville-style acts, though there was nothing Victorian about how a uniquely talented female performer deep throated a balloon of epic Ron Jeremy-proportions. Next, a collage of behind-the-scenes clips from Bousman’s previous musical endeavor, Repo! The Genetic Opera, afforded the audience an opportunity for a vocal warm up before the main event. It was impressive to see just how large of a proportion of those in the sold-out theater were word perfect as they sang along to favorites from the 4-year old soundtrack such a “Zydrate Anatomy.” A montage of singing videos sent in by fans and an on stage costume competition which paid tribute to the considerable sartorial efforts of the assembled helped further warm up the crowd for a night which was to be spent dancing with the Devil, as played by Terrance Zdunich, Bousman’s Repo! and Devil’s Carnival collaborator.

Bousman and Zdunich then took to the stage to introduce their film. Bousman explained to his fans that he’d wanted to create an experience that couldn’t be downloaded – though telling that to those inside the theater was tantamount to preaching to the choir, since they’d obviously left their computers behind to be there. Following the visually stunning and musically arresting film, the pair took to the stage again for a Q&A alongside other cast members including Dayton Callie (a.k.a. Chief Wayne Unser from Sons of Anarchy) and Repo! alumni Bill Moseley. The faithful would have asked questions all night had Bousman not brought things to a close so a merchandise signing session could begin. As fans lined up clutching posters and CDs, we headed out into the night with “In All My Dreams I Drown” spinning in our head. It’s testament to the strength of the score that almost a week later it’s still stuck there.

Photography: Nicole Powers
For more images from the night visit our Devil’s Carnival photo gallery.

Related Posts
Darren Lynn Bousman: The Devil’s Carnival
Darren Lynn Bousman: Repossessed

by Daniel Robert Epstein

“Instead of great plots and stories, it was funny characters that we liked…”
– Owen Wilson

I’’m not sure what to say about Owen Wilson. Ever since I first saw him in Bottle Rocket I have thought he was hilarious and brilliant. His movies with Ben Stiller like Zoolander and Meet the Parents are some of my favorite films of all time. It’s good to see him put aside that smarmy knowing persona that he has perfected in numerous movies over the past few years and play someone with the wide eyed innocence that Ned Plimpton has in Wes Anderson’’s The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou.

Read our interview with Owen Wilson on SuicideGirls.com.

by A.J. Focht

Iron Man 3 is the next major movie premiering on Marvel’s line up. While there is still no full length trailers (though a teaser trailer of the logo was released), one source claims to have seen the first trailer and has posted a recap. The alleged clip features narration from Tony Stark, who talks about how he is not into the superhero game anymore after the Avengers and also includes a voice over by Ben Kingsley who is playing Mandarin. Iron Man 3 is set to release in May 2013.

Thor II: Dark World will begin shooting later this month, and another addition has been announced to the star studded cast. Alice Krige has taken on a small role in the film. Krige says that she may not even be recognizable due to makeup, leading to theories that she will play Alfyse, the queen of the Dark Elves. Thor II is set to release November 8, 2013.

The Wolverine will claw its way into theaters on July 26, 2013. Despite the mess that was X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Hugh Jackman says that The Wolverine will be a standalone film. The movie will take place in Japan and will have and an all new cast. Jackman will be returning, but don’t expect to see anyone else from Origins.

Superheroes aren’t the only ones getting thrown in the spotlight, NBC is developing a new super villain themed television series called Hench. The series “centers on a regular guy who, in order to support his family, gets jobs temping for super villains.” Hench is based on a comic by Adam Beechen and Manny Bello’s by the same name.

Getting ready to enter their third season, AMC’s The Walking Dead might also be crawling its way into a theater near you. It’s mostly just rumor right now, but one source is saying that AMC is looking at taking the zombie horror show to the silver screen. We will have to wait for more news about the supposed movie, but the third season of The Walking Dead premiers October 14.

Doctor Who fans now know that the Twelfth Doctor won’t be showing up for at least two more years. Matt Smith has confirmed he will be staying on as the Eleventh Doctor until 2014. For everyone who was looking forward to the Time Lord swap during the anniversary special, it looks like you’ll have to wait a few more years.

Joss Whedon is staying on with Marvel until 2015, but the nerd icon is now helping to promote another movie…or not. In a tongue-in-cheek message to his fans, Whedon calls for a boycott of indie movie Sleep Walk With Me, which he claims is threatening the continued success of his own Avengers film. However, he points out, in order to boycott the movie effectively, you will first need to call your local theater and get them to show it, so you can then not go and see it – or go see it just so you can tell your friends exactly how much it sucks (not).

by Alex Dueben

“There’s a lot of unique small businesses and DIY movements that make Portland a kind of incubator for new ideas.”
– Jacob Pander

Arnold and Jacob Pander first achieved comic book stardom with their first project, Grendel: Devil’s Legacy, written by Matt Wagner which starred Christine Spar. The Brothers have since gone on to work on a number of projects including Accelerate, written by Richard Kadrey, and Tasty Bullet, which Arnold collaborated on with Jonathan Vankin, but for the most part, the pair have worked together on comics and film projects.

Among their many cinematic projects are Triple-X – not to be confused by the Vin Diesel movie of similar title, Batman: City of Light, Exquisite Corpse, and Ginger Fox. The duo have also directed many music videos, short films and commercials in addition to writing and directing the feature film Selfless.

Their new release is Secret Broadcast Redux, a full color digital version of the comic the pair released through Oni Press in 1998. When the comic was initially released, it was accompanied by a soundtrack and music videos. Redux includes a new coda to explore what happens to the characters after the events of the story and an all new soundtrack.

Read our exclusive interview with Arnold and Jacob Pander on SuicideGirls.com.