by Bob Suicide

Bob Suicide’s Top 10 Geeky Books For The Naughty N’ Nice Nerd In Your Life

1. Book of Sith: Secrets from the Dark Side by Daniel Wallace ($62.98)

It may not arrive in time for Xmas, but be sure to stick a preorder for the Book of Sith (out February 10, 2012) under the tree because embracing the dark side with this multi-faceted tome will be well worth the wait!

2. Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe – Showcasing Rare Collectibles and Memorabilia by Pablo Hidalgo ($20.57)

Speaking of robots…how about ones in disguise? The Transformers Vault is filled with all kinds of nostalgic goodies for any die-hard fan who weeps at the mere mention of Bayformers, ahem, I mean that franchise that shall not be named.

3. ‪Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson ($17.49)

There’s no denying that Steve Jobs defined a generation of gadget-lovers — and often catered directly to us. This collection of vignettes culled from a series of 40 interviews puts his life and creative genius into perspective, and may inspire some wonderful New Year’s resolutions or dev. projects for 2012.

4.‪ Let the Right One In‬ ‬by John Ajvide Lindqvist ($10.85)

Sure, the original movie was amazing, and an American version was made (for better or worse), but the original novel is a wonderful gift to re-educate all those who think vampires sparkle.

5. ‪Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith ($11.19)

And, speaking of vampires and movies…Get it before the movie comes out so you can be up on all of the fanboy banter. I could never get into the Jane Austen novels. I’m just not a girlie girl. So, when Pride and Prejudice and Zombies came out I couldn’t jump on the bandwagon. But, a hatchet-wielding vampire hunter who gives one hell of an address is right up my alley.

6. ‪Packing for Mars‬: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach ($10.85)

I’m a big fan of this author’s witty take on in-depth research of interesting scientific topics. In fact, her book Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers is one of my all time Top Ten favorite reads! Cute, funny, and pun-ny, this book looks at the next frontier for space travel and gives you the 411 on how to prepare.

7. Why does E=mc2?: (And Why Should We Care?) by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw ($9.63)

This book is short and very easy to read. It’s a great stocking stuffer or quick holiday read for those who want a brief primer on physics — or to impress their friends at holiday parties (we all know what you’re doing!).

8. World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks ($7.99)

From all accounts, the movie sounds like it’s going to destroy all of Max Brook’s amazing work. So be sure to get this book for every geek you know so we can all enjoy the story as it was meant to be.

9. The Walking Dead: Compendium One by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn and Tony Moore ($31.24)

Speaking of zombies and original stories thereof, be sure to give that zed-head you love the original Walking Dead story!

10. SuicideGirls Comic Book Series Vol. 1 thru 4 – Written by Steve Niles and Illustrated by Cameron Stewart ($7.50 for the set!)

I could be a little biased, but I think this makes a great gift. Buy it now, or accept the consequences…

Further reading: Bob Suicide’s Uber Geeky Gadget Gift Guide
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by A.J. Focht

Attached to the Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol IMAX screenings is a new six minute prologue for Dark Knight Rises. Many bootlegged copies were spread around online after its release, but Warner Bros. has done a good job of shutting them all down. For those not able to visit an IMAX theater and see the prologue, the first official trailer has been released. While Christian Bale’s voice in The Dark Knight was a running joke, it looks like Bane’s voice may be worse. Even though Warner Bros. is nervous about the fan response to the voice, Nolan refuses to change it.

Reports that Patty Jenkins left her position directing Thor 2 of her own accord may have been fabricated. Recently, sources reveal that she may have been terminated without any proper cause. Natalie Portman is said to be very upset over these changes, as she signed onto the film specifically because Jenkins was supposed to be directing it. While it’s unclear which story is correct, there is clearly drama brewing among the cast that could affect the movie’s deadline.

No more waiting for bits and pieces of information on the Amazing Spider-Man. Sony has launched the official website for the film. The site includes photos, trailers, information and more goodies. Any information on the movie that you’ve been wanting will likely be found there.

Following the release of a batch of posters last week, the producers of Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance have released a new official trailer. It definitely captures the dark tone that the new film was going for while keeping the black humor that fans expect.

That’s it for the superhero movies, but there is one other big superhero project on the horizon. Marvel Comics will be making a novel adaptation of their classic Civil War storyline. Civil War was one of the most groundbreaking events in comics, and the novel, to be written by Stuart Moore, is set to hit shelves in June 2012.

Ridley Scott released a series of posters for his upcoming project Prometheus earlier this week, and has followed them up with teaser trailer footage. The first official full trailer will release this Thursday. While the project is not related to the Aliens universe, the posters and footage give it a very similar feeling.

First he’s in Oz, then he’s not, and now he is again. The roller coaster that is Bruce Campbell’s role in the upcoming Oz: The Great and Powerful has kept the rumor mill turning. Most recently, we hear he’s back in and they have shot footage. While we still don’t know exactly what role he is playing, he did mention he will have a confrontation with Oz (played by James Franco).

For the manga lovers out there, there is some great news regarding Rurouni Kenshin. The first trailer of the live action movie has hit the internet. The film looks extremely well done, and the character casting appears to be spot on. It’s currently slated to hit Japanese theaters on August 25, 2012.

A full synopsis of The Hobbit has been released. No real surprises here, but a good chance to familiarize yourself with the story and what you can expect from the movie, if you don’t know already that is. To go along with that, the official trailer has been released. It’s looking to be just as epic as any of the Lord of the Rings movies.

Who is the best vampire slayer of all-time? If you answered Blade or Buffy, you’re wrong. The correct answer is, Abraham Lincoln. New posters for Tim Burton’s imagining of the Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter book have been released. The official plot synopsis tells us that the film will explore the secret life of our greatest president, an untold story that shaped our nation. Amongst the wave of Twilight-inspired vampire trash, it will be nice to have a quality, dark, and likely humorous vampire story told in a way that only Tim Burton can.

On a final note, Doctor Who: Worlds In Time will preview this week. The new game based on the popular BBC sci-fi series is a free-to-play, browser based MMO game. Players choose their avatars and interact in a game environment with a traditional ‘Flash-based’ art style. While it’s not a big budget MMO, it should be a nice treat for those whole like to spend quality time with Time Lords.

by Daniel Robert Epstein

When I first called in to talk to Matt Fleckenstein, someone answered the phone “Drake & Josh.” I got very excited because for some reason even though I’’m 30 years old I am obsessed with that show. I think that both Drake Bell and Josh are enormously talented plus it’’s created by Dan Schneider, the heavy set dude from Head of the Class!

When I got Matt Fleckenstein on the phone I quizzed him about working on Drake & Josh and Dan Schneider. But then we settled into what he hopes will be a regular gig, working on Family Guy. Currently Fleckenstein only has a few writing credits to his name when it comes to the Family Guy TV series but hopefully that will change. Right now he has the prime gig of writing the upcoming Family Guy comic book.

Read our exclusive interview with Matt Fleckenstein on SuicideGirls.com.

by Bob Suicide

Bob Suicide’s Top 10 Gadgets For The Naughty N’ Nice Nerd In Your Life.

1. The Star Wars Wampa Rug ($99.99) or Taun Taun Sleeping Bag ($99.99)

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but inside a TaunTaun it’s SO delightful. Cozy up and get your geek on with some of the greatest plush reproductions from the best movie in the series.

2. Star Trek Enterprise Pizza Cutter ($19.99)

Take your cooking where it’s never been before. It’s a great stocking stuffer. And, made with the same level of quality that Starfleet expects from all of its ships.

3. Lego Death Star Tree Ornament (Approx $18-28.00)

Order the parts from Lego and let the force be with you as you build a superweapon capable of destroying all other Xmas ornament competition.

4. Uncharted 3 CE for PlayStation 3 ($74.99)

You can never go wrong with a quality collector’s edition and the Uncharted 3 CE was one of the best of the season. It’s like 4 gifts in one!

5. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for Xbox 360 ($49.99)

And, speaking of video games, your loveable nerd’s holiday isn’t complete without Spike’s Game of the Year: Skyrim. You may never see them again after the holiday. But, you’ll know they’re happy wherever they are — battling dragons. EFFING DRAGONS!!!

6. Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 ($264.95)

What programmer doesn’t want a robot butler? Or a robot alligator to guard the house? Give your geek a Mindstorm and they’ll build you something better, faster, stronger – but beware, this is how Skynet starts. Hey, it may be the end of the world, but it’s the thought that counts!

7. Portal 2: Light Up PotatOS ($29.99)

Remember when you were a kid and you did the potato-as-a-conductor-for-light experiment. Well, now, kids (big and small) can not only make a potato give light, you can make it insult you too — just what you’ve always wanted!

8. Munchkin Quest the Board Game. ($37.11)

Remember when you used to play D&D with your friends for hours, I mean days, on end? Well, add witty cards (and sometimes lots of Cuthulu), grab some friends, and relive the magic! And, while your at it, get the iPhone/Android app for extra perks!!!

9. 8-bit Glasses ($390.00)

They’re super-pricey and hipsters might adopt them ironically, but the geek with cash and class can admire the retro- grooviness of these 8 bit specs.

10. Star Wars Motorcycle Suits ($1,150.00)

I don’t really have to sell you on this one. The Dark Side sells itself. 😛

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by Daniel Robert Epstein

Aaron Eckhart scared a generation of filmgoers with his misogynistic character in the seminal independent film In the Company of Men. Since then he’s played such roles as the sympathetic biker in Erin Brockovich to a fast talking shyster in Paycheck. Now he’’s playing the be all end all of shysters; a tobacco lobbyist in Thank You For Smoking.

Nick Naylor is the chief spokesman for Big Tobacco. Confronted by health zealots out to ban tobacco and an opportunistic senator who wants to put poison labels on cigarette packs, Nick goes on a PR offensive, spinning away the dangers of cigarettes on TV talk shows and enlisting a Hollywood super-agent to promote smoking in movies.

Read our exclusive interview with Aaron Eckhart on SuicideGirls.com.

By Alex Dueben

Ramon Perez may not be familiar to many comics fans, but his collaborators on his new graphic novel are quite well-known. Perez is writing and drawing Tale of Sand, a graphic novel just released by Archaia Press which is based on an unfilmed screenplay by Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl.

An experimental project that Henson began working on in the late sixties, Perez has transformed the script into a beautifully illustrated graphic novel. The book defies easy summary, something we discussed in the interview, because it’s a story that’s much open to interpretation. It’s strikingly different from the work that most Henson fans know and should hopefully help to start a new conversation about the kind of talent that Henson was.

The book also marks the arrival of Perez as a top tier comics talent. An artist of uncommon skills as a designer and illustrator, he also possesses an adept sense of color and layout. It says a lot about the Henson Company that they let an artist have such free reign in adapting the script, and Perez rose to the task, crafting one of the best comics of the year.

We reached Perez by phone at his home in Toronto.

Read our exclusive interview with Ramon Perez on SuicideGirls.com.

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